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(Message started by: Frank_W on Aug 2nd, 2005, 7:33am)
Title: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 2nd, 2005, 7:33am
I really didn't want to say anything until I had some time on it, and felt a little more confident, so at this point, I am pleased to announce that I have been smoke-free for a whole week, and I couldn't be more pleased about it. :)

[smiley=smokin.gif] <----This is not me. LMAO

So far, no real craves to fight off, and when the craves come, I think to myself, "Great!! I don't have to poison myself! I'm a nonsmoker!" and I also remember that quitting isn't the cause for the craves -- smoking is!

Day by day, my body is healing, my complection is less grayish, my lungs and breathing are more effortless, food tastes better, and I can smell the rain...

At DalCon, staying up all night with everyone, every night, and being around everyone smoking, I went through an entire carton in four days. At this point, even when a crave is hitting me, the very thought of putting a cigarette in my mouth and lighting it, is physically nauseating to me.

The only things I've used for this quit have been Wellbutrin and Allan Carr's book, "How To Stop Smoking Permanently." (Which I simply cannot give a higher recommendation!)

Go, me! :)
Title: Re: One Week
Post by E-Double on Aug 2nd, 2005, 7:53am
GOOD LUCK!!!
Title: Re: One Week
Post by deltadarlin on Aug 2nd, 2005, 7:53am
WONDERFUL!   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]Way to go Frank.  I've been smoke free for 22 weeks now and it does get easier.  I used the Wellbutrin, too and I've been off it for about a month now (still not smoking).  Dalcon was my *test*, with everybody smoking, I really had to fight the urge to slap someone and take their cigarette away from them.

I still get that occasional *urge*, but it only lasts about 15 seconds and then it's gone.

Warning though, if you have allergies at all, get ready for them to act up.

welcome to the non-smokers club

carolyn~aka~deltadarlin
Title: Re: One Week
Post by giffy76 on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:00am
That's great. I'm trying the, " I'm stronger than the urge" aproach and it's not going so well. I still need 3 or 4 a day. Does Wellbutrin have any effects on your mood?
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:14am
Congratulations, Carolyn!!

Wellbutrin doesn't affect my moods, as far as I know. It is a mild anti-depressant, but I really haven't noticed any difference. I wonder if it is contributing to the insomnia I've been having, though. By 9:00 p.m., my eyelids are so heavy.... So I go to sleep, and then awaken around 4:00 a.m., with my body saying, "LET'S GO BEAR HUNTIN' WITH A STICK!!" Sheesh.... LOL

I'm happy to be smoke-free, but wish my sleep cycles would mellow out.
Title: Re: One Week
Post by deltadarlin on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:15am
Well, it is a a psychiatric drug.  It didn't have any affect on my *emotional/mental* states though (although maybe that's why I didn't kill more people than I did).
Title: Re: One Week
Post by ghost62 on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:19am

on 08/02/05 at 07:33:41, Frank_W wrote:
I really didn't want to say anything until I had some time on it, and felt a little more confident, so at this point, I am pleased to announce that I have been smoke-free for a whole week, and I couldn't be more pleased about it. :)
[smiley=smokin.gif] <----This is not me. LMAO

So far, no real craves to fight off, and when the craves come, I think to myself, "Great!! I don't have to poison myself! I'm a nonsmoker!" and I also remember that quitting isn't the cause for the craves -- smoking is!

Day by day, my body is healing, my complection is less grayish, my lungs and breathing are more effortless, food tastes better, and I can smell the rain...

At DalCon, staying up all night with everyone, every night, and being around everyone smoking, I went through an entire carton in four days. At this point, even when a crave is hitting me, the very thought of putting a cigarette in my mouth and lighting it, is physically nauseating to me.

The only things I've used for this quit have been Wellbutrin and Allan Carr's book, "How To Stop Smoking Permanently." (Which I simply cannot give a higher recommendation!)

Go, me! :)

So your wife sewed up your pockets and gave you meds for the chaffing
Title: Re: One Week
Post by aprilbee on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:19am
I used Wellburtin when I quit a few years ago...it worked great w/no side effects...I'm smoking again now, but when I quit again, it will definately be Wellbutrin that helps me...oh and twizzlers!!   ;)
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Melissa on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:24am
Frank hon, that wakin up and wanting to go bear hunting is from your body purging itself of all the toxins. ;)

Congrats sweets, I'm very happy for you!

BTW, been a little over 6 months for me now.

:-*mel
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:25am
LMAO, Ghost!!

April, congratulations. May I suggest one of Allan Carr's books? I'm serious: His books and approach have made all the difference! :) Good luck in your next attempt. You'll do it! :)
Title: Re: One Week
Post by gMike on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:42am
Congratulations on the first week.  I hope there are many more to come!!!   :D

Mike
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Mastifflvr28 on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:48am
Congrats Frank and Deltadarlin,

Been a year and a half for me and I used Wellbutrin too.  And hubby still smokes heavily and I have no problems with it.  No craves...sometimes passing thoughts.

Mast
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:48am
Fantastic, Mel!!

Thanks, Mike!

A month is the longest I've ever been able to go without cheating on the quit and sneaking cigarettes.  :P I really do feel confident, happy, and everyday, I can feel the difference in my body and my breathing. I got up and ran two miles this morning and it felt GREAT to just BREATHE and not feel like I was going to wheeze, gasp, and pass out. LOL
Title: Re: One Week
Post by lionsound on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:54am
Way to go Melissa and Deltadarlin'!

Yay, Frank! you can do it! :)
Title: Re: One Week
Post by ExplodingEyeBall on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:54am
I'm also down to 3 0r 4 a day. Thanks for the link earlier Frank. It helped.

I still have a scrip for welbutrin but I can't afford the stuff. My silly a$$ insurance company won't pay a penny towards smoking cessation. (Go figure.)
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:59am
Thank you, Mast!! Thank you, Rori!

Pat, see your doctor and explain to him that your insurance won't pay for it. If you can, see if he'll give you free samples out of the drug closet, or go to him and tell him that you've been a little depressed about your smoking problem. LOL In other words, if you can get him to write the script for depression or bronchitis, your insurance will pay.

The LPN that I saw, just gave me a month's supply, and told me to come back when I needed more. How cool is THAT? :)
Title: Re: One Week
Post by burnt-toast on Aug 2nd, 2005, 9:02am
This is one instance where being a quitter is a great thing.  Stay with it and congratulations of your achievements.

Tom  
Title: Re: One Week
Post by ghost62 on Aug 2nd, 2005, 9:06am

on 08/02/05 at 08:54:50, ExplodingEyeBall wrote:
I'm also down to 3 0r 4 a day. Thanks for the link earlier Frank. It helped.

I still have a scrip for welbutrin but I can't afford the stuff. My silly a$$ insurance company won't pay a penny towards smoking cessation. (Go figure.)

The way around that is have the doc write it for mild depression brought obout from CH ... then they will cover it  ;)
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 2nd, 2005, 9:09am
Thanks, Tom!!

And yeah, I agree with Ghost. Get them to write it for something other than smoking cessation.
Title: Re: One Week
Post by nani on Aug 2nd, 2005, 9:10am
WTG Frank!! Keep up the good work!!    :D
hugs, nani
Title: Re: One Week
Post by sandie99 on Aug 2nd, 2005, 9:25am
Congrats, Frank! :)

Melissa & Deltadarlin': Congrats to you too!  :)

Best wishes,
Sanna :)
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 2nd, 2005, 9:35am
Thanks, Nani and Sandie. :) One day at a time...  [smiley=thumb.gif]
Title: Re: One Week
Post by BobG on Aug 2nd, 2005, 10:40am
Way to go Frank! Wish everyone would quit the stinkin', expensive, lung killin' habit.

I'm going to try (again), someday.

Glad the Wellbutrine worked for you. I tried it a while back and it made me a nervous wreck.
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 2nd, 2005, 10:45am
Thanks, Bob. It's having an effect on my sleep cycles, but I'm just using that extra time in the morning to put in a workout or a run. :) I don't know if it's the Wellbutrin, or the fact that I've quit smoking. I suspect it's a little of both.
Title: Re: One Week
Post by seasonalboomer on Aug 2nd, 2005, 12:01pm
The assurance I give you is that you will look back on this decision as one of the top ones you will make in your life. I quit 8 years ago and have made it past the period of being the anti-smoker crusader you become in the early days of quitting to just being so damned happy about it. Within a few years of quitting I was running marathons. My mantra was that "smoking was something I simply didn't get to do anymore."

Congrats and keep it up.

Scott
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 2nd, 2005, 12:19pm
Outstanding, Scott. You know, as I watch my skin improve, smell the rain, devour a pizza (OMG, that was a sensory overload!!), climb the stairs without getting winded, feel my chest and lungs clear up, it's like getting over a long illness or something... I'm not out of the woods yet, and I'm being cautiously optimistic, but whenever I feel the urge for a cigarette, I think to myself, "Do I want to be a smoker for the rest of my life?" The answer is always no, so it pretty much keeps me from taking that first cigarette, 'cause there's no such thing as "just one."

Thanks again,
-Frank
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Sandy_C on Aug 2nd, 2005, 12:34pm
Contratulations to all of you!  I've been a smoker since I was 21 years old (I'm 59 now) smoking maybe a pack a week.  Met my hubby, who smoked over two packs a day.  Needless to say, my intake increased.  He quit, cold turkey, almost 30 years ago.  I quit also, then I quit again, and again, and again.  I'm gonna quit again, too.  With all my "quits", I have never in my life heard of  Wellbutrin, but by golly, I'm goin online right now and learning about it!  My hubby would be so pleased.  :)
Title: Re: One Week
Post by sandie99 on Aug 2nd, 2005, 12:36pm

on 08/02/05 at 09:35:16, Frank_W wrote:
One day at a time...  [smiley=thumb.gif]

That's the spirit! [smiley=thumb.gif]
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 2nd, 2005, 1:11pm

on 08/02/05 at 12:34:17, Sandy_C wrote:
Contratulations to all of you!  I've been a smoker since I was 21 years old (I'm 59 now) smoking maybe a pack a week.  Met my hubby, who smoked over two packs a day.  Needless to say, my intake increased.  He quit, cold turkey, almost 30 years ago.  I quit also, then I quit again, and again, and again.  I'm gonna quit again, too.  With all my "quits", I have never in my life heard of  Wellbutrin, but by golly, I'm goin online right now and learning about it!  My hubby would be so pleased.  :)



You know, that's all you can really do, Sandy. Just keep on quitting. It takes most people at least 5-6 times before they finally quit for good. It took me about six times, and I'm still not out of the woods, but I feel good about this quit. :) I truly want this for myself. Best wishes!!
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Jasmyn on Aug 2nd, 2005, 3:31pm
Great Frank! [smiley=thumb.gif]

You will be my inspiration to quit, so you better keep it up! ;;D
Title: Re: One Week
Post by broomhilda on Aug 2nd, 2005, 3:41pm
Congrats to everyone, should be proud of yourselves!
Title: Re: One Week
Post by ghost62 on Aug 2nd, 2005, 3:42pm
I quit every day and start again in the morning. I guess if I sleep all the time i wont smoke again ;;D
Title: Re: One Week
Post by deltadarlin on Aug 2nd, 2005, 4:26pm
Actually, this is my first REAL effort to quit.  Tried many many moons ago, tried to go cold turkey, had a full-blown panic attack and went bonkers, until I got a cigarette.

This time around, I started out by cutting back, went from 2.5 packs to half a pack on my own.  Made up my mind that when I ran out of cigs this time, there would be no more.  Ran out on a Feb. 27 ane never looked back (although I did keep finding WHOLE packs buried in floorboard of my back seat, which I promptly threw away).

Frank,
Are you taking the Wellbutrin XL?  When do you take it?  When I first started out, I took it in the morning, and even by bedtime, couldn't go to sleep.  So......switched to taking it at night and never had any more problems.
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Redneck on Aug 2nd, 2005, 6:13pm
Way to go Frank, proud of you bro  [smiley=headbanger.gif]
Title: Re: One Week
Post by blossom on Aug 2nd, 2005, 6:28pm
[smiley=headbanger.gif]  YOU ROCK ON WITH YOUR BAD SELF, FRANK!!!   [smiley=headbanger.gif]

Great to hear all the encouraging stories of everyone quitting!  I keep telling myself I am going to quit but I can't seem to do it.  I'm afraid I will go ballistic and somehow wiggle myself through the phone at work and commit homicide on some idiotic provider calling for benefits!  phew, I get all wound up just thinking about it!  I wonder if it's time to look for a new job?!

Karen
Title: Re: One Week
Post by rextangle on Aug 2nd, 2005, 6:36pm
FRANK.....DON'T BE A QUITER! ;;D

Well, everybody being so supportive, I thought I'd give you some shit for quiting! [smiley=smokin.gif] to balance it out!

But seriously... Congratulations!
Let us know if it has any effects +or- on the CH!

Stay away from candy bars!

Good luck in keeping  it up!
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Ree on Aug 2nd, 2005, 7:03pm
you can do it frank..... now we have to get dave to do it too.... my sis in law used the commit losenges and it worked for her... pretty soon it will be daves butt habit or gas for the car anyway... if anyone complains about being broke and you still smoke.... duh??? to you!


ree
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:24pm
Frank - I'm so proud of you, and I know you can do it!

As for others thinking about Wellbutrin, please be cautious.  I think it works wonders for many, but it sure didn't for me.

I got really hyper, couldn't sleep at night, but when I did had aweful nightmares.  Everything tasted like rotten cabbage, I was thirsty all the time, and developed a twitch in my right eye.  So ... I was smoke-free, but constantly swigging water, having nightmares, feeling happy for no reason, and winking at everyone and everything in sight!

Bam - stopped the Wellbutrin, started smoking again.

I'm not trying to discourage those who want to stop, and I'm thrilled it's working for you, Frank.  But, it's definitely not the drug for everyone.

Keep the faith and you'll succeed, Frank!

Hugs,

Kris
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Tim_Z on Aug 2nd, 2005, 8:31pm
Excellent Frank, way to go. Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 3rd, 2005, 6:52am
Thank you, everyone!! Carolyn, I'm taking the Wellbutrin XL, and I was taking one dose in the morning and the other in the afternoon, but my sleep cycle has been really messed up, so I'm cutting back to just taking the morning dose and seeing how it goes. If my sleep is still screwed up, then I'll go off of the Wellbutrin all together. I don't care. LOL

Very best wishes in your quit!! Every morning, look in the mirror and promise yourself that today, just for today, you won't smoke. And the next morning, make the same promise. And then keep on keeping that promise! You aren't giving up anything. Quitting is something nice that you're doing for yourself.

Day 8, here. :)
Title: Re: One Week
Post by don on Aug 3rd, 2005, 6:56am
You need to get angry at the butts.

Buy a carton a week. Yell at it, swear at it , point your finger at it,  tell it to get out of your life !

Then send it to me.

Merit ultralight 100s
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Bethany1 on Aug 3rd, 2005, 7:07am
Thats fantastic Frank! Keep up the good work... they say its all psychological now. You can do it!
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 3rd, 2005, 7:27am
Don, I'll try it. LOL

Thanks, Bethany. It's ALL mental. The physical addiction to nicotine is so slight as to be unnoticeable. It's true. Nicotine is processed so quickly through the system and is eliminated so quickly, there is little, if any, true addiction or withdrawal from nicotine. The mental battle can be damn near impossible to win, and can truly feel like a physical struggle, though.
Title: Re: One Week
Post by deltadarlin on Aug 3rd, 2005, 8:02am
I strongly urge you to stay on the Wellbutrin.  I'm assuming that you're taking 150 mg at night and 150 in the morning?  If so. you can take both of them at once and if you take it right before you go to bed, it shouldn't bother you.

carolyn
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 3rd, 2005, 8:13am
Thank you, Carolyn. I may give that a try. Last time I tried quitting, it was the insomnia that gave me the hardest time, and I think, was mostly to blame for me going back and starting smoking again. The truth of the matter is, I talked myself out of the quit. I'm not going to let that happen, this time.
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Ree on Aug 3rd, 2005, 8:15am
think of how good you smell now..... and remember if ya smell good ya get more kisses from the misses.....


love ree (who is still kissing an ashtray)
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 3rd, 2005, 8:17am
That's definitely a great piece of motivation, Ree! :)

(I like kisses from the Missus!)  ;;D :)
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Charlie on Aug 3rd, 2005, 7:11pm
Nice going Frank and the rest of you!

Don't be quitters, keep quitting.

You've made it a long way Frank. After that first week, it gets easier and easier. After a month, you win.
http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/superhero2.gif


The bashtards I used to drink with screwed me up on my first try. They went out of their way sticking cigarettes in my face. The second time, I stayed out of the bar for two months. Worked for 25 years so far. Now I have no interest in the stuff. That Dallas hotel bar, by the way, was the best ventiliated place I've ever seen.

Anyway, now you become a PITA non smoker and will be looking for it everywhere. http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/loo knod sm.gif  At least I don't have to stand outside in bus shelters during a blizzard, smoking.

Good luck kids. http://www.kolobok.wrg.ru/smiles/standart/yahoo.gif?SSImageQuality=Full

Charlie
Title: Re: One Week
Post by Frank_W on Aug 4th, 2005, 6:27am
Oh jeez, Charlie: I would have kicked my "friends'" asses. That's just wrong... I'm hoping that this is true; that after a month, it gets easier. It hasn't been too bad, but it hasn't been easy, either. Thanks for the encouragement, Charlie.

Day 9 and feelin' fine... :)


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