Topic : Trying to Quit Smoking?

 I have fought the cigarette demon for years. I have been hospitailized and diagnoised with c.o.p.d. I even went so far as to move to Arizona and found that in the drier climate I wasn't in the hospital every sprin and fall like I was in the midwest. I never had a problem. We have moved back to the midwest and I have began to cough again. I know it's only a matter of time until I get sick again..Moving so I can smoke??? How stupid is that?? I have tried everything from hypnosis, patch, acupuncture..you name it.. The more I try to quite the more I smoke. If I  stop for a day (bad withdrawal) I'll smoke twice as much the next.. You know if we were on drugs there are places for us to go and detox..With all the money the tobacco companies have poured into the quite smoking movement, why haven't they set something up for people who need withdrawal from this addiction? It has to be as bad as drugs... Anyway I wish you the best,,Hang in there..

I have two months now with not smoking. When I feel really stressed I am still not sure what to substitute for it. I chew a lot of gum, and eat mints but it doesn't really do it for me when under high stress. I am O.K. generally but I have trouble when I feel upset inside over a situation. Any suggestions?

Hey Aggie,

How are you? So good to see you post. I bet the weather is rather crisp up there. Here it is just beginning to cool down some. I am still hanging in there, I need to post more often, just been  busy. Hope everything is going good for you, so good to see a friend on the board.

Linda

One year, six months, five days, 2 hours, 44 minutes and 16 seconds. 16623 cigarettes not smoked, saving $3,216.39. Life saved: 8 weeks, 1 day, 17 hours, 15 minutes.

Congratulations on 2 months!!!!!!!!! That's wonderful !!!!!!!!!!! I Know what you mean there is that fine line of stress that you think, I just need a cigarette. What has helped me sooooooo much when I really think I want one, is the deep breathing. Just like when you  take a drag off a cigarette then exhale slowly. I guarantee you a couple of those and you feel the difference in your chest,  just like you smoked a cigarette, but you have clean air now that you are breathing. It gives you a feeling of fulfillment. Try it, it works when you really want a cigarette.

 

Linda

One year, six months, five days, 2 hours, 56 minutes and 6 seconds. 16623 cigarettes not smoked, saving $3,216.44. Life saved: 8 weeks, 1 day, 17 hours, 15 minutes.

I know where you are coming from. That nicotine demon is one "hell of a devil" to get off your back, I have been there. I have tried so many times I couldn't count how many times I would have tried in the 34 years I smoked. But from the help of this board and a plan it is possible to conquer it once and for all.

1. Pick a quit date

2. Get a prescription for Wellbrtrion (it takes the edge off), I have heard of Chantix for quitting, either one. You need to be on it about 2 weeks first.

3. Get a substitute, patch, gum, the inhaler

4. Have a plan to keep busy, or put yourself where you know you can't smoke, the mall, the show, library, or do alot of house cleaning.

5 Post often about your process, and take it one hour at a time, the hours amount up quickly.

And like I posted earlier, deep breathing exercises, just like you are smoking but without the cigarette. Your lungs have been exercising for a long time with a cigarette. Don't take the breathing exercise away it will help so much with the withdrawals. Don't give up, you are so worth it. 

 

Linda

 

One year, six months, five days, 3 hours, 16 minutes and 29 seconds. 16624 cigarettes not smoked, saving $3,216.52. Life saved: 8 weeks, 1 day, 17 hours, 20 minutes.

Hey Linda!

 

So nice to see you hanging in.  Boy oh boy, you and I have gone down a very long and rough road together!  Sure is great to come and see you here.  I still have my days but it is a whole lot better with time.  We are gaining on our second anniversary, can you believe it!!  I for one never thought that I'd get this far.  Hang in there, take it as it comes and thanks for doing this with me.  Have a great day and keep on inspiring as you always have. 

 

 

Aggie  One year, seven months, two weeks, 9 hours, 27 minutes and 49 seconds. 14784 cigarettes not smoked, saving $5,906.13. Life saved: 7 weeks, 2 days, 8 hours, 0 minutes.

Hey Aggie,

So wonderful to wake up and read a posting from you !!!! So glad to know you are doing o.k. There is a pretty good distance between us and wondering how a dear friend is.

You are so right on, on the smoking about our 2nd anniversary coming up. There were a thousand times I thought for a second to just give in, but that was just a thought, for a second. In my wildest dreams I wanted to quit, but I for some reason didn't think I could pull it off !!!! Little did I know !!!!!! You and I pulled it off and not about to let it take over our life. In 3 days will be my lung cancer operation anniversary date, 3 years being cancer free. If only the smokers would realize it is just a matter of time before they will get the news. But to each is own with their choice in life. You and I made a choice and it can be done, especially with the support.

Have great day.

 

Linda One year, six months, five days, 14 hours, 34 minutes and 14 seconds. 16638 cigarettes not smoked, saving $3,219.25. Life saved: 8 weeks, 1 day, 18 hours, 30 minutes.

Thanks for the info..I have tried welbutrin but I never tried the breathing exercises. GREAT IDEA!

I am not quite ready to give it another try just yet..Too much stress right now. However I fully intend to give it another shot..It's great to know this board is available for inspiration and support when I'm ready. Conrats to you...keep it up . Thank again Linda..

Marilyn

Hi Linda;

 

How wonderful to know that you are celebrating yet another anniversary!!  Congratulations!  The word congratulations does not seem to cover it somehow!!  What  GREAT victories, what strength to have won over such adversaries. When it comes to life and death struggles, you can actually say that you have been there and done that!  Keep up the fantastic work!! Yes it's been a very long road, a hard fight  and the rewards are great.  Keep up the good work and wishing you many, many other wonderful anniversaries. 

 

 

Aggie   One year, seven months, two weeks, three days, 5 hours, 34 minutes and 35 seconds. 14855 cigarettes not smoked, saving $5,934.48. Life saved: 7 weeks, 2 days, 13 hours, 55 minutes.

Hi Aggie,

Thank you for the warm wishes. You have been down that road of life and death struggles too. So to share victories, we both feel in our heart great accomplishments.

Well, we are getting a Canadian front in tonight. This is the first of the stronger fronts to come in.  Time for alittle soup today. I saw something on the inter-net the other day, did
Canada celebrate Thanksgiving just recently? We do Thanksgiving in November. Just curious.

Trying to put together a few fall arrangements in the house, each year it seems less and less. Have you did your fall canning yet? Too dry here for a garden. Touch base when you can.

 

Linda

One year, six months, one week, three days, 14 hours, 3 minutes and 2 seconds. 16787 cigarettes not smoked, saving $3,248.15. Life saved: 8 weeks, 2 days, 6 hours, 55 minutes.