Smoking Still? - Page 3

DeltAlum · #1 07-15-2007, 02:16 AM

My dad finally quit a few months ago after smoking for about seventy years.

It's too dangerous with his full time oxygen -- which he should have been on for years as well.

I asked him a few years ago, when he had half of a lung removed, why he kept on smoking. He said the doctor didn't tell him not to.

I pointed out to him that he wasn't that stupid -- although, obviously, I was wrong.

I thought he would stop when my Step Mother died of lung cancer and he watched her take a painful, labored gasp every three or four minutes in her final days. He didn't.

By the way, my mom was also a heavy smoker. She died of a massive heart attack at age 70.

I wouldn't presume to tell any of you to stop, but I hope you will think about your future.

I'm sorry to "preach," but I just don't understand.

Please be well.

preciousjeni · #2 07-15-2007, 02:18 AM

It's been two years since I last posted and I STILL want to smoke. I've been 100% smoke-free since 2004. Some days I leave work and think to myself, "self, one little cigarette isn't going to hurt, right?" I haven't yet caved to the desire but it sure is frustrating.

AGDee · #3 07-15-2007, 09:44 AM

I quit on Mother's Day this year, in honor of my mom, who is still going downhill very very slowly. I am still wanting one ALL THE TIME and in the "I feel insane" phase. I am taking it a few hours at a time. When it gets really, really bad, I make deals with myself like.. "If it's still this bad after work, I can buy a pack on the way home" or "If it's still this bad in the morning, I can buy a pack on the way to work". I get through those times, don't buy the pack and make the next deal with myself. I would love to be at a point where this isn't necessary. I also have a rebellious streak in that, if I think "I can't", then I want to more. So, I don't say that I can't have one, I tell myself that I'm choosing not to. One thing that has helped is that, on July 1st, my workplace went smoke free. There is no smoking anywhere on the grounds, even in your own car in the parking lot. The smokers are heading across the street to a bench in front of a firestation. It is really a relief that I'm not one of the people having to do that. The other thing that I am enjoying is the financial part. In Michigan, they are around $5 a pack and it's a relief to not have to be budgeting to make sure I have enough money for cigarettes each pay period.

On the downside, when I smell it on someone or walk past someone smoking, I LOVE the smell and want one so bad. And, I feel like I am constantly battling this and cannot relax 100%. I wish I had some inkling of how long it would be before I could laugh and relax and have fun without having to fight this battle, because, frankly, I find it exhausting.

I'm on Zyban and I'm using strongly flavored cinnamon things.. gum, mints, etc. The cinnamon Icebreaker mints help me a lot. Why? I dunno. That strong rough feeling in the throat I guess. I have gained 8 pounds, but most of that was in the first couple weeks and the weight gain has stopped for now, so that's a relief. If I only gain 8 pounds from quitting, I will consider that good.

neosoul · #4 09-04-2007, 11:42 AM

I'm trying to quit... and have gone as far as NOT buying anymore cigarettes and trying not to be around places and people that will induce me to smoke... but whenever I smell a Newport, it's a wrap!

RU OX Alum · #5 09-04-2007, 01:41 PM

i haven't had one since '05 maybe a half one last year that made me puke adn then like a week ago i had one, but that is it

nicotine addiction lasts a long time, it seems

SydneyK · #6 09-04-2007, 02:10 PM

I had smoked for about ten years when, in 2004, I was smoking my usual brand and thought, "Wow, this tastes really bad - WTF?" It wasn't long after that that I discovered I was pregnant. I hadn't planned to quit (I hadn't planned to be pregnant!), but that last smoke I had was just awful. To this day, I'm so thankful that my pregnancy hormones made cigs taste incredibly nasty to me! I haven't smoked since (and quite frankly, I haven't had the desire).

Had I not gone through that experience, however, I'm not sure I ever would've quit (except while pregnant and nursing). Hubby still smokes, but not in the house.

