Do you Smoke?

[belyro]

I don't, but I'm curious about this. As diabetics we're told not to, but do we anyway?

[johgn]

I used to when I was in my 20's. Bad idea.

[Stuboy]

I dont smoke, Never even tried it, never will

[Emm]

I've always hated smoking, but for some stupid reason, I started anyway. 13 years later I'm still struggling to give up :(

I gave up a couple of times last year, once for a week or so and once for over a month. I wish it didn't keep calling out to me... when I give up I find my mind completely taken over by the thoughts of having 'just one' until eventually it drives me so mad I have one. The beginning of the end *sigh*.

BUT... I'll do it again! I'm determined to be smoke-free.

[Mister Q]

I used to, gave up for the good of my health and 12 years later was diagnosed T2, I am so glad I had given up tho, apart from the health aspects I saved a medium sized fortune which I promptly blew by purchasing a house and getting married!

[johgn]

I've always hated smoking, but for some stupid reason, I started anyway. 13 years later I'm still struggling to give up :(

I gave up a couple of times last year, once for a week or so and once for over a month. I wish it didn't keep calling out to me... when I give up I find my mind completely taken over by the thoughts of having 'just one' until eventually it drives me so mad I have one. The beginning of the end *sigh*.

BUT... I'll do it again! I'm determined to be smoke-free.

It's very, very hard to quit for anymore and even more so for diabetics. I found the nicotine patch made things easier for me.

[camjen1]

I have never smoked in my life and really can't stand to be around those that do. My cousin passed due to lung cancer which he got from second hand smoke. Scary!!

[tanyatype1]

I've never smoked, but both of my parents were smokers - and they've both died from cancer. From all the second hand smoke that I inhaled as a child, I wonder....

[DeusXM]

Don't smoke. Drink and do a lot of other stupid stuff though.

[2high]

Don't smoke. Drink and do a lot of other stupid stuff though.

No comment... :D

No, Smoking is YUCK!! And I loathe non-prescription drugs... my favourite soapbox topic...

[notme]

I don't smoke. I tried it in my late teens and didn't like it. So I guess I could say I smoked for two weeks. hehehehe.

My father smoked for 20 years (started at 14) He quit over 40 years ago and still got lung cancer. He has survived, but not without first losing part of a lung and chemotherapy.

I do drink occassionally and my Dad doesn't. LOL. Like Deus, I have other bad habits.

[MJM]

I've always hated smoking, but for some stupid reason, I started anyway. 13 years later I'm still struggling to give up :(

I gave up a couple of times last year, once for a week or so and once for over a month. I wish it didn't keep calling out to me... when I give up I find my mind completely taken over by the thoughts of having 'just one' until eventually it drives me so mad I have one. The beginning of the end *sigh*.

BUT... I'll do it again! I'm determined to be smoke-free.

Way to go Emm. I gave them up many times down the years and stayed off for a year once and 6 months another time. Eventually I gave them up about 18 years ago and since I've been off them I've never felt better. Luckily in this country smoking in bars and restaurants and any public building or transport is no longer allowed. If you have children in your house you cannot smoke. That of course is only a recent Govt. decision, but one which I fully back. When you do succeed Emm you will notice after about 3 to 6 months how much better you will feel. I wsh you success in your next attempt. You won't regret it.

[Dewey]

I don't smoke. Don't like the smell of cigarettes, or the way people smell when they smoke them.

My mom & sister smoke, unfortunately. :( My dad used to, but quit after his father passed away from lung Cancer.

Unfortunately, my dad also passed away from a brain aneurysm.

[Gangrel]

Never have regularly. Tried, was one of those annoying "get drunk, steal a cig, smoke it" guys back in the day.

Every once in a blue moon when i feel depressed i feel like having one tho, I dunno why.

[blue_eyed_devil]

I must hang my head, I did smoke for a short period... but stopped when I read an article about what it is doing to the body...

[Cyborg]

Smoke what? :canabis:

[tanyatype1]

My hubby has bad habits too,.........but what do you expect? We do live in B.C.! hehehe!

