ICC
07-26-2006, 03:20 PM
:eek: here goes. i have quit 4-5 times. hard to remember them all. some were good quits some weren't. last one was January 2005 but only for 3 1/2 months. I have known i have to quit for years because of health problems. I have always said that if a dr. ever told me i had to quit i would. WRONG!!!!! i have had vocal cord polyps removed, have GERD, diabetes, asthma isn't that enough? Well i was just dx with an enlarged thyroid with a cold nodule. The ENT just called because i have been having trouble swallowing. He said a test they did in his office the other day showed the top of my esophagus to be swollen. Now more tests. everything seems to be in the same area. all around my throat and voice box. I am sooooooo scared there is something really wrong but I am equally as afraid to quit smoking. All smokers know that cigarettes are your best friend. everyone i live and work with smokes. I have to get a plan in motion. Not sure where to begin. Pick a date i guess. maybe the patch (didn't help me before) and maybe some hypnosis tapes or stress tapes. I know this isn't going to be easy but i have to make it this time. Please all the support and ideas i can get will really be appreciated.
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Deda
07-26-2006, 04:19 PM
Hi ....(forgot your name..sorry)
Yes, it sure does sound like it's crucial that you quit smoking NOW. I too have had some health problems, (thyroid, GERD, and now I think a hiatal hernia, which I'm going to be tested for soon). I actually got the GERD after I quit smoking. It's awful, and in fact is really bad right now, so I feel for you.
I'm not trying to be a smart a$$...but I just want you to know, that there is no silver bullet, magic pill, or anything to MAKE you STOP smoking. The patches, gum, inhalers, Zyban...all of these aids are great to assist you in quitting, to help lessen the withdrawl symptoms, but they won't make you quit, like magic...that is up to you.
I quit with the patch, and later switched to the gum, almost 3 years ago, after smoking about 28 years....1 to 2 packs daily. I too quit many, many times before,..at least 10 x, and 2 of those quits I even made it to the one year mark. My willpower was strong, but in my mind, I was not in it 100%..cuz I think always in the back of my mind, I was always thinking..."don't worry..someday you will get to smoke again". I shouldn't have let my mind wander like that....but I just wasn't truly committed to quitting for good, forever, for once and for all. :(
If you want the GERD to improve, and your other health problems to improve,...well, I think you know, it's just not going to happen as long as you still smoke.
Okay...so you are thinking on the right track....set a date, and stick to it,...mentally prepare yourself for it before that date arrives. buy one of those cheap journal books, and write out all the reasons that you want to quit. There are so many, (numerous) benefits! Decide which way you want to do this.....sounds like you would like to use nicotine replacement...that's good..but please don't expect to just slap on a patch and think that's supposed to do it for you....you'll have to work at the mental part yourself.
Some gal here wrote an excellent post yesterday here...can't remember, but I think the subject title was about reaching her "One year annivesary"....her board name was "sixx788"....I believe. PLEASE go and read her post...it is the most excellent advice....everything I believe too, but too lazy to type it all out. Follow her plan....if your will to quit is 1OO%....then I know that you can do this.
I have managed to stay quit for almost 3 years because I was truly ready, and 1OO% committed to quitting, no matter what I had to do to get there. I am so happy today, and I swear to you I never even crave them, at all. I never thought that I could do it..(stay quit)...I used to think that I would never be able to, that I was too weak, beyond help...destined to die from smoking. I proved that I was wrong, and that I could quit. If you DIG DEEP INSIDE OF YOURSELF....you CAN find the strength...it's there. Then go for it,...like sixx788 said....do whatever it takes. It wasn't easy, but it's never easy to gain anything that's good...is it?
Read a lot of posts here too, to get ideas and support from others, (I did a lot of that)...check in here often if you need help. :nono: Go on now...go for it!
Best of luck, and I hope to see you here again...
God bless...
Deda
Yes, it sure does sound like it's crucial that you quit smoking NOW. I too have had some health problems, (thyroid, GERD, and now I think a hiatal hernia, which I'm going to be tested for soon). I actually got the GERD after I quit smoking. It's awful, and in fact is really bad right now, so I feel for you.
I'm not trying to be a smart a$$...but I just want you to know, that there is no silver bullet, magic pill, or anything to MAKE you STOP smoking. The patches, gum, inhalers, Zyban...all of these aids are great to assist you in quitting, to help lessen the withdrawl symptoms, but they won't make you quit, like magic...that is up to you.
