Ex-Smokers: What Worked For You?

clw_888

I am currently a smoker but want quit! I have tried so many things in the past and haven't stayed quit! I know I need to and want to quit for my health and family and pocketbook but when my scheduled quit date comes, I just can't seem to do it! Please help!?!? Any suggestions or tips about what worked for you are appreciated. Thanks!

FaugHorn

The lozanges, only thing that worked for me

rjsuperstar

Whyquit.com

Simply awsome and it's free. Just read the free e-books.

I have been quit for 1 Year, 9 Months, 4 Days, 1 hour, 51 minutes and 35 seconds (642 days). I have saved $4,414.27 by not smoking 16,051 cigarettes. I have saved 1 Month, 3 Weeks, 4 Days, 17 hours and 35 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 10/21/2009 11:25 AM

Good Luck.

Kristie18

I did the patch for a week and then quit on my own. I think if you have your mind set you can do it. Good luck~ I probably haven't had one in 9 years!~ I still crave one every now and then though. I also smoked almost 3 packs a day~

Cmuchoa

So this is something I posted back in April and I certainly do not mind repeating it if it can help another person to be strong so here it goes - it is a long story but the total truth.

I used to hate it when ex smokers would lecture or warn me about smoking. Hell, nothings going to happen to me.

Ok - let me put it to you this way - diet and look great and smoke the cigs - or diet and look great and no cigs. I am currently lugging around a 15 lb oxygen tank with a plastic tube stuck up my nostrils, most likely for the rest of my life, and that my dear doesn't look good. Better just stop now and show those cigs that you are stronger than them. They will and believe me, perhaps not now, but they will eventually ruin yr life later.

I too like everyone else tried to quit smoking w/o success, tried pills, patches, hypnosis and nothing worked. I really needed my mouth stapled closed. Finally I tried Chantix and it worked (totally wierd dreams) but then my Dad got sick suddenly & I spent everyday & moment possible from July 5th until August 25th by his side until he died. Believe me, I was smoking the entire time my Dad was ill and smoking more than ever. After he passed away I would smoke the usual at work but at night I would go out on my deck and chain smoke and would talk to my Dad in the heavens. I wasn't feeling well as I was already diagonosed with Emphysema but that didn't matter. Each cigarette, to me, was my time alone with myself to be alone and think. Not that I was thinking about the actual act of smoking, just smoking and thinking. Well this went on and on thru the winter and I would sometimes feel dizzy when walking back into the house, but it didn't matter. Spring came and so did the pollen. On April 14th (my wedding anniversary) I went out after lunch at work and had gone outside for my usual cigarettes but started coughing and choking like a was kid smoking for the very first time. I went back to my desk and literally choked until 5pm and I know this was annoying some people but others were truly concerned. I thought it was just the pollen. Went home driving and choking (not an easy task to do) and suddenly seemed to stop choking for a while which made me think that it was definitely the pollen around my job and there different kinds of trees by my house and I was ok now. So I went out on the deck and lit one up and started to choke. Didn't feel well & called my husband to say I couldn't celebrate our anniversary like we had planned. I went to bed with about 6 pillows to support me bcuz I couldn't lay down from choking. I spent the night like that - texted myself out of work the next morning and my husband insisted that I go to the hospital. Being pig headed I argued and then 3 hrs later said I would go but needed to take a shower first - vanity b4 health. Well, I didn't know that my oxygen level was basically depleted and when I stepped into the nice hot shower I suffocated - or respirtory failure as the paperwork read. The most horrible feeling ever - I grabbed the shower curtain and walls. Lucky for me my husband and daughter were right there bcuz they knew how bad I was (my son stayed in another room) - I literally watched as they faded from my sight. Next thing I know I am in the ER with tubes down my throat, IV's in both arms like I am was pincushion. I spent 14 days in that hospital and 2 months later another 5 days. I have Emphysema and COPD. My lungs are at 49% total capacity. I cannot get better but if I continue all my meds, breathing treatments, inhalers, oxygen 24/7 I may maintain my current status or may not. But let me tell you...Spring - pollen kills me - Summer heat and humidity - not a good mixture for me - Fall - pollen once again - Winter - cold air takes the wind right out of my lungs that actually hurts.

