Intro & info on cburns

[cburns]

My Bupropion Experience

(First of all, let me note for the record that I intend to use this section of the board as my personal "blog" during my quit. If you don't want to read my ramblings, feel free to move along.)

Some of you were around the other day when I finally decided that my "down" mood was more than a passing thing, and I went to see the doc. He prescribed Bupropion, otherwise known as Wellbutrin and Zyban.

I took my first dose on Friday morning, a week ago today. I was surprised to find that I felt better almost right away. Aside from the medication, two things may have accounted for this... 1) I took the day off from work, and 2) My brain knew I took a pill that was supposed to make me feel better, so I felt better.

I have been told that it can take a week or more for the full effect of the medication to be known, but what I see right now looks very good. My wife has even commented that she's glad to have me back.

Before I go on, you need to understand that I went to the doctor about depression, not nicotine cessation. However, when I told the doc that I was quitting nicotine, he specifically chose bupropion over the other candidate medications because of it's benefits to nicotine quitters. You also need to understand that I quit dipping for three years at one point not too long ago. So the memories of the cravings and such are still fresh enough for me.

Time will tell if this continues, but I must say that the cravings have been almost zero since I started taking bupropion. What I do have are fleeting thoughts about dip ... once in a great while I get a piece of gum just to have something in my mouth, but otherwise my quit is VERY easy compared to last time.

Those of you who are having difficulty with quitting: maybe it's time to talk to your doctor. Some guys may think it makes you less of a man to get help for something like this, but I see it differently. If you have appendicitis, does it make you less of a man to ask a surgeon to help? If you're having trouble with quitting and/or depression, you may need to get help.

I'm not a doctor. I don't even know anyone who plays one on TV. Your mileage may (and probably will) vary.

Be quit this weekend!

--cB

[cburns]

Disgustingly Disgusting Chore

I decided, since I was taking a mental health day off from work today, to clean out my pickup. The poor little thing gets a kind of "lived in" look now and then. I cleaned it all out, throwing away old fast-food wrappers and napkins ... I even found one empty Cope can that hadn't been trashed. And then I got to the center console/armrest thingy.

Of course it used to have a can or two of dip in it. I threw them out when I quit, but at some point not long ago, one got put in there with the lid a little loose. So there was a little pile of snoose flakes in the console. I knew they were there, so they didn't surprise me ... but I did get a surprise.

You see, the interior of my pickup is black. The sun here in Kansas has been working overtime the last couple of weeks. We've been over 100 degrees several days now, so who knows how hot it's been inside the pickup, or inside that armrest. Needless to say the Cope was no longer recognizable ... it rather looked like sawdust. But what I wasn't prepared for was the smell.

If I tried to describe it, I'd have to say sort of ammonia-ish. But to be honest, it was like nothing so much as being downwind from a feedlot on a warm day. That special blend of bovine feces and urine that burns the olfactory. That smell that reminds you of money, unfortunately it's someone else's money.

Well, some of you may not live where feedlots are common, so I guess you'll just have to imagine.

So now, I've cleaned the pickup out, and put a dryer softener sheet in there. I don't know if it will smell any better, but it sure can't be worse.

And to think, whatever chemicals were in that smell were also being put into my body for oh so many years. :wacko:

Be strong everyone!

--CB

[Ready]

Reflections on a weekend.

I've just returned from the annual family reunion. I'm sure we're a bit unusual in that we actually look forward to our reunions. I know all of my cousins, all their kids, grandkids (and in at least one case, great-grandkids). We start partying Friday evening, and don't stop until Sunday morning. Well, OK. We're old. We don't actually "party" so much as sit around and tell stories, catch up on news, and eat. Then we eat some more.

Our parents and their parents were big users of nicotine. Smoking was common, but it didn't take too much of a hold in my generation. Instead, being Kansas farmboys, many of my cousins dipped. Because dipping was much on my mind this past weekend, I did a little looking around, watching.

I counted 65 people (including little kids) at one time. In that group, I know there were four smokers, and one dipper. If anyone else was dipping, they were doing it stealth ... and doing a damned good job of hiding it, because I was watching CLOSE.

Me quitting last week cut the number of dippers in the family in half!

As I watched my cousin pull out his can of Wolf yesterday afternoon, all I could think about was "My God, man. If you're going to abuse yourself, at least you could do it with a decent brand!". But honestly, it wasn't a temptation at all. The first 72 hours are so fresh in my mind that I know I don't want to go through that again. I wonder if, as I get waaay far down the road in my quit, those memories will dim. Will the withdrawal not seem like such a big deal? Oh, well. That's a worry for another time.

Today, with the visiting and eating all over ... the temperature outside pushing 100 ... the A/C running to keep me comfy inside ... today, I have craves. Not to worry, there's no snoose in the house, and I ain't going out for it! I have a can of SMC that I use now and then, and I'll use it now. And they're not bad craves ... just the kind that come along when things get quiet.

I hope everyone's weekend was fantastic, and nicotine-free!

Very Well Done.

I remember noticing the number of dippers at the ACC baseball tourney i went to earlier this year....they were EVERYWHERE. I was able to actually see how my addiction must have looked to other people for the first time in my life......was not real impressed.

