Hi everyone! Well, i posted a while ago, asking for help and support, as i knew i would need it when i quit smoking. My quit began on OCT.1st. Farmers joined me in quitting, Honor did too for a while. So we've had that thread going for some time now and have had fabulous support and feedback from others. Thank you all!!! Thought i'd create a new thread,as the other one takes tooooo long to scroll for me. So, this is the A.S.thread (after smoking) where we can check in, if we want to, to say how we're doing...whether we feel wonderful OR absolutely dreadful. And for anyone who is planning to quit, we are here to support YOU. Or anyone who quit a long time ago, and would like to share. I won't comment on how i'm doing today, as my day has hardly begun yet! All my ups and downs were 'vented' on the other thread. **Again, for anyone interested, i've been using (daily) an absolutely fabulous website called QuitSmokingSupport.com - for 'true addicts', this is a Godsend! It's also a great place to hang out BEFORE you quit! Without getting into ANY detail right now, i have to say ~ it feels so great to be able to breathe again, speak without that hoarse voice i had for so long, walk up the stairs effortlessly, be free of that horrible smoker's cough...i could go on and on. Those are the 'positives'! Is it easy? NOPE!!! If i continue to do this ONE DAY AT A TIME, i think i can make it! Love to all, Lindi

------------------
Linda

Hey I'm going to be the first one to jump in here!!!

Lord knows I tried a few times to congratulate all of you on that last thread! What a support team!

As a former smoker of 20 yrs., I'd like to add...YOU CAN DO IT!!!

For me, it was cold turkey. My husband made a comment once that stayed w/ me for awhile that I guess got the ball rollin'... He said," Ya know, smoking is so unfeminine." Well you all know how sensitive we are and I took that all the way to... so now I'm an ugly dog?

Also, I had 2 babies, this was in the early 80's. I was in my early 20's and my husband and I wanted to set a good example for our boys. We both started smoking in our teens as that was the cool thing to do then!

So, we gave up red meat and took up jogging.That's when the "fad" all started. A healthy one altleast!

We both quit cold turkey. My first jog was a very hard 6 blocks of pure agony. I came back home and my lungs were on fire!!! My throat burned so bad and I hacked for hours! The next day I could not even walk. Oh do I remember the PAIN!!! And what was I going to do w/all of that extra time?lol! I smoked a pack a day at 75 cents. What are they now, like 4 bucks a pack??? Unbelievable-

I wasn't givin up though! I am a determined one. I wanted these saddle bags that I had been carrying around to come off too!

It must have taken me 6 months to jog those 6 blocks before I noticed any big change.

THEN the good stuff started to happen! First my boys were so proud of us! THEN, I could SMELL like I'd never had before! Ya know you never really think you smell that bad. WRONG!!! My sister still smokes and she thinks she's foolin' everyone by covering it up. Ha! If I borrow any of her clothes they go right into the wash to get that nicotime smell off! THEN I could TASTE like I'd never had before. AND I could start jogging w/o the pain. In the meantime, this was reducing my STRESS and ANXIETY!!!

If I was upset I just went for a run! I actually became addicted to it. Running was my medicine then. I would think any form of exercise to calm those nerves would be helpful.

So, to this day the only time I have touched a cigarette was to see what the old me looked like and it felt sooo weird. I couldn't even hold it right!lol! I wasn't a pretty site either!

I don't know if it was brought up on your other thread where there's that commercial showing what happens when you inhale that smoke? It was on Oprah and one lady said she up and quit then and there due to watching that. It was incredible what it does on the way down to your lungs and then again once it's in them! YUCK!!!

So, I am a non-smokin', converted health-nut now and feelin' fantastic!!!

Best of luck to all of you!
One day at a time is the only way!

