Author Topic: Poz Smokers Survey (Read 9456 times)

spacebarsux · « **on:** May 06, 2012, 12:58:59 pm »

Just wanted to hear other people's experiences. This is something I've been struggling with.

Cheers guys.

tednlou2 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2012, 02:40:40 pm »

I am curious how many smokers vs non-smokers there are. I know smoking is more common in the gay community and keep reading it is among poz folks. I quit immediately after learning my dx. That wasn't will-power alone. I couldn't walk three steps without getting winded. I was so tempted to start again for the first year, but thought would be stupid to start again and I did worry about health issues. But, just today, I smelled neighbor smoking outside and it made me want one.

bear60 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2012, 03:30:12 pm »

Its really hard to quit smoking. Its been compared to quitting heroin. But after a number of years since quitting , even if it SEEMS like a fond memory, I would not be able to smoke one.
I smoked for almost 40 years and my doctor said, after I flunked the breatholizer thingey test, that I was developing COPD, emphezema and would need a portable oxygen tank in a few years.
Luckily smoking was banned in all bars at that time, so I quit with the help of my Doctor, who prescribed Wellbutrin.(evil stuff).

BT65 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2012, 04:08:21 pm »

Quote from: bear60 on May 06, 2012, 03:30:12 pm

Its really hard to quit smoking. Its been compared to quitting heroin.

Trust me, quitting heroin is easier. That withdrawal is over in a few days, and if you're not around people who use heroin then you're alright. Smoking (cigarettes) is a totally different story. I've quit twice, both times for over a year, and started again. I don't smoke near as much as I used to, but I still have about 3 cigarettes on the days I work, and 5 the days I don't.

I do have nicotine gum, though, for when I'm ready to give it up again. I was using the e-cig and I have to say that was an easy way to quit. But nicotine gum is cheaper. And you can chew it in the mall.

LiveWithIt · « **Reply #4 on:** May 06, 2012, 05:50:57 pm »

I know a poz guy who smokes so much that in the middle of a meal at a restaurant or friends house he has to go outside to have a smoke. At least he smokes outside so he doesn't smell of cigarettes. When you smell people who smell like they smoke in a phone booth it's pretty gross. I smelled one at the supermarket the other day and one at a support group. My 9th grade Algebra teacher has such bad breath from smoking that her breath smelled like sardines.

jkinatl2 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2012, 05:56:20 pm »

We're talking tobacco right?

Oceanbeach · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2012, 06:17:15 pm »

I made a decision to quit smoking cigarettes over 4 years ago, by means of "cold turkey" which lasted about a year until my first stress ordeal and I started again. Wanting to try Chantix, I signed up for a smoking cessation class at our local HIV clinic. With 1 month on Chantix and 1 refill, I have not smoked in 3 years.

Our HIV clinic was closed shortly afterwards, I have no idea how the other class members did after the class ended.

Have the best day
Michael

leatherman · « **Reply #7 on:** May 06, 2012, 06:19:24 pm »

Quote from: tednlou2 on May 06, 2012, 02:40:40 pm

today, I smelled neighbor smoking outside and it made me want one.

after 3 yrs and a couple of months of being an ex-smoker (1-mon of Chantix did the trick), I still hang out by the smokers whenever I get the chance. It just smells soooo good. Of course, usually I get busted by the boyfriend who gets all weirded out when he can smell the smoke on me later.

I would love to start smoking again

Raf · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2012, 06:24:37 pm »

never smoked in my life, and I don't plan to do it in the future.

forrest · « **Reply #9 on:** May 06, 2012, 06:38:07 pm »

Quote from: Raf on May 06, 2012, 06:24:37 pm

never smoked in my life, and I don't plan to do it in the future.

Ditto - never have even tried.

After seeing my grandma die of lung cancer... never smoked a day in her life either (passive smoke from my grandpa), and the pain of lung cancer... have no desire what-so-ever. Weird how some people can smoke all their life and not have issues and how others do. It'd be my luck that I would. Same reason I have never done drugs. Afraid. $:-\$

denb45 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 06, 2012, 06:40:02 pm »

I went cold-turkey Way back in 88 a yr. after my DX, so I haven't smoked in well over 23 yrs. ( not even pot ) it's been so long I don't even recall why I did it in the 1st place, such a nasty habit

Torchwood · « **Reply #11 on:** May 06, 2012, 07:04:46 pm »

Quit smoking in 04 cold turkey. Diag in 06. Started smoking again due to Vicodin addiction in 09. Was up to a pack a day last year, been trying to quit for the past year. Started meds Nov 1, 11. Got sick, quit trying to quit smoking. In the past few months I have been working out again, getting healthier and trying to quit smoking again. Having issues quitting.

