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Messages By: linda12k

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January 10, 2006, 5:23 am PST

Trying to Quit Smoking?

Quote From: joykelly

Thank you for your post. You have given me food for thought.  Maybe if I start thinking of the kids, etc. instead of the smoke....You have given me a direction.  Thanks bigkid.
 this board really picked up. I'm been on this board for a while now, trying to help when I can.  This is what I discovered from this board. 

1. Get a prescription of Wellbrutrin or Zyban; this takes the edge off of quitting, you have to be on it 1 to 2 weeks before you actually give them up.  

2. Pick a QUIT date.  

3. Get one of these; nicotine gum, inhaler or patch, to get you through the day, I personally used the inhaler.  

4. Post often on the message board of how you are coming along.  

5. Find something to keep hands busy.  

6. Get yourself a meter, www.silkquit.org. , it is an incentive to keep going, once your meter is going on how long you have quit.   

7. Read some of the old postings on this board, to see what worked for others, also the "archives".  

   

Nicotine is one drug that will tell you  "just one more time", and if you do, you are  hooked again.  

I really believe everyone that has smoked, has tried many times to put them down, hopefully this will be the right time for you !!!!!  

I, myself smoked 34 years, a pack a day. I am also a Lung Cancer survivor, minus a left lung now.  

  

Linda 

  

Nine months, one week, three days, 11 hours, 27 minutes and 37 seconds. 6851 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,294.92. Life saved: 3 weeks, 2 days, 18 hours, 55 minutes.
 

   

 
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January 13, 2006, 7:25 pm PST

Hi Jamie

Quote From: bigkid


  Hey. Congrats on making it through Day2. Be proud of yourself and stick with it! Day 2 is harder than day 1. I believe it has something to do with it takes a little while for all of the nicotine to leave your body, so if you think about it like that  - that makes sense. Besides, the longer you go without one (esp. in the beginning) the more you (mind/body) want/desire one. From what I remember from the 1st time, this will get better with time but is always hard! Sorry I can't lie about that. After a few weeks, it is more of a mental challenge... I like to say mind over matter...
2 days for you (almost start of 3rd - 2:34am right now)/ 8 1/2 (9) for me!!
Take care & remember take one day at a time... You will make it!
  Jamie (BigKid)

Hi Jamie, 

I just wanted to say you are a very kind and thoughtful person, the way you encourage others. Quitting smoking has got to be one of these hardest things in life. A kind word goes a long way, and you have been there for others. I read the board daily, I just don't have the chance to post as often as I would like. 

  

Linda 

  

Nine months, two weeks, 1 hour, 29 minutes and 41 seconds. 6937 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,311.18. Life saved: 3 weeks, 3 days, 2 hours, 5 minutes.
 

 
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January 13, 2006, 7:40 pm PST

Hi Amy

Quote From: amyec22

I am so sorry that you had a bad day, to say the least. I hope that your daughter gets to feeling better. I will say a prayer for her tonight. 

First of all, you can't beat yourself up for it. If it were me going through what you described your last few days to be, I would have given in too. It takes a long time to break a habit, especially one that helps us cope with stressful situations. I have quit 3 times in the past, only to come back to square one when life gets to be too hard. I know when I started smoking again last year after not smoking for 10 months, I was going through a rough time dealing with things in my family and I just wanted ONE. Before I knew it, I was back up to a pack a day. So, now I know that if I am gonna stay smoke-free, I can't have even one because that is all it takes to slip back into old patterns. As far as resetting the meter, I think that is a personal choice. If it were me, I would. But at the same time, you also have to give yourself credit for making it through 4 days. That is quite an acheivement!!! Keep us all posted on your progress. 

Hi Amy, 

Your posting I could have said what you have said word for word. I have quit now into 9 months, and at times I just "want one", but I don't dare. I had to learn the hard way, one will lead to many, many more.  I sometimes do that "imaginary cigarette", inhale, then exhale, it really helps. You are doing great. 

  

Linda   

  

Nine months, two weeks, 1 hour, 45 minutes and 8 seconds. 6937 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,311.23. Life saved: 3 weeks, 3 days, 2 hours, 5 minutes.

 

 
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January 13, 2006, 8:00 pm PST

Hi Halmeg

Quote From: halmeg

  

Well what to do???????  I did it I smoked a cig after almost 4 days. I didn't get to post last night. I spent 3 hours in the ER with my 3 year old to find out she has pneumonia. So I didn't get alot of sleep last night had to work this AM and had an awful day there and then I come home to my sick kids. I had it I needed a break. I didn't buy a pack I just had one . Do I need to reset my meter?  I am so disappointed in myself .Any advice is greatly appreciated. I will thank all in advance.  