Diane

quote:

Originally posted by Lindi:
Hi everyone! Well, i posted a while ago, asking for help and support, as i knew i would need it when i quit smoking. My quit began on OCT.1st. Farmers joined me in quitting, Honor did too for a while. So we've had that thread going for some time now and have had fabulous support and feedback from others. Thank you all!!! Thought i'd create a new thread,as the other one takes tooooo long to scroll for me. So, this is the A.S.thread (after smoking) where we can check in, if we want to, to say how we're doing...whether we feel wonderful OR absolutely dreadful. And for anyone who is planning to quit, we are here to support YOU. Or anyone who quit a long time ago, and would like to share. I won't comment on how i'm doing today, as my day has hardly begun yet! All my ups and downs were 'vented' on the other thread. **Again, for anyone interested, i've been using (daily) an absolutely fabulous website called QuitSmokingSupport.com - for 'true addicts', this is a Godsend! It's also a great place to hang out BEFORE you quit! Without getting into ANY detail right now, i have to say ~ it feels so great to be able to breathe again, speak without that hoarse voice i had for so long, walk up the stairs effortlessly, be free of that horrible smoker's cough...i could go on and on. Those are the 'positives'! Is it easy? NOPE!!! If i continue to do this ONE DAY AT A TIME, i think i can make it! Love to all, Lindi

Now, that�s truth in advertising!

I�ve experienced how tobacco/nicotine is truly a serious drug stimulant easily available for self-medicating to help mask depression that accompanies anxiety-panic. Beyond addiction or disease, the truth is I�ve experienced how self-medicating with this drug stimulant will actually decrease energy, relaxation and contentment in the long run, and help create an environment for the growth of anxiety-panic-depression.

ACS reports: "Results show a strong link between smoking in teen years and later anxiety disorders. Findings indicate very clearly that adolescents who smoke a pack of cigarettes a day or more were 12 times more likely than others to have panic attacks, five times as likely to have agoraphobia and five times as likely to have generalized anxiety disorder during early adulthood."

Anxiety Busters reports: "The next time you think a cigarette may calm an anxious moment just STOP and remember this: Besides the obvious health hazards of cigarettes they are also stimulants due to the nicotine content. Stimulants make your heart beat faster, speed up your system and actually increase anxiety symptoms. The calm feeling one sometimes experiences when taking a deep drag on a cigarette is just that. It's the deep inhalation combined with the slow exhalation through your mouth after you hold it in for a moment. You can do the same exact thing by just breathing in, holding it a moment or two and then slowly letting it out through your mouth. The result is the same relaxed feeling without the negative effects of cigarette smoking!"

Remember these words from the "Obsessive Thought Replacement Dialogue" in lesson ten of the Midwest Center Program Workbook: "You will feel even stronger tomorrow and even stronger in six months to a year. You are confident in your ability to make decisions. There is no problem that you can�t conquer. Your strength is greater than any problem you might be faced with. Problems are just opportunities to grow. You enjoy feelings of excitement. You want to feel life. You enjoy feeling alive. You deserve to be happy, to feel content. You have a right to go after the things you want in life and you will achieve them."

You're doing well enough! Remain focused on all there is to gain! You can do this! If I could do it, anybody can do it! As always, let your own unconditional compassion, love and acceptance for your self in no matter where you may find your self on the journey.


To Your Health, Happiness and Success!

Lindi Loo,
You are kicking some serious buttage up there! You should be proud of yourself. I am still praying for ya and your kicking the habit. I look forward to hearing more about your progress.
Take care and wishing you many smoke free days,
Cindy Loo