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #12 on:** May 06, 2012, 07:15:39 pm »

I'm about to smoke a ciggie -- wanna a pictar?

newt · « **Reply #13 on:** May 06, 2012, 07:20:48 pm »

I smoke more, but this is down to grief not HIV

- matt

Now playing: Unbreak my Heart, Toni Braxton (radio)

J.R.E. · « **Reply #14 on:** May 06, 2012, 07:51:04 pm »

I quit smoking in 1986, about a year after I was diagnosed. I also went cold turkey. I smoked about a pack to a pack and a half a day.

Ray

buginme2 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 06, 2012, 08:08:11 pm »

Space there wasn't a choice on your survey for "I quite before I was diagnosed positive"

I quiet about 5 years ago. I used Chantix to quit. If I could I would do commercials for Chantix. I know it's not for everyone but it really helped me. I did have to stop taking it though after about 30 days because it made me homicidal.

5years after quitting, I still have dreams sometimes that I'm smoking. The cravings never TOTALLY go away. They do get better though and 99% of the time I don't even think about it.

Pot on the other hand, I still partake (medicinally of course).

osric · « **Reply #16 on:** May 06, 2012, 09:42:31 pm »

My doctor told me not to worry about my smoking until after I had made some progress with my depression and anxiety. He didn't think I needed another thing to worry about.

bocker3 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 06, 2012, 10:34:26 pm »

I quit smoking in Jan 1993 -- way before diagnosis. It was the hardest thing I've ever done.

Mike

emeraldize · « **Reply #18 on:** May 06, 2012, 11:57:48 pm »

Quit in '87 when I smoked more than two packs per day. Cold turkey.

spacebarsux · « **Reply #19 on:** May 07, 2012, 12:15:29 am »

Quote from: buginme2 on May 06, 2012, 08:08:11 pm

Space there wasn't a choice on your survey for "I quite before I was diagnosed positive"

Bug, I just realised, thanks. I've edited the options to the survey.

In case you and others already voted as 'quit smoking after being diagnosed', I guess that's ok too- important thing being that you didn't revert to smoking post-diagnosis.

Looks like I'm in the minority who've cut down but haven't completely quit. Neither here nor there.

Billy B · « **Reply #20 on:** May 07, 2012, 10:42:16 am »

I quit cold turkey in early 1995 when I found out I was +.
Billy

skeebo1969 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 07, 2012, 06:57:07 pm »

I quit smoking this past September.

And I think about it every day...... hell, I even dream about smoking. In my last dream my mother was laying on the couch and handed me a cigarette. She died of Cancer.

I awoke the next morning wondering if she was telling me I might as well smoke because it's too late......

Would love a Newport right about now.

skeebo1969 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 07, 2012, 07:00:06 pm »

I always find this a bit helpful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zWB4dLYChM&feature=related

benjiboy · « **Reply #23 on:** May 07, 2012, 07:09:08 pm »

I quit smoking about three years ago, on the same day as I quit drinking. It was shortly after I was diagnosed with bipolar II (but before my HIV diagnosis). My drinking was NOT HELPING my bipolar disorder and I decided that the only way to stop drinking was to totally refocus my life away from bars and towards getting myself fit. Smoking didn't really fit in with that so I quit them both at the same time, figuring it would probably be easier.

I used NiQuitin mini-tabs (they're a bit like Smints) and didn't need them after about four weeks. I've never smoked since and am not really tempted. The first few weeks were pretty tough, and this was probably about my hundredth attempt to quit, so I agree it is a phenomenally hard thing to accomplish.

Quitting drinking at the same time and exercising my ass off definitely helped my resolve. I started drinking again after my HIV diagnosis (not as disasterously as I used to, but I still need to get a grip on it), but I've not really been tempted to smoke again.

denb45 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 07, 2012, 07:36:40 pm »

Quote from: skeebo1969 on May 07, 2012, 06:57:07 pm

Would love a Newport right about now.

I used to smoke KOOLS 24 yrs. ago, didn't much care for Newports......

tednlou2 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 07, 2012, 11:04:01 pm »

I was a Marlboro Red man. No sissy Lights for me.

Actually, I did always find it odd to see really redneck guys smoking Lights, which are more associated with women--at least the women I know. And, Lights were no safer. Actually, I believe studies showed people smoked more of them. I never liked menthol. Those are what my parents still smoke. I've read people pull more smoke into their lungs, because the menthol makes it easier to do so. Not sure I believe that.