[pinkytricia]

Did the smoking thing in my twenty's before husband.... Only during the long rides going home from work, to relax....(never in the home... didn't want the smoke to smell up my new house...) or in public didn't feel comfortable...
Main reasons why I stopped..
1. Hot ashes flew back into car burned a nice hole in back seat....
2. Had a really bad asthma attack couldn't breath...wheezing...flashes of black lung pictures from
High School Science/Health Class...
3. No need for it... hubby started driving... commuted to work together...
Stopped Cold Turkey... I do get a little nervous when I smell a freshly lit cig. though... But nothing I can't handle ... just walk away and holding breath...

Good Luck... who ever is trying to stop...Keep trying...

[belyro]

Smoke what? :canabis:

Cigarettes, Cyborg......that's all I need to know about. ;)

[JungleJim]

Don't smoke, slipped around and smoked a few as a teenager.

Had a guy tell me once that quitting smoking was easy.........he had done it at least 15 times!

[DanG]

I don't smoke.
I don't smoke cigars, either - but I do like their smoke, sometimes.

My mom thinks tobacco is different these days from 40 years ago. She used to put up with smoke - we would ride Greyhound bus to visit relatives, and the bus usually was a cloud of smoke. It never left our clothes stink like today smoke seems to make people stink. I tend to agree that tobacco must be fundamentally different today than years ago. Today, my mom goes crazy around the slightest whiff of smoke - she claims tobacco is different today, but she is much older today also.

Question about other habits - Is coffee bad for diabetes?

[BriOnH]

Smoke what? :canabis:

lol. I am pretty open about it cause I feel it's much like prohibtion. That's all I'll smoke, and unlike my college days, pretty rarely now. I smoked from 16-21, then starting chewing to quit smoking. Been about 5 years since I quit chewing, which was WAY harder then quitting smoking. Yes chewing is disgusting.

[jwinn]

Tobacco has many bad health effects, particularly for people with diabetes. No matter how long you've smoked, your health will improve after you quit.

Nicotine, the drug in tobacco, is one of the most addictive substances known to man. Besides the physical addiction, many smokers also become psychologically hooked on cigarettes. So kicking the habit is hard - but worth the work. There are many methods you can try to help you quit and stay away from smoking for good.

Btw, Ciggaretts kill 440,000 people a year! Now that's terrorisim!!:mad:

[KMP]

I don't drink , don't smoke

What do I do??????

Must be something inside... :hmmmm:

[amccrazgrl]

I dont smoke and never have or will.
I have never tried it ethier.

[tanyatype1]

[Question about other habits - Is coffee bad for diabetes?[/QUOTE]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!

[condensr]

Quit last Feb right before I started on my pump. After both parents died of lung cancer.

[DeusXM]

Question about other habits - Is coffee bad for diabetes?

Not really, no. Although caffeine can sometimes increase blood glucose slightly, it's usually not a massive amount. Drinking a sensible amount of coffee is also slightly beneficial for your health, and having caffeine in your blood when you exercise causes you to metabolise more fat than glucose, which is helpful if you're using exercise to control your weight rather than your BG. It also helps you to work out for longer.

There's also no real correlation between coffee consumption and blood pressure either, so it shouldn't affect cardiovascular health.

The only real problems from coffee are that excessive consumption will dehydrate you, and also can cause caffeine addiction. I actually felt pretty tired and crappy for some time over Christmas when I was home - because at work I usually have 4-5 cups a day of the stuff and then went cold turkey. I would wake up with a headache in the morning, but amazingly just one coffee got rid of it far quicker than any pain killers.

[statdeac]

Didn't, don't, won't.

[KickStart101]

It feels Great to say, "No, I don't smoke".

I quit Dec. 26/04, my 26th time quitting. I used the
Nicorette gum, patches, cold turkey and Hypnosis. They
all worked for some time(some as long as 8, 9 10 months).

[Sutrer]

I gave up smoking back in August last year but I was still smoking the occasional cannabis joint!
I have now packed that up as well now and am feeling pretty chuffed with myself!!

