Today is One Month of No Smoking!!!!

[Trishie]

Today I have made it one month without smoking!!! I am pretty proud of myself!!!! :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[kadi]

:dance: :dance: :dance:

Congratulations! It's really hard to quit smoking - it's awesome you've done it! Your body will say thank you:)

[kelly McC]

congrats you should reward yourself with a special something. You should be so proud of yourself .. Take care and best wishes on your second month you can do it !!!!

[ICNDonna]

Congratulations! You made it --- now you can call yourself a non-smoker!

Donna

[vm]

Awesome!!!!!! :)

[dancemomof2]

:woohoo: :dance: :smile tee Now what are you gonna spend all that extra money on?????????????

[Dusty]

Trishie,
Please tell me everything that helped you accomplish this great thing.
I have a very good friend who is trying very hard and it is difficult for them as
they have smoked for years on end. We are all trying whatever it will take to help. I have logged on and researched the CDC for information and so on.
You have actually done it and probably have tons of ideas..we love this person and they lost every family member due to smoking and want this person to live longer. They are going through a real rough time trying..and has problems with finding excuses just when things get going good. Has dentures so is not a gum chewer..works where cancer drugs are made and the environment in there has to be sterile..so to eat or chew things indoors is impossible at work...work is stressful and goes out for breaks..but coworkers give our friend cigs..knowing our friend is trying to quit...we are all behind our friend 100% and are looking for whatever will help. Yesterday I went and bought tootsie roll pops as their daughter said that hand mouth motion helps..this person is easy going and is afraid of the crankies they will get from withdrawl..we all said that is fine we don't care..we care they live longer. Please tell me everything you can to help our friend..we love this person and want so to help them..and they want to quit, just having a horrible time..has smoked over a pack a day and then went to a pack in days..now is down to three a day and wants to stop as of yesterday completely..buys gas where they buy their cigs so I suggested going elsewhere for gas so not to be tempted..whatever..please help us help our friend..and yes the friend wants to quit..you have done it so you carry information first hand that can help us help. Our friend is only 54 and lost their younger brother to cancer of the lungs last year in the Fall.
We are all willing to do whatever we can to help. Will you help us with ideas and helps....thank you soooooooooooooooooooooooo much.
Dusty :woohoo: :woohoo: :) :)

[Trishie]

Hello Dusty:
I have tried to quit for yrs., and I would quit for a while then start again. But I got a severe sinus infection about a month ago (cuz cigs give me sinus infections), I had not had a sinus infect for about 3 yrs. Anyway, I didn't have any for 2 days, then I just said I'm quitting, I don't ever want a sinus infection like that again. I have been trying really hard since Oct. to quit, alot of things, cigs, stay on the IC diet, and caffine and diet pop. I have also quit diet pop. I have been a work in progress like I said since Oct.
I changed alot of my habits like if I had coffee it made me want a cig, so when I quit caffine it didn't trigger that emotion. It has not been easy but yea I did it.
I also put a sign at my desk @ work that said: REMEMER THE URGE WILL GO AWAY! I also would chew on a straw (it's something about that hand to mouth thing when people smoke-worked for me) Corny little head game isn't it" I also got some sugarless candies, peppermint, rootbeer, cinnamin and would suck on those. So I just kinda would forget about smoking and well I did it!
BTW -I didn't think smoking bothered my bladder to much, but my urge/freg has REALLY been better. And I actually think getting nicotine out of my body is a part of that (plus my meds) :woohoo:

[Dusty]

I have never smoked. I also have probs with sinuses and smoke really bothers them. I hate sinus infections as they are awful.
OK..thanks for your reply..I will get the straws..did not think of that one.
Our friend's daughter said to get suckers for the hand mouth movement. So
I did that one..they already use altoids to suck on. People at work are irritating me as they know our friend has stopped smoking and the smokers offer our friend cigs..we are all so supportive and these people at work are driving us nuts. I wish they could have a little respect. Straws ..yes..I shall get straws.definately today. We are behind our friend 100% as their brother died due to lung cancer last fall..and our other friend is on 24/7 oxygen with only 15% lung capacity due to a chemical burn to the lungs and smoking for years....we don't want another friend on oxygen like that. And since their brother died of lung cancer the risk are high. Is doing well..if only the work people would knock it off..they irritate me..and find it rude. Where do they all work...get this one..they work for a huge cancer facility here in Colorado that does what......? Makes cancer drugs..yep..the ones that go into IV's and shots......so you'd think none of them would smoke.
I am proud of you as I am sure you are proud of yourself..I have heard smokers say it is very hard. You did it though and should be extrememly proud of yourself.
Dusty :woohoo: :woohoo:

[ICNDonna]

Dusty, I had a friend who quit by holding her breath when she wanted a ciggie --- she would hold her breath until she felt oxygen starved --- then take a deep breath. It gave her the same feeling as that first puff on a cigarette. (Her doctor suggested she try that). When I quit, I did it with Nicorette gum --- before the patches were available. A patch might be a good option for your friend is there's a real struggle going on.

Donna

[ICLori]

That's wonderful, congratulations! With every minute, you are becoming healthier and healthier, and your body is looking and acting more and more like a non-smoking body with each minute that passes!

Bravissima to you for taking this extremely difficult, but extremely important, action in your life!

Blessings, Lori

[Dusty]

Yes our friend here has smoked for many a year. So this is hard. I think the death of the brother has started them thinking. And the fact we all want our friend to be around. That breathing thing I will pass on also, as every little bit of information helps. They really want to quit and are finding it so hard.
They are concerned with being cranky and we all say that is O.K. as we know why your cranky..a little concerned about weight gain..but we say that will go away if it happens..and this person is one of those high energy people with that kind of mateblism that burns off everything. I don't think gaining weight is such an issue..the crankies sure are as they say so..we all understand the crankies..and why. Our friend also paces and paces and makes you feel soooooooooooo bad. We are all doing all we can to help.
They have gone from over a pack a day to four cigs a day. Then on Monday refused to buy more..the coworkers are now giving the four cigs a day..shame on them. So the pacing has picked up. Restless I guess is what it is. Gum and candy is not allowed in this cancer facility..it is a sterile environment and can'thave anything in there. So they go to their vehicles or break rooms outside..the vehicles are a prob as they are use to smoking in them. I read from the CDC to change your routine and all..so we suggested that. It must be very hard. I have never smoked, but I can see with this person we all care so much about how hard it is...and it is hard. The nicotine withdrawals I guess is causing probs too. We will just keep getting little helps and passing them on and see what we can do. The rest of us are all nonsmokers so we are trying to be sensitive and supportive to this difficult time. One thing we all have noticed a lot already is the heavy smokers cough is gone and this cough was severe and daily.
Thanks everyone for all the information as every little bit helps..some people have ideas that others don't and know things others don't..and in the end all is a help. Thank you..we have buried too many friends this past year and family members and are tired of it and want to keep this one. Thanks to all.
Dusty

[jeanniebug]

(((Dusty))) I've smoked for 20 years and I'm only 35 years old. This past 2 years, I too have been down to 3-5 cigs per day. I have tried to quit cold turkey more times than I can count..it has been many and it never worked. I see that your friend cannot use the Nicorette gum at work. That is a bummer because once I started on the Nicorette gum...oh my gosh what a difference! It REALLY helps my jitters and withdrawel symptoms...when I start getting that antsy feeling like I need a cig I just chew the gum. I had a slip this week and smoked a few one day. I had a really stressful problem come up. No excuse, I know, and I'm going back on the wagon and the gum tomorrow. Anyway---I was wondering, has your friend tried the nicotine patch? Would that be allowed at his job? I really feel that for people who are having that hard a time with withdrawels that the nicotine replacement is soooo much better. Also--I have heard of a type of device, I don't know what it's called but I'll try to describe it and maybe someone else will chime in and know what it is. It's like a small plastic fake cigarette-type inhaler, or maybe it's the size of a small thin whistle..and the person inhales like they are smoking. It delivers small doses of nicotine minus the toxins of a cigarette, and minus the actual smoke of course. This helps for people who have a hard time not having something in their hand. I believe these are available by prescription only but again maybe someone will chime in with more info on that. And, there are prescription medications available to help people stop smoking. I can't recall the name of the one I heard about..I think it starts with a "Z". But anyway a person takes the medication in pill form while weaning down off of cigarettes. Sorry I can't recall the name of it but any doc could tell him. Also--can your friend stop taking his breaks where these smokers are hanging out? I found that when I quit, I cannot relax on my balcony anymore because that is where I always smoked. Are these people he works with giving him cigarettes before he even makes it outside to a smoking area? If so...that is so sad, they are being really inconsiderate. He will have to put his foot down and tell them "don't offer me cigarettes anymore, period." (Unless he's done this already) Also-I keep copies of the benefits of quitting smoking and the hazards of smoking within my reach all the time. I printed out key highlights that mean something to ME to keep me motivated. If I can't chew gum etc. ice chips help too. Don't know if that's an option. If I've covered something you already mentioned I apologize..it's late and I'm sleepy right now. :) But maybe when he is at work and takes a break, he can come up with a totally new habit. Like bee lining for an indoor break area with a great book to keep him distracted. It IS interesting though..those cravings are so intense, but if I breath in and out real deep a few times, and blow out like I'm smoking a cig, the craving DOES pass in a few minutes! Hope some of this helps, take care-

