I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: BASSMAN on January 28, 2008, 05:28:16 PM
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I think I am ready to take a pounding :boxing;
This is my next question. How do you feel about a person that says "I am just going to live my life, eat what I want, do what I want and let whatever happens, happen and deal with it then". Like I said in an earlier thread, I have lived my life without worrying about it so far and yes now I am getting concerned and the reality is sinking in.
Am I a disgrace?
Should I be doing everything I can to maintain what kidney function I do have? Or, just keep on doing what I want until I have no choice and accept whatever fate befalls me. I figure my quality of life is going south no matter what I do.
Now the big disgrace, I smoke, I have smoke since I was 13 and I am now 46. Do the math.
I drink often and I am not in denial, alcohol does not rule my life, I am not an alcoholic so lets try not to go there.
I am however addicted to nicotine and I have tried quitting more times than I can remember. I abstained for various amounts of time (3 months was the longest).
Did you have these feelings or do you have them now?
Does anyone care to share there stories? If not, I understand.
Have I lost the respect of you guys already?
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You have not lost my respect. :beer1;
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No loss of respect here. We all struggle with quality of life issues - is it worth it to keep doing what we're doing when we're on dialysis? Did we really want to start? If we're here on a regular basis, then we've picked dealing with it to giving up, but that doesn't mean it's an easy choice. Some days, when I'm sick and tired and the bills are stacking up I wonder if I was crazy to think I could do this, but mostly, it's still worth the effort.
As for the smoking - well, you do say you've tried to quit. It's not an easy thing to do. You have to decide for yourself if changing your lifestyle is worth the possible long term benefits. There are things that are recommended to slow the progression of kidney disease. I kept my head in the sand for a long time after I was diagnosed, and didn't do any research about things like low protein diets. I wonder now if it would have helped, and it is something I regret. You might want to see what information is out there, and see if any of the changes you can make would work for you. At least that way you would be making an informed decision, even if you don't make any changes.
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Thanks del!
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No loss of respect here. We all struggle with quality of life issues - is it worth it to keep doing what we're doing when we're on dialysis? Did we really want to start? If we're here on a regular basis, then we've picked dealing with it to giving up, but that doesn't mean it's an easy choice. Some days, when I'm sick and tired and the bills are stacking up I wonder if I was crazy to think I could do this, but mostly, it's still worth the effort.
As for the smoking - well, you do say you've tried to quit. It's not an easy thing to do. You have to decide for yourself if changing your lifestyle is worth the possible long term benefits. There are things that are recommended to slow the progression of kidney disease. I kept my head in the sand for a long time after I was diagnosed, and didn't do any research about things like low protein diets. I wonder now if it would have helped, and it is something I regret. You might want to see what information is out there, and see if any of the changes you can make would work for you. At least that way you would be making an informed decision, even if you don't make any changes.
Thanks!
I guess I am going to start going through the head trips now. I was able to go about my business and not think about it up until now. I have 27% function right now but I am really feeling tired all the time. I cannot imagine what you feel like right before you go on dialysis.
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This site is totally about support. You and you alone know what's best for you. True, smoking and drinking are not healthy. But it's all about you and your wishes. If I were in the same place as you I wouldn't want to be told that I HAD to do A, B or C. Do your research and make an educated decision. Good Luck to you! :grouphug;
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We ALL have stuff that we have to overcome. I appreciate your honesty. some of us are not as careful as we should be with our liquid intake, for instance, or those high cholesterol foods that taste so good! But for the sake of our loved ones, we ALL need to take a good look at what we are doing and see how we can best improve, for the sake of our quality of life.
That is how I look at it.
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Bassman you still have respect man. Smoking has been a huge thing for Otto to stop, he started only a few tears ago(fool) and now see's how hard it is to stop. He has to start some new meds and they told him NO SMOKING but declined any products to help(he's sick of meds) so we'll see how he does this time around, quit beatting yourself up. :cuddle;
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Thanks!
I think I am getting the vibe of this place. I may make the changes that I need to. I am having the inner struggle right now. I am not sure I can muster the courage to do them. Your replies do help. You may make me see things in a different light, but then again, I may just be stubborn and not take your good advice.
It is nice to know that I won't be shunned if I see things in a different perspective.
