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smoking


13 years ago 0 2606 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Goofy,
 
I am glad that your modem is back up and running. It is really nice to hear from you! It sounds like you are on the right track with your quitting smoking preparations. Once you have your time line in place, you can begin preparing for your quit. Writing down your reasons for quitting, working through the milestones of the online program and posting often!

Samantha, Health Educator
13 years ago 0 1044 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
My computer modem went out - I didn't intentionally not come back.
One of my main motivators is it is supposed to help my Meniere's disease. I decided to quit because everyone else quit within the last two months.  My boyfriend, my son, and another friend I have.  My gf wants to quit, we are going to work on it together.   My house will smell better, my clothes will smell better, I'll feel better.  I can go on and on, but you get the idea.
I talked at length with my therapist regarding the quitting smoking now.  My psychiatrist always says "this isn't a good time".  My therapist and I agree he's never gonna think it's a good time.  lol  Anyway, I've had to make some other lifestyle changes due to recent problems and treatment for Meniere's Disease.  I'm going caffeine free, gradually, down to 2/3 decaf 1/3 caffeine with my tea.  I'm on a low salt diet, I am supposed to eat foods high in potassium, no milk and some other stuff. Plus walk everyday outside for 30 minutes - which I've started when I'm not dizzy.  All these things came about - a month ago when I had the procedures on my ear.  After having been dizzy for so long, I'm motivated to do all these things.
My therapist suggested I wait until I get off caffeine for at least a couple of weeks; well, it gets a little more than you want to hear - but let's just say we set things that need to be adjusted to and/or put in place before I quit.  Adjusting to all the other lifestyle changes is what he's referring to.  So I am making a complete list and he and I are going to develop a time line.  We aren't talking months here - we are talking weeks.  So I can get comfy with the other stuff too.  I'm excited and I meet with him again and take my entire list and we are going to put dates to it and establish a quit date.  We talked at length about this and as a Crisis Intervention Specialist and Therapist, he seems to have alot of knowledge about people with depression giving up cigarettes.  I'm excited.  
I have him as a support system, my girlfriend, my boyfriend, son and other friend, the sister site to this one.  He said I'd come in before and mentioned it, but I didn't seem as committed about it; so he pulled out information for me and I feel like what I'm working on will make it do-able.  I'm confident.  
Hey, right now I'm celebrating almost caffeine free and my first day with no caffeine will be approximately this weekend (when I've run out of the box of tea bags I've been mixing with the decaf tea bags).  I didn't realize how addicted to caffeine I still was after I quit coffee, I thought I had that licked.  lol, tea is bad too.  I drink sweet tea all day long - decaf sweet tea now. :)  
He is the one who initiated the wait idea until I had these other things adjusted to - I'm not using this as an excuse.  I know it's not my addiction talking, but the words of someone who says you can't change everything over night.  
I've typed too much.  lol again!  
13 years ago 0 125 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Goofy!!
 
boy o boy do i envy u.  I wish I could get to the point where I could quit.  I jsut feel like it is impossible now.
 
How did u decide to quit.....any advice :)
 
 

13 years ago 0 11215 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Congratulations on deciding to quit Goofy!
 
I'm so proud of you!  Be sure to work through the program on SSC and post in the forums.  You will find it very helpful. 
 
Having increased difficulty with anxiety and depression while quitting is common; yet once you are through the withdrawals you will notice an improvement.
 
In terms of suggestions, there is lots of advice in the program and in the forums if you do a search.  One suggestion I can give is remember to reward yourself for your success and take time for yourself.  Often smokers use cigarettes as a coping mechanism, if they are angry, upset or stressed they often take a few drags of their cigarette.  Once they quit smoking they forget to take time for a few deep breaths. So be sure to give yourself breaks, some members have replaced the coping mechanism of smoking with exercise, meditation and sipping water.
 
 
What motivated you to quit Goofy?
 
 
 
Ashley, Health Educator
13 years ago 0 3043 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Goofy
 
Well, I'm in two minds. Since the onset of my depression, I haven't had a serious attempt at quitting. I tell myself there will be extra stress, physiological changes....but deep down, I suspect that these are excuses that the old nicotine monster is feeding me. Smoking is a crtuch for me, it is a stress-reliever, but if and when I quit that will give such a huge boost to my self-esteem and general level of wellbeing that the pros far outweigh the cons.
 
Doing it...that's the thing!
13 years ago 0 1044 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I joined the sister site to this one on smoking cessation.  I've yet to set a quit date.  It may be procrastination.  But I'm anxious about how it will impact my anxiety and depression.  I've heard others on here discuss having quit post onset of depression.  any insight, suggestions, experiences you'd share?

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