It's me again. Yes, time to quit. I made it 28 days last March but have been "ordered" to stop. Tomorrow is the day.
I have really good reasons this time. My night time blood oxygen is down to an average of 85. The normal low is 92. I have been put on oxygen at night as of 2 days ago. With counts this low, there is potential for damage to the heart and lungs. I have a Nuclear Stress Test scheduled Wednesday and followed by a visit to a lung specialist to see what has happened to my lungs. My PCP told me I for sure have sleep apnea but I don't fit the normal "type" (overweight and I don't snore)and I don't have COPD so a lung doc needs to figure out why this is happening.
I know there are many, many other reason to quit but as before, I am asking for prayers and supportive posts from my dear friends here.
I have realized the past few days that I'm not ready to die the prolonged, miserable death of someone on oxygen who can't breathe.
Life sucks!

MsMag,
Hun, I feel ya....I smoke! And so I know what a grip it has on ya. I have no advice, as none of my own advice has worked for myself. But my hubby was a 4 pk a day smoker. Been quit 4 yrs now. He went to one of those study clinics where they're testing new drugs. we think maybe now it was that Chantix (SP?) But it managed to quit & has remained so. Even with his success, I've not been inspired enough to quit. i did check into joining with him. But was on anti-depressants & xanax & you had to quit all meds to participate in study. I wasn't willing to do that.
I sure will offer up prayers.
Hugs a bunches,
2Cool

MM! I know how you feel. I quit for about 8 weeks using Chantix but went right back... The only time I have been able to quit for any length of time was when I'm pregnant...but I really wouldn't recommend that as a solution..Too many side effects ...I know there is a drug not FDA approved here yet that acts on the pleasure center of smoking and eating...I looked into it but I was hesitant to order and it's expensive....I think it's recombinant. It is legal in France and I think Canada. One study I read said that on "average" it takes 7 tries to successfully quit.So don't quit quitting...I have some friends that accupuncture really worked and some that said hypnotism worked....I think it's one of those things that you have to try every avenue...I am back to "thinking" about quitting again. It is such an unhealthy thing but I do like it! But I hate the control over me! I wish there was some magical saying or solution I could give you, but I don't know.....Just be proud that you are continuing to try! Feel free to vent when needed and don't be hard on yourself. Good Luck!

Thank you for the well wishes. I'm having my last cig!!

MM your health is the most important thing...Anytime you need to talk and or vent please that is what we are all here for.
I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as always...You did this before and you can do it again...

Break out the gay ranchers!!!

While taking "Wellbutrin" I DID find that cravings were considerably lessened, although I have not quit, I think that if I had really applied myself to smoke cessation the med. would have really helped...

Our campus is a TOTALLY smoke free environment, (we can only smoke in our car...) that isn't going to work well in the middle of January and -30 degree temperatures, so I am going to HAVE to set a target date and do it once and for all.

Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by ~BBgremlin~:
MM your health is the most important thing...

Ditto to that..
Maybe you can get BB to quit with you!!!

I need to quit too, but I can't imagine even trying at this time in my life with all that's going on!!

Hang in there Ms Mag..you already know you can do this, and you have us for support!!
Best wishes to you and everyone else trying to quit..or even thinking of it!!!

MM,

To reiterate what David mentioned, Wellbutrin (which is the same drug, but packaged differently as Zyban-Anti smoking med.) worked for me to stop chewing tobacco.

Good luck to you!! I wish you the best!

-SKB

Wellbutrin made my panic attacks come back with a vengeance. It does seem to work for a lot of people. Cymbalta (sp) is another drug that is suppose to be good but as with any drug some side effects occur with some people so you need to pay attention to how your body reacts to it. Good luck to anyone trying to stop smoking.

MsMag is doing great. She's quite the fighter that woman! I'm very proud of her. Congratulations to your stopping smoking and many, many good luck wishes. I have no doubt that you will succeed.

Its been a week now and everyone in my household is still alive!

MM I don't know if you saw my other comment or not but try eating sun flower seeds. It keeps your hands busy. I'm on day 27 sinse I quit. My neighbor behind me is on oxygen 24 hrs aday due to smoking. She would die without it. She scared me so bad that I quit. I also keep hard candy around and suckers.

quote:

Originally posted by Smarty:
Wellbutrin made my panic attacks come back with a vengeance.

Totally agree with you Smarty! I was on 150mg extended release, which was fine, then they bumped me to 300mg and WHOA! Talk about feeling strange AND my panic attacks went through the roof! I spoke to my MD, and he did mention that for some ppl, Wellbutrin will make you feel "speedy" and fire up your panic attacks, which is why you often find ppl scripted a small dose of Lexapro to offset that side effect.

-SKB

I had the worst panic attacks of my life while taking Zyban (wellbutrin)!!!On the other hand, Chantix did not have any of the side effects. The thing w/ Chantix is it blocks the receptors for nicotine....My problem was that you take it for about a week or two while still smoking so it can build in your system. My sister and I did it together. By the 2nd week she was down to just 1 cig....I, on the other hand, increased!!! Since the nicotine wasn't reaching her receptors she just gave up....Me...not so much! My brain was saying after a cigareete,,,,mmhhhmm, that didn't work, have another, have another, have another!! I did just quit and it was easier than any time before....After 8 weeks I quit the Chantix....and started right back up....I wasn't ready yet, I suppose.
I am glad your family is still alive! Mine barely made it!!

TT2,
You can't say you are the thread killer, because I just replied to make sure that didn't happen.

You think that smiling pig face is going to intimidate me? You're wrong, because I am not afraid!

Pig or no, I am posting here.
Wayne-

I also smoke. My hat is off to anyone that is trying to stop. Weather its working or not. Just the fact that u are trying is a huge feat!!! I would love to quit,but I guess I'm not ready yet. You have to be ready or it will not work. I pray that I will wake up one day and the smell of smoke makes me sick to my stomach. I just guess my willpower is not there yet. But, How I wish it was. Anyone trying to quit. You go!!!! Buttercup50