When it comes to quitting
smoking, methodology has changed dramatically in the last decade of the
twentieth century. In the recent past
the only method known to us was Cold-Turkey, where the smoker just stops
smoking from one day to the next. We now
have a myriad of tools at our disposal to aid us in the Big Quit. Nicotine gum and
patches, pills, inhalers, self-hypnosis tapes and videos, and even electronic
programs are all readily available to make quitting smoking as easy as
possible.
Ask any manufacturer about their product and they will
surely tell you that their method is the one that works best. Truth is though that all smokers are
different, and what works beautifully for one may be a total bomb for
another. The only way to find out what
works for you is to make a choice and run with it. We may pick the right one on our first try,
but more often than not, the smoker will end up trying several of the aids
until he/she is finally free from the clutches of cigarettes.
Each aid in its own right has its merits as well as
shortcomings. To what degree the smoker
is influenced by these attributes will determine how well or badly the product
works. Side effects, allergies, schedules,
forgetfulness and even lack of trust in the product itself can all adversely
affect the quit if not properly addressed.
The support group can provide the quitter with information from the
trenches, so to speak. Group members are
not driven by sales and profits, but rather by a need to help a fellow
ex-smoker in need of realistic information based on personal experience. Answers, therefore, come from the heart
rather than from a textbook or manual.
What is shared is true-to-life experience rather than a mandated warning
label.
I've set my quit date - any tips for prep?
Posted by Pat on January 24 at
10:59:13
Well, this
Valentine's day I'm giving my heart the ultimate gift - a smoke free future (I
hope). I got Zyban and patches so I'm ready to kick butt, but I'm not sure I'm
mentally preparing myself well. I'm trying to think like a non-smoker - however
that's supposed to be. Any tips/hints?
Thanks in advance!
Posted by Michael on January 24 at 14:04:04
In reply to: Set my quit
date - any tips for prep? Posted by Pat
on January 24 at 10:59:13
Hi Pat ,
I'm a firm
believer in preparing for a quit. I think the preparations you make before your
actual quit date serve to strengthen your resolve to fight the addiction.
Preparations help create a more comfortable mindset about quitting and can
alleviate some of the fears that crop up as Quit Day approaches.
My favorite tool
to get prepared is the "I commit to quit" Stop-Smoking Contract.
Basically you set a quit date, usually three to four weeks in advance, sign the
contract and have it witnessed by your children, grandchildren or other VIP's
in your life. I had mine signed by my two sons who were nine and six at the
time. I put that contract on the refrigerator for me and everyone else to see,
as a constant reminder of the promise I had made to my children and myself. As
a matter of fact I've come to treasure it so much that it still hangs there
today.
As a general
rule, I think you should try to get rid of anything and everything in your home
that relates to smoking. Ashtrays, lighters, matches, even my beloved Zippo
lighter all ended up in the trash during my preparation period. Save one book of matches though. You don't
want to learn the hard way like we did that you actually NEED a match to light
candles on a birthday cake...
Take a weekend
and really clean out your car. Get all the brown crap off the inside of the
windshield, maybe even shampoo the upholstery. Make it smell so nice that
you'll feel guilty lighting up in it again.
Make an
appointment to get your teeth cleaned either the day of or the day before your
quit. Clean smelling and clean tasting is what you're going to be once Quit Day
arrives, and a shiny clean mouth will make you feel good about yourself.
Last but not
least I highly recommend building a network of support. Tell people ahead of
time so they know what to expect from you while you're going through
withdrawal. Announce your date on the Board so group members will look out for
you when the day arrives. We'll be
looking for you on Valentine's Day, Pat !
Peace!
Fight the good fight!
********
Patch question
Posted by Kathy on January 11
at 08:57:55
I have a huge
question... Has anyone felt that the withdrawals are greatly reduced as your
body adjusts to the patch? This is the beginning of day six for me. I had a rough weekend, but by the Grace of
God, I made it. I would love to hear how
the patch worked for you. Please let me know.
I'm beginning day six and I'm back to work, which is a safer
environment, since it is a smoke-free building...
