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MedHelp Member's Question

what kind of withdrawal symptons can I expect from stopping smoking?

by cheeseberger, Mar 07, 2001 12:00AM
hi everybody. This is the first time that I have ever taken the time to post a message about anything, anywhere. However I would like to get some input from everyday mindless web surfers like myself on my pending problem. I have been smoking since 15 about a pack a day. I am almost 46 now. I am also detoxing from methadone too. I pretty much know what to expect from the meth but the smokes I'm not too sure about. If anybody has some info I'd be most appreciative. thanks in advance.  CHEESEBERGER
Member Comments (12)

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Mar 07, 2001 12:00AM
To: Cheeseburger
Hello first timer!  I don't consider myself mindless yet, but many would probably disagree with me here.  If I were you, I would concentrate first on the methadone.  Reading between the lines of your post, I would say that you are pretty smart.  Correct me if I'm wrong about that.  One pack of cigarettes per day is not much of an addiction in my opinion.  My wife has lung cancer and still smokes two packs a day.  She used to get up about every two hours at night to have a "fix" but now it is every four hours. An improvement to say the least, for her.



If you are the type of person that can recover from opiods, then nicotine should be fairly simple for you. I'm a smoker myself but rarely smoke more than one pack per day.  I can go overnight without smoking.  When I'm sick, I don't smoke.  It's more of a nervous habit with me if you know what I mean?  J.B.

by cindi, Mar 07, 2001 12:00AM
To: cheeseburger and JB
Hi,  First of all I agree with JB concentrate on the Meth first  I was up to 3 packs a day when I was in detox.  My voice was hoarse.  About 5 years ago I quit.  I did use the patch for a few days and really ahd no withdrawals.  My husband quit and had few if any problems he did it cold turkey.  I think when my mom quit due to her emphysema she had alot of anxiety but I feel that was pretty much in her mind as she was so sure she could never quit.  She was an anxious person to begin with.  Unfortunately, when my mom was dying from her emphysema I started to smoke again.  I could kick myself in the ass for that one but i guess it was better than picking up a needle or popping the pills.  Anyway, good luck with everything you are doing.  Would love to hear how you are coming along.     JB If I have been so self centered re: all of my problems and have never taken the time to tell you, My prayers and love are with you and your wife.   God Bless you both...   Love to all Cindi

by J.B. to Brian and Vicky, Mar 08, 2001 12:00AM
To: Cindy
Thanks for the prayers!  We are both doing fine and just living and enjoying one day at a time together.  We have had some pretty good days and some awful days but we are here for eachother more than ever. I wish you the best! J.B.

by Shiny, Mar 09, 2001 12:00AM
I was diagnosed with emphysema about 2 years ago.  The doctor said it was a very mild case just the beginning.  I still smoke a pack a day after trying to quit I've lost count.  I have no symtons.  I know it is progressive, but what are the signs that you really have it bad.  For now I run 2 miles and do weight lifting.

by cindi, Mar 09, 2001 12:00AM
To: Shiny
Hi, You post and the word "EMPHYSEMA" jumped out at me...I just buried my mom...She passed away on Christmas Morning from complications related to emphysema which is usally what the patients die from.  My mom was diagnosed about 10 or 12 years ago and did not stop smoking until a bad case of pneumonia in 1995.  I noticed that even though she remained active her breathing became progressively worse over the course of a few years.  I think if you quit smoking you can slow the progression of the disease.  I'm sure if my mom would have quit earlier ...nevermind, I won't go there.  I don't want to sound as though I am preaching but if you read my other posts, I am struggling with the death of my mom.  The pain is overwhelming.  She was 61 years old.  Left behind my sister and myself along with 4 grandchildren, ages 3,7,10 and 15...Look at my 15 year old neice, who sobs her heart out everynight, and my sister and I who have not slept in months a full night...and my 2 little kids who can't figure it out and may not remember her.I sit at this computer and pour my heart out to these wonderful people in this forum and by the time I am done my eyes are so waterlogged my vision is blurred for what seems forever.  Do You have children?  Grandchildren?  Can you please try and stop smoking if not for yourself, then for your family and those who love you  Ok, I'm sorry,  I had no right...to go on like that...you asked a simple question.  please accept my apologies,  smoking is an addiction itself, one I know to well.  My mom noticed her breathing was more labored upon simple tasks and her medications were not working as well as before...soon she was oxygen dependant.  Then house bound and it was down hill from there.  Best of luck and again Please accept my apologies.....cindi

