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1. givemestrength

   

   4 posts
   Registered:
   18 Mar 2024
   18 Mar

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   Hello community, I'm battling with "is it worth it to quit?". I feel like crap finally, cant really breathe great and I used to be very fit, high blood pressure, headaches. I want to be able to be active agian, but I'm almost 60 and doubting I can feel much better. I always said when I feel bad, I will quit. But what will happen to all of my smoke dates? That's what my friends and I do. We get coffee and smokes and catch up. I'm reading "easy way to quit smoking" again. It helped once before. I get so depressed when I think about quitting. A cigarette was my reward, now what reward can I use for not having any? I'm so mad at myself. 
   Grateful to find the community.
2. sarah, quit coach

   

   231 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   19 Mar in reply to givemestrength

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   Dear givemestrength - 
   Thank you for sharing such an honest viewpoint of what its like to consider making a new quit attempt. Surely others have had a similar experience, feeling pulled in two different directions when it comes to their smoking.
   You have reasons to quit, but also feel you might miss smoking as a reward and/or a way to socialize. 
   Rather than quitting all at once, sometimes people start making smaller, more manageable size change, so to avoid it feeling so overwhelming. 
   Is there somewhere you might want to 'make change' with your smoking in your daily or weekly life as a start?
   Thank you again for your post
   Sarah
3. givemestrength

   

   4 posts
   Registered:
   18 Mar 2024
   20 Mar in reply to sarah, quit coach

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   Hi Sarah, Thanks for the support and opportunity to bounce some ideas around. I find in other areas of life, I do well with setting "rules" for myself. Perhaps starting with the rule that I am not allowed smoke breaks at work. Then add rules as they are accepted by my brain. LOL. The quit smoking book is very comforting by showing me that withdrawl symptoms are not scarey. They are actually quite mild. I will survive.  
4. jb63

   

   118 posts
   Registered:
   28 Feb 2022
   21 Mar

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   Best of luck give me strength 
   This is a great place for info and advice. I also was almost 60 when I quit. It was the hardest thing I have done but the most rewarding. It gets easier every day. I just looked and I quit 752 days ago. I hit my 60 th birthday last July and feel great. 
   Best advice.  NOPE.  Not one puff ever. 
   keep posting it really helped me 
5. karen, quit coach

   

   64 posts
   Registered:
   09 Nov 2022
   21 Mar in reply to jb63

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   Hi jb63,
   
   Congratulations on being smokefree for 752 days! What an incredible accomplishment! Glad to hear that you are doing so well and feeling so healthy. Keep that mantra NOPE going!
   
   Warm regards,
   Karen, Quit Coach
6. theavonlady

   

   18 posts
   Registered:
   24 Nov 2019
   24 Mar

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   I am back again:  Tried quitting in 2019 and obviously I wasn't ready.  I have terrible brain fog, headaches, my ability to concentrate sucks at times and this is affecting me at work. I smoke a bunch before work!  Hyped up on nicotine by 8 am.   I don't smoke at work but i am in rush to get in my car at the end of the day and get that first smoke and then smoke till bed time!     I just got laid off and was able to get another job. I thought no one would hire a 56 yr old. But I was lucky and I need to do a good job and be totally focused at this new job.  I feel like crap most days, and this ball and chain around my fingers needs to go.  Tomorrow is my quit day.  I do have my nicotine patches(Step 2)  but then again, I am going to work with nicotine in my system :(   
   
7. mrcookiedough

   

   8 posts
   Registered:
   26 Mar 2024
   26 Mar in reply to givemestrength

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   I'm not sure if my suggestion will work. It could help *you*, but it may put a little bit of a crimp in your smoking get-togethers.
   
   Instead of the cig, could you maybe try a nicorette? It will supply you with the nicotine, especially the 4mg ones.
   
   Only thing makes me wonder is how your smoking friends will take it. Will they feel like you're being somehow sanctimonious or self righteous or whatever? How can you reassure them that this is just something you're doing for yourself, no reflection on their habit or them personally.
   
   I suppose it's like fitting in with one's  (social) drinking friends after one quits drinking.
   
   Best of luck to you. I'm day 2 with nics.
8. jrs

   

   1 posts
   Registered:
   02 May 2024
   02 May

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   Hello, new member here. I'm going to try and quit again, but am scared. Last time I quit I went into a deep depression. Has anyone else had this problem? If so how did u deal with it?
9. emily, quit coach

   

   255 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   02 May

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   Hi jrs, 
   
   Welcome to Smokers' Helpline Online! It's great to have you here with us. 
   
   I know the possible withdrawals when quitting can be a little scary. Despite that, you're still very much wanting to go smoke free. I can hear how important this is to you. 
   
   Have you connected with your health care provider about quitting smoking? It could be helpful to let them know what you experienced in your last quit. They can be a great support in this journey and offer some recommendations/suggestions. 
   
   Emily