Posted by Michael on January 11 at 11:12:03
In reply to: Patch
question Posted by Kathy on January 11
at 08:57:55
Hi Kathy ,
That's exactly
the way the patch is supposed to work. It minimizes true PHYSICAL withdrawal so
you can focus on and fight the MENTAL withdrawal. I too used the patch and that
was the biggest thing I liked about it after learning from previous quits that
the mental side of the addiction is so much stronger than the actual physical
addiction to the chemical nicotine.
Relatively
speaking it's quite easy to overcome the physical part of the addiction. The
mind-games we addicts play with ourselves are a different story. So just continue
to let the patch do its job and focus on the mental battle and you'll do just
fine. Remember… Never mistake a craving
for a physical need, because you're still getting the nicotine through the
patch. See that crave for what it is, Kathy ,
nothing but a shell game your mind is playing with you. Fight it, and win your
life back!
Peace!
Fight the good fight!
********
Quitting with nicotine gum
Posted by Bren on March 03 at 12:42:48
Hi,
I will be
quitting my cigs tomorrow with Nicorette Gum and was wondering if anybody had
some advice or tips. Is it true you can do damage if you chew the gum too hard?
Any help would be appreciated.
Posted by JW on March 03 at 14:09:17
In reply to: Quitting with
nicotine gum Posted by Bren on March
03 at 12:42:48
I tried gum
several times over a few years. If you chew it too fast, it can give you too
much nicotine, or so I am told. It is a powerful drug, remember! I found the
gum to be quite addictive, and have several friends who got hooked on that
stuff, too. So, please, just be careful
and follow the manufacturer's directions to the letter! They include list
making techniques and other behavior modification tips for the psychological
part of this addiction. FOLLOW THEM! I don't have any statistics on it, but I
am sure your chance of successfully staying smoke-free goes way up when you do
the ENTIRE PROGRAM, behavior modification and all, not just the drug therapy
part.
There are a few
things I recommend to everyone wanting a smoke-free life…
One: Remember
that there are NO miracle drugs or cures! NONE! Zyban helps the depression but
it does not CURE addiction. You do that yourself! That is what is so great
about this. You are going to accomplish this yourself. I used the patch as well
as the PROGRAM. The patch helped the
first week, and after that, it was just there. It’s the entire PROGRAM that
gets me through now, without bouts of depression, fits of anger, or loss of
sleep. Some people DO need some help with the side effects of smoking
cessation, and then the drug therapies that are available, including Zyban and St. John’s LOT of people don't find that need... So I suggest trying
without it first, but you are not required to be a hero to stop smoking!
Two: Stopping
smoking is NOT easy. The constant craving goes away quickly. The physical stuff
goes away. The metabolism rates eventually equalize again. But the cravings for
this addiction can come at any time, from any location, and after months or
years of not smoking, and can be VERY powerful. DON'T GET ALARMED WHEN THIS
HAPPENS! It is perfectly normal for all of us addicts. Start working now to
learn how to accept those cravings and let them pass without lighting up - they
will every time.
Three: Read
“Junkie Thinking” by Patricia
Allison
Four: Read the
Serenity Prayer and the 12-step program.
Study it and learn what it means. This is the single most important
thing you can do, I believe! You lose the anger and frustration of addiction
and begin to control your own life again!
Five: SMILE. Keep all your thoughts positive and
optimistic! This will be well worth your effort!
JW
********
My first patch!
Posted by Hez on January 21 at 20:06:18
Dear Friends,
Is it a good
idea to put on your very first patch before going to sleep or should I wait for
the morning to monitor any reactions? Are there adverse reactions? Oh, and where do you find are the best places
to put it?
Thanks, Hez
Posted by Michael on January 21 at 20:28:07
In reply to: My first patch!
Posted by Hez on January 21 at 20:06:18
Hi Hez ,
There are
different schools of thought on patch use. Some people wear it for 24
hours/day, others like me preferred to wear it only during waking hours. My
reasoning for that was that I never used to smoke while I was sleeping, so why
get nicotine transdermally while asleep? A possible side effect of 24-hour wear
is nightmares. We've heard some real doozies here… LOL. If you think you're going to need it, though,
I would say give it a try. Worst that will happen is you wake up with bad
dreams, and then you stop nighttime wear.
