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Author Topic: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ  (Read 8477 times)

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Offline bedder1

  • Member
  • Posts: 25
ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« on: September 18, 2006, 10:58:02 pm »
Hi folks, my name is Jeff  i only tested poz a couple weeks back .  i am not having any problems (yet anyway) with accepting/dealing with my situation, i know i am pretty level headed reasonable, realistic about most things in life   HOWEVER....i am a 2 pack a day smoker and have been for 20 years...of course the smart thing to do is quit...but that is easier said then done..i have tried and quickly failed quitting many a time in the past.
what i am hoping to hear from you good folks is your own experiences with either still smoking or quitting successfully  and any other input suggestions you may want to share.
I do fear that  quitting is going to be a challenge harder then anything ive ever done and my doctor did say she wants me to quit asap. i do not currently have any health issues and the "numbers" are good. am not on meds. 
has any one tried any of the prescription smoking cessation pills or maybe even anti-anxiety pills---the thing is im afraid i may get moody and/or nasty with someone at work when something pisses me off (i can be very bitchy when i dont have my cigarette lol)
thanks in advance for responses
jeff
theres only us
theres only this
forget regret
or life is yours to miss
no other road
no other way
no day but today!

Offline Life

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,389
  • Member 2005
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2006, 11:14:35 pm »
Jeff, this is what my Id doc said a year ago at diagnosis... Change NOTHING, excepting dealing with your positive diagnosis and becoming adjusted to that is paramount.  After this term comes to close, we will discuss getting you stopped...  I personally had a ruff year and if I didn't smoke, I woulda......  who knows...  But with that said, I tapered and if you are a two packer, try and drop that to 1 for now and see how that goes...  I think you have to much on your plate right now to tackle all of this right now.  Just Sayin...

Love

Offline Longislander

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,489
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2006, 11:24:10 pm »
Like Eric, my 1st doc told me it was not the time for me to quit smoking. Of course I agreed with him at the time, but in hindsight, the initial scare would have helped alot. I quit 8 years ago after a scary cholesterol test (which turned out to be an error). Started again 5 years later after the break-up and started going out. I'm hoping to buid up a mindset when I start meds (which will be soon, I'm afraid) regarding diet, exercise, and stopping the smoking. Keep your hands busy and try to cut back a bit for now. I wish you the best with everything.
Paul
infected 10/05 diagnosed 12-05
2/06   379/57000                    6/07 372/30500 25%   4/09 640/U/32% 
5/06   ?? /37000                     8/07 491/55000/24%    9/09 913/U/39%
8/06   349/9500 25%              11/07 515/68000/24     2/10 845/U/38%
9/06   507/16,000 30% !          2/08  516/116k/22%    7/10 906/80/39%
12/06 398/29000 26%             Start Atripla 3/08
3/07   402/80,000 29%            4/08  485/undet!/27
4/07   507/35,000 25%            7/08 625/UD/34%
                                                 11/08 684/U/36%

Offline bedder1

  • Member
  • Posts: 25
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2006, 11:30:55 pm »
yes, i failed to mention in my first post that i HAVE already cut back to about 25 cigs a day (i leave pack in another room)  and i agree its not the right time to quit now..
theres only us
theres only this
forget regret
or life is yours to miss
no other road
no other way
no day but today!

Offline IzPoz

  • Member
  • Posts: 332
  • God, grant me the serenity...
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #4 on: September 19, 2006, 12:03:25 am »
My mom's doctor told her the best way to quit smoking is to reduce your intake by 1 cigarette a day.  She seems to think it's working for right now, but she's a lifetime smoker too..

and Jeff,

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but am glad you found the forums here.  People here are real nice and very helpful. Don't let MtD scare you off, he's really a cute little puppy who likes his ear scratched every now and then...

Be well, and good luck with the cig's... Just take it slow for now :)
The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly. ~ Chesterton G. K.

Offline anniebc

  • Member
  • Posts: 6,185
  • AM member since 2003
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #5 on: September 19, 2006, 12:52:43 am »
Hi Jeff

Welcome to the family.

I think most smoker have been told at one time or another by their Doctors to stop smoking...I have tried several times to stop, but I'm the first to admit I enjoy it, even though I know it's not the best thing for me.

