smoking...

[Guest guest]

I am going for a liver biopsy soon and hope to start treatment. Can someone

discuss the pros and cons of smoking cigarettes during treatment? Will a doctor

allow me to do treatment IF I am currently smoking. I am 44 and very worried

about this. I have had HecC for

16-20 yrs but only recently diagnosed. I am dreading this quitting because I am

already expecting to fail at it. Without knowing about HepC, I have tried to

quit so many times I can't remember. Does anyone have any thoughts or

suggestions on this issue OR have any ideas on quitting motivational tips.. I

know this probably sounds ridiculous to non smokers but this is my worry..

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

,

I have to tell you - the hep c diagnosis does wonders for quitting. I LIVED on coffee and diet coke and quit cold turkey when diagnosed....knoing something is so bad for your liver really changes your taste buds!

[ ] smoking...

I am going for a liver biopsy soon and hope to start treatment. Can someone discuss the pros and cons of smoking cigarettes during treatment? Will a doctor allow me to do treatment IF I am currently smoking. I am 44 and very worried about this. I have had HecC for 16-20 yrs but only recently diagnosed. I am dreading this quitting because I am already expecting to fail at it. Without knowing about HepC, I have tried to quit so many times I can't remember. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this issue OR have any ideas on quitting motivational tips.. I know this probably sounds ridiculous to non smokers but this is my worry..Thanks,

[Guest guest]

That might be the way... I have read and read about smoke and our livers...Quite a scary thing. I never knew our livers were so important to our health as I have discovered these past three weeks. My husband is of the mind to try quitting with me. Tomorrow is day 1... My doctor has not discussed this with me but I have read about the horrific damage.

On another note, it never crossed my mind that the chemicals in hair color [my poor ex grey hair] was bad for me... I guess I will cut my hair when I start treatment.... HoHum...

What do housewives do in the day when they can't smoke or color their hair when their kids are grown??? [no answer required to this..just a funny..]

Thanks for answering me.... I already knew this.. I just needed to hear it I guess.

Jenn

[ ] smoking...

I am going for a liver biopsy soon and hope to start treatment. Can someone discuss the pros and cons of smoking cigarettes during treatment? Will a doctor allow me to do treatment IF I am currently smoking. I am 44 and very worried about this. I have had HecC for 16-20 yrs but only recently diagnosed. I am dreading this quitting because I am already expecting to fail at it. Without knowing about HepC, I have tried to quit so many times I can't remember. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this issue OR have any ideas on quitting motivational tips.. I know this probably sounds ridiculous to non smokers but this is my worry..Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I smoked for over 20 years before I finally quit for good. My

first thought is that you must REALLY want to quit. Knowing you

should is not enough. You have to want to. And there are plenty of

good reasons to quit - I'm sure you know them all. But the truth is

that nicotine is even more addictive than cocaine - or so I've read.

So even if you really want to, it will still be very hard. There is

simply no easy way. Yes, the nicotine is very addictive, but so is

the habit itself. In times of stress, after 10 years without a cig I

STILL automatically reach for one!

I have seen or heard of different methods of quitting. I'll tell

you what worked for me. I don't think I have ever seen anyone quit

using the patches. Maybe they are out there, but no one I know. I

think this is because it is really two habits you have to break.

First, both my husband and myself quit at the same time. A 'buddy'

(or more accurately, someone to keep watch over you as you keep watch

over them - no sneaking allowed!) really helps. However, we planned

our quitting well in advance. First, we outlawed all smoking in the

house and cars. If we wanted a cigarette we had to go outside to

smoke - no matter what the weather. Once we got used to not smoking

in the house (that helped break the 'habit' part) we set a realist

quit date. We gave ourselves 3 months to gradually cut back. We

bought those 'One Step' filters, a package of 4. Each filter reduces

the amount of tars and nicotine that get through. They are washable,

and when you see the stuff you are washing out it is really

disgusting to think all that was going into your lungs! We used each

filter as long as necessary, within reason and keeping our 'quit

date' (which was our anniversary) in mind. By the time we got to the

fourth filter, which was really WORK to inhale through, we were

pretty ready to stop. We smoked our last cig just before midnight of

our quit day. Then NO MORE. Also, every week all the money we would

have spent on the cigarettes went into a coffee can, with the idea

that after a year we would use that money for something FUN. It was

still hard, and I still craved them for a long time, but we both made

it. Just take one day at a time. The first two weeks are the hardest.

