Need Encouragment--smoking Updated-day 2 - Houston,TX

My 47 year old sister was diagnosed with oral cancer last month. Two weeks ago she had part of her tongue removed and now has a tracheotomy. She had lymp glands removed from her neck. It's stage 4 cancer. Don't for a second think it can't or won't happen to you. I'm afraid her 11 year old daughter will be mother less soon.

Me and my husband went 10 days without smoking and I went almost 2 years (pregnant). The habit is bad for us and we know it, but can't seems to finally quite. I am concidering trying those new e cigs. They have nicotine and no smoke... Just an idea good luck and I hope you can do it!!

Go to the store and buy a bag of tootsie pops. It will help with the oral fixation for a while and give your hand something to do. Drink lots of water to keep hydrated. Keep yourself busy... go for a bike ride, go grocery shopping, clean the bathroom... anything that keeps your mind occupied. Avoid the situations in which you were most likely to smoke more than usual. Your chest will hurt for a couple days and you may get a phlegmy cough while your lungs expel the toxins. Just keep thinking about how much longer you will live for your children and grand children and never quit quitting. You can do this!

I quit cold turkey a year ago. I smoked since I was 13, only quitting for pregnancies. Check out whyquit.com it totally helped me. Good luck.

ok, quitting smoking is ROUGH! I have quit, on an everyday basis, but i still smoke when i go out drinking. I love to smoke when drinking alcohol. I do not find it difficut anymore to not smoke daily. However I have gained 30lbs in the last 6months or so from quitting. I agree that changing the behavior is a MUST. Routine is pretty much why its hard to quit. Don't smoke while driving. If u smoke while drinking coffee, have breakfast with ur coffee instead. Try holding a cigarette ( but don't lite it.) Stay away from those that smoke and keep healthy snacks around. Good luck! I quit while my husband still smokes. No longer bothers me at all. I had to quit however due to panic attacks. The nicotine was increasing them. Good motivation if u have ever had a panic attack. No fun at all.

You can do this
take it one hour at a time
be encouraged with moments that you will
forget about it and know those precious
moments will become more plentiful
Treat yourself to some indulgent, preferably
low fat/caloric goody, fresh carrots, edamame,
fruit juice with low sugar, anytime, especially
when your hands feel idle.
Replacing a bad habit with a good habit will
benefit you greatly. Drink water to replenish
any moisture your skin, no doubt, needs.
If you need to, comare smokers' skin and xrays
to non-smokers. It will be an eye opener.
Be grateful for each babystep.
Continue to reach out for help.
Everyone wants you to be successful.
I wish you and your father much success.
Decide today that your success does not depend
on each other's success. Instead, inspire the
other.

Hi Brenda. My only advice is don't give up. Everytime you look into your childs eyes just remember that you want to see him graduate and you want to see grandchildren. I am 60 and I quit when I was 34 years old. I have never looked back. No it isn't easy but it can be done. I was smoking 2 1/2 packs a day and quit cold turkey. You can do it. Good luck to you and your Dad. The best decision you will ever make. It is an investment into the future. Think of all the neat stuff you can buy or even yet put the money into an education fund for your son.

L.

Hi Brenda,
Good for you and your dad. My mom quit cold turkey. But I think the vitamins I gave her helped. B complex is especially helpful. If you would like to know more about that, let me know.
Good luck to you both!
Victoria

OK.......I did it after smoking for a long time. Sounds like your going cold turkey here. Get some gum, hold a squishy ball and just squish away. Get some cinnamon fire balls and suck on them. You mayget the thirsties!! Drink loads of water! It will help flush the nicotine out of your body. For the next week or so I would take a lot of naps and just chill, watch t.v. avoid stressful situations. Do not drink alcohol and avoid coffee.....because we all know what goes with that best. If you can get the patch to help you......do it. You will feel absolutely horrible for about a week, coughing up grossness but keep telling yourself that "you have quit" and "It smells gross" and "You are now a non-smoker" You can do it !!! I did and so can you! Just think how good your going to feel!
I read somewhere that if you get a see though jar. Put all the money you would have spent in it and see how much you will save. Make a goal to take that weekend vacation with all your savings!!! Put sticky notes on the mirror that you are doing so great! Put them everywhere until you do not need them anymore. Write words of encouragement on them! Put your sons photo where you can see him and put a sticky note on it. "I will be around for you because I love you enough to QUIT!! " " I will never smoke again around you son"
Remember you will feel irritated and angry ......all withdrawals!!!! And this to will pass my friend! I know I dont know you but you can stick it out and do this. I quit cold turkey and it s been over 20 years now.
Good luck!!! .

