stroke makes smokers forget their addiction - Stroke Message Board

strangegelove · 01-30-2007, 07:19 PM

Strokes in the insula make it very easy to quit smoking, scientists have shown. Has anyone heard about this finding? More importantly, has anyone ever lost their addiction to smoking after suffering from a stroke? Did you have damage in the insula?

ZippyENG · 02-01-2007, 06:34 AM

I had a stroke last October 14. I am male age 55. I smoked 1 pack a day for 30 years. I always told the doctors ½ a pack for 20 years ( thought it made me sound more healthy..) and drank red wine 3-5 times a week 2-3 glasses per day. I was told it was good for my heart. I had an aneurysm on the right side of my brain that burst bleeding onto my brain. I have not returned to smoking. Yes It still crosses my mind but it is really not an urge more like a memory. I don’t remember having any withdrawal symptoms but then again I don’t recall what my room looked like either. As of now I still have 1-2 glasses of wine 2-3 times a month with good meals. Nothing like a great steak and a glass of milk ( Nothing against milk as I do like it). Besides no longer craving cigarettes wine or unhealthy foods I now actually like salad, chicken ( well almost like chicken). I tend to want to eat and do healthier things after the stroke. I don’t know if the stroke makes me do this or fear of having another one. Either way I really don’t miss smoking or fast foods. Be interesting to see what others say.

Alberta1967 · 02-04-2007, 05:07 PM

I wished it made me forget. But it didn't. If anyone one has a suggestions on how to stop, please let me know.

janet119 · 02-09-2007, 12:51 PM

ditto for me alberta. i nned to quit too.
i have had mulitple strokes and it didnt make me lose the urge to smoke. 7 strokes and i am still smoking a pack a day. i hate it though.
janet

Gentle Breeze · 02-26-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strangegelove

Strokes in the insula make it very easy to quit smoking, scientists have shown. Has anyone heard about this finding? More importantly, has anyone ever lost their addiction to smoking after suffering from a stroke? Did you have damage in the insula?

I had read about this and for me, at least, it is true. I had smoked for forty years. (yeah, I'm not a kid! LOL) After my stroke two years ago I lost my desire to smoke. I still have two packs of very stale cigs! One day I'll toss them but, for now, they are still in the drawer. Occasionally I will think about a cigerette but have no desire to smoke one. I had to have an endarterectomy on left carotid and my doctor explained how cigarette smoking constricts the blood vessels. Since I have small blood vessels I decided I'd better not push my luck. I feel very fortunate that one good thing came out of that stroke! I'd been trying for years to quit.