Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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Lismarie, hope your day was better then the others. May the wind always be at your back.
Where is Karen and the others ...... we need their insights as well!
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Who said $50 a carton? I thought smokes in New York were supposed to be up to $10.00 a pack. Oh well - that's the price I'll continue to use when I look at sweaters & purses & shoesn etc. "Gee - those shoes only cost 5 packs" LOL.
LisaMarie - sorry about the bad date night. I had to give up drinking for several months because I couldn't drink w/o wanting to smoke. I'm back to drinking but what a trip to go into some of my old bars that were saturated with years of smoke. That's the only time the smell really bothered me. Hmmm - that bottle of wine I want doesn't even cost a pack !! I love this barter system.
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Hope you feel better soon Judi. Thanks for sharing your crazy drunk blind date story with us. That was tragic for sure. I think we 've all had one for sure. Where is the rest of the gang? Better track Karen down.
Hope you are feeling better about things Lisamarie. Check in with us.
Hope you made it through day 2 April!!
MinusTwo - the bars and the casino! Ugh...I hate the way my clothes and hair smell. I'm starting to wonder if I'm actually allergic to cigarette smoke. It messes my sinuses up!!
Hi Galsal!0 -
Hi all, sorry about being MIA, but found the need to distance myself from bc.org and move on with my life. The group who supported me gradually moved on and I found myself needing to do the same, as others took a leadership role on this thread. I am involved in my own local group of bc survivors but only as a growing our friendships after bc. I have become busy in my community on several levels. I check this thread now and then and you are doing a great job of helping each other, I wish you continued success in defying the tiny white cylinder we call cigarettes. Hope you understand. Karen
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"Poof" there she is. Good to hear from you Karen. Hope you do pop in to say Hi. Don't forget us. You are awesome. Best wishes.
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Hi girls, thanks so much for the continued support . The date ugh ! that was a match.com date . My membership ended yesterday so I wont be going on anymore of those . I think I need to stop worrying about being alone and focus on myself . If I am supposed to be with someone I guess that will come with time . I think it's just so hard most times to be alone . I find myself just not wanting to do a darn thing . maybe it's winter time . I dont know what to do since its so cold out . maybe spring when I can go back to my bosses daughters organic farm and voulenteer my time , and then of course the beach walks. and possibly buy a bike this year. (got cabin fever ) I have my daughter here she lives an hour away , I get to see her 2 times a month when I babysit .. I have a couple girlfriends but one just had a baby and we dont spend as much time , the other one has a family and we too dont find much time .. I am off work now for 2 days these are the days I wanna cry and feel most lonley . I do private duty nursing so its not like I can meet others really at work ..
Cigarettes here on Long Island in NY are ranging between $11 and $10 a pack crazy as it is . I am thinking of the E cig . I saw a commercial for one called Blue , I see it in store now . I may buy it . whatever helps I guess. My youngest daughter wants to do some 5k mud run in October .. with obsticals , she is in NC . I guess I would need to start training now , Id never make it .. omg shut me up .. I am rambling .. well I have an appointment at 10 am at the cancer center .. so I hope you ladies have a great day .. I am trying ..
Hugs
Lisamarie
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P.s Beckers , I love the picture .. beautiful Smile ...
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Good to hear from you Lisa! Thank you for compliment. Finally got pic up. I'm sure you have cabin fever. When time changes it will help us all with more daylight I think. I'm thinking of doing home health too and I worry about the lonely factor. :-( Hope you get through these two days ok. I always yearn to go back to the hospital where I used to work full time because I miss my friends. I have been so isolated this past year and now I'm going back to work next week. Yikes! I hadn't even paid much attention and thought maybe I should try on my bras last night. Dang! He made my toobs (tummy boobs) too big!! I don't have a bra and I don't have $$. Ha! Been in my sports bra, tshirts and sweats for almost a year. Ugh! Don't know how I got sidetracked. Anyways....check in with us ok. Do get ecig. Helped me a bunch! Can't believe the price of smokes there!!! Still glad I quit! :-)
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Hello all! Haven't checked in here for several months but still see some familiar names. It is frustrating for me to have to report that indeed I am still smoking.... I do not understand why I can't do this. I have everything to gain from quitting but still, after all this time, cannot seem to do it. I get so manic at just the thought of it. I cry every single day about this. I have conversations with myself that include things like, "If you're going to be miserable smoking, you may as well be miserable NOT smoking." Or, "Just think of how much better your self-esteem & confidence will be if you are smoke free" but no matter what I do, I just cannot get to day 1. I am disgusted with myself for putting off required breast surgery so long, for forfeiting estrogen replacement my body so desperately needs, among a million other things. I have the benefits/consequences list, I read it every day. I want this nightmare to end, it is ruining my life. I am starting to feel I will never be able to do this and will just go down as another statistic. I lie in bed crying every day and think, "I do NOT want to smoke anymore and I will prove to myself I can do this by just getting to work before I have my first cigarette." But as soon as I get out of bed my chest feels like there are bricks on it from the anxiety and if not for the immediate cigarette, I would not make it to work. I am hoping someone has a suggestion for getting through not just Day one, but even the morning, the first hour, the first minutes. I am really scared and depressed...
