Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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beegee - Congrats on the 6 month smoke free. I have to admit, as much as I loved smoking, I do not miss having to go outside in the weather.
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was trying to have a good day ! why is it people find the need to screw with ya .. MEN !!! UGH .. anyway I did not smoke and will not smoke over no dumb ass man that thinks he is all that .. lol
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Odds and Ends:
Depression and quitting: Depression is one of the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine dependence and can last several months. Both Chantix and Zyban (wellbutrin) have black box warnings (strongest FDA warning) about mental health risks. Interesting that Zyban has been used as an anti-depressant for over 20 years with no black box warning--until it was used on smokers--so the big question is whether these medications cause the depression, and/or worsen a withdrawal symptom? Or it could make no difference at all and the increase in depression is an individual difference or is just a withdrawal issue. All we know is that depression is a common symptom after quitting and is a common reason for relapsing. In my practice, I see it more in women than in men. One of the best remedies (instead of more medications) is increased exercise--releases endorphins in the same reward system used by nicotine.
I look longingly, and wish I was still part of that!! That's really sick isn't it?
No, it isn't "sick", it is very normal--nicotine hijacks the reward system of the brain, so that everything associated with smoking (even the negative aspects) will trigger the reward system in the brain to want, need, desire and/or crave a cigarette. The tobacco companies have studied this and have made cigarettes to be sensory enhanced--everything from the the way the cigarette feels in your hand, to the smell, taste, anything to do wth the senses--has been manipulated to be as pleasurable and memorable to the brain as possible.
To anyone in Cali: FYI--another good reason to become smoke-free. In June, Prop 29 will be voted on--The California Cancer Research Act which will raise the tax on a pack by $1 with 60% of the proceeds going towards cancer research, 20% towards cessation and prevention. A coalition of the American Cancer Society, lung and heart associations wrote this bill--it's one that has long-term benefits for the health of smokers unlike some other states that are raising tobacco taxes with the monies going to the general fund instead. please visit: www.CaliforniansforaCure.org
My offer is still open for a free copy of my Tip book, I just need an email address to send it to. In there are instructions on how to break different habits (such as morning coffee) BEFORE you quit, so it's not an issue AFTER you quit. (Smoking corner and smoking by the clock). Some of you have been quit for a long time--you can have a copy too if you just want to read it for reinforcement. If you really want to understand the psychology behind quitting, I have a longer book--Crush your Butts--that I will send also. I have a Masters degree in Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine, so I really believe that if you understand WHY you do something and the process of change, you can find more effective methods as to HOW to quit (instead of trial and error). There are also 2 parts--just like a dieter needs to first --lose the weight, and second, they also need to maintain the weight loss--a smoker needs to quit, then they also need to stay quit or maintain, each part can require different mind and skill sets.
Have a joyous day, VJ
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lisamarie, that is a situation I bet you would have taken a smoke break for when you were a smoker. And you did not slip or fall off the wagon. YAY girl, you did great! Karen
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Karen , yep would have drank and smoked so I guess I am getting a little better ... ty
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lisamarie, the one time I slipped I was out with friends and had a drink, had to avoid those type of circumstances for awhile, it was just too tempting. You did good!! Karen
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Thanks .. well its 4 pm here I am still at work .. I work private duty nursing so i do 12 hour shifts the .. it seems that later it get work in the day is when I get most anxiuos .. I am at work till 8 pm .. and off tomorrow and frantically planning for tomorrow as to what to with my day tomorrow ... jeeze ... and still get over my heartbreak from this damm guy ! lol ... one minute im okay and the next minute I am totally feeling insane .. I guess the one good thing about this whole thing is the cancer is not making me crazy at this moment ...
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Jo, I don't think I'd seen that you are an AF veteran. Thank you! Myself, 15 yrs in the Army and Army Reserves. Son is a Third Generation Army Soldier, same as his Mom and her Dad.
I too did not take offense about the veteran description since as Jo said, it could be about any number of things in life.
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Jo,
I don't think I knew that about you either... My gratitude to both you and Galsal for your service!
For our new name for 'oldbie', what about Veteran Butt (as in cigarette butt) Kicker? What do you all think?0 -
Seaside - LOL! Sounds good to me.
Galsal - Thank you for your years of service - sounds like a great family tradition going on here.
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Raffomimi,
I watched your video and it was simply beautiful! Had to google who did the song because I really liked it. Had never heard of Laura Story before... She has a lovely voice! Thank you for sharing that!
Dixiemine30 and beegee,
I also loved smoking! For a very long time I would walk really slowly past people huddled outside smoking and breathe really deeply just hoping to get some second hand smoke... I'm fairly certain they thought I was nuts as in... 'Did that lady really just sniff me?'...lol.
Both of my in-laws smoke and seeing as how they are in their 80's we just can't bring ourselves to make them go outside to smoke when they visit, so they smoke in the house... I can honestly say after 2 years, I really don't enjoy the smell at all anymore!
Funny story... When I still smoked more and more people were quitting. Got to be where at alot of activities I was the only one outside freezing to death smoking... Just recently we went out with a friend of mine and her husband. My friend still smokes and her husband, as well as my own, will have an occasional cigar... So there we are outside... freezing... and I am the only one NOT smoking!!! Is that irony or what?!?!
Hang in there! It gets better!
