Author Topic: Anyone stopped smoking after testing positive? (Read 9070 times)

betonet · « **on:** January 31, 2009, 05:28:09 am »

Hi people,

Why is it so difficult to stop smoking for me? I soon tested positive and still cannot quit cigarettes. I smoke for over a decade now.

What do you guys did when you tested positive? Did you quit them right away, or gave yourself some time to do that? Or never even tried quitting?

And what was the experience for those of you who quit? I am pretty sure, I will feel totally different and much much much better. Smoking is such a poison. The bad thing is I like it. And still don't have the power to stop them.

Any experience in giving up smoking and CD4 count movement? I did read somewhere a guy stopped them and for 3 months his CD4 count doubled. Could be haux, what do you think?

LPinUK · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2009, 08:22:29 am »

I quit a 20 a day habit in March last year, 5 years after diagnosis.

It is the best thing I have ever done for myself.

BT65 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2009, 10:06:22 am »

Betonet,

I struggle with quitting. When I first tested positive, I never even considered quitting though (but that's been almost 20 years ago). I do feel much better when I do quit, I can breathe a lot easier.

As far as quitting and CD4 increasing, I don't think there is any real scientific evidence that can prove that, though I've read (on these forums) about a couple people who quit, and their CD4s increased.

bear60 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2009, 11:17:04 am »

quote betonet: "I did read somewhere a guy stopped them and for 3 months his CD4 count doubled. Could be haux, what do you think?"
..............
Hi
Sorry but I think you are grasping at straws, spitting into the wind, wishing for a miracle...or something like that. Hoax? No...its just a simple lack of evidence.

BM · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2009, 11:22:10 am »

I quit just a few weeks before I was diagnosed, which led to the joke that not smoking is hazardous to my health!

I would say that so long as you continue to enjoy smoking, you will struggle to give it up. After smoking for ten-and-a-half years, I quit spontaneously - no planning involved. The night before I quit, I'd been at a party and smoked far too many cigarettes, with the effect that I woke up the next day practically singing "I Can Cough A Rainbow". I just decided I'd had enough and almost ten months later, I'm still smoke free. I'd say the disgust I felt was instrumental in helping me to quit.

Here's a tip for next time: when you get a craving, try drinking a VERY hot cup of green tea. It's good for you and the discomfort distracts you from wanting a ciggy!

Good luck!

next2u · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2009, 11:22:29 am »

i started smoking again after testing. the smoking wasnt related to the positive test but rather to a fucked roommate & life crapping on me streak.

i smoked for 2 or so months. before that i smoked for 6 or 7 years. both times quitting was a bitch (much worse the first time - it took over a year). i did not feel better after quitting. the taste of food did not improve and i could not run further. the only noticeable differences were i didnt smell like shit and i had more money.

i know not smoking is a better choice. i still crave cigarettes when i see people smoking. i dont crave the feeling i have after smoking and they way i smell. good luck with you battle. i know quitting was worse for my friends. also, if you drink socially and enjoy smoking you are definitely facing an uphill (but surmountable) battle.

best,
d

next2u · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2009, 11:24:11 am »

i definitely chew gum to help with my cravings. usually ill get distracted after i start chewing and my energies go elsewhere. if that doesnt work i bitch and moan till my fiending session is over.

joemutt · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2009, 11:54:32 am »

I managed to stop completely about 5 years after testing poz, 6 years smoke free now.
Good luck!

komnaes · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2009, 12:00:30 pm »

Stop smoking what?...

aferstilo · « **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2009, 12:38:20 pm »

Hmm Personally i want to quit smoking but i know i wont be able to for the fact that I actually love smoking i really enjoy it. specially after finding out i was positive my stress level was a bit higher and i was depressed and smoking helps to cope with those feelings.. i've quit before with the pill. but as soon as i stopped taking the med i went right back.. im not sure about increase in cd4 if stop smoking since i smoke like a train and my numbers currently high.. hopefully i will quit in the future..

