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Archive through October 02, 2005

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Dec. ~ 2006 Feb.: Health Center: Who wants to quit smoking with me? (ARCHIVES): Archive through October 02, 2005 users admin

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Pepper
Member

09-02-2005

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 6:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pepper a private message Print Post    
Is this thread still alive, can anyone talk to me.
I am a smoker and I really hate it.
I hate to see young kids smoke, I swear that I would rather see them ...not smoke.
I hate the tobacco lobby, I can't understand how they do it.


Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 7:33 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
Pepper, you are the only one who can decide to quit. We can only offer support and encouragement.
Over the 36 years that I smoked I must have "practiced" quitting about a dozen times. Then last fall something snapped, I quit with the help of patches and TVCH. Can't count how often I have read "if I can do it, anyone can" in this thread over the years thinking "Yeah, right!", but it's true. You can do it, too!

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, September 03, 2005 - 6:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Pepper, when you get so you hate it so much you just can't stand it anymore, then you will do everything in your power to get that hated monkey off your back.

This may sound silly to someone who still smokes, but it is SUCH a relief not to HAVE to smoke anymore. Because you really DO smoke because you HAVE to, not because you want to. You just don't realize it until you get free.

So, Pepper, make the start, and come here and post your heart out. We will be here.

I recommend some sort of nicotine substitute like the patch or gum or lozenges, because the psychological cravings are enough by themselves without having to have the physical hurting too.

Some people have been able to go cold turkey.

Native-Texan did hypnosis, I believe.

Moondance
Member

07-30-2000

Tuesday, September 06, 2005 - 8:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Moondance a private message Print Post    
Congrats to everyone! Keep up the good work!

Does anyone remember the book that was suggested when this thread first was started years ago?

Danas15146
Member

03-31-2004

Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 8:02 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Danas15146 a private message Print Post    
Hope you are all hanging in! I hit the three month mark on Tuesday.

Pepper - I would also recommend some type of NRT. I did the patch and it really helped me alot. I have never had a serious attempt at quitting. You still have to overcome the mental addiction - but I think it is a little easier when you are not dealing with the extreme physical withdrawal.

Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 8:10 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
p Congratulations on 3 Months, Dana!!!p2

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 9:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Moonie, I just Googled. I think "the book" is Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking.

Yay DanaS!!! If you made it this long, you pretty much have it kicked in the ass. Isn't it wonderful to not have to smoke anymore!!?? Don't you feel sorry for those poor addicts who still have to huddle outside buildings like common derelicts?

Danas15146
Member

03-31-2004

Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 4:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Danas15146 a private message Print Post    
JuJu -- I go back and forth between being glad I am not smoking (the extra $$$ is sure nice) and wishing to God I could have just one smoke (which I know that I can't do -- I'll be back to a pack a day within a week). The only time I really crave now is if I am with someone who is smoking. Fortunately, I realize that I would be a total idiot to give up what I have done so far for that minute of enjoyment.



Danas15146
Member

03-31-2004

Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 4:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Danas15146 a private message Print Post    
Kristy -- how is your hubby doing?????

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 6:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
You are right, DanaS. There is no such thing as just one smoke. Not only that, but it really wouldn't be enjoyable. It would be awful, and you would be hooked AGAIN for nothing. NOTHING! Most of us here have been there, done that. Just take our word for it.

Native_texan
Member

08-24-2004

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 8:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Native_texan a private message Print Post    
8 months

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 2:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Yay Native_Texan!!!

And you did it during a time of extreme stress. Way to go!

Danas15146
Member

03-31-2004

Monday, September 19, 2005 - 8:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Danas15146 a private message Print Post    
Great job NT!!!!!

Rainlvr
Member

05-28-2004

Sunday, September 25, 2005 - 10:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rainlvr a private message Print Post    
Can I jump in here? I smoked basically since I was 15--so, for 23 years. I had a few years around the birth of my 2 oldest children where I didn't smoke at all, but I started up again in '92 and finally quit in March, '05. It's sooo hard, and every day at one point or another, I want a cigarette, but I'm not giving in! Right now I'm at a little more than 6 months and although I ended up gaining about 30 pounds, I have now lost 16 of those and am working on eating healthier and exercising to go along with my new smoke-free life! Good luck to all of you about to quit or who have just recently quit. And congrats to all of you who have quit and stuck to it!!



