Any smokers out there with poor circulation?

[Pharaoh]

I quit smoking for 14 months because my hands and feet were freezing from poor circulation, I had a stressful february and started up again, my feet are freezing! But it is like trying to quit all over again! Damn this is a really addictive substance. I just turned 50, I know I have to quit "again" or face some serious consequences,

Damn it sucks to be me right now!

[msgadget]

1. Good luck, Pharoah

You know already that it's not just your will power that makes it so difficult to quit. Really, I'm pulling for you! :hug:

[in_cog_ni_to]

2. No. I'm HOT all the time.

;) I just turned 50 too. I'm never cold unless I'm outside in sub-zero temperatures.

[Avalux]

3. Yep - smoking affects peripheral circulation

Please try to quit again; I konw it's hard but you can do it! Hang in there. :hug:

[converted_democrat]

4. My SO has some problems with his feet circulation to the point that

the doc had him tested for diabetes because a foot wound wouldn't close up.. He didn't have diabetes, but the doc blamed it on the smoking.. I'm trying to get him to quit, but it's really tough on him.. We own our own business and it's very stressful, and deals with the stress by smoking cigs and cigars.. I'm trying to get him off the cigs first and then deal with the cigars.. At least with the cigars he doesn't inhale..(I know that doesn't make them all that much better for him, but I have to start somewhere.)

[Pharaoh]

7. thanks converted

glad to know I'm not the only one, I've been told this could lead to amputation, but the nicotine is so powerful on me, must be like heroin for some of us i think.......

[Digit]

15. Really consider quitting again

My mother was a smoker and developed vascular disease. She kept smoking and as a result, needed to have a leg amputated.

I have come across articles about natural remedies which help with circulation and wished I had done more research when she had the problem. Unfortunately, I had no more need to bookmark them.

She is dead now, as a result of pneumonia, with some help from a hospital attendant feeding her while on a breathing mask. Aspiration on top of pneumonia is NOT a good thing.

Do quit smoking...you know this.
:hug:

[Pharaoh]

5. thanks you guys!

I appreciate the support..........

[WarNoMore]

6. I struggled for years to quit smoking---

it' unfortunately an addiction and I handle it one day at a time. I have Raynaud's which actually sent me to the emergency room with a black and swollen toe. It makes it a little easier knowing what
smoking again will make this problem even worse. I sure wish you the best in your attempts to quit.

[Pharaoh]

8. Wow! raynauds!

I just searched, it sure sounds like my symptoms,never heard of it before,thanks for the tip.......

[WestSeattle2]

9. Freakin' smokes

45 years old here, and was diagnosed with emphysema back in December..started smoking when I was 13. They actually discovered the problem after I participated in a sleep study. I was always tired so assumed I wasn't sleeping well. Turned out it was dangerously low blood oxygen levels.

Between the time the radiologists read my x-rays and the time they faxed their conclusions to my doctor, I got to sit in the waiting room wondering if I had lung cancer, emphysema, or cardio-pulmonary disease.....the three major causes of low blood oxygen levels. Nice way to wile away a few minutes!

Made it VERY easy for me to quit smoking. After countless failed attempts to quit, using patches, gum, and just about everything else out there, I was able to quit cold turkey on December 22nd, at 3:15 pm......sitting in my doctors office.

And yes, I am sleeping much better now, and the black circles under my eyes are gone. My gums are healthier too, and my sense of smell and taste are improving.......And I'm saving $200 per month!

I keep copies of my emphysema diagnosis at work, in my truck, and on my refrigerator at home, for those moments when a smoke really sounds good. It has worked so far!

Anyway, I really do wish all those attempting to quit the best of luck. I wouldn't wish my experience on anyone.

[Pharaoh]

18. Welcome to DU

thanks for your story, yes I need to quit again,I must realize that the urge to smoke may never leave me and realize that I must remain vigilant to the end..........

Damn! I was hoping the urge would end some day......

[WestSeattle2]

26. Freakin' Smokes

I fully anticipate the urge to smoke to stay with me until I draw my last breath.....From what I hear from former smokers who quit years ago, the urge still strikes them often.

Those cigs are awfully addictive. Why is that bad stuff is so fun and addictive, but good things like eating vegetables, exercising, and saving money, take so much effort?..............

[demosincebirth]

27. The urge to smoke will leave you in time.

The urge gradually dissipates.

[MadisonProgressive]

10. Jesus, P!!

You have to do it again! You did it once - 14 months! Don't look at it as starting all over again - you helped your health greatly by those 14 months. Hell, you might be an amputee by now - or worse! Just buck up and do it again... You know I'm pulling for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pharaoh]

14. Hey madprogresive

Are you still in San francisco?

