A friend of mine is wanting to get pregnant with her second baby, but her husband won’t indulge her until she quits smoking.  They actually both want to live in a smoke free home and raise their children as non-smokers.  She’s tried quite a few methods and is interested in the stop smoking laser; I told her I’d try to gather some personal stories to inspire her!  If you’ve tried this method or know anyone who has, please leave a few comments about how it worked out for you. Thanks!!

Has anyone tried the stop smoking pill Chantix to stop smoking? And if so, did it work? Any crazy side effects? Any comments, suggestions, or anything that you could give me would be great. I have so many people writing me to tell me about the side effect of having crazy dreams.

Most people think it’s good to at least try it, as a lot of people say the dreams are actually pleasant, just very vivid.

The side effects I have read  of so far include: headaches, nausea, stomach pains, mood swings, bad temper, feelings of depression and often people say they suffer from nightmares. Most people suffer from one or more of these side effects.

I truly believe that to quit smoking you need to deal with your psychological addiction before your physical one.  When you’re emotionally ready, an aid like this is bound to be more effective.

There are so man different types of quit smoking aids available to those trying to kick the habit.  There’s no excuse!  Talk to your doctor about which method would work best for you.  There’s nicotine gums, patches, oral medications that effect dopamine levels and reduce cravings and for some, just quitting cold turkey with a good support network of non-smoker friends.

I’ve had so many question on the stop smoking laser that I looked it up and got some basic facts to share:

The light energy of the laser is absorbed by skin and cells by stimulation of acupressure points. It triggers your body to go into a constant release of endorphins, which makes your body feel like it has just had a cigarette.

The laser is applied to the ears, hands wrists, arms, and the side of the nose for the smoking treatment.

The actual treatment itself takes less than 30 minutes.  There is usually a consultation and instructions addressing the physical and  psychological aspects of your addiction.

The method is 100% natural, so there are no side affects.  It is not internally taken so it doesn’t affect any medications you may be taking.

I’m hoping to get comments on the stop smoking shot.  What Experiences have peopl had with it?  Did it help you to successfully quit smoking?  Would you recommend it to other people?  How about the cost?

Someone wrote into me with this question the other day:

“A friend of mine’s husband recently started smoking cessation with Chantix. He’s had horrible nightmares since starting the drug. EXAMPLE: he told his wife that he dreamed that he had gone to the gun cabinet & got a shotgun & shot his wife & two kids while they were asleep. The next morning when he told his wife this dream, the key to the gun cabinet was in the lock (which is always hidden otherwise). Needless to say, he quit taking Chantix. Is this a normal side effect?”

These are the listed side effect for Chantix:
Suicide
Suicidal Thoughts
Depression
Violent Behavior
Nausea
sleep disturbance (trouble sleeping, changes in dreaming) Vivid Dreams
Constipation
Gas
Vomitting

Chantix Side Effects
Chantix is a smoking cessation medication marketed by Pfizer, Inc. that was approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006, Chantix side effects may include suicidal thoughts, depression and even violent behavior. In September 2007, Chantix side effects were implicated in the bizarre death of a Dallas, Texas man.

Nausea, headache, vomiting, drowsiness, gas, constipation, trouble sleeping, unusual dreams, or changes in taste may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Someone recently told me how their father’s father taught him to never smoke.  I thought this was a pretty disgusting quit smoking aid, but apparently this guy’s dad never touched another cigarette after his old man caught him sneaking a Marlborough behind their house:  he brought him inside and made him lick a dirty ashtray.  He then told him that was what kissing a smoker was like.  Ack!  Sounds like child abuse to me.

This email was in my inbox yesterday:

“I got laser therapy on Saturday (May 2nd) and have not smoked since!  I have absolutely no cravings OR withdrawal symptoms!  I do think about smoking occasionally… for just a few seconds or so, and then I seem to forget.  I guess this is part of getting rid of the mental/habitual aspect of it. I would recommend this type of treatment to anyone who has had difficulty quitting using other means.”

It’s nice to hear some good news like that!

This shot is still not out on the market yet, so it is unavailable at this point. It is still in testing, so there is no disclosed date as of yet when it will be out on the market. Here’s the manufacturer’s web page about it

http://www.nabi.com/pipeline/pipeline.php?id=3

Most people know that smoking decreases the appetite.  This doesn’t mean you can’t quit while you’re trying to lose weight!  In fact, losing weight should make you more aware of your health, and as you try to develop a healthy lifestyle, what better time to stop smoking cigarettes?  Think of how much easier it will be to exercise, whether it be jogging, hitting the gym or just taking a stroll around your neighborhood, when you’re not wheezing or coughing.