Hi Halmeg 

Going 4 days, then breaking down to have one cigarette, you where under so much stress. The fact that you want to keep trying, says you will succeed. Stress will take down the strongest person. Hang in there, you'll beat this nicotine demon. Keep posting we care.  Needless to say, we didn't develop this habit overnight, it took a while. You are quitting at a point in your life, that hopefully, you won't have any "bad outcomes", that comes from smoking. We are here for you, hang in there. 

  

Linda  

Nine months, two weeks, 2 hours, 3 minutes and 34 seconds. 6938 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,311.29. Life saved: 3 weeks, 3 days, 2 hours, 10 minutes.
 

 
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February 11, 2006, 1:25 pm PST

Hi BigKid......39 Days

Quote From: bigkid

 Hi Linda! Just a quick hello b/c it's been awhile. Hope all is well. Been pretty busy so haven't been around these past few weeks. Smoke free already for 39 days -  - can you believe it? Still very hard, but I refuse to give up. Let me know how you are doing when you can. Take care, Jamie (BigKid)

Hi Jamie, 

KUDO's to you !!!  39 days... wonderful.. I so agree it is hard to believe, when you have a few days tucked under your belt they amount up quick. And when you take a deep breath, you can feel that your chest is stronger. 

I have been doing alot for my mom lately, as in cleaning house, (from top to bottom).  A year ago I would have been taking breaks every hour or so, to get my nicotine fix. Then stopping after a while to just rest. I  think I can move the house now !!!! My energy level seems to be unstoppable. And I know I wouldn't be like that if I were still smoking. 

Oh, I still think about the cigarettes, of just one, when I finish cleaning a room.. but I know from past mistakes if I take one cigarette, I'm a goner. But I will say the thoughts are getting far and far between. I know one of my habits was to reward myself... cigarette break...now I take a deep breath, and look for more rewards, other than taking a break. 

You are doing so good.  We are all in that "can we make it",no more cigarettes mode. 

Take care 

Linda 

Ten months, one week, four days, 19 hours, 24 minutes and 34 seconds. 7627 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,441.58. Life saved: 3 weeks, 5 days, 11 hours, 35 minutes.
 

 
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February 12, 2006, 3:51 am PST

Hi Bruce and Berni

Quote From: bernidet

Ok guys, I suppose we are going to get serious.  We've set a stop date for Monday, Feb. 13. (13, hum).  Anyway, that's the day we decided to quit.  We have a few lozenges, a few patches, and a lot of hope.  The kicker for us was when recently we had to put ourselves into credit card debt a little deeper, we got to thinking that if we quit and put 5 bucks in a can every day, we could pay off a credit card about every 3 or 4 months.  So, we're going to try, again.  Pray for us, and we'll pray for all of you too.  Good luck everyone, you too Amy.

Hi Bruce and Berni, 

Well sounds like you have a plan going. You set a quit date of the 13th, you have some gum, patches and such. I myself tried a many times too, I do believe taking the wellbrutrin, it takes the edge off of quitting, helped soooo much. You have to have a prescription, and be on it about a week first. 

You also have each other, and that can be a big plus. I really believe having a "plan of action", is what will help so much. You can always pick a quit day, but an action plan puts more serious effort. Read plenty, to put your mind in that frame of succeeding when times gets tough. When not reading, find the fun things to do, that you can't have a cigarette with you: "going to the show", a amusement park", the theater, maybe a good play is showing.  Since money is tight, just window shopping, "can't smoke at the mall".   

Also, since the both of you smoke, you would have spent more than $ 5.00 a day. Maybe up your Anni a little, like $ 8.00 a day. It is amazing how quick the money adds up.  

Well hold on tight, you are about to take the best ride of your life, it will be bumpy, but will be smooth before you know it. Good Luck. 

  

Linda 

  

Ten months, one week, five days, 9 hours, 51 minutes and 37 seconds. 7641 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,444.31. Life saved: 3 weeks, 5 days, 12 hours, 45 minutes.
 

 
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February 15, 2006, 6:13 am PST

Hi Bruce and Berni

Quote From: bernidet

Thanks for the encouragement Linda.  We appriciate all the help we can get.  I've tried so many times to quit, I don't see how you can call it a "Good ride".  It seems to me that when I've tried to quit in the past it was all about pain, frustration, nerves, anger, rage, sleeplessness, anxiety, etc, etc. 

