View Full Version : Divorcing Mr Nicotine
I have smoked cigarettes longer than I’ve been HIV positive – which will be 19 years in September. This has got to stop.
Procrastinating for about five years (after a return to smoking following a 12-year break), I've decided to divorce Mr Nicotine again. I’ve set my target date for August 7 and I’ll be going cold-turkey, the same way I did last time since none of the stop smoking products help me at all - not the pills and not the patches. Besides, why replace nicotine with nicotine? Makes no sense.
I have timed this horrifying event for when the boyfriend will be out of town for work (the first week of my withdrawal), so he’ll be out of any danger. I clearly remember the mood swings and the fits of anger and the utter insanity from the last time so it’s for the best.
I bought a new bed (except for a headboard but that can wait). It’s going to be my de-stressing place away from the annoying wretched world. I have lots of books to preoccupy my thoughts and a few cross-stitch projects line up to keep the hands busy. I may also finally get busy on writing my memoirs, something I’ve been putting off for too long now.
And I am planning to get more active, probably by taking up my morning power walks again. I’m sure there will be extra pounds from pigging out at first that are going to need burning off. Besides, that feeling of wanting to escape from your own skin will need attending to somehow. I also have some weights that have been nothing but decoration for the past few years that I can use for exercise indoors.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Photo%20Shoebox%20VI/workout2.jpg
SongDragon
08-02-2007, 10:10 AM
Good for you, Dee!
Let's never get you and I together when we're having mood swings, though. You sound just as bad as me. Someone would end up dead.
I'm proud of you!
~SongDragon
corolla girl
08-02-2007, 11:04 AM
Good luck to you Dee, Rudie vibes coming your way.....corolla girl.....
david uk
08-02-2007, 11:07 AM
Rudie non-smoking vibes heading over to Canada, papa! :)
Marcia Drummergal
08-02-2007, 11:30 AM
You can do it Dee! Stay stong. Or sane. Or...hmmm, good idea. Boy friend out of town!! LOL
Marcia :)
Darlene
08-02-2007, 12:47 PM
For me cold turkey was the only way. I had tried everthing else they just teased my body.
Hang in their Dee you can make it.
Peace, Darlene
RedjackRyan
08-02-2007, 01:12 PM
Wishing you the best in kicking the habit, Dee. I'm procrastinating myself, perhaps your success will be the kick in the pants i need.
Good luck bud.
DaveM
08-02-2007, 02:43 PM
I used nicotine gum when it first came out (at about 1/4 the strength of the current product). Honestly have to say that it was more of a crutch than anything else, but it did give me something to focus on. And on September 21st it will be 22 years since I quit.
hoops
08-02-2007, 02:46 PM
go get em dee! you can do it, prayers and thoughts with you all the way
peace
hoops
Dee! Dee! He's our man!
If he can't do it
No one can!
Good luck Dee
Eva
Thanks for the supportive comments. I will try not to take out my fits and mood swings on anyone.
Well, anyone here that is. http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Emoticons/newwink.jpg
RandyVa
08-03-2007, 04:11 PM
You can do it Dee! I stopped in March. When I was in the hospital they put a nicotine patch on my arm and no kidding, it was so strong it gave me a horrible headache. I told them to please take it off and I assured the nurse I had no desire for a smoke. To this day, I have not had a ciggy. I have been told my skin looks much more youthful and clear, but I guess that is a matter of opinion. If you need support, call or e-mail. I am just a click away.
RandyVa
You are such a sweetie, Randy! Bless you.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Emoticons/hug.gif
Tomorrow is my last day to smoke, then it's climbing the walls time. I quit once for 12 years (until 2003 - the year from hell), so I know what's coming.
Please bear with me while I GO OUT OF MY MIND. Hopefully it will only be temporary, but it might be hard to tell any difference.
:p
corolla girl
08-06-2007, 07:28 AM
Dee,
When my father stopped smoking he did it also cold turkey, and he chewed lots of gum. Seemed to work for him, he never returned to the cigarettes again. Good luck to you, and Rudie vibes coming your way. I know you can do it, with all the support from everyone here, and your determination....cg....
Tomorrow is my last day to smoke, then it's climbing the walls time.
