Stop Smoking Support Thread
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Update (and perhaps some hope?) for my breast cancer friends who are hoping that they can someday QUIT for good.....check out my posts on this thread!! I HATED the experience of quitting smoking but I did want to quit. So I struggled and struggled and one day.....realized that I quit smoking in November of 2014 (2 weeks before my bilateral mastectomy) and haven't picked up a cigarette since!! WHAT A TRIP!!! As if cancer wasn't challenging enough. lol And oh, let's not forget the launch into menopause OVERNIGHT. lol I'll admit, I've lost a few loved ones....apparently, I was far too cranky to be around during cancer, treatment AND the quit.....so my mother and sister have stopped speaking to me (and my entire family, including the children) since 2015. ): I don't care. At first I missed the cigarettes and then OF COURSE, I missed my "loved ones"....and then I realized.....the ones who really counted NEVER LEFT MY SIDE. I gained 30 pounds (who knows if the quit or the drugs or the surgeries or the steroids or the combination did it!!!), lost sleep and truly suffered. BUT I MADE IT - SO FAR!!! I lost the weight (it took a year of dieting and exercise) and honestly, NEVER feel the urge to smoke anymore. FYI - I started smoking at age 14.....mastectomy at age 48. I smoked about 15 cigarettes a day for the greater part of my life. And now......I don't!!! I decided to write this for any of you out there who are trying but feel like giving up!!! IT IS TOUGH!!! But it can be done. Also FYI - this last quit was my SEVENTH TIME trying!! The longest I ever lasted on any previous quit was 8 months (pretty long!! I actually thought I had it licked that time!!!) and as I look at the calendar today I smile and remind myself that it will be THREE YEARS this November!!! Hang in there. I know it is ALL SO DIFFICULT - ALL OF THIS - NOT ONE PART OF THIS ILLNESS IS EASY!!! Please know that I am cheering for you - whether you quit this time or not at all!!! I am wishing good things for all of you!!!!
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PerAugusta - thanks so much for sharing your story. I feel certain people check out this thread and feel that everyone has already quit. Not so... And your story is just what we all need to hear.
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Just curious how much cigarettes cost where you are? I was at the supermarket yesterday waiting at the service counter and nearly fell over at the price. The cheapest packet was about $1 each, so $25 for a 20 pack and $40 for a 40 pack. The price also goes up every 6 months, and they are all in plain packaging, a dark olive green with graphic pics of stuff like gangrene and someone dying of lung cancer.
This is in Australia.
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Freya - I think that's really cheap. The average in Texas is over $7.00 now for ONE pack. In Houston it's over $10.00 per pack depending on where you shop. Another good reason I felt justified in buying myself a new pair of flip-flops.
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Minus, I wrote that badly, I meant $1 per cigarette minimum. So a pack of 20 is $25, a pack of 40 is $40. I know people who go through a pack a day so easily a $150 a week.
That's what happens when you write posts at 4am.
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I live in Tn and they are around 4.50 for a pack, which is way to even pay that much............but I still do twice a week. Im now down to 2-3 packs a week now which is big for me. I wait for the day I no longer want one . I guess I use to lie to myself thinking I could quit when ever I wanted.
Huggs to you all
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Interesting. Wonder why I thought they were $20.00/pack in NYC? Probably more than the fact.
LisaMarie - I know you don't have to worry about this anymore, but whats the cost out there?
And VR - what's the cost in So California?
Price was a good incentive for me. I actually did count up how many packs I didn't smoke and treated myself to new clothes or meals out with that money. Of course I was working at the time & it made a difference.
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M family lives in Iowa and go to Missouri where they can buy for 5.50 a packs vs 8.00 a pack in Iowa, Yes it all depends on city and state taxes . . My Husband was in NYC recently and he said they were 15.00 in the city. Needless to say he did not buy any
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New York 10 to 11 a pack on long island but NYC can pay 12 -13 per pack ... crazy ans glad that its 3 years for me not buying them .. my moneyb goes on junk food ,,, gaining weight lol .. but smoke free ..xoxoxox
Lisamarie
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wow honey , I havent smoked in 3 years so the cost in NYC went up even more yikes 15 now ..
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And I smoked a pack a day - every day. When I was having a drink or playing cards or sitting around a swimming pool - sometimes I smoked two packs. Two packs a day at NYC prices - $10,950. I'm having so much fun spending all that extra money.
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Hello My friends .. time is growing near for me to go to Vegas .. I am def getting crazy and stressed and just scared to death ..I dont know if I mentioned I bought a brand new car .. well a 2017 Hyundai Tuscon .. it will make me feel 100 % better about my trip.. My mom went from I don't need you to come , I will let you know to I am so excited and cannot wait until you get here attitude ... makes me feel better ... I just cannot stand the boyfriend ... been working crazy ungodly hours to get there ... Dated a couple times .. MEH is how I feel about that ... I don't need a date now I guess as I am leaving NY ... My friends at work are amazing and they say they will mis me so much . If anyone would like my Address in Nevada please feel free to pm me ... I hope everyone is ok .. and I am sorry for not being here as much ... Love and Hugs to you all ...xoxoxoo
LisaMarie
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LisaMarie - I will PM for your address, but still hope you'll be checking in here occasionally. Right???
