Useful info.

Hi Papa Red and Kim,

I guess what I was trying to communicate is that it took around 7 weeks for myself to be free and by keeping track helped to answer my biggest question. It really varies so much with each individual, I've read about poor souls that have been holding on and suffering for years. Then we have others like Johnnie (which is on here) that has been over the nicotine, but struggling with breaking the habit. I can relate to this, because I was a habitual smoker as well. Currently though, it's really not that bad anymore for me. I have pretty much let it go. Today a guy from work that I used to take smoke breaks with, (which now he vapes but still smokes from time to time), told me that I was his idol. He said because of how well I did with quitting. That made me feel really good. He has tried quitting several times in the past and hasn't succeeded. I've felt that same way before with other smokers I knew that quit. I told him there no such thing as a failure that keeps trying, so when he's ready to quit I would be his sponsor if he wanted me to, if he needed me day or night I would help him though it. He told me he would let me know when. So as far as the crazy pills go, this was just to level the playing field, and yes you are right I need to try and get off the meds. But not without consulting my doctor first, he may have a plan to wean me off. I'm not real sure how it's supposed to be done, but I will send him a note tonight and see what he says. Lastly, I see you both are on here allot and have been helping allot of people out offering your support, opinions, and experiences. I commend you both for doing that and I'm sure everyone else appreciates it as well. Take care and talk to you both later.

Hey Mike,

That was really good to hear that your friend

is thinking of quitting and that you have

inspired him. I totally agree with you in

that everyone is different and what works

for some may not for others. Or that some

people find the habit side of it hard to break

and in my opinion that is totally understandable

especially if a person has smoked for many

years like myself. It's all I knew and now

for me it's about learning new ways of

doing things smoke free.

I'm very happy that you're not just going

to stop medication on your own. Most

medications need weaning off and monitoring

so please do discuss this with your GP.

It's very encouraging for me anyway that

nrt helped you and now you're off that also.

We must have quit around the same time.

I'm just about off nrt and will go off

completely when I'm ready.

Have a great day.

Hi Kim,

Yeah I sent a note to my doctor, so I'm awaiting his response.

Apparently, you and I both quit around the same time. I cut short the NRT about 3.5 weeks after I quit smoking. I'm pretty sure the Bupropion meds helped with quitting smoking and quitting the patch as well. So I'm not sure if there will be a withdrawal from the medicine. I will ask my doctor. Take care.

Red,

Oh god no...........I'm at 1's and 2's across the board. Only thing that's a 3 is restless.

Kim,

Doctor responded and wants me to stay on meds for a couple months and when I'm doing OK we can talk about stopping. He says it will help keep me off cigs and possibly help me lose weight, I'm a little over.

Hi Mike,

Are you from America? I quit on March 10th

2017 and I'm 50 days also today that's why

I'm asking.

So glad you're doctor got back to you and

offered advise and that you're taking it.

It's not a race to see who comes first or

a challenge as to who is the toughest. It's

our own journeys and we must do what

works for our own selves.

Sounds to me like the medication is helping

you with quitting smoking for sure and

possibly why going off NRT wasn't a

problem for you. Bit like me suddenly

stopping the patch was no problem. Is

it working for your weight also? If so,

that's another great thing.

The thing with any kinds of these meds is

that they can really help a person and then

because the person feels so much better, they

feel like they can come off them and that

is potentially when things can go pear shaped.

I used to be an inpatient mental health nurse

for youth so I know from experience you

can't play around with meds.

If you have a good connection with your

doctor, then trust in him or her.

I think you're doing really really well 😃

Hi Red,

I think you have a strong way of expressing some of your opinions in some of your posts, and that's who you are. I wouldn't change a thing or worry about whether or not you step on anybodies toes. Or a rocking chair in a room with all long tailed cats, Lol. That was great. I agree with most of your opinions and some not. That's what makes us human. If I felt strongly about something you said and disagreed, then the debating would begin. Being that this hasn't happened yet, I wouldn't worry about the little things. I think mainly you want to help myself and others out with advice on what we should do and how we should do it, and at that point we could take it or leave it. I have tried blocking out the thoughts of smoking, certain events make it difficult, for instance a boy, 2 years old, with a strong temper tantrum that lasts for an hour or better. Which is what happened last evening about 7pm. I told my wife, "God why did I ever stop smoking". It was pretty bad, but I still didn't go to the store to pick up a pack. I toughed that pang out. Stress makes quitting pretty tough. I know it doesn't help, but somewhere in your mind it's got you fooled. I agree with you on that. So anyway, don't be so hard on yourself.

Hi Kim,

Yes we quit around the same time which is a coincidence. Our methods of quitting are a little different but as long as we stay smoke free is all that matters, Right? Hey I got some interesting facts for you. If you’re in Sydney's time zone you are exactly 15 hours ahead me in the central time zone in USA. Right now it's 11:20am Saturday Morning here and it's 2:20am Sunday Morning there (I bet you’re probably asleep). Our seasons are the exact opposite. Your summer is our winter. Right now you’re in autumn and our season is spring. Oh and we drive on the right side of the road. So that's about all I know, except I did look up the website for your AFL tiger team out of curiosity. So back to the quit smoking thing. Yes I trust my Doctor which I've had for probably well over 15 years. My last PCP visit was April 13 and was the best visit so far. For the past 15 years he's been hounding me about quitting smoking and this time he was quite pleasant. He had no reason to make me feel bad for smoking cause I quit. My BP was 130/80 and it normally averages 150/100. I said my lungs sound 1000 times better than the last visit. So I’m headed in the right direction. Has your health gotten better? Your not having problems seeing anymore are you?

