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quitters are winners: profile

quitters are winners

created: Sep 10, 2008

members: 28

group owner: PlanetX | Contact

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If you're struggling to get the cigarette monkey off your back, come join us!

about quitters are winners

This group is for people who want to, are in the process of, or have already quit smoking. No one else understands what we go through to succeed, and it helps to have the support of others who "feel your pain"!

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For me I started smoking on and off young. . .in 8th grade. . .about 13 years old. I started smoking regularly at around 16. I'm now 24. I did quit during both of my pregnancies, and have quit for a few months here and there. Stress always brings me back. I really do want to quit. . .It's disgusting. . .I started taking Zyban. . .and it works. . .you just have to have it in you to stop smoking. I'm going through so much cr*p right now, it's how I release it. . . .

FaceDown-AKA_Maggie
GOLO member since March 12, 2008
September 12, 2008 3:12 p.m.

I totally understand! I've smoked for 32 years, and it's really hard to quit - it's hard to WANT to quit. They are my leetle fwends - but, truth of the matter is, I had no choice. I have beginning stage emphysema/COPD that will stay that way as long as I quit now. If not, I probably won't make it 10 years. I didn't think I'd be quite ready to check out at 58....especially not THAT way...yuk.

PlanetX
GOLO member since September 27, 2007
September 12, 2008 4:54 p.m.

I started puffing on cigarettes around the age of 6 or 7. I started inhaling around 8. My the time I was in the 4th grade, I was using my lunch money to buy cigarettes. (about 2 packs a week)There were no age laws back then. Now, I'm 33, I smoke a pack a day, and I LOVE my cigarettes!!! Since my hubby hates it, he never alowed me to smoke inside of the house, and even with him gone, I still only smoke outside. This has helped me cut back ALOT. Now, even though I love to smoke, working in an Oncology clinic makes me think that maybe I need to quit. But mainly because I'm sick of hearing everybodys mouth about my smoking. So, I have a 2 mo supply of Chantix that I've been holding on to for 2 months. I know many people who have quit by taking it, and they say that they have quit without any urges or problems. They say you just quit without realizing it. I have not yet worked up the nerve to start taking this expensive wonder drug, It's still in the box on the dresser. Maybe next Saturday.

Con Amor
GOLO member since August 20, 2007
September 15, 2008 9:29 a.m.

Chantix is wonderful - makes one feel a little strange sometimes, but it's wonderful. I'm working on my 9th month of not smoking and those little pills (in collaboration with a generic version of the first generic Zyban)have kept the neighbors and co-workers alive during the process. At least so far.

FragmentFour
GOLO member since July 29, 2007
September 15, 2008 9:30 a.m.

I know many people who have quit by taking it, and they say that they have quit without any urges or problems. They say you just quit without realizing it.--con amor

I can't say that there aren't any urges or problems. They're not nearly as bad as without Chantix, but they're definitely there. Let something go wrong and after nearly 9 months I still find myself stretching toward the nearest place to buy them.

FragmentFour
GOLO member since July 29, 2007
September 15, 2008 9:33 a.m.

Fragment... Really? So you're still taking them after 9 mo? Wow! I dont want to do that. They are so expensive! Also, have you had any crazy, scary dreams? I love, I mean L*O*V*E my cigarettes!!! I cant imagine life without them. If it is going to be very hard to quit, then I may not be able to do it. I've never tried to quit before, and everyone at work swears that if I just take the Chantix, then I'll quit fine. I cant even work up the nerve to swallow the first pill! I havent even opened the box! I need some one to start slipping them in my food. LMBO!

Con Amor
GOLO member since August 20, 2007
September 15, 2008 11:14 a.m.

Con, I smoked for over 40 years - that's a lot of history. Most people do NOT need to take the Chantix that long. The company itself designed it for a max of 6, I think.

About the dreams - they've vivid, and I remember more of them, but they aren't necessarily bad. I kind of enjoy dreams anyway, and don't worry much about whether they're crazy or sane. It's a little like watching TV.

