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Stop Smoking Support Thread

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  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2012

    Ahh ladies ...  Hello .. glad everything went well Jo ... Toothpaste for pimples , I am trying that thanks VJ .. does it work on blackheads too ? I had a crazy day today ... Day off and rainy and damp .. apartment hunting .. UGH ... but didnt smoke I am now 17 days and going strong :) 

    Glad you will be back soon Raff .. I am happy u had a nice time and didnt smoke .. yeah for us .. I think u and I are about same time here lol ...

     Anyway I hope everyone had a great day ... Love and Hugs to u all ...Karen I hate blood work they can never get mine lol 

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2012

    Oh yeah almost forgot . I started a blog today i called it HopeSerenityStrength .. but I dont know how to find it lol .. I am silly and I am learning 

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545
    edited March 2012

    Karen, I have already been trying to take those breaks and even bought a new pillow so my neck is straighter when I sleep.  Have also started taking Aleve when I feel the pressure on the base of my neck.  The pain specialist told me when I get the pressure - the nerves are inflammed and are touching my spinal cord.

    Lisamarie - Big Congrats on 17 days smoke free.  You are really doing this.  Keep it up.

    I was going to wait until Thursday (March 15th) but I am so excited I can't wait to tell everyone that it will be 8 months for me.  Go figure!!!  I am surrounded by smokers and still am smoke free. 

  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited March 2012

    Way to go Jo, eight months WOW, double WOW for doing it with a smoker in the house.  You should be so proud of yourself, you've done this with pure determination from the very beginning, never swayed, never wavered.  And good for you for taking those breaks and taking the Alieve when you feel the pressure building.  You are a solid winner in taking care of your health and well being.  You are one strong woman - so proud of you Jo.  many hugs, Karen

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2012
    Congrats JO Kiss Doing the happy dance ... hoping someday I will too have 8 months ... Luv ya ...
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545
    edited March 2012

    lisamarie - As long as I am here, you WILL have 8 months.  I really can be done. Luv ya more!

    I did not have too many health issues before BC and just treated my family doctor appts as a dreaded necessity.  Went every three months - had labs done, got results, new script and off I went till next time.  BC has really changed the way I look at all these appts.  I tend to ask a lot more questions and don't give up until I get answers.  i have too much I want to do to waste it sitting in a doctor's waiting room.  Strong you say!  Oh!  I don't know about that.  I would go with determined.

    Thanks to everyone for all your support and encouragement. 

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2012

    Karina,



    Yes...We do remember you! So glad you are back!!!!



    You've been reading so you know that you are in really good company right now... One of the largest groups we've had in quite sometime....I was a cold turkey quitter so, if there is anything that you need, please don't hesitate to ask!



    Hoping that this time is THE one for you!!

  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited March 2012

    Seaside, just saw your post, my pimples also leave a mark and are painful.  Look like they might be whiteheads but have no matter in them, TMI.  Feel like I'm 13 again, I'm going to try the toothpaste too.  Remember the heels you wore to your prom, I wouldn't make it 5 minutes in them now,lol

  • Karina
    Karina Member Posts: 76
    edited March 2012

    Thanks everyone for the warm welcome !!! Seaside, the reason I prefer cold turkey is, in my opinion and experience, I think less about the whole process - smoking - quitting - easy - hard - try this -then this, if that makes sense. It's my 3rd day and I seen ok. Of course I miss smoking, I think I miss it more than I WANT it. I really enjoy the fresh breath and smoke free house already. Another good news is , that my main triggers, my brother and SIL have quitted too. They are 40 days smoke free. 

    Jo, congrats on 8 months. You are so strong to stay quit, being surrounded by smokers.

    Yes, we have quite a group here at the moment. All new quitters, nice to meet you.

    Everyone have an easy smoke free day. 

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 754
    edited March 2012

    Congratulations on your progress during this test of self, for those that have kept going with it and to those that have newly begun theirs.

