Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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keepnfaith, with both of you quitting together it will still be tough but you sound like you have the right attitude to become a non-smoker!! Are you going to use any nicotine aides to help you through? Post often for the support and encouragement, it is hard but it is doable. Karen ps it is so nice to have newbies on board.
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Welcome Stjude10, keepnfaith and keepnfaith's husband!!!
keepnfaith,
Perfectly normal to be nervous in the beginning! I can remember having a little bit of an anxiety attack that first night when I realized for the first time in over 30 years there was not a single cigarette in my house... Yikes! That was almost 2 years ago and, while the beginning is hard, it does get easier!! Loved the last 2 sentences of your post! That subtle change
in thinking is huge!
Have you and your husband decided on what method you will be using?
stjude10,
I couldn't agree more about needing to find 'you' again before tackling quitting... Picking a time that is right for you is very important! My son was the one who wanted me to quit sooooooo badly, too! He was always the one that was just flipped out after the health class unit on smoking that they would do every year in school.... I had a lot of support from my family when I quit but, I still think my son was my biggest cheerleader!
To all just starting out... Take some time this week to get a plan in place... Post when you need to.... I'm sure you will find this to be a great bunch!!0 -
Seaside,
DH is wanting us to go cold turkey. I'm a little paranoid about that, thinking I will discuss it with my doctor tomorrow. He said when I got serious about quitting to let him know and he would help me with resources and things.
Any suggestions and tips greatly appreciated. I know to watch for triggers. I appreciate you already starting the encouragement, think I'm going to need it for those weak moments.
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I have a free tip book for anyone who wants it-just need your email address. Have a joyous day. VJ
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keepnfaith,
I did cold turkey but, had a prescription for Chantix and had looked into the patch for my 'Plan B' just in case.... figured I would try it without anything first and, if that didn't work, I would re-group and try a different way.... Still have the Chantix prescription although it is expired now...lol!
A few things to consider that might be different for cold turkey vs one of the nicotine replacements...
Drink LOTS of fluids in the beginning to help flush out nicotine... Eat frequent meals/snacks. When you smoke, the nicotine serves to regulate your blood sugar to some extent. It takes a little while for your body to re-learn to do that on its own and being hungry can result in cravings... Rest when you can. The adjustments and healing that your body is doing takes energy plus being tired can lead to losing your drive to quit.... Try to stay busy! Lots of cigarettes are smoked out of boredom...
Not sure how much you smoke but, I was a 1-2 pack a day smoker that had gradually cut down to roughly 1/2 pack over the span of 3 months or so... I will be honest and say the first few days were a bit rough but, I told myself if I could truly say I didn't feel any better by day 5, I would smoke and try a different method... Felt better by day 5!!
Post whenever you need... Lots of different people who have had success with many different methods!! No one method works for everyone but, most will work for someone... Just have to find which one (or combination) is right for you!0 -
Thanks VJ...
Was just going to go back and see how someone would get your workbook but, you beat me to it!
To those starting off.... Lots of great tips for all stages of quitting from just beginning to think about it, to forming a plan, different methods to quit and how to stay quit!
VJ offers this free to anyone on this thread... Just PM her your real e-mail address and she will send it to you....0 -
Karen - Aw Shucks!!! I am blushing. Even though I am off the regular cigs I eventually have to come up with a plan to get myself off of that. I know me and know that is not going to happen until spring once the job is less chaotic. DH is still smoking and I don't see any end in sight for him. He needs to make his own decision and he is not ready yet. Time will tell.
keepnfaith - This is definitely the place to be for support and encouragement. These ladies are great. I don't think I would have made it this far without them - I am so glad I found this thread.
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Thank you Seaside!
I am already drinking lots of fluids and eating frequent meals just because of the chemo, so that won't be a tough adjustment. I definitely agree with the boredom factor. I catch myself lighting up and not really wanting it, just bored. I use to crochet a lot, think I will drag my bag out and start working on something productive. I'm trying to prepare my mind already.