If you can go two weeks, you can do it. I think if Zyban (aka

Wellbutrin) would have been available then I might have used some to

help those first few weeks. I hear it really can help reduce the

anxious/craving feeling you get. It's also a good idea to have a plan

of SOMETHING to do when a craving hits - like get on the exercise

bike for 5 or 10 minutes, eat a carrot, chew a piece of gum. Just

something. Also, for the first few weeks we stayed away from any

smoking friends, but it didn't take too long before their smoke

didn't bother us. But do avoid the people who try to undermine your

attempts - and they are out there! They will offer you a cigarette

even though they know you are trying to quit.

As for pros/cons of smoking while on treatment, there are no pros

at all. It is all cons. Cigarettes are an expensive way to cause all

sorts of health problems including emphysema, cancer, heart disease,

stroke. It puts extra stress on all body systems, including putting

more stress on your liver. They can also make you more nauseated

while on treatment - or so I've heard. It bad for you, that simple.

I'd recommend an antidepressant instead, and it could be wellbutrin

to help with cravings, but wellbutrin can also be taken at the same

time as SSRI's if needed.

Don't even think about past failures. They are IN THE PAST. Leave

them there. Start fresh, but remember, you have to really want to

quit FIRST. Start with that, then work out a plan. And if you do

decide to quit, and one day you slip, don't use that one slip as an

excuse to stop trying to quit. Forget it, and get right back to the

no smoking program.

Good luck! And one more thing - if you do quit, you will feel so

good! Not just physically, but mentally too. It was one of the

hardest things I've ever done, and it makes me feel good that I

finally succeeded. You will feel good too.

Claudine

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

My husband and I discussed it and tomorrow is day 1. I told him all I read and learned about smoking and our livers and like I said tomorrow is the day. We also am outlawing smoking in our house. I will keep you posted and thanks so much for a great post!! And I actually read your answer AFTER we made our decision today so it affirmed what we had already done. Our son's girlfriend is going to do the same with us. My son is the only nonsmoker...thank God...

Sincerely,

Re: [ ] smoking...

Hi , I smoked for over 20 years before I finally quit for good. Myfirst thought is that you must REALLY want to quit. Knowing youshould is not enough. You have to want to. And there are plenty ofgood reasons to quit - I'm sure you know them all. But the truth isthat nicotine is even more addictive than cocaine - or so I've read.So even if you really want to, it will still be very hard. There issimply no easy way. Yes, the nicotine is very addictive, but so isthe habit itself. In times of stress, after 10 years without a cig ISTILL automatically reach for one! I have seen or heard of different methods of quitting. I'll tellyou what worked for me. I don't think I have ever seen anyone quitusing the patches. Maybe they are out there, but no one I know. Ithink this is because it is really two habits you have to break.First, both my husband and myself quit at the same time. A 'buddy'(or more accurately, someone to keep watch over you as you keep watchover them - no sneaking allowed!) really helps. However, we plannedour quitting well in advance. First, we outlawed all smoking in thehouse and cars. If we wanted a cigarette we had to go outside tosmoke - no matter what the weather. Once we got used to not smokingin the house (that helped break the 'habit' part) we set a realistquit date. We gave ourselves 3 months to gradually cut back. Webought those 'One Step' filters, a package of 4. Each filter reducesthe amount of tars and nicotine that get through. They are washable,and when you see the stuff you are washing out it is reallydisgusting to think all that was going into your lungs! We used eachfilter as long as necessary, within reason and keeping our 'quitdate' (which was our anniversary) in mind. By the time we got to thefourth filter, which was really WORK to inhale through, we werepretty ready to stop. We smoked our last cig just before midnight ofour quit day. Then NO MORE. Also, every week all the money we wouldhave spent on the cigarettes went into a coffee can, with the ideathat after a year we would use that money for something FUN. It wasstill hard, and I still craved them for a long time, but we both madeit. Just take one day at a time. The first two weeks are the hardest.If you can go two weeks, you can do it. I think if Zyban (akaWellbutrin) would have been available then I might have used some tohelp those first few weeks. I hear it really can help reduce theanxious/craving feeling you get. It's also a good idea to have a planof SOMETHING to do when a craving hits - like get on the exercisebike for 5 or 10 minutes, eat a carrot, chew a piece of gum. Justsomething. Also, for the first few weeks we stayed away from anysmoking friends, but it didn't take too long before their smokedidn't bother us. But do avoid the people who try to undermine yourattempts - and they are out there! They will offer you a cigaretteeven though they know you are trying to quit. As for pros/cons of smoking while on treatment, there are no prosat all. It is all cons. Cigarettes are an expensive way to cause allsorts of health problems including emphysema, cancer, heart disease,stroke. It puts extra stress on all body systems, including puttingmore stress on your liver. They can also make you more nauseatedwhile on treatment - or so I've heard. It bad for you, that simple.I'd recommend an antidepressant instead, and it could be wellbutrinto help with cravings, but wellbutrin can also be taken at the sametime as SSRI's if needed. Don't even think about past failures. They are IN THE PAST. Leavethem there. Start fresh, but remember, you have to really want toquit FIRST. Start with that, then work out a plan. And if you dodecide to quit, and one day you slip, don't use that one slip as anexcuse to stop trying to quit. Forget it, and get right back to theno smoking program. Good luck! And one more thing - if you do quit, you will feel sogood! Not just physically, but mentally too. It was one of thehardest things I've ever done, and it makes me feel good that Ifinally succeeded. You will feel good too.Claudine__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

