POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: AustinWesley on February 13, 2007, 01:28:18 pm
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This one is for all the smokers trying to quit.
I'm on day 3 of this so not at the full dose yet. The directions weren't very good other than how to take it. I am assuming this one is supposed to build up in your system to take full effect?
I've noticed already that I'm not craving my smokes as much. I haven't really noticed any side effects at all.
I've been a pretty consistent smoker (around a pack a day) for years. Yesterday, I smoked maybe half a pack so I think it's starting to work.
Just wondering who else has permanently ridded themselves from smoking and who else has been on this new drug?
I'm also unclear on exactly how this drug works. Any other success stories would be greatly appreciated. Since I haven't quit yet I'm wondering if I'm gona get more crabby or what?
Anyone want to start with me?
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Tho I've not tried it yet, my understanding is that it's supposed to build up in your system and make even the taste turn you off of wanting to smoke. Better concept than any nicotine replacement therapies in my mind. Why try to get off nicotine by getting nicotine another way? Makes no sense. Anyhow, they never helped me at all.
Daniel
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Hi Wesley. Yes, it works. Refer to an older post of mine, which coincidentally, I sent to DanielMarks.
Main Forums / Living With HIV / Re: Living environments and stress (http://Main Forums / Living With HIV / Re: Living environments and stress)
xxx,
Mike
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Hi
There are a few of us who are quitting.....me, Eric and Mark (Aztecan). I will tell you that I have lost the need to smoke and quit 6 months ago. I am taking Wellbutrin but....well isnt it similar...?
I still have problems if I am around smokers, but that is rare anymore.
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I am contemplating smoking. I think I have 3 unopened bottles of Wellbutrin in my pharmacy stash in my closet, though I'm down to half/pack per day so I feel sortakinda holy already. I just need to take that next step.
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I became a nonsmoker 10-21-05 using Commit lozenges. It took three days and I still have an entire box of lozenges left. I'm thankful the smell no longer permeates the house, car and clothing and I'm saving the two grand I use to spend on smokes...good luck to you, it's worth it.
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Wesley,
As of tomorrow, it will be one month since I quit. I was using Wellbutrin for a month or two before I stopped smoking completely. And I haven't looked back. You have to WANT to quit for it to work. For me, I never felt the need to quit until I got my HIV diagnosis. When I learned that the carbon monoxide kills CD4 cells, that was pretty much it for me. The urges still come, but they pass fairly quickly.....
BEST OF LUCK....you can do it!
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Wesley--gosh this was a timely thread. I had this discussion with my ID Doc yesterday about Chantix. I am ready to quit myself. Also had a serious discussion with my husband last night about this. Chantix blocks the neuro-receptor sites for nicotine in the brain. Works differently than Wellbutrin or nicotine patches or gum. My understanding is that it can be used in conjunction with nicotine replacement BTW. Your post is encouraging. Oh and my employer will pay for the prescriptions so that is an incentive too. But the biggest incentive is that I got my latest labs yesterday and while my CD4 rose from 460 to 680 in the past month my VL jumped from 46000 to 85.500 in the same period. I am not on meds yet and would like to give my body every chance to fight on it's own.
Rick
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Hi Wesley. Yes, it works. Refer to an older post of mine, which coincidentally, I sent to DanielMarks.
Main Forums / Living With HIV / Re: Living environments and stress (http://Main Forums / Living With HIV / Re: Living environments and stress)
xxx,
Mike
Hey Mike,
The link didn't work for me.
Racing, I have a differnent motivation that came to me with the upcoming expectation of starting HAART. I felt that I want to be in the best possible physical shape so I'm less likely to have side effects or hopefully minimalize them and continue to constantly integrate healthier things into my life.
I've tried the nicotine replacement things and those all failed miserably for me.
Today is day 3 and thus far I've only smoked 4 cigarettes so that's much improved. And yesterday I didn't have a cigarette for breakfast so that has to be an improvement.
I think if I can go a full month with none I can make it.
