The Giving Up Smoking Thread - Part 3

drsmum

thanks to everyone for the support in the last few days.

I am finding it very bad tonight because i go to the hospital for a broncoscopy tomorrow and im really scared of getting it done.
Many times this evening i have really needed a smoke but so far have resisted.I just know im going to be worse in the morning!!

I AM PANICKING AT THE THOUGHT OF A CAMERA IN MY THROAT.

feel bad.

im hoping it helps to post this rant ,i dont want to smoke,it is because i smoked i am in this position!
Help

greenfingers10

Hi all

Sorry if I've come onto the wrong bit but wasn't sure how to get on. I have smoked for 30 years (i'm 52) and I the time has come to give up the cigs permanently. Have tried a few times over the last years but never lasted more than a few days. But I've had a health scare recently so I know that this time it's got to be for good. Not feeling too strong at the moment but I'll get better. Am planning to pick a day next week to quit, have bought the patches today and booked a hypnotherapy session for next Thursday. Have heard good things about hypnotherapy (never tried it before) and wondered if anyone else had any experience of it.

Would love to hear any advice/suggestions. Thanks.

Erme

quitting smoking for me is very much like recovery from a long term disability...loads of aids out there but not everything works for everyone. It's very individual...

for people smoking more than 25 or so a day I'd say forget the patches...you just end up going nutty and craving all the more...though there are other options like the spray (nasal variety) and e-cig and even cold turkey

Strong wee tinned mints are ESSENTIAL for any quit attempt regardless of your method...I often have them even though I'm on e-cig for times I don't want nicotine but yet NEED something in my mouth. Get about 5 tins in and keep them EVERYWHERE....every time you want a cig in your mouth have a mint. Find they help me SOOO much.

Also keep busy and be prepared to take the rough with the smooth (never before got beyond the rough :eek:)...everyone has some form of downs with the cigs - this is harder than quitting heroin remember.....be gentle on yourself and concentrate on your victories (eg. I lasted 2 days without a cig and yes I had one but it was only one and now I'm ready to try again. Going down is NOT the crime but staying down)....This is very much like recovery. Learn from the times you've tried to quit and failed. Knowledge is power....

That's about all I have to say really for now...am now 14 hours e-cig - yay....go me!!! (though appreciate it's early days yet...next target is 20 hours then 2 days)..

E
PS. If I get to 2 days like Saturday I get to go to a free rumba (sorry that should be with a z rather than an r) class at a local gym on Saturday :j

greenfingers10

Thanks. Some good advice in there. The tin of mints sounds interesting but I am worried about putting on weight. Keeping busy is a good idea and yes I will try to be kind to myself. Not sure now whether the patches would work as I'm on at least 30 a day, but am trying to cut down before the quit day.

Sue-UU

Hi drsmum, please try hard to be positive with your thoughts about the broncoscopy; thoughts of "whatever will be will be" are a help at such times and, though we are naturally concerned with such tests - we can't have any bearing on the outcome by worrying over it so do try hard not to. I can only imagine that the broncoscopy you're having is very similar to the gastroscopies I've had, just a little uncomfortable at the time but is soon over. Take a pack od Soothers with you for afterwards as your throat will be a little sore, more than that, you'll be fine. Don't allow yourself to feel like a ciggy in the morning as it's thess darned things that got you where you are now, when a 'thought' raises it's ugly head - tell if to bu***r off as you do not have any more room for them in your life!!! :mad: Lt us know how you get on and please...know that you're being thought of throughout the day, we care for our dear riends o very much! Stay strong drsmum and keep positive.

Love, Sue xxx

Hi greenfingers and a very warm welcome to the thread. There are good and not so good experiences received by those who try hypntherapy, but like everything in life, we all react differently to things. Go ahead and keep an open mind with it, when you come out of there, view your life as though it has worked. Keep focused and busy and, if ever you have a wobbly 'moment'just brush it aside and move swiftly on to do something. Use your mind to transport you to a beautiful place that you have been or are going and allow yourself to daydream of all the things you'll do when you're leadinga far healthier life. Read through the posts here, ther's a lot of inspiration to be found. Look out for the PM I'm sending you, it will help so keep reading the tips. All the very best with moving on, it's a great idea to cut down, so good for you. We're here whenever you wish to chat, please do. Following the pleadge below will help:

Tell yourself every morning "I'm not going to smoke at all today, but if I wish to, I may smoke tomorrow." Repeat that pledge every morning, it maks things more bearable to do it in bitesizes.


