Smoke Free

[Bobby of Tulsa]

[htom]

Keep on keeping on!

[Vince Brennan]

We are certainly listening to you and pulling for you! I promise that it really DOES get easier! Strewth!

[chas]

Almost two weeks now, half of a month| Only twelve of them in a year. Which is when you can legitimately say you have beaten this thing. Been 22 years for me, and I remember yet what you are experiencing now. Hang in there, and keep up your guards. / Jim

[AussieBarney]

Thank you Jim. It is day twelve. I smoked for over 40 years and I realise now that my entire organism is saturated with nicotine and the other by-products of smoking. My body quite possibly does not see these chemicals as particularly dangerous and is kicking up because they aren't there. Think on it, I have not got one addiction, I probably have dozenscaused by all the 4000 chemicals in tobbacco smoke, thats a good thought to start the day HUH?????

[George Jung]

Interestng topic, all of the chemicals in tobacco, esp. the way the Big Companies manipulate their 'product'. There is a chemical that is concentrated in various organs, especially the GU tract, which inhibits the cells immune response. For that reason, higher incidence of cervical cancer and bladder cancer in smokers.

You're doing good - but one bit of advice. At some point, you may feel like you've 'got this under control/beaten', and can now have 'an occasional' cigarette. You can't; one smoke, and you'll find yourself doing it all again! (though YMMV may apply). Can't tell you how many folk I know who have relapsed, sometimes years or even decades after quitting, by that very occurence. Hang in there.

[AussieBarney]

George, You are an M.D. are you not? I love your responses, they give me a real look into what I am up against medically, but, I need you to dumb it down a bit. Your last post has given me a case of the heebies. Immune systems and bladders??? I thought smoking primarily affected the lungs, heart and brain. Could you expand a wee bit or at leats give some key words so I can research on the University database?

[McMike]

I quit almost six years ago . . . cold. Was smoking 2 packs a day. If you've made it this long the worse of the physical symptoms should be over but the mental symptoms will be with you for some time. My mouth still tingles just thinking about them even now.

You're coming on 2 weeks tomorrow. DO NOT WAIVER!!! I know you can do it, will is your weapon. Before long it will get easier, I promise. You will feel so much better.

Keep up the good work! I'm pulling for you.

[George Jung]

There's lots of sites for cigarette info.... I'm reciting what I know from memory, so not sure where to point you for the 'medical' angle. But suffice it to say, it can be broken down to 'There's not a damn good thing that comes out of tobacco use', sums it up pretty well. Sites I'd check? WebMD.com; cdc.gov; nih.gov

and I found this - ignore the 'advertisements', the rest is a pretty good roundup of what's what.

http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com/whatsinit.htm

[chas]

"At some point, you may feel like you've 'got this under control/beaten', and can now have 'an occasional' cigarette."

Yup. Keep your guards up. Avoid beautiful women who smoke, LOL. Hang in there. / Jim

[Meli]

drink loads of water, helps flush the toxins faster.
I've kept to 10 a day with only one small relapse.

[McMike]

I'm sure you've seen this but I'll post it anyway.

When smokers quit – What are the benefits over time?



20 minutes after quitting
Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.

• (Effect of smoking on arterial stiffness and pulse pressure amplification, Mahmud A, Feely J. Hypertension.2003:41:183)

12 hours after quitting
The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

• (US Surgeon General’s Report, 1988, p. 202)

2 weeks to 3 months after quitting
Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.

• (US Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, pp.193, 194,196, 285, 323)

1 to 9 months after quitting
Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) start to regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.

• (US Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, pp. 285-287, 304)

1 year after quitting
The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a continuing smoker’s.

• (US Surgeon General’s Report, 2010, p. 359)

5 years after quitting
Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder are cut in half. Cervical cancer risk falls to that of a non-smoker. Stroke risk can fall to that of a non-smoker after 2-5 years.

• (A Report of the Surgeon General: How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease - The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease Fact Sheet, 2010; and Tobacco Control: Reversal of Risk After Quitting Smoking. IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention, Vol. 11. 2007, p 341)

10 years after quitting
The risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a person who is still smoking. The risk of cancer of the larynx (voice box) and pancreas decreases.

• (A Report of the Surgeon General: How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease - The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease Fact Sheet, 2010; and US Surgeon General’s Report, 1990, pp. vi, 155, 165)

15 years after quitting
The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker’s.

• (Tobacco Control: Reversal of Risk After Quitting Smoking. IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention, Vol. 11. 2007. p 11)

These are just a few of the benefits of quitting smoking for good. Quitting smoking lowers the risk of diabetes, lets blood vessels work better, and helps the heart and lungs. Quitting while you are younger will reduce your health risks more, but quitting at any age can give back years of life that would be lost by continuing to smoke.

