Need advice from ex smokers

Lissakaye81

I've quit twice, once for 8 months and just quit again, its been around 2 weeks I think. Sounds funny but it was way easier this time. I didn't like the regular flavor e-cig, I found the menthols much more pleasing on the throat. I like herbal cigs without nicotine best. It's weird though, I dont want so much the cig but the routines I used to do. So I just randomly go outside and instead of smoke just stand there, its funny but works. My fiance uses a little nicorette, a full flavored e cig and camel's snus....he is having a harder time.

akkbatra

lookforgood,
corolemack is very correct. Just read Allen Carr's easyway to quit smoking. I am in fourth week of quitting. Do it urgently. ebook is available free online in pdf format. The book actually encourages to smoke while reading the book, but I think you better don't. Don't count hours and days as if you are losing something or that u are sacrificing something. U actually are giving up the nicotine addiction. U surely will succeed if u understand the process psychology. best wishes.

AllenCarrEasyWayToStopSmoking.pdf

jenniferret

good for you! i quit smoking cold turkey a year ago after smoking a pack/day for over 10 years. the first week was the hardest but my strategy was to replace this habit with a new better habit that would not only be positive but would occupy my time and take my mind off of the cravings- so that is when i started working out and exercising. i replaced my smoking breaks with 10-15 minute brisk walks outside- really paying attention to how good that feeling of oxygen in the lungs and body made me feel. eventually i became addicted to the oxygen feeling and the cigarette cravings were no longer there.

CatchMom11

I quit smoking in 2005 when I got pregnant. I started smoking again November 2010 and just quit again September 2011. I quit because I was eliminated from consideration for a job that I was completely qualified for due to being a smoker. It pissed me off. I was tired of my smoking controlling so much in my life and I was a complete hypocrite because I was begging my own mother to quit to try and save her life. I was able to quit cold turkey. My husband... he's a different story. He's struggling but he is doing better than he's ever done. He no longer smokes at home as I will not go near him if he smells like that.

He's also watched my mother waste away due to smoking, diabetes, and vascular disease. She was on a vent for 3 weeks after having heart surgery because her lungs weren't strong enough to work on their own. She was 49 when that occured. She didn't stop smoking. She will be 53 at the end of the month and in the last 18 months she has had two more heart attacks, bypass surgery, and had her leg amputated up to her knee.

While the amputation is due to diabetes, her smoking has eliminated her from ever being able to have heart surgery if she needs it. Her lungs are shot!

If that doesn't give you some sort of strength to quit, I don't know what else will.

I wish you the best of luck in your journey to quit. As someone who is forced to watch their parent wither away because they refuse to give up the nasty habit, I encourage you NOT to do that to your children.

nikrit84

My husband and I just quit this new year...and it has been 3 months and the cravings are still there! Will proabably be months before they go away. I quit cold turkey, however, my husband quit with the patch and the gum. those worked fine for awhile and then he would have the electronic cig when he had his intense cravings (feels just like one). Cranky is an understatement for the both of us, but my workouts are much more enjoyable AND we don't stink anymore! lol

haleighallen

I took chantix to quit smoking! It worked absolute wonders for me! I know some people are leary of it because they've heard horror stories about so-and-so's friend's sister's cousin went "crazy" on it blah blah blah, but there are horror stories like that about everything. I personally had literally NO SIDE EFFECTS with it. Just talk to to your doctor about it, get the facts, and decide what you want to do from there.:flowerforyou:

Jordynnsmom

You can do it as long as you focus on the important reasons you quit for. The hardest part is when you do the typical things that you associated with smoking like talking on the phone, driving, after meals and drinking. Like others said I find something else to do until you completely kick the habit. That is exactly what it is HABIT. Play with a tooth pick, sugar free sucker, minute etc. Eventually you will re-train yourself do do these things without it. Plus remember that if you can hold out for 10 minutes the craving will pass. I quite cold turkey after 22 years of 2 pack a day smoking(used to light my next off of the one I was putting out). I also smoked cigare and inhaled them. I quit while my spouse continued to be a smoker. I have been smoke free for 5 years now and honestly it is difficult sometimes to hang out with smokers because I loved the act of smoking. After I had been smoke free for a year I tried it and it hurt my throat and tasted disgusting. I just know that my child is more important. Plus I was saving nearly $10 a day;)
You can do it!