I quit with the patch, and later switched to the gum, almost 3 years ago, after smoking about 28 years....1 to 2 packs daily. I too quit many, many times before,..at least 10 x, and 2 of those quits I even made it to the one year mark. My willpower was strong, but in my mind, I was not in it 100%..cuz I think always in the back of my mind, I was always thinking..."don't worry..someday you will get to smoke again". I shouldn't have let my mind wander like that....but I just wasn't truly committed to quitting for good, forever, for once and for all. :(
If you want the GERD to improve, and your other health problems to improve,...well, I think you know, it's just not going to happen as long as you still smoke.
Okay...so you are thinking on the right track....set a date, and stick to it,...mentally prepare yourself for it before that date arrives. buy one of those cheap journal books, and write out all the reasons that you want to quit. There are so many, (numerous) benefits! Decide which way you want to do this.....sounds like you would like to use nicotine replacement...that's good..but please don't expect to just slap on a patch and think that's supposed to do it for you....you'll have to work at the mental part yourself.
Some gal here wrote an excellent post yesterday here...can't remember, but I think the subject title was about reaching her "One year annivesary"....her board name was "sixx788"....I believe. PLEASE go and read her post...it is the most excellent advice....everything I believe too, but too lazy to type it all out. Follow her plan....if your will to quit is 1OO%....then I know that you can do this.
I have managed to stay quit for almost 3 years because I was truly ready, and 1OO% committed to quitting, no matter what I had to do to get there. I am so happy today, and I swear to you I never even crave them, at all. I never thought that I could do it..(stay quit)...I used to think that I would never be able to, that I was too weak, beyond help...destined to die from smoking. I proved that I was wrong, and that I could quit. If you DIG DEEP INSIDE OF YOURSELF....you CAN find the strength...it's there. Then go for it,...like sixx788 said....do whatever it takes. It wasn't easy, but it's never easy to gain anything that's good...is it?
Read a lot of posts here too, to get ideas and support from others, (I did a lot of that)...check in here often if you need help. :nono: Go on now...go for it!
Best of luck, and I hope to see you here again...
God bless...
Deda
ICC
07-26-2006, 05:58 PM
thanks deda-------- i will read the other posts. i'm considering the patch and some relaxation tapes as part of my smoking is do to the hyper personality. relaxing would be good for me all the way around but i don't know how to since i never have. been burning the candle at both ends and doing, doing, doing since i was 19. ALOT OLDER THAN THAT NOW.LOL thansk for the advise. i Will be back. i really need the support when i get there.:)
Deda
07-26-2006, 06:22 PM
ICC....
Good for you! :) The relaxation tapes are a real good idea. I have 2 of em, and they really do work to relax me...one puts me to sleep. Just remember, we knew how to relax at one time in our lives, ....before we started that stinkin' habit, and we lived fine w/o them then,...didn't we? Always remember that. I have a type A personality too....but not like before, as I'm learning to let go...not sweat the small stuff. (and it is all small stuff!) I am finally learning to relax without cigs, and it's great. I actually feel more calm now, than I did in my smoking days. Smoking was stressful....always worried about running out, worried I'd get a deadly disease, going out with non smoking friends, (most of all of my friends are non smokers), sneaking cig breaks at work, (when I was working), smoking outside in the freezing cold...didn't smoke in home...long road trips w/o a smoke, as I didn't ever smoke in my car or home, either. Most every friend out here is a non smoker. I did quit once, in 2001, when I was working with a bunch of smokers.....I just tried to be strong as could be.
I live in CA, so it might of made it a bit easier to quit, as they are really down on smokers out here, and I also got tired of people looking at me like I was the big weak, loser (that I really was, at that time). Also, got tired of Dr's lectures, and felt sometimes like they didn't really want to help me. Like why would they want to try to help someone who cares so little about their health??!!
Good luck, ICC...we're here for you...
Deda
Good for you! :) The relaxation tapes are a real good idea. I have 2 of em, and they really do work to relax me...one puts me to sleep. Just remember, we knew how to relax at one time in our lives, ....before we started that stinkin' habit, and we lived fine w/o them then,...didn't we? Always remember that. I have a type A personality too....but not like before, as I'm learning to let go...not sweat the small stuff. (and it is all small stuff!) I am finally learning to relax without cigs, and it's great. I actually feel more calm now, than I did in my smoking days. Smoking was stressful....always worried about running out, worried I'd get a deadly disease, going out with non smoking friends, (most of all of my friends are non smokers), sneaking cig breaks at work, (when I was working), smoking outside in the freezing cold...didn't smoke in home...long road trips w/o a smoke, as I didn't ever smoke in my car or home, either. Most every friend out here is a non smoker. I did quit once, in 2001, when I was working with a bunch of smokers.....I just tried to be strong as could be.