Hi there Diane, Dolphin and Cindy Loo ~ Couldn't get back to you yesterday. DIANE: Glad you jumped in! Great story! I laughed when you told us what precipitated you're quitting ~ hubby saying "smoking is so unfeminine." That'll do it, huh? Even though that's such a crazy thing to say, it works!!! (so what is it to smoke - masculine???) Yes, i too remember when a pkg. of cigarettes cost LESS than that...45 cents!! Right now, in Canada, a 20-pack is $4.45. But the saving of money would NEVER have convinced ME to stop! An addict is an addict. I was finally fearful enough for my health....the ONLY thing that could have made me be willing to quit. And yes, my sense of smell has returned, and how i know this is that it smells like a SKUNK outside most of the time!!!! Horrible! Being addicted to jogging is wonderful! I exercise too, and that was becoming much harder all the time (while smoking). What's interesting is that during these past two-and-a-half weeks, when i go to an aerobic class or get on the stairmaster....i have alot LESS energy than ever before! I feel this incredible weakness, no energy to jump around at all! It's been explained to me, that during the first while....the body is getting used to it's new situation and while it's getting rid of all these toxins,etc., the surface of the lungs, sinuses, and so on...is temporarily compromised. I've been told that it's normal for me to be lacking energy when working out. Go figure!! I'll keep on doing it, until something changes. Diane, thank's for writing!!! See ya later, Lindi HI DOLPHIN: So good to see that cutie-pie on this thread....he/she sure gets around!! Formidable character! Thank's for those CLICK-ON's. And for all your supportive writing. love Lindi HI CINDYLOO: You and Skyeyes have always been my Cheerleaders! (the reason she hasn't been on the Forum for so long, is cause she hasn't had access to internet...hope she returns soon) Cindy, you made me laugh with your funny expression "serious buttage". Thank's for your neverending support, love Lindi

Hi Lindi:

Been busy for a while - it's amazing after taking a few days off from the forum how many threads there are!!!

Still doing great - can really relate to what you said about a lack of energy - even tho I have been painting my fool heart out I can now announce I'M DONE!!! Would love to come over to your house and paint it for you and munch on cinammon sticks!

We're doin' great, Lindi - Huggeroonies(sp?)Susan

Hi Susan! So great that you're still not smoking!!!! By the way, 'huggerooonies' has no specific spelling, anyway you like it! Okay, so you're ready to paint my place? It's not a house, but an apartment...actually, the third floor of a house...so, shouldn't be too difficult! However...where do you live? (i'm joking about the whole thing of course) I'm amazed that you spent this time painting your entire house!!! Yeah, i'm sucking on cinnamon sticks and licorice sticks (not the food...the natural sticks which look and taste like wood!) and still chewing the nicorette gum. Are you still using the patch? Okay, gotta try to get into this day...talk with you later, Lindiloo

Hi all! Checking in on Day 20 of being a non-smoker. Hey Susan ("Georgia Peach"")...how are you doing? I am still feeling a bit strange but apparently, this is to be expected for a while. Like when i went out for a walk today....i SO MUCH wanted to be outdoors on this magical, colourful Autumn day....i felt anxiety bordering on panic and a feeling of being very tentative. And i was very close to home, where panic does not happen. It's been explained to me that the body/mind takes quite a while (for some) to adjust. Well, that's certainly true for me. I feel this bizarre emptiness inside of me, like i can't really feel my body. (this isn't all the time) But that makes sense, since cigarettes are a major stimulant and after 30+ years of inhaling this drug, my body is no longer feeling THAT KIND of stimulation. Kinda feels 'dead' inside. Oh well, just another odd sensation to get through! I should also mention that i feel AMAZED that i don't smoke! I honestly cannot remember myself not smoking! I am very, very happy that this crap is no longer being inhaled into my body! And that a healing process is taking placed....yeah!!! Okay, that's it for now. love Lindi

quote:

Originally posted by Lindi:
Checking in on Day 20 of being a non-smoker...
I have a lot LESS energy than ever before!

quote:

Originally posted by farmers:
Hi Lindi:
Can really relate to what you said about a lack of energy...
Susan

Hi Lindi and Susan (farmers),

I can't believe it's been THAT long since you quit smoking! Seems time sure isn�t dragging either!

