Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Jo, don't rush yourself. Steady as she blows. This thread can get very active then other times, it slows. I know that it is so easy to slip and I know me...one puff and I am done so I cannot ever take another. Good for you cutting back so drastically!!
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Jo, it has been quiet on this thread lately, jobs, graduations, proms and the beautiful weather has pulled a lot away. You will find that at other times we are all on, I think I speak for the group you are now apart of, that we always read, but many do not have time to post. You are doing exactly what you said you were going to do, that truly speaks to your resolve in quitting. Keep up the great work. Karen
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p.s. there are no rules on postings, feel free to post whenever you can and to comment on our postings.
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Thanks Barbara for the words of encouragement. I have been up for 6 hours now and only 3 cigs - heck I would have that many before breakfast with coffee. Still working on a pack I opened 2 days ago.
Went to see my BS yesterday for the last time - left after lunch and did not smoke for almost 6 hours and did not have a craving or anything. Still have a few triggers to work on. After meals are the worst. I am trying so hard to do the baby steps but I guess my determination to quit is also getting the best of me.
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Dear ssmith, how goes it, you are in the toughest part of quitting, that dreaded first week. It can be so trying, just remember we have all been there and have come through it. It sounds like the patch is really working for you, are you having the vivid dreams or do you take it off at night? A couple I know are quitting together she is doing the cut back, he is using the patch but takes it off at night. Both are in their second week of quitting. Congratulations on sticking it out, you can do it. Karen
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Ssmith - Welcome and Congrat's on making the commitment to quit. I tried the patches but my skin reacted to the adhesive so I had to move to gum...now I look like a cow chewing it's cud
Jo I think you are doing AWESOME with how much you have cut back! I had to literally take it one minute at time when I first started to cut back, I would wait for 5 minutes after waking up, then 10, then 20... before lighting up. It is a steady as you go process and there where times where I slipped but I kept on recommitting to becoming a non-smoker. For me cutting back really did not work, I had to stop smoking completely. I used gum as a substitute and straw's or bubbles when the craving got really bad.
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Michelle - Thanks so much for the encouraging words. I wouldn't say at this point I have terrible cravings per se - it is more of the mental thing - to reach for the pack. In the mornings, I get up and go walk the dog right away and then come back. It has been about 10 days since my car became a "smoke free" zone. Gotta get it cleaned really well now - it never did smell like an ashtray - would have air fresheners in there all the time. Just gotta put some focus on after meals. I have been getting up and doing the dishes right away - that is going to be my toughest battle and I am concentrating on that one.
I can understand chewing gum - I bought some sugar free and I assume you would chew on straws but it is the bubbles I can't figure out.
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I agree with Karen in that I check this thread and my PMs everday and, most days several times a day so even if I'm not posting, it doesn't mean I'm not here!
Jo,
Waiting 6 hours without a smoke is GREAT!!! You GO, girl!
After meals is a tough one. I found getting up and not lingering at the table helped! Also brushing my teeth right after or chewing some gum..
To answer the bubbles question... The physical act of blowing bubbles mimics the breathing that we do when we smoke... The kind of deep breath and then slow exhale! Sounds weird but it can really help a craving pass..... Also blowing bubbles with gum works similarly.Edited to fix my many typos.... I got a new IPad for my birthday that I love BUT I am not used to the keyboard and it is driving me batty!!! It takes me so much longer to type a response! II'm sure I'll love it once I get used to it! For now I'm back on my trusty old (and very slow) laptop..LOL!
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After lunch yesterday I headed out to do some shopping and then to the doctor's office. Once I left the house that is what took up the 6 hours. No smoking in the car, too hot outside to linger after the stores - would rather have the air conditioning, then to my appt - had to wait 2 1/2 hours to see my BS but he is well worth the wait then the ride home. I really was proud of myself. Chewed gum and I am one to blow bubbles with the gum so yes that does help. It has been 5 days since I started the Filtrim so I think I am doing good.
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Jo, you are doing sooooo well! Keep up the good work. Knowing your triggers helps.
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Thannks Barbara!
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Having on heck of a time this afternoon staying away from the smokes. Have contractors doing work in the house today and have to keep checking on them. Not much else I can do until they are finished. Work is being done in the kitchen so I can't even go cook. I see this as a tiny setback but tomorrow is another day and I will get back on track - have to stay positive and not beat myself up when I slip. What do I want - miracles? It is only week 1. Guess I just needed to get my frustration out.
Thanks for listening.
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Jo,
I think you will find that anytime that you have to do something for the first few times without smoking that you usually do while smoking, it can really trigger a pretty strong craving! I'm sure you don't usually have contractors around, so that's probably what's doing it!
Recognising that you are struggling and JUST doing the best you can, in my book, is doing really well!!