amysj303

I quit smoking 6 years ago just to see if I could do it. It was the hardest thing I ever did. I think you should be nice to yourself because it is taking a lot of emotional energy to quit and so if you are crabby or need a treat, try and plan for it. and try to reward yourself without food-like a massage or something.
Also, I did chew the nictoine gum when I really wanted a cigarette. so if there are times that are really hard for you, or something coming up that you anticipate being hard without a cigarette, you can chew the gum, so you get the nicotine you want but without resorting to smoking.
also, if you do smoke, don't just think, "I failed so I should just go back to smoking" just think about why you gave in and try to have a strategy for the next time and give yourself a break for slipping up, it's a process.
It was a long time ago but there are times when I still want to smoke, like when I am in a really stressful situation, or Vegas;)

Sabresgal63

I smoked 16 years..........2 packs a day.......I threw them out and suffered and was miserable and got through it. It has been 18 years since I smoked a cigarette. I kept picturing what life would be like hooked up to a portable oxygen tank and then gasping for air dying........It was enough for me.

Give yourself the biggest gift you can..............LIFE...............Its so aweful now, but will be worth it in the long run! Good luck to you and remember that you are bigger than that cigarette!:bigsmile:

Tennessee2019

bump

lizzie1030

I quit smoking 4 1/2 years ago. I smoked for 30 years, since I was 15. I was so afraid to quit...afraid that I would gain weight and just afraid I would miss it. I actually used Chantix to quit. I took the Chantix for the recommended time and ended it when I was suppose to(some people use it to cut down, which never works). The first week was tough, but after that I felt so free. I never feel like I want to smoke again. I feel so great...I can hike, I don't smell and have that raspy cough, I can go to the movies without thinking how can I get thru this without a cigarette, I can fly on an airplane, I can go to work without thinking that I need to take extra breaks for my cigarettes. I just think about all the benefits, it was one of the best things I have ever done and that I am most proud of. Don't try to quit with the idea that it will be hard, once you get over the physical addiction, it is all in your head. I hope you can succeed thinking that it really isn't as hard as we try to make it be. And if you are worried about gaining weight, think about how much more exercise you can do. Good luck!!!

autumnk921

Bump....For later...I def need to read this!!

SwannySez

I've quit 3 times. Once for two years - then we moved to Ohio for 10 months, I give myself a pass on that one.

I did cold turkey the first time and never felt any cravings. I truly believe it was divine intervention.

The second time and third times I quit I used the patch. It really, really, REALLY helped. The third time being my current foray into smokelessness which has lasted since last July. I haven't used a patch since probably September or October.

To testify to the power of the patch, I quit drinking at the same time. No patch for that one unfortunately.

miheiss

I started smoking while I was in the military. I smoked for over 8 years, and I smoked at least a pack a day. My driving force was I wanted to live a long, normal, and healthy life. I must have tried to quit over two dozen times. However, I did kick the habit. The first few weeks are the hardest. With each day that passes, it gets a little easier. I loved to smoke! To this day I would love to go buy a pack of Newports and spark up. But knowing I'm going to live a longer healthier life, God willing, outweighs buying that pack of smokes. Even if you break down and have a smoke, don't give up, get right back on track. It's not going to be easy, but it can be done and many people before you have quit smoking. Life is too short and precious to smoke it away. Think about your family and the extra time you'll give yourself on this earth by quitting. Stay strong, and best of luck to you. You can do it!

Howbouto

I used wellbutrin which helped immensely. I also set a quit date 60 days ahead of time. I set a few rules for myself. The first 30 days I allowed myself to smoke as much as I wanted but I couldn't do anything else. No talking on phone, no watching tv, nothing just concentrate on smoking (its amazing how disgusting you feel when you concentrate on it. ) 2nd 30 days I get smoking in the house and car (again I could smoke as much as I wanted but outside.) I quit smoking on day 35, it was boring and inconvenant. The other thing that I struggled with is the thought that I would never have a cig again. I made a deal with myself if I still wanted to smoke at age 65 (36 years later) I would let myself. Its been 6 years, I will still have an occasional cig with friends at a bar but I will never smoke full time again.

