Cigarette Smokers Please Respond

I know cigarette smoking is bad, but I've been a smoker for years and am 38 yrs old.  I know also that cigarettes are bad when you have HCV.  How many of you guys are smokers and has anyone quit?  Has anyone just continued smoking anyways and still had good results?  How does being on TX and smoking make you feel?  Thanks everyone........

billstrong1969

[ejoli]

I still smoke and just finished tx. I know I shouldn't but .....   I did cut down alot!  I just didn't feel like smoking much. I'm down to 4 or 5 a day....but I'm an addict!   It really isn't good for your liver. If you could quit or cut down it would be for the best.                            -Libby

[sfbaygirl]

Sorry to say I am a smoker and continue to do so. I relapsed, I doubt b/c I smoked throughout tx, but I would say it would be good if you stopped. My doc told me not to stop during tx, as I had so my sx.  So before you start would be a good time.  While in the hospital at the end of tx I didn't smoke for 3 weeks. Like an idiot I started up again. I am looking forward to the time I WILL quit. I did before for 10 years, I know I can again. Good luck and do work on Quitting!

[billstrong1969]

What kind of side effects where you having?  What meds where you taking to manage the side effects?  

billstrong1969

[Stiffneck]

I was a 20 year pack-a-day smoker and used to have all sorts of reasons why any given time in my life was a bad time to quit.  Then I had a heart attack.  It was easy to quit after that.  I quit cold-turkey 15 months ago and never looked back.  

Is Hep-C scarier than lung cancer?

Tim

[JodyLynn]

I smoked from age 11 to age 41, im now 49. I used the nic gum and it worked, but im still chewing it lol 8 years later, but at least i dont smoke anymore ha.

[pigeonca]

I smoked about three-quarters of a pack a day for thirty-five years.  Quit using Zyban, which is the same thing as Wellbutrin.  Nothing else worked for me.  Every now and again, I'll cheat and smoke one cigarette - maybe once or twice a month.  As long as I take the Wellbutrin, I can do this.  I know I shouldn't have any at all, but being a city girl, I figure car exhaust and other pollution are equally bad, so what the hey...

[hondapatches]

I have smoked for about 35 years. I have cut way down since starting tx. I can't smoke much anyway being a school teacher. I know it is hard on your live, but cold turkey I cannot do. At least not right now.
hondapatches

[GrandmaBRZ]

I have been looking for a post that addressed this issue.  I was too sheepish to bring it up because i was sure I was the only smoker left in the world!  

I was 1-2 packs a day before treatment. Been on treatment for 10-11 weeks & I am now down to 7-10 cigs a day. I do keep a record of how much I smoke each day which gives me an incentive to cut down more.  

I no longer relight a cig, even if I have only taken one or two drags. Right down the toilet with those cigs. The treatment has made it much easier for me to cut down.  I have been smoking since i was 13, quit 2x for 3 years & 7 years. This time cold turkey has not worked but maybe continually cutting down will lead to Zero.

Good luck in whatever way you chose to go.  Jenn

.  

[PrettyPoisonNoMore]

I smoked for a LONG time, and continued to thru treatment.  NP said not to quit while on treatment, it was tough enough without quitting smoking.  Two weeks past treatment I had to have an emergency appendectomy and I quit smoking then with the help of a morphine drip!  I didn't start back.  Here we are almost 1 year to the day that I quit.  I am SVR, but I don't think it had anything at all with quitting smoking after treating!

[Lonestar823]

Ummmm.....Tobacco.  I'd walk out of my way just to linger outside a good tobacco shop for the scent.  I've always been mesmerized by the tobacco rituals.  Cigarettes... Camel Lights, jeez, they were the best part of the show. ; ]  I still miss them.  Just reading these posts make me want to drive uptown and buy a pack, just to hold 'em again. ; ]  Wonder if I've got any stale ones in a pocket somewhere?

