I have to quit because my health and I'm ready. Need some advice.

Discussion created by Samsgurl2018 on Oct 12, 2017
Latest reply on Oct 16, 2017 by elvan

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I need some advice from anyone who is in the process of quitting. I set my quit date for November 2. I have to quit because I want to be healthier, see my kids grow up, and it's the best thing to do. Last week, I had gotten sick and went to the doctor. She did a chest x-ray and a few days later, she said we need to discuss inhalers because there's COPD change on your x-ray. This gave me a major wake up call that I've not been diagnosed with COPD and maybe this is the kick in the butt I finally need. I've been a smoker for over 20 years and in my 40's. This scares me to start medicine like this so it's time to quit but it's going to be really hard. Anyone have some good quit tips to help me get started? My oldest brother who has COPD told me it takes three days to do without to get it out of your system. But I need some strong advice on how anyone got started and got through those first few days. Any help would be appreciated.

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33 Replies

rollercoaster831 Oct 13, 2017 10:56 AM
Welcome! I know when I first found this site, many Elders told me to read read read….and I did. Elders are those with one or more years of being quit. If you like what someone has to say, then you may want to read their blogs. I have some listed below.

A list of our Elders ELDER'S LIST

So here's the thing.....and you may not like what I am about to say....and that's ok. I get it. You need to accept that this is an addiction. Before you do that, it will be much more difficult to quit and stay quit.

Read read read. Do the steps to PREPARE yourself to quit. Do the steps so you are PREPARED on quit day and for the days AFTER quit day.

Some of the things I read in my first few days that helped me:
Dale’s Welcome to New Members My Welcome To New Members (12+ Years Of Watching)

Nancy’s Blog 101 Things to Do Instead of Smoke

Dale’s Blog What To Expect In The First Four Months

Visit Best of EX
And read what has been posted there.

JACKIE1-25-15 gave me the link to Alan Carr’s book, “Easy Way to Quit Smoking”. I actually didn’t read the online PDF, but purchased a book on CD from Amazon and listened to it in my car over and over again for the first two weeks of my quit. The link to the PDF:
********************************************************************

Keep this site close and keep posting and asking for help. You will get it. You will get things you like and things you don't like, but don't give up!!! We have been through similar experiences and can share our strength and hope. We are here to support you!
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- Samsgurl2018 @ rollercoaster831 on Oct 13, 2017 8:54 PM
  Thank you so much. I'm hoping to stick to it and finally quit.
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joyeuxencore_11-5-12 Oct 13, 2017 12:06 PM
Welcome & congratulations on wanting to take your life back!
Definitely read the Alan Carr book!
Make a decision that no matter how you ‘feel’, no matter what ‘happens’ or what you ‘think’ that you are not going to smoke because you don’t do that anymore.
Read the ‘What’s in your toolbox’ and 'The Five D's' blogs below by Skygirl…GREAT tips!!!
‘Toolbox’or 'quit kit' is composed of a list of distraction techniques and things to help you through like cinnamon sticks, crunchy things (carrots, celery, chips some hard candy, lots of water), lemons…biting into a lemon or sticking your head in the freezer and taking a deep breath gets you through. Also cutting straws in half to chew on. The trick is distraction as a crave only lasts 3 to 5 minutes and is gone whether or not you smoke.
Remember you aren’t giving up anything...you are doing it because you want to It isn’t a lifetime of deprivation but a lifetime of freedom...
Stay close to this site and post a blog with ‘HELP’ as the title and someone will be there in short order to help you through. It has worked for countless members here! xo

What's in YOUR Tool Box?
The Five D's

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- Samsgurl2018 @ joyeuxencore_11-5-12 on Oct 13, 2017 8:55 PM
  Thank you for the helpful information. I will definitely be reading all of these from everyone :-)
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joyeuxencore_11-5-12 Oct 13, 2017 12:07 PM
SkyGirl forgot to do that above!!!
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elvan Oct 13, 2017 12:19 PM
Samsgurl2018 Welcome to EX, you have gotten some really good advice above. May I add that it is a good idea to stay close to this site and read how others are doing, blog, comment, ask for and take advice. Set a date and prepare for it. I did it using the My Quit Plan on the first page of Becomeanex...I tracked my cigarettes and I paid attention to what my triggers were and how strong they were and then I planned for what I would do INSTEAD of smoking when I quit. I had to tweak my list a few times but thinking about WHY I was smoking and what the cigarette was actually doing FOR me (tearing my lungs up and shortening my life), it put things into perspective. Yes, there were times when I wanted to smoke but I KNEW smoking would not really change anything...except to make my already compromised health WORSE. You can do this, just look at all of the success stories on this site.