pjjohnson12766

When I decided to quit, I asked my doctor how effective was Chantix over the patch, and/or gum. He told me 20% for all three forms, that the remaining 80% is habit (mental). Nicotine is only in your system for 3 days. After that, it's the habit. I took Chantix the week before and smoked just like the commercials say you can. I took Chantix for only 3 days after I quit smoking because of what the doctor told me. I kept an empty pack of cig's in my purse with straws(cut to fit inside the cigarette box) in them. When I felt the urge, I took the straw out and held it like a cigarette. I even chewed on the ends. I haven't craved a cigarette since and that was 2-1/2 years ago. I feel wonderful, am able to exercise until I choose to quit, not because I am out of breath. I can go on hikes when I go camping. My house smells great, my clothes also. I can taste my food. The cough is gone, the raspiness in my voice is gone. I have not been to the doctor for bronchitis or pneumonia since I quit. I did gain some weight and am working to get that off now. Quitting smoking was easier than I thought it would be using Chantix. I have lost a total of 23 pounds, with about 15 more to go. Good luck and you can do it. I loved to smoke as well and had smoked for 25 years. The money I have saved is tremendous.

sabermax

I am trying to quit my self. just went two weeks and started agin. I want to quit. please add me as a friend. Maybe we can help each other. Also have 95 more lbs to use

Laceybaby1967

I quit smoking 4 1/2 years ago. I smoked for 30 years, since I was 15. I was so afraid to quit...afraid that I would gain weight and just afraid I would miss it. I actually used Chantix to quit. I took the Chantix for the recommended time and ended it when I was suppose to(some people use it to cut down, which never works). The first week was tough, but after that I felt so free. I never feel like I want to smoke again. I feel so great...I can hike, I don't smell and have that raspy cough, I can go to the movies without thinking how can I get thru this without a cigarette, I can fly on an airplane, I can go to work without thinking that I need to take extra breaks for my cigarettes. I just think about all the benefits, it was one of the best things I have ever done and that I am most proud of. Don't try to quit with the idea that it will be hard, once you get over the physical addiction, it is all in your head. I hope you can succeed thinking that it really isn't as hard as we try to make it be. And if you are worried about gaining weight, think about how much more exercise you can do. Good luck!!!

I have to second this. I quit 5 years ago, after smoking a pack and a half a day for 18 years. I *LOVED* to smoke. I used Chantix to quit as well. I didn't worry about 'weight gain'; I simply tackled one demon at a time....my focus was on not smoking. Hang in there......you will gain time back (think about how often you concentrate on having to 'sneak' a cig),.....money (we all know the financial expense)....,your life! It's one of the hardest, but most rewarding things you can do for yourself and those you love.....Best of luck!!!:flowerforyou:

V44V

I haven't read all of the last five pages but can only imagine there is a shed load of great advice already in here...

You have your reasons for wanting to stop and that's always a start!

I quit for similar reasons to you back in 2008, writing that down makes it feel so long ago now My Daughter will be 3 years old in April and to say I didn't want her smelling of smoke is an understatement. It's not until you stop you realise how much you must have smelt to others that don't smoke.

I finished off the cigarettes I had in September 2008 (made no sense to waste what I'd paid good money for bearing in mind how much they cost in the UK). I quit cold turkey, had no patches, gum, hypnosis or anything else. To tell you the truth it was murder.

For over two years after I stopped I would say I wanted one every day but resisted the urge. I know one would have led to two, two to three and then back on them full time.

I am alsom glad in another way that I've stopped, smoking used to be such a social thing back in the day, you're now made to go outside with the other lepers whilst everyone else is drinking inside in the warm!!!

Keep strong, find a hobby and keep busy and believe in yourself.

Feel free to add me

lbarrett1212

You can do it. I quite four months ago. Cravings last for 3-5 minutes -- push through. You can do this. You really can!

LPinTheD

I haven't read thru all the replies, but I'll add my experience and what worked for me.

Cold turkey did NOT work for me. Some people can do it that way, and I admire them. I wasn't one of those people.

I tried Chantix back in 2007, and it did work - BUT - I had severe psychological side-effects from the drug. I was literally crazy.. hostile, impulsive, aggressive. Horrible, horrible stuff. I shudder when I look back on that time period of just a few months.

The patch... tried that, but something in it gave me a nasty skin "burn" where the patch was. I'd have a big red circle that itched where the patch was.

The thing that worked for me was the electronic cigarette. I quit in December and haven't looked back. I still use it on occasion, but I can see myself dropping it entirely in the near future.

Whatever helps YOU to quit, is what's best. Just don't quit quitting

InTenn

I've quit cigarettes twice and cigars twice. Each time for more than a year. My challenge was staying quit three years later, the part most people find easy. Somehow I had convinced myself that quitting a second (or third time) would be easy. It wasn't,but it wasn't impossible.

But here is what I learned:

At its worst, it doesn't feel any worse than a bad cold or a mild case of the flu. The only difference is that it is voluntary.

since you have been smoke-free for 53 hours (maybe over 70 hours now), if you light up you will undo much the effort you have made. You will have to go back through some of that. So don't cheat for a second.

I had always quit cold turkey. Last time I bought some nicotine gum. Maybe a dozen times, I used a piece of gum to take the edge off. Don't expect it to fix it, but it does make it manageable.

After a week, it is all in your head. You've beaten the physical part. Stay strong so you don't have to go through that again.

Good luck.

blackwarrior

:happy: i was smoking 40-60 a day and am now of them 10 weeks tomorrow i went cold turkey this time as every other time i used something but when i looked at it i was still getting nicotine from these which i thing just feed my addiction for nicotine so always went back to smoking again now i chew sugar free gum well all the time much better than the smokes hope this helps

lisahoyle

Stop thinking about it as giving up something and start thinking of it as freeing yourself from things...
Having to carry *kitten* (I'm English) lighter
Having to remember to go to the shop
Having to leave your friends to go out for a *kitten* (again UK)
Having to live with the rubbish feeling that you're doing something thats - from an objective point of view - completely stupid

Oh and think about why you started smoking and how you can get that need filled by other means.

Trust me, I'm a hypnotherapist (and an ex smoker)

CatchMom11

I've quit 3 times. Once for two years - then we moved to Ohio for 10 months, I give myself a pass on that one.

I did cold turkey the first time and never felt any cravings. I truly believe it was divine intervention.

The second time and third times I quit I used the patch. It really, really, REALLY helped. The third time being my current foray into smokelessness which has lasted since last July. I haven't used a patch since probably September or October.

To testify to the power of the patch, I quit drinking at the same time. No patch for that one unfortunately.

Living in Ohio made me want to smoke too! lol

jcs0530

Beside the addiction side of smoking, it is also a social habit. When I was quiting, I stopped going out to the parties, hanging out with my friends that smoked, etc... It was just too hard to quit and be in that enviroment. Ive been smoke free since 1985 with only a few slip ups while deployed overseas in high stress situations. When you feel that urge, use it and go for a fast pace walk or slow run. Over time ( several weeks) your body will train itself to associate that feeling to excersice. Good luck. By far the hardest thing I ever did was quit smoking.

natvanessa

I quit exactly 60 days ago and am so happy and proud of myself!

There are so many benefits of quitting but I have to say the best one is that my family (who had been urging me to quit for years), is now SO happy. They know that I will be around longer

For some real advice I recommend you pick up the book "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" by Allen Carr. I actually read it AFTER I quit just to keep me motivated in case I felt like smoking again. The book is so amazing I literally cried during certain parts. He basically tells you that you are freeing yourself from something you really don't enjoy, rather than giving something up. It is SOO true once you read his book and understand everything he says. I will never smoke again.

Another thing that helped me is an app on my iPhone called My Last Cigarette. It tracks a bunch of statistics once you quit, and is super motivating. Trust me on this! I couldn't have quit without this app!

Last thing, I quit Cold Turkey randomly one day and haven't smoked since. The first 3 days was hard, but after that I felt Great!!!

Good luck :-)

Karstenf

I LOVED smoking, too, especially with some beers. I smoked for 12 years, a pack and a half a day. I work in construction, so it was easy to keep one lit all day. I started working out the same time I quit smoking. Everytime I had a craving, I would drop and do 10 pushups. My coworkers thought I was crazy until they found out why. Two months later, 3 of them joined me. I tried to quit twice before, but without any kind of exercise regiment. This time I have immersed myself in exercise, and it has made all the difference. In the beginning I couldn't Go for 10 minutes on the elliptical machine with 0 resistance without feeling like I was going to die. Now I'm on it for 30-45 minutes at resistance level 16. These little victories help me to stay away from cigs for good.

Halloch

I know its hard to quit. I must have tried at least 10 times before I was successful. I would always fall down and smoke again. That was until I did laser acupuncture. WOW, just the process was great. I left the office, sat in my car, looked around and had a grin from ear to ear. Did I feel great or what. I have never had another smoke and it is now 10 1/2 years. Look for a clinic in your area and go for it. One thing though, you have to want to quit to be successful. Good luck, I feel for you.

RideRidePony

I quit smoking almost 4 months ago now, and yeah its hard. I used an e ciggarette but after 3 weeks i found i no longer needed it, I had my partner for support and we have both quit together
The hardest is going to BBQs and drinking outside because you just feel like your forgetting something, and its a ciggarette thats missing
I personally havent noticed any savings from not smoking, the money just goes elsewhere :S