Hiya Mike,

I'm from Melbourne, Victoria so same

time zone as Sydney. Um yes, I would

have been sleeping at that time and if

I've got this right, you may be just about

to start your day lol.

Ohhh the terrible 2s and the tantrums!

They can be quite stressful and it can

take time to learn different ways of

dealing with any type of stress.

Yes, you drive on the wrong side of

the road haha. I've been to America for

a friends wedding in Providence and

then went to Wisconsin and I actually

drove whilst over there which was

pretty freaky to say the least LOL.

So now if I mention my Tigers, you

know what I'm on about. This girl

loves her footy!!

Agreed completely that it doesn't

matter which path a person takes, its

all about remaining smoke free.

I only lost my sight in my right eye

on 2 occasions but got it back within

a few minutes. They say I had 2

mini strokes but all tests such as

heart, arteries in my neck, brain scan

and bloods have all come back good.

I'm waiting to see a neurologist at

the hospital so will possibly know

more then. Mind you I had no other

symptoms.

It's a crying shame this has happened

because I'm also waiting to have

spinal fusion on my thoracic spine

and they finally called me for a surgery

date but that's all on hold for now until

I get the all clear from the neurologist.

That is sensational news about your

blood pressure dropping that much!!

I'm very happy for you.

I was overweight 3 years ago and

managed to lose it all and maintain my

weight for the past 2 years now despite

the nerve damage to my spine.

Not sure if you've heard of an app

called My Fitness Pal? It's a bit like

this site but for weight loss or fitness.

I still use it despite being a healthy

weight because I find it so helpful to

keep track of my calorie intake.

Sorry if there are any typos because

I use my iPhone to post whilst I do

my snail pace walking up and down my

hallway.

Had a great day today as I'm sure

you will. Being 15 hours ahead of you

in time, I can be your forecast person

haha!!

Heya Mike-QB

Wow that's a lot of rain for sure. Here, a

cyber snorkel and floats for you!

The company I work for set me up to work

from home after I did my back. They

are great to work for. My role is to

maintain data and keep accurate records

of community supports, homelessness,

mental health, drug and alcohol and well

just about any kind of much needed supports

in the community including people who

have disabilities. Most days I really enjoy

my work because I find helping others to

access supports they need very fulfilling.

I can't wait to be able to return to the

office though because I'm a very social

person.

It's been freezing here today, not even

winter yet and I'm no winter person lol.

I love the warmer weather! Hey wake up, I'm

talking to you!!! Haha.

I admit, I had a bit of a craving today

but no way am I giving in. I find they end

up passing. It was weird, it happened when

I drove up to buy a coffee. I was talking

with some people at the local coffee shop

and they were all smoking. I still find the

smell horrid but yeah, about an hour later

kaboom on came the craving. I just drank

water and kept moving for a bit until it

passed.

Hey you can moan and groan, share good

and bad because that's what makes good

buddies right?

Talk soon.

Hello QB Kim,

I just realized how much cigarettes cost where you are at, do they average around 26 Australian dollars? I'm sure this is one of the main reasons you and so many others are quitting. So with the exchange rate and where I live the cost of a name brand pack of 20 would be 7.09 AUS Dollars. That is an insane price you Aussies are paying, but I'm thinking now our government maybe in cahoots with the tobacco companies. Which is the reason for the lower prices. Anyhow, it sucks that it's starting to get cold there. The rain here has finally stopping, but have major flooding going on. Have you quit all nicotine yet? It seemed like when I finally gave up the nicotine is when the cravings finally subsided. It took a couple weeks then I was done with nicotine. However, It's your body and mind, no one knows you better than yourself, so whenever your ready to give it up, I'll support your decision. Talk to you later.

Your quit buddy,

Mike

Hiya QB Mike,

I can't believe how cheap smokes are over there and if you think that price is insane, they are going up again and will continue to increase. I do feel sorry for people who are torn with paying that price and struggling to quit but on the other hand I think it's helping people who might just be nearly ready to quit, decide to do it.

I used to buy a pack of 40 and for memory it cost about $36.50 but I've heard they've gone up again.

I've cut down to a third of what I was taking and I really understand what you're saying about once you finally stopped it, the cravings settled after a bit.

My doc and I are working on this I promise and because she knows everything about my life, she's wanting me to do it really gradually because she'd hate to see my hard work go down the drain by trying to be too brace too quick.

It was interesting really because in her opinion the quit process just isn't at the start of a journey and that their are many stages of it such as the habit, mental craving, learning to deal with things differently instead of reaching for a smoke takes time and that if not done properly, can weaken a persons resolve and that in her experience, is why some quit for so long but some still go back.

Anyway that's her take on it.

Have a great day.