Stop Smoking Support Thread
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Bosom , welcome back .. I am still doing the same thing.. smoking as well. I am going to ask one more time for the chantix when I return from vegas. The Chantix seems to be the one magical thing that helps me to stop. I don't know but I do not want to smoke when I am on that pill. I will however as for the full 3 months of medication this time rather than 2 months . I think then I will have it made . I sure do hope anyway.
I hope everyone is having a safe labor day weekend ... it looks like rain here today . I wanted to go to the pow wow. I love the pow wow. There are so many changes for me when I return. I am going to get another job, I got a car . BF said it will be all set and on the road when I come back . And of course go to the doctor for my follow up and get my chantix.. and finalize my bankruptcy in court. I feel like this change offers me better days ahead .
Judi enjoy houston ....Hope all is good Minus and April and Vj...xoxooxox
Lisamarie
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Morning everyone! Beautiful day today and I'm going golfing then to the Goulash House for some fine fare. Couldn't get better then that. Bosum and LisaMarie .... you will get there one day. Instead of thinking how you will quit or what you will use, etc., etc., just think about you and what it means to you. I wonder if we spend more energy thinking of how we will quit then actually trying or doing it. I know I did and many times over and over it didn't work. You ladies would laugh at all my times that I tried .... yikes, all that energy I spent. Ladies, I agree with MinusTwo .... never beat yourself up - it will click one day for you. Funny, I thought I was one of the last smokers on earth and a "very bad person" for smoking because that's what all the literature says, yet when I was in New York I saw so many smokers I couldn't believe it. I had a flash back and thought "lucky bastards" then when I really looked and saw the women smoking on the corner, I thought I can't go back to that. See, if never leaves you but you think twice about it. It's the older people that I really looked at and thought "can't do it" - I was actually looking for me in there. Ladies, enjoy what you have and never, ever, beat yourself up. You are both beautiful people. Bosum, I did the laser therapy that they were promoting that day - funny have never seen the commercial for it again. In all honesty, I think talking to a professional about the best way to quit may be the answer. I spent $300 and wanted to smoke as soon as I walked out - only lasted 3 weeks and back to smoking. It was only the "C" word that made me quit because I wanted the surgery no matter what. Everyone is different and what works for some may not work for the other. Keep at it!
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Bosum - We'll all be thinking of you.
Judi - I got the feeling that Houston is down the road & not planned. Do you have a date? I for sure will want to come meet you. Funny about your thinking how lucky those folks smoking on the corner were & then doing a double take. I went to a friends yesterday for drinks & snacks and set my purse on her counter right next to her cigarettes & lighter. What a jolt. For just a minute I wanted to pick them up and run outside. But they were Parliments & not my brand. HaHa - actually the brand comment is a bit of a joke. The urge passed immediately but it was interesting to note it did flit through my mind.
LisaMarie - so glad you seem to be recovering quickly. You need to be in top shape for the big trip.
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Bosum .... you go girl .... we are all right beside you through thick and thin .... never worry or give it a second thought how you are going to do it .... it will click for you. MinusTwo, you are so right about Houston down the road .... I'm retiring the end of January, 2015, and I'm thinking of February/March for some rest and sun. Definitely will meet up. Funny story about the smokes .... I too looked at someone's smokes recently and thought, too bad there not my brand. See Bosum, your always thinking or looking at smokes. We are no different other then we've passed that crazy, hard stretch to get to the other side. We think but don't act. You too will be there .... when you are ready! Other then that, we are always with you!
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Hello Ladies , Happy Monday ....well at 4 am I am off of the big plane in the sky to see my mom.... yippeeeee... I am so excited with so much to get done and I sit here laughing and reading with all of you while enjoying a cup or two of coffee.... As for the brand I am the worst .. I smoke Marlboro Reds ... as they say Cowboy killers... OMG ... I have laundry to do , cleaning to gett done .. along with packing my bags ...and the feeling is now hitting me on how much I will miss my BF and all my furry friends ... 5 of them to be exact . I have 1 rotwiler , 1 mut, 1 pomeranian... and 2 cats ... I will miss all the kisses ... and playful time .. but I am just sooo excited about Mom.... I am gonna just spend every minute of every day .. ok enough of the sappy shit .. I do have my plan ... At my checkup from this surgery I am going to beg for the 3 months of chantix ... If I get it I am starting and it and NEVER looking back ... it took me a long time to get here . I must do this for me ... my health ... for ME ... as said before I did it for everyone but me ... MY C, My Mom, My kids, My grandkids .. well you all get it ... Now it's Time to do it for ME ..... I will try to check in while in Vegas .... until then .. remember I love you all ....