Nae, it's not. Just keep telling ypourself that you are just not smoking this cigarette NOW. You can smoke it later. I am fooling myself for a year now. It takes the stress away from the moment.
Please bear with me while I GO OUT OF MY MIND.
Don't think about it that way, Dee. If you think it will be horrible, then it will be. Try not to make it such a big deal for yourself. Really, it helps.
Good luck!
Eva
SongDragon
08-06-2007, 08:05 AM
Dee, climbing walls is actually a great way to lose weight. I got down to 112 lbs while climbing walls. Of course it was indoor rock climbing... But will just look at this as improvisation.
Wishing you all the best!
~Song
RedjackRyan
08-06-2007, 09:20 AM
Please bear with me while I GO OUT OF MY MIND. Hopefully it will only be temporary, but it might be hard to tell any difference.
:p
Dunno Bro, known you for a while now, and I don't think i'm gonna be able to tell the difference :D Good luck bud. I have faith in you!
Dee, climbing walls is actually a great way to lose weight. I got down to 112 lbs while climbing walls. Of course it was indoor rock climbing... But will just look at this as improvisation.
LOL!
I can stand to lose a few Song, believe me. That's partly why I'm going back to power walking and working out (at home - too shy for the gym). The other part is to improve my cardio vascular and help with the detox.
Actually a lot of people are using a new drug called Chantix (Champix in Canada) that's supposed to block nicotine from receptors in the brain and diminishing or eliminating cravings.
I am going to try another method for dealing with any cravings:
Want To Stop Smoking? An All-natural Approach
Can Help You Cope With Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms And Cravings
http://www.thehealthierlife.co.uk/article/2943/stop-smoking.html
Dee,
Besides this Board, do you have some social supports in place? Some folks to call, someone who can come over or take a walk with you?
someone who can come over or take a walk with you?
Preferably on a leash so you won't attack strangers? :rolleyes:
Nae... you'll be fine ;)
Eva
Dee,
Besides this Board, do you have some social supports in place?
Yes I do Beth, thanks for asking.
Since the weather is so hot these days, I'll be doing my power walking in the mornings at the mall next door. They open the doors for walkers at seven, and the stores don't open till 9:00. They also have a walking club you can join but I won’t be doing that. I prefer to listen to music rather than socialise.
In fresher weather I’ll be walking on the recreation paths along the river.
Ten hours to go until midnight.
Tic toc tic toc tic toc . . .
Ten hours to go until midnight.
Tic toc tic toc tic toc . . .
Dee, you are making it sound horrible. Like all your teeth willbe pulled out at midnight without the anaesthetics. Please, try to relax. You are making this so hard on yourself...
Eva
.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Daniel2006.jpg
Better. Better. Much better. Keep it up, Dee.
Eva
Oak Kitten
08-07-2007, 03:52 PM
Good luck, Dee I am pulling for you.
Oak
Attention, Dee, our newest member is Doctorantismoke! ;)
Mimi
mixtymotions
08-07-2007, 05:42 PM
Chantix helped a friend of mine to quit smoking. She had smoked for 42 years and had tried nicotine gum, nicotine patches, hypnosis and the cold turkey method. With Chantix, you choose a quit date and continue smoking while taking the medication. She said her desire for cigarettes diminished daily, she quit on her predetermined date, and she has no desire for a cigarette. You can continue to take the medication after you have stopped smoking until you feel you no longer need it. I know the cost can seem high (I believe she said one month's supply is about $100.00 U.S.) but with cigarettes costing about $40.00 a carton, I'd say it's a solid investment. With so much anti-smoking legislation and Doctors encouraging every smoker to quit, you'd think insurance companies would cover at least a portion of the expense for gum, lozenges, patches and medications, but nooooo....
Best wishes to you Dee!
Wildflower Fever
08-07-2007, 07:35 PM
Chantix helped a friend of mine to quit smoking. She had smoked for 42 years and had tried nicotine gum, nicotine patches, hypnosis and the cold turkey method. With Chantix, you choose a quit date and continue smoking while taking the medication. She said her desire for cigarettes diminished daily, she quit on her predetermined date, and she has no desire for a cigarette. You can continue to take the medication after you have stopped smoking until you feel you no longer need it. I know the cost can seem high (I believe she said one month's supply is about $100.00 U.S.) but with cigarettes costing about $40.00 a carton, I'd say it's a solid investment. With so much anti-smoking legislation and Doctors encouraging every smoker to quit, you'd think insurance companies would cover at least a portion of the expense for gum, lozenges, patches and medications, but nooooo....
