I have not had a cigarrette for a week

It all started because I was put in the hospital last Saturday and kept until Sunday afternoon. I had atrial fib which is an irregular heartbeat. After getting a serious lecture from the cardiologist I decided enough was enough. The smoking had to stop.

This is a really big deal because I thought I was such a hardcore smoker that the cigs would have to be pried from my hands. To go this long is a major accomplishment for me. I smoked one and a half to two packs a day for years. I get urges and there are times I really miss smoking. I love having one right after a good meal.

Anyway, I wanted to let everyone know that it is possible to do this without any smoking cessation aids. Maybe how I quit doesn't work for everyone, but so far it's working for me.

Just taking it all one day at a time now.

P.S. I'm on meds so the ticker works like a charm. :)

and glad your a-fib is under control

:hi:

but, i think i need to deescalate my cigarette involvment.

i'm getting way too many funky respiratory things and violent hacking.

it's getting close to that time.

it's funny, i quit smoking when i was 18 (started when i was 12) and stopped for about 5 years.

i prayed a lot that time and it seemed to work.

:)

Hope it gets easier as time goes by.

Good luck on a longer recovery!! Glad you're better!
Duckie

then it gradually gets easier. I haven't smoked one in 10 years, and now the urges are rare.

Like a stereotype, I gained weight after quitting. But I feel better, have more stamina, so the trade-off is worth it. Now I'm trying to get rid of the excess weight.

Congratulations on getting through a week.

:thumbsup:

I've had a few trying moments when I was really close. I'm already overweight so now it's a matter of eating right, getting out of my lazy lifestyle and becoming more active. I decided to not do much about it until Monday with the Thanksgiving holiday and all. Still haven't laid out a plan as of yet, but I will.

Thanks :)

and three heart attacks. He keeps smoking and drinking.

There is a place you can go to get through any craves. Plus they have a meter that counts your quit for you..plus the money you've saved.

KEEP THAT QUIT!

I quit cold turkey myself and the first two weeks were the hardest. After that, the only hard part was finding something to do in all those times I would normally be lighting up. Now, years later, the only thing I miss is flicking off the ash, and I like to hold cigs for my smoking friends so I can do it.

are the worst.

But hang in there. You won't regret it.

Funny thing is that I smoke in my dreams, and I quit in March of 2001.

Congratulations on this important step.

hope it doesn't happen to me.

Being stuck in the hospital like I was gave me what I needed to not smoke. I figured if I could go those first 36 hours or so without, then I should be able to manage the rest of it. So far, so good. :)

Thanks!

when I dreamt I smoked a cigarette.

Not so bad when you figure out it was only a dream.

The dreams pass too.

Hang in there.
:applause:

I quit about 4 years ago after nearly 30 as a smoker. I needed the patch and wellbutrin..but if you can go cold turkey...great.

I'm so glad for you.

I went through something similar; I'll spare you the grody details.

Suffice it to say it's been 25 years since my last cigarette.


Hang in there! :hi:

I've been a respiratory therapist for a long time. Many, many stories I could tell you to help you stay quit (which I'll not go into here right now). This is a good decision and I'm sure you're ready to stay quit. RIGHT ON!

In about 6 months, the epithelial tissue of your lungs will not have as many engorged "goblet cells" which means you'll produce much less mucus (sorry for anyone who's eating, its' true and important). If you don't already do this, you'll probably replace old behaviors with some new and better ones that include walking, some type of low impact aerobics and weight lifting on a routine basis. Regular activity will change your life and keep you physically fit. Not that you have to be a nut about it, but you'll lower your heart rate and strengthen your most important muscle- your heart if you keep active. Think of the money you'll save and years of quality you gain.

Yes, one day at a time. Good on ya- from a Registered Respiratory Therapist and Certified Asthma Educator.

Stay One Day At A Time, for sure! There most likely (but maybe not for you!) be moments that sneak up on you, even as the months go by, where you'll really Want Just One.

I tried to quit for some years before it 'stuck' (I think it's been close to 7 years for me now) and I had to finally remember, I can't have 'just one.' Just one puff, just one cig, just one pack, the addiction takes over if you give in.

Be nice to yourself! Think of nice little rewards you can give yourself to mark your progress as well as things you can do instead of having a smoke. Drinking down a glass of water can be surprisingly helpful, eating Vitamin C's, especially those chewable ones that taste good, some nice crunchy raw carrots. . . .

One time when I quit (didn't last a year that time) I bought myself flowers a few times a month and scattered little vases in every room including the bathroom (had access to cheap flower!) which reminded me always of the new clean life I was living, and how much nicer and more relaxing it is to gaze at a calming vase of flowers instead of puffing away at a smelly smoke.

I don't know if this would work for a fella or not . . . . but To Each His Own!!!

<<<<Deeeeep grateful breath --- hold for a sec, let it out nice and slow>>>>