If the patch is a less effective mode for the nicotine stimulant than smoking, and/or the levels of the drug are not equal, that might explain some of the drop you're feeling Lindi.

It seems understandable if your body may want to rest up for awhile and catch its breath so to speak after being hyped up by a stimulant for so long. In fact, my dentist told me she was prescribed Wellbutrin SR �anti-depressant" that some speculate may work by mimicking a stimulant action in the brain similar to cocaine to help manage any depressive effects from nicotine withdrawal. You may know me well enough to know I�m not big on trading one drug for another, but it�s interesting the lengths some are going to quit these days.

Consider allowing for more down time for rest/napping/sleep along with any healthy eating and exercising you may do that is energizing and builds stamina, and I�m sure you�ll feel better, better, and better soon enough.

You�re doing it!



[This message has been edited by Dolphin (edited 10-22-2001).]

Day 23!!! YEAAAHHHHH!!!!! Feeling better every day - have only used 5 patches since quitting - the last time I had one on was about 10 days ago. My sleep patterns are improving some, I still, on occasion wake up early, but not as frequently as before. The spacey feelings are gone, the intense cravings are gone, about the only withdrawal symptom is a mild depression - using the tools from MWC is helping me to keep this at bay, Dolphin you are right on about this - I really don't want to take any meds to alleviate the mild depression, after all I've been thru w/anx & depr, I think I can handle this, just knowing that it is temporary and only a symptom of withdrawal helps alot.

Lindi - good for you going for those walks in this glorious weather - I've been out walking too just glad to be alive and breathing so much easier, hope the panicky feelings subside soon for you, maybe thinking this is only temporary because of the withdrawal will help some, it did for me.

Huggeroonies - Susan

Yo Lindi:

How's it going???

Hugs, Susan

Yo Susan!! Good to hear from you. I've been using that QuitSmoking Forum for cigarette-related issues....such as ~ STRESS bringing up the desire to grab on to something!! BUT, i have to tell ya, i REALLY, REALLY don't want a cigarette!!!!! I am soooo grateful for that. I want SOMETHING, but not THAT! Three or four very stressful issues right now for me and for some reason, i haven't felt like writing about any of it on this Forum. So i won't do that now either...i'll just tell you how i'm doing with NO SMOKING....pretty darn good!! Susan, i still feel a bit strange, being a non-smoker...like this feeling that something is missing....it IS!!!! I still find walking around even my USUAL area (near home) more nerve-racking than usual....i know that in time, my psyche/body will get used to being a non-smoker. I understand that it takes quite a long time for many people to ADJUST to this new reality. So, i'm very, very happy that i'm not smoking AND i'm more nervous to go places. I am arranging for a meeting with the owner of an Art Gallery (i'm calling him today) to see about part-time work. I have NO IDEA how i'll get there...it's just 3 blocks out of my perceived 'safety zone', but i no longer have those 'smokes' to reach out for when i'm scared. I have no idea if i'll even be able to STAY for the interview!! Having agoraphobia, having just quit smoking, and having worked for nobody but myself for 20 years.....is causing this upcoming interview to be VERY STRESSFUL!!!!! However, i feel i have to at least TRY...i need the work badly and my x-husband (and friend) shows his work there...he's an artist. He told me about the opening. *I know you asked me only about how i'm doing re: smoking...but quitting smoking makes doing MANY things so much harder for me....at this time. I KNOW this will change. (am i being repetitious?) I want VERY MUCH to 'stay quit'. I'm still using the "One Day at a Time" mind-set...it works well for me. HOW ABOUT YOU????? Do you miss it? Are you feeling great about quitting? Does this time feel different for you? If you ever need any convincing to STAY QUIT.....take a look at the info. at that QuitSmokingSupport.com website. I had no idea what was inside of cigarettes and no idea about SO MANY FACTS i ignored very willingly! Okay, i'll go now...would LOVE to hear from you, love and more hugerooooonies, Lindilooooooooooooo

Hi Lindi:

Good to hear from you, I wanted to catch up with you since it's been a few days - WOW, just listen to yourself talk, you don't even want a cigarette, that's phenomenal!!! But I caught the "I want something", but not that - ditto for me - sometimes I munch pretzels, sometimes carrots, sometimes ice cream not too often tho), I know for you it's cinammon sticks - I tried it, but the cinammon taste was a little bittter to me.