Best wishes to you Dee!
Mixty, I've got to get a full scale version of your avatar for my wallpaper, could you possibly help? Obviously if I "save as", there will be degradation, unless that is your original scaling. Anyway, it's awesome.
mixtymotions
08-07-2007, 09:22 PM
Thank you, Wild! I've proably now made the Homeland Security hit list for my quiet protest, so if I disappear.....
Honestly, I'm a tech tard and don't know how to help. You see, I ummm, errr, borrowed this avatar. If one of the dashingly attractive ubergeeks who grace this forum could offer advice or enlarge it for you, I'll happily pass it along. In the meanwhile, you may use this avatar too if you'd like - I don't mind sharing :)
Thanks for the good wishes, Mixty. Yes, a lot of people are using Chantix, which is sold as Champix in Canada. Big Daddy Pillbox must be laughing all the way to the bank.
Well, smoking day ZERO has finally arrived and so far so good.
This morning I woke from a dream where I was buying cigarettes, but I hadn’t made it to the store yet when I woke up. Waking up can be so cruel. LOL
I just popped the recommended Vitamin C and Chromium Picolinate which is claimed will take the edge off.
We shall see.
Gandalf
08-08-2007, 07:48 AM
Except for getting divorced 17 years ago, quitting smoking was the hardest thing I've ever done. Yet, I am here to tell you that it can be done. No gum, no hypnosis, no programs. I never thought I could quit smoking; I just kept stopping and starting again.
Finally, I stopped for good, and I think it's been something like 10 years or so now. If you do smoke again, stop again. Just keep stopping, and someday you will have stopped for good. That was what worked for me.
My may not work for you. It might not work for anyone else but me.
But it did work, and I'm glad I stopped. Imagine- on the dashboard of my car there was always a pack of Marlboros next to my asthma inhaler!
Also, not smoking saved my life--literally--but that's a bit of a story, and I haven't the time for that now. Maybe I'll make that a weblog entry and post the link when it's done.
I only have the time to wish you good luck and encouragement, and I do.
Good luck, man!
Finally, I stopped for good, and I think it's been something like 10 years or so now. If you do smoke again, stop again. Just keep stopping, and someday you will have stopped for good. That was what worked for me.
Thank you for understanding, Gandalf. I appreciate it very much.
It's proven that Nicotine is harder to get off of than Heroin. Not that I ever tried that. I did however beat alcohol abuse 20 years ago so I know all the concepts of addiction and what to do about it inside and out.
I’ve always envied people who can just stop an addiction, period, whether it be a drug or food or sex or what have you because a) I am jealous and b) I can’t understand it at all. It’s a foreign concept to me.
I know what it is to be a non smoker. I was one for 12 years beginning in 1991. I also know that it is unnatural for smokers not to smoke, and the cravings never entirely left me until one day during a rough patch in my life I caved.
Ah well, one day this too shall pass.
Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times. (Mark Twain)
ARGH!
Agnes
08-09-2007, 05:19 AM
How are you feeling, Deemeister?
aabram
08-09-2007, 09:25 AM
Here's the link for this drug for anyone who wants it.
http://www.champixinfo.co.uk/
Keep it up folks!!!!! :)
Feeling? Well, frustrated and furious for starters and living on the roller coaster ride from hell. Also, miserable and disappointed.
My little plan is not working out so now I’m going to try something different. It’s called the Nicorette (http://www.nicorette.com.au/cutdown.cfm) "Cut Down Then Stop" program.
You replace some of the cigarettes you want with Nicorette nicotine replacement gum, gradually choosing the gum more and more over smoking until you can replace it completely.
Nicotine chewing gum
Nicotine gum is available as 2 mg and 4 mg pellets. After chewing the gum to get a peppery taste, you rest it in the side of your mouth. You absorb nicotine from the gum through the lining of your mouth. You may "chew and rest" the gum several times before discarding it. The stronger pellets are more useful for people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day.
Where to find them
Nicotine replacement products are sold at pharmacies without prescription.
