So excited to be celebrating 6 years today after 50 years and many attempts at quitting, A diagnosis of mild emphysema gave my the motivation to want to quit for my health. I had a great Pulmonologist who supported my efforts and never tried to scare me into quitting. It didn't take the first year I tried, but with some different aids and his support, I was ready to try again.
I found the Ex a week prior to my quit date. I had already been to a cessation class, had my aids in place including Welbutrin and nicotrol inhalers and cut down for a week on a reduction schedule. I came across the Ex by accident and I'm so glad I did. I took advantage of the texts, became educated about nicotine addiction and I learned how to quit for the first time. In the past, I'd pick a date, an aid and went blindly into my quit. Needless to say my journeys were very short lived.
Most importantly, I utilized the power of support that I found here from fellow quitters. Even though your quit is your own, I would never have made it early on without being able to reach out and have someone remind me that I needed to reman steadfast to achieve my goal of becoming an ex-smoker. Some of those supporters are still here, but many are not regular visitors on the site anymore. But I have not forgotten how influential they were in my quit.
For me, quitting was hard and it took work i never thought I would ever be counting years without smoking, But it can be done when your utilize what's available. For me that meant aids, a supportive doctor and the Ex. Thanks and best wishes to everyone on their quit journey.
Barb
