Well here's my story of stopping smoking.
Before Christmas I went down with a chest infection that cleared up but then left me with tracheitis which was worse than any chest infection. Muddled my way through Christmas and New Year but come 2 Jan knew I wasn't right so went back to the Dr who sent me for a chest X Ray.
Whilst all this was going on I was still smoking but had cut down to 5 per day - but really shouldn't have been having any - some days I managed less other days maybe a couple more.
However after another course of antibiotics and still having this tight chest and pain in the back ended up again going back to the Dr. When I saw him last week he said that my X Ray results showed that my lungs were inflated all the time and although I will recover from this (think it will take time) if I stop now I should be OK and no permanent damage will be done and I should go back to how I was before all this started. If I don't stop he told me I would definitely end up with COPD. The woman who took the X Ray although she knew I was a smoker, said if she hadn't been told she would have guessed!
So I have been shocked now into stopping and for me it's been 7 days with no cigs and I can honestly say I've not missed them. Find it strange I haven't craved one, haven't even thought of one, not turning to food as a substitute - nothing - isn't that weird (my partner smokes and I don't even want one when he lights up). No tetchniness - nothing. Can't think I'm having any withdrawal signs at all but maybe the cutting down before hand has helped.
So my story is I've been shocked into it - I only wish I had stopped years ago now because I tell you when the Dr told me the results of my Chest X Ray last week I got the biggest fright of my life. Such a pity that it's taken this to finally make me stop. He said there was no masses, no lumps, no disease and no cancers so I think I've been lucky and given a second chance which I'm going to take with all my heart I can tell you. All I want is now for the current tight chest etc. to go. And I can honestly say I have never ever felt so ill in all my life as I have done the last couple of months - I've now been off work since the beginning of December.
Just wanted to share my story. But one thing for sure is I will never ever again smoke - just wish I had listened to everyone who said I should stop. But I never had a cough, could exercise without problems but for me it's the unseen damage that you don't know about and if I hadn't got this chest infection and had to go for an X Ray I probably would still be smoking but ended up a very sick old lady.
To say nothing about the amount of money you save!
Hope this story might just inspire others to quit.
Hi Janet - I have sent you some Reiki to try to help you get over your chest problem and to give you the positive outcome you are looking for in giving up the evil weed.
Very well done in stopping, I am in my 12th week and it is getting easier now.
Keep it up and if you ever need a boost then post on here!
Well done Janet :045:
I know how hard it can be I'm an ex smoker too.
You mention in your post about your partner smoking and lighting up in front of you, it may be best if with your illness that they don't smoke near you. May be have a new rule no smoking in the house, I've made that rule and boy you soon notice on how nice your house smells, lovely and fresh.
Good luck for the future
Cis
Graham
Would I have any symptoms from the Reiki.
I only ask because today my chest does feel better (strangely enough) but I've had some really weird symptoms like really bad neck, arm and back pain, cold chills (when the temps are really quite warm today), headache and just a general feeling of "feeling off". Would this be from the Reiki and if so how long will it last. Will the bad bits go by tomorrow? So for now please don't send me any more healing!
Thanks for the messages of support. I'm doing great without the cigs - no cravings whatsoever.
Jan
Graham
Tell me more about Reiki and what it can heal - heard of it but never experienced it before so I'm quite curious.
Also if you do have a reaction to a healing does this happen every time or just the first one? Really curious actually as my chest does feel better so could it be from what you sent me?
Thank Janet
Hi
Well it's been two weeks past Tuesday since I had my last ciggie and I've not craved one, wanted one, missed one - nothing - don't even think about them now and I cannot believe how easy I've found it.
Needless to say my GP on Wednesday was over the moon that I've finally quit and I know for sure I will never ever go back on them - can't - because I don't want this chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that I will definitely get if I do!
Saving loads of money too and I haven't turned to food or sweets in place of the cigs - so pleased about that as that was one of the things that always worried me that I would gain weight by eating instead of smoking.
Am I unusual in finding this stopping smoking so easy - or is it a case of because of the health scare it's frightened me silly (which it has done)! One wonders?!
My GP said it could take 6 months for my lungs to get rid of the junk that the ciggies have put in them - is that correct?
Oh also he mentioned I'd have a cough - well I haven't got a cough - never did have one when I smoked - the only thing is my voice gets a bit husky now and then - and that's it so can cope with that!
Hi Janet
Congratulations to you, what a great achievement 🙂
Such an inspiring story Janet. Congratulations on your achievement :p
Thanks Fleur and Health Option - there's nothing like a health scare to make you stop I can tell you and although I was one of the lucky ones that said my chest didn't have any disease, masses, lumps or cancer it scared the hell out of me to be told that the nurse knew by my lungs (even if the Dr hadn't told her) that I was a smoker and that they were inflated all the time. Because my lungs weren't going in and out all the time like normal lungs that is why I've had really bad breathing problems for over two months. I've been off work since the beginning of December, had a rotten Christmas and never ever have I been so ill the last two months. But thankfully my breathing is back to normal now - it seems like it's been so long to have this horrible breathing and pain constantly in my back that I don't know what normal is any more.
All I can say is when the Dr told me that if I didn't quit I'd definitely end up with COPD I was really freaked out about it and I really did get a fright so I hate to think the state I would have been in if he had said there was cancer there. So I do feel pretty lucky and feel I've been given a second chance.
For me the last two months have been a living nightmare and I hope that I never ever have to go through anything like it again - and all due to smoking.
Thing is if I hadn't got this chest infection in December, because I didn't have a cough or any breathlessness I wold have still been smoking and I hate to think what the future would have held for me
Hey Janet - I have PM'd you
Update - 6 weeks on Wednesday without a cigarette or a lapse. Don't even think about them anymore but one thing - wish someone told me about the withdrawal symptoms you get from going cold turkey - never ever ever ever want to go through that again but coming out the otherside now - yeh - success!!!!
Well done you! I am on week 4 now and I have to say I have found it easy too. The initial 4 days were really hard, but after that I have felt ok. I am now addicted to exercise though which I guess is a healthier addiction so I dont mind. I have actually lost weight and toned up as a result!!
I dreamt last night I was smoking, and was so releived this morning when I woke up and realised it was just a dream!
We deserve a pat on the back I think! I had a facial on friday to reward myself and hydrate my skin! x
Well done Angel Cakes - it's nice not smelling the cigarettes on you now - and we do deserve a big pat on the back. My partner is still smoking and it's only since I've stopped that I sort of think now "he smokes a lot" and I probably smoked more than him.
How have you done it - cold turkey or patches and what sort of withdrawal symptoms have you experienced?
Has your appetite increased at all?
Well done Janet, you are doing really well! And well done too to Angel Cakes. I am now approaching 17 weeks.
Yes - I have put weight on! Will deal with that in due course.
Big pat on the back all round!
Hi Graham
Well done to you too - you deserve a big pat on the back also. So your appetite increased but I suppose once you get used to not smoking you can tackle the extra weight. Feel my appetite may have increased a little - any ideas how long this lasts?
So you must be feeling so much better health wise since quitting?