I live in CA, so it might of made it a bit easier to quit, as they are really down on smokers out here, and I also got tired of people looking at me like I was the big weak, loser (that I really was, at that time). Also, got tired of Dr's lectures, and felt sometimes like they didn't really want to help me. Like why would they want to try to help someone who cares so little about their health??!!
Good luck, ICC...we're here for you...
Deda
ICC
07-26-2006, 07:22 PM
thanks---------i actually looked up a couple of differenct smoke enders tapes so i wouldn't use the excuse when i got to the store that there were too many. so i have already picked one specifically for smoking and one just for relaxation. will pick them up with the next couple of days. Talk about dr.s i have my pcp, gyn. ENT, rheumatologist on me everytime i see them. something is going on in my throat area and my pcp and ENT both asked several times about my smoking. they are scaring me now. i did read the other posts and got some really good ideas. i like the one about doing whatever you have to do. kick,scream,eat etc just DON"T smoke. i guess i never thought about it like that. i always worried is a candy bar would've taken the edge of i didn't do it because i am diabetic. so the last quit i really walked around feeling bad for myself. can't eat anything, can't smoke, don't drink. i guess it's time to just lay down adn give up. LOL ridiculous HUH?
Deda
07-26-2006, 10:12 PM
There you go, ICC...now you're talkin'! You have all the right ideas in mind...just don't think "go lay down and die"...okay? I know it is rough at first, and I did feel so dang deprived...if it makes you feel better, I couldn't eat junk either, as I was just diagnosed with hypothyroid, and if I ate even a candy bar, I'd gain a lb that day, (that I'd never lose forever) LOL
Try to think on a more positive note. Our mind is our greatest tool when we do quit...believe me. Think of all the positives you'll gain after you quit....more money, cleaner breath, whiter teeth, healthier teeth and gums, no more shame, no more stink, no more burns in carpet, furniture, no more cravings when it's 40 degrees outside, and every where you go you can't smoke...etc., etc., etc. Think, think, think...keep thinking , ALL THE TIME, of all of these positive, wonderful gains!! Oh yeah...how did I forget this big one...BETTER (over-all) HEALTH!!!!!!! :jester:
If you're having throat trouble..oh boy, quit now..or soon, girlfriend. Hope it all turns out okay with that cold nodule. Have you been checked for thyroid antibodies?? Mine are very, very high...(haven't had them checked tho since last Dec.), ...but smoking is known to raise increase them, too...that's all we need! Definitely bad for our health in every way, shape and form.
Who needs em'?????!!!!!! :dizzy:
Good luck!
Deda
Try to think on a more positive note. Our mind is our greatest tool when we do quit...believe me. Think of all the positives you'll gain after you quit....more money, cleaner breath, whiter teeth, healthier teeth and gums, no more shame, no more stink, no more burns in carpet, furniture, no more cravings when it's 40 degrees outside, and every where you go you can't smoke...etc., etc., etc. Think, think, think...keep thinking , ALL THE TIME, of all of these positive, wonderful gains!! Oh yeah...how did I forget this big one...BETTER (over-all) HEALTH!!!!!!! :jester:
If you're having throat trouble..oh boy, quit now..or soon, girlfriend. Hope it all turns out okay with that cold nodule. Have you been checked for thyroid antibodies?? Mine are very, very high...(haven't had them checked tho since last Dec.), ...but smoking is known to raise increase them, too...that's all we need! Definitely bad for our health in every way, shape and form.
Who needs em'?????!!!!!! :dizzy:
Good luck!
