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Chit Chat

A crazy person trying to stop smoking.....

If you don't want to read the huge paragraph you can skip to the questions at the bottom they are kinda self explanatory. Sorry I get wordy sometimes. 


So it is time. After 18 years I have to stop smoking.  It is a gross and disgusting habit and I hate it.  The smell of smoke makes me want to vomit and even though I smoke, sometimes I look at people and think "ewww they smoke".  I am a closet smoker, most of my family knows I do, but I don't do it in front of them.  I always sit in non smoking sections and if we go someplace like the mall, if I need a smoke I will walk all the way to the car and smoke behind it, rather than stand with the other smokies by the ashtrays.  Anyhow, I have tried, and failed.  I really do think that the reason I have failed in the past is because I didn't really WANT to stop.  Guilt does not work, the crazy sick commercials on tv don't do anything for me, I can watch one and light up at the same time.  So the catch is I am bipolar, and I hate it when ppl use that as a cop-out, as in I drowned my children because I'm bipolar.  But well it does effect me, and I am terrified of the mood swings that will come with the cravings.  On top of the Bipolar there is an anxiety disorder, once the stress gets to be too much panic attacks come.  They are very scary for FI and my boy, and I hate that sometimes they have to see them.  For the most part my meds keep them at bay, but too much added stress daily, can trigger one even if I am medicated.  So now that you have made it past all this, and I realize how much of a baby I sound like, I will ask my questions.

1. Have you or anyone you know recently quit smoking?
2. Are you or anyone you know Bipolar or have anxiety disorder, AND quit smoking? 
3. Please explain how you quit.
4. Anyone use Chantix or anyone bipolar or with anxiety disorder use Chantix?

I really really appreciate any advise you can give.
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Re: A crazy person trying to stop smoking.....

  • edited August 2012
    I would ask your doctor these questions. Everyone is going to have different experiences and your doctor will be able to help you the most. 
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  • anna.oskaranna.oskar member
    Eighth Anniversary 10000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited August 2012
    1. Have you or anyone you know recently quit smoking?
    I did.  It sucked, I failed multiple times and I think it's stuck now.

    2. Are you or anyone you know Bipolar or have anxiety disorder, AND quit smoking? 
    My sister has an anxiety disorder

    3. Please explain how you quit.
    I tried all the gimmicks and nothing did it as well as subbing habits.  I picked up a hobby (running) and found a new snack for the oral fixation (almonds) and just did one of the two whenever I really felt like I needed a smoke.

    My sister did the e-cig thing and it's really worked for her well.  She slowly tapered the nicotine down so that now (2 months later) she still uses the e-cig oout of habit but she's not using nicotine cartridges.  It's just flavoring essentially.

    4. Anyone use Chantix or anyone bipolar or with anxiety disorder use Chantix?
    My sister and I were both advised not to use Chantix.  I tried chantix for one of my failed quit attempts.  it really worked but it caused some major depression and very disturbing vivid nightmares.  Nothing like seeing your loved ones die in your dreams to make you go back to smoking huh?
    My sister was told to avoid it just because with her anxiety disorder she is already at risk and why mess with something that could negate the effects of her current meds.



    Also:  Don't call yourself crazy.  Nothing crazy about having a mood disorder and still wanted to quit a filthy habit.
  • Both my parents have quit smoking though it took them many attempts. Originally it was because my grandpa had died from lung cancer so everyone said they'd quit. They didn't really want to though and like you said that's the most important part.

    My mother used weight gain as her excuse to start back up everytime. In her mind it was because her metabolism slowed down bc of quitting. Really she just ate more because she didn't have the cigarettes for her mouth to fixiate on.

    I don't know anyone who's stopped w/the issues you are concerned about. I think they are valid concerns and I definitely think you should talk to a doctor before trying to quit. They will be able to guide you to any aids that may help and will have a much better idea.

    FWIW both my parents used Chantix when they finally were able to quit so I like it. But again definitely research the side effects/warnings and TALK TO A DOCTOR.
    June 16, 2012
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  • I can't quote you all but thank you for your replying.

