Fear motivated me to quit

want2livelong

18 posts
Registered:
22 Feb 2020

22 Feb 2020

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Hi all,
I have been thinking about quitting for a long time, but never really mustered up the courage. Earlier this week I saw my GP because of a sore/ulcer in my mouth that has me in a panic. I am terrified. I quit the next day (Feb 20), using nicotine gum and vaping. I have to go for a biopsy, though the GP thinks it's nothing too serious, but people don't go for biopsies for no reason. I am now in a state of shock and perpetual anxiety. I needed to connect with a group that I could turn to in moments of cravings, and to find comfort somehow in the unknown. I see that vaping is not recommended, so I am going to have to figure out if I should switch to the patch. Thanks in advance for any words of encouragement.

treepeo1

255 posts
Registered:
06 Feb 2020

Answered

23 Feb 2020 in reply to want2livelong

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Hi want2livelong,

Welcome to Smoker's Helpline. This is a wonderful community, and you will get lots of suggestions and support here.

Firstly, I want to say that I hope your biopsy results are good, and that you have no serious problems. I know it's hard, but try to relax. Worrying won't change the results either way.

No matter what happens with the biopsy, you are making the right decision to quit smoking. It is one nasty habit, and causes nothing but health problems. But I would not recommend vaping. There have been so many news stories about the dangers of vaping, and why replace one bad habit with another. These days there is gum, the patch, and quick mist. Or you can try going cold turkey. Whatever you think will work best for you.

I would also suggest that you read the information on this site, and do the questionnaires. I don't know about you, but I smoked for over 43 years and I had no idea how to go about quitting. I found the information on this site invaluable. I got lots of suggestions about how to quit, and I did just that, cold turkey, 3 years ago. So I am proof positive that it is possible to quit, no matter how long you have smoked.

Try to avoid triggers. If someone you know is going to smoke, try to move away from them.

You may need to change some of your routines. So if you normally had a coffee and a cigarette in the morning, maybe switch to tea. Or take the time you normally spent on smoking to do something else, like cooking eggs for breakfast. Anything to change it up.

Breathe deeply, drink lots of water to help rid your body of toxins, and distract yourself.

Sometimes we need a wake up call to change our life. It sounds like you got yours. Jump on this chance to change your life for the better. You deserve to lead a smoke free life.

justfortoday

168 posts
Registered:
12 Aug 2019

Answered

23 Feb 2020 in reply to want2livelong

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Hi there want2livelong,

First of all, welcome and congratulations on your decision to quit.

I'm sorry you are going through a scary time right now and I'm sending you all my support. Coming here is a great start and certainly played a huge role in my own success.

Finding what works to get you through the first few days/ weeks may take some time, but try not to worry about about the big picture. Just take it an hour at a time. Small chunks of time is much more manageable.

I smoked for over 40 years and to be honest, quitting smoking was something that terrified me. I had to "fight" for my quit and almost six months later I know it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. AND I know now I can face any challenge head on because quitting smoking has empowered me to believe in my own ability.

I agree with treepeo. If you can stay away from vaping and find another method, maybe that would be best. I tried cold turkey but only lasted a few days. After speaking with my GP I went on the patch for the first four and a half months. For me it worked.

Again, please know we are here for you. Keep us posted on your progress.

heab

15 posts
Registered:
06 Feb 2019

23 Feb 2020 in reply to justfortoday

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Hi justfortoday- Kit here- my username may come up as heab - as that was my first user name when I joined this amazing group almost a year ago( one of my pets name as a kid) When I rejoined the group as I relapsed for a few months I used Kit as user name.
I am having a terrible time getting on to smokers help line. Days it works- days it doesn't. Tried calling different numbers - have not had any luck- I did see on Face Book Page others were having difficulty as well. Wondering if you have any ideas or suggestions or have heard of others who have ?
I have been ok. Almost 4 months smoke free. Some days it feels effortless and other days it can be a struggle.
Many days pass without a craving- then a craving comes along and its STRONG- Just ride it out,,,
Hope all is well- Kit

treepeo1

255 posts
Registered:
06 Feb 2020

23 Feb 2020 in reply to heab

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Hi kit,

I was locked out for a long time because I sign in through Facebook, and apparently they changed their permissions, which has caused many of us to be locked out of this site. I emailed SH and one of their techs created a somewhat new name and password for me so I could log on. I am sure they can do the same for you.