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This precisely is the place where renal community can share their thoughts and feelings.
I think we all have emotional or issues to deal with. I myself can overstuffing with foods to ease the pain.
Informed decisions will help us in the long run.
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Perfect topic BASSMAN. I don't smoke or drink but I do love my candy and I love to eat. Way more than I should, I go through periods of time when I realize what I'm doing is hurting myself in the long run but yet I still do it, then there are other times when I really do try to do the right thing for my health.
Bottom line I think it is habit and depression VS knowledge andmotivation.
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I don't know man.....life on dialysis sucks. If you smoke and drink you will not be eligible for a transplant so unless you are just not going to receive a treatment you may want to be proactive. Give yourself some credit and believe in yourself and you can make any lifestyle change you wish. I wouldn't say you are a disgrace for whatever you choose to do but I also don't necessarily think it is fate that will be responsible. You feel like your quality of life is going south anyway....only as far south as you let it take you. I am in better physical shape today than I probably have been all of my life. I could be alot worse off than I am had I decided to not give a shit. I think by you asking this question that you already know what you should do. I know that some will be on dialysis until the end but very few I think would have chosen that, especially at 27%.
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Quitting smoking is a lot like losing weight. It seems impossible. I think everyone feels the way you do at some time or another.
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Bassman,
starting to get concerned and reality sinking in for you is a good way to start out. Do everything you can, all your best to maintain your kidney function, once you lose it, there's no looking back. Do it, not for yourself but for the people you love and care about. With my Mom, there's a knock of guilt somewhere, that we could have somehow prolonged her kidney function, if only I have been more aware of what ESRD is. I could have educated my Mom better, only if...... and I really hate the if's.... :banghead; My Mom started smoking when she was 18 yrs. old. she stopped when she was on her 60's, still the long years of smoking has a lot of bearing on how she is now. It's tough to stop smoking, but you can try and come out a winner. The best point is you very well know and understand by now what ESRD does on your life. The decision is yours, but I really admire your honesty. There is still time...
love,
cris
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When I quit smoking it was so hard. It really is addicting, and smoking was so comforting to me. I think it was harder than quitting drinking or drugs. I suffered for the first week, changed my mind hourly but I stuck with it. They say you have to not just quit, but you've gotta "stay stopped." The only way I could commit to it is by thinking I am postponing my last cigarette, one day at a time. So, if I want, I could smoke tomorrow. Just not today. Somehow that has worked, day by day, for 26 years so far. I can't guarantee I won't smoke again, but I choose not to. Besides, I felt like a fool being addicted to a plant.
My mom stopped after about 55 years of smoking. She broke her ankle and knee and had to be hospitalized. They don't allow smoking and she was in for 5 days, so they put her on the patch. That lasted a couple of weeks, then she didn't crave it anymore. Honestly I never thought she'd ever quit. She went through chemo for lymphoma about 4 weeks after quitting cigarettes. Amazing.
I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide. Renal failure is so stressful, it's hard to face a lot of changes in your diet and routine too. Take care! :cuddle;
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Bassman I am ashamed to say that yes I still smoke. I have tried giving up but never succeeded although for the last ten years I've been very strict about how many I smoke per day which is about 5 or 6. If you work as I still do, try not to take any cigarettes to work, leave them at home that way your intake for the day will be much less. Just maybe smoke in the evening. :grouphug;
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hey there is hope for quitting- I was what one would call a 'militant smoker'- three to four packs a day, and damn you if you tried to interfear-BUT then came my husbands accident and dialysis, we quit together- I knew he had to quit, and wouldn't if I didn't- I was so afraid for him- then he was so sick the first year...I wavered but I never actaully had a ciggerette, although I did partake in some other smoking material for the first six months, now I have quit that too! You will just do it when your ready. and
you seem concerned about being 'shunned'- people here at IHD might disagree with you very strongly- but it doesn't degenerate into personal insults-free to disagree, and there sure are a wide variety of opinions available on most any debate- check out the God threads lol- and you might feel judged sometimes by some comments- your always free to respond...or not. This is the greatest place to come when your feeling sad/down/tired/angry/hopeless.....the same people that disagreed with you yesterday will be offering condolences and cheerful smilies today. I have had some serious disagreements here- and the next day the same people who disageed are saying 'way to go' when something good happens.
