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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Tuesday, August 05, 2008 - 11:58 am
How's today going, Z? I hope its going easy, but if its not then chew some gum and come in here and feel free to rant. I'm pretty sure I did a few times and nobody minds. LOL
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Tuesday, August 05, 2008 - 5:48 pm
YAH Zgood!!!! That is awesome! Wishing you all good luck! YOU can do it!!! I agree with Bo, go get that book!!
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Kearie
Member
07-21-2005
| Wednesday, August 06, 2008 - 3:08 pm
I guess I should add my experience thus far. I'm on my second box of Chantix and am still struggling. I know the only time I smoke is when I GIVE IN. No withdrawls to nicotine. When Chantix warns it can cause depression, I have to say it does for me. I have tried a couple times to go up to the full dose. I've tried going to 3/4 dose. But I can't get past taking half a dose. Seems as tho 5 days after I try increasing the dose, I get seriously depressed. My self talk becomes terrifying. It's a bit frustrating. I think if only I could take a full dose. Then I forget how bad I get and increase the dose. Duh me. Seriously, if your prone to depression, watch your side effects and be aware of mood changes. On the bright side of things. I was a pack a day smoker, but last month on Chantix, I only went thru 12 packs.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Wednesday, August 06, 2008 - 5:05 pm
Well, the cutting down is good, Kearie, but maybe you should not be on Chantix at all? I was very afraid for you taking it. I mean, you are a new grandma and all, and it's a shame to be taking a drug that might keep you away from the baby. And, of course, the new grandbaby is probably why you really should quit right at this time. Double-edged sword, eh? Have you ever tried the patch? Or the gum or lozenges? The patch does take away the physical cravings, and I think the gum and lozenges do too.
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Boberg
Member
10-04-2002
| Wednesday, August 06, 2008 - 5:50 pm
Kearie with the side effects you are experiencing with Chantix, maybe Chantix is not for you. You say your "self talk becomes terrifying". That sounds serious to me, please talk to your doctor about this asap. What else have you tried in your efforts to quit smoking? And as you can see by reading up thread just a wee bit....many here highly recommend the book by Allen Carr "Easy Way to Quit Smoking" I hope you will drop in here frequently and let us know how you are doing. Many of us in our first weeks were dropping in here almost hourly...LOL There is lots of support and encouragement here...no judgement.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Wednesday, August 06, 2008 - 8:04 pm
I agree. Kearie, that book may be what ya need instead of the chantix. you are smoking less than half of what you used to and that is great! You are doing good,,,come here every day and ck in and we will be there for you xoxoxoxo
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Geri
Member
07-08-2003
| Wednesday, August 06, 2008 - 8:44 pm
Kearie, try the book. I cannot emphasize enough how much the thought---How is this cigarette going to change my life or help in this particular situation--keeps me from smoking. I know that cigarette isn't going to do a thing. The time it takes me to absorb that sentence is enough to get me past the craving. If you do have any withdrawals, the gum was excellent for me. Maybe you should try wellbutrin instead of Chantix. It is prescribed for depression and also helps to quit smoking. Since I am not a doctor, I don't know if that will help you but your doctor would know. Good luck and feel free to come here whenever you want.
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Kearie
Member
07-21-2005
| Thursday, August 07, 2008 - 1:39 pm
Thanks you guys. I am keeping my doctor posted. Heck I've seen my dr. at least 6 times this year. Mostly for my back. But he's well aware of my depression, how chantix effects it/me. It's my silly self that keeps being stupid and increasing it...to see if it will help more. I'm coming out of a problem from the last time I tried to increase it to one and one and a half pills, rather than two pills a day. I truly try to not let myself get "seriously depressed". I guess I think of my cigerettes as a trusted friend. Always there when I need it. When I'm hurt, happy, sad angry...it's always there for me. Whether I feel like talking or not. If I'm in situations where I can't smoke and I anxious...I play with my fingers like a fidgitty child. I'm afraid to lose that. It's like my security blanket. I'll be lost if I don't have one that I know I can have if I need it. Is this normal thinking...or more likely my personal fears/issues? Will the book help this? I need to mention I do take small doses of Welbutrin/Zyban for my depression. The Dr. said I could increase that, but I haven't tried yet. JuJu---very doubled edged. Currently I get to see Gage twice a week for about an hour. I babysit for her on her nights at school. I'm not allowed to babysit if I smoke, smoke in my house or smell like smoke. I've changed many of my smoking habits. I don't leave home and think about bringing my cigerettes. I don't even ponder bringing them... I don't look for them and think No. I just don't think about them. I've scrubbed and cleaned and got new/used furniture...and haven't smoked in the house since. But I'm still afraid to be without a cigerette in my freezer. It's like the only thing I can trust. Sigh. Maybe I could try the gum. I need something for my fingers to do...that I can do...anywhere anytime. Any ideas?