--- jencribbs1 <jencribbs1@...> wrote:

> My husband and I discussed it and tomorrow is day 1. I told him

> all I read and learned about smoking and our livers and like I said

> tomorrow is the day....

Good for you! For ALL of you! Be sure and trash all unsmoke cigs

right away (too much temptation), and try to stay busy. And don't

give up! Like I said, you will feel so good when the day comes and

you can say with complete confidence " I don't smoke! "

Claudine

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Congratulations! Way to go - I'll be pulling for you all! And your liver (and everything else) will thank you!

Re: [ ] smoking...

Hi , I smoked for over 20 years before I finally quit for good. Myfirst thought is that you must REALLY want to quit. Knowing youshould is not enough. You have to want to. And there are plenty ofgood reasons to quit - I'm sure you know them all. But the truth isthat nicotine is even more addictive than cocaine - or so I've read.So even if you really want to, it will still be very hard. There issimply no easy way. Yes, the nicotine is very addictive, but so isthe habit itself. In times of stress, after 10 years without a cig ISTILL automatically reach for one! I have seen or heard of different methods of quitting. I'll tellyou what worked for me. I don't think I have ever seen anyone quitusing the patches. Maybe they are out there, but no one I know. Ithink this is because it is really two habits you have to break.First, both my husband and myself quit at the same time. A 'buddy'(or more accurately, someone to keep watch over you as you keep watchover them - no sneaking allowed!) really helps. However, we plannedour quitting well in advance. First, we outlawed all smoking in thehouse and cars. If we wanted a cigarette we had to go outside tosmoke - no matter what the weather. Once we got used to not smokingin the house (that helped break the 'habit' part) we set a realistquit date. We gave ourselves 3 months to gradually cut back. Webought those 'One Step' filters, a package of 4. Each filter reducesthe amount of tars and nicotine that get through. They are washable,and when you see the stuff you are washing out it is reallydisgusting to think all that was going into your lungs! We used eachfilter as long as necessary, within reason and keeping our 'quitdate' (which was our anniversary) in mind. By the time we got to thefourth filter, which was really WORK to inhale through, we werepretty ready to stop. We smoked our last cig just before midnight ofour quit day. Then NO MORE. Also, every week all the money we wouldhave spent on the cigarettes went into a coffee can, with the ideathat after a year we would use that money for something FUN. It wasstill hard, and I still craved them for a long time, but we both madeit. Just take one day at a time. The first two weeks are the hardest.If you can go two weeks, you can do it. I think if Zyban (akaWellbutrin) would have been available then I might have used some tohelp those first few weeks. I hear it really can help reduce theanxious/craving feeling you get. It's also a good idea to have a planof SOMETHING to do when a craving hits - like get on the exercisebike for 5 or 10 minutes, eat a carrot, chew a piece of gum. Justsomething. Also, for the first few weeks we stayed away from anysmoking friends, but it didn't take too long before their smokedidn't bother us. But do avoid the people who try to undermine yourattempts - and they are out there! They will offer you a cigaretteeven though they know you are trying to quit. As for pros/cons of smoking while on treatment, there are no prosat all. It is all cons. Cigarettes are an expensive way to cause allsorts of health problems including emphysema, cancer, heart disease,stroke. It puts extra stress on all body systems, including puttingmore stress on your liver. They can also make you more nauseatedwhile on treatment - or so I've heard. It bad for you, that simple.I'd recommend an antidepressant instead, and it could be wellbutrinto help with cravings, but wellbutrin can also be taken at the sametime as SSRI's if needed. Don't even think about past failures. They are IN THE PAST. Leavethem there. Start fresh, but remember, you have to really want toquit FIRST. Start with that, then work out a plan. And if you dodecide to quit, and one day you slip, don't use that one slip as anexcuse to stop trying to quit. Forget it, and get right back to theno smoking program. Good luck! And one more thing - if you do quit, you will feel sogood! Not just physically, but mentally too. It was one of thehardest things I've ever done, and it makes me feel good that Ifinally succeeded. You will feel good too.Claudine__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I just smoked my last one..... So as of Wednesday, August 28, 2002, 11;52pmCST, I am a non smoker. My sleeping husband is too. He is just not coherent enough to tell yet... YEA US!!! Tomorrow at this time, I will see where my spirits are....

