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Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: Oceanbeach on May 15, 2008, 07:50:35 pm

Title: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 15, 2008, 07:50:35 pm
Hi  All,

I stopped smoking nicotine (but not the green) recently and lasted for 5 days.  I did it the previous month also and lasted for 5 days.  In both cases, I was driving in the car, stopped to purchase fuel and at the counter this little package of Marboro Lights started dancing off the shelf while singing "take me, take me"  ;D  Today is Day 2 and I found a little sone from the past to help it along.  www.yamelo.com/videoclip/c2_10932_john_lennon_plastic_ono_band_cold_turkey.html (http://www.yamelo.com/videoclip/c2_10932_john_lennon_plastic_ono_band_cold_turkey.html)

If I may use a pastry metaphor, the first 5 days are a piece of cake  ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: BT65 on May 15, 2008, 11:05:30 pm
Good luck, Michael.  I have no sage advice; every time I try to quit, I think I last a day and 1/2.
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Dragonette on May 16, 2008, 04:12:48 am
Best of luck.
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Ann on May 16, 2008, 04:46:06 am
Michael, if your turkey is cold, get the poor bird a blanket and hot water bottle!

Oh, and good luck quitting the ciggies. Maybe give them to the turkey?

Have the best bird,
Ann
xxx
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: bear60 on May 16, 2008, 08:47:06 am
Hey
Warm that turkey up and serve it with gravy! Oh and good luck with quitting the cigs.
Joel
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 17, 2008, 03:21:56 pm
Holy Shit!

It turns out that today is day 5 and I think about them every waking moment.

I have emptied and hidden all of the ashtrays, except for the one in the car.  I have not driven the car yet.  Tghere used to be a little convenience market around the corner from St. Mary's Medical Center in Long Beach.  They would open a package and sell individual cigs to customers.  It benefited the homeless and the street beggars who could not afford an entire package.  Anyway,  Have the best day
Michael

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVP4H2UQBfk&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVP4H2UQBfk&feature=related)
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 17, 2008, 04:58:40 pm
The Flintstones smpked Winston brand cigarettes until 1963 www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoBZnizw_C0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoBZnizw_C0)  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: bear60 on May 17, 2008, 05:03:09 pm
Hi
I'll bet that fancy boyfriend of yours does not smoke....am I right? (I forget if you said in any case).
You know, it might be necessary to have some prescription drugs to help you get off the things. Talk to your doctor! A doctor, some doctor.

Best Joel
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 17, 2008, 05:17:50 pm
Hi
I'll bet that fancy boyfriend of yours does not smoke....am I right? (I forget if you said in any case).
You know, it might be necessary to have some prescription drugs to help you get off the things. Talk to your doctor! A doctor, some doctor.

Best Joel

Actually, he doesn't and I never said.  I have some transdermal patches left over from an early attempt.  They continue to give the person nicotine in a different form which makes the cold turkey part all that much more difficult.  I could put on a 20 mg patch and light one up.   Has been done  ;D  Doctor would write the prescription if I left a message with the Nurse and my Pharmacy would call me to pick up.  Could be done on Monday and I have a few already in a drawer,

I am kind of proud of myself for getting this far and... I have ever so been wanting to hear the song again as it is never on any of the classic rock stations ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Queen Tokelove on May 17, 2008, 05:33:56 pm
Good Luck, Michael. I had brought home a Chantix brochure and it mentioned some of the difficulty with quitting is sometimes not the nicotine but the habit itself, you know, doing something with your hands...*insert new boyfriend*...Also when have you been wanting them? After meals? A good porno (little jokey joke). Now I hope you are not raiding the fridge. You got to keep that Queenly figure.

I would like to quit but my insurance won't cover it and neither the lung doctor or my primary wanted to write me a script. I guess the lung doctor thought it was something my primary should do. And my primary has been feeding me bullshit excuses not to give it to me. I am considering trying patches since they helped once when I was in the hospital. Come to think of it, the last trip to the hospital in Jan, I went the whole week without a cig or a patch. I was doing good til they discharged me. I called my bf and she was stressing because she didn't have any which made me go and buy some. That bitch!!!!  :-*
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 17, 2008, 06:19:19 pm
Oh My True Queen,

A mere mortal such as myself should never even think about having a "queenly" figure  Such blaspheme in thy presense would not be acceptable as I could only hope to be an impostor.

