Hi all,

So as I said to the doctor a couple of weeks ago, we're left with tinkering around with diet, giving up smoking and a bit of voodoo to feel any better. So still tinkering with diet, 6 days into being nicotine free (I want a cigarette and I want one now but I'm not going to, don't talk to me or I might bite your head off, nicotine withdrawal is tricky but this is the longest I've managed for a while now) and still researching voodoo.

Anyway, whilst in the pub last night stretching out my half a pint in a pint glass (got to keep up appearances) and trying not to be tempted by all the lovely smokers outside who I knew would give me a cigarette if I asked, a friend said that a daughter of a friend (RA for a number of years) swore by astaxanthin as helping with pain and inflammation. See got to the point in the end.

Inital research suggests this is an algae based supplement which makes lobsters and flamingos pink and is a powerful antioxidant. Anybody tried it, found any benefit from it or otherwise?

And what's the best voodoo to use?

Sara
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Hi Sara

Antioxidents are certainly helpful. I have been taking lots over the last 8 weeks and I feel great. I am not saying the roof won't cave in at some point but it is worth it for how I feel right now. The problem with these drinks, food etc is that they are usually expensive. If you can afford them I would say give it a go.

Sheila x

WELL DONE on stopping smoking, Sara. Very proud of you. I stopped 20 years ago after having smoked 40 a day for almost 25years so it can be done. I just know you will succeed xxx

Thanks all for the encouraging words about the fags, just over 2 weeks in now and yes it's getting easier, not so much on the verge of murdering the nearest person now just mildly considering it as an option. Although the howling dog which has moved in next door is very close to it.

Hi to you Amanda, I've been trying to give up for over 12 months now and tried everything. Nicotine replacement had the opposite effect I just wanted to smoke more, there's nothing quite as good as a fag. I finally managed it through hypnotherapy, perhaps you could get your hubby a gift voucher? I spent a long time going through the reasons for wanting to give up with the therapist and one of the most important to me was not wanting to put my husband through the grief of me dying on him any sooner than necessary. It makes me cry just thinking about it and I think that's the strongest thing she planted in my subconscious and is the ongoing reason to stay off the flaming things.

BUT they all said my symptoms would ease and the drugs be more effective so in my upside down world that meant I could conquer the world and be super woman again which had the inevitable consequence of yesterday in bed. I will learn one day I expect (maybe) of course it would only take 2 weeks for me to feel so very much better!

I suppose everybody's been on the search for the holy grail at some point on this journey and willing to try anything in the search for alleviating the sysmptoms. OK so there's no cure but there must be an 'optimum' sort of wellness to aspire to. I suppose I'm still trying to fight it rather than go with the flow. Trouble is I've always been a swimming uphill against the current sort of girl which is a very difficult habit to get out of, probably even harder than the cigarettes!

So having tried the buckets of carrot, beetroot and ginger juice with added flaxseed oil for a while maybe turning into a pink flamingo would make a change, can't do any harm at any rate! I'll let you know how I get on.

Eve, the pub is 15th century spit and sawdust and only 223 steps away from our house so never any reason not to attend the Friday Night Drinking Club, even if its in a wheelbarrow.

What I think I really need is a week in Turkey in a couple of weeks time!

Sara
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