Leslie, don't get your panties bunched, I said what I did because the smoking issue is a little personal to me right now. As far as the docs are concerned, catch me with one and only one and HRT is history for me.
As far as your HRT and your doctor are concerned, thats between you and the doctor, but careful about it. You likely really don't need more then a maintenance dose for menapause. And If your doctor knows you smoke and didn't advise you to quit, I'd wonder about that doctor. Smoking is considered a big No-No on HRT in any case if not absolutely forbidden.
And I'm not one of the anti smoking crowd, I smoked since about age 28 and probably still would, but if I do, it's bye-bye hormones, even maintenance dose, so I take it serious for HRT individuals. Your life though, If I ever meet you I'll even buy you a pack or two if you really want em, doesn't stop me from telling you it's serious business though where estrogens are concerned.
And by the way, if we ever do meet, I'll swap a few beads with you, After all, I am the curious type and I know Maura knows I wouldn't mean anything suggestive about it, just that darned curiosity.
Terri