Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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kbt - the weekends are quiet but someone will check in tomorrow. Just a short welcome for now. We're glad to have you, and as mentioned - NO ONE here will judge since we've all been there. More tomorrow.
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KBT, welcome and not sure if you would like to try chantix , that was the only thing that has helped me .. we are all here to help in anyway . small steps at first . take your time ,,, dont beat yourself up for slips ... xoxo
Hugs
Lisamarie
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Thanks LisaMarie and MinusTwo. My Dr suggested wellbutrin rather than Chantix. I suffer from migraines and she was worried the Chantix may interfere with my migraine meds. Yes, trying to not beat myself up. Thanks for the no judgement zone.
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wow, Bosumblues, I had no idea. Not sure of my treatment plan yet. I go to the surgeon, who will act as my Navigator, on Friday. Will jot down the question to make sure I ask about Wellbutrin on Friday. Thank you for the hint.
Kbt
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Talk to your pharmacist about any drug interactions - a more reliable source than doctors. It is my understanding that there aren't any drug interactions with Chantix (Disclaimer - I used to be on Pfizer's speaker bureau).
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kbt - I too was finally able to quit with the help of Chantix. And it was the only thing that worked for me. I like VJ's idea about asking your pharmacist. Even when I'm thinking about adding a vitamin or mineral to my routine, I always ask the pharmacist first.
However - If I remember, you haven't started BC treatment yet. Are you going to do neoadjuvant chemo or have surgery? Chemo drugs may have different interactions. For example, my MO said no antioxidents (Vit's A,C) during chemo because they work to make the cells grow when the chemo is trying to kill them. And I had to stop Vit E & Omega 3 a week before surgery because they are blood thinners.
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My MO would not give e anything , said if I wanted to quit bad enough I would , to think about my children and grandbabies. If that didn't work bang my head into the way until I forgot about smoking, He was trying to be funny while explaining that he did not want to have me taking anything that could interfere with treatment. He said after treatment we would talk again if I have not kicked it . I pray I can stay strong and continue to cut back everyday....until I no longer want them.....
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Honey - I guess i wouldn't find his humor funny under the circumstances. On a bad day, I'd be tempted to slam his head against the wall to show him how it felt. Well, cutting back is the next best thing as you go through treatment. When do you start & what are you doing? I don't see an update on your profile.
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This article is kind of long, but I think the British trials are interesting. I believe the data in the US so far is different, but that's what makes it interesting. BUT - you have to switch completely. No back & forth.
Study of cancer-causing toxins finds e-cigarettes much safer than smoking
Reuters Mon, Feb 6 2:36 PM PST
LONDON (Reuters) - Consuming e-cigarettes is far safer and less toxic than smoking conventional tobacco cigarettes, according to the findings of a study analyzing levels of dangerous and cancer-causing substances in the body.
Researchers found that people who switched from smoking regular cigarettes to e-cigarettes or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) such as gum or patches for at least six months had much lower levels of toxins in their saliva and urine than those who continued to smoke.
"Our study adds to existing evidence showing that e-cigarettes and NRT are far safer than smoking, and suggests that there is a very low risk associated with their long-term use," said Lion Shahab, a specialist in epidemiology and public health at University College London who led the work…..
Many health experts think e-cigarettes, or vapes, which do not contain tobacco, are a lower-risk alternative to smoking and potentially a major public health tool.
But some question their long-term safety and worry that they may act as a "gateway" to taking up conventional cigarettes. The U.S. surgeon general in December urged lawmakers to impose price and tax policies that would discourage their use.
Monday's study, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, analyzed saliva and urine samples from long-term e-cigarette and NRT users as well as smokers, and compared levels of key chemicals found in their bodies.
It found that smokers who switched completely to e-cigarettes or NRT had significantly lower levels of toxic chemicals and carcinogens compared to people who continued to smoke tobacco cigarettes.
Those who used e-cigarettes or NRT but did not completely quit smoking did not show the same drop in toxin levels. This underlined that a complete switch was needed to get the long-term health benefits of quitting tobacco, the researchers said.
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Minus.......This was my second Chemo 4 rounds of TC, two more to go. I have cut back to less then half of what I was smoking, yes its been hell and some days more then I can handle.. I just keep adding time between smokes so down to 6-7 a day. I have never been a heavy inhaler or smoke down to the butt, so have to be strong and have faith what Im doing will work for me .
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Thanks VJLS8, I will check with the pharmacist about interactions. I may have better luck on Chantix then the Wellbutrin especially if the Wellbutrin may interact with my treatments.
HoneyBeaw, yes I too have cut down but it is hard to get rid of those last 4-6 cigarettes and I only smoked about 10 per day. And I might not find his humor so funny either.