Ellen
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- Samsgurl2018 @ elvan on Oct 13, 2017 8:55 PM
  Thank you
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Marilyn.H.July.14.14. Oct 13, 2017 1:47 PM
Welcome, you've made the best decision that you'll ever make in your lifetime so be sure to read the links above me and everything you can about quitting smoking and Remaining Quit because there's a wealth of information here to strengthen your resolve to kick the nicotine poison to the curb and start living a life of Freedom, believe in yourself, be willing, determined and totally committed to succeed and you can start stacking up those precious Days WON, quitting smoking is definitely difficult to say the least but it's absolutely Doable and and definitely worth it to be FREE.
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- Samsgurl2018 @ Marilyn.H.July.14.14. on Oct 13, 2017 8:59 PM
  Thank you
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JACKIE1-25-15 Oct 13, 2017 1:55 PM
Welcome to EX. You have come to the right place for a new day and a rebirth.The idea is to start at the beginning by making a commitment that no matter what happens or goes on in your life that you will not use it as an EXcuse to smoke. With that philosophy you will have success on this journey. No it is not easy but it is doable by using that principle and educating yourself about nicotine addiction. If you hang around you will see that quitting is doable, because many of us have. Look forward to a new day and a new way of life. It is all up to you. This is all about you and what you are willing to do to be smoke free. Quitting smoking requires hard work and determination not to give up. It can be challenging at times but you will learn that it is doable if you adhere to NOPE not one puff ever no matter what. Start first, by educating yourself about nicotine addiction.  Education is the key to a successful quit. Read: Freedom from Nicotine My Journey Home and Nicotine Addiction 101
Here are the links: http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html   and http://whyquit.com/ffn/
I also encourage you to read. Allen Carr’s book, “Easy Easier Way to Quit Smoking”.
The link is here: ********************************************************************
Go to http://www.becomeanex.org/how-to-quit-smoking.php#thl and get started.
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- Samsgurl2018 @ JACKIE1-25-15 on Oct 13, 2017 8:56 PM
  Thank you
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- Samsgurl2018 @ JACKIE1-25-15 on Oct 13, 2017 8:59 PM
  Thank you. I'm ready to do this :-)
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maryfreecig Oct 13, 2017 5:37 PM
Making the decision to quit is step one. Thereafter, taking a look at yourself as a smoker, who you are, how you react and making some decisions based on taking stock of yourself is a good way to start making a solid quit plan--things you will do rather than smoke and things you will do to shift your focus away from smoking for as long as it takes.

Taking stock of yourself now is better than waiting until you dive into your quit just hoping you will find the resolve once your quit day arrives. I knew I had a short fuse...that that might be a big weakness for me once I quit, so I made a list of what I would do when my fuses began to blow. Your list does not have to be perfect, but it ought to have suggestions in it that you believe you will follow should the need arise.

Things you can do now; take notice of your smoking habit...at least to some extent...knowing when you tend to smoke more, when you run to cigarettes like a starving person would run to food. Taking a look at your smoking can help you look at it from a different perspective, and so come up with some ideas as to how to reinforce your resolve to quit. Also, saving spent cig butts in a glass jar might help you see the other side of smoking: those smoked butts just keep adding up...the addiction makes it so. Can't have just one.

