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Stop Smoking Support Thread

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Comments

  • VJSL8
    VJSL8 Member Posts: 486
    edited September 2015

    American Spirit cigarettes actually have a very high level of free-base nicotine. Having no additives is just a marketing gimmick. https://tobaccofreeweld.wordpress.com/2009/04/27/a...

    One of the suggestion in my book is to switch brands of tobacco.....to something you don't like. When you switch brands to something you aren't used to, you usually do smoke less, regardless of which brand you switch to.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,355
    edited September 2015

    labelle - thanks for posting. Who knows what will work for each of us. Congrats on quitting & on the 10 months smoke free. You made it down that hard road. Sounds like your DH quit at the same time? That sure helps.

    VJ - I love the tip about switching brands. Years ago I loved to smoke Kools, but since I went through a pack in 1/2 the time of any others, I never allowed myself to buy them - or for that matter any other menthol smokes. I broke down a time or two when I had a bad respiratory infection. Yeah right...menthol cigarettes are going to fix my cold symptoms. LOL.

    LisaMarie - what a gorgeous daughter. You should be very proud. Sorry you got the crud. I've really had very few colds since I quit smoking, and they don't last long. What will be your duties at the live-in? Nursing care, light housekeeping, meals? Are they located where you can walk to the store & stuff until you get your truck fixed? Will you still be on Long Island?

    Bosum - Loved hearing about last weeks excitement. Looking forward to hearing about your good weekend. The play/musical I saw was cute - about 3 women from different parts of the country who meet on the bus going to Nashville to find their dream & join up as a singing group. Wonderful singing voices, funny story lines.

    My big news is an upcoming cruise with my BFF. Her DH died a year ago after a 4 yr nasty fight w/cancer & I don't want her to sit around alone in October. Not to mention that I had to cancel 4 trips over 3 years w/all my treatment, so I'm due a treat too. Going to Boston to board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship going to Maine & St. John's NB and Halifax NS. It may be early for leaves, but I've always wanted to see the Bay of Fundy. And lobster rolls, here I come.

    Interesting that I didn't travel much w/friends when I smoked since only one of my good friends was a smoker. It was too big of a hassle & impossible to think of sharing hotel rooms, not to mention stopping all the time on the road for me to smoke or racing outside after dinner.

    Just for today I will not smoke!!!

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited September 2015

    MT, sounds like a great cruise. As a Canadian, I've never travelled to the East coast. Costs so much to travel within Canada. Let me know how the East coast is as the "lobster rolls". When are you leaving, i.e., October. You and your BFF will have a great time together. Bon voyage!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,355
    edited September 2015

    Judi - leaving 10/1 so there may not be leaves yet. Not returning until 10/11. Doesn't matter - we'll have a great time.

  • SVGsurvive
    SVGsurvive Member Posts: 35
    edited September 2015

    Hello again. Apologies for going radio silent for 2 weeks after my initial post, especially given all of your thoughtful replies.

    @MinusTwo: I love the tips about cleaning everything pre-quit, and the recent Chantix news re: lack of link w/ heart problems/depression is super enlightening. I'm curious how you managed to cut back daily in your quit. Feels like prolonging the torture and cravings - which is why I lean toward cold turkey. Though it sounds like these were the Chantix instructions?

    @VJSL8: Thanks for link to vids. I'm excited to watch them this week & will reach out to you soon for a copy of your PDF.

    @JudiH: The radiation/lung cancer connection can be found in links like this: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8490833. However, part of me feels like if we did the statistical math on all the risks we need to introduce to ourselves to live happily/healthily we'd lose our minds.

    @april485: I'm curious to learn more about the smoking cessation clinic you attended. Was that 1 time only or a series of sessions? How helpful overall did you find it?

    @lisamarie68: It's inspirational to bear witness to you staying smoke free during the many trials you're enduring. Don't give up!

    @BosumBlues: Sounds like we're in a very similar boat indeed. What was it about Wellbutrin that suits you? I hope you find a solution to the Effexor/Wellbutrin mix.

    @Labelle: Thank you for your quit story. I've been meaning to research the contents of various cigs (assuming companies disclose that as they should) & what non-nicotine addictive bits may be lurking.

    I'm on Day 6 of my 4th & final AC treatment. Good riddance to this sh*t! Taxol is next & I've been told it's more tolerable, so I'm excited to reattempt a quit while stronger mentally/physically. I recently got the news that I'm positive for the PALB2 gene mutation, so I'm anticipating my surgery will be a double-mast. I'm going to turn this into an opportunity to have more fuel for the no-smoking fire. I meet w/ the MD to go over potential Wellbutrin/Chantix/Ativan options later this week. Lastly, I want to look into a buddy system where someone else shares the same quit date I do so we can be held accountable to each other. Anyone know of an easy way to hook that up? Maybe here? Bosum? :)

    I hope everyone has a great week.

