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Post by Evie on Sept 10, 2020 17:30:33 GMT -5
I felt much shame about my inability to give up cigarettes. I was feeling increasingly breathless, starting approximately 5 years ago. I KNEW my problem was a self inflicted cigarette issue. I kept trying to quit - to avoid the lecture, before seeing a Doctor about my physical problems. Not so smart, eh?
Finally this summer I got the courage to see a doctor about help for my breathing. He could tell with a quick listen with stethoscope that I had COPD. He was very pleasant and gentle during his lecture about the benefits of quitting smoking, even though there is no cure for COPD. I got a rescue inhaler, plus another one to use 4x daily AND a prescription for Champix.
I spent several weeks researching this disease and found this site, but I have not been very active here - I thinks because I was STILL smoking, even on the champix. Two months later I was smoking considerably less, but I was still smoking. I liked smoking. Sadly, I felt unworthy to ask for advise/help, even though it was clear to me that the regular members at this site are supportive, not judgmental.
Last night I had trouble drifting off to sleep, from 11-4am I tried and tried. Frustrated, I got up at 3 am and had a cigarette. For the first time I found it disgusting and gross. Ewe! I smoked the whole cigarette but all the time I was not liking it. It tasted awful, like was smoking horse hair or something! When I finally woke up early this afternoon my first thought was about how awful that cigarette was. My last one. I am done. I put away my cigarettes, cleaned the ashtray, filled it with some candies and put a note on it - I quit smoking Sept 10th. When I can say I quit a month ago --- I will be very proud of me.
PEACE Evie
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Post by lavishgail on Sept 10, 2020 19:10:50 GMT -5
Hi Evie, Don't ever be ashamed about the fact you smoke! I did too. You're story is mine haha. I quite Smoking for good July 14. So I guess in a few days it will be 2 months for me. But I also loved π¬ smoking. Idk how I did this with so much on my mind and my anxieties are worse now I know why I was trying to think of it. I used cigarettes to help me breath. I know sounds crazy but I learned how to breath with a cigarette in my hand. My mom smoked and gave it up at 70, and I also gave up smoking with her, I lasted 3 and a half years more towards 4 years! I mean man I quite Smoking every other month. So this is y I don't talk about mine to often bc I don't want to break my own heart, and I'm not tooting my own horn- toot toot! Haha keep up the good work girl, you told my story! Most of us are here from smoking π¬ never fear non judgement from me I can tell you that! And yes I LOVED SMOKING ANT GUNNA LIE kept me in line so to speak, been getting bad panic attacks and anxiety attacks. I really noticed how bad I am getting. I had to quite, sometimes you get the urge to smoke but it only lasts about 30 seconds sometimes for me it's real bad and I feel like I got to do something so I smoke pot much better it's all green it's trees it "GOOD" I just only learned how to do cannibas 2 years ago. I buy a little of the editables as well. But weed is much better for you try getting you licence for medical marijuana? It sure helps with all my pain and if I have cancer in my lungs maybe the cannibas will help me since I was first told by my doctor which doctor to see for it. I recived a medical card. Go to Gov.com or canna care.com. is it legal where you live? Hope so. Take care Evie and remember most of us are here because of *SMOKING* silly girl! I'm always here for you till I die! Live Gail.
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Post by Evie on Sept 10, 2020 22:01:11 GMT -5
Thank you so much for this speedy reply to my post. I reflects the time you spent, much cheerfulness, and understanding. Thank you very much.
I had a bad 'smokers cough, every morning for years. It sounded rough to people listening and sometimes they'd say it worried them. But I wasn't hurting, at all, AND that first cigarette made the coughing stop in no time at all. The culprit was the cure. I told myself - no big deal...
I had never really heard about COPD, until I was diagnosed. I likely heard the intials, but didn't know what they were referring to. When the shortness of breath episodes started, i'd sit and deep inhale till I felt better, but as soon as I caught my breath, I'd reach for a cigarette. I had a strong addiction/zero willpower. Quitting was like 'torture'.... I couldn't have quit it without the medication.
I do like weed. Canada legalized weed 3 years ago. Every household can grow 4 plants, no certificate needed. People who have a medical reason who need more than the 4 plants can get permission to grow more. I am a recreational smoker, and 4 plants is plenty. I have 2 puffs 2-3x a day. Keeps me pretty mellow, so in a way it is medicine. Maybe it's why I don't get anxiety?
The plants must be hidden from street view. That's to protect your grow from thieves and or teens, I believe. There are serious consequences for giving weed to 18 and under's.
For many years I'd say - before I -die -- I hoped to see the laws change about using and growing this plant that's just as God-given as any other plant on earth. I don't want to show on the forum a picture I took of me and my first 'legal' marijuana plants, but if you are interested I will private message it.
