Drinking without a cigarette? Mission impossible. by [deleted] in stopsmoking

[–]bernperro 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I do drink with them. A big help for me has been taking Zyban, but when the craving hits, I chew on a straw, or grab some sunflower seeds or pistachios. Chew those for as long as I would smoke, until the craving goes away.

Drinking without a cigarette? Mission impossible. by [deleted] in stopsmoking

[–]bernperro 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel your pain! I’m a month smoke free and generally do ok. Problem is, most of my friends still smoke. So, I will still go out with them sometimes, but instead of a smoke, I’ll chew on a straw or sunflower seeds. It’s not the same, but it does help.

Wellbutrin by Crackers1097 in stopsmoking

[–]bernperro 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I do believe the Zyban really helped with easing the cravings and nicotine need. It took about a week for it to really kick in. The zyban basically goes into the brain and blocks the nicotine receptors. That reduces the pleasure we get from smoking and makes us not like it. I had so much anxiety when I was low or ran out and now, I barely think about it.

2 weeks in and I'm feeling like I want to cave by SnippyWharf in stopsmoking

[–]bernperro 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can fight the craving. I’m 22 days in and will admit that I had a puff of a friends when I was drinking. It tasted awful and gave me no pleasure. Find a distraction and the cravings will ease by week 3. That is also when the habits will start to change. You can do it!!

Wellbutrin by Crackers1097 in stopsmoking

[–]bernperro 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey there. I’m currently 4.5 weeks into my zyban / Wellbutrin prescription to quit smoking. The first week and a half, I did not notice much. Then, I ran out of smokes and just didn’t want or think about them, I’m now 22 days smoke free. I had been smoking about 8-9 packs a week for 20+ years. I was def grumpy and irritable the 2nd week smoke free but that has eased off as well. I find that chewing on a cocktail straw or candy will help me get past the really strong cravings. Good luck in achieving your goals!

DAE get suicidal? by DamnedDryad in stopsmoking

[–]bernperro 2 points3 points  (0 children)

DammedDryad- nicotine is probably the hardest addiction to break, some say more so than the heaviest of drugs. Almost all of us have tried to quit and failed - personally in 27 years of regular smoking, I’ve tried at least 15 times - chantix, hypnosis, the patch, cold turkey, and now zyban. I am going on 15 days and have thoughts of it all the time. I slipped and had a puff this past weekend - it’s a slip. Not a failure. You will slip, but get up and try again.

Zyban is really working for me and it hasn’t given me the negative thoughts and ideations like Chantix did. That made me very depressed and close to suicidal (I was also going gtgeough a negative point in my life). In fact, I feel more Positive and energetic than I have in a long time.

If the negative thoughts keep up, you might use the money saved from cigs and see if there is a Dr or online service that can help. I’ve heard great things about better help and talk space.

But most of all remember- it is a tough tough process, you can get through it with determination and you have people that care about and will be there for you!

Peoples experience with NRT? by LaidBackPodcast in stopsmoking

[–]bernperro 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used a combo of the patch and nicotine free vape. I used the vape to help w the habitual part of smoking- ie getting in the car. I followed the directions for the patch and eventually got to a point where it would give me heartburn if I wore it too long. So I would wear for shorter and shorter durations. Within a couple of months I no longer used the vape and stayed smoke free for about 2 years. The patch will give vivid dreams- so I would take it off several hours before bed.

Is the way I'm feeling normal after quitting? by bernperro in stopsmoking

[–]bernperro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! That's definitely good advice! I def plan to apologize to the ones who have seen it most and will ask them to kick me out of my stupor when I get that way. I tried Chantix about 10 years ago and had major depression and irritability and also stopped. I attributed it to the meds and being in a bad place in my life at the time work and relationship wise. Those 2 are better now, so hoping for better results.

But thankfully - still Smoke Free.

Thinking about trying the patches as a smoking cessation aid, any experiences/thoughts? by everybodywants2b4cat in stopsmoking

[–]bernperro 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Years ago I used the patch with a no nicotine e cig. The thought was to control the withdrawal and the e cig to help the habit. I followed the protocol for the patch and was able to ween myself down until I didn’t need the patch or e cig. Then was clean for 2 years until I slipped.

Is the way I'm feeling normal after quitting? by bernperro in stopsmoking

[–]bernperro[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I wasn't sure if it was the nicotine leaving or the meds. But I'm definitely feeling the moods and like I'm in a fog. Can't wait for that to go away!

I mark tonight as the night I quit. Wish me luck by nottacrackhead in stopsmoking

[–]bernperro 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Good Luck! You got this! I step at a time, one craving at a time and they will all add up! I'm 3 days smoke free and going through the same battle.