Thanks so much Ginnie. I'm a recoveriing alcoholic, and this is BY FAR, alot harder than quitting drinking. The nicotine is much more addictive than booze! And the nasty thing about it is the cigarette companies knew this many years ago, and kept making them stronger all along. It's no wonder there were law suits all thru the years. I wish I was in on them, but I would have had to die first. LOL

NUTS -- if I had been smart, I would have STAYED quit when I tried years ago when I had 2 weeks without smoking -- but I went on my first plane ride, and it was a rough flight, and the STEWARDESS got SICK and threw up!!! I was sure we were gonna die, so I asked another passenger for a cigarette, since I knew we weren't going to make it, if the stewardess was pukiing! LOL

Ahhh, what a life, huh? I'll quit - I've GOT to. Thanks again, Ginnie. Hugs, Lee

Oh yes, I do know how hard it is. I had visited my uncle John who was dying of emphasema. He was on O2 at the time. The last thing he said to me was to please quit smoking, and to be good. Well at his house which is in MA. I dumped the cigs in the trash. I had a 1500 mile drive home cold turkey. I cussed at myself, cried, ranted and raved the whole way home. Mostly I was mad at myself for being in this pickle and addicted to begin with. Terrible ride home, even the cat wouldn't sit on my lap, but stayed hidden in the back. Too much yelling going on for him! I never picked one up after that, no joke, not one time. My dad had asked me to do the same a year before, when he died of thoat cancer. It took both their deaths to get me to do it.

So my dear Leesa, I have great empathy for you right now. Be strong, and do this thing. I am rooting for you right now, cheering you on. I will keep you in my toughts and prayers too.

Please do the same for me. After 10 years on Morphine, I decided I can be a bit braver, expept a little pain, and get off that drug. It is a poopy process, and I can't wait to be done with it. Doc is helping me through it. Feels much the same way as it did giving up cigs, only with chills, sweats etc, rappidly going from one to the other. Weird. You just feel like crap. So I am with you in this struggle to get on a better track. Keep in touch and we will both try hard to be rid of those things that are not doing us any good. I made the decision about 3 months ago, after experiencing an activity with no pain at all. I knew then, I needed off this med. Lets keep in touch and see how our progress goes.

Have heart that we both can change for the better. Don't give up or give in, and I won't either. Take care Lessa...you were the first to respond to me two years ago when I joined NT. You gave me such hope at that time!!!!! ginnie

Sorry to hear that, Doc. Hoping you will be back on the board again soon.

Hi All,

Thank you all for the kind words of support. I'll have to keep this short -- getting better but can't sit for long in this chair yet -- so I can't respond to everyone.

Tried everything suggested and more -- even tried some prescriptions to little avail. I think it's a popped/slipped disc. Was getting better, then I just lightly tapped one hip squeezing by a kitchen chair and sent myself into orbit again -- spun me right around and shot down my sciatic. I was sorely tempted to bump the other hip to try to pop it back in, but stopped myself. It's just gonna take some time.

Leesa, talk to your PCP. They got stuff to help you quit that they didn't have.... when you could still smoke on planes... We need you here!

I'll pipe in when/where I can... Gotta go -- past my limit.

Doc

It is such a helpless feeling, when you know someone is hurting. I am thinking of you, and praying this pain you have can be helped. You are missed and cared about very much. ginnie

Oh jeez Doc I hope and pray it's not a herniated disc. That is so painful. And I equally hope it's nothing to do with youR HIP. What tests are they running, if any? I hope someone is doing something?

I know you can't spend much time here,but let us know what's up when you can. YOU are needed here BIG TIME! Love, Lee