Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Sweetaerobabe--what you're gong through is nicotine withdrawals. Nicotine hijacks the survival part of our brain and when we go without nicotine, the survival part of our brain just screams for "just one" but it won't stop at just one, because there will always be "another". Our survival instinct is stronger than the thinking part of our brain (will power). Instead of guilting your daughter into giving you "just one", try some nicotine replacement--there are a lot of different choices--but it will take the edge off--it doesn't take the craving away totally but it gives your thinking part of your brain a chance to be stronger than your survival instinct. Good luck, I know it's not easy but you can do it. VJ
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VJ, wasnt the withdraw supposed to happen within the first 3 days? Its been like 9 days for me now.
Im just going to try my best not to smoke, I (yes) hate the thought of using NRT's now, I finally got the nicotine out of my system.... Im going to keep pushing on.... liking the idea that I did NOT smell like a cigarette at the Dr's office. That I wasnt that freezing cold lady I saw standing on her porch smoking a cigarette..... Im going to keep reminding myself of all the good things.... even though I still really want one.
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Sweetaerobabe--there is a lot of confusion about withdrawals and "3 days". The half life of nicotine is 2 to 4 hours--which means that half of the nicotine from a cigarette is gone within 2 to 4 hours--so it takes about 3 to 5 days for all of the nicotine to leave the body. Many people think that as soon as the nicotine is gone--the withdrawals are over--but that is not true--withdrawals can last up to 6 months. Withdrawals are caused by the nicotinic acytocholine receptors in the brain---as nicotine leaves the body, these receptors start going "crazy", wanting more nicotine--which we call a "craving". some of the reasons why nicotine is so "addictive" is how fast it gets into the brain and how fast it leaves the body. Substances that are absorbed slower and leave the body slower--are not as addictive--which is why it is rare for someone to become addicted to nicotine replacement products (rare but not impossible). The nicotine is absorbed very slowly and at a much lower level than by smoking. If you'd like to talk and get some personal advice, please give me a call-760-333-1270. have a joyous day. VJ
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Barbara - love the pic!!! Sometimes I forget how beautiful my home town is...
Sweet - one second at a time...VJ and Seaside say it all so beautifully - sending you positive vibes.
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Thank you ladys. I am feeling better.... Its taking time, but I am convincing myself how much I dont want to undo all I have done already. Tomorrow is tomorrow, and if I slip, I will deal with it and move on. For now, Im just dealing with right now. And right now isnt so bad.
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Big hugs for you, Sweet for tonight. You can do it! Thanks, Michelle, the scenery in your neck of the woods is spectacular! I posted some more pix over on the Life's a Beach thread, since we are talking about holding a BCO reunion upo your way. Sedona is pricey but Jerome and Cottonwood are reasonable.
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Barbara - Ooooohhhh! Let me know if you guys do plan a meet nearby, I would love to visit with you in person
My DH is assistant manager of 3 Timeshares in Sedona, send me a PM with what time frame you are looking at, 2 of the three resorts have 2 bedroom condos that sleep 6-8, he might be able to swing a nice 'discount' for my friends from BCO I have been trying to meet up with some local women in Phoenix but they are on the south side of Phoenix and until recently my Saturdays have been full of soccer games Who knows maybe after the holidays...
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Barbara,
That picture is just stunning!!! Is that where you are now? I am a bit jealous of both you and O2B being able to call such beautiful places home!! How lucky you both are!
Forgot to post on Saturday that I now have.... are you ready?..... 11 MONTHS!!!!! So Happy!
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sweetaerobabe,
Glad you have made it through today and are feeling better! Dealing with right now is EXACTLY where you need to be. That's how you get through those rough days early on.
It's how I have dealt with this whole crazy journey! Sometimes, if you look at the whole picture it is too overwhelming! My husband and I agreed that, each step of the way, in diagnosis, in treatment and in life after treatment, we would deal with only the next step. That way it was a series of steps that were manageable on their own. You JUST deal with what's in front of you now and KNOW that, within you, is a strength that you never knew you had!
As VJ said, the nicotine leaves your system pretty quickly (days) BUT, those pesky receptors haven't gotten the message yet that "it ain't gonna happen". As you continue to do the things that you used to do while smoking and don't smoke, they begin to get the message and that link is broken! The addiction doesn't play fair and neither should you! Do whatever you need to do to break the cycle!