I have (on occasion) enjoyed some Green.  While in San Francisco for AMG, I had a conversation with another forum member who asked, "Have you tried Chantix?" Well, he was smoking at the time and there is a long thread on the subject which I haven't read yet.

Do you know www.smokenders.com (http://www.smokenders.com)  They are part of the University of California, San Diego and signing up with them gets the transdermal patch funded through Medicare.  I have gone with them twice in the past and felt the beginning of the program could be used with a stronger level and extended at each level.

I have always thought it was really strange that a person over 18 can buy cigarettes but needs a prescription to get the patch.  ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: richva on May 17, 2008, 07:26:37 pm
Michael -

I quit smoking "cold turkey" on April 23, 2007, at 4:23PM in the afternoon.  After 22 years (and, at times, 2+ packs a day), I stubbed one out and said, "Ef this."  Just celebrated my one year anniversary - and now, I suppose, I can add a few more weeks to that....  I decided to treat the "loss" of cigarettes as the loss of a dear friend.  Forever missed, but gone forever.  After 55 weeks or so, I can honestly say there are so many friends I'd love to have back.  Hardly miss the smokes.

Rich
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 17, 2008, 08:05:41 pm
Hey Rich,

I used to write a column for our ASO in their monthly newsletter.  In the beginning, I wrote an open letter to Phillip Morris reclaiming the ownership of my lungs.  At the time, I was Chair of the Community Advisory Board so those lovely people pretty much let me publish anything.  Toward the end, I wrote a statement for reimbursement of a human lung.  I might have gotten a couple of laughs  ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: BT65 on May 17, 2008, 08:28:01 pm
So Michael, how are you doing with the quitting?
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 17, 2008, 08:41:59 pm
Today is Day 5, I have been to the store, I did not purchase any and after 10 or more years in L.A., I can not ask for one from a person on the street.  It is still something, I am thinking about.  ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: WillyWump on May 17, 2008, 09:11:10 pm
5 days!!!! Good for you!!!!!!!
I truly believe that nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to man. I walked away from drinking 5 years ago, no problem...I walked away from heavy cocaine use (half ounce a day) 3 years ago, piece of cake!  But I cannot stop this smoking BS!!!!! Ive tried it all...welbutrin, hypnosis, acupuncture, nicotine gum, nictoine patches and last attempt was with Chantix. I must say Chantix worked the best but I still wasnt able to quit. I know its killing me, however that doesnt phase me....Alas, I am going to try once again on the 1st of next month.
Good luck and keep trudging through the fog Michael!! I know how hard it is!

Will
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 18, 2008, 02:04:45 am
5 days!!!! Good for you!!!!!!!
I walked away from drinking 5 years ago, no problem...I walked away from heavy cocaine use (half ounce a day) 3 years ago, piece of cake! 

Will

Thank you Will,

I too enjoy a good pastry metaphor "piece of cake."  I left L.A. during the Summer, 2000 and moved to a little town with a population of around 1200 people.  There was 1 bar in that town and I stopped by on the first evening, it was 10:00 PM and the place was closed.  I went on Happy Hour the next day and there was the bartender/owner, myself and another customer.  Never was much for drinking at home, alone so that was pretty much the end of my friendship with Johnny Walker, Ron Bacardi, Jose Cuervo and the rest of the crowd.  Coke and stuff was pretty much a minor interest in college and after graduation, it was forgotten, but I have been smoking cigarettes for nearly 40 years.  I have used the patch, and the gums and gone up to 6 months but tomorrow is Day 6  ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: DanielMark on May 18, 2008, 06:06:42 am
Good luck on quitting Michael. After many failed attempts, I've basically become resigned to being a smoker and given up on the idea of quitting (for now at least). I quit once for 12 years up until about five years ago when all hell broke loose in my life then bam!

"Interdisciplinary research in pharmacology, psychology, physiology and neurobiology is just beginning to shed light on the incredible hold that tobacco has on people. Scientists have found, for instance, that nicotine is as addictive as heroin, cocaine or amphetamines, and for most people more addictive than alcohol. Its hooks go deep, involving complex physiological and psychological mechanisms that drive and maintain smoking behavior and that even produce some ''good'' effects, such as improved performance on intellectual, computational and stressful tasks." (The New York Times, March 29, 1987)

