Re: rheumy/smoking/humira

May 11, 2006

Hello,

I don't post but once in a blue moon maybe but I do read the e-mails

most everyday.

I noticed you were talking about quitting smoking. I am in the

process of trying to quit. I went through the clinic where I go and

did not have to pay for it. It is what they call a step down program.

If you would like more information on the program let me know. I am

on vacation right now and don't have the info in front of me but

would be glad to send when I get back home. I am on the patch stage

right now. Just started them a week ago so I am on the highest mg.

which is 21. It is not easy. But I am trying. I have smoked some but

nothing like I was. I will go days sometimes and not smoke any and

then I just have to have one. But along with this step down program

it involves a support group too and it does help. Just hang it in.

The RA doctor sure isn't being very nice. The lady that heads our

group is a counselor for alcohol and drug addicts to and she said

trying to stop smoking is harder then a druggie trying to quit. I

have learned lots of things about cigs that I never knew. Again just

let me know if you want any info about stopping smoking that I have.

Take care,

Kat

..

>

May 11, 2006

It sound like you are having a tough time with giving up smoking. I've

never smoked but I'm sure it is hard to do. I would maybe try the patch, a

relative of mine had good luck with that.

One thing that helped me on my weight loss plan was when I made the

decicision to do it for myself. Not because someone was wanting or making

me to do it. It was a mental thing for me.

Good luck and I hope you get your meds worked out.

Marlis

[ ] rheumy/smoking/humira

My rheumy wanted me to call him when I got my TB test results..so I talked

to him today. First thing he asked me was how many cigs have I smoked so

far today, how many yesterday. :-( I am NOT doing so great on that

mission.

He was so insistant previously, even sayng I had to quit or he would not

treat me on my first visit to him...so I tried. Am trying.

He did Rx me prednisone and I worried about bipolar mood swings...he Rx'ed

a dose that was higher than I had previoously, and sure enough within 2 days

I was wildly manic. SO I halfed the dose, which is the dose my old rheumy

had given me. ANd I called my new doc and told him. Well, he asked today

how is my new dose doing? well, bummer, it's NOT- I am still swelling like

crazy. :-(

SO he upped the prednisone...and he is calling my insurance company to see

how to go about starting Humira.

Then he went back to the smoking. Asked me what I have been doing to try

to quit, I said smoking only one per hour on the hour....was so so hard and

could not get past that and then, blew it bad and could not get back to one

per hour. Saw a hypnotist, did not help AT ALL. So last week I tried

wellbutrin. That made me nervous cuz again, previous experience with it but

gosh this rheumy is so insistant, so I tried it again, but my bipolaar just

does not mix with weelbutrin and it also made me feel very ill.

Well, rheumy is like what is so hard about it, ya just quit, do not smoke,

and there you will be quit. And he gave a chuckle. UG! and then he gave

me his newest idea. He wants me.seriously..... to go to a .....substance

abuse program to quit smoking. And he wanted me to fax him info on what

program I would do within the day!

Worse, ever since I talked to him, now I have been chain smoking! Yeesh.

Now I am just so..upset. I feel so awful in so many ways. I feel dumb

cuz I am not doing so well quitting.I feel like a jerk cuz I am getting

defiant like and do not really want to quit, I guess. I am not sure if he

finds me amusing or stupid or is he making fun of me or what.......

I even pouted for a few hours saying well FINE I will just give up

treating the RA cuz this is just so hard.....cuz I was offended or

something.

I cannot tell if he has me keep calling him cuz I live so far away or cuz

maybe he is not gonna keep me on as a patient, maybe he is not gonna see me

till I have quit smoking? He said he was calling my insurance to get

authorization to start up Humira.....but....maybe he is just waiting.

It was hard to find a new rheumy...and I have to drive so far to get to

him.....and yes, I KNOW how bad smoking is.....yeesh, my mom, mother in law,

fav aunt, best friend, all died from lung cancer, my husband has emphesema

and lung cancer.....I worked Hospice and had so many patients with it.....

How could I even sit here and even consider giving up RA treatment when it

hurts SO bad...just cuz I am having such a hard time quitting smoking? I

KNOW it makes no sense.

But I also know I am getting so frustrated. between cig withdrawl and

prednisone mania and wellbutrin making me so sick.....and the pain and

swelling not even letting up for a second.....I feel like I am losing my

mind. My body and mind are going 10,000 different directions all at once.

May 11, 2006

HI Marlis, Know what you are going through. I quit smoking 9 yrs ago. Did it

the cold turkey way. I had to put it in my mind that I controlled the cigs, not

the cigs controlling me. Had to break some habits first. Quit smoking in the

car. Didn't have a cig when I first woke up. Didn't have a cig with my morning

coffee. When I really wanted one right after I ate I got up a went for a walk.

Soon I was not craving cigs in the car, first thing in the morning, nor after

meals. Then everytime I wanted on I went for a walk. Everyday while I was

breaking these habits I kept telling myself that I was in control. Breaking the

habits took about 2 weeks. The day I quit I made sure I did not have any cigs

anywhere in the house, nor anywhere that I could get to one. I figured if I

could sleep through the night without one I could get through the day. It was

hard the first day, easy the 2nd and 3rd. Oh, on the 4th day thought I would go

out of my mind. Then it was okay

for about 2 weeks. Then it was horrible for about a day or two. Once I got

past that it was easy sailing. For the longest time whenever I saw someone

smoke in an old movie or saw someone smoke at distance I got the urge, but

didn't give in. I remembered that I was in control. Then one day someone was

smoking where I could smell it, and quess what it made me sick to smell the

smoke. Now I don't even think of it. I really am glad that I quit it was hard

and you can do it too. Just put it in your mind that you are in control. It

will be so good for you not to smoke, let alone the money you will save. I live

in California and I know Gov. Arnold. wants to raise the cig tax to an

outrageous amount. I hear cigs will cost $7.00 or more per pack. I wish you

the best. Remember you can do this. Good luck,

Marlis Greenway <marlisg@...> wrote: It sound like you are having a

tough time with giving up smoking. I've