    Yes, Seaside,I found a car.  2009 Honda Accord LX-P Sedan, 30k miles, Gold exterior with Tan/Brown Interior, Certified used car.  With trading in my 2002 Blazer, walked out the door paying 16k.  That was 1k over my self-imposed limit but ultimately worth it to have a reliable vehicle with a dealer warranty and also the balance of a manufacturer warranty!  The car was approved by BIL who is a airplane for almost 40 yrs and also by my Sister, an accountant who is uber-picky about things.

    May it be a grand day for all!

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2012

    Karen,



    Yes!!! That describes them exactly!! I think it has to be that our hormones are all out of whack just like a teenager's....



    And I do remember those shoes as well as the simple, baby blue gown I wore... It would pale in comparison to the dresses the girls have today... I think many of them spend more on their prom gowns than I spent on my wedding gown!!



    Oh, and my date wore a matching baby blue tux..... Oh lordy, we thought we were stylin'!!!

  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited March 2012

    Seaside, sign of the times, I used the word "necking" the other day to a 18 year old girl, I thought she was going to die laughing when I gave her the definition.  Not used anymore, now it is "making out", she kept cracking up laughing saying "necking".  And yes you were definitely styling, I also wore baby blue, but my date just had a white jacket tux and I had a wrist corsage - whoo hooo.

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2012

    Hello ladies , I never went to Prom :( I am thinking the dress up is fun though :) I remember necking lol .. I remember my mom telling me that a hickey ment you slept with a boy .. OMG i was like no i did not do that ... haha I just thought if u had one u were cool Cool funny stuff

    I am going to be  going down to 14mg patch this weekend   .... :) I am also trying to stay off patch all day and just put it on at night .. I dont know .. I am just trying so hard ....I am doing this ..

    HUGS to all my SMOKE FREE PALS !

    Just for today I will not Smoke :) 

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,359
    edited March 2012

    JO ...WONDERFUL NEWS.  Hope you plan to celebrate tomorrow.  Welcome Karina.  Glad to hear the rest of you are "keeping on keeping on".  Somebody said cigarettes are up to $10 a pack in NY.  Can that be true?  My first husband quit when they went up to $.25 from $.19, but I kept right on for 40 more years.

    Love the prom shoes memories.  I got mine at Lerners & had them dyed to match, but we never wore them once we got to the gym.  (yup - for you younger ladies - senior prom used to be in the school gym)  I found my dresses at a consignment shop & took them back there too. We had one neighbor who learned how to make carnation leis & they were in huge demand.

    I don't think my Mother knew what a hickey was, but she was panicked I would no longer be a virgin if I used Tampax.  So at age 20 she hauled me to the doctor to be 'correctly educated'.  Oops.

    Let's compare toothpaste experiences.  After my 5th skin cancer surgery I no longer go in the sun so now my nose has lots of blackheads that nothing will "cure".  I'll try toothpaste there.  Hmmm - I only have the blue gel kind.  What a picture.

  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 754
    edited March 2012

    Another day down without smoking.  Cool HAVE to keep that going.  PS was adament about smoking, especially if we go the DIEP route.  A day of not smoking is like putting one foot in front of the other....one at a time.

    Best to you all!

  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited March 2012

    Minus two, had forgotten all about getting my shoes dyed to match ntil you mentioned it! Good job, galsal, one step at a time, you can do it!!!!!!!!

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2012

    Good Morning ladies .... another day smoke free for us all ... It was a beautiful day here yesterday for March anyway in the 60's and got to take my patient out for a walk to the beach .. wow what a day .. the fresh air and all .. as i pushed the wheel chair , I feel so out of breathe .. I know my lungs are healing but wow I cant breathe.. that me brought me to reality and how bad it sucks ... I know they say you will smell better and taste stuff better , but when .. I still dont smell any different and some things I used to like i dont care for any longer like cream cheese on my bagel .. yuck .. anyway just some more of the trivias of not smoking .. Hope everyone enjoys the day . xoxo HUGS 

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2012

    lisamarie,



    We are having just amazing weather, aren't we??