Rick

denb45 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2009, 01:18:43 pm »

I tested POZ+ in 1987, Stopped smoking a yr. later 1988, never looked back, nasty habit, I hated it........

macv · « **Reply #11 on:** January 31, 2009, 02:06:06 pm »

I've just had my last ciggie, put my first patch of niquitin on now, wouldn't have dreamed of stopping except for being dignosed, suppose you've got to do what you've got to do.
mav

John2038 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 31, 2009, 02:22:59 pm »

What is sure, quit smoking has the following effects, among others:

- increase life expectancy
- reduce various risks of developping new disease such as diabete, lung cancer, stroke, etc
- make your teeth and skin look much better and less tired
- increase the quality of the sperm ! .. a lot

with chantix (US) or champix (EU), it's something feasible.

leatherman · « **Reply #13 on:** January 31, 2009, 02:30:27 pm »

Twice I stopped - but not of my own choice. The first time was after being hospitalized with PCP and barely surviving. I didn't smoke for 9 month afterwards. It's pretty hard to smoke when it's that hard to just get 02 into your system.

I started again cause the docs and I were pretty sure the end wasn't far off, so why should I have given up anything at that point?

I had to stop again two years later when I was hospitalized with pnuemonia (and barely survived again). Once again I went back to smoking because I was certain, after 2 hopitalizations, 4 OIs and some really crappy numbers (cd4 <10; vl >800,000), and resistant to most available meds, that lung cancer wasn't ever going to get a chance to be the death of me - teh AIDs was doing that quite fine all by itself back in 1997-2000.

But those meds got better, my health got better, and I started to worry that lung cancer might actually have a chance since I was continuing to live.

So I tried to stop several times now. I tried to stop once, and the first dog my first-partner and I had gotten together passed away (it was from old age but seemed a good excuse to go back to smoking LOL). Then I tried to stop again and we had a house fire that did $30,000 worth of damage (The stress from worrying about where to live and if the insurance was going to cover everything was enough to get me smoking again). I tried for a third time, not because I want to quit for any health reason; but because I can no longer afford to smoke. After taking Chantix last Fall, I was smoke-free for 110 days (Until my second-partner was hospitalized and then passed away 69 days later. The stress this time sending my smoking skyrocketing up to 3 packs a day!).

Almost a year after falling off the non-smoking wagon (Feb 18th) and having my life devastated by losing my partner, I've been trying to get my life on track. I bargained with my GrandMother at Christmas, and her present to me was the $$ to pay for more Chantix (since medicare part D won't cover it. Argh!). Today is Day Eight and my first day of not smoking (again LOL). I do feel obligated to warn you all though.

With what's happened in the past, I figure some new tragedy will befall me as I try to quit again and I'd hate for anyone to be caught in my bad luck. LOL I think most here are safe; but I'm worrying about my friends, family and doggies. Thankfully, most of them are staying away from me right now anyway as it's too cold and the snow is too deep to try to get anywhere. I'm keeping an eye on the dogs, housemate, and furnace; and so far everything is okay. LOL

Now I have to quit reading this thread. All this talk about smoking and I'm really jonesing for a cig right now.

WillyWump · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2009, 06:43:19 pm »

I feel your pain!
I too have the nicotine monkey on my back. I Love smoking, it is the only vice left in my life, I know how bad it is for me, but I just cannot stop. Tried the chantix, patches, gum, hypnosis, acupunture, cold turkey, you name it...I dont know what it is going to take to get me to quit, its depressing that I have no will power over this crap.

I totally feel what your going through.

BT65 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2009, 08:16:48 pm »

As long as you "love" smoking, you're not going to quit, no matter what med you try.

aztecan · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2009, 09:12:13 pm »

Quote from: BT65 on February 01, 2009, 08:16:48 pm

As long as you "love" smoking, you're not going to quit, no matter what med you try.

You know, I loved it until I was suddenly given a wake-up call - an Advair inhaler and a diagnosis of COPD.

So, two years ago, I quit after smoking two packs a day for 34 years.

At first, I missed it. Now, I don't.

I still dream I am smoking sometimes. I wake up made as hell at myself.

All the patches, pills or other techniques in the book won't work unless you are willing and truly want to quit.

HUGS,

Mark

David_CA · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2009, 08:51:12 am »

Quote from: BT65 on February 01, 2009, 08:16:48 pm

As long as you "love" smoking, you're not going to quit, no matter what med you try.