They work
Research shows that people who use nicotine replacement products are almost twice as likely to quit and stayed stopped.
How they help you to quit
They are intended to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms while you focus on breaking your smoking habits and learn to live without cigarettes.
Safer than cigarettes
Nicotine products are much safer than cigarettes, as they do not contain cancer-causing substances, carbon monoxide or other dangerous chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Nicotine products are designed to be less addictive than cigarettes: you absorb less nicotine, at a slower rate than smoking. The level of nicotine in your blood will peak after four hours with the patch, and after 30 minutes with the gum, inhaler, lozenge and tablet.
http://www.quit.org.au/article.asp?ContentID=6632
Pray for me.
Wildflower Fever
08-09-2007, 07:51 PM
Feeling? Well, frustrated and furious for starters and living on the roller coaster ride from hell. Also, miserable and disappointed.
My little plan is not working out so now I’m going to try something different. It’s called the Nicorette (http://www.nicorette.com.au/cutdown.cfm) "Cut Down Then Stop" program.
You replace some of the cigarettes you want with Nicorette nicotine replacement gum, gradually choosing the gum more and more over smoking until you can replace it completely.
Nicotine chewing gum
Nicotine gum is available as 2 mg and 4 mg pellets. After chewing the gum to get a peppery taste, you rest it in the side of your mouth. You absorb nicotine from the gum through the lining of your mouth. You may "chew and rest" the gum several times before discarding it. The stronger pellets are more useful for people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day.
Where to find them
Nicotine replacement products are sold at pharmacies without prescription.
They work
Research shows that people who use nicotine replacement products are almost twice as likely to quit and stayed stopped.
How they help you to quit
They are intended to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms while you focus on breaking your smoking habits and learn to live without cigarettes.
Safer than cigarettes
Nicotine products are much safer than cigarettes, as they do not contain cancer-causing substances, carbon monoxide or other dangerous chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Nicotine products are designed to be less addictive than cigarettes: you absorb less nicotine, at a slower rate than smoking. The level of nicotine in your blood will peak after four hours with the patch, and after 30 minutes with the gum, inhaler, lozenge and tablet.
http://www.quit.org.au/article.asp?ContentID=6632
Pray for me.
Dee, I'm now at the cusp of being ready to quit smoking. I'm 35 years old and have been smoking at one level or another since age 16. I probably didn't "inhale" for real until leaving home at 18, and have been at it ever since. I've only quit once for 3 months when I was 22, and I only did that because I accidentally severed and replanted my index finger at a summer job and this required no smoking for circulatory purposes. Of course, the doc made the mistake of mentioning I couldn't smoke for that long, he should have lied and said due to the delicate reattached digit, I could never smoke again!:o Anyway, I haven't suffered any real, or tangible health effects, YET, but I can feel it's polluting me beyond belief. And, I don't enjoy them as much as I used to, especially when I'm lighting up 10 minutes after waking in the morning. Sometimes, I think it wakes me prematurely even though I need more sleep.
Now, I'm hoping you and/or anyone else could divulge what was the heaviest quantity of cigarettes you are/were up to daily. I was at a pack or under for years, but it seems in the last 5-7 years, I'm at a level I don't even wish to believe for myself. Something approaching the 1 1/2 to 2 packs daily range. Granted, I'm on the go a lot, and don't probably actually smoke all those, as I snuff a lot of them out when I'm in between doing things. Nevertheless, it's expensive and I'm definitely smoking too much. I've made a lot of positive health choices in the last few years including healthy eating when possible, less sugar beverages and mostly water, and daily power walks after work, much like you. If you could divulge what you've been through with this, I would appreciate it. Thank you. :)
Wildflower,
You can wait 10 minutes after waking up? I bow to your self-control. I usually wake up and smoke during the night!
Let's see.
At my peak most days I would smoke a pack of 25 (King size, which a 3.25" filtered cigarette). On days where I am stressed out (good or bad stress) I could smoke even more than that.
(Check your Private Messages.)
BTW, I am finding this method MUCH less stressful to do. No sense of panic or impending doom. Yay!
Nicorette CUT DOWN THEN STOP (http://www.nicorette.com.au/cutdown.cfm)
The only approach that's clinically proven to help cut down the number of cigarettes you smoke by up to 50%, making it easier to quit when you're ready.