    It takes a little while to notice the improvements especially with breathing better... Seems to me the sense of smell and taste happened sooner but not right away either!



    I do find that some things I thought I liked as far as foods I'm not as crazy about... Probably because I am tasting what those foods really taste like... As for the sense of smell... I didn't notice I smelled better (I never seemed to smell it on myself, although I'm sure others did) it was more that I noticed you can sure smell it like crazy on others even just passing by in the grocery store!



    I can't remember if it was the first April after I quit or if it was last April but, I remember taking a walk around my neighborhood and realizing that I could smell the lilacs... Not smell them by getting right up to them but, just in the air... I guess most people who don't smoke would know that but, after smoking for most of my life, I didn't!!

  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 70
    edited March 2012

    I have been reading here for a long time and finally decided that I need/want to quit too.

    I promised myself that I would start walking and quit smoking on Thursday which is today. I had a cigarette last night at 7pm . Got up early today and went for a brisk 45 min. walk at 6:30 am (I haven't exercised in months). Need to get through the day without cigarettes. I'll have to keep busy today. You all inspire me and I'm going to keep reading posts here. Any great advice on getting through the cravings?

    Thanks

    Beth

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2012

    Karina,



    Happy to hear that your brother and SIL have quit... That will help you ALOT.... My brother and SIL still both smoke and in the beginning I just had to not be around them... Too tempting.. But now it really doesn't bother me at all...



    Hope your day goes well!!



    Galsal,



    Your car new car sounds so nice! I wish we could get another car here.. We already have 3 but, we have 4 drivers so guess who never has a car unless it needs gas??



    DIEP was one of my main motivators to quitting. I had a lumpectomy w/ radiation but, I figured if, God forbid this crap ever comes back I will have a mastectomy(ies) and since implants can be tricky with radiated skin that I woud most likely opt for DIEP (or no) reconstruction. The consult that I had for DIEP before my lumpectomy pretty much said they needed me to be nicotine free for at least 6 weeks prior although they preferred 6 months...



    MinusTwo,



    Lol on the Tampax thing... My Mom was the same way. I had to wear a pad for the longest time... I don't even think they were the stick on kind.. You had a belt... I think the real reason was she didn't want to have to teach me how to use a tampon... Gee thanks Mom...



    And, yes, cigarettes here in NY are at the $10.00/pack mark... It was bad enough money-wise when it was just me that smoked... I don't know how in the heck my brother and SIL afford it!

  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 2,462
    edited March 2012

    Welcome Pickle!!!



    If you've been following along, you know that you have picked a really great time to quit!! This is by far the largest group that we have had all starting out around the same time... That helps alot because everyoone brings a different perspective to quitting based on where they are in the process!!



    As far as getting through the cravings....



    Stay BUSY!! Clean, walk, bike whatever takes your mind off it... I would hop on the treadmill and walk off a bad urge... I think Karen biked her way to California and back on her stationary bike.....



    Drink LOTS of water to help flush out that nicotine... Also, I'm thirsty feels a lot like I need to smoke to your brain...



    Eat lots of small, regular meals... This helps to keep your blood sugar stable... When you smoke nicotine affects your blood sugar level... Takes awhile for your body to figure out how to do it on it's own...



    Rest when you need to.... If the urges are greater at night, turn in early... You can't smoke if you're sleeping!



    There is a post by VJSL8 from Jan 3 (page 206) that describes very well what you may feel the first week and things to try... They are taken from a book that she wrote on smoking cessation. SHe has offered to e-mail a copy to anyone from this thread who asks for free, no strings attached... Just PM her your e-mail... It is also available for purchase on Amazon...



    Welcome Aboard!!!!