So, please do yourself a huge favor now and get a prescription for a pill, patch or whatever. Just stop and don't be so stupid as I was - I wish I could have suffocated years ago and perhaps I wouldn't be in this situation today. It is not a good place to be. I still miss my Dad every single day - still go to pick up the phone to call him and realize that he's gone. The cigarettes weren't going to bring my Dad back to me. The cigarettes aren't going to take away any sadness I feel. The cigarettes aren't going to make any problems go away. Smokers will smoke bcuz we are happy, sad, nervous, excited - pls just stop bcuz they will hurt you.

cwojo

I set my date and replaced my cigs for getting in shape. Hired a trainer and worked out a lot. 6 months later 40 lbs lighter and not smoking. It really comes down to really wanting it. I have quit and restarted so many times I can't even remember. I got to a point that I was just done. You really have to want it.

horsepullerlovesme

:flowerforyou: i quite smoking in january of 05 and i started smoking when i was twelve and stopped at age 31. i swore i was goin to die with a smoke in my mouth at the time i quite i had 6 kids(8now) and my 3 older girls begged me to quite so with lots of prayer and a support from my hubby and of course my kids i just quite. boom done. and still smoke free and proud of it and glad i did it, if you are really wanting to stop u will it is about wanting to or not. but it is not easy. get a good support group. friend me if u would like. good luck

carlxo21

My grandma quit after a hospital scare. My dad quit after his father died on lung disease. The only thing that will make you quit is you wanting to. Your motivation is key. My boyfriend's father quit cold turkey because his health started to slide. Then he was addicted to chocolate ice cream for about a month lol. I've heard those patches and lozenges are helpful. Good luck, please quit! You will live longer. I don't want you to end up sick like my grandparents.

DinaLKeil

:happy: I tried gum and cold turkey first....then finally tried Chantix that my dentist gave me a prescription for. I followed the directions and still smoked for the most of the 1st week. As of April 1st, 2010-I haven't smoked. I was a pack to a pack and a half smoker for about 18 years. It really helped take the edge of for me. I only needed to take Chantix for a month and ended up throwing away the rest of my 3 month starter pack. It's awesome not having that "monkey on my back" anymore. Hope this helps.

kappy_hollowell

Cold Turkey worked for me. I've stayed quit for 6 years now. Did not gain any when I did quit. However, I still want one when having a beer, but as soon as I take a pull, I know why I quit.

You may want to not set a date for quitting. You should just do it. It's kind of like dieting. There is no "I'll start Monday," or "tomorrow," or Tuesday" or whatever your excuse may be. Just quit. Now. Throw away the pack you have right now, and don't buy another.

I know it's easier said than done, just like dieting, but you CAN do it. If you can diet, you can quit smoking.

bada_bing

Whyquit.com

Simply awsome and it's free. Just read the free e-books.






I totally agree...why quit and the forum there has helped me immensely. I quit March 9 of 2011 and feel much different this quit than ever before and I credit that to Whyquit.com. I did use Champix for 8 weeks too! Good luck, it is totally attainable!!

Donna

MissMaryMac33

I smoked for almost 30 years.... NOTHING worked for many years because I actually loved smoking.

Then the doctor told me at age 45 -- that due to my smoking, weight, lifestyle -- my heart was 73 years old!!.
I realized I would probably be dead by 50 if I didn't do something --- that was my wake up call.
I finished my carton and never bought them again --- went cold turkey. Been 4 years and I couldn't be happier.

BUT ex-smokers make the worst non-smokers! I HATE the smell now.. I can even smell when someone in the car in front of me is smoking and has their window open -- yuck!

Good luck.... the hardest part is changing habits... and what to do with your hands. I chewed a lot of straws and sucked on a lot of tic tacs!

cwojo

Good for you....

CasperO

Wife and I did Chantix. For us it was magic. After 30 years of tobacco addiction I took a pill and got up the next morning and didn't want a cigarette. I forced myself to smoke for 3 more days as the Dr. recommended, and then put them away and was glad to put out the last of the nasty-smelly things.

I didn't do the evening dose, 'cause the dreams were just too wierd. I took a pill every morning for 11 days. On the 12th day I forgot the pill and went to work. When I realized I'd forgotten I kind'a braced myself for the cravings, but they never came. I didn't take any more medication after that.

It was about the same for my wife. Some say being really 'ready to quit' is the most important part, and we both were. We'll be smoke-free 4 years in September. So glad we did it.

MarshallLuke

For me it was simply running. You can't run and be a smoker, at least not if you are serious about running.

