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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Wednesday, November 02, 2005 - 7:14 am
Yay, I am celebrating 1 year today! Going for Chinese food this weekend to pay tribute to the combination of this accomplishment and 30 years of wedded bliss. Then back to my diet and exercising on Monday.LOL
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Metoo
Member
02-22-2005
| Wednesday, November 02, 2005 - 7:31 am
Congrats Lumbele on both of your anniversaries!
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Nynana
Member
05-31-2005
| Wednesday, November 02, 2005 - 11:05 am
YEAH LUMBELE!!! I can't wait until next week when I hit a year! I want the 'all you can eat shrimp' from Red Lobster...heheheheh will mess with my thyroid levels but hey, it's a celebration :-) 30 years, you have 10 years ahead of us, in Dec.! Though, had we stayed married the first time we would have made it 35 years last May, we just took a 13 year divorce break in there before doing it all over again :-) Have a wonderful time!
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Thursday, November 03, 2005 - 6:25 am
Congratulations Lumbele on your one year anniversary! Congratulations to Nynana, on your one year anniversary on the 9th! Yay Kristy and LLKoolaid! Zgood, hang in there. I didn't know if I could make it either, but now I've gotten used to the occasional cravings and dismiss them almost as fast as they rear up their ugly 'heads'. Now when I smell smoke, I think someone might need help putting out the fire! Remember, your health really is affected by smoking. My stroke was proof of that for me. I'm just lucky that I can walk again.
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Thursday, November 03, 2005 - 11:09 am
Thanks, Metoo, Nynana and Gracie! It feels good to celebrate this milestone. Zgood, hang in there! Although it may not feel much like it right now, the cravings do eventually become rarer, and in time, as Gracie said, they can be dismissed much quicker. It takes less and less will power to not light up again. Just remember, there is no such thing as *one* cigarette.
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Zgoodgirl
Member
08-22-2003
| Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - 3:57 pm
Nynana- I've been meaning to come in here and congratulate you on your one year anniversity!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Sorry so late!
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Wednesday, November 23, 2005 - 2:56 pm
Congratulations, Nynana!!! Yay Lumbele!!! Zgood, you are doing very zgood!! You absolutely must keep saying no to those devil urges, or you will lose all the ground you have gained so far. You DON'T want to go through this again, although people do, much to their regret. As I used to tell Fruitbat, all you have to do is endure. It will eventually give up and go away and leave you in peace. Just keep a-hangin' in there.
LL, you still with us?
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Zgoodgirl
Member
08-22-2003
| Thursday, December 01, 2005 - 3:58 pm
Hello! Week 9 here! Still smoke free! Been off the patch for about 2 weeks now (skipped the last step of the program). I can say that I can brush any cravings that come up now. I still get them, but it's like a little spark that crosses my mind, but quickly leaves. My pointer finger nail on my smoking hand use to be like a nasty orange from smoking no matter how much I scrubbed and buffed, it was still nasty. Well, it has grown out, and now I have a clear nail. Most importantly, I can wear light color polishes without worrying about smoke discoloring it. I still try and reach for where I use to put my cigarettes in the car when I get out, but am not disappointed when I realize they are not there. I gained 5 pounds, but I knew that was going to happen, so I'm not too sad about that. I just hope that I don't gain too much more since it's the holidays and usually the most stressful time in the year. I know it's not over by a long shot, and I'm still going to have bad days, and weeks, and cravings. But I think that the worse is over. I wanna thank ya'll for the support I've gotten here. I was really having a hard time, and would have probably started smoking if it wasn't for this thread.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Thursday, December 01, 2005 - 10:53 pm
Congratulations, Zgoodgirl!!! That is just terrific. Yes, you are definitely over the worst now. It is all downhill from here on in as long as you never give in to have just one. There is no such thing as just one.
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Friday, December 02, 2005 - 8:35 am
Yay, Zgood!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are getting the monkey off your back!!!! If he ever wants to climb back on, come here quickly so we can talk you out of it.
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Denecee
Member
09-05-2002
| Tuesday, December 06, 2005 - 8:39 am
That's great Zgoodgirl! That feel good feeling when you think about how you don't smoke anymore is great, huh? I know because I still get that feeling too. It will be 3 yrs for me this 12/31/05. Congrats to all of you for staying smoke free and we should be proud of it!