Either way, trust the patch and let it do its job of giving you the
nicotine transdermally so you can focus on relearning life without a cigarette
in your hand.
As far as where
and when to apply the patch, anywhere on your body that has very little hair is
recommended. I always did mine after my shower in the morning, so it became
part of my daily routine. I pretty much stuck to the biceps, alternating arms
daily. Also make sure that the area is completely dry and not oily, otherwise
the patch may very well fall off mid-day.
Peace!
Fight the good fight!
********
Does Zyban work?
Posted by Karen on March 10 at
00:26:24
I had my last
cigarette today at 10:00 .
Should I get Zyban tomorrow? I’ve seen
all the commercials and was wondering if you think it might work for me, too.
Posted by Bonnie on March 10 at 00:44:46
In reply to: Does Zyban
work? Posted by Karen on March 10 at 00:26:24
You actually should have gotten the Zyban, or its
generic, Wellbutrin, about seven to ten days ago. *S* It takes at least a week to build the levels
up in your system. You can make it easier on yourself during that time if you
choose places to eliminate smoking.
For example in my second week I banned smoking in my car. Then when the quit
date came around I was prepared even more mentally.
Give your doc a
call. At this point he may suggest the
patch, gum or the inhaler, but all of those are nicotine replacement therapies.
Without those replacements, nicotine will be out of your body in three
or four days after you quit! I've found
the BEST treatment is the friendship and caring here on this Board. So whatever
you decide to do or NOT do, use this support group to make you feel better about
your quit. *S* Make frequent stops
here... We celebrate ALL accomplishments great and small. *S* If you haven’t smoked for an hour, YELL
YAY! And move forward. *S* Good luck!
Posted by Tommyboy on March
10 at 00:53:11
In reply to: Does Zyban
work? Posted by Karen on March 10 at 00:26:24
Hi Karen ,
Yes, it does
work - for almost everybody. Some find
out that they cannot use it, but most can, and most of those who can, and are
intent on quitting, are using either Zyban or Wellbutrin, either of which you
have to get a prescription for.
I am an addict
to cigarettes, who has been practicing for 40 years. I have tried several times
in the past (all miserable failures). THIS time I am using Wellbutrin (It’s the
same drug as Zyban and my insurance covers it), and I used the Nicoderm CQ for
the prescribed course of ten weeks. With
the additional help from my Faith, my family, and the people who post regularly
here I have been able to stay quit for three months, one week, 6 hours, 8
minutes and 19 seconds.
Wishing you
success in quitting, no matter how you do it.
Don't worry too much about the short-term discomfort that most people
experience, because the end result DOES make it all WORTHWHILE!
********
Zyban/Side Effects
Posted by Cindy on March 22 at
20:50:10
I am interested
in discussing the side effects of Zyban with others who have used it. Please
let me know what side effects you have experienced.
Thanks, Cindy
Posted by Heather Dawn 21:06:14
In reply to: Zyban/Side
Effects Posted by Cindy on March 22 at
20:50:10
Hi Cindy ,
I had several
effects with Zyban but over time they have all gone away. I had terrible hives
and had to take Benadryl for two weeks each time I took a Zyban. I heard others
speak of these hives and although you need to be very careful and see a doctor,
it seems they do go away. I did not sleep for nine days - literally - I was
pumped and ready for a marathon at any given time - totally hyper. I started
taking Gravol (motion sickness pill) on the ninth day before bed and that allowed me to sleep. I
only had to take the Gravol for about a week and then all the sleeplessness was
gone. Now I sleep just fine. I also had a bit of nausea. Other than that I
can't think of anything.
If there is
anything we can help you with just let us know. I wish you best of luck in your
quit. Oh I just remembered - there was a period around the third week of my
quit until about six weeks where I referred to my mind as being zybanized. I had great difficulty
concentrating. In fact, many of my attempts at humor that you've seen on this
Board came out of that Zyban haze. Take care.