I kind of picked this time in particular cause I have never had so much stress at once and I figure if I can get through it now then nothing could bring me down later.
Thanks you guys. I've not seen Mark on here so hope he's doing well.
Appreciate the support.
Bear with me if I come off like a bitch over the next few weeks ; ) So far I've not noticed the horrible feelings of withdrawal that I'd always associated in the past.
Wesley
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www.chantix.com
It works really well, but as with all things you are the one that decides to quit. I like the Chantix much better than the Zyban/Wellbutrin as my mood hasn't altered into an artificially supported state of euphoria. After I stopped taking the Zyban/Wellbutrin I was so sad and depressed that I started smoking again! Its been just over a month since I've stopped smoking and even in the earliest days, I didn't have the urge to smoke. Blood pressure has gone down into a nice normal range. Will find out how the CD4s are next Tuesday.
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Rick, feel free to join in with me and the others. ;) My insurance covered Chantix as well so I didn't have any excuse to not try it.
Fond,
That's good to hear no depression from withdrawal on the chantix. I think that's why I always ended up smoking again on previous short lived attempts. That and that horrible jittery jumpy feeling and not being able to sleep. So far I notice no ill effects and it's like I just really am starting to forget to smoke. Love to hear if you've any improved numbers, but regardless that's great your blood pressure has improved.
Wesley
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Wish I had had something like Chantix when I decided to quit. I went cold turkey and ... well... unpleasant.
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Wish I had had something like Chantix when I decided to quit. I went cold turkey and ... well... unpleasant.
I'm doin the cold turkey thing now too! Started the last time that I was over here at my friends' house/cat sitting. That was almost 3 weeks ago and so far, it seems to be not as bad as I expected it to be. I'm tellin ya I was dreadin' it before I started. Of course now I'm addicted to being online! :P
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I'm doin the cold turkey thing now too! Started the last time that I was over here at my friends' house/cat sitting. That was almost 3 weeks ago and so far, it seems to be not as bad as I expected it to be. I'm tellin ya I was dreadin' it before I started. Of course now I'm addicted to being online! :P
Hmm...so Dr. Phil is right...people don't break habits, but replace them with new ones? I've noticed, I'm online a bit more these days...
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Hmm...so Dr. Phil is right...
There's a first time for everything.
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GET REAL ; ) LOL, Oh I think people definitely switch addictions. Just somebody shoot me if I totally loose it and find Jesus and start preaching or anything freaky ; )
Tomorrow will be day 4 so on recommendation of one friend I think I'm gona take that Chantix at night again to see if it keeps that morning nicotine craving away.
I've got a 3 month presciption so I don't know if that's standard or my doc doesn't have a lot of faith in me?
Hell, all he'd have to do is tell me I couldn't do it and I would just to prove him wrong. ; )
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Wesley, keep going! It is so worth it. I cannot imagine when that last day comes, that it will say on my tombstone "Eric died of smoking to much".. Not after hiv... I am just past a month and am doing it with the committ stuff... I will finish all of this in a couple weeks and I am absolutely not going back to that habit... Jesus, I have no vises left except porn & coffee... ;D
Way to go Wes!
Love,
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HAHA ERIC...
Porn and coffee.....I'm never giving those up!!!!
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Wesley... I don't know if this approach would work for you. But I once made the conscious decision to switch addictions from something else to exercize. I recognize that I have this facet of my personality and chose to channel it there. I did so because I felt the benefits far outweighed the negatives... and even though I can be obsessive about it, I certainly reap quite a few benefits from it as well.
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Going on six months...you can do it!
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I remember when Mark started a thread about Chantix. I think he paid out of pocket but you, Wesley, said your insurance covers it? I'm going to have to get with my doc and my insurance to see if it will cover it for me. I want to quit really I do but I tried doing the cold turkey thing is the past. All that did was make me wanna eat which in turn made me want to smoke even more. And we're not even gonna talk about how bitchy I was. Congrats to those who have successfully quit and good luck to those trying. Hopefully, I will be a quitter to one day.
