Today it has been 2 years since I quit smoking.

[rinsd]

I haven't had a drag for two years now.

It was tough during the 1st month but got progressively better.

Hang in there no longer smokers!

[lyonn]

1. Two years! That has got to be the Best......

After voting Feb. 5th and feeling good about life I caught the flu my husband had that evening and by Fri. was in the hospital needing oxygen Bad. I hadn't been in a hospital since I was 30 yrs. old., Ok, cataract surgery too. Anyway, I have emphysema and with being really sick with the flu was one miserable person. A person that smokes for 50 years and then is smacked down by the thing you know was Stupid is damned depressing. Stayed in hospital about 3 days, came home with air tank, that's fun... but hey, each day is a bit better and haven't had a cig since about the 6th or 7th of Feb., only cause I physically couldn't. So far I am Trying to not dwell on the negative. I went to whyquit.com and I like the positive outlook it preaches. Really it's cold turkey but makes sense in my weak brain. I eat everything in sight, drink anything I want, suck on suckers like crazy. Tell myself when I think of a cig to try to divert the mind to something ridiculously simple minded as I think I tend to want to treat myself to certain things in life, like the computer, DU, solitaire, that for years couldn't do as I was suppose to be mom and useful, cook, clean, ugh, all that stuff. Now I can be a happy slob but, without a cig. That's not a bad deal if I can make it happen. Being nearly 70 years old almost makes it seem dumb to try now but, hell, breathing is damned important and there for awhile it was doubtful......

I keep the msg. at whyquit.com on my favorites so I can click and read. About once a day, usually in late afternoon I get ancy, irritable, pissed. That's the time to time my ugly thoughts and know it will pass especially if I can distract my self somehow....ugh...

[yellerpup]

4. What helped me when I got the cravings

was to breathe deliberately until the craving stopped. You are probably thinking that you would hyperventilate, but you'll be amazed how short those crave twinges become. Also, it helped me to remind myself that even though I had cravings I was NO LONGER a smoker and that smoking was something that I used to do. I don't know why it worked for me this time because over the 40 years that I smoked I must have tried to stop at least three dozen times. You have to beat it this time because of emphysema, and you can. Stay strong! :hug:

[The Doctor.]

2. Bravo!

It was tough for my first two weeks in '91 (a pack of camel non-filters a day), but these days I can have a smoke or a cigar every once in a while without needing one again afterwards.

I average about 4 a year now, and maybe 4-6 cigars. So long as we stay healthy and exercise, the need shall not overcome.

[yellerpup]

3. Congratulations!

That's great news, rinsd. Two years in March for me, so I know how you feel. Better, right? I felt REALLY glad today when NY state raised taxes on each pack of cigarettes from $1.50 to $2.75. In Manhattan, cigs are going up to $10/pack! Good job! :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo:

[hippywife]

5. Congratulations!

I started taking Chantix this week and I feel that it's already working. I don't have the cravings I usually do and I don't really enjoy a cig when I do have one, so I'm smoking alot less already.

I did email Phizer to day and congratulated them on the most obnoxious and wasteful packaging I've ever seen. :eyes:

[lyonn]

6. hippywife, how did the Chantix work out?

My willpower was worthless once I started feeling better and breathing better and now smoke again. I assume I have emphysema, they thought that's what I had while in hospital but I never went to the breathing doc, pulmonary? type. When I got out of hospital last winter I had a prescription filled for Chantix but chickened out after reading some of the side effects. Sooo, how are you doing with the no smoking plan.

Edit: Among the possible side effects was headaches and craziness!! I figured I could warn the family that if I acted any crazier than I already was to let me know, but, the headaches sounded bad. Was headaches ever a problem? Some people were really disturbed by the dreams.

Thanks for any info.

[hippywife]

7. It's working just fine.

It really does curb your cravings and also makes the ones you do smoke taste not so good. I'm down to about 6-8/day, half of which I light, hit 3 or 4 times and put out. I've noticed no side effects. I'm thinking it curbs my appetite a little, too.

If they think you have emphysema please, please, please do this now. I wish you all the willpower in the world to do what you now MUST do. :hug:

[lyonn]

8. Thanks sooo much for info

Didn't think you would check this post so quick? I was so excited by your comment that I dashed around the house looking for where I had stored the Chantix, found the boxes and believe I will give it a try. I am a very addicted smoker!! Good thing I never tried drugs! Maybe cigs are my specialty, ha.

Thanks again. I will keep anyone who is interested informed, like on this post. My cigs are a love, hate affair. You end up hating yourself in the process.

Thanks again hippywife!!