I am very disheartened by my dependence on cigarettes. I quit for 2 months this winter. My brother was killed iin Afganistan and well pushed me over the edge.
On the days I have tried to quit I do pretty well except I can physicaly do nothing. My fatigue is ten fold. I don't eat, clean or talk to people.
Once I have a cigartette the fatigue lifts. Was thinking of trying the patch or gum. Any successes out there would be appreciated.
I would be so lucky to be able to give these things up. I am currently smoking between 1/2 to 1 pack a day.
I quit originally during intense herx when starting treatment. I figured if I couldn't leave to get food or meds how could I go buy smokes. That is how intensely Ill I was when I started in treatment.
Take care and peace.
Posts: 221 | From S. Florida/Massachusetts | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Don't give up! You can do it! You are so close.
I just quit smoking two weeks and two days ago, after having smoked for 14 years. And embarrassingly, the past 2 years with my horrible Lyme symptoms I smoked too.
Anyway, I did it by going cold turkey, although on day 2 my physical withdrawals were so bad that I chose to have half a ciggy just to take the pain away.
There is definitely a huge difficulty quitting smoking when you are riddled with Lyme - the physical withdrawal is so much more painful.
One natural remedy that helps a lot is if you get Lobelia as a tincture. It is a relative of the tobacco plant but really good for you and has tons of alkali's in it and reeeeally helps with the cravings.
I also got me some huge bags of sugar free Jolly Ranchers and Trident gum (because it has Xylitol). I have been sitting on my couch, chewing like a madwoman and knitting a Very Long Scarf (to keep my hands busy).
At first when I got sick, I told myself that smoking was the one little reward/happiness I allowed myself in a life filled with pain and suffering.
But deep down I knew that to quit smoking would be the single greatest thing I could do for my body healing from Lyme, and that my smoking majorly supressed my immune system. Deep down I knew this. I was just being rebellious and in denial.
I also just keep telling myself "I am a NON smoker now" and that helps. Also, I let myself do anything but smoke, so I've had some sugar here and there.
The cravings hit hard and strong, but as the days pass you they get shorter and shorter, it's just a matter of riding them out.
I am SO happy to be a non smoker now. I love that I don't stink. I love that my breath doesn't stink. Nor my hair or my clothes. I don't have to worry about my next smoke. I don't feel that smoker's guilt anymore. Everyone is really proud of me.
Sorry this turned into such a long post, I just wanted to convey to you that you can do it and it is can be such a positive expereince. And also to cheer you on.
Don't be too hard on yourself.
Cheers,
Alison
--------------------
The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. --- Edward R. Murrow Posts: 923 | From California | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged |
lyme_suz
Unregistered
posted
PR-
Have you had your thyroid checked? Lyme can mess it up. Taking the medicine for that is painless and cheap. I go crazy, really for sugar without it. I recently went down on my dose because my levels were high..I think that this is because my thyroid is recovering.
Also, often people who are addicted to cigarettes or other things are having trouble with the chemical balence.(depression) A lot of us with lyme need medication to help out with anxiety and depression.
Have you had either of these checked?
It sounds like you have intense stress in your life. That can make it really hard to quit right now. To me, coping with everything going on is a lot. If the quitting is overwhelming,(which it is to even "healthy" people, maybe it is best to reapproach later.
I luckily didn't ever start smoking, even though I was practically raised in a tavern. But I have had moments when I was still really sick where I was dying to sit on my front porch and have a cigarette. I didn't go there, but I can't imagine how it is for you.
I hope that I am not a bad influence with my "take a break if you need to"
Lyma Bean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1914
posted
Hi PR!
Funny you posted this, as I just had acupuncture to stop smoking, the day before yesterday. They insert stainless steel staples in your ears. So far the results are encouraging. I normally smoke 1-1 and 1/2 packs a day. Yesterday I only smoked seven.
It takes away the "need" to smoke. The only trouble I'm having is the physical habit. It also takes away the feeling of satisfaction when you do smoke. I wish you (and me) the best of luck
Take Care.......Terri
-------------------- Posts: 1405 | From Plano, Texas | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged |
treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Well when I quit chewing snuff I tryed to keep busy and replaced it with Icecream I know its bad for you well canidida yeast just take more acidopholis. I also ached more and tired so I took pain pill and slept when I could. I also drank lots of water. But keeping your mind off of it is the key after 5 days the urges subside every day.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
Linda LD
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6663
posted
I quit one cigarett a week.