Smoking can be one of the hardest habits to break. Nicotine replacement therapy such as Nicorette make the job easier. But even so, some smokers just aren't ready to give up smoking straightaway. For those people, we've introduced a revolutionary approach to quitting. It's called Nicorette "Cut Down Then Stop"
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Vintage%20and%20Strange/thorazine.jpg
BTW, I am finding this method MUCH less stressful to do. No sense of panic or impending doom. Yay!
Nicorette CUT DOWN THEN STOP (http://www.nicorette.com.au/cutdown.cfm)
The only approach that's clinically proven to help cut down the number of cigarettes you smoke by up to 50%, making it easier to quit when you're ready.
Smoking can be one of the hardest habits to break. Nicotine replacement therapy such as Nicorette make the job easier. But even so, some smokers just aren't ready to give up smoking straightaway. For those people, we've introduced a revolutionary approach to quitting. It's called Nicorette "Cut Down Then Stop"
Don't believe everything you read, Dee :rolleyes:
Eva
.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Vintage%20and%20Strange/santasmokes.jpg
Darlene
08-12-2007, 07:22 PM
posted by Wildflower Fever: Dee, I'm now at the cusp of being ready to quit smoking. I'm 35 years old and have been smoking at one level or another since age 16. I probably didn't "inhale" for real until leaving home at 18, and have been at it ever since. I've only quit once for 3 months when I was 22, and I only did that because I accidentally severed and replanted my index finger at a summer job and this required no smoking for circulatory purposes. Of course, the doc made the mistake of mentioning I couldn't smoke for that long, he should have lied and said due to the delicate reattached digit, I could never smoke again! Anyway, I haven't suffered any real, or tangible health effects, YET, but I can feel it's polluting me beyond belief. And, I don't enjoy them as much as I used to, especially when I'm lighting up 10 minutes after waking in the morning. Sometimes, I think it wakes me prematurely even though I need more sleep.
Now, I'm hoping you and/or anyone else could divulge what was the heaviest quantity of cigarettes you are/were up to daily. I was at a pack or under for years, but it seems in the last 5-7 years, I'm at a level I don't even wish to believe for myself. Something approaching the 1 1/2 to 2 packs daily range. Granted, I'm on the go a lot, and don't probably actually smoke all those, as I snuff a lot of them out when I'm in between doing things. Nevertheless, it's expensive and I'm definitely smoking too much. I've made a lot of positive health choices in the last few years including healthy eating when possible, less sugar beverages and mostly water, and daily power walks after work, much like you. If you could divulge what you've been through with this, I would appreciate it. Thank you.
OK guys, I smoked from the time I was 12 until I was 47 (?) yrs old. I started at a few cigarettes a day until I was up to 4 1/2 to 5 packs a day. Tried the gum, tried the patches, tried a pill, tried hypnosis, and it was only teasing my nicotine overloaded body. One day I was going to put on my patch knowing I was going to cheat, I said to h** with it put the patch down and never smoked again. That was approx 6 years ago and I kept telling myself that just one will hurt. I have not smoked since. Don't get me wrong, I love to smoke, I love the community of smokers. I can sit here and think about smoking and how wonderful it is, talk about it and make a nonsmoker want to smoke. But the freedom I have not letting those lovely little things control my life is great. I can't deny it I love to smoke! But just one will take you right back to the beginning of your journey. So even though I love those packs of 100's Marlboro's, I just can't go back, it was to hard.
But even if you don't win the battle the first time you can just pack that one up to practicing, and quit again and again.
Good Luck Guys!
Peace, Darlene
aabram
08-26-2007, 08:44 AM
OK guys, I smoked from the time I was 12 until I was 47 (?) yrs old. I started at a few cigarettes a day until I was up to 4 1/2 to 5 packs a day. Tried the gum, tried the patches, tried a pill, tried hypnosis, and it was only teasing my nicotine overloaded body. One day I was going to put on my patch knowing I was going to cheat, I said to h** with it put the patch down and never smoked again. That was approx 6 years ago and I kept telling myself that just one will hurt. I have not smoked since. Don't get me wrong, I love to smoke, I love the community of smokers. I can sit here and think about smoking and how wonderful it is, talk about it and make a nonsmoker want to smoke. But the freedom I have not letting those lovely little things control my life is great. I can't deny it I love to smoke! But just one will take you right back to the beginning of your journey. So even though I love those packs of 100's Marlboro's, I just can't go back, it was to hard.
