Stop smoking before school starts?

[uglyrunt]

I can't decide if I should try and quit smoking before school starts in August. At our orientation, the instructors made it perfectly clear that

there will be no smoking during our clinicals and we better not smell like

smoke when we get there. We will be sent home if they smell smoke.

They also stated that our homework should not smell like smoke when

we turn it in. I agree with the instructors completely and I want to quit

but, it's kind of difficult to get the will power when I'm scared out of my

wits about starting school.

My doctor gave me Chantix and Wellbutrin to help me stop but, I haven't

taken any yet because I'm scared of all the horror stories from both these

meds.

Is anyone else out there going through this?

Thanks

[soon_to_be_LPN-Nurse]

hi there

i've been quit now for 1 yr. & 7 months. :yeah:i took chantix.

i tired wellbutrin it didn't work for me.

i had no problems taking chantix other than it making me a little snappy when i had to up the dose in the beginning, other than that i was ok.

when i went off of chantix i tapered down the last couple of weeks. (had no problems getting off of chantix either.) the dr. recommends 3 to 6 months if you need it. i took it for 6 months, i felt i needed it. (i had tried just about everything to quit.)

this was a great med for me, i took it when it was pretty new. i didn't know a whole lot about chantix at the time, now i see new side effects popping up.

i hope i've been of some help.

[rnmomtobe2010]

Lol...I know of a couple of girls who started Nursing School and tried their hardest to quit....They were chain smokers until the end...Hats off to them both for quitting....Good luck with your decision....

[dleyva]

I stopped smoking a year ago using Chantix. It worked great and I didn't gain any weight after stopping. I was really interested in how it worked since I have tried every solution known to the world and they didn't work! When I considered the cost of the prescription versus the cost of cigarettes, I figured out that I would save money in the long run. Anyway, I'll share this in case someone is interested....

In simple terms, Chantix blocks the nerve pathways for nicotine and therefore blocks the physiological aspects of nicotine cravings. The only thing it doesn't block are the psychological cravings. Those are easier to deal with though. I started walking more and exercising and drinking water....that worked for me.

Good luck!

[bmackd2]

I quit smoking 16 days ago . I didn't want to smell like smoke or be craving a cigarette during the day.

It was tough, especially the first 4-5 days. I was really nasty to my poor hubby and my kids steered clear of me...lol. I did it cold turkey. I also had to stop drinking coffee. I couldn't handle having a cup without a cigarette. I had my first cup this morning since quitting.

My husband used Chantix several months ago and it worked great for him. He hasn't re-started even though I had continued smoking.

You can do it...it' hard but after that first week it gets alot easier.

Good luck...

[uglyrunt]

Congratulations Kentucky Dreamer and Thanks for the advice.

I didn't know that I could be on the Chantix for up to 6 months.

I'm going to take the two meds at the same time and hope it works.

Thanks again.

[uglyrunt]

Congratulations FLRN0608!

I'm hoping the Wellbutrin will help with the weight gain.

[uglyrunt]

Congratulations bmackd2 on going cold turkey!

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

For more encouragement bear in mind the fact that smoking makes your fingertips less sensitive and makes it harder to feel a pulse

[soon_to_be_LPN-Nurse]

Congratulations to you all that are about to start your journey (of quiting smoking) and to those that has already started.

Stay strong!! You can do it.

It will get easier with time.

[uglyrunt]

I did not know that.

Thank you very much, tothepointe, that is another big incentive to quit.

[Jules A, MSN]

I quit around the end of my second semester of LPN school. I loved every cigarette I ever smoked, would rather smoke than eat but I am so glad it isn't something I have to worry about any more. Wishing you the very best with this!