Posted by Tommyboy on March
22 at 21:29:23
In reply to: Zyban/Side
Effects Posted by Cindy on March 22 at
20:50:10
Hi Cindy ,
I have been
using Wellbutrin (same thing as Zyban, except most prescription plans still
cover Wellbutrin) since November 17, which is probably not a record for this or
any other quit smoking forum, but should qualify my answers. Everyone is a
little different in how they react to the medication, ranging from no side
effects whatsoever to being totally incompatible and unable to use it. Most, I would say, fall somewhere in between.
I experienced slight dizziness, disorientation, and inability to concentrate
for a couple of weeks at the beginning, also a bit of trouble with sleep disorders. I cannot accurately judge that one, though,
as I am a police officer and the rotating shifts that I work are a sleep
disorder producer that stands alone.
Somewhere around the one-month mark I also developed a case of the stupids, sometimes also referred to as
being zybanized. Others probably can help there, as I am also
hampered by age induced memory lapses…LOL. I do know that I am completely sane,
as my wee friends who wear the neat white jackets keep telling me that I am. (…Just kidding…)
I have heard
there are no miracle cures, but I say there are, as I am an addict who has
practiced his addiction for nearly forty years.
I have attempted to quit several times with little success, but with the
help I get from my Faith, Wellbutrin, NicodermCQ, and the tremendous support
from these wonderful people here I have been quit for:
Three months, two weeks, six
days, 2 hours, 43 minutes and 44 seconds.
3363 cigarettes not smoked,
saving $504.51.
Life saved: 1 week, 4 days,
16 hours, 15 minutes.
As you probably
have observed, the one other side effect is the tendency to RAMBLE. Hahahaha… One last thing I need to add… Always
remember that the alternative to quitting smoking is DEATH!
Posted by Lisa W. 23:30:22
In reply to: Zyban/Side Effects
Posted by Cindy on March 22 at 20:50:10
1. Difficulty sleeping for the
first two weeks - so I decided on my own to just take one pill a day (I'm not
recommending this).
2. Some loss of appetite, but I
fought hard and made sure I ate twice as much as normal anyway - hehehe.
3. Lack of focus/concentration
- read the same line of the same novel every night before going to bed for two
weeks… I think.
4. Could handle emotional
situations with logic - I didn't feel
stress, sadness, happiness, etc. as much.
5. Delayed reaction/gaps -
demonstrated by staring at the computer screen or my socks - would realize
later, I had done nothing for a few minutes.
6. Reacting quickly was hard -
made driving a bit scary for the first week.
7. Alcohol felt about 10x as
potent - watch out!
8. Cravings didn't seem as
intense.
9. I giggled at things that
others didn't find funny (actually, this has been true for most of my life -
hehehe - see?)
All of this
sounds a bit scary when listed, but I honestly feel Zyban is a wonder drug. It
took the edge off of my cravings and allowed me to make logical/sensible
choices when cravings DID strike. Most of these symptoms were the basis for a
great deal of laughter - and that helped me cope with this whole quitting
smoking thing in a BIG WAY! I really think Zyban is terrific.
********
This is getting much easier...
Posted by Carol on March 06 at
14:39:11
Hi Guys!
On day five -
almost day six. I never in a million years thought I could go this long. I was
a pack to two pack a day smoker. And I
really truly thought for all these years it would be soooo much harder. Now
don't get me wrong those first three days were hell but still not as bad as I
had imagined for all those years. Went to meet some friends at the bar last
night and everyone was smoking and I really didn’t even want one. I felt sorry for them if anything.
Then this one
chick pissed me off. I told her I had quit and she asked if I was using
anything and I told her that I was using the inhaler and in front of all these
people she has the nerve to say, “How can you use that thing? It looks like a
tampon applicator!” ...and made a big deal about it. But I was the bigger person because you know
what? She had quit the day after me and guess who had one of those nasty cancer
sticks hanging out of her mouth... I’ll take something that only LOOKS like a
tampon applicator over one of those any day! Also I would really like to
recommend the inhaler to people. It does
really work! I haven’t even used it yet
today and it's already almost 3:00pm
and I haven’t even been quit for a week yet.