The sooner you DO stop smoking, the easier it will be. And the weight gain that goes along with it for some people goes down faster if you're younger.

I don't much like not being able to smoke, nope, I don't. But it was waaayyyy past time.

FragmentFour
GOLO member since July 29, 2007
September 15, 2008 1:21 p.m.

Fragment - I agree with the "keeping people alive" part - that is kinda important! LOL! I'm on the 9th day and really not doing too badly at all but I not only needed to quit - I really wanted to this time (Con Amor - that's pretty crucial - if you're mentally not ready to give them up, you won't make it). I have COPD, and can already tell an improvement in breathing, and I rather enjoy the dreams as well...LOL! The only adverse side effect I've noticed is a wee bit of nausea. I find if I take it while I'm eating and drink lots of water, it's not bad at all.

PlanetX
GOLO member since September 27, 2007
September 16, 2008 4:03 p.m.

I'd always wondered if there were a group like this on GOLO, and am delighted to have finally found it!

Having smoked for 18 years (started at the ripe old age of 15), I celebrated one year smoke-free anniverary just 3 days ago. It was (and sometimes still is) a hard road, but I managed to do it for my boy.

I've got to say, though, when they develop the cigarette that whitens teeth, burns fat, and builds muscle, your boy EdTeach is taking a flyin' leap from this here wagon!

Many thanks for starting the group, and God bless us quitters...

EdTeach
GOLO member since January 25, 2008
September 17, 2008 12:13 p.m.

"I've got to say, though, when they develop the cigarette that whitens teeth, burns fat, and builds muscle, your boy EdTeach is taking a flyin' leap from this here wagon!"

AMEN, and I'll be right behind you!

Holymoly, taking Chantix with food is pretty well mandatory - otherwise, I couldn't keep it down for longer than 10 minutes.

And since EdTeach moved us onto the subject of health... whatever happened to that medical study that was honing in on obesity being caused (to a large degree) by a virus? I REALLY hope they're working on a vaccine for that...

FragmentFour
GOLO member since July 29, 2007
September 17, 2008 2:05 p.m.

lol Con, my chantix has been sitting on my dresser for over 2 months also. I want to quit because of the health reasons and money...but I just enjoy it so much.

Hilikus
GOLO member since April 8, 2008
September 17, 2008 2:40 p.m.

"I've got to say, though, when they develop the cigarette that whitens teeth, burns fat, and builds muscle, your boy EdTeach is taking a flyin' leap from this here wagon! " EdTeach

HA!! LOL!! Make room for me as well! Congrats on 1 year - I'm jealous. If I can get that far, I'll feel like I've really got a fighting chance - unless they come out with those pesky weight loss cigs!! =)

PlanetX
GOLO member since September 27, 2007
September 17, 2008 3:35 p.m.

Welbutrin did it for me. took the edge off, I smoked less and less until I just stopped. And then gained 20 pounds -- but you can't have everything. :)

I've quit many times before - but always started back. However this time shortly after I quit, my mom was diagnosed with breast and lung cancer -- which she is happily surviving.

One day at a time. I'm not gonna push fate, so this November will be 3 years no Ciggs for me!

GoodVibrations
GOLO member since June 10, 2008
September 19, 2008 4:57 p.m.

I'm alumni now at the no-smoking clinic at Womack Army Hospital, I've done the program so many times. I'm a professional quitter. Where I need help/strength/advice is on STAYING quit. Anybody?

Gingerleigh225
GOLO member since January 3, 2008
September 22, 2008 2:22 p.m.

Gingerleigh - I think what's helping me this time is having the proper mental attitude - and proper motivation doesn't hurt either. I enjoyed smoking and I hated to quit which is why I failed in the past. With this attempt, I did it because it's getting to be such a PITA. Hotels, restaurants, airports, sheesh - ya can't smoke anywhere anymore. I just got tired of being in a bad mood all the time and constantly searching for a spot to have a cig. Now it just feels like a relief that I don't have to worry about it anymore!

