Welcome to the Community Forums

First Timer Cancel

1. skystream

   

   10 posts
   Registered:
   27 Apr 2018
   27 Apr 2018

   Link to this post

   Greetings all!  This is my first time using the smokershelpline.ca .  Today my doctor told me I HAVE TO quit smoking.  Of course I've known this for years!  But today she could hear me 'wheezing' just standing next to me - no stethoscope required.  And I'd already used my 'puffer' 4 or 5 times before the appointment!  She wants me down to 10 cigs a day (from current 20-22 per day) by my next appointment in 2 weeks. I am exploring options for treatment (nicotine replacement; on line forums, quit lines etc.) with a goal of quitting sometime in the next 4-6 months (or less) as I formulate my plan, and do a gradual reduction to make the full break less 'painful' for me.  Glad to be on board, and will look for good ideas and encouragement from the forums.               I would like input on NRT aids - I notice a lot of people are using the gum &/or lozenges.  I am considering the inhaler.  Anyone have thoughts on which might be best?
   
   
   
   

   Last modified on 27 Apr 2018 20:43 by skystream
2. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   27 Apr 2018

   Link to this post

   Hi again skystream,
   
   I can't speak to NRTs because I did not use any.  I will let others respond to that aspect of your post.  But what I would like to suggest is that you read the materials on this site and do the exercises/questionnaires.  I found that the information here really helped me to prepare for my quit.  It also helped to motivate me.
   
   Here is another suggestion.  It is more difficult to cut down if you don't deal in specifics.  So instead of telling yourself, "I have to cut my smoking in half in the next two weeks", set specific goals for each day.  So for example, if you tend to smoke 3 cigarettes as soon as you get up each day, your goal might be to cut that down to 2.    And if two hours later you normally smoke 2, tell yourself you are only going to smoke one, and so on.  Think of your day as a whole, when you smoke and how many you smoke, and decide when and by how much you are going to cut down each day.  Keeping a journal is helpful in this regard.
   
   Good luck, skystream, and stay in touch to let us know how you are doing.
   
3. eagerquit

   

   415 posts
   Registered:
   07 Mar 2018
   28 Apr 2018

   Link to this post

   Hi Skystream
   
   Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking. I started by writing down my reasons to quit smoking. I had the medical issue like you, but there were a number of others as well:
   
   The wheezing at night
   Blocked sinuses
   Clothes smelling of smoke
   Smoking in cold, snow and rain
   High blood pressure
   Burn holes
   The drain on money
   Trips to the store for more cigarettes
   
   I refer back to this list from time to time so as not to forget my purpose in staying smoke free. Next I set up a list of rewards for being smoke free another day. This is a bucket list of enjoyable experiences and things I've always wanted to do.
   
   I quit smoking all at once using NRT lozenges and gum, gradually replacing them with mints, and regular Trident and Excel gum. The result is that I am now over seven weeks smoke free and enjoying every minute of it.
   
   Wishing you every success.
   
   Eagerquit
   
   
   
4. jennifer, quit coach

   

   103 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   28 Apr 2018 in reply to skystream

   Link to this post

   Good Morning skystream,
   
   Welcome to SHO! It's so wonderful to see you here planning, preparing and trying to gather info about making changes to your smoking - you'll find a wealth of quit wisdom and support from our members!
   
   Really like how you're carving out a path to lead to you quitting, it sounds as though you have already started to think through how you'll best manage these changes. You have some great ideas!
   
   NRT is a great option to strengthen your quit plan. It helps to reduce craving and ease withdrawal while you get used to living with smoking. It also boosts those odds of quitting successfully! As you are planning to cut down gradually you can look into using an NRT like lozenges or gum to help you cut down. 
   
   Know we're here for you - feel free to come by anytime with questions, concerns or updates!
5. ocean

   

   286 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   30 Apr 2018

   Link to this post

   Congratulations Skystream!  I was like you and took my time getting into this quit because I had a hard time getting to three months the last several years.  But I learned a lot from those quits.  One thing I learned was that if I slip, to not relapse and panic and get to stressed out about it.  I;d remeber other attempts where I'd slipped and start all over again and felt weary after a coouple of months of this.  Maybe we shouldn't put so much focus on days not smoked and instead see it like a diet where you're trying to change everything abut what and how you eat and burn calories.  I used a free app (livestrong), for weaning off from cigarettes, so I went down from 25 to 12 a day over a 6 week period.  I found it really hard to get below 12, so I used NRT.  I used a variety of NRT.  I liked the Patch and then used the spray or gum for challenging times of day (might be mornings or evenings).  I didn't use the inhaler because it takes 20 minutes of sucking on it to get your dose.  So I prefered the mist, one spray and it's fast.  Then I came off the mist and used the gum, because I liked to chew and it distracted me.  So do your homework.  And it will change as you go, some stuff ends up not workig but other finds do, so be flexible.  Keep in touch, you can definately do it., it's hard but not impossible.  And it gets better after the first couple of months, even after the first few weeks because you then know what to expect.
6. skystream

