Type 2 nicotine/blood sugar control?

[Salvia]

Hi @Frenchmen and welcome to the forum. I can sympathise with what you are going through. I gave up smoking about 2 & half yrs ago and for the first year I felt really awful; I developed a cough that I didn't have before, a tickly throat, plus the feeling of a lump in my throat leading to difficulty swallowing, I had headaches and generally feeling achy bones and run down. Over the course of the year the coughing gradually stopped and tickle in my throat began to ease, along with the headaches and achiness, and that's when I began to feel better. The coughing really depressed me, especially as I didn't have a "smoker's cough" before. I still have the feeling of a lump in my throat that hurts sometimes when I eat, but it's bearable now.

At the time I wasn't recording my blood sugar levels (that's another story) so I didn't have anything to compare, but when I found this site, and started recording BS levels & following a lower carb/higher fat way of eating, including testing BS, I was able to lower my numbers, and my blood pressure, and I believe my health has much improved.

This isn't a complaint, and I hope what I've said doesn't put you off - it's just to let you know that others also have difficulties, whilst some might sail through without issues; another confirmation, if it's needed, that we are all different. I hope that my experience will encourage you to keep going because I'm sure you can get there in the end, and the feeling you have now will pass. Try to keep on track, if you can, but don't worry too much if your numbers are higher than you would like, because you will succeed.

 

[Frenchmen]

Do you exercise at all?

I hike, every day from 40 mins to 2 plus hours, I use to swim too, but my shoulder/arm is not allowing that, the usual household stuff, mowing and the likes. Occasional bike ride to the shops.

 

[HelenHak]

I hike, every day from 40 mins to 2 plus hours, I use to swim too, but my shoulder/arm is not allowing that, the usual household stuff, mowing and the likes. Occasional bike ride to the shops.

Sounds good to me. I hope I didn't sound smug before. I am still missing the fags dreadfully and am having to remind myself of how bad I felt for the first few days in order to keep on track. I am sure things will settle down for you if you try your hardest with your carbs and calls.

 

[Frenchmen]

Hi @Frenchmen and welcome to the forum. I can sympathise with what you are going through. I gave up smoking about 2 & half yrs ago and for the first year I felt really awful; I developed a cough that I didn't have before, a tickly throat, plus the feeling of a lump in my throat leading to difficulty swallowing, I had headaches and generally feeling achy bones and run down. Over the course of the year the coughing gradually stopped and tickle in my throat began to ease, along with the headaches and achiness, and that's when I began to feel better. The coughing really depressed me, especially as I didn't have a "smoker's cough" before. I still have the feeling of a lump in my throat that hurts sometimes when I eat, but it's bearable now.

At the time I wasn't recording my blood sugar levels (that's another story) so I didn't have anything to compare, but when I found this site, and started recording BS levels & following a lower carb/higher fat way of eating, including testing BS, I was able to lower my numbers, and my blood pressure, and I believe my health has much improved.

This isn't a complaint, and I hope what I've said doesn't put you off - it's just to let you know that others also have difficulties, whilst some might sail through without issues; another confirmation, if it's needed, that we are all different. I hope that my experience will encourage you to keep going because I'm sure you can get there in the end, and the feeling you have now will pass. Try to keep on track, if you can, but don't worry too much if your numbers are higher than you would like, because you will succeed.

Oh thank goodness! Just to know that it is likely to pass, the achiness and that I just need to hang on in there, is something, and now I have put myself back on here I already have had the support and advice to help with my resolve, I live on my own, so there is absolutely no one to suggest I might not be doing everything I should be doing, it just helps to hear it from a different source, I think I have that overwhelmed feeling, I just wanted to be like I used to be for a while there.

Congratulations on your achievement though, and thank you for sharing your experience with me.

 

[Frenchmen]

Sounds good to me. I hope I didn't sound smug before. I am still missing the fags dreadfully and am having to remind myself of how bad I felt for the first few days in order to keep on track. I am sure things will settle down for you if you try your hardest with your carbs and calls.

not at all, I'm sure it will always be hard, and sometimes it will be much better, it's the nature of addiction I guess, it's only now that I realised how strong of a drug it is! At some point since I gave up all I wanted was a padded room, but I also want doughnuts or toast or sweets ah! I managed so well with the low carbs when I smoked, but now I have no crutch at all, so, now I will have to be very grown up, aaagh! I need will power with muscle!

