| Author | Message | ||
     Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 1510 Registered: 7-2003 |
Ok Duncan the ashtray will be removed (Smashed if I can find a good place to do it). Don’t know why we kept that around, just seemed like a good idea. We’ve already decided that the house will be smoke free and people will have to go to the balcony to smoke. Of course that is a while off. Had to tell a few people that we were unavailable for the past week. BTW Thanks | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 3957 Registered: 12-2001  |
You are more than welcome. It will change your life in ways you cannot yet imagine.  | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 5759 Registered: 1-2003  |
The thing that impresses me the most is your resolve to stick with this, through all these difficulties! | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 3975 Registered: 5-2001  |
Brett- Hey! Who says it's wrong? As a permanent lifestyle, maybe...  Glad you took Duncan's suggestion about the ashtray. In fact, when you are ready to have company over, you might want to take it further than the balcony (why have smoke blow back into your house?) and banish smokers completely outside, away from doors and windows. Sounds harsh, but after all this effort, it really is about you & your needs. Don't freak that you still want one. I do too, very occasionally, but I just remind myself that I'm not a smoker & the craving passes. Your scillia are cleaning themselves, which is what the coughing is about. But, the the phlegm is colored, you may want to check and make sure it's not a sinus infection. But, congrats on week 1. Hang in there. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 3959 Registered: 12-2001 |
I will add this Brett. You will always miss smoking, but for different reasons. Sometimes you will miss smoking because you enjoyed it and, as time progresses you will miss it BECAUSE YOU CAN'T BELIEVE YOU EVER SMOKED IN THE FIRST PLACE. Honest. No lie. 2packs a day on average for 20 years here, started in high school and was hooked. But I am also, as some have so gently noted out here on MOL, a little stubborn and when I decided to quit, there was no way I was going back. Another word from experience. I know butts were an emotional crutch for me. So that when things were stressful or going poorly I would smoke more. Well when I quit, that was actually easier to deal with, it was the celebratory cigs that surprised me with the want. After a particualarly good show or something I would suddenly be like, Damn I want to smoke. But I have gotten around that too. Milky way Bars. Trans fat and all. Worked wonders for me after a a show. For driving.. go to Dunkin Donuts/Starbucks/Petes ....doesn't matter and stock up on stirrers. Put a bunch over the visor of all your cars both sides and then when the urge hits in traffic grab one and start gnawing on it. It'll help. An addiction therapist once told me, when I was struggling with quitting some drug or other that the price to cross back over the river Styx is cheap but coming home again is INCREDIBLY expensive. In other words sure go ahead and buy that bottle, it doesnt cost that much, but think how expensive it was to quit the first time (emotionally and all). Though Drew is right. If you do relapse don't beat yourself up. I tried quitting 4 times before I finally succeeded. And that bottle of Zyban sat on the window sill for 5 months before I could muster the courage to open it and start the program because I had tried four times before and blown it each time, but after a bike ride (like maybe 20 minutes, easy ride around the neighborhood) I hopped off the bike doubled over and gasping. I marched in the kitchen, opened the Zyban and said eff it. I am done with this, I am 35 years old and sucking wind like an 80 year old. Not anymore. Here is another thought...put the money you would be spending on smokes in a jar and watch how fast it grows. After my first six months we had enough to buy a big ••• TV for the house. and that was before they were 5-8 bucks a pack depending where you get them. Then, at a milestone date, like 6 months, do something completely indulgent as a reward. just a thought. Yeah, you will cough like that for a while, quite a while as I remember. But its good, getting that tar out o' them lungs. Always rooting for ya man. | ||
| Lizziecat Citizen Username: Lizziecat Post Number: 536 Registered: 5-2003 |
I haven't smoked in more than twenty-five years, but I still have dreams in which I'm smoking. I dream that I have a secret stash of cigarettes and I'm smoking on my back deck where my children can't see me. I have absolutely no desire to smoke when I'm awake--in fact I am repelled by cigarette smoke, but sometimes in my dreams I'm still a smoker. | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 696 Registered: 8-2003  |