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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Thursday, August 07, 2008 - 2:41 pm
You are going through the same psychological withdrawals we all went through, Kearie. You can leave that cig in the freezer forevermore as long as you don't smoke it. The withdrawal from nicotine isn't nearly as bad as the psych withdrawal. Cigs were my "friend" for 41 years and I didn't think I could ever be without them. But they are definitely NOT your friend and you CAN live without them. Its not easy. In fact its hard as hell. Good luck!
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Lawrie
Member
08-03-2002
| Thursday, August 07, 2008 - 4:59 pm
A note to those thinking about quitting or who are in the early days of their quit: About six years ago my cholesterol levels were through the roof. I was able to get it down to a barely acceptable level by changing diet and exercising more. I just got the results from my annual blood tests and, even though I have been eating very foolishly lately, my levels are now on the LOW side of normal. I can only attribute this to two years of being smoke free. Just wanted to say that some of the stories “they” tell to encourage quitting are true! All the best in your journey toward freedom.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Thursday, August 07, 2008 - 9:47 pm
Hey, Kearie, I have real good news for you.
quote:I guess I think of my cigerettes as a trusted friend. Always there when I need it. When I'm hurt, happy, sad angry...it's always there for me. Whether I feel like talking or not. If I'm in situations where I can't smoke and I anxious...I play with my fingers like a fidgitty child. I'm afraid to lose that. It's like my security blanket. I'll be lost if I don't have one that I know I can have if I need it. Is this normal thinking...or more likely my personal fears/issues?
That is absolutely how every one of us in here felt when we even thought about quitting, and some of us are doggedly (cough) normal and sane. So, yes, I do think the book will help you to realize that it is not just you who feels that everything will fall apart if you lose your only friend. It will help you come to fully understand that your "friend" has a freaking GUN to your head. None of us thought we could cope. None of us saw any hope for ever being happy again without our best friend. I cried all day the first day I was on the patch over losing my friend.
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Boberg
Member
10-04-2002
| Friday, August 08, 2008 - 12:05 pm
Kearie you are totally normal!!!! I went looking but could not find my first couple of posts in this thread. You would have seen how afraid I was. I could not even imagine how horrid my life was gonna be without cigarettes. Oh they told me that cigarettes were really not my friend.. I didn't believe them just like you are doubting it now. Then I started reading the book and came to understand that it was actually the truth....cigarettes were not my friend, they did not comfort me, they did not relief my stress. "The most pathetic aspect about smoking is that the enjoyment that the smoker gets from a cigarette is the pleasure of trying to get back to the state of peace, tranquility, and confidence that his body had before he became hooked in the first place." "Smokers think they smoke for enjoyment, relaxation, or some sort of boost. In fact, this is an illusion. The actual reason is the relief of withdrawal pangs." Get the book, start reading it while you are still smoking...it is the only way you can actually still smoke while you are quitting.}Trust me, you will understand what I mean when you have read about half way thru the book. Your thought processes will start to change and your actions will follow.
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Dahli
Member
11-27-2000
| Friday, August 08, 2008 - 1:55 pm
Kearie, Boberg is right, 8 years ago, the book was all I needed to quit and it truly was easy. But I must add however, that the magic key to anything is, you must really and truly WANT it. That's it - the simple truth.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Friday, August 08, 2008 - 7:16 pm
Kearie, I felt same as you. Thought Cig was my friend, couldnt survive without my CIg...but Cig isnt a friend he is a demon and he only survives inside us if we keep smoking. The book will help you to understand, you will be amazed at how the book knows you and you will relate to it, it is a quick read. xoxoxoxo
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Geri
Member
07-08-2003
| Friday, August 08, 2008 - 7:50 pm
Kearie, again, read the book. I know we almost sound like fanatics telling you to drink the kool-aid but the book has so many basic simple truths. Once you get past the withdrawals (and the gum worked really well for me), you are then faced with the mental part of smoking. The book helps you to realize that the desire is all in your mind at this point. If you just tell yourself that you may want a cigarette but you don't actually need it, you usually get past the craving by the end of the sentence. It has been 5 months for me and every now and then I really want a cigarette. Then I notice how hours and hours go by without even thinking of them (I think I made it about 10 hours today without even thinking once of them). I am waiting for the complete day and I know it will come. Don't give up, take it a minute, hour, day at a time. Come here when you feel the urge and type away until the urge leaves. Again, how will having a cigarette change the cirmcumstance you are in? It won't and that is my mantra. You can do it.
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Ginger1218
Member
08-31-2001
| Saturday, August 09, 2008 - 5:49 am
Kearie, I used to smoke 3 packs a day and I quit cold turkey 13 years ago. The only thing I have to say is take the focus off the cigarettes. I also thought cigarettes were my best friend. I sort of self hypnotized myself. I turned my focus on something else. whenever I thought or saw a cig, I would immediately force my focus on something else. I would take a deep breath and let it out slowly and it would pass. I still know that I am an addict. 13 years later, if I took one drag, I would be back smoking 3 packs a day. So I am a recovering ex smoker. If you have any questions, you can email me
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Denecee
Member
09-05-2002
| Monday, August 11, 2008 - 8:10 am
Confession time: I've been having some smokes with my neighbor. I have even given her money so I am not just bumming them. She is one of my closest friends and it's gotten to be a social time for us, not good huh? So my niece is very mad at me about the smoking (she lives with me, graduates high school in 2009.) It's a stupid thing to smoke to socialize and that is why I came to this thread once again. Today, I will not smoke. I'll check in tomorrow to say if that is a fact. Yay to all you non-smokers and non-smoker want to be's!!!!!
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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Monday, August 11, 2008 - 10:00 am
Denecee, I looked at our chart above to see how long ago you quit and you aren't on it! So what's the scoop? Yeah, smoking to socalize is a bad idea. I know for me, 1 puff would immediately mean a pack a day. Now, you have to go through withdrawal again. ICK! Well, good luck with quitting and keep us posted!
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Denecee
Member
09-05-2002
| Monday, August 11, 2008 - 11:04 am
Thanks Twinkie! I quit a few yrs or more ago, with the exception of a cig every now and then. My chest hurts.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Monday, August 11, 2008 - 4:46 pm
LOL, Denecee. I need one of those big rubber whack-a-mole hammers. Hey! Here's a brilliant idea. Maybe you can get the neighbor to quit with you (again), and you can read each other chapters from the Alan Carr book while you socialize.
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Monday, August 11, 2008 - 7:08 pm
Denecee, I still go out and 'have a cig' with some of my co-workers....I like the social aspect also....I dont actually have one but I feel just going thru the motions and going out with them fufils that desire...that desire is less and less in fact we played our poker which is played outside and over half smoke...I started feeling like shit from the smoke...my body physically felt horrible. That was a great feeling though..cuz I know I wont feel that way ever again unless i am around smoke
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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Monday, August 11, 2008 - 7:52 pm
I can NOT socially not smoke around smokers. It just makes me want one. I'm not comfortable around smokers at all so I tend to stay away from their smoking as much as I can.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Monday, August 11, 2008 - 10:26 pm
Huh, interesting, Twinkie!
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Denecee
Member
09-05-2002
| Wednesday, August 13, 2008 - 8:11 am
Aw, thanks for all the comments. I can be around smokers as my dh does still smoke. I actually made a stupid decision to smoke and now I'm not. It isn't as easy as that but the neighbor and I have not smoked since Sunday. She will give it up too or at least slow way down without her smoking partner(me). DH smokes about 4 cigs a day but he rolls them, double yuck!
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 11:28 am
I just passed my 9 whole freakin month anniversary on 8/20/08. Bill got me a fill my heart locket that I ordered from Christii. She has a thread talking about them with some pics. They are sooo pretty!!! Denecee, how are you doing??? Kearie, how is your journey going?
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