MinusTwo, not sure which treatment option they are going to recommend, i.e. surgery or neoadjuvant chemo. I am at 5cm, not sure of grade or stage yet, though they suspect I have at least 2 nodes involved (cortical thickening and other changes seen on US). So, my educated guess based on what I do know is at least a stage II or III. I am also not sure of my grade, although pathology report says, "tumor cell nuclei are moderately atypical and mitotic activity variable...hypercellular spindle cell proliferation and spindled cells are mildly atypical." I will find out Friday what the BS recommends for treatment routes. I have been told he will run more tests (MRI, set-up appointment with genetic counselor for that testing, possibly biopsy of nodes, and another US). I have a ton of questions for him.
In the meantime, taking it one day at a time with cutting back. The other day I only did 4, but today I was having pain so I did 6. Hoping I can kick this monkey before treatments start.
thanks to all of you for the great feedback and positive reinforcement!
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kbt - oh the waiting is soooooo hard. I'm amazed that you're able to cut back so well. You're much stronger than I ever was.
Honey - when you get the time, go ahead & add your treatment plan to your profile. Way to go girl. Down to 6 a day!!!
Cudos to both of you.
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Honeybeaw -- reading your post just makes me crazy angry -- what a total jackass. He knows nothing about cessation, if "just quit" worked, most people who smoke would have already quit. He doesn't want anything to interfere with your treatment but there are 7000 chemicals in tobacco smoke v 1 in meds --not really a difficult decision. I run into doctors like this all the time -- they are "god" so how am I to tell them they have their head up their ass when it comes to cessation. It's like my MO -- he is catholic and told me to not have sex while going through chemo because the baby would be born with horrible defects. DUH -- like birth control wasn't an option.
If you (or anyone else on this list) would like a free PDF copy of my book, "How to Win at Quitting Smoking", just send me a PM with an email address.
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Hello Ladies , Just popping in to say hello and hoping everyone is doing well. I have been in Nasty weather past few days .. Hugs and Love to you all .
Lisamarie
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Bosom, I am very excited about all the things I have done thus far . I am really feeling good about my choices . i honestly cannot believe its been 2 and 1/2 years already without a smoke .. time does fly by .. I am so busy with working 2 jobs , I really do not have time to think about it at all ...today I have country line dance lesson at 12 -2 pm then i go to work 3p -11p...
I hope everyone is well . I really miss everyone very much .. Minus, Judi, Vj, April, Beckers....
And to all the newbies and the girls that are giving there all .. thinking and praying for you .. xoxoxo
Hugs
Lisamarie
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LisaMarie - so great to hear from you. And now you've added line dancing to your busy schedule. You go girl. I couldn't be more proud of you if you were my own daughter.
kbt & HoneyBeaw - how are you both doing?
Read an interesting article in "Seniorfic News" that it is harder for women to quit smoking than for men. From Dr. McKee at Yale... first line smoking medications do not appear to work as well for women as for men. And...while men might smoke to satisfy a craving for nicotine, women smoke more to manage their moods. And...the relationship between stress & smoking appears to be stronger in women than men, leaving women less able to quit or more likely to restart smoking after stressful events such as a financial setback. The patch can help men satisfy their craving for nicotine and ease biological symptoms of withdrawal from nicotine dependency. But for women, just treating nicotine withdrawal does not help reduce negative moods, enhance positive moods, or manage stress, appetite and weight.
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Bosom Blues and MinusTwo thanks for asking and for the article.
I tried to not smoke at all on Saturday. Broke down and bought a pack. Still down to 4 to 6 a day can't seem to break that cycle.
I found out Friday that my tumor is actually 8cm, plus there are two additional spots. So multi-focal and multi-central (? Correct terms). I see the MO on Wednesday and BS said port placement in about 7-10 days (from Friday) and will do node biopsy then. It is getting real up in here. All the more reason to quit but as the article says...all the more emotional reason to smoke. I wish it was as easy for me as it was for my brother.
LisaMarie thanks for checking in and offering hope we can do this!
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Oh yes Bosum, I smoked 1/2 burned butts. At one point I would have smoked ground up tree stumps, or turnips. Keith Richards - REALLY? I would have gone to the concert with two packs. Somehow I missed the "righteous" phase (not to confused with the Righteous Brothers - but I sure smoked at those concerts). So I'm giving away my age. Yes, we smoked at the the Beach Boys concerts. You know we consider you an integral part of this thread. You're able to give the people who are still trying a ground base, that is just ain't that easy. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for staying with us.
kbt - if you're down to 4-6 and sticking with it, you're doing good. If I recall, that's how LisaMarie finally quit. She got down to a 'first thing in the morning' smoke or two, and then one day she just didn't. The trick is to find something else that replaces the repetitive motion. I used sunflower seeds, but I'm not sure they would be really good at 6am (ugh). Yes, this is a smoking thread, but please keep us updated on your BC progress.
