Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group dreaded cigarettes

Ok ........I will admit it .... I am one with the dreaded addiction to cigarettes . I really know that I need to quit, It smells bad , It gives you wrinkles, cancer , emphysema, and god only knows what else . But I like it !

My mother is ill with emphysema, and can hardly get from the car to my door woth out being able to breathe.

What can I do ? has anyone out there quit recently ? The patches just don't seem enough for me.

HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lori [smokin}

The only successful way I ever quit was with Wellbrutin, which is another name for that quit smoking drug (only it's cheaper), it honestly gets rid of the physical craving and the nicotine fits. I was off the darn things for almost a year and then ruptured a disc and ended up in a wheelchair with a bleak outlook on life and figured, oh, what the heck. Now I have a new prescription and will make another go of it. Please note it only works on the physical cravings - - it takes six weeks to get all the nicotine out of your system - - so the mental part is a bit more difficult. Wanna be my partner? We'll choose a quit date and be anti-smoking buddies, our own little support group, zing off a PM whenever we feel the cravings.

Cheryl


Dogs know the meaning of faithfulness

I just tried to quit Wednesday. It's amazing the excuses you can come up with NOT to quit. I had a doctor appt Friday, so that's what I used.

Right now I'm timing my cigarettes, so I don't smoke so often.
And I just read an article and it says to change to a brand you don't like and then it will be easier to quit.
I gained weight big time after two years, so that's another thing that's holding me back. But this time, I'm thinking about trying that CQ10 when I quit, because I can afford it if I'm not buying the cigarettes.

I started drinking coffee (cafe vienna) the last time I quit. I substituted that for my morning cigarette which is the tuffest to get over. (Of course, now I have a coffee addiction too)
And then I got some hard candy for the other weak moments. And keep busy, busy, busy.....

Now if I could just take my own advice!






Susie

Lori,
I used to smoke about a pack and a half a day. I ended up quitting in 1988. Can't stand the smell of them anymore. I actually tried to smoke a couple of times and about made myself throw up. What helped me was when I wanted a cigarette, I substituted a toothpick for a smoke. It worked great for me. I was able to quit on my first try. Then for the longest time, I had a toothpick habit, but that was much easier to break and a lot less costly than cigs. I hope whatever you try will work for you.

Glenn



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What makes the hottentots so hot? What puts the ape in apricot? Whadda they got that I ain't got?....

Hi msmerlyn

I'm in the same boat as you. The bride is giving me so much grief about it I was thinking of buying ear plugs instead of patches. I have quit before for about 7 years, but started again 3 years ago when I foolishly had a cigar at christmas. Perhaps we should both set a date to give up together. I found that worked for me last time, me and my boss at work both stopped the same day I found it easier knowing I wasnt on my own.

John

I'll get this fence back up if it kills me

Hi,
I was smoking 2 and a half packs a day before i quit smoking 3 years ago.I had
tried to quit several times without success,I began using the patch and it seemed
to help cut down on the craving.I put one on my arm every morning for 2 weeks
and one day i forgot the patch and did not realize this until that afternoon and i
did not think about smoking at all that day, i soon realized that smoking for me
was more from habit than anything else.I have not had a cigarette in 3 years and
i am thankful for that.But i have put on a few pounds.I wish you the best of luck,it
is a battle you can win.

Hi Lori,
Sounds like alot of us are in the same boat as you.
I've tried everything to quit. I came the closest to quitting with the patch about 5-6 years ago. I ended up getting too much nicotine though and the doc had me cut them in half and then I wasn't getting enough. Couldn't seem to find a happy medium.
Last year the doc tried me on what Cheryl mentioned which was the Zyban (wellbuterin) but it made me terribly depressed, so I got off from it after taking it for almost 2 weeks. Doc said that can happen with some people. Because it's an antidepressant, if your not at all depressed, it can have the totally opposite effect. A person who is depressed it puts them on an even mood level, so if you not depressed your still put in that even mood level. I'm the type of person who has an up personality and try everything to keep myself smiling. Well, this stuff took my smile away, made me kind of grumpy. Got to the point that I didn't even want to talk to anyone on the phone. I hated the feeling. I called my doc and he explained to me what was happening, which was understandable. When he put me on this, he also had me buy the nicotine gum, which I didn't have a chance to start, because I wasn't on the drug long enough. I'm thinking of maybe trying just those and see what happens. I have asthma and now with having heart problems and AS it's very important for me to quit, but so very hard.
We tried to do a smoke out on here awhile back, but I don't recall many of us quitting. I guess the best thing, is to never give up trying. I am going to try again very soon...LOL I say that as I light up a cigg
If you and Cheryl want to pick a date, I would be willing to try again with you both.
Best luck to you,
Lisa

Lori,

Were you smoking when you typed this? I smoke too... and wish I could quit! I had some success with Zyban (also sold under the name of Wellbutrin). It's an antidepressant, and really worked to cut cravings for cigarettes. I would go to work and not think about cigarettes ONE TIME for a full 10 hours. But I noticed that when others were smoking, I wanted to. So I think using the medicine while also making some social/behavioral changes would really work. Hope this helps! Good luck!

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Kristin

TODAY IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!

Oh... I used to hold cigarettes and not smoke them. The feeling of them in my hand helped. Sometimes it was just psychological, not physical.

(Caveat: I STILL SMOKE. Might not want to much stock in this advice, hehe.)

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Kristin

TODAY IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!

I think... that quitting for even ONE DAY is better than not trying at all.

Is that a rationalization?!

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Kristin

TODAY IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!!