The Giving Up Smoking Thread - Part 3

CompBunny

wow thankyou for all the replies! I most certainly 100% do want to quit, and my partner does too...we are young and throwing away lots of money that we don't have on a habit that is only killing us! You are all doing sooooo well with quitting and every story I've read on this thread is an inspiration!

I think, for me, the best way to quit will be through my doctor. He can help me know when a "good time" (I know theres never a good time!) will be eg when my medication is likely to stay the same for a good month or so - don't fancy handling new "brain medicine" side effects/SSRI discontinuation alongside nicotine withdrawal :doh:

I've also tried in the past with an inhalator and then electronic cigarette but I found I was focussing too much on "This is NOTHING compared with a real smoke" than on "I am using this as an aid to kick nicotine in all forms". Different strokes for different folks I guess

So my plan of action:
- Book an appointment with GP
- Set a quit date
- Quit!!!!
- Come and bug you guys!

It will really help my partner quitting too, he is much stronger than I am and I bet he will do great!

CompBunny

dundeedoll wrote: »

I apologise for the length of this post, but it may be helpful

It reduces my stress and helps calm me down
This health intellectualization is false. The body's pH balance is delicate. Nicotine is an alkaloid and stress an acid producing event. The more stressful the event, the quicker the body's remaining nicotine reserves are neutralized (in the same manner as pouring a baking soda solution on an acid covered car battery terminal). The stressed smoker is thrown into early chemical withdrawal adding additional anxiety to the underlying original stressful event. It's why the anxiety associated with a flat tire causes smokers to reach for a cigarette while the non-smoker reaches for a jack. The anxieties build until the doubly stressed smoker cries out "I NEED A CIGARETTE!" Within eight seconds of the first puff, the smoker's nicotine blood serum nicotine level rises and their withdrawal anxieties subside. The addict is left with the false impression that smoking cured the underlying stressful event when in fact the tire is still flat. All non-smokers experience stress too. The difference is that they don't add early nicotine withdrawal to it. In truth, stress nicotine depletion causes smokers to experience far more anxiety than non-smokers. In truth, it is much easier and calmer being the real "you" than it is living as a chemical slave.
The nicotine smoker's mind has been conditioned to believe, through association, that smoking is central to their entire life. Telephone calls, computer time, work, meals, driving, talking, walking, stress, joy, sorrow, and even romance, may have developed a subconscious association with smoking. The truth is that none of these activities will be altered whatsoever by the absence of tobacco.

It wakes me up and keeps me alert.
This dependency rationalization uses a basic truth (nicotine releases adrenaline and a host of other hormones) to hide the fact that nicotine deprives us of the ability to enjoy prolonged periods of deep conscious relaxation. If always at the peak of alertness because we are addicted to and chemically dependent upon a central nervous system stimulant then when do we truly relax? This dependency rationalization also subverts and ignores a host of natural alertness techniques ranging from a simple deep breath to brief periods of stretching or moderately exhilarating activity. Instead of engaging life on life's terms, a powerful puff of nicotine starts a neurochemical chain-reaction that increases breathing rate, accelerates heart rate, constricts blood vessels, elevates blood pressure, causes the liver to release stored cholesterol into the blood stream, the adrenal gland to release glucocorticoids, the thyroid to release metabolism hormones, the hypothalamus to release corticotropin-releasing hormones, a decrease of progesterone levels in females and testosterone in males, digestive tract shut-down, a glucose release into the bloodstream followed by a boost in insulin to metabolize it, pupil dilation, and your blood to thicken. Inside those highly constricted and over-pressurized blood vessels, carbon monoxide eats away at their teflon like lining (endothelium) while nicotine amazingly vascularizes fat buildups, causing arteries to harden. More smokers die from circulatory disease each year than from lung cancer, yet denial kept almost all of them from wanting to know how or why. What goes up must come down. Once the hormones wear off and that drained feeling begins to arrive, a new puff of nicotine again whips every central nervous system neuron in a tired body like some overworked horse never allowed to rest. Alert, yes, but somewhere in that endless cycle between alert and exhausted resides the "real" you.

My concentration is better.
Vast quantities of carbon monoxide do NOT improve concentration. Although nicotine is a stimulant and does excite certain brain neurons, it also constricts all blood vessels. Feel how cold your fingers and toes get when deprived of blood flow while smoking. Imagine what's happening to the blood vessels in your brain. If nicotine results in a stroke we probably won't need to worry much about concentration. Fresh air and exercise are far healthier brain stimulants. When quitting it's important that you understand the role that nicotine played in regulating blood sugar as its absence may cause the temporary impairment of concentration and clear thinking. If you are experiencing any concentration problems be sure and drink plenty of fruit juice the first three days if your diet and health permit (cranberry is excellent), as it will help stabilize blood sugars. Also don't skip meals! Nicotine released stored fats into our blood and in a sense fed us with every puff, but not anymore. Don't eat more food each day, just spread your normal intake out more over your entire day so that you keep fuel in your stomach and your blood sugar level.

Bookmarked! Fascinating...thankyou for this!

dundeedoll_2

CompBunny wrote: »

wow thankyou for all the replies! I most certainly 100% do want to quit, and my partner does too...we are young and throwing away lots of money that we don't have on a habit that is only killing us! You are all doing sooooo well with quitting and every story I've read on this thread is an inspiration!

I think, for me, the best way to quit will be through my doctor. He can help me know when a "good time" (I know theres never a good time!) will be eg when my medication is likely to stay the same for a good month or so - don't fancy handling new "brain medicine" side effects/SSRI discontinuation alongside nicotine withdrawal :doh:

I've also tried in the past with an inhalator and then electronic cigarette but I found I was focussing too much on "This is NOTHING compared with a real smoke" than on "I am using this as an aid to kick nicotine in all forms". Different strokes for different folks I guess

So my plan of action:
- Book an appointment with GP
- Set a quit date
- Quit!!!!
- Come and bug you guys!