PlanetX
GOLO member since September 27, 2007
September 26, 2008 1:26 p.m.

I have a script for Chantix but have been hesitant because of the reports of depression. has anyone had problems with that?

Wags
GOLO member since May 12, 2008
October 1, 2008 11:36 a.m.

Wags, the depression some people feel after taking Chantix is a result of having their usual depression-coping mechanism removed (the smoking), and not having it replace with anything else. The Chantix itself does not bring on depression - it simply removes the self-medication people have been using all along.

If you run into it, get in touch with your doctor and let him give you another Rx for its treatment. It generally clears up (and the extra medication can stop) once you've developed a coping mechanism that replaces your smoking.

FragmentFour
GOLO member since July 29, 2007
October 2, 2008 11:53 p.m.

So how does it feel quitters?

I truly love being able to taste foods and drinks again, not smelling like a cigarette ahstray, being able to get in my car in the morning and not gag, and many others.

Remember, the urge to smoke a cigarette will go away wether you smoke it or not.

Or look at this this way. 1 pack of Basic Ultra Lights @ $3.20, 2 packs a day @$6.40 7 days smoking 2 packs a day @ $44.80 4 weeks smoking 2 packs a day @ $179.20

or if you smoke the brand stuff, 1 pack Marlboro or Winston @ $3.75 2 packs a day @ $7.50 1 week @ $52.50 1 month @ $367.50

I am so happy I quit :)

chfdcpt
GOLO member since April 23, 2008
October 21, 2008 12:25 p.m.

i just want to thank you for this group it is a great group i just recently quit smokeing amonth ago and feel so much better, oh ill grant you its been hard. but if you do put your mind to it it can be done. afew things that help me is walking, chewing gum.

lvhollywood20042000
GOLO member since August 3, 2007
October 31, 2008 9:11 a.m.

Chantix...I hate it. After week 2 I stopped. I would start crying at my desk at work for no reason. I only smoked 19 cigs that first week and I really thought it was gonna work for me, but didn't. :o(

40 going on 26
GOLO member since July 17, 2008
November 10, 2008 3:18 p.m.

I still have not opened my box of Chantix!!!

Con Amor
GOLO member since August 20, 2007
November 17, 2008 3:37 p.m.

I managed to quit 5 years ago and I was smoking 2 packs a day of Red Marlboro. It feels so good being able to wake up in the morning with a terrible hack and/or hurting in the chest.

I did it cold turkey, no drugs or other techniques such as gradually decreasing. I applied some of the same thinking as I learned and use in AA. It was as much as anything being sick and tired of being sick and tired. To me it was much easier than alcohol.

Hip-Shot
GOLO member since July 15, 2007
November 19, 2008 11:48 p.m.

I quit smoking in 1997 and although I could go back to it today, I am so happy that I now have a choice in the matter. I will always love cigarettes, but today, I don't HAVE to have one! Thank God for that! I am so proud of all of you who have put them down, don't give up, or give in! "One Day at a Time" is my motto, and every week or month, buy yourself something that you would have spent on those cigs! Be good to yourself, that really helped me too. Good luck to you all, and remember, that we can do ANYTHING without a cigarette, because WE are STRONGER than NICOTINE!

Bornabritt
GOLO member since November 30, 2008
November 30, 2008 11:31 a.m.

I am now proud to anounce, that I am on DAY 6 of my CHANTIX!!!!!!!!!!!!! (still smokin though)

Con Amor
GOLO member since August 20, 2007
December 1, 2008 2:35 p.m.

Hip Shot, real proud of you! I realized that there was no way I could have done it cold turkey, I was too weak willed when it came to cigarettes. You are right about getting to the point of tired of being tired. I also learnd a lot of lifetime lessons from Alanon. Everyone has to get to there own stopping point, whatever that might be. I retrieved a lot of great information from Nicotien Anonomous online. Same 12 steps, (go figure!) (smile.)

