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Please welcome our newest members: DSHAIRRA PE, CLOVELY GRACE, kathleencabralmd, TestingDHA, JVICTORINO


12 years ago 0 10 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Introducing...Me!!

Ugh...found out after I posted and logged out, that I had mistyped my email, and therefore had no way of logging back in...So this is me...shoreboy31, on my new account...lol
 
12 years ago 0 10 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Introducing...Me!!

Original Post by: Vincenza, Health Educator
Hi Dave, 
 
Welcome to SSC!  Congrats on taking the steps to quit smoking.  You will find this site incredibly helpful along the way.  You can rely on members for advice, tips and support if you find you are ever stuck or feel an overwhelming urge to smoke.  Take the time to look through the information provided on this site. 
Post often to let us know how you are doing and begin the day by telling yourself:  N.O.P.E:
Not One Puff Ever. 
 
 
What did you find most challenging in the past?  What were your worst triggers?
 
Vincenza, Health Educator
I'd have to say the biggest challenges in the past were stress-related issues...when I attempted to quit I already had many stress-causing factors, which made it nearly impossible to quit using NRT.
 
I'd say the triggers I've found (now that I'm not smoking and more observant of the times that I have the urge) are stressful situations, that small moment of accomplishment after finishing a task, and when I am bored or deep in thought or concentration, which is 90% of my day...I work from a home office as a freelance web/graphics designer. 
12 years ago 0 10 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Introducing...Me!!

breather, thanx for the insight...I know you understand exactly what I had to go thru for at least the first couple days...it got easier after that though...
 
Last night was a big stepping stone....my girlfriend decided it was time for us to "take a break"...it hit me pretty hard, I must admit I did grab her lit cigarette and managed 2 drags before nearly choking to death, then had to spend a couple hours trying to get the nasty taste out of my mouth...
 
It was hard to believe the difference 9 days makes...what i found pleasure in just over a week ago, seemed almost like a nightmare last night...no way do I wanna go thru that again...makes me wonder what I ever found pleasurable about it in the first place, and for 20 years....
12 years ago 0 10 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Introducing...Me!!

Also, as far as rewards go, I am close to my goal for my first one...as soon as I've saved enough by not smoking I am getting a new PC wheel for my online NASCAR racing habit...lol...I figure that's one habit I can feed without worry of health problems...
12 years ago 0 10 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Introducing...Me!!

Woo Hoo!!! 16 Days and I feel great!! Cravings are minor now if any....stress level is about the same...so proud of myself for being able to manage the stress without reaching for a smoke!!
12 years ago 0 10 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Introducing...Me!!

Day 18 and it's still going well...stress factors are being eliminated...only one day left on my Chantix starter pack, and no money to refill it. I feel though that the Chantix has served its purpose for me, and helped me get past the worst part which was the nicotine withdrawals...now it's just up to me to control the physical part, which i have successfully done for 2 weeks now...
 
cutting out the chantix is as much my decision as it was a financial decision...Although it has done its job wonderfully, some of the side effects have been a little too much to handle...I never got the vivid dreams i so looked forward to...no did i get depression, however what it does do to me is causes me to have an almost constant sense of insecurity, for lack of a better explanation. I have a feeling as if I'm sitting outside the principal's office..I don't know what's about to happen, but I know it's not gonna be a good thing...that feeling...
 
Those feelings extend to my relationship as well...suddenly I had this unending fear that my girlfriend was cheating...it even went as far as spying on her, however, I had absolutely no evidence to even substantiate a fear to begin with, it just started one day sitting at the house like normal...this has since led to a breakup, and hopefully now a reunion, since we have both discussed things at length...she noticed that the issues didn't start until a few days after I started on the chantix...
 
 All in all...Chantix is great. Would I recommend it to someone else to help them quit? Most definitely....However, just make sure that you have an understanding significant other, just in case the mental side effects do take place.... 
12 years ago 0 10 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Introducing...Me!!

Thanx Jim!!! It's now the start of my second day off the Chantix....I can say the urge is a bit stronger than it was when I had the med in my system, but nothing I can't control. That constant feeling of dread and anticipated fear is still lingering though...hope this will fade with time...
 
I know this time that I can remain smoke free though, and in the end, all that really matters is that I'm alive to have fun, no matter who comes and goes from my life....so yeah, I do want this quit more than anything in my life... Reply to Discussion
12 years ago 0 10 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Introducing...Me!!

well, it's day 24 of being a non-smoker...it's day 5 of being completely off the chantix, and surprisingly, all emotional side effects are now gone, I'm left with a peace that I haven't felt in a long time. Relationship issues are working themselves out, urges are very minimal at best, and 100% controllable. I gave the e-cig I had used for a while through the first part of my quit to my girlfriend, who is now attempting her own quit. 

I know now I AM a non-smoker, and I know now that I CAN control it.

I also know the difference I feel being able to breathe, and do so much more, that I do NOT want to go back...ever!!
12 years ago 0 10 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Introducing...Me!!

LOL....looks like I was wrong...when I posted that, I said it was day 24...my meter says day 25...wow...guess it just kinda goes by without realizing it...
 
Also wanted to add a little success story....
 
I am a volunteer firefighter. Saturday morning our company had a drill, where we practiced and trained on rescuing a fellow firefighter who had become trapped, or lost in a burning builindg...in between evolutions we were standing around talking, and those who smoked were lighting up. A friend who I used to always ask for a cigarette when out on calls (i'd always forget to grab mine when running out of the house) had one lit, and needed to do something. He did not know I had quit, so he turns and just hands me his lit cigarette while he adjusts his gear...I didn't even think about it really, I did have one really quick moment where I thought about taking that puff, but then just kinda looked at it as if tho say "why am I holding this thing?" Another friend came and snatched it from my hand and told him that I had quit...the guy who handed it to me felt horrible and apologized the rest of the day. 
 
Funny thing is a month ago, I would have smoked it for him...lol
 
It was definitely a tough moment, but I still managed to keep it under control and realize the big picture...definitely a milestone...my next one is this coming weekend. Our fire dept. is having our annual banquet...we have a nice dinner, and awards ceremony, followed by a drunken free-for all...this will be the first time I've attempted drinking without smoking, however I do believe that I will be suuccessful... 
12 years ago 0 10 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Introducing...Me!!

Actually, all the saved money from not smoking is being put to very good use...so as far as a material reward, right now, it's not possible..
 
My reward though is the peace of mind that I have done something that will allow me more time for all the things I enjoy, as well as the health, and breath to do them.
 
My main motivation for quitting was a horrendous incident while fighting a simple vehicle fire. I became so winded after 10 minutes worth of work, that I was lightheaded, felt like I was breathing with my head wrapped in a plastic bag, and truly thought I was about to die...that scared me...If I never have another moment like that, then that will be reward enough for me!!