Did not like the Doctors orders about Smoking Cigars

[shippers]

I get comments from people at times. People who don't eat well, don't exercise, drink heavily. Some of them are guilty of all three.

Agree with above it's all about moderation and taking note of how you feel. There is a lot to be said for this hobby, for one just how relaxing a nice cigar is!

I don't want cancer but I don't want lots of other things either and if I never took any risks I wouldn't do much living while I'm alive.

[Cigar_83]

My appendix burst completely was not a fun experience, but I was never told or was asked if I smoked cigars.  I still do, without any type of pain, flare up, or acid reflux.  

As others have said in moderation I am sure its fine (not a Dr) but that's just a rule of life.  Too many eggs not good, to much wine not good, to much water also not good...on and on it goes. Where do we draw the line? 

 

[TidalWave]

20 hours ago, db13 said:

I’ve been retrohaling a lot recently and came down with bronchitis which has turned into a cold.

I am prone to sinus infections, and have given up retrohaling completely. The *only* time I've ever had any issues with cigars is after a bunch of retro.

 

 

[targa88]

[Buck14]

My doctor isn't concerned at all about my cigar smoking. She says that I have a least 3 or 4 other health concerns to worry about that will kill me long before cigars would. So I have that going for me!

[kevpro]

On 3/31/2019 at 7:03 PM, Monterey said:

99% of people will have no idea what I just said.

I came here to get away from work but it keeps following me! 

At least the billing game @MD Puffer laid out will allow me to buy more cigars...

[Derboesekoenig]

Ryan Shay was an American record-holding distance runner. His best 5k time was 13:30ish? He died about 5 or 6 miles into a marathon at the age of 28. Because of an existing enlarged heart condition. Genetics will kill you faster, in my opinion (if you don't have good genes...), than cigars & whisky. But again, moderation seems to be key for everything.

[SOFLO88]

Im hoping exercising 6 times a week for 1.5-2 hours a day will compensate for the cigars and rum.

[nKostyan]

“If a person does not drink and does not smoke, then you inevitably wonder - and if he is not a bastard?”
Anton Chekhov, Russian writer

[Elvis]

I had an oncologist who would ask me if I was still smoking cigars. To which I would reply, "Yes. Yes I am".

His follow up question would be, "so are you going to quit"? To which I'd patiently reply, "No. No I am not".

After a few visits, I found this routine a little tiresome. He asked again if I was going to quit. To which I replied, "Why on earth would I do that?".

The good doctor replied incredulously, "Because it causes Cancer!".

My equally incredulous reply was, "I was diagnosed with colon cancer. Exactly which orifice do you think I'm smoking with?"

He never asked again.

[maxcjs0101]

The following days after my appendix surgery few years ago, my abdomen was still quite painful so i got a little worried and asked my friend (who was a surgeon and a cigar smoker). He said “calm tf down and have a damn cigar.”

So i did and everything was well.

[GavLew79]

This is timely. I was at the doctor's this morning. Picked up something on the plane about 8 weeks ago. Fever, headache, joint aches, pretty heavy cough etc. Saw a Nurse Practitioner after 2 weeks as I was still feeling pretty awful. She said "Meh, it's probably viral. Take decongestant, if it's still there in a month, come back...".

So 6 weeks after that, the rest of the symptoms faded but the cough is still here, coughing up lovely luminous yellow/lime green sludge. Saw a Doctor this morning. "It could be this, could be that...not a huge concern...do you smoke?"

"Cigars. 3-5 a week and I don't inhale"

"It makes no difference. You are a smoker. You need a chest x-ray, just to be sure!"

Unfortunately, we don't have the concept of "My doctor" in the UK. At least not on the NHS. If you actually manage to get an appointment after spending 40 - 80 minutes in the phone lottery, redialling every time becasue they don't have a queuing system, it is luck of the draw. Not that we can complain, heck, healthcare is free. Oh wait, no it's not. I pay for meds. And the government takes money off us working people to make it "free". 

Anyway, I've fantastically gone off on a tangent. 

This doctor lumped me with cigarette smokers. 

 

[José Martini]

I hate to be the voice of dissent here, but there’s a lot of dangerous misinformation, anecdotal evidence, and flimsy correlations in this thread. We all love cigars but let’s not pretend like the health risks are nonexistent or negligible.

And to a previous poster, yes, cigar smoking increases your risk of colorectal cancers. You can find studies in many medical journals documenting this link. 

 

 

[Elvis]

7 hours ago, José Martini said:

I hate to be the voice of dissent here, but there’s a lot of dangerous misinformation, anecdotal evidence, and flimsy correlations in this thread. We all love cigars but let’s not pretend like the health risks are nonexistent or negligible.

And to a previous poster, yes, cigar smoking increases your risk of colorectal cancers. You can find studies in many medical journals documenting this link. 

 

 

All good points. I apologize to the forum if anything I said has led any members to believe that cigars are not linked to increased cancer risk. I'll even go so far as to warn everyone that red meat has also been linked to increased cancer risk. I'm not giving that up either.  This was simply a story of someone who was facing their end and trying to maintain their sense of humor. 

That being said, I'd think twice about making that comment in front of an impressionable 11 year old, however, this is an adult forum. I expect the adults here to be able to make their own decisions about what risks they undertake. 

You are correct that there are a number of studies in many medical journals ... which is why I expect adults to do their own research and make their own decisions about the risks they decide to assume. And to know that you can find a study to corroborate whatever bias you are currently operating under.

