Hints and tips

I was diagnosed of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in 2012 at the age of 63. I had been a heavy smoker, my symptoms started out with dry cough and shortness of breath, i ended up in the hospital, on a ventilator. I should have known it was coming, but like most smokers, thought it would never happen to me. My COPD got significantly worse and unbearable because of my difficulty catchi...

Most of the withdrawal and recovery issues are well published and no surprise but at weeks 10-12 I started having excessive sinus drainage and mucus, sometimes bloody, build up in the back of my throat (Not coming up from my lungs). My Doctor assured me that this was actually a good indicator of tissue rebuilding throughout my upper respiratory system that may continue for several weeks. Periodi...

So this Easter it will be 2 years since I Quit smoking. No cravings, no desire to smoke. Sometimes I'll smell it and think oh that's nice and other times think it's awful. I had a rough year or so due to having to learn how to cope with stressful situations without smoking but I really feel so free now. I get to finally live the life I'd always wanted. Lungs that let me jog and climb mountain...

I noticed that I am also having some really bad dreams/nightmares. Do others have this as well and, if so, how long did it last?

Drink lots of fruit smoothies - I am 33 days quite after 40 years and noticed that I get so thirsty all the time. So I have been drinking losts of fruite smoothies and boy are they good.

What I didn't realize when I quit smoking was how much time I was losing by smoking. Not just the time at the end of life but the time during my life. I smoked about 25 cigs a day which took about 10 minuets per cig. That's over 4 hours a day wasted. I think this is one of the reasons quieting is so hard. You sit around with all that spare time with nothing to do but wish you had a cig. Time for...

I'm using patches and found that the 1st couple of weeks was easier for me to also carry the nicotine lozenges. I'd only take one when the cravings got bad. After that first couple of weeks I didn't need them anymore, until I went to step two with the patch for the first week. I will do the same when I go to step 3. And probably carry them when I'm done with the patch for awhile, just in case. I'...

😫can someone please tell me why I’m having the worst anxiety of my life? The physical side effects are getting unbearable. My chest literally feels like it’s crushed and I can’t breathe right. My chest is tight and all that’s on my mind is smoking. I didn’t think it would be this hard. Will this go? I just need help with the crushing feeling. I’m in hospital 3 days post ob (breast abscess) and I...

I quit 2 days ago with a patch. This isn’t the first time I have quit. My problem is staying quit. My past quits have been cold turkey, gum or patches. I know with me it is totally more of a mental addiction. I’ve joined this forum for support from other quitters and maybe helpful tips you can give and to give support to future quitters.

Hi all. First time joiner and poster 😊 I started smoking age 14, quit age 31 for 8 years then started again 3 years ago. I’m 23 days in of ditching the death sticks and have found it relatively easy. I think this is because I had an easy experience when I quit the first time and know that I can live very happily as a non smoker because I did it for 8 years! I have used patches (21mg) as they hel...