Bosom .... we will get to where we need to be ... just never stop trying ... at lest that is what I keep telling myself ... I will not stop trying until I get it right ... xoxoxooxo
Lisamarie
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LisaMarie .... you are so funny .... I can't believe you hadn't packed yet .... crazy and wild girl! I pack a week before I go so I don't forget anything. I am so proud of you .... enjoy your time with your mom and do everything you need to do. It sounds like you got your shit together and ready for the big quit ... I think you'll make it! Enjoy your holiday!
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Bosum ... you are damm funny too! Car just steered into a mini mart - at first I truly thought you were in an accident and then realized you were doing the smoke run. Remember 5 hours is better then none - think of how many smokes you would have had in those 5 hours. I know I would have had at least 1/2 pack if not more if I had a coffee or a drink. I don't know where you live but maybe check the American Cancer Society to see if they are giving out freebies. I know up here we have "Weedless Wednesday" once a year and the Canadian Cancer Society was supplying the gum "free of charge". There must be some support groups via the hospital or the Cancer ward of your local hospital or the one you visit. Remember, one step at a time! Don't worry so much!
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Bosum - When I was working on giving them up I spent nights when I was pacing & wanting a smoke reading a number of blogs such as 'diary of a quitter' and 'whyquit'. They helped get me through many nights
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Bosum, really? I'm sadden to hear you say that you didn't serve your children well because they grew up in a "smoking home". I grew up in a nonsmoking home but all 5 of us kids smoked. And then, 3 out of 5 quit and the 4th a few times before "C" got him. Must be a tough night if you are beating yourself up like this. Maybe, you are just not ready. Think about this and if I'm wrong, then try MinusTwo's trick.
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Bosum - Try roasted sunflower seeds in the shell. One hand/arm movement up to pop into the mouth - arm down. Crack. Another hand/arm movement up to take out the shell - arm down. Chew. They worked better for me than things like carrots.
Funny how times change. Just a bit of history. When I was pregnant in 1970 my OB/Gyn told me NOT to quit smoking then, that it was not a good time to be stressed out or gain more weight. I didn't quit until my son was 37, and I smoked in the house & the car. But not his house or car when he grew up.
Of course we never heard of bike helmets, or seat belts for that matter, and rode in the back of pick up trucks and roller skated on cracked sidewalks w/metal skates that fell off our shoes and ate hot dogs w/red dye #7 and drank water from mountain streams and...
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Hey Bosum - If I remember correctly laser is your "bucket list" treatment once you've quit. So go back to the sunflower seeds if it helps. The sooner you quit smoking (like for a year) the sooner you can laser away the wrinkles.
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Of course we never heard of bike helmets, or seat belts for that matter, and rode in the back of pick up trucks and roller skated on cracked sidewalks w/metal skates that fell off our shoes and ate hot dogs w/red dye #7 and drank water from mountain streams and..."
...and our Moms thawed hamburger out on the counter and we drank water from the garden hose and we never carried any "Purell" around anywhere..was not invented. But, my Mom did convince me I could get pregnant from kissing a boy in a swimming pool...LOL I wonder where in the world she got that one from..probably worried about the flimsy bathing suits being that close to one another would cause a lot of steam. HA!
Bosum, when you are ready, you will know it. I swear, it comes on very suddenly. At least for me it did. BC scared me enough I guess. But, for you, it will have to be another lightbulb moment but it will come! xo
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April - I thought you could get pregnant from toilet seats. LOL. And remember that container for bacon drippings that lived on the back of the stove and was re-used for ever.
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Ha, ha girls. Got you beat .... eat watermelon seeds and you get pregnant ..... big watermelon = big belly. Bosum, I'm just trying something out for the wrinkles. Easy and cheap on the pocket book .... got it from Women's Daily. I have to give it a month but I'll let you know. MinusTwo .... did all of those things too .... amazing that it all happened. But you know what .... my sister and I were looking for the roller blades that you put on over your shoes and then used a key to tighten. Can't find those babies anymore!