Bornabritt
GOLO member since November 30, 2008
December 6, 2008 11:46 a.m.

Oops ... sorry about the spelling!

Bornabritt
GOLO member since November 30, 2008
December 6, 2008 11:48 a.m.

I'm now on day 18 of Chantix. Still having stong cravings.(mostly after meals, and while driving) and still smoking. I really thought that I would quit after the first week, or week & 1/2. I hope that this stuff will kick in soon.

Con Amor
GOLO member since August 20, 2007
December 15, 2008 8:47 a.m.

Not going to happen, Con. Not in that short a time span. When it does start to show, you may not even notice it - lots of people just suddenly realize they haven't smoked at all that day. Or week. The craving has gone and they just forgot to do it.

Who told you Chantix would do great damage to your liver???

FragmentFour
GOLO member since July 29, 2007
December 15, 2008 2:30 p.m.

This has been hard for me, not doing too good today.

belladonnadoll
GOLO member since December 21, 2007
December 21, 2008 10:00 p.m.

Has trying to quit made any of you depressed?

belladonnadoll
GOLO member since December 21, 2007
December 29, 2008 11:17 p.m.

Done all I know want to stop smoking so bad. Just not happening for me.Took the shots and everything. Someone should outlaw the shots method. It is very expensive and it only got me high and sick. I called them and they gave me no support. They told me I could come back and get more shots for 1/2 the price. Ok if it doesn't work at full price, Im gonna do it again and give them more money. I don't think so.

xchief661
January 3, 2009 11:56 p.m.

I am so ready quit too. I think i've tried everything at least twice. I try not to get discuoraged but man is it hard. I have no willpower and the cravings are so strong. I will keep trying through cuz maybe one of these times i will quit for good.

sweetydmh
GOLO member since June 27, 2008
January 6, 2009 4:52 p.m.

Well "sweetydmh", it can be done cold turkey but you just have to put your mind to it and decide it's what you want. As I say and they say in another self-help program, "sick and tired of being sick and tired". To me the first few days were the hardest but it gradually got easier.

Hip-Shot
GOLO member since July 15, 2007
January 7, 2009 11:19 p.m.

saw this group and had to join! i quit in Oct of 2007! :)

blondeshvmofun
GOLO member since January 6, 2009
January 8, 2009 2:18 p.m.

I don't want to quit but I do want to quit. I've tried many times and failed. I now have lung cancer and still smoke. This is not going to help me recover.

I was stunned when I asked the oncologist about quitting and she said, "one thing at a time." Not too encouraging but she made some good points about my emotional/physical changes and quitting will compound the negative.

Today during chemo we talked about Chantix. I have spent months researching and came across numerous articles from 2009 that were very negative. It comes down to the individual person. For me, I am being told NO by the doctor. The adverse reactions of the Chantix for those with high emotions or depression is causing death by suicide and other bad things.

We're going to discuss Wellbutrin or another product when I go back for my checkup. Until then, I'm trying to resist. It's easy during the day since I can't smoke at work but once night hits, I can't beat the craving.

MojoGal
GOLO member since September 21, 2007
February 13, 2009 1:45 a.m.

To all of you who are members on here and are attempting to quit GOOD FOR YOU!!! I am smoke free for 8 months now. I was walking out of work one day and had just lit one up when my brother called me and told me his father in law had throat cancer and was only given 6 months. I put my cigarette out and vowed to myself to never have another one again. Yes, it was very hard. However, the thought of my son being given the same news as my sister in law scared me beyond words. Her father in law passed away in December from complications of throat cancer. I am not going to preach to any of you. I will encourage you and be your shoulder to lean on. You do have the will power and strength to do it. You just need to find it inside yourself. Good luck

jax
GOLO member since August 5, 2008
February 17, 2009 12:22 p.m.