 

[Kristin251]

Ah ha! And what has happened or what did you do? Did anything help or did time make it better/worse?

I quit three times. Each time I got through the hard part and almost stopped even thinking about it. Then 3 months later I fell apart. Insomnia, dizzy, crying all the time for no reason. So I would have a mental health cig and all that would go away for a week. Then it would start and I'd have a mental health cig. It would go away.
So I talked to some of my ER doc clients and they told me quitting is like removing an organ. They all said they saw perfectly healthy people who quit and within 2-3 months were in the ER with a heart attack or stroke.
Furthermore my mom had 3 friends who quit and within 4 months two were put on oxygen and one had a stroke. They all were healthy for their ages and quit just to be healthier. Haha. That didn't work.

So, what did I do? Started smoking again lol.

Btw, those docs told me not to quit cold turkey. Cut down to half a lack a day and not worry about it. If only I knew how to moderate haha. D is enough for me to cope with.

 

[Johnjoe13]

You are lucky, I have felt nothing but worse so far, I'm hoping it will kick in soon, mentally I'm happy I'm not smoking but physically it's all gone let's just say not very well.
Glad it has been good for you though.

When I say no significant increase I mean that this was probably achieved along with changes in diet as well, plus I was put on metformin. Though I doubt the medication made that much of a difference it helped.

 

[Frenchmen]

I quit three times. Each time I got through the hard part and almost stopped even thinking about it. Then 3 months later I fell apart. Insomnia, dizzy, crying all the time for no reason. So I would have a mental health cig and all that would go away for a week. Then it would start and I'd have a mental health cig. It would go away.
So I talked to some of my ER doc clients and they told me quitting is like removing an organ. They all said they saw perfectly healthy people who quit and within 2-3 months were in the ER with a heart attack or stroke.
Furthermore my mom had 3 friends who quit and within 4 months two were put on oxygen and one had a stroke. They all were healthy for their ages and quit just to be healthier. Haha. That didn't work.

So, what did I do? Started smoking again lol.

Btw, those docs told me not to quit cold turkey. Cut down to half a lack a day and not worry about it. If only I knew how to moderate haha. D is enough for me to cope with.

Crikey! I do sympathies with you, that is how I felt when I tried to give up in the past, I also only saw and heard the terrible stories of people giving up and then getting awful diagnoses! Those things were the things that stopped me from trying again, I really did believe it would happen to me. (But really it was the addiction).

So, I thought I would try Champix, thinking if it didn't kill me, it would cure me and to my complete shock it seems to have cured me to a much bigger degree than I ever thought it could. Now, I'm not saying I don't want to smoke at times, as I do, but it's something I can put up with, until it passes.

What I can't deal with at the moment on top of not smoking is the bs increase and weight gain! But I am thinking all of this is manageable if I apply myself again, but losing a foot isn't!

Thank you for sharing, all of this is a struggle to live with all the time, it is exhausting sometimes, so we can only do our best and hearing from others, makes us feel less alone and more understood......well does me anyway.

 

[Frenchmen]

When I say no significant increase I mean that this was probably achieved along with changes in diet as well, plus I was put on metformin. Though I doubt the medication made that much of a difference it helped.

Well, I think what ever or how ever, if you feel better, then that's all that matters! I must say, just being on here and seeing people have the same struggle as me, hearing all the different stories has helped me to gird my loins and start again with the strict carb regime, I have got sloppy, and I did feel sorry for myself, didn't want to go back to basics, but I am now, I should be proud that I have managed my diabetes so well until now, and have given up smoking and no matter how deprived I feel, it will pass, like everything!
We have done well eh! Getting rid of that dreadful drug

 

[Johnjoe13]

Well, I think what ever or how ever, if you feel better, then that's all that matters! I must say, just being on here and seeing people have the same struggle as me, hearing all the different stories has helped me to gird my loins and start again with the strict carb regime, I have got sloppy, and I did feel sorry for myself, didn't want to go back to basics, but I am now, I should be proud that I have managed my diabetes so well until now, and have given up smoking and no matter how deprived I feel, it will pass, like everything!
We have done well eh! Getting rid of that dreadful drug

I couldn't agree with you more, but you know I still give myself naughty treats every now and then. Today I had a slice of cheese cake with a biscuit base and a strawberry sauce on top. Decided not to test afterward on purpose because I think you need a little treat every now and then, plus to say *** you diabetes I'm going to enjoy this. I felt really happy while eating and enjoying this slice of heaven. It's my personal choice and it keeps my from getting miserable and depressed over this condition, and I think the odd rise once a week or so is not going to kill me, others have a different opinion and they are welcome to it.

