This is why I rarely go in for physicals...

Katnip, RN · Jun 21, 2005

Deb is right. Giving up smoking is tough, even with nicotine help.

I agree. Work on one vice at a time. The idea to increase physical activity first is a great one, because you'll gradually depend less on cigarettes with an added benefit of increasing fitness and the desire to eat better.

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jkaee · Jun 21, 2005

You are so right, Deb, about changing routines and habits. I think the hardest times for me will be in the car on the way to or from work. That's my "relax" time, so I'll need to just be strong during those times.

My best friend (and neighbor) is going to be quitting with me, so that will be a big help so neither one of us will have the other to run to for a smoke. I know that the gum/patches/meds are not the final answer, and I know that I have to want to quit in order to succeed long term, but it seems that some nonsmoking medical people (and lay people) think that it's something you can just stop "if you really want to." Tobacco is a drug, and I can see how dependent I am on it. But, I can do it!

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 21, 2005

Yes you can. And we are here to help you if we can! Been there, trust me; I know the battle you face. But the smoking-free life is WONDERFUL my friend!

pricklypear · Jun 21, 2005

Pricklypear...I've never looked into pilates. How long is a typical workout? My problem is getting enough uninterrupted time to do a workout. I'm going to try the gum again, but the drive home from work after a 12 hr shift is when I know I'm going to have the most trouble, too.

It only takes 15-20 mins at the most. Once you learn some moves, you can do them anytime - it's not like an aerobic routine that you have to do all at once. I just can't say enough good things about it. It's not really strenuous - but you feel all the work afterwards! There are lots of good CDs and tapes out there.

On the smoking - I really like the patch. It gives me that steady state, I don't have ups and downs like with gum. The only time I "crave" smoking is when I'm really p****d off, like at my teenage kids lately!! Driving anywhere was hard at first, but I got used to it pretty quickly. Sometimes, after a stressful night, I really want to smoke on the way home. I car pool with someone who smokes, and occasionally I will bum one from her - but usually I do pretty good. I'm proud of myself for the times I have to watch her smoke, and I resist the urge! Like I said before, I decided not to penalize myself for cheating occaisionally. I've smoked for a long time, and it'll probably take a long time to permanantly change my habits.

student4ever · Jun 21, 2005

First of all, I agree with everyone else who has posted. Sounds like there are a lot of people on here with great advice.

Just wanted to reiterate though... get yourself another doc. I am 23, 5'8", 135-140 pounds (depending on the day!) and every time I went to a particular gyno I used to go to, she would remark on my weight. If I gained a pound!!! which I can do simply by drinking a glass of water before I go, or if I actually ate breakfast before the visit, she would say... "hmmm... you're gaining weight, maybe you should watch that!" And when she would ask if I was getting excercise, I would say, "yup, still doing pilates," and she would go "Humph, I meant some real exercise." I put up with that for two visits, and switched docs. I was going for her to make sure I had a good pap, get a refill on my bc, and not to lecture me on my exercise habits which she didn't seem to like. With my busy schedule, I'm lucky to get any exercise (besides running around at work!) Any doctor who makes you feel bad about yourself is not worth it. Doctors are supposed to help you reach your goals for your own health, not to criticize you for not fitting every cookie cutter image of healthy lifestyle.

One step to take on the weight issue (think of it as getting fit rather than losing weight, cause you might get fit and weigh the same because of added muscle) would be, if you have a parking deck at work, always walk up and down to your car rather than take the elevator and park on a level higher than 1 or 2 to help you get a little extra exercise. Take little steps towards your health goals, and you'll be more likely to succeed.

allnurses Guide · Jun 21, 2005

It is hard to exercise when you have kids but I decided to just take the kids with me . . .so I got a jogging stroller and headed to the high school where I walked the track and the kids played on the grass where I could keep an eye on them. Of course all those kids are almost grown now and I have a toddler and I'm still doing the same thing . . .only he takes his bike. I just mowed the lawn (one day late jnette :rolleyes: and my son followed me with his toy lawn mower. I just have to get outside, even for a walk - it really is therapy for me.

I do belong to Curves but have to find someone to watch my son for 1/2 hour . .. . now that my 15 year old is home for the summer, I've been using her alot for babysitting.

There isn't any reason you can't just get outside more and not consider it trying to cure two things . . . the exercise will help with the cravings I think.

Good luck and yes, get another practitioner.

steph

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2005

You are so right, Deb, about changing routines and habits. I think the hardest times for me will be in the car on the way to or from work. That's my "relax" time, so I'll need to just be strong during those times.
My best friend (and neighbor) is going to be quitting with me, so that will be a big help so neither one of us will have the other to run to for a smoke.

I've been on my 8th "quitting" streak (try once every year :rolleyes:

) since the 6th of this month.

The first week was absolute torture.

It still is insanely hard - but I think I'm getting better at it. Just yesterday I had my first positive response : I RAN, no jogging, I RAN from the busstop to my house. About a mile and a half. For the first time in years, I managed to run the distance without stopping to catch my breath (my back and lower legs were killing me in the end but that's a different story :chuckle ). If this is the difference I can feel in three weeks - I wonder what I'll see in 3 months. :)

I definitely encourage you to find a "mind occupier". For me, I plan on getting a gripper - you know that things you squeeze to develop your grip strength? Evertime I get the urge to smoke, I use that. Helps distract my mind from the urge and I also get exercise along the way.