Daniel
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: BT65 on May 18, 2008, 11:13:57 am
"Interdisciplinary research in pharmacology, psychology, physiology and neurobiology is just beginning to shed light on the incredible hold that tobacco has on people. Scientists have found, for instance, that nicotine is as addictive as heroin, cocaine or amphetamines, and for most people more addictive than alcohol.
Daniel

Oh, I believe this.  And there's 12-step groups for booze/drugs.  I think they should have a 12-step group for nicotine also.  I know that sounds far-fetched, but is it really when you think about it?  Every time I try to quit, I make it for like a day and a half.  And then I feel like I'm crawling up the walls.  While I don't go into the full stomach-heaves, hallucinations, thinking/wishing I would die etc. that I did when I quit junk and booze, it's still a very unsettling feeling.  And that's when I use a stop-smoking aid like the patch.  I couldn't imagine doing it cold turkey.  But I sure admire anyone who can.
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: bear60 on May 18, 2008, 11:18:57 am
It seems the patch is addictive also.....since its nicotine, after all.  So when Kurt quit smoking, which he did almost 10 years ago, he had to take Wellbutrin to get get off the patch.  I just took the Wellbutrin to start with.

My doctor was very helpful. 
I hope you are doing OK Michael.
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 18, 2008, 01:45:28 pm
Oh, I believe this.  And there's 12-step groups for booze/drugs.  I think they should have a 12-step group for nicotine also.  I know that sounds far-fetched, but is it really when you think about it?  Every time I try to quit, I make it for like a day and a half.  And then I feel like I'm crawling up the walls.  While I don't go into the full stomach-heaves, hallucinations, thinking/wishing I would die etc. that I did when I quit junk and booze, it's still a very unsettling feeling.  And that's when I use a stop-smoking aid like the patch.  I couldn't imagine doing it cold turkey.  But I sure admire anyone who can.

I think the Smoke Enders group function as a 12 step program, they use email and telephone instead of anonymous in- person meetings.  I used them twice (with the patch) and failed both times.  The most recent was during the time, I moved to Sonoma County.  The two people I ended up spending the most time with (Ms. Seabreeze and Drop-a-Dime Don), who were neighbors in the new apartment building, (they smoked cigarettes), while the other 15 units were on crystal meth.  I don't know any of those people anymore.

Every once in awhile, I take a look at my life and eliminate things that do not work, this project is cigarettes because I do not have any friends who smoke.  The hardest time is being at the counter of the convenience market, the same place where the cost of gasoline has gone so high recently.  I have to buy fuel because I drive but with behavior modification and some self control, I have managed to go 6 days without cigarettes because the same station increased the cost of fuel and the cost of cigarettes at the same time.  I won't be going into town for about 3 more days and the Russian River is right out my door so, instead of smoking cigarettes inside the house, I can swim every day.  ;D  Have the best day
Michael

Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: richva on May 18, 2008, 03:04:24 pm
Thinking of you, Michael.  One day at a time.  It really does get easier  ;)
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: AndyArrow on May 19, 2008, 03:41:14 am
Enjoy your swimming and good luck on quitting for good!

Hugs
AA
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: dixieman on May 19, 2008, 02:29:38 pm
Good luck, I'm an on and off again smoker... I know how hard it is to quit... so far I'm not smoking the cigs but, I continue to smoke my green! Best of luck! John
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 19, 2008, 05:15:34 pm
Hi
I'll bet that fancy boyfriend of yours does not smoke....am I right?
Best Joel

Neither did the original boyfriend who once borrowed a display of a human lung from the local hospital.  One side was from a "smoker" lung, while the other was from a "non-smoker" lung.  I could believe that Adventist Health Systems West would in fact, loan such a display but who would borrow it?  It ended up on my desk for a week.

His mom had a different approach because she was an accountant...  Cost/savings comparison and Mexico vacation...

Today, seems to be Day 6 with a savings of $21.36...  ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: BT65 on May 19, 2008, 08:10:55 pm
That's great Michael.  Is it getting easier?
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 19, 2008, 10:08:09 pm
Hey Betty,

Don't quote me yet but it seems things are getting better, I still think of them a lot. But not like every waking moment.  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: bear60 on May 20, 2008, 09:31:31 am
Hi
Speaking of cold turkey....I'l bet the Russian River is a tad chilly at this time of year!!  Quite a shock to the system.  Didnt they used to use ice baths as a part of psycho-therapy?
Or....after a hearty game of squash or rugby: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40845000/jpg/_40845900_ice270.jpg&imgrefurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/health_and_fitness/4286038.stm&h=270&w=203&sz=13&hl=en&start=22&tbnid=mh-GQ-nNNFjAyM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=85&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dice%2Bbath%2Btherapy%26start%3D20%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26ie%3DUTF-8
Hope today is even better for you.

