Archive through December 10, 2003
MoveCloseDeleteAdmin

TV ClubHouse: archive: Who wants to quit smoking with me? (ARCHIVE): Archive through December 10, 2003

Halfunit

Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 08:59 am EditMoveDeleteIP
336 hours.

Juju2bigdog

Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 05:16 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Yay, Landi!! Yay Lostintheglades!! Yay Tamalyn!! Yay Halfunit!!

And now I think we need a huge round of applause for Llkoolaid who has been doing a TON of heavy lifting in here for the past couple months.

<does a triple backflip>Yay Llkoolaid!!!

I have read everything in this thread since I departed the country. Now I am back. Lost, you are doing terrific. You know what is the biggest thing you have going for you? You really, really want to be successful. You have reached the end of your rope with this stupid smoking addiction, and you know the only one who can get you free of it is YOU! That is gigantic. You WILL make it, one way or the other. You go, girl!

Halfunit, you doing okay? You haven't checked in for 9 whole hours. Or maybe you have, and it has just taken me that long to read the archives of this thread. Seems like I have been reading for a really long time. (and I am not unpacked yet, LOL) We may be making light of it, because you have a jovial nature, but one hour at a time, even a half hour at a time, actually DOES work. Every hour you don't smoke is one hour closer to getting the monkey off your back.

Maris, congratulations on your success.

Halfunit

Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 06:31 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I'm here Juju! 345 ½ hours!

I haven't been posting as much since I quit, as I have yet to overcome that online/cigarette relationship. I'm close, and I think I'll be back to my normal posting levels soon.

And yes, I'm cracking myself up with the hours. Sure, I could say 2 weeks. But it would have still been 2 weeks 9 hours ago, and I like to see progress. I'm weird.

Speaking of weird, Unit and I went out for dinner tonight, and sat in a section of the restaurant that we've never been in before: NON-smoking. It was like being in a new eatery, lol.

Don't give me too much credit yet, as I'm still on the Commit lozenges. They recommend a 12 week program, starting with 4mg tablets, and then changing to 2mg tablets later on. My biggest fear is that I'll become hooked on these things.

The nice thing is that you can go and see a movie in the theater and get your nicotine fix without leaving your seat!

Hang in there everyone, and have a great week!

Llkoolaid

Juju

Juju2bigdog

Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 09:15 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Half, I don't think you will get hooked on the lozenges, although they did not have those when I was quitting. I used the patch, and the "nice" thing about that, if you could call it nice, was that the dang thing was so itchy, I couldn't wait until I could do without it. Still, I used it for a long time. BUT, as you noticed tonight, it is SO nice not to HAVE to smoke those cigarettes. You can just sit and have a meal and not have to worry about whether you will be able to get in the smoke you HAVE to have.

I hadn't done the math to realize you are at the two week level already. Hell, you are well on your way. See if you can do another half hour.

Llkoolaid

Monday, December 08, 2003 - 04:33 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hey guys, didn't I tell you just to wait til Juju got back, she is definately head cheerleader around here.

Juju, so glad to have you back, I loved reading your members folder everyday with Tess's updates and hear about your trip. Just don't leave again soon ok.

Half, I don't think you will become addicted to those things, they will just help you get off the cigs completely. You are doing great.

Landi

Monday, December 08, 2003 - 12:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
juju! glad to see you're back. llkool has been telling us that you're the biggest cheerleader for this group!

i have some questions about the patches.
1. Are they supposed to make you nauseous?
2. Is the skin usually red underneath the patch when you take it off?
3. What do I do when my patch wears out, but it isn't time for a new patch yet?
4. It keeps me up awake at night. what do i do?

hope you can help! thanks!

Llkoolaid

Monday, December 08, 2003 - 02:52 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I used the patch once so I will try to answer.

1. I don't think so but the gum made me nauseous.
2. Doesn't it say somewhere in the directions to watch for that, I would check and if it doesn't call my doctor.
3. I think the rule is one patch per day, mine never wore out.
4. Don't wear it at night, I didn't, I didn't smoke when I was in bed so I took it off every night before I went to bed.

I am pretty sure there is a hot line number on the package that you could call and get the right answers to these questions and be sure. Maybe it is just time for you to step down to a weaker patch.

Good luck, you are doing so well.

Juju2bigdog

Monday, December 08, 2003 - 10:12 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I have mostly the same answers as Llkoolaid.

1. They didn't make me nauseous, but I can see how they might.

2. red skin - yes, mine was red. I had to move the patch to a different place every day. Some days I looked like I had been worked over by the monster leech from outer space, with big round red patches in several places on my body. HOWEVER, it is better to have temporary red patches than to go back to being chained to the cigarette monster. If the marks are JUST red, no other symptoms, and they go away after a couple days or so, I would probably consider that normal. I figured it was a reaction to the adhesive and not the nicotine.

