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I quit smoking!

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Posted 11/4/2008 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone,

 

I haven't been lurking or posting on the board for a few weeks, been very busy as of late BUT today I have an appointment to discuss test results with my Doctor  :-) FINALLY!  So I booked the day off and have a little time this morn before I travel.  I quit smoking!! smilewinkgrin It will be 4 weeks tomorrow since I have had a cigarette!!!!  I'm still taking the zyban, I'm on my second bout and I am VERY proud of myself!  yeah  I was a smoker for 21 years ( started at 13 and am now 34) and tried to quit several times, not an easy thing to do!  At this point even though I still have the occasional urge I'm confident that I will never nono put another smoke to my lips again!! 

 

NOW ~ Since I have quit or started the zyban I have felt quite a bit better, I'm still tired for the most part and I never get enough sleep but I have slept better in the last five or six weeks and the aches and pains have been less frequent, some days not there at all! My husband thinks that it was the smoking that made me feel sore and tired?!  Is that possible? Could all of this just go away along with that nasty habit I had? (I know probably wishful thinking) OR is it possible that the zyban is helping me to feel better? Maybe it's a combination?  Maybe some of you have experienced something similar and if so any feed back would be great. 

 

I'm looking forward to finally talking with my doc about results and to let him know how I have been feeling the last few weeks! I'm sure he'll have some feedback to share with me as well!

 

I'll try and get on later to share what I have learned. 

 

I hope you guys all have a good day!!

 

Posted 11/4/2008 12:39 PM (GMT 0)

Allie, Congratulations!  yeah You should be soooo proud of yourself!  Quitting smoking is quite difficult to do but it can be done.  I smoked for 13 years and quit.  I have been smoke-free 30 years this coming January.  (It's funny how you will always remember when you quit smoking!)  We have another member that quit too, Kelly, and she's glad she did.  You will problaby get a post from her and she'll tell you all about her experience. 

Smoking would not cause all the pain and fatigue.  Look at all the smokers and non-smokers that do not have pain and fatigue.  Now, if smoking caused you to cough a lot, then the coughing can hurt the muscles and cause pain.  So, maybe that's what happened.  But, nevertheless, I'm so glad you are feeling better and breathing better!  congratulations, again!

Sherrine

Posted 11/4/2008 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations Ally!!!

I am so happy for you! Four weeks is a long time to keep this secret... I am happy that you let us know that you quit.

I think that the smoking can cause some pain and fatigue, due to the circulation problems. And the zyban could be helping you too. So like you say it is probably the combination of things. I am just so happy for you!

Hugs, Karen
Posted 11/4/2008 2:26 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Allie and congrats on quitting smoking!

I am a smoker and not proud of it- it is horrible for our health. I have quit twice in my lifetime and started back the first time just playing around thinking I would not become hooked again- Big mistake! The second time I quit was when my mom was dying of cancer and my second marriage was falling apart - that was a year and a half and then it just became too much for me. I figured I am either going to start smoking again or become a raging alcoholic. I figured smoking was the lesser of the two evils. sad

When I did quit- what stands out the most for me was the fatigue I would feel went away and I had energy! That was pre-fibro days, but I bet it does make a difference even with fibro.

Wish you the best of luck with this and you are setting a good example for us that do smoke!

GamJill 

Posted 11/4/2008 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Allie that is fantastic. You and Kelly are my heros. I hate to add another med but since you have both had such great luck quitting with meds I really need to try one. I'm going to make that my new year resolution. Right now is not a good time. I'm going to talk to my doc and have it on hand for the new year.

 

GamJill since we are going to Florida new years day want to join me in the fight. Poor Sherrine having two house guest trying to quit smoking, think we will drive her crazy??? devil

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 11/4/2008 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Allie,
Hate to disappoint your hubby but Zyban is actually an SSRI (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor) also known as Wellbutrin. Because we are deficient in serotonin SSRI meds help us keep the stuff we make longer. Serotonin is instrumental in the brain's processing of mood, circadian rhythms (sleep cycles), pain awareness and several other things.

Although the smoking could have decreased your oxygen levels and quitting is better for your fibro, the med is also helping with the pain. Speak with your doctor about continuing this or another SSRI (prozac, zoloft, etc.) after your smoking cessation period is over.
Posted 11/4/2008 8:00 PM (GMT 0)

Allie,

 

As you have been told, I quit smoking recently, too (August 28, 2008).  I quit with the help of Chantix.  I know a lot of people are afraid to use it, because there may be some side effects, but I call it the "miracle drug."  I had tried everything to quit, and this was the only thing that worked.  Like you, I occasionally get the urge to smoke, but it doesn't last long.  I moved across the country and I'm living with my parents right now.  I'm amazed that I haven't smoked, LOL. wink

 

Anyway, congrats!  And, for everyone still smoking, you'll know when the time is right to quit.  It has to be your decision. :-)

Posted 11/4/2008 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats Allie, and nice to meet you. . . I quit this year and felt tired and sore also. . . Could be psychsomatic or something, but I've researched people that have quit, and it is pretty intense for some, but well worth the trouble to finally be free from the crutch :)
Posted 11/5/2008 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Supposedly, smoking is bad for people who have fibro. I went to a pain doctor yesterday and her comment was, "Since you do not smoke I do not have to tell you to get."

So, this is the latest information on getting better. I would have to say though, that just about any illness is considered worse with smoking. So, quitting may not be a cure.

I am just so happy for you. To give up cigarettes is wonderful. I have many friends and relatives who have struggled with their smoking habits.

I am so glad that there is medication available to help you. Keep up the good work. It is amazing.

Donnaeil
Posted 11/5/2008 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
CONGRATULATIONS!! That is such a wonderful accomplishment. I quit 5 years ago using Zyban too. And I also started at 13, smoked for 21 years, and quit at 34. How wild is that? lol.

Keep it up. You know it can only get easier from now on. You should be so proud of yourself!
Posted 11/11/2008 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
Holy Smokes (no pun intended) mamanan that IS wild!!  Thank you all for the cheers!!  So far so good!  Still feeling OK I have days that aren't the greatest but still not THAT bad..and My Doctor thinks the sleep study LOST my results!!  Can you beleive that!!  So I still have nothing further to share except that I have to work on lowering my cholesterol a bit and that everything else came back normal confused One day I will find out...
Posted 11/11/2008 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Allie, if you like avocadoes, start eating them.  They do help lower cholesterol.  They helped me!

 

Sherrine

Posted 11/11/2008 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats Allie:) I just quit this year myself!!! It seems like the year to get rid of bad habits for many people. I started smoking when I was 15 and quit at 32 :) It really is not as hard as I thought it would be.
Posted 11/12/2008 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Green Grove you know you ARE right it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be however I never want to have to go through the whole withdrawal thing again!! That's why I KNOW I will never smoke again!

Spoke with the Doctor's office this morning and as it turns out my sleep study results have not even been dictated yet grrrrr..one can only assume that the results (thankfully not lost) were misplaced! SO they are trying to get them rushed but I might be another week to wait.

My doctor said last week that if it's a positive result for apnea (which I'm sure it won't be) I will be scheduled for a CPAP consultation *yay* I'm almost positive it's not apnea because I DON'T sleep...there is MUCH higher chance it's insomnia...c'mon results I'm tired of waiting..
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