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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Safe To Use Cigarette When On Antibiotics Through PICC Line?

Hello ,I have a picc Line in my arm for antibiotics I need it for six weeks , I have recently given up smoking however today I really need a cigarette , of course it s unhealthy I am allergic to all the patches chewing gum etc on the market , I have just lost a family member and I need today to ask ,am I able with this picc in , to have one cigarette?or will it harm me , I have no heart disease or lung problems or diabetes , please tell me I may have a cigarette?
Wed, 13 May 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

If there is not oxygen supplementation around, it is probably safe to do so. But one cigarette will only make you feel better for a short time. I am sure you've worked hard to quit smoking and will probably feel better about yourself if you can continue to stay off of them. So what to do, given the hard situation of having lost a family member? I know from experience the pain of this. If I saw you in clinic I would recommend the following:

1. A short term immediate stress reliever such as lorazepam or alprazolam.
These meds work quickly to relieve the stress, and also they last longer than the effects of 1 cigarette.

2. A longer acting medication such as escitalopram (Lexapro). This type of medicine is an SSRI and can help with depressive feeling and stress/anxiety. But they take a couple of weeks to start working (therefore the meds in #1 will help you right now.) Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is another choice of longer acting medication and has been studied to be beneficial for helping people quit smoking - just something to consider.

3. If you think it might help you, a grief group, where you talk with other people who have lost someone, can help. As can counseling.

I am truly sorry for your loss, and wish you well.
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Is It Safe To Use Cigarette When On Antibiotics Through PICC Line?

Hello, If there is not oxygen supplementation around, it is probably safe to do so. But one cigarette will only make you feel better for a short time. I am sure you ve worked hard to quit smoking and will probably feel better about yourself if you can continue to stay off of them. So what to do, given the hard situation of having lost a family member? I know from experience the pain of this. If I saw you in clinic I would recommend the following: 1. A short term immediate stress reliever such as lorazepam or alprazolam. These meds work quickly to relieve the stress, and also they last longer than the effects of 1 cigarette. 2. A longer acting medication such as escitalopram (Lexapro). This type of medicine is an SSRI and can help with depressive feeling and stress/anxiety. But they take a couple of weeks to start working (therefore the meds in #1 will help you right now.) Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is another choice of longer acting medication and has been studied to be beneficial for helping people quit smoking - just something to consider. 3. If you think it might help you, a grief group, where you talk with other people who have lost someone, can help. As can counseling. I am truly sorry for your loss, and wish you well.