I am desperate to stop smoking

[stevethehalibut]

I am 38 years old and have been diabetic for 37 years now. Unfortunately I am still smoking and I desperately want to stop. A little background info: my auntie who was also diabetic was a smoker and poorly controlled - she died from a heart attack after several strokes when she was in her mid-forties - this was probably 15 years ago now and she didn't have the luxury of a pen controlled life but nonetheless it is a big worry for me as I fear I'm going down the same route. My father is also diabetic and getting on in years now and has had an endless stream of ops cleaning out his arteries (angioplastys) as well as having to have a toe amputated. I live a pretty stressful life in video production and as a result find myself regularly falling back in to smoking - especially cannabis which seems to be the thing that always catches me out when I've stopped smoking in the past ( I have gone 4 years without smoking!). I've tried the patches but these seem too easy a way out without requiring the massive amount of will-power it takes to stick with it. I just feel weighed down (and have done so since my first joint when I was 21) by the pressure of diabetes and these impending complications that I have seen affect my family so profoundly.
I don't want to die young let alone suffer all the other horrendous things that can happen to a diabetic but I feel trapped on a course to ruin at the moment.
Are there groups out there that can help me?

If anyone has some magic words I sure would appreciate them...

 

[gig]

i just want to wish you well in trying to stop smoking and wanting to stop is a start good luck and believe in yourself. :wink:

 

[PickledPepper]

Steve

I fully understand. I was diagnosed with typed 2 a few months ago but generally managed to stay away from the cigs, mostly because I felt so poorly I couldn't handle them. Recently I went out for the first time since diagnosis and fell off the wagon and indulged in some marijuana joint as well as an unhealthy amount of alcohol which played havoc with my bs levels for a good few days.

I also experienced some despondency about the condition a few days ago and went out a bought a pack of 10 Bensons (silver). Smoking them was horrible because I knew they were increasing my bs levels as well as my chance of a heart attack/stroke. This added to my anxiety.

There are no magic bullets Steve. We have to face this one day at a time. For a start, try patches. Don't buy any ciggies so you don't have them at hand at home. Distract yourself with something you enjoy doing.

Try meditation - it helps, even 5 mins.

 

[Frogs]

Try joining
www.quitnet.com
The support you can get from others in the same situation is invaluable. They helped me quit after 35 years of heavy smoking. So If I can do it, anyone can!!

 

[Dippy3103]

It is so hard isn't it. I am on day 20 as a non smoker and it is so tough. The difference for me this time is I really really want to do it. I too have a very stressful job, and found smoking was a break (allowed to go out for a cig if get really hacked off but but can't just a announce I have had enough and walk out for a breather!)
A freind of mine recently gave up on champix, is that an option for you?
Good luck.

 

[daisy1]

I gave up by chewing Nicorette gum. It keeps your mouth busy as cigarettes do. Maybe that could help you too. I used to smoke more than two packets a day. I wish you the best of luck

 

[Ruth.Day]

Hi,

My husband has smoked for over 13 years and has just managed to stop with the help of electronic cigarettes. They are artificial cigarettes, look like cigarettes and you can cut down the ammount of nicotine in them until obviously you have none. He started on 24mg fluid and he is now on 8, you can also have them flavoured, he preferred the coffee to the tabacco.
I am not a smoker so cant comment on how hard it is to give up but so far so good with my husband and I have to say that he is somebody who does not really have any will power.

Oh and he smells so much nicer!!!!

Good Luck

Ruth

 

[Dippy3103]

Sorry. Prob should have added I am using nicotine lozenges.
Got weighed today. I have put on .2kg or half a pound since giving up. Not too bad at all!