My husband is about to start Chantix. He's taken it before (a couple of year ago, I think it's been). It worked GREAT! He said that it made cigarettes taste horrible. However, once he quit, his attitude was that he could still be a social smoker and have one just every now and then when he was out with friends. WRONG! I knew he would eventually start up again and I was right. It took a while before that happened, however. My father and step-father (both former smokers) told him once you quit, you can't ever slip up and have one. They were right. Over time, it became more and more frequent, now he's a full blown smoker. Anyway, he's learned his lesson now and will be using Chantix again to stop. Your GP can prescribe it. It's really expensive but there's a $30 coupon available online right now. Last time, he only took it for a month and it worked. He didn't have to go the suggested 3. I think it's about $120/mo. Unless that has changed since then.

Brenda, I know this is late but I had to share what helped me. I used a drug called Chantix. I don't recommend it unless you know for SURE that you are NOT prone to depression. It worked but it made me very depressed. But at the time I quit my MIL was diagnosed with cancer and seeing her in the hospital really did a number on my head. I NEVER WANT MY KIDS TO SEE ME IN A HOSPITAL BED BECAUSE I WOULD NOT QUIT SMOKING! She passed in less than 3 wks. So I was stressed about that too! But I stayed QUIT! I bought a bunch of those coffee stir sticks you know the small thin straws and I carried those every where. In my car, I filled the ashtray with them and reached for one every time I drove. I never used that ashtray for cigs so it was clean.
I also carried a pack of cigs with me for about 3 wks. Finally one day I just threw them out.
You can do it!! It is hard but it is worth it!!!!
Good luck and God Bless!!!!!

My husband and I both quit smoking some years back.

In you situation, maybe you can take a picture of your child to look and and remind yourself how damaging your smoking habit is for him. Both in terms of second hand smoke (even if you do not smoke around your child, the toxins cling to your clothes, skin and hair and the are still dangerous for him) and in terms of what kind of an example you want to set for your son.

Please also speak to your doctor and consider taking medication that helps with withdrawal. It increases the success rates for long term heavy smokers dramatically.

I went cold turkey, I was never a heavy smoker and I simply felt done...
My husband found that the nicotine patches really helped him through the first week.

My mother who has smoked all of her life (since age 14 for 40 years!) quit with the help of lozenges, when my daughter was born. She stayed with us for a few months and I made it a condition for her to come. Let me tell you: if she can do it, so can you!

Good luck!

Best deterrent for me during the really bad cravings!!!! get an old ashtray & dump into a zip bag. add a few teaspoons of water & close. When your getting a really strong craving, open te bag & take a big wiff. You will gag!! but it definately retrains the brain to think cigs stink thus = bad! I would keep it in my truck cuz that is where I was most vunerable. Best of luck. hardest thing I ever did. I beat it in 2000. Hubby quit with me & we called each other on cells when we were really having a bad time. Other would try & get your mind off of it. Body is cleaned within a week......the mind and urge to do something with your hands....months. You will feel better though in the end. I promise. You smell better too!

Yippy! Someone who feels my pain, LOL. I started on the patch 3 weeks ago. 1st week was tough, 2nd was tougher. 3rd, just as hard. I find I am good now most of the day at work and hardly think of it. The hard part is when I go home. My parents live in an inlaw below us and they both smoke. I smell it when they are outside and the windows are open. I have not bought a pack of cigs since I started, but have bumbed quite a few drags :( So It is easier when you are not around them. Drink lots of water, and get ready to appologize to everyone around you. I have been a raving lunitic, going from sweet as pie to crazy b**ch in just seconds. It is hard but can be done. If you can get through the 1st few days, then remind yourself a lot of the symptoms are in your head. Try not to think about the, stay distracted. This is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.

Congratulations! You are giving your son a wonderful gift! Do not use the excuse of how you feel to argue with anyone. Just walk away. The more you give in to negative behavior and think about the smoking, the longer you will continue in the negative cycle.

Every time you feel negative thoughts or have pain, replace it with a positive thought. Do relaxing things like yoga. Picture your son's face or go play with your son if he is close by. Be sure to get exercise. Take your son for a walk and stop and smell the roses. Look at life through your son's eyes. Examine those tiny little bugs with him, etc.

When you are away from home and you are feeling pain or anxiousness, pull out a picture of your son.

I noticed that all of your comments are negative comments. Start sending us the positive comments. Keep a journal and only write down positive comments. When you talk to someone about quitting, tell them only the positive things that have been happening. Write down what is helping, how much money you are saving, what you will do with that money, how happy your son will be, etc. List the things that you will be able to avoid now: cheaper life insurance, fewer doctor bills, fewer illnesses, longer life, etc.