The most common complaint I have heard from those trying to quit is they didn't realize just how hard it is, or how much stress it was causing them...you don't need that stress right now..when you are ready to give it up you will, and you will be able to cope with it much better, so for now I agree with the guys, just take it one step at a time and try to cut back.

Hugs
Jan :-*
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Never knock on deaths door..ring the bell and run..he really hates that.

Offline Eldon

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,664
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2006, 01:06:33 am »
Hi Jeff,


Our beloved Jan said it so well. When you are ready to quit you will. Keep your stress levels to a minimum.



Have the BEST Day!

Offline Longislander

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,489
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2006, 01:28:36 am »
I just want to add that I started smoking when I was 12, a hugely unpopular awkward kid. Always thought smoking calmed me and eased stresses of daily life. When I quit at age 34 it was incredibly easy as I used the false results of cholesterol test, the pill, the patch, no-sugar diet, and tons of gym time--and the new guy I met who didn't smoke. I quit the day I started the stuff, and in 4 days no patch, 10 days no pill. (cholesterol retested after 5 days-lol). I even lost 35 pounds, and started looking pretty dam awesome (if I do say so myself!!) I was able to remain smoke-free for the full 5 years of my relationship with that same guy.  Relationship started to fail a few years into it, I got a new job, moved, everything. I still didn't smoke, and strangely never even considered it! Once broken up, I started going out, and it was there that I bummed a cigarette, and that started my downfall back to smoking.

As I typed this, and whenever I think back, I can physically recall how great I felt back then. Yes , the new love was a HUGE part of it. I know that, as I sit here smoking-lol. Just need to find a greater love of myself to do it for.

Not sure where I'm going with this, but I just want you to know, from a smoker-nonsmoker-smoker again, cigarettes aren't necessary for stress-relief.

I hope when you decide it's time for you to stop, and for the rest of us as well, that's it's as easy as it had been for me once.

infected 10/05 diagnosed 12-05
2/06   379/57000                    6/07 372/30500 25%   4/09 640/U/32% 
5/06   ?? /37000                     8/07 491/55000/24%    9/09 913/U/39%
8/06   349/9500 25%              11/07 515/68000/24     2/10 845/U/38%
9/06   507/16,000 30% !          2/08  516/116k/22%    7/10 906/80/39%
12/06 398/29000 26%             Start Atripla 3/08
3/07   402/80,000 29%            4/08  485/undet!/27
4/07   507/35,000 25%            7/08 625/UD/34%
                                                 11/08 684/U/36%

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #8 on: September 19, 2006, 08:24:30 am »
Howdy Jeff,

My doc tells me I need to quit every time I see him. My mom tells me the same thing, as does my sister, best friend, etc.

The bottom line is I like to smoke. I have smoked for 36 years. I have tried to quit many times, but usually turn into the wicked bitch of the west and start doing things like drop-kicking children, etc.

You have cut back and that's good. But, right now, it is probably better that you get used to living with HIV. That is enough to deal with.

By the way, welcome to the forum and our eclectic family here. Make yourself at home.

HUGS,

Mark
"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline allopathicholistic

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,258
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2006, 09:44:12 am »
As I typed this, and whenever I think back, I can physically recall how great I felt back then.

hold on to that and simply trust that you WILL get back to that special place

Offline Longislander

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,489
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #10 on: September 19, 2006, 12:28:25 pm »
Thanks allo, I'm working on putting most of those practices in a place where I can get going on it. Not going to find the new love this time, but I can line up the rest of it.
infected 10/05 diagnosed 12-05
2/06   379/57000                    6/07 372/30500 25%   4/09 640/U/32% 
5/06   ?? /37000                     8/07 491/55000/24%    9/09 913/U/39%
8/06   349/9500 25%              11/07 515/68000/24     2/10 845/U/38%
9/06   507/16,000 30% !          2/08  516/116k/22%    7/10 906/80/39%
12/06 398/29000 26%             Start Atripla 3/08
3/07   402/80,000 29%            4/08  485/undet!/27
4/07   507/35,000 25%            7/08 625/UD/34%
                                                 11/08 684/U/36%

Offline David_CA

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,246
  • Joined: March 2006
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #11 on: September 19, 2006, 12:48:45 pm »
Hi Jeff,

Welcome to the forums, although it sure sucks that you even need to be here! 