Joel
(http://)


[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 20, 2008, 03:32:51 pm
I'l bet the Russian River is a tad chilly at this time of year!!  Quite a shock to the system. (http://)


I think I'm on Day 7 and still thinking about cigarettes every day but not all day  ;D

I'm not up for a hearty game of squash but the high temps have reached the hundreds and not only was the river wonderful but, I was sleeping outside for a few nights.  Now the temperature is back to the mid 70's.  I bet, I'll wait until it heats up again before swimming again. ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: eirin on May 20, 2008, 05:52:37 pm
A week without cigs, thats great!
Good luck and big hugs to you Michael  :-*
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 20, 2008, 06:23:40 pm
Eirin Mon Dear,

Seems like about a year since I've seen you here in these forums  ;D  I got two hugs from Hermie when we met at AMG, he said the first hug was from Eirin and the second hug was from him.  It was a lovely gift, thank you  ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Winiroo on May 20, 2008, 09:23:59 pm
I could never get over the oral fixation involved with quitting.

Good luck Michael!
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 21, 2008, 04:27:35 pm
I could never get over the oral fixation involved with quitting.

Good luck Michael!

Me neither... I once had a piece of smooth stone with a thumb cut out to rub and get all excited about but I lost that about 25 years ago  ;D  Have the best day
Michael
(who has gone another day)
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: bear60 on May 22, 2008, 09:41:47 am
What ever happened to chewing gum? Or is that bad for us now, also?
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 22, 2008, 01:06:18 pm
If today is Thursday, May 22 and Tuesday, May 13 was the last day I smoked a cigarette... I have not had a smoke in 9 days, 9 days, 9 days, 9 days, 9 days, 9 days (remember when we had record players? that is the record sticking)  Holy shit, 9 days, 9 days, 9 days, 9 days.  They advertise the gum on TV in three flavors 9 days, 9 days, 9 days, 9 days, 9 days, 9 days, 9 days, 9 days, 9 days... They used to have one flavor (ground pepper)  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: BT65 on May 22, 2008, 01:17:10 pm
That's really great Michael.  Maybe you could try licorice.
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Winiroo on May 22, 2008, 04:35:12 pm
Chewing gum helps slightly with the oral fixation but doesnt solve the hand to mouth problem unless you play with the gum. You'd have sticky fingers but at least your breath would be sweet.
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 22, 2008, 11:55:56 pm
I kind of remember these candies they sold at the liquor store when I was little.  They looked like cigarettes with little filters on them and in a package, I think they were minty.  ;D ;D ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Robert on May 23, 2008, 12:25:05 am
michael.

My father was a thoracic surgeon.  He made his living by operating on cancerous lungs.  Not many of his patients lived very long.  Needless to say, he hated smoking.  But my mother smoked all her life and he could never get her to quit.  I have 5 brothers.  At one point all of us smoked and it just drove my father crazy. He would bring home cross sections of cancerous lungs and put them in the refrigerator for us to look at.  He brought home those glass ashtrays with pictures of cancerous lungs on the bottom and leave them on the kitchen table.

Eventually we all quit smoking...except my Mother.  They were married 57 years and my father wasn't about to let a little smoke in his eyes bother him.  (he died in 1997 at age 86.  My Mother died 2 years later of emphysema.  Had she not smoked, I'm sure she still be kicking today.)

As for me, it was the economics of smoking that made me quit.  Of course, of bout of PCP will also do the trick.

robert
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: bear60 on May 23, 2008, 10:00:22 am
Day 10....?  How are you doing?
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 23, 2008, 02:02:18 pm
Robert Dear,

I too have seen sections of Lung ummmmmmmmmmm, yummy, yummy a human lung has sat on my desk.  Of course that desk is no longer a radio station, it is a dentist office so some other gross things been on that desk  ;D. 

And today, we have Smoke Free Day 10 can we have a drum roll please...Rump, Titty, Rump, Titty, Rump, Rump, Rump...  I must admit our drummer has been retired for about 20 years and it so good of him to come out and help,   Thank you, Mr. Ginger Baker!, round of applause please Yay!!!

