Aw, c'mon don't cry - that makes me sad. Come here and talk to us when you feel like crying but don't smoke.Originally Posted by CDubbie
Oh my goodness - like all the time!
I think that statement of yours is very telling - you are definitely noticing your own behaviors - which will help you be a successful quitter.
Have any of you read Allan Carr's book "THe Easy Way to stop Smoking" ? I read it and I think it is worth reading while you are smoking (he even says to keep smoking while reading it). I was already quit when I got it on day 5, but I do pick it up on weekends to reinforce what I am doing is the right thing. As far as quitting "easily" I'm not sure that would work for me, even though I follow his logic and agree with it.
btw - I've been crying a lot today. It feels like despair. Not uncommon with a quit but oh so painful to live through. (day 24)
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Quitting smoking....
- Thread starter snake_lady
- Start Date
Good morning everyone! (Chris I just realized what NRT stood for - no I don't have anything on hand - I'm doing this cold, cold, cold turkey!).
I don't know if it will help anyone else, but what has helped me is my mental attitude toward smoking. I had my brother sitting/laying in my living room from November 22 until January 31st with oxygen on his face 24/7 waiting for news on getting a lung transplant because of COPD. He weighed in at an awesome 104 lbs and needed to gain 6 lbs just to be eligible for the transplant. Then I ended up in hospital with a milder case of COPD and was sent home with oxygen. When I got home from hospital there were two oxygen making machines in our house. That scared the wits out of both hubby and me.
I had been in denial for several years about the damage to my lungs and my laboured breathing but this was a HUGE wake-up call for me. Hubby saw the oxygen machines and decided then and there to quit.
Every day I tell myself I am a non-smoker and it truly helps. I still enjoy 4-5 cups of coffee per day so that may be my next life change
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I don't know if it will help anyone else, but what has helped me is my mental attitude toward smoking. I had my brother sitting/laying in my living room from November 22 until January 31st with oxygen on his face 24/7 waiting for news on getting a lung transplant because of COPD. He weighed in at an awesome 104 lbs and needed to gain 6 lbs just to be eligible for the transplant. Then I ended up in hospital with a milder case of COPD and was sent home with oxygen. When I got home from hospital there were two oxygen making machines in our house. That scared the wits out of both hubby and me.
I had been in denial for several years about the damage to my lungs and my laboured breathing but this was a HUGE wake-up call for me. Hubby saw the oxygen machines and decided then and there to quit.
Every day I tell myself I am a non-smoker and it truly helps. I still enjoy 4-5 cups of coffee per day so that may be my next life change
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #83
Good morning peeps. It's been a slightly better day than yesterday as far as my pain goes... but I do have one heck of a migraine from yesterday, and smoking makes it worse. So I should have no problems staying within my 6cig limit. Some responses for now...
My morning routine: I wake sometime between 7-8:30 (lately its been 7ish), make a pot of coffee, I spend a little time with the kids before they leave at 8:30...then get on the comp.... check my email, check Facebook, then sit on here for a while. It's pretty much the same every single day, even the weekends unless I have an appt. or somewhere to go, then I shower in the am. (if nothing to do, I shower in the afternoon or evening).
My first cig comes after I'm done on here.... which during the week is at least 2hrs from turning the computer on till finished.
"but I will look at the clock I see that I last had a cigarette 4 hrs ago, so almost to 'celebrate', I will go outside for a smoke".
Yup. Look at the cigs I did post yesterday. The first one was a WANT. It was because I had gone 3hrs without.
I think if I were to cut out all of the "wants"....I would probally only have 1-2 that are "needs".
come vent here. That's what we're here for....supporting and being supported.
One thing though that helps, I read online.... stories from former smokers, lung cancer stories, etc.
http://whyquit.com/whyquit/BryanLeeCurtis.html
For all the smokers, the story above touches me everytime I read it.... there's also some good links at the bottom.