I have one other wish - before I die I would like to know the whole truth about Aliens and possible life on other planets - Just saying....
P E A C E Evie
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Post by lavishgail on Sept 11, 2020 23:20:12 GMT -5
Hey Evie, I could tell you a few storys, one was around here. Long story called will post as soon as I can#!
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Post by jim on Sept 12, 2020 21:25:18 GMT -5
Hi Evie, good for you girl, I know how very hard it is to stop smoking. You're a Star.
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Post by Evie on Sept 23, 2020 15:47:20 GMT -5
Thanks to Champix.... I couldn't have done it without.
I am 2 weeks smoke free
14 days/224 hours (awake) not smoking!
... just saying
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Post by lavishgail on Sept 23, 2020 16:50:22 GMT -5
Girl keep it up!
It's been 2 month's and a few weeks the 14th of this month. You go girl proud of you med or no med that's awesome. That's the inly way I could quite. So yay good for you!β₯β₯β₯ππππ·π·π·πππ
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Post by sallybrown on Sept 24, 2020 9:38:19 GMT -5
To Evie and Gail - so proud of both of you! It is the hardest thing you can do...but also the most important!
ππβ€οΈππ
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Post by lavishgail on Sept 29, 2020 10:37:46 GMT -5
Thank you Sallybrown, it sure is the hardest. But managed to stay quit. Almost had some ciggs on vacation but did not. Thank God!
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Post by Evie on Oct 21, 2020 16:06:01 GMT -5
Tomorrow its 6 weeks since my last cigarette. I have noticed I wake with way less phlegm to cough up. Like WAY less. So proud I was able to accomplish this. I am still counting the days, it my motivator. I need that because I still get occasional cravings. I have to chastise the part of me that wants a cigarette, with a loud NO - and a reminder to her that WE quit and for how long. So far we are not arguing. I win.
I give the champix meds full credit for helping me get this far with very little stress. I recall a post of David's when he was quitting where he asked for more champix after he completed the 3 month program, to help keep him on track. I thought that was wise and I asked my doctor for another month of pills.
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Post by barb7330 on Oct 21, 2020 19:37:33 GMT -5
Evie....Happy to hear your still smoke free.....I quit 13 years ago and ended up on oxygen 8 years ago...It's not fun. In my younger days everybody smoked...I can remember going to Drs office and having a smoke in waiting room, then in to see Dr. and he'd be smoking.... ..Anyway wish I had quit a long time ago... Keep up the good work girl and you'll do it....Good luck to you.
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Post by jim on Oct 22, 2020 6:06:54 GMT -5
Hi Barb, I don't think the younger ones understand what smoking was like when we were growing up.
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Post by lavishgail on Oct 22, 2020 6:59:06 GMT -5
Oh yes we do hahaha! Back in the day when I was little my parent's smoked in the house, car, hospital, even grocery store's. I myself remember smoking in the mall! How funny. But it is 12 weeks for me maybe 13? But I also keep track of when I qiut. I do smoke weed to help me eat, but the preds they put me on always makes me so puffy it used to upset me, but I'm sure when my face is looking like a moon most people know it's preds I think? I always knew if someone's face looked like a moon they had something wromy and I take so many meds I don't know who I am anymore? It's very sad bc Sometimes I just don't wanna be here anymore! But don't worry I'm too chicken to do anything incase I survived! .
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Post by lavishgail on Oct 22, 2020 7:03:53 GMT -5
Evie, Do you mean chantix? Or is yours spelled that way? I took chantix for like 6 months be4 I quit. Maybe a year but I quit. That's what's important! No worries you can get chantix for a year if you want. That's one thing my insurance let's me do. Take care everyone.
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Post by Evie on Oct 24, 2020 12:28:00 GMT -5
Hi Barb, I don't think the younger ones understand what smoking was like when we were growing up. Thanks for this Jim, I am older than you thinks... nice compliment really. Thank you. My first package of cigarette's cost 35cents. Back then we got 4 loaves of bread for $1.OO. I can remember quitting cigs when they went up to $3.00 a package, but starting up again a few months later to help me lose the weight I gained. I too can remember my Doctor smoking in his office during a visit. Movie theaters reserved balconies for smokers. Restaurants had a small non-smoking section, so did airplanes. The only person who judged me poorly for smoking was mother, but fair enough I was a teen pretending to be older. I think Champix and chantix are the same thing. I am very grateful for these meds... they really did help. I was lucky I didn't get any of the bad side affects that happen to some people. I feel a lot of compassion for addicts, imagining how much harder it is for them to let go of their habits. I heard during this election no more jail time for drug use, rehab instead and that pleases me very much. P E A C E Evie
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Post by lavishgail on Oct 28, 2020 1:25:06 GMT -5
Hi Evie,
You're not kidding I heard samething on the news in the car.. I hope you're doing well? I'm still not smoking hope it stays this way! I have a feeling this is it!! But how ever things go it's no big deal just try try again. And the doctor said if I slip up just keep trying. So I don't have any body now around that smoke π¬. I do wish the same for you! Take care Evie!
