The price of cigs????????????!!!!!!!!!!!

[Teri]

Okay, so i'm going to pout! A lot of years ago MI started the lottery to give us great schools......where'd the money go????????????? and the schools are in more trouble than ever.
Now, they've raised the tax of a pack of smokes .50 A pack costs about $5.50 now. I buy by the cartoon so that puts me at $40.00 a carton and knocks me right out of the ball park......

hubby is day #5 smoke free and I've still got cigs stashed but as soon as they are gone, they are GONE. so far he's been very tolerable. He's even had a few problems come up and hasn't picked up a cigarette....I sure hope he makes it. He had quit for 2 years and then started again. Blamed it on me cuz I wouldn't quit.

BOY OH BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you guys gona have a very crabby teri on your hands when I stop!!!!! Giving you all fair warning <img src="graemlins/kissing.gif" border="0" alt="[kissing]" />

[ICNDonna]

You can crab at me all you want! I know how hard quitting is. And if you put that money aside for a few weeks ---then when the going gets the toughest you can go count your money and make plans about what you'd like to do with it. And use that money to reward yourself.

Sending a warm encouraging hug, a shoulder to cry on, and a smile because I know you are strong enough to make it.

<img src="graemlins/kissing.gif" border="0" alt="[kissing]" />
Donna

[Mrs.H]

I can fully understand the crabby also..I quit 6 months ago after 21 years of smoking they just got too expensive($6.50) and I figured what is more important smokes or my health...and as for the crabbyness I went through that and man oh man my family just sat quietly for the first 3 weeks..even though I was on the patch..but I screwed up and jumped to fast on the steps and went into depression....It was quite the journey but in the end I now own a 25 gallon fish tank that I always wanted and a new tv....so the getting rewards for stopping is so worth it...sending good luck to you when you do quit...remember it takes alot of will power and determination to quit.... <img src="graemlins/grouphug.gif" border="0" alt="[grouphug]" />

[Susie K]

Teri,
You can do it! Quitting smoking was the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life.... I have been smoke free since November 2000. It was time, I had turned 50, and my health problems were starting to mount up...... but I DID NOT want to give up my last addiction!!! I used every tool that I had in my toolkit - the most important for me was the patches - they helped make it possible for me to get through the day without hurting anyone.... I also used self esteem tapes in my walkman at night, they really helped reinforce that I am worth it. I also used prayer - mostly things like 'God I can't do this, please HELP ME!!' I think the most important thing was getting to acceptance that I was going to be uncomfortable, and I'd have to walk through it. Anyway when the time comes I am behind you 100 percent!!

[SelenaandAj'smommy]

Yup! i know that ive never posted in the smoking section before, but ive been smokins sonce i was 18. and im 28 now. I know those cravings, and have tried to quit several times, but havent managed to to it yet. My doctor tells me that patients with ic do better with their treatments if they quit smoking, is there any truth to this?

[ICNDonna]

Christine: In response to your question, in my own case quitting smoking helped.

At the time I quit Nicorette was fairly new and was a prescription item. Without it I wouldn't have made it. Now, in addition to the gum I used as a crutch, there are patches available.

Sending an encouraging hug,
Donna

[Jen_Cole]

Have any of you ever tried Zyban? It's a script, and lemme tell ya, IT WORKS! But staying on it is key.
Jen

[Terri Q.]

FYI all smokers considering quitting with Zyban. Zyban is the SAME EXACT drug as Wellbutrin. Often insurance companies will cover Wellbutrin for depression but will not cover Zyban for smoking cessation. I am not a smoker but I have many friends that have quit using Wellbutrin. Just make sure you stay on it long enough and taper off the drug sloooowly. Also, often the dose prescribed by docs is too high, everyone is different. So if insomnia occurs, discuss decreasing dose with the doc.

Good luck to all considering quitting!

Terri
<img src="graemlins/blink.gif" border="0" alt="[blink]" />

[jeanl]

HI!! I've been smoke free now for 4 weeks and could NOT have done it without the patch!! I'm now down to the 7 MG (lowest step) and I'll stay on them as long as I need to. Of course, they are 50$ a box so i'm not saving yet!! I thought my IC was better after quitting, but I had pain again when I ovulated that was no different from before.
BUT I still feel so much better overall - this has been the hardest thing I've ever done - I've smoked for 30 years. I've quit before, but this is the last time!! I"ve never used the patch before, and it really is working. And I'm crabby with my kids - they say they'll put up with it for a while because they love it that i'm not smoking. So, hang in there!! I also have friends that have taken Zyban(wellbutrin) and it has worked for them. (I'm not taking it because of all the IC meds i'm on) Good luck!!

[TiaTia]

Teri...
I'm with you, sister. I am going to be one serious *****-on-wheels when the time comes, and it is coming soon. And when my hubby and I quit together...need I say more? This house will be psycho-city. If ya'll read about one of those husband/wife suicide/homicide pact in Louisiana, you will know what it is all about <img src="graemlins/lmao.gif" border="0" alt="[lmao]" />

To all those trying to improve their lives by quitting, I'm sending tons of good ju-ju you way. Maybe if we all ***** to each other on here daily it will help ---- can't hurt, right?

<img src="graemlins/blah.gif" border="0" alt="[blah]" /> <img src="graemlins/jester.gif" border="0" alt="[jester]" />

[laura Anne]

oh lord, beleive me i know how hard it is to stop smoking..i have been smoke free for 2 years now..never ever thought it would happen.....the hardest thing i ever had to do..and the price is crazy...it is easier when u live with non-smokers...i would be outside in -4 degree weather smoking!!!....the thing that made me quit was mom had 2 heart attacks and she still was smoking...that' show bad she had the addiction..now she has quit t also..been 6 months now.. she hated the world for awhile but doing good..just hates all the weight tha thas been put on..i did too..but it does come off..i swear it does!!!! well, good luck to anyone who is trying to fquit ..the patch helped me but then i fwas "hooked " on the patch for 8 months....yikes...now that was expoensive!!!!!
well, good luck to all--u can do it...

[JOJO]

Christine
I too struggle with the whole smoking thing.I quit I start. Now I am ready again to quit this week. But I did aks my dr. that question about smoking and treatments. He said it is a known thing that the chemicals from cigarettes go into the linings of the lungs and bladder.So if your trying to take something to help the lining improve, but your still smoking. Your doing a positive and a negative and most likely will get a null effect. Which makes sense to me. And yet I still struggle with the quitting thing. I wish I never started yrs ago.Good Luck-JOJO

[KBee42]

The biggest indicator for me was when I read that studies have proved that smoking increases a person's risk for bladder cancer. I was peeing blood at the time and looked at the stick and just decided it wasn't worth it.

I still want them and my husband still smokes, but I want a healthy bladder more.

Now that I've quit I've noticed the difference. It's indescribable. If I have so much as a puff or one cigarette I'm in serious pain for two weeks.

I'm very proud of everyone that's attempting to quit and that has. It's a hard road, but the end is really worth it. Sometimes it doesn't seem worth it, but then I'll get a bad flare and realize how much I gain being smoke-free.

Good luck to everyone!