KillTheCan.org Accountability Forum
Community => Introductions => Topic started by: Genizes on December 11, 2017, 12:47:00 AM
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Hello All,
My name is Corey. I am 28 years old and started dipping in 2007. I usually dipped about 2 cans every 3-4 days. I quit several times previously, the longest lasting about a month. And, most recently I tried to quit on 11/8; and failed. I have been nearly 7 days without a hint of nicotine, which is the longest I have lasted since 2015.
Below is my story:
On 11/8/2017, I quit using tobacco. However, my day two symptoms were sudden. I nearly couldn't get out of bed and called off work. Was extremely light headed and kept passing out on the couch throughout the day. Day three, I went to the local convenient store and picked up two tins. And felt a bit better, but still felt a bit crappy.
On 11/20/2017, I went to the ER with what I thought was pneumonia. Turned out at 28, you can get diagnosed with an enlarged heart (dilated cardiomyopathy) and an ejection fraction of 19 (heart is pumping only 19% of the blood to the rest of my body). Doctor claims there is about a 1 in 3 chance I will need an ICD and/or a transplant at some point over the next few years. Unless, it is caused by a virus (won't know until March with repeat testing). Since this diagnosis; I am on a low fat/low sodium diet and am tasked to getting my BMI under 32 (in case of a transplant). Also, I have to quit dipping. Because of new medications, I was advised not to quit dipping for about a week.
(Lesson learned, the detox from nicotine likely masked my symptoms of heart failure; just poor timing. Make sure you consult your doctor with symptoms of nicotine withdrawl!)
On 12/4/2017, I quit dipping. The only real symptom I have had since, is an irritability. I am laser focused and I also do not believe that my diagnosis has really sunk in quite yet. Either way, on 12/3/2017 I touched the last piece of nicotine that I will ever have. And, in doing so, carved a path to a healthier future.
Question: Currently, I am using smokey mountain snuff as an alternate to tobacco. However, I have a dilemma that I need to keep sodium intake to 1,500 mg - 2,300 mg (I still can't believe how much sodium is in everything!). Because of the sodium intake issue, Smokey Mountain has roughly 40 mg of sodium per 2 g of dip. So, a day, I am using 400 mg of sodium on herbal snuff (which has to be reduced or eliminated due to fluid build up). However, I also need to watch out on caffeine (eliminates coffee versions). Does anyone know of any tobacco alternate products that contain no salt/sodium? If not, I will probably try to use un-salted seeds or something. Or, any recipies for homemade versions?
Thanks!
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Hello All,
My name is Corey. I am 28 years old and started dipping in 2007. I usually dipped about 2 cans every 3-4 days. I quit several times previously, the longest lasting about a month. And, most recently I tried to quit on 11/8; and failed. I have been nearly 7 days without a hint of nicotine, which is the longest I have lasted since 2015.
Below is my story:
On 11/8/2017, I quit using tobacco. However, my day two symptoms were sudden. I nearly couldn't get out of bed and called off work. Was extremely light headed and kept passing out on the couch throughout the day. Day three, I went to the local convenient store and picked up two tins. And felt a bit better, but still felt a bit crappy.
On 11/20/2017, I went to the ER with what I thought was pneumonia. Turned out at 28, you can get diagnosed with an enlarged heart (dilated cardiomyopathy) and an ejection fraction of 19 (heart is pumping only 19% of the blood to the rest of my body). Doctor claims there is about a 1 in 3 chance I will need an ICD and/or a transplant at some point over the next few years. Unless, it is caused by a virus (won't know until March with repeat testing). Since this diagnosis; I am on a low fat/low sodium diet and am tasked to getting my BMI under 32 (in case of a transplant). Also, I have to quit dipping. Because of new medications, I was advised not to quit dipping for about a week.
(Lesson learned, the detox from nicotine likely masked my symptoms of heart failure; just poor timing. Make sure you consult your doctor with symptoms of nicotine withdrawl!)
On 12/4/2017, I quit dipping. The only real symptom I have had since, is an irritability. I am laser focused and I also do not believe that my diagnosis has really sunk in quite yet. Either way, on 12/3/2017 I touched the last piece of nicotine that I will ever have. And, in doing so, carved a path to a healthier future.
Question: Currently, I am using smokey mountain snuff as an alternate to tobacco. However, I have a dilemma that I need to keep sodium intake to 1,500 mg - 2,300 mg (I still can't believe how much sodium is in everything!). Because of the sodium intake issue, Smokey Mountain has roughly 40 mg of sodium per 2 g of dip. So, a day, I am using 400 mg of sodium on herbal snuff (which has to be reduced or eliminated due to fluid build up). However, I also need to watch out on caffeine (eliminates coffee versions). Does anyone know of any tobacco alternate products that contain no salt/sodium? If not, I will probably try to use un-salted seeds or something. Or, any recipies for homemade versions?
Thanks!
Welcome Corey, that's quite a story and its good to hear that you are 7 days quit. I don't know about sodium and fake snuff, but I do know that the KTC system for quitting works. Join your quit group and post your promise here every day! That healthy future is there for you.
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Hello All,
My name is Corey. I am 28 years old and started dipping in 2007. I usually dipped about 2 cans every 3-4 days. I quit several times previously, the longest lasting about a month. And, most recently I tried to quit on 11/8; and failed. I have been nearly 7 days without a hint of nicotine, which is the longest I have lasted since 2015.