Correction: Her father passed away not father in law

jax
GOLO member since August 5, 2008
February 17, 2009 12:23 p.m.

Hello, I'm slayer and I'm 31 hours of smoke free. I put them down at midnight on the 25th of February. You may have visited some of my blogs. Anyway I just joined up. I'm on Welbutrin to help me with it and I'm doing the gum, carrot sticks, celery and sunflower seeds as well.

SLAYER
GOLO member since November 6, 2007
February 26, 2009 7:36 a.m.

My previous post should have been midnight on the 24th not the 25.

SLAYER
GOLO member since November 6, 2007
February 26, 2009 7:44 a.m.

Slayer - I truly hope you can stay smoke free. This is such a hard thing to do and aside from expensive aids, there's not a lot of help out there. Do you have insurance to help cover the meds? My insurance won't cover Chantix. I think we get a discount but still, $120 a bottle is madness.

When I was diagnosed with cancer I put the cigs away and tried cold turkey. Big mistake. Doctor didn't even encourage me but told me to wait. I just found through my insurance with the state, Medco, that with a doctors signature I can qualify for free patches, about 10-weeks worth. I'm waiting for the approvals and stuff right now.

I've heard from many at work that Welbutrin really helped them. If the patches don't work I'll be asking about that. Let us know how you're doing.

MojoGal
GOLO member since September 21, 2007
February 26, 2009 7:37 p.m.

Last night was one week of being smoke free. It's getting easier to ignore the urges and I've noticed I have a lot more energy.

SLAYER
GOLO member since November 6, 2007
March 4, 2009 9:25 a.m.

Hello everyone, I had the idea of starting a blog to support others with the name Quitter are Winners and seems I'm not alone so I just joined. I began smoking "again" on Thanksgiving 2005 and quit Thanksgiving 2009, exactly four years later. It was the longest I had ever smoked in my life. Before that it was for two years tops at a time, maybe 3 times in my life. So it has been 106 days! I guess I am on here because the last couple days I was thinking about it a little. It is all emotions. Get a little disgruntled and it seems the "idea" comes back. It is really just giving up to start again and I know I would be very upset and disappointed to start again.

Some encouragement and tips: I have amazing energy now that I quit. Just a month after quitting I could run treadmill for 30 minutes and not top heart rate of 145. Before I would be at 160 easy. Also felt like I had unlimited energy. I haven;t replaced smoking with anything like food, etc. For me, it is a decision

dmayes228
March 11, 2009 12:26 p.m.

decision to move forward in life. No more excuses. The way I have quit each time is to just start quitting. I usually fail at least 2-3 times before I am successful. It generally takes up to 6 months of this quitting and failing to get it to the point where I am successful. I also think exercise is very important. I went through a pretty similar routine each time I quit. You just have to go through it. The idea that you will find the perfect way to quit is not realistic. The idea that you will quit one time and be successful is not either. I say lighten up on yourself and just do it. Accept that you will not be perfect but don;t give up. I don't think it matters if other people around you smoke either. I live in China now and when I spoked it seemed liek everyone was smoking, now I am in rooms of people all the time where no one is smoking, without even trying. Heck, I see people lighting up in the GYM locker room for heavens sake! Good luck to you all!

dmayes228
March 11, 2009 12:31 p.m.

It can be done. After 35 years each, my wife and I quite using the gum and the patch. Was 9 years ago. We have not gone back or wanted to go back. Took a heart bypass operation for me to finally give it all up. I found giving up the gum was harder than the cigarettes! Hard to believe, but true. Oh well, keep up the good work guys and gals! It is worth it.

Huey
GOLO member since October 4, 2007
April 20, 2009 4:51 p.m.

I recently fell off the wagon after 4 mos without smoking...disappointed in myself but taking it day by day

melissatherealtor
GOLO member since September 10, 2009
September 10, 2009 4:34 p.m.

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