 

[Kristin251]

Well, I think what ever or how ever, if you feel better, then that's all that matters! I must say, just being on here and seeing people have the same struggle as me, hearing all the different stories has helped me to gird my loins and start again with the strict carb regime, I have got sloppy, and I did feel sorry for myself, didn't want to go back to basics, but I am now, I should be proud that I have managed my diabetes so well until now, and have given up smoking and no matter how deprived I feel, it will pass, like everything!
We have done well eh! Getting rid of that dreadful drug

Good luck!!! Do let us know if you tamed the bs beast!!
I know it sounds ridiculous but that and the weight gain, not to mention the battle to quit are what's keeping me smoking. If I could cut way down that would be better than nothing. I mindlessly smoke. Their too expensive for that too!!

Keep us up to date please!

 

[Frenchmen]

I couldn't agree with you more, but you know I still give myself naughty treats every now and then. Today I had a slice of cheese cake with a biscuit base and a strawberry sauce on top. Decided not to test afterward on purpose because I think you need a little treat every now and then, plus to say *** you diabetes I'm going to enjoy this. I felt really happy while eating and enjoying this slice of heaven. It's my personal choice and it keeps my from getting miserable and depressed over this condition, and I think the odd rise once a week or so is not going to kill me, others have a different opinion and they are welcome to it.

It is a huge challenging balancing act for sure, and such a personal one too! Ido t think I could go as far as cheese cake,but you never know maybe one day, I see having some French frys occasionally as a treat, but what the real treat for me is, is that I only do this when I'm out for lunch or dinner, and I order this as if I'm non diabetic, oh yeah I'll have that, no problem Pretending I'm the same as everyone else I see that as my treat.
We have to find our little windows of happiness, or make them.......

 

[Frenchmen]

Good luck!!! Do let us know if you tamed the bs beast!!
I know it sounds ridiculous but that and the weight gain, not to mention the battle to quit are what's keeping me smoking. If I could cut way down that would be better than nothing. I mindlessly smoke. Their too expensive for that too!!

Keep us up to date please!

It does not sound ridiculous at all, that is what being addicted to nicotine is, it is hard, and when already dealing with problems day in day out, it make it All the easier to stay with the smoking!
I will update, I have a feeling this will be an uphill struggle, so probably won't hear much for a while that's good, it's like waiting for the sun the moon and certain stars Tom align all at once, I have to have the brain power, the want and the time to concentrate and organise at the moment, I haven't . I am though not feeling so depressed about not smoking and life in general, I count that as a definite win for now.

 

[Kristin251]

It does not sound ridiculous at all, that is what being addicted to nicotine is, it is hard, and when already dealing with problems day in day out, it make it All the easier to stay with the smoking!
I will update, I have a feeling this will be an uphill struggle, so probably won't hear much for a while that's good, it's like waiting for the sun the moon and certain stars Tom align all at once, I have to have the brain power, the want and the time to concentrate and organise at the moment, I haven't . I am though not feeling so depressed about not smoking and life in general, I count that as a definite win for now.

That is a WIN!! For every cig you don't have pat yourself on the back!!! Maybe think of something you want to buy and everyday put the money you would have smoked up away and in a month or so GO GET IT!! Every cig you don't smoke is an accomplishment. The times I did quit it was about 3 weeks when things took a big turn and it all got easier. Then the 3 months struck....boo.

 

[AndBreathe]

Crikey! I do sympathies with you, that is how I felt when I tried to give up in the past, I also only saw and heard the terrible stories of people giving up and then getting awful diagnoses! Those things were the things that stopped me from trying again, I really did believe it would happen to me. (But really it was the addiction).

So, I thought I would try Champix, thinking if it didn't kill me, it would cure me and to my complete shock it seems to have cured me to a much bigger degree than I ever thought it could. Now, I'm not saying I don't want to smoke at times, as I do, but it's something I can put up with, until it passes.