But trying is better than not trying, so, here we go.  Thanks again.  Oh yeah, Wellbutrin causes me to become so depressed as to become almost suicidal.  I've tried it twice and along about the 14th day I am so confused, depressed, stressed, sleepless, frustrated.  Just can't take it.  Didn't bother my wife at all though.  Guess I'm just weird.  Anyway, thanks. 

Bruce and Berni 

Hi Bruce and Berni, 

When I said  

"Well hold on tight, you are about to take the best ride of your life, it will be bumpy, but will be smooth before you know it". Good Luck.  

I was meaning, after you have quit it will be the best thing you have ever done for yourself, and one of the hardest too. Its a one day at a time, and sometimes one minute at a time. Lets us know how things are coming along. 

Linda  

  

Ten months, two weeks, one day, 12 hours, 18 minutes and 53 seconds. 7716 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,458.38. Life saved: 3 weeks, 5 days, 19 hours, 0 minutes.
 

  

 
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February 15, 2006, 7:43 pm PST

Hi Bruce and Berni

Quote From: bernidet

Ok guys, we're trying.  I won't lie, we began on Monday the 13th( of all the days, huh??), but I just couldn't quite do it.  Soooooo, we started by cutting down.  We normally smoke 1 pack a day between us, sharing the cig between us.  So, we simply started by cutting down.  Monday we smoked 7 cigs between us, Tuesday, 7 more. so far today we've smoked 2.   

I have pretty bad asthma and emphyzema and for some reason my breathing actually gets WORSE as I hold off from smoking.  It's very frustrating.  Kind of a catch 22 situation.  I realize it will get better, but somehow that doesn't help much when I know that if I just light up I will actually breathe better for a short  time.  Anyway, we're going to try harder.  We will do this thing.  My wife, Berni, is much more capable of doing this than I am.  I don't know why, but she is.  She tries to push me, but all that does is make me want to smoke even more.  Anything that makes me think of smoking causes me to want a cig.  Anything that requires deep concentration makes me want to smoke.  A telephone conversation makes me want to smoke.  Coffee makes me want to smoke.  Sex makes me want to smoke.  TV makes me want to smoke.  Driving makes me want to smoke.  EVERYTHING makes me want to smoke.  I'm not trying to rationalize this thing, or make excuses for my actions, I'm just trying to be honest about all this.  I'm trying.  I will try harder.  I will do this thing.  I have to.   

Thanks for your input, please don't feel that I don't appriciate all the encouragement.  It's just that sometimes I feel it's all so useless.  I've never felt so helpless about a situation as I do about this. 

  

Bruce and Berni 

Hi Bruce and Berni 

I so hear your pain and feel where you are now. It took this board to help me realize the addiction of smoking and how strong of a hold it has on us. We all want a cigarette for just about any reason there is, we just want to smoke. And it is hard to admit at times the cigarette was your best friend too. We all use the cigarette as a crutch to lend on. To overcome the hold the cigarettes have on us, you have got to have a plan. Replace the form of nicotine with another, such as the patch, gum or inhaler (that is what I used), weaning from the cigarettes. Then rewarding yourself as you would have with the cigarettes with something new. 

I had lung cancer and had a lung removed, and still wanted one so bad that I went back to smoking 3 months after my surgery. Then this board came into my life and I found help for an addiction I never could get a hold on till now. Post often, we care, you can do this !!!!! 

  

Linda 

  

Ten months, two weeks, two days, 1 hour, 47 minutes and 39 seconds. 7729 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,460.93. Life saved: 3 weeks, 5 days, 20 hours, 5 minutes.
 

 
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February 19, 2006, 5:48 pm PST

Amy******Amy******Amy

Quote From: amyec22

Well, first of all, CONGRATS on your decision to quit!! You've made the first step!! Having a plan in place is crucial for keeping your quit. Know before your quit date what you will do when you get the urge to smoke. Will you go deep breathe, take a short walk, etc..... I personally found that posting on message boards helped me get through many cravings. I would come and type how I was feeling or read what others were going through and remember why i am going through this in the first place and before I knew it, the craving had passed and i was still smoke-free! Remember that cravings only last a  few minutes, so if you can find something else to do during that time, you will come out on the other side victorious over this addiction!! I also started a diet and exercise plan the same day I quit and have actually lost 13 lbs since New Years. My husband and I also did this together and I think that makes all the difference, you have to keep each other accountable!! Also, the night before your quit date, THROW OUT ALL CIGARETTES AND ANYTHING RELATED!!! You can't keep a stash hidden somewhere in case it gets to hard, because I promise you it will get too hard, but I also promise that it gets much much better in a very short amount of time. My last piece of advice is to STAY BUSY, especially the first 3 days. I mean from the time you wake up in the morning until you put your head down on the pillow at night, busy busy busy!!! If you happen to slip up, please don't give up. You have to keep trying and YOU WILL SUCCEED!!!  