That's so true! Before I quit, I was a two-pack a day smoker. I'd sometimes intentionally get caught at traffic lights so I could squeeze another cigarette in on my drive to work. I picked a random date to stop smoking. I quit all caffeine about two weeks before that date. On my last day smoking, I went out and bought three packs (I'd probably already smoked a pack and a half by this point). I did my best to finish all those cigarettes that night. I smoked about 4.5 packs in total before I went to bed. I chain smoked. Even if I didn't want another, I lit up and smoked it anyway. When I woke up the next day, my throat hurt like a bitch, and I was coughing a lot. The thought of a cigarette made me feel nauseous. Basically, I just made myself NOT like smoking anymore. I also started the caffeine back to have some stimulant in my body (no patches back in the day) and never really noticed feeling any different.

One of my roommates and I had a bet; whoever started smoking again first had to take the other out to dinner and for drinks anywhere the winner chose. Needless to say, I had a good night out! I've not smoked since Dec. 11, 1990. The thought of smoking a cigarette still makes me feel kind of 'yucky inside'. Plus, if I did try one, I'd probably be hooked again. I just took dealing with not smoking one day at a time, but I knew that I wasn't going through quitting just for the hell of it and never really planned on starting back. Good luck to those who are trying to quit!

David

mecch · « **Reply #18 on:** February 03, 2009, 01:19:09 am »

I almost always stopped smoking whenever I had the flu, strep, when i had Hepatitis. So in May 2008 when i was seroconverting, (but didn't know it), I stopped smoking. When they told me the source of my illness, I didn't bother starting again.

Inchlingblue · « **Reply #19 on:** April 24, 2009, 02:53:25 pm »

There is an interesting blog entry on here titled "How to Kill Your T Cells Without Really Trying" The writer believes that quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do, especially if you have HIV. He makes a pretty persuasive argument.

http://blogs.poz.com/richard/

mecch · « **Reply #20 on:** April 24, 2009, 05:38:26 pm »

so, anyone quit recently? congrats alors

J.R.E. · « **Reply #21 on:** April 24, 2009, 05:59:11 pm »

hi,

When I tested positive in 1985, I continued to smoke, and drink for several more years after that. I drank quite a bit I might add.( Most alcoholics do) . Then, I decided my health, and my relationship with my partner was more important, and gave up both. It was brutal, and required a lot of changes in my life, but it worked !!

Ray

Oceanbeach · « **Reply #22 on:** April 24, 2009, 07:20:41 pm »

I thought about quitting cigarettes for many years after my HIV diagnosis and again after my AIDS diagnosis. Sometimes, I tried cold turkey and a powerful line of thinking, I tried the gum, the patch and I noticed everything.

A couple of years ago a Forum member started a thread on Chantix with hundreds of posting... I noticed that too. But last year, I met someone who did not smoke and I had the feeling he would be with me awhile. I quit smoking a few days before my 57th BD and lasted over 6 months (cold turkey). My support system for 12 years of AIDS has been a dog, who died at Thanksgiving. I bought cigarettes that day and thought I could stop again.

I needed some help this time because when I started again, I was right up to 2 packages per day. Having earlier experience with the patch and the occasional accupuncture and class on the river, I chose Chantix. I began the class (which had cigarette breaks) and quit again on the first day. I can say, I smoked only 6 months last year and none this year.

Have the best day
Michael

todd123 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 24, 2009, 09:34:36 pm »

Yep, the day I got my diagnosis, I just stopped. I had very bad numbers and just couldn't see
putting any smoke into my lungs. I went on Mepron to avoid PCP and I figured if I was that close
to PCP, I would not help it along.

BT65 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 24, 2009, 10:02:07 pm »

I used Chantix like Michael did. It's been a little over three months. Just in time too, with the horrific tax increase on tobacco. Packs are a little over $6.00.

BrooklynGuy · « **Reply #25 on:** April 25, 2009, 06:18:19 am »

i quite days after my diagnosis after smoking for 20 years. I figured if I was going to have a fighting chance HIV, why add smoking to the negative side of the equation. Plus, in my initital reading right after my diagnosis, I read where smoking reduced the effectivness of the HiV meds so again, why cheat myself out of the full potential of the meds I was about to start taking to save my life. Never looked back and feel a hell of a lot better. Coming up on 5 years of being an x-smoker next summer.

