thoughts and questions

[Karyn]

Hi all,
thanks so much for all your advice and kind words.
It is weird the last two days I have had the most pleasent thoughts on quitting smoking, I actually felt like I cant wait. That is until this morning when I couldnt think of what to do in the mornings instead of heading straight for my coffee and cig and outside. But anyway still I have had some thoughts that I never had before, like this quit is a good thing, nothing to miss, want to be healthy, etc. I have never been positive in the least before so good start. I also joined The American Lung Assc. program that takes you through about 4 modules and in 3 weeks from when You sign up (you will have already picked a quit date) you quit.
I am at least throwing dates around, but it will be before Feb 1st.\
Ok questions. any one who did the zyban / welbutrin
do you think that took the edge off your moodiness?
Did it help with the depressed feeling at all? Isnt that what is prescribed for sometimes anyway???
Any one have back problems (degen. discs) that got any better?
How much does you metabolism slow down, does anyone know.
Thanks

[sandyf]

Hi! I took the zyban for awhile and thought I'd stumbled across a miracle. Smoked for the first 2 wks and by the time I quit the cigs were doing nothing for me and I had no urge to smoke. Felt great but a little high. Be alert while driving,can make you feel a little spacey. This levels off. I'd still be on it but I started to get bad headaches. I'm prone to miagraines. Depression hit after I stopped taking it. If I had tapered off more slowly this may not have been an issue. I've gained weight since I quit. For me,I don't blame it on my metabolism. I know I'm eating way more and this is the factor. Since I've cut out the sugar and started exercising,taking vitamins,eating healthier etc. the weight is coming off and I feel superb. The fact you're feeling positive about quitting is going to make all the difference in the world. I've had many attempts I started with dread and I went back to smoking. But this time I felt like you-positive and ready. This mindset is what will do it. Hang on to it. I 'm into my longest and yes, I'll say it, my last quit. I feel so free!

[Ann]

I took Zyban and for me it was the best thing to help me quit. I know I could never have done it without an aid. It does have a lot of side effects and I had to stop taking it after two months because of high blood pressure. Others had different side effects and had stop taking it, for others it worked just great, for some it didn't work at all. I guess it just depends on how your body tolerates it.

[slim]

I think attitude is mostly the reason for success or failure.
You are gearing up for success!

I quit cold turkey as you know, but I did notice many improvments after quitting i.e. like no more 'ahem' in my every sentence. My lower back and neck still bother me now and again....I think that is lack of exercise tho Have you every tried taking Glucosamine supplements?

[Karyn]

Oh thanks guys,
Barby and Ann, that gives me hope, I took it only a month my first time and dont remember much about it, well heres hoping I dont have any side effects.
that stinks that it was working well for you two and had to stop for one reason or another, but Ann maybe 2 months was long enough to get the habit out and the nicotine out.
Slim you are right, my attitude is so different for some reason, although I wonder how I will feel the day before I quit, scared I am going to lose this good feeling and freak out. I have been working on alternative wake up plans. I am doing a Physical therapist at the moment for my back which I have had problems with my whole life but since September it has gotten really bad.
So I bit the bullet and started, it has helped and hoping quiting will help even more. It stinks getting old, can no longer run out and do back flips in my backyard. LOL

[lizzysgirl]

Come on Karyn you know you can do it ( I do anyway)
find something else to do in the morning, change your coffee to an orange or apple juice.
I have found i have got more time in a morning now and most mornings i now have time to actually get breakfast and a coffee(not a trigger for me) get my hair and makeup done and get emily dressed too. Sam and jessica can get theirselves ready for school now i just have Jessicas hair to do!
We have not been late for school either since quit!
Liz xxx

[judyb]

I took zyban (wellbutrin) for four months. Yup, it's got it's drawbacks, but if you can physically stand it, stay on it for as long as you need. It is a miracle for dealing with cravings. If you can, change your morning routine: grab a bottle of water and go for a 1/2 hour walk. Get the blood flowing and enjoy some time to think! Quitting smoking slows down some peoples' metabolism, but it's a side affect that is not permanent. Get through the first year and the metabolism evens out. Smoke affects so many parts of our bodies, we have to have patience in waiting for ourselves to get back to "normal".

Attitude is EVERYTHING!!!

[Karyn]

THanks Judy, I am really seeing that attitude makes a huge difference. Last time I was kind of forced, should I say because of being pregnant, so was mad from the beginging, except for the awesome little one inside me, but now I am making this decision finally for me and I can honestly say I have some scared moments, but really great thoughts too.

[Karyn]

Liz, good advice yes I would love not to scramble around, I could sleep in as I get up in enough time so I can go outside for a min and smoke, so I just need to find my new routine.
thanks girl