I'm quitting smoking: cold turkey style

I'm quitting. This has gone on for far too long. I ruminate on the fact to quit smoking for 7 years now. I remember the end of the first month where I was like: "I should quit before this habit grips me".

And everybody told me early on to rather quit. I was stupid not to listen. 😒😖Some words of encouragement for my super "down lows" would be nice. Also I'm na HSP so my mentals state tanks at times. 🤕

But I had done it one.
In the hospital. In traction. Ok on morfine for some severe bone breaks as well. Fact is, I quit for 6 and a half months. 😊

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rfatoday · 61-69, M

I started when I was 28 and quit in 2010 at age 55. What I can tell you is the effects of smoking sneak up on you. You're young now. Eventually (if not already) you'll start coughing. Then it will become a chronic cough. Further down the road you'll start getting short of breath after moderate exercise. And so it goes. Quitting now will help mitigate further damage to your lungs now.

Once the small air sacs (alveolar) in your lungs are damaged they don't heal. The tars and crap cause the sac walls to break down. That damage is not reversible.

I hope you follow-through with your desire to quit. I used the nicotine lozenges. Yeah, I became addicted to those lol, but at least I was not putting any more crap in my lungs. Eventually I quit those. I used to smoke 3 packs a day of Marlboro Reds. By God's grace, 13 years later, I only have minimal damage and my oxygen saturation is around 97%. If you quit now after 7 years you'll save yourself a future of respiratory misery. Good luck!

Spoiledbrat · F

I picked it up briefly too when I was young. It was just fun. I quit though when I was around 22. I had started coughing so I dropped it. I have a friend who still smokes after 30 years.. @rfatoday

rfatoday · 61-69, M

@Spoiledbrat Good job! Wish I had your wisdom back then and quit in my early 30's.

Spoiledbrat · F

Not really. I had just started coughing. @rfatoday

rfatoday · 61-69, M

@Spoiledbrat Yeah, well, I started coughing too but like a dummy I kept smoking. Even goofier was the fact I was a working EMT on an ambulance with a paramedic partner. It's pretty bad when a patient asks me if I need oxygen! :) Side note... many medic and fellow EMTs chewed but didn't smoke. Which of course is also bad.

Spoiledbrat · F

It's a hard habit to kick. @rfatoday

Jul2Nov · 22-25, M

@rfatoday Heartfelt, and appreciated. I am actively quitting. It is hard, and I lapse with one cigarette a day, but sooner or later this hell will be over. Just a matter of time. I hope

Jul2Nov · 22-25, M

@rfatoday Where do I test my oxygen saturation? I was told by a doctor when I was hospitalized for a femur fracture that I have very weak lungs. But that I hope is not the case. I know I take very very shallow breaths and suffer extreme sleep apnea, but that is not an issue with my lungs. Thats an issue with my brain not thinking of breathing. (I know this since I can keep my breath held for almost 11 minutes then I feel like fainting, but with very mild discomfort)

rfatoday · 61-69, M

@Jul2Nov You can buy a saturation measuring device on Amazon, like the one's in your doc's office. Trying to quit is not easy! I quit twice before then started again. You'll get there. I recommend the nicotine lozenges because . The thing to remember when quitting is "this too shall pass". You will feel an urge but let it ride out. Eventually after a few days it got easier. Then it keeps getting easier. A late friend of mine told me "When you are truly done you'll find you hate the smell of cigarette smoke". The first times I quit I didn't feel that when around it. The last time, it happened. It stunk! :)