Hi Everyone,
I'm happy to find this forum and thought I would introduce myself. I thought about stopping for years and always felt this major guilt feeling for not doing it. Then I started having trouble walking which got worse and worse until I could barely walk and found out that I had 90% blood flow blockage of the arteries that supplied blood to my legs (infra-renal) at the age of 52. I was diagnosed with Peripheral artery disease which is made worse by smoking because smoking constricts the blood vessels. After the cardiac cath and 2 stents, I can walk again and I got my life back.
The morning after the stents being put in my doctor gave me my starter Chantix pills. When he did that I decided that was my stop smoking date.
Well I did it (I think). I quit 1 month and 7 days ago. I also stopped drinking coffee too. I am not sure if it is a true definition because about 3 weeks ago I kind of gave in and bought a pack. I took 2 puffs, YUCK, EEW! the cloud of smoke stinks and threw the cigarette and pack away. A week later did the same thing. So does my start date start over again?
Anyway after those 2 times I am feeling pretty strong because if I get a craving I just think of the YUCK part (lack of better words) which helps a lot. I did get an e-cig and that helps even though it seems more to keep me substituting food for a cigarette, I keep forgetting to charge it.
I am a ex-smoker, I am an ex-smoker, I am an ex-smoker, I am an ex-smoker.