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1. Try Again

   

   14 posts
   Registered:
   08 Feb 2018
   08 Feb 2018

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   Introducing myself. Never tried anything like this before. I am not a spring chicken. Have smoked for 50 yrs +. Starting to really feel the affects and sick of the damn things.
2. thecube

   

   3 posts
   Registered:
   08 Feb 2018
   08 Feb 2018 in reply to Try Again

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   Good luck Debbie - I have smoked for 29 years and am 12 days smoke free.. The battle is real! Stay strong - you can do this!
3. emily, quit coach

   

   247 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   08 Feb 2018

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   Hi Debbie,
   
   Welcome to the website. I think you'll find the support here can make a lot of difference as you work on quitting.
   
   It sounds like you have a lot of important reasons for being smoke free.
   
   Keep us posted on how things are going.
   Emily
   
4. dedi

   

   49 posts
   Registered:
   29 Jan 2018
   08 Feb 2018 in reply to Try Again

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   Good luck Debbie,you can do this,i have smoked for 40 years and am 29 days smoked free,its very hard and yes its a real battle like thecube said but everyday it a victory for me...
5. dedi

   

   49 posts
   Registered:
   29 Jan 2018
   08 Feb 2018 in reply to thecube

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   Congratulations thecube..almost 2 weeks !!!..stay strong and don’t forget to drink lots of water
6. frieda

   

   9 posts
   Registered:
   10 Jan 2018
   08 Feb 2018 in reply to Try Again

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   Hi! You & me are both in the same boat, I think . Have been smoking for 51 years. This is my third try at quiting and I am determined to succeed this time! Sending you strength!
7. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   09 Feb 2018

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   Hi Debbie,
   
   Give it a shot.  You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.  I smoked for over 43 years and I have been smoke free now for over 13 months.  So if I can do it, so can you.  Quitting was the best thing I could have done for myself.  You will find the same thing.  It will really change your life for the better.
   
8. Try Again

   

   14 posts
   Registered:
   08 Feb 2018
   09 Feb 2018 in reply to frieda

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   I've tried numerous times. The longest was about 3 months. There is something different this time. Recently I've felt effects like wheezing and more shortness of breath. Significant coughing too. On my 3rd day and feeling more determined than ever. Breathing easier and no cough. Yay! Stay strong. We can do this.
9. Try Again

   

   14 posts
   Registered:
   08 Feb 2018
   09 Feb 2018 in reply to treepeo

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   Wow. 13 months. My hero. I dream of making it to 1 year.
10. treepeo

    

    832 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    09 Feb 2018

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    Hey Debbie,
    
    I started from Day 1, too.  And I used to think, "Wow, I wish I had 3 months (6 months, a year) under my belt."  And I wondered if I could really do it.  And I had a lot of doubts and insecurities.  But yeah, I did it, one moment, one hour, one day at a time.  It wasn't easy.  In fact, the first month was almost complete hell.  I quit cold turkey and it almost broke me.  I ended up bawling my eyes out at the end of my first month.  But you know what?  It was all worth it.  I mean it, it truly was worth it.  Because now I have achieved my goal.  I am a non-smoker.  And I am reaping the benefits.
    
    My breathing is so much better.  It's not perfect, it never will be because I smoked my whole life and my lungs are shot.  But  holy cow, I do breathe so much easier now.  I have noticed such a change this winter.  Fighting against the wind is difficult, but I used to be almost dying for a breath, it was so difficult to breathe.  It is much easier now.  And in the summer, the humidity almost killed me, I felt such pressure in my chest.  Again, I found it much easier to cope this summer.  The difference was like night and day.
    
    I no longer worry, "Do I stink of smoke?  Does my breath stink?  Do my clothes smell okay?"  I no longer carry the shame of being a smoker.  I don't huddle in a corner to get my fix.  Quite frankly, I walk on by people who are doing the huddle I used to do, and I think, "I'm so glad that's not me any more".  I no longer feel guilty about subjecting other people to my smoke.  And I know I am setting a good example for the children in my life.
    
    And that is just the beginning.
    
    Debbie, there are so many great things that happen when you quit smoking.  It will really change your life.   I hope you don't get discouraged because you are starting from scratch, because that's where we all start from. The important thing is to take the first step and keep moving in the right direction.  You can do this.  Believe in yourself and remember why you want to quit.  And you will beat this sorry addiction.
11. Try Again

    

    14 posts
    Registered:
    08 Feb 2018
    11 Feb 2018 in reply to treepeo

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    Thank you for your words of encouragement and not condemnation. You most likely have experienced rude, unsolicited comments from ex and never smoked individuals as this is an accepted norm today. Your words speak true understanding. Yes, I hope to say one day that I'm glad I'm not the one huddled somewhere trying to hide but I will forever look at that person and understand not condemn.
12. kimbaraya

    

    1 posts
    Registered:
    12 Feb 2018
    11 Feb 2018

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    Right there w you.....my 50yr old pal and I parted ways on feb2.  Sotired of having bronchitis that never really goes away...and as you get older bladder control islower.  It is all just bad and no longer my fave thing ......and it's better than I thought.... Someone pls just tell me the death rattle and cough will subside????  It almost feels not worth it..... Trying hard not  to get discouraged. :(
13. treepeo

    

    832 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    12 Feb 2018

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    Hey kimbaraya,
    
    In answer to your question, my cough no longer exists.  When I cough at all, it is for good reason, not a smoker's death rattle.  But I still have a lot of mucous that comes up.  I always have napkins so I have something to spit it into when I am out and about.  And I keep one of those plastic bags you get at the grocery store  beside me when I am sitting at home.    It may sound gross, but I think that my body is still cleaning house, even after a whole year.  I still see flecks of brown, so I know I still have a lot of garbage in my lungs.  Well, how could I not, having smoked my whole life?  When we decide to change our lives, we somehow hope that it will all happen at once but unfortunately, that is not how things happen.  We have to work for every single change.
    
    Kimbaraya, if you stick to your quit, your lungs will start to clear out.  You will lose the "smoker's cough".  Your chest will feel lighter.  In fact, your whole body will feel lighter.  The difference will shock you, it really will.  Give yourself this chance.  You deserve it.  We all deserve it.