Smoking Cessation

**GreenCoyote** · 04-23-2010 12:11 PM

Ok.

Here is my situation/question.

I just decided to quit smoking about two months ago. I know my body and knew it was going to be the hardest thing for me to give up. I have been smoking for about three years now. anyway. I made an appointment with a doctor to get chantex, which I hear is the best anti-smoking thing out there from my INTP dad.
It's a dopamine and nor-epinephrine inhibitor I think... for all you bio psych people out there.

it has worked in that I smoke WAY less. have only had a rate of less than one cig a day on it.
but at the same time, (and I knew before going in) the side affects are very unusual, even for me.
and I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts about these types of medications? how have they affected you? have you ever stopped smoking? what happened to your emotions.

I have been extremely emotionally sensitive to everything, and my stress levels have been up the roof. I am starting to get physically sick and tired. I am sustaining a constant hacking cough even though I am not smoking, dry heaving, and even a little bit of dizziness. all things the drug can do.
but on top of that my stomach is extremely sensitive, working out doesn't feel good anymore and I am becoming more sensitive than I normally am. one minute I am extremely happy and giddy and the next I am violently sad, to raging and fuming anger, to being in an almost unsure state of walking around like a ghost.

cigarettes stabilized my emotions. well... they made things easier and made me seem and feel more normal.

anyway. I finally didn't want to die by cancer though, so I decided to quit. have also been focusing on my health. (the fast food is hard to kick though.)

anyway. any experiences such as these?
with other INFJ's

I have only been smokeless for about two weeks now and have only been on the drugs the same amount of time. I am guessing it will get better.

I am just worried that I have let people into my life over these past three years as a smoker that I couldn't be around in normal, ultra-sensitive anti-smoker mode. many friends I wouldn't care for are friends with people I love deeply.
I am not really quite sure what to do at this point.
it has been so long since I have actually felt this sensitive in my own life, It is actually quite scary.

**Pacifique** · 04-23-2010 12:14 PM

cool that you've decided to go healthier!
hope you succeed in quitting without too much hassle
personally i don't smoke but i am moderately addicted to carbonated / soft drinks :-0 duh !

**GreenCoyote** · 04-23-2010 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Pacifique

cool that you've decided to go healthier!
hope you succeed in quitting without too much hassle
personally i don't smoke but i am moderately addicted to carbonated / soft drinks :-0 duh !

yeah... me too.

caffiene will be last on my list...

but I think that one ha to go too... eventually

**Introspiritual** · 04-23-2010 12:50 PM

You're actually over the physical withdrawals after 3 days of not smoking, so the drugs generally don't help past that point unless you've been doing it for decades.

When I decided to quit, it was a subliminal tape that got me over the first-week hump, and it was all downhill from there. Namely, I started hating the smell of the smoke again, so it was easy to stay away.

Best of luck to you.

**GreenCoyote** · 04-23-2010 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Introspiritual

You're actually over the physical withdrawals after 3 days of not smoking, so the drugs generally don't help past that point unless you've been doing it for decades.

When I decided to quit, it was a subliminal tape that got me over the first-week hump, and it was all downhill from there. Namely, I started hating the smell of the smoke again, so it was easy to stay away.

Best of luck to you.

the first four days I felt very... sluggish...

I think there are some psychological habits that I need to kick as well.
like I have it integrated that smoking is a cure all or something...

i dunno. I still want to reach out and grab one out of someones mouth sometimes and take a deep breath, but... I once I had a hit of it I know it wouldn't really work cause of these drugs.
eggghhh.

well thank you.

could I be overreacting to the whole thing.
I mean people say it is hard to quit, but I didn't expect it to be emotionally difficult as well.

**Introspiritual** · 04-23-2010 05:20 PM

With regards to habits, it's said it takes 3 weeks to break one and 3 months to replace it with another. So be patient there.

Originally Posted by GreenCoyote

could I be overreacting to the whole thing.
I mean people say it is hard to quit, but I didn't expect it to be emotionally difficult as well.

If you aren't 100% ready to quit, it will wrench at you. When you're really ready to be done with it, it'll drop away like a lead balloon. Goes for a lot of major decisions in life, I find.

**screamofconscious** · 04-23-2010 05:29 PM

My best advice is to ask your doctor how you can get off the meds. They sound awful for you.

Then, after you're free and clear of chantix, make out with somebody who has bronchitis. You won't want to smoke with that shit in your lungs.

Seriously though, you have to want it, down to the very core of you. Replacing certain aspects of the addiction can be a good way to fight it...for example, you feel the urge to smoke, start sipping on a glass of water, or munching on some crunchie veggies. Slow breathing exercises for when feigning is making you feel particularly emotional and/or volitile. Make sure you tell those you spend the most time with that you're about to become a moody bastard, and why. I'm sure they'll be supportive and understanding of your bad mood if they know why it's there.

**GreenCoyote** · 04-23-2010 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Introspiritual

With regards to habits, it's said it takes 3 weeks to break one and 3 months to replace it with another. So be patient there.

If you aren't 100% ready to quit, it will wrench at you. When you're really ready to be done with it, it'll drop away like a lead balloon. Goes for a lot of major decisions in life, I find.

duley noted

Originally Posted by screamofconscious

My best advice is to ask your doctor how you can get off the meds. They sound awful for you.

Then, after you're free and clear of chantix, make out with somebody who has bronchitis. You won't want to smoke with that shit in your lungs.

Seriously though, you have to want it, down to the very core of you. Replacing certain aspects of the addiction can be a good way to fight it...for example, you feel the urge to smoke, start sipping on a glass of water, or munching on some crunchie veggies. Slow breathing exercises for when feigning is making you feel particularly emotional and/or volitile. Make sure you tell those you spend the most time with that you're about to become a moody bastard, and why. I'm sure they'll be supportive and understanding of your bad mood if they know why it's there.

yeah... I really thought I was ready to quit.
having an awkward panic attack in the middle of the night, seeing yourself die from a very traumatic cancer death kinda freaks one out a bit.
lol
I know I am quitting. I won't turn back. (period)

and thank you stream. great suggestions. my friend uses sunflower seeds.
but I hate those.
I usually chew on plastic objects.

yeah, I have been hinting towards mood swings, so I think my close friends will be prepared. they are usually the ones that don't freak me out.

my really close friend explained that all this time we have had the same friends she has been keeping her distance from some and didn't understand how I could just "befriend everyone" when I didn't used to be like that. She says within our ring of people, the way she sees it, is that there are acquaintances and friends. I think I am entering a stage where I will more easily be able to discern that difference.

thank you all for your responses.
the last two hit home and were right on, so an uber thanks to those.

I have a feeling once my friends see the new me that a whole lot of people will stop smoking too.
hopefully thats the truth, I don't wish anyone what I saw myself going through on this path.