Stop Smoking Support Thread

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  • kody22
    kody22 Member Posts: 25
    edited March 2011

    Hi Everyone:  Haven't been on line for quite a while.  Had many up and downs with my treatment.  So here I am finally finished my chemo and nothing now until my follow up in 6 months.  My problem right now is in one month I must start taking a hormone pill.  The dr has prescribed Anastrozole Tablets.   I did research on this and I definitely don't like the side effects of it.  I was just wondering if anyone else has had this drug.  Originally he said I would be taking Tamoxifen but said he didn't know I was 54 years old.  I don't know what to do but I definitely don't want to suffer with more joint pain.  I already have arthritis.  Any ideas.  Thanks

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  • LadyinBama
    LadyinBama Member Posts: 1,132
    edited March 2011

    I just read this in a book and feel like it applies to our group:

    If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.

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  • jan508
    jan508 Member Posts: 1,330
    edited March 2011

    vj

    It won't let me add a recipient on my PM

    If you PM me I will hit reply with the address

    thanks

    Jan

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  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited March 2011

    Hi Gals! I have been out of town and had pages to catch up! Congrats on quit-a-versaries! I will be out of town tomorrow, which will be my 9 month quit-a-versary!! WooHoo! I can't believe it! And I am standing strong! So folks, if I, a 35+ year smoker, can do it, so can you!! I did have a couple years here and there of quit but this one is sticking because I am a non smoker!

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  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 3,697
    edited March 2011

    Barbara, 9 months is definitely a non-smoker.  I like that quote Bama wrote, "if you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to suceed:, I'll keep that in my book of tools for when I get a craving.  I am at 1 and 1/2 months!  I too was a pack to a pack and a half smoker for 30+ years.  I just got off the recombent bicycle, did 20 minutes in the red zone, never could of done that in my smoking days.  Congratulations, Barbara.   Karen

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  • jan508
    jan508 Member Posts: 1,330
    edited March 2011

    barbara:

    Congratulations!!!! Well done!

    Jan

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  • LadyinBama
    LadyinBama Member Posts: 1,132
    edited March 2011
    Barb: happy happy happy happy happy anniversary!!!
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  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2011

    YEAH Barbara!!!

    Is it just me or does it seem like those 9 months have just flown by?!  Your going to have a year in no time!

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  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2011

    Thanks for the information O2B! 

    I really do think my issues are a big old combination of things but, my gut feel is that the Tamoxifen is one of the key players.  Unfortunately (fortunately?) for me, my cancer is highly ER positive.  If you believe the stats from adjuvant (which , in my opinion, took a back seat to the oncotype in my decision making) taking it cuts my risk from roughly 36% of recurrance to 18%.  Pretty big reduction so I'll keep on keeping on!

    Today was sunny here!  Thanks for sending some of your AZ sun my way  Wink

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  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2011

    Hey kody22,

    Glad to hear from you and happy that your chemo is DONE!!!

    I am on Tamoxifen (because I was pre-menopausal), so can't be of much help specifically on the Anastrozole but, will say that when you read the list of side-effects for any medication, keep in mind that what is a problem for some may not be a problem for you. 

    When I first started on blood pressure meds, I took one look at the potential side-effects and thought I'd almost rather risk having a stroke than take that!  Did take it anyway and all was well.

    Maybe someone here who is on Anastozole will be along to help.  Also, there is a topic on this board called something like "Hormone Therapy".  They may have more info for you. 

    Edited to add: I do find that exercise really helps with the muscle/joint stiffness.

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  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2011

    Bama,

    Great quote!!  I am kind of a collector of quotes and other things that I come across that I think are kind of profound and really "speak to me".

    Adding that one to my list! 

    This is another one I really like!  I think it was from the signature line of a sister here on these boards...

    Nothing is IMPOSSIBLE, the very word itself says "I'm Possible" - Audrey Hepburn

    karen333,

    I just got off the treadmill a little bit ago!  I do find I am able to push harder and go longer than when I smoked and I thought I did OK then. 

    Yeah for the 20 minutes on the bike!!  I wish I had one of those!! 

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  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2011

    OK....

    Seems like many of us were 30 year and up smokers...  None of us can be that old...

    I'm thinking we all must have started in Kindergarten! Wink

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  • LadyinBama
    LadyinBama Member Posts: 1,132
    edited March 2011

    Seaside:  Hooray for sunshine. Do you feel better today?

    I started smoking when I was 21 (old enough to know better). I stopped at age 53. So that makes me a 32 year smoker. Good grief! More than half my life, so far.

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  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 3,697
    edited March 2011

    Pre-K actually

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  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2011

    Bama,

    I do feel a bit better today!!  I think the weather plays a huge role in our moods.  I also haven't been taking my Vit D like I should so started that again today!  Hopefully that helps! 