I need to repeat to myself..

I will not overeat.

I will exercise when I want a cigarette.

I will brush my teeth often..with every thought of a cigarette...

And I will be kind to my husband as I crave cigarettes...

tee hee

Thanks,

Jenn

Re: [ ] smoking...

Hi , I smoked for over 20 years before I finally quit for good. Myfirst thought is that you must REALLY want to quit. Knowing youshould is not enough. You have to want to. And there are plenty ofgood reasons to quit - I'm sure you know them all. But the truth isthat nicotine is even more addictive than cocaine - or so I've read.So even if you really want to, it will still be very hard. There issimply no easy way. Yes, the nicotine is very addictive, but so isthe habit itself. In times of stress, after 10 years without a cig ISTILL automatically reach for one! I have seen or heard of different methods of quitting. I'll tellyou what worked for me. I don't think I have ever seen anyone quitusing the patches. Maybe they are out there, but no one I know. Ithink this is because it is really two habits you have to break.First, both my husband and myself quit at the same time. A 'buddy'(or more accurately, someone to keep watch over you as you keep watchover them - no sneaking allowed!) really helps. However, we plannedour quitting well in advance. First, we outlawed all smoking in thehouse and cars. If we wanted a cigarette we had to go outside tosmoke - no matter what the weather. Once we got used to not smokingin the house (that helped break the 'habit' part) we set a realistquit date. We gave ourselves 3 months to gradually cut back. Webought those 'One Step' filters, a package of 4. Each filter reducesthe amount of tars and nicotine that get through. They are washable,and when you see the stuff you are washing out it is reallydisgusting to think all that was going into your lungs! We used eachfilter as long as necessary, within reason and keeping our 'quitdate' (which was our anniversary) in mind. By the time we got to thefourth filter, which was really WORK to inhale through, we werepretty ready to stop. We smoked our last cig just before midnight ofour quit day. Then NO MORE. Also, every week all the money we wouldhave spent on the cigarettes went into a coffee can, with the ideathat after a year we would use that money for something FUN. It wasstill hard, and I still craved them for a long time, but we both madeit. Just take one day at a time. The first two weeks are the hardest.If you can go two weeks, you can do it. I think if Zyban (akaWellbutrin) would have been available then I might have used some tohelp those first few weeks. I hear it really can help reduce theanxious/craving feeling you get. It's also a good idea to have a planof SOMETHING to do when a craving hits - like get on the exercisebike for 5 or 10 minutes, eat a carrot, chew a piece of gum. Justsomething. Also, for the first few weeks we stayed away from anysmoking friends, but it didn't take too long before their smokedidn't bother us. But do avoid the people who try to undermine yourattempts - and they are out there! They will offer you a cigaretteeven though they know you are trying to quit. As for pros/cons of smoking while on treatment, there are no prosat all. It is all cons. Cigarettes are an expensive way to cause allsorts of health problems including emphysema, cancer, heart disease,stroke. It puts extra stress on all body systems, including puttingmore stress on your liver. They can also make you more nauseatedwhile on treatment - or so I've heard. It bad for you, that simple.I'd recommend an antidepressant instead, and it could be wellbutrinto help with cravings, but wellbutrin can also be taken at the sametime as SSRI's if needed. Don't even think about past failures. They are IN THE PAST. Leavethem there. Start fresh, but remember, you have to really want toquit FIRST. Start with that, then work out a plan. And if you dodecide to quit, and one day you slip, don't use that one slip as anexcuse to stop trying to quit. Forget it, and get right back to theno smoking program. Good luck! And one more thing - if you do quit, you will feel sogood! Not just physically, but mentally too. It was one of thehardest things I've ever done, and it makes me feel good that Ifinally succeeded. You will feel good too.Claudine__________________________________________________