Thanks for letting me vent…
Posted by Heather Dawn 15:49:24
In reply to: This is getting
much easier... Posted by Carol on
March 06 at 14:39:11
You’re doing
very well Carol ! It sounds to me like she was jealous because
you were making it and she wasn't. You follow your quit, keep using the inhaler
even if it does look a little funny and show her how it’s done!
Posted by PAUL-CO on March
06 at 15:28:29
In reply to: This is getting
much easier... Posted by Carol on
March 06 at 14:39:11
Yes, Carol , and every day it gets easier - but whatever
you do, don't let your guard down. Glad
to hear you're so positive about the inhaler - I'd thought about it at first
but decided that the pill would work better for me. Looking forward to seeing you on the Board
often.
********
Please
share your Zyban experiences...
Posted by Lynn 17:39:27
Hi
everyone,
Well, after cold turkey for seven
days, I went back to the butts. I called my doctor today and got the Zyban. I
just picked it up and took my first pill. I had set my quit date for this
Monday, but after reading about it, it says to wait a week - not sure what to
do there. So... what can I expect from this drug? Will I feel differently or is
it subtle? Do cravings return when I stop taking it? Any words of wisdom will
be appreciated. Thanks so much and wish me luck!
For me Zyban/Wellburtin was the magic
bullet.
Posted by Paul
on January 18 at 17:53:02 PM
In
reply to: Please share your Zyban experiences…
Posted by Lynn 17:39:27
Hi Lynn ,
I
was on it for 2-1/2 months while my brain
was on vacation on Barbados
If you are working or have children at home and you do start to feel spacey (some do) get together with you doctor and find out if you can cut down to one a day - a friend of mine did and it worked out fine. I thinkJames (Bubba) did the same – you may want to talk to
him.
If you are working or have children at home and you do start to feel spacey (some do) get together with you doctor and find out if you can cut down to one a day - a friend of mine did and it worked out fine. I think
My
experience with Zyban and HELL WEEK!
Posted
by James on January 18 at 22:45:36
In
reply to: Please share your Zyban
experiences… Posted by Lynn 17:39:27
Hi
Lynn ,
I just this minute read your post. I
have been quit since Monday,
November 26, 2001 . I smoked for 30 years and about 1 1/2 packs of
cigarettes a day. I was diagnosed with a
heart condition last April and my cardiologist said I had three factors against
me: 1) genes 2) cholesterol 3) smoking.
Well, not a darn thing could be done
about the genes, but the cholesterol was a different story. My count was 240
and within six months I got it down to 132 (medication helped too)! Then in
November I told my doctor I was ready to quit smoking and that's when he gave
me the prescription for Zyban (Wellbutrin is the same and I should have asked
him for that because my insurance would have paid for most of it). The Zyban
was $119 for the first month supply, but I guess I would have spent that on
cigarettes anyway.
During my first week I actually kept
a kind of diary. I later learned that this is known as "HELL WEEK"
and I think when you read this you'll know why. I hope I never have to go
through a week like that ever again!
November
13 (Tuesday) - Saw cardiologist and got prescription for Zyban and was told I
might want to use the nicotine gum along with it.
November
14 (Wednesday) - Began taking Zyban - 1 tablet per day for the first three days
- felt fine - no side effects - continued to smoke - quit date set for November
26 - a Monday when I will be at work and my mind will be kept occupied.
November
17 (Saturday) - Began taking two Zyban tablets per day - one when I got up in
the morning and the other around 5:00PM .
November
19 (Monday) - My smoking has increased!! Felt "spaced out"! Hyper -
unmotivated - dry mouth!
November
23 (Friday) - Went to pharmacy to get Nicotine Gum in preparation of quit day -
Pharmacist said I was "defeating" the purpose of Zyban by using the
nicotine gum... I argued with him for a while and then came to the conclusion I
would hurt the man severely if I didn't leave... Paid my bill and told him to
"Call my doctor if you have a problem with this because I've got no more
to say to you!" Told him my doctor’s name and left pissed off!
November
24 (Saturday) - Tried to quit without the nicotine gum. I lasted two hours and
started smoking - smoked eight cigs all day (not bad after having smoked two
packs the day before). They tasted "nasty" and didn't do much for me
- no nicotine "rush".
