Hi I'm not sure I belong here but could do with some support.
I had symptoms of copd & was offered a spirometry test which, thank god, my doctor said was normal.
Still suffering from breathless episodes but I'm not sure if that's anxiety as I suffer with that too.
I'm also a massive hypochondriac & doubt all doctors.
I've been smoking roughly one pack for over 30 years & never really wanted to quit before the thought of having copd.
I decided to quit smoking to make sure I stay as healthy as possible & today is my first day smoke free.
I'm taking champix half dose & that seems to help me overcome the cravings but the habit of reaching for a cigarette is something I'm finding hard to overcome.
Any tips to change the habit with my hands?
Thank you xx
Written by
LoisGriffin
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Hey, well done you!! Spend the money you've saved ... treat yourself (on difficult days) learn to become a proper shopaholic, use spending like a reward!
It works for me (well, okay, its a damn good excuse for buying a host of new gadgets!)
I never miss them now (unusual but then some say I'm not normal anyway) - hope its the same for you!
hi well done for stopping. I was on chewing gum 2mg for 3YEARS before I felt I did not need them. My advice to anyone quitting is take as long as you need on e-cig or gum patches as long as you get of them cigs you can see the damage and hear it first hand on here every day the amount of suffering they leave in there wake, Stick at it best thing you will ever do for your health.
Hi, I know it is very hard to give up smoking, I tried lots of times 20 years ago and failed many times, you have try harder and grit your teeth and keep yourself busy. GOOD LUCK.
Hi welcome I like you had problems like that when I quit last year and still reach out for the cigs but stick with it it gets eaiser as time go's on take care
If you like sewing, or knitting - they are both very calming activities. Listening to a good audio book at the same time, can be really fab. Also I found that quitting nicotine, caffeine and alcohol altogether made it much easier. The three are chemically linked, addiction to one encourages addiction to the others. Hope that helps. Good luck!!
My husband and his friend both smoked but in 1968 they bet each other a fiver that they could quit. The first one to smoke again had to pay the other. My husband had been 'smoke free' for a year when he met me, so I have only known him as a non-smoker. £5 was a lot of money in those days and shortly after meeting, we decided to get married, so he couldn't afford to be the one to lose the bet! Not only that, but I have always told him, quite seriously, that if he ever started smoking again I would leave him!!! Harsh, but it's kept him on the straight and narrow for 47 years now, even though he occasionally admits to a craving for a cigar if someone is smoking nearby.
Both of my parents smoked heavily, as did all the people they socialised with, and so my lungs were probably damaged by passive smoking when I was young. Now, I have asthma, COPD and Bronchiectasis so avoid smoke like the plague.
My father had emphysema and died in his sixties. My father-in-law, another heavy smoker, died of lung cancer aged 70.
You CAN give this up and you have made a fantastic start! You should be mighty proud of yourself as I know how hard I find it to give up the things I like (Chocolate - wine etc) even though it would be better for my health to do so.
I have found that writing on the computer makes it almost impossible to eat a chocolate bar and knitting and sewing likewise. I'm sure these things will all work to help you stay away from the ciggies too!
GOOD LUCK! WELL DONE FOR TAKING UP THE CHALLENGE!!!!! YOUR STUBBORNNESS WILL BE YOUR SAVIOUR!
I'm so sorry to hear about your copd, makes it even worse if you've never smoked in your life. Do you mind me asking which stage you're at?
It was the thought of having copd that for the first time made me want to quit, my gp sent me for a spirometry & im so grateful that it was normal. It makes me feel like I have a second chance & I know it's only been 2 days but I'm also convinced I'm never going to smoke again. The only thing I want in my lungs is air lol.
I hope you're okay & stick with the chocolate & wine. We all need someone we enjoy
Welc ome to the site.Quiting smoking is the most important step you can take to avoiding COPD.Like you I smoked a packet a day for 30 years.Had signs for 3 years and couldn't stop smoking.Went onto Champix after being diagnosed with Stage 4 COPD, and finally was able to give up after trying numerous methods....they workrd for me and I did not have any sideaffects.Have been a non smoker for over two years.Why are you not taking the proper dosage....is very important.Best of luck....Peter
I'm sorry to hear about your copd. Luckily I managed to avoid that.
I tried taking the proper dosage but as soon as I started on the blue tablets, within 10 minutes I was projectile vomiting so they didn't have a chance to get into my system.
My smoking cessation nurse put me on the white tablets, half dose ones & I've been so much better with no side effects except for the vivid dreams & they're working just as well for me.
Well done for quitting. It's a massive achievement
Regarding your anxiety- there's a brilliant book on Amazon by Barry McDonagh called DARE which will help you, and it comes with a Facebook help group. Great job giving up smoking, I never have, but know it's very difficult.
Hi Lois & welcome. Well done you've almost completed day two. You've had lots of useful tips so just keep popping in for support it's another way of keeping your hands. Busy. Gooduck Nan
Smoked for 40+ years. Used nicotine patch and gum but acupuncture did the trick. Find a good acupuncturist. I stopped smoking over 10 yrs ago and never had another craving .
I just want to live as long as possible with the best quality of life as possible. I guess that's what's pushed me to quitting & determined not to fail
A quick update. It's my second day smoke free & I had a meeting at the smoking cessation clinic today. So pleased I managed to blow 0 on the carbon monoxide monitor.
Feels like even after just 2 days I'm getting benefits from not smoking.
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