But even if you don't win the battle the first time you can just pack that one up to practicing, and quit again and again.
Good Luck Guys!
Peace, Darlene
And I'm STILL "practising"!!!!! :D Although I have now cut down from 20 odd a day to about 2 a day.... I can still see room for improvement yet
Well folks it's official. I’m at my wit’s end on this.
I’ve been having so much trouble staying stopped from smoking that I asked my psychiatrist this morning for a Champix (http://www.pfizer.ca/english/newsroom/press%20releases/default.asp?s=1&releaseID=220) prescription. I sure hope it's as effective at blocking nicotine from the brain receptors as all the reports I've read say it is. Everyone who has tried this says it works very well. I'll be going to the pharmacy to pick up my two week starter pack tomorrow morning.
Dee, hang in there. Tomorrow is another day. (And you haven't stopped. You are only prolonging the time between two cigarettes really) Did you do it with patches in the end or cold turkey?
Eva
No, just turkey, Eva. http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Emoticons/chicken.gif My way didn't work and I'm fed up with the constant disappointment and frustration enough to try this new nicotine-blocking drug. It's getting only good reviews from others I know who have tried it.
Darlene
09-11-2007, 04:43 PM
Good for you Dee! It doesnt matter how you do it but when you can take control. Hope those pills work for you!
I am pulling for you and sending you gobs and gobs of rudie vibes. The medicine and the rudie vibes should do the trick!
Wishing you all the luck.
Peace, Darlene
Ginny
09-11-2007, 05:47 PM
Good luck Dee on your "divorce". :)
Thanks Eva Darlene and Ginny,
Picking up my starter pack of Champix (the Canadian version of Chantix) today. I have to pay out of pocket for it but who cares. I am SO bloody fed up with wanting to stop but caving in again and again.
Google led me to this alarming bit of info:
Apart from being a non-nicotine smoking cessation treatment, Champix is also beneficial because it reduces the smoker’s urge to smoke and soothes exasperating withdrawal symptoms. Smoking is the worst of all habits and can be really difficult to give up. But if you really want to quit smoking and are serious about it, go for a safe smoking cessation treatment.
Your decision to quit smoking will yield many benefits such as:
• live longer and better
• lower your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or cancer
• improve your chances of having a healthy baby
• save people you live with especially your children
• more money to spend on things other than cigarettes
So I have to get pregnant now and live with children. Great! My doctor neglected to mention this. :p
So I have to get pregnant now and live with children. Great! My doctor neglected to mention this. :p
And that's not all! You can also have swim without losing your contactlenses or soaking your menstrual pad with water. Really, it makes a difference... ;) :D
Eva
Can you come to Canada and show me how to do those things please? I am rather slow when it comes to learning anything new.
Well, for better or worse I am now officially taking Champix. Picked up my starter pack from a pharmacy near Jimmy's this morning and popped the first .5mg tablet around 9:00. So far, no unwanted side effects at all. LOL
Don’t you love those product side effects warning inserts they put with drugs? I don’t know whether to be terrified of them or disappointed when none of them happen to me.
:o
RedjackRyan
09-12-2007, 09:18 AM
Hang in there Dee. It aint an easy thing, i'm having my own issues staying stopped as well.
How about we hang in there together, together?
Apparently one of the unlisted side effects is that Champix makes you stutter when you type, and stutter when you type.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Emoticons/newwink.jpg
aabram
09-12-2007, 01:37 PM
I'm following this with interest, as our great "quit smoking" effort didn't last. Mr Abram has started again too, and if it works we'll be down to the doc first time we get a chance.... :)
On day four now. You keep smoking the first week while taking them and set a date in the second week to butt out. By then there should be no desire to smoke since the nicotine is blocked from reaching the receptors in the brain, the cravings gone, and the smoke tasting like horse manure (by all accounts I've heard).