Whatever you think about and talk about, that is what you are "feeding" and giving "life" to. Remember, think only positive things. Talk encouragingly to you father. Tell him how proud you are of him (he must have been smoking a long time!) Laugh together about the negative stuff. Turn TO each instead of ON each other. Do not take it out on him or your son. When you are angry, go in a room and start writing down why you want to quit.

You can do this! Think of other bad habits you have had in the past and have stopped doing - even little things. As you have grown up and matured, you have become a stronger person. Picture yourself telling your son when he is older about how you were able to overcome this. Think of the words you would tell him.

Hang in there! It will be worth it! Remember your pregnancy and childbirth? Did you give up? No, because it was so worth it to go through. You probably thought continuously of the outcome - a beautiful baby boy.

Can't wait to hear about the positive things, like what you have tried that is helping, etc. There may be others that are in your shoes and want to know how to stop a bad habit.

Brenda,
Keep asking yourself do I keep on smoking and get cancer or stop and be a good example for my 2 year old. You know, your innocent little angel is also inhaling your smoke ( 2nd hand smoke). My brother smoked all his life and it was cut short because of his smoking, he was only in his 50`s and I miss him terribly, His daughter was only 3 when he passed and now she is ready to go to college and blames her mom because she did not stop him from smoking. Believe me when I say you don`t want to die from cancer. Try praying and ask our Lord to help you or go to a smokers annonymous class. Try drinking iced tea and chewing gum or ask your physcian to help you. Good Luck,

H.

I have a friend who quit smoking last year. She took up knitting. In the evenings, after work, she'd just sit and watch tv and knit. Something to keep her hands busy.
Make sure you're giving yourself credit for doing this huge thing. What you're doing is very hard. And I'm sure there are moments when it seems impossible. But it's not. It is doable. If you've made it through the first day, you can make through all the rest of the days. Good luck!

Stick with it! It is hard but it is so worth it in the end! I had a hard time quitting also, but if you survive the first week you will be fine. When you need a time out go in another room and chew some gum or step outside and blow bubbles with your son. Replace the time you used to spend smoking with another activity and it will help you get your mind off it. I myseld chewed a lot of gum and once my jaws were sore I ate suckers. Good luck, you can do it! It will be so much better if your son doesn't know you as a smoker and you get so much money back in your budget it will absolutely be awesome in the end. I quit last year and there is still the occasion I want one but mostly I am over it. I can distract myself and remind myself that it's better for my son not to be around a smoker and that I am making myself healthier. I will be around to play with my grandkids instead of just coughing and watching them! Find your positive thought and hold on tight to it! You can do this!!!

Hope you are doing well! My husband chewed tobacco for 25 years. It was such a strong addiction, and he tried several times to quit but never could. He went to an acupuncturist and finally quit! She put ear seeds and ear tacks in his ear, which he wore for 3 days. Painless and you can hardly see them. He had a metal taste in his mouth during that time (detox), and even tried to chew and had to immediately spit it out b/c of the awful way it tasted. So after the 3rd day, he had another batch put it. Wore them another 3 days. After those were taken out, it was pretty easy. The acupressure only cost about $60 each time, but he would spend that in tobacco each week. So it was SO worth it and we just can't believe how well it worked. Look for a local acupuncturist -- it's worth a try!

Brenda,
Been there, done this...successfully! You need to go to web sites about quitting so you can read what goes on with it. You might have strange reactions because this is more difficult than quitting other drugs and/or alchohol. This is bad stuff. Drink a lot of water to flush stuff out. Excersise a lot as well. And...I know it's strange but it helps a lot...eat alfalfa sprouts - they help get over addiction. Read up about them if you can. YOu can also go to a health food store and get aids for this that are very helpful. Meditate on being released from this. This is a powerful addiction, but it can be overcome. Several months down the road you might be drawn to a cig but don't! After all your hard work you won't want to go backwards - trust me! When it's over, you will only have a mental attachment but that will go away with time. Stay with it and be your own guardian over not doing this again.''
The very best of luck to you - smoking really has become a thing of the passed. The glamour of it became outdated once we discovered what it does to the human body. All that gunk in your system just can't be good!
God speed your progress and recovery on this.
D.

YAY! Go Brenda, you can do this! Go do something different---away from people who smoke. Go for a walk or a hike, or go take a bubble bath....paint your fingernails....read a good book...

A friend of mine quit her sugar addiction last year. While she was getting thru the first week, she avoided all her "sugar" friends, never went near the break room...etc... She stayed away from them when she was really tempted, but they understood and were OK with that.