[AussieBarney]

day thirteen. We are still hanging in there. How, I dont know. Yesterday was rough, why? I couldn't say. Maybe it's becacause I have been leveling part of the yard with soil out of an old raised garden bed whilst suffering RSI in both elbows. Ouch!!!!! Maybe, ít's bcause I'm weak and uncontrolled, drooling and slobbering at the mouth at the mere thought of a smoke.

[Bobby of Tulsa]

day thirteen. We are still hanging in there. How, I dont know. Yesterday was rough, why? I couldn't say. Maybe it's becacause I have been leveling part of the yard with soil out of an old raised garden bed whilst suffering RSI in both elbows. Ouch!!!!! Maybe, ít's bcause I'm weak and uncontrolled, drooling and slobbering at the mouth at the mere thought of a smoke.

You are a strong man, Hang in there. You can do this.

[switters]

Outstanding job. Wish I could tell you what happens next but I have yet to make it to day 13 since 1984. The very reason why I am here cheering you on, though you cant hear me from there. Wish you the best.

[AussieBarney]

Day forteen, I may have got through to all these theoretical stages of giving up. I still think about it more than is safe or sane!!! But, Still gotta not smoke! we will see. It is amazing how much time and effort, not to mention money I have invested in a habit which is killing me.

[pumpkin]

Day forteen, I may have got through to all these theoretical stages of giving up. I still think about it more than is safe or sane!!! But, Still gotta not smoke! we will see. It is amazing how much time and effort, not to mention money I have invested in a habit which is killing me.

My wife and I quit in early January. We started with the patch and before we finished the first box of patches we stopped using the patch. I carried a patch in my pocket in case I needed a fix until last week when I threw it out. My wife had a one pack relapse when our dog had to be put down and says she decided it wasn’t what she thought it was so she re-quit.

I didn’t tell anyone at work and in 2 months no one has asked. There are days that I want to light up but I keep telling myself that I’m done with that crap, take ten deep breaths and get busy. If you want to know what happens after day fourteen, you suffer through day fifteen.

Keep telling yourself you’re a non smoker and you’ll be one. Tell yourself you can’t do it and you won’t. There is no try, only do!

Shut up and color/colour.

Quitting drinking was harder than quitting smoking and I don’t think I could have quit smoking if I was still drinking.

[George Jung]

Have you started up your 'rewards' cannister? The one where you put the $$$ you'd previously sent up in smoke, and which you get to spend on whatever strikes yer fancy, at a later date? The very act of 'rewarding' yourself, daily, can be incredibly helpful. Hang tough!

[AussieBarney]

George, My friend, I have a habit which is more wallet draining than smoking could ever be. I'm building a wooden boat!!!. Every spare zac and some more is being poured into the beast. I have about three months work to go and then I have to go cap in hand to the man so I can get it registered. I cnnot wait.!!!!!!!

[AussieBarney]

Day fifteen, All you blokes and ladies have been telling me, Ït'll get easier""Still waiting for that to happen. Mind you, I am stoked at the support I have received. I reckon it will take a little longer in my case, seeing how I smoked a little longer than most. And on we go, the bride is in two minds. One, she loves the fact that she does not have to live with a walking, talking ashtray, but, she reckons she could do without the grumpus acting out like a three year old denied his sweets

[switters]

No pain no gain, you got me thinking I should give it a go again, haven't bought any in two days and smoked the last one at lunch yesterday. 15 days is doing great.

[htom]

Gradually it will become easier. It does.

[elf]

I quit by accident 49 years ago. Smoke a pack of Camels a day for about 7 years and then got distracted and discovered I'd not had a cig for 2 weeks. Seemed like a good idea to not resume.

But my lung power has never quite recovered.

49 years ago, guys, and breathing has never been up to the best since then.

[Mrleft8]

Grumpy? You wanna see grumpy? I'll show you (OK tell you) grumpy!