so :clap; :2thumbsup; :rofl; :grouphug; :cuddle; :angel; :popcorn; 8) ::) :o :secret; :urcrazy; :bandance; :bandance; :bandance;
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Sending lots of care, support and love your way :grouphug; This is family; dysfunctional, loving, different opinions--but we are united and bound by the same disease. We get mad and hurt at times, but we love each other in a way some could never understand. Look at how long some of us have been members and you'll understand that we are here for the long haul. You won't be "shunned". you will be embraced. As for smoking, we are here if you need support in quitting----but we aren't here to judge you. You have found a great place to be supported and loved.
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Difficult one .. i stopped drinking just like that (only social drinks and not very much) but as for smoking ..hmm i still smoke. I think the best thing to do is strike a happy balance, with regards diet , fluid, etc . To stick completley to all the renal restrictions is a miserable life, and from time to time you just want to rebel.I dont think there is one person on here who hasnt broke the rules at some point. I understand that the advice we get is supposedly for our own good, but you need more than a bland diet and fluid restrictions in life! You will find at some point that if you ignore your fluid intake, your body will let you know!! It really is everything in moderation , just somethings more than others!
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I know how you feel Bassman. I started smoking when I was 13. When the doctor told me I had to quit smoking to get a kidney transplant I thought I was going to faint! About 1 month later I quit cold turkey. I have been quit since Dec. 12, 2006. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but worth it.
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I've never smoked, but I've heard how hard it can be to quit. I'm not here to judge you or anyone else. If you want support and encouragement to quit, you have it! If you decide now isn't the right time for you to quit, it doesn't mean I'll think less of you. I can relate to your attitude about living for today. It's about maintaining a balance between a healthy mental state and a healthy medical state. What's the point of being perfectly healthy if you sacrifice everything in life that makes you happy?
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I think you should review your options, as just because your heading south now, don't mean you can't slow it down by being proactive and changing your diet or other habits. I wish you good luck in whatever you deicide though. :grouphug;
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The standard medical answer -- that you should live your life like a robot and perform every action, no matter how unpleasant or stressful, that is necessary to maximize your health potential -- ignores the very important point that there can be great human happiness in being self-indulgent, spontaneous, and indisciplined. The maximum value you can get out of life is not necessarily achieved by going through all the pain you have to endure to get the full gain of optimal health, but is instead determined by a cost-benefit analysis of the pleasure of not being self-disciplined versus the pleasure of being healthier. Doctors act as though all the value is just on the health side of the equation, which it is not.
As for smoking, scientific studies have shown that it can have profoundly relaxing effects for some people, and serves as a psychiatric medication. Schizophrenics have been found to have a much higher per capita use of tobacco than the rest of the population, probably because its positive psychiatric effects make it a kind of medicine for them. So in this sense there is a mental health benefit of smoking, which has to be factored into the balance against the known health risks of smoking. Smokers also have a much lower risk of Alzheimer's disease than non-smokers do, which is something the health police never like to tell people, and this also has to be considered.
In my own life, I have always chosen the route of self-discipline over self-indulgence in an effort to maximize health potential, but I recognize that that is not necessarily the optimal choice for everyone. The cost-benefit analysis varies from person to person, according to how much pain they experience from self-denial, an how much pleasure they feel from indulging their present needs. I have to assume that each person makes the rational choice for himself.
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:beer1;
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The standard medical answer -- that you should live your life like a robot and perform every action, no matter how unpleasant or stressful, that is necessary to maximize your health potential -- ignores the very important point that there can be great human happiness in being self-indulgent, spontaneous, and indisciplined. The maximum value you can get out of life is not necessarily achieved by going through all the pain you have to endure to get the full gain of optimal health, but is instead determined by a cost-benefit analysis of the pleasure of not being self-disciplined versus the pleasure of being healthier. Doctors act as though all the value is just on the health side of the equation, which it is not.
As for smoking, scientific studies have shown that it can have profoundly relaxing effects for some people, and serves as a psychiatric medication. Schizophrenics have been found to have a much higher per capita use of tobacco than the rest of the population, probably because its positive psychiatric effects make it a kind of medicine for them. So in this sense there is a mental health benefit of smoking, which has to be factored into the balance against the known health risks of smoking. Smokers also have a much lower risk of Alzheimer's disease than non-smokers do, which is something the health police never like to tell people, and this also has to be considered.