Ann · « **Reply #26 on:** April 25, 2009, 08:28:32 am »

Quote from: betonet on January 31, 2009, 05:28:09 am

What do you guys did when you tested positive? Did you quit them right away, or gave yourself some time to do that? Or never even tried quitting?

Hi Bet,

A word of caution - if you try to quit smoking right now while you're still really stressed out about your diagnosis, you could very possibly be setting yourself up for failure and all the bad feelings that go along with that.

My advice would be to wait until you're more emotionally settled, and then quit. In the meantime, you could cut down. One trick I use to cut down is to keep my ciggies in another room from where I'm sitting, so I have to consciously get up and get one, instead of mindlessly reaching for the pack and lighting up. It does help to cut down.

I quit smoking about six weeks or so before my diagnosis. It was the most successful attempt I'd ever had and I was finally starting to feel confident about not smoking. I lasted 36 hours into my diagnosis, and I finally gave into the intense cravings I was having. I've tried to quit several times since then, but I'm still smoking.

A year ago last March I tried to quit using Champix (aka Chantix) but I had a bad reaction to it - which some people do get. It can cause unexplainable depression and suicidal ideation, which is what happened to me. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am not a person who suffers from depression (I feel blue sometimes, but that's normal for everyone) and I certainly do NOT entertain thoughts of suicide. It scared the living crap outta me!

Good luck Bet, I know how difficult it can be to stop smoking. Do try to at least cut down, but don't beat yourself up if you're still too stressed by your diagnosis to have much success at first. Give yourself some time.

Ann

Oceanbeach · « **Reply #27 on:** April 25, 2009, 02:58:05 pm »

Smoking and PCP... I was in an isolation ward at St. Mary's Medical Center in Long Beach. Everyone on that floor were HIV patients and the Nurses all knew me from visiting friends. The Nurses would disconnect my IV, I would get dressed and go for a walk every day. Being a training hospital, every morning a group of interns would make the rounds. The medical staff was excited and believed my walking everyday was part of my fight to live (how very Susan Hayward).

Anyways, on the ground floor there was a Pharmacy where you could buy cigarettes and on the 9th floor an outdoor garden with ash trays. I walked a lot that Sunmmer.

Have the best day
Michael

ademas · « **Reply #28 on:** April 26, 2009, 03:37:50 pm »

I quit Oct. 22nd, 2008. Six months (+ a couple of days) ago.

Still miss it...still crave it. Oh well.

BT65 · « **Reply #29 on:** April 26, 2009, 04:32:04 pm »

I've only thought about picking up a cigarette once or twice since I quit. I usually never think about it. The only times I have is when I'm with someone who smokes heavily.

Oceanbeach · « **Reply #30 on:** April 27, 2009, 01:59:39 am »

Hey Betty,

Thinking about cigarettes is an important point to bring up because, I noticed through my own behaviors, I thought about cigarettes every waking moment during my six month cold turkey last year. I was on the Chantix for the entire month of January and stopped when I no longer needed it. Now, during these past few months, I do not necessarily think of cigarettes unless I see someone else smoking. I wonder if this is a side effect of the Chantix? I went outside to visit with someone while she smoked, knowing I could have one and didn't. I am wondering if I changed my behaviors or they were changed by the Chantix.

Have the best day
Michael

betonet · « **Reply #31 on:** April 27, 2009, 04:43:57 am »

I succeed in giving up cigs,
2 months I don't smoke already, for which am very proud of myself. Was very very hard.
But let's see until when will I hold on...

Ann · « **Reply #32 on:** April 27, 2009, 05:42:03 am »

Quote from: betonet on April 27, 2009, 04:43:57 am

I succeed in giving up cigs,
2 months I don't smoke already, for which am very proud of myself. Was very very hard.
But let's see until when will I hold on...

Well done, Bet, you've got every reason to be proud of yourself. It's damn hard quitting. Good luck holding on!

