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Original poster

Stop smoking during Corona.

85 replies

Inappropriatefemale · 02/04/2020 07:22

So I have just read that smokers are 14 times more likely to get corona virus because the lungs can’t clear the virus as well as non smokers and whilst I’m probably smoking even more just now through sheer boredom, then I think it’s a great time to try and stop, in all honesty then I don’t even enjoy smoking fags and roll ups anymore except first thing in morning.

Is anyone else out there trying to or thinking of stopping? I thought it would be good to support one anothers attempts to stop at this time.

I have tried to stop smoking once and it was a few months ago but to no avail, I used the patches but now I need sheer will power to get through and some support!Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Inappropriatefemale · 02/04/2020 20:52

I borrowed cash and bought fags!Sad

OP posts:
Iamonlyme · 02/04/2020 21:06

Try again tomorrow.
I am 43 and smoked the best part of 20 a day from 15 years old apart from two pregnancy breaks and various failed attempts to stop.
Last month i was admitted to hospital with pneumonia caused by CV.
There were 8 women in my isolation bay with CV, 5 were around my age and including me all 5 were/are smokers.
I smoked my last cigerette on 14th march and the fear i felt isolated from my husband and kids struggling to breath has succeeded in my absolute determination never to smoke again that every other failed attempt never did.
Good luck x

Original poster
Inappropriatefemale · 02/04/2020 21:18

Maybe I need a fright to stop, that maybe sounds totally stupid but it seems to work with most folks.

OP posts:
itsgettingweird · 02/04/2020 21:24

I did stop.

A week ago.

I've always had plans to but every time I did I'd start getting stressed at the idea and smoke more Hmm

Bought some lozengers.

Can't believe how easy it's been and I've noticed the difference already.

Good luck everyone ThanksWine

itsgettingweird · 02/04/2020 21:30

But yes Lamon I was also ill the other week and felt like my chest was being crushed. Also had temperature. CV symptoms but obviously can't know if it was it not. I hated the feeling of concentrating in every breath.
It's what made me stop.

Well done. I've been surprised so far how easy I've found it. But I'm sucking about 8-10 lozengers a day!

Original poster
Inappropriatefemale · 02/04/2020 21:34

God I’m being put to shame here Blush I will definitely give it a bash, it will be nice to get out of this CV disaster and say that I done something worth while.

OP posts:
itsgettingweird · 02/04/2020 22:02

Inappropriate (hope you don't me me calling you that - it sounds so rude Grin). Sainsbury's own lozengers are 72 for £7. I also got the stop smoking app. It works out how much your smoking costs a day. A weeks worth of lozengers is equivalent to my daily spend.

I've saved enough to buy a coffee machine which I've always wanted. Shame popping to shops for one isn't essential atm Wink

However Sainsbury's also has an Argos and so next time I need to go get the lozengers I may just treat myself BlushGrin

Original poster
Inappropriatefemale · 02/04/2020 22:11

Have you put on weight @itsgettingweird? That’s a worry of mine Hmm

OP posts:
Iamonlyme · 02/04/2020 22:13

It sounds ridiculous because we all know the risks but despite being an intelligent woman (most of the time anyway) it just never seemed enough like I would be the one that got away it.
The fright works but its a harsh way to learn hopefully others can make the change without it and i wish you all the best of luck xx

itsgettingweird · 02/04/2020 22:14

No - but I lost 7lb because I was ill! I suspect I may start to. But that might be more to do with being inactive as well!
And I can't judge it because I had no appetite for 5 days when ill and now have my period so I'm bloated and had the 2 days of cheese and crisps cravings I always get beforehand!

Iamonlyme · 02/04/2020 22:16

No weight gain here at the moment although i am not drinking alcohol either ( barrel of laughs in this house) so i think my extra snacking is off set by less booze calories than before and the no booze is to absolutely keep my will power in place in case i wobble..

Igotthemheavyboobs · 02/04/2020 22:23

Op try champix, you can order online from an online pharmacist if the stop smoking courses are now at a stop.

