Quitting Smoking
#776900
12/27/11 09:09 AM
12/27/11 09:09 AM
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Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,845 Leavenworth, KS
Barb
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Anybody here quit successfully? I've been trying since last April (8 months ago) I haven't smoked a cigarette since then. I started with the patch & now am using an e-cigarette. I want to quit completely, but I'm afraid to. I have depression pretty bad, If I knew that would go away eventually, I'd tough it out & quit completely. Has anyone had this problem? Does it ever get better? Thanks, Barb
"Christof, do not play with thy food. 'tis unseemly".
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#776909
12/27/11 09:37 AM
12/27/11 09:37 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 83,353 In the Naughty Corner
BrownEyedTigre
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The Sassy Admin and PR Liaison
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In the Naughty Corner
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I quit after 30+years of smoking 5 years ago cold turkey. The patches, gum, drugs, e-cigarettes are not good for you. Try hypnotism if you want a more effective treatment. REplace the urge with exercise and that releases endorphins and seratonin in your body which is the same thing an antidepressent would do. You would be surprised on how much a sip of water and fresh air walk can replace a cigarette. Good luck! Ana
Don't feed the Trolls
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#776920
12/27/11 10:12 AM
12/27/11 10:12 AM
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Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,845 Leavenworth, KS
Barb
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Thanks, Ana. I can't believe you could quit cold turkey! I DO want to get off the e-cigs, I'm just afraid the depression will get worse. Do you think it will ever get better?
"Christof, do not play with thy food. 'tis unseemly".
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#776927
12/27/11 10:27 AM
12/27/11 10:27 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,124 Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr
Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
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Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
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Like Ana, I quit cold turkey too. I had quit over 30 years ago, but after my 2nd husband died, I picked them up again. For 2 years I smoked a pack a day. Then I met my current (and last!) husband who is a non-smoker. There was no way I was going to make him live with a smoker, so I quit cold-turkey again. That was 12 years ago.
To your question, does it ever get better? YES!! But it can take a long time. I believe you are drawing the pain out by relying on the e-cigarette. You have replaced one addiction with another and are now anxious about getting rid of this addiction too. I cannot recommend Ana's suggestions enough - treat yourself with that glass of water. Put it in a very pretty glass with a twist of lemon and some ice. Then go for a walk in the fresh air if you can. As she says, that releases the "pleasure" hormones in your body - the endorphins and seratonins. The last step you need to take is to break the cycle finally. If you are concerned about the depression, there is no reason you shouldn't ask your doctor about it as there are medications like Chantrix which help with the depression that can be associated with quitting. Don't let that fear stop you from finally breaking away.
Once again, weeds are my life!
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Draclvr]
#776930
12/27/11 10:42 AM
12/27/11 10:42 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 33,073 Calera, Oklahoma
gymcandy1
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Joe's Diner Proprietor
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Barb imagine in your mind how much better you will feel, and how much longer you will live, and let that thought re-enforce your determination to quit. I tried many times and failed. I tried the gum, the patch, everything I could. It was my own determination that I have to quit for my health, and the support of friends, that helped me quit, cold turkey, over 4 years ago. Now I live with my Mother and sister who both smoke a lot, but I've never given in to the temptation to pick one up. Also, a pack a day adds up to over $1000 a year that I have to spend on something better. We're here to support you. You can do it. joe Has it been 5 years Ana?? You see how you lose track of time as you think about smoking less and less? Or maybe that's dementia setting in. Ana and I quit at the same time.
Last edited by gymcandy1; 12/27/11 11:07 AM.
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William Butler Yeats
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#776965
12/27/11 01:45 PM
12/27/11 01:45 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 10,027 Greece
Haroula
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Bard,quitting is different for everyone, so find an approach that will work for you. This may be either the cold turkey approach (stopping suddenly and totally) or a more gradual reduction in the number of cigarettes you smoke each day. Set a date to quit — and stick to it. Make it sooner rather than later. If you are quitting by yourself, it is recommended that you stop smoking completely on your quit date And throw out all cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters and anything else that might remind you of smoking.
Last edited by Haroula; 12/27/11 01:48 PM.
I change all my passwords to "incorrect". So whenever I forget, it says, "your password is incorrect".
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#776997
12/27/11 03:59 PM
12/27/11 03:59 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,124 Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr
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Given that Barb hasn't smoked a cigarette in 8 months says she is committed! You just need to take this last step and get rid of all associations with smoking including the e-cigarette. If you need help with the depression, then go for it! You will be so glad you did it!!
Once again, weeds are my life!
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#777120
12/28/11 06:40 AM
12/28/11 06:40 AM
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Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,845 Leavenworth, KS
Barb
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Yhanks everyone for the suggestions and encouragement. I've decided to put the e-cig away & go for it! I think I can do it since I haven't had a real cigarette in 8 months. I've been on Zoloft for depression since I had a stroke 16 years ago. It doesn't seem to be helping, but I'll talk to my doctor. That's what scares me the most.
Good luck to you, Oldbroad, you can do it again!
"Christof, do not play with thy food. 'tis unseemly".
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#777207
12/28/11 12:51 PM
12/28/11 12:51 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,848 San Diego, CA
Sorta Blonde
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BAAG Specialist
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Keep up the good fight all you guys! I never smoked but I know how hard it is to stop (hubby #1 quit when we got married and it was a horrible time). Things get much worse before they get better (same when you stop doing anything you have a habit of doing) but if you can tough it out, you will win big time. Just talking about it to friends and sometimes even strangers with a listening ear, will get you through a tough spot. Don't give up!
WARNING! This person is extremely blonde...please type SLOWLY.