The cost savings on 10 days of Marlboro Lights, would be $35.60


Now, there is this real fabulous guy in San Francisco who wants to spend an entire day on the Russian River, in a canoe on my Birthday... of course we will be smoking something Green and since return birthday traffic will be so intense on the Golden Gate Bridge, on Monday, our adventure will be on Sunday, followed by dinner.  Unbeknownst to him, but beknownst to everyone else, this dream date is with a former smoker, who did point out something which resembled an ashtray in the 5,000 Years exhibit on the second date).  What shall we have for dinner?  My favorite, Lung Casserole (of course) ;D ;D ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Robert on May 23, 2008, 02:37:12 pm


ummmm.   wonder how many people are going to google ginger baker....

sounds like a great weekend in store.  enjoy ~~

robert
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 23, 2008, 02:51:04 pm
I met Ginger Baker at one of the radio stations I worked in.  We sat outside and smoked cigarettes for about an hour  ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: bear60 on May 23, 2008, 04:27:56 pm
 Unbeknownst to him, but beknownst to everyone else, this dream date is with a former smoker, who did point out something which resembled an ashtray in the 5,000 Years exhibit on the second date).  quote Michael
...................
hey.....thats the first time I think you have referred to yourself as a former smoker. Congrats! ;D
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 23, 2008, 05:48:04 pm
Thank You, Thank You,

I accept this award on behalf of my parents who never caught me smoking until I was 21 and living in another state  ;D

I accept this award on behalf of the 50's movies and all the chic nightclub scenes with everyone smoking a cigarette  ;D

I accept this award on behalf of the smoke machine at Metropol, a dance club in Irvine  ;D

I accept this award on behalf of the other awards, I have never received-  I did run for Queen and got the Bitch Category, hands down  ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 26, 2008, 07:32:37 pm
Unbeknownst to him, but beknownst to everyone else, this dream date is with a former smoker, who did point out something which resembled an ashtray in the 5,000 Years exhibit on the second date).  quote Michael
...................
hey.....thats the first time I think you have referred to yourself as a former smoker. Congrats! ;D

I took Walter on the Grand Tour of the Pioneer Cemetary next door, he asked if I ever smoked, I had.  He used Wellbutrin and the patch 8 years ago and advised that for me.  He did say something about if he ever smoked another cigarette, he would be back on it for life and wonders what would happen if he ran into some of his old smoking friends.  Now, I've gone a day and a half more so... I'm going to call myself a former smoker and see what happens next ;D  I hear that someday, I won't be thinking about them all the time.  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: richva on May 29, 2008, 08:19:20 am
Michael -

I just checked back in on this thread to see how you're doing.  As an Aussie friend of mine might say, "Good on ya', mate!"  Yes, really, there will come a day when you don't think about smokes at all.  And, on the other days when you do think think about them, the thoughts will be oh-so-brief.  I spent the past week visiting old friends where I used to live - a lot of smokers in that crowd.  It's a great feeling (and you can get there, too!) to a) not care to have one and b) notice how unpleasant the whole smoking thing is, really.  Not just the smoke, but having so little control.  One evening I watched as a friend of mine lit one up...then another...then another....  And, I thought, "Sad.  That used to be me."  Take a few deep breaths and never - NEVER - stop feeling proud of yourself for what you've accomplished.

Rich
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: BT65 on May 29, 2008, 08:26:39 am
Michael, I'm just wondering how you're doing. 
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 29, 2008, 03:13:10 pm
Hey Betty Dahlin,

It has been two weeks and two days and a cost savings of about a hundred bucks.  I am getting two tickets for the Russian River Blues Festival with the money saved  ;D ;D ;D  Have the best day
Michael

www.russianriverfestivals.com (http://www.russianriverfestivals.com)

The hot ticket this year is Shamekia Copeland, she is a short heavy girl with a voice that will start the wind.  I have seen her before... stop her band, unplug her microphone and finish the song acappella... perfect voice, perfect volume
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: bear60 on May 30, 2008, 10:48:04 am
Michael....
This sounds like a contest and you won the jackpot! ::) Yea! ;D
I know the Blues Festival will be fun. Pictures please.

Joel
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: BT65 on May 30, 2008, 11:02:21 am
That's great news, Michael.  It gives me hope.
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 30, 2008, 02:31:34 pm
it mentioned some of the difficulty with quitting is sometimes not the nicotine but the habit itself, you know, doing something with your hands...*insert new boyfriend*...Also when have you been wanting them? After meals? A good porno (little jokey joke). Now I hope you are not raiding the fridge. You got to keep that Queenly figure.


