Tobacco Use Cessation and SCI

[chris arnold]

Although essentially a non-smoker, for years I enjoyed a good cigar (I never inhaled). Some years ago, I felt after the last one that my body was saying "this is not a good idea". Ever since I have had no problem with abstaining, although I sometimes feel a little nostalgic.

[JakeHalsted]

?

forget the nicotine. Drink lots of coffee and smoke only pot. YOu'll kick da habit

[Ziggs]

forget the nicotine. Drink lots of coffee and smoke only pot. YOu'll kick da habit

Pot has its downsides too... I wouldn't use one drug to fix your habit of another, just becomes a vicious cycle..

[TMAZ]

I quit smoking 4 years ago but it still calls my name from time to time.

[zepac]

Pot has its downsides too... I wouldn't use one drug to fix your habit of another, just becomes a vicious cycle..

What bad can pot do? Unless killing your budget if you need to buy...

[abrelsford]

Nicotine gum?

[QUOTE=SCI-Nurse;1147815]Smoking and the use of other tobacco products (snuff, chewing tobacco, etc.) is one of the most unhealthy habits possible for a person with SCI.

Hi, I successfully quit smoking by using nicotine gum; however, I've gotten hooked on that now. Is this equally bad on bone health as smoking? Please let me know - I will quit for sure if yes...even though it helps me "get through" stuff...
Thanks!!

[rollingpixv2]

blah blah blah :-)

"You can die drinking a glass of water, but has that ever stopped you from being thirsty?" That was my grandfather's favorite saying and it really make sense. Don't get me wrong I'm not being a fool in saying that smoking is good for you. I know that smoking isn't good for you, but the worst thing for any person to in my imagination is to walk around like chicken Little thinking about what can fall on them next.

[pukkap]

I also got hooked on Nicorette also when I quit. Does the gum affect circulation the same as cigarettes?

[SCI-Nurse]

I also got hooked on Nicorette also when I quit. Does the gum affect circulation the same as cigarettes?

Yes.

(KLD)

[kimmie]

I just wonder what the research says about vaping (electronic cigarette)? I do know if I smoke a real cigarette my body's nerve pain is a 100! I am in so much pain it is absolutely krazy. So that right there tells me I am not suppose to be smoking. But i have went to vaping instead.

Kimmie
T3-T4

[SCI-Nurse]

I have referenced this Wikipedia site before on electronic cigarettes. The jury is out on the long term effects. Not enough studies have been completed. I think the interesting part is the nicotine content (below) taken from this reference.
Liquid
Liquids used to produce vapor in electronic cigarettes are widely sold both as separate bottled products, for use with refillable cartridges and as pre-filled disposable cartridges. Bottled liquid is sold under a variety of names, including "e–liquid", "e-juice", and "nicotine solution".
Contents of liquid solutions vary, but their common aspects include water and flavorings in a propylene glycol or glycerin base. Nicotine is also included in solutions intended to fulfil a nicotine replacement role. Whole Tobacco Alkaloids (WTA) have recently been introduced into e–liquids. Some users find that e-liquids with WTA provide an experience that more closely resembles smoking than e-liquids that do not contain the additives. Whole Tobacco Alkaloids are produced in a process similar to that used to purify nicotine in general.
E-liquid vendors are becoming more common in The United States as consumers push for American made varieties.


Nicotine
Liquid solutions containing nicotine are available in differing nicotine concentrations to suit user preference. Dosing nomenclatures are not standardized and vary by manufacturer, but tend towards the following rough figures:

• Liquids said to contain "low" doses of nicotine tend to correspond to a nicotine concentration of between 6 - 9 mg/ml (milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid).
• "Midrange" or "medium" doses tend to correspond to a nicotine concentration of 10–17 mg/ml.
• "High" doses tend to correspond to a nicotine concentration of aprox 18–22 mg/ml.
• "Extra-high" doses tend to correspond to a nicotine concentration of 24–36 mg/ml.

Actual numerical nicotine concentration ratings are usually printed on liquid containers or cartridge packaging. Often, the standard notation "mg/ml" is shortened to a simple "mg".[9] Nicotine-free solutions are also a widely offered option.

pbr

[fromnwmont]

I have never smoked but have chewed snuff since I was 12 if my math is correct that's 38yrs I have tried gum etc.etc. made if once. For 6 months. nurse confiscated my can while in hospital broken back & pelvis I still found way to retrieve my spare can out my pants... thinking I want try & quit just plain tired of it if I am awake I have a chew in my lip (yes even when I eat) the fun is gone.

[quad247]

I have smoked for many... years,but a few months ago my hands started going numb and in the middle of the night my arms were falling asleep.I quit a few weeks ago and the numbness is slowly going away.I miss them like crazy!!!on the other had I feel alot better and don't worry about a stroke so much.Bieing a quad is HARD,but being a quad that had a stroke would be HORRIBLE!!!
Nelson.

[Sue Pendleton]

I have never smoked but have chewed snuff since I was 12 if my math is correct that's 38yrs I have tried gum etc.etc. made if once. For 6 months. nurse confiscated my can while in hospital broken back & pelvis I still found way to retrieve my spare can out my pants... thinking I want try & quit just plain tired of it if I am awake I have a chew in my lip (yes even when I eat) the fun is gone.

You can do this! My Dad quit 2 packs a day at the age of 74. It has been 6 years now and he's never gone back. Talk to your doctor about any help you can get in your area. And after about 2 weeks, if you can, make an appointment to get your teeth cleaned. It helped me after I quit after smoking for 16 years off and on. And ask your dentist to take a good look around in there and let him know how long you chewed. At least with chewing you won't need to get all your carpets, curtains and furniture cleaned to get rid of the smell. Good luck!

[ValleyGirl]

I used to be a pack a day smoker back when I was 20-27ish. At that point, I eventually decided - time to quit. My lungs were unhappy, as was my doctor. For me, what really made it possible was switching to electronic cigarettes. I'd tried with the nicotine patch and also with gum with little success. I love nicotine. It's a hugely effective stimulant that has simultaneous depressive effects, and it helps me focus like nothing else (short of ritalin, which I haven't had a prescription for since I was 25).

Cue electronic cigarettes - they work well for me. It delivers nicotine the same way as a cigarette: straight into the bloodstream in the quantities I like, it's much cheaper than a Marlboro, and it doesn't smell. My lungs are much happier, and my brain still gets the stimulants it wants. I wholeheartedly can recommend ecigs as a way to quit real smoke, though you need 'good' equipment in order for it to truly replace smoking. The disposable e-cigarettes that you can pick up at convenience stores are just weak sauce. Any e-cigarette system with disposable cartridges is equally 'weak' - it's not strong enough to replace a real cigarette. There's the mid-range and higher end ones - the ones where you have to fill it with liquid/juice yourself. Those are the ones that will help somebody to quit...

I'm super happy that I've done this. Huge help to my mental health and physical health to have switched.