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Posted 1/8/2012 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Before the end of last year, I posted that I was having a CT scan done on my abdomen and pelvic areas. Well, the results are in, and instead of answers, I got more questions... The test did not show cancer, thankfully, but now they want to rule out an ectopic pregnancy and some kind of ovarian inflammatory disease. Also, because they did scans on my whole abdomen, they got glimpses of the base of my lungs. My right lung had a nodule on its base, so I just had a CT scan done on my lungs. There are more nodules. They told me they are small. They also said not to be surprised if they do another CT scan in a couple of months. So now, I am worried about what is going on there...I am a smoker. Having nodules or anything like that found is one of a smoker's worst fears...I am trying not to worry about it, at least until I get the full results when I see my doctor...but it is hard not to worry about there being things on my lungs. I know I should quit smoking, but it is my stress reliever. There are a lot of reasons that I smoke besides just the nicotine addiction...I know that if things come back badly that I will definitely quit, no matter how hard, but, for now, I just can't bring myself to quit. And anyone who is or has ever been a smoker will understand this.

But, I just wanted to let you all know what was going on. I know some of you were expecting an update, so here it is.

Blessed Be

Posted 1/8/2012 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Sassy,

It's so hard when you get an "iffy" diagnosis like that. Of course you're worried.

I was a smoker many years ago, but luckily I could cut down gradually, so that when I finally quit completely, it wasn't too bad. I tried going cold turkey and just couldn't do it.

When will you get to talk to your doctor? Everybody knows that worrying doesn't help anything, but it's pretty hard not to!

Debbie
Posted 1/8/2012 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
I am sorry about what you are having to go through. I never smoked before but I had to make a hard decision about stopping my narcotics. The pain medication was causing me to have severe depression, plus I started becoming to dependent on them. It seem I needed them for anxiety also. I finally decided I had to make a change. It was very scary making that decision. You talking about taking a hr. at a time. lol. It took a lot of work, but I was able to do it. I learn other coping tools for stress and pain. I feel so much better now. If you decide to stop smoking make sure you have a great support system in place. It makes a huge difference. I think we all have something in life we would love to change. I hope you can achieve what you want to do. please let us know how things are going.
Posted 1/8/2012 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry, Sassy, to hear this.  I'll be praying that there is nothing really wrong.  But, I know I would quit smoking immediately.  The nodules could be benign but they could develop into something down the road, it seems to me.  Just guessing here. 

 

I quite smoking 33 years ago.  I loved to smoke but I looked at my three children one day and realized I might not get to see them grow up so I threw out the cigarettes and that was the end of that.  I was a 2 1/2 pack a day smoker, too.  I used prayer to help me but there are all sorts of help these day to quit smoking. 

 

There really is NO good reason or excuse to continue a habit that causes so many health problems.  Please really consider this.  We want you happy and as healthy as you can be with fibro.

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/8/2012 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Quitting was the hardest thing I ever did. I. Used the nicotine patch while breaking the emotional/psychological/social addiction, then I could focus on the medical addiction to the nicotine.

Boy, it was hard. But I am glad I did it. The hardest part ( for me) was the psychological addiction. Before class, have a cig. After dinner, have a cig. Walk to the library, have a cig.... You get the idea. How we identify time with cigarettes is a very powerful connection.

Good luck, and I hope it works out.
Posted 1/9/2012 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sassy, Sorry you have to go through this waiting game. I'm hoping for the best for you...hang in there kiddo!

I was a 2 pack a day smoker at the end...smoked for 17 years and quit cold turkey...it worked for me but it was crazy the first couple of weeks. Walking got me through it and chewing gum. It will be 25 years in May that I smoked my last cigarette.

You can do it Rachel...I did it for my daughter and you can do it for Alex too :) Wishing tou the best!!!....and keep us posted.

Hugs, Robin
Posted 1/9/2012 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
I havent smoked in over a year. As you go, you will find that it truly is mind over matter. I did the same things out of habit...in the car need to smoke, on the phone need to smoke, need to smoke after I ate. I still crave them, but I know I am only harming myself further by smoking.
Good luck with quitting if that is your intention.and most of all good luck with your test results.
Posted 1/10/2012 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone.