 

[Sue Morton]

I too would like to give up smoking. In my 20s I did give up for 7 years but all that time I would want a ciggy. I went back to smoking and then in 2002 (in my fifties) was told i had that lung disease that you can't breath with had an x-ray that was clear was sent to a blood consultant and was told i had a condition called Polycycthemia Vera an incurable blood disease (your blood corpasules enlarge and eventually cause you a heart attack or eventually turn into myclrolide luekemia treatment is removal of pint blood every month, 2 or 3 months). I packed up smoking as I was told it was caused by smoking but still my blood count went up so it turned out it wasn't through my smoking, I did have the disease. I used the gum to help me quit but found that I was then hooked on the gum. I don't smoke during my working day but use the gum or the lozengers when i want a ciggy. But then smoke like a trooper once finished work. Last year I was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in my bladder which was removed but told it would probably come back which it is now doing. I was told this was through smoking but there were people in the hospital with the same that have never smoked! I was then in March of this year diagnosed as Type 2 diabetic and have been quite depressed about it all and part of the symptoms of the blood disorder is fatigue and I feel so tired all the time. I am trying to keep my BS down by taking my 2x500mg metformin and diet but its hard as my levels seem to be around the 7 to 7.4. I was told by the doctor that my levels should be between 6 to 7 (I am 61 is this level for my age?). Because of feeling so depressed I find that giving up smoking is very hard even to cut down. When my BS first dropped right down I felt full of energy but now just feel fatigued all the time. My boss is trying to get rid of me by firstly getting me to see occupatonal health who said that I would be off sick again though one of my illness but could work in between them so they could not resort to that. I am now being offered a small gold handshake to take retirement which I would love to take as I drive 54 miles there and back 108 miles a day getting up at 4:20am and starting work at 6:30 leaving at 3:30 getting home about 5ish depending traffic and driving in this heat is killing me even with the air conditioning on. So to give up smoking right now seems very hard to cope with. I also went to the Diabetic retinical clinic had photos of my eyes which have been passed to a specialist and recalled for further investigation by the specialist go on tuesday 6th July am worried about that. I work at a computer all day and do sometimes get my vison go really bad that I can't see properly then it comes back. So am quite worried about this.

Wish those that are trying all the will power and wish someone could give me some.

Sue :cry:

 

[stevethehalibut]

Firstly thank you so much to everyone who has shared their experiences and in so doing given me so much help. It really is a strange overwhelming feeling when I realize that I am not alone in my battle. I think knowing that alone helps. It's so hard when you have to do something out of necessity rather than free choice - but I guess as time goes by it will be out of necessity so better to do it now while I have a bit of a choice.

The thing Is I've tried the patches several times and it's been great for a few months or weeks sometimes, but then I inevitably find myself in a band practice and someone passes around a joint and the teenager in me just can't say no. So I reckon to breaking the cycle it's much more about will power and as someone said, cutting down. I think that any nicotine replacement therapy just lures you in to a false sense of security, and suddenly when temptation rears it's ugly head, you feel compelled once again.

I actually think that because vie had diabetes for so long (37 years) and have grown up confronted with the grim reality of what can happen (my dad is currently in hospital with acute resting angina from blocked up arteries) that I've actually cut myself from it all.. And it's only be reading your comments that I start to get a grip on the reality of the situation. So thank you.

Sue, your journey and life with work and diabetes sound horrendous, trying to cope with a debilitating disease on top of everything else. It sounds like the golden hand shake is the best option. Try and find some work you could do from home?

Thanks all,
Steve

 

[gorgon]

Hi I too am fighting the curse of nicotine. Trouble is I like my cigs, and although I know they are probably going to kill me one or the other I just can't quite give them up. I've tried patches, gum, hypnotherapy (3 times), Xyban (or whatever it is) and Champix. All failed. Why? because I still like my cigs. I know I won't give up until I decide I hate smoking.
Sue, I recently had my eyes dyed and one came back with the beginnings of background retniopathy, something that is supposed to take 20 years or so to develop. I've been diabetic for 3 years or so and I asked why I had this problem and the doc told me it was just simply bad luck. I know smoking doesn't help, so I'm going to try and quit again, but it's difficult when you're not feeling well and under stress. If I were you I would take the golden handshake and have yourself some quality away from work, you shouldn't have to work under that kind of pressure, and who knows when you've left you may be able to stop smoking and maybe your health will improve anyway...

 

[Dollyrocker]

Hello,

I too am going to attempt top stop smoking (again)

I started up again 5 years ago after my marriage broke down and priior to that I had stopped for over 5 years. I've made so many attempts but the longest I've managed to stay off them is less than a month

I've signed up to Quitnet and have announced it top my partner and friends in the hope that falling off the wagon will be more shameful as I will have to confess! Normally I don't bother telling anyone which obviously hasn't worked.

