Smokers/ExSmokers

[minneman]

For you Smokers,Last Wed.Am I had a real I opener, 6:am sitting right here, cup of coffee, havin a smoke, reading the best fishin info around, I feel kinda clammy/hot. I reach up behind me to open the window. after opening I feel as tho I pulled a muscle in my chest. nothing major, just irratating, 10 min. later its more of a heavy feeling, I go lay down next to the wife to strech it off. NOT!
30 sec. of that I wake her with the Scarriest words to ever come out of my mouth.. "I think you should take me into the hospital, "I think im having a heart attack??"

With pain that feels like an elephant standing on my chest we get to emergency and although relieved to be there, I still am in pain. 2 little sprays of nitro and the pain is gone. the next day im shipped to Fargo for an angiogram, and ultimatly angioplasty and a stent for the blockage they found. lucky for me there was only minor damage to my heart, the blockage was not in a major artery.

Here is the thing, Im male, 42 yrs young, and there is no heart disease in the family, None. my Cholesteral level is 164, Im not over weight, 6'3" 205lbs, and am phisically active. My downfall is that ive Smoked for 26 years! !!Quit Now!!

Ex Smokers, please share with me the ways you found things to do to avoid the urge, I havent smoked since 6am wed. and am doing the patch, so far so good, but today I return to work (selfemployed const) and in this biz smoking is the norm. Yes, they will all get an earfull!!

Thanks for your time! I have a totaly new outlook on life now, and sharing this is part of it, hoping that atleast one of you great people will Kick it!! Ted

[upnorth]

setterguy and anyone else early on or thinking about quitting that nasty habit. I quit 9/16/97 and have never looked back. I smoked from the time that I was 11 to 39 and I was hooked. I figured that could never quit, BS. It is more about motivation than will power.

Find a reason to quit and don't forget that reason. Every time you think about smoking or have a craving remember why you are quitting. If possible keep something with you at all times to remind you, a list of why you are quitting helps. Just pull it out and read it, you would be surprised how well that works.

I cannot believe how much better I feel after dumping those dang smelly little things. I can breath, I can smell, I don't have that fffing cough that I told everyone was a cold I just couldn't shake. I don't stink like a cigarette butt:)

Hang in dude, ain't you worth effort?

[SteveWilson]

Good luck on quiting. I quit about 3 years ago and I'm glad I did. While you're looking at Weight Watchers don't forget the good old YMCA; 5 days/week on the treadmill does wonders for your heart. It took me one mild heart attack, angioplasty and stint to get me to start going but I feel much better now; a bit too young to start at 44.

[Fishook]

Dan T - you have to quit. There is way too much fishing and hunting left to do. Quit for your kids sake at least - they need you to pass on your hunting and fishing skills and all the traditions that go with that. I hope it is going well for you and I'll say a prayer for you too.

[Dan Thiem]

Thanks Fish!

[mechanictim]

Just wondering if any one is quitting for the new year? yesterday was my five year anniversary. The hardest part for me has been just not buying cigarettes. So easy to ask for a pack at the convienance store when getting gas. I would write the check out before entering the store and still have to tell myself not to ask for smokes.

If your new years resolution is to quit there is a lot of good tips and motivation in this thread.

[Dan Thiem]

Tim, Glad to see this topic back up again.

Back on the wagon-four months now with out a single puff. Wife too!