    Hug



  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited September 2015

    imageThese two are my granddaughters .. Brianna 5 and isabella 2 .. and my daugter also had a gender reveal a the wedding and its another girl .. so I will have 3 granddaughters and one grandson .

    I wroye a large post and yep it got kicked off .. so Minus I hope you have an amazing trip and see the colors ,,, the only thing is we had a dry summer so maybe we wont have many colors .. Ive never been to boston , or Nh , but maine is breeathtaking enjoy every minute .. xoxooxx

    I will be here in LI he thinks I am in shelter so hopefully all will be good .. he is threatning to kill himself yet again ,, I cannot be subjected to that .. he is a sick person and needs help // I sure do hope the month goes fast and my truck can get fixed and I can get out of here ..anyway I know its not going to let me post another photo so I must add my grandson Connor in as he will be my only boy .. xoxoxoxo

    I love you all so much April Judi Bosom Minus

    xoxoxoxo

    Lisamarie

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited September 2015

    imageTasa here is Connot 10 months old .. oh yeah and the baby that is on the way her name will be Gianna .. xoxoxoxo

    Lisamarie

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited September 2015

    First, photos of your family were all GORGEOUS Lisamarie! Your DD is stunning and the grandbabies are precious! You are doing the right thing for yourself and the month will fly by. Then you will be off to your new life! HUGS and feel better.

    Hi Minus- how exciting to be going on a cruise. I love cruising! Countdown is here cause Oct 1st is around the corner!

    SVGsurvive, it was a series of appointments with a counselor. On my first visit, she had me breathe into a carbon monoxide machine which showed 28ppm (parts per million) and NORMAL is 0-2ppm! That was when I was still smoking. Then I cut back and blew 16ppm so I saw progress. When I quit, one week later it was 1ppm! I was really juiced by that and so it was helping for sure. She had me do exercises and prescribed wellbutrin but I was allergic so I stopped immediately and used an ecig and tips from VJ and from her. She was an APRN by the way and a counselor. It was a free program so I took them up on it. It was 8 sessions and I graduated (tee hee) from the program a non smoker and so that was how I did it. I also used the patch and gum when I needed it as well.

    Enjoy your date Bosum!

    Gotta run cause am at work!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,355
    edited September 2015

    Gorgeous grand babies LisaMarie. Thanks for your update. HUGS.

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited September 2015

    LisaMarie, your grandchildren are precious! Stay strong and keep moving. You are doing the right thing. Don't you just hate when men try this trick to lure women back. Where is the backbone? You are good girl!

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited September 2015

    I finally figured out that I am going to be moving to NC rather than Florida .. My son talked me into it . Thanks so much judi ... it's been hard to not give in and feel bad for him , and I miss my animals so much ,, But I gotta know I am doing the right thing. The live in postion was to start tuesday , now it seems thursday he will get out of hospital . I never did a live in and I am nervous as well as feeling akward but hope all works out for best .. and one of ,y friends agreed to take my truck to her x shop to have it fixed and I will pay as soon as I get paid .. I feel like I am really moving on in the right path but I am scared just the same ... Luckily for me still no desire to smoke or drink .. just an occasional ping where i want a smoke but goes away fast ..I just keep needing to tell myself this is the right thing to do ... I keep praying ..Life is a journey ... I miss my Son so bad it kills me . I have no car and have not been able to go to cemetery and that breaks my heart as well .. but i think he knows I am always thinking of him ... and you ladies are so precious to my life ,, my BFF from all over the globe . I am so excited to know I have you al by my side .. thank you for all you do ..

    xoxoxoxo

    Lisamarie

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,355
    edited September 2015

    LisaMarie - of course you're scared. I'd be petrified. But the wonderful thing is you are moving forward. One day at a time. So glad you agree w/Judi. It's terribly hard to walk away - which is why many women get "stuck". I am just in awe of your strength with everything else going on in your life.

    Hooray about the truck. And I think NC is a great idea. Don't you have two kids in that area?

    You'll be fine with the nursing. Grumpy old men often like to talk & maybe you can make him laugh. Or maybe he'll just want someone to get water & lunch or watch TV w/him.

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited September 2015

    Minus NC is where two of my kids are my daughter that just got married and my son and his wife ad my other granddaughter ,,,

    but still terrified ...im gonna be with both him and his wife , the job was supposed to start tuesday now its not till saturday ...

    Lisamarie

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,355
    edited September 2015

    Hang on girl. This is your lifeboat!!! You raised kids. You can take care of older folks.

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited September 2015

    Oh Minus I know , I have taken care of elderly people all my life . It is my calling .. I am just scared to be live in 24 hours 7 days a week , I kmow its only for a month ... then the rest just scares me .. starting all over again ,,, leaving my life and pets behind .. feeling ike a failure .. oh im just bummed tonight

    lisa marie

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited September 2015

    LisaMarie, you are not, and never will be, a failure. Yuppers, you are scared and just as Mt says, you have every right to be scared. Hell, I get scared all the time. I know you are still grieving and try to move forward but remember, it is one step at a time and one foot forward at a time. I know it is hard to be a live-in but it's basically the same as in a hospital but just in a home. The gentleman just prefers his nursing at home. You'll ace this just like you aced quitting smoking and moving on with your life. Remember, just keep holding your head held high because if anyone, you so deserve this. We have your back so don't worry, we are always here!

