General Chat

Alaina I will come back and read that on Monday - don't wanna know until then !!! Maz. XX

Yes it's the facts we need to know. Scarey, hey imagine what it's doing to our bodies.

Maz Ok, I was going to say don't be a wimp read it lol Not nice anyway and another reason to add to the list of why we need to quit! Did you notice Genes removed Dora's comments? A xx

Hi Irishgirl Didn't see you there! Hows the preparation going? The more I read about it the more I want to just stop right now but I know if I do it today I'll fail coz I've set my date and I'll be 100% commited by then

Yes Alaina, I've noticed it is gone - dunno if Genes did it (on Good Friday?) or whether Dora came back and did it herself. Either way, I'm glad! Yes, no point starting until Monday now - if we get our 'heads' right we will sail through it * tries to convince herself that's true * !! Maz. XX

<(o|o)> Just looking

Maz! We will and even if we slip up and are honest about it, it won't be a problem, we'll just start again!

was just going to say Julie hasn't looked in on us for a while lol How are you hun?

you're an inspiration to us all ;-))) Maz. XX nite nite girls, I'm off now !

Im very good thank you, and yourself ? I can see you're all ready for Monday. I can't believe i'll be going into my 5th week. Julie xx

Nite nite Maz see ya tomorrow Sorry Julie i got sidetracked again, I've had a connection today with a guy called Mike, he just pm'd to tell me we are 4th cousins twice removed I'm so chuffed I just had to mail him back he's been so helpful! Well done on your 5th week, I've smoked nearly 20 today but I can feel it though my lungs are hurting can't wait to get it started now!

Got a bit of a problem! I had decided on Monday as the kids are coming back on Sunday night .... just had a call from ex and they now won't be back til MONDAY night. This is causing great mental havoc for me! I may have to delay by one day girls. Will let you know ... Maz. XX * waits for lecturing to start * :-))

Maz Not going to lecture at all! If Monday is not suitable that's fine Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday are just as fine as long as you start on a day which is not going to be stressful for you, you have a better chance of success. I only chose Monday because I'm not at work so i can get the first day out of the way at home chilled out! It would have been difficult starting it on a work day as there are other smokers in the office and come 10 o'clock their all like 'coming for a fag Alaina' But I will say one thing don't put it off just because you can't start on a particular day! My mum has just bought me 20 fags this morning, they have been sat next to me for half an hour now and I haven't touched them! A xxx

oh thank you hun for being so understanding :-)) I think I WILL start on tuesday so I will be one day behind you lot. you're doing better than me - I've had 3 already this morning !! Maz. XX

Hi all I am going to start on Tuesday as well,having family probs at the mo (mum and brother) had way too many over the last 2 days and monday is going to be very hard for me so tuesday is the day! Hope everyone is well Have a happy easter Sue x

oh good - I'm not the only one starting late :-)) Maz. XX

Well done all of you quiting smoking, if you type in smoking in the text box at the top it will bring up previous Threads on quiting there is also a thread on the other side. You should remove all ash trays for a start and do not keep a secret supply of cigarettes because you will be tempted, there is a quit meter which is very useful and shows how much you have saved, how much life expectancy you have gained and the amount of cigarettes not smoked. James Green

Here is some help lines and the quit meter Nicorette® UK - For every cigarette, there's a nicorette Useful advice on cutting down and quiting Help to quit meter Quit Smoking Support - Stop Smoking Meters stop smoking http://www.boots.com/shop/category_n...tionid=1036032 Hi All, a method I found effective for me to get to sleep, Lay in bed and tense and slowly relax all your muscles, do this a couple of times. Next find a patch of light or something similar like the red standby light on the tele, or bedside clock and stare at it without blinking (not as easy as it seems) for a couple of times. Before you know you are asleep. It takes a bit of practise, what it does is to break the circle, where the mind is churning around on thinking about cigarettes Local help groups https://data.gosmokefree.co.uk/localservicesearch.aspx James Green

Some more information. Hi all Nicotine replacement Therapy Authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency 1. Women who are pregnant Stopping smoking is possibly the single most important thing you can do to improve your health and that of your unborn baby. It should be done as early as possible in pregnancy, because smoking during pregnancy can result in poor growth of your baby. It can also lead to premature births and even stillbirths. Ideally you should try to give up smoking without the use of NRT but if you can’t manage this, you can use NRT. The risks to your unborn baby are far less than continuing to smoke. If you have sickness or nausea NRT patches may be preferable to gum, lozenges, tablets or inhalers. 2. Women who are breastfeeding Second hand tobacco smoke produces breathing difficulties and other problems in babies and children. Nicotine from smoking and from NRT is found in breast milk. However the amount of nicotine from NRT that your child may receive during breastfeeding is much smaller and less harmful than the second hand smoke they would breathe in if you continued to smoke. If you are breastfeeding it is better if you use gums, lozenges or inhalers rather than patches and avoid their use just before breastfeeding. If you have a partner or other family member who also smoke, try to encourage them to give up smoking with you. 3.People with diabetes Smokers who have diabetes have a much higher risk of heart disease, so it is very important to stop smoking. Nicotine from smoking and from NRT affects your blood sugar levels, so when you stop smoking these can vary more than usual. Therefore monitor your sugar more regularly than usual, as you may need to make changes to your diet, your insulin or the amount of medication you take. 4. People with Heart disease or stroke If you have been in hospital because you have had a heart attack, stroke or serious problem with irregular heartbeats, you will be encouraged to give up smoking without using NRT. Now that you are well enough to leave hospital you can use NRT to help you stop smoking. You should tell your doctor that you are going to use NRT and follow his/her advice. 5. People with serious kidney or liver problems If your doctor has told you that your kidney or liver is not working properly, consult your doctor before starting to use NRT to help you stop smoking 6. Young people (12 to 17 years) For many young people smoking is already a habit. If you are smoking every day it might not be possible to quit without some help, so NRT can be helpful. You can use NRT up to 12 weeks. Before you think about using NRT for longer you should talk to a healthcare professional e.g. a pharmacist, smoking cessation nurse or doctor. General information Smokers smoke to obtain nicotine. When you give up smoking your body misses the nicotine. NRT helps you give up by replacing some of the nicotine, so that you can stop smoking without such strong withdrawal symptoms. However it’s the other toxins in cigarette smoke, such as tar, lead, cyanide and ammonia that cause smoking related disease and death. The benefits of stopping are very clear, but without support it can be very hard. The risks of continuing to smoke are far more than any potential risk from using nicotine from NRT. Taking other medicines Smoking can effect the blood levels of some medicines, and so when you stop smoking, these levels might change. There are very few medicines where this is important If you are unsure about any medicine you are taking, talk to your pharmacist, smoking cessation nurse or doctor. Published November 2005 National Helpline 0800 00 22 00 James Green

Some benefits of not smoking Hair looks and dosn't smell of smoke. Will be able to breathe easier and stairs will be done without wheezing. Clothes dont smell of smoke. Complextion will improve. No unsightly stains on teeth and tongue. Less redecoraing cost - look at ceiling where you smoke your cigarettes. Cleaner window and glass. James