So, I had my last one today so the hard struggle starts here. Maybe we can all try and quit together and support each other?

 

[gorgon]

Good luck Dollyrocker :wink:

 

[Dollyrocker]

Thanks Gorgon, I am pelased to announce I have made it through my first week smoke-free

 

[john.t5]

I stopped smoking a year and a half ago after 26 years and haven't had one puff since. I had tried about 6 times before, the first being 3 months before I was diagnosed type 1( 5 years ago). I tried patches, inhalators etc but realised it's pointless just continuing the drug through a different delivery device. I didn't have much hope I would be able to give up with no help at all but I logged on to this .....forum.nosmokingday.org.uk/index.php and found it a great help, some of the links on the forum help you reset your brain to 'enjoy' the stopping process and reinforce your reasons for not smoking. I still crave a cigarette now and again but the craving is weak and very short lived, I feel better, have more money and don't smell like a bonfire, I also feel free when I see people having to go outside in the rain, cold, snow etc just to have a smoke.

Good luck to anyone trying to get off them but it really is your decision to smoke or not to smoke, I choose not to.

Give this a go

 

[mpprh]

I have a different problem.

I gave up 30 months ago after smoking 40 per day for 40+ years. Problem was I put on 20kg, and the excess weight contributed to the development of T2. The good news is I haven't had even a puff of a cigarette in all that time. However, I'm now feeling cocky and I was in an outdoor bar with 5 smokers recently and was very tempted.

I'm happy to pass on some of my suffering :

1) Don't put on weight if you stop smoking (easier to add kgs than lose kgs I find !)
2) There are different smoking patterns
3) Addictive smokers (get up early for that first cig ?) have the most difficulty
4) Addictive smokers have an inbuilt nicotine level which they will always return to if they cut down or stop for short periods
5) Chewing gum, patches, etc just keep the nicotine cravings active for addictive smokers
6) Champix etc, don't work for all and can have strange side effects
7) The sooner you stop 100%, the better
8) Never be tempted to just have one cigarette
9) Beware of replacing one addiction with another - food, alcohol, gambling, sex. They all stimulate the same area of the brain
10) It is not easy


Peter

 

[chrisgod]

I gave up myself around 15 years ago and I assure you I have as much willpower as your average chocolate fireguard has fire defending properties! I was prompted by my Daughter who said to me "Dad you stink! Stop smoking!"

Now the one thing I would ask anyone wanting to give up smoking is this. Do you wake in the middle of the night for a smoke? If the answer is yes (And you ARE in the minority) then you will need some medical help as you are TRULY addicted, you body is craving nicotine. If you wake on a morning wanting a cigarette then you do have the wherewithal to give it up. How I did it was to imagine EATING an ashtray full of cigarette butts! The taste is about the same as smoking a cigarette after 2 years of not smoking I assure you!! You simply have to decide you ARE going to give it up!!

Take me for example I smoked around 80G of tobacco a week and I gave up and within a week we were in Crete for a holiday!!! Blimey I could have eaten a ciggie! Never mind smoked one! But I kept it up as the words of my daughter rang in my ears, then after a short while I actually COULD smell what a smoker smelt like! Simply keep sniffing the ashtray!

Good luck!

 

[FabVon]

I stopped smoking 3 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did. I didn't like the weight gain though, but I would rather be a little overweight than stinking like I had been visiting hell.
I stopped by using the patches, I believe if you are addicted you need that extra bit of support. The patches have less and less nicotine as you progress through the programme. I stopped them after 6 weeks.
The thing that kept me going was to think about the amount of chemicals in one cigarette, arsenic and sugar and other poisons (over 4000 chemicals) .. just to make you even more addicted, and the other thing that kept me going was this, the government knew what was in those fags and they approved them, because they wanted me addicted so that they could make money out of me. I didn't want them to make any more money out of me so I stopped smoking. I think its amazing that the manufacturers are allowed to make cigarettes and sell them when they are so lethal

 

[Lisa65]

Now the one thing I would ask anyone wanting to give up smoking is this. Do you wake in the middle of the night for a smoke? If the answer is yes (And you ARE in the minority) then you will need some medical help as you are TRULY addicted, you body is craving nicotine.