  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 70
    edited March 2012

    Thanks Seaside, I just read her info on page 206. Great tips. I'll check out her blog too.

    Beth

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2012

    Welcome Pickle ... it's not easy somedays but it does get better :) I think I am like 18 days now , I am using a patch and try not to wear it during the day ... just at night .. This weekend I will be cutting down from the 21mg to the 14 mg .. I think I have 17 days left with nicotine as the PS wants me to be nicotine free at least 3 weeks prior to surgery April24th .. I think I am calculating correct .. working very hard at this one day at a time sometines one min at a time .. Keeping busy does help...try not to be too idol (too much time to think) 

    Seaside . oh yes the nicotine smell is strong as ever .. I can smell it on anyone that smokes . Cant believe I walked around smelling that way ewwwwwwww... but the other smells not yet ... love lilacs ...and yeah saving $$$ 10 bucks a day sometimes$$20 if it was a bad day is awsome .. and the cigs are gonna increase more and more .

    Galsal, forgot to say CONGRATS  on ur new ride ... hope it smells clean .. :)   I have cleaned my car out 3 times already trying to get that cig smell out :( last night someone told me to cut an apple and leave overnight as t would absorb the smell .. not too much but its getting there :)

    Jo I miss u .. xoxo HUGS my friend ..Hugs to Karen too .. and everyone else I may have missed

    Just For Today I will Not Smoke xoxoxoxo 

  • Karina
    Karina Member Posts: 76
    edited March 2012

    Hi everyone !! Day 4 smoke free for me. Quite manageable today, but I have noticed my hot flashes are more intense and frequent, since I have stopped smoking. Although, am not too disturbed with that and it is still tolerable. I haven't craved for one too much today and it seems easier than yesterday. Feels great for now, so please, please, let me stay quit !!!!!! 

    Well done lisamarie and welcome pickle !!!!! Keep smoke free everyone!!!!! 

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited March 2012
    Karina congrats ... keep up good work ..Cool cold turkey has to take amazing strength ...   :_
  • Karina
    Karina Member Posts: 76
    edited March 2012

    Lisa, years ago in UK I tried to quit with patches and guess what? I ended up with  the patch on my arm AND a cig !!! How is that for quitting !! So one thing may not work for the other. I am glad they are helping you. Keep going. This thread is a real life saver, isn't it? So many amazing women always there to help and encourage. 

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545
    edited March 2012

    Just popping in to say hi!  

    Welcome Pickle - Lots of great support and encouragement here - come often and post even if it is to has hi!

    Lisamarie - Miss you too!  I have been so busy lately.

    Karina - Way to go.  You will make it this time.

    Seaside, Karen and anyone else I may have missed - hope everyone is having a great smoke free day.

    Before I leave, everyone give yourself a great big hug!!!  We are all doing great. 

  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited March 2012

    Just lost my whole post!!  I had everyone included too, so will have to make this brief - hi to all the veteran butt kickers, Seaside, you must take notes to keep all this crew straight, we have a huge group, it is exciting to hear from all and to hear so many successful efforts.  Really a strong bunch of women.  Hi lisamarie, Karina and galsal, keep on keeping on - you are all doing so well. should be really proud of yourselves!!!  Welcome Pickle, you picked a great time to join us.  Hi o2b, haven't seen you around but I know you're out there watching over us, miss your smiling picture.  hugs to all Karen

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545
    edited March 2012
    It is 8 months smoke free TODAY!  OMG!  Neve thought I would make it this far. 
  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 2,037
    edited March 2012

    YEAH JO, you made it with pure guts and determination surrounded by smokers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I can't do pictures so just picture a tray full of my favorite chocolate martinis just for you, be careful, they don't taste like liquor but they are strong.  Along with the drinks come an even dozen lovely servers especially that one who is dipped in chocolate, can you tell I'm a chocoholic?   YOU DID IT JO.  tons of hugs, Karen

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