In my own life, I have always chosen the route of self-discipline over self-indulgence in an effort to maximize health potential, but I recognize that that is not necessarily the optimal choice for everyone. The cost-benefit analysis varies from person to person, according to how much pain they experience from self-denial, an how much pleasure they feel from indulging their present needs. I have to assume that each person makes the rational choice for himself.
Wow!
That is an excellent post. It puts things in perspective and way better than I could ever put it in my own words. Thanks for your reply!
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Thanks to all of you again!!!
This is a struggle that I have to confront myself. Only I can make the changes but it is great to get you guys opinions on the matter!!!
I wish I could reply personally to each and everyone of you but I just don't have that much free time at the moment. I do appreciate your comments and taking the time to share them with me. If I didn't personally reply to yours, please know that it was read and considered and not wasted time.
sincerely
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Bassman, you have done so well with failing kidneys all these years. I too am at about 20-30% function like you. I wanted to tell you that it's not too late to try and squeek a few more years out of those kidneys. It's worth a try to make a few changes within your abilities. I hope your kidneys will provide for you for many years yet.
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BASSMAN - I think your that you acknowledge your issues and have a fair idea what you might need to do is half the battle. Some people don't even get that far. For example, there's a guy in my unit who started oh... 2-3 months ago. He's a big boy - he loves his food.. and he loves to smoke. He doesn't drink booze, but he's not shy of other fluids either (he loves pepsi!). Now I look at him, coming in way overloaded with fluid every time, stinking like an ashtray and PROUD (no seriously!) of his belly and well i sit and wonder because I *know* he's not doing himself any favours - specially now that he's on dialysis. He won't be on the list anytime soon and he could face other complications. He seems in total denial of his situation (it's a wonder he even shows up to dialysis)... now some can argue that he's making the most of his life while on dialysis... and you can't really argue with that. For me personally I do all i can to keep my fluids under control, have a reasonable diet (trust me, the dieticians would hate me... but my labs are OK so I must be doing SOMETHING ok!) and everything because I want a longer term hopefully good outcome for me - as in a transplant that survives as long as possible for me to have a reasonably normal life.
I can't and won't tell you what to do. I know when I had ~20% of function and knew dialysis was looming, but not sure when I set out to do as much as I could with my life - travel places I wanted and yes indulge where I could (and I still do to a much lesser extent now I am on dialysis... I mean life is as much about living with some form of quality as well as looking after yourself I reckon) and try and fit in all the things I wanted to do while I could since a life on dialysis can be very limiting (specially on the sorts of things I wanted to do like travel to Russia and so on).
Since you know there are things you could improve to increase your health and overall outcome with regard to CKD I'd perhaps suggest a moderate move to a healthier lifestyle. I don't mean cut it out cold turkey... but I mean having a think "Do I *need* to have that extra drink or smoke?" and generally setting yourself on a path that will help YOU when/if the time comes. Since you've asked the question it sounds like at least part of you wants to get into a healthier lifestyle and it sounds like doing it slowly might be a good way to get in... set some goals (eg: in 6 months I want to cut down my number of cigarettes smoked in a day by half or something).
Just additionally apart from that part of things I'd strongly suggest you do all you can to ENJOY your life while you can. Travel... get out... try and live while you can since once on dialysis you may not have the energy or freedom to do some things... and you may regret later if you don't try now.
All the best.
