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gina5234	Jan-01-03, 02:12 PM (CMT)
"Stopping Smoking Question"
I came up with some questions after reading another persons post on the board about quitting smoking. I smoke and notice that it really is bothering me migraine-wise lately. I want to quit also. It is really kind of a scary thing for me because I have done it for so long. I know some of you said that you have stopped recently. My question is for those of you that have smoked for a long time, is it easier to use the patch or just cold turkey? Do you have any other advise that could help me? I know this doesn't totally have to do with migraines, but it does in some ways because it is sure affecting mine lately. Thanks.
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RE: Stopping Smoking Question, donjonrn61, Jan-01-03, (1) RE: Stopping Smoking Question, julie66, Jan-01-03, (2) RE: Stopping Smoking Question, donjonrn61, Jan-02-03, (3) RE: Stopping Smoking Question, charmed quark, Jan-02-03, (4) RE: Stopping Smoking Question, Elise, Jan-03-03, (5) RE: Stopping Smoking Question, charmed quark, Jan-03-03, (6) RE: Stopping Smoking Question, nubbyjenn, Jan-03-03, (7) RE: Stopping Smoking Question, gina5234, Jan-03-03, (8)

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donjonrn61	Jan-01-03, 03:34 PM (CMT)
1. "RE: Stopping Smoking Question"
I made an appointment with a pulmonary doc who heads up a smoking cessation program. He set me up with the 3 stage patches - the first stage for 6 weeks, second stage for 2 weeks, then third stage for 4 weeks. He also has me using the Nicotrol Inhaler at the same time. I can use it as often as once an hour for as much as 10 minutes at a time. He encouraged me to use it regularly for the first week, then I could use it according to the urges after that. (The literature has different instructions for use and says the cartridges are only good for 20 minutes each, but you can tell when you use them when they're empty after you've tried one out. They last much longer than 20 minutes.) This is the plan outlined for me. I'm sure others have used different methods. This is just what the doctor told me is the most successful in his experience working with patients who've smoked for a long time like I have and smoked as much as I did. It's a really tough decision to make, but I hope you'll decide to go for it. - Donna
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	julie66	Jan-01-03, 04:05 PM (CMT)
	2. "RE: Stopping Smoking Question"
	Hi I wasnt given a choice on how I wanted to quit, I had to have a surgery on my vertebrae and was told I had to quit or I wouldnt heal correctly and it would take longer to heal. Nicotine withdrawl is 3 or 4 days if you go cold turkey, after that you just need to find ways to occupy your hands when you would normally smoke, the patch may be the best route to go but I just couldnt do it that way due to the circumstances I had. Good luck to you on quitting, it does get easier to not have the urge smoke but it takes good support and a strong will.
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	donjonrn61	Jan-02-03, 04:36 AM (CMT)
	3. "RE: Stopping Smoking Question"
	A couple more thing I thought I'd add that might be helpful to you. First, I was told to buy the off-brand nicotine patches sold at Walmart or Kmart. Both places sell one with the 3 steps and the doc said they're no different in composition from the name brand. They'll save you a lot of money over the 12 weeks, too. Second, log on to Nicotrol.com for some useful information. If you sign up to receive encouraging e-mails along the way from them, you can also have them e-mail friends of yours to become a support system to you via internet while you're quitting. I've done this and have gotten my first response back. It's so nice to hear from my sister-in-law 850 miles away that she's behind me and will stay in touch with me every day in some way as I go through this time! Anyway, thought these things might be helpful to you if you go through with quitting. I'm on day two and still alive (and so is my family!Ha!Ha!). My best to you. - Donna
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	charmed quark	Jan-02-03, 03:06 PM (CMT)
	4. "RE: Stopping Smoking Question"
	I quit 11 years ago. My motivation was that my doctor told me smoking makes migraines worst. I've looked at the literature and there is some support for this, although stopping smoking didn't have an appreciable impact on mine. Nor did quitting make them worst. Anyway - I first tried stopping with nicotine gum. They didn't have the patch widely available then. I chewed this stuff for about 3 months. But after I quit the gum, I was smoking again within a month. The next time I tried to quit, I went cold turkey. I haven't smoked since. My wife recently quit smoking using the patch. It's been about 4 months now and she hasn't smoked a single cigarette and is ramped down to the lowest level patch. I'm really impressed as she was really addicted. In my experience, the withdrawal symptoms are bad for the first 3 or 4 days and then rapidly diminish. You might not have this with the patch. The worst part, at least for me, is that the cravings don't go away after that. For the first year I had frequent cravings, expecially after meals. After a year, these cravings weren't really a problem, although I still have occasional cravings 11 years later. Best of luck! -Pete
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Elise	Jan-03-03, 00:26 AM (CMT)
5. "RE: Stopping Smoking Question"
We quit three years ago. Or was it four? I think it was four. I did not have more frequent migs when I quit. We quit cold turkey, went crazy for about a week. From that point on, there were longer moments where I didn't think about cigs. I dream that I am smoking. E
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	charmed quark	Jan-03-03, 09:58 AM (CMT)
	6. "RE: Stopping Smoking Question"
	>I dream that I am smoking. Oh! I remember that. The first year or so I would dream I was smoking and then wake up all upset, thinking I had gone off the wagon. -Pete
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nubbyjenn	Jan-03-03, 01:31 PM (CMT)
7. "RE: Stopping Smoking Question"
zyban and support of family and friends willpower learning NEW stress coping mechanisms
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gina5234	Jan-03-03, 01:32 PM (CMT)
8. "RE: Stopping Smoking Question"
Thanks everyone for all your ideas and encouragement. It sure makes a person realize how strong and awful this addiction is since people dream about smoking years later and crave cigarettes years later. A long time ago when I was in my early 20's I quit cold turkey and had an awful time. I cried myself to sleep the first night I remember because the withdrawl was so bad. I also remember for a year later, I would still have suttle urges, but when I gave into that craving and started smoking again, the smoking was nothing like what I imagined the craving would be (I don't know if that makes sense to everyone, it's hard to describe). I was a real fool for ever starting up again after going through all that. I have a couple of other questions. Has anyone ever tried to lose weight and stop smoking at the same time? If so, were you successful. Also, for Donjonrn61, when you went to that doctor you did--did your PCP have to send you or did you just call up and schedule an appointment just for that on your own. Do most pulmonary (sp?) doctors do that type of thing for people? That sounds really helpful, since I know I have a super problem stopping. I feel like anything that would help me be successful is worth it. Thanks everyone.
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