I quit smoking almost 16 years ago.  I was at two packs a day, too.  I found it extremely easy to quit (the last, and final time, that is).  There's one thing that made it easy; I was READY to quit.  I didn't quit because people were nagging me, etc.  I was ready to quit because I didn't want the health issues related to smoking.  When the time is right, you'll quit.  Of course, I used that logic for years as a reason to not quit smoking, but when you do decide to stop, do it for YOU.  Take care.

David
Black Friday 03-03-2006
03-23-06 CD4 359 @27.4% VL 75,938
06-01-06 CD4 462 @24.3% VL > 100,000
08-15-06 CD4 388 @22.8% VL >  "
10-21-06 CD4 285 @21.9% VL >  "
  Atripla started 12-01-2006
01-08-07 CD4 429 @26.8% VL 1872!
05-08-07 CD4 478 @28.1% VL 740
08-03-07 CD4 509 @31.8% VL 370
11-06-07 CD4 570 @30.0% VL 140
02-21-08 CD4 648 @32.4% VL 600
05-19-08 CD4 695 @33.1% VL < 48 undetectable!
08-21-08 CD4 725 @34.5%
11-11-08 CD4 672 @39.5%
02-11-09 CD4 773 @36.8%
05-11-09 CD4 615 @36.2%
08-19-09 CD4 770 @38.5%
11-19-09 CD4 944 @33.7%
02-17-10 CD4 678 @39.9%  
06-03-10 CD4 768 @34.9%
09-21-10 CD4 685 @40.3%
01-10-11 CD4 908 @36.3%
05-23-11 CD4 846 @36.8% VL 80
02-13-12 CD4 911 @41.4% VL<20
You must be the change you want to see in the world.  Mahatma Gandhi

Offline david25luvit

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,409
  • Member since March 2005
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #12 on: September 19, 2006, 12:57:23 pm »
Put me against the wall and call out the firing squad but despite much evidence to the fact that
smoking is BAD for me........I just can't stop.  Of course you have to want to stop to be successful
and right now I don't see that happening.  With that said, I also take 2000 units of Vitamin C every
day and a huge mutiple vitamin every other day....no doubt hoping one will counteract the other.

Now I'll take that blindfold........ ::)
In Memory of
Raymond David McRae III
Nov. 25, 1972- Oct. 15, 2004
I miss him terribly..........

Offline macbett

  • Member
  • Posts: 6
  • Hey ya!
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #13 on: September 19, 2006, 07:42:57 pm »
WOW what a topic.
Iīve been smoking for the last 15 years (now that I think ībout it, a half of my life! scary...), only cutting off 7 months at all.
The truth is I like smoking...but it is killing me! I dunno how to quit. Iīve had PCP, and WTF pulmonar complications, so I have lowered down my daily doses...now I am on rolled cigarrettes (is it the word? yīknow, those you make by yourself), and decreased a lot my smoking. Because it takes time and will to be rolling cigarette after cigarette...I think I hardly smoke 10-12 per day.
And another important (at least for me) strategy: I donīt smoke it to the core...only half of the cigarette- the rest I throw away (to the panic of my smoker friends). I think I only need the nicotine shot. So I think little by little I will finally quit it- I know I need to, I just donīt want to. But itīs like paying the bills...I donīt want to!
But I do.

Anyway, good luck with or w/out smoke.

Offline otherplaces

  • Member
  • Posts: 398
  • Mutant Super Hero
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #14 on: September 19, 2006, 09:11:34 pm »

Jeff,

This has been an ongoing struggle for me the past year since my diagnosis.  I was smoking a pack a day.  Cutting down now is good and shouldn't be that hard really.  I found that running made me want to smoke alot less.  When I do smoke it's mainly to just relax some.  Keep working on it.

Now I often can go days without smoking and it doesn't drive me really crazy.  I'm smoking a pack or so a week these days.  I keep pushing forward and I know I'll get there soon enough.  It's a process. 

I saw my doc today.  Interestingly that makes me really want to smoke.  Just stresses me out worrying about all the tests.

Best of luck,
brian

Offline bedder1

  • Member
  • Posts: 25
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #15 on: September 20, 2006, 12:47:50 am »
kinda slipped up a bit today smoked just over a pack and a half so far (will be going to bed in 10 mins)  i WAS up at 530 this morning so its been a 20 hr day though which is really very rare for me so at the risk of sounding like im making excuses i guess thats not all that bad.
sure had a GREAT day at work today though im in sales and i bagged a 6,000.00 sale (nice commision) first thing i did aster the sale was written up was go celebrate by smoking a cigarette LOL.
but serious folks i just wanna say too that im glad i found this place so early on  i think i found this place the day after i was tested  so before the results were in and i was just a silent wall flower for a few weeks but im glad ive started posting i think this place is a valuable tool for any one facing hiv to use.  thanks all who left there kind words and welcomes
jeff
theres only us
theres only this
forget regret
or life is yours to miss
no other road
no other way
no day but today!

Offline David84

  • Member
  • Posts: 34
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #16 on: September 20, 2006, 11:03:52 am »
Hey Jeff:
I too am new to this site: What a wonderful group of people eh?!  Anyhow, about the smoking thing.. like others have said take your time and do what feels right.  Personally, its just one issue I am not ready to tackle just yet...I have bigger fish to fry.. after another cup of coffee and a cig :)

Hugs.. David

Offline swede_dish

  • Member
  • Posts: 682
  • I feel like an angel baby wrapped in a candy cloud
    • My blog
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #17 on: September 20, 2006, 03:03:15 pm »
SIGH, I too have been trying to quit for the past year..bah.  It's hard, but I am down to a half pack a week...it's been good on my lungs and my pocketbook...

menthol..why do you have to be so addictive! :'(
"I married a German. Every night I dress up as Poland and he invades me. "
-Bette Midler

Offline otherplaces

  • Member
  • Posts: 398
  • Mutant Super Hero
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #18 on: September 20, 2006, 10:38:16 pm »


Jeff,

You're going to fail in all sorts of ways!!  It's a g'damn addictive habit.  Just don't let it get you down.  Always be ready to step back in the game of quitting.  That's how I see it anyway. 

Congrats on the big sale.  I'd say a cigarette was in order!   ;)  It's not like you've quit just yet!

You'd think there'd be a smoking emoticon.  hmmmm.

take care,
brian


Offline jinghua

  • Member
  • Posts: 138
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #19 on: September 22, 2006, 08:00:45 pm »
i used to smoked 20cigarettes....after becoming + i cut back to about 5 per day as my dr advice me to quit it slowly...i've been smoking for 8yrs,just can't quit it like that~~~and the government just announced last month the cigarettes price rise up again !!!!! poor malaysian~~
Live started to change...i wish i can have a better life...

Offline Eldon

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,664
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #20 on: September 22, 2006, 11:25:46 pm »
Hey Jeff,

Start chewing gum and drink water when you have the urge for a cigarette. Try not to smoke in the mornings, it helps your day out.



Have the BEST Day!

Offline alive2

  • Member
  • Posts: 78
  • i guess im having a good day
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #21 on: September 25, 2006, 01:43:00 pm »
bedder, i have been a smoker for over 30 years some days i smoke more than others,but i have tried many different things to quit,and i guess its no different than anything else you might want to do in life its just something you really have to want to accomplish and sucseed at.the more effort you apply the better your chances are in sucseeding in this effort to stop smoking.good luck,it may be difficult but not impossible if you want it bad enough.good luck being a quitter,the only time in life quitting is good for you.take care

Offline purplerain

  • Member
  • Posts: 100
  • finally figured out the pic thing
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #22 on: September 26, 2006, 01:04:09 am »
bedder I know what a struggle it is.. I have smoked 4 the past 15 years although only a pack a day.

Once again I am trying 2 quit (haven't had one in 3 days now wish me luck LOL) and all I can say is it SUCKS LOL.  Part of my reason 4 quitting this time is because colorado recently went non smoking in all public buildings and the more I stand outside smoking the more pissed off I get.  So I figured enough is enough. 

U will know when the time is right but know that either way it's gonna be tough.  I wish U all the best in quitting if that's what u want 2 do and if not smoke one 4 me LOL

Take Care Jason

Offline Matty the Damned

  • Member
  • Posts: 12,277
  • Antipodean in every sense of the word
Re: ABOUT SMOKING AND BEING POZ
« Reply #23 on: September 26, 2006, 07:23:44 am »
Don't let MtD scare you off, he's really a cute little puppy who likes his ear scratched every now and then...



MtD

 


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