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Hi Bassman, I'll add my two cents worth ;D I was diagnosed when my function was at 30%. Dr. said I would be on dialysis in 6-12 months. The first year, my function dropped 10%, but over the next 3 years it has gone down only 5% and I have been holding at 15% for 2 years. I do everything the doctors tell me. I changed my diet, but I do allow a few quilty pleasures along the way. Every time the neph sees me he is amazed. He can't believe how well I keep doing. Now, I have all the problems like vomitting, sleeplessness, anemia,extreme fatigue--all the normal stuff for ESRD. But, during this repreive from dialysis, I am living. Went on a Hawaiian cruise last January (I swam with sea turtles!), IHD Vegas meet up in October, trips to visit with family, days at the beach-----just enjoying and appreciating where I am and what I can do. I have never been as good to my body as I am now. There are days I feel like crap and I am mad at the situation, but it is my life and I want to do everything I can to add just one more day. So, we are here to help with what ever decision you make. We want you here for a long time. :cuddle; If you want to stop smoking, you will find lots of support and love from all of us here. We all want the best for you :thumbup; :2thumbsup; :grouphug;
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While I certainly would agree that there is a lot to be gained from living a healthy lifestyle in order to delay the onset of complete renal failure, I wonder if the arguments for healthy living through extreme self-discipline are very convincing for people who are already on dialysis? Dialysis and chronic renal failure cause such catastrophic and continuing damage to the body that doing everything possible to maintain your health in such circumstances can be like remembering to turn off the garden hose in the midst of a flood, just to keep the water level a tiny bit lower. For a young, healthy person not smoking, not becoming obese, and consuming a low fat diet may add a decade to the expected lifespan. But given that a diabetic in his forties who is on dialysis has a life expectancy of only 8 years, what is he going to get out of all the added misery of imposing extreme self-discipline in order to be as healthy as possible? Perhaps an extra 6 months of extremely low quality existence? In a flood, making terrific exertions to turn off the garden hose may cost more effort than it is worth.
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Stauffenberg, Bassman had posted in his intro that he was at 27% . We all know where our disease is taking is, but I just wanted to offer my thoughts on my experience. Healthy living can't hurt, especially if your are trying to add time before starting dialysis. :thumbup;
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You guys rock!
The insight you have given is better than anyone could ever get from a therapist. :thx;
I have pondered all of this.
Sunny, paris, RichardMel,
You guys offer great words of inspiration. You make me want to give it a go to do the things I need to do.
Stauffenberg,
I also see your point, though I am not in kidney failure, I have often thought about what the future holds and think "whats the use?" in trying to do everything by the book.
As the reality continues to set in of what my future will be, I will probably start to make the changes. I am trying to muster the determination and give quitting smoking another go. I know that is the single most important health improvement I can make.
Thanks Guys!
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As the reality continues to set in of what my future will be, I will probably start to make the changes. I am trying to muster the determination and give quitting smoking another go. I know that is the single most important health improvement I can make.
There is a relatively new aide available for quitting smoking that has a 50% success rate. I personally know of a couple of people who used it and are smoke free today. It's called Chantix if you're interested. I believe giving up the cigarettes cold turkey would be the best thing you can do for yourself. Take care.
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As the reality continues to set in of what my future will be, I will probably start to make the changes.
You are awesome, Bassman. Getting a ESRD diagnosis is alot to wrap your head around, but it sounds like you are coming to terms with it bit by bit. You always have an ear here at IHD when you need to get pissed at the hand you were dealt... and then pick up the cards and play on.
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Questions: If he gives up smoking for the most part and just smokes "socially" - meaning maybe 2 to 3 cigs. a month max or even less - obviously that would assist in better health (my opinion). But let's say he gets on "the list" and gets the call some night... will a blood test show enough nicotine in his system to cancel the transplant or be removed from "the list"?
Once you're listed do they test for nicotine routinely? :thx;
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My thought is, people work so hard to actually get on the "list" and many of our members aren't eligible to be listed----why would one do anything to jeopardize that privilege? There are many more people waiting for a kidney than there will ever be ones available, so I am doing everything to stay on the list and play by the rules. You do have routine blood work done and they do contact your local neph. Why would you want to chance not getting the kidney after going through all the testing, time and money?
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Those are my thoughts, as well Paris. I would be devastated to be kicked off the list for ANY reason. Especially since I haven't officially been placed "on" the list as of yet! ;D Also, I would feel horrible - no, worse than horrible - if I treated my new donated kidney bad and lost it! Especially if it comes from my awesome brother!!!!!!!
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Kellyt-- :thumbup; It really is an honor to receive someone's organ and I hope the time comes quickly for your turn. BTW, your brother IS awesome!!