[statdeac]

I gave up smoking back in August last year but I was still smoking the occasional cannabis joint!
I have now packed that up as well now and am feeling pretty chuffed with myself!!Nice job! It is much harder to have smoked and stopped then to have never started smoking in the first place. :)

[bbrian]

Well I am on day 5 of not smoking. I had a terrible chest cold and tried to keep smoking but I was coughing and hacking so bad it hurt. So New Years day I said I got to stop this...and here I am. I hope it works I know it's not good for me as a diabetic and a CHF'er.

[Tattoo azz]

Welldone bbrian,i gave up in 1999/2000 (i think) i was on 40 Capstan full strength navy cut per day and just couldn't be bothered anymore.I did it cold turkey and didn't miss it at all,but i think you have to WANT to give up,if you give up just because everyone else is then you'll really struggle.It does help that smoking is banned in a lot of places now.One piece of advice tho,please don't be tempted to substitute cigs with gum,food.I did and gained a lot of weight,and was dx'd with a knackered thyroid at the same time.You have my full support.NO CIGS NO CIGS NO CIGS NO CIGS

[jjames]

I smoked off and on in high school starting my freshman year (off during swim season, on otherwise) and started smoking full fledge once swim season was over with my senior year. I'm 23 now, so I've smoked for . . . we can say 6-7 years. I don't know why - but I've always kinda liked smoking, except when I get sick. I especially enjoy smoking clove cigarettes. Mmmm.

Have there been any studies how smoking specifically effects diabetics?

[Aftiel]

I am Type 1, and I smoked for about 15 years.

I quit September 18, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. - not that I remember or anything

I should have done it long ago. Made a HUGE difference in how I feel.

- Aftiel

[belyro]

Not really, no. Although caffeine can sometimes increase blood glucose slightly, it's usually not a massive amount.


I've actually had caffeine decrease my bloodsugar.

I don't handle caffeine well in general, though. I pretty much avoid it altogether.

[Fred&CharlesFan]

My young lungs have experienced the black horror of a self-imposed nicotine intake and rebelled accordingly.. ..ACKCackaarrrgghhbBBlleacck!!
I ignored that resistance... ..suck it up, wimp!
I quit after recognizing the truth of the wise council of my Gr.11 Biology teacher, and then later, comedian Bill Cosby (on smoking).
And observing that standing outside in -22F February weather to grab a pre-class smoke just didn't seem smart, or fun, or beneficial.

I quit long before getting "hooked". One good Gr. 11 decision. :proud:

[johgn]

Not really, no. Although caffeine can sometimes increase blood glucose slightly, it's usually not a massive amount.

I am under the belief that if I drink it during a meal it will cause the food to be digested quicker but I "figured" this out myself and very well could be wrong.

[DeusXM]

Have there been any studies how smoking specifically effects diabetics?

None I can name off the top of my head, but basically since having diabetes compromises your body's ability to heal itself and can make you predisposed to cancer, heart disease and impotence, it seems really stupid to add something else that causes all those things to your body too.

[johgn]

None I can name off the top of my head, but basically since having diabetes compromises your body's ability to heal itself and can make you predisposed to cancer, heart disease and impotence, it seems really stupid to add something else that causes all those things to your body too.
I've read that nicotine burns glucose too.

[Tricia452008]

I do not smoke....but i am a bad diabetic cause i am what you call a social drinker...not too bad i have yet to black out or anything it is just when i go out i do have a couple drinks with my friends

[shanda]

I was diagnosed with Type2 almost one year ago and I quit smoking two years ago. It's probably the best thing I've ever done for myself. It's very hard to do, but as they say, anything worthwhile takes some effort :)

[DeusXM]

but i am a bad diabetic cause i am what you call a social drinker

That doesn't make you a 'bad diabetic' at all. It's perfectly fine to drink with diabetes. Sensible alcohol consumption doesn't cause any health problems and can in fact help with cardiovascular health and BG management.

[poodlebone]

Never smoked. Bought one pack as a teen and couldn't handle it!

