SMOKERS... LETS KICK the HABIT!!

[Loren_Q]

Like Dude I'm using e-cigs.

Since I started with e-cigs (Dec 22nd) I've had 4 tobacco cigarettes total. So far so good.

Over the years I tried gum, patches, Zyban, Chantix. I'd quit for a period of time (as long as 8 years, as little as 6months) but the craving never really left. I'd not smoke by just force of will, often berating myself whether I gave in or not.

The e-cigs taught me a lot about my addiction. I'm not entirely sure it's the nicotine for me. When I smoked I was a 1/2 pack a day smoker, often less. So there wasn't much of a nicotine hit throughout the day.

What I did need was the goodies that came with smoking: the ritual of it, taking a break from work with smoking buddies, the feeling of heat in my mouth, the throat hit, the rolling of something in my fingers. There's also a psychological 'time out' for me as well.

Many times not smoking felt unkind, but then, so did smoking. It's very much a no-win.

With the e-cigs I don't feel like I'm punishing myself when not smoking, nor am I berating myself for 'giving in'.

I don't know if this will be the silver bullet for me, but I'm hoping. That and now I have a bunch of lighters for fire play

Loren

[Dude]

triggers


triggers

I'm ok ...I'm ok

geezuz

mornings are hard
nighttime is hard

I'd like to just sleep through the next few weeks
wake me when it's all ovah please

[dixie]

Originally Posted by Dude

triggers


triggers

I'm ok ...I'm ok

geezuz

mornings are hard
nighttime is hard

I'd like to just sleep through the next few weeks
wake me when it's all ovah please

Mornings are hard
Nighttime is hard
After meals are hard
After chocolate is hard
Arguing with idiots is hard
Being bored is hard
Driving is hard
Tuesdays are hard
OMG-what-am-i-going-to-wear is hard
Seeing random strangers with cigarettes is hard
etc
etc
etc

I have discovered so many freakin triggers it drives me nutssss!

I stop, I take a few deep and calming breaths, I pop a tic tac or peppermint in my mouth, and I repeat my mantra of "damn it feels so good to breathe and not hack my lungs out every morning" LOL

I certainly hope it gets better, because I loved smoking and did not want to quit. BUT I've already discovered so many advantages to it, that I really hope I can stick with it.

You can too, my friend. It's worth it. Hell, just imagine...we don't stink no more LOL

Another here flying by to give a little encouragement.

One day at a time. One half day at a time. An hour at a time. Five minutes at a time. You can do it.

A positive self talk and application of will-power; sorry no pill, patch or other replacement can substitute for the whole mind over matter, will-power thang and you'll succeed. The pills, patches and other stuffs do help immeasurably in those first weeks and months though.

This time I knew, just *knew* that something was different. There were no reservations, not even one tiny 'well maybe one day', left to thwart me yet again. The fear factor of having just nearly carked it from a humungous chest infection helped no end. Ex-Mrs.D didn't like watching me die in front of her eyes either.

Coming up to 3yrs without even a sneaky puff or lapse of any sort.

...and in that phrase made immortal by the ex smoker the smoker loves to hate. If I can do it, you can too.




365days giving up other harmful substances. It's a leap year so there's one more day to go.

[Dude]

food tastes sooooooo GOOD
I had peanut butter pancakes two days in a row
that was to die for!!!!
so many times I would smoke rather than eat
so I have to work on that too

I have strange little energy surges
its like coming out of a very thick fog

there is a stinky ashtray on the porch
to remind me Yes it does Indeed stink to high heaven

thank you cheerleaders

[Loren_Q]

I'm going through a hard time right now on a lot of different fronts. Not good, that's always a trigger for me to buy a pack.

But so far, the e-cig is keeping me away from the real thing. I do admit I'm puffing it a lot more than I had been, but frankly if it's keeping me from smoking I'm okay with puffing my vapor to high heaven.

Loren

[not2shygrrl]

Originally Posted by Dude

food tastes sooooooo GOOD
I had peanut butter pancakes two days in a row
that was to die for!!!!
so many times I would smoke rather than eat
so I have to work on that too

I have strange little energy surges
its like coming out of a very thick fog

there is a stinky ashtray on the porch
to remind me Yes it does Indeed stink to high heaven

thank you cheerleaders

that stinky ashtray is a great idea !!

[Lady Pamela]

First off, sorry I have not checked in for a bit. I have been a little pre-consumed but I am here now.

I am so excited to see so many people on this path as well.
And so many supporters..how awesome is that?...WOW!

Congrats to all of you who have choesen your life over this habbit.
And a huge THANK YOU to all who are suppoting all who are struggling.

May you continue your journey and know you are not alone!

Sending out love and energy to all who need it.

Blessing's to you,
Pamela




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[Lady Pamela]

TODAY MAKES 1 YEAR SMOKE FREE FOR ME!!!

My mother and father would have been so pleased.
I can so feel them smiling today.

By family and friends, I was the last person they ever thought would quit smoking.
They are all so pleased and shocked as well.

I smoked anywhere from a pack and a half to 2 packs normally.
I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued support.
And for allowing me to ramble and carry on during this entire year.

Your words and time have most definately helped in the process.

Today I also come out for the first time about other struggles that smoking has created for me.
I have kept things very silent but I feel others need to know.
Also if my story can help even one..It will make my hard times worth it.



When I stopped smoking, I found out about 1 month afterwards that I had COPD/Emphysima.
That was very hard news to process for me, because I have had others with it.

I am a fighter when things get togh. I am not one to give in so to speak.
So COPD was just an obsticle I needed to get through. And day to day, I do what needs to be done to do just that.

Last week I hurt my rib so I had to go to E.R. to have it checked out.
They gave me a x-ray and cat scan to see what damage I had done. ( Or atleast I thought that was why.)

My daughter was with me as a team of doctors came into my room and shut the door.
They told me that they had found some marks. Left side it is 5mm in size and right side is 4mm.
And that the cat scan was to confirm the spots on the ex-ray were actual mass or nodules.

My mind was spinning. And quite honestly, scared to death at that moment.They set me a doctor appointment and said no matter what, do not miss it.
So I went home to process this day and get ready for whatever the doc would say.

On February 1st I went in to the doc.
They said they will send for my last years ex-rays to compare to which will take a few weeks.
They will also then be able to get all meds I haven't been able to have for other things I have. After they come and my medical gets on the go.

Also that no matter what, they will be very active as to my treatment.
And aiding in making me more comfortable with my other issues as well.

A part in my letter to medicade states this....
" Pamela was recently evaluated in E.R. and found to have had two nudules that are suspicious for cancer. The nodules should be compared to other medical records and also reevaluated and possibly biopsied. In order to determine whether or not they are malignant or not."

I would not wish having this type of scare for anyone.
It has made me tottally evauate my entire life and what I truely think that matters.

I am a strong soul and have endured alot in this life, including cancer years ago.
But this news took me by suprise even with the copd and smoking past.

I will update as I am updated as well.

I normally do not post stuff of this nature in public sites.
But like I said, If one person hears my story and it makes them stop, think and react before it happens to them..Then it is worth it!


Today I celebrate myself for making great choices.
I celebrate my life, and all I can do still due to stopping now.

I am deeply full of gratitude to those who have been there for me.
And to all of you who have listen and helped throuout this year.

Thank you so very very much. I value you all.
And can only hope I can and have been there for you as well.

May your day be full of beauty and dreams.
And may you see past moments that hard.

Blessings to you all,
Pamela





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[Lady Pamela]

[Lady Pamela]

Checking in to see how everyone is doing?