I would dispute this. Pretty well everyone who smokes is dependent on nicotine to some extent, however much they might want to believe otherwise. Nicotine withdrawal is unpleasant, but it will not kill you, and there's no reason why anybody, however much they smoke, can't stop - if they WANT to enough.

I smoked about 30 a day including last thing at night, if I woke in the night and lighting up would be the very first thing I did in the morning after getting out of bed. I'd stand outside in the p*ssing rain or freezing snow to get my fix. I think you can safely say I was addicted.

One day I decided I'd had it with the coughing, wheezing, stained fingers and having to sit outside in all weathers. I waited until my husband had gone on a 2 week work trip to the US, bought a week's worth of nicotine patches, a mountain of sugar-free chewing gum and then I was ready. All my clothes went in the wash (even stuff I hadn't worn for months), and the fags and lighters went in the bin. I made sure I had enough food and drink in the house for a few days so that I didn't have to go to the corner shop or supermarket and possibly weaken and buy cigs.

Days 1-3 weren't too bad as I was still very motivated. Everytime I wanted a cig, I had a glass of water or a cup of tea, or cleaned my teeth, or chewed gum until the craving passed. I slept a lot as i felt very tired.

Days 4-5 were pretty bad. I felt like I had flu. I was exhausted and my eyes and nose were running.

By the end of a week I started to feel human again and everything I ate tasted delicious as my taste buds started to work again. I hacked up phlegm for about another week before it stopped. I used the patches for about 3 weeks, cutting them in half after 2 weeks.

My last cig was 9th March at 1600 hrs and I very rarely have a craving anymore.

I was lucky that I didn't have to go to work or cope with hubby, kids etc when I felt bad. But I chose the time when I would be home alone for that very reason.

If you really want to stop, you will manage it. But most smokers don't really want to stop. They might feel guilty about smoking, or they're worried about health risks or the cost, or they're getting peer pressure, but that's not the same thing. Those are external motivators and they do not outweigh the "addict" mindset.

 

[Sue Morton]

hi everyone - I have taken the handshake and finish on 29th July which time is dragging and its very difficult to want to goo to work to finish. Have had a lot of stress over this and was done out of my month in hand - HR said I was paid my month in hand the following month i.e. 2 months money I said don't be stupid thats not how it works. They said go to your bank and get a bank statement to prove that i wasn't paid -what bank keeps statements that far back 20 years ago. I said no you supply me with a print out of my wage payment - no so I lost that. Was given a pension quote brilliant the lump sum I can take out solves most of my problems and the pension is quite good. But then they tell my they have given me the wrong details of my pension that it will be reduced. Go home that day have a good cry go in work following morning No your pension will not be reduced as you are over 60. Thank goodness. So all is on track now for me to finish work and I can't wait.

With all the pressure off me perhaps it will now give me a chance to relax and pack up smoking. I hve used and do in the day whilst working the nicotine gum which you can get hooked on and i believe doesn't really help you to give up so when I am ready I will start by cutting down one cig a day so that gradually i will get to no cig a day. Which is what you are doing in a way with the gum.

I love my ciggies they have been my friend and stay in stressful times never having any one to back me up and help me fight my battles even though I have friends and 3 very true friends a husband and family i still feel alone and my only comfort has been my ciggy and I need to get out of this mentality as when i did pack up a few years ago i felt like i had lost soemthing and was very upset believe it or not doesn't make sense to me but when under pressure and stress my ciggy has been there to help me and I was giving that up seems mad I know but thats how i felt - I don't feel that way so much now so I may stand a chance and am going to give it a try as i have said above one less ciggy a day till i am down to 1 and that 1 will be my last.

I am now looking forward to getting my garden sorted so i can grow more veg and do a bit of decorating energy permitting - using my bus pass to go places and try to make new friends here as I was down london for many years and moving back to where I was born and what with working I haven't had a chance to get to know people so heres to new times and hopefully smokeless times Cheers

Sue