posted on March 2, 2001 08:00:57 AM
Hugs and Love to all you brave souls. I am with you 150% and because I have been there
let me take some of your angst. I can carry some of it to ease your pain. I used the patch..and smoked for a very short time. I was off the patch 4 days before recommended
but it had done its job. Even now I'll get
the craving and like you I think Oooohhh NO
you don't you aren't getting anymore of my
money or my days on this earth.
Thank you Rocker I AM THE BOSSA ME!! By the way I hate the smell of second hand smoke so that isn't a temptation anymore.
For those of you with kids, I started smoking at 18 because my Mother smoked and way back then they weren't warning us of hazards....but think of it this way...would you stick your head into a room filled with smoke and inhale deeply...for the pleasure?
I don't think so...Be brave you are on your
way to better days by far.
[ edited by zilvy on Mar 2, 2001 08:51 AM ]
posted on March 2, 2001 08:09:38 AM
did I mention how itchy I am?
teehee, you're not cheap!
no, boots, and I'm not easy, either . Don't worry about the "nutty factor" ~ as long as we can understand each other we're okay. If we get bad, just slap us and we'll be right back on track!!!
This itching thing is out of control. I feel like a leper.
Thanks for sharing Rhonda! Every story helps!!
My pits are sweatin, my butt itches, my head hurts. I need an attitude adjustment.
posted on March 2, 2001 08:22:18 AM
Just checking in again. I've already dyed about 10 yards of fabric this a.m. and it's going much better than yesterday. I still keep stopping for a cigarette break... but I'm not freaking out quite as much when I remember that I don't smoke.
Hang in there Chepi If it itches, just scratch it. We won't watch.
posted on March 2, 2001 08:36:44 AM
LOL chepi, scratch away, oh yeah and brush your teeth every breaktime, mybiddness.
oh y'all have my sympathy man it is tough and you can be as nutty as you want, it's the addiction talking.
Believe it or not it will get to the point where if you cheat it will seem weird and taste funny.
Ok, why did I quit over a year ago? 'cause I couldn't breathe, I was gasping for air, my heart had basically decided to stop working and between not breathing well and the cigs affecting the heart, it was quit or realize you're not gonna live (survive) like that. I'm in my 40's only, I was shocked that i could be that young and have it be at that point. See what addiction to anything makes you do? sometimes it has to be at the point where it's crazy to keep doing what you're addicted to when you KNOW it's going to kill you. In the end I wanted to live and be with my husband and kid more than I wanted to smoke.
yeah I cheat I admit it, about once a month, I'm not perfect and if y'all can be perfect I'll admire the heck out of you, I can't be that way.
but here's how I feel now; my breath smells a whole lot better, my clothes smell like Downy April Fresh not stale cig smoke, I can BREATHE without gasping, I even take walks now around the block (couldn't even push my cart in the grocery store before much less take a walk) and got off the medication for my heart, blood pressure is more normal, weight is the same (not everyone gains). My face used to look pasty white and I was in bed half the day 'cause of my heart. Now I got good color and work a full day on the Internet, can carry my own books to the post office to ship. As I'm writing this I know this is huge progress from before. Couldn't have done it without quitting smoking.
I'm with y'all all the way through this.
OWWWWW - Rocker!!!! you're supposed to bit my neck not bite my hand off LOLOL!
posted on March 2, 2001 08:51:53 AM
This cold turkey is worse today!!!
AAAARRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
But I'm feeling too mad and mean to give Philip Morriss any more of my HARD EARNED MONEY!
posted on March 2, 2001 09:03:22 AM
chepistar, what about something like Benedryl for the itchies? Don't know if it will work, but the worst thing that can happen is you'll have a nap for a while. And then you won't be craving the sticks, no?
YOU GUYS CAN DO IT!
SilkMoth
never-smoker who lost my mother (3 packs a day plus) when I was 12. Think about that, those who have small kids...
posted on March 2, 2001 09:10:38 AM
snowy, brush your teeth, wash your face, take a little walk. oh yeah, it's ok to scream while you're in the bathroom too. oh heck, just go right ahead and scream at me on your monitor right NOW.