What I can't deal with at the moment on top of not smoking is the bs increase and weight gain! But I am thinking all of this is manageable if I apply myself again, but losing a foot isn't!

Thank you for sharing, all of this is a struggle to live with all the time, it is exhausting sometimes, so we can only do our best and hearing from others, makes us feel less alone and more understood......well does me anyway.

Frenchman - Are you still taking Champix? If you have a look at the side-effects; I always look at the "for professionals" part, because it's usually more fulsome. Lots of the things you have mentioned are potential side-effects. I can't find anything saying how long an side effects might linger after stoppping

https://www.drugs.com/sfx/champix-side-effects.html

Another factor you might want to consider is stress. It appears this situation is stressing you. Many people find stress elevates their blood number to a greater or lesser extent. I know, for myself, that my HbA1c rose from 31 to 33 over a period of exploration of a potentially serious health issue. It then dropped back to 31 once I'd had my operation and healing period, and also understanding that the condition requiring surgery needed to be addressed, but it wasn't life-threatening. Nothing had changed, except for stress.

In your shoes, I'd be inclined to ask my Doc for a bit of a once-over, just to ensure there's nothing else going on.

 

[Kristin251]

If champix is the same as chantax I had terrible side effects. Wanted to punch a wall and cry nonstop. Saw stars in my vision. Quit that pretty quick. The one I was taking was meant for depression but doubled for smoking cessation.
It is my BELIEF that if we are not chemically imbalanced for depression, anti depressants will imbalance us and depress us. Nothing to prove that but sounds reasonable to me.

 

[Frenchmen]

Frenchman - Are you still taking Champix? If you have a look at the side-effects; I always look at the "for professionals" part, because it's usually more fulsome. Lots of the things you have mentioned are potential side-effects. I can't find anything saying how long an side effects might linger after stoppping

https://www.drugs.com/sfx/champix-side-effects.html

Another factor you might want to consider is stress. It appears this situation is stressing you. Many people find stress elevates their blood number to a greater or lesser extent. I know, for myself, that my HbA1c rose from 31 to 33 over a period of exploration of a potentially serious health issue. It then dropped back to 31 once I'd had my operation and healing period, and also understanding that the condition requiring surgery needed to be addressed, but it wasn't life-threatening. Nothing had changed, except for stress.

In your shoes, I'd be inclined to ask my Doc for a bit of a once-over, just to ensure there's nothing else going on.

Thank you for your insight, i took the champix for nearly 3 months, came off early, that was July last year, I have recently been through an emotionally stressful time, still did not smoke, and have generally felt much better since my first post about it here.

 

[spook_kate_]

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2012, since then I have controlled it well with no drugs, only low carbing, lost 2 stone in 6 months, felt great!
9 months ago a quit smoking, now I can't seem to control, my weight, my blood sugar numbers and I aches and pain again, has anybody out there felt worse for quitting smoking, and did it mess up your numbers too?
I'm very frightened that when I go for my HbA1c, they will insist that I go on drugs or put me down as being unhelpful and not help me at all!.
Surely giving up smoking is meant to make one healthier not make it all worse

Oh I hear you! ! I gave smoking up and find if I have a lot of nicotine replacement it pushes my bg up and get insulin resistant. Does take a long frustrating time to be rid of all withdrawal. Good luck.

 

[Frenchmen]

Oh I hear you! ! I gave smoking up and find if I have a lot of nicotine replacement it pushes my bg up and get insulin resistant. Does take a long frustrating time to be rid of all withdrawal. Good luck.

Hi, thanks for your reply, would you mind telling me how long you have not been smoking for? And if you can remember how long it took for you to feel better, I have not had any symptoms of coughing or wheezing, you wouldn't even no I had smoked for 48 years, apart from the weight and the bs numbers going bad!!!

 

[Frenchmen]

If champix is the same as chantax I had terrible side effects. Wanted to punch a wall and cry nonstop. Saw stars in my vision. Quit that pretty quick. The one I was taking was meant for depression but doubled for smoking cessation.
It is my BELIEF that if we are not chemically imbalanced for depression, anti depressants will imbalance us and depress us. Nothing to prove that but sounds reasonable to me.

Oh no, I was great while I was on the champix, it all went down hill after I finished