by spook, Mar 11, 2001 12:00AM
NONE!,Actually it is good timing as the withdrawal symptoms from Methadone make you not want to smoke,due to the over release of Noradrenaline,I only smoke when on Opioids,they make me crave nicotine,When I was on Methadone 130mg daily I smoked a packet a day for 2 years,then I went off and smoked none nor did I want to smoke.I would not expect the same from you,but this info may give you some ideas.

by Shiny, Mar 12, 2001 12:00AM
Spook is right Cindi it is so hard to be on narcotics and not smoke.  In fact that is when I do the most smoking.  I am 53 and have 2 grand-children.  My husband dosn't smoke and does want me to stop so bad. I had pneumonia about 2 years ago and quit for awhile, but stupid me just didn't have the will-power. I have tried so many times, but you know what they say never give up and one of these days I will make it. I am so sorry about your Mom. My daughter would be devastated if anything happened to me.  Don't ever think you are preaching, your words of wisdom are what we need.  God Bless.

by cindi, Mar 12, 2001 12:00AM
To: Shiny
I know how hard it is to quit smoking   I smoked for many years.  Quitting in 95 with my mom and husband. It was hard.  And I was on Narcotics at the time and the cravings were terrible.  I just had to smoke.  I know where you are coming from.  Did you consider the patch?  I know your daughter if she is anything like me thinks you are invincible. I thought my mom would never die.  If only she would have quit when they told her to.....How I think about that daily.  And to see her on a ventilator begging me for help.....I live with that picture in my mind.  I am now without a mother...PLEASE  DON'T DO THIS TO YOUR DAUGHTER  If I have to beg you....I will.  If i can help spare one life it will be worth it....Good luck and I'll be praying for you...cindi

by Shiny, Mar 13, 2001 12:00AM
Hi Cindi.  Yes I've been on the patch, Zyban (Wellbutin (sp)) and just about anything else you can think of.  You know what is especially sad?  Even people who see a loved one dying of emphysema can not quit.  I think smoking is worse then narcotics.  And then you think to yourself well my father smoked 4 packs a day and lived to be 79, that's a pretty good life especially when your 53.  Oh, the way our minds justify our thoughts and motives.

by cindi, Mar 13, 2001 12:00AM
To: Shiny
I know how our minds work...It was a hard thing...to quit smoking.  The when my mom started to go downhill which was very rapidly, I started up again  Even though She died from the damn disease I still justified it by saying I only smoke 4 cigs a day....Well Today I decided I'm done,   4 cigs a day is nothing compared to 2 packs a day.  (quitting) I watched my mom struggle for every breath for a very long time...And finally that Ventilator becuse her lungs had nothing left.  I thought my mom would never ever die, and now she is gone and My heart is shattered.  Not a day goes by that I don't cry for her....and then I look at my babies and I hope to God I can live long for their sake....But not with cigarettes. Please, TRY for your daughter, and for you   It is a miserable existence and a horrible death.  In my 20 years that I have been a nurse, all of the Lung disease patients were a direct result of the cigarettes....even if they quit, sometimes it was too late   Please think about this.   God Bless you and keep you well.   Love cindi

by Shiny, Mar 14, 2001 12:00AM
Thank you Cindi. Your words are certainly from someone who has been there. I know this is no confort after losing your Mom, but I can tell you loved her dearly and I'm sure she knew it.

by cindi, Mar 14, 2001 12:00AM
To: Shiny
Yes, I loved and still do love my mother with all of my heart, as your daughter loves you with all her heart....Please don't break her heart.....If my mom only knew what this disease is capable of doing to her and what her death has done to me and my sister I'm sure she may have quit smoking sooner.  But I can't live with what ifs.  I have good memories left,  and horrible memories of her struggling to live...allow you daughter to keep the good memories and live for yourself to be a spry old lady...my mom was only 61.  she would have been 62 on Feb. 28,,,,Good luck and keep in touch with me   you can e-mail me at ***@**** if you would like to talk.   Love cindi
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