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Post by Dot on Jul 12, 2004 6:45:15 GMT -5
I've seen several new names at the bottom of the page lately. If any of you are lurking about, please pop in and say hello. We would love to have you as part of our group, even if you've not quit yet! We will all do our best to make you welcome!
Dot and the gang. ;D
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Post by Ann on Jul 12, 2004 12:10:31 GMT -5
You are quite right Dot. Anyone and everyone is welcome, we will dig up information for you, talk you through any phase of quiting or thinking about quiting, hold your hand through rough spots and provide a shoulder to vent on.
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Post by slim on Jul 14, 2004 23:39:01 GMT -5
What should New Members Do after registering with smokebusters:1. Post in the general forum and tell us a little about yourself and whether you quit, or want to quit, or thinking about quitting. Don't be shyWe are a very friendly group of folks and love to help others quit or stay quit. 2. Sign up for Quit certificates here if you like to be rewarded for reaching milestones! www.angelfire.com/ca5/auntiesplace/3. Think about getting a quit meter that will show your progress. It is really encouraging early on! www.silkquit.org/4. A good place to gather information on quitting and online support: www.angelfire.com/la3/judyb/quitsmoke.html5. Be sure to review our Rules, guidelines & Mission Statement: smokebusters.proboards28.com/index.cgi?board=rulesWEThanks JPGang, Offer up some ideas as to what we should include here. Thanks _slim
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Post by judyb on Jul 15, 2004 11:14:11 GMT -5
I think the main idea to get across is that this is a support board, there is low tolerance from trolls and spam, no question is "stupid" and we're here to help because helping others helps us!
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Post by Shirley on Jul 16, 2004 4:07:31 GMT -5
Just a thought. I talked to a hypnotherapist at the beginning of my change in life style. She zeroed in on the fact that I didn't want to fail at stopping smoking. She pointed out that I wanted to stop smoking, not fail at the attempt, not be a quitter. So I stopped smoking, I didn't quit. It's the little mind games that helped me get through and this was one of the voices in the back of my head that egged me on. Stopped smoking for 2 1/2 years on the 19th!
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Post by Graciedonovan on Jul 19, 2004 5:23:20 GMT -5
Be fearless. Fear is the biggest factor in not quitting smoking. Fear of failure. Fear of discomfort. Fear that you're life will never be the same without nicotine. Well, you're right. Once you give up nicotine, your life will be soooooooo much better. So, don't be afraid. We're here to help you through the rough spots. Welcome.
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Post by willpower on Jul 19, 2004 9:27:20 GMT -5
I have been smoking for 23 years. I have quit on two occassions, both time when I was pregnant, but I always went back to smoking because I new I would loose the weight quickly.
I'm now 39, I have two grown children and a young son. It I continue smoking I am going to die, probably before my son even graduates from high school. I don't want him to watch me, or my husband, dieing a slow painful death.
I have many reason for wanting to quit and even more for needing to quit. I have been on Zyban for 14 days, today is my quit day. The Zyban has really not helped at all, I had to supplement with a nicotine patch. I'm still climbing the walls wanting a cigarette. My jaws are soo tired from chewing gum like a crazed person.
I need to get through this, I have to stop.
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Post by Dee on Jul 19, 2004 10:21:45 GMT -5
Willpower, I can relate to the sore jaws! I tried the gum, patches, Zyban, tootsie-pops, chupa chups and any other thing that would (supposedly) take away the craving for a cigarette. About the 4th quit or so, I finally got disgusted with myself and just QUIT! Cold turkey. I cried and ranted and raved at the unfairness of it all, but realized only I could make this quit work. It was all up to me. No one could help me. I was the only one who could control me!
Be determined. Make it the most important thing in your life. Keep telling yourself that smoking is not an option and when a craving hits, keep saying "This too shall pass", because it will. Whether you smoke or not the craving WILL pass. Everytime you successfully get through a craving, it makes you a little stronger to get through the next one. Also, drinking lots of water helps flush out the toxins in your body.
Don't give up. You said it yourself, Your life is at stake! Your life Willpower, not your friends life, not your neighbor's life, but YOUR life.
Post often, read as much as you can. Stay close to this board. We want to help you be a success.
And by the way...congratulations on your decision to have a better way of life and welcome to the board!