[sfbaygirl]

My first sx was the anemia around week 3-4,  had to get the shots Neulasta (don't recommend, take procrit). then my white count went down and had to go on aranesp, which was great. Both of these drugs are pegalated forms of Procrit and Neupogen. I was on them for many months.  Watch for these by getting CBC's every week. Ask your DR. for a standing STAT order from your lab with copies sent to YOU every time they take blood.  

I had headaches, sweats, pain in the joints and bones, some of which I think came from the rescue drugs. I was tired alot and was one of those couch potatoes that didn't work and considered tx my work. It is doable and most can work, so don't think you can't. I was already NOT working.  Don't worry too much, It is so much easier once you start and know how your body is going to handle the drugs.  You may be one of most that work and do fine with the sx of tx.  Hope you are.

Linda

[shastri20032003]

i was a heavy smoker pre tx--a pack a day... and i continued smoking thru tx
it is not the correct thing to do but  i could not stop smoking completely,though i did reduce from 20 cigarettes a day to probably 15...at least some improvement!
you are already dehydrated during treatment and smoking just makes you more dehydrated
if you can stop,nothing like it since it has been proved that your chances of clearance reduce if you smoke during tx
best of luck with trreatment and with trying to stop smoking!

[Forseegood]

but this thread makes me feel like coughing...:) I hope you get the conviction to quit...

[FL_Gal]

I smoked most of my life, but after my hgb dropped and started hovering in the mid-9's, it was all I could do just to breathe, let alone try to smoke a cigarette.  I finished my 48 weeks on 9-3, and I'm still a non-smoker.  I do get some pretty strong cravings at times, but I find that once the initial desire to smoke passes, I forget all about it.

FlGal

[sfbaygirl]

Yeah, I know...god do I want to quit!!!!  My doc wrote a script for a drug that 50% helps.  My ins. won't pay. I have to appeal it and get them to do it. It is a HORRIBLE addiction.  I cough at the cig and want to quit so bad.  Perhaps when I can get over some of the depression I will. I did it before for 15 years. It is awful stuff.  It only gets worse with time too.   I quit for 4 weeks in the hospital, why couldn't I have stopped?  What an awful thing it is.  

[Lady Lauri]

I was just asked this by B-bunch on my post "anemia, nutrition" .....basically how can I be a 'health nut' and still smoke, which I am! Organic food, wheatgrass, yoga and than freaking light up a cig! HATE it also. I could quit s*x easier (well..maybe, don't give me that choice..please!:)
Started at 15 to be 'cool' and have never quit! My hep Dr. also said don't quit starting tx, cut down, but feels my body will be going thru enough for now. ( Riba rage AND nic withdrawels ? I'd run everyone in my world off!)
Stiffneck....how many times have I thought of that...(Hep C scarier than lung cancer!).
I even tried organic, chemical free cigs (yeah, right, whatever) and honestly....I craved the chemicals in the others! I could have 10 packs of the 'organic' and still crave a Winston! That was wierd and the best I can figure is that is IS the extra 300 chemicals and nicotine they put in them.
From 16-18 yrs old I tried every 'party' thing out there, and I mean all of them! (when we believe I got this!) NEVER got addicted to anything, by 19 said 'enough of all this' and walked away...with a d*m cig in my hand! Strong, strong woman....that can not (YET) put down-beat nicotine.
            :{   : {    :{  

[Forseegood]

oh, what is it called? I just had "posting remorse" ha ha...I think what I said was kinda insensitive, I''ve never smoked (ciggies that is) so I should be more understanding...I just hope that all who smoke can find some way to quit..guess what I really hate is these tobacco companies formulating the cigarettes to be as addictive as possible...that really burns my butt...I can't stand evil corporate interests...guess a few here are w/ me on that? huh OH? hope youre feeling better and better SF....

[billstrong1969]

Thanks so much for the feedback guys, it gave me a good insight on what I should consider doing in the future.

billstrong1969

[couchpotato]

I smoked all the way through tx and am 3 years SVR.  Quit if you can, cut back or stay the same, I don't think it really makes a difference to the end result.

