SMOKERS... LETS KICK the HABIT!!

[girl_dee]

Originally Posted by Incubus

Thank-you so much....I have to say the first 6-9months were a breeze compared to the last 3 or 4. I've had major cravings around assignment times and just because I think the universe is testing me - I'm weak willed in the face of hedonism - but have been real strong and denied them all.....not even just one little puff because that's how it gets you back in it's clutches.

I would imagine so. As someone who fights daily (and nightly) with asthma, I appreciate you appreciating your lungs and those who love you enough to stop smoking. It's hard to watch someone throw their lungs away when you really wish yours worked better.

Originally Posted by sassy_girl

I would imagine so. As someone who fights daily (and nightly) with asthma, I appreciate you appreciating your lungs and those who love you enough to stop smoking. It's hard to watch someone throw their lungs away when you really wish yours worked better.

I'm so sorry you have asthma sassy_girl. Sadly I already threw my lungs away and have the asthma, the COPD and 50% lung function

I did it to myself though and can't complain.

[girl_dee]

Originally Posted by Incubus

I'm so sorry you have asthma sassy_girl. Sadly I already threw my lungs away and have the asthma, the COPD and 50% lung function

I did it to myself though and can't complain.

I believe mine stems from growing up with two smoking parents. Sad but true. Sorry you are fighting those dreaded issues even if it's your own doing. Maybe others will read this and feel inspired to quit too!

Originally Posted by sassy_girl

I believe mine stems from growing up with two smoking parents. Sad but true. Sorry you are fighting those dreaded issues even if it's your own doing. Maybe others will read this and feel inspired to quit too!

That's what I hope sassy_girl. I'm only 47 and have 50% lung function. I cycle and try keep it to the best of capacity but I'm afraid the damage is done, I have to make an effort to keep lung function, I can't take it for granted. If anyone could learn from my mistake of leaving it too late to give up smoking no matter what the Dr's say then my job is done.

[gaea]

Originally Posted by Incubus

That's what I hope sassy_girl. I'm only 47 and have 50% lung function. I cycle and try keep it to the best of capacity but I'm afraid the damage is done, I have to make an effort to keep lung function, I can't take it for granted. If anyone could learn from my mistake of leaving it too late to give up smoking no matter what the Dr's say then my job is done.

Incubus, I do not know you however reading that at 47 you have copd has just choked me into to tears, i think im done...im putting on my patch and gonna finish my book. and pray like hell this time my quit will stick. I hope that you have some really good and solid family support. and i hope your lungs have the opportunity to heal.

Originally Posted by gaea

Incubus, I do not know you however reading that at 47 you have copd has just choked me into to tears, i think im done...im putting on my patch and gonna finish my book. and pray like hell this time my quit will stick. I hope that you have some really good and solid family support. and i hope your lungs have the opportunity to heal.

Awww gaea no need for any choking or tears on my behalf, I did it to my myself. I appreciate your thought though. Sadly because it is copd it means my lungs will never regain function but I can stop the disease getting any worse from this point.

If my story inspires you to stick in there and apply yourself to giving up then that would make giving up and telling my story entirely worthwhile. I would be honoured to have been an inspiration.

The one negative side-effect of giving up is I've gone from being 100lbs all my adult life to 125lbs. It means all my summer shorts that I've just got out of winter storage don't fit me and I had to buy new Levis in the winter too. ...it's summer so at least I can get out on my bike and unicycle in an effort to try and reduce the weight gain a little.

Don't let potential weight gain put you off though, you can do something about that but you can't fix damaged lungs.

[MrSunshine]

almost 2 weeks now...

[Words]

Champix.

It's a pill, available here, the UK, on the NHS and available elsewhere, I believe, online. B. and I are now finally off the dreaded cigarettes having been smokers for most of O/our lives and I can honestly say that weaning O/ourselves off them was much, much easier than W/we expected, thanks to the pills. Warning though, if you do decide to go this way, you need to do it under professional supervision, especially if you're prone to depression.

Good luck everyone.

Words

Originally Posted by Words

Champix.

It's a pill, available here, the UK, on the NHS and available elsewhere, I believe, online. B. and I are now finally off the dreaded cigarettes having been smokers for most of O/our lives and I can honestly say that weaning O/ourselves off them was much, much easier than W/we expected, thanks to the pills. Warning though, if you do decide to go this way, you need to do it under professional supervision, especially if you're prone to depression.

Good luck everyone.

Words

Hey Words glad to hear that you've both stopped. I used Champix too and have extolled it's benefits in this thread before, I'm glad you can back me up in that. I was/am prone to depression and thought the potential benefits worth the risk. I didn't have a problem thank goodness......I did enjoy the vivid dreams though

MrSunshine, that's amazing! That old adage, one day at a time is useful and if a day is too much break it down into half days, or even hours at a time if things get really tough. Keep at it!!

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Words

Champix.

It's a pill, available here, the UK, on the NHS and available elsewhere, I believe, online. B. and I are now finally off the dreaded cigarettes having been smokers for most of O/our lives and I can honestly say that weaning O/ourselves off them was much, much easier than W/we expected, thanks to the pills. Warning though, if you do decide to go this way, you need to do it under professional supervision, especially if you're prone to depression.

Good luck everyone.

Words

In the U.S. it is called Chantix. And yep, worked for me. I was a complete nut job when I tried to quit the first time. The second time, with Chantix...MUCH EASIER. And I was a 1 3/4 - 2 pack a day smoker.

It made me nauseous every morning (with or without food), but it only lasted 20 minutes, so it was worth it.

I have heard some folks have terribly vivid dreams. I had more dreams, but they weren't vivid per se. Regardless, I would have hung in there anyway (if at all possible), b/c it made SUCH a difference. I CAN'T say enough good things about this drug!