November
25 (Sunday) Same as Saturday but smoked 13 cigarettes - emailed my cousins Joan and Shirley
asking for their support beginning tomorrow on my quit day... Smoked my last
cig around 9:30pm ... Don't
even care to sit up and finish the pack - nasty taste!
DAY
2 - Tuesday - Got up 6:00AM - woke up feeling good - had cup of coffee - used
gum - cravings were mild and went away fast - bit stronger when I went home for
lunch - snacked on two pound bag of M & Ms!! - had teeth cleaned from 3:30 - 4:15PM and felt relaxed -
zero cravings!! - went back to work - felt hyper but good - cravings mild after
eating supper - slept good but had vivid dreams.
DAY
3 - Wednesday - Got up 6:00AM - FELT GREAT - calm and relaxed all morning
(whew, getting worried, calm before the storm?) Morning cough has gone away -
after lunch began to have cravings that occurred frequently and lasted for
longer periods of time through the afternoon. Mouth dry and had STRONG CRAVINGS
between 5:00 & 10:00PM - slept good - dreams very
vivid.
DAY
4 - Thursday - Got up 6:00AM
- had coffee/gum - cravings were minor - not feeling too good - got to work -
co-worker happy, talking up a storm - I'm IRRITABLE - quiet - she asks,
"What is wrong with you?" I responded quickly, "YOU TALK TO
MUCH!" She didn't speak to me for the rest of the day! Another co-worker
came in to ask me a question, I responded with, "That's my answer and if
you've got a problem with that, then go to HELL!" The co-worker quietly
said, with his head held down, "I just asked." - I feel like I am
ready to BLOW UP! VERY NERVOUS - shaking from my head to my feet - GOD what is
going on with me! Don't know who to talk to - no one will understand what I'm
going through - they'll think I'm nuts! 11:20AM - I'm started to feel sleepy
but a bit more relaxed - went home for lunch - mild cravings but continued
feeling sleepy and relaxed, took short nap - got back to work and was busy most
of afternoon - apologized to my co-workers - minor cravings - continued feeling
sleepy - mouth dry - not nervous or angry anymore.
DAY
5 - Friday - FOUND BLAIRSVILLE (Support
group at QuitSmokingSupport.com) ON THE INTERNET - wow, what great people
and they understand what I'm feeling!! Had minor cravings off and on through
the day - taste and smell greatly improved - slept good.
DAY
6 - Saturday - Minor cravings off and on through the day - not feeling very
"alert" - kind of mental numbness - no cravings in late afternoon -
slept good.
DAY
7 - Sunday - Minor cravings - felt depressed - talked to my family in Georgia -
felt better afterwards - used less nicotine gum – 7:00PM - powerful cravings -
actually screamed aloud "I WILL NOT SMOKE" - sat at computer posting
to Blairsville - God I wish I was DEAD!!! 7:45PM - whew, cravings finally
tapered off - 10:00PM - depression had slipped back on me at some time or other
but I felt better once I had gone to bed- slept good.
DAY
8 - Monday - Got up 6:00AM -
Only minor cravings and easily controlled - still slight feeling of depression.
My notes ended after that because I
became more involved with Blairsville. I did have a feeling of being slightly
"spaced out" the first few weeks I was taking the Zyban, but then
again it could also have been from the stress of quitting smoking. I did go
from taking two pills per day to one per day but I don't recall the date. I
felt less "spaced", but found that I became depressed more easily
than before. During the first few weeks the Zyban did cause dry mouth and some
itching. Had it not been for the Zyban I don't think I would have gotten as far
as I have. Again Lynn Lynn
A
better, stronger person since November 26
JamesE
********
Advice about booze…
Posted by Patrick on March 19
at 04:16:17
I've been quit
for 10 days now, but during that time I have to confess to having had two
cheeky cigarettes. I'm quite pleased with what I've achieved, but not pleased
enough. Seeing as I had my cheeky ones after having been drinking I have
decided to give up alcohol until I can trust myself not to smoke AT ALL. Any
advice out there about how long this takes? I'm gonna miss a glass of wine with
dinner, or a pint with my friends. I don't want to end up ruining my social
life especially since now is when I need my friends most.