Zgoodgirl
Member

08-22-2003

Thursday, September 29, 2005 - 5:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Zgoodgirl a private message Print Post    
Oh thank goodness this thread is here! I came on here preparing myself to start a new thread for the first time. I just need to hear from other people who have quit smoking who know what I'm going through. My non smoking friends look at me like I'm crazy, and I'm worried that I'm scaring my still smoking friends so they will never quit!

I'm 33 and have been smoking since I was 16. Well, I haven't had a cig since Sunday night at 7 pm. I'm on the Nicoderm patch (forgive me, for I do not think I can quit cold turkey), and the first 2 days have not been that bad. Now it's getting to me.

I'm starting to become a little snippy, and I am thinking about smoking 25% of the day. So far it's just thinking about, it hasn't gotten to the thinking about going to the store. I just never realized how I have scheduled my smoking in my life before. As I think of doing something like cleaning the house, watching a show, or doing the dishes, getting on the treadmill, I have found out that I have basically rounded off each task I would do during the day with a cigarette! Like last night, I tought about going out on the patio and watch the thunderstorm come in with a beer and a.... 'Doh! No cigarettes for me!' and than I got sad about it. What is up with that?

While I'm at a stop light with my windows down, I can smell someone's cig 2 cars away from me, and I just die. And driving is sooo hard, because I would smoke a lot driving. After I eat a meal I immediately brush my teeth because I couldn't stand a cigarette after I brush my teeth, because the need for one is bad. And right now, on the computer, where I smoked like a fiend...oh Lord help me! As I sit here with a Twizzler hanging out of my mouth because my jaw is too sore to chew from all the gum I had today, I keep telling myself it will get better.

I know I will get through this. My house smells better, my clothes don't smell like smoke. And even if it has only been 4 1/2 days, I feel that I am actually breathing, smelling, and tasting better. Whew! I feel better now! Just needed to vent. Now if anyone could tell me if the way I'm feeling is normal or not now, I would appreciate it! LOL!


Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Thursday, September 29, 2005 - 6:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
Only 25% of the day? You got this thing licked 3/4 of the way already.
Seriously, you are doing great!!! Everything you said you feel is posilutely normal.
There is no shame whatsoever in using quitting aids, whatever your choice. My last quitting run was helped along by the patch while taking Zyban as well. Whatever gets you off the smokes is good. One piece of advice from my waistline, though....don't substitute the cigs with candy.
Come in here any time you feel like venting, screaming, throwing something, kicking someone, whatever ails ya. We are here to listen and encourage you. Hang in there, we did it, you can, too!

Rainlvr
Member

05-28-2004

Friday, September 30, 2005 - 6:47 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rainlvr a private message Print Post    
Zgoodgirl, you are so normal!! I used the patch too for my first 6 weeks--I could have never done it cold turkey either. Only time that worked was when I was pregnant! I haven't sat out on the front step since I quit smoking because that was my escape, I'd grab a cig and sit out front and feel the stress washing away! When I quit last March, I was driving my daughter to school each morning and round trip that was about 25-30 minutes. I thought I would go crazy driving without smoking because that was also a big habit for me. As soon as I sat in the car, before seatbelts, before starting the car, I lit up. Believe it or not, it got so much easier very quickly. I can use my ashtray for all the change that used to be scattered in my glove box AND my car smells nice and the windows aren't yellow!

Now I can drive my mom while she's smoking and it doesn't bother me. I breathe in the smoke and yeah, I still miss it in some ways, but then I remember why I quit and I'm good.

So, bottom line, everything you're going through right now is normal and we've all gone through it! But it isn't always easy and sometimes you just need to vent, so go right ahead! Better than picking up a cigarette and starting all over, right?! Good luck and stay in touch!

Rainlvr
Member

05-28-2004

Friday, September 30, 2005 - 6:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rainlvr a private message Print Post    
Lumbele, lol, my waistline agrees with yours! I gained so much weight it's ridiculous! But now that I can breathe while I exercise I've lost a good bit of it so far!

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Friday, September 30, 2005 - 10:16 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Yay, Zgoodgirl!!!

Yep, have to agree with the others that everything you are experiencing is quite normal. I think I might even have actually cried on my first couple days I was so sad, and I was on the patch too. It feels like losing a good friend. You will come to realize later that you never had that friend. A friend would not punish you the way you are being punished now. What you had was a pure and simple physical addiction that acted like your friend as long as you kept it well fed.