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If you guys smoke and need a kidney please try and quit. I smoked since I was in 7th grade. Cranked out 2 packs a day in the later years. On August 14th 2006 I had to go in the ICU for 5 days that is when I stoppped smoking and have not had one since. 17 months and 18 days but who's counting...Box
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If you guys smoke and need a kidney please try and quit. I smoked since I was in 7th grade. Cranked out 2 packs a day in the later years. On August 14th 2006 I had to go in the ICU for 5 days that is when I stoppped smoking and have not had one since. 17 months and 18 days but who's counting...Box
:2thumbsup; Good for you Boxman, that's quite an achievement for a hardcore smoker!
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Bassman I feel like I have some understanding of your situation and let me tell you how I overcame it (or how it overcame me)
I really did not care about myself when I settled into dialysis. I am also a very self indulgent person who loves pleasure I would drink tall cold delicious glasses of whatever I wanted all the time I smoked cigarettes and I ate whatever I wanted I thought I might as well have fun being that everthing else sucked so bad. But then I started to think even if I do not mind the suffering I will be enduring later as a consequence of my actions who else would suffer with me? I decided it was not fair for me to take them down the road of destruction with me. After that I realized that I was worth taking care of and I did have the strength to show restraint. It felt so good to feel a sense of worth even if it was only to me. You are worth it! You truly are, we all are.
I also thought about the people who would be worse off if I was not here anymore (which is a very real consequence of the behaviors we both talked about). No, I don't have a lot of money to give I cant always get up to play and it does cost a lot to keep me alive; but I do have all my love to offer and I can give the benefit of my experiences to others. I realized I have a lot more than that to offer the world and I will always have something to offer, we both do and I am sure of it. Please take care of yourself you are worth it! Maybe one day we can go cheat together ;) but just a little.
I must say I have never been the optimistic type as a matter of fact I am a pessimistic cynic who can barely trust himself; but I do believe even with CKD we have a meaningful contribution to make
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Bassman I feel like I have some understanding of your situation and let me tell you how I overcame it (or how it overcame me)
I really did not care about myself when I settled into dialysis. I am also a very self indulgent person who loves pleasure I would drink tall cold delicious glasses of whatever I wanted all the time I smoked cigarettes and I ate whatever I wanted I thought I might as well have fun being that everthing else sucked so bad. But then I started to think even if I do not mind the suffering I will be enduring later as a consequence of my actions who else would suffer with me? I decided it was not fair for me to take them down the road of destruction with me. After that I realized that I was worth taking care of and I did have the strength to show restraint. It felt so good to feel a sense of worth even if it was only to me. You are worth it! You truly are, we all are.
I also thought about the people who would be worse off if I was not here anymore (which is a very real consequence of the behaviors we both talked about). No, I don't have a lot of money to give I cant always get up to play and it does cost a lot to keep me alive; but I do have all my love to offer and I can give the benefit of my experiences to others. I realized I have a lot more than that to offer the world and I will always have something to offer, we both do and I am sure of it. Please take care of yourself you are worth it! Maybe one day we can go cheat together ;) but just a little.
I must say I have never been the optimistic type as a matter of fact I am a pessimistic cynic who can barely trust himself; but I do believe even with CKD we have a meaningful contribution to make
That pretty much says it all! ;D :thx;
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Smokers with a kidney transplant have double the risk of cardiovascular events of those who don't smoke, which is about what you would expect. (F. Vadles- Canedo, "Incidence of Cardiovascular Events" Transplant Proceedings (2007) 39 (7) 2239-2241. But while pre-transplant smoking increases the risk of loss of the transplanted kidney, it does not increase the risk that it will be lost through rejection, and there is no evidence that stopping smoking after getting a transplant helps the new kidney survive. (A. Kheradmand, "The Role of Pretransplant Smoking" Urology Journal (2005) 2 (1) 36-39. Another bit of surprising news is that thinner patients have a lower survival rate on dialysis than fatter ones. (C. P. Kovesdy, "Paradoxical Association between Body Mass Index and Mortality" American Journal of Kidney Disease (2007) 49 (5) 581-591.) So staying healthy for the new kidney does not always require what you might think it does.
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So staying healthy for the new kidney does not always require what you might think it does.
I don't think the "no smoking rule" pre or post transplant is all about loosing the function/graft directly as much as it is about giving the transplant to someone who generally makes good health wise decisions. If you are an abuser of any substance you will not be granted the special gift that a transplant is. Correct me if I am wrong. If I am not mistaken I am pretty sure someone once told me that they would discourage me riding motorcycles after a transplant. I didn't say it then, nor will I ever say it but they can stick it where the sun don't shine on that one.