I'm already noticing a reduction in the cravings, so that's a good sign.
hoops
09-15-2007, 12:45 PM
i recently heard about this product, it works on accupressure. when i was in crazy school they used accupuncture to easy the cravings and slowly make them go away. the product is a set of two magnets that you connect to the upper lobe of your left ear...this is an accupressure point that wors specifically on addiction cravings. you don't need to stop smoking, but slowly, within two weeks they say, your cravings will go away along with your desire to smoke. it's worth a try,and the add said you could try it for free, i don't know how much you pay if you keep it. try googling it and see what you come up with.
good luck dee. i know you can quit.
peace
hoops
ps there are no side effects and you can use it along with other quiting methods such as champix without any negative effects.
Thanks for the suggestion Hoops. I appreciate it but that sounds way too complicated for me.
The Champix is already beginning to reduce the cravings, and for any residual ones I might get there are simpler methods of dealing with them, such as:
Learn your smoking triggers Figure out when you tend to smoke. Is it when you have a coffee or go out for a drink with friends, or when you’re stressed? Identifying your triggers is one of the most important steps to becoming smoke free.
Break the connection Break the habit Once you can identify your triggers, you’ll be better able to break the connection between smoking and your routines. So, when you feel the need to smoke, stop and ask yourself if you really need this cigarette, or if you can wait and do something else. Try to delay smoking by keeping your hands and mouth busy – drink water, brush your teeth, snack on carrot or celery sticks, or take a walk.
A little physical activity can go a long way if you’re trying to become smoke-free. A recent review of studies found that short, single-sessions of exercise helped cigarette smokers reduce their cravings. The research showed that, in nine of 10 studies, patients experienced a significant reduction in cravings for cigarettes during and after physical activity.
In fact, a brisk 15-minute walk may be all you need to squash your cravings for almost an hour. The researchers found that sessions of longer periods of low to moderate intensity activity, like brisk walking, were shown to reduce cravings noticeably and for as long as 50 minutes (almost an hour) after the activity, even when near a lit cigarette.
Short sessions of low intensity physical activity like stretching were also shown to reduce tobacco cravings. The researchers noted that this could help smokers cope with cravings temporarily, especially when a 15-minute or longer session of cardiovascular activity is impractical.
(source (http://www.heartandstroke.ca))
On day eight of Champix today – my quit day – and I have to say I am astounded at the reduction in cravings already.
Am I hallucinating?
hoops
09-19-2007, 10:01 AM
awesome dee!!! i knew you could do it, keep it going. you're doing great!
peace
hoops
Thanks, Hoops. It's amazing how much you can accomplish when you're not sucking on a cigarette.
For instance, I made a big pot of vegetable soup this morning. Going to have some for my lunch now.
(Good grief, that sounds healthy or something.) :p
Ginny
09-19-2007, 12:49 PM
That's great, Dee, that you're having less cravings for nicotine! :)
Darlene
09-19-2007, 02:41 PM
Hang in there Dee, you can do it. Just think of all the money you will save, plus gain control of your time, not counting your health. I wish you power to overcome this addiction.
Hugs, Darlene
Ginny
09-19-2007, 03:47 PM
Dee, I just viewed a news story about some people experiencing serious side effects of bizarre dreams, and even hallucinations, while taking the medication Champix. Although, these side effects seem to occur in combination with alcohol. Apparently when pharmaceutical companies test out new drugs, they omit testing them in combination with alcohol. I figure you don't drink, but thought I'd mention this and ask you to be careful. - Ginny
Not to worry Ginny, I won't be doing that.
Thanks for looking out for me tho. :)
DaveM
09-20-2007, 12:16 AM
I'd think that those side effects might cause use of Champix to become habit-forming for some!
Not sure if anyone out there takes trazodone (Desyrel) for sleep, but it is noted for producing extremely intense dreams--in 3-D Technicolor, as it happens. The stuff is frequently prescribed for sleep, but I often wonder if those who take it actually sleep better or just enjoy their dreams so much that they don't want to get out of bed.
http://video.aol.com/video/a-fatal-attempt-to-quit-smoking/1972473
Here's the link to the story DaveM mentioned...he was a fine musician and just went off the deep end...the story is scary, but he did mix the meds with alcohol consumption. Good to know...not everyone gets the same side effects, but it wasn't the combination that killed him...listen to the report.