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Wesley, in reference to that link that's not working, I posted it below (bold) with minor editing:
Chantix works. Here's how: You swallow a series of tiny pills for a total of 6 weeks. The first week, it's one in the morning and one in the evening. You are allowed to smoke during your first week--while the chemicals build in your system. That makes it nice so that you get the urge to cheat out of your system. Pace yourself so that you are no longer smoking cigarettes by end of first week. Then, the second week--as well as other weeks thereafter--you swallow one little tiny blue pill. I tried a cigarette in the middle of the 4 th week. Yuk. Was just not the same. Not what my body was looking for. So, it does work but the most crucial thing is that earnest desire to quit--whatever means you choose. I am finally smoke free after many attempts. Once you quit for awhile the nasal passages clean up and then you get to smell cigarette smoke in a way that you haven't for years. You then realize how smelly it can be and you don't want to be anywhere it permeates the air.
When you successfully quit, keep in mind your body will process food more efficiently. The taste buds are no longer coated with nicotine so food will taste better as well. That is to indicate that you may gain a few pounds. If you are close to a gym, join it. It'll also act as reinforcement; a replacement of bad habit with good habit. Give some thought to the nature of "habit." Have a think about it, as the Brits say. Do some mental synchronization so that the process is as a wholeness. Am I making sense here? It started with YOU and it'll end with YOU.
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My dr also wants me to do this drug. I might just do that after reading these posts. But damn I like my coffee and smoke. What about drinking Austin? I think that would be my hardest time is when I am drinking. What about u, have you had any problems in that area?
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But the question remains... is Chantix chemotherapy? ::)
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I'd like to tell a little story about drinking after I quit. I had quit smoking for 2 yrs using nicotine patch + will. I was doing well with it all until I went on that damn cruise to Baja with my niece. We had our favorite meeting spot at a small bar with two handsome & flirty bartenders. They were both straight. Being good at their trade they flirted with both of us. <sigh> Anyway, my story is that the liquor lowered my inhibitions and I had a cigarette about the third night. (One of the bartenders smoked.)Then another the following night. Then, it took a momentum of it's own, it seems. But, of course, it was me allowing this to happen. I just had to quit all over again because for me I have got intolerable of the smell. An ex-smokers quirk, but I digress. These days, I don't drink to the point of being "tipsy" anymore. I learned not to mess with success. I also found that I could go back to drinking several cups of coffee per day. I did cut back drastically on coffee at first since it was so closely integrated with the smoking habit. Hope this feedback has helped.
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Wesley,
Kudos for taking that bold, difficult move to quit smoking! I had great success with Commit tablets. I quit last May. It was really much easier then
I thought. I did gain about 20 lbs, but I figure that weight gain will come in handy some day.
best of luck with quiting. You can do it!
Jeff
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You're all a bunch of quitters! Whatever happened to prying the pack from your cold dead hands (as I've heard before) ????
Best of luck!
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I stopped smoking in my 20s (aeons ago) before there were patches and drugs.
How did I do it? A 3 week bout of Hepatitis A!! I didn't smoke at all while I was sick and as I was getting better the taste of a cigarette was horrible. I figured if ever there was an opportunity to quit this was it. I did, however, increase the amount of pot I smoked and, to be honest, that replaced ciggies. With the price of cigarettes nowadays it's probably cheaper to smoke pot.
Boo
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Wesley,
I have not heard of Chantix, so I don't know how well it works. I've smoked for 20 yrs. and started my quiting process back in Dec. 06 when I went into the hospital for surgery. They told me I would be in for a while and I told them they better get me some patches or something otherwise it was going to be a long haul for everone involved. They put me on patches and when I got out I continued using the Equate patches. They are the generic form for habitrol at Wal-Mart. It is a 3 step program, and you do each step for two weeks. By the time I finished my first week of step three, I started to notice at the end of the day that I had forgotten to put my patch on in the morning and that I was not having withdrawl symptoms, that was 3 weeks ago. I highly recommend these patches as they have seemed to work for me. My only fear is that I have quit twice before in the past for extended periods of time ( 3yrs. and 2yrs. ) and went back both times. I can only hope that I can keep up my determination to stay off tobacco and continue to try to do everything in my power to keep myself healthy.
