cold - smoking -

[lisavette]

I was told about 6 years ago that I am "borderline" emphysema - and that I will live until I'm 100 if I don't smoke - but will get emphysema if I do.  I tapered down and quit for a year or two at a time.  I am under a lot of stress - single
with no support systems and unhappy - and occasionally smoke.  If I'm around people that smoke, I'll bum a cigarette.
It amounts to sometimes one or two or three cigarettes a week, or sometimes one cigarette every 8 or 10 days.  Every once in a while I buy a pack - smoke that in 3 or 4
days and then go back on the patch.  The longest I've ever gone witIhout a cigarette at all is maybe two months.
Now I have a cold - and sometimes it becomes bronchitis - but the bronchitis is much less common for me than it used to be before I tapered down my smoking.  I used to get it twice a year and now it's once every two or three years and it doesn't last as long.  Should I see a doctor or should I ride this out?  I'm uncomfortable and can't sleep.  This started with a sore throat.  I have it now 3 days.

[jodydg]

Your words are encouraging. Yes smoking is about the hardest thing to quit, unbelievably hard.

[kathyjo]

Every person who has successfully quit smoking will tell you it was one of the hardest things to do. I smoked for 40 years and I can tell you that, for me, it was all about the stress and anxiety....what you have to realize is that smoking doesn't alleviate those things, it actually makes it worse because you are constantly thinking about that next cigarette and berating yourself at the same time for your weakness...causing you to smoke more and continuing the pattern.

I have COPD but I was able to take back control because of the support that I received on  this forum and a great website, whyquit.com. There are many articles there that have been very helpful. It helped me to identify with the articles, to see myself in each one.
Everyone has stress in their lives and you aren't alone even though you are single. We are here to support you and when you feel like you are going to cave in to your crave, you need to take a walk, read an article, go to that happy place in your mind, do anything but do not smoke!
Believe me when I tell you, I thought I would die a smoker and now I look forward to living for a long, long time, smoke free and happy to be that way. I am and feel healthier and I smell wonderful as does my house and car. I have a lot more time and money and my children are very proud of their mom ; )

You can do it!

---
2y 7m 3w 3d 18:51 smoke-free, 21,289 cigs not smoked, $5,109.36 saved, 2m 1w 6d 22:05 life saved

[vicki595]

Hi~  Bronchitis really should be treated with antibiotics. Call your doctor.

Also,Laurel gave you some great advice. See a therapist to help with the process of quitting.

Good luck~
Vicki

[laurel453]

hi, welcome to the forum, lisavette .

as you said you had this condition (borderline emphysema) i would think the best thing is going to the doctor , yeah :)

and about the fact that you can't stop smoking..well, i've learned that when we must stop harming ourselves with our behaviour because our health is at high risk and we seem to be unable ....then we need help, have you tried going to some therapy to break the autodestructive circle, every addiction is autodestructive and we must break this cycle.....counsellors, therapists can help you with stress issues and anxiety, sure.... i'm learning a lot about how to deal with it from mine...

or you can also find support joining the smoking addiction forum here ..

good luck :).