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BosomBlues,
I can so relate. I hate the smell (even as a smoker), but have totally smoked my own butts. I have had my husband empty my ash can so I don't go looking for one. Thanks for the good vibes.
Good luck to you as well.
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So I know you are all waiting with bated breath to "see" the rest of the article about why it's harder for women to quit smoking.
'Thankfully for women, the Yale-SCOR has conducted the first-ever demonstration that women have a preferential response to a specific smoking cessation medication....In a study published...by the journal of Nicotine & Tobacco Research, the Yale-SCOR has shown that the prescription medication varenicline, marketed as Chantix, was more effective earlier in women, though equally effective for women and men after one year. The medication....works by blocking the pleasurable effects of nicotine in the brain. Because women are more likely to relapse after a quit attempt, and because relapses tend to occur soon after beginning of a quit attempt, the earlier effectiveness oa varenicline in women can help women get over that hump toward successful quitting. Other advice for women...include finding other ways to manage negative moods, accepting ...gaining a few pounds will be worth the health benefits of not smoking, enlisting the support of family & friends, and limiting coffee and alcoholic beverages, which can increase cigarette cravings when quitting.
The risk of heart disease & stroke decreases up to 50% in the first year after quitting. By 15 years, the risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a non-smoker.... Quitting between the ages of 45 & 54 reduces premature smoke-related death by about 66%.'
Hmmm - well I didn't quit until 63, but I'll bet I still have some benefits. Even if it's only the money I've saved and set aside to treat myself to ongoing surprises.
So yes, Chantix is supposed to cause some weird side effects. I have decided that it was the stress & trauma of denying myself the cigarettes that made me crazy for awhile. But I'm not a doctor, so do talk to your medical provider before taking this med.
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Checking in for the weekend. I was working on my income taxes and had a moment that I turned around looking for my cigarette & REALLY wanted a smoke. I could almost see that cigarette burning away in the ashtray on the desk. Fortunately it wasn't there and fortunately it was just a moment.
Hope all of you who are still trying are finding the support you need. Check in if we can help.
Hi to all the old-timers.
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Minus, How did you end up quiting and how long you been smoke free.
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Honey - I smoked between one & two packs a day for 40 years - and loved every minute of it. Around menopause, my DECA scan showed I had osteopenia. My worst nightmare is going blind. My second worst nightmare is breaking a hip and being 'warehoused' in a nursing home. Research & talking with my docs convinced that I was doing two things that were major contributors to bone loss - Smoking and drinking sodas. The other thing the doc said was start weight bearing exercise. Like all of us, I had tried to quit a number of times over the years. Once I even made it for over a year. But this time was enough to scare me.
I was still smoking in my house and in my car. So I gradually tapered off. I quit smoking in the house. Two weeks later I quit smoking in my car. Boy that was a hard one. I essentially quit going to see any friends who were more than 20 minutes away so I wouldn't be tempted. And I have to admit I did cheat one time when I got stuck in an hour long traffic jam. So now I'm only smoking on the front porch. I set my next two week goal to start Chantix,. Every time I wanted a smoke, I slammed out of the house & walked around the block. I joined 'Curves' and exercised 30 minutes a day. I ate a literal TON of sunflower seeds. (great hand to mouth action - up & down twice for each tiny kernal). I stopped talking on the phone - a major trigger. I quit having a drink or a glass of wine - another trigger. I quit reading on the couch next to my ash tray and started reading in the kitchen. Nights I hung out on my computer with quit smoking blog people.
30 days without a cigarette, I scheduled a company to come clean my carpets, drapes & furniture. A major expense, so now I'm really committed. I washed every piece of clothing or took it to the cleaners. Who would want to do that twice? I paid to have my car detailed inside. I started putting the money for each day's pack in a 'treat jar' (and boy have I done some fun things). I found a new job that I really liked and started January 2008. Of course you can't smoke at work. Also it was the first time I'd had an 8-5 job when I just went home at the end of the day. No work going home with me, no worries about the next day, heavenly. I kept a 1/4 pack of yucky brand cigarettes in my freezer for over a year just in case of emergencies, but this time I was able to resist.
My actual quit date was 7/11/07 - so it will be 10 years this summer. In all that time, I only took one puff one time when a very stupid friend asked me to hold her smoke when she put her dog in the garage. It was enough to tell me that I can NEVER take another puff. I am a smoker. I will always be a smoker - just one who is not smoking.
It was just as hard to quit Cokes (the problem for the bones with this is the carbonation). I was drinking 6-8 a day - all day every day. Eeek.
In order to keep the momentum, I became an exercise freak. I walked at least 5 miles six days a week. I joined a gym and worked out for a minimum of an hour 5 days a week. I went to a water aerobics class 3 night a week. I was sooooo damn healthy. After a year I could go back into a bar and not die for a smoke. I even stood out with the smokers at work since I found them more interesting people.
