I have been mostly absent from posting (although I have been reading) on Snuffhouse since December 24th when I was operated on for a large aortic aneurism at the base of the heart that required open heart surgery. Although in the hospital for 5 days I was since readmitted on the 12th of January for another week due to having experienced a mini-stroke and further heart complications. I now have a 9 inch inch incision in the center of my chest where they literally sawed my sternum completely through and opened up the chest with clamps in order to do the open heart surgery. Not surprisingly, all of this affected my snuff hobby in several ways. First of all, it has been extremely painful to cough, sneeze, or laugh. As I sometimes cough (but rarely sneeze) when doing ultra-fine snuff, I decided to lay off of snuff completely while recovering, mostly because of the f@#*ing pain from coughing. Even an occasional cough would be too much for me. Just today I began to return to some of my favorite medium grind snuffs. It is quite nice to be back. However, the powdery ultra-fine and other very fine snuffs such as D-White are more likely to make me cough and I will be avoiding those for a bit longer. Second, I was surprised at how I have experienced no cravings for snuff or nicotine at all. It is truly remarkable. I am fully aware that nicotine is not particularly addictive outside the context of cigarette smoking and have written about this (in my book, The Perfect Smoke), but I expected to have some withdrawal cravings at least. Amazingly, I had no cravings at all. But I have not yet returned to smoking my pipes. Third, I was amazed at how, currently, even small amounts of snuff now deliver a big nic hit as my tolerance of nicotine has obviously reduced. Of course, this will return to normal all in good time. One rather funny incident occurred in the hospital when they were preparing me for surgery. I believe it was the anesthesiologist who was checking my pulse in both feet and looked up at me and said with great certainty, “Your pulse is very strong in your feet, I can tell you do not use tobacco.” How wrong he was.
I hope that all is now well and that you make a complete recovery. Take care and enjoy your snuff - clearly from the doc’s comment about your pulse - pipes and snuff are doing you no harm.
I had 4 surgeries last year and still have a hole in my chest. I know about pain. It still hurts to laugh. It sure is good to be alive! Glad you are recovering and in good spirits.
4 surgeries!? Did your surgeon lose his Rolex?
From the people I know who have had open heart surgery, it seems to take allot out of a person, but it’s good you’re recovering
I’m so happy Fred is on the mend. I can’t imagine that experience. Keep getting better Fred. @Mouse He needed a new Benz. The old one was almost a year old and his wife, well…
Seems like a few of us had pretty bad years healthwise. Glad to hear you are ok (ish) @fredh. I did wonder where you had gone. I’m having to use snus because my lungs have been giving me problems for about 8 months now. Any snuff that makes me cough even a little I have now put aside and only take one or two pinches a day of coarse snuff and the rest is snus but I’m liking the snus although I am finding it pretty strong in some cases. I’m better off than you though. I can cough for half the day but at least it doesn’t hurt. I’m still looking forward to the day if it ever comes that I don’t need to cough. All the best with your recovery.
@I_snuff_therefore___ Sorry to hear about your health troubles. If you ever want to discuss snus, I’ve tried quite a few. If you’re finding them strong, you may want to give mini portions (or small pinches of los) a go. I rarely find my snus too strong, but I often find the portions a bit too big and uncomfortable, so I hear you.
thanks @Shavasana. I think I’m getting the hang of it. I’m currently trying 13 different snus and like all except two of them, one of which I binned as it reminded me of manure so much I just couldn’t have it in my mouth and the other is an apple mini which is also dissapointing (both from a value brand) but I’ve already found one I really like a lot and will probably order in bulk after I’ve tried a few more. It will take me a while to experiment but inital thoughs are good. The weaker snus like the mini work well along with a pinch of snuff but I suppose when I get more used to it I will be able to snuff together with any of them. I also got a tin of Copenhagen dip out of curiosity but have yet to delve into that. I’m a bit worried that I may really like it but I don’t want to be spitting etc. I find the snus in pouches very convenient but you sure seem to get a lot more tobacco for the same price in the loose snus so may have to try that also. I’ll just add that the hardest snuff to put away was Fields of Juniper. Really like that snuff as always but it is slightly on the fine side and does set my cough off so I have to avoid it for now at least. Now I have to make do with Premium Batch Coarse, Prince Regent, Thrice Brewed, Roslein, MoroMoro, Mull of Oa and Creme de Figue and strangley Cafe Noir form Mr Snuff. Those are all the coarser snuff’s I have. I should survive, just don’t tell my lung specialist.