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,355
    edited September 2015

    Think about this - if you were still smoking the job would not be available. So hooray that you've stayed clean. Wish I were closer to give you a hug. You are certainly NOT a failure. You just got waylaid & sidetracked by an a$$hole. NO PITY!!! You will so SHINE after that baggage is gone. I know, it still won't be easy, but anyone who can quit smoking can do ANYTHING. Remember how hard that was?? Everything else will seem easier as time goes on.

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited September 2015

    image

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,355
    edited September 2015

    Judi - great post!!!!!

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited September 2015

    LisaMarie, I posted the above for you. I so thought of you when I saw this and I truly believe that this is you!


  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited September 2015

    Thanks MT. This is so LisaMarie, don't you think?

  • lisamarie68
    lisamarie68 Member Posts: 971
    edited September 2015

    oh Judi , I just saw something similar .. thank you that photo makes me feel better . I know that I have been through hell and back ... Ive quit drinking, smoking, I went through the death of my child , leaving the abusive relationship ... there should be a feeling of accomplishment and gratitude yet im feeling down . But you ladies make me feel like everything will be good one day :) I really do ty for all you do ..xoxoxoxo

    Lisamarie xoxooxxoxox

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,355
    edited September 2015

    OK - trying again since I lost the post. I expect most of you remember Gilda Radner. One of our BCO sisters posted this on a different thread. I'm sharing since it's about smoking and I thought we could all use a laugh.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPQFQzSxxR0

    Edited to try to make it live. Sorry, you'll have to cut & paste.

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited September 2015

    Hi All. Up late because my skin is really itchy. Thinking it might be the red wine .... yappers wine with no smokes. Thank God. LisaMarie, hope all is well. Been thinking about you. Thought you might like this.


    image

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,355
    edited September 2015

    Bosum - hope you get rid of the "stuff". Let us know if you need anyone to come kick a$$ and take names. And wow, you started the Wellbutrin again. Does that mean you've made a committment?

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,355
    edited September 2015

    LisaMarie - thinking of you today as you start your new job. Hope the people are kind and the work is easy. One more step.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,355
    edited September 2015

    bosum - thinking about your & will post more later since I'm running late to meet my SIL. Hugs.

  • cbwitt1970
    cbwitt1970 Member Posts: 22
    edited September 2015

    I am 7 days today of being a non smoker! So proud of myself! I have been a smoker for 30+ years. My BMX is scheduled for 9/29. Amazing what you can accomplish when you are scared to death!

  • JudiH
    JudiH Member Posts: 1,168
    edited September 2015

    Welcome cbwitt1970! Sorry you have to join this group but you couldn't have found a better group of people to encourage you, listen to you, cry with you and plain just be there. Yes, 7 days is a great accomplishment! You surgery is coming up fast so good that you got a good start on the quitting ..... wear something with a big pocket as we'll all be there with you. Bosum, hang in there. Don't give up ... talk to your doctor before you decide to go off of it. Yes, you are right about some of us who may or may not have been where you are in the quiting game but we were there, maybe not to your exert. But, we're here for you and are cheering you on!


  • KittyL
    KittyL Member Posts: 24
    edited September 2015

    Lx scheduled in 8 days. 2-3 pk/day smoker for umpteen years. I KNOW I really, really, really need to quit & I just can't "find it". I have bipolar & wellbutrin not an option (took an equivalent for something else & was like tic tacs to me). It's been a 3 month journey just to get a week from surgery. Exhausted, manic, distracted. I have Nicoderm CQ patches (all 3 steps) on my shelf, lol, used 1 & ended up smoking before dark. I was an LPN ages ago & I KNOW I will heal better. Odd, I always thought lung cancer would get me--the BC pole-axed me out of the blue. This week of personal pre-surgery prep I'm focusing on eating (which I forget to do, duh) and resting & doing visualization meditation. I hear Monday quitters have the best success rate, so trying to get motivated. I quit last year for 3-1/2 mo. (longest ever) and I dunno, just picked up a cig & off to races again. Possible motivators: a new 6 mo. old grandboy I haven't met yet (in Denver), friends teaching me to value self & be gentle w me, 23 years sober so I know I can be determined. When I quit last year, I had hard candy, straws (to suck on, worked but drooled on everything, haha), patches, lists of things to distract; have all those again. Just have to WANT to. Don't understand why I'm standing in my own way.... I think I'm having newbie BC1 anger & resistance to having to BE here, even tho I'm optimistic person who always finds the silver lining. I know this because I used to love it, but right now I Hate Pink! :-\ Any thoughts on how I can talk to the angry little brat inside who says I need to quit? I'll show you! ergh

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