NEED ADVICE FROM EX_SMOKERS

chlorisaann

I did Welbutrin for one year, dr said most pts who stopped drug before one year started again. also not good for the waistline, but Dum-Dum suckers REALLY helped me with the oral/manual fixation....

compumomma

I quit 5 years ago. I was 35 years old and had an asthma attack they couldn't get under control. They put me in a medically induced coma and placed me on a ventilator. A day later I was brought out of the coma and started a long road of recovery. At the time I had a 6 year old daughter and the last thing I told my husband as he was taken out of the room was to make sure she knew I loved her. There was a chance I would not come off the ventilator. Now when I think about it the thought of never seeing my family again still hurts and I know that I will never smoke again.

Up until 2 weeks ago my husband smoked, even almost losing me wasn't enough. You need to have a reason and that reason will help you stay smoke free

TheConsciousFoody

I quit smoking when I was put on effexor for my anxiety. I didn't even realize I had gone so long without smoking, I just stopped being interested in them and no longer crave them. Best side effect EVER!

IHopie

Just do it. Convince yourself you want to quit and stop smoking. I did quit about 30 times over the years until I finally really knew it was time. I finally quit while my DH still smoked so it wasn't like there were no temptations but I wanted to quit and the cigarettes being right there didn't tempt me. For a while I carried a worry stone on a short string so I had something to hold if I had an urge. That was 12 years ago and I have had a fleeting thought of having a cigarette a few times and then gone. Once I quit and knew I wasn't going back, I felt like it was the was the easiest thing I had ever done. Honestly, the patch, counting cigarettes, drugs or gum..didn't work. What worked was feeling like I really accomplished something by going cold turkey. It's not for wimps. And my DH still smokes and is still trying to quit. As for