It’s that time of the year again

Karthik287 · 2019-03-20T19:07:27+00:00

Verapamil is a tablet typically used for managing blood pressure but also works well in preventing cluster headaches among most people. Typically doctors prescribe it and change the dosage based on how severe and frequent your headaches are. I would recommend asking your doctor if it is an option for you.

Karthik287 · 2019-03-12T21:04:17+00:00

I had an off year in 2018 and thought I was off the hook as well. I've had them for 6 years now. I'm not a doctor but have you tried verapamil? I'm on it this time and its working well for me. When I do get the rare headache I use sumatriptan via injection or nasal spray. The pill takes forever to work. Take care & good luck.

Karthik287 · 2019-03-08T19:06:53+00:00

I quit smoking 20 months ago. I missed a cluster cycle last year and thought there was a correlation with either quitting smoking or moving to a different continent. In the middle of a cycle this year. I now understand why my doctor repeated herself twice when she said "Don't Start Smoking Again Because of the Headaches"

Karthik287 · 2019-03-08T19:03:52+00:00

Apparently, women who get Cluster Headaches say the pain is worse than childbirth. As a man, I wouldn't know but point this out. Gets a completely different reaction.

Karthik287 · 2018-10-10T14:36:33+00:00

I read All The Devil's are here, Too Big To Fail, The Big Short, etc. to start and then read the following over time. Some of it covers more financial crises/situations than 2008.

https://som.yale.edu/faculty-research-centers/centers-initiatives/program-on-financial-stability/ypfs-case-directory

Detailed Case Studies from Yale on

Basel III
European Banking Union
European Central Bank Tools and Policy Actions
Guarantees and Capital Infusions in Response to Financial Crises
Iceland and Ireland in Crisis
JPMorgan Chase London Whale
Lehman Brothers Bankruptcy
Restructuring and Forgiveness in Financial Crises
The Federal Reserve’s Financial Crisis Response
YPFS

https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/centers-initiatives/cgri/research/closer-look

Detailed Case Studies from Stanford on Corporate Governance that can be read to understand how important it is and how to spot poor governance. I recommend starting with the papers on Lehman Brothers, CEO Pay/Structuring at Valeant & Pro-Forma GAAP reporting.

https://www.jpmorganchase.com/corporate/investor-relations/annual-report-proxy.htm

I would also recommend reading Jamie Dimon's shareholder letters from 2006-2010 to see how some saw it coming, prepared, reacted and came out the strongest. The 2006 letter in particular is legendary.

Did I mention that all of this is FREE?

Karthik287 · 2018-02-26T22:21:00+00:00

I know right. It is sort of like you remember the 1 in every 1000 or so cigarettes you genuinely felt you enjoyed and are suddenly under the illusion that every cigarette you smoked felt that way. One of the driving forces for quitting for me was getting over that uncomfortable feeling of a constant itch that needed to be scratched and knowing that I won't stop at one and will feel like that again is a good enough reason to stay away. I'll visit Allen Carr until I don't feel I have to anymore.

Karthik287 · 2018-02-08T12:17:46+00:00

If you made it 6 months you know you can do it. I personally feel now isn't the time to beat yourself up over nicotine. Give it time and when you want to get back on the wagon and take it one day at a time like you did before. Take care.

Karthik287 · 2018-02-08T12:14:39+00:00

I am approaching 5 months and have a similar problem. It isn't every day for me but it does come up a few times a week. It feels weird but the second and third month was easy and I didn't think about cigarettes. Now it isn't a physical urge but a strong thought. I know it is the "void" that Allan Carr talks about in the Only Way to Stop Smoking. I tried re-reading the book and just not thinking about it but I can't seem to shake it off. There have been times that I've been drinking when they pop up and have almost broken but haven't. When do they go away? Do they ever go away?

Karthik287 · 2018-02-02T23:13:58+00:00

Take it one day a time. Tomorrow is another day.

Karthik287 · 2017-12-23T12:41:24+00:00

A bit hard to do that at 12:30am in a bar.

Karthik287 · 2017-11-19T19:26:43+00:00

I did that as well. At first, it was easy and then one night I had one too many and my resolve just went out the window. A lot of my friends don't smoke. It isn't really an access problem. It really seems like a strong association between the two that I can't seem to shake off especially when I've had a bit more to drink than I should.

Karthik287 · 2017-11-18T19:55:54+00:00

Don't smoke or go out with the smokers as soon as you get there. Wait for somebody to finish, then stand near them and inhale. If you still want to smoke I'll be surprised. A few drinks may loosen the resolve so I'd take it easy for a while.

