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Give and get support around quitting

Jeanener1960
Member

Quit smoking

I have smoked 2 to 3 pls a day for over 45 yrs. I have end stage copd, emphysema, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis. I cough constantly and so  intense, I'm sore. Having anxiety attacks after only 12 hrs., rapid heartbeat, feel like I can't breathe. Cigs were chosen over a meal. I'm scared of getting fat. I am bipolar, ADHD, other mental disabilities which I can't work. At home oxygen and portable cause I can't breathe..not sleeping.. I need s support group..nearly all my family smokes.

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8 Replies
Jeanener1960
Member

Please help. I was given last September 2017, 12 to 18 months to live with PF. I need support please!!

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YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to our community!

I am so sorry you are dealing with so many mental and other health issues.  I think my first bit of advice would be to have a talk with your doctor about quitting smoking.  Quitting changes you body chemistry and your medications might need some rearranging or changing.  There might be something that might help with the anxiety.  Getting fat should be the LAST thing you worry about - being a bit overweight won't kill you and rob you of your breath, smoking IS!  No doubt you need to quit smoking - and NOW!

The most important thing you can do is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. You can search for it online or at your local library.

 You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmokingonline.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance. You should also do the tracking and separation exercises suggested in My Quit Plan http://www.becomeanex.org/my-quit-plan.php

After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. If used properly, gum, lozenges and inhalers are fine, but they need to be used only as a last resort.  I have seen folks become addicted to them if they substitute them for every cigarette they used to smoke - just trading one addiction for another.  I do not recommend the e-cigarette for three reasons: 1) the vapor has been compared to the polluted air in Bejing on a bad day, 2) they just provide another nicotine delivery system while continuing the hand to mouth smoking motion, and 3) the batteries can spontaneously catch on fire. . But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit.  If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different. Buy your gas at a different station. Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.

You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.    Get busy!  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy

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Jeanener1960
Member

Thank you so much. Ill take your advice

On Sat, May 5, 2018, 8:23 AM Youngatheart.7.4.12 <

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Giulia
Member

Welcome to our community.  Youngatheart has given you some great advice.  Quitting smoking now is one of the best things you can do to help slow the progression of the diseases you are dealing with.  I see you're following Thomas3.20.2010‌  He is our go-to when it comes to COPD.  Here's a link to a group relating to that topic:  COPD   Quitting is a skill that can be learned, like any other skill.  We can't quit for you (wish we could), but we can walk with you along the journey and help point out the pitfalls.  Education is the first place to begin.  The more you know, the better prepared you'll be and more able to adapt.  Not only with quitting smoking, but in other areas of your life.

There are many here who have quit yet live with smokers.  And many whose entire family smoke, just like yours.  You are not alone.  Just takes an extra little bit of fortitude.  Strides are being made every day medically.  "Believe the diagnosis, not the prognosis."  I'm so sorry you're going through what you are going through.  But quitting will help you.  Not only physically, but mentally.  It is very empowering.  Have heart!   

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One thing's for sure -this is last call so you have a big decision to make! I know that you will feel much better if you wee to quit smoking. Well, not the first week or two but yes, I promise that you will feel better. 

Jeane, you're way too young to die! And PF plus COPD is a da$% miserable way to die! 

But it's not too late! Smoking cessation can slow the progress of the diseases and yet you need to have ongoing therapy for the mental disabilities! I hope you have a very good therapist who is encouraging you to quit smoking - not making excuses for your smoking by citing your mental illness. Folks with mental illness can quit smoking successfully!

/blogs/Thomas3.20.2010-blog/2014/10/09/reasons-and-consequences?sr=search&searchId=7854a6c1-2512-464...‌ 

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/community/expert-advice/blog/2017/11/15/mental-illness-and-freedo... 

We're here to support your journey with smoking cessation, mental health, and with PF and COPD. You are not alone! 

Please join COPD‌ and Mental Health Support‌ Share your journey - the good, the bad, and the ugly! We're on this journey together!

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Barbscloud
Member

I agree with consulting with your doctors first.  Whatever you decide, just know there is support here.  

53 DOF

Bdwallhau
Member

My heart goes out to you, Jean. You've gotten a lot of good advice. I can't really add to it, but I can tell you that I'm in your corner, as is everyone else here. Come often, share your thoughts, ask for advice, support, and help; you'll get it all in spades! Big, virtual hugs to you, Jean. 

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elvan
Member

You have gotten lots of wonderful advice already...I, too,have COPD.  I smoked for 47 years, quit many times unsuccessfully and got sicker and sicker.  Thanks to this site and the people here, I have been smoke free for over four years.  This is a journey, it is not easy and there is no way to MAKE it easy.  Cigarettes do nothing FOR us but they sure do lots to us.  It takes time...one day at a time...it gets easier...there is no way to speed it up...there are no shortcuts but there is a LOT of support here and every one of us had to start at the beginning.  

Welcome to EX, please READ, comment, blog...let your feelings out.

Ellen