3. Mine did not wear out either. The dose of nicotine was strong enough from the start. I think I started with 21 mg. then went to 14 mg. and finally 7 mg.

4. Is it the itching and irritation that is keeping you awake at night? Or the nicotine? But, yeah, I'd say do what Llkoolaid suggests, take it off at night. I don't recall if I wore one at night or not but it was not keeping me awake.

And, of course, Ll's idea of calling the hotline number on the package is an excellent one. When I used the patch, they still had to be prescribed by a doctor, so of course I could call the doctor, but I didn't find a need to.

Lostintheglades

Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 04:53 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Ok...Just a quick post and then back to work. I am smoking again, something I really hate to admit. The class reunion started it, and then it was just, well, I don't have any excuses, life sucks right now and I'm weak so I'll try again when my mind set is right because right now it's not.

The rest of....keep going. 1/2, you are doing so great!!! Landi, you go girl!! You're doing great too. Maybe I'll try the patch next time. Maybe if I'd had the patch I wouldn't have taken that first smoke again.....chit...gonna go give myself 40 lashes now and prepare to try again after the New Year. Sheesh
slinking out of folder now

Halfunit

Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 05:41 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Lost - please don't feel bad, and don't give up.

I didn't think there was a chance in Spain that I could quit. Smoker for 20 years, and I enjoyed smoking (or so I thought!).

What got me to stop is actually funny. Our company is considering banning smoking anywhere on the property after the first of the year. Some of my co-workers started using the Commit lozenges and I saw they were having a super easy time at quitting.

I thought - "It can't be that easy."

So, out of curiosity, I bought the lozenges, while keeping my supply of cigarettes. I tried the tablets, and was shocked that they really did take the urge away without lighting up.

During the first couple of days, I would occasionally smoke a cigarette at lunch, or before bed - but what I found was that instead of a pack and a half a day, I was only smoking two cigarettes. I was quite impressed with myself, and with the lozenges.

In a nutshell, I quit because I didn't think the lozenges would work. I wasn't even in the right mind frame to quit, but it happened.

I think the lozenges are better than the patch because you have the control when you want to put one in your mouth, just like when you want to light one up.

Also, I found it takes away the oral fixation without using food - which is a very good thing in my case, lol.

Lost - if you're still reading, humor me, and the next time you're at the store, buy a box of Commit. Don't toss your smokes, but try the lozenges and see if they do anything for you.

After a week and a half of me taking them, I sold my remaining packs to a girl at work for $2 a pack. I recouped some of my cash, and she got a good deal, lol.

If the lozenges don't help you, I'll buy them from you.

What do you have to lose?

Lostintheglades

Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 06:07 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks (((Half))) I'll give them a try. I tried the gum before but all it did was increase my need for nicotine which makes sense since the more you feed the habit the more you need it. Maybe the lozenges would be better. This time I didn't use anything. Just went cold turkey. So...let's see....I've done the hypnosis, done the gum, done the Zyban(Wellbutrin), and now tried the cold turkey thing...may as well try the lozenge. This has been a particularly bad few months for me although that is no excuse. I have just been bombarded with annoying legal issues and other things. I really need to learn to delegate some of those things out to other people. Thanks for the encouraging words Half and I am so proud of you, Landi and everyone else who has managed kicking this monkey in it's arse...it's such a hard thing to do.

((((Huggers))))

Llkoolaid

Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 08:47 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Lost please don't beat yourself up, just stick around and when you are ready to give it another go we will be here to cheer you on. I quit smoking more times than I can remember, and who knows if this is the time that will be forever. Be proud of yourself that you want to quit and that you gave it a try and when you are ready to try again it may be your lucky time or maybe the one after that.Blame it on the damn nicotine addiction not on yourself, and yes you are right it is a hard thing to do but look at the positives. You did quit for a few weeks, so you know it is not impossible and maybe next time you can do it a little longer. There are so darn many traps that hook us back in, I don't know for sure if I will be smoking next week, that's life. Just remember we are proud of you for trying and when you are ready to try again we will be here for you.

Juju2bigdog

Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 10:00 am EditMoveDeleteIP
{{{Lostintheglades}}} We really do understand it is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. We really do understand how nicotine has managed to convince you it is your best friend when it is, in fact, your worst enemy. Non-smokers do NOT understand. We do.

You were doing so well, so it is disappointing for you. BUT, just get yourself stronger and get back in the fight whenever you can. We'll be here.

Halfunit, that is great about the lozenges really working. They did not have those when I was quitting. Your offer to Lost is simply ingenious, LOL. I will say that the patch also surprised me in totally taking away the nicotine craving. Maybe Landi could try the lozenges instead of the patch.

Lostintheglades

Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 11:59 am EditMoveDeleteIP
All of you are absolutely the best!!! Don't worry, I'm not in hiding or anything, I won't be one of those closet smokers and this is the best place I can think of to come to for the support that is needed.

