dear joel:

i've quit smoking for about a week now. i'm 20 years old, female, and picked up the habit while in college here in nyc. i got up to about 3/4 a pack a day.. what a mistake- i got caught in the rain a few days back and though i can now go up my five story walk up easier and i can sing again (i'm a musician) my throat is in the most horrendous pain ever. i read your article about the amplified cold irritation when you're kicking the cig, but what can i take in the meantime to assuage my pain? i've tried ibuprofen!!

 

-P