Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Bama, like seaside said, it was so sad, it was humiliating to watch and know other people in other cities were watching us. Been like that the last 2 games. One of my friend's husband who is a real fan, left the game on and went grocery shopping, that' how bad it was. I will be sure to watch your game on Saturday, hoping for a good showing and that you beat hubby's team. Seaside, sinus infection, took the first 2 pills today, it is a 5 day scrip, he gave me one refill in case one doesn't zap it. He is my Gyn., also the Ob. who delivered my 2 grandchildren, he was just thrilled when I said I had quit smoking, it's 10 mos. now, Stay strong - I miss sweet too. hugs Karen Dara, Karina, how goes it today, we are all here for you, keep on keeping on.
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Karen,
Hope that antibiotic kicks in fast and you are feeling better.... If you are one who is prone to yeast infections or 'intestinal distress' from the antibiotics, make sure that you maybe add some yogurt to your diet to kind of. head that off at the pass!
I have to agree.... Being able to say that I have quit smoking at my appts makes me so happy! Especially because I remember how sad I felt when, at the very same appts, I had to say I hadn't and endure that horrid tsk, tsk look before.... Oh, how I hated that!
I, too, wish Sweet would surprise us with a quick check-in to let us know she's OK.... But, until then..... Stay Strong, everyone!
Feel better soon!0 -
So girls, I am through day 4 and into 96 hours !!!! I was having my coffee this morning, and in the middle of it I discovered, that I was not thinking of smoking . And it has been pretty much the same during the day too. Tell you what I am " SCARED" now - to be among a smoker. I was avoiding popping in at my brothers house last few days, where they both my brother and SIL smoke. I guess that's going to be quite a challange now.
Do we and when we get to a point where cigs are there, but we DO NOT WANT to touch them??????
Thumbs up for you Bama, Seaside, Karen !!!!
Dara, good luck and let us know how its going for you.
And Big thanks to this thread !!!!
Love , Karina
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Yes Karina you will get to a point that being around other smokers won't cause you to have a craving but you need to give yourself some time. It's like a baby learning how to walk--the baby has muscles that they haven't used and it takes time and a few tumbles but before you know it --the child is off and running. Think of your yourself as that baby learning how to walk--you're just learning how to be a non-smoker again. You'll get there!
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Yeah Karina!!! You are doing so well!!
To answer your question.... YES, you absolutely will get there but, it does take some time! I faced the same situation in that both my brother and sister-in-law smoked (and still do).... That is one reason that, even though I had planned to quit on January 1st, I switched my date to January 18th.... My niece's birthday party was to be on the 17th and I just knew that, for me, that would be too soon to be around people smoking!
I think it was several weeks before I went to visit but, I will say this... I think they were far more uncomfortable smoking around me (because the didn't want me tempted) than I was bothered by it....
Don't get me wrong, I was still tempted and was for quite awhile BUT, it wasn't that overwhelming, gotta have one kind of feeling... More like Gee, that would be nice but, I can't and then it was gone....
Once my true sense of smell returned, I was really shocked at how bad stale smoke smelled although, interestingly enough, I still thought a burning cigarette smelled just fine!
Recently, my mother-in-law and father-in-law visited (both smoke) and I just couldn't make them go outside to smoke so they were smoking in the house.... For the first time, not only did I think it really stunk but, it actually gave me a headache!
You will get there too!!0 -
Karina, I can be around other smokers and could be OK with it after around the 2 month mark. We are all different. I used to take vicarius pleasure in the second hand smoke but now, I move to avoid it.