Good Luck, and if you need a quitting partner I'm here.
David.
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Thanks everyone for the virtual support ; )
Hmm, damn it. I hate to age myself, but I've been a smoker for roughly 17 years.
I'll try to answer the questions. Queen, yes my insurance shockingly covered it with a $20 copay. Indy, give it a whirl when you are ready. You know I did go to one event Sunday which friends were drinking and so was I. Uh, I haven't been drinking a lot lately, but to be honest that was day 2 and I hadn't eaten and I got really sick. I'm not sure if the Chantix mixed with the alcohol or I just plain drank too much. Or if it was the shot of tequila someone felt we all neeed to do.
As far as drinking contributing to smoking that's a tough one if all of your recreational hobbies revolve around drinking. I think about half of my friends smoke so I only know from day 2 when we were drinking heavily. I think I had maybe 3 cigarrettes the whole nite and normally I probably would've smoked 6-10 under the same circumstances. It just wasn't that appealing, but like I've said I'm still in the first few days and it hasn't built up completely. Clearly, drinking can impair judgement and handling the social non smoking is gona be tougher. I can say at the same party that the other smokers went outside to light up a lot more than I had.
To be honest I really haven't wanted a drink after my close encounter with the porcelain God ;) Ugh! Although I do have plans tonite and I'll probably throw back a few. Wish me luck! ; )
You're apparently supposed to continue to smoke the first week and weed it down. Today's day 4 and honestly the smell is starting to become gross to me. And, I haven't had those panic feelings of oh shit I better run to the store cause I only have 3 left.
So, maybe that was more info. than ya'll needed, but thus far I feel it's working as it should. I think I'd probably continue to take it even after a month of completely smoke free just to prevent relapses. It's kind of like you have to force yourself to smoke and the pleasure factor seems to be fading fast.
Good luck to all of you and thanks for those hints and tips too.
Wesley
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I really want to quit. i quit for 3.5 years like 8 years ago, it was so easy. i did welbutrin for 3 months that time and the patch for a month. then i quit again a few years ago for 3 months, also was easy once i did it.used the patch and welbutirn then. and quit again last year for 6 weeks... loved it. worked out every day.. was so happy. but i just wanted a dam cig this time. when i quit for 3 years i never wanted to smoke the whole time. I plan on quitting again soon. I am on welbutrin again to get started. did 11 days in jan also. keep on fighting
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Reading this might make you think about it... It sure did for me...
http://www.hiv.bg/smokingandhiv.english.htm
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I just want to say that I have hit the crossroads in my life. As I just had surgery for appendicitus I went through the nurses, and my wife who is a nonsmoker pressuring me the whole time to quit with my past history and having HIV too.
So I decided to quit smoking on my own terms. with all my tastes desensitized, and smoking is not fun anymore not to mention my yearly bout with bronchitus.
Even through my length history of smoking theres one thing I realize and that is I have to want to quit, not just a little, and maybe quit but leave an out if I cant do it. I'm one of those people that have to quit totally or it will not work with me.
Sure going on the 2nd to 3rd day I feel great tastes are coming back. But I know by the 2 week mark that my cravings willl hit me the most (They always do) If I can get through that I'm golden.
I dont want to die because of my smoking and maybe causing advanced lung disease or lung cancer as I have had skin cancer and testicle cancer. I think my doctor was on point by saying you've had 2 different cancers why are you still smoking? I want to live to watch my daughter grow, and my wife prosper. Not too mention Im knee deep in college studies my goal is to get my BS degree in 2-3 yrs so many goals so many dreams for our lovely family
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Hmm, Need Advice! I'm still allowed to smoke for a couple days, but I had all this drama with car repairs today and as the cost kept escalating and the incompetent bitchy woman at the dealership worked my nerves I just ended up taking it out on my lungs.