Below is my story:
On 11/8/2017, I quit using tobacco. However, my day two symptoms were sudden. I nearly couldn't get out of bed and called off work. Was extremely light headed and kept passing out on the couch throughout the day. Day three, I went to the local convenient store and picked up two tins. And felt a bit better, but still felt a bit crappy.
On 11/20/2017, I went to the ER with what I thought was pneumonia. Turned out at 28, you can get diagnosed with an enlarged heart (dilated cardiomyopathy) and an ejection fraction of 19 (heart is pumping only 19% of the blood to the rest of my body). Doctor claims there is about a 1 in 3 chance I will need an ICD and/or a transplant at some point over the next few years. Unless, it is caused by a virus (won't know until March with repeat testing). Since this diagnosis; I am on a low fat/low sodium diet and am tasked to getting my BMI under 32 (in case of a transplant). Also, I have to quit dipping. Because of new medications, I was advised not to quit dipping for about a week.
(Lesson learned, the detox from nicotine likely masked my symptoms of heart failure; just poor timing. Make sure you consult your doctor with symptoms of nicotine withdrawl!)
On 12/4/2017, I quit dipping. The only real symptom I have had since, is an irritability. I am laser focused and I also do not believe that my diagnosis has really sunk in quite yet. Either way, on 12/3/2017 I touched the last piece of nicotine that I will ever have. And, in doing so, carved a path to a healthier future.
Question: Currently, I am using smokey mountain snuff as an alternate to tobacco. However, I have a dilemma that I need to keep sodium intake to 1,500 mg - 2,300 mg (I still can't believe how much sodium is in everything!). Because of the sodium intake issue, Smokey Mountain has roughly 40 mg of sodium per 2 g of dip. So, a day, I am using 400 mg of sodium on herbal snuff (which has to be reduced or eliminated due to fluid build up). However, I also need to watch out on caffeine (eliminates coffee versions). Does anyone know of any tobacco alternate products that contain no salt/sodium? If not, I will probably try to use un-salted seeds or something. Or, any recipies for homemade versions?
Thanks!
Welcome Corey, that's quite a story and its good to hear that you are 7 days quit. I don't know about sodium and fake snuff, but I do know that the KTC system for quitting works. Join your quit group and post your promise here every day! That healthy future is there for you.
Can't second that enough, Corey. Your next step is to post roll in the March quit group (http://forum.killthecan.org/topic/30404396/).
Roll is our way of promising each other that we will not have nicotine for the day. We post roll every day here. Our system is pretty simple. Wake up, post roll, and keep your word for the day. Then, the next day, do it all over again.
Here's a video to help you understand how to post roll: Posting Roll on KTC Kill the Can (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmDgTPJ6HyM)
There's pages of info on the main site about smokeless alternatives (https://www.killthecan.org/your-quit/smokeless-alternatives/). You might want to read through that. Take a look at Ryan Express - that's made from muscadine grapes, and the nutritional information lists 0% sodium. I've used it, and it was a pretty decent alternative (and the flavor really is good, especially if you like muscadines :) )
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Welcome.
I agree with the others, get yourself in your March group and on roll. Roll is the backbone of this site, and the cost of admission.
Also, be aware that there are a whole set of help groups here at KTC, including weight loss, soda pop quit, caffeine quit, and exercise. Look for the getting my act together (http://forum.killthecan.org/forum/55584/) threads.
But, above all, get on roll in your March group. We tell everybody that this is life or death, it seems a bit more the case with you.
All the best.
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Thanks for the info everyone. Everything is life and death for me right now; it turns out that my 100 day number is the same date as my heart tests in March (ironic?)
(Appreciate the info on a alternative)
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Hey Corey glad to have you here -- sometimes it really does take a medical wake up call to finally kick the nic bitch to the curb. I personally use Oregon Mint -- 0 sodium and 0 calories. I use the pouches but they also have loose. Good Luck -- Post roll with your group -- it really works!
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Just hit day 10!
Almost slipped up two days ago; made it inside the store and to the counter before heading to an appointment. But still going strong.
Nolan Ryan Express came in the mail today. It is certainly a different experience; but should get the job done.
Also, for a heart update. Fired my doctor and had a second opinion today. Didn't go great, but at least it is in process.
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Just hit day 10!
Almost slipped up two days ago; made it inside the store and to the counter before heading to an appointment. But still going strong.
Nolan Ryan Express came in the mail today. It is certainly a different experience; but should get the job done.
Also, for a heart update. Fired my doctor and had a second opinion today. Didn't go great, but at least it is in process.
Genizes,
That is one heck of a story. Congratulations on being 10 days quit.
Welcome to the group.
The main way to be successful is to just decide that you have quit. Once you stop the negotiating in your head as to whether you will do one more or not the rest becomes far more simple.
Next, you will learn to distract your attention from your desire for a dip to anything else that interests you. This ability to change your focus will guarantee your success and make your quit that much easier.
When you place a dip in your mouth, your brain releases sugars. Well, those sugars are now going to be gone.
However, you can replace them with OJ or other fruit juices with sugar. This will provide some comfort, especially in your initial quit days.
Make sure to exercise with weights and cardio when you feel that nagging tension in your muscles, you feel that rage, when you can not sleep and when you can not focus. Exercise really helps.
Here is one that most people overlook. Get at least 3 square meals a day. Hunger can really bring on those urges so squash those urges before they come. Eat full healthy meals and do not let yourself get excessively hungry. You will see this helps a great deal.
I waited until I was 59 quit after using tobacco for 40 years. You are wise to quit now.
I quit with you today.
Dundippin day 823