Yeah, we all have triggers and craves, even some of the old timers.....but we know how to handle them.

Congrats on your triumph.

'clap'

[mule]

Reflections on a weekend.

I've just returned from the annual family reunion. I'm sure we're a bit unusual in that we actually look forward to our reunions. I know all of my cousins, all their kids, grandkids (and in at least one case, great-grandkids). We start partying Friday evening, and don't stop until Sunday morning. Well, OK. We're old. We don't actually "party" so much as sit around and tell stories, catch up on news, and eat. Then we eat some more.

Our parents and their parents were big users of nicotine. Smoking was common, but it didn't take too much of a hold in my generation. Instead, being Kansas farmboys, many of my cousins dipped. Because dipping was much on my mind this past weekend, I did a little looking around, watching.

I counted 65 people (including little kids) at one time. In that group, I know there were four smokers, and one dipper. If anyone else was dipping, they were doing it stealth ... and doing a damned good job of hiding it, because I was watching CLOSE.

Me quitting last week cut the number of dippers in the family in half!

As I watched my cousin pull out his can of Wolf yesterday afternoon, all I could think about was "My God, man. If you're going to abuse yourself, at least you could do it with a decent brand!". But honestly, it wasn't a temptation at all. The first 72 hours are so fresh in my mind that I know I don't want to go through that again. I wonder if, as I get waaay far down the road in my quit, those memories will dim. Will the withdrawal not seem like such a big deal? Oh, well. That's a worry for another time.

Today, with the visiting and eating all over ... the temperature outside pushing 100 ... the A/C running to keep me comfy inside ... today, I have craves. Not to worry, there's no snoose in the house, and I ain't going out for it! I have a can of SMC that I use now and then, and I'll use it now. And they're not bad craves ... just the kind that come along when things get quiet.

I hope everyone's weekend was fantastic, and nicotine-free!

Very Well Done.

I remember noticing the number of dippers at the ACC baseball tourney i went to earlier this year....they were EVERYWHERE. I was able to actually see how my addiction must have looked to other people for the first time in my life......was not real impressed.

Yeah, we all have triggers and craves, even some of the old timers.....but we know how to handle them.

Congrats on your triumph.

[josiahsdad]

Excellent post cburns. Thanks for sharing. I also see people getting their tins out and think what the hell are you doing to yourself. Its only been 2 weeks today but I was in the same position. My dad (who quit smoking 10 years ago) said the 4th weekend 'What the hell are you doing to yourself" and I thought "what the hell are you worried about and what do you thinks going to happen?" No the rolls are reversed and I'm in that position asking other people the same question.

Stay strong!!


Joe

PS: Someday soon I have to get my introduction posted.

[cburns]

Reflections on a weekend.

I've just returned from the annual family reunion. I'm sure we're a bit unusual in that we actually look forward to our reunions. I know all of my cousins, all their kids, grandkids (and in at least one case, great-grandkids). We start partying Friday evening, and don't stop until Sunday morning. Well, OK. We're old. We don't actually "party" so much as sit around and tell stories, catch up on news, and eat. Then we eat some more.

Our parents and their parents were big users of nicotine. Smoking was common, but it didn't take too much of a hold in my generation. Instead, being Kansas farmboys, many of my cousins dipped. Because dipping was much on my mind this past weekend, I did a little looking around, watching.

I counted 65 people (including little kids) at one time. In that group, I know there were four smokers, and one dipper. If anyone else was dipping, they were doing it stealth ... and doing a damned good job of hiding it, because I was watching CLOSE.

Me quitting last week cut the number of dippers in the family in half!

As I watched my cousin pull out his can of Wolf yesterday afternoon, all I could think about was "My God, man. If you're going to abuse yourself, at least you could do it with a decent brand!". But honestly, it wasn't a temptation at all. The first 72 hours are so fresh in my mind that I know I don't want to go through that again. I wonder if, as I get waaay far down the road in my quit, those memories will dim. Will the withdrawal not seem like such a big deal? Oh, well. That's a worry for another time.

Today, with the visiting and eating all over ... the temperature outside pushing 100 ... the A/C running to keep me comfy inside ... today, I have craves. Not to worry, there's no snoose in the house, and I ain't going out for it! I have a can of SMC that I use now and then, and I'll use it now. And they're not bad craves ... just the kind that come along when things get quiet.

I hope everyone's weekend was fantastic, and nicotine-free!

[satarch1]

Whatever you do,  don't take it out on your family.

I have been a bit of a bastard to them a time or two ... and it happens fast. Something hits me the wrong way, and I fly off the handle, and instantly I wonder why I did that. Oh, well. They've lived with me this long, they'll manage a few more days until I'm better. :angry:

Hang tuff and take it out on us!!!

Welcome Cburns. Ready and Fran are correct. Take it out on us, we've been through it and we're ready for your rages.
I'm sure you've already done this, but get your family to read the information on the site. It will help them to understand if you fly off the handle. Also, if you do this together, the chances of you getting upset or them inadvertantly doing something to piss you off are greatly reduced.
Great to have you with us.