Galsal and Kim,
Glad to hear you are both hanging in there!! Keep up the good work!
mrkffr11,
I also smoked all through treatment including rads... I understand that there are risks associated with smoking during radiation but, I just know I couldn't have quit then. As far as I know, I have not suffered any apparent damage to my lungs... As for in the future.. None of us knows. We all just make the decision that feels right to us! Wishing you peace in your decision and offering unending support here if you decide to quit!0 -
lisamarie,
It was the same way for me when I was cutting back right before I quit, and now that I think about it, even when I first quit... The late afternoons and evenings were the hardest... I think that was mostly because that's when I smoked the heaviest so there were far more activities that were closely associated with smoking.... Also, if you are tired that can trigger a strong urge to smoke... There were many nights where I just went to bed way early because when I was asleep I didn't have a craving to smoke...
If I hear you right, tomorrow is going to be the first day that you are off of work since you quit... Best advice... Stay as busy as you can... Clean... Walk... Leave the house and go somewhere where you never would have smoked.... Drink lots of water.... Eat frequent light meals to keep your blood sugar stable...
Most importantly... Check in here if you need to... A little bit of support can do wonders in squelching a craving!
So glad you didn't give in and smoke... It wouldn't have changed anything that you are going through and you would have undone your progress that you've made toward taking care of YOU!
Hugs, strength and, as Karen said.... STAY STRONG!0 -
Great reading all the posts, seaside memories glad you liked my video. Well I survived day two. It's now past midnight into day three!!!
Thanks girlies.Will keep you posted.
Maria.
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Ladies, you are all doing so well!!! Love it that you praise each other, a support group within a support group.
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i think we could all use a group hug!!!
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Hey Jo, you post the best graphics, I can't even put a picture of me in the profile. I thank you for the group hug. Karen
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Karen - It really is easy to post pictures. If you go to the top of the page, the right corner and click on the help tab you can look through the help topics and there are step by step instructions on how to post. I printed them out and followed the instructions. That will help you put a picture on your avatar. For the pictures I post I can send you step by step instructions in a pm - just let me know.
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Names for the Veterans of the group...I think 'veterans' is a great fit!
Jo and Galsal ~ Thank you for your service!
The old crew, when I first came on this thread, used BCBK when we referred to each other...Breast Cancer Butt Kickers - I think that applies to all of us
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Seaside - Jo - LOL for Veteran Butt Kickers. Even funnier because I live in Houston and we're in the middle of Rodeo. VBK. Wonder if I can remember that for a month?
o2B - BCBK sure does hit all of us.
And US Veterans (or active service members) THANKS !!
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Jo I love all ur pics as well .. woo hoo we are a fab group ... thanks to Karen as well u are like my sponsor here lol.. I am like u I tried so hard many times to get my pic to post and it makes me crazy .. I have been in a funk so I deleted my FB lol.. but do have pics here on my computer..
Today I will not sit on my pity pot .. I am off and I am strong , I am a fighter and I can do this ...
Good Morning to all my non smoking gal pals ! I luv ya all and am sending lots of hugs and gratitude for u all .. I will be around all day !
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Good Morning, lisamarie....
YES! You ARE strong, you ARE a fighter and you CAN do this!! Stay busy today! We will check on you throughout the day....0 -
Thanks seaside .. I still cannot manage a shower and getting off my couch yet ! Yikes
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Hi Girlies,
It's 8.30pm here and nearly day 3 over and still didn't smoke. I was tempted today. I was in a rotten mood after reading a thread on here about how friends or family let people down and it rang home with me so I was internally venting and was tempted to smoke. I get tempted when I feel emotionally stressed otherwise I'm fine. I zoomed over to this thread and I'm ok now. Hopefully tomorrow I won't feel the cravings as bad!! I had a patch on me and E cigarette and chewed on that LOL..
Made it through another day.................. Just for today is what I think that's because that's all we have.........
Blessings and hugs to everyone
Maria.
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Hi Rafomimi, you made it through a craving, YAY, they will start to shrink n number and intensity, this first week is the worst, so using all your tools, patch, e cig and coming to the thread you stayed strong. You are doing a fine job during a rough week, I was always a stress smoker too. Now I just chew my gum like it is going out of style and that relieves the craving, I keep several different types available so I can vary the taste, you use whatever works. Karen
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Hey Rafomimi .. great job day 4 for me just on patch but working it ... lol cooking a nice pepper steak for dinner and trying to breathe ... im so glad we have each other .. today was hard as it was a day off but i managed a walk before the rain ... so strong we are together
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Well done Lisamarie and enjoy that steak, sounds tasty! Karen, that's a good idea about the chewing gum, will buy some tommorrow.. Well I better go to sleep, 3 girls to get to school and the eldest daughter to work in the morning. Chat tomorrow xoxoxo Maria.
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Ok so made it through the day time to say goodnight and thank you for all the support and love .. see u ladies tomorrow
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Sleep well LisaMarie, you made it through another day and that takes a lot out of you, hugs, Karen
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Be well LisaMarie! Tomorrow is another day!
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LisaMarie & Raffomimi - Well done ladies. You have made it through another day. It has already been said - it does get easier. I use an e -cig and lots of Crystal Light candies and it has been 7 1/2 months for me. It is a bit tough on me because I live with a smoker that has no interest in quitting. We are all stronger than we think and we will do this.
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