Darlene
09-20-2007, 03:20 AM
originally posted by DaveM: Not sure if anyone out there takes trazodone (Desyrel) for sleep, but it is noted for producing extremely intense dreams--in 3-D Technicolor, as it happens. The stuff is frequently prescribed for sleep, but I often wonder if those who take it actually sleep better or just enjoy their dreams so much that they don't want to get out of bed.
I took trazodone for about ten years. It sure put you to sleep alright and I did have very intense, detailed, colorful dreams. You knew that you had to be close to your bed before you took it or you slept where you hit.
Now I have been off trazodone for about ten years and I still have very intense, detailed, colorful dreams. I wonder if the dream thing stuck. The other morning I was dreaming about someone being nasty to me and going to physical hurt me. I did this backward kick and jumped out of the bed. By did it hurt I landed right of my right knee (giving it a goose egg) and my whole body is still sore.
Trazodone or vivid imitation...who knows? I just don't like jumping out of my bed at night.
Peace, Darlene
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/nosmokingsept202007.jpg
http://video.aol.com/video/a-fatal-attempt-to-quit-smoking/1972473
Here's the link to the story DaveM mentioned...he was a fine musician and just went off the deep end...the story is scary, but he did mix the meds with alcohol consumption. Good to know...not everyone gets the same side effects, but it wasn't the combination that killed him...listen to the report.
You're right Bat, it wasn't.
“After an evening of cocktails” Carter Albrecht flips out and a hysterical neighbour shoots him through a door? What? Talk about an overreaction! Hysterical neighbours shouldn’t be allowed to own guns, but what has that got to do with Chantix?
“This man says these dark feelings came out of the blue for him too after having a few drinks one night with his wife.”
These isolated incidents hardly seem like a pattern.
Chantix and Champix are having good success at helping people quit smoking. Could it be that this greatly bothers the bank accounts of certain people with media influence, say, the tobacco industry or the governments who profit off of keeping people addicted to smoking?
The drug insert lists all the possible side effects. I’ve had exactly zero of them.
aabram
09-20-2007, 11:34 AM
Then I'm ready to give it a try :) . Stopping is one thing, but staying stopped is very much a case of "easier said than done" :eek:
I hope your divorce is permanent!!
I hope your divorce is permanent!!
Well one day at a time eh Dar, but this new Champix thing is the best helper drug I've evert tried for quitting.
Day number one and I’m still smokeless. It's a freakin' miracle! ;)
Wildflower Fever
09-20-2007, 11:03 PM
But what about when you've recently divorced Mr. THC?:o ;)
I'm only on day 10 of Champix (and day two without smoking) and I've had no side effects.
This is twilight zone worthy.
Bizarre dreams and hallucinations. As long as they are fun that's kind of cool :cool: It beats smoking every time ;)
Hang in there Dee.
Eva
Thanks Eva, I'm a-hangin'. ;)
"It’s possible that you might slip up and smoke while taking CHANTIX. If you do, you can stay on CHANTIX and keep trying to quit."
I'm feeling a bit bummed out at the moment because after a week of not smoking I caved in today. :( I know there's no excuse so I won't try to make any.
*grumble grumble*
DaveM
10-04-2007, 04:09 PM
I wouldn't get too bummed out over it, Dee. This week I am celebrating a year of sobriety due to have a cup of punch at a wedding before someone informed me the stuff had been spiked with wine. So it goes. I have not intentionally had a drink in far longer than that. And I'll be staying away from punch hereafter.
Just recently observed 22 years of non-smoking (assuming visiting casinos does not count). No great accomplishment....it's just been a matter of sticking around that long.
So....concentrate on the important things. After all, October is National Head Lice Month. So wear someone else's hat today!
suzanne
10-05-2007, 12:22 AM
Your lungs are recovering and your taste buds are returning and both food and sex are better when you don't smoke. Stick it out one minute at a time. Nicotine is more addictive than cocaine but you can make your divorce permanant. I hope the new drug helps make it much easier. Good will power.:D
DaveM
10-05-2007, 01:33 AM
Oh, another thing, Dee--some people taking Chantix have reported experiencing major depressive episodes as a result. So, if you feel yourself slipping....get a reality check from friends and consider discontinuing the stuff.
Nope, no side effects at all for me, Dave.
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