Dee
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Post by willpower on Jul 19, 2004 11:09:24 GMT -5
Thank you so much Dee for the words of support. I plan on taking it one craving at a time, one day at a time. I carry a picture of my 7 year old son with me, and whenever I feel weak I look at his picture and remind myself that I want to see his high school graduation, college graduation, and marriage.
I have big plans for my retirement, and they don't include chemotherapy, oxygen tanks and breathing treatments.
I will keep you posted on my progress daily. BTW, I have a bowl on my desk and for every successful day without smoking I am going to put the money I would have spent on cigarettes in the bowl. At the end of the week, I will treat myself to something nice.
Cheers
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Post by ncpops on Jul 19, 2004 19:08:24 GMT -5
Hi Willpower...you can do this. It is NOT easy but it IS important. Use anything that works. Cry, yell, chew gum, drink water, trim the hedges...just don't give into the cravings.
I had to use more than Zyban also. The local mental health center had doctors that specialize in addictions, more pills but an important aid in quitting. Nicotine changes the body tremendously. Use this board, use all the aids you can find, tell & listen to your friends, stay away from smoking situations, go to church, sing, rant....do what you must to beat the Nicobeast.
Keep the quit
Jimpops
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Post by Graciedonovan on Jul 19, 2004 20:18:46 GMT -5
Welcome Willpower. We're so glad you joined our little group. I used the patch and the gum also, with a modecum of success on my last quit. But, I did stay quit for over 2 years. On this one, I read Allen Carr's "Easy Way to Stop Smoking" about 5 or 6 times, until I convinced myself of every word. Whatever works, use it. I've heard great things about the Commit Losenge though. If the patches start giving you crazy dreams or keep you awake at night, the losenges might be an alternative. Take is one day, one hour, one moment at a time. Whatever it takes. I like your idea about saving your money and buying something special for yourself. You deserve it. Keep us posted on how it's going. We're here for you.
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Post by willpower on Jul 20, 2004 6:00:24 GMT -5
Thank you everyone for such a warm welcome! It's reassuring to know that there is help and support out there.
Day 1 is over. I had difficulty getting a deep breath yesterday, not sure that is normal. Did I mention that my hubby is stoppying also? He used the gum yesterday and went smokeless also.
Today I forgot to take my Zyban this morning before leaving for work. Still having problems getting a deep breath but I think that will subside after a few days. I'm coughing alot more today. Hubby is using a patch today also, took some Nicorete with him just in case the patch wasn't helping him.
BTW, I have not been sleeping well since Sunday. I don't think it is the Nicoderm CQ because I didn't quit until Monday. I woke up at 2:30 AM this morning and could not go back to sleep. Made it to work at 6:15 AM. I'm hoping this is just nerves and it too will go away with time.
Otherwise, I feel terrific. I noticed for the first time (not sure this is good thing) that my house STINKS like cigarettes. How do I live with that? My car smells too.
Cheers,
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Post by judyb on Jul 20, 2004 11:32:50 GMT -5
You're doing okay! Take the breaths slowly....breath in slowly then let it out. Don't force yourself. I used cinnamon sticks (from the spice aisle) to breathe thru the first few months of my quit.
You want to be sure you take the zyban early in the day so that it doesn't cause any interruption in your sleep cycle. When I was taking two/day, I'd take one when I first got up and one right after lunch.....I think you have to space them 8 hours apart or something. I was VERY spacey on zyban, so I mostly only took 1/day.
Kudo's to your hubby. But remember, the only one responsible for his quit is HIM. Same goes for you, so concentrate on yourself.
You sound like you're right on track, just keep looking forward and breathing slowly. You WILL be past this before you know it.
((((((( hugs )))))))
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Post by Dee on Jul 20, 2004 16:33:03 GMT -5
Yep, it sounds like your symptoms are right on schedule. A lot of us had interruptions in our sleep patterns when we first quit...it will pass. Some people experience bad dreams on the pills, but not everyone. I never did. You sound a lot like me. I kept repeating the names of my 8 grandkids, because I want to live to see them graduate, get married and have kids. That was a very powerful aid in my quit...my grandkids. You are doing just fine. Keep up the good work! Dee
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Post by dorothy on Jul 21, 2004 17:20:50 GMT -5
;)Hang in there. It will get better. Glad you joined us. Dorothy
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