are there smokers on tx

[jonney4141]

i have quit all of the bad things in life, but the one thing that is the hardest to kick are these darn cigarettes, i want to quit so bad, but am afraid, so maybe i will wait till all of these health problems go away. I did quit once for 7 months and i swear it was like the riba rage (that's what scares me) my hubby had a chat with me the other night, and said he is doing the best he can to be patient with me (and he is doing an awesome job) but it hurts his feelings when i get so mean and i know i do cause i catch myself. i went from 50mg of zoloft to 100mg which seemed to really help. I think it's the noise and fast talking that gets to me, i told him to shut up one day while we had company, i could not believe that i did that (to me that is rude) so right now things are ok, but i need to keep an eye on my actiions and words and my facial expressions (rolling eyes). the world did not come to a complete halt because i have hep c, so while treating i need to keep check on my attitude and learn to walk away when that rage shows its horns, so right now i think quitting smoking may lead to a bad situation.

[m_strings]

I'm not treating yet.  I was planning to start a Phase II trial in CA when I move out next month.  My CA docs got their slots in that trial pulled.  I'm tentatively planning to start in the phase III next year.  I think it will be good to wait a year as 1.) I don't want to start tx when I start a new internship.  I need to be dedicated to the job & have energy to boot.  I thought it wouldn't be a prob to treat but have since changed my mind after careful consideration, talking w/treating pts, etc.  2.) I'm working on getting into better physical shape over the next year (i.e. I've begun to exercise daily & eat healthier).  I understand that often those who are in good physical condition have an easier time with treatment and respond better to the drugs.  Thanks for asking.  It's interesting to hear that you were Stage 1, Grade 1 as well.  I assume you don't regret treating when you did, correct?

[PrettyPoisonNoMore]

Then my thyroid quit (well, it probably had already quit - but I figured out what was wrong) so I was a load of fun after treatment!  I do feel great now though.

I read your profile.  I treated at Stage 1 Grade 1.  Are you treating or are you waiting?

[m_strings]

That's funny PPNoMore.  Probably not so funny at the time, but good story.  Glad you recovered.  Sounded like quite the post-tx party you had.  Geesh.  

[PrettyPoisonNoMore]

I smoked while on treatment.  About two weeks off of treatment, I got really sick, so sick I could not smoke.  My appendix got gangrene and almost ruptured.  When I got out of the hospital, I did not pick up the cigarettes and I have been smoke free since September 2006.  Funny thing, I was on a demerol pain pump in the hospital and I begged the nurse to please just give me a pain pill, that the demerol was making me mean!  Obviously, it was nicotine withdrawal......

[m_strings]

I hate to be the bearer of negative news, but I thought I'd share some more tidbids I learned from Dr. Jensen (U of Chicago, Dir. of Liver Diseases) at a recent seminar: Smoking as little as 5-7 cigarettes per day interferes with ribaviron and interferon's response.  That sure seems to make a case for at least cutting way down on the number of cigs smoked per day.  

Man, it is not easy to quit smoking.  I'm an ex-smoker of about 14 years, but it took me many times to attempt quitting before I actually did it.  I don't know how I would have responded to the thought of quitting while on treatment.  That's got to be incredibly tough.  For those who are trying to quit, please don't give up!  It's SO worth it!!  Congrats to those who have done so! WTG!  

[thegypsy9164]

Thank God I felt too sick 2-weeks into treatment to continue smoking as it made me even sicker.  I was wanting to quit anyway.  It was a great reason to go ahead and do it.  I've gone 4-months without now (since about 1-15-09) and hope to never get caught in it's nasty grip again.
Joey

[Lynno711]

II'm another one who continues to smoke, I smoke CIGARS, even worse I think as I inhale them.  I've never smoked cigs. Doc. knows and really didn't say anything.  But I know what he was thinking, keep trying to cut down, stress etc. makes it too difficult.  I promise I will make a real effort after tx. Imagine a woman smoking big stogies its embarrasing.

Good luck - Lynne

[justme53]

I smoked since I was 15 and only quit when I was pregnant and for a couple months here and there over 40 years. I quit cold turkey on December 28th, 2008 a week before starting tx...not the smartest move, but it actually went ok. I was determined to give myself the best chance at clearing whatever the cost. I still get the urge now and again but not too often...only like when waiting for test results!

[lsaldy]

You are all mind readers!!!! Be darned if I did not wake up with this question also today!!!!!!!!!!  I too smoke and have a bit of a temper so of course the fear of being nutso while i start TX scares the beegezees outta me!!! and to boot I thought....ohhhh boy I am a nutbar when I try to quit smoking also....so hmmmmmmmmmmmmm quit smoking...irritable......riba rage........unreasonable....combine the two???? CERTIFIABLE ahhahahahhah......  of course being breathless scares me too...so I guess I will do my best not to smoke I mean I guess the liver is a filter for toxins and what are smokes filled full of?  Just trying to figure out what new "habit" I can replace it with that is good for me!!! ahhahahhah Good luck with the quitting if that is what you choose to do!!!!!

[charm27]

The day I started tx is the day I stopped  smoking....It will be two years in November!
The thought of feeling sick from tx, and all the sx and then smoking...BLAH!!
I got sick to my stomach thinking about it....so I stopped....When I thought about being so weak out of breath and so on the thought of smelling llike smoke turned me off completely.

I smoked for about 25 years....10-12 cigarettes a day.
I will NEVER smoke again.

Charm27

[chevyelcam79]

I 2 smoked on tx.  I have been SVR for 1-1/2 years now.  Trying my darndest to quit now.  Did the patch didnt work.  Am now taking Chantix and am still having a hard time with it.  Actually, I think my smokers cough got worse on tx (couldve been the riba) and is still really bad even now.  

Tryin hard here!

Shari

[FloridaMouse]

I smoked almost the entire time I treated the first time.  My doc also told me that trying to quit while on tx was too much stress.   Well... I actually felt "ready" to quit about half way through treatment.    I took Chantix, was smoke free with ease after 3 weeks and was off Chantix in less than 3 months.  I was a 20+ year pack a day smoker when I quit.    I've now been smoke free for 2 years, 3 months and 6 days.

Having since done a second round of treatment, I can honestly say that my breathing issues were not as severe and I did not get the Riba cough this time.   I honestly think it had something to do with being a non smoker.

After saying all that LOL, don't stress yourself while you are on tx unless you are positive you are ready.

Mouse

[rita863]

I smoked the entire time while treating, and yes I am still smoking, I know its not healty and horroble.  I also know that I couldnt quit while treating, my doc said pretty much the sames as NyGirl!

I am still not ready to quit!  

peace
rita

[nygirl7]

Yes unfortunately there are a whole lot of us.  My doc had told me at the time not even to worry about quitting until later it would be too much starting tx and quitting. Well that was 72 weeks of treatment and two years SVR Ago and I think maybe now it's finally time I try to quit for good.

Just NOT so easy a thing as it sounds for some of us LOL.