When I replied the other day, I hadn't realised that Inchling had resurrected a thread from January.

Ann

J.R.E. · « **Reply #33 on:** April 27, 2009, 07:46:16 am »

Hi,
Just to add, There is a higher rate of lung cancer in those that are HIV positive. I know I just read this recently somewhere, so it's best, that you really try and give it up. If you don't succeed the first time, keep trying.

Ray

J.R.E. · « **Reply #34 on:** April 27, 2009, 07:58:24 am »

Here's the link :

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/1667_11089.shtml

Ray

BT65 · « **Reply #35 on:** April 27, 2009, 07:08:59 pm »

Quote from: Ann on April 27, 2009, 05:42:03 am

When I replied the other day, I hadn't realised that Inchling had resurrected a thread from January.

Ann

Well, that's alright, Ann. The "straight man" thread dates back to 2007 that someone just opened up again.

Oceanbeach · « **Reply #36 on:** April 27, 2009, 08:15:47 pm »

Has anyone had a Chantix Dream? I only had one and they are not as vivid and as produced as the Sustiva dreams. In my dream...

I was asked to fly to Nashville and perform at the Grand Ole Opry by the June Carter Cash Memorial Society. Originally, they had invited Nancy Sinatra but realized she was in her 80's, the song was Jackson and no one would care that she got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout. As in all my Sustiva dreams, I was pitch perfect with a 6 octave range.

Have the best day
Michael

Ann · « **Reply #37 on:** April 28, 2009, 06:55:36 am »

Michael, I was getting the Champix dreams when I was on that stuff. They weren't psychedelic like Sustiva dreams, they were just really REAL, kinda like lucid dreaming. I quite enjoyed the dreams, but the chemically induced depression was the pits.

You'll have to sing for us one day.

Quote from: BT65 on April 27, 2009, 07:08:59 pm

Well, that's alright, Ann. The "straight man" thread dates back to 2007 that someone just opened up again.

Hehehehee... I noticed that. Trust me though, there are some threads I would never forget, however hard I may try.

Ann

BT65 · « **Reply #38 on:** April 28, 2009, 06:04:47 pm »

Michael, I got the Chantix dreams as well. I can't remember any of them, though. I kind of immediately forgot them when I woke up. I agree with Ann, someday you're going in front of a microphone for us.

Oceanbeach · « **Reply #39 on:** April 30, 2009, 03:43:29 pm »

Quote from: BT65 on April 28, 2009, 06:04:47 pm

I agree with Ann, someday you're going in front of a microphone for us.

You really don't want that... When I was 10, we had a singing class at school and the teacher stopped the class once to ask me if I was sick. I said No, Mrs. Barkhurst, I am not sick and she said "you sound like it." I don't sing and can not carry a tune in real life, the singing character was invented here in the Forums for fun. My musicians were from the 70's, many obscure and some were dead. The character is tired so now is time to retire it. I will make a deal with you though, if we are ever in a karaoke bar, I promise to embarrass you like you have never been embarrassed before because, I have always wanted to say, "When I'm on stage, I feel like every hope and every dream of the audience is focused on me."

Have the best day
Michael

BT65 · « **Reply #40 on:** May 01, 2009, 05:14:12 pm »

Quote from: Sonomabeach on April 30, 2009, 03:43:29 pm

I will make a deal with you though, if we are ever in a karaoke bar, I promise to embarrass you like you have never been embarrassed before because, I have always wanted to say, "When I'm on stage, I feel like every hope and every dream of the audience is focused on me." Have the best day
Michael

That's a deal.

jay195 · « **Reply #41 on:** May 02, 2009, 10:02:45 am »

Hi there, I stopped smoking the day my doc told me I had to start the meds. I was so scared that it didn't take any doing . I guess I just wanted to get as strong as possible and not to do any more damage to my immune system. Just the thought of weakening my body further put me right off those horrible poisonous things big time. I know it isn't easy to give up smoking but one must get ones priorities in order. I really do believe in " mind over matter" ( at least in my case ) .And you feel so much better when you do stop, believe me , and the money you save ! If I can do it so can you, I'm sure. Take care.

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Author Topic: Anyone stopped smoking after testing positive? (Read 9070 times)