And if you want to stay quit it helps to have a significant other that says, "Would your rather have that cigarette or kisses... because you're not getting both." :laugh:

MelissaBabe

what i did was set a date and wrote little notes pretty much everywhere, even on the packet to remember my date.
i was smoking 20 a day and set my date about 2 months away and cut down instantly to 10.
then i cut myself down to about 8 then 5 then 3 then 2 then 1 a day. I did use the patches for a day when i stopped but it made me want one more. Also i had my boyfriend giving up the same time, it really helps with someone else doing it with you, it gives you the extra encouragement and will power. Also try and stay away from people who do smoke and if you don't think you can do it without any help i would suggest the lozenges (even though i never used them) or the inhalator (which i thought really did work well even though it tastes awful) the gum didn't really work for me it tasted horrible and I kept thinking i'd rather have a cig and the same with the patches.
I hope this helps for you, it is a very long process but most people have said it does work really well this way.

vrodriguez87

hi! i used to be a chain smoker =/ not something that im proud of but at the time i just didnt care... it wasnt easy to stop or stay away from it. it the same as losing weight try to in a sense portion your self. say you smoke 5 cigarettes a day cut back to 3 then two then one then try every other day. replace it with something else, chew gum or what helped me was coffee.. i dont drink as much coffee as i used to either. there was days when i felt like i just couldnt go another moment with out a cigarette and there was days when i felt like i didnt need one. it does take time you just have to want to stop, its all will power. as my boyfriend says mind over matter... good luck! im cheering for you :drinker:

*feel free to add me*

kappy_hollowell

For me it was simply running. You can't run and be a smoker, at least not if you are serious about running.

And if you want to stay quit it helps to have a significant other that says, "Would your rather have that cigarette or kisses... because you're not getting both." :laugh:

So funny I love it

velvetkat

I quit smoking cold turkey on July 1 2007. 6 months before my first knee replacement surgery. Smokers drool when they sleep and I didnt want to be drooling during the surgery!! Go figure!! Anyway I have no desire to smoke and live with a BF that smokes. Hate the smell of it on my clothes, in my car and on anything around me..

Good luck!!

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Lolyballs

this is what I did after 25 yrs, 2 packs a day. I had a plan. First I purchased a carton of cigarettes. I smoked in the house so the first thing was that I started smoking outside. As I was working on that carton I started cleaning my house. My son and I scrubbed walls, painted ceilings, we cleaned everything in the house... nick nacks, pictures on the walls, light fixtures. Smoke goes everywhere and the thing was to get the odor out. I used a orange based cleaner. The last thing was to take down all the curtains to be cleaned and I had someone come in to do the carpets and furniture. I got rid of all ashtrays but one which I kept outside for guest who smoked. By the time I finished the carton, the house was done. No more cigarettes! When I had cravings I would brush my teeth, drink a glass of water, chew gum, punched pillows, screamed, Thank God I lived alone at the time... lol I did smoke on a few occasions when I was really upset but it made me so sick that when I got upset enough that I wanted to grab a cigarette, I would remember how they made me feel and that would keep me away. You have to really want to quit. I tried several times without any luck but this time I was determined. I wanted a new car and I knew if I quit smoking I would be able to afford the payments. That was the end of 1998. I got my new car. It was the first time I was able to buy a vehicle off the show room floor. OH! one more thing. If you smoke menthol you need to break that addiction first. Switch to non menthol for a little while before you start your plan.

Licacorona

I honestly quit cold turkey. I'm not exactly sure how I did it because for months I kept saying "last one. last one" and as soon as I left work I'd light up. But one day I thought of how long I would be saying that and how much longer I'd be hurting my health if I kept that up so I said enough. There was one day after I decided "no more" that I saw my husband pick up a cigarette and decided to take a drag but it was just not the same. It made me sick. Cold turkey was the only way I knew how and I did it. It's been more than 3 years now. YOu have to find something that keeps you away from wanting to light up. Something that will work for you because everyone is different.

And by the way, my husband quit with me after that. We both decided that if we wanted to some day start a family, we weren't going to do so as smokers.

clw_888

For me it was simply running. You can't run and be a smoker, at least not if you are serious about running.

OMG! Are you in my head? I so want to be a runner but because of smoking I don't have the energy or motivation to do it. I know once I quit that will be a great thing to replace the cigs with.

clw_888

Thanks everyone for your replies. I really appreciate hearing all the time you have as non-smokers under your belts. It really makes me feel like I can be there too! I just took my first Chantix pill and am going to sign up on the whyquit.com site. I know once I quit it will help me to reach my goal weight so much faster! I will feel so much healthier. My quit date is 8/1/11 as you are supposed to smoke for 1 week on Chantix. I am ready to do this...I just wish I could skip quit days 1-4 and then I know it would be so much easier to stay quit once I get past those days.

So here I go! Thanks again for your support!