    For any Beatles fans out there "It's been a long, cold lonely winter..."  Sure looking forward to spring!  

    karen333,

    Pre-K works too!! LOL

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited March 2011

    I started smoking at 12 (inhaling that is, I was probably younger but didn't inhale then) I did quite several times in between and for several years at a time but finally became a non-smoker at 38...

    Congrat's on 9 months Barbara!!!!

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  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2011

    Michelle,

    I was 13 when, with some of my friends, starting snitching cigarettes from our parents and trying it out.  Back then it seemed like most of the adults smoked so it really wasn't that hard!

    It wasn't long before we were buying them from the vending machine at the local pizza place for 50 cents a pack!!   We'd pool our money to buy a pack.... It just kind of snowballed from there and the rest... as they say... is history!

    Wow!  I look at my kids now who are 17 and 21 and think they look sooo young... I was just a baby when I started...  

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  • kal_1865
    kal_1865 Member Posts: 176
    edited March 2011

    Incredibly I can top you all on the age - summer after I turned 10 I started smoking, stopped the night before my surgery at almost 51.  You can also include my first period that summer too, what a landmark year that was...

    I had my last chemo today, too bad I'll have to deal with my SE's (just a couple of days of funkiness-Thursday & Friday) and then on the road to feeling like me, sorta.  I have an appointment with the rads onc on Wednesday and my port comes out Thursday.

    BarbaraA-Congratualtions!!!

    I just passed my 5 month quitversary last night at 10:00 Eastern Standard Time (or is that Daylight Time)--not that I'm counting....

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  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited March 2011

    Thanks everyone. Off to the airport.

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  • annettek
    annettek Member Posts: 1,640
    edited March 2011

    safe journey Barbara..

    ok, i am almost done with my book Easy way to stop smoking...expect to end it today. I will check back later and post a quit date.

    i am scared yet oddly excited.

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  • VJSL8
    VJSL8 Member Posts: 652
    edited March 2011

    o2bhealthy--not sure if this is close to you or not but I will be doing free quit clinics in Gilbert, Marana and Tucson next week and in New Mexico in May. The other ones listed will have someone else doing the presentations but you'll get good information. Free and open to the public:

    https://www.freequitclinic.com/gq-clinic-events.aspx

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited March 2011
    VJ - thank you for thinking of me Laughing  Gilbert would be the closest at a two hour drive. If Iwasn't working that day I would love to come, if only to meet you in person and say 'Hi'!  I do have some friends in Tucson/Marana area that I will refer to the clinics there.  Thanks  Again!
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  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 3,697
    edited March 2011

    annettek, I felt the same way when I decided to quit.  You can do it, I smoked up to a pack and a half a day for 30+ yrs.- it is definitely doable.  Karen   p.s. and as we decided yesterday, I started in pre-K class, haha.

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  • Basia
    Basia Member Posts: 790
    edited March 2011

    Sorry I haven't been here in a few days, havent thought about smoking until just a few minutes ago. my girls are driving me nuts today! i really want a cig, but I know I wont/can't.  I refuse to get them dressed to go out in the cold just to buy a pack, no matter how nutty they are acting.  

    Saturday will be 4 weeks since my last one...yay!  

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited March 2011

    Woooowhooooo Basia!!!!  Great Job on almost a month :)  

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  • jan508
    jan508 Member Posts: 1,330
    edited March 2011

    Congratulations Basia!  Keep up the good work!!!

    Jan

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  • jan508
    jan508 Member Posts: 1,330
    edited March 2011

    So, yesterday I went for my pre op appointment for my exchange surgery.

    When the nurse got to the 'do you smoke' question of course I said NO!!!!  She put a BIG X by NO!!  What a fabulous feeling!!!!

    Jan

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  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2011

    annettek,

    I think you described the feeling perfectly!!  Scared, yet excited!!

    I used Alan Carr's book as well and found it really made me think about smoking in a way I had not ever thought about it before!  Since you don't quit until your done reading, did you plan to read reeeeeeeaaaaly slowly like I did?  LOL

    Post your quit date, when you know it.  I'll add it to the quit list if you would like.  Just let me know.  I don't want to put someone's date on the list if they don't want to be on it.

    Hope to hear more from you soon!

    Welcome Aboard!

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  • SeasideMemories
    SeasideMemories Member Posts: 3,194
    edited March 2011

    Jan,

    I had my follow-up with my radiation oncologist 2 weeks ago.  Since I am on yearly follow-up with him this was the first time I'd been back since I had quit so I got to say it one last time!!

    It felt sooo good!  And the funny thing is, I think the doctors are even happier than we are!

    That's right you have your exchange coming up here in a little over a week!!! You must be getting so excited!!

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  • Basia
    Basia Member Posts: 790
    edited March 2011

    Jan, I had my pre-op appt  yesterday as well, it felt great to say, no I don't smoke! Even though it isn't a long time for me, it felt great.  When is your surgery?  Good luck!  

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