So my question for the successful quiters is now when presented with a stressful situation what do you do? I could have screamed or choked the smug ole hag, but instead I lite up a cigarette and was able to just let the situatioin unfold.
However, to be honest the cigarette wasn't even enjoyable. What are the ex smokers tips for stress related habitual smoking?
Hey Mike,
It sounds like you've got everything going for you and many reasons to quit smoking. I wish you the best!
Wesley
Wesley
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im going to quit next week I think. I am so sick of it. I hate how it makes me feel. Next week is a new week to start living healty again.
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Hey One,
Good luck. Despite my rantings today I've smoked maybe 5 cigarettes all day. Ask your doctor about Chantix. Considering my day, I don't think that was bad and I have at least 2 days left I get to smoke out ;)
If all these others have done it than you and I can!
Wesley
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Hmm, Need Advice! I'm still allowed to smoke for a couple days, but I had all this drama with car repairs today and as the cost kept escalating and the incompetent bitchy woman at the dealership worked my nerves I just ended up taking it out on my lungs.
So my question for the successful quiters is now when presented with a stressful situation what do you do? I could have screamed or choked the smug ole hag, but instead I lite up a cigarette and was able to just let the situatioin unfold.
However, to be honest the cigarette wasn't even enjoyable. What are the ex smokers tips for stress related habitual smoking?
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Wesley, swing down to your local Walmart and pick one of these up.
I find it very useful when negotiating car repairs.
(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-1/1137672/blam.JPG)
I am still smoke free to... Oh yes...
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Wesley Im still smoke free the fun thing is all that flim Im coughing up. I dont crave them not this early. But It feels good to be clean again and taste the increasing flavor of my food.
Despite my very physically fit self from working out. As I mentioned I had Testicle Cancer over a year ago. I dont want to go through radiation treatment again my GI system was screwed up for like 6 mos afterwards, Now things are getting back to normal I dont want experiance chemo. I think no matter how healthy you are you never know when you get hit with a disease/condition until you least expect it.
Thats my motivation now. to stay healthy.
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HM, Need Advice! I'm still allowed to smoke for a couple days, but I had all this drama with car repairs today and as the cost kept escalating and the incompetent bitchy woman at the dealership worked my nerves I just ended up taking it out on my lungs.
Wesley
Strangle the bitch.........she irritated you!
::)
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Hey Wesley,
I was out of town and stuck in a snow drift (well, not literally, but the results were the same).
Anyway, tomorrow, Feb. 17, I will start the fourth week on Chantix. I haven't had a ciggie in just about two weeks now and it is getting easier each day.
The jitters, etc., didn't show up. I still get cravings, but they are far less severe. I also have noticed it is situational for me now - after a meal, when sitting down at the computer, etc. So far, the cravings last maybe a few seconds, then my mind moves onto other things and it will be a few hours before I realize I had forgotten about having a craving.
I credit the Chantix with this, because in the past, the cravings would send me out in the dark of night during a blizzard to get ciggies if I ran out.
So, hang in there and don't let crabby woman get you down. Just remind her they make Midol for that problem and she really should invest in some.
HUGS,
Mark
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OH! One thing I forgot.
Wesley, I don't know about you, but I now have the sense of smell of a bloodhound.
I have had to come up with some witty one-liners to cover for this.
I used my boss' telephone, and, apparently, she uses scent occasionally, although we are supposed to be prohibited from using the vile stuff.
I could smell it on the receiver of her telephone. It was nauseating.
Someone else walked by me the other day and I thought I was going to choke. I wonder how many prostitutes she had to mug to get that smell on her?
This is one reason I went back to smoking on several occasions. I don't think non-smokers realize how bad the world smells or how nasty most types of scent are.