I'm curious, what else do you do in the morning? (like what time do you wake, do you grab a shower and breakie then have that 8am smoke? Or do you wake up and have that first smoke?)Originally Posted by Julianne
I have not posted a update for a few days... so...
Things are going well, I am down to 6 cigarettes a day and can last 4hrs + between smokes.For me that is good.
I am really struggling giving up the first cigarette of the day, I still have it at the same time every morning (8am)but having said that my next cigarette will be at lunchtime.
I have also found the cigarette's I am having are 'want' cigarette - I do not necessarily need a cigarette, but I will look at the clock I see that I last had a cigarette 4 hrs ago, so almost to 'celebrate', I will go outside for a smoke.
Does that happen to anyone else???
Just over 9 days till my give up day!
to everyone cutting down or giving up!
Julianne
My morning routine: I wake sometime between 7-8:30 (lately its been 7ish), make a pot of coffee, I spend a little time with the kids before they leave at 8:30...then get on the comp.... check my email, check Facebook, then sit on here for a while. It's pretty much the same every single day, even the weekends unless I have an appt. or somewhere to go, then I shower in the am. (if nothing to do, I shower in the afternoon or evening).
My first cig comes after I'm done on here.... which during the week is at least 2hrs from turning the computer on till finished.
"but I will look at the clock I see that I last had a cigarette 4 hrs ago, so almost to 'celebrate', I will go outside for a smoke".
Yup. Look at the cigs I did post yesterday. The first one was a WANT. It was because I had gone 3hrs without.
I think if I were to cut out all of the "wants"....I would probally only have 1-2 that are "needs".
awww
I think seeing that, would give me a wake up call as well. When I found out my gramma had lung cancer, I wasn't surprised. She had COPD and emphsmya(sp) so it was not surprising. I think if we had been close, I would've quit then. But in all honesty, her and I were estranged, and I never saw her while she was sick. The last time I saw her was at least 5yrs ago up untill her funeral.
One thing though that helps, I read online.... stories from former smokers, lung cancer stories, etc.
http://whyquit.com/whyquit/BryanLeeCurtis.html
For all the smokers, the story above touches me everytime I read it.... there's also some good links at the bottom.
I commend you on trying to quit smoking. My husband quit for 10 yrs. then had one at a company party and has again been smoking for 10 years. Last year he tried Chantix and I do believe he would've guit if had done it the way he was told, but he made up his own way. He did say it took the desire to smoke away so he didn't have the psychological and physical need for one. He just started again on Chantix after visiting his pumonary Dr. because his Sleep Apnea is getting so severe with his lungs compromised. The only side effects he as noticed both times is a little nausea if you don't eat first and he has some really wierd dreams! He has a real hard time with quitting and he believes in the Chantix, I saw others posted about it but I just wanted to realate another experience with it, it does help a bunch. Good Luck and hang in there. He also tried the Wellbutrin, which is the same as Zyban and it did nothing for him.
Do you mean Champix? I worried about side effects but then most drugs have side effects and varies by individual.
I'll wake up at 7:15am, have a quick shower, brush my teeth, get dressed, put on my moisturizer, and then have a cigarette while I wait for it to absorb
From waking up, to walking out the door less than an hour. I don't drink tea or coffee until I get to work, so that isn't the trigger.
Thinking about it, I always have it when I am watching the morning news headlines. Maybe I should try keeping the TV off in the morning ?
Juli
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #87
hmmmm, what if you had your shower, teeth, moisturizer and while your waiting for it to absorb, get dressed, then hair and makeup? Or something else to do while you're waiting for the moisturizer to set in?Originally Posted by Julianne
I'll wake up at 7:15am, have a quick shower, brush my teeth, get dressed, put on my moisturizer, and then have a cigarette while I wait for it to absorbdo my hair and put on makeup.
From waking up, to walking out the door less than an hour. I don't drink tea or coffee until I get to work, so that isn't the trigger.
