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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by zonked on August 27, 2011, at 12:35:10
*Finally* got my patches via insurance - CVS was "working on" them for two months and blamed the insurance; I had them transferred to Walgreens and they were done within 4 days and ready yesterday.
My upper torso skin is awfully busy these days - patch on upper arm, androgel on opposite upper shoulder and arm. LOL.
The timing is interesting. I would have begun using the patches today even if I hadn't have started to feel better the last few days.
But I do, and the 21mg patch is on the arm.
If I feel like smoking I watch this and it keeps me laughing and away from the closest store:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLpCSk4iLUs
Wish me luck! :D
-z
Posted by Lamdage on August 27, 2011, at 16:23:54
In reply to Restarting NRT (nicotine patches) today, posted by zonked on August 27, 2011, at 12:35:10
Do you have low T or are you doing it for the heck of it?
Posted by zonked on August 27, 2011, at 18:10:16
In reply to Good Luck!, posted by Lamdage on August 27, 2011, at 16:23:54
> Do you have low T or are you doing it for the heck of it?
"Low normal". It was in the low 400s a year ago, I forgot to ask my doctor for the numbers this time, but I finally got someone to agree to try testosterone augmentation therapy. I have been asking doctors to try this off and on for ten years.
It appears to have worked. I have felt well ever since starting it. :D
-z
Posted by Phillipa on August 27, 2011, at 20:19:19
In reply to Re: Good Luck! » Lamdage, posted by zonked on August 27, 2011, at 18:10:16
Keep taking or using it and keep trying to find a link. Phillipa
Posted by Zyprexa on August 27, 2011, at 21:53:33
In reply to Restarting NRT (nicotine patches) today, posted by zonked on August 27, 2011, at 12:35:10
I've had very good results with NRT, cherry lozenges. Only problem is you have to keep taking them to continue not smoking. I've been doing this now for about 4 years, and starting to like the lozenges better than cigarettes. I do very occasionaly smoke a cig.
How long does your insurance pay for patches? Do you have to pay any of the cost?
Posted by Lamdage on August 28, 2011, at 4:52:27
In reply to Re: Restarting NRT (nicotine patches) today, posted by Zyprexa on August 27, 2011, at 21:53:33
Another neat solution that I'm using currently is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-cigarettes
I think its a great thing. Even if you, say, smoke 8 cigarettes a day instead of 20. It takes away the toxicity. The e-cigarettes won't hurt your lungs.
I can see how this device helps to wein off smoking.
Anyway zonked, keep fighting the nicotine and don't clog your lungs again! -Talking about exercise is good against depression- Exercise is no fun for a heavy smoker.
Posted by floatingbridge on August 28, 2011, at 9:46:16
In reply to Re: Restarting NRT (nicotine patches) today, posted by Lamdage on August 28, 2011, at 4:52:27
Z, good luck. I like to keep my mouth busy--gum, lozenges, even whole licorice roots. I'm pretty oral. Maybe it well help in between you tube clips, like in situations you have previuosly smoked. Driving? Socializing? Transient boredom or stressors?
Very best luck with this.
Posted by Lamdage on August 29, 2011, at 18:20:20
In reply to Re: Good Luck! » Lamdage, posted by zonked on August 27, 2011, at 18:10:16
> > Do you have low T or are you doing it for the heck of it?
>
> "Low normal". It was in the low 400s a year ago, I forgot to ask my doctor for the numbers this time, but I finally got someone to agree to try testosterone augmentation therapy. I have been asking doctors to try this off and on for ten years.
>
> It appears to have worked. I have felt well ever since starting it. :D
>
> -zI wonder what human growth hormone would do to a depressed person. I think it could be a total blast for atypical depression.