Room deoderizers and dryer sheets should be banned as health hazards.
Want clothes to smell fresh? Hang them on the line outside. "April Fresh" isn't.
I can now sit in a restaurant and tell that the chef has burned something in the kitchen. Odd, nobody else seems to notice it. But I do.
Just be forewarned Wesley. You may notice aromas you've never noticed before.
HUGS,
Mark
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...Someone else walked by me the other day and I thought I was going to choke. I wonder how many prostitutes she had to mug to get that smell on her?...
HUGS,
Mark
LOL Good One! It's so bad sometimes. The smells that hit you at the cashiers line or just standing around in a public place. I refuse to inhale while standing so near to someone with stinky, cheap perfume--so I NEED to walk away.
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LOL Mark,
You've had me laughing so hard I nearly spit coffee all over the keyboard. Oy, that was hysterical. I can't say I have your keen sense of smell back, but definitely I notice increased sensitivity.
Congrats on hitting the two week mark, Mark! ; ) That's most encouraging. How long is your prescription for? Mine is for 3 months. I've got today and tomorrow to finish off this last pack and it seems like a chore.
I don't have any of the jittery effects at all. It's more that situational smoking and I've got to tackle that.
Well, my paitience is thinner though. Not terribly. I'm not sure if it's cause I am trying to quit or cause I've spent an inordinate amount of time on here ; )
Cheers!
Wesley
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Good Luck Wes! You and Mark are both inspiring me. I must've stood outside the Montreal hotel 20 times smoking with him. What're we going to do with our hands now?
I had a little talk with my doc about quitting yesterday. I may call him back for a 'script.
Best,
Creighton
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Hey Creighton,
What are we gona do with our hands now? ; ) You may have opened a pandoras box with that one. LOL
Well, ask your doc about Chantix. Thus far, I'm much more impressed with it than any other method I've tried in the past.
Wesley
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How is it going with Chantix? I've asked my Primary about it and the answer was "never heard of it"... and told me to call the "stop line" and today my ID replied "it's not on the shelves yet let's discuss this when we meet again in May"...... so.. erm...... i'm a bit disappointed :(
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Hey Milker,
Not on the shelves yet? Tell your doc its a script and not over the counter. My doc says he is handing out a new Chantix script virtually every day now. Word of mouth, he said, while looking at me.
Hey, what can I say? When something works, I want to share. ;D
Let's see now, I've been on Chantix since the end of January. I am about half-way through the three-month prescirption.
Tuesday, I had to dash out of town and forgot to take it in the morning. I didn't notice until about 2 p.m., when it occurred to me I was having a few more cravings than usual.
That's not bad at all. I haven't had a ciggie in more than a month and it doesn't seem to bother me to be around other smokers, except when the smoke is too thick, then it just stinks.
So, give it a shot.
Wesley, how's it going for you?
HUGS,
Mark
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Hmmm i'm a bit annoyed having to wait until May to talk to him about this I feel i'm ready to try RIGHT NOW but I want his advice given my condition, so that sucks :(
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Hey Wesley,
Everyone our doctors put on it quit without any problems.
Which is why I won't take it. ;)
I love smoking!
Good Luck to you though.
Cono
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Hi Milker,
Perhaps your doctor doesn't want you to quit just yet seeing how you are newly diagnosed. It's been just a month that you have known, right? I know that all three of my doctors advised me NOT to quit immediately after hearing my diagnosis, as to not add insult to injury. The didn't want to add to my stress level at the time.
Fast forward three and a half months, I go on Wellbutrin and quit altogether. It was much easier than I thought it would be. But I made up my mind and did it for all the right reasons.
I would suggest to you to just cut back on the smokes as much as you can without causing yourself undo stress and then have the serious discussion with your doctor at your next appointment. GOOD LUCK!
(Sorry if this hijacked your thread Wesley :))
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Milker
When I was diagnosed HIV positive in 1989, every one of my doctors told me to keep smoking because I was so stressed out that I needed the smoking to calm me down. Plus, they believed that I had only two to four years to live.