My Dear Queen,

When I was hospitalized with PCP at St. Mary's, the doctors were so happy I was getting disconnected from my IV, putting on some jeans and going for a walk everyday.  The AIDS Ward at St. Mary's was the 9th floor (larger than the town I now live in) and a pharmacy on the ground floor.

That pharmacy sold cigarettes and on the 7th floor, there was a roof garden with benches, umbrellas and ashtrays.  I spent my first months with AIDS on that roof garden  ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on May 30, 2008, 02:38:04 pm
Michael....
This sounds like a contest and you won the jackpot! ::) Yea! ;D
I know the Blues Festival will be fun. Pictures please.

Joel

When I was in high school, if you had $100.00, you could hire Robben Ford and his brothers Mark and Pat to play at your party  ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on June 11, 2008, 04:39:23 pm
I have labs tomorrow which is the one monthversary of my quiting day.  I expect my Tcells to be somewhere 350 and 450 (normal for me), my Vl to be undetectable as it has been for 10 years.  ;D

I have been given Simvastatin at 20 mg and changed to 40mg at last labs.  I expect an improvement in Cholesterol, do not know the numbers for comparisons and expect to remain on the Simvastatin 40mg for another 3 months.  ;D

I have been given Lisinopril 10mg for blood pressure, three months ago.  I do non't know the numbers and expect to remain on it for another 3 months.  ;D

I still think about cigarettes several times, every day but I ran into someone I know, who was smoking at the time and was outside a market where cigarettes are sold... I could have bummed, I could have bought but I said Hi, Bye, got a coke and left.  ;D ;D ;D Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: richva on June 11, 2008, 08:01:46 pm
One month!!!  Woohoo!  Congratulations!!!
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: OutOfDarkness on June 13, 2008, 07:44:42 pm
Hi there!
I posted on the wrong "thread", but I have quit cold turkey too, after many times this is the longest I have gone and I am pretty pissed off that I am still craving, it's a physical body tensing frickin' feeling and I thought the worst was supposed to be over???  Well, I guess everyttime I quit I will have to learn something new about it, but it's been 3 months now.  When it gets really bad I do have some nicotine gum and it does curb the feeling.  I think it's great you are still hanging in there, and you know what?  Even if you don't you can always try again and again.  This past year I have been off and on each month and I figured this last time I was so sick of it.  Hang in there cuz it's the best thing u can do to stay healthy with your meds and hiv, AND now I will try to take my own advice!! 
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on June 13, 2008, 11:07:19 pm
Hey Out,

Welcome to the forums  ;D  I was reading your thread last night and since I never had disclosure with children... everyone in these forums has more experience with children than I do.

I have been on many of the smoking programs over the past few years... The one from Smokeenders.com, I liked so much, I did it twice  ;D

This time, I designed my own program, this thread and the support are part of that program.  I still think of cigarettes every day but then I think of $7.56 per day and what I can reward myself with nect year in the $3,000.00 price rance.  My favorite fantacy today has been a month in Costa Rica... it's all behavior modification and rewards  ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on June 17, 2008, 03:57:58 pm
Having gone over 30 days without a cigarette, it seems like the difficult part is over or at least the worst part.  Walter had stopped smoking 8 years ago, said 30 days is momentous, I am exceptionally strong and we are going to have a special celebration to mark my first 30 days.  That's what I like, a man who knows when to celebrate...what a guy...  ;D  He sent me this site www.quit.net (http://www.quit.net), the one he used.  I understand there is a calculation program which tells the user how much money they have saved and how much longer they will live since quiting smoking on their specific date.   ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: BT65 on June 17, 2008, 08:44:42 pm
Congratulations on going 30 days, Michael.  I have switched from buying packs to getting tobacco and rolling it due to the rising taxes on cigarettes. 
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on July 16, 2008, 01:28:21 am
Well Holy Shit!!! Today is Two Months and Two Days without a cigarette   ;D ;D ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: BT65 on July 16, 2008, 08:31:57 am
Congratulations, Michael.  Are you starting to feel better physically yet?
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on July 16, 2008, 02:26:43 pm
Betty Dahlin,

The first time I quit smoking, I was living on Oahu and I couldn't smell the flowers.  There was a lei stand outside Hamburger Mary's where I often sat with friends and got men leid but only the Plumeria flowers had scent. 