{{{{Silk Moth}}}}}
Mr. Philip Death Morris is how I think of that dude.
posted on March 2, 2001 09:24:12 AM
chepistar ~ call your doctor immediately if you're itching and you've already started taking the welbutrin. It very well could be an allergic reaction and taking benidryl to mask it would be foolish, without talking to your doctor first. As an example, my right knee is arthritic and my doctor recommended that I take 1500mg of Glucosamine and 1200mg of chondrotin per day. Within the first 24 hours I was itching and I ignored it. Within another 12 hours I was covered with hives and was having trouble breathing. I ignored the itching because I did not think it was an allergic reaction because I am not allergic to shellfish......... I innitially hid the symptoms with benidryl. If I had continued to mask the symtoms and continued to take the suppliments I would have been in a world of trouble. So, point is, talk to your doctor immediately and see what s/he says.
posted on March 2, 2001 09:48:29 AM
I need to vetnt. This day bites. It just bites. Don't ever try to quit smoking on your birthday. I hate this feeling. Hubby called and wants to take me out this afternoon and I don't want to go anywhere. I don't want to be in public right now. I know we're going to have a fight about it because he's insisting that I'm going to get out cause it'll make me feel better. No - it won't. He thinks he's helping but I can't handle it. I just had to vent somehwere. I don't want to fight with him about it but I'm not going out of this house today.
posted on March 2, 2001 10:09:23 AM
DRINK WATER...Everytime it gets to you got to have one, go get a glass of water and drink it down. YOu will be flushing out your system for sure, and that can't hurt.
Also get some carrot sticks and celery sticks and chew away on them...
They say you lose calories just chewing on celery..
Keep saying I can make it one more minute, one more hour, one more day...
I kept a spot where I marked the days off and hours off etc...
Also the BIG helper is to be AWAY from anybody who smokes.
California went to non smoking anyplace but outside, and that helped a LOT to get over it.
Also nobody in the house smoked, if you don't smell it it's better.
And there will come a day when it will make you sick the smell of it and you know you have made it...
It's not easy, but dam I wish I had my lungs back and if I had just stopped sooner than 44 years...STUPIDITY on my part.
Stick with it, STick with it, you will see so many benifits it will mind boggle you.
And just think you can be come one of those nasty people who tell others to stop smoking.
posted on March 2, 2001 10:18:08 AM
BEH for everybody.
I think that everybody has to have a trick or two to help this work.
I have a friend that quit - but had a hard time breaking some of the behavioral habits that come with the Withdrawls.
His hand automatically went to his shirt pocket - were he had kept his smokes - for weeks after he quit. He put a picture of his daughter there instead of the smokes. When he reached for his smokes without thinking - he realized it and pulled his daughters photo out instead.
And reminded himself of WHY he was quitting.
Whatever trick it takes - patch - spray - gum - photo - walk - whatever.
BEH again.
And for quitting on your birthday - yeah that kinda bites - but I hope your family and friends realize that you are the one giving a gift this day.
posted on March 2, 2001 10:27:46 AMrosiebud Thank God you were following this thread. I never considered allergic reaction to Wellbutrin. chepi pay attention to her advice, she's a really smart cookie.
mybiddness it's your birthday, if you want to stay home do it. Tell hubby exactly the same way you did here...I'm sure he'll understand. Don't forget to get a raincheck though.
posted on March 2, 2001 10:29:37 AM
Thanks for the reinforcement. It would be so easy for me to go get a pack of cigarettes right now. I think reading this thread has been the only thing keeping my feet in the right direction today.
My husband called back and said that he's not taking me to a public - public place - but is taking me somewhere that's going to help me quit smoking. I don't get it and I don't care but I'm happy about that. I was more upset because I thought he didn't understand what I was going through I think than I was about going out.
Anyway, thanks for reminding me again and for being there.
posted on March 2, 2001 10:33:38 AM
G'morning everyone
CALL YOUR DOCTOR CHEPI - NO, itching is not a side effect, it is most likely an allergic reaction. Please call right now, you may need to stay off wellbutrin/zyban, could be the wrong drug for you, honey.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MYBIDDNESS!!!!!!!
Oh god, so many really funny and GREAT posts here today.
GOOD POINT snowyegret - I feel too mad and too mean to give Phillip Morris any more of my money.
Yes, let's take it out on them where it belongs, and NOT take it out on ourselves by lighting up again.