Things being somewhat different now, means that you probably need to quit soon. It just makes you healthier. I dont think any miracle happens when you quit smoking, but it may help your overall health. But listen, I smoked for 40 years and am still here to say...I quit.....(again).
Upate on the meds.....I have decided that I dont like Wellbutrin. After 6 months on the stuff my sleep patterns were disrupted. I needed an Ativan to sleep. So I took myself off the Wellbutrin and am going to try Chantrix.
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I tried the patch (worked okay for 2 weeks with a bit of skin rash, then after 2 weeks no effect)
the gum: 1/2 day it was disgusting
the welbutrin: absolutely no effect
the lozange: best one but too strong, i had to remove it, take it back, remove it, take it back or my mouth was on fire
On the contrary i've been smoking like crazy for the last month, and no sign of being able to reduce, so that's why I wanted to try the new thing right now.
I think I've hijacked Austin's post :-\
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Hey Milker,
Actually, the chantix does work. Until I had that bad news where my counts went all haywire I was on it for about 3 weeks and down to maybe 4/5 cigarettes a day.
Stress peak kicked in and I caved. Now that I've been on meds for about a month with Zero side effects I am considering the chantix again.
I wanted to see what my counts turn out without any other meds or changes first so maybe I'll give it a whirl again. If your insurance covers it and you want to quit I think Chantix is likely the best option. I didn't have any odd side effects w/ it either.
Anyways, since once again another topic was locked I thought I'd share some useful information for anyone trying to quit.
Good luck to ya!
Wesley
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Milker: some reinforcement in link below.
I quit sucessfully using the Chantix. I miss smoking sometimes. Nevermind that my lungs are clear, sense of taste & smell acute, and have a lift in energy level. ;) When I read the linked article I knew I could not go back to smoking habit. Pssst,...........I did smoke one a couple of days ago and it was devilishly enjoyable. The second one sucked though. Same old tired, dull habit by the second cigarette. <sigh>
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0255.x (http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.0255.x)
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Nicotine addiction is insidious. Even after 12 years of not smoking that rotten bugger still chased me until I caved in one day during the split with my partner of 10 years.
I’ve made several attempts to quit over the years since I fell again for the false god nicotine – and will try again – but no nicotine replacements or pills work for me. The anguish of sheer will power is the only thing that worked for me.
Now that dental health problems are in the picture (which smoking isn’t helping), I’m hoping that will be the kick in the pants I need to work at quitting again. This Chantrix thing does sound intriguing tho. I’ll have to investigate.
Daniel
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It's on my top priority list and I have an appointment in May with my ID Doctor to discuss this. I'm really tired of smoking, I'm at 2 packs / day and I can't see an end to it. So since i'm seriously in the mood for change, I hope this will work.
Milker.
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Well, I'm still taking the Chantix. I have another three weeks worth, I think.
So far, so good. I do miss smoking. I don't crave it, I miss it. But, what the hell, I can eat bacon now without feeling quite so guilty.
Oh, by the way, I gained nine pounds initially, then stopped. No further gain, no loss, just sitting here at 168 pounds.
One positive note (pardon the expression), while bowling several people commented on how nice my behind was looking since I had gained a few pounds. (Uh huh, these guys are straight all right. Sure. Gotcha. ;) ;)
HUGS,
Mark
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It's on my top priority list and I have an appointment in May with my ID Doctor to discuss this. I'm really tired of smoking, I'm at 2 packs / day and I can't see an end to it. So since i'm seriously in the mood for change, I hope this will work.
Milker.
Best wishes Milker, and to everyone on the mission to quit!
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Wesley, sorry to hear about your counts, probably just a mistake. did you stop the chantix? I seen my new ID doctor on tues and my chantix arrived at my door yesterday, so im starting mine today. I hope everything is going good
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Hey Rainbow,
I now believe it was a mistake with my counts, especially the jump up a week later which was consistent. The whole ordeal did stress me out so I resorted to smoking like a chimney during that time.