Deda
ICC
07-27-2006, 09:55 AM
deda---------all at the same time: HBP, diabetes, asthma, multiple food and respiratory allergies, the enlarged thyroid and now the swollen esophagus. I see the endo in august, the rheumatologist in august, the barium swallow tomorrow and the ENT for some other test on august 14th. on top of it all i was injured at work in May (neck,shoulder, back, knee, foot and ankle) WC denied my case so i'll lose my paycheck sometime in early october if WC doesn't pick this up soon. the majority of the time i just stay calm and know that God will work it all out. there is the occassional time that i start freaking out about something that is so unfair in this great system of ours. BUT "there will always be stress" of some sort. i had to laugh last night i said to my daughter------my last quit only lasted 3 1/2 months. my excuse to start again was that my brother-in-law pissed me off. Boy he is really suffering for my smoking now isn't he/ LOLyou're so right think, think, think and think somemore. i let others stress me out. need to get control over that.:)
jjules
07-27-2006, 06:58 PM
Hi ICC, I'm rooting for you-to quit smoking and for better health. Best of luck to ya! Jules;)
ICC
07-27-2006, 07:39 PM
thanks my friend-----------i think about it all day everyday. soon i will be sick of thinking and just do it.:wave:
Deda
07-27-2006, 10:44 PM
deda---------all at the same time: HBP, diabetes, asthma, multiple food and respiratory allergies, the enlarged thyroid and now the swollen esophagus. I see the endo in august, the rheumatologist in august, the barium swallow tomorrow and the ENT for some other test on august 14th. on top of it all i was injured at work in May (neck,shoulder, back, knee, foot and ankle) WC denied my case so i'll lose my paycheck sometime in early october if WC doesn't pick this up soon. the majority of the time i just stay calm and know that God will work it all out. there is the occassional time that i start freaking out about something that is so unfair in this great system of ours. BUT "there will always be stress" of some sort. i had to laugh last night i said to my daughter------my last quit only lasted 3 1/2 months. my excuse to start again was that my brother-in-law pissed me off. Boy he is really suffering for my smoking now isn't he/ LOLyou're so right think, think, think and think somemore. i let others stress me out. need to get control over that.:)
ICC....
YOU HAVE SURE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS. YOU ARE RIGHT THO...GOD WILL SEE YOU THROUGH IT ALL. I PRAY ABOUT ALL OF MY PROBLEMS ANYMORE...AND I WOULD'NT HAVE HAD THE STREGTH TO QUIT AS I DID, W/O HIS HELP.
I SURE HOPE YOU CAN GET YOUR WC. WHAT'S THE PROBLEM..WHEN YOU WERE INJURED AT WORK!? HELLOOOO?
I KNOW,...I USED TO USE ANY EXCUSE TO START UP SMOKING AGAIN....A FIGHT WITH MY HUBBY USUALLY SENT ME BACK...A BAD PMS DID IT A LOT TOO. LIFE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE FULL OF UPSETS AND PROBLEMS....SO NOW'S AS GOOD A TIME AS EVER. IT TOOK ME YEARS TO REALIZE THAT NO TIME WAS EVER GOING TO BE A "PERFECT TIME TO QUIT"...EVER. MY DAD JUST PASSED 2 MONTHS AGO, AND I NEVER EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT SMOKING AS A RESULT OF IT....GUESS I'M IN A GOOD PLACE WITH IT NOW, HUH? AND YOU WILL BE TOO ONE DAY...I JUST KNOW IT!
TAKE CARE GIRLFRIEND..
DEDA
ICC....
YOU HAVE SURE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS. YOU ARE RIGHT THO...GOD WILL SEE YOU THROUGH IT ALL. I PRAY ABOUT ALL OF MY PROBLEMS ANYMORE...AND I WOULD'NT HAVE HAD THE STREGTH TO QUIT AS I DID, W/O HIS HELP.
I SURE HOPE YOU CAN GET YOUR WC. WHAT'S THE PROBLEM..WHEN YOU WERE INJURED AT WORK!? HELLOOOO?
I KNOW,...I USED TO USE ANY EXCUSE TO START UP SMOKING AGAIN....A FIGHT WITH MY HUBBY USUALLY SENT ME BACK...A BAD PMS DID IT A LOT TOO. LIFE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE FULL OF UPSETS AND PROBLEMS....SO NOW'S AS GOOD A TIME AS EVER. IT TOOK ME YEARS TO REALIZE THAT NO TIME WAS EVER GOING TO BE A "PERFECT TIME TO QUIT"...EVER. MY DAD JUST PASSED 2 MONTHS AGO, AND I NEVER EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT SMOKING AS A RESULT OF IT....GUESS I'M IN A GOOD PLACE WITH IT NOW, HUH? AND YOU WILL BE TOO ONE DAY...I JUST KNOW IT!
TAKE CARE GIRLFRIEND..