Tonight I was going through the tool box and there was a Marlboro Red box/pack in it. I had put some carpet tacs in it. Just seeing that Marlboro box made me think how I do miss smoking sometimes. I did try some Snus for a couple weeks. You put in between your cheek and there is no nasty spitting.

songs06 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 08, 2012, 06:36:09 am »

i smoked lucky strike for 6 years

but quit after my diagnosis. i am still on my acute retroviral syndrome. so my throat hurts a lot, i can't smoke even i want to. all my friends are smokers, when i hang around with them i still like to smell. i wish i never started to smoke in the first place. i hope i don't start after my seroconversion

but even i think smoking is really fun and relaxing, i don't want to deal with lots of toxins.
at first, when i heard my diagnosis, i felt hugely depressed i wanted to do some chain smoking. because of my throat i couldn't and made me much more nervous. it was like a torture not to smoke in the hardest days of your life! i was VERY angry for 3 days but after that it got easier. it has been a month, now i am so much better. and quitting smoking also helped me to get some weight. i hope i never start again.

decayingsinner · « **Reply #27 on:** June 04, 2012, 06:34:22 pm »

I quit drinking, but I sure am not going to stop smoking. Actualdly, I usually smoke one or two a day, sometimes up to five on the weekends.

surf18 · « **Reply #28 on:** June 04, 2012, 08:34:27 pm »

I quit in 2000 , dx'd in 2010. I quit with the help of hypnosis. I was a pack and a half a day. 2 plus if it was a drinking night. I used to get up in the middle of the night and smoke.
Ha I too have the smoking dreams. They are terrible.

sshortguy1 · « **Reply #29 on:** June 05, 2012, 09:55:52 am »

i haven't quit smoking or drinking 4 what b/c hiv ? to some hiv triggers agression to some people , but to me i look at it as a minor set back. i haven't slowed down or quit drinking, if i'm at on the weekends. when i go out of town there was a time i didn't take as much as i should of and missed a week but got my results back and they were fine . asked the dr why isn't hiv isn't effecting me much he told me to some hiv is more agressive others than to some , so i came to the perspective that hiv varies person to person

Lugzsoo · « **Reply #30 on:** June 05, 2012, 11:34:17 am »

I quit after my dx about year and 6mo started when I was 13 now I feel better and dont Cough up a lung lol.

Pozitively Moving Forward · « **Reply #31 on:** June 05, 2012, 12:36:45 pm »

I quiet about 5 years ago. I used Chantix to quit. If I could I would do commercials for Chantix. I know it's not for everyone but it really helped me. I did have to stop taking it though after about 30 days because it made me homicidal.

I'm sorry, but this post literally made me laugh out loud....25 years smoker here, going to try Chantix

MoMorrison · « **Reply #32 on:** June 05, 2012, 01:08:34 pm »

I've never been a smoker. I would smoke a cigarette every now and again when drinking but nothing too heavy. I did love smoking pot though, but I haven't smoked it in a while. One reason being is that I am on probation for a drug charge and am subjected to random piss tests. Another reason being that I am dealing with anxiety and I feel that if I smoke a doobie it will bring on unwanted anxiety, which sucks because there are days that I wish I could just get sooo stoned and laugh my ass off and not worry about HIV or anything related to it! :-/

phost86 · « **Reply #33 on:** June 05, 2012, 11:16:12 pm »

I started at 17 and tried everything to stop gum, patches, hypnosis...one day I just stopped and that was years ago. Well, not really on average maybe 2 every six months if even. I have a friend who smokes and I'll take one from him once in a while.

HnyMustard · « **Reply #34 on:** June 06, 2012, 10:32:52 am »

I quit this January. I felt my body couldn't take it any longer.. I used Wellbutrin to quit, and it worked for me.

Every so often, I do think back on my smoking days.. but then I remind myself how much money I'm saving. I was literally burning up hundreds of dollars a month. Money which I'm glad I saved, as it looks like finances will be bumpy coming up due to short term disability.

red_Dragon888 · « **Reply #35 on:** June 07, 2012, 08:18:29 am »

I guess addiction depends on the individual for the brain or the biological system reacts to the drug differently from person to person. I was never addicted to smoking or pot for in my mind I can take it or leave it, and I usually leave it, but my one long term addiction was "poppers" and luckily I have not been on that like I use to.

Just know that it is hard as Hell to break an addiction, which you don't really break, you just endure the distance.

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How have your smoking habits changed since diagnosis?

Author Topic: Poz Smokers Survey (Read 9456 times)