Thread: Quit the cancer sticks!!!

Greetings Bhuzzers and Humpy Nude Ear!

It just so happened I was 1) broke 2) coming down with a virus 3) going on a road trip with nonsmokers the day before yesterday so I just didn't buy any more cigarettes.

My boys hate the fact that I smoke and lately it has been aggravating my lungs more than usual so it's time to stop. Not to mention the things are bloody expensive, the smoke makes you and your clothes smell bad, etc., etc., etc. Oh yeah, gotta remember that cancer risk too.

I'd like to keep in touch with fellow quitters, to reach out for some encouragement sometimes as it might be a tough quit with all the divorce business going on in my life right now. Thank you tons and happy shimmies!

Not quitting just now...but the DH has gotten his Chantix scrip filled and hope to quit with him in the next month. I had quit for 4 years while he continued to smoke and it created "issues" so I started again for harmony. Ahhhh... the martyrdom!

quitter, here.

Had a bad relapse in the fall, but I'm ok now. It had been 2 years and smoking for a couple of weeks made e keenly aware of the reduction in cardio vascular capacity when dancing... Ugh.

In one month, it will be 18 years since I quit, after being a chain smoker for 18 years.

What helped me the most (after a couple of unsuccessful prior attempts) was the realization that if I did break down and have a smoke, it wasn't all over, and it didn't mean I'd failed at quitting. This realization actually made the cravings a little easier to handle, and I didn't break down that often--maybe 5 or 6 times over a few weeks.

At the same time, I knew I couldn't try to have, say, just one a day or anything like that. I knew from experience that that would eventually lead to full-time smoking again.

It also helped to avoid being around people smoking, and as much as possible to avoid activities that I associated with smoking (e.g. talking on the phone--I used to reach for my pack before I'd even answer a ringing phone).

What would have helped would have been the knowledge that the cravings do stop. Someone once told me that I would always crave cigarettes, and that thought made it harder to quit, beacuse I'd think, "I don't think I can stand to always feel this way." But it wasn't true. I don't crave cigarettes at all now, and I don't even think about smoking, and it's been that way for a very long time. So, it might help you to know that you CAN feel completely like a non-smoker again.

Good luck. Post here if you need support.

(P.S. My mom was diagnosed with lung cancer about 10 months after I quit, and she died from it a couple of years later. Watching what she went through--lung cancer tends to metastasize to the brain, and in her case, it was the goose-egg sized brain tumor that was found first--gave me all the resolve I needed to never start again.)

just wanted to say congratulations! to you and all the quitters

Thank you everyone, and I'm shocked that my lungs are cleaning themselves out already (anyone else experience this?). My cravings aren't that bad as long as I stay calm (bwahahaha). The worst one to stop wanting is the morning coffee cigarette. I noticed I drank half the coffee I usually do this morning! A connection?

Alcohol with friends is the worst!

Doozer, smoking paralyzes the cilia lining the bronchials. The cilia work to move mucous up and out of the airways, but if paralyzed can't do what they are supposed to do. Once you quit smoking, they start working again and began moving that old garbage up and out plus you will have increased production as everything gets back on track. Sometimes people will get infections at this time, too, just because there is such an amiable enviroment for bacteria to set up in. So take good care of yourself. Drink lots and lots of water.
I know about the above since I am a respiratory therapist. I take care of people everyday who are sick with smoking related illnesses.
I am also a closet smoker)
My husband and I have decided our cold quit date is tomorrow,we are both quitting THIS time. Last year I quit for several months with Chantix, but went back when a situation came up. It was just too easy to go get one of his smokes.

Congratulations to all of you who have quit. I am proud of you, it takes alot of hard work I know.

just because there is such an amiable enviroment for bacteria to set up in

Ah ha! I knew it...tar kills the little buggers!!

I quit cold turkey 7 years ago and haven't had a cigarette since (and shisa only twice). Oh, it stank! I actually never had the "I feel like cr@p, oh I feel better now!" period, which made me mad. I wanted that reward! I did have several weeks of terrible mood swings, and I had to alter a lot of habits. No more sitting on the porch with coffee and my smokes. No hitting bars with friends. No smoking in the car. I started knitting more and more and doing other things to keep my hands busy.

I'll be honest, I don't crave it any more but I miss it. I think the only thing that got me through was sheer will, to see if I could make it one more day, then the next, and the next, and so on.

No more sitting on the porch with coffee and my smokes. No hitting bars with friends. No smoking in the car.

NOOOOOOooooooooooooo

I quit 5 and a half years ago! The first week was hell, the second week was heck, then it started getting easier (not easy... but easier). The thing that kept me going was I NEVER wanted to go through that first three days again!!!

I highly recommend www.quitnet.com it's like Bhuz for people who are quitting smoking. I never posted much there (believe it or not!) but I lurked like mad.

Congrats!!!!!!!!! :)

Congratulations to all who have quit, and all who are taking steps in that direction!
Sending lots of encouragment your way!

Originally Posted by Shalimah

Someone once told me that I would always crave cigarettes, and that thought made it harder to quit, beacuse I'd think, "I don't think I can stand to always feel this way." But it wasn't true. I don't crave cigarettes at all now, and I don't even think about smoking, and it's been that way for a very long time. So, it might help you to know that you CAN feel completely like a non-smoker again.

This. I quit over 8 years ago, eventually the cravings became less and less and the idea of smoking less appealing. Now the thought of inhaling cigarette smoke makes me want to barf! ..l;, You really will be a non-smoker one day!

Congrats!!!

I quit 6 months ago with the aid of Welbutrin!!

Whoo hoo! Good to know I'm not the only one......taking Effexor XR.

Notice the cravings get worse with boredom, considering taking up crochet again, finishing lingering projects, that kind of thing.

Originally Posted by Doozer

Whoo hoo! Good to know I'm not the only one......taking Effexor XR.

Notice the cravings get worse with boredom, considering taking up crochet again, finishing lingering projects, that kind of thing.

You can come over to my house and make fringe. I can't stand doing it. ..g.:

I LOVE making fringe (yeah, weird)! If you're close we could do that.

I nearly caved in tonight, familial stress is no bueno for quitters.

Originally Posted by Doozer

I LOVE making fringe (yeah, weird)! If you're close we could do that.

I nearly caved in tonight, familial stress is no bueno for quitters.

You love making fringe...

I love it as much as I love poking myself in the eye with a thumbtack.

Oh..and I forgot to mention that I am so proud of you for not caving. It's so tough quitting smoking. I never want to go through that again...though right now I'm trying to kick sugar/simple carbs and that's not easy either.

Doozer, keep those hands busy.

If you have some project involving ripping something repeatedly, even better. I had to rip old jeans to make a denim quilt. 33 pairs... Cravings went away like they never happened. *g*

You go girls!! I know it's hard. Your bodies are thanking you at this very moment!!!!




I am so proud of you all!!

*Lights a ciggy while reading this thread* ....soon, soon....

I quit 3 1/2 years ago w/ the assistance of the patch and gum, I was a pack a day smoker and it was tough but wow what a difference I notice when exercising/dancing, good luck to all those trying, and congrats to all those that quit!!!!

How are you doing, Doozer?