DEDA
Deda
07-27-2006, 10:57 PM
thanks my friend-----------i think about it all day everyday. soon i will be sick of thinking and just do it.:wave:
Jules and ICC....
I have no doubt you both will quit..and succeed. You wouldn't keep coming back here if you didn't really want to.
Remember this....It's a little like jumping off the high-dive into the deep end of the pool for the first time when you were a kid...remember that???? You really wanted to...but were scared...afraid to...afraid you might not survive it? But then you finally jump off, after running to the edge, and changing your mind and running back to the other side of the board, over and over again!!?? Then when you FINALLY jump off,...you find out..."wow, it really wasn't THAT bad!!!"....I think I can keep doing this....let me keep doing this.
Quitting smoking is a lot like that. I was always afraid to smoke that very last cigarette and just dive in and quit. But then when I did....I found out, it really wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be...and I'm a lot stronger than I gave myself credit for...I think I can keep on doing this...step by step, one day at a time...minute by minute, if I have to.
Don't be afraid to just jump in.... :nono: I know you'll be surprised at yourself...I was. You wait...you'll see what I mean..
Best of luck to both of you!
Deda
PS~ I see more people on here from the thyroid boards....like all 3 of us. They have linked smoking with thyroid problems too.
Jules and ICC....
I have no doubt you both will quit..and succeed. You wouldn't keep coming back here if you didn't really want to.
Remember this....It's a little like jumping off the high-dive into the deep end of the pool for the first time when you were a kid...remember that???? You really wanted to...but were scared...afraid to...afraid you might not survive it? But then you finally jump off, after running to the edge, and changing your mind and running back to the other side of the board, over and over again!!?? Then when you FINALLY jump off,...you find out..."wow, it really wasn't THAT bad!!!"....I think I can keep doing this....let me keep doing this.
Quitting smoking is a lot like that. I was always afraid to smoke that very last cigarette and just dive in and quit. But then when I did....I found out, it really wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be...and I'm a lot stronger than I gave myself credit for...I think I can keep on doing this...step by step, one day at a time...minute by minute, if I have to.
Don't be afraid to just jump in.... :nono: I know you'll be surprised at yourself...I was. You wait...you'll see what I mean..
Best of luck to both of you!
Deda
PS~ I see more people on here from the thyroid boards....like all 3 of us. They have linked smoking with thyroid problems too.
ICC
07-28-2006, 09:02 AM
hi deda--------the WC deal is this. i have had 5 WC injuries with the same employer in 7 years. My job is very strenuous physically and mentally. It actually should be in the hands of a 25 year old man. My lifting requirement is 50 pounds pretty continually all day. plus being on my feet, running , walking and carrying heavy loads for the most part of the day. Have injred my back 3 x's, knee 2xs, ankle 2xs, now we can add my neck and shoulder. Employer knows what i do and knows i was injured again. but still they turned it down even though they have agreed that some of these injuries are re-injuries that they have already paid on. I believe what's happening is that the employer is trying to get rid of all of us over 50 who have had multiple back and knee injuries. there is no way any of us can do our jobs and not re-injure. there is too much continual lifting. On top of that i believe he has wanted to eliminate my job for years. They have already paid one woman off and are trying to pay another off. 5 Comp injuries in one department in the same bldg. tells me something is wrong. I can always go on Retirement disability through my pension and that will help the financial problem but i am the benefit carrier in the family and have too many personal health problems to go without insurance. COBRA will cost an arm and a leg. Can i go back to my job? never!!! i don't think i would walk out the next time. too much damage at this point. It's scary at my age to have had a job for 20 years and now be face with termination because i was injured. I have a great attorney and hopefully this will be turned around soon. i give my deposition in august right in the middle of my endo and rheumatologist visits. plus 4 days before is the 9th anniversary of my daughters death. Hopefully i will be of sound mind by the time i give the deposition becasue it all sits on my memory and testimony. ok i have bored you enough for now but i'm sure i have more to tell. sometimes people ask me how i go on and to be honest without God in my life i wouldn't. It's very overwhelming at times. i am trying to look at this in a wasy that " i am exactley where God wants me to be" "if He gives it to you He will see you through it". My family has seen a big change since i was injured this time in that things that would have really set me off i walk away from now. Don't sweat the small things. No job, no amount of money, no person who judges me is worth a hill of beans to me right now. I have to get well physically and mentally.:blob_fire