I am scared of chantix, my dad had used it and had bad side effects so my plan b will be the patches. Loading up on hard candies also.
Thanks to all you ladies, you are already helping me feel better about taking the big step!
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keepnfaith, you are doing a super job of making plans, starting to crochet again is a great idea, keeps your hands busy and lets you focus on making something, keeps the boredom cigarettes at bay. Exercise helps too, get the positive endorphins flowing. How many cigarettes are you smoking now, I gradually cut down to 4 a day before I quit. Keep posting, one of us will be around to offer suggestions, support or just listen. Karen
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karen,
I was smoking about a pack a day. Got diagnosed with this bc and went to 1 1/2 to 2 packs a day, no kidding. Realized what I was doing and have gotten myself back down to the pack a day. I am starting to try and be more aware when I am lighting up and will talk myself out of it, delaying it in order to get use to the idea of telling myself no. I am trying to learn all about my habit so I know what I need to be careful of (triggers). I have tried quitting before but I am satisified that my determination is more concrete this time. Not to say I won't have weakness. I keep telling myself how wonderful it will be to not only be able to say I survived cancer but beat the smoking habit also!
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Dear keepnfaith, I did the same thing - up to a pack and a half a day from one pack, caught myself and started waiting to light up just as you are doing! My BS said we'll work on one thing at a time, said I can do this surgery but I've never cured lung cancer. That really made an impression on me. I started gradually eliminateing 1 then 2 , then 3 cigarettes from the pack. Also started chewing really strong flavored cinnamon gum,, so I was shortly keeping Trident in business, use any and all the brain tricks you can think of to keep from lighting up. It's hard but it is doable, just keep keeping on. Karen
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Hello Ladies,
I'm sitting here on my couch puffing away on my cig trying to convince myself its time to put them away and do myself some good, Like others on this thread I managed to double my consumption of cigs since my DX. It certainly is not doing my bc any good and my family just cannot understand my smoking after such an ordeal. I"M A JUNKIE.
Anyway, I want to stop and am planning on a quit date on Jan 1, 2012. Perfect time for a resolution. I would love to share my progress and get support with other woman battling the same struggle. From what i've read so far we are all in the same boat and need feedback and support. If you don't mind, I will be listening [reading] and maybe I can offer some support.Its going to be a long hard road. Very scary.
good luck to all, Maureen
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Well, went to church tonight and announced the good news that the chemo is already proving to be effective, then requested prayer for me and DH as we approach our quit date. Can't hurt, right? I feel by doing that we have "vowed" a commitment.
chef127, we have the same quit date, will do my best to encourage you! We can do this!
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chef127,
You've picked a great time to start your path to kicking that habit to the curb!! We have people in all stages of quitting that can provide help should you need it!
It is especially nice that there are others here that are just starting out... I know it helped me a lot when I was just quitting to have others going through it with me (so we could swap stories and comisserate) as well as the support of those who were a bit further out (and could offer assurance that all would be ok and advice when I didn't know what to do)....
Welcome and look forward to hearing from you!0 -
keepnfaith,
So happy to hear that the chemo is doing it's thing!! Great news! And yes, prayers can't hurt! You and your husband will be in mine as you tackle the quit smoking hurdle!! It's hard but so worth it!!0 -
Welcome Maureen. What a great quit day you picked. These ladies are fantastic and so very supportive. It is hard to quit but you can do this. Everyone has a different method(s) they chose and will gladly share their experience with you.
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good day Jo,
Thanx for the welcome. Jan 1. PARTY DAY!
My friend is having a group of friends over to celebrate 2012. 75% of my girl friends smoke and so I am going to say good-bye to my habit on jan 2. Sounds like an excuse to smoke for one more day. Maybe, but I will clear my home of all ash trays, try to get rid of the offensive smell of the cigs, arm myself with gum & lollypops, cinnamin sticks,etc.
I do have nico patches and the ecig so I will utilize them, seperatly of course. If I use the patch I can put the nico free cartridge in the ecig. What do you think? Please add any ideas you use. Did you quit?
Jo1955? Great year? thats the year I was born.You too? I've been a smoker since 1969. OMG. It was the Cool thing to do at the time..
Well quiting will definaty help fight the BC. Thats not the only reason, but it is motavting. I'm not doing the chemo so I need to be more aware of what I put in my body.
Cigs are a love-hate reationship. IT HAS TO GO!
Wish me strength. Thanx for listening....................Maureen
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Maureen - If the nico patches don't work for you then you can start with nico in the ecig and then work your way down to zero nico. That is what I did. I had tried nico patches in the past and they don't work for me.
Yes, I was born in 1955 - that was a great year - LOL!
Come here often - we will give you lots of support and encouragement.
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Happy New Year to all my quit, trying to quit and planning to quit pals! You can do it!! On January 2 I will be 19 month smoke free!
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YAY Barbara, Jan. 16 will be one year for me, never would have believed I could do it, all those just starting on the journey, stay strong, it can be done!!!! Karen
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In case I can't drop by tomorrow, I want to wish each and everyone of you a very Happy New Year. You all have been a great inspiration to me and helped me through this tough battle with the cigs.
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ohhhh that looks yummy!!!!! Thanks Jo!
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I'll take two!! Seriously, on my way to a French restaurant with DH since he works tomorrow
and I plan to chow down! Love to all my sistahs! 0 -
Jo, that looks fantastic, have some of those for the party! Happy New Year to all the wonderful strong women on this site. Spending a quiet New Year here at home. I'll bet I fall asleep and my grandchildren watch the ball drop. Last year, I just made it to the ball drop. Karen
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chef127,
Don't worry too much about the date... I was supposed to be a big ta-da stroke of midnight on January 1, quitter when I quit in 2010 but, when I though realistically about it I had a lot going on in those first couple of weeks of January including my niece's birthday party at my brother's house where there would be lots of people smoking... So, I was a January 18th quitter at around 11:00 am, not nearly as dramatic...lol but it was a date that gave me the best chance for success!!
Will be thinking of you and all who are just starting out!
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Karen,
I can relate... Seems like the last couple of years I have made it to just before the ball drops and then fall asleep... My kids wake me up, I catch the last couple of seconds and call it a night!
Last year they both had other plans so it was just my husband and I... Nothing fancy just a pizza, a couple glasses of champagne and a movie... made it to watch the ball drop but just barely...lol
This year we are heading up to my sister's house in Albany... Funny but both kids said they didn't want to go... We said, fine stay home we are still going.. In the last couple of hours they have both been re-arranging plans and I think they will be coming with us tomorrow.... They try to be so grown-up but, I do think they want the continuity of ' the way we always have done it'... Or at the very least, don't want us to be having more fun than they are...lol!
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Chef127: Yup - deep six the ashtrays - although to be honest at first I washed mine & put them in the garage. I did 1/2 dose of Chantix, but I quit smoking in my house 3 weeks before my "D" day. I quit smoking in my car 2 weeks before "D" day. Are you in New Jersey? It will be cold smoking on the porch if you try this. I visited my son in Virginia in the winter & had to smoke in the breezeway of his apt - and of course in a snow storm. Are we crazy or what? Sometimes it works to set interim goals like starting with not smoking in the house or Jo's ecig idea. Your plan to wait until after the party sounds reasonable. Seaside's 2 week lag works too. Just set a "D" day you believe you can meet and go for it. I'm told I'm the senior member in longevity - 4 years and 5 months after smoking 1 to 2-1/2 packs every day for 45+ years. I can be done. Hoping to see some of the others back & trying again once the holidays are almost over.
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Going to have limited access to a computer for the next couple days... Wanted to take a moment to wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!!!
Love to you all... Seaside
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Here's to 2012...may it be full of health, laugher and love!
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Off to our New Years Eve party in the rec hall. Gonna dance the night away.
Wishing a fun but safe New Years to this very wonderful group of ladies. Here is to 2012.
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