[Franpro]

Whatever you do,  don't take it out on your family.

I have been a bit of a bastard to them a time or two ... and it happens fast. Something hits me the wrong way, and I fly off the handle, and instantly I wonder why I did that. Oh, well. They've lived with me this long, they'll manage a few more days until I'm better. :angry:

Hang tuff and take it out on us!!!

[cburns]

Whatever you do,  don't take it out on your family.

I have been a bit of a bastard to them a time or two ... and it happens fast. Something hits me the wrong way, and I fly off the handle, and instantly I wonder why I did that. Oh, well. They've lived with me this long, they'll manage a few more days until I'm better. :angry:

[Ready]

Greetings fellow quitters!

A quick introduction to me ... I'm 48, been married just over 25 years, have two children who aren't children anymore (in fact, they're both in college now).

I've had successful and unsuccessful quits before. Haven't we all? Remind me to someday tell you my feelings about the saying, "I'm just a dip away from a can a day." I've been dipping pretty close to a can a day of Cope LCS. Also, I'm a swallerer, not a spitter, so who knows how much damage I've done, and how much more nicotine I've been getting than you people who were smart enough to spit.

Earlier this week, I went to the store to get my regular 5-can log. Turns out they would let me use my coupons, and I had bought enough that it was time for my freebie. What it came down to is that I walked out of the store with 10 cans of Cope, and I paid barely $13 for them. So why, this past Thursday, did I start looking at quitting sites? Why did I sign up here? Why did I decide to quit with all those new cans sitting here? I still don't know.

I rationalized everything. "Let's see, can I hit 100 days on my birthday? No, I would have had to quit last week. OK, How about hitting 100 days on Christmas? No, I need to get this done sooner than that. OK, what about next week. No, there's a family event, wouldn't do to be in the fog. Week after that? No, that's another out-of-town event, no fog allowed." And so on, and so on, and so on.

I finally realized was that there could not have been a better date for me to have as a quit date than Friday, July 11. The company potluck/funday was that afternoon, so I only had to seriously work until noon. No big plans for the weekend, so the fog could just roll in and do it's worst. And all those cans of Cope that my brain wanted to use up before quitting? Well, I finally decided that I would rather flush cheap Cope down the toilet than full-priced stuff!

So basically, when I post in rollcall every morning, I'm saying to all of you that I will not use nicotine that day, and that I will post the same thing the next day. That's my accountability ... my word as a man (and sometimes as a gentleman).

Geeze. I had so much I wanted to say in this post, but the fog has got me. I guess that since it's a thread, I can add more information later.

Thanks to all of you who have sent me messages ... encouragement and welcome. I do appreciate it.

Sounds like your ready. Well done. Welcome aboard. You can do this. we can help.

It's gonna be shitty for the first few days. Hang tuff. Things will get better. they get better all the time. As long as you stay quit.

PM me if you want to talk off the record or if you want my phone numbers. I don't offer them out too often. If you get my number, or any ones number, you are giving your word that you will call and get permission to cave.

I have seen you post and that's good. Remain involved. read, post, bitch, bite my fucking head off. All are acceptable until you get a handle on this. Whatever you do, don't take it out on your family.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

[cburns]

Greetings fellow quitters!

A quick introduction to me ... I'm 48, been married just over 25 years, have two children who aren't children anymore (in fact, they're both in college now).

I've had successful and unsuccessful quits before. Haven't we all? Remind me to someday tell you my feelings about the saying, "I'm just a dip away from a can a day." I've been dipping pretty close to a can a day of Cope LCS. Also, I'm a swallerer, not a spitter, so who knows how much damage I've done, and how much more nicotine I've been getting than you people who were smart enough to spit.

Earlier this week, I went to the store to get my regular 5-can log. Turns out they would let me use my coupons, and I had bought enough that it was time for my freebie. What it came down to is that I walked out of the store with 10 cans of Cope, and I paid barely $13 for them. So why, this past Thursday, did I start looking at quitting sites? Why did I sign up here? Why did I decide to quit with all those new cans sitting here? I still don't know.

I rationalized everything. "Let's see, can I hit 100 days on my birthday? No, I would have had to quit last week. OK, How about hitting 100 days on Christmas? No, I need to get this done sooner than that. OK, what about next week. No, there's a family event, wouldn't do to be in the fog. Week after that? No, that's another out-of-town event, no fog allowed." And so on, and so on, and so on.

I finally realized was that there could not have been a better date for me to have as a quit date than Friday, July 11. The company potluck/funday was that afternoon, so I only had to seriously work until noon. No big plans for the weekend, so the fog could just roll in and do it's worst. And all those cans of Cope that my brain wanted to use up before quitting? Well, I finally decided that I would rather flush cheap Cope down the toilet than full-priced stuff!

So basically, when I post in rollcall every morning, I'm saying to all of you that I will not use nicotine that day, and that I will post the same thing the next day. That's my accountability ... my word as a man (and sometimes as a gentleman).

Geeze. I had so much I wanted to say in this post, but the fog has got me. I guess that since it's a thread, I can add more information later.

Thanks to all of you who have sent me messages ... encouragement and welcome. I do appreciate it.