[Dusty]

Jeanniebug,
I have a lovely friend here that loves butterflies..it is her husband I have spoke of that is dying and is on oxygen 24/7 due to a chemical burn to his lungs and smoking and numerous other health issues due to war. We have buried many in the past few months and all young. So we are trying hard to help this good friend. His work is where they make cancer drugs for IV's and for shots..the environment must maintain a sterile atmosphere at all times..they can bring nothing in there at all..only their pagers are allowed into the facility itself as these medicines have to stay safe and sterile. So they go out for breaks when they can..and yes people are giving him cigs even after he told them that he was quitting and that really irritates us all.
We told him to just tell them to back off as he is guitting. He is kind of shy so don't know if he has actually told them that. No gum or patches are allowed in the facility ..actually nothing is allowed in..they even have to suit up in sterile outfits to work..and the FDA is in the building constantly..it is a medical laboratory where these cancer drugs are made and so the rules of what is and what is not are stiff. I got him lollipops like his daughter suggested to give him the hand mouth movement..took the straw suggestion someone gave on here the other day and the one about the deep breaths.
I gave him a paper that talks about what happens to your body almost hour by hour after you stop..Vern and his granddaughter and I got it on our last trip to the VA for Vern and we visited the lung doc for him..and Audi and I saw these papers about like you are talking about and gave them to him. We live in a city of over three million people..and he is use to smoking going to and after work for the terrible drives you get into here. That one is a hard one also for him as sometimes you are caught in traffic for a very long time.
He has stopped smoking in the house so that was progress..he is trying to stop in the vehicle..but where he buys gas is where he has always bought his cigs as I asked..so I said go elsewhere ..ha! Like it is that easy hugh!!!!!
I have never smoked as I am allergic to cig smoke and have asthma..and far too many allergies and enough body ailments to last me forever....hahahahaha! I can see what it is doing to him as far as nerves and so on..and that it is really hard we all see it..and are behind him and will take any offers of suggestions we get. I can go online more than the other friends in this group because I am disabled..everyone else but Vern works. So I really appreciate all suggestions. Colorado just passed a no smoking law for basically everywhere..went before our governor yesterday. For basically all indoor facilities of all kinds..except hotels and motels can have 25% of their rooms for smokers...all else no..outside or not at all. I feel bad for our friend as I would think coworkers would want to be supportive not hurtful. I am looking for healthy snacks also for him as he is not a candy person. So grapes help out, but he burns out on those..he can't wear the patch..due to work..nothing can enter this cancer drug making facility..as like I said it must maintain a sterile environment and that makes since. He is not a reader so that is probably out unless we can come up with something interesting that is short. I am going to get straws today like one lady suggested when I go out..if I can get out today..my bladder is in a flare ..don't know why..but when it does I am in terrible pain..my bladder is full of the Hunner Ulcers..don't know if the tens unit will help with that or not. I hate it when the bladder does this as it also limits my ability to do..because I will be so miserable and need to peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee like nonstop...so going out is hard for me when the bladder does this. I will do my best as we are all such a good group of friends with a lot of illness and difficulty right now, that we all try to help one another pick up the slack when one can't.
Thanks to all for their suggestions..as I have always been open to learning and when you have never gone through something yourself you don't really know exactly what to do..you have and you know..so you can relate what this is like and how hard this is..he asked us to make sure he has plenty of orange juice as it helps flush the system of toxins..so we did that tooooooo.
We will do anything as we have said good bye to too many friends this past few months and are tired of it now.
All information is appreciated by me no matter if someone else already gave it or not.
Dusty