Re[2]: [at-l] Quit-smoking hike in Georgia

[artduck@yahoo.com (Carol Benel)]

My daughter recently quit smoking using Zyban.  So far
so good, but her doctor warned that sometimes it takes
three attempts before complete success once she stops
taking the drug.  Also the side effects of Zyban
during the adjustment period are enough that a good
many stop taking the drug before it has beneficial
effects.  Sleeplessness and 'the shakes' were the
number one complaints I heard.  She literally shook on
this drug for the first three weeks.  She also
suffered anorexia while taking the drug, she lost over
20lbs in two weeks.  She dropped from a size 6 to a
size 3, so this was not a good thing.  Our insurance
covered the cost, but her boyfriend quit at the same
time and his insurance did not cover the cost of the
perscription.  It took a healthy bite out of his
paycheck.  Insurance would only cover a three month
supply for smoking.  If it is perscribed for
depression, the supply is unlimited.
Good news is that it has been over three months and
they are both smoke free. 
--- Orange Bug <orangebug74@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Well, my biggest concern is for folks to understand
> the demon at hand.
> I find it easier to help folks off of narcotics,
> alcohol and cocaine
> than to attain 1 years abstinence with cigarettes.
> Nicotine is a
> powerful reward chemical that has some benefit
> regarding appetite
> suppression, memory and mood. In the current form of
> cigarettes with
> nicotine enhancers and additives, it is much more
> dangerous regarding
> pulmonary and cardiac disease. 
> 
> As previously mentioned, the scent of tobacco can be
> very overwhelming
> to those attempting to maintain abstinence. Scent is
> a basic sense that
> bypasses voluntary thought. It is common to see
> folks leave the
> hospital after several weeks without thinking about
> smoking, and
> immediately relapsing due to the smell or other
> cues. Hence, I suggest
> those on the Stop Smoking Hike plan to prepare for
> re-entry:
> 
> 1) Have the car shampooed and detailed, with the
> lighters and ashtrays
> removed. You have major risk on getting back in your
> car.
> 
> 2) Fill the tank before the trip. There is risk on
> the first return to
> your local Quik Trip. Plan on buying gas with a
> credit card outside of
> the store.
> 
> 3) Get a haircut and shampoo before the hike. 
> 
> 4) Have the house clean before leaving. consider
> replacing pillows and
> pillow cases. 
> 
> 5) remove the smoking paraphenalia, including
> ashtrays, lighters,
> cigarette box covers.
> 
> 6) Avoid smoking in your house or car before this
> hike. Smoking outside
> is less convenient and removes the smells.
> 
> 7) Consider the Wellbutrin/Zyban stuff now. It takes
> at least 2 weeks
> use before it has benefit for reducing nicotine
> craving. Consider
> snacks, nicotine patches and such as necessary
> evils. There will be
> weight gain as your "thermostat" will be reset
> without nicotine.
> 
> Yes, I smoked from age 11 until 16 when I noticed
> less ability to play
> clarinet in my school band and noticed that ashtrays
> don't taste good.
> Neither do smoker's mouths. Plan on reduced kissing
> if your SO smokes. 
> 
> In NC, smoking is a civic duty, not a choice. I
> still episodically chew
> cigars and dearly love them. I strongly suspect that
> cigarettes are
> much more dangerous as a result of tobacco company
> manipulation of the
> product, including the filteration systems. Expect
> the craving and
> dreams of cigarettes to be maintained for decades.
> Hate the folks who
> addicted you at least as much as the Chinese hated
> the Brits for Opium.
> 
> Bill....
> 
> --- kahley <kahley7@ptd.net> wrote:
> > Yes please.....wax away
> 
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