AlethiaSi · #7 09-04-2007, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SydneyK

I had smoked for about ten years when, in 2004, I was smoking my usual brand and thought, "Wow, this tastes really bad - WTF?" It wasn't long after that that I discovered I was pregnant. I hadn't planned to quit (I hadn't planned to be pregnant!), but that last smoke I had was just awful. To this day, I'm so thankful that my pregnancy hormones made cigs taste incredibly nasty to me! I haven't smoked since (and quite frankly, I haven't had the desire).

Had I not gone through that experience, however, I'm not sure I ever would've quit (except while pregnant and nursing). Hubby still smokes, but not in the house.

I was hoping that my body was just rejecting the taste, b/c it does make me nauseaus.... (i'm not pregnant... at least i don't think so!!!) but idk, i had one before that I got from my friend, and I wasn't even paying attention to it, but if it sit, and think about it, i get so sick....

Munchkin03 · #8 09-04-2007, 10:20 PM

Good luck to all you guys. It's hard enough trying to stop without people preaching and being judgemental. I'm asthmatic, and secondhand smoke bothers me, but I am sympathetic.

My ex tried for a long time and he just wasn't able to.

Jill1228 · #9 02-05-2008, 05:36 PM

Stay strong! Coming up on Friday, February 8th, I will be 11 years smoke free--and got the weight gain to prove it

I was one who smoked about a pack or so of Marlboro Lights a day. I quit cold turkey and it was hell for about 3 days.

I have no desire to go back to smoking. But a couple of nights ago, I had a dream and in the dream i was smoking a cigarette

The rest of my family (mom, dad, sister) still smoke. I do NOT allow it in my house. They can smoke out on the second floor balcony or outside in the back yard.

DH never smoked (strange since he came from a family of smokers)

AOII_LB93 · #10 02-05-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jill1228

Stay strong! Coming up on Friday, February 8th, I will be 11 years smoke free--and got the weight gain to prove it

I was one who smoked about a pack or so of Marlboro Lights a day. I quit cold turkey and it was hell for about 3 days.

I have no desire to go back to smoking. But a couple of nights ago, I had a dream and in the dream i was smoking a cigarette

The rest of my family (mom, dad, sister) still smoke. I do NOT allow it in my house. They can smoke out on the second floor balcony or outside in the back yard.

DH never smoked (strange since he came from a family of smokers)

I can see where your husband comes from not being a smoker as I am from a family of them(a lot still do, some have quit). As a kid I didn't like the smell on my clothing, and it was way worse when I moved to Europe in college. Just never had the desire, quite honestly.

Keep it going folks who have quit! My dad quit cold turkey one day, and to help him over it he used to have a ton of Certs on him and would have one every time he wanted to have a cigarette. He ate a lot of Certs for quite a few years, but on the positive side he always had good breath.

LucyKKG · #11 12-27-2008, 03:56 AM

I know this thread is kind of old, but I was wondering if anyone could offer some insight. A close friend of mine is trying to quit chewing. Is it at all like quitting smoking? PM me! I want to help him, but I'm not sure if it a comparable situation. Quitting smoking is all over TV and stuff, but I dunno how this compares. Sorry to look like a n00b with reviving this and all...

AGDee · #12 12-27-2008, 07:54 AM

Either way, Lucy, it's nicotine addiction, so yes, it compares. He may find the nicorette gum to be helpful so he'll get the chewing feeling and nicotine and then he can wean off of that.

deepimpact2 · #13 12-27-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGDee

Either way, Lucy, it's nicotine addiction, so yes, it compares. He may find the nicorette gum to be helpful so he'll get the chewing feeling and nicotine and then he can wean off of that.

I thought Lucy meant just regular chewing gum, not nicorette?

ThetaDancer · #14 12-27-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

I thought Lucy meant just regular chewing gum, not nicorette?

???

I'm pretty sure she was talking about chewing tobacco...

Anyway, best of luck to your friend, Lucy, and to the others who are trying to quit.

deepimpact2 · #15 12-27-2008, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThetaDancer

???

I'm pretty sure she was talking about chewing tobacco...

Anyway, best of luck to your friend, Lucy, and to the others who are trying to quit.

You're right. I didn't think about that originally. My bad.

My grandfather chewed tobacco and had a VERY hard time quitting. Nicorette didn't help him at all. He used some home remedy that my grandmother created to help him stop.