Smoking - losing my mind?

[axxeman01]

So I've quit smoking now 80 some days, my adventure is in another thread, but I wanted to share a specific experience I've had with smoking over the past 3 days to see if anyone else have ever experienced this, or if I'm off my rocker.

I work in IT, and did a mentoring gig for the past 3 days with a gal, 2 hours each day. She's a smoker , and we had to sit very close together so she could see and work on my laptop.

About an hour into and after our meetings, I felt as if my lips were absorbing the nicotine that was coming off her. I mean I literally felt myself getting a fat lip (that part wasn't imaginary for sure, I could see it in the mirror). So I'd go home, throw some neosporin on it, and it would go away. Meet her the next day, same thing; towards the end of the session my lip started burning and getting fat, and I generally felt less than chipper.

So... have I lost my mind, or could this be a legitimate physical reaction to being in close proximity to a smoker for 2 hours at a time? It's weird also that as an ex smoker I'd have any adverse effects whatsoever.

- Chris

[Lisa]

That's weird! It sounds like an allergic reaction or (angioedema). Was she actively smoking, or was it just the lingering smell of the cigarette smoke that you noticed? Man, if she is smoking around you, tell her to knock it off!

Didn't your doc prescribe a patch or Chantix or something similar to help you quit smoking? It might be a good idea to call the office in the morning and let them know what's happening. Maybe the combination of the medicine and exposure to second-hand smoke is triggering this reaction.

And best wishes for continued success as a non-smoker!

I'm not a doctor, but I know one who lives in the basement.

[ducatidoc]

Maybe not the cigarettes, could also be her perfume, or a particular fabric she was wearing. Or maybe you're just allergic to her. I had that happen several years ago, and my derm told me he didn't really care what it was, just start the prescription antihistamines NOW. I had welts all over that would just start spontaneously. Meds worked, never came back.

[GradyPhilpott]

I don't know about losing your mind, but I hate the smell of cigarettes, even though I smoked them for more than twenty years.

The medical consultation aside, I would simply ask people not to smoke who are in such close proximity and especially if it were in my office.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by ducatidoc

Maybe not the cigarettes, could also be her perfume, or a particular fabric she was wearing. Or maybe you're just allergic to her. I had that happen several years ago, and my derm told me he didn't really care what it was, just start the prescription antihistamines NOW. I had welts all over that would just start spontaneously. Meds worked, never came back.

Right on about the antihistamines - you don't want to suddenly get swelling in your throat or tongue and find that you can't breathe.

[axxeman01]

Thanks :) She wasn't actively smoking, so just the aftereffect, or as ducatidoc said, could be anything about her. Now that I think about it, I've been around other folks who were smoking at the time, but that was outside *and* they weren't nearly glued to me for 2 hours straight.

Thanks again for the input, I don't have to see that client again so I think I'm in good shape!

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I don't know about losing your mind, but I hate the smell of cigarettes, even though I smoked them for more than twenty years.

The medical consultation aside, I would simply ask people not to smoke who are in such close proximity and especially if it were in my office.

I smoked cigarettes for 16 years and now cant stand the smell of them
Its been 24 years since I smoked one

[Cato]

I can't stand the smell of smokers. You can smell the tar in their clothes and hair.

However, the smell of cigarrette smoke is nice outside when mixed with fresh air.

[S52]

I've been on and off dipping (chewing tobacco) for the past couple of years. I dont do it around my fiance, or family... and have gone several weeks without it but when I am heavily using it if I go a day without one I can feel my inner lip pulsating, like saying FEEEED meeeeeee! Yeah dip is nasty stuff, dont ever recommend getting started on it

[linkinghabit]

Originally Posted by axxeman01

So I've quit smoking now 80 some days, my adventure is in another thread, but I wanted to share a specific experience I've had with smoking over the past 3 days to see if anyone else have ever experienced this, or if I'm off my rocker.

I work in IT, and did a mentoring gig for the past 3 days with a gal, 2 hours each day. She's a smoker , and we had to sit very close together so she could see and work on my laptop.

About an hour into and after our meetings, I felt as if my lips were absorbing the nicotine that was coming off her. I mean I literally felt myself getting a fat lip (that part wasn't imaginary for sure, I could see it in the mirror). So I'd go home, throw some neosporin on it, and it would go away. Meet her the next day, same thing; towards the end of the session my lip started burning and getting fat, and I generally felt less than chipper.

So... have I lost my mind, or could this be a legitimate physical reaction to being in close proximity to a smoker for 2 hours at a time? It's weird also that as an ex smoker I'd have any adverse effects whatsoever.

- Chris

now you feel what it feels inhaling and absorbing other's smoke...tell her then to cover her face with plastic bag when smoking so she can inhale it by herself 100%...

[Passionata]

Which lips are actually we are talking about pal?;-)post pix!!!!

[mickyvee]

Originally Posted by S52

I've been on and off dipping (chewing tobacco) for the past couple of years. I dont do it around my fiance, or family... and have gone several weeks without it but when I am heavily using it if I go a day without one I can feel my inner lip pulsating, like saying FEEEED meeeeeee! Yeah dip is nasty stuff, dont ever recommend getting started on it

Chewing tobacco? Must be an American thing, I've never heard of it over here. Doesn't it burn your mouth? As a non smoker I fail to see the attraction. Is chewing tobacco any less harmful than smoking it? Sorry if I sound dumb, but it is a topic that I find fascinating.

[tattooedfagin]

Originally Posted by Cato

However, the smell of cigarette smoke is nice outside when mixed with fresh air.

ain't that bizarre ?, i quit Ciggies 8 or more years back yet the scent of a walk by on a cold morning is seriously sexy ....that said, i'd never smoke another.

[BarkMaster]

I never really smoked more than an occasional cigar just for fun. It never bothered me in bars or casinos, but these days I can't stand the stench.

Who wants to smell like an ashcan?

[gwalker]

I have been told that this could be actually neurological. Your body's way of trying to tell you that it wants a cigarette after getting close to all the chemicals in a cigarette.

[SPARTAN2161]

Originally Posted by mickyvee

Chewing tobacco? Must be an American thing, I've never heard of it over here. Doesn't it burn your mouth? As a non smoker I fail to see the attraction. Is chewing tobacco any less harmful than smoking it? Sorry if I sound dumb, but it is a topic that I find fascinating.

Yes it burns but nothing to bad...actually its a nice feeling once you dip a lot. Its still dangerous and causes mouth and throat cancer as well as loss of teeth.

[mickyvee]

Originally Posted by SPARTAN2161

Yes it burns but nothing to bad...actually its a nice feeling once you dip a lot. Its still dangerous and causes mouth and throat cancer as well as loss of teeth.

The mind boggles.

[S52]

Originally Posted by mickyvee

The mind boggles.

Yeah as previously mentioned, it comes in little tin cans and is literally just moist strips or shreds of tobacco you place between your lip and gums. The nicotine enters your blood stream, and gives an almost immediate nice buzz.

Would be perfect if only it didnt cause mouth cancer

Although, at least you are not inhaling smoke so avert lung cancer and most of the issues from smoking.

Still though, its a nasty habit, and quite difficult to kick...

its definitely an american/ southern thing... as I don't think I've ever seen dip for sale out of the country, but it is widely available in all our supermarkets and gas stations stateside. (yes I have craved it while on travels and have been unsuccessful in acquiring some!)