Smoking

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I don't post but once in a while. I was just reading all the e-mails

about those that smoke and those that are trying to quit. I am 46 and

have smoked since I was around 16 or so. I have tried to quit many

times before but always failed at it. Well about three weeks ago the

clinic I go to were offering a Smoking Cessation. It is free so I

decided to join. I started on a medicine two weeks ago and signed my

quit smoking contract yesterday. My quit date is April 25th. This is

what they call a step down program. Your on the meds for two weeks,

change to a lower tar cig for 10 days then an even lower one for 10

more days and then start on patches and gum if needed. Your on 21mg

of patch for two weeks, then 14mg for two weeks, then 7mg for two

weeks.

The instructor says you can be on the patches for a third week if

needed. I believe it is going to work for me this time. There is a

group of us so we have support. Everyone is struggling with it but so

far some have made it and are on the patches. What makes me believe

this time I am going to do it is this: the first day the instructor

told us things that I never knew before about cigs. For example there

are 4000 chemicals that go into cigs, they cause your blood vessels

to constrict, they cause your extremies to be cold. Some of the

chemicals are the same thing that goes into oven cleaner, bathroom

cleaner, rodent killer, wood, metal,lavender oil, peppermint oil,

just on and on. She also gave us a website that lists some of the

chemicals. When I read that and after hearing her I was in such AWWW

that I told myself this time I am quitting for sure. If anyone is

interested in the website and I will send to you. Had I known all of

the things I have learned so far I would have quit years ago. She

also said that it is harder for a smoker to quit then a drug addict

and she works with addicts too not just smokers. I could go on and on

about things I have learned.

Anyway sorry to have been so long but I just get excited knowing in

three weeks I will be smoke free. HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!! I pray that

those of you trying to quit will suceed. If you think a step down

program would work for you check into it through you insurance or

doctor. Oh yeah... this quit program is through Duke University here

in NC. The instructor gives us a book to read and a CD to listen to

twice a day for 15 mins to clean our mind and then a fake cig to use

if we need something to do with our hands or to chew on.

I promise I am going to stop now. I pray everyone has a pain free

rest of the week.

Kat