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Lisa, I thought I was going to be a statistic. I smoked after diagnosis. I never thought I would quit. I won't lie, day one sucks. It was hard. I cried as I smoked my last cig at 2:30 am. that day. Time went by slowly at first. It was hours at a time, then days, then weeks. I wanted to stay quit because I wanted reconstruction. I managed to stay quit and had recon after 9 1/2 weeks. I've never cheated because I know better. We all do. Leads us back to smoking in no time. The patch did take the edge off. And the ecigs gave me something to smoke in the beginning. Helped me tremendously!! I still carry a no nicotine ecig in purse but haven't used it in months. Set your date and tough it out no matter how rough it gets. The sooner you get through the roughest part the more comfortable you will feel in your skin again. I stay quit for so many reasons now. I don't want to smoke. I wish you the best. Stay close, even if you haven't stopped yet. ((hugs))
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Lisa , I am here with you always
big hugs love ... We can do this .. can you see that .. it is not I can do this it is WE can do it ... Beckers ... I love love love the way you just say all the right stuff .. ty for your loving caring support.. always
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((Big group hug!!!))
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Why can't I do this???? I have CANCER for Pete's sake and I still had a few cigarettes today. I took that patch off in the car and lit that cigarette and enjoyed every single puff. YIKES! What is wrong with me? I keep starting over every single day. I can't seem to stop this madness. I consider myself a strong person but I am powerless over smoking. Ugh!
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Hi Karen. I hear you about distancing yourself from the site .... I have gradually done it as well. Actually, I found that I don't have to many people that I connected with on my Canadian site, and others too have moved on. I like this site because I'm one of them. I smoked, still sometimes think of smoking, and connect with those in the midst of trying to quit. Lisa65inNY, it will work for you when you are ready to quit. Trust me, we have all been there and have every reason in the book not to smoke. I found once when I quit and returned, I was hiding so people wouldn't see me. Now really, I'm 57 and can't face people. I've learned that while my bc diagnosis made it my reason to quit, if I hadn't been diagnosed, I would still be smoking. So, don't beat yourself up, you will succeed.
Lisamarie, hi! Hope all is well and enjoy your days!
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Lisamarie and Beckers, thank you SO MUCH! Talking to others who have walked this road is so hepful and encouraging!!! One thing is for sure - not ONE person here regrets becoming smoke free! I really like the idea of the patch and e-cig combo! I only tried the 21mg patch once in my life and it was very helpful. But then I tore it off after about 10 hours to have the "real thing"... Those nicotine demons are really obnoxious and evil. However, it might help to have the e-cig and then gradually taper down to zero nicotine. Thank you for making me feel a little less of a loser...still hating myself but grateful for your kind words! Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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April, hang in there. Like I said don't stay away because you haven't quit yet. I used to say if I ever quit smoking, you'll know there's a God because I cant do it. We do have cancer. We are living it now. It's not just a creepy TV commercial. But, I know I smoked my whole adult life. What was I supposed to do with myself???!! I toughed out the times that in the past would have made me start again. It somehow empowered me. I don't know, it's hard to explain. Stay close. Gotta keep this thread going. I know there are more smokers who are crying every day, or who quit trying because they've lost their confidence that they could even quit. That was me. Hang in there ladies!!!
Hope you are feelin better Judi!!0 -
You are welcome Lisa65. You are not a loser....now way!!!! We have all been in your shoes for sure. Cheer up!
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I too carry an e-cig in my purse but haven't used it in many months. The best thing you can do for yourself is to give YOU permission to have some bad days. As Scarlett O'Hara said, "After all, tomorrow is another day". May be an e-cg and a patch is the plan for you.
It's hard - have heard some bits on the radio that quitting smoking is harder than giving up cocaine or heroin. Who would EVER have thought amongst us? Not me!
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I hear you Galsal. I also heard that quitting smoker is harder then giving up cocaine or heroin. I just can't imagine it but smoking was acceptable for so long. I like your Scarlett O'Hara quote .... ain't that the truth!
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Amen sistas!!!