We are so pulling for you!!
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Seaside - that picture was taken from Jerome AZ, the Valley below is my home town Cottonwood and the beautiful mountains in the distance are Sedona.
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Jan and O2B,
I am with you on the gaining weight thing! I have started my walking but, to be truthful, haven't been keeping up with it! Since I've quit smoking and no longer have that as my New Year's resolution, I think this year's resolution will be to shed some weight!
Would be happy with 10 but would really like to lose 20 by the time I hit the beach this summer!! Maybe we could all help each other!
Anyone else in??
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O2B,
Just stunning! I even called my husband over to look at it. We have never been to Arizona and I must say, after seeing the picture, there is no other place that comes to mind that has scenery like that!
Simply beautiful!
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Well, SS, the chicks on the LIfes a Beach thread are thinking about a get togeter in northern AZ so let's just DO IT!!! Maybe in the April/May timeline. Let's think about it and plan!!
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My boyfriend and I are actually thinking of moving to the AZ area within the next couple of years.... (Tired of the cold weather here) I doubt I would make it on this trip though.... with us both dealing with unemployment and him in college..... Looks beautiful though... Im jealous.
Thank you for letting me rant today, it seemed more like a panic, an obsession. It's crazy what cigarettes can do to you. They make you a totally different person. Last night my daughter told me I was out of control. She was right. I have avoided talking to her for fear I would ask for a cigarette today. I know it will get easier..... I just gotta hang in there and try to avoid the temptation.
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Hi Ladies:
Sweet: So proud of you for making it through those cravings! Stick with it girl!!! You will do just fine.
I'd love to go to AZ also but I don't know if it's going to happen for me either. I'm looking a possible exchange surgery in March/April. I'll have to see if I can swing it.
Az is beautiful and Sedona is such a 'mystical' place...
I will be on/off here for the next few days but I wanted to be sure to wish y'all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year! We will all be celebrating 2011! Sweet, next time I'm in NJ maybe we can get together for lunch.
Jan
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Hi, everyone - I'm mostly doing great except for those moments. Had "the dream" the other night - you know the one. You're SMOKING! And you think, Oh it's no big deal, or you feel really bad or whatever. Then you wake up and feel intense relief that it was just a dream.
I notice that if I am very tired I think of having one and I tell myself it's no big deal, I can have one and it'll be fine to have just one. So note to self: make sure to get plenty of sleep.
Oh, another thing really nice about not smoking: no tobacco crumbs littering my purse!
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Kitchenwitch:
I've had that dream a couple of times. Scared the hell out of me..I woke up thinking I smoked! Was so relieved.
No, we can't have 'just one'....
We all have those moments...it does get easier though.
Best of luck in your quit. How far along are you?
Jan
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Jan508, My last one was Nov. 30 (wasn't planned, just worked out that way). I've quit a few times in my life so I've had That Dream a few times... always did scare me a lot. Scares me now that I wasn't scared in th dream! But I feel very committed to staying quit. I was always the most scared smoker around. Hated the thought of what could happen if I continued. How far along are you?0
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Great on your 21 days!
I quit cold turkey the day of my surgery on 9/20 so I was just 3 months yesterday.
Jan
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Kitchenwitch - 3 weeks!!! Waaaaahoooooo!
Ugh smoking dreams...still have them occasionally and they still freak me out but I am getting better at recognising that it is just a dream.
Oh I am so in for a Sedona trip...it is right next door
AZ is beautiful, I have lived in TX, LA, NM and AZ and I do love AZ the best. We can have a 30-60 degree temperature varience in one day depending on what area of the state your in. Want snow, go to Flagstaff. Wanna go swimming or play a little golf, head to Phoenix or Tucson. I have a FAVORITE Hike that is just spectacular up the canyon between Sedona and Flagstaff and let me tell you I am NOT a hiker but it just beautiful. Here are some pictures from last summer...
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Eeeeeekkk! I tried to make the pictures smaller, sorry they are so big! My DD took most of the pictures, she has a good eye for the dramatic at 12 yrs old.
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o2bhealthy - Gorgeous pix! Your daughter has a wonderful eye (and she's soooo beautiful too!) I have never been to Sedona but my mother went once and raved about how beautiful it was. I'm in NYC but maybe someday.