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Just imagine LisaMarie dancing through the streets under all those bright lights out in Vegas!!
I went to lunch today with an old friend who still smokes & we sat outside through 3 cigarettes after we ate. Great to see her. Her husband is slowly dying of COPD. Just for today I will not smoke.
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all of you ladies CAN quit - i was a smoker for over 15 yrs - loved to smoke when woke up and had my coffee and in the car with sunroof open and music on and at the bars and parties and at home at night - i decided ENOUGH - when i had a frozen shoulder, torn rotator cuff and wasn't able to use my right arm for about a year - and couldn't work and got very depressed - I realized when I was not able to go out and was not in my own apartment anymore - that to try to HIDE smoking from my family was just too difficult & I didn't have the $$$ to be buying them really either - but what I did do was slowly WEAN myself down from having been up to maybe 4 packs week or 5 at one point,,, just basically cutting down gradually - over maybe 4 months - and then getting to point of having half one in am and maybe 2 at night and finally got to point where was so DONE with them - i did wind up drinking more black coffee, more diet pepsi, more gum chewing,,,, i obviously find it hard to sit still - realized I did have social anxiety and bad anxiety overall, and the smoking helped me with that - gave me a reason also to go outside when at a bar to have a smoke and get air and not be surrounded by so much chaos inside,,, anyways - what I did need to do was hold something in my hand - i used to hold a few qtips (LOL - seriously) just to have something in my left hand that stabilized my shoulder,,, then I would hold a small rock from beach or a flat stick - i swear I was so used to always working or using my hands and being busy that i missed having the cig in my hand so I had to find something else,,, once I went a couple weeks no smoking I knew I made it,,, I knew also that they were killing me - i was smoking in search of the dopamine released in body when you smoke,,,, they say wellbutrin 75mg is great add on to a lexapro or zoloft as th ewellbutrin releases dopamine (the happy neurotransmitter) and wellbutrin was supposed to be good for quiting smoking - before chantix came out,,, i am not a DR - but asking your DRs about that could help you cope during the period when first quit,,, i don't know if any interactions with SERMS or AIs though,,, and sewing, knitting, writing (journaling), playing cards - all those things help vs sitting doing nothing, take the pet out for air - you may still crave going outside - to get air but instead - try weeding or raking leaves or plant flowers and water them - get hobbies like bird watching and feed the birds,,,, I can not even imagine myself smoking now - no desire to what so ever!!! the smell of them now is awful to me, i quit 7 yrs ago - that was such a difficult time in my life but the result of quitting was a blessing, say to yourself - the hundreds $$$ spending on that stuff is just really eroding your immune system - making you prone to slow healing, prone to infections, bronchitis, colds, etc... do yourself a huge favor and QUIT - and chant "I can, I will & I want to QUIT" I can i will and i want to not smoke, talk yourself into quiting - that will be a wonderful gift you can give yourself and how proud you can be when you have kicked the habit,,,, it feels great to not crave that - good luck to you all - i know you can do this,,
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Amen sparkle! Welcome! Many of us have quit but are here cheering on those who are still struggling because we all know that just one would lead to all of us being smokers again so we support our sisters and we come here to remind us that we are NEVER free from cigarettes. Please join us in helping those who are struggling. Excellent advice already in your post!
LisaMarie, enjoy VEGAS! I love it there and am very jealous right now. Hugs!
Ahhh, yes, the mosquito trucks! HA! Who knows if they caused our BC????
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Just something to think about when you are with friends who still smoke----None of us want to be that nasty holy-than-thou former smoker who shames their smoking friends but do you 1. want to be around secondhand smoke? 2. Enable your friend in their addiction?
1. Secondhand smoke is a carcinogen. Instead of saying to a friend--"you can't smoke around me." Say- "I've had cancer and my doctor has told me not avoid 2nd smoke as much as possible, it is best for my health. I'm not telling you to not smoke, only that I can't be around it. When she lights up--excuse yourself and wait until she is through and then come back. You don't need to say anything else.