[sydneya]

I feel very lucky that I never started. I was raised in a family with an alcoholic mother and my Dad and Mom both smoked heavily. It became obvious to me that I had an addictive personality. I didn't want to be a slave to anything so I stayed away from it. (I did play bingo at Safeways years ago when they had the game going. I found myself going shopping much more often than I ever had before. Is this an addictive personality? :whistling ) Besides my Dad died of emphysema at 62 years old. It was caused by smoking and phosphate mining. Mom died with alzheimers at 84, with signs of emphysema.

[MJM]

I gave up smoking back in August last year but I was still smoking the occasional cannabis joint!
I have now packed that up as well now and am feeling pretty chuffed with myself!!

Hey! congrats Sutrer on giving up the dreaded weed. You have every reason to feel chuffed with yourself. I've done it myself, 18 years ago, and I reckon it was the best thing I ever did in my life. It took me about 6 months to get back my sense of smell and taste. In Spring when the wonderful aroma of flowers blossoming is prevelant it's the greatest high you'll ever get. I hope you get that enjoyment also.

Well I am on day 5 of not smoking. I had a terrible chest cold and tried to keep smoking but I was coughing and hacking so bad it hurt. So New Years day I said I got to stop this...and here I am. I hope it works I know it's not good for me as a diabetic and a CHF'er.

Best of luck bbrian. You won't regret it.

[trailrunner]

No ciggarettes, but I have every once in a while smoked other stuff. The group of runners I hang out with are a very mello bunch.:rolleyes:

[MJM]

I do not smoke....but i am a bad diabetic cause i am what you call a social drinker...not too bad i have yet to black out or anything it is just when i go out i do have a couple drinks with my friends

Tricia, there's nothing at all wrong with having a social drink. It's only when you overdo it that the problems arise. I think it's good to have a social drink. Have no fear of that, but just be aware that alcohol can reduce blood sugars.

[jjames]

...it seems really stupid to add something else that causes all those things to your body too.
Lovely attitude. It's a shame the rest of the world isn't as perfect as you. A simple yes or no would have been great, but it seems you're the kind that must put in his "know-all" wisdom.

[tanyatype1]

Nice job! It is much harder to have smoked and stopped then to have never started smoking in the first place. :)

This is what I tell my kids!!!!!!!!! I also told them that if they graduate from Grade 12 as non-smokers that we would give them a thousand dollars. My doctor told me that if a kid can say no up to that age, there's a 95 percent(or more) chance that they'll never start. I guess I'd better start savin' LOL!

No ciggarettes, but I have every once in a while smoked other stuff. The group of runners I hang out with are a very mello bunch.:rolleyes:

That sounds so funny! You'd kind of expect "runners" to be totally health concious! Lungs full of clean, fresh air and all that! Mind you, feeling mellow's probably good for the heart! (not stressed):slug:

[BriOnH]

No ciggarettes, but I have every once in a while smoked other stuff. The group of runners I hang out with are a very mello bunch.:rolleyes:

The runners I run with are the same lol. My diabetic friend Jim, that runs like you do TR (26+ miles, often in very hilly terrain) usually smokes one before he runs, while training. It's gotta be a little oxymoronic, but it's kind of fun to run that way.

Don't play raquetball stoned - people that smoke that awful, yummy sticky green stuff. Made that mistake once.

[DeusXM]

A simple yes or no would have been great, but it seems you're the kind that must put in his "know-all" wisdom.

On a forum that deals with medical advice, I'd much rather be right and hated for it, than give out wrong advice and be liked.

But ok, in that case, you asked for surveys and evidence about diabetes and smoking. Here you go.

Smoking and Diabetes: Fact Sheet no. 23 - ASH (http://www.ash.org.uk/html/factsheets/html/fact23.html#_edn3)
Smoking - American Diabetes Association (http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/smoking.jsp)
smoking in diabetes (http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/easdec/prevention/smoking_and_diabetes.htm)
Diabetes and smoking (http://mens-health.health-cares.net/diabetes-smoking.php)
Diabetes and Smoking (http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-and-smoking.html)

Or alternatively, why not just type in 'diabetes +smoking' into Google. So yes, there are studies that show the effects that smoking causes in people with diabetes. Given the results of those studies, I feel perfectly justified in saying that smoking is a stupid thing to do if you have diabetes.