Carter used to travel a lot for work. She worked for airlines, and that required air travel. You'd think that she'd have developed a method for reducing the nic-fits....
After one particularly arduous trip from London (Which may actually have started in Dusseldorf) we finally got to the US Customs line at JFK airport in New York. The customs agent was doing his job, and checking passports, and asking questions and pretty much being a politely professional guy. At this point Carter had been smoke free for 10 hours...
She started out being fidgety, but efficient. By the third question about the disparity of our names, the name on her travel docs and the name on her passport etc. she started getting snippy. By the time he'd called a superior agent over to clarify how some new system or computer dealie worked, Carter was about bouncing off the walls. The agent looked over the top of his glasses at her and said something along the lines of "Is something wrong ma'am?" And Carter snapped back at him "Yes! I'm dying for a smoke, it's been over 10 hours and if I don't get one soon, there will be bloodshed!" The agent's eyes opened wide, and he said "Go.... I don't want to be around when that happens! Have a nice night!" and waved us through.
We had only brought carry-on luggage, so no waiting for luggage thankfully, but then we had to go through Imigration control..... The guy looked at our papers and asked a question, Carter snapped an answer to him. He looked at me. I said "She's having a nic-fit" The 6'7" 280Lb. agent looked at Carter..... All 5'2" and 98Lbs of her and said "Get going.... Have a nice night...... Welcome home..... I think....." It took her a full 90 seconds to make it through the reception hall and out the doors, cigarette in mouth lighter in hand. A cabby approached and started his spiel and Carter lashed out "Get the @#$%^ away from me, or your lungs will be on the sidewalk in less time than it takes to wipe your [nose]!". The poor guy jumped and moved on to the next victim.

[George Jung]

Hehehe..... guess you must've found the nice US Customs agents.... maybe you can direct our English and Canadian guests to that line.....

[AussieBarney]

Day sixteen. Lefty, I'm bad with the grumps and the acting out, but man, your Carter was almost ballistic. I only get like that when I am denied food

[goodbasil]

Chewing on plywood & doorknobs can help.

[Mrleft8]

Chewing on plywood & doorknobs can help.

Chewing on Federal agents works well too...

[pipefitter]

[AussieBarney]

Chewing on Federal agents works well too...

Here in Australia the federal agents have their sense of humor and humanity surgicaly removed when they start their carreers. I imagine they are just like your Dept. of the Jackboot agents, one disturbs them at ones peril.

[LeeG]

I have no advice on quitting smoking, those around you will appreciate it. Mom died of lung cancer at 68. The young woman two flights down goes out on her porch to smoke and I can smell it every time, whether it's 7am or 10pm the smell crawls up the outside walls and into our window. Life can throw enough curve balls your way, no reason to provide a bigger target.

[Mrleft8]

Here in Australia the federal agents have their sense of humor and humanity surgicaly removed when they start their carreers. I imagine they are just like your Dept. of the Jackboot agents, one disturbs them at ones peril.

Pretty much the same here. I think if it had been 6'2" 180Lb. me doing the nic-fits the response would have been slightly different,

[AussieBarney]

Day Seventeen, Lefty, I'm hearin' ya. Goodbasil, I've tried the drywall, but it leaves a nasty aftertaste. Mind you, I'm starting to feel the benefits. I'm not snoring anywhere near as much, which is a benefit to Sue and I'm not suffering from Sleep Apneoa any longer, so I can actually stay awake all day

[AussieBarney]

Day eighteen. I thank everyone who has posted on it and offered me and the other people who have and are giving up the dreaded tobacco support and different stratergies to aid in their efforts.(That last sentence shows that I only have a 6th grade education, my 6th grade teacher would slap me silly if he read it.) I am starting to feel healthier every day, at least I am no longer coughing up every morning. Thanks everyone. I owe you. Barney.

[Mrleft8]

Excellent!
Clearly all that phlegm you're not hacking up is going somewhere....
Another "sticky"!

[John of Phoenix]

At 18 days, you've done it! Well done! If you can do this, you can do anything.

[George Jung]

Now, about that new boat project (the one you're 'rewarding' yourself with?)....

which one did you choose?

[Syed]

Great!
Looks you have done it.

Congratulations!

[htom]

Temptation will come ... and now you know you can reject it!

[chas]

You are doing great. Keep the guard up! / Jim

[AussieBarney]

Day nineteen. I dont think I have "done" it. Not by a long chalk. I still have the most evil cravings, the habitual rituals are there to trip me up. I smoked along with a lot of other very powerful stimulants, coffee being the worst. I drink coffee at least twice as strong as other people and this is making it very hard. But, I have, my bride at my ear, my doctor at the other and 29,000+ mates telling me the secrets of their success or their failures. Just that last thing is enough to help get me over the line. On we go. I hope that everybody else who has started down the same path has met with success.

George, I gotta finish the one I'm building now, if I start another now, I'm toast

[George Jung]

But but but.... toast is good!

A lil' butter and jelly/preserves.... goes well with that dbbl expresso yer chugging!

