Message from Frank

I've had bouts of leg paralysis. I have practiced how to fall down so as not to get hurt. Comes on suddenly, though there are a few signs, like weakness before totally losing it. When my grandson was a baby, I practiced a lot, just in case I was holding him when it happened. I don't know the cause. Been happening infrequently for almost 30 years. I used to think it was psychological, as it began after emotional events. Doubt it though.
 

Murrmurr said:
Yes. I buy a month's worth at a time.

My problem is, I thoroughly enjoy smoking. Best 3 minutes of my day is when I kick back with a cigarette and a cup of tea, some music in the background, or a short video on youtube, maybe playing a game of solitaire. I love those moments.

So, maybe it's not time. But maybe that time is coming.
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You enjoy it because you are addicted. So was my mother. It killed her.
 
Pepper said:
Frank will quit smoking when he is ready. Nagging doesn't do it. Frank, Chantix really worked for me. It really did. Having lung cancer worked too, but I don't recommend it. Chantix.
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I quit for 5 months using Chantix. This was back in the 80s, when the kids were young and we were super active. After I started smoking again, I went to the doctor and he prescribed Chantix again. It didn't even slow me down that time, so I didn't go get a refill.

I talked to my current doctor about it, and she said to let her know when I'm ready and she'll prescribe it. She said some people just have to stay on it longer than others.
 
ElCastor said:
You enjoy it because you are addicted. So was my mother. It killed her.
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I'd have to agree with you there, El C.

My grandfather smoked 2 1/2 pks a day and died of emphysema at the age of 75. But my great-aunt smoked and lived to age 98. She smoked 3 cigarettes a day, one with her morning coffee, and out on her porch after dinner she smoked one if she was alone that evening, or two if her brothers and their friends stopped by to visit and play music...guitars, a fiddle, and an accordion.
 
Pepper said:
I've had bouts of leg paralysis. I have practiced how to fall down so as not to get hurt. Comes on suddenly, though there are a few signs, like weakness before totally losing it. When my grandson was a baby, I practiced a lot, just in case I was holding him when it happened. I don't know the cause. Been happening infrequently for almost 30 years. I used to think it was psychological, as it began after emotional events. Doubt it though.
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No, it's probably neurological. Something hits a nerve somewhere in your spine, and sits on it for a while. Sometimes it happens to me when I twist my torso even a tiny bit "wrong", mostly when I get in and out of bed but sometimes when I just shift in my chair. I feel that little twinge, and I know what's coming. About half the time, if I'm quick enough, I can walk it off; prevent it happening.
 
ElCastor said:
My mother was 52. Heart attack. Close to 3 packs a day. Nicotine is an addictive drug, a fact that cigarette companies are well aware of.
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Today, every smoker over the age of 7 is aware of it, too.

And many smokers are aware that cigarette companies started putting in chemical additives decades ago, to make them even more addictive (approved by the FDA, by the way :mad:). Most of those additives are in the filter, but there's some in the tobacco itself, too, and not all of that is chemicals. Some of it's just filler, so companies can use less real tobacco, increasing profits.

That's why I smoked organic, additive-free cigarettes. They contain nicotine, of course, but no added chemicals. A few years ago the price on those went up by $3/pk, so I switched to imported cigarettes, but then all the boats got delayed due to covid. 😞

Your mom died young. 3 pks/day is a lot, but there might have been a cardiac issue already present, and the nicotine exacerbated it.
 
Murrmurr said:
I'd have to agree with you there, El C.

My grandfather smoked 2 1/2 pks a day and died of emphysema at the age of 75. But my great-aunt smoked and lived to age 98. She smoked 3 cigarettes a day, one with her morning coffee, and out on her porch after dinner she smoked one if she was alone that evening, or two if her brothers and their friends stopped by to visit and play music...guitars, a fiddle, and an accordion.
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...and yes there's those who never smoked and died early too... My grandfather a lifelong smoker died of lung cancer , and he smoked cigarettes with no filter tip... and my granny only lived a few years longer and never smoked a cigarette in her life. Their daughter my youngest Aunt died age 55 and never smoked a cigarette... My father smoked a pack a day of filter tips from aged 9 years old, and died in his 80's of the the effects of PD and not smoking
 
Murrmurr said:
No, it's probably neurological. Something hits a nerve somewhere in your spine, and sits on it for a while. Sometimes it happens to me when I twist my torso even a tiny bit "wrong", mostly when I get in and out of bed but sometimes when I just shift in my chair. I feel that little twinge, and I know what's coming. About half the time, if I'm quick enough, I can walk it off; prevent it happening.
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That sounds right.
 
Murrmurr said:
Your mom died young. 3 pks/day is a lot, but there might have been a cardiac issue already present, and the nicotine exacerbated it.
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If a lack of smoking would have given her 10 more years, it would have been a valuable 10 years. Who knows how many years nicotine dependence will deny you. Interesting movie on the subject of the cigarette industry, The Insider. BTW, my father was a smoker, although mainly pipe and an occasional cigar. After my mother's death he gave up smoking altogether and lived to be 89.
 
Pepper said:
It's not the nicotine that kills you, it's smoke damage & additives. Nicorette has nicotine and won't kill you. It's the act of smoking that kills.
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Tobacco smoke is filled with potentially lethal elements, but nicotine does play a central role -- it creates a severe dependence. Without that dependence there would be no desire to smoke and no exposure to those lethal elements.
 
Murrmurr said:
Oh yeah, that's right. Nicotine can dilate your blood vessels, though....or constrict them. Constrict them, right?
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Nicotine constricts blood vessels, including those in the skin and coronary blood vessels, but dilates blood vessels in skeletal muscle. Vasoconstriction of the skin results in reduced skin blood flow and reduced fingertip skin temperature.
Cardiovascular Toxicity of Nicotine: Implications for Electronic ...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › articles › PMC4958544
 
ElCastor said:
Tobacco smoke is filled with potentially lethal elements, but nicotine does play a central role -- it creates a severe dependence. Without that dependence there would be no desire to smoke and no exposure to those lethal elements.
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You should start a separate thread about smoking.
 

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