Congratulations Brett! You have done a very courageous thing by quitting smoking. It is difficult and scary. I think the scary part is not knowing whether or not you are strong enough to do it. It takes guts to find out. I agree with Duncan - you will eventually be amazed that you ever smoked at all. You will also miss it for quite some time. For me, the hardest part was not smoking when I had a drink in my hand. To avoid that potential problem, I didn't step foot in a bar for the better part of 3 months. Good luck with your continued progress -- you should be very proud of yourself! | ||
| Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 1517 Registered: 7-2003 |
Today sucks. | ||
| Pippi Supporter Username: Pippi Post Number: 697 Registered: 8-2003 |
tomorrow's another day. you can do this. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 3994 Registered: 5-2001 |
Hang in there, Brett. It's just one day. Have you tried rearranging the furniture? | ||
| Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 1519 Registered: 7-2003 |
I'm in my office, people might think that was a little wierd. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 3995 Registered: 5-2001 |
Ya never know....  | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 1442 Registered: 9-2002 |
Have a box of girl scout cookies! | ||
| mjc Citizen Username: Mjc Post Number: 346 Registered: 10-2004 |
Brett, have you seen the thread about girl scout cookies? Something else to think about, if they appeal to you. Hang in there for an hour, then another hour, then a day. Better times are coming! Quitting is the best thing you could do for yourself AND the gf!  to both of you - MC | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 5115 Registered: 5-2001 |
Brett: You can do this. Look at how many days you have been smoke-free already. Just find something to take your mind off the cravings and in no time at all, you will be able to brag to another would be non-smoker of how long you have been smoke-free. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 3996 Registered: 5-2001 |
Then again, let's keep posting about how not to think about it.  I just crack myself up sometimes. Hey - there's an idea - crack! Ok, ok - I know that was in bad taste... But, speaking of crackuchino, think how much money you'll have for Starbucks now! | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 4723 Registered: 5-2001  |
Brett - have you tried Zyband (wellbutrin). It alleviates the panic attacks and keeps the depression away. VERY IMPORTANT - do not drink. It is another sneaky drug that is best friends with nicotine and will trick you back into being part of that nasty trio. I am finishing a relapse right now (personal crisis) and back on the "wellies" tomorrow. If you are against drugs, remember, taking an anti-depressant is much healthier than smoking and you won't need them forever. It also helps with the insane food cravings. I have actually lost weight with this program. Also, make yourself VERY aware that the cravings only last 1 - 2 minutes...poof they're gone for an hour or two, then several hours, then a whole day, etc. Also - you will not feel better for 4 - 6 weeks or more - detox takes it's toll - but once detox is over, you will feel like jumping up and down and racing around in circles. Your skin, hair and eyes look better and at a certain point you will be actually healthier than non-smokers for a while - your body has been fighting infection for so long - remove the infection and the rebound is awesome... Best of luck and hang in there. | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 3962 Registered: 12-2001 |
Right on mem. I tell everyone. Zyban WORKS. | ||
| dal Citizen Username: Dal Post Number: 1 Registered: 1-2003 |
I have lived in Maplewood for close to a decade and have lurked on MOL for years and I just had to post to this topic. I have been smokefree for four months, three weeks, four days, 15 hours, 0 minutes and 22 seconds. 2972 cigarettes not smoked, saving $1,040.67. Life saved: 1 week, 3 days, 7 hours, 40 minutes. I never would have been able to maintain my quit without the most wonderful group of people at: http://forums.about.com/ab-quitsmoking/messages Support and education are so important for a successful quit and the forum offers plenty of both. Brett, and anyone else trying to quit, come give us a try! | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 3999 Registered: 5-2001 |
Dal - What a great first post. Congrats. Hey Brett - the day is over! You made it! |