I have a good friend who's kids recently moved to Nevada. Hopefully I can get out there one day. Also I'd like to see Bryce & Zion National parks and Las Vegas is a good starting place.
Yes, I'm sure the move is scary but I'm so glad to hear your Mom is now looking forward to you coming. Maybe the boyfriend will fade into the background. We can always hope. Great about your new car. That good security.
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Minus ... yes I will still be on here .. love ya all .. Bosom .. I know ... cannot believe how far i have come ..
Lisamarie
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Checking in. I'm one of the fortunate ones. No flooding in my house & still have power.
I read this morning that NYC has just made $13.00 the minimum price of ONE PACK of cigarettes. Wow. That's two meals at a fast food restaurant.
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Hi,
Just wondering if anyone has tried vaping as an alternative? Probably yes, but w/ 445 pages to go through, too much for me. I'm vaping now for 3 weeks without tobacco and am doing okay. Still 24mg nicotine. GP said it was a viable alternative to tobacco.
Yours truly,
Pat
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Pat: Yes we have people who have done this. I think maybe April? Several of us keep this thread on our "favorites" list so hopefully someone will answer. I have another friend not on the boards who quit that way before her surgery & rads. Unfortunately she started back again 6 months after completing treatment. Vaping is controversial within the medical community, and you have to commit to keep dialing down the nicotine.. If that works for you...good deal.
Also if you PM a member named VJSL8, she has offered to send her stop smoking book to members of this BCO thread.
We are all agreed this is the hardest thing we've ever done. And most of us who have managed to quit understand that we will always be smokers - just not actively smoking. If I had one cigarette I'd be right back where I started - even though it's been 10 years for me. Other members on this thread have tried various methods from patches to gum to Chantix, etc. Reading the past pages gave me something to do to put off my cravings & helped me make it though many nights. But other people have said reading about it makes them want to smoke more.
Others will jump in with their stories & what worked for them. And some still follow this thread who haven't made it yet but they keep trying. There's usually someone here. Wishing you good luck.
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If anyone wants a copy of my book, "How to Win at Quitting Smoking", just send me a PM with an email address. If you find it of benefit, it would be nice if you post a review on Amazon (you can even say you got a free promotional copy).
Yesterday was my 30 year cancerversary from my first bout with BC. Hard to believe it has been that long. It's been 7 years since the 2nd time. Lots of mixed emotions.
As far as vaping goes, I have concerns using them long term. Right now they are considered a recreational product. Which just means the manufacturers want you to use them long term, unlike cessation medications which are only for short term use. Lot of politics wrapped up in the discussion of ENDS. My biggest concern is the flavorings, not the nicotine. I've written a lot of articles about ENDS --there is a list with links on my website: http://vjsleight.com/articles-written-by-vj.html
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Hello everyone ... Just a week away from moving to Las Vegas ... ugh !!! i am so scared beyond scared .. but I am totally ready ... coming up on year #3 of not smoking ... As for me I did the chantix and I must say it was a life saver for me and worked .. I even held on to my morning smoke for sometime but eventually said to myself enough is enough ... and I continue my non smoking journey every day .. most times I do not think about it at all .. some days I have a quick passing thought , but nothing I cannot handle ... Anyway been busy preparing and working a lot so sorry for being MIA ... I Love you all so much .. please keep in touch . I know I sent my new address to Minus ... anyone else that would like it just PM me .... Hugs
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Lisamarie
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Boy the time has just flown LisaMarie. You are so brave!!! And we are all so proud of you for your success in stopping smoking. I wish you an easy journey and happy times at the other end. I'll be on vacation when you start out, but you'll be in my thoughts. Please do check in when you get there and let us know how it's going once you get settled in.
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bosum - hang in there girl. We know what it's like & we're with you.
My vacation was to Utah & a bit of Idaho. I drove all over and did some minor hiking in Logan Canyon. It was 78/65 when I got there. When I left it was 59/36. Brrrr. But I saw some beautiful fall color & there was dusting of snow on the mountain tops. I ended up going by myself so I was able to do all sorts of things that are never possible with more people - went to a honey plant & watched the bees working, toured a candy factory, visited a cheese plant that had lots of cheese curd samples, dipped my toe in a rushing river (ha - not enough water in Houston lately I guess), ate rainbow trout right out of that river, ate at a Tibetan restaurant, went to a couple of very interesting concerts, went to a Doctor's Without Borders presentation/exhibit called "Forced From Home". The latter was an actual representation of what refugees face on their journeys. Very moving & very frightening.
I'm worried about LisaMarie. I don't know when she planned to arrive in Las Vegas but I hope she'll check in with us.