Lolyballs

I just wanted to add... I've seen a few people who have used Chantix to quit. If you decide to go this way, be very careful. My best friend tried it. She became extremely depressed and suicidal. She told her doctor and he gave her Xanax... this did not help. She finally called a psychiatrist. He told her to stop taking the Chantix immediately. It works for some people, but if you notice your mood or outlook on life is changing, stop taking it!

karensoxfan

...
Better just stop now and show those cigs that you are stronger than them. They will and believe me, perhaps not now, but they will eventually ruin yr life later.
...

So true. Have you ever cared for a lung cancer patient and seen the slow hell they go through? I have. My father was diagnosed with Stage IIIB lung cancer on Dec. 28, 2010, and a few weeks ago was downgraded to incurable Stage IV disease. Not only has it been hell for him, it's been hell for my mother and for me.

If you have a spouse or child(ren), and you feel like you can't quit for yourself, please quit for THEM. They care about you and don't want to see you develop the fatal consequences of smoking.

Do whatever it takes, cold turkey, patches, gum, medications, hypnosis, etc. until you find a solution that works.

MarshallLuke

OMG! Are you in my head? I so want to be a runner but because of smoking I don't have the energy or motivation to do it. I know once I quit that will be a great thing to replace the cigs with.

My advice to you, then, is to run. Get out there and start moving those feet. And you will HATE it at first. Your lungs will burn, your body will cramp and you will hurt in places you didn't know could hurt. But then the next run will be better. You will go the same distance a little faster. You will come home, relax and probably light up a smoke... but it won't taste as good. And every day the running will feel better and the smokes will taste worse, until you get to the point that you walk into the store to buy smokes and are almost too embarrassed to ask for them. At least, that's my story.
The first step, though, is to start running and dealing with the pain you have wrought on your lungs (it goes away... not quickly, but one day it is one. Trust me).
Best of luck to you!

RagtimeLady

I have used 4-step filters like "One Step At A Time":
http://www.quitsmoking.com/onestep.htm

Get down to the last filter, then wean yourself off. Nicotine patches gave me horrible insomnia. Nicotine losenges didn't take away my cravings - I found that sugar free mints and sours like IceBreakers did just as well. Helps to change your habits - smoke outside only, not in the car, and whenever you feel you need one, grab a mint and tell yourself you don't need THIS cigarette - wait for the craving to go away. It will!

And if you gain weight (I did), don't be stupid and start smoking again. You won't lose it from restarting. Learned the hard way.

Good luck - there are lots of good suggestions here! If one method doesn't work for you, try another way. But the most important thing is you really gotta wanna quit or it won't happen.

szqnva

After 35 years of smoking at least 2 packs per day, I knew I had to quit before it was too late. It actually took me about 10 years of failed attempts. I tried nicotine patches, hypnosis - twice, wellbutrin, quit smoking "classes", and chantix - 5 times. Yeah. My younger brother was diagnosed with emphysema when he was 40 years old. My mother, is down to 25% lung capacity. And this past September, my brother finally passed away at 51 years old. A slow, torturous death. One day, I noticed as I was walking on the beach, that I was totally out of breath and had to stop to rest constantly. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with the beginnings of emphysema. And that was when I knew that if I didn't stop for good, I would be walking in my brother's shoes very soon. On March 6, 2009, I quit for the final time. Cold turkey. And it was actually the easiest of all my attempts. I really do believe that being successful is 95% mental. You have to be ready and you have to have the right mindset. For years, without realizing it, we've been socially programmed (especially those of us who are a little bit older) that smoking is "relaxing". That it "tastes so good after a meal". That it makes us look "cool" or "sophisticated"...or whatever. The best way to be successful is to change your thinking. Once you quit, you can't "romance the cigarette" by telling yourself "oh, I miss it sooo much", or by telling yourself when you walk by someone "oh...that smells sooo good". No, no, no! You have to re-program your brain to the truth! You have to tell yourself that smoking is NASTY. That you CAN'T STAND the smell! That you feel, so much better!!! And you will! Your skin will look better. You will smell better. You will be released from bondage because you will no longer worry about whether you can or can't go somewhere because they don't allow smoking. There were so many places and things my husband and I didn't do when we were smokers because we couldn't stand the thought of having to go two hours without a cigarette. Oh my gosh!!! What a sense of freedom to not have to worry about that anymore!!! That's probably the very best thing of all! So congrats on your decision! No matter how you do it, just do it. Don't make the mistake of thinking "it won't happen to me". And once you finally quit for good...you will wonder how you could have possibly ever smoked at all. Wishing you the very, very best!