    First, I did speak to my doctor about it and he was also concerned about the "mental issues" with the side effects chantix have.  He wrote the Rx after I agreed to have kind of a sponsor, someone close to me who knew my moods, and when I was getting too far down the dark road.  I had to give him the name of that person, and I gave him permission to speak to them reguarding my smoking and the chantix.  I filled the rx, but never took it.  It just never seemed like the right time.  Eventually it expired and I tossed it.  I am ready now.  I don't want to be chained to my lighter, and I want another baby so I HAVE to get healthy.

    E-Cig's is that the brand name?  I will look into those.

    Seriously thank you for these responses not only were they super fast but helpful too!
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_a-crazy-person-trying-to-stop-smoking?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:14Discussion:349be056-b9c2-4cf4-a64b-86bbee19223fPost:4b67ecda-50a6-4634-a933-369ea79c5ab2">Re:A crazy person trying to stop smoking.....</a>:
    [QUOTE]I've quit several times and failed. I failed because I was doing it for others and didn't really want to, but the last time, my doctor prescribed me Xanax because I also have an anxiety disorder and it helped a LOT with the stress/panic attack issue. I was also on the patch. If I ever decide to quit smoking again, this is exactly how I'll do it. I have very limited experience with bi polar, so I'm no help there, but I will NOT use Chantix personally. My parents both tried it and had horrible reactions, but what sealed the deal for me was when I had an actor who was on it completely lose his crap in the middle of a show. He was hallucinating and was convinced there was someone with a crossbow hunting him up in the catwalks above the stage. This was an otherwise completely healthy, mellow, stable 32 year old man. So, I am entirely too paranoid to try it now. Bottom line, you need to talk to your doctor and figure out what is best for you medically. Each person is different, but they should be able to find something that is compatible with your disorders.
    Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

    Wow. I have heard of ppl freaking out on Chantix, but that is wild!
    I take xanax now, we combine it with my bipolar meds to keep me for lack of a better word calm.  Then if I feel like I am gonna loose it for what ever reason, my perscription allows me to take 1mg every 8hrs as needed.  I go in this week for a check up and he and I will go over this again.  As I said before he was ok with perscribing it as long as I had someone who "knew" me along for the ride.  Cold Turkey makes my heart race just thinking about it.
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  • edited August 2012
    I quit a year ago, after smoking for 12 years. I bought an e cigarette on line v2cigs.com I still use the e cig, but have not touched a regular cigarette since. You can get them with or without nicotine and they never have tobacco or tar. You smoke water vapor essentially. Look into it! Well worth the money! I have horrible anxiety disorder and mood swings, dr says I am not bi polar, just easily irritated because of high anxiety, but idk about that. These work. When you get stressed, just use it like you would a cigarette and you will be fine. Takes about a week, max, to get used to it. Good luck!!
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  • Good luck!! quiting smoking sucks!!

  • I quit a few years ago. I didn't take anything and I absolutely couldn't quit cold turkey- If I told myself I couldn't have a cigarette I'd go nuts and want to have one. So I waited to see how long I could go without having one. Eventually the time between cigarettes kept increasing and when I really wanted one I would have one. I don't know if doing this will work for you but it worked for me. 
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  • edited August 2012

    1. Have you or anyone you know recently quit smoking? Yes. I quit for good several years ago. I know I will never go back to smoking because I never want to have to quit again.

    2. Are you or anyone you know Bipolar or have anxiety disorder, AND quit smoking? NO

    3. Please explain how you quit. I had quit many times, before the final time, using nicotine gum and tobacco flavored, fake cigarettes. For me the nicotine replacements just dragged out the quitting process. I needed to quit because the cost of life insurance for smokers is very high, so I decided to go cold turkey. So there was a financial incentive ina  addition to the health and hygiene things.

    I smoked my last cigarette, threw the rest of the pack away and dug in my heels. Whenever I had a craving, I brushed my teeth and drank a glass of icewater. Having clean teeth and fresh breath seemed to curb the cravings. Not going to lie, it was rough for about 3 weeks. Then one day I realized I had walked through a crowd of smokers and it hadn't bothered me a bit.

    4. Anyone use Chantix or anyone bipolar or with anxiety disorder use Chantix? I really really appreciate any advise you can give. NO
    Posted by Gatorsgirl731[/QUOTE]


    Don't feel so frustrated with yourself for those times that you tried and failed It doesn't mean that you will never be able to quit. That was just practice. Learn something from those times that didn't work and use them for the time you get successful.

    Good luck.
                       
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