Don't like it? There's a very simple solution.

[Carwy]

I'm not a type 1 or a type 2 however I do not smoke. I also would never kiss someone who does. :puke:That would be like kissing an a**tray (ashtray).:puke: Also the smell of smoke in your cloths is just sick.:hello:

[REDLAN]

I used to smoke.

and no smoking is not good for you, and no...

smoking and diabetes don't mix, but...

I sure as **** miss nicotine - it has to be said that it is my favourite drug. It helps you concentrate if you've got something hard to think about, AND it relaxes you.

<in case you're wondering> nicotine is the only drug that has been demonstrated improve mental performance - others such as cocaine, only induce the user to believe that their mental performance has increased, while the reverse is actually true.

the campaigns about smoking, have nothing to do with nicotine, they have everything to do with inhaling combustion products - i.e smoke - inhaling smoke is bad for your health, it doesn't matter where that smoke comes from - you will live a shorter life inhaling smoke

live in teepee, and breathe in the smoke from the fire that is lit in the middle - then you will suffer from all the bad stuff around smoke inhalation.

do I miss having a cigarette?

You bet!

have I gone back?

Nope

[issysmommy]

No, I don't smoke...

Haven't since April 26, 2006, but who is counting.

It is interesting to me how there seems to be two very extreme posts on this post. Those who "Haven't, don't, wouldn't, won't" and those who "have". Just an observation. I know when I was a smoker, I always heard "reformed smokers are the most critical". I don't think so...I think those who "haven't don't, wouldn't, won't" are more critical. I agree with every reason they give, but it is very obvious to when someone has never...because nicotine and the smoking industry is very seductive and deceptive. I am convinced the devil works much more effectively through smoking than those "illegal street drugs". I "haven't, don't, wouldn't, won't" do illegal drugs simply because of the fear of the legal consequences. But the lure of smoking as a teen when I wanted to rebel against being healthy (had diabetes about 5 years then) was very attractive at the time.

I have quit smoking probably 2000 times over that 15 years. And this past April was the first time I ever quit and "stayed quit" for more than a day. I was able to quit through a support group called Celebrate Recovery. Celebrate Recovery | Home (http://www.celebraterecovery.com) But I was only able to quit after I'd been through the steps once and started to be a leader...all the guilt of the "you shouldn't do that because you're a diabetic" never worked on me. It wasn't until I looked at how my actions weren't glorifying of God and his awesome changes in me. I also dealt with a lot of the feelings I have grown up with about having Diabetes over the years...I think I used smoking a lot to avoid feelings instead of using food. Through this long journey, I have been able to face all of that head on.

[Nada]

I don't smoke. :D

I smoked for 10 years. Quit on June 15th, 7.5 years ago. Ironically, my ds was born 4 years later to the day, and on father's day. :D

[labob]

One of the continuing legal education classes that lawyers in California have to take deals with substance abuse (surprise: lawyers and dentists are particularly prone to substance abuse problems, though I don't know if the choice of profession is a cause or effect). Time and time again, the classes I've taken have noted the same thing: the drug that is absolutely the hardest to quit, harder than heroin, harder than cocaine, is nicotine.

I've been smoke-free since midnight May 22, 2006 (approximately, give or take 5 seconds). Unlike some people, though, I found that quitting smoking actually helped me keep my weight down. I have to go to the gym to keep from going batsh*t insane, even now. Maybe not the most common reason for exercising, but it works for me.

[Stuboy]

I've already posted that I have never smoked and never will... I think it's discusting. But my Dad, Mum and both sisters smoke, they always have done, so I've grown up with it around me unfortunately :( I just hope it doesn't effect me too much later on in life!

[JasonJayhawk]

I only smoke when I'm on fire.... :****mate: :wavey:

[Tattoo azz]

already posted as an ex smoker,it's VERY hard to quit but if you think about all the chemicals in them (over 400,inc benzene,formaldahyde,arsenic) it can help.Good luck to everyone who's trying

[KickStart101]

None I can name off the top of my head, but basically since having diabetes compromises your body's ability to heal itself and can make you predisposed to cancer, heart disease and impotence, it seems really stupid to add something else that causes all those things to your body too.