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I will be quitting smoking myself, but since the original poster mentioned the chemo blockage, I'll definitely try and kick it all before it gets to that point of my treatment..if that is what my treatment calls for anyway.
It will be so hard. The most stressful thing in my life and that's what I go to under stress. But from what I can tell, my weight, my diet, lack of exercise, and alcohol intake...all need to change as well during and after all of this to hopefully not have a recurrence once I make it through this.
Wish me luck...and anyone in my path while I quit. 0 -
Karen - yes - quitting smoking was harder than any other thing in my life. I was fortunate that my last attempt (the one when I finally made it) was before my cancer diagnosis. I waited until both my parents passed away and then made the final effort. Check to see what your doc thinks about Chantix. I have read stories about bad dreams & rage & crazy thoughts as a side effect, but personally I think any similar issues in my experience were caused by the withdrawal - first from the actual drug and then from the hand to mouth process, and then by the unbelievable stress of trying NOT to think about it.
There are lots of good tips in this thread. And we're here anytime you want to talk.
Hope someone else jumps in. I found it easier to get through the days (or more particularly the nights) if I had a team or at least one friend i could share with who was also trying to quit.
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Minus! So glad you are okay. Houston got hit so hard by Harvey. I forgot that you live there...Sandy got us good a few years back so I do know how it feels.
Hi everyone. Have not been here since August. Hope all of you are well. I am moving next week so have been really busy. House is on the market and keeping it clean (I mean spotless at all times) is driving us bonkers so we decided to move now and market the house with just a few things left in it. We are moving to a condo that my daughter bought as an investment (and paying a lovely low rent amount..LOL) because this 2600 sq foot house of ours is too damn big for the two of us. Downsizing is really hard though Moving to 1250 feet with no basement. It is time though.
See you all when I next get a chance. Hugs to all of you!
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MinusTwo-yes she actually recommended chantix. I wonder if I should start quitting on Tuesday when we meet and I get that. It's almost impossible and it makes me want to cry. I hate that I ever started. I actually have an ex smoker friend who is angry that I didn't just quit along with my boyfriend and says it's easy cause she did it. I think she doesn't remember how long it took her once she started trying. But in this moment with everything, that's the last thing i need is her judgment and anger. Blah!
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April - LOVELY to see you. I can't imagine getting rid of all my "stuff", but it sounds like a fortuitous move. Looking forward to hearing more when you get time.
Karen - the trick with Chantix for me was to start cutting back first. I quit smoking in my house. Three weeks later I quit smoking in my car. By the time I started Chantix two weeks later, I was only allowing myself to smoke on the front porch. Since that meant I had to stop whatever else I was doing, it helped to delay the smoke.
How long are you in active treatment? I can't imagine trying to quit while I was managing the side effects of chemo. And I'm not sure my doc would have approved the addition of yet one more drug. I've read that many ladies quit before exchange surgery since the PS wouldn't do recon if there was nicotine in your system. The skin doesn't heal as well.
The other trick is to change all your habits. If you smoked with a drink, maybe give that up for awhile (or that morning cup of coffee). If you smoked on the phone, take calls in a different place. Since I smoked in my car, I didn't drive anywhere that was more than 15-20 minutes for a long time to avoid the temptation. Lots of friends I didn't see for awhile. When I was going crazy for a smoke, it worked best for me to just swing out of the house and walk around the block - fast. My neighbors got used to seeing me charging along in all weather - yup, even pouring rain. Cooking was hard since I always had a smoke going in the ashtray when I finished chopping the onions or stirring the batter. Anyway - figure out your worst triggers and see what you can do to moderate them.
Do let us know how it's going.
Bosum - always thinking of you. Sure would like to hear from LisaMarie.
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Minus - I just had a lumpectomy so I'm hoping to quit before radiation, which I'm thinking will be the next step, but the pathology hasn't come back yet. So I'm not smoking at work. Generally we smoke in the garage, but I"m trying not to let my 4 year old see me do it either, which cuts it down too.
It makes me feel better to know that I'm not the only one struggling to do this, especially at this moment. But I don't think my Dr will prescribe Chantix if I'll be doing chemo type treatment in the near future. I"ll definitely keep you posted. I really want to be successful and I want to see my daughter graduate, you know?
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Karen - anything you can do in the interim to cut back will help. LisaMarie stopped except for one morning cigarette for the longest time. Then one day she just said "why". Hope the path report shows you can avoid chemo. Fingers crossed.
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Thank you very very much - Minus!
I love that story - Pressley? Good story. I will definitely keep that in mind going forward. I just keep trying to look at my daughter now that she is home from Grandma's and I"m almost healed and remind myself why I need to continue to exist and take care of myself. Alright, a little bit more research on the computer.
I can't believe it's 100 already...dang!0 -
Not Pressley. Just our very own LisaMarie from this thread, who is in the middle of moving from the East Coast to Las Vegas to take care of her Mother. I hope she checks in before too much longer.
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