The risks we assume are very personal decisions that can define our lives.

Back when I had fewer responsibilities and more free time, I was an avid skydiver. Were there risks? Absolutely and I thought long and hard before assuming them. 

According to the "studies", the statistically larger risk was the hour long drive by car from my home to the DZ and back.

 

[Ken Gargett]

9 hours ago, José Martini said:

I hate to be the voice of dissent here, but there’s a lot of dangerous misinformation, anecdotal evidence, and flimsy correlations in this thread. We all love cigars but let’s not pretend like the health risks are nonexistent or negligible.

And to a previous poster, yes, cigar smoking increases your risk of colorectal cancers. You can find studies in many medical journals documenting this link. 

 

 

exactly. anyone who honestly thinks that smoking cigars does not increase the risk to their health, even minimally, is smoking something else as well. i do not believe that anyone on this forum is so dimwitted as to believe that there is no potential harm, in whatever degree. but as others have said, there are plenty of other things out there - coffee, chicken, red meat, a squillion other things, which can lead to cancers et al. so you make your choices. we have all done that.

then take into account possible benefits - the enjoyment one gets, the relaxation (i'm no doctor but i really find it hard to believe that there are not benefits in de-stressing and in relaxing), the camaraderie amongst your friends and even from this forum. that will be of little concern to some, much more to others. balance all of the positives and negatives and make a decision but please do not suggest that there are no potential risks to your health. 

but hey, plenty of other hobbies and activities also have risks. i used to rock climb - i was utter crap at it - and that was way more dangerous. love rockfishing and that has a scary fatality rate for what should be a fun pastime. we could all name things. 

[CaptainQuintero]

  I watch a show most years that gives profits to cancer research, every half an hour you get an infomercial about survivors etc. Every year you get the slogan about one in four people getting cancer, this year it's been bumped up to one in two! 

 At this point I'm considering developing a line of asbestos clothing, there doesn't seem much point in trying to avoid it if it's a coin toss now 

[shippers]

23 minutes ago, CaptainQuintero said:

  I watch a show most years that gives profits to cancer research, every half an hour you get an infomercial about survivors etc. Every year you get the slogan about one in four people getting cancer, this year it's been bumped up to one in two! 

 At this point I'm considering developing a line of asbestos clothing, there doesn't seem much point in trying to avoid it if it's a coin toss now 

1 in 2! Wonder what caused the jump. Better reporting of cases or identification of cancer maybe?

[cmbarton]

I’ve been hit by two cars in my life, both within a year of the other.  I came very close to death, particularly the first one. What I remember most isn’t what happened on those days, however, but what happened after: I started LIVING.  It was then that I realized, I don’t want to be lying on my back in the street one day, dying, looking up at the sky and thinking about all the things I didn’t get to do.  

I drink expensive drinks, I smoke expensive cigars, I love intensely, and laugh hardily.  When my time comes, I’ll have no regrets.

[Lotusguy]

I’ve been hit by two cars in my life, both within a year of the other.  I came very close to death, particularly the first one. What I remember most isn’t what happened on those days, however, but what happened after: I started LIVING.  It was then that I realized, I don’t want to be lying on my back in the street one day, dying, looking up at the sky and thinking about all the things I didn’t get to do.  
I drink expensive drinks, I smoke expensive cigars, I love intensely, and laugh hardily.  When my time comes, I’ll have no regrets.

Got hit by a car when I was almost 18 and was within 10 minutes of bleeding out into my abdomen.

Sure changes your perspective on life and “saving it for later” - there may not be a later.

[TBird55]

2 hours ago, Lotusguy said:

Got hit by a car when I was almost 18 and was within 10 minutes of bleeding out into my abdomen.

Sure changes your perspective on life and “saving it for later” - there may not be a later.

Was struck by an auto 6/18/08 6:30am while training for an iron man. Found out real quick not to take life for granted. Car was going 50mph, hit me from behind while on my bike, I shouldn't be here. Everyday since is gravy, definitely changed me. 

[spicycorona]

On 3/31/2019 at 6:37 PM, Ken Gargett said:

as someone who did cop a burst appendix and peritonitis and gangrene (may montreal sink into the sea without a trace and take its imbeciles with supposed medical degrees with it - and before i get the usual, i was told by one specialist in toronto, after i had fled the completely wrong diagnosis and was left with less than 24 hours to live had they not got to me outside montreal, that if i had any further issues, go immediately to the nearest hospital, unless i was in montreal/ottawa etc, in which case go immediately to an airport and then go to a doctor), you were fortunate. 

sadly, my fave doc has retired but i was sent to him a decade or so ago, bit longer, as i'd had clots from flying too much. he was brilliant and incredibly thorough. he was some sort of specialist GP, though never quite worked out what exactly. i do know that he was the doc that all the other doctors went to. 

first, very long interview and inspection, went through everything. did i smoke? - never cigarettes but an occasional cigar. do you enjoy it? yes. then don't stop. what vitamins etc etc do i take? listed a few. his advice? go home and put them in the bin and spend the difference on better red wine. 

best doctor ever. 

Here Here!

[BubbaLew]

We bought our house from a cardiologist. I noticed he had a large humidor in the basement. He said an occasional cigar is not bad for your heart and a cigar with a glass of Scotch or Bourbon is even better. Great advice. 

[tjkoala]

The doc clearly smokes CCs and is trying to land better odds on 24:24. Don’t listen to them.

[Fuzz]

[La_Tigre]