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Nickovtyme
Member
07-29-2004
| Wednesday, December 07, 2005 - 8:57 pm
Ok...so I haven't had a smoke since 7 am today. I've been a smoker/Dipper (for those unfamiliar with dipper...it's a person who uses smokeless tobacco. Some call them Chewers) since I was 14. My parents smoked all my life up until I was 14 and one day I asked my dad if I could buy some Levi Garrett Chew. All my friends in school were chewing tobacco; so I wanted to be part of the crowd. Chew is like a gateway tobacco for teenagers...soon I was dipping snuff and finally moved on to the hardcore cigs. Why did I start smoking? One reason was because it was hard as hell to drink beer with a chew/dip in your mouth. There may be a myriad of other reasons, but bottom line is that I've had nicotine in my system for over half my life. I used to smoke what I thought were the better cigarettes. You know, the "lights" and even had people tell me they're better for you than the "fulls". You know what the difference is? In a light cigarette filter there are holes which allow some of the smoke to escape while you inhale. The full flavor cigarette there is the absence of these holes allowing you to get the full kick of smoke, instead of half. I have every reason in the world to quit. I've tried to quit a few times over the years, but not for long. Mostly it seemed like I could get three months in and that would be that. I would start back like I had never stopped. My dad died of lung cancer partly from smoking but also partly from being exposed to agent orange in the Vietnam War. Both of my Grandparents, on my dad's side, died of smoking related health issues. I have two beautiful daughters that I someday want to walk down the aisle and be there for all the exciting things that go on in a childs life. Zoe was born with Respiratory issues and will probably have them her whole life...maybe not as seriously as she does now, but to some extent. Though, I don't smoke in the house. I do step outside on the porch and not smoke around her. Sometimes my daughters when they play pretend "smoke" or pretend "spit" into a cup. I know it's rather disturbing and would like to stop it before they get to carried away and the pretend becomes the real thing. So...I'm weak. I'll be up front and admit that to myself and anybody that cares to read this. I have no will-power when it comes to tobacco. My body rebels and hates me to no end whenever I get one of these hair-brained schemes to quit smoking. I did buy a product called "Smoke-Away" which seems to be helping with the cravings and stuff and I also got a pack of the gum, which also helps. But, it's still like my lungs are aching to be full of warm smoke and my chest feels very heavy. Yesterday, I only had 2 cigarettes and by the time I got home from work...I didn't want anybody near me or around me. My wife is trying her best to be supportive, but she says she will quit if I do; its like she's waiting to make sure I do before she will. So here I am, spilling it all. Let me apologize in advance to those that I might offend with a post or two over the course of the next few weeks. They say the first six months are the hardest, but I never made it past three... Here's to making it past three.
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Thursday, December 08, 2005 - 5:42 am
Yay, Nick!!!!!!!!! Congratulations! You made the first step! Have you considered the patch, Zyban? Your doctor may have other quitting aids to help you along the way. Many of us have used some kind of help or other. No shame in that. Who knows, it may be the difference between 3 months and forever. Quitting for your family's sake is a good incentive, but until you want to do it for yourself you are not likely to succeed. When I got tired of the side effects of smoking, wanting to get rid of all those for *myself* was when I finally made it. Hang in there, and come here any time, whenever you need support.
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Mameblanche
Member
04-13-2005
| Thursday, December 08, 2005 - 8:07 am
Nick I don't smoke... (food is my vice) but Vince went on the patch a few years ago, and never looked back! It wasn't easy, and most fail, but he was determined, and/or lucky and it worked for him. It was a couple of years before we got married, I think. And we got married in '99. So it is doable, and I wish you much luck!
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Thursday, December 08, 2005 - 7:30 pm
Nick, congratulations on making one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Keep thinking about not being around at those weddings, and you can see the logic. It is hard, it is VERY damn hard. It IS worse than quitting heroin. BUT, you can do it if you are determined. You have to fight. You have to fight and fight until you think you can't fight any more and then you have to look the monster in the face and say, "YOU will not beat me!" But first, you have to realize it IS a monster. We quitting smokers are always somehow under the impression that smoking is our friend and that we are giving up our best friend. It is not. It is a false friend. It is an addiction. That is all it is. It is not comfort. It is simply putting another stick in your mouth to keep off the withdrawal pangs. But, what if you could be free? What if you NEVER had to shell out another hard-won FIVE BUCKS to feed the addiction? It is freedom. It is absolute freedom. Think what you AND your wife could do with another whole ten dollars a day! Anyhow, before I wax too poetic, I agree with Lumbele. Unless you are absolutely made of steel, don't try to go it without some substitute. The patch worked for me and Lumbele. It is expensive but probably not more expensive than smokes. And, it does work. It is a very curious feeling. You don't have withdrawal. You just sort of feel empty. You are left with the emotional pangs of missing your old best friend. But better fighting the addiction on just one front (the emotional) than two (the physical). Good luck, Nick. If you want to do it bad enough, you will. And the ex-addicts will be here to help you along if you need it.