2. Enabling addiction--if your friend was shooting heroin would you stay around them and enable them to continue to use heroin? Heroin is less likely to kill your friend than smoking. Most smokers if they are really honest - do want to quit. In the Stages of Change--the first step is not-wanting to quit, one of the psychological interventions is-- social liberation---making their behavior a problem for THEM. People say you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. I feel it is my duty to make that horse AWARE of his thirst and then remove all obstacles between him and the water. In other words, smokers won't quit until smoking is a problem for THEM. Every little thing that makes it more inconvenience for them to smoke, is another little irritation that changes their thinking from "I don't want to quit, to - maybe I should think about quitting."
Three examples: 1. A girlfriend of mine wanted her husband to quit smoking. He could only smoke outside and so they spent a lot of time on the patio so he could smoke. My recommendation to her was to stop sitting out there when he smoked. She didn't need to say anything but by staying out there while he smoked was condoning his behavior--he had no reason to change--he could smoke AND enjoy her company. If she stopped going out there he was not getting the reinforcement (of her company) that he wanted. He started smoking less and finally did quit.
2. A girlfriend of mine, who smoked, came to visit (she lived in another state). I told her that she couldn't smoke inside my house but could go outside. First time she went out, she left the glass door open and was still talking to me as she lit up. I came over and closed the door and remained inside. I said I didn't want the smoke smell coming into my house. Years later she told me that the action of closing the door on her--caused her to smoke less cigarettes and less of each cigarette. She also thought about her behavior. I don't know if she ever quit since we lost contact over the years.
3. I used to run a singles club (Sizzling Singles--another story but a whole lot of fun). We would meet in bars when you could still smoke in bars. Often smokers would come up to me with a lit cigarette to ask me a question. I would immediately stop them and say--"Just a minute I'll be right back." I would either go to the bathroom, to the bar to get some water or some other excuse. Once their cigarette was out, I would go back to them and say either, "I'm a former smoker and I find I am so tempted to bum a smoke that I just can't be around a lit cigarette" or "I'm a cancer survivor and my doctor has told me to avoid 2nd hand smoke as much as possible". Sometimes I used both answers. No one was ever offended but sympathized with me and often said they wished they could quit too.
In each case, no one told the smoker to not smoke, no one was "shamed" about their smoking but boundary lines were set by either blaming your doctor or yourself that you can't be around smoke, making it your problem, not shaming them that they have a problem. But in a subtle way the smoker is given a problem--"I can't smoke and be around my friend". You have just started making that horse be aware that maybe they are thirsty.
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VJ - your examples make perfect sense. Only problem w/me was whenever anyone gave me the least bit of feedback (not even hassle), it made me more determined to do that the hell I wanted. While I wasn't rude & didn't smoke around people that it bothered, I eventually drifted away from friends who tried to influence me. I know - dumb but it was me. This very issue drove a wedge between me and my parents that lasted for 40 years - even though they never saw me smoke. They just couldn't quit "picking".
And another bad thing about me is that I actually like the smell of second hand smoke off & on. It doesn't make me want to start again, just a pleasant reminder - but only when we're outside. Of course you're right, 2nd had smoke is bad, but... No one smokes in my house or my car - or when I'm with them in an enclosed place like their car.
I do like the story about your friend not going out to join her husband on the patio when he's smoking. I have a friend who quit for 6 months but her DH kept making her feel guilty if she didn't sit w/him & calling her to buy him smokes on her way home, etc. and eventually she started again. Unfortunately alcohol involved too. I will copy your paragraph and forward to her. It's actually the husband who was my friend first and I've told him what an a** he is for not supporting his wife.
And a singles club!!! What a hoot. You'll have to share some of the fun stories.
So ladies - do what VJ says and don't follow my bad ways.
JUST FOR TODAY & WILL NOT SMOKE.
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MinusTwo--It is a very subtle line when talking to smokers when you are a former smoker. I think because I smoked after I had cancer the first time and so many people (even other smokers) picked on me that when I speak to smokers I am very diligent not to shame, blame or nag (or pick). Now I've been doing it so long, I know that it's often not what you say but how you say it--I always make it my problem.