I smoked 25+ a day for about 18 years, I did this and have never looked back. It was the easiest thing I have ever done (I say I cheated it was that easy) that was nearly a year ago.

Good luck!!

CKoRn · 02/04/2020 22:28

I stopped 2 years ago with the help of Champix. So if you struggle with other methods I'd recommend trying that or Wellbutrin (Bupropion it's known by here in the UK).

SnoozyLou · 02/04/2020 23:11

I smoked for 20 odd years and quite heavily at that. I stopped by using nicotine gum, and was on that for years, but eventually just went off it.

OrangeBlossom3 · 02/04/2020 23:26

I stopped for over a year and now I'm smoking again 😫 only a few a day but I already hate it. I really need to stop too. I'm scared in case I get more ill when CV comes along. I'm a lone parent to a 2 year old.

Roostersmum2 · 05/04/2020 00:29

How are you getting on OP?

10-15 a day smoker here and very ashamed of that given the current crisis.

I desperately want to quit but I suffer massively from anxiety and smoking is my crux.

I've never felt as stressed as I do now, I expect it's the same for everybody, but quitting while I'm this stressed seems impossible. My cigarette with a cup of tea is all I have to look forward to at the minute.

I'm going to look into champix mentioned above

Kaypee28 · 05/04/2020 00:38

I've been off them a week today, on the vape. I just decided to do it, threw all ashtrays/lighters in the bin and havnt looked back. Exercising more because I can breath better. Good luck. You can do it x

WildImaginings · 05/04/2020 00:49

Now isn't the right time for me to attempt quitting cold turkey- I'm suffering hugely with my anxiety and getting worse by the day.
Sounds pathetic but I don't think I could deal with one more thing on top at the moment.

This thread has made me want to make a change though. I like the idea that someone posted of not having a smoke before a certain time in the morning and then moving it back etc.

I usually smoke about 10 a day (roll ups) but am definitely smoking more now because of boredom and stress.

Will keep reading. I'd like to make a genuine from tomorrow to begin cutting down.

Movingnot · 05/04/2020 00:49

I've been smoking on and off for 20 years. I haven't had one now in nine days. I'm refusing to go to the shops more than once a week, so couldn't pop out for more. I hope I can keep it up.

Movingnot · 05/04/2020 00:50

I also have anxiety. Knowing I'm not smoking has made me feel much better. I'm less likely to die now.

Curious78 · 05/04/2020 01:00

I stopped smoking 2 years ago after around 20 years. I went cold turkey but I quit during a period of unwellness, so for the 1st week I didn't fancy one anyway and after that it was a breeze. It's definitely not that easy for everyone and I know that I am one cigarette away from being a smoker again...but if you're determined not to smoke, then you won't

Original poster
Inappropriatefemale · 05/04/2020 09:29

I’m still smoking!!

OP posts:
confusedandtired99 · 06/04/2020 00:06

I called the stop smoking team in my area and they didn’t answer. I emailed them and they did reply but then stopped. I just wanted a prescription for some patches as I prepay for prescriptions.

I’ve got my vape out and cleaned it etc. Last time
I successfully stopped for a few months with it and I could definitely tell the difference with my lungs / sleep etc

confusedandtired99 · 06/04/2020 00:10

Ah and if you have high blood pressure you can’t have champix. My GP refused to prescribe it to me. They said it can elevate your BP

WildImaginings · 06/04/2020 00:16

I woke up today determined to start cutting down.

Before lockdown I would average 10 cigarettes (roll ups) a day. For the past few weeks I've been smoking 15-20 a day. It's a combination of extreme anxiety, stress but also boredom.

I've managed to end the day on 10. I know it's still 10 too many but it's half of what I have been smoking some days so I'm viewing it as a positive. I took the tip posted upthread about waiting until 10am to have my first.

I'm going to continue with this mindset tomorrow and cut down further as I go.

I've been recording every time I smoke in my phone notes so will carry on with this- it worked quite well as a couple of times today I have reached for a cigarette then stopped, looked at my notes and have seen that it's only been an hour since my last one. That wouldn't have stopped me yesterday.

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