I got down to one cigarette a day and did that for a year--however long it takes or whatever the method--hang in there.
You are on the right track.
Linda
Posts: 1171 | From Knoxville, TN US | Registered: Dec 2004
| IP: Logged |
rosesisland2000
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2001
posted
I quit on January 6, 2005...that's the longest I've ever gone.
This time, I used the Welbutrin (Zyban, same thing) and the Nicotrol Inhalers.
I was even through with the first prescription of the Inhalers when I noticed that I was no longer in need of them.
Also, with the Zyban or Welbutrin, you need to pick a stop date and start the Z or W 2 weeks prior to your quit date.
I smoked for over 37 years and this time trying to quit was the absolutely the easiest try. "They" say that you should never give up trying...somewhere along the line you'll quit.
Good luck and I'm truly sorry about the loss of your brother. My late husband and I quit together and then he died a month later of Leukemia and I started back. My only sibling, my brother, died in 1976 and it still seems like yesterday that he was here...and so missed.
Sending good thoughts for you continued fight to quite smoking.
posted
search "emmanuel revici, [m.d.] + addiction," and see what you come up with.
then search uspatent data base with, "revici" or "evram." and see the antismoking compound, and results.
sulfonil, his invention, greatly helps with cigarette addiction.
Posts: 2708 | Registered: Feb 2005
| IP: Logged |
trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
I quit October 15 2003!!!!!
Not one puff since.
smoked for 15 years and thru first major lyme treatment.
It has been so difficult and so wonderful all at the same time.
My advice, don't cut down, just Q-U-I-T.
It is soooooooo much easier to just QUIT and never ever ever touch the stuff again.
But when I say easy, it was still one of the hardest things I EVER did.
Letting yourself have even one puff creates this downward spiral until you are back where you were again. YOu really do need to have no nicotene in your system at all to finally feel FREED from those chains.
BELIEVE me, I can't believe me, that I can actually write honestly about this and give out advice about QUITTING.
I was a closet smoker, a not so many cigs smoker, a full on smoker, a proud to be a smoker--whatever. Now I hardly EVER think about it, no joke.
I tried gums, patches, accupuncture, pills, you name it. The only thing that worked was to set a date and charge right the hell thru it. The first week was a mess, the next almost worse, the first two months were pretty bad. But it DID get easier. I even called hotlines and was super suicidal at times, but it was WORTH IT!
Now I will never touch a cig or any nicotene b/c the THOUGHT of trying to quit is what keeps me away. It is not the smell, the cough, the inconvienence, it is the knowledge that if I have a cig, I will have to try to quit and go thru hell AGAIN. It is akin to seeing another deer tick on me, ya know---like AHHHHHHHHHHHH----no way am I going thru THAT crap again!!!!
My number one savior, besides my loving partner, was a website called:
Whenever I wanted to smoke, I went there and just WASTED those hours on the internet, I felt that it was better than wasting my lungs and life. And I was right.
I do think that smoking helps people with chemical imbalances and there are a lot of studies showing that it helps with pain.
BUT BUT BUT-----you don't have to give your lungs to the cig mega bussiness to feel better---there ARE other ways that WORK and cost less and feel even BETTER. ANd once you are off the addiction, your body adjusts and you don't get those mega suicidal fatigue, insane whatever bouts.
Okay---I'd better get off my box now, huh?
I reallllllllly dont want to discourage you b/c I am going on and on. Check out that website and tell me what you think.
I wish you all the luck and courage in the world. I am heartbroken to hear about your brother to say the least. bestest, trails Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
| IP: Logged |
trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
up---- prconn...how you doing? are you quitting?
DIdnt want to scare you away...hope I didnt, Trails Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hello prconn, Perhaps we could give each other some support - I'm trying to give up too... I've got myself down to about five a day. I have managed to stop through the day and just limit myself to a few in the evening.
It's soooo hard to give up... I find that any excuse- stress, a telephone call, after a meal etc. is enough to make my resolve dissapear. I don't seem to have any willpower where this one is concerned.
I have been thinking that perhaps Lymies are more addicted to smoking ; borrelia thrives in a low oxygen environment, smoking deprives us of oxygen and so the bugs are even happier in our low oxygen habitat. Just a thought.