Posted by Zonked on September 1, 2011, at 12:20:47
In reply to Re: Restarting NRT (nicotine patches) today, posted by Zyprexa on August 27, 2011, at 21:53:33
> I've had very good results with NRT, cherry lozenges. Only problem is you have to keep taking them to continue not smoking. I've been doing this now for about 4 years, and starting to like the lozenges better than cigarettes. I do very occasionaly smoke a cig.
>
> How long does your insurance pay for patches? Do you have to pay any of the cost?They pay for two complete courses per year, which means the retail GSK patches as directed in the program (6 weeks on 21mg, and I forget the number of weeks on 16 and 7mg respectively.)
I have a zero copay since I completed smoking cessation counseling, the only requirement to have them authed.
The withdrawal is largely, but not completely, over - I am still having reduced attention span and feeling a little fidgety and a little bit more cranky, but nothing like the hell I went through Monday, when I believe withdrawal peaked.
When I see someone smoking a cigarette, or smell it, I think "delicious!" but I realize it's my brain craving a dopamine rush and a terrible trick.
I can't imagine what crack addicts go through if it was that terrible with just cigarettes!
Wish me luck!
-z
Posted by Lamdage on September 1, 2011, at 14:20:53
In reply to Re: Restarting NRT (nicotine patches) today » Zyprexa, posted by Zonked on September 1, 2011, at 12:20:47
Keep up the good work! I think ill try to go the e-cigarette route using weaker and weaker liquids.
My lungs and my wallet will thank me right away..Hows your nardil going zonked? I got to tell you i have no idea what to think about it. The weight gain is just nasty and its not activating enough for me.
Posted by zonked on September 1, 2011, at 14:46:07
In reply to Re: Restarting NRT (nicotine patches) today, posted by Lamdage on September 1, 2011, at 14:20:53
> Hows your nardil going zonked? I got to tell you i have no idea what to think about it. The weight gain is just nasty and its not activating enough for me.It's hard to tell if the testosterone "activated" the Nardil (it STILL doesn't "feel" like Nardil) or if I tapered Nardil, I'd be in the same place.
We'll know down the line. I tend to think the testosterone alone would "do it", but I am not changing a damned thing for awhile.
It would be nice tho if my T levels were normal and stayed that way - not only for the depression relief (which is required for me to achieve ANYTHING) but also because I could go to the gym and actually put on muscle this time! I got really skinny when I was younger but looked like Kate Moss... this explains a lot. I never developed a masculine figure no matter how hard I tried...
I wish Kaiser would have done something about this ten years ago, but I am proud of myself for persisting.
-z
Posted by Lamdage on September 2, 2011, at 1:52:41
In reply to Re: Restarting NRT (nicotine patches) today » Lamdage, posted by zonked on September 1, 2011, at 14:46:07
>
> > Hows your nardil going zonked? I got to tell you i have no idea what to think about it. The weight gain is just nasty and its not activating enough for me.
>
> It's hard to tell if the testosterone "activated" the Nardil (it STILL doesn't "feel" like Nardil) or if I tapered Nardil, I'd be in the same place.
>
> We'll know down the line. I tend to think the testosterone alone would "do it", but I am not changing a damned thing for awhile.
>
> It would be nice tho if my T levels were normal and stayed that way - not only for the depression relief (which is required for me to achieve ANYTHING) but also because I could go to the gym and actually put on muscle this time! I got really skinny when I was younger but looked like Kate Moss... this explains a lot. I never developed a masculine figure no matter how hard I tried...
>
> I wish Kaiser would have done something about this ten years ago, but I am proud of myself for persisting.
>
> -zIt really sucks doesn't it. I have a new batch of nardil coming in, maybe that will lift my spirits. If i was "hypomanic" on nardil like last time i wouldn't eat that much. Its frustration eating.
I can't help wishing to kill the people who are responsible for my coming off of nardil. How long where we contemplating to take it? I think end of october right? Im going to call a pdoc today.. i don't want to ruin my body. Parnate (Jatrosom) is available here, i wouldn't have to pay for it like i do for the nardil.
This is the end of the thread.
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