Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Today is day one of my non smoking journey and im about to loose my mind .. I am working and still cant function .... I had to give up drinking 8 months ago due to pancreas and liver issues and last year cervical cancer , this year breast cancer .. and now not smoking nothing to satisfy myself with .. Live alone and feel very alone through all of this .. I must sound like a crazy whining person ... UGH !!!! I am loosing my mind
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lisamare - You don't sound like a crazy person. The first 3 days are the hardest. May I suggest you research electronic cigarettes. You can get them with and without nicotine. No harmful tobacco or the other 4,000+ chemicals that can kill you. It will satisfy the cravings and the hand to mouth need. E-cigs are a safe alternative to smoking. I use one - right now with low nicotine. I started with medium then went to zero but with my job as stressful as it is, I felt I needed to bump it up a bit. In another month, I will go back to the zero and hopefully by the end of summer to no e-cig. I not only live with a smoker but both my coworkers smoke so it has been a real challenge for me.
I know others will come alone and also give you some tips that worked for them.
Hugs
Jo
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Hello. I quit smoking on 1/25/12.....a week before my BMX on 2/2/12. It's still so hard. I wasn't a person who "needed" a smoke. I could go all day at work without one (10 hours) and never even thought about one. I really LIKED smoking...something about it was so soothing to me. I really miss it but I refuse to go back!! I'm so glad I found this thread :-)
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I'm so glad I found this site, I've been so ashamed that I am still smoking while undergoing chemo...just can't put them down while I'm home alone and nervous, now I'm going to check out the Ecigs, Thanks all!
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Dixieminre - Welcome and congrats on quitting. I quit over 7 months ago and somedays I still find it hard but like you I don't want to go back. It is hard for me because I live with a smoker. For years he was on my butt about quitting and now that I have done it he does niot seem interested. It does have to be his decision. Post often. It is kinda slow here on the weekends but don't get discouraged. Someone ususally stops by everyday.
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Thanks girls , I am using the nocotine patch for now so I am not sure if u can use the e cig with that . I love smoking too its my only sanity .. Its not only this cancer ,, its my future , My family is full of smokers who are dying painfully with emphesyma and copd .. or just living roughly with breathing . I know I am 43 and been smoking since I am 16 so its long enough I can feel effects of not breathing well while walking or stairs ... Its just sooo hard .. but I am glad I have support and can cry here and laugh here ... lets fight together !!!!
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Lisamarie: Hang in there. I've had cancer twice too; BC diagnosed 5/10, ovarian diagnosed 2/11. It's tough, but you can do it!!! I used Wellbrutin and the nicotine patch. Different things work for different people. It took me about a month to quit. My PS said he wouldn't operate unless I quit! So that was motivation; besides the cancer.
Dixie: Love your avatar dog, so cute. Welcome to "our" thread.
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Lisamarie, you are not a crazy whiner, you are in the first few days of quiitting and they are hard!! But not as tough as the cancers you have already fought, you will make it. I uused the ecig plus I kept super busy, my house has never been that clean. I too used the e cig and broke a 30+ year smoking cycle. You can do it, it does get easier. Karen
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Dixie, you are doing great, keep on coming to our club for help and support. I too loved the comfort of smoking, it wwas my oasis of calm. I, too, used the e cig that Jo is using to quit. it does get easier, you have a month invested, YAY for you. Karen
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Thanks Karen .. today is day 2 , im coughing like crazy but hanging in there .. trying to take deep breaths and go with the flow ... I dont think I can use the E cig as I am on the patch at this time .. I am just happy to know I have the support of this group ... hope everyone has a great day
a little less irritable today as well ! God Grant me the Serenity ....0 -
lisamarie - It will help to drink lots of water. It flushes all the crap out of your system. The coughing will stop after awhile. You are getting rid of all the crap in your lungs. Believe me it is well worth it. I did not know I could feel this good and breathe so much better. Hang in there - you can do this.
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Oh Wow!
I miss one day and this thread has been super busy! We've had so many new names in the last month or so that I've lost track, a rarity for me...lol!! It's treadmill time right now and if I don't do it now, I won't.... Will check back in later with a more formal welcome!
Lisamarie,
Jo is absolutely right... Even though that cough can be a huge annoyance, it is your body already starting to heal!!0 -
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Hi Girlies,
You would think I would stop smoking after being diagnosed in August 2011. Had the mastectomy August 16th 2011, chemotherapy started October and finished December 29th and I was still smoking.
I tried to quit four times. First time I lasted 2 weeks, then smoked for a few weeks then tried again and lasted 6 weeks then smoked again then quit for two weeks then back again then another two weeks off them then back on them again. I usually smoke around 4-5 which I know is 4-5 too many.
I quit them again today, used an electronic cigarette and a patch and feel ok so far.
I took up smoking full time as I call it a yr and a half ago when my Father in law was dying(used to Only smoke if I drank alcohol which was once a week on a Friday).........
Well wish me luck trying AGAIN!!
Maria.
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Maria -- it's hard...period. I've quit 4 times now. This time was Jan 25 and I still want one...I'm one of those freak people that genuinely like it :-) WE CAN DO THIS!!!