Thinking about it, I always have it when I am watching the morning news headlines. Maybe I should try keeping the TV off in the morning ?
Juli
or if you think its more related to watching the news, then yep, try keeping the tv off.
Now this is just my thoughts but I think its more in tune with your moisturizer, and waiting for it to soak in...takes bout 5mins or so right? Just enough time to have a quick smoke while you are waiting. Key thing being you are just waiting. If you're anything like me, smoking passes time. I do it when I'm waiting for something....say I have a friend coming over at 10, around 9:55 I will go outside and have a smoke while I'm waiting.....smoking passes the time for me.... or if I'm cooking something and waiting for the water to boil, perfect time for half a smoke.... I think it does the same for alot of people.
That's one thing I've been trying to change, what I do while waiting.....
I've read, and do believe that it takes roughly 2wks to break or make a habit. Which is why I'm trying to change the little things now, especially since I'm down to 12 days before my quit date. I'd like to get new habits in place so I'm ready for it when I have no smokes in the house.
You all sound like you're doing great! YAY!
Major
to everyone quitting or cutting back!!
I'm down to 5-6 a day. I still have major cravings though! But, and this is good news for me, the smokes are starting to taste strong and yucky! (Even smoking lights) I'm not a big 'have a cig after meals' person and can get through the afternoons without smoking. Right when I fall out of bed and before bedtime are the worst though. I'm starting to blame the bed
Maybe I should sleep on the couch??
I'm down to 5-6 a day. I still have major cravings though! But, and this is good news for me, the smokes are starting to taste strong and yucky! (Even smoking lights) I'm not a big 'have a cig after meals' person and can get through the afternoons without smoking. Right when I fall out of bed and before bedtime are the worst though. I'm starting to blame the bed
I just want to give all of you quitting some and
! You can do it! There are so many more reasons why you shouldn't then why you should!
I hope you mean there are more reasons not to smoke than there are to smoke.Originally Posted by cheylink
I just want to give all of you quitting some and! You can do it! There are so many more reasons why you shouldn't then why you should!
I think you are right - I am the most impatient person in the world! And I hate waiting for anything. I always need to be doing something! And the cigarette fitted in perfectly. I think I am going to try and change my schedule, and do my hair before makeup.... and keep the telly off!
I am off to the craft shop tomorrow, and picking up my cross stitch supplies - cant wait!
I think everyone is doing so brilliantly!
Even in this past week the support has been amazing and I am feeling quietly confident! 7 days to go...
Good luck everyone and
Wow, 5-6 a day - that is brilliant!
Have you thought about changing your bed linen to something totally different? So you don't associate the new linen with smoking?
Silly, I know - but the last time I gave up I redecorated my bedroom - and made it no smoking! With the new color scheme it kept on reinforcing the no - smoking rule!
You are doing great!
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For those who crochet, or want to take it up, you can donate your crochet work. Either for local events that would auction them off to raise money, for soldiers, their families, children, those who have lost their homes to natural disaster, etc.
Just a thought for those who may like to do something good with whatever hobby they take up.
Just a thought for those who may like to do something good with whatever hobby they take up.
CDubbie - congrats on 3 weeks without smoking! I know what you mean about when things get stressful, you want a cigarette. Usually the beginning is fairly easy for me, then around 8 or 9 months down the road, I think I can have JUST ONE... and that's what gets me started again. BTW, what is up with the 9 month mark? I've seen a few other people mention that's when they get back into it too!
This time I keep telling myself it's different because I just didn't feel like smoking anymore, and that's what prompted me to quit (that, and hacking up a lung every night/morning). The gum is really just a crutch and a way to end a meal so I can get the thought of a cig out of my mind.
Anyone else have any success with the gum? I didn't see it mentioned at all.
I hope everyone else is doing well with quitting.. stay strong!
Hospitals are always looking for those little knit hats for newbies too.
