I quit smoking

Discussion in 'Blazers OT Forum' started by Denny Crane, Sep 25, 2012.

  1. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    I thought I'd share this.

    I have smoked 1/2 to 1 pack a day for over 30 years. I decided to quit, so I went to the doctor and got a prescription for Chantix.

    For me, it's a wonder drug. I smoked as usual for the first week on the medication, then stopped altogether when I woke up day 8. The smokes I did have that first week stopped tasting good, and there were a few times I really didn't care to smoke but did because it was part of the regimen.

    It's now been 11 days since I've had a smoke, and I don't really miss it. I admit there are 2-3 times a day where I have the urge to have a smoke, but I turn my attention to something else and I quickly forget about the urge.

    The doctor told me I'd have it a lot easier than she did. She quit cold turkey and said it was painful (the withdrawal) for her. For me, I had no withdrawal symtoms to speak of. She told me I'd simply lose interest in smoking, which is basically how it turned out. Now I do give her a lot of credit for setting my expectations and thus my attitude going forward; it's a big part of quitting no matter how you do it.

    Chantix gets mixed reviews. After reading several hundred user reviews, it's clear that it has side effects that are so unpleasant for some that they cannot stand to take it. These include nausea, headaches, nightmares, depression to the point of suicidal thoughts, and outright personality change. For the rest, it's a miracle drug that just works.

    My personal experience is minor stomach ache for a few minutes in the morning and a slight head buzz from the drug. I remember more of my dreams, but not nightmares or anything. I've awakened in the middle of the night the past few, which some other people complain about - but I fall back to sleep easily enough. I don't feel like I'm not getting enough sleep.

    Anyhow, I'm done with day 11 and decided to stop taking the Chantix. I asked my doctor if this was OK and she said yes. The side effects could get worse over time, and there are some studies that suggest the drug might be the cause of some heart conditions. Plus I'm well past the withdrawal and cravings stage and determined to not smoke again.

    I hope this information will help at least one of you quit smoking, when you decide the time is right. And you do have to decide to stop, or I doubt the Chantix.

    This is not spam, obviously :)
     
  2. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Wow! Keep it up Denny!
     
  3. barfo

    barfo triggered obsessive commie pinko boomer maniac Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Congrats, Denny!

    barfo
     
  4. GriLtCheeZ

    GriLtCheeZ "Well, I'm not lookin' for trouble."

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    Awesome! Keep it up man!
     
  5. Eastoff

    Eastoff But it was a beginning.

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    Congratulations! The sooner the better!
     
  6. HailBlazers

    HailBlazers RipCity

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    Bad Ass, Nice Work D!

    Sure some of the side effects can be attributed to the withdrawals
     
  7. MickZagger

    MickZagger Well-Known Member

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    I chew. Horrible habit. I'm not out of control with it, as a can lasts me over a week. I'm not at a point right now where I want to quit.
     
  8. maxiep

    maxiep RIP Dr. Jack

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    I'm glad it turned out to finally be the right week for you.

    [video=youtube;lyhaTQseKTQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyhaTQseKTQ[/video]

    It was the fear of addiction that has always kept me from smoking. Congrats and good luck.
     
  9. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    Not just the withdrawal, but the body heals, too :)

    And thanks everyone, I appreciate the support. I really feel like I found this wonder drug and it's worth sharing so someone else who wants to quit might be able to.
     
  10. 3RA1N1AC

    3RA1N1AC 00110110 00111001

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    ive quit a few times for a year or more, as of right now havent smoked in 6 months! when i smoked i was at 2 packs a day, around $5000 a year
     
  11. maxiep

    maxiep RIP Dr. Jack

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    Seriously? It's that expensive? What does a pack of cigarettes cost?
     
  12. 3RA1N1AC

    3RA1N1AC 00110110 00111001

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    depends where you are

    down in tobacco country its a couple bucks a pack, in massachusetts they are around 8, new york around 10

    here they are around 6-7
     
  13. maxiep

    maxiep RIP Dr. Jack

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    How many cigarettes in a pack?
     
  14. 3RA1N1AC

    3RA1N1AC 00110110 00111001

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    20 smokes in a pack...when i started at like 13 they were $1.29 a pack
     
  15. maxiep

    maxiep RIP Dr. Jack

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    Damn. So $0.30-$0.35 a cigarette? Those things last around five minutes. I had no idea. Thanks for the information.
     
  16. 3RA1N1AC

    3RA1N1AC 00110110 00111001

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    yeah man, the shit got real REAL expensive, i mean, thats an audi payment
     
  17. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

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    And $.29 of the $.30 they cost each is taxes.
     
  18. julius

    julius Living on the air in Cincinnati... Staff Member Global Moderator

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    [video=youtube;a9KrAyXdmoA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9KrAyXdmoA[/video]
     
  19. 3RA1N1AC

    3RA1N1AC 00110110 00111001

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  20. ABM

    ABM Happily Married In Music City, USA!

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    Congrats, Denny!!! :cheers:

    I had to quit cold-turkey - i.e. using no drugs such as Chantix - as I didn't want any potential conflicts with my Cialis.
     

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