[PeterSibley]

Day nineteen. I dont think I have "done" it. Not by a long chalk. I still have the most evil cravings, the habitual rituals are there to trip me up. I smoked along with a lot of other very powerful stimulants, coffee being the worst. I drink coffee at least twice as strong as other people and this is making it very hard. But, I have, my bride at my ear, my doctor at the other and 29,000+ mates telling me the secrets of their success or their failures. Just that last thing is enough to help get me over the line. On we go. I hope that everybody else who has started down the same path has met with success.

George, I gotta finish the one I'm building now, if I start another now, I'm toast

Yep , the RITUALS , habits for hands . A couple of mates who have suffered as you are have told me the same thing . Even one bloke who had no cravings at all just wanted to roll a durry when he finished chipping a row .

Power to your arm Barney !

[Vince Brennan]

More power to your arm, indeed, lad!

It's that proud of you I am, I can't begin to tell you.

Probably the hardest thing to give up outside of breathing, it is.

If I were there, I'd be cheering you on with signs and a parade, but consider it done electronically.


TRULY impressive any time I hear of another person quitting and making it stick... no fun at all, but it is SOO worth the end result!

It's an inspiration y'are then.

[AussieBarney]

Day Twenty. Is this a milestone? Somehow, I dont think so. I'm just trying to stay alive and healthy for a little longer than I would have. It would have been a lot easier to just keep smoking. Life would have been somewhat harder as SWMBO let me know in no uncertain terms that she disapproved of my smoking in a more forceful manner. I must admit here that my bride has the good luck of having an non-addicttive personality and the self-control of a demented yoga swami.
I have had dizzy spells, quite bad pains in the chest, stomach issues, mental and emotional issues, (read aggro attacks) a swipe at depression and it goes on. BUT, I am ever so proud of myself, me head is so swelled I can hardly fit through a doorway. I still suck on my inhaler some days, like a baby on a comforter.
The fact of this thread has helped keep me on track, the support is mind boggling.

Vince. Some days I think giving up breathing would have been easier, I have smoked almost as long as I have doing that anyhow. According to accepted medical thinking smoking is the more addictive activity

[AussieBarney]

I keep forgetting to ask how is anyone else going who is trying the same insane torture program. I hope that this thread is giving you support and encouragement, I am not going to say it gets easier, just that you have my support and I have your back. Hang in there as the alternative does not really bear thinking about.

[McMike]

3 weeks is a milestone because it marks the amount of time it took me to get over the worse of the withdrawal symptoms. It would be interesting if this next week brings you a little more peace from your body and brain revolting over the loss of its fix.

At least I hope you find a little more peace.

[George Jung]

Yup, your body is going through 'spring cleaning' and adjusting to the nicotine withdrawal. The 'mental' side is the bigger challenge, going forward. One of the reasons it's encouraged to change the habits associated with smoking, find other outlets, 'keep busy'. Otherwise you'll find yourself simply torturing yourself, thinking about it. An exercise program (if not used to it, ease yourself into that one!) as simple as taking a daily walk can help immensely. A roadtrip/sailing/whatever helps for the same reason. You're doing good!

[chas]

Another week to the first month, Barney; a big milestone! Keep it up. The bad physical effects will soon disappear and you will start feeling better than you may have for many years. That's a second chance without measure and makes this worth all the trouble! / Jim

[Bobby of Tulsa]

Day Twenty. Is this a milestone? Somehow, I dont think so. I'm just trying to stay alive and healthy for a little longer than I would have. It would have been a lot easier to just keep smoking. Life would have been somewhat harder as SWMBO let me know in no uncertain terms that she disapproved of my smoking in a more forceful manner. I must admit here that my bride has the good luck of having an non-addicttive personality and the self-control of a demented yoga swami.
I have had dizzy spells, quite bad pains in the chest, stomach issues, mental and emotional issues, (read aggro attacks) a swipe at depression and it goes on. BUT, I am ever so proud of myself, me head is so swelled I can hardly fit through a doorway. I still suck on my inhaler some days, like a baby on a comforter.
The fact of this thread has helped keep me on track, the support is mind boggling.

Vince. Some days I think giving up breathing would have been easier, I have smoked almost as long as I have doing that anyhow. According to accepted medical thinking smoking is the more addictive activity

Giving up breathing is a lot harder than you might think. First you realize that you can't breath, then you start to panic. Your mind starts to race and you think what do I do now, I need to get some air. You can't talk you can't beg for help. Hand signals ,thats it. Hit me on the back, they beat you on the back and still you can't breath. For me it was, wait, if I can knock the air out of me maybe I can knock it back in. So I just ran into the wall as hard as I could. That was just the first time. I wont even tell you about how bad you want to say goodbye or how much you love that person watching you die. Keep on keeping on Sir.