Finally!

Discussion created by kevintml on Jul 17, 2018
Latest reply on Jul 17, 2018 by Strudel

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As a 14 year stroke survivor and a smoker of fifty years, this is truly the hardest thing I have ever done. I only quit yesterday, July 16,2018. The cravings are strong. The withdrawal symptoms are ever- present. But, time and money aside, the prospects of lung cancer and COPD are compelling enough for me to take on this fight. I would love to communicate with other quitters. I have a very small support group; I need all the help I can get.

By the way, perhaps my most compelling current reason for quitting is music. I have a beautiful, silver Yamaha Flute. I have been taking lessons for two months and am seeing steady progress. But, I have great difficulty playing long tones and controlling my air flow. Big surprise, huh? Quitting is the answer to my prayer. Please join me in our quit.

Kevin#Oldschoolquitter

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14 Replies

Barbscloud Jul 17, 2018 8:09 AM
Welcome to the Ex Kevin. I was also a smoker for fifty years. Making that decision to quit and getting through the first day is something to be proud of. It's not easy, but the support on this site has made all the difference for me. There's is lots of great information and support here from long time quitters as well as newbies like myself. Read, read, and read some more. Education and preparation are key to success. Reach out if and when you need help.

126 DOF
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Mark Jul 17, 2018 8:28 AM
kevintml

Congrats on quitting and coming back to the site, this is a great place to get support. Be sure you update your quit date and follow the procedure in How do I get my quit date to show on the community? to sync it to the community.

Mark
EX Community Manager
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GyorgyiM Jul 17, 2018 8:40 AM
Wonderful and Welcome...!!
Between your "flute", your ambition to stop smoking, and US.....
YOU GOT THIS!!

Miles of Smiles..............with "flute lips" LoL
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mama3953 Jul 17, 2018 10:00 AM
Congratulations Kevin...I have been a 40 year smoker on and off.....now I want off for good! Here for you if you need an ear!! I too do not have a large support group just here thank god I found this forum. Stay strong!
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Youngatheart.7.4.12 Jul 17, 2018 10:17 AM
Welcome to our community!

WE can be your support group. Glad you are here!

The most important thing you can do right now 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. Here's a link to a video here on the site which describes nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.

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.

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-instead-of-smoke

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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Giulia Jul 17, 2018 1:22 PM
Welcome Kevin! Playing the flute is a GREAT way to keep your hands busy. AND you can't blow and smoke at the same time, so you've got a great tool to use right off the bat to help keep your body and mind occupied. You're gonna be a brilliant flutist by the time you're through! Withdrawal symptoms will be around for a while. It helps if you can accept that fact. They WILL decrease as time goes by. So hang in there. And read as much as you can. The more you know about the journey ahead, the wiser your footsteps will be.
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Sandy-9-17-17 Jul 17, 2018 2:34 PM
I honestly feel there is no better place to get and give support! Welcome to EX, and keep on learning to play! It will get easier and easier as the days go by!
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maryfreecig Jul 17, 2018 4:26 PM
Mighty good reasons for quitting. Thanks for telling your story, and yes at Ex you will have plenty of quit community.
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Barb102 Jul 17, 2018 4:36 PM
Hi Kevin so happy for you. Welcome. You have a huge support group. You have all of us!,, Stay close and we will help you

Barb
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elvan Jul 17, 2018 5:42 PM
Welcome to EX, you have gotten great advice. This is a journey, it is not a fight...it is one day at a time and it cannot be rushed. Yes, it is hard but it is absolutely possible. I have COPD, I smoked for 47 years and attempted to quit many times in the past...this site and the people here have helped me more than I can tell you. I have not smoked in close to 4 1/2 years...I work out regularly, I eat a healthier diet than I ever have and I am taking care of myself like I have value...something I should have ALWAYS done. This journey is amazing, we learn so much about ourselves because we learn to FEEL without stuffing everything down into our addiction.

Stay close to the site...we all want you to have a successful quit.
Ellen
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JACKIE1-25-15 Jul 17, 2018 6:13 PM
Welcome Kevin, if you stick around, follow the advice you will be blowing some very long notes.
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indingrl.01.06.2011 Jul 17, 2018 6:43 PM
Welcome Kevin and congrats on your new adventure as a non smoker .....good choice for a flute player amen keep on blogging each day or again and again in a day for all our love and help as you need let us know any way we can share staying quit no matter what in MY Lord Jesus name amen please take what helps and let go of the rest to be helpful is MY only aim.
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SheriU Jul 17, 2018 7:09 PM
You came to the right place Kevin. I smoked almost 40 years and I owe some of my quit to this sight. I take credit for most of my quit. I too had very little at home support. You will get the support here you need in certain. Read read read and know you can do this.
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Strudel Jul 17, 2018 8:01 PM
Welcome Kevin! The support here is wonderful - I smoked for 40 years and I quit 8 years ago thanks in big part to this site! I also really like the Carr book which Nancy mentioned above.
Congrats on deciding to quit - trust us - you can do this! Stay close!
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Finally!

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