I would agree that thinking about smoking ONLY 25% of the time during the first few days is pretty darned good. I bet a lot of us would say it seemed like 98% of the time.

It does get easier, and if you have made it four days, you have already made significant progress. The thing is, you can never give back even an inch, even one smoke, even a puff. You just can't, or you will be back to starting over. There is no such thing as one cigarette.

So, just keep on keeping on, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, whatever you have to do. When it gets to be too much, and you think you are going to just explode if you don't have a cigarette, come post in here. By the time you get done posting, the urge will probably have passed, and you can think about something else.

Good luck. It is a very, very hard thing to do, but if you are determined enough, you can do it. One minute at a time.

Kearie
Member

07-21-2005

Saturday, October 01, 2005 - 2:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kearie a private message Print Post    
I have a pack a day habit. I have for 22 years.
I should quit, but not sure if I'm ready to commit completely. I've never really tried to quit.

To be honest, I suffer from chronic anxiety and because of this, I'm really scared to try to quit.

Has anyone tried hypnosis? Thots or research on the subject in regards to quitting smoking?

Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Saturday, October 01, 2005 - 3:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
Keari, I have made a few half-arsed attempts over the years, but not until I was ready and serious about it did it actually take.
You'll know when you are set to butt out. It's a decision and commitment that only you can make.

Because of your condition you may want to talk to your doctor as to what he/she suggests. Zyban, for example is not only an aid, but also an anti-depressant.

If I remember right NativeTexan has used hypnosis, which worked for her.

Good luck! Come here any time you need a shoulder, ear or encouragement whenever you have snuffed that last cigarette.

Zgoodgirl
Member

08-22-2003

Saturday, October 01, 2005 - 7:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Zgoodgirl a private message Print Post    
Thanks so much for the encouragment! I'm going to need it. This is my first weekend without smoking, and I decided to take it easy and stay in until I get over these awful cravings.

My worse cravings are usually happening in the late afternoon and evenings, I seem to be fine in the mornings. So today I put the patch on at 1pm to see if it's better. It's helping a little, but the cravings are still there just not as strong.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, October 01, 2005 - 10:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Zgood, I thought you were supposed to wear the patch 24/7? I did. I would sure recommend you check the directions. No need to make things any harder than they are. And you need the strongest one for starters. But if you made it this far, you are probably determined to make it. Hang in there. It will start getting less horrible in the not too distant future. I guarantee it.

Kearie, Lumbele is correct. You pretty much have to go until you are so disgusted with yourself that you are determined you will kick it come hell or high water and just hope to hell you haven't waited so long that you have actually killed yourself with indecision. Because we all know we are playing Russian roulette with these killers. Did I smoke too long, and am I going to get lung cancer when I am 82 even though I stopped many years ago? Who knows?

But here is something to think about. You think the cigarette is calming your nerves. In actuality the nicotine might be causing you to be MORE nervous and high strung. When you self-administer the nicotine via the cigarette what you are actually doing is staving off the withdrawal symptoms of not having it. How sick is that? If you can manage to visualize yourself as an addict, you might be able to summon the outrage to get yourself free. Whatever works, whatever works. Just try as hard as you can to save yourself before it is too late.

Zgoodgirl
Member

08-22-2003

Saturday, October 01, 2005 - 11:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Zgoodgirl a private message Print Post    
Juju, I have been wearing it 24/7, but feel like it somehow 'wears off' around 7pm. I'm more of a night smoker than a morning one. I wouldn't have my first smoke until about 3 hours after I got up in the AM. I was a pack a day smoker, but would only smoke about 5 cigarettes between 6am to 5pm. I just decided to change out the patch a little later in the day than I have been which was around 6am. I am wearing the 21mg patch, which is the strongest one I think.

I would take off the patch before my shower in the morning, and put a new one on when I got out. This time I waited a couple of hours before putting a new one on and will change it out the same time tomorrow. I was checking to see if my evening cravings would be less than they have been. It seems to have helped a lot.

Lumbele
Member

07-12-2002

Sunday, October 02, 2005 - 5:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lumbele a private message Print Post    
Whatever works for *you*, Zgood, stick with it!

Although even the manufacturer recommended less time on the patch, my doctor put me on 6-4-4 weeks. When I repeatedly forgot to switch the patches out towards the end, I knew I finally had the best chance I have had so far to quit smoking permanently. You'll reach that point, too, don't worry. Just try to tough it out in the meantime.