Posts: 229 | From United Kingdom | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
hopeful123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3244
posted
hey guys, don't give up trying because sometimes it takes many attempts before you can do it. i have been clean for 2+ years and this after 40+ smoking.
gum or patch, use whatever eases the withdrawl. It helped me.
now I know that I can NEVER have just one. My downfall last time I quit was that after a year I would bum cigs from time to time. I can't do that again. don't want to, either.
good luck. any support I can offer is yours. i know about when things get really tough it's even harder to stay motivated.
hopeful123
-------------------- some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield Posts: 1160 | From NY | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
It's been three weeks and three days for me since I quit! And yes, I totally agree that the Bb love it when we smoke and give them their oxygen depleted environment.
Here is something that helped me . . .
After you quit...
Within 20 minutes : Your blood pressure and pulse rate drop to normal. Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal.
Within 8 hours : Carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal and oxygen levels in blood rise to normal. Smoker's breath disappears.
Within 24 hours : Chance of heart attack decreases.
Within 48 hours : Nerve endings start regrowing. Ability to taste and smell enhances.
Within three days : You'll breathe easier.
Within two weeks to three months : Circulation improves. Walking becomes easier. Lung function increases up to 30%.
Within one to nine months : You'll cough less. Sinus congestion and shortness of breath decrease. The cilia that sweep debris from your lungs will grow back. You'll feel more energetic.
Within one year : Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.
Within two years : Your heart attack risk drops to near normal.
Within five years : Lung cancer death rate for average former smoker (of one pack a day) decreases by almost half. Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker five to 15 years after quitting. Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, and esophagus is half that of a smoker's.
Within 10 years : Lung cancer death rate is similar to that of a nonsmoker's. Precancerous cells are replaced. Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.
Within 15 years : Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker's.
--------------------
The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. --- Edward R. Murrow Posts: 923 | From California | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Well I started. Yesterday was not so bad, today I have barely even thought of them. I think previously having quite for 3 months really made these last 2 days easier.
I am not saying I don't have cravings, I do! i just feel like I am in a fight for my life at this point. I want to come out on top.
Thanks for all your support!
Take care and peace.
Posts: 221 | From S. Florida/Massachusetts | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hooray! Good for you! Loads of positive encouragement to you. Awesome!
(sometimes it helps to know you have people cheering for you)
I'm only just over a month with no smoking myself.
Way to go! Yipee!!!!!! Right on!!!!
Alison
--------------------
The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. --- Edward R. Murrow Posts: 923 | From California | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged |
robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
This may sound silly but here's wh helped me quit 14 years ago. I told myself "I am a non-smoker" rather than "I am trying to quit".
That phrase helped me kick a 16-year-pack-a-day habit. Haven't had one since.
Keep trying ...... that was my last attempt of three.
Be Strong, robi
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged |
Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
I used almost every trick in the book to actually end my 2-pack a day habit 16 years ago.
I was a die-hard smoker. Friends were really concerned and shocked when I finally quit smoking.
I found that having things around to fiddle with helped me enormously, especially when I was on the phone or when I was driving. I used those plastic sticks you get for stirring coffee. I kept them with me everywhere.
I also chewed gum (sugar free cinnamon) for the first and only time in my life. The cinnamon flavor in gum and mints somehow helped reduce my cravings.
Plus, I started having to figure out what to do with my anger. I went from being very zen and laid-back to being a bit more volatile.
There are times I still miss having a cigarette, but they're very few and far between now.
It's a good thing you're doing. I watched one of my dearest friends die of lung cancer a few years ago. It wasn't pretty; it could have been me, and I still miss her a lot.
Give yourself a lot of credit and be especially good to yourself over the next few weeks!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
I'm in the trying to quit group now. It's been 2 months. The only thing is I'm addicted to nicorette gum right now. My muscle testing doctor recently learned a technique with a microcurrent type machine that zaps pressure points in your ears that are the addict points.
This new technique is like accupunture without needles. He will be treating me in the next couple weeks for my addiction to nicorette gum. I quit 4 yrs ago when I was at my worse with lyme and I was smokeless for 15 months. I thought it would help me get well from lyme.
Well like any addict, all I needed was an excuse to start again. I wasn't feeling any better since I quit, so one day I said "I'm going to buy a pack of cigs and don't anyone get in my way."