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Me too seems the cigarette is the one thing that really calms the nerves .. I am almost 2 days now from smoking I feel a little better but edgy at times .. this must be my 5th attempt to quit . I know it is best for me and my health so I am trying really hard to stick with it. I am eating a lot but I am 96 lbs and can afford a little wieght gain ..
just trying to smile my way through the whole thing .. I am very glad to have such amazing women to go through not only my cancer journey but my smoking journey ... hugs and best wishes .. we are STRONG and we can do this thank you ladies 0 -
lisamarie, Dixiemine and Maria, that is actually part of the keep you on the track in the face of strong cravings mantra, 'STAY STRONG" I still use it when I have a craving, especially during a particularly stressful situation. One where in the prior to quitting time, you would grab a cigarettes almost automatically. Besides using the e cig I also keep a supply of different flavored gum, never was much of a gum chewer, I am now. You are being supportive of each other, that is a great technique, who knows better than you right now how you are feeling. Keep it up ladies. hugs, Karen.
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Here is our virtual cheerleader - rooting us on to success!!
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Good...never hurts to have a cheer to help out!
You go MarieLisa or is it LisaMarie!
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Welcome newbies. We all on your cheering squad. I think I'm the resident "old lady" at 4-1/2 years. I still like to go out with the smoking group at lunch just to smell - but I know it's a mental decision to refrain. I will always be a smoker - Just a smoker who doesn't smoke. Keep it up & hop back on if you slip.
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I went through a lot of the posts and there are many who have posted here in the last month or two... Wanted to post a welcome to our newest posters!!
Welcome to mrkffr11, Lisamarie68, Dixiemine30, Bern51 and Raffomimi!!! So glad that you all found us... I think you will find this to be a very understanding and supportive group! We have all stood where you are now and know that quitting is possible! Hope to hear more from you all! The more you post the more we can all get to 'know' each other so please don't be shy.....
Galsal,
Glad to hear from you!! Hope all continues to go well!
beegee and iwurn88 (Kim),
Hope you're hanging in there!
Others who posted and we hope to hear from again (no pressure at all just wanted to make sure I didn't leave anyone out)... tracie23, annie3310, Nana2three, edwards750, llharper and jap62... If you are still trying to quit or thinking about it would love to hear from you... if not, when you are ready we will be here!!!0 -
Jo,
I like our cheerleader!!! I can't post pics from my Ipad... Have to move to my crazy slow laptop to do that... I swear I want to rip my hair out whenever I have to be on that computer! So anytime you see a pic from me, you know there was some cursing involved but, I thought it was worth it...lol
MinusTwo,
Don't think 'old lady' describes you at ALL! .... and I'm not sure I like 'oldbie' either! We need to come up with a new word to describe those who have traveled the road before.....
Ladies,
Any ideas????0 -
The first thing that came to mind was "frequent flyer". That could somehow work. I know "old lady" doesn't do it either. None of us are old. Oldbie - Naw! Too tired right now to tax the brain - will think about it tomorrow.
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Jo,
I am going to go out on a limb here, and suggest the term Veteran... one of the definitions of Veteran is 'A person of long experience usually in some long occupation or skill'...
I think that definition fits in that we have fought the battle against nicotine and won but not sure if that definition would feel derogatory to our military personnel or their families... Just not sure there....0 -
I'm still here ------- just havent posted, but I read the posts to stay strong! really want to just jump off the wagon and smoke, but afraid of the fall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the support! kim
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Hi Girlies,
Thank you for all the supportive posts. Well, as I live in Ireland, I'm a few hours ahead of you guys in the USA. It's morning time here and it's day two!! Going to put the patch on and keep that e cigarette with me at all times!. Here is a pic video I did of the last 12 months. Thanks for everything, this site is so good and it would not be possible without each one of you. Blessings Ladies............
Maria
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Yes, still smoke free. Can usually tell that when I get those flutterings of wanting one that I hadn't taken the Chantix yet. LOL
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Galsal. I tried the chantix last year and it helps a lot, i got very depressed . I guess it dosen't affect everyone the sme . but I was afraid so I stopped and back on the cigarettes...
JO .. love that cheerleder !
Day 3 for me .. feeling a bit better .. was gonna try to start running this am but no motivation at all .. still having trouble trying to adjust to new routine and stuff . I have been working a lot and that seems to help .. the morning coffee ritual is still so hard .. maybe I have to get off coffee too
.. I have been making so many changes latley ... I am alcohol free for 8 months now as well . I try to use my 12 step program and incorporate it with my non smoking as well.. I hope we all have a blessed successful day smoke free .. GO TEAM ! Hugs !!!!
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Seaside - I am an Air Force veteran of 20 years and I don't think it is derogatory. One can be a veteran of alot of things, we just see it linked with military service the most. I think we can get a bit more specific if we are going to use that term.
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Congratulations, Maria and Lisamarie for getting on the wagon!! It's hard, and we all know what you are going through. Keep it up!! Thanks for the cheerleader, Jo. We all need it, no matter how long we have been smoke free.
Those cravings still haunt me. Can you believe this: when I see a group of people huddled outside in the cold, hoods up to protect them from the rain, smoking....I look longingly, and wish I was still part of that!! That's really sick isn't it?
I just hit my six month milestone. I've been this far before. Hope I can get further this time. This thread is a lifeline when the urges hit.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eium3rkUsIM&list=UUU2J6q9UKKtdpT_b2wNed5g&index=1&feature=plcp