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Sorta Blonde]
#777223
12/28/11 01:36 PM
12/28/11 01:36 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,405 On the computer
cruise02
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Gee, I never heard of an "e-cigarette" What is an e-cigarette - an electronic cigarette? What does it look like? How does it work? Does it run on AC power or batteries (just curious)?
EDIT - Googled, found out what it looks like, what it is, the power source, but still not quite sure how it's supposed to help someone stop smoking?
Last edited by cruise02; 12/28/11 01:45 PM.
"AlienBZ to Quasar Command...Have completed all tasks on this planet. Beam me up, please." note: AlienBZ = my other name
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#777558
12/29/11 09:02 PM
12/29/11 09:02 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 563 Florida
AnneG
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This April I'll be smoke free for three years. I don't think anyone loved smoking more than me. I still love it. It would be silly to go back now though. I miss it but I rarely think about it. I've quit a few times over the years but the last time I did it seemed surprisingly easy. I just used the lowest dose nicotine patch for a week, and that was it. I must have been mentally just really ready to do it. I think that's the most important thing. If you're really ready to do it, then you can do it, Barb. You can. Trust me, if someone who adored smoking as much as I did can do it, then you can too.
"The three most terrifying things in the world are werewolves, clowns, and unplanned pregnancy."
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#777602
12/30/11 06:29 AM
12/30/11 06:29 AM
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Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,845 Leavenworth, KS
Barb
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I loved smoking, too, Anne. I think quitting is like losing a loved one. You have to grieve a while before you can get over it. I keep telling myself that - and that I WILL get over it.
"Christof, do not play with thy food. 'tis unseemly".
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#777634
12/30/11 10:31 AM
12/30/11 10:31 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,124 Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr
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Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
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You will, Barb. As much as I loathe being around people who smell like an ashtray, I would be a smoker in a New York minute - I loved it too. And I have buried several loved ones including 2 husbands. You never quite get "over it" so to speak, but you move on and totally love life again. It will happen, I promise. You just have to take that final step and let go forever.
Once again, weeds are my life!
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#777676
12/30/11 12:16 PM
12/30/11 12:16 PM
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Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,845 Leavenworth, KS
Barb
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Thanks, Drac. So many here have quit & it helps to know it can get better.
"Christof, do not play with thy food. 'tis unseemly".
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#777682
12/30/11 12:41 PM
12/30/11 12:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 83,353 In the Naughty Corner
BrownEyedTigre
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The Sassy Admin and PR Liaison
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Barb, On Dec 16th we lost 2 of my childrens biological mother to lung cancer at the age of 55. It did not need to happen. Having my kids tell me how proud they were that I and their dad quit so that we can be here for them is all the inspiration I need to continue to stay away. Ana
Don't feed the Trolls
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#777983
12/31/11 05:46 PM
12/31/11 05:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,923 Texas
Terri824
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Hi Barb. It sounds as though you are well on your way to being smoke-free. I gave up cigs about 6 years ago. Just put them down, stopped cold turkey. My husband still smokes but now is smoking outside. I found that if I changed things a bit it helped. Like in the morning, don't drink coffee or tea, drink something else. Use the phone in a different room of your house. Just switch things around that you normally do! At one time I cut straws in half and basically chewed on them, used Vit.C tabs to chew on, sometimes I will still pick up a straw. One word to anyone that smokes........if anyone in your family, Mother, Father, Sister, Brother has been diagnosed with COPD, I can just about guarantee you that you will eventually have it too! So please try to quit. Terri
When you live in the past, it costs you the present.
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#778002
12/31/11 08:52 PM
12/31/11 08:52 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 20,124 Near St. Louis, MO
Draclvr
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Reviews Editor - Hints/Glitches Mod - Site Support
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Heaven forfend we should give up our coffee in the morning! I have a feeling you're going to finally break the cycle and it won't be nearly so hard for you from now on. Just don't let that depression get ahead of you. 2012 is the year for you!
Once again, weeds are my life!
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#778020
12/31/11 11:41 PM
12/31/11 11:41 PM
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Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,845 Leavenworth, KS
Barb
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Right on, Drac! I think I AM going to do it! I feel much better today. I'm thinking the depression will ease with time. I have a lot to be thankful for and much to be happy about, so I have no real reason to be depressed.
Thank you to everyone who wrote with encouragement and suggestions. It is much appreciated.
Love, Barb
"Christof, do not play with thy food. 'tis unseemly".
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: oldbroad]
#783222
01/26/12 01:03 AM
01/26/12 01:03 AM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,923 Texas
Terri824
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Hi OldBroad, Don't know how I missed your post. I quit and then one day thought I could just smoke one, big mistake. I think I quit the last time 09/2005. I have no doubt that you can quit, and I do understand your fear. Might I suggest that you go to a doctor/pulmonologist and have some tests done. (Xray/Cat Scan) Talk with the doctor and he will be able to ease your fears. Just because your sister had L/C doesn't mean that you will. The sooner you go to the doctor, the better. Anyone that smokes has that same fear! Hugs, Terri
When you live in the past, it costs you the present.
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Re: Quitting Smoking
[Re: Barb]
#783477
01/27/12 06:07 AM
01/27/12 06:07 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 25,149 Marlborough USA
Kaki's Sister
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Sonic Boomer
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Marlborough USA
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Barb my sister quit cold turkey after over 40 years of smoking. Ana is right exercise, eat right, and take one day at a time and you can do it. You will feel better physically and that can help you feel better mentally. Knowing you beat smoking will make you feel great! It is an accomplishment that should help keep that depression under control! Good Luck!
Gerry
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