AK Angel- How do you manage without pain pills? I will admit that I am very dependent on mine. And I hate it. But I feel like I cannot function without them. And, to be perfectly honest, part of me is afraid to try. It is a constant struggle.

I did talk to my doc yesterday about my lung CT. He said that the nodules are nothing to worry about right now. They are very tiny. They will do a follow up in three months, but he said these nodules are a very common thing. So, for now, I won't worry. I'll just wait until they do another one and then go from there.

Family problems don't help anything either. I hate to rant, but things at my house are so stressful. I really need a vacation. I just wish I could get away for a while. But I never can. I did get to go to a friend's house last night, and that helped some. But everything is just dragging me down. At times, i feel like I am in a dark hole. I can see the light at the top, but I cannot reach the edge to get out. And there is no one there to help me. That is how I feel. I am stuck in a deep depression right now that I cannot seem to get out of, but I also cannot let it get to me. I keep pushing on and pushing it away, but it is still there. Still haunting me. I hate this!

Posted 1/10/2012 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
First, I am a smoker...I am down to 8 a day but still...so no lectures from me. Have you tried Chantix? It did not work for me because of side effects but it definitely helped with desire to smoke. Maybe give it a try.

Getting a scare like that must be terrible...i love it when the docs tell you not to worry-(yeah, easy for them to say)

Also Welbutrin helped me alot with smoking...that is how i got down to 5 cigs a day so if you take an anti-d, think about switching.

I wish you the best of luck dear...keep us posted
Maggie
Posted 1/10/2012 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have tried Chantix, and it didn't work for me. I have also been on Wellbutrin, same problem. It just didn't work. So, I am trying to quit on my own, but that isn't that easy. It's hard to quit. For now, I am just trying to cut back. It is especially hard when I have a lot of stresses going on. Smoking is how I deal with it. So, yeah, that makes it kind of difficult. But, anyways. Thanks everyone. I am glad that I have you all to talk to. :)

Blessed Be

Posted 1/10/2012 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
Not sure what part of the country your from but take it from me, I have had a ton of CT scans of the chest and was told I have nodules also, and was also told it was granulomas that had calcified, if you have been exposed to a fungus which all of us have had at one point or another, you might have calcified lymph nodes in the lungs caused by Histoplasmosis, certainly smoking doesnt help stuff, but I smoke,,way to much, and with a Dx of Sjogrens, who knows whats destroying my body,, so many things wrong and no answers,
Posted 1/12/2012 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
I live in Indiana. It's freakin COLD here right now too, with all the snow and ice. BRRR! The cold kills me! I wish I was lying on a beach somewhere, where it's like 78 degrees and sunny with a light breeze and I am just chillin with a good book and a couple of drinks. Well, I may just have to make do with a good book and a hot bath...
Posted 1/13/2012 5:54 AM (GMT 0)
WOW! I have to tell so many of you how impressed I am that you had the will and determination to quit smoking!!! My dad, who passed away at age 53, was a heavy smoker. He tried to quit three times, but then a stressful event would trigger a relapse.

Back then there weren't all the available tools and resources available to help people quit smoking (nor did they fully understand all the adverse health effects), but anyway, I again just want to say kudos to all of you!

To Sassy, even though it may be a challenge, if you decide to quit please know that we're here to give you lots of support. It does sound like you're battling quite a bit of depression right now. Are you being treated for that? Last summer I was in a terrible rut. I felt like I was in a hole and people were trying to throw dirt on top of me and bury me and I didn't have the strength to try to climb out.

It's soooooo discouraging when you're in that dark place, but the good news is you are still seeing some light -- even though it doesn't feel within your grasp right now. I encourage you to stay focused on that light. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people. Enjoy a vacation -- even if it's just for a day or an evening -- allow yourself to "get away from it all". Pamper yourself with that hot bath and let the stresses of life melt away.

Those were all things I had to do to help get myself back on track. Coupled with that, my physician started me on Cymbalta in October. I feel like a new woman! I am smiling and happy again. I ENJOY getting out of bed, going to work, seeing people, doing things. It's such a nice change from just wanting to hide under the covers all day long. I hope that this same happiness and sunshine is just around the corner for you!! Many hugs!!
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