Any miserable, freaked out smokers here??

strummedout · Post by **strummedout** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 2:32 pm

Okay so here is my story (the short version)

So last november I started kind of getting anxious about the fact that I had hit the ten year mark in my smoking career. I started "googling" emphysema, lung cancer, heart disease etc. I became obsessed and eventually had my first full-blown panic attack while driving to meet my study group (all of whom smoked). I thought I was dying, I couldn't breathe, and I couldn't pull the car over. Had plenty of tests, been to specialists, and the ER enough times to know that I have panic disorder and not emphysema...yet.

It has been a nightmare ever since. I keep torturing myself by quitting and than starting back up again. I know that the smoking is making my anxiety worse and WILL eventually kill me. I just need to bite the bullet and start kickin' butts for good. Anyone else in the same boat? Smoking sucks:(

Chelsea

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:41 am

I smoke so I know what you are going through. My quit date is Jan,31. I am currently working with the Ohio tabacco quit line to help me with this. I know how tough this can be but pick a date and stick with it. Also get all the support that you can. I am a nurse so I know what this is doing to my body. I will help you in anyway that I can. Good Luck

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:13 am

chelsea-just wanted to say it has been hard also for me. Short version is I have been quitting on and off the past year. I am determined to quit though and they do say you just have to keep trying. Try to last as long as you can without a cigarette. This way you can cut back and if you can cut back and see that maybe you only have 4 or 5 all day that you can give it up. I am going to try Chantix and I know its going to help. It helped my Mom to quit. I had used the patch, but used in past too so I think it did not help this time. Just keep at it with a positive attitude and do not knock yourself because that will make you keep smoking. Wolverine

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:20 am

I know how the 2 of you feel , I have smoked for about 10 years now (I hate to say that) ! And in the past I have tried to quit many times! I just want you to know that you are not alone in this battle maybe we can even make asort of support group to help each other quit for good!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:18 am

I can relate. I started smoking 14 years ago (oh man, has it been that long?!) I quit once (really quit) but then started back up again a few years later when I was drunk. This time around, it was my anxiety that made me quit. I came to the conclusion that this anxiety is so horrible and that ANY stress on my body that I can get rid of, I'm going to do it. I figured that smoking was a big stress on my body so I stopped. I felt like I was doing something that was going to get rid of my anxiety.

I've found that you have to be absolutely ready to quit...and you will know when that time comes. It's easy to tell the difference between a real quit and a half-assed quit.

Just keep trying and don't beat yourself up if you slip. It is, in fact, an addiction. If it was easy, everyone would quit. Give yourself praise for every day...every time you want to smoke and don't.

Next Saturday will be 12 weeks since I've smoked (see, it's possible!).

I keep referring back to this and it always makes me feel motivated to keep going:

AFTER QUITTING, YOUR BODY BEGINS TO REPAIR ITSELF AS SOON AS YOU STOP SMOKING

20 minutes after quittting...
blood pressure and pulse rates drop to normal, and temperature to hands and feet return to normal.

8 hours after quitting…
carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal and oxygen level increases.

24 hours after quitting…
the chance of heart attack decreases.

2 weeks-3 months after quitting…
circulation improves and lung function increases up to 30%.

1-9 months after quitting…
coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease; cilia regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection.

1 year after quitting…
The chance of having a heart attack is cut in half.

5 years after quitting…
stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker.

10 years after quitting…
lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker’s. Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney. And pancreas decreases.

15 years after quitting…
coronary heart disease risk is that of a nonsmoker.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:30 am

Originally posted by medgrl:
I smoke so I know what you are going through. My quit date is Jan,31. I am currently working with the Ohio tabacco quit line to help me with this. I know how tough this can be but pick a date and stick with it. Also get all the support that you can. I am a nurse so I know what this is doing to my body. I will help you in anyway that I can. Good Luck

Thanks Medgrl for your response! Oh man, as a nurse you probably see what smoking does to people all the time. I'll let you know when I set my quit date. We can do this!

~Chelsea

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:32 am

Originally posted by Wolverine:
chelsea-just wanted to say it has been hard also for me. Short version is I have been quitting on and off the past year. I am determined to quit though and they do say you just have to keep trying. Try to last as long as you can without a cigarette. This way you can cut back and if you can cut back and see that maybe you only have 4 or 5 all day that you can give it up. I am going to try Chantix and I know its going to help. It helped my Mom to quit. I had used the patch, but used in past too so I think it did not help this time. Just keep at it with a positive attitude and do not knock yourself because that will make you keep smoking. Wolverine

Hey Wolverine!

Yes we can do this! I am currently trying to cut back and changing my attitude about smoking. I hate it and it is hurting me and making my anxiety worse! It's addiction, man.

~Chelsea

Malikye · Post by **Malikye** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:38 am

I have been smoking for30 years now. I feel like it calms me down but maybe it is just the opposite. What do all you smokers think?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:49 am

Originally posted by anmlluver:
I know how the 2 of you feel , I have smoked for about 10 years now (I hate to say that) ! And in the past I have tried to quit many times! I just want you to know that you are not alone in this battle maybe we can even make asort of support group to help each other quit for good!

Sounds good. We totally need to support one another in all aspects of our recovery from anxiety and that includes freedom from smoking. Thanks and good luck!!

~Chelsea

Antonio Osorio · Post by **Antonio Osorio** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:51 am

Thanks Missgsr!

Congrats on 12 weeks! That is fabulous. Are you noticing any improvements physically and anxiety-wise since quitting? Keep up the good work and I'll be there soon too:)

Chelsea