I started meds about a month ago so once I see improvement I'lll probably resume the Chantix program ; ) I've tried most of the other things in the past and none was quite as effective; however, I think my timing was bad.
Wesley
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Hey Wesley,
I think it is best to try to quit something like smoking when things are more settled and calm. You had a real scare and now that things are becoming more stable, you can then think about other things to take on.
Take care,
Scott
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Wesley,
i see your numbers have improved so i Just wanted to see how your doing on the smoking? I am on my second week of chantix and have gone 5 days without any cigarettes, i still have some cravings for one but i dont have to have one.
Ps, i sent you a friends request to yur myspace account
Ron
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LOL, oh boy well now I'm gona look like a big ole fraud.
To be perfectly honest after my numbers took a sudden unexplained dive and with all the other stuff I've been dealing with I probably smoked twice as much.
Having heard nothing but horror stories about the meds I was fairly convinced I was doomed despite the fact that most of my personal friends insisted I was gona be fine.
So, I was all prepared for the worst, smoking away and eating everything in site. Then, after a big horay for nothing I gained 10lbs or so and smoked like a chimney waiting for all the horrible effects of the meds to kick in.
Leave it to me to pick the worst time ever to try and quit smoking ; )
Anyways, I still have the prescription and was thinking I would go ahead and give it a whirl again; however, first I want to lop off those 10lbs first.
So, yeah I was a complete and total failure and gave up. My spirit is renewed and soon as I lop off those extra lbs I'll give it a whirl again!
Congrats Ron and your progress thus far! I still think Chantix is the best option I've tried and for those who are truly ready definitely worth trying!
Wesley
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Just over 2 mos now w/o smokes it can be done just a matter of what you're priorities are.
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Hi all,
I am ready to give up the cigs but Chantix is not available here only Wellbutrin. The instructions are not in English...can anybody tell me what dosage was prescribed by their doctor? Do you suggest a nictoine patch as well?
I gave up for 2 months in my first year being HIV+ but it was just too many big changes all at the same time and I swear the stress of quitting showed in my plummeting test results. Things are now stable CD4 700+ and VL 16000 32%.
I really want to try again. Any advice on wellbutrin welcome.
thanks
Jonathan
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Lately, I've been sucking on those minty Commit Nicotine Lozenges.
Tried Wellbutrin aka Zyban a few years ago, didn't really worked for me 'cos my mind wasn't really set on quitting then.....more like an experiment to satisfy my own curiosity on how it works. :P
Took 1 tablet (150 mg) a day for 2 days then, 1 tablet twice daily.
Had horrible dry mouth and insomnia, it did remove my nicotine cravings and altered the taste of tobacco (I could only take a maximum of 3 puffs before having to put out the cig in disgust every time while on it). Had to give it up due to the insomnia.
The nicotine patch gave me some skin irritations. Do not try smoking while on the patch like I did, almost OD'd on nicotine :P not fun seriously.........
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/how_to_quit/index.htm
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I really want to try again. Any advice on wellbutrin welcome.
thanks
Jonathan
The problem with wellbutrin/zyban is that its an anti-depressant. I was so depressed once I stopped taking it, that I resumed smoking! I'm talking life has no meaning, I want to die type depression. Find the chantix - order online? Its been almost 4 months for me and nary a problem! No smoking and I'm happy!
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Thanks Fondeveau
I quit for 2 months last year but when I hit a patch of emotional stress I just had to have one and then two... and you know the rest! But given what you said it might have been made worse by withdrawal from wellbutrin. The reponses to Chantix above have been quite overwhelmingly positive, so I think you're right it might be worth ordering online and trying Chantix instead.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Jonathan
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Well, I posted a similar thread on how to quit smoking and the overwhelming response seems to be "Chantix." Just hope Medicare part D covers it.... (Can anyone tell me how much is costs?).
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Without insurance, Chantix costs the same as a pack a day.