The Pill That Will Get Me Off Cigs, But What Will Happen To My Pipe Smoking?

[fishingandpipes]

Bupropion can be helpful for some, it was not for me. It has very few side effects from what I've read and I certainly experienced none. It is a mild antidepressant. If he prescribed that, and you think it could help, I personally would try it, though in my case it did little.
If he prescribed you Chantix, run like the wind. I've never tried it but with the list of side effects that goes along with it I think I'd rather keep trying without it. I actually mentioned it to my doctor once and he strongly encouraged me to the Bupropion and seemed uncomfortable with the idea of prescribing Chantix.
Some info on Bupropion:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bupropion
It shouldn't effect the enjoyment of pipe smoking unless you get your enjoyment from the nicotine rather than flavor.

 

[shutterbugg]

I honestly believe that unless you have a physical condition that renders you sterile, stressing over it will cause more trouble than smoking. Lots of heavy smokers have fathered children. I'm also not a great believer in so-called cessation aids, whether it's medication, gum, patches, hypnosis or whatever else. Nicotine is not heroin or crack. I think the physical addition is way overblown. It's the psychological dependence that's the much bigger problem. My dad was a 2 1/2 pack/day cigarette smoker from age 17. He used to be engrossed in his work, have one burning in the ashtray and absentmindenly take another one out of the pack and light it. He would wake up in a coughing fit at 3AM and light up.
Then one day, at age 55, he up and quit. It was the early 60s, before the whole anti-smoking thing began. There were no cessation aids. All he had was a jar of hard candies to suck on. And willpower. He never lit another tobacco product for the rest of his life (he lived to be over 80). But to his last day, he said he wanted a cigarette after every meal. Long after the so-called physical addiction to nicotine was gone, the psychological desire to smoke lingered. Each time he had to consciously reaffirm his determination not to smoke. If there is a secret to quitting, that's it: that you will always have cravings. But if you remind yourself it will last only 10-15 minutes, it will pass.

 

[dd50]

Smokey, I know how frustrating this is for you and your wife, it took nearly 3 years and a couple heartbreaks before we were able to conceive, and are now blessed with a little girl. I know all too well about these meetings, and while your doctor did a pretty bad job of explaining it to you, what he says is not completely without merrit. I was a pipe and cigar smoker throughout our fertility meetings, and the doc knew this was not an issue because the way nicotine is absorbed when not inhaled is much different then cigarettes that are, and this quick injection of nicotine is why cigarettes are not only much more addictive, but also cause many more physiological changes than pipe and cigar smoke (when not inhaled), including your sperm production and performance. You don't even need a doctor to tell you this, think about how you feel after the first few drags from a cigarette as opposed to when you finish an entire bowl from your pipe.
Consider this as just another good reason to quit cigarettes, and think of the extra money you will have for PAD and TAD! As for Chantix, yes, many people don't tolerate it well, and the main change is with mood and personality (which you would be likely to experience anyway). This will not affect your piping or desire for it at all, especially since you already aren't satisfying your nicotine craving from your pipes.
Most of all, just continue to be there for your wife and don't lose hope. I know it's hard, but I wish you and your wife the best of luck, and yes.....it will all be worth it.

 

[fnord]

When my wife and I hit 50 we both went on Chantix and the results were mixed.
Between the two of us we had every base side effect of this drug: mood changes, wild dreams, night sweats plus farting like a bull. It worked for me and I was able to retire a 35 year old pack plus a day habit.
But, man oh man, do I sill miss the Benson & Hedges I smoked in school, the Drum and Lion smokes hand rolled when wandering, my preferred Colorado Suaves when I lived in Argentina and the Merit 100s and Marlboro Lights when I finally got stateside.
Hang in there, Andrew. Folks have been smoking and making good kiddos since God invented dirt. You and your bride will do the same.
Fnord

 

[sfsteves]

In terms of quitting ... start by quitting for a day ... smoking your pipe will get you through ...
then, quit for another day ... again, the pipe will be your friend ...
repeat, then repeat, then repeat again ... after a while, you have an "investment" in quitting and lighting a cig will ruin your investment ... you've quit for (fill in the blank) days, you can do it for one more ...
repeat as necessary to make it a month, two, six, a year, then two ...
that was the formula I used ... the pipe carried me when perhaps nothing else would have ... I know you can do it.

 

[smokeybear]

Awesome guys this is just awesome really never expected such a amazing response to this and really happy to be on here and this time it feels different then all the other times I have a good feeling. Thank you all so much.

 

[toadfrog]

My friend, please allow me my own 2 cents.
I've tread the path that you are currently on. I was completely sterile, and I had three physicians tell me that I would never be able to father children. I accepted this as my lot in life and simply continued on my way. I had very well meaning people say some very hurtful things, so I'm not unfamiliar with what you and your wife are currently going through.

At the proper time in my life, I met the appropriate doctor who did the surgery on me which resulted in my now 30 year old son. Miracles do happen.
From what I've read, it simply sounds like you may need to consider changing doctors. There are some very compassionate people out there who have chosen the healing professions. You simply don't need anyone to add to the burden that you and your wife find that you must currently deal with.
Take it from the frog's mouth.........there is hope....

 

[smokeybear]

Thank you toad for the encouragement.
On the plus side I had not smoked a cig all day today coming from a pack a day I'd say that's an accomplishment. Bare in mind I was on the patch I'm no Clint Eastwood when it comes to will power I need a good boost. And I thought the patch worked really well. I'm happy knowing I can do this.

 

[andrew]

Bupromium (wellbutrion) is what I used to stop smoking, it gives you crazy dreams, jittery hands, lack of sleep, but it did make cigarettes taste so horrible I just stopped, as it's like making yourself nauseous. I picked up the pipe after about 5+years of not smoking, I've been pipe smoking for about 4 years now, and can easily go a day or two without smoking. I can't see enjoying a pipe though on buproium, it was more the taste than anything that made me stop. I can't see tobacco affecting sperm count either, as it only takes one of those guys to get the job done.

 

[pipeherman]

Never trust the quack unless he has a pipe in his mouth thats my Golden Rule. Obviously I have never met a doctor with a pipe in his mouth thus far, so I don't trust any of them. I think they all have read too much Freude and medical studies to know whats good for them. Type of people who need to buy cars every year to stop them from getting a heart attack. Whereas the Rest of us Smoke and Drink. I'll stick to smoking and drinking if thats ok? Which it is!
Anyway, things work out for the best. Even I know this, and I'm probably considered a minor in the states ::