So glad to hear you have been smoke free for 4 months. I know that the cravings can hit you out of the blue. That's why you can never be complacent. You always have to be prepared and ready to do battle. But fortunately, the cravings will diminish as time goes on. They usually won't be as strong, and they won't last as long. You just have to hang tough.

jenna lee, quit coach

265 posts
Registered:
28 Jun 2018

Answered

24 Feb 2020

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Hi everyone,

Sorry about these technical difficulties you are posting about. Please don't hesitate to call us at 1-866-641-7675 or emails us at SHLsupport@cancer.ca for assistance.

Hi want2livelong,

The silver lining of this dark cloud of the biopsy is you will be making the absolute best decision for your future health by quitting. Like treepeo says, no matter the result, this decision will be for the better. Great to hear you are doing your research about which quit products are going to work best for you.

Jenna Lee

want2livelong

18 posts
Registered:
22 Feb 2020

29 Feb 2020 in reply to treepeo1

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Thank you treepeo for your kind words. I am day 9 now, smoke-free!! It is actually getting easier every day. I still sit waiting for the appointment with the ENT but it is giving me time to reflect on how important it is for me to live a healthier life. This, indeed, was my wake up call. I won't let it go to waste. Thanks again for your comments.

want2livelong

18 posts
Registered:
22 Feb 2020

29 Feb 2020 in reply to jenna lee, quit coach

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Hi Jenna Lee,
Thank you for your post. I really appreciate the support. It's a bit of a scary time, not knowing what's going on. I don't do well with uncertainty. But I have made my quit a certainty - and now am on day 9 of living smoke-free. It is surprisingly easier than I thought it would be - albeit, I still intermittently use the patch and the gum. I find if I just get busy doing something, it takes my mind off of the cravings. And the cravings don't last long - only a few seconds or minutes. Quitting is the best thing I have done for myself in as long as I can remember.

want2livelong

18 posts
Registered:
22 Feb 2020

29 Feb 2020 in reply to heab

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Thank you Kit. Every bit of encouragement helps. Keep up the fabulous journey of quitting. I can't wait to be 4 months into this. I already notice that I don't cough anymore in the morning and I am only 9 days smoke-free!

want2livelong

18 posts
Registered:
22 Feb 2020

29 Feb 2020 in reply to justfortoday

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Hi justfortoday,

Thank you for your support. I don't know what it means to quit cold turkey. Does that mean, no gum, no patch? I don't think I can do that. I would rather chew a piece of gum than fall back into smoking. I only chew about 5 pieces a day or less and try to switch to just regular mint gum throughout the day to trick my brain into thinking it is nicorette gum and this works too. I'll probably get TMJ from chewing so much gum lol but that's better than the alternative.
I will keep you posted and I thank you so much for your kind words. Take care

want2livelong

18 posts
Registered:
22 Feb 2020

21 Mar 2020

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Great News! I am healthy, no concern about cancer, all healthy tissue. Saw a specialist and he said everything is normal! AND.... I have stayed smoke-free for just over 1 month now! I'm extremely relieved that all is well. And it WAS the fear that motivated me to quit. Every time I get a craving, I remind myself of how that fear felt and how I don't want to experience that kind of anxiety ever again. My cravings have been pretty big over the last couple of days actually. I've been using NRT and I find that the gum really does help when I am struggling.
Just wanted to give an update on this scenario to share my success and keep connected to the support network that I still feel I need. Cheers

jenna lee, quit coach

265 posts
Registered:
28 Jun 2018

22 Mar 2020 in reply to want2livelong

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want2livelong,

What great news! Thanks for sharing with us. Sometimes, unfortunately, it takes a good scare in order to quit. Good for you for turning it into a positive thing and look at you now! Over 1 month smoke-free.

It is great to hear that you and finding the nrt gum helpful.

We are here for you,

Jenna Lee

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