Jan508 - three months is awesome!
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Sweetaerobabe, I recall being told to count backwards from 8 to 1 and by the time I reached one the craving would be gone. It worked, and I was to repeat that every time it happened.
I also recall on of the most surprising things about quiting smoking was when my sense of smell and taste retruned. Wow, my clothing stunk, my car stunk, my furniture stunk! I had smoked since 14 years old and had no idea what people meant when they said smoking stinks. I thought they didn't like the smell of tobacco. I was so wrong, stale smoke does not smell like tobacco, it stinks to high heaven.
My sense of taste returning reminds me that my sense of taste just returned after taxol xhemo. I lost over 18 pounds in just a few weeks with impaired taste buds. Well no wonder I put on a few pounds after I quit smoking, I could smell food again.
I should add my dad died of lung cancer. I would never go back to smoking, even if I have a recurrance. A friends daughter died last saturday from lung cancer. Three years ago this young woman fought breast cancer and six months ago she got lung cancer and is gone, so quickly. It wasn't a met, it was its own cancer. I don't know how to put that properly, but it wasn't from her breast cancer. She was only 43 and owned a horse academy in BC.
I am really cheered to read how you are all strugling to get rid of this addiciton. You are fighting a good fight that will be very rewarding. Yes, every once in a while I will wish for a cigarette, even after all these years. That is okay though, I know it is an artifact and my brain is just reading an old message.
Hugs Ginger
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Michelle, I love that canyon. I have tons of pix from there, too. We hiked it also.
Ginger I so agree on the senses of taste and smell. My DH is a musician and when he comes home from certain clubs he REEKS!!
Sweetie, my arms are around you the next time you get a craving. Try the count backwards thing. It really helped me.
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I slipped, I knew I would, and feel like crap for it, (which is a good thing) but now that it is over, I will continue moving forward. I see that it wasnt worth it and I am now home in the saftey of my smoke free home.
BTW, I have a new daughter in law, the wedding was quick, (civil cememony) and it was only me, my daughter my sons friend,and my ex and his girlfriend there. (Talk about alkward) But even with cancer and a wig, my daughter laughed at how much better I looked than the ex's new girlfriend. LOL
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Sweet:
Let it go....move forward.You slipped, that doesn't mean you are a full fledged smoker again. Start again..we are here to support you. Now you know the trigger so you can look out for it the next time.
Congrats on your new DIL. I hope she is nice and treats you like gold
Jan
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Thanks Jan,
Yes, my trigger is my daughter.... she is a smoker... my job now is to convince her to quit. She wants to....
My new DIL is great. She is from Thailand and met my son a couple years ago when she was here on a work visa, they lived together for a year before she had to go back home. I cant believe my baby got married. They are so cute together.... so in love.... and Im so glad they finally got together again. It was ment to be. (Shes a really good cook too) I never tried Thai food before, expected it to be spicy, but she brought me pork stew the other day, and it was actually something I could eat that didnt totally taste like crap from the treatment.
Since for the VISA it had to all happen so fast, and he went to Thailand last month to meet her family, they didnt have money for any kind of reception, so in the summer when I am more financially stable (hopefully) my boyfriend and I will plan a BBQ/party for them and have all their friends over. Maybe I'll even get them a small wedding cake.
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I love Thailand and the Thai people, they are so gracious and nice (and thai massages--the best!). It would be wonderful it you could visit her family there some day. One of my favorite meals is pad thai and sticky rice with mango--mmmm!
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My son went to a Tiger park there, and was able to pet and interact with HUGE tigers! I was scared for him, but he said they have been around people since they were cubs so it doesnt bother them. He had LOTS of pictures. It must have been incredible to be walking with about 40 tigers. It was extremely organized, each tiger had a trainer and 1 person at a time got to pet and walk the different tigers. (Actually, the tiger walks you, and he was told if it wanted to run, let it go, that it would run to the water) He had a blast, and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.... Tigers are his favorite animal, and he looked so tiny next to one. lol.
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sweet:
That is wonderful that you love your new DIL. Being from another country I'm sure that means alot to her. I'm sure she wants to be accepted.
A nice BBQ party would be great! And a cake, very nice.
Be strong and have a great evening.
Jan
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