Mee

I have been quit 2 and 1/2 years. I smoked for 42 years. I also have anxiety issues and diagnosed with panic disorder. Smoking does not help your anxiety and only makes it worse. As you continue your quit, you will find improvement with your anxiety. There is also medication you can take. I have been on it for years. It is far better to take medication than to smoke a joint to self medicate. I think you definitely should consult a heart doctor because the heart is nothing to fool with. Not smoking is the best thing to do for your health. It does not take long being quit, before you start feeling the benefits. Keep that wonderful quit going.

Welcome blissvixen. Hang tough, you really have been through the tough part already. The nicotine is out of your system. Your addict brain is just messing with you. Every time you power through your craves, the stronger you become. Check in with your physician to make sure there aren't any health issues and give your body time to heal.

I don't know Dogbelly, we use a GPS when we travel in our RV and the "lady in the box" has sent us the wrong way many of the times. You sound like quite the avdventurer with your off-roading.

@Dogbelly your doing great. I have found myself very discouraged in our world lately. I am so glad to hear such a heartwarming story. Sounds to me like you have made a wonderful new friend. Hope your jeep is easy to repair.

C'mon Kdad. You can do it. You were my quit buddy. Don't make me come find you with Doreen's frying pan. You need to just hop back on the train and get this quit going.

Hi Judi. Welcome, I just noticed you have joined. Put all the negatives away because you can do this. The more you power through your craves, the stronger you will get. Stay close and make us your new obsession. There is lots of support and friendship here! You can do this.

Congrats Angeleek. Celebrate your smokefree life!

Way to go Bat. Seven years is awesome!

Did you say party?

That section of America! Isn't that where the rednecks reside?

I was a complete closet smoker. I was very humiliated by the fact that I smoked. Many co-workers must of thought I was a snob because I was careful not to get too close after sneaking a smoke! Over time, I opted to stay home rather than worry about sneaking a cigarette. Freedom from this addiction is wonderful!

Exactly! Don't let it control you anymore. So glad you have decided to quit and joined the forum. We have all been where you are at and understand the addiction. Stay close and let us help cheer you along. I am chuckling at your name and wondering if you have one of those dogs that immediately rolls over and expects a tummy rub!

Have loved following your journey. I am so looking forward to the big Lido celebration!

I would also like to add why I joined this forum to quit smoking. I had tried every possible way to quit smoking. Hypnosis, nicotine gum and lozenges and a smoking cessation program with the famous Cleveland Clinic. Nothing worked and I continued to smoke. I became very ashamed, more isolated and depressed. The day I found this forum, I was desperately searching for someway to quit. I started lurking and reading as much as I could. The members here had a way of pulling you in. They made me laugh, something I hadn't done in a long time. They seemed to know me and my heart. As I travelled the journey with them, they helped me peel away the layers of self hate and doubt and made sure I knew I was strong enough. Let me tell you, I hung close and made new friendships that were all over the world. Today, I am smoke free and so much a different person than the one that landed here two years ago. I am strong and confident and loving life smoke free!

She looks beautiful. She doesn't look that gray in the face. Our longest living dog was 14 and we were carrying her inside and out.

Welcome Deb. I was a 42 year smoking addict and only found success quitting after finding this forum. Here, you will find plenty of information, support, humor and friendship. At day 3, you almost have the nicotine out of your system and will find you just have to power through the craves. You can do this!

Welcome Carla! So glad you found this forum. A Smoking addiction is such a terrible waste of money and life. I smoked for 42 years before I landed here and was able to quit. Stay close to the forum and get to know the wonderful people here. We all would love to see you find your way to freedom.

Yay for day 1! Just keep marching forward and don't look back. Each day you gain without a cigarette will make you stronger and more powerful. You can do this!

Wow hellkatbaby! I have missed hearing from you and wondered how well you were doing. Congratulations on your 7 months quit!

I'm not laughing at the situation but this is too funny! I would be freaking if this happened so much. Fluffyduck, you sure have a house full! Great job not caving to the stress!

Yes! It took me 42 years to find out it was quite simple. Everyone can do it. Just hop on board this wonderful train!

Yay fluffyduck. Keep moving forward and don't look back!

Way to go ksmooth!. So glad you quit is going well. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too.

Fluffyduck, you spoke before about having anxiety. I think that people with anxiety tend to be overthinkeres (I am one). We continually get stuck on the "what if" of situations and replay them over and over in our minds. Unfortunately, that only keeps us in the unsettling moment and leads to constant tension. As you travel your journey, you will become stronger and gain confidence in your decisions. Once I had the power to quit, I found that power spilled over in all aspects of my life. Just like changing your thoughts toward a crave, you can change your overthinking thoughts. Keep that wonderful quit going. You are getting stronger!

Don't overthink it fluffyduck. It is just a matter of changing your routine to not include smoking. Stay busy! You can do this.