But the irony is... 3-1/2 years after I got to be the healthiest damn person on the planet, I got slammed with breast cancer. I had always said if I was diagnosed with a life threatening disease, the first thing I would do was buy a pack of cigarettes. Somehow i didn't remember that vow until further down the treatment road, and then I just decided it was always an option but I'd hold out for now.
I so admire you women who are trying to quit and deal with the stress of cancer at the same time. What a hard road. You have all my support. Don't beat yourselves up. If you don't make it this week, maybe next time. I feel lucky that I never became judgmental like some former smokers do, because it could just as well be me.
Sorry - I guess I got carried away. If you don't smoke at your computer. this will have provided a good break. Not to mention taking up a whole page.
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Minustwo,
Thank you for sharing your story with us. It is inspiring to know that you did it and we can do it! I had a bad weekend smoked 2 packs from Thur-today (around 10 cigarettes a day). Decided today not going to buy anymore! I have decided if they are around...I will smoke them. So today 3 cigarettes and no more. I only smoke outside and in my car when my son is not with me. Detailing the car is a great idea! Talking on the phone is also a trigger for me (I go out on the porch and talk and smoke). Trying to go to bedroom or another place when people call so I am not in my "temptation spot".
I have the vapor for those weak moments (one without nicotine and one with lowest dose), I also chose the food flavors instead of tobacco flavor...if I can't have the real thing no need in having the fake. So a cinnamon bun flavor and Cafe mocha flavors. First thing in the morning, after work and bedtime are the hardest hoping I can get through rest of today.
The walking/exercise is also a great idea! Thanks again for the encouragement and awesome tips.
Hope the rest of the group is doing well.
Not sure if I told you all but my plan is in place: Plan is in place: If heart ok will do double dose of AC chemo every 2 weeks for 4 courses (8 weeks) followed by single dose of Taxol every week for 4 to 6 weeks. Time for each course of chemo is 4 to 5 hours.
If spread (which is is not I have faith), then different chemo route but will still start on 3/9. First week they say to take off to see how you do. Then can work rest of time (depending) but she is setting up for Thursday so I can work as much as possible.
2-4 weeks recovery after chemo then mastectomy. Then 4 weeks after mastectomy radiation. Radiation for 5 weeks then go on hormone suppression. May see about either hysterectomy or ovary removal at time of breast surgery due to being hormone positive to reduce risk and to have recovery at same time.
So sometime in July or August will have surgery. Can't have reconstruction at the same time due to needing radiation.
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Minus Thank you for replying
Today was chemo so for what ever reason It makes me want to smoke worse. Right now I cant seem to get past that 6-8 a day. I keep adding time between smokes and then add more time, but still stuck at this 6-8. I do walk and exercise to distract myself. Hoping going back to work in few weeks will put me over that hump as I will not smoke at work . I have even asked Hubby to take them and only leave me so many. Most days I do not smoke what he has left but would go into panic mode if I did not have them .My triggers are, phone calls . I have taken to eating fresh pea pods which I love , and while I only smoke in my kitchen by the window I have figured out I have to shut the kitchen down right after each meal and not hang out in there at all if not cleaning or cooking . Morning Coffee is the worst time for me ...so now I drink hot tea which is helping......I do love my coffee.
I know I will get there because I already feel the effects of not smoking so much and that's a good feeling.....
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KBT
Its hard, I have always said its the habit I'm addicted to not so much the nicotine. I believe that more then every now, so many things that trigger you to smoke. I was also one of them people that loved smoking up until I started smoking to much and started hating it . This whole BC issue came up during my plan to quit and derailed me big time. I'm a nervous smoker , it my go to for everything stressful or pleasure...I wish you well and will check in on you......hang tough
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kbt - You might consider having TE's put in during your BMX surgery. It seems that most plastic surgeons do that and put in minimum fill before rads - just to hold the place. Or if you start from scratch after rads, you might have to go with a Diep with maybe fat grafting. I'm older than you all and didn't want to have such intensive surgery & recovery.
Thanks both of your for sharing your smoking journey. I know there are others who "lurk" but don't post, and it's good for them to see progress & trials. Sounds like you are both determined, and it will get there eventually. Hang in there.
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Same to you HoneyBeaw - hang strong. 6-8 is not bad, don't beat yourself up! WE are doing well! Yes, nervous smoker too, as well as that habit part! Pea pods is a good idea as well, I love them too!
How is your chemo going? Sending you strength and love!
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Thanks MinusTwo,
I'll ask about the TE. You are the best!
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kbt - I hope you're talking about a Plastic Surgeon (in addition to a Breast Surgeon). If so, and he/she doesn't take the time to discuss options with you, consider getting a second opinion. You have time while you're doing chemo.
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