Or you can crochet little kitty blankets to donate to the rescues and shelters
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #97
Time to bump this back up.
My week of having only 6 was unsuccessful.... somedays yes, somedays no.
It was a bad week for me, due to pain issues.... I tend to smoke more when I hurt.
9 days away from my quit date
Why is it, or has anyone else experienced this: I went to bed last night saying to myself that I was going to try not smoking today....now its today, 2hrs since I woke up and I really want a smoke. I was doing well and lasting 3hrs or so before wanting a morning smoke. But it seems like today its just because I said I was going to try not to smoke.
I think its because I know I can still smoke...so me saying try not to smoke is putting it on my mind alot more than the days where I don't think about whether I'm smoking or not.
I do think I'm going to have a difficult time in quitting. I definately know that I have to keep my mind off of it by doing other things.
How's everyone else doing???
My week of having only 6 was unsuccessful.... somedays yes, somedays no.
It was a bad week for me, due to pain issues.... I tend to smoke more when I hurt.
9 days away from my quit date
Why is it, or has anyone else experienced this: I went to bed last night saying to myself that I was going to try not smoking today....now its today, 2hrs since I woke up and I really want a smoke. I was doing well and lasting 3hrs or so before wanting a morning smoke. But it seems like today its just because I said I was going to try not to smoke.
I think its because I know I can still smoke...so me saying try not to smoke is putting it on my mind alot more than the days where I don't think about whether I'm smoking or not.
I do think I'm going to have a difficult time in quitting. I definately know that I have to keep my mind off of it by doing other things.
How's everyone else doing???
Chris, you are right about wanting a ciggie more when you think about them. For some reason yesterday I had cravings a couple of times. As soon as I go do something and get my mind of it, I forget about it. With your pain issues, you are probably going to have more difficulty than most especially if you smoke more when you are in more pain.
Maybe the time for you to try to quit will be after your operation and when you are on the mend. You may be putting too much on yourself all at one time.
Maybe the time for you to try to quit will be after your operation and when you are on the mend. You may be putting too much on yourself all at one time.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #99
Very good thoughts
Part of the reason I chose to quit on the day of my surgery (meaning I will prolly have a smoke or 2 right before surgery and then be done) is because I will have that one day in hospital, plus AFAIK they will be putting a very bulky dressing on my hand afterwards and I will have some difficulty getting a coat on plus be in more pain for a little bit.... but this surgery should ease my pain almost immediately (aside from the pain of surgery) in that area..... the thumb tendinitis is where a good chunk of my pain stems from, secondary is my elbows, last in my back.. (aside from arthritis in my knees). Point being, for a few days after surgery I'm going to be physically unable to do alot so it "should" help me get through the first few days.
I know, after writing this, that i'm 100% sure if I don't do it now, I won't. (unless I end up in hospital due to smoking/lung/breathing issues)
I think part of me is starting to get nervous now that its less than 2wks away.
Not to mention that my husband isn't around much during the week... He's usually gone to Windsor M-F. The week of surgery, he's taking the day of surgery off, and the next day.... after that he wanted to go away to Windsor and spend the night.
Men just aren't very good when it comes to things like that. My hubby does not deal with illness in others very well. He has never been sick so doesn't understand it and thinks exercise will fix anything.
When I came home from hospital they told me not to go up and down stairs but hubby had no problem with me going up and down to do laundry. He at least carried the dirty clothes down for me. So I just took my time and moved slower and got the jobs done. He complimented me on how proud he was that I wasn't "babying" myself.
I hope he never has health issues - he'll never be able to handle them.
When I came home from hospital they told me not to go up and down stairs but hubby had no problem with me going up and down to do laundry. He at least carried the dirty clothes down for me. So I just took my time and moved slower and got the jobs done. He complimented me on how proud he was that I wasn't "babying" myself.
I hope he never has health issues - he'll never be able to handle them.
