Tyme2B

My brother was diagnosed with COPD at age 50. He was told by the Specialists he must quit smoking. He just could not quit...I think he started smoking at age 14. At age 55 he was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer. He still just could not quit. The addiction was so strong he was a closet smoker even during chemo & radiation. He didn't make it through the year & died at age 55. This addiction is powerful & deadly.

Hope you are starting to feel better Rob. Nasty viruses out there this year. At least you are not smoking orcstanding out in the cold to get a fix. Get better soon!

Wish I had never started!

I tried to stop many times throughout the years but I liked smoking and when I think back now I wish I had hated it from the beginning. Here I am quitting at age 62. I was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis & mild COPD. Whenever I got a cold I ended up with pneumonia. This year I have not even contracted a cold (knock on wood). I want to live a healthy life & enjoy my life & my grandchildren. And I certainly want to set a good example for them! When my grandfather was dying of lung cancer he asked me to promise him I would not smoke. But I did. His words were so wise, he regretted and I still didn't listen. Foolish! But I have now started the rest of my life as a non smoker. My sister & 2 friends who were long time smokers quit last year. When we are young we think we are invinceable. But as we age we discover we're not! Nasty habits like this are tough to break. BUT we CAN stop.

Thanks to Everyone for your support. I can do this...I am going to have to expect bad days during these early stages but I am a non smoker! I tell myself this a lot!!! Your group experience on this Board certainly helps to keep Newbies on the train! xx

Marti! Your journal entry was SO helpful! You were there too. Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

40 days is awesome Laura! Good for you! I am at day 24 & am having same prob. I'm thinking that because nicotine is a stimulant when we have it with a cup of coffee it becomes a quick wake me up habit. Apparently this difficulty getting out of bed WILL go away. Long time habits take time to break. It WILL get better!!!! We can count on it!

Yes it could be just humdrum time One. Just wish it would go away. So easy to blame it on not smoking....after all a cigarette or 5 in the past supposedly helped me deal....but I know it really didn't deep down. My husband has booked a trip for us away from the frigid, snowy Canadian weather to help. I can't feel excited yet but as I start to pack, maybe I will! At least I have positive support :) From this site & from him.

Evelyn.....I know how you are feeling and I understand totally as I am doing the same. We have to stay strong. We are proud we have quit but feel that one cigarette will help with the stress..help us cope. But it's just a dream Evelyn. It would only cause us to feel guilty & disappointed in ourselves. No one knows our individual lives or individual stresses. We need to learn to cope in a different way. Lighting up some tobacco wrapped in paper helping us to cope is an illusion. There are better & more healthy ways to cope. I'm trying to find them too and I will. We are all different in our feelings & our stressors in life & consideration for each other is necessary. I would be happy to share how I am refusing to go back or fall off the train. I have had a few bad days too recently but we can beat this! I could use some help too....like you. So let's work together to find a way to avoid smoking ever again. A picec of nicotine gum seems to relax me. Then I go back to regular gum. Keeps me on the train :)

25 days since my last smoke now. Maybe I was expecting too much in reading how much better I would feel. I feel worse as in depressed but at least the insomnia is going away. I DO feel proud I have stopped smoking. But I want to sleep or just escape reality these days. Nothing exercise related or looking forward to something works to lift my low spirits. I have read about grieving & other things that affect mood. Oh well, I am sure it will eventually get better.

Others on QT need you too Evelyn! And sticking close to the board helps to ward off those nasty temptations. Posting & joining in discussions help me to feel that I am a part of a strong group. That strength is helping tremendously!

I'm a new Convert as well Oneistoo! Honestly, it does get easier just as Everyone on this site tells us. Like you, I had thought that just one smoke would help but as one Person on this site said, cigs don't come in ones they come as a pack. Tomorrow is Day 21 for me & the cravings are not nearly as strong. I had a rough time with insomnia the first 2 weeks but that too has settled. It just takes time & lots of support & willpower (which I have never been good at lol). You are doing great with talking yourself out of the cravings and replacing with something that is not deadly. Good job!!!

It sounds like you are a new convert as well Oneistoo. Good for you! It may not be easy but I know it's going to be worth it!

Many Canadians wrestle POLAR bears El Bandito! Lol! This is deffs easier than wrestling those bears....I think???? Will let you know after I take one on.

Many Canadians wrestle POLAR bears El Bandito! Lol! This is deffs easier than wrestling those bears....I think???? Will let you know after I take one on.

I'm trying BAT. One day at a time. I love to sleep & escape. This is normal, right?

Such an inspiring post Babs! You are so right...the key words are "in time"! I can relate to your comments about feeling weaker than other quitters....we all are on an emotional roller coaster....but in time this is going to pass just like other negative memories of the past weaken with time. Learning to cope with stress or even past practices of rewarding one's self with a smoke will be changed....whatever positive mechanism we decide to replace that smoke with will take time to achieve. I'm learning......once we make that choice & stick to it, time will start to reward us. I'm still holding on tight for this ride....Day 16....but I'm way more comfortable on the ride than I was 2 weeks ago! Time is the key.

Hi Rob. I'm still battling some insomnia since quitting but on the positive side I definitely have less of a cough in the mornings & actually feel more energetic despite the insomnia. I think the insomnia is gradually getting better though. You are so right...it IS a life changing decision! A good one. Thanks for the support :)

Going into my third week of no smoking! There are times I "think" I need a smoke but I don't. I am proud I am not smoking! I sure can see where "just one" is NOT an option....at all.....how to ruin a good thing. As one person on the Forum said....cigarettes don't come as one...they come as a pack. Still chewing my gum. Sometimes now just regular gum works. Thanks to Everyone on this awesome site for helping me to stay strong. I am SO glad I joined this group. You ALL understand and provide added strength & motivation :)

Make the next day your quit day Mike....or just don't buy any more smokes. Your wife smokes too though right? So that makes the quit harder for you. It's obviously on your mind or you wouldn't be on this forum. I tried for a month before I finally succeeded. And now I sure don't want to go through hell week again. Stress is a part of life. I too found a smoke or four relaxed me.....like you...but really it was just giving me time out away from the situation. You will eventually win this struggle. Find another way to deal with stress even if it is standing out in the howling wind with a straw! Something that gives you time out.

How are you doing Rob? Are you managing to make it through?