Well done once again Erme!

Sue x

Sue-UU

gonzo127 wrote: »

something i have found very helpful when quitting was to get a nice big glass jar and put it on top of the TV,

then at night just before bed, if i had gone without having a fag i would put the normal amount of money i would have spent on my fags into the jar so i could actually see everyday how much i was saving instead of a virtual amount of money in my bank statement

You had the right idea gonzo, we advise exactly the same to folk too, it really is a great incentive, though of course your health would have been your first thought!

Sue x

Erme

drsmum wrote: »

thanks to everyone for the support in the last few days.

I am finding it very bad tonight because i go to the hospital for a broncoscopy tomorrow and im really scared of getting it done.
Many times this evening i have really needed a smoke but so far have resisted.I just know im going to be worse in the morning!!

I AM PANICKING AT THE THOUGHT OF A CAMERA IN MY THROAT.

feel bad.

im hoping it helps to post this rant ,i dont want to smoke,it is because i smoked i am in this position!
Help

Och I've seen it done and you'll be fine...I've had a camera down my stomach and really it's a doodle. Please try not to fret about it...Just worry about the results ..Hugs

greenfingers10 wrote: »

Thanks. Some good advice in there. The tin of mints sounds interesting but I am worried about putting on weight. Keeping busy is a good idea and yes I will try to be kind to myself. Not sure now whether the patches would work as I'm on at least 30 a day, but am trying to cut down before the quit day.

Well the mints are VERY small...or else you can get sugar free ones (even smaller...though liable to affect your bowels)...

Very tired this am....didn't get to bed till gone midnight..it being mega hot did not help..

Hoping I sleep okay or better tonight otherwise this quit attempt is in jeopardy. Just in zombie mode this am but almost @ the 24 hour mark :j (only about an hour and a half to go)...it was hard first thing when I normally have at least 5 roll up so I just used a little nasal spray....that's only the 2nd time I've needed it in 24 hours so it can't be that bad..

Anyhow now debating sleep or shower LOL

E

Erme

Made it to the day mark.....next wee target is day and half at 2pm..(or just before)....:j...

Going to take it easy and nap when need to today

E

Sue-UU

Erme wrote: »

Och I've seen it done and you'll be fine...I've had a camera down my stomach and really it's a doodle. Please try not to fret about it...Just worry about the results ..Hugs

Oh Erme....what a thing to say, with your last sentence!!!!!! :eek: How far in the queue were you for tact!!! :mad: Sorry Erme, but I was trying to get over to drsmum last night that......worrying will NOT solve anything and cannot dictate the results so.....there's no point in worrying about it!!! If we can alter things in life then we worry about what's best to do...but if we cant alter things where's the point in worrying over it.

Aside from that Erme, you did brilliantly and have every right to be chuffed to bits and move on!

Sue x

Erme

Sue-UU wrote: »

Oh Erme....what a thing to say, with your last sentence!!!!!! :eek: How far in the queue were you for tact!!! :mad: Sorry Erme, but I was trying to get over to drsmum last night that......worrying will NOT solve anything and cannot dictate the results so.....there's no point in worrying about it!!! If we can alter things in life then we worry about what's best to do...but if we cant alter things where's the point in worrying over it.

Aside from that Erme, you did brilliantly and have every right to be chuffed to bits and move on!

Sue x

Quite a long way behind most people...LIke a few miles :eek:...sorry.....thanks for the reproof though Sue

Had a crisis today - the house smells of fags...any ideas (just went to supermarket in zombie mode to buy saver air stuff)...:eek:

That's the one thing that's putting me off the cigs right now...the smell

E