Good luck
Mattie

[APKhaos]

I smoked for maybe 25 years. About midway through tx I figured that quitting could not make me feel any worse than I already did, and stopped. It worked. Its unlikely that anyone would suggest HCV treatment as a good therapy to stop smoking, but it worked for me.

[miked]

I quit 18 years ago through willpower (got to have that or nothing will work) and the nicotine gum.  I did find that I liked chewing the gum though.

The cigarettes may kill you before HCV or old age.

You can do it, quit.

[beamishboy]

i also smoked thru trx,but like APKhaos says,midtrx is an excellent opportunity to kick the habit....wish i had

[MrsOckert]

I started smoking when I was 13.  At 43 cut down to 2 packs a week.  Couldn't quit (didn't really really really want to! just knew I should) smoked during TX.  Ended Tx last Sept - was told I had a lump in my lung.

Scared me so bad I quit.  Haven't had a cigarette since that day.  It's been a year now.  Doesn't mean I don't think about it when I get stressed or something but it usually only lasts for a minute or two.

[JodyLynn]

Same here i like the gum more than i ever did the cigs lol and i was a 2 pk a day smokers lol. Has alot to do with me being OCD too didnt like the smell in my hair. I can be around smokers now, matter of fact it smells good to me now lol.

[R Glass]

I tried the patches but quit using them because I found hard to keep lit when I smoked them

[JodyLynn]

Hahaha thats cute.....thank you i needed a laugh.

[willows]

Right now.  Ice cream and smokes...last refuge of this old woman and her virus.

Willow

[Mr Liver]

I wouldn't worry too much about the impact smoking has on your liver, or on HCV. If you are a long term smoker chances are you've got alot more important things to worry about Here are the possible long-term outcomes for a smoker with HCV.

1%-5% will die as a result of an HCV chronic infection.

50%-60% of those who smoke, will die from a smoking-related illness.

Regards,
Mr Liver

[Forseegood]

you must be a real kick at parties! :-)

[Lady Lauri]

LMAO, LMAO.  

[FloridaMouse]

I'm 47 and was a pack a day smoker for 30 years.  I smoked up until the last  month of my treatment.  I started Chantix 2 months before I finished treatment for Hep C and was smoke free before I did my last shot.  My GI told me not to worry about trying to stop while I was also trying to do tx (stress factor) but I made the decision that I would try to quit at the end of tx so I could get all  my misery out of the way at one time.

I am a true beliver in Chantix.  I was smoke free after taking it for 3 weeks.  I've now been smoke free for almost 7 months.

Mouse
Genotype 1a, Stage 3, Grade 3
Finished 48 wks of tx on 4/13/07
Doing 6 mos Post SVR PCR tomorrow!
(9/20/07)

[katerika]

I love your attitude," get my misery out of the way at one time." I was told by doctor quiting while on Tx. wasn't the best time to quit, but tx and sore mouth, dry mouth sure makes you cut WAY back. Hey if we can kick this virus, we can kick the ciggs! It is so easy to say. One day at a time, one thing at a time. One step at a time. Two steps forward, one backward. Keep placing one foot in front of the other. Whew, I'm getting tired.
Best of luck!

[Lady Lauri]

Hey!  "1%-5% will die as a result of an HCV chronic infection. " That true? Than why do we (some 3 times over) go thru all the H*LL to get rid of it?? May sound like a dumb question but I am serious! I'm sure part of that answer is the symptoms/pains of hep.
                                                                                 LL

[Mr Liver]

The statistic is correct. Most people who have treated never needed to.

Mr Liver

[jphits]

I smoked before the treatment and during the first few weeks.  After that I just did not feel like it anymore.  Infact my doctor said that I would probably quit.  I guess you can look at it as a good side effect of the treatment.  Even after the treatment I have no desire to smoke, just finished the 24 week schedule.