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I say Amen to scarlet too.. Hey Galsal .. and Judi ... I am buying my e cig tomorrow seems its the only thing I havent tried yet .. Lisa We can do it .. you too April ... WE r in this darn thing together so lets beat this and be happy and free ...:)
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Hi ladies, just wondering what are the side effects of the ecig? I have been trying for months and have gradually cut down to just taking a few puffs a day. I look forward to those few puffs, hate myself for doing every time. I stopped buying cigarettes a log time ago, but I'm married to a smoker, he makes it so much more difficult to quit. I agree the mornings are the hardest. I basically jump out of bed every morning and go straight to work w/o lounging around and thinking about smoking. Wish I can just cross the line.
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I think Galsal and I were quitting around the same time weren't we?this thread was a God send.
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To be honest I am not sure what the SE's are from ecig. I know a person named "Day" that is usually on this thread seems to have more info regarding the ecig. You could search for her. I'm sure she'd be happy to help. Try one tlew. It may be just the thing you need. Sounds like the act of smoking is hard to give up completely. Especially with DH smoking. Mine did too but outside so I could avoid it easier.
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Thanks Becker, my dh does smoke outside of the house, but he leaves his pack of cigarettes just laying around in the house tempting me of course.
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Tlew....tell yourself and picture in your mind that they are infested with maggots! Ha. (did that once when I was trying to lose weight)
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Funny
I wonder how people do it cold turkey. I feel like everyday I'm making a new resolution to quit.0 -
It's probably prolonging the agony....but....I encourage you to get tools to take the edge off. I was impressed with the patch actually. I pushed it to the last possible minute for reconstruction. My PS is no joke and even nicotine tested me before surgery during pre op.
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I'm still here
Ok, I will say again: the regular ecigs (the ones that look like cigarettes) do not help. I had the same issues about not being able to quit. I tried patch, meds, the regular ecigs, it didn't work.
The moment I got a newer model (the "tank" e-cigs) I never put a cigarette in my mouth again. on March 5th will be 8 months.
I buy the parts from a company named AltSmoke and the liquid from a company named Virgin Vapor. Why the difference? AltSmoke has the best prices in parts. Virgin Vapor has e-liquid that is 100% vegetable glycerin (no propylene glycol, which is the ingredient under controversy) and also all the flavorings are organic.
I will put in order the links for the parts that you need to buy. It will be the cost of about 2 cartons of cigarettes and you will recoup the money in about the same time you would have smoked two cartons. After that, the cost will be $20-$30 monthly depending how much you use them.
The type of ecig I'm using is called "eGo" and I use a twist one (that means you can regulate how "hot" your vapor is and how much of it you get).
First, you need batteries. You can chose either smaller batteries or (like me) the 8-hours ones that are longer and bigger. You will need 2 batteries so one can be charging while you are using one.
Small batteries (choose the first option not the 1000 amp)
http://altsmoke.com/accessories/batteries/ego-c-twist-variable-voltage.html
Big batteries (mine is the 1300 amp)
http://altsmoke.com/accessories/batteries/ego-spinner-battery-variable-voltage.html
Then you need at least one tank (I'd suggest you get two just in case)
http://altsmoke.com/accessories/clearomizers/vision-clearomizer-version-3.html
And a separate coil just in case (I never had one give up on me but it can happen, in time)
Then you will need wicks. That is what you will be buying all the time after buying the kit, wicks and e-liquid. I normally buy 10-20 at a time, and use around 3 a month.
http://altsmoke.com/accessories/clearomizers/vision-clearomizer-version-3-replacement-head.html
Then you will need a charger. You will have to get both parts, it doesn't really work to charge on laptops on computers, so you plug the USB in the regular plugin.
http://altsmoke.com/accessories/charger/ego-usb-battery-charger.html
http://altsmoke.com/accessories/charger/ego-c-usb-wall-adapter.html
and that is it.
Then you will need liquid (remember, just wicks and eliquid monthly, and it will be around $20-$30 a month, depending how much you "vape")
As a piece of advice, when you start on these, order in the beginning the highest nicotine content (24 mg) because if you try to use less, you will still want to smoke a cigarette from time to time. You can order less nicotine after the first month.
This is the link for the Virgin Vapor company.
http://www.virginvapor.com/collections/organic-e-liquid
You can try any of those, they are just delicious. They have tobacco flavored as well, but it's been a LOOONG time since I haven't had any tobacco flavored. Right now my favorites are "kona coffee milkshake", "death by chocolate" and "peppermint chill".
As for side effects, if you are using a 100% vegetable glycerin, they are practically none. The one that might give side effects is the propylene glycol, it can give a sore throat. But if you go with Virgin Vapor, you should be just fine. And on top of that, if you chose to get a sweet flavor, not tobacco, it will take care of the sweet cravings as well, those things taste like if you'd actually eat those sweets.
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Oh yes, and once you get used to this and reduce your nicotine, it will be very easy to go for several weeks with 0 nicotine liquid as you're going through surgery and recovery. The nicotine itself is not as harmful for healing as is the smoke from cigarettes.
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