Thanks, Patrick
Posted by Michael on March 19 at 06:24:07
In reply to: Advice about
booze... Posted by Patrick on March 19
at 04:16:17
Hi Patrick ,
Welcome to the
group! When I started my last quit, I swore off all alcohol for almost four
months. Coming from an alcoholic family background, I'm not much of a drinker
anyway, but I know that booze was probably my strongest trigger. So I decided
to NOT drink, just as I chose to NOT smoke. You can make that same choice. You
don't really need that stimulant to have a good time... Tell your friends why
you're drinking soda when you go out - because booze may jeopardize your quit.
If they're friends they'll applaud your efforts. Be proud and stand up for your
choice. Peers can often be idiots and may josh you about not drinking - well
guess what? You're the one saving your life, not them.
There's an added
bonus to not drinking as well... You get to watch others get sloshed while you
remain sober - often a rather comical scene! And the next day you get to
describe foolish details about their behavior! LOL Consider cutting out booze
for a while as just another tool in your quitting arsenal, Patrick ! You never know, you might enjoy it...
Peace!
Fight the good fight!
********
Watch
Out – Venting
Posted by Sue
on January 20 at 16:04:51
I guess I’m still baffled as to why
people decide to use the tools (patches, gum, Zyban) to help them quit and then
decide that the people who invented them don't know what they are talking about
and so don't use them as instructed. I can understand if there is a problem - for
example, I am allergic to the patch - some people get too much nicotine from
the patch so they have to cut it down - Zyban makes some people sick, etc. –
Those reasons makes sense - but if it doesn't bother a person, why don't they
use it as intended and give themselves the best shot at quitting they can? It's
not that they can't afford it - look at our quit meters. How much were we
spending on cigarettes? When did any of us tell ourselves we couldn't buy those
because we couldn't afford them?
I'm using Wellbutrin. I don't have
any bad effects from it now, but at first I had dry mouth and some sleep
problems. That was for the first week or maybe a little more, but I tried to wait
through that to see if those symptoms went away as mild side effects often do. I
do know that when I forget my second dose, the next day the cravings are a lot
stronger. So I guess that's where all this is coming from - I just know how
much better I feel when I do it as I am supposed to, according to the
manufacturer’s instructions!
Maybe there is just a side to this I
don't see - so please… someone help me clear my thoughts. Thanks.
Your thoughts are VERY clear!
Posted
by JamesE on January 20 at 16:21:07
In
reply to Watch Out – Venting Posted
by Sue on January 20 at 16:04:51
I agree with you all the way, Sue . I followed the instructions to the letter up
until about two weeks ago when I began to take just one tablet a day, which
made a big difference. By the time I did that, though, I had gotten through my
first five weeks. Had I not taken the Zyban, plus Paul and Tom's advise to
continue and not stop too early in my quit, I would not be sitting here typing
this post, but would instead be out on my porch smoking and coughing my fool
head off!
Like you, I'm willing to do whatever
it takes to quit smoking and stay quit, even if I did have to endure the spaced
out feeling, dry mouth and itching (and boy did I itch!). Seeing eight weeks
tomorrow has made it worth it, and soon I can safely begin tapering off the
Zyban and nicotine gum.
Hi Sue
- this is something I've been preaching for years…
Posted
by Michael on January 20 at 16:45:24
In
reply to Watch Out – Venting Posted
by Sue on January 20 at 16:04:51
I totally agree with you. Smoking
Cessation aids were designed with a process in mind. Unfortunately, this
process is often foiled by the addict mind that gets overly confident at the first
sign of success. This false sense of security subsequently leads to failure and
the ever popular question: "What happened?"
Do me a favor, Sue ,
and share your thoughts on this more frequently in the group, preferably on a
weekly basis. Maybe together we can get the message to sink in that smoking
cessation aids are a process, not an event!
Have
a great smoke-free Sunday, SueJ
Peace!
Fight
the Good Fight!
********
Think you can or think you cannot…
Either way you're right.