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Post by barb7330 on Oct 30, 2020 9:36:31 GMT -5
Gail. Your still pretty young I believe....I have kids probably older then you.... .
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Post by lavishgail on Oct 31, 2020 15:24:41 GMT -5
Hi Barb yes I am on the younger side I'm 58. But sick like a 95 year old! Can't see on the outside much, but insides are no Good! On my license I have doner nothing I have is ok? I mean my insides are bad. I would love to give my body to science! But I heard it's very exspensive, I don't think you can "just" say I donate my body to science! Haha. Barb I'm sure you have younger children children!π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦
Anyway u have a Happy Halloween ππππ
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Post by sallybrown on Nov 1, 2020 7:59:19 GMT -5
Gail - my body will be donated to the state medical school.
They hold a service once a year for family and friends of those who donated their bodies. I have been to several of those as I have friends who have done it. Lovely service - pianist, chaplains from the university hospital, touching speeches by administrators, refreshments served by current medical students, etc.
One year after your body is donated, your family has the option of receiving it back. My friendsβ families did this as they had family cemetery plots.
No cost was involved. Just another option...
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Post by lavishgail on Nov 1, 2020 21:44:51 GMT -5
Thank you Sallybrown! I will look into this idea. Why not I'll be in heaven anyway my next paradise! Love you!
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Post by Evie on Nov 12, 2020 18:15:56 GMT -5
2 months!
I am very happy to announce I have made it this far without cigarettes.
The benefits of quitting are becoming apparent now.
I have noticed I am coughing up way less phlegm. WAY!
People have noticed my voice has softened, less raspy.
I am having circulation issues in my legs and am hoping I will notice an improvement there soon too.
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Post by sallybrown on Nov 13, 2020 7:48:29 GMT -5
Congratulations ππππΎ, Evie!
I know not smoking has totally changed my life for the better in so many ways - health, relationships, financial, odorless home and car, etc.
I am rooting for you! Stay strong! πͺ
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Post by lavishgail on Nov 14, 2020 21:34:52 GMT -5
Today marks 4 months non-smoking! Hurray for us Evie. At least we are doing this together! Take care and congrats to you dear friend!
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Post by jim on Nov 15, 2020 0:14:16 GMT -5
I just worked it out, it is 3 years and six days since I had my last smoke, I have trouble believing that I finally quit.
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Post by lavishgail on Nov 15, 2020 15:01:30 GMT -5
Wow Jim. Awesome! I remember when I quit almost 4 years and started again. I'm so nervous I can't believe it either. Congratulations π You're awesome!
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Post by sharon on Nov 30, 2020 13:59:26 GMT -5
Keep the Quit people. I am proud of you. I had 6 years in april. With chantix. Be proud and keep it going.
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Post by barb7330 on Nov 30, 2020 21:28:07 GMT -5
all so happy people are getting off the cancer sticks...13 years for me and still ended up on oxygen 24/7.. Yes Gail I have 5 kids...oldest 63 next 62 both boys. daughter 58, another boy 57 and the baby was 51 in October. also a boy... Anyway was talking to someone and smoking weed is as bad for you as cigarettes...Anything other then air going into your lungs is bad so better to take the oil or gummies. Well time to get ready for bed, I usually read till about 11.00.... to all.
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Post by lavishgail on Dec 1, 2020 12:26:49 GMT -5
Thanks Barb. I have been doing mostly edibles. But it's not worth my money so I don't bother much with it. I have bills to pay Christmas gifts and other things to do with my money. So off the weed it so expensive I can't believe it. Anyway my pills are covered by my insurance so why spend money on weed the pills are free and last longer. Take care β€.
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Post by lavishgail on Dec 1, 2020 12:31:35 GMT -5
Oh Barb , You have a daughter my age 58 and a son my hubby's age and we'll it's good you stay away from others for now, but please don't stay away from family and friends that don't go anywhere or can be tested be4 they come to see you! I like your new pic is that you're daughters? They are pretty! Take care now!
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Post by barb7330 on Dec 1, 2020 16:45:32 GMT -5
Granddaughters Gail. Belong to my oldest Son...
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