   

   10 posts
   Registered:
   27 Apr 2018
   02 May 2018 in reply to ocean

   Link to this post

   Thank you so much ocean!  Your information is really helpful!!  I have been cutting down while using the inhaler, and the inhaler gives me just enough to take the edge off and help me delay my next cigarette.  I have been meeting my doctor's requirement to get down to 10 a day (or less - so far it's been less than 8 each day!) for the past 3 days, and I am feeling so good about my progress that I actually set a quit date for the end of this month!!  Quite a jump from the 4-6 months I was considering earlier!!  Thanks for your support!!
7. skystream

   

   10 posts
   Registered:
   27 Apr 2018
   02 May 2018 in reply to jennifer, quit coach

   Link to this post

   Thank you so much Jennifer!  I have already made more progress than I ever imagined!!  Using the inhaler gives me just enough nicotine with only a few puffs to take the edge off my cravings and help me delay my next cigarette.  I am down to less than 10 cigarettes per day (which is what my doctor 'prescribed' as my goal before my next appointment)!!!  This has boosted my confidence so much that I set a quit date for the end of this month - May 31st (rather than the 4-6 months that was my time line 3 days ago)!!  I have found that self-talk using words like "when I am a non-smoker . . . . ."  followed by whatever the issue is.  For example, "When I am a non-smoker, I will still have the same stressors, but I will have to find another way to manage them." and then I will try something different like taking several deep breaths.  Today I went back to my 'triggers' and updated my strategies.  I have been meeting my doctor's requirement to get down to 10 a day (or less - so far it's been less than 8 each day!) for the past 3 days, and I am feeling so good about my progress that I actually set a quit date for the end of this month!!  Quite a jump from the 4-6 month time line I was considering earlier!!  Thanks for your support!  I look forward to continuing to use this forum for cheering me on!
8. skystream

   

   10 posts
   Registered:
   27 Apr 2018
   02 May 2018 in reply to eagerquit

   Link to this post

   Thank you eagerquit!  Your list of reasons is right on!!  How I will not miss having to bear the cold winter nights leaving various venues to 'grab a quick smoke'!!
9. skystream

   

   10 posts
   Registered:
   27 Apr 2018
   02 May 2018 in reply to treepeo

   Link to this post

   Great minds think alike!!  I have done just that:  I don't need 3 cigarettes as soon as I get up in the morning!  I can wait at least 30 minutes after gettting up; and I can do fine with 1.  It's been working!  Great strategy!
10. skystream

    

    10 posts
    Registered:
    27 Apr 2018
    02 May 2018

    Link to this post

    Thank you to all who replied with wonderful ideas and supports!  I am now down below 10 cigarettes a day, using deep breathing, distraction, and, most effectively, positive self-talk, along with a few puffs on a nicotine inhaler to help me delay.  I am feeling so good about my progress and how little pain and agony it's causing me, that I moved my quit date up from 4-6 months from now to the end of this month:  May 31st!!  
11. treepeo

    

    832 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    02 May 2018

    Link to this post

    Hi skystream,
    
    Wow, you impress the heck out of me!  You are down to about 10 cigarettes already?  That is absolutely super, and you should be so proud of yourself!  I love the fact that you are using your NRTs so thoughtfully, and also using deep breathing and positive self-talk, along with this forum to touch base with the rest of us.  All of those things are going to help you achieve your goal of becoming a non-smoker.
    
    I used to wheeze sometimes, too, and I had an absolutely terrible smoker's cough.  I was embarrassed by my coughing when I was out in public.  People used to turn around and stare at me.  But now my smoker's cough is gone.  I cough normally now, which is such a relief.  And you will notice a difference, too.  Once you quit completely, your chest will start to clear out, and it will start to feel lighter.  You won't believe what a difference it makes.  I am so excited for you!
    
    Yippee skystream, you are definitely moving in the right direction!
12. skystream

    

    10 posts
    Registered:
    27 Apr 2018
    04 May 2018 in reply to treepeo

    Link to this post

    I love your enthusiasm!!  This site really keeps me motivated!
13. aurora

    

    94 posts
    Registered:
    08 Mar 2018
    06 May 2018

    Link to this post

    Hi skystream
    
    good to see you on SHO and the progress you have already made!  Way to go!
    
    you are using strategies that I have used, and I am now two months smoke free.  Keep up the good work, good preparation will pay off as you move closer to your quit date.
    
    It took me a year to quit, so you are doing so well with all the progress you have made so far. 
    
    I've used nicotine gum and lozenges, and I'm weaning off naturally.  I just use them less and less, and in the past 3 week have made sure I have lots when I anticipate that something coming up will trigger me - like a birthday party or socializing with friends.  Sometimes you can't anticipate, and that's where the preparation comes in - strategies for when you are triggered.
    I use deep breathing, going over my reasons for quitting, and plain stubbornness.  I'm free now and the habit can't have me back.  NO WAY!
    Keep on keeping on and let me know how you're doing