Yes, Lindi, something is definitely missing, I feel that too, I don't feel so spacey now, but I know just what you mean - it's almost like you just kind of go thru your day thinking you've forgotten something or there's something you need to do - it's hard to relax totally - I still feel like I need to be doing something, but I've run out of projects. I'm reading alot to keep myself occupied when I'm not working. Does any of that make sense to you? It's really hard to explain.

I'm glad that you're continuing to challenge yourself with your walks even tho you're nervous - I've put my driving on interstate issues on hold til I have a better handle on my inner peace - maybe I should to continue to try - sounds like you are moving ahead Lindi - I'm going to be wishing you so much luck on your interview - I'm gonna cross all my fingers and toes for you - just look at you girl, you quit smoking after 30+ years and now you're going to work for someone else after 20+ years of self-employment, going outside of your safe area - WOW - YOU GO!!! An art gallery sounds so interesting, follow your heart Lindi - don't let this nasty old agoraphobia keep you from doing what you need to do (I have it too, only in a different form than you).

Don't worry about chatting with me - I should have been named "Chatty Cathy" (remember that doll?) Instead, you can call me "Chatty Susan", I love hearing how you're doing - and no, you are not repetitious.

Do I miss cigarettes - yes, but I don't want them to kill me - eventually they will, I know this.

Am I still feeling great - it comes and goes, I am definitely proud of myself, I notice a difference in the way I feel, much calmer, the way I look, I have a little pink glow to my skin now and I'm feeling more energetic all the time - exercise feels great. But there are times when I still want one, I just refuse to give in.

Does it feel different this time - Yes, definitely, I think that going thru the MWC program is helping - I feel so much stronger as an individual now, I'm no longer beating myself up - I have better self esteem and I like myself more than I ever have - so, I'm being good to myself by not smoking - I really think I can do it this time.

QuitSmokingSupport.Com - what a great site. I spent about an hour on there yesterday, went to Blairsville and read some of the stories, also saw Bob's place - I'll be logging on there soon - I haven't had much time lately - I've gotten busier with work lately and haven't had as much time to surf.

Stay strong Lindi - when's your interview - I'm going to send you really good vibes, let me know the date and time - Love and Hugs, Susan

