Generations of smokers

By jriv211

1 min read

My friends call me Jo. I'm 61 yrs. young. I was diagnosed with AFIB in 2011. I had no idea the scary ride I would be taking to where I am today. I never knew COPD can put you into Afib. As I was told by my pulmonologist when I was diagnosed in 2015 with emphysema. Severe FEV-1 and I can't recall the rest. I was raised with 6 other siblings. My folks smoked. My Aunts, Uncles, Grampas. Of course of the 7 children, 6 of us smoked. I, myself being a smoker since the age of 15. My folks and 3 brothers have passed away. I struggle like many others here. I've read stories. I've attempted and failed so many times at quitting smoking. I've come to the realization. I may never quit. Even after being released from the hospital several times. I'd make it a few days. Couple weeks. I start out of the gate with a steady pace and trip. I know I won't get better. I accept that. I only know that if it were so simple to just put down that d*mn smoke and walk away. I could increase my quality of life more. I have no support group. Everyone I'm around or related to mostly smoke. I feel I'm rambling. I do apologize. Just a frustrating chapter in my life right now. I needed to get it out somewhere. ?

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Lyn Harper, MPA, BSRT, RRT, AE-C Moderator
Hi Jo - Thank you for sharing your story. I assure you, it's one that many will be able to relate to. It is extremely difficult, but not impossible to quit when everyone around you is smoking. However, the fact that you have some good "starts", even for just a few days is great! The worst of the withdrawal generally lasts a few weeks, but gets better with every day that goes by. You may have tried this already, but I often suggest to people that are taking a smoking cessation class to ask their family and friends for help. Tell them you can't continue to live with your heart and lungs in such bad shape - you need to quit smoking. Ask them to support you in this by refraining when they're around you. Don't let anyone smoke in your house or car. That is certainly not the complete answer, but it may be a start. You're frustation is clear and I certainly understand it. You may also try checking with you local American Lung Association for classes they give. They're usually free and they have great tips. Warm Regards, Lyn (site moderator)
1. jriv211 Member
 Lynn, Thank you for the support and information. I truly appreciate it. JoAnn
willdoe Member
Thank you, Jo; I only have 3 months without smoke, I'm not exactly an old-hand at this, but I've found that smoking made my a-fib worse. I noticed that my heart was more likely to skip beats in general. In only a few months my heart rate has mellowed. (I would also recommend cutting back on coffee. That got my pulse rate from a resting 110 to a rate of 62 beats per minute!) Smoking was giving my a 'pounding' type of heart beat. All I can really say is 'you have to take care of you', jo. Thanks again willdoe
1. willdoe Member
 Hi Jo: You quit smoking for two years? What was the weak moment, were you with smokers? I'm trying to be around my friends (most of them smoke). How can I avoid being around smokers: we're everywhere! (Just because I've quit, I still think of myself as one...) I want to know so that I can avoid pit-falls. This last month has been rough. I tried to reduce the level of nicotine by using smaller dose patches. That may have been a 'too much, too soon' type of thing. Both my cardiologist and pulmonologist will Rx nicotine: JUST DON'T SMOKE! Anyway, I feel that I'm rambling, thanks again and any insite will be helpful! The Best! willdoe
2. jriv211 Member
 I'm an old hand at Afib. 3 ablations, 2 cardioversions, ect. Meds ect. My pulmonologist said. Quit smoking.. Drink coffee. lol True story. Decaf, no sugars, I rarely if ever have a soda. I avoid as much as I can where I can in regards to Afib. I drink more water than I think I have ever in all my yrs now. Thankyou so much for sharing. JoAnn
lovinggrandma Member
Oh Jo, your story seems like most of us here--feeling guilty,anxious, smothered and you would generally like to twist someone's ear off. I come from a large family,too. My Father put his pack of cigarettes on too of the fridge when he was in his 30's and never smoked again. My Mom used to smoke corn husks in North Carolina when she was preteen and continued to smoke till she passed away from complications from Alzheimer's in 1999 at 83 yo. My 5 siblings***1 brother passed away from mesothelioma in 2003. A 2nd brother passed away from lung cancer(diagnosed at 4th stage and was gone in 2 months) in March 2012. My sister 9 years older than me was diagnosed (with 4th stage lung cancer) after a heart attack in Nov 2012. She also lasted about 3 months. Now my best friend---sister lived in Colorado and didn't let anybody know till it was too late. She passed away April 14,2014. Lung cancer,too. No cancer in all my earlier family...it all started with my dad's pancreas. This is a horrible disease and I could beat myself up because I did it to myself. I use this very informative sight to learn all I can. My daughter is a RN and she's suspected it ever since she was in high school. She could hear the wheeze. I'm 4th stage copd w emphysema and on O2 24 hrs. I find myself getting so tired all I can do is lay down. And vent. It helps. The people here know what I'm talking about. Thanks so much, my new cyber friends! Angie p.s. I haven't smoked since all this started Jan. 24th, 2017, but that sure doesn't mean I don't want one sometimes!!
1. jriv211 Member