Reminds me of my signature quote below. Take care, Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
I quit 20 yrs ago. After trying hypnosis and nicorettes, what finally worked was an x-ray of my lungs by a pulminist who said "you won't make it to 60". I was 30 at the time. That didn't make it easy but it sure gave me the motivation. I quit cold turkey and took up strawberry flavored twizzlers. Did you know they come 20 to a pack? I kept a pack by the phone, in my car, by my bed, etc and would roll it around in my mouth and hold it like a cigarette. I would tell myself "today I will not smoke. I can't promise about tomorrow but today, I will not smoke." Man it was tough, but once I was over it, I never looked back. I am soooooooooo happy I quit. Good luck to you and if you can just tuff it out you really will make it honest.
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
I have been smoking for over 40 years now and I'm getting ready to quit.
I've been working up to this for a while now. When I decided to start to cut down I was smoking 3 to 3 1/2 packs a day.
I'm down to 10 ciggs or less a day now. I bought the Chantix and it's been sitting there for a while but I'm soooo close now.
I had to stop all my meds a few weeks ago because of a bout with Epiploic Appendagitis but I'm almost back to all my full doses and figure a week maybe two and I'll be quitting.
I'll let you know how I make out.
Steve
Posts: 406 | From Rhode Island | Registered: May 2007
| IP: Logged |
CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
At my worst, I smoked 4 packs a day, was a chain smoker, smoked in, I kid you NOT, the SHOWER with ONE ARM OUT and would switch arms!!! Yup, there's a reason I don't do drugs or drink today, I'm pathetic when I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4 packs a day, yuck. Basics or Marlboro Reds with a mnethol Kool once in awhile and cloves once in a while and those rose cigs once in a while...
Now I haven't had a smoke in 12 years. I quit when my husband and I decided to have children.
I wanted to quit ONE YEAR AHEAD to clean my body out. This is how I did it.
I was told by someone who did it this way and it worked for them. I had tried EVERY OTHER WAY there was at the time (they didn't have all these Chantix, drugs stuff, I hope those work, sincerely) nicotine gum and this and that! Switching to cloves, etc!!!
What I did was set a date 6 months in advance and then EVERY SINGLE TIME I LIT UP A CIGARETTE, I had to meditate on how much I wanted to stop smoking!!! When I was taking the action to DO it.
And when that day came to quit, for the first time, I DID NOT HAVE WITHDRAWAL OR CRAVINGS. it was removed from me. For the first time.
I wasn't grouchy, I wasn't craving, I was fine.
It was my own little miracle and I knew it could never happen again so I have never smoked again.
In quitting alcohol I was not relieved of cravings and wanted to drink with cravings for a looooooong time.
I had tried to quit for YEARS before I tried this meditation routine and it worked for me*)!
Whatever works!(*!! Smoking sucks!! Boy is it expensive these days too- I remember when it went up to a dollar a pack my friends and I groaned about it like crazy- now- WHOO- I am so glad I don't smoke just for financial reasons- wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck, everyone- it's a hard one!! Best wishes, Sarah
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
tailz
Unregistered
posted
If I would have quit smoking, I would have died of lung cancer, because the menthol and arsenic in the brand I smoke was killing my Lyme.
Cigarettes don't cause lung cancer. People who smoke are merely trying to kill their infections before the infection kills them first.
IP: Logged |
The only reason I even started smoking again after quitting was because I kept getting flu-like symptoms.
The last time was this past April. I quit for 6 weeks and felt awful the entire time.
It wasn't the cravings that got me.
It was the darned body aches, headaches, and general feeling of malaise.
Only started feeling better when I picked up the ciggies again.
Now I think I should quit again.
Not only for health reasons, but because the ciggie money will now be going to help pay for my lyme treatment.
Keep your fingers crossed, please.
-------------------- If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. - Lewis Carroll Posts: 356 | From Body-PA, Mind-elsewhere | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
As much as I hate to admit it.....I started smoking again too.
I hate the fact that I did. I feel ashamed.
I can blame it on the illness, my court problems, or my life in general,
But I am weak, weak, weak.
I am going to do hypnotherapy in a couple of weeks.
I've done it before. It worked really well for a couple of years,
Until I said to myself "I can have just one".
I can't. I am like an alcoholic. One leads to another and then another.
I am only that one cigarette away from being a smoker vs. non-smoker.
Count me in for looking to quit for good very soon.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[rant]](graemlins/rant.gif)
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)
![[woohoo]](graemlins/woohoo.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[shake]](graemlins/shake.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic