That happens to me a lot too. I have a theory that they maufacture those things just in case you try to fix it yourself and lose something, you have the extra parts to finish the job without having to move the workbench to search for the missing piece. 
I hope you don’t give up trying to quit. My Dad quit several times before he finally succeeded. I think Shayna had some failures too, but it sure looks like she’ll make it this time.
I’ve never smoked, but maybe the best way to do this is to wait for a calm period in your life and do it then.
Good luck, everyone. I’m pulling for you. 
Good afternoon all you quitters out there!
Spolvy, “I made a sincere comment that they need to take better care of themselves…” hon, if you were sincere (and I trust that you were) all this says to me is that you were showing concern for someone whose welfare you care very much about. I can’t imagine that she won’t be able to see that and accept your apology for merely stating it in a not so PC way. And if she won’t forgive you, she’s a putz. Your heart is in the right place and that’s what should matter. {{hugs}}
And don’t worry about smoking last night. Worry about it in the sense that you need to recognize your smoking triggers and try different ways to handle upsetting or stressful situations. But don’t worry that it means you can’t beat this thing - you can! I hope today was better.
Kyla, I can’t believe it’s been over a month, either. It still blows me away! Thank you so much for your continued support.
evilbeth & purplebear, {{{{{HUGS}}}}} to both of you, too. Y’all are so awesome for sticking with us all this time!
BratMan, no, I’m not gonna come drop an anvil on your head. It’s tempting… LOL. But no, I do understand. Keep in mind though, that there really is never going to be a “right” time or a “better” time to kick this habit. We smokers use cigarettes in many ways, not just stress calmers. We use them like a best friend - they’re there when we’re happy, when we’re celebrating, when we’re sad, angry, frustrated, etc. Amy’s right, I tried many, many times and never went more than 5 days in any of the efforts I’ve made in the last 10 years – until now. Try again, that’s all. We’ll be here when you’re ready (and I’m hoping it’s soon!).
Amy, you are such a sweetheart for checking in on us and cheering us on. How are things going with your smoking friends? Are they not smoking in your house since you asked them not to? Keep it up and hopefully someday you’ll be able to convince them to quit!
We’re missing lots of people here. Where is everybody??? Check in please, I’m starting to worry!
Shayna, I’m happy to tell you that they don’t smoke in the house when they come over. I explained to them why I didn’t want them to, and they attitude was, “Why didn’t you say something before?”
One of them has talked about quitting, but so far it’s just talk. The next time they’re over I’m going to show them this thread. Hey, it can’t hurt, right?
How long has it been for you, Shayna? It’s got to be well over a month, I think. Your lungs should be clearing up nicely now.
Don’t you dare go back to smoking now. Not after coming all this way. Promise me.
Great to see so many caring people helping each other. there’s so much to love about the SDMB community.
I don’t smoke myself but if anyone can spare my flatmate pLt (hey we can’t afford vowels in our house) any words of encouragement please do so.
To everyone else: hang in there. You CAN do it.
My Dad gave up cold turkey after forty years of constant smoking and eight months later is still smoke-free.
All the best guys.
Great to see so many caring people helping each other. there’s so much to love about the SDMB community.
I don’t smoke myself but if anyone can spare my flatmate pLt (hey we can’t afford vowels in our house) any words of encouragement please do so.
To everyone else: hang in there. You CAN do it.
My Dad gave up cold turkey after forty years of constant smoking and eight months later is still smoke-free. It’s not easy but is worth it.
All the best guys. We’re here for you.
Hi Guys!
1 week, no tobacco …
this is after being a smoker for 7 years. I am quite proud of myself, doing what I can … etc.
I admit I have been grumpy, irritable, frustrated and eating heaps … all in a good cause though I think.
I should thank my housemate and friends for sticking by me with this … and I know all of you can do it too …
I just hope I don’t cave in
http://www.luke-for-god.itgo.com
change is coming
Am I all alone here, people? 
Amy, that’s great that your friends were so understanding and accomodating. I sure hope you’re successful in convincing them to quit now before it’s nearly impossible to do. Yes, by all means, show them this thread!!
dpr, how much do vowels cost where you live? I might be able to spare a few if you need some. 
Thank you for the vote of confidence and the encouraging words. Kudos to your dad and I wish him continued success in not smoking.
pLt, a big, hearty welcome to you, too! If you’ve made it a week you’ve been through the worst part. The rest is all psychological. Try to avoid common smoking triggers and remember to BREATHE - LOL! Download a meter and come keep track of your success with us! The more, the merrier!
Spolvy, why haven’t we heard from you? Where is everyone else? Gosh, Wally doesn’t even show up here anymore.
Smoke free now for 1 month, 1 week, 22 hours, 55 minutes and 17 seconds. 455 cigarettes not smoked, saving $70.60. Life saved: 1 day, 13 hours, 55 minutes.
Sorry that I haven’t been here, Shayna, please forgive me. I’ve been so busy with some stuff going on IRL and fending off attackers in both the pillow fight and the water fight that I haven’t taken the time to stop by for a few days. I’m still thinking about all of you though.
BratMan, please don’t beat yourself up over it, it happens. Just let us know when you’re ready, and we’ll be right here on your side. {{{{{{{{{{BratMan}}}}}}}}}}
Spolvy, that’s good to know it’s not your house. 
<btw, don’t feel bad, my BIL is the exact same way, only much worse> Keep on keeping on, like Shayna said. {{{{{{{{{{Spolvy}}}}}}}}}}
I agree, where is everyone else? CHECK IN!!!
Amy, that is so great to hear!! I’m happy for you, and I hope you can get your friend to stop smoking soon.
{{{{{{{{GroupHugs}}}}}}}}
Most of the people here don’t know me. I however have learned about some of you, I have been lurking and posting (once and awhile) since this thread started. I have not posted here much for two reasons, 1. I have limited time and access to the net, 2. I too have quite smoking and becuase PB comes here and I did not want her to know ( incase I failed again).
I have found that watching others going through the samething I was going through did give me some comfort, at least I knew that I was not losing my mind. I want to post here today to say thank you to everybody who gave encouragement to me with out even knowing it. I too used a sponsor system, although mine was a little different. My sponsors were the people who tried to get me to smoke again( not intentionaly, but through actions and words that would have made me go light up in my former days). I simply said that they were not worth it, and would not win. Sometimes when things got really bad overhere, I know these people were confussed about that grin that I got when I shouldn’t have (little did they know I was saying to my self "the bastards won’t win, I’m better than they are!)
I want to whish all the non-smokers out there, the best of luck and say to you all Don’t let the bastards win!
my meter reads
Three months, four weeks, 11 hours, 52 minutes and 35 seconds. 2962 cigarettes not smoked, saving $444.35. Life saved: 1 week, 3 days, 6 hours, 50 minutes.
Good luck and God’s speed to you all!
Hi, honey! It’s so good to see you posting! And, you even have a meter!! You sly bear you! I’m so happy!!!
He has smoked since Feb of '81, and that’s how long I’ve been wanting and praying for him to quit. I am so very proud of you, my love!!!
Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy!!
Well, they’re pretty expensive… ok, ok I have to admit it that’s not the real reason (tho I tell Luke (pLt) that he needs to quit so we can buy vowels with the money he saves).
No, the real reason is that as a writer I think I’m addicted to vowels. Yes, it’s true.
hangs his head in shame I’m so ashamed!!!
Srry bt tht vrn
I’m here. I would never abandon my pals.
My daughter has been hogging the computer, so I don’t get a chance to post as often as I used to.
I should have sold her to the Gypsies when I had the chance.
{{{{{{{{{{{Shayna}}}}}}}}}}}}}, I wish I knew how to tell you how happy I am for you. I know how much you suffered those first few days, and I felt so helpless. But look at you now!
If you people want inspiration, read Part One of this topic. Especially, Shayna’s third day. It has everything. Anger, grief, pain, hysteria and a very, very close brush with surrender.
But she got through that day, and the next, and the one after. And as I watched from a distance, I remembered my own fight with this demon a decade ago.
People, you’ll never fight a tougher battle than this one, nor one with so much at stake.
Lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease. None of these offer an easy death. Not scare tactics. Just the plain truth.
And in the meantime, you’re pariahs. Pretty soon. you won’t be able to smoke anywhere but at home or in your car.
Okay, that’s enough preaching.
How’s everybody doing?
Good Morning everybody!
Well I fell of the wagon, only slightly, and promptly got run over by the back wheels!!! What little respite the smokes offered from the screaming meemies in my head was quickly replaced by my body’s attempt to reject my lungs the next day. Ouch. So I guess I just need to bite my tongue and DEAL WITH IT! I must try not to take it out on the rest of the world (although it really can be quite fun!) and just suck up my temporary misery.
How long does it take for your lungs to get relatively cleaned up? I’ve smoked for the better part of 18 years and was just curious as to how long I can expect to continue hacking up a lung or two.
//Where were all of the PC, smoking-is-bad-for-you nosebleeds when I was 12 and buying packs of Marlboros? I never got carded for smokes or hassled in anyway until I was over 18. (I actually got carded about three weeks ago…that’s always good for the ego)//
Anyway, please feel free to berate me for being a weak stick…this is actually much harder than I thought it would be. Perhaps I should go to the Doc. and get a little something to take the edge off. Whaddaya think?
just thought this could use a bump.
Spolvy said:
No one in this thread will berate you, Spolvy. We’ll support, encourage, cajole and beg, but not berate.
Sure it’s hard. If it was easy, there wouldn’t be any smokers left.
And yes, by all means, if you feel that you need some help, go see your doctor. Get all the help you can. Do not be impressed by those who brag about having done it “cold turkey.” It doesn’t matter how you do it, just get it done.
We’ll be here when you’re ready.
I guess I could’ve said something when I gave this thread a bump, but it didn’t occur to me at the time.
Most of you know, I am now smoking again. I just wanted everyone to know I have not given up completely on giving up smoking. I’m just not quitting right now.
I do not want to quit cold turkey, as I don’t need that extra stress mixed in with the other crap going on in my life right now. But just so everyone knows I’m not back up to a pack a day, I’m still smoking cigarettes from the same pack I bought Tuesday morning. I figure 1 pack every three days isn’t too bad. It’s not as good as quitting, which is still my ultimate goal, but it’s better than what I was doing.
I don’t let myself smoke first thing in the morning, when driving the car, before bed, pretty much any of my habitual smoke times are out, except after I eat. I’m timing myself between cigarettes, seeing how long I can go before having my next smoke, then I see if I can wait longer than that before the next cigarette.
I know I’m not a non-smoker yet, but I will be, I just need to ease my way off this a little softer than last time.
I want to congratulate all of you ex-smokers and soon to be ex-smokers, and give you a little something to think about. Last year my non-smoking father died of lung cancer. He lived with a smoker for nearly fifty years. it’s not only your lives you’re saving, it’s the lives of the people who love you. Also, my family is waiting now to see if my b-i-l, a life-long smoker, has empyhsema. He’s about 45 and has four daughters. And at the same time we’re waiting to see if my sister, his wife, has breast cancer. Please, folks - if not for yourselves, dedicate this fight to the people who love you and rely on you.
StG
Just thought I’d give this thread a little nudge.
Thank Wally, I appreciate the help.
I’m not going anywhere, I’m still quitting. I’m NOT going to do it cold turkey though. I’ve cheated a little, but not enough to where I think I need to reset my counter. I do need a little help though. I simply cannot afford to be as scatterbrained as I was this week. It can turn out to be WAY too expensive if I screw up here at work and I cannot/will not take that risk. There is simply too much at stake.
I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit and here is a theory:
Smoking is nasty, gross, destructive and foul habit. So,IMHO, is drinking. (trust me, I know of what I speak) I still drink, but it is not an everyday thing. If I do anything bad constantly, it is truly a vice and an addiction. That is destructive. In moderation, perhaps not…
Can I not smoke occasionally and still be OK? Or am I just trying to validate my position?
Does this make sense or am I just typing to hear myself speak?
Lemme know what you think guys!!!
Is 195mg a lot of caffeine?
(Gonna try to see the doc either tomorrow or Sat.)