Sizzling Singles --Originally there were 4 single friends, this was a long time before internet dating, when there was a dating column in the newspaper. So we four put in one ad saying we wanted to meet four guys, so it wouldn't be one on one but we each would be able to meet 4 guys at a time. The newspaper lost our ad etc, In the mean time we had started telling friends and they all said what a great idea, if one of you can't make, count me in. The delay in the ad took so long (something like 2 months) that we started telling people they could come but they had to bring a member of the opposite sex with them and it had to be someone they would set up a friend with on a date and age appropriate. Our first "party" 36 people showed up, half girls and half guys--it was a blast. Someone asked when we were going to have our next event and that was the start of the Sizzling Singles (Sizzling because we live in the desert where it gets up to 120 in the summer sometimes). We had a "party" each month at a different bar, got the bar to give us free food. At each event we played a game to get people to mingle (for one we handed out Old maid cards and you had to find your match (guys got one of a set, girls got the other, no one got the old maid card). Soon there was a bunch of regulars and my friend and I controlled the mailing list, so if you came to one of our parties and we didn't like you (or were too old), you weren't invited back. The desert is a retirement community and we wanted to only have people in our age range from about 30 to 45. Our largest event was 98 people at the bar at the Desert Springs Marriott Hotel.
In the end it got to be too much work for my friend and I, we were too busy organizing things and making sure everyone else had a good time that we weren't meeting any guys which is the only reason we started it, so we ended it after 14 parties. We did have about 3 or 4 marriages.
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VJ - great adventures but I can see how it became a "job" instead of fun. Thanks for sharing.
Everyone's so quiet. Judi - I'd love to hear more about your NYC adventures. Sparkle - not sure I added a welcome but thanks for sharing. Bosum - they're spraying our neighborhoods nightly now for West Nile mosquitoes. April always good to see you. Beckers - where are you? Seems like LisaMarie should be back soon & we can hear about her travels.
Tomorrow - opps it's today already - I go for my one year check w/BS from ALND. And the end of this month is my last Herceptin. Almost there.
Can't start smoking again now since I plan to do some traveling to make up the last 2 years of treatment and you know about those darn airports. Nothing was worse than getting off a 4 or 6 hour flight and having to rush outside the airport for a smoke before even getting the luggage. And they just posted our City Parks as 'no smoking' area. Wonder how they're going to police that?
Just For Today I Will Not Smoke!!
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Hi Ladies ....I am back ... wow time flew by , If only one more day with mom... we had a blast we went to bingo everyday then played the slots for a bit ... It was 103 almost every day ... I called the doc because I just had the surgery and was a week out and was told ya know no swimming and everything else for 2 weeks ... but he called back and let me swim .. Mom has a beautiful pool so I was in everyday as well. I go to my follow up appointment at 1pm today .. I am going to beg him for chantix .... seeing my mom on oxygen and smoking was horrifying and the weight loss on her as well. I did however go to a meeting for her BF disease he has COPD as well .. but he has a rare disease called Pulmonary Hypertension on top of it . A doctor spoke on this . he is on Oxygen 24 7 and is in stage 4 of this disease .. He cannot walk far .. he also mumbles different words . its like a whole different language he calles it babbling .. I guess he cant breather so these sounds come out ... it's so sad .. but the meeting is a support group for people who have the disease . and it was very imformative the youngest member was 13 . I felt so bad for her .
I did however get to the strip one evening with my niece whom was also visiting . we rode the rollercoaster at NY NY and we watched the dancing waters at the bellagio and we watched the volcano at the mirage .. it was nice .. here is a photo of mom and I at the Bingo hall at the gold coast casino.. xoxoxoxox love you all...
Oh yeah bosom , I am also unemployed and I know all too well the stress of the situation .. hang in there with me .. together we can do this .. lots of hugs ..
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LisaMarie - welcome back & thanks for sharing your trip stories. How fun to see you & your Mom. Good luck w/the doc.
Bosum - I don't think Wellbutrin & Chantix work the same but I may be incorrect. I do know they are both prescribed for quitting. Two things below from the www:
>>They are two totally different drugs.
>>Chantix is available by prescription only. It is different from other products on the market because it works to specifically stop nicotine addiction in the brain.
