SECOND HAND SMOKE & its effect.....more - Asthma Message Board

wgram · 06-18-2001, 09:29 AM

I am a 38 year old female that lived with both parents while growing up until
he age 21. Both parents smoked at least
2 packs a day and my mother kept the house closed up for whatever reason. The walls would yellow and they both stayed sick, not the mention the fact that I was sickly. After getting married, I found out that I
was developing cancer of the reproductive organ (I was only 21). Then
after having that taken care of (bad cells removed) it relentlessly returned. I had that taken care of finally after going through two very unpleasent proceedures.

I developed Asthma 10 years after being out of the smoke. The doctor told me that this is not unusual, and often it shows up within a ten year period after leaving the situation. And this attack nearly killed me.

During this time:

The I developed endometriosis, which I have no proof that SSH was the blame, just want to list it all! Had a c-section, and then
my two wonderful children were born with Jandice! One so bad that they almost airlifted him to a more qualified hosp.

Well BOTH my kids have disablities, such as ADD/ADHD and ODD. I have a very stressful life and my dear father died in 1995 with
EMPYSEMA, and left his wife (my MOM) of 40 years, virtually pennliness. Smoking is DUMB, it ruins your life, and all its good for is to eat up your money and give you terrible diseases. They have proved that the
SSH is twice as bad as the original smoker gets! THIS SHOULD SET OFF ALARMS...what are we doing to our kids?????

I am living or maybe /dying proof of its effects. And if you know of any good lawyers out there, please advise, its time to sit up and be noticed, as I am in the middle of a severe asthma attack, and am entertaining the idea of a suit.

Thanks!

ms freckles · 06-18-2001, 03:36 PM

Well said. I also was a smoker and I have asthma, when my first grandchild was born in January, he was born with asthma. I no longer smoke and no smoking in the house with kids around. shs is awful to a non smoker. smokers really don't notice it. Sorry you are having a hard time with your health, I wish you and your kids luck. Everyone has to make their own choices. It is funny I would not quit for my health, but I sure did for the health of my little grandson. What a gift!!!!

wgram · 06-18-2001, 06:36 PM

Bless you for responding, I was begining to feel that I was to strong. I am so glad to hear that you quit smoking, Our kids are our future. I hope that everything works out well for your grandson. You are a great
grandma!!

Babernethy · 08-29-2001, 07:35 AM

I was also from a home of parent smokers (never did it myself) and blame this exposure to my asthma. I had occasional shortness of breath. During an operation in '87, I was given sodium pentathol as a knock out...it did...it also conmstricted my air passages, I stopped breathing and my heart stopped. I was 'paddled' to bring me back. A 2 hour nose job turned into major surgery that lasted over 5 hours. I was supposed to be 'out from under the drugs' by 10 am, but I did not open my eyes 'till almost 4. I was under nurse guard for about 2 days, 'till they were sure I was not going to have a relapse. The doctor, after he told me what had happene,' asked why I did not tell him I had asthma...I did not know!
Anyway, I have it mild...I no longer live in the city, this helps, but when I get a chest cold I need my turbohaler, used a whole unit this summer!
My parents not longer smoke, and I refuse to go to any restaurant or gathering place where I will be exposed to smoke. No one has EVER been allowed to puff in my car or house, and as I now have 2 kids, we ask any visitors not to smoke anywhere on my property....as the kids know it is bad for you. My 7 year old calls smokers 'slug brains'...I never said this in front of him. I have shown him pictures of smoke damaged lungs though, and he came up with the name.....as slugs are VERY SLOW to do anything. He said he compared slow slugs to people who smoked because they must be very slow not to understand the damage it does to them and others!
It might help you to check out what allergies you have also, and keep away from anything that triggers your asthma....I have a very bad allergy to honey for instance...it contricts me worse than a ton weight on my chest.
B

rosalita100us · 08-30-2001, 06:33 AM

your post is fantastic. a topic one would not think to think about. i came from the home of a smoker also and my asthma is terrible. i wonder how many people else who are on this home are from the home of smokers. i have no idea what my triggers are too many. I know on damp rainy days it seems to be worse.