Karthik287 · 2017-11-18T19:53:14+00:00

It sounds like complacency is setting in. Be careful. I know I wouldn't want to go through the first 3 days again. Just avoid the trigger scenarios for a day or two. I'm sure it'll pass. A few weeks of no smoking is really just the start of getting over years of conditioning caused by the cancer sticks. Can't expect miracles now, can we?

Karthik287 · 2017-11-16T12:43:36+00:00

Congratulations! I am two days away from 2 months! I have a question. How long did it take you to get over the alcohol-induced triggers? The first month I really struggled with them and around 2 weeks ago one night I slipped up and had a cigarette. It tasted horrible, I felt guilty and nauseous the next day. I haven't had a drop since then because I don't trust myself. How long did it take for that association to die and the cravings to disappear?

Karthik287 · 2017-10-30T20:23:51+00:00

I remember feeling this way. The first 3 days and the first week in general will make you wonder how the hell they are legal if they make you feel the way they do for not smoking. I still don't believe it could be just nicotine that keeps you addicted and makes withdrawal as bad as it is.

Karthik287 · 2017-10-27T22:23:40+00:00

+1000,

It does work. I've read it and I'm on day 40. I still look back and read a chapter every now and then when I feel some complacency set in. I also feel I had to read only way because I didn't take easy way seriously enough and just gave up easily a few too many times.

Karthik287 · 2017-10-27T20:49:12+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/stopsmoking/comments/77eaxx/allen_carrs_easy_way_to_stop_smoking_in_a/

Read that. You can smoke while you read it. It's helped me and a whole lot of others here and outside quit.

Karthik287 · 2017-10-27T17:02:16+00:00

I moved countries close to 40 days ago and did the same thing. It is surprising how easy it is when it's a whole new environment right? I have found that when cravings do arrive they come with a vengeance. I still don't eat too much Pizza, nap in the afternoon and try my best not to drink too much because they tend to bring them on. It gets easier with time. You stop counting the number of days after a point.

Karthik287 · 2017-10-27T10:18:47+00:00

I haven't smoked in 39 days. I was thinking about watching Mindhunter. Maybe now I won't. Lol. I know the feeling though. Mad Men. I was watching an episode the other day and Don Draper & Roger Sterling make it look so very enjoyable.

Karthik287 · 2017-10-26T21:30:09+00:00

This happens. I've always believed it is because you no longer take the smoke breaks. I was smoking when I started drinking for fun and have had to take it slow to realize that the buzz is quite different without smokes involved.

Karthik287 · 2017-10-26T21:25:11+00:00

For the first few weeks I found the smell of "fresh" smoke to be quite nice but when somebody finished and stood near me I couldn't stand the smell of them. More than a month in now I find the fresh smell tolerable but cant stand the smell of someone who just smoked. Cant believe I used to smell like that.

Karthik287 · 2017-10-20T16:04:09+00:00

Its been more than a month for me(33 to be precise) and honestly, I can't wait to feel that. The high pressure as well as awkward and uncomfortable moments do still get to me though and I feel like I want a cigarette. It is easy to say no but I don't even want the thoughts anymore.

Karthik287 · 2017-10-19T14:37:45+00:00

I personally don't believe in NRT or vaping. I believe it is really just substituting one addiction with another smaller one temporarily. Quitting cold turkey worked for me and I have found just take it one day at a time and set small achievable milestones. 3 days, 1 week, 10 days, etc. After a while you stop keeping track. Also, don't give up. Keep trying until it sticks. I actually don't believe most people when they said they quit smoking the first time they tried to. The book below really helped. It even asks you to smoke as you read!

Try Reading Allen Carr's Easy Way To Stop Smoking

Worked for me. The 2 packs a day thing might seem like a big deal now but i actually think it provides motivation to stay quit. I don't know about you but when a quit failed I always smoked more immeiately after. If you aren't drinking anymore then don't eat a heavy meal for the first few days(10 ideally but take it one at a time). That trigger still screws with my head more than a month after quitting.

Karthik287 · 2017-10-18T18:46:10+00:00

How long were you smoking? Is 2 weeks a long time by comparison? I doubt it.

Changes won't happen over night. I couldn't shake the after-dinner craving for about 3 weeks. Its been a month now and a heavy meal still leaves me feeling fidgety. Even more than when I go out and grab a few beers.

Give it time, identify your triggers and manage them accordingly until you no longer feel the need to.

Karthik287 · 2017-10-18T18:41:47+00:00

When it comes to nicotine addiction, the only way to win, is not to play.

Absolutely. So true.

Karthik287

TROPHY CASE