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Zgoodgirl
Member
08-22-2003
| Thursday, December 08, 2005 - 9:47 pm
WhoooHooo Nick!!! Congratulations on your decision to quit!! It'll be 3 months for me on Christmas Day, and I know I will still have some bumps along the road, but it does get better. I agree with Juju, use something to take the edge off. I also used the patch, and there were no withdrawals, just a really weird empty feeling like you have lost someone close. I had pretty vivid dreams which was a side effect, but a bonus to me. Maybe something else can work for you. I'm lost when you mention using some of that gum. Are you using the nicotine gum? I have a friend of mine that quit dipping a long time ago. This might sound weird, but along with the patch, he used shaved coconut to put in his lip instead of the dip. I guess since he dipped so much, he seemed to be missing something there all the time. He also said that the no spitting part was an added bonus. Good luck, I know that it's going to be hard, but it is worth it in the long run. Remember to come in here when you feel an urge.
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Nickovtyme
Member
07-29-2004
| Friday, December 09, 2005 - 8:19 pm
Well, I'm on day number 4 and I've been chewing the gum, but also have had to break down and have a smoke here and there. I smoked 2 packs a day for a number of years and in 4 days, I've had maybe a dozen cigs. I know that might be cheating, but it's a start. Yesterday was a real downer for me. I felt like an absolute failure because I can't go cold turkey. I go as long as I can and try to stave off the crave with the gum, but even at that...there comes to a point where I break down. I think I need to rethink how to go about quitting and not expect it to happen overnight. I'll keep on trucking on...thanks for all the encouragement and pointers! It helps. I'll try to keep updated as I go along...either here or in my folder.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Friday, December 09, 2005 - 10:29 pm
Try the patch, Nick. You have to start with the strongest one, which I think is 21 mg., but it really does remove the physical craving.
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Halfunit
Moderator
09-02-2001
| Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 9:25 am
Congrats to everyone who is staying smoke free!!! Nick, like you, I started smoking when I was 14. I was also up to 2 packs a day. Two years ago, I quit using the Commit lozenges. I would also use a piece of the Nicorette gum every once in a while, just to spice things up a bit. There are others who use the patch, acupuncture, and even that new oral laser treatment. 1. Decide to quit. 2. Find the method that works for you. 3. Stick with it. Most quitters here will tell you, "If I can do it, you can do it!", and that is so true. I never thought I could get along without a smoke, and now I look back and I'm so pissed off at myself for spending money on such a dirty habit, or not enjoying vacations because I was always searching for a place to smoke, or having to go outside and freeze my rear end off just to suck some smoke inside of me. Stay strong! If I can do it, so can you!
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Mameblanche
Member
04-13-2005
| Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 1:46 pm
Nick, my dh has some advice for you in your folder. 
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Saturday, December 10, 2005 - 9:42 pm
BUT, if you (generic, not pointing at Nick) think you can't do it, you probably can't do it. Try again when you think you can. It took Fruitbat a couple years. And she finally came in here and kicked butt. Yay Fruitbat!!!
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Danas15146
Member
03-31-2004
| Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 4:27 pm
Still around and still smoke free (over six months now). haven't had time to post - but didn't want anyone thinking I'd gone back to puffing! Congrats on all of you for your great quits. Nick - the patch is the only way I was able to do it. Good luck to you.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 5:11 pm
Yay DanaS!!! I was pretty sure you were going to make it. Yay!
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Zgoodgirl
Member
08-22-2003
| Friday, December 30, 2005 - 9:26 pm
I am coming in here with my head hung in shame. I had a really tough Christmas. I took a week off of work, which I really shouldn't have done. I spent all that time worrying about work, racking my brain if I wrapped everything up for the year end. I spent four days with family, which though there is no smoking in the house since my mom does not smoke, the rest of the family who come over do. So there are usually big pow wows going on in the backyard. I thought I could handle it, but I couldn't. I snagged a smoke from my aunt's pack, and snuck out in the backyard at 2am and smoked it. The next day, I bought a pack of smokes. I did all this on my third month anniversity. I am soo mad at myself! I slapped on the patch (7mg since I don't think I did too much damge) this morning and am going to try again. I honestly thought I was out of the woods, I was so confident and sure of myself. I just don't know what happened. I come in here asking for support once again. I am so sick about this. I just posted in here at the beginning of the month so freaking sure I was going to get through this, I'm ashamed. Dammit! I wanted to quit so bad.
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 6:27 am
Zgood, beating yourself up about your slip is not going to help, just add more pressure. So you fell off the wagon, whoop-di-dah. Climb back on and keep at it! The only reason I am not saying "Forgetaboutit!" is so you'll remember this is not the walk in the park you thought it would be, and so that you know there is no such thing as *one* cigarette. Live and learn and move on! Yay, Dana!!! You are doing great!!! Keep it up!!!
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