Well I am out of my mind craving, ready to rip every hair outta my head, but the way I see it, if I light up now, I'll have wasted all these hours of torture!!!! LOL So I may as well keep suffering through another day or two while it's the worst, and get this sh*+ over with once and for all.
Is anyone having trouble sleeping? My doctor said the Zyban with my Effexor might make me wired and make it difficult to sleep. Wow, got that right. I was up even past my normal vampire hours. I was awake till 9 this morning!
I see everyone already mentioned the allergy Chepi I hope you feel better soon. I was given an antibiotic once for a cat bite (cat bites are fierce, get infected 100% of the time and usually lead to blood poisoning). I itched like mad and had these tiny red dots all over me. It was the wrong antibiotic for me, we had to switch right away. Then I was fine.
Rocker
posted on March 2, 2001 10:40:42 AM
Hi Rocker Thanks for that b'day wish. It is going to be fine.. just doesn't feel that way yet. I've been having my own little pity party for about the last hour. We're allowed that once in a while, right? LOL
I hope this day goes good for all of us. I'm so glad to see everyone is hanging in there. It's tough as hell. Being the cornball that I am I keep thinking of that old saying "this too shall pass." Or was it that old song, "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen. LOL
I'll buy the next round of ice water. Drinks all around! Hell, make it a double.
posted on March 2, 2001 10:43:14 AMChepi I just noticed how long it's been since you've posted. Let us know you're o.k. - 'k? Please call your doctor if you haven't already.
posted on March 2, 2001 10:48:59 AM
The side effects I got from Zyban were
trouble sleeping ~ it took about 2 weeks after getting off of it for that to clear up. I could not fall asleep right away .. plus I would wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning, wide awake and not be able to go back to sleep. This, of course, caused me to be sleepy during the day, but I didn't cave in and take any naps. Because I've never taken any other drugs (short of advil and things like that) I have no reason to doubt that Zyban, in of and by itself was the culprit for the problem.......... unless you count just stopping smoking.
Dry mouth ~ otherwise known as cotton mouth.. UGH! At the time, I wasn't sure if it was the Zyban or the fact that I was drinking more iced tea (trying to cut out the sugar of sodas at the same time). But it too cleared up within a week of going off the Zyban.
Perhaps the worse one:
heartburn! This is what would wake me up in the middle of the night in the first place! The whole 6 weeks I was on it, I had a constant heartburn fest going on. I had to make Pepcid a part of my diet for that short time. But once again..... it too went away when I went off the Zyban.
I really do consider those mild side effects in the scheme of things.. especially since they clear up once you clear the drug from your body.
posted on March 2, 2001 10:58:16 AMOMG
I went to the Post Office and to Walgreens ~ yup, you guessed it, I picked up some benadryl. I got back in time to log on and check up on you guys ~
WOW
You guys really saved my a$$!!! If I hadn't come to check on "the team", I would have spent the last 10 minutes brushing my teeth and taking a couple benadryl! I gotta run to pick up the kids ~ I'll be back! (after I call the dr!)
{{{{{thank you}}}}}
(again and again and again!)
posted on March 2, 2001 12:39:10 PM
Howdie Rocker How about writing down
some of these feelings toward the tobacco
industry in letter form. Time and date just
to let 'em know what you've been through and
that they aren't gonna win. And use plenty of #$@%**! to insure they know how you really
feel...don't hold back. Best of all you aren't financially supporting them anymore!!!
Chepi Thank goodness you checked the thread...what did the DOC say???
Mybiddness sounds like you have a good
hubby there, he does care and wants to make
your special day GOOD for you. Give him a hug,bite his neck and let him surprise
you on your special day.
I was just thinking, I had smoked for 40 plus
years and finally gave it up...my husband &
I are about to celebrate our 39th Anniversary
tomorrow....I guess some bad habits are really hard to break!!
posted on March 2, 2001 01:49:22 PM
This is nasty - but maybe it will help:
"The 440 billion cigarettes consumed each year in the United States contain about 2.2 million gallons of NICOTINE. This chemical is so poisonous that only fifty milligrams (less than half an ounce) of it, injected into a vein, will kill a person! That is the amount of NICOTINE in two - and - a half cigarettes. All the cigarettes used each year in America contain enough NICOTINE to provide 176 billion lethal doses! And that is enough to kill, through single doses by vein, one thousand times as many people as live in the United States."
If that's not freakin' scary - I don't know what is!! rocker - If anybody should have trouble sleeping, it should be Mr. Philip Morris.
posted on March 2, 2001 01:53:16 PM
Reynolds, R.J., 58, founder of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co., emphysema, (1916)
Reynolds , R.J.III, 58, emphysema, (1994)
edited to add:
1854 ~ Philip Morris makes his first cigarette
1873 ~ The business is taken over by his wife Margaret and his brother Leopold upon his (Philip Morris) passing.
Ya think his "passing" has anything to do with him making his first cigarette 19 years earlier? I'm having an increasingly difficult time finding out exactly how he did die. You'd think his namesake would have that sort of information.. wouldn't you? *L*
[ edited by rosiebud on Mar 2, 2001 02:16 PM ]
posted on March 2, 2001 02:36:16 PM
good posts guys!
For some reason the "facts" have a stronger effect on me than the horrible and emotional experiences that you've all had ~ I think that I just feel your pain with you so strongly that I can't transfer it to smoking. Not sure, but I definitely appreciate both kinds of sharing!
{{{{{{{{{{{supersized}}}}}}}}}}}
Okay, no more Wellbutrin for me.
The itching should stop in the next few hours ~ you should see my butt! kinda reminds me of the time I was gardening while sittin in a big ole mountain of red ants
I'll be in smoke-free zones for the next 20 hours ~ the only way to stay out of trouble!
Hockey game tonight 7PM
(home and in bed by midnight)
Opening ceremonies for Little League at 830AM
Minor League Game at 1015AM
Little League Game at 1145AM
Good Luck Everyone! I'll try to peek in at you ~ don't forget:
I am proud of you
I believe in you
I'm with you
We are a T E A M
(Together Everyone Accomplishes More) ~ guess you can tell my Coach genes are kickin in!
chepi*
posted on March 2, 2001 03:23:29 PM
Zilvy - How about writing down some of these feelings toward the tobacco industry And use plenty of #$@%**! to insure they know how you really feel...don't hold back.
My therapist suggested I write down my feelings too, so we can talk about it, but I also like YOUR idea too, to write it to the actual companies and really direct this anger where it is meant to be!!!
Happy Anniversary to you and your honey, Zilvy - he is one lucky guy!
Rhondalee - If anybody should have trouble sleeping, it should be Mr. Philip Morris.
You said it!!! And those are VERY interesting facts ya got there. You too Rosiebud!!
BEH Nutspec!!!!!! xoxoxo
Chepi - WHEW - glad ya got off that stuff honey!! OOPS - who knew it was the wrong med for you, right?? After my spine surgery, I went into anaphylactic shock from an allergy to morphine. The nurses & doctors DIDN'T NOTICE. (Even though my eyes and lips were swollen inches out from my face.) For almost a full day I was literally suffocating to death. (This also led to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.) ONE doctor finally came in and saw immediately what was going on. Doctors can not be relied upon to warn you or keep an eye on you properly. We have to stay on top of all this ourselves, unfortunately, and get as MUCH info from EVERYONE as we can. Luckily you did this chepi, you came in here and told us, and you were given the idea it might be an allergy. Good thing you talked. Keep talking.
Rocker
[ edited by nycrocker on Mar 2, 2001 03:25 PM ]
posted on March 2, 2001 04:57:14 PMZilvey 39 years? That's impressive!
I love the idea of writing a letter to Phillip Morris. Let's do it here as a group project, heh? I'll start:
Hello you sorry sonofabeech,
O.K. someone else take over.
I'm soooo psyched! The outing hubby planned for me was a two hour session with a smoking cessation hypnotherapist. That was my birthday present and it was totally awesome! She gave me a sheet of tips that I'll share with you all as soon as I get back from cooking supper. Guess what? I don't want a cigarette. This morning I was having such withdrawals that I would've done just about anything to get one more drag - now I have NO DESIRE TO SMOKE! I can't believe that's coming out of MY mouth! Amazing!
Glad to see everyone is hanging in there! I'll be back to share some of the ideas and tips she gave me as soon as I get the family squared away.
. Don't worry about the "nutty factor" ~ as long as we can understand each other we're okay. If we get bad, just slap us and we'll be right back on track!!!