Ofcourse, the physiological cravings will take time to go away. I was at my friends farm yesterday shooting rifles and I could feel my hands trembling (through the stock against my cheek). But I'm sure they'll get better as the days pass.

And I agree - you certainly don't need someone with such a charming personality to help get you through this :stone

Hang in there :)

Mystery5 · Jun 21, 2005

Hey everyone, just a rant here. I know this is more for the Break Room, but I just started back working and can't quite pay for a premium membership yet. It's not really a rant, more a pathetic whine
Today I finally get my rear in for a physical. With 4 kids, sometimes I forget to take care of myself. So, I'm feeling good about going in to get myself checked out. First thing when the NP comes in, she looks at my kids and says, "Couldn't you get anyone to babysit for you?" Well, if I could, I would have done that, instead of dragging a 5 year old, a 2 year old and a 5 month old in here. So, she asks her nurse to play with them while I get checked out. Because, you know, that is what we nurses do.....babysit.
So, I get on the scale. I'm pretty happy to see that I'm back to my pre-preganancy weight. Now, granted, I can stand to lose a few pounds (okay, I'll be honest, maybe 15 or 20), but I just have to watch my eating habits....nothing major. My NP sits down and we start talking. She says to me, "So, what do you want to talk about, besides the fact that you're overweight." Well, thank you for that. But what I really want to talk about is me quitting smoking. I ask about trying Wellbutrin but I get shot down because I'm breastfeeding (okay, get that) and that I should "just do a program because you have to really want to quit, you shouldn't need any meds or patches." If I didn't feel I needed that, I wouldn't ask for it. I also asked about medication for my migraine. Since I was pregnant and now breastfeeding, I haven't been on my regiment of Neurontin/Relpax. The answer I got was just to try other things instead of meds. Once again, if they worked, I WOULD DO IT! While filling out my lab slip for blood work, she says to me, "they just have an obese dx code here, I wish they'd have one for overweight" OKAY, I GET IT ALREADY!!!
In the end, I walked in hoping that I'd get relief from my headaches and on my way to quitting smoking, and walked out of there feeling like a fat, nicotine addicted loser, no better off than when I came in, except now I feel like my image of myself has been horribly distorted all this time and I should be really concerned about getting this weight off. I never thought of myself as really overweight, and I fit in the same size I have for years. But, I guess the truth hurts, and that's what's really bothering me.
Anyway, like the eternal optimist I am, I walk out of there, get myself some Nicorette gum, and go on the Weight watchers website to check out what they have to offer. And then, after hearing my DH won't be home until late, struggling with my kids who are just fighting all day long, getting them all out to Vacation Bible school and volunteering there while trying the nurse my 5 month old, I go out and get myself a BLT hoagie and a pack of smokes.
Oh well, tomorrow is another day.....

HI, LOL, I love your writing style! :chuckle

Sounds like your NP is lacking in tactful people skills. I really dislike getting lectured at the doctor or dentist, and don't go to people who are disrespectful of my personal healthcare preferences, which are extremely Medical Heretical. Also, I don't need a lecture and guilt trip about my poor flossing habits, thank you very much. :rolleyes:

Mystery5 · Jun 21, 2005

BTW, here is a link to a BBC article that reports that the latest findings indicate that women with a little extra weight on their hips live longer!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4606011.stm

"Curvy women are more likely to live longer than their slimmer counterparts, researchers have found."

Emma123 · Jun 21, 2005

Hi Jkaee,

YOUR POST REALLY ANGERED ME.

I'd find a new NP or doc if you could. That's just MEAN! I mean, you just had a baby five months ago!! She should at least give you a year before she shoots you down like that!!!

I'm sorry you had to experience that. I'm new here and your post was the first I read and it got me so fired up I just HAD to tell you I'm in your corner!!

Hugs,

Kim

leopold · Jun 21, 2005

What a jerk! I've sort of become accustomed to getting better care from NPs than from docs. Don't let her get you down, I went to my doc and wanted to get on a smoking cessation program and it took a month of calling back and forth to a half dozen people just to do it. All she did was hand me pamphlet. I tried the zyban and it made me absolutely batty. Be careful with the patch, I had an allergic reaction to it and my b/p went through the roof even though I was taking the lowest dose and had completely quit smoking. (I'm usually in the 90/60 range). And 15-20 pounds off on your weight is not bad, I know very few people who wouldn't like to lose a few pounds -- I know I would. Can you find another pcp or are you in one of those HMOs?

Haunted · Jun 21, 2005

Just started my yearly "well woman exam" process, which takes about 2 weeks to complete.

1. Try and get an appointment. I ADORE the recorded message, "If this is a medical emergency, please hang up and dial 911". NO! Really? 15 minutes of listening to Barry Manilows greatest hit and I'm coming down with a medical emergency, I tell ya. OK, how is 1:27 AM Sunday morning for you Miss? SURE!!!! I'm usually thinking of getting up in the old stirrups right about that time of the morning.....NOT.