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Dear Karina, it didn't bother me to be around other smokers when I was using the e cig. The first time I was around smokers in a pub atmosphere was really a tough moment though, because if you are a smoker you smoke more when you drink. I must confess I fell off the wagon and had a cigarette, and it tasted lousy. Now it doesn't bother me at all when people smoke, the smoke smells terrible in a household of smokers. Jo will post about living with a smoker, she has been really busy at work, but I know it is difficult. You are doing great, how goes it with you Dara? Karen
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I have been worried about the same thing, My husband smokes cigar's but has been very considerate of me since I quit, he has pretty much quit also, or at least kept it away from me. I am coming up on the 30 day mark for not smoking and it has gotten easier but I still want one. I am getting together with some college friends in a couple of weeks for a girls weekend, which basically means drinking and shopping. They are all social smokers and can smoke when they are drinking and not smoke again for months, I can't do that, it is going to be really hard to say no to smoking when they are, but I know if I do it will be all over for me, I'll be right back at square one, I will have one friend who does not smoke at all anymore so I am going to count on her to keep me strong. I really want this to be the time that it sticks for me.
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Dear djfrro, it will be tough, remember Stay Strong, and all the time you have invested now, plus the need to fess up when you get back. I felt like I had disappointed everyone who had been so supportive of me, thankfully the group understood and I kept my original quit date. You are already a month out, momentous mark, soon to be 2, then 3, then 4, you can do it, you are a non-smokr now. Lean on your non-smoking friend, take gum with you, also hard candies, it'll solve the oral fixation. Stay strong. Karen
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I have not posted in several days but have been trying to read and stay up. My job is very busy in the winter months and I barely have time for the computer at night. It is very high stress and this is the first season as a non-smoker. Thank goodness for my e-cig.
Karina - I do live with a smoker. One who by the way was on my case for many years about quitting. He would talk about it all the time and even tell the doctors it was my fault he could not quit. Now look who's tallking. He does stay in the kitchen with a window cracked a bit. The only time it really bothers me is when I have to ride in his truck. he doesn't get is washed very often and the inside just reeks. I do use an e-cig with no nicotine. It does help me to not go back to smoking. I could do that very easy right now. But with the help and support of these wonderful non-smoking ladies - I have been able to stay strong and committed. I recently past my 4 month mark and I really don't want to go back to smoking. You can do this. Just keep telling yourself that.
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djfrro,
Hurray on coming up on 1 month!! Hopefully things are getting a little easier!
My husband will also have a cigar every so often and he also curbed it for a bit when I first quit....
Any time you have a 'first' situation that you encounter after you quit can be tricky!! So heads up... Start thinking about what you might do now, before you are actually in the situation, in the event that things get a bit overwhelming.... IE... Get your game plan in place so, if you need it, you can just go on auto-pilot! A very effective response is to just walk away for a bit until you feel more in control... Saved me more than once....
Stick close to your non-smoking friend and provide support for each other.... Most of all... KNOW we will all be here to add support!
I am jealous of those casual smokers in that I know if I were to have even one, I would be right back to over a pack a day in short order!0 -
Jo,
Glad to hear from you!!!! I know you've been busy but been missing hearing from you!0 -
I am going to be heading out of town for the next several days and wanted to just wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!
It has been quite awhile since we have had a 'roll call' of everyone who has quit in the past and those who are just starting now.... I could dig out the last one and update it if we think it might be a good idea... What do you all think?0 -
Dear Seaside, I think that is a very good idea since we have quite a few brand new members, I can remember seeing my quit date for the first time and what a thrill it was. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving and the same to all my old and now new friends on the thread. I had a sinus infection and now am on Zithromax and actually can breathe out of both nostrils!!! It doesn't take much to thrill me. Happy Thanksgiving everyone, hugs, Karen
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Seaside - What a wonderful idea. I only see a few on here and it would be nice to see a list of all those who have been through this journey.
I want to wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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This is for all my new non-smoking friends.
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Jo,
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving as well!!
When I get back I will definitely update the roll call and post.... I will need for anyone who wants to be included, if you weren't on the last list, to please post your quit date....0 -
Karen,
After feeling so bad for so long I would take ANY improvement as a cause to celebrate!! Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!0 -
Seaside - My quit date is July 15, 2011.
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Happy smoke free Thanksgiving to everyone!!!!! xxxx
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I dont want to quit. But with lung issues it is a necessity. I feel like I am losing my best friend. I am down to a few a day 3-5 stretching them out. Each couple of weeks my husband will give me one less but I am not ready and either buy a couple or bum a couple. Yesterday I had 4. Pretty good for me. Depends on whether I have a nap or not if I get through the day. 4 is really my minimum though I have had 3 in a day with a lot of anxiety to go with it.
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Dream, how well I know, what you feeling. I was doing the cutting down for a long while. One day I would smoke only a few, the next day I would make it up taking anything for an excuse. And through the whole time I felt guilty and that churning feeling. I got to the point when I was so annoyed with myself, so tired of the fight between me and me. I would sleep and wake up with the constant fear of the consequences of smokong.I am very much into complementary therapies and with smoking it seemed such a waste. So one day I said enough is enough. I'd rather struggle without smoking than smoke with worrying every minute.
.It's my fifth day without a smoke. I am doing my best to keep going and not give in. I know its not too long but I never even thought I would go this far and have the determination. Its really doable , trust me, smoking was my everything, I couldn't imagine life without it.
Don't be hard on yourself. I think you will know when you are ready to quit. And this thread is very helpful. I wish you good luck. Let us know how it goes.
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Oh Dream...I felt like I was losing a friend too but in reality cigarettes are not our friend...they only monopolize our time and rob us of our money while giving us a little feel good high every once in a while.
Have you talked to your doc about something to help either a Nicotine Placement or something for anxiety? I know several of the ladies (karen333 and jo1955) has used the e-cigarette with success...I wish you all the best with your decision to become a non-smoker. Stay Strong, you can do it!
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Hi Dream, I too felt I could never stop, it was my source of stress relief and a time I could just relax. I smoked for 30+ yrs. and never could envision myself quiting. I was at the point of smoking 1 to 1 1/2 packs a day. I lurked around this site for awhile before I ever posted and started cutting back like you are doing. In the meantime I ordered an e cig, since I knew the hand to mouth ritual was a big thing for me. When I finished the last pack of my carton I switched over to the e cig, I used 1 with nicotine, Jo used one without. I kept the e cig always handy and would puff away when a craving hit, I used that strength for a few weeks then ordered the step down mg., I believe it was 4. I gradually over a few weeks started weaning myself off that and just chewed gum, sa strong flavor like cinnamon or bubble gum. It is still hard with the e cig but it is doable, takes the anxiety away. Jo also used an herbal spray, I know she is really busy this time of year but she does check in on the thread, I am sure she will respond to you soon. In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving to all my old friends and my new ones. You can do it dream - you already did bc this is doable too. Karen
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My quit date was 6/2/2010. 1 year five months and three weeks!!
Dream, it was hard for me but I did it and you can, too!
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Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
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Wow, Barbara, that is a long time. I know it is doable, I quit for 5 years once upon a time but then my daugher got leukemia and the stress started me up again and I could never seem to quit. I know it is possible and I am at 30 days, just have to keep going
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Hi Dream - Like everyone has said so far, it is hard but doable. I still live with a smoker who by the way was the one who was on my butt for years to quit and he can't seem to do it. Yes, I did use a natural spray that can be used as many times a day as you need it. I still have it around and do use it on occasion. I am still using my e-cig as my job is super stressful in the winter months and this will be the first one smoke free. I have a feeling I will keep the e-cig until spring and then wean myself off it - or maybe. It would be so much easier if I could get hubby on the bandwagon. The ladies here are super supportive - even when I hadn't set a quit date yet - they gave me lots of encouragement. I have to admit that for me, quitting was easier than this damn bc journey - that is just me. Stay strong.
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got thur the holiday without smoking!
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Dear jfrro, one major hurdle accomplished, that was a huge step for you!!!!! I know how strong you must be to be around smokers and to stay strong. How long now? you are well on your way! Karen
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