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George, I believe that motocross and dirt bike riding in general is considered to be rough on kidneys. High impact kidney belts are not required to prevent injury for your sport.
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I realize that Karol but I am not riding 60ft doubles or 90ft tabletops, I always ride within my limits with full gear. Right now, for me, it's that quality of life thing. I am not going to live in a bubble. If I do happen to get transplanted I will reevaluate my situation and make any necessary compromises.
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I bet you guys thought you would never hear from me again.
Just a little update since my last visit to the board. I soaked up the good advice that I received from you guys and decided to make some changes. It is not easy but so far I have been able to maintain. I am now at day 25 SMOKE FREE. I don't like to get to cocky about it because I have been this far and further several time before and fell back into addiction. I have been exercising on an elyptical rider 20 minutes every other day. I am trying to get a grip on eating. The former smoke-a-holic uses food to try and receive that dopamine rush and that is another habit to break. I have not gained any weight at least. I tribute that to the exercise. If I die tomorrow, I die with a huge since of pride for breaking the addiction once again. By the grace of God, I will not fall back into it.
Anyways,
I wanted to thank you guys! Pat your selves on the back. Your response may have saved me from a fate more horrible than dialysis. I feel free again. No longer held hostage by a chemical.
THANK YOU ALL!!!!
I have my next labs in April and I will let you guys know what they say.
I have been soaking up life and have not been on the net very much lately. On purpose. I still have a load of questions about dialysis and will get to those soon, Right now, I just want to forget about it a while longer and focus on living.
Love to you!
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Good for you BASSMAN. Don't be a stranger. Take care.
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:2thumbsup; Bassman that's is so incredible! It sounds like you were ready and willing to make a change and you did it!
Thanks for letting us know how you are!
:waving;
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Thanks!
You guys and gals are awesome!
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Bassman, you sound just like my husband. He talks about quitting smoking all the time but never does it.
I'm going to tell him you quit and are so happy. I think this will give him courage. THANKS to YOU! :bandance;
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Bassman, you sound just like my husband. He talks about quitting smoking all the time but never does it.
I'm going to tell him you quit and are so happy. I think this will give him courage. THANKS to YOU! :bandance;
Have him read at this site,
www.whyquit.com
Cold turkey is best. Three days of hell and the physical part subsides, then it is a mental game from there on out.
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George, I believe that motocross and dirt bike riding in general is considered to be rough on kidneys. High impact kidney belts are not required to prevent injury for your sport.
Otto's Neph tells him to live life but his Ortho say's NO NO NO that's because he's had his hips replaced 2x's each. Also Dani's Neph said she can race as long as she wears a kidney belt.
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BASSMAN - this is wonderful to hear you are going along so well. Hopefully these changes will help YOu feel better both about yourself and your overall health and a more positive future outcome for you. It's really good to hear you have made some changes and seem to feel positive about them and can keep it up. That's fantastic. Remember every day you work on this you are helping yourself... and I think that speaks for itself since nobody can help you better than YOU!
All the best with keeping it up and hopefully your labs will reflect this and keep you away from the dialysis machine for that much longer!
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I don't smoke or drink but I am a diabetic who loves cakes ,cookies and a 11oz top Serlion medium rare with a baked potatoe loaded !I made choices many times but ESRD smacked me in the face. My wife said it best, your killing yourself and your family is going to have to watch you die if you don't make some changes, so I did. It's all about choices we all have to make them, you have to make yours as I did mine. and I will respect Your choice. Wishing you the best
Edited: Fixed format tags - okarol/admin
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Have him read at this site,
www.whyquit.com
Thanks, Bassman! I will tell him.
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More power to you!
25 days is a huge step. Keep up the good work. You and your loved ones are worth every effort.
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:yahoo; :yahoo; 25 days!!! And maybe 26 by now (depending on your time zone). Go Bassman! Good to see you back, and with such great news.