Pre-quit time is extremely important...so take time to accept that you can do this, that you will be OK. You've come to the right place for support.
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- Samsgurl2018 @ maryfreecig on Oct 13, 2017 8:58 PM
  Thank you, I'm definitely going to try the patches, use everyone's advice and try to focus on not smoking with my morning coffee (worst trigger) and I set my quit date to November 2.
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Tabbiekat Oct 13, 2017 9:57 PM
Welcome to the group, I joined a few weeks ago. My quit date is coming up on Oct 30th. Like everyone has said read read and read some more. It has been a huge help in getting mentally ready to quit my addiction once and for all. Once I grasped the fact that smoking is an addiction I have been able to approach my quit with my eyes wide open. Due to constant talks with my doctors over the years I have chosen to use Chantix as my aid in quitting. Everyone is different and you need to do what feels right for you. Reading Carrs book, taking notes and keep reading everything you can. I have been "practicing" quitting by not only changing habits, but trying new ones. When I have the urge to smoke I am now making notes of what led to it and slowly finding ways to keep busy and have many plans of action of how to beat my triggers. Best of luck
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- Samsgurl2018 @ Tabbiekat on Oct 13, 2017 10:09 PM
  Thank you for the advice. I've been working with my doctor and started to take buproprion twice a day. I had a major wake up call when she told me that my chest x-ray showed chronic bronchitis and that she's having me come in next week to discuss inhalers. Too bad it took this to make me quit because hopefully I can reverse the damage that's been done. My oldest brother has COPD and has a difficult time breathing even with two inhalers. My doctor told me I may still have a chance to get better but it takes putting those cigarettes away for good. I haven't had a lung function test so the x-ray was enough of a wake up call. I hope you do well with your quit day. I'm hoping and praying I can do this all the way. You ever need to talk or vent, I am a good listener :-)
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  - Tabbiekat @ Samsgurl2018 on Oct 13, 2017 11:20 PM
    I am a good listener too so it goes both ways I am fortunate the health impact hasn't hit me too much, but heart disease runs in the family so I know I need to quit now..
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Thomas3.20.2010 Oct 14, 2017 12:29 AM
I'm so sorry to hear that you have COPD! I was diagnosed on March 14, 2010. I walked out of the Drs office decided right then and there that no matter what I would not spend my hard earned money to kill myself! Being the addict that I am I did however, finish the 10 Sickerettes in my position over the next 6 Days so that my Quit Date fell on the 20th - first day of Spring!
How did I do it? First I smoked only a puff or two at once, put out the cig and waited until the next time I couldn't take it any more. When I got home I searched the internet for some solutions, a plan a lifeline - and there was BecomeanEX. Back then legacy foundation had these goofy commercials where folks had to learn how to do normal every day stuff without a cig. So I signed up!
I read and read and learned and learned and sure enough I learned that you can read a book without a cig in your hand!
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL. When my Quit Date came I honored it! And I honored myself enough to decide that I wouldn't take one puff no matter what! I investigated what to do instead - when I was angry, sad, happy, depressed; when I finished a chore, drove home from work, hung out with the guys (not my smoking buddies BTW)
I learned and I kept them away from my face! It's that simple - not easy but doable! The rest is history!
Now I am the resident nerd and preacher about COPD and Nicotine Addiction.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it! LOL!
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- elvan @ Thomas3.20.2010 on Oct 14, 2017 9:08 AM
  PLEASE listen to our "Resident Nerd"...I am a retired RN and I cannot begin to tell you what I have learned from this man and how I advocated for myself in ways I would never have even know existed. I believe I am alive today because of the education I got from this site, from Thomas...along with the loving support and help from every member here...that includes YOU. Even as a newbie, you have a great deal to offer to each and every one of us. We NEED each other.
  Ellen
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  - Samsgurl2018 @ elvan on Oct 15, 2017 12:34 AM
    Thank you, I took the first step today to begin my journey to being smoke free by November 2. I bought an adult coloring book and that helps keep my hands busy. I know it's going to tire out my hands eventually. Lol I will continue to read more on what I can do to keep my hands busy. I haven't been officially diagnosed with COPD yet because I know I do have to do other tests but my doctor is going to talk to me Wednesday about inhaler options. I want to walk in there and tell her how well I'm doing with my smoking. I was over a pack a day and today I've had 5 this is huge progress for me and I want to get it down to 0 soon.
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- Samsgurl2018 @ Thomas3.20.2010 on Oct 14, 2017 1:18 PM
  Thank you so much for your reply. I'm trying the patch today since I've had them from the last time I tried which was less than a year ago. I also woke up this morning and didn't grab a cigarette first thing but did have one about 30 minutes later. It doesn't even taste right anymore and I've discovered it's a major habit and addiction. So I know what approach I need to use now. I'm hoping I can do without a single cigarette the rest of the day. We will see. Thank you all for your kind words and support. I want to be successful this time and you all have given me that motivation
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- Samsgurl2018 @ Thomas3.20.2010 on Oct 15, 2017 12:41 AM
  Hi again Thomas, I am going to research ways to keep my hands busy. As I've told other people, I bought an adult coloring book today and it helped tonight to keep from smoking. I know I have other options to find something while I'm in my room watching TV. That was another big trigger so the coloring book was an idea. However, I'm looking for more ways. I work in social work and it's stressful. That's another trigger. But just in the short time I've been on here, you all have given me the motivation I need to quit this time. Thank you for all of your advice. By the way, my name is Holly.
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  - Thomas3.20.2010 @ Samsgurl2018 on Oct 15, 2017 12:49 AM
    Hi, Holly! Keep working on it! 100 Things to do instead of smoking! Maybe this will give you some ideas!
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    - Samsgurl2018 @ Thomas3.20.2010 on Oct 15, 2017 5:09 PM
      Just a question. Before your actual quit day, how much do you smoke. I'm still at about 5-7 a day and I know I have to cut that way down. Kind of makes me feel guilty for smoking since I have a quit day. Thanks for your advice. :-)
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      - elvan @ Samsgurl2018 on Oct 15, 2017 7:49 PM
        I think jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 will tell you that if you are at 5 or below, you are just keeping the addiction alive. Just put off smoking when you have a crave...just for a while and identify the crave, what you expect the cigarette to do for you...what you expect it to change and then see if it actually DID. It made my heart beat faster, made my hands colder, did not do anything desirable but I kept trying...I wanted it to make my pain go away, make me less sad or stressed or "reward" me...the reward cigarette was the hardest to give up because it was so ingrained in task completion. Why would ANYONE want to reward themselves with something that is slowly killing them? Think about it...that is addiction and it is NOT pretty. Remember that we are here, stay close to the site, come here first thing in the morning and last thing at night and any time you have in between. Read blogs, comment, ask for advice, TAKE the advice, you are already becoming an active part of the community, I think that is a HUGE step.
        Ellen
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        Samsgurl2018 @ elvan on Oct 15, 2017 10:19 PM
        Hi Ellen thank you for your reply. I noticed that with smoking also especially with my heart rate. I'm so ready to beat this addiction and feel healthier. I have actually smoked more than 5-7 today. I don't know why I did better yesterday than I did today. I'm starting to make a list of something I want to reward myself if I can quit. I'm giving myself positive reinforcement I'm going to stay close on here and keep track of my triggers. I'm so glad you all are here for advice and support. That means a lot!
        