Unknownst to me but knownst to practically everyone else, the other flowers simply didn't have a scent.  ;D  Have the best day
Michael

Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: bear60 on July 16, 2008, 02:35:27 pm
Well Holy Shit!!! Today is Two Months and Two Days without a cigarette       Have the best day
Michael
...........................
Hi Michael
Seems only yesterday you were smoking!  I still think about how nice it would be to light up but its been 2 years now and I guess I wont go back to smoking.  Besides a neighbor and longtime smoker....just died and can only think that is a sign to give up ever smoking again.  I heard she wanted to go to a nursing home home that had a "smoking area"  and smoked up until she slipped into a coma ( of course she had to be wheeled out in a wheelchair to the smoking area...but still)...she died a week ago last Saturday.  She was 66.
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on July 16, 2008, 03:09:18 pm
Hey Joel,

I think it was in one of those 5th grade science classes, they said the human body is constantly renewing itself by new cell growth and in three years time, the lungs would be completely replaced.  I believe you are 1 year away from a brand new shiny set of human lungs, hot off the showroom floor, with warantee and 0%apr for the first 12 months.

Do, I remember correctly that Kurt quit 10 years ago?  Or did you guys quit together?  Walter had quit 8 years ago, but we were on a date on that anniversary and he forgot all about it for the day.

I'm smelling the fragrance samples that come in the mail and one which came in this week was Dolce & Gabbana, Light Blue for Him and one for Her...  There are some subtle differences but I like the one For Him more than the one For Her Obviously, there is only room for one kind of man in my house, a gay man  ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Lisa on July 16, 2008, 03:10:25 pm
Well SHIT ! I thought we were having drinks.
Congratulations Michael. I keep saying that I'm going to quit, but I just don't seem to be able to get past the saying part.
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on July 16, 2008, 03:16:42 pm
Oh Lisa Honey,

I can still drink... Some kind person just left a full 1.75 ltr bottle of Early Times at my door without a note.  The polite thing to do is drink it  ;D ;D ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: newt on July 16, 2008, 03:19:02 pm
Just have to say

LISA AND MICHAEL RULE

- matt

Now playing: Arctic Monkeys, Mardy Bum
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: denb45 on July 16, 2008, 03:21:26 pm
Hi  All,

I stopped smoking nicotine (but not the green) recently and lasted for 5 days.  I did it the previous month also and lasted for 5 days.  In both cases, I was driving in the car, stopped to purchase fuel and at the counter this little package of Marboro Lights started dancing off the shelf while singing "take me, take me"  ;D  Today is Day 2 and I found a little sone from the past to help it along.  www.yamelo.com/videoclip/c2_10932_john_lennon_plastic_ono_band_cold_turkey.html (http://www.yamelo.com/videoclip/c2_10932_john_lennon_plastic_ono_band_cold_turkey.html)

If I may use a pastry metaphor, the first 5 days are a piece of cake  ;D  Have the best day
Michael

GOOD 4 U    ;D I gave up Smoking and Drinking well over 15yrs. ago, and I have NEVER LOOKED BACK................Good Luck  :D
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on July 16, 2008, 03:25:58 pm
GOOD 4 U    ;D I gave up Smoking and Drinking well over 15yrs. ago, and I have NEVER LOOKED BACK................Good Luck  :D

Do you still think about them and do you have an anniversary date?    ;D  Have the best day
Michael
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Lisa on July 16, 2008, 03:47:30 pm
OK! I can't take it anymore.........
Michael, I know this is off topic, but the more I see that deck, the more you are tempting me to storm the beach head(or marina ).
I am  truly sorry to have missed out on the outing you spoke of in SF.

ps boys, you are all dangerously close to sounding like rabid ex smokers(the most scary kind)
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: bear60 on July 16, 2008, 04:10:36 pm
Why Lisa.....whatever do you mean? Ha Ha.

(http://)

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Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: denb45 on July 16, 2008, 06:16:35 pm
Do you still think about them and do you have an anniversary date?    ;D  Have the best day
Michael

Nope NEVER think about them..............anniversary date?  JAN 94  ;D
Title: Re: Cold Turkey
Post by: Oceanbeach on July 16, 2008, 08:32:37 pm
Nope NEVER think about them..............anniversary date?  JAN 94  ;D

That is my HIV anniversary, the day you quit smoking and drinkin...  ;D  Have the best day
Michael