  

Never quit trying to quit!!! 

  

I'd rather be a non-smoker with an occasional urge to smoke than a smoker with a constant desire to quit. 

  

Best of luck to you and keep us updated on your efforts!!! 

  

Amy  One month, two weeks, four days, 8 hours, 8 minutes and 42 seconds. 986 cigarettes not smoked, saving $181.57. Life saved: 3 days, 10 hours, 10 minutes.
 

Hi Amy, 

BRAVO, SO VERY WELL SAID, BRAVO...Your posting is just wonderful.  Everyone needs to print it and put it on the refrig. to keep them going. " I'd rather be a non-smoker with an occasional urge to smoke than a smoker with a constant desire to quit." That needs to be posted everywhere.  Your entire letter is so inspiring....so proud of you for your determination to quit and your inspiration to help others.  

  

Linda 

  

Ten months, two weeks, five days, 23 hours, 54 minutes and 13 seconds. 7823 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,478.72. Life saved: 3 weeks, 6 days, 3 hours, 55 minutes.
 

 
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February 23, 2006, 6:13 am PST

Nannyp410-------Don't give up

Quote From: nannyp410

I had a bad day today, emotionally, that is...I gave in and bought a pack, smoked about half of them, with every one of those "junkie" thoughts going through my head...I had prepared my head for this( telling myself I needed to quit, that I didn't need to smoke, ect.), I had prepared my family for the withdrawl sympthoms, had even told myself that I would feel, as some doctors call it, "some discomfort", HA HA HA Somehow, I had told myself the withdrwals wouldn't be so bad. That I would feel some mild discomfort, a little irritable, I had NO IDEA that my lungs would BEG for dirty air! Or that I would find myself pacing the floors, that I would want to rip someone's head off for a simple mistake...How could I have fooled myself so easily? I am a very level-headed person, I note the risk of everything before I do it, I studied "how to quit" for weeks before making the move. And I messed up...I honestly don't know if I can do this now...the physical addiction is so very hard to go through, I am mentally prepared, but the gum doesn't give my lungs what they are begging for, it only burns my mouth. I read that it takes 4 days to 4 months to get over the physical side effects, and I wonder if I could live for 4 months like that? Or 4 weeks, or even 4 days! I have zero pain tolerance, and that is what I feel in my lungs, a pain that feels like an emptiness, like when my stomach is empty and I am extremly hungry, my lungs are empty and hungry, they are begging for smoke, and I don't know how to tell them "no"...The Junkie list helped get me back into wanting to stay off cigarettes, but then again, I just put one out....I have gone from "I know I can" to "I hope I can". I'm gonna print that list out, it may help to read it in "the moment"...I am so disappointed in myself, not for slipping, but for fooling myself into thinking that this would only be a "mild discomfort"....still laughing at that one guys, forgive me...

Hi Nannyp410 

Don't beat your self up so. That is what this board is here for. For you to learn from our mistakes. We all did the same thing as in saying we are quitting, then 24 hours later, go out and buy a pack, only to be kicking ourselves the entire time we taking a drag off of one!!!!! As soon as that is out, it won't be 15 minutes later, you'll say just one more ''then that's it,,,,, no more". This is the addiction to NICOTINE. 

Just a suggestion, maybe that particular plan you had picked out, wasn't the right one. In saying that I also did the hypnosis, years ago, spent plenty of money on it too. It might work for some but not for me.  

Check out the Wellbrutin or Zyban to take the edge off of it (prescriptions only). Replace one form of nicotine with another for now, gum, patches, inhaler (that is what I used, it made me feel that I was as least taking a drag off a cigarette. And as Amy said earlier in her posting, keep busy, busy, busy, the urge will be better controlled.  Another suggestions; go back a few days and read some of the older postings, it's a baby step process, but your life is so worth it. 

I'm just 1 cigarette away from being a smoker again. Right now I'm working hard on 11 months of smoke free.  I smoked 34 years, had the lung cancer, spent thousands of dollars on cigarettes. Don't give up hang in there, we are here for you. 

  

Linda 

  

Ten months, three weeks, two days, 12 hours, 16 minutes and 14 seconds. 7908 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,494.66. Life saved: 3 weeks, 6 days, 11 hours, 0 minutes.
 

 

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