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Struggling

7 posts, 0 answered
  1. tonys
    tonys avatar
    7 posts
    Registered:
    05 Sep 2021
    05 Sep 2021
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    I’m back again.
    I used to be Eddie, and something else befor that, but can’t get to old profiles.

    lost-count of how many times I tired.

    quit again today, about 45 min from my last smoke.

    ive tried every nrt there is.

    the best success I had was 7 months, but that was 7 years ago.
    My brother died from cancer since then, age 69.
    dad died at 60 with almost 4 yrs off smokes.
    mom died at 83, throat cancer they got, lung cancer
    they got, but pancreatic cancer got her.

    im struggling
  2. treepeo1
    treepeo1 avatar
    255 posts
    Registered:
    06 Feb 2020
    07 Sep 2021
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    Hi tonys,

    I know it's a struggle to quit.  I smoked for over 43 years and quit cold turkey.  I remember that first month was torture.

    I found distracting myself to be very helpful.  I went for walks, read books, played computer games.  And when all else failed, I slept, because you don't crave when you sleep.  I also drank a lot of water to help get the toxins out of my body.

    For me, the worst part of quitting was the physical part.  The pain in my lungs was intense.  But I just grit my teeth and breathed through it.  I waited for 10 minutes, and then another 10 minutes, because anyone can wait for that amount of time.  Eventually the pain would subside.  And I lived by NOPE (Not One Puff Ever).  If you never take that first puff, you will be a non-smoker forever.

    Hang in there, tonys.  You are stronger than your addiction.
  3. wandam
    wandam avatar
    241 posts
    Registered:
    05 Feb 2019
    07 Sep 2021 in reply to tonys
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    Hi tonys, 

    Welcome back and good for you in quitting smoking again! Quitting this awful addiction is super hard! I smoked most of my life, a pack a day & quit several times like you too! I agree with many of the suggestions treepeo shared, like keeping busy & drinking lots of water. I walked, changed up my routine as much as possible & drank lemon water. I also made a list of my reasons for quitting, all the benefits I would reap. In addition to this I also made a list all the negative stuff that came with my addiction! Coming on this site was extremely helpful too, so much experience & support here from people like treepeo & coaches. Glad you are back & not giving up. Keep coming on here. Take care!


  4. tonys
    tonys avatar
    7 posts
    Registered:
    05 Sep 2021
    19 Sep 2021 in reply to wandam
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    Thank you for your kind words of support 
    I’m still struggling but trying again 
  5. treepeo1
    treepeo1 avatar
    255 posts
    Registered:
    06 Feb 2020
    21 Sep 2021 in reply to tonys
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    That's the spirit, tonys.  Keep trying.  Every slip is a learning experience.  And as long as you keep trying to quit, you are ahead of the game.  Eventually it will stick.

    Try to pinpoint what is most difficult for you, and then try to come up with solutions.  For example, idle time was hard for me.  So instead of getting everything I needed at the grocery store at one time, I would only pick up a few items, so I could go back again the next day.  It was just a way to keep myself busy.  And believe it or not, it did help.

    Try to be open about changing your routines.  For example, I started sleeping in a bit later on work days, because I didn't need all that extra time to smoke.  Actually, that was a nice benefit of quitting!

    And read up on all the benefits of quitting.  That can help to motivate you as well.
  6. dublinguy
    dublinguy avatar
    349 posts
    Registered:
    09 Dec 2021
    20 Dec 2021 in reply to treepeo1
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    Thats true about the sleeping. Im finding I can sleep in an extra 30 minutes in the morning and still be on time for work.. simply because Im not smoking the three cigarettes I used to smoke before even going into the office.
    The fist week not smoking I had terrible heart burn and my lungs felt like they were on fire at times. That seems to have stopped now two weeks in and no way do I want to experience that again.
  7. 1more-time
    1more-time avatar
    1 posts
    Registered:
    09 Jan 2020
    20 Dec 2021 in reply to tonys
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    I am sorry to hear of your loss.  I am 22 days smoke free.  I am using Champix because it works. 
    Tony you are an addict just like me.  I’ve tried several myself to quit smoking.  Ask yourself what has smoking really done for you besides make you sick?  One cigarette leads to another cigarette.  That’s all it does and if your like me, every year you try to quit.  All you have to do is break the chain.  Say no more.
7 posts, 0 answered