[Lady Lauri]

Love the name, BTW.
WHAT? How does that work? Why? I understand being 50-60, no liver damage, or early stage deciding not to and to just change life style, etc. But 'most' never needed too?
Just to put my mind at rest (1st shot Tues.).... I'm 49, female, 128lbs., no other health problems, WAS moderate drinker, anti-drug over 30 yrs., carried this over 30 years, stage 3 fibrosis, type 2b. My decision to treat a good one.....right ??? (especially being 2b?)
( sorry if some questions sound 'stupid', but I have only known about , gotten bx, found a hep Dr.and set up tx all in 3 1/2 mths. All gone very fast and I AM researching my fingers to the bone, but so much to absorb, while being ALREADY fatigued.)
                    thank you, LL

[nygirl7]

I wish I could have quit but - am too weak.   So I just kept smoking.  4 months post i was still UND and haven't had my next test yet (at 8 months now) because life got in the way.

Its stupid...all that work of 72 weeks to treat my liver but yet I continue to just poison my lungs every day over and over.  Still - even knowing it - all I want to do is leave my desk and go have a smoke right now.

I am a moron but at least I'll tell ya the truth about it.

[Forseegood]

youre not a moron, youre addicted to cigs...you come in a lot of good company, many highly intelligent people are addicted, got nothing to do with intelligence....you'll get a hook on it, know you will...when youre ready...then you won't have any vice addictions and people will secretly hate you for it, lol.lol...sick humor again! you know what I mean, betcha within in a few years time you'll get rid of the butts too!

[Mr Liver]

If I was in your position I would make the choice to treat, just as you have.

In reference to my statement that "most who have done tx have not needed to", this is what I meant: Only 20% of those with chronic hep c will progress to cirrhosis. The vast majority of serious extrahepatic manifestations occur during stage 4 (cirrhosis). So, this is obviously a stage you want to stay out of, if possible. However, one can still lead a full productive life for many years with cirrhosis, which should be noted. This is one factor that went behind my statement.

The statistic that only 1%-5% will die from hep c-related complications is evidence that most with HCV do not ever need to treat. But, let me also say that I do recognize the grey areas that exist which can influence the decision to treat. I also realize that whether they "needed to treat" is a different question from "should they have treated"?

Although the exact rate of progression between any two stages of fibrosis cannot be known for any one patient, patients can be still classified as to their overall rate of progression after a period of years ( I believe it was a min. of 10 years of infection in one study).The accuracy improves with the length of infection, of course. Most HCV patients can be placed into 3 different groups of either ,slow, medium, or fast fibrosers. Example: If a person has been infected for 25 years and is still only stage 1, they are most definitely a slow fibroser. The chances of this person ever reaching stage 4 are extremely improbable. However, this does not stop doctors from "recommending" tx to this type of patient, nor the many patients in these circumstances from demanding it. Also doctors who tell their patients they "have" to do tx, regardless of histology, deserve dishonorable mention and add further to the pool of over-treated patients.These are a few ways that contribute to the tx population of those who never needed to treat. (One research doc who knows more on the subject of fibrotic progression than most is Thierry Poynard. You can search PubMed or Google him if you want to learn more.)  

I  hope this makes my statement understandable now. Have a great day.
regards,
Mr Liver

[lost39]

I began smoking all kinds of things when i was about 18. I was a smoker up to the age of like 37. I started worrying about  being an smoking addict about 2years earlier, after watching this add on tv where a surgeon is on a verge of amputating this leg off from a victim that smoked, smoke related of course.  So, i tried and tried again, the longest i had stopped was for 9mths, then smoked again when my ex decided to also smoke behind my back on the sly.

Then one day, i was online chatting away and i ran outa paper to roll my tobacco.. i got fed up with it, rolled the 6 i had left, tossed out the rest and chained smoked through those, puffing away like a chimney . NEVER again did i touch another, or another drop of my old mate Jim beam.
mind over matter!