She started with low calorie gum or mints and would pop one in her mouth when she needed a "fix." She asked friends and family to help her and asked her neighbors to come get her for a walk in the evening. Anything that takes your mind off your addiction is good! After a few days, your mind will be able to get beyond cigarettes easier with each day. Just have a plan to distract it ahead of time.....

YOU CAN DO IT! I have quit smoking and I feel so much better about myself as a person and as a parent. I used to smoke outside and my girls would be at the door staring at me. I would feel so guilty and cringe to think about them smoking one day. Also you will notice how much cigarettes stink after you quit. They smell so gross and strong. I don't miss them anymore. If you start thinking about a cigarette just think about how you will have to start over again and go throught that painful process all over again. Remember that you are saving your life and sparing your children the pain of watching you fighting for breath in a hospital room somewhere down the line. I know because I watched my dad die from lung cancer. Also my stepfather and a sweet older lady that I worked with. Many blessings and please stay strong.

CONGRATULATIONS! This is a HUGE (and hard) step in your life (and your families). Check out http://www.smokefree.gov/ for support and info on stop smoking. They have a phone toll free # you can call for support too:
1) Talk to an Expert -By Instant Messaging -LiveHelp
Receive information and advice about quitting smoking through real time text messaging with a National Cancer Institute smoking cessation counselor. Support is offered in English only during specified hours of operation.

2) By Telephone: Call from anywhere: 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848)
Smoking cessation counselors from the National Cancer Institute are available to answer smoking-related questions in English or Spanish, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

3) Help within your state: 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669 / TTY 1-800-332-8615)
This toll-free telephone number connects you to counseling and information about quitting smoking in your state.

GOOD LUCK!

Good for you for changing your life! I have not smoked, but my husband did since he was 14. He decided last summer to quit. A friend of his called him one night (who is also a 2 pack a day smoker) and asked if he wanted to quit. He really hadnt thought about it and kinda said yeah and chuckled. His friend said 3 guys (all big smokers) at his work all read the book " The Easy way to stop smoking" by Allen Carr. My husband went to the library that night and got it. He read it in 3 days and hasnt smoked a cigarette since. He said he cant explain what the book is about but it works. His friend who was a 2 pack a day smoker read it finally and hasnt smoked since. He had no withdrawl. It was crazy. I have seen him try to quit multiple times. He has used every nicotine product out there. Nothing has worked like reading this book. I was just amazed at his attitude this time too. It might be worth taking a look at to get you through the withdrawls. It sure worked for him. Good Luck to you!!!!!!!!!

there is a pill that helps. it costs about 100 dollars. i am sorry i cannot remember the name of it. our friend took it and she has successfully quit for almost a year now. i think the pill name started with a c...i am sorry i cannot remember. i could ask her if that is something your intreasted in...just email me. hang in there momma!

First off, congratulations on making the decision to live longer with a higher quality of life!!! The first days are really hard, but you can totally do it. Actually, if you can get through the first 2 months, you'll find it gets much easier. Until the 2 month mark, you have to plan to do something different during the times you normally smoke. So if you normally have one while driving, get some gum that you like or hard candy that you can suck on. Although, try not to replace the smokes with food always. I also had to find something to do with my hands while watching TV so I took up doing crosswords or soduku. Once you establish new habits, you'll find you miss it less and less. I''m not going to lie though, it's very hard. BUT the benefits far outweigh the struggle. Watch out for your dad trying to quit, if he falls off the wagon, don't let him pull you off too. Good luck! You can do it!!!

One thing that helped my dad was seeing exactly how much money he was saving. Every week he takes the amount of money he'd normally spend on cigarettes and puts it in a jar, which he's going to use for a visit to us at the fourth of July. He says every time he thinks about smoking he looks at how much money he's saving and it really helps.

I quit after smoking for 14 years and I was 8 months pregnant. The key for me was 2 things: my son that was on the way and I prayed. I prayed heavily for God to help me quit and every time I felt weak I prayed for God to give me strength to get through it. That was over 5 years ago and I thank God now for helping me succeed. Try praying and He will help you.

You are on day 2. Way to go. YOU CAN DO THIS.
Try chewing gum. It is true that it can relieve stress. I like Orbit white personally and it is $1.88 at Walmart for a 3 pack. Way cheaper than cigarettes.
Eat carrot or celery sticks, things that are crunchy but not high in carbs or fat. Drink water.
Take walks, put your 2 yr old in a stroller or wagon and get out. The weather is perfect for it. Try an exercise tape just to get the aggitated energy worked out. I tend to vacuum, mop, or clean something when aggrevated or worked up. Gets rid of the angry energy and makes things look neater at the same time.
Before answering take a deep breath and let it out. Pray for continued strength.
Its hard, but you can make it.