Hi Susan! I can't tell you how great it was to hear from you!!! I'm in the WORST MOOD TODAY and just now came in from doing a few errands outside....i came in cause i would have bitten someone's head off pretty soon!!!Grrrrrrrrr.....I'm not doing 'the cinammon sticks' anymore, cause yes...they are bitter AND they were making my teeth brown! Of course,that's cause i was frantically chewing them into bits and pieces. So, it's back to the good ol' plastic straws, less nicorette gum, and those sugar-free candies. That's an excellent description....going through the day feeling like you forgot something. Oh yes...i really do understand! Another thing i've noticed for me, is i become uncharacteristically (God...what a long word!!) fatigued early on in the evening. (maybe it's just not much fun staying up late without being a smoker?) Fatigue IS one of the symptoms which is mentioned though, among so many others...during the first few months. "Thank you" for the cheerleading, but truly...i am not moving ahead at all with the walking! In fact, i've gone backwards in that way. I haven't been willing to go anywhere since i quit...feel too nervous, that will change. I LOVE that you are keeping your fingers and toes crossed for me!!!! That's such a funny visual image. Undo them for now, cause i haven't arranged for the interview yet! Confession ~ i didn't call the gallery owner today when i had thought i would. I knew that if he suggested coming in for a talk today, i would have had to say no. I want to take a few 'dry runs' with a friend or two first....i mean walk that far a few times first. And if he would have suggested seeing him, let's say...Monday or Tuesday, i swear...i most probably would have not slept a night until then. Even though i do use the self-talk,etc.. this particular venture makes me VERY, VERY nervous. I think i'll have the chance to walk that far tomorrow with the help of a friend and then perhaps try it again the next day. THEN, i'll call him. And i think it's a good idea for me to stop referring to this as an 'interview'...makes me feel like a child! I have to remember that i'll be 'interviewing' him as well! Okay, it's a meeting. I'll let you know when this is happening...thank's for asking me to do that! I'll need the 'vibes'! I had tears in my eyes when i read "Don't let this nasty agoraphobia keep you from doing what you need to do." That's exactly what's been going on since 1982!!!! I really WAS feeling i was moving forward, ever so slightly, several months ago. And then i became so sidetracked with that possible visit i was maybe going to make to Montreal (mom's 80th)....you know i didn't go. That put be back quite a bit, lots of fear there. And now, the quitting smoking...well, i KNEW this would also put the 'recovery from agoraphobia' ON HOLD for a while. Susan, i honestly hadn't thought of you as 'chatty'! But please...do be chatty! I actually have never heard of that doll "chatty cathy". You mentioned feeling 'calmer'.....me too!!! Funny thing, huh? But it makes sense...since cigarettes are a stimulant, they produce adrenelin. And the truth is ~ grabbing on to a cigarette NEVER helped the panic for me! It was all in my mind! They say that one of the possible symptoms of quitting...is panic. Hmmmmmmm. That's odd, why would that happen, if there is now LESS adrenelin happening? I guess because it might FEEL scary to have stopped smoking. Oh, who knows!! I am so glad to hear that this quit is much different for you than the last one! I think i am ALSO a much stronger person than i was the last time i tried, 12 yrs.ago. GOOD FOR US!!!!! We just might do this....forever!!! Sooooo, you've been to the QuitSmoking Forum....great, huh? You'll find me there as Lindi also. I think i'll re-register though as Linda. Lindi makes me feel like a six-year old!!! Okay, that's it for now....from Chatty Linda to Chatty Susan, have a WONDERFUL weekend!!!!!!! (((((((((big hugs))))))))

Hi Lindi:

Spent some time today on the Quitsmokingsupport.com site - WOW - it's great - I must've been on for two hours - wish I would have spent that much time before quitting, but anyway, it really is great. Peeked at the bulletin board and saw you there - btw, I put in the counter for my quit day - it's not that hard, (I'm no computer guru, either) let me know if you want me to tell you exactly how to do it. Right now I'm at 3 wks, 6 days, 5 hrs. 13 mins. 2 secs, 544 cigs not smoked, a savings of $95.26 and life saved of 1 day, 21 hr and 20 mins. Isn't that amazing, it's fun to keep up with it.

Oh, the cinammon stick story broke me up - I could just see you spitting those things out and going yckkk, it's funny the things we resort to for relief. Right now I'm just chewing sugarless gum and munching pretzels, my appetite is really big right now, I'll be glad when that subsides. I am exercising to help offset it tho - what else are you doing to help with the symptoms?

Okay, now for the sermon - Lindi you are making great progress - you have quit smoking, what an incredible accomplishment, not only does it improve your health, it also lessens the effect of anxiety, remember smoking is terrible for anxiety - so there, look at that tremendous progress!!! Tackle other things in your own time, when you're ready - you will Lindi - I know it!!! Be kind to yourself, give yourself the time you need, be patient - you have the desire and the ability to grow, float with the anxiety, keep getting out there and fighting!!!

OK, I feel better now, hope you do too.

Let me know about the "meeting" with the prospective employer you are considering working with - I'll be with you, fingers and toes!!! Love and Hugs, Susan