 Sounds all to familiar in regards to previous family not having cancer ect. Then one day. Cancer.. My family since 2000 Cancer. Many extended family cousin's, Aunt's, Uncle's. I believe other than a choice to smoke. Foods additives ect. may be a factor in other types of cancer. Just my thought and opinion. I spent the day with a friend yesterday that can barely get out of bed and to the washroom. My heart breaks. I will be there for him to the end. He told me. You understand. No one else gets it. No one visits him. One friend helps him with docs. ect. I'd like for someone there for me.
jcgivan Member
Jo, I'm 60, also started smoking at 15, am very severe stage 4 COPD & honestly, have no intention of quitting. I know that's counterintuitive to this site, but I.just.cant! I go thru physical withdrawal, become severely depressed & just decided whatever time I have left, I'm spending on my terms! Good luck honey! Joann
1. jriv211 Member
 We all have our own terms on end of life. I understand exactly what you mean. You have made a life choice. There are 2 things I know. We have free will and choice. I'm no one to judge. I wish for you peace and love and family to be there for you. JoAnn
bunnymusic60 Member
Jo there has to be a way for you to quit! I waited until they gave me O2 24/7. That's when I spent 8 days hospitalized with nicotine patches and wound up wearing them for 4 months. It was the end of the smoking and that was 17 years ago. I am soooo glad I was able to quit. Do whatever it takes!
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi bunnymusic60 and thanks for posting your suggestions to Jo's concerns. Congratulations to YOU for being smoke-free for 17 years. That is a genuine accomplishment - one you can be very proud of. Keep up the good work! Leon (site moderator)
2. jriv211 Member
 Thank you sweetie for the encouragement. I am on O2 24/7. I'm in a difficult situation in my life right now. The stress is very, very overwhelming. I am a very strong willed person. Divorce court going on 2.3 yrs. At this moment however, smoking is the least of my battles. I believe I'm stage 1 emphysema. I get past this court battle. I will be quitting smoking. I can and will beat this addiction. I beat it for 2 yrs. They say it takes several tries. I will isolate myself if necessary to quit. I have grandbabies. I walk, climb stairs. I push myself to not just lay down and give up.
jriv211 Member
I need to give everyone whose posted to my post a HUGE THANK YOU.. I appreciate that you took the time out of your life to come into mine with your thoughts and stories. Thank you so much. JoAnn
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 We're all happy to help, JRIV211. Wishing you the best, Leon (site moderator)
2. jriv211 Member
 Thank you... ☺️
jriv211 Member
WillDoe, I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you. A weak moment passes in mins. Stay strong. My situation at that time was traumatic. Never think one puff is ok. It's not. Please, please do not have. Keep moving forward. The urge will pass. Avoid smokers during stressful times. It's not being rude. It's protecting your best interest. You...
jriv211 Member
Good morning everyone. Hanging out at my sons with my grandchildren. Today is a blessed day. The sun is shining down and I'm in a happy place. I hope and pray the same for you.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi JRIV211 and thanks for letting us know you're in a good place and having a good day! All the best, Leon (site moderator)
Barbara Moore Moderator
Hi JRIV211, I hope that with some time passing that you feel a bit better and perhaps have been able to cut back on smoking if not quit all together, Best wishes for feeling better. Barbara Moore (Site Moderator)
1. jriv211 Member
 Thankyou Barbara for taking time to post. I've battled some pretty tough fights the past few yrs. Smoking.. No support groups around and everyone around me smokes. Hard to walk away from all my family. I have pretty much my friends. I finally was given a divorce after nearly 3 yrs. One less trigger. I will work on quitting. I have indeed cut back. No smoking in the house. Bonus!! Final stages of divorce dividing properties. Super stressful. He wants it all. Ummm NO!! Last battle and Im home free. It will be much easier to quit smoking. Ive quit so many times. This trigger though. Hard to beat right now. I am doing better in regards to my heart. Kicking strong as a horse. Lungs. Holding out at 30% still. I was suppose to be deceased July 2018. I'm not going anywhere just yet. I have things to do. Like hanging out with my grandchildren. The air that I breathe. Thankyou again for checking in. Much appreciated. Be Blessed. Have a wonderful day. JoAnn
2. Barbara Moore Moderator
 Hi JoAnn, I am so happy that there is light at the end of the tunnel for you. One day, one step at a time. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Barbara Moore (Site Moderator)
sardonicus Member
HI Jo: I am a bit older than you. I was diagnosed with emphysema last Nov. I have tried quitting 4 times and failed. I am going to try vaping soon as a smoking cessation. A little less nicotine each time I get a new batch. The thing that pisses me off is why do most of their products have to taste like fruit or ice cream toppings. The one I bought was called tobacco something or another and it sure as hell doesn't taste like cigarette, but it doesn't taste like cherries either. Apparently the young people like it. Well shit what about the rest of us. The problem with quitting smoking is the only ones that succeed are the ones that want to. I don't want to, I have to. I have been addicted to alcohol, coke(the drink) and other things during my life with no problem. I went off booze in 2012 for a time, simply because I was bored with it. I have no advice for you just a MISERY LOVES COMPANY. Don't get me wrong I think if you can do it that would be great. Those damn things have ruined my health and I would love to stomp them all to ground and yell out "NO MORE". I wish you all the luck in the world.....sardonicus