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        New Message Board Archives >> Jul-Sep 2003 >> For those who have quit smoking...
        
(Message started by: Melissa on Jul 19^th, 2003, 1:53pm)

Title: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by Melissa on Jul 19^th, 2003, 1:53pm

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I'm gonna ask anyway. Did you find your CH pain has intensified after quitting? Just curious..

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by Melissa on Jul 19^th, 2003, 2:58pm

nevermind, I did a search and got my answers. Been getting hit really hard lately and was grasping at straws. Sorry :-[

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by Margi on Jul 19^th, 2003, 9:06pm

Don't apologize, Mel - it's could be that none of the smokers here have quit yet?
I'm sorry to hear you're getting nailed, gal - I wonder if it's that hormone surge after pregnancy that's making it worse for you?
BIG hugs and congratulations, by the way - what a beautiful lil baby!!

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by Headacheboy on Jul 19^th, 2003, 11:35pm

I find that smoking actually helped during my headaches. Sorry, but I needed something to do when I couldn't open my eyes or even listen to a pen drop.

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by Simon on Jul 20^th, 2003, 3:04am

No disrespect, but do you really mean during? If that were me, I'd have burned the house down with ciggies thrown at the wall in anger!

Also, extreme sensitivity to light and noise is unusual. I wouldn't mind Concorde going through the room in an attack, and, though I know some have photophobia, it's not a typical symptom.

Think we're all grasping to be convinced here!

S

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by Melissa on Jul 20^th, 2003, 6:31am

First off, let me say to Margi, thank you so much dear! I'm not sure about the hormone thing, but it could be a contributing factor.

I did go out and buy a pack yesterday, just to see what would happen if I started up again. I cannot smoke during an attack, the pure thought of it makes my head wince, but before and after are different stories. Last night at 8:30pm I had an attack, for the first time this cycle, although it was almost unbearable, I was able to ride it out until it subsided at 9:25pm. THEN I had a smoke, and I do have to say, it felt GOOD. I could not believe I had made it through, and was very proud to not let the beast get the best of me! Now, I am not saying for people to start smoking. I will for surely quit again once my cycle is over. I hate the smell and the taste, but it's better than the screaming and thoughts of death while in so much pain.

At 10:30pm my hungry son woke me from a sound sleep, and I could tell that if I waited and did nothing, the beast was going to get me. So I took an imitrex shot while feeding my kid his bottle, and waited to see what was going to happen. I am happy to report no more attacks the rest of the night. This morning I am shadowing, but I can deal with it!

I go into see my neuro on Tues, and If there is something she gives me that works on at least lessening the severity of my HA's, then I am quitting as soon as it kicks in.

Thanks for lending me your ears, I really do appreciate it!

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by Ann on Jul 20^th, 2003, 8:36am

Hey Melissa!

I quit smoking 4 months ago. I was getting hit left and right at first...wanted to start up again convinced that it was my lack of smoking causing the attacks. My husband convinced me I was crazy and so I didn't start up again. I haven't had an attack since June 24th. ;D

On the flip side...I really really really miss that ciggy after all the pain has gone away. It was my reward to myself for having lived through the hell of an attack! LOL..some reward huh? After my last attack, I took a puff off my sister's ciggy... phew! cough cough... yuck did that taste like crap! LMAO

Hang in there...it does get easier...the non-smoking does too! ;D

hugs
Ann

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by cathy on Jul 20^th, 2003, 8:47am

Hi Melissa, congratulations on the baby, as for the smoking, keep it up don't start again....wishing you PF times.

Cathy :)

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by Opus on Jul 20^th, 2003, 9:18am

Melissa,

Why don't you try another source of Nicotine, like the lozenges, or even a patch. Because you have quit the lesser amount may work to abort a CH without burning down the house.

I have aborted a CH by chain-smoking but it took so muck concentration that I was PF but exhausted.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by FrankF on Jul 20^th, 2003, 12:38pm

on 07/20/03 at 09:18:17, Opus wrote:

How about Nicolaxx? http://www.iamlost.com/features/nicolaxx/

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by don on Jul 20^th, 2003, 12:44pm

Quote:

Nicolaxx

Sounds painful once lit.

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by Patrick_A on Jul 20^th, 2003, 1:08pm

I hurt too bad to smoke. Sometimes i will light one up out of habit, but it generally lays in the ashtray because i am concentrating on the pain.

Patrick

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by Charlie on Jul 20^th, 2003, 9:07pm

Quote:

Also, extreme sensitivity to light and noise is unusual. I wouldn't mind Concorde going through the room in an attack, and, though I know some have photophobia, it's not a typical symptom

Tun on the lights or step on a moth when I was getting hit and you would have lived .01 second longer. I also don't think these are rare symptoms.

Charlie

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by BobG on Jul 21^st, 2003, 2:27am

I agree with Charlie on this.

When I'm under attack I prefer to be in an almost dark, quiet and cool place.

and
For those who have quit smoking...congratulations.

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by Ann on Jul 21^st, 2003, 8:10am

Thanks Bob! But you should congratulate my husband for being the most patient man on earth! LMAO...it was not easy!

Melissa....NICODERM!! That's the way to go!! That's what I used. I would have a few puffs every evening at first and then my husband realized he wasn't helping so he quit too. No more little puffs...and presto...no more smoking! You can do it. If I can do it, anybody can. I love to smoke. I love the smell, the taste everything! sigh! but not the coughing, the stink in my clothes, the fact that all my students know I'm a smoker. You go girl and kick that nasty habit!

hugs
Ann

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by Charlie on Jul 21^st, 2003, 5:40pm

Ann:

Soon you'll have to buy new lampshades. Getting the stickly film off your dust jackets is impossible though.

I got down to 2 per day and said screw it. It worked.

Nice going.

Charlie

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by OwieMan on Jul 21^st, 2003, 6:04pm

I quit smoking several months ago and I havent noticed them being any worse.

My guess on the whole dilly would be that nicotine constrics blood vessels. This might help some during the headache, but since nicotine constrics all blood vessels I would think that your blood pressure might be higher also your oxygen levels would be lower possibly negating any benefits you might get.

Personally, if you've already quit, dont start using headaches for an excuse to smoke, because my dad recently died of cancer from smoking and it was way worse than these headaches :)

Title: Re: For those who have quit smoking...
Post by Charlie on Jul 21^st, 2003, 8:03pm

Smoking definitely raises blood pressure.

There's nothing good about it.

Charlie