2. Day of the appointment, after 3 or 4 reminder phone calls like some telemarketer on speed, you shower, shave allllll the way to the bikini line, check for grey pubic hairs, butt nuggets and varicose veins while contorting over your hand held magnifying mirror (which really does make your butt look 10 pounds bigger) and then smooth on your favorite moisturizing lotion, you want to look your best in that fashionable paper gown, right girls?

3. Drive to the office, circle the parking lot waiting for the "spot fairy" to bestow kindness and hope you don't have to walk to far. You end up 3 blocks away, that's ok, gives you a chance to show off those brand new La Perla undies that you splurged on for this "event". Is this a first date or a gynecological exam you begin to wonder as you squirt the listerine into your freshly glossed lips, hitting yourself directly in the eye instead.

4. Eyes dripping, you can barely make out the floor number of the office you are 15 minutes late getting to, having knocked yourself unconscious while attempting to navigate that revolving glass door thingy because you are now completely blind and wheezing for breath from your 5 mile hike.

5. Elevator comes and you are dragged along by your purse strap which has somehow gotten caught on Granny's 4 point walker and she's MOVING FAST BABY! Standing room only and you can barely make out the grinning and drooling face which seems to be resting directly on your shoulder , yes it's Junior the human vomit machine who suddenly launches a full blown formula fest onto your favorite shirt.

6. Ahhh, your floor at last! No one is happier to see you stumble off the elevator (still attached to Granny's 4 point walker as she screeches "STOP THIEF!" )then the other occupants who are glancing about to find out who is wearing that distinctive "cologne".

7. Clutching the formula saturated kleenex in your sweaty palmed hand, you enter the office, hoping for a few moments to regain both your eye sight and your composure but OH NO! The receptionist would happily use a bullhorn to announce " Hi Mrs Smith, your here for your PAP today?" A collective gasp can be heard in the standing room only waiting room, Mother's reach out to cover their precious childrens ears. You take a deep breath, try and look her in the eye and say proudly "No, it's more likely just a consultation" and smile smugly, thinking, "Well I certainly put her in her place!"

8. "Please fill these out and return them when your done". Well, I have seen applications for NASA that weren't as detailed as this thesis! Not to mention having to complete it while on all 4's over the carpet, did I mention it was standing room only?

9. 3 or 4 hours later, you can't be sure since you accidently dozed off, you are startled by a booming "Mrs Smith? Mrs Smith ?" " Not guilty Your Honor " you automatically respond, forgetting for a moment where you are. Since your eye sight has returned, you can clearly make your way to the "back office " for the humiliation to begin. "Please step up on the scale !" you are commanded.

10. 20 minutes later you are putting your jewelry, earrings, watch, ankle bracelet, hair clips, contact lenses and hearing aids back in and on (hey every ounce counts right? ) and you are ceremoniously ushered to the "exam room", also refered to as meat locker number 7. Mystery woman has laid out a lovely ensemble for you to change into and leaves the room so you, super model that you are, can have some much needed privacy to work your magic on making a sheet of 4 ply sand paper and a saucy little capped sleeve kleenex look chic.

11. Finally Dr. Peekaboo enters and shakes your hand. You hold on a second or 2 longer than you normally would, it's the only thing warm in the room you are soon to discover. Brushing the frost off the exam table, she motions you to "saddle up partner". Laying there in this most intimimant position, you reflect on career choices you might have made, thinking "hey, if I can bend like this, I probably could have had a huge name for myself in Mediao!"

12. Dr Peekaboo continues to "tinker around" and you are beginning to wonder why it is that men get away with things so easily! A prostate exam ? BIG DEAL you ponder, at least during something like that they can fantasize!

13. CLINK! Exam is over. "everything looks good !" says Dr Peekaboo. Your tempted to reply, "Is that a personal or professional opinion?" and feel slighty miffed that he/she failed to remark on your creative bikini line enhancement or the pedicure. Well, you'll just have to do better next year.

14. You discover that KY jelly is in fact the worlds stickiest concoction, trying vainly to unwedge your thighs which have either frozen together or Dr Peekaboo substituted crazy glue just to spice up your experience, what a prankster!

15. As you are being attended to by the medical assistant (having sling shot yourself into the wall while putting on those La Perla panties) , you smile bravely and tell her, "I'm sure it's just fractured, I'll bbe fine!".

16. With mapquest and Thomas guide in your trembling hand, you navigate your way to the exit. After reviewing your last 4 years tax returns, providing the title to both your car and house and signing over your first born, your free to escape. "See you next year Mrs. Smith! the clerk shouts cheerfully.

17. "Don't you threaten me young lady !!" you reply with a haughty demeaner and a limp.

18. The sudden hail and thunder storm slowed you down a bit but you are relieved to see your car, just where you left it, keys dangling jauntily in the ignition, locked of course.

Later that evening....

911 Operator : What is your emergency?

Mr Smith : All I said was, how did it go at the gynecologist today honey? That must have been a walk in the park huh?