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Good for you Bassman, stick at it, it was good to hear from you. It's always a worry when someone doesn't post for a while, all sorts of thoughts go through my head, but then I tell myself that hopefully they are too busy getting on with life. Glad that you are OK. :big hug:
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Good for you BASSMAN. I really hope that you notice improvement and benefits for your efforts. My Mom quit smoking for 2 years and started up again . I don't understand how hard the addiction is because I've never had to experience an addiction but my Hats off to you for quitting, I have many friends who have tried and failed and a few who succeeded so..CONGRATULATIONS...I hope you the best. :beer1;
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Bassman,
I read that positive thought can really make a difference.
So don't think of yourself as a "quitter" of smoking...Think of yourself as "Breathing easier" or something positive like that.
You can do it!
:bandance;
A.
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Bassman,
I am just now getting to this thread so please forgive the tardiness.
Congrats on the quitting and I hope it's still going successfully. I understand the difficulty of quitting. I had friends in AA and NA who could quit addictive drugs like methamphetamines and herion and alcohol but couldn't overcome nicotine. It is reportedly more difficult to quit smoking. That said, it is also very possible and you are joining the millions and millions who have quit, leaving behind those who still smoke and, thankfully, that population is decreasing all the time.
Keep it up. Smoking is really very dangerous and harmful, perhaps more than many other drugs! You are helping yourself by quitting. In a couple years, you'll appreciate that your life is so much less complicated. No worries about having enough cigs for the day, matches, burn spots on clothing, no ashtrays to clean, no foul smells, better breathing, you can smell things again, etc. etc. there's very little to say on the positive side of smoking.
Best of luck and keep it up! :clap;
-Devon
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you would never lose my respect
I have been bulimic in the past
I do not smoke but I eat too much
I need to lose 20 lbs
it is always in my mind "go ahead and eat it, you can vomit it"
but so far I do not do it and haven't for years but it is still there
I did it for 15 years
everyone who was in twirling or drill team did it
our director told us about it-----there's a lawsuit if she is still alive
did not see it as a big deal
until I started throwing up blood
my stepmother is 89 or 90 and she has always smoked
she is in good health and will not give up her cigs
I hardly ever drink but the other night I had a Miller's lite and it was very cold and man, was it good
beat the hell out of a diet root beer float with frozen cool whip instead of Blue Bell
I ever hardly ever take the binders==== always forget
it is hard to be under the stress of PKD and then have to live such a bland life
my doc said to eat things I like but in moderation
moderation is sometimes difficult
do not add salt , he told me, and I do not add any salt
we nerver had salt in our home
you sound normal to me
keep trying
what if you gave up cigs and your blood pressure went too high over the stress of wanting a cig?
could that happen
I still drink my coke---it is just better than root beer
sometimes you need a coke so I try for an 8 ounce small can :sir ken;( no reasons for him, I just love this little guy)
good luck
it is a hard life
twirl :sir ken;
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We're all there, somehow. We all have something we SHOULD give up. In my case, it's salt. I try, I really do, but if I had a choice between salt or chocolate, I hate to say it, but I'd pick the salt. I do try to moderate it, and really do try to NOT use it in cooking, and watch the ingredients I put in my dishes as well.
So, for you, I say YAY :big hug: YAY!!! Any step is better than NO step!!!!
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Congrats Bassman !
I have been down this road (I quit in 04) and I cannot say I was so strong that I just quit cold turkey. I actually quit after I realized every time I had a smoke I had terrible chest pain that came shortly after. So I guess I quit out of fear; but it worked. I had a very obvious and immediate reaction to smoking and I still to this day get winded easily :shy; so stopping was well worth it for me. I wish you well and hope it all works out for the best. :thumbup;
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We could get hit by a truck tomorrow, so live you life now. Sounds like dialysis is in your future. You are doing what is right by joining this site. Now, id you want a transplant you need to stop smoking. At least that is what I was told. I did smoke after my transplant, but not before.
Warning..... do not smoke and sniff gasoline at the same time.
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. i HAD A TRANSPLANT FROM MY BROTHER. i SMOKED BEFORE THE TRANSPLANT AND AFTER. THE ONE HOSPITAL I WENT TO HAD A ROOM THAT WE WOULD SMOKE IN. THE NURSE WOULD COME AND YELL AT US AND WE WOULD SAY WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO KICK US OUT. SMOKING HAS ALWAYS GOT ME THROUGH ALL THIS CRAP.