        Holly
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  - Tabbiekat @ Samsgurl2018 on Oct 15, 2017 10:28 AM
    Hi Holly,
    
    Things to keep hands busy while watching TV- arts n crafts. Latchhook, needlepoint, crocheting, painting, quilting by hand sewing etc. The list is truly endless. Hit a craft store and spend a couple hours just exploring. Just think all of your money saved from not smoking can go to a new crafting addiction
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    - Samsgurl2018 @ Tabbiekat on Oct 15, 2017 10:28 PM
      Hi that is the one thing I did was get a coloring book for adults. It kept my hands busy and my mind off of smoking. I think it's great to have a new craft addiction. Lol
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GinaK Oct 14, 2017 11:36 AM
Welcome! My quit date is November 1st, so we are going to be about the same stage of our quits. I've been reading and (trying) to get prepared for my quit. I'm nervous about it, but I know that it's time I was finally done with them. We can DO this!
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- Samsgurl2018 @ GinaK on Oct 15, 2017 12:28 AM
  Hi Gina, I tried really hard today to do without and use a nicotine patch. I did smoke two but it was a record for me to do without a cigarette for almost 6 hours. I am so determined to do. I even went out and bought an adult coloring book with all kinds of positive affirmations and mantras. It is helping a with the cravings and I'm going to find other things to keep my hands busy. If anyone has good tips for that one. We can do this and if you need support, I'll be here!
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Thomas3.20.2010 Oct 15, 2017 11:34 PM
Holly, your Quit Journey will definitely not be linear - some days will go much better than others! Fasten your seatbelt - it's going to be a bumpy ride!
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- Samsgurl2018 @ Thomas3.20.2010 on Oct 15, 2017 11:38 PM
  Love the kitties. I have two at home and we recently had a 10 week old kitten break into my house and made himself at home on my daughter's bed. Lol I'm ready for the challenge :-)
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  - elvan @ Samsgurl2018 on Oct 16, 2017 1:35 PM
    Samsgurl2018 Today is Global Cat Day...I heard that on the morning news. MY cats apparently already knew because one of them came into my room SCREAMING first thing this morning. She never does that and it was waaay earlier than I usually get up to feed them.
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I have to quit because my health and I'm ready. Need some advice.

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