Bronxie

Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 05:49 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Lost...So, that old devil Nico keeps grabbing you back ....and to think how much YOU PAY for it.


Remember (to all of you smokers)... This time last year I was enjoying every cigarette I smoked. With coffee, with a cocktail, under stress, on the telephone, when a chore was completed........ today (not one year later) I am puffing FOR MY BREATH. I now have emphysema. And guess what..after many years of enjoying it, I quit smoking in one day. No problem. only it was too late.

I HAD studied Respiratory Therapy (so should have known better), and anyone who has smoked for at least 10 years HAS emphysema ...it just hasn't manifested itself yet.

So dear friends, remember:

1- smoking is a dirty, filthy, smelly , expensive habit;
2 -smoking dries out your skin...first the upper lip acquires wrinkles...gradually the entire face looks years older;
3 - social acceptance has changed radically ..society now looks upon smokers as "weak people who have no self control".
4 - nobody can take care of YOU as well as YOU can ...why are you treating yourself so badly?

I can't even dry myself after a shower without getting out of breath. DON'T feel sorry for me ...feel sorry for yourselves. What will YOU be like in one, 5, or 10 years?

Juju2bigdog

Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 08:46 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Crapola, Bronxie. If I hadn't already quit, I'd quit again today. Right now.

Lostintheglades

Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 09:21 am EditMoveDeleteIP
You're absolutely right Bronxie - feeling like a total failure now so I'll be back later after I swallow this crow

Maris

Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 10:21 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Don't feel like a failure Lost. Just realize that the next time will be the last time you quit. For many exsmokers like myself, it wasnt success on the first try. Pick your day and as the song goes, Pick yourself up - Dust yourself off and start all over again.

And another inspirational song...........

Next time your found, with your chin on the ground There a lot to be learned, so look around

Just what makes that little old ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, can't
Move a rubber tree plant

But he's got high hopes, he's got high hopes
He's got high apple pie, in the sky hopes

So any time your gettin' low
'stead of lettin' go
Just remember that ant
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant

When troubles call, and your back's to the wall
There a lot to be learned, that wall could fall

Once there was a silly old ram
Thought he'd punch a hole in a dam
No one could make that ram, scram
He kept buttin' that dam

'Cause he had high hopes, he had high hopes
He had high apple pie, in the sky hopes

So any time your feelin' bad
'stead of feelin' sad
Just remember that ram
Oops there goes a billion kilowatt dam

All problems just a toy balloon
They'll be bursted soon
They're just bound to go pop
Oops there goes another problem kerplop

Llkoolaid

Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 11:36 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Maris is right Lost, YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE. You don't need to swallow any crow. Please don't feel bad about yourself, you have to be in a good place to have the strength to quit smoking. You are worth it, you know that you can do it. ALMOST everyone has to attempt quitting a few times before they finally do it. Do not listen to negative comments about your attempt, although well meant they do not help. You are not a stupid woman, you know what cigarettes can do. Please, please, please just concentrate on the positive things about yourself and why you want to do something good for yourself because you are so worth it and so deserve it. Remember, when you are ready to try again, Be it next week, next month or next year, I will be here to give you all the support and encouragement you want.

Halfunit

Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 12:14 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
411 hours, 19 minutes.

Unit and I are depositing money that we would have spent on cigarettes into a container for our reward.

Smoke Money


I figure it will take us 10 months to have enough saved up for it. It seems like a long time, so I just keep telling myself that the next time Charlie Brown's Christmas is on TV, I'll be watching it on the big screen, lol.

Lostintheglades

Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 12:57 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Wow...looks nice Half...I'd have to empty out my family room to make room for it though. DH has all his paintings in there....maybe he could go sell them on the corner.

You're doing so good and I'm really proud of you!

Wargod

Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 12:58 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Very cool, 1/2!

Lost, I think all of us have been where you are now and understand completely what you're going through. The good thing is that you're ready to quit and you know you can do it. If it takes a time or two, that's no reason to beat yourself up or feel bad. Smoking is an addiction, it's hard to stop and sometimes it takes a few times before you can finally beat it. As long as you keep trying you have no reason to feel bad.

Juju2bigdog

Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 03:43 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Oh great! Now I can't stop singing about the ant moving the rubber tree plant ...

Lostintheglades

Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 04:02 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
LMAO Juju.....that is so funny. I used to sing that song to DD#1 when she was about 8 months old...I'd really exaggerate the "Oops" part and she'd laugh that infectious laugh that babies have. Just thinking about it made me laugh so keep on singing and think about that while I try to think of a different song for you to sing for a while.

Urgrace

Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 06:57 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Using Half's formula for success, I am now at 6454 hours and 54 minutes of non-smoking! Yippeeee!

Wish I had thought of getting dh to contribute to the kitty when he quit two weeks after me!