It will really help my partner quitting too, he is much stronger than I am and I bet he will do great!

Well, you've done well allready..............posting on here is a start!

Good thinking ref your doctor/tabs etc

The plan of action sounds very positive (and sensible) and I am convinced that you will get an enormous sense of positivity and achievement (along with the carpy moments) that will actually make you feel soooo much better.

Oh and


Ps I am sending you a pm

debie_2

Wow

Well done to all of us, and welcom all the newbies, stick with it. The thought of giving up can be worse than actually starting, I found I kept putting it off because of some social event etc. but once you get your head around it that is half the battle.

I do have twangs, but I think its been a habbit for such a long time. On my way home from work I always popped in for my pack of 20 and passing that shop can be a trigger, if I let it, but I haven't. As I walk past I say "I'm setting myself free, your not my friend". Once I get indoors I have forgotten about it and just have to keep myself busy.

My lungs have almost cleared of there gunge, as the coughing has almost stopped and no need for anymore lockets.

Pen I'm hoping I see the skin improvement soon as well, it is needed LOL. I often have a glass of wine in evening but think it helps not to drink, I'm on Antibiotics now so can't which is good ha ha .

Anyway night all and sorry for the waffle.

D

debie_2

CompBunny wrote: »

wow thankyou for all the replies! I most certainly 100% do want to quit, and my partner does too...we are young and throwing away lots of money that we don't have on a habit that is only killing us! You are all doing sooooo well with quitting and every story I've read on this thread is an inspiration!

I think, for me, the best way to quit will be through my doctor. He can help me know when a "good time" (I know theres never a good time!) will be eg when my medication is likely to stay the same for a good month or so - don't fancy handling new "brain medicine" side effects/SSRI discontinuation alongside nicotine withdrawal :doh:

I've also tried in the past with an inhalator and then electronic cigarette but I found I was focussing too much on "This is NOTHING compared with a real smoke" than on "I am using this as an aid to kick nicotine in all forms". Different strokes for different folks I guess

So my plan of action:
- Book an appointment with GP
- Set a quit date
- Quit!!!!
- Come and bug you guys!

It will really help my partner quitting too, he is much stronger than I am and I bet he will do great!

CompBunny, I think going to the Doctors is the right way to start, you may also find they have a no smoking clinic you could join for help on the best thing that suits you.

This is not my first quit, and I did try the electric ciggie, but I think it is too much like the real things and it made me want the real thing even more.

We are all here to help you with this.

Good luck

D

dundeedoll_2

debie wrote: »

Wow

Well done to all of us, and welcom all the newbies, stick with it. The thought of giving up can be worse than actually starting, I found I kept putting it off because of some social event etc. but once you get your head around it that is half the battle.

I do have twangs, but I think its been a habbit for such a long time. On my way home from work I always popped in for my pack of 20 and passing that shop can be a trigger, if I let it, but I haven't. As I walk past I say "I'm setting myself free, your not my friend". Once I get indoors I have forgotten about it and just have to keep myself busy.

My lungs have almost cleared of there gunge, as the coughing has almost stopped and no need for anymore lockets.

Pen I'm hoping I see the skin improvement soon as well, it is needed LOL. I often have a glass of wine in evening but think it helps not to drink, I'm on Antibiotics now so can't which is good ha ha .

Anyway night all and sorry for the waffle.

D

You have done so well :T

A cuppa was my worst trigger and I also read that caffeine is over 200% more effective when you stop smoking, so I knocked that on the head totally.

Keep going, Debie!

grandmasam

SUE Glad your'e feeling better m'dear!

Not doing too well , and it's taken me most of the day to work out the reason. My DD is 45 today and hasn't spoken to me in quite a few years, long story i won't go into here, and i didn't get to sleep until 4.30 this a.m.So I am tired and,I feel sad.So happy birthday DD!

NOT smoked today [woohoo!] and have found/made some contacts today to find my lurcher puppy, so all in all, pleased about this! My rough coat girl is out there for me, and now I,and the house, are smoke free, It won't be long.

Still having 2 long walks a day, and my saviours, the icepops To all those doubters that think it isn't possible to be nic free, IT IS!!!!

stay strong, and be firm with that gremlin!
Caz

rmplc

Hi All well done on another smoke free day :beer:

This thread just goes wild sometimes lol 1 day at work and i have pages to catch up on when i get home lol

CompBunny, I particularly noted your posts.

I have a few questions for you but will send you a Private Message, as I dont want you putting info on the main board

But in a nutshell you can do it and there should be no reason that you cant

Best of luck all

Ross
xx

Nym_Mcfroglet

Azkaban wrote: »

:eek: I've just noticed Forum will be down for approx. 8 hours this Saturday (15th) :think: what will we do? Sueeeeeeeee!!! Do something (winking)

I need to get a Saturday job (just for 15th :rotfl:) to keep me busy

Anyone got a job....

Guess we will all be PM{ing} each other That's if we can do that..

Hope all is well with everyone

AZ xx

I know!!! I may definitely have to up my Facebookage. Or rock in a corner with beer. It's not that near so I'll think of something dastardly in the meantime, I hope

rmplc

Nym_Mcfroglet wrote: »

Or rock in a corner with beer. It's not that near so I'll think of something dastardly in the meantime, I hope

I was just sitting there thiking what can I do saturday, then i saw your post and thought tthe rocking in the corner with a beer sounds quite good ............ then realised im actually at work on saturday so dont think that would go down too well LOL