You are doing really well thus far, so go a little easy on yourself if you need to!! Staying busy is good too! I know when I had cut back quite severely before I quit, I was a little rough to be around! Not sure I could have even talked a contractor into working on 'this' crazy woman's house... LOL
Hang in there! Step by Step and Day by Day you will get there!!
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I hate the thought of coming on here and being a pain in the a**. I keep trying to convince myself I am doing the best I can. Yes, I am anxious to get the contractors out of here. I know these guys really well - they had worked on our house before. Right now all I can do is sit and watch.
You gals have been sooooo supportive - I am grateful ya'll are willing to put up with me.
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(((Jo))) That's what we are here for0
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I'm here gal pal!,,
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Jo, we have all been in the same spot you are in now, but climb back up on the wagon and try again, one slip just strengthens your resolve to do it better, you are doing a very fine job in cutting back so drastically. I too had a difficult time with that cigarette after a meal, it was just so natural to reach for that pack. I did the same thing seaside did, got up and started clearing the table and washing the dishes. Also, quit having that after a meal cup of coffee, switched to iced tea in a room other than the kitchen. I was definitely cranky that first week, probably more than a week. You are doing the right thing in coming on-line for the support. Karen
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Jo,
No such thing as being a pain in the @ss here! We've all been where you are now and are more than happy to listen and offer encouragement!!
Post whenever and however often you need to!!0 -
(((JO)))
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AW SHUCKS! You gals got me blushing.
Karen - I do get up right away after meals and do the dishes. The cigs are not in easy reach - in fact, I tend to hide them on top the refrigerator - you know, out of sight, out of mind. The way I look at it, if I can beat the BC beast, I can beat the smoking beast.
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How's everyone doing today?
It is such a GORGEOUS day here today in the Northeast.... Sunny and NO humidity after having what seems like non-stop gloomy, cloudy and rainy days!
Going to head out to do a bit of much needed weeding and will check back in later!
Just wanted to say that I hope all are doing well!
And yes, Jo, you are right... If you can make it through all of the treatment for breast cancer, you can TRULY win the nicotine battle! Hope those contractors are gone and you are getting back into your routine!
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It has been raining here all day as a result of Tropical Storm Arlene. We are far enough north to just get the edge of the rain bands. We do need the rain so I am not complaining.
Been up 7 1/2 hours and smoked 4 cigs. Felt like I slipped a bit when my housekeeper for the resort quit this morning and is heading to Iowa. I have a 16,000 square foot recreational hall that needs to be cleaned. Now I have to try and find a replacement and until then I am the housekeeper.
Have been on the program one week now and I feel like I am going good overall. Not stressing over the little slip today - will just get back on track.
Hope everyone is having a good day
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Jo, a slip is just that, a slip. No worries. Sorry you have to clean. I HATE cleaning.
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Barbara - I HATE cleaning too. The gal I had at work also did my house every week. Now I have to do it until I find someone. Just another thing I can do to keep busy while I am quitting smoking.
Week one down - seven to go. It has not been bad so far - this may be easier than I thought - positive thinking here.
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Jo,
Well that stinks that you have to not only find someone to clean at work but, they also did your home too!
Sign me up for the "I HATE cleaning Club", too! I think the thing I hate most is I just feel like I get done and it's time to start all over again!
Finished weeding my landscape beds after 4 days... Am feeling a bit like the 'tin man from the Wizard of Oz' tonight! So stiff....
I blame the Tamoxifen although, according to my Onc appointment yesterday, it's just that I am getting older.... Ummmmm, hate to say it, but, I respectfully disagree!!
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Seaside - I don't know of too many people that like to clean house. I have had a housekeeper for many years. With my job, I could easily put in 60+ hours in the winter months and if I have to clean house as well, then I don't feel like I have any time off to do fun stuff.
I would never admit I am getting old - I keep telling myself you are only as old as you feel.
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Good Morning Ladies - Hope everyone is having a great 4th of July weekend.
I don't know if the rules here allow it but I would just like to share that I am making progress. In the last 2 days have smoked 14 cigs still had 6 in the pack this morning so on day 3 with the same ones. For me it is a little victory and may step up the pace later this week and move on to Stage 3. Whenever I am running errands I leave the smokes at home - don't want to be tempted to smoke in my car which has remainded a smoke free place for over 2 weeks now.
Still learning new habits - the ones non smokers have and not really finding it all that difficult - maybe that says how committed I am at this point.
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{{{JO}}} Great news you are progressing! I hope you continue to find it not too terrible.
Hope everyone has a lovely 4th of July!
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Allright Jo, you are doing great, isn't it amazing that it wasn't as difficult as you thought it would be? Keep on with the baby steps, although I think they are bigger steps than you realize. I'm sure it is that you are so committed to quit, nothing is throwing you off course. Karen
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