If your Diabetes is in decent control, you heal fine. I've always
been predisposed to heart disease and cancer due to heredity.

"Really stupid", eh? Well, most Kids don't make the best decisions
at 13 yrs. old. That's when my Best Friend "persuaded" me into
starting.

It was normal then for a 12 yr. old to be able to purchase cigarettes
for someone older. So ...sometimes they weren't always for someone
older.

Considering the bad stuff floating around back then that teens could
have tried and gotten addicted to, I think cigarettes were the safest.
Plus they were legal.

Getting drunk would be worse than smoking cigerettes and it is equally
bad for the health of Diabetics. Even worse since an intoxicated Person
can't think properly to give the correct amount of Insulin sometimes or
even remember to test.

Oh and depressing as it is, we do live in a toxic world.



:congrats: A Big Congrats to everyone who has quit smoking and Good
Luck keeping the devil off your back. :five:

[tanyatype1]

I only smoke when I'm on fire.... :****mate: :wavey:

That's funny JasonJayhawk! I have a little sign hanging in our house that says, "if you're smoking in this house, you'd better be on fire!" I love it!

[MJM]

On a forum that deals with medical advice, I'd much rather be right and hated for it, than give out wrong advice and be liked.


I agree with everything you said Deus. You are perfectly right. Well done for saying it.

[Cyborg]

Don't play raquetball stoned - people that smoke that awful, yummy sticky green stuff. Made that mistake once.

What did you do Brian? End up with a black eye or something?

[BriOnH]

What did you do Brian? End up with a black eye or something?

Nah, but following the ball around is very hard. Can notice a difference in reflexes. Like smoking weed isn't dumb enough. Most things are better not baked. But for those ones that aren't, amen :) . I hope when I run for president this comes back to heat up my campaign.

[June91]

I smoked my last cigarette at 10.30pm, April 25th 2005 - but who's counting?

I used to smoke two packets of Marlboros a day for eighteen years and still get a craving sometimes - the best three things in life are the drink before and the cigarette after ;)

My problem is that the 15 kilos I put on as a result still haven't all come off. I'd eat three dinners worth 16 units each when I first quit. But quitting is the best thing I've ever done for myself and one of my proudest achievements, and it's worth every flabby bit of me!

[Cyborg]

I hope when I run for president this comes back to heat up my campaign.

You're screwed... ;)

[Penny]

Nah, but following the ball around is very hard. Can notice a difference in reflexes. Like smoking weed isn't dumb enough. Most things are better not baked. But for those ones that aren't, amen :) . I hope when I run for president this comes back to heat up my campaign.

Brion,when you are president, will you invite us all to the White House? Just think, a president with Diabetes! That's the only reason I would change my vote...if you happen to be a member of the wrong party. :thumbsup:

[Dewey]

Brian, I'd definitely vote for you! You're creative, thoughtful & have countless good ideas to share! I think you'd not only make a great President, but a kind one! :thumbsup:

[gettingby]

Nah, but following the ball around is very hard. Can notice a difference in reflexes. Like smoking weed isn't dumb enough. Most things are better not baked. But for those ones that aren't, amen :) . I hope when I run for president this comes back to heat up my campaign.
Just tell them you didn't inhale !!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO !!!!!!!!!
Brian for President has a good ring to it. You've got my vote.

[jeggeman31]

I smoked for about 15 years and have been smoke free for 3 1/2 years now.

[Langer86]

I Smoke about 20-25 a day but i don't drink so the way i see it you should do what you want not what your told by some doctor who dosen't even have diabetes!

[DeusXM]

Yeah but smoking's bad for you, irrespective of whether or not you have diabetes.

[notme]

:whistling I am still waiting for KGM to post on this thread......

[kgm0612]

Oh Nancy........my buddy..........I love you! LOL

GUILTY!

Karen

[Tattoo azz]

i will never advocate telling someone to give up doing something they still enjoy(apart from)hard drugs.You will only be successful quitting if you are ready to quit.I gave up without any help,and i smoked 30/50 per day for over 10 years.It can be done, you just have to be ready to give up