[MadisonProgressive]

17. Nope. I'm home in bed with my laptop!

[Tarheel_Dem]

11. i've never had a problem with freezing feet & hands....

but i have terrible trouble with leg & toe cramps. i've had two of them just since waking up this morning. i'm about the same age as you, and i know that smoking can cause all kinds of problems, but my will to smoke is just too great. i've tried gums, patches, wellbutrin. nothing has worked for me.

best of luck to you. :toast:

[KayInMaine]

12. Uh oh...

...I'm 37, a smoker, and am sitting here freezing my arse off! I was wondering what the heck was going on.

[Pharaoh]

13. well my ass is toasty warm

my feet are freezing though! welcome to DU!

[Solomon]

16. Damn. I can't believe what similar circumstances we are in.

I just turned 51 a couple of weeks ago. I quit smoking six months ago. I have the same problem. My extremeties stay cold and lots of times I lose the sensation in some of my fingers. Really freaks me out and I hate it.

I had quit at one time for 15 years when I started back again about 13 years ago. It was much harder stopping at age fifty, than it was the first time I stopped.

I'm eating right and exercising now and things are getting better, but I'll be glad when it stops happening.

Go ahead and quit again now. Don't worry about it this time. You will do it like I did. I was miserable for years. I thought about it constantly, the smoking and wanting to quit. I worried about it almost as much as a male thinks about sex.

I know the misery you are going through, and I know you want to kick the shit out of yourself for lighting up again after 14 months. I went through my experience like that when I started up again. I have been kicking myself for 13 years for taking that one puff again. I had quit for FIFTEEN YEARS and I started up again. Try that one for guilt.

Now that you know that you can't even have a puff or even think about it, and no matter how long you quit you will always be an addict, you will be able to let it go this time.

At age fifty you know damn well how important it is. Age fifty is usually when you finally wake up and realize that you are mortal. Until then, we all feel immortal.

Quality of life from here on in my friend. Quality of life. I quit the rat race to reduce the stress. I'm looking for quality of life now and you know what that means. Health is paramount. Health is the God now.

Every day you wake up in the morning, before you even start to plan your day and set your priorities, say to yourself "health first". Do something quick and healthy even if it's just eating the right thing. Your day will take care of itself.

We have all been spoiled into not tolerating any discomfort whatsoever if we can avoid it. Craving a cigarette is nothing more than a temporary discomfort, in the grand scheme of things. Accept it that quitting will cause you some discomfort for a while. Expect it and accept it. Feed on it. Discomforts have to be endured sometimes as part of life. Think of all the other discomforts you freely endured because you thought it was worth it.

Health First.

[MadisonProgressive]

20. Great advice no matter what the addiction! Mine is food,,,

[Pharaoh]

21. Ok I have 3 ciggarettes left

I don't know how many packs I have destroyed in the past only to go out and buy another one in a few hours,they just seem to constantly call out to me..........

but this must be the last 3 ciggs..........I really do need my feet.

[Rainscents]

22. pharaoh, I sent you pm.

[MadisonProgressive]

24. FLUSH THEM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

[benddem]

19. Years ago when I still smoked

I was taking a psychology class and the prof was demonstrating biofeedback. I had terrible circulation. I hooked my self to the machine measuring temperature of the fingers, against all laws I lit a cigarette and the result was dramatic. The temp in my fingers dropped significantly.
Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things I ever did, but now like many ex smokers, I can't stand to be around it. I don't even like to knock on doors of houses of people who smoke. We owned a store and we could tell when people came in the door that they were smokers. The smell was enough to keep me off the things. Although I know I'm an addict and if I took a drag off a cigarette, I'd have to drive all over town to find a place I could buy them. Don't think you can just take a drag...it is a sure step back. Good luck, do quit. You'll be better for it...and the next time you have stress...try exercise.

[Warpy]

23. All smokers have poor circulation, whether or not they recognize

the symptoms. One of the physiological effects of nicotine is on smooth muscle, the type lining the arteries, our blood supply to everything. When nicotine hits the system, it causes the smooth muscle to contract, thus constricting the arteries and the blood flow through them.

It's why smokers have skin that ages faster, hearts that are more prone to heart attack, and those cold hands and feet that are bothering you so much. It's why smoking has been linked with everything from osteoporosis to blindness from macular degeneration. Every time you smoke, you're starving your body of oxygen and nutrients.

Whether it's worth it to continue smoking is up to you to decide.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

25. I quit last year and it was hard and I started again.

This time I quit a month ago and it was a piece of cake and I have only had two quick and fleeting moments of desire for a cigarette. Who knows why it was different this time. Years ago everyone I knew who was "cool" smoked. Now everyone I know who is "cool" doesn't. Maybe all that means is that I'm really shallow. :) Anyway, after forty seven years, I just think I can say, been there, done that, thanks for the memories. Also for the wrinkles and compromised lungs and circulation and stained teeth and bad breath and smoker's cough and nicotine fingers. And thousands and thousands of bucks that could have bought me a Jaguar. From now on, if I want a smoke, I'll just let this guy have it for me. :smoke: