Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1017863

Shown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Quitting smoking

Posted by Phil on May 14, 2012, at 8:17:24

I'm once again at a point that I need to quit smoking. My plan has always been that if I die young from smoking, well, then I die young. Not that young, I'm 58.
So, I don't want to quit to live longer because there are no guarantees either way.
But, I'd like to breath until I die and breathing is getting harder. To make matters worse, I've gained 40 pounds over the last few years, thank you meds. The weight gain made everything so much worse and I can't believe all of the things that I used to do but can't do now.
I've got enough pack / years that if I was dx'd with lung cancer no doctor would be surprised.
So, I have ecigs I bought a year ago and only used a few times. Not the perfect way to quit but much better than smoking.
What bothers me is, being bipolar, and subject to moods from awesome to laying in bed praying for death. I wonder if I could quit normally much less spiraling out of control.
I'm just airing this out here but comments always appreciated.

 

Re: Quitting smoking » Phil

Posted by Phillipa on May 14, 2012, at 9:49:44

In reply to Quitting smoking, posted by Phil on May 14, 2012, at 8:17:24

Phil you mean like the spring at times causes some to stop their meds you are thinking you could be headed in the upward spiral? I think you should quit smoking. But sounds like a Catch 22 for you. I'm sensing it calms you? But if so would one of the substitues fill it's place. Not breathing is horrible. You don't want this. Phillipa

 

Re: Quitting smoking » Phil

Posted by sigismund on May 15, 2012, at 0:06:00

In reply to Quitting smoking, posted by Phil on May 14, 2012, at 8:17:24

Sue someone for breach of promise.

You have been told for years it will kill you.

 

Re: Quitting smoking » sigismund

Posted by Phil on May 15, 2012, at 7:31:37

In reply to Re: Quitting smoking » Phil, posted by sigismund on May 15, 2012, at 0:06:00

> Sue someone for breach of promise.
>
> You have been told for years it will kill you.

Try to discuss doing the right thing and there's always an as-s-hole waiting to tear you down.

 

Re: Quitting smoking » Phil

Posted by Raisinb on May 15, 2012, at 20:33:15

In reply to Quitting smoking, posted by Phil on May 14, 2012, at 8:17:24

Quitting is rough. I quit cold turkey a couple of years ago and my moods were ridiculous--crying, rages, etc. For me the gum and things weren't helpful. I just had to accept it was going to be awful and get through it. The cool thing about quitting smoking is, there will be an end to the pain. The worst part for me was over in a week or so. After that I would have liked to smoke, but the withdrawals/cravings had lessened. You can do it, just remember that it's something you can get through in a relatively short period of time. I wish I could say the same about mental illness. Next to being Bipolar, quitting smoking was a cakewalk.

 

Re: Quitting smoking » Phil

Posted by jane d on May 16, 2012, at 0:28:16

In reply to Quitting smoking, posted by Phil on May 14, 2012, at 8:17:24

Good luck. I did it about a decade ago. Overall I think it was worth it. My breathing improved quickly and is still not a problem. But my overall mental functioning is worse and I do wonder if that's connected. It is a major med change as you obviously know. Treat it as respectfully as you would any other. I've never tried the ecigs but it sounds like maybe that will let you have the best of both worlds - breathing and the psych benefits of cigarettes.

Note: Nicotine replacement did work for me when I was quitting as did wellbutrin. It still wasn't fun and it wasn't fast but it was possible.

 

Re: Quitting smoking

Posted by Phil on May 16, 2012, at 6:50:20

In reply to Re: Quitting smoking » Phil, posted by jane d on May 16, 2012, at 0:28:16

Thanks for the input. I quit once in the 80s and for some reason it wasn't too hard. I made it a year. Haven't been able to quit at all since then.

When cigarettes were .35 a pack, my brother said he would quit when they reached .50. He's 69yo and still smoking at $5 a pack.

So, July 4th I get roped into helping set off fireworks. Someone gave me a cigar to use. That's why I only made it a year. Big mistake.

 

Re: Quitting smoking

Posted by Phillipa on May 16, 2012, at 18:45:11

In reply to Re: Quitting smoking, posted by Phil on May 16, 2012, at 6:50:20

Only time I smoked was when drinking beer used to keep my hands busy. Worst mistake ever made was trying to smoke one in the am I nearly fainted. Hated it. Only purpose other than that was as a stimulant for bathroom at night. Phillipa

 

Re: Quitting smoking » Phil

Posted by Zyprexa on May 18, 2012, at 1:03:10

In reply to Quitting smoking, posted by Phil on May 14, 2012, at 8:17:24

I suggest taking wellbutrin sr, 300mg a day. It will get you to smoke less without missing the extra cigs. Takes about a week or so to start working. Do that for a while and add nicotine lozenges if you want to get the smoking down even further.

I now take both for the last 8 years and have only been smoking about 1 cig a day for the last 5 years of it. I'll admit I have not smoked as long as you and it may be harder for you to do. I'm 36 now and started when I was 16. The wellbutrin realy works. I find it also help to just take a few puffs of a cig when desperate and then put it out for later.

 

Re: Quitting smoking » Zyprexa

Posted by Phil on May 18, 2012, at 8:09:53

In reply to Re: Quitting smoking » Phil, posted by Zyprexa on May 18, 2012, at 1:03:10

Wellbutrin and me don't get along. I don't know if it would be harder to stop since I'm older. Doesn't seem to matter, quitting is hard at any age.

 

Re: Quitting smoking

Posted by Zyprexa on May 18, 2012, at 9:17:09

In reply to Re: Quitting smoking » Zyprexa, posted by Phil on May 18, 2012, at 8:09:53

have you tried generic wellbutrin sr? I find it easyer to stomack

 

Re: Quitting smoking » Zyprexa

Posted by Phil on May 18, 2012, at 11:41:19

In reply to Re: Quitting smoking, posted by Zyprexa on May 18, 2012, at 9:17:09

No, I had very little effect from Wellbutrin but did have a bit of irritability. You know, shooting at passing cars, etc.

I'm not in a position to add another med right now.

I think the lozenges may be my best bet.

 

Re: Quitting smoking » Phil

Posted by Phillipa on May 18, 2012, at 20:54:58

In reply to Re: Quitting smoking » Zyprexa, posted by Phil on May 18, 2012, at 11:41:19

I wouldn't advise shooting at cars!!! Phillipa

 

Re: Quitting smoking

Posted by Zyprexa on May 22, 2012, at 23:17:30

In reply to Re: Quitting smoking » Zyprexa, posted by Phil on May 18, 2012, at 11:41:19

the lozenges work 50% and the wellbutrin works 50%. So if you use both, you have a 50% chance of quiting smoking. or with one its a 25% chance. I use both and have almost quit smoking. the only problem is, I can't quit either of the quit smoking aids.


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