Like other products, though, counseling or some form of support is
recommended in addition to taking this medication. Any drug regardless
of how good it is will produce some withdrawal symptoms and this is
where support from friends, family and co-workers comes in. find a
support group before you start taking the drug and watch out for any
side effects.>>Wellbutrin is a prescription medication licensed for
several uses, including treating depression, treating seasonal
affective disorder, and helping with smoking cessation. However, not all
forms of the medicine are approved for smoking cessation.And here's a link from January 2014 that discusses taking both at the same time. Hmmm, I find this surprising considering the side effect issues. You may have to cut & paste since I can never figure out how to make an active link.
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Hi Bosom, I was on wellbutrin and it did not help me , but everyone is different . The chantix however to me is a mirical drug . it really works and helps you . I have taken it before . the key for me is once the rx is over to continue to not smoke . that is the rough spot for me . If I take one puff im done .. So I am really putting my head together on this one ... The doc wrote me the Rx , I pick it up today and start tomorrow first thing ... The first week you smoke after that you don't ... SOOO Ladies here goes another try .... I am praying it works .
As for the unemployment the boss I had sent me an email yesterday telling me she will not approve the unemployment .. what a big kick in the Ass.. but I am going to appeal it and she will need to show up in court and with my medical records in hand she will loose . it all takes time .... I should win because having cancer and loosing your job is not a good cause .. so my fingers are crossed....
I hope you all enjoy the photo of mom and I .... Oh yes my pathology came back great he got everything and no more worries as of now .. he said I can return to all my activities ..Doing the happy dance .... just another reason to stop smoking this is my 3rd time with the big C and seems each time I am beating this sooo I need to learn to get healthy ...
Like I said tomorrow is day 1 on chantix again for me .... xoxoxoxoxox
Love you all so much ....
Im fighting the fight one step at a time ...
Lisamarie
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Both Bupropion and Chantix work on the brain but they work in different ways. Chantix stops the pleasure from smoking. Bupropion works by helping with the negative effects of withdrawals and helps avoid weight gain. Both do not contain nicotine. So you are both right, they are similar in that they both work on the brain and don't contain nicotine yet they are different because they work on different parts of the brain.
Professional Disclaimer: Both have FDA black-box warning labels. So if taking either one, ask those you see all the time to watch you for weird behaviors. Having said that--I find it interesting that bupropion as wellbutrin was used as an anti-depressant for for over 20 years with no black-box warning and then when it is sold as Zyban for smoking cessation--all of a sudden it gets a black-box warning. There is speculation that the symptoms from the black box warning might be a cluster of different issues coming together rather than just the medication. (ie--smokers are at a higher risk of suicide than non-smokers, more people with mental illnesses--smoke, people with mental illnesses commit suicide more often, people with mental illnesses with a propensity towards suicide and add nicotine withdrawal on top of it and take away their main form of coping. That being said, there are probably people without a mental illness who will react badly to either bupropion or chantix, just like some people react badly to any medication).
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Thanks for the info VJ.
LisaMarie - YOU GO GIRL!!! Maybe the boyfriend would consider smoking outside only this time?
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10 months and still no desire. I can't believe I've done this without gums, chews, patches, nothing! I think this is it for good and forever! The best thing to ever come out of my BC.
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jajjaaj - Good for you. Fantastic accomplishment.
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LisaMarie - thinking of you.
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Hello everyone,
Haven't been here in a while. I have, however, stayed smoke-free. I'll be celebrating my 1st year anniversary on September 29th. It feels good. To the ladies who are still trying, please don't despair. You will be able to quit. I was a smoker for 40+ years and after having gone to see a pulmonologist because I was coughing so much and after a CT scan, they had found 4 nodules on my lungs. I decided right then and there that I was going to quit (for me unfortunately, fear was my motivation to quit - luckily it looks like these nodules are benign). I got a prescription for CHAMPEX (Canadian) and joined a stop smoking program. The support group and the medication did the trick - although I had to renew my prescription of CHAMPEX. In all, I took CHAMPEX for 5 months and as I said, it did the trick. I know it is hard to start the process of quitting, but if you really want to quit and are enthused about getting the process going - you will be able to quit. Please don't be discouraged if you don't succeed the first time. I read somewhere that it takes a smoker up to 5 times of trying to quit to finally succeed. The group of ladies here are very supportive and helpful.
Good luck.
Carmen
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