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1. mich67

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   26 Jan 2020
   29 Jan 2020

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   Not sure where to start...i have been very sick for two weeks a flare up from copd been pretty sick..dizziness very dry mouth that worries me, lost a lot of weight and no appetite.  Now i have been on antibiotics and starting to feel better in the lungs, i can breathe better.  As i sit here babbling away thinking will i ever quit smoking when i know i need to asap.  Right now i have a holter monitor on for 48hrs due to racing heart and high blood preasure.  The dry mouth concerns me.  So my question is this i have patches and gum but i am worried if the side effects because of my health right now also is it safe for my body to go cold turkey.  Any help is needed as iam very scared i am only 53 and been smoking for 33yrs.
2. emily, quit coach

   

   255 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   29 Jan 2020

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   Hi Mich67,
   
   I'm sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling well. It sounds like quitting smoking will greatly benefit your health. 
   
   With the health concerns that you're going through it may be helpful to meet with a pharmacist to discuss quitting and the products that would be safe for you to use. I'm sure that they can provide a lot of information based on how much you smoke and any medications that you're taking. 
   
   Getting started on a quit can be scary, but you are not in this alone. We will all be here for you so please feel free to post as often as you need. 
   
   All the best,
   Emily
3. mich67

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   26 Jan 2020
   29 Jan 2020

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   Thank you for responding. I have 2mg of the gum and patch step 3...i only smoke 15 to 20 a day sometimes less if iam busy working.  Right now i amoff work and very bored so i light up.   My quit date is this friday i was going to wake up and try cold turkey but use the gum if needed. And see how that works and possibly put the patch on which is the step 3. If needed .  As well i plan on changing my morning routine to help.   I am scared to go through withdraw as i have been sick and still trying to get better. Some people say withdraw was not bad for them rather the cravings were...for me i thinknis opposite.  Five yrs ago my husband went cold turkey and never lit again he tells me for 2 weeks he felt very sick and lethargic from withdraw..i am scared to go through that as some people say nicotine is a drug and sometimes going cold turkey can be hard on the body  and cause a heart attack etc... has anyone ever had that happen to them.  Thanks
4. efram, quit coach

   

   243 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   29 Jan 2020

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   Hi mich 67,
   
   I'm glad that you're planning to quit soon, so you can start to heal. This goes for your lungs (no more hot smoke particles) and your heart! Once you've quit your heart won't have to work so hard (no more carbon monoxide) and your circulation will improve. By quitting you greatly lessen your chance of heart attack or stroke.
   
   About withdrawals: many have similar concerns, for sure. As with your husband, withdrawal can make someone lethargic for a while because the body needs energy to heal. It can be harder to fend off an infection for a little while for the same reason. Thankfully, as time goes by and healing happens people often find that they have more energy and more ability to fend off infections as non-smokers.
   
   Nicotine gum and patches are designed specifically to help reduce withdrawals and cravings while you learn to be a non-smoker. As Emily advised, your health professional would be best suited to advise whether these options would be recommended for you with your current health concerns. If so, they could also help make sure that you get the most out of these products.
   
   I hope that this helps. I know this isn't an easy time for you, but I think you're off to a good start already! You're reaching out for support, planning ahead for your quit date, and working hard to improve your health.
   
   Best wishes for better health,
   Efram
   
5. justfortoday

   

   168 posts
   Registered:
   12 Aug 2019
   29 Jan 2020 in reply to mich67

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   Hi mich67,
   
   I'm sorry you are in a rough place right now. And I know how scary it is to think about quitting and how hard it is going to be. 
   
   But it sounds like you're preparing and coming here is a great place for support. 
   
   Something that helped me in the early days was switching my focus from "this is too hard ... I can't do it", to "this is hard and I'm doing it!" 
   
   I never, ever, thought I could quit ... I cant remember a time in my life when I didn't smoke ... but in one week I get to celebrate five months smoke free. 
   
   You can do this. 
   
   Keep us posted on your progress .
   
   
6. 2020vision

   

   20 posts
   Registered:
   09 Jan 2020
   31 Jan 2020 in reply to justfortoday

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   Hi justfortoday,
   
   Your posts have been inspirational to many of us here, thanks!
   
   Coming up to five months is so great, congratulations, it is such an accomplishment!!  I too cannot remember a time in my life that I didn't smoke (except when I have attempted to quit - this is my third "true" attempt), I am 53, and started smoking at 15, so I smoked for a couple of years, lol.  I say "smoked", as I am very determined that this is my last quit.
   
   Can you please let us know how you are feeling now as you come up to five months, how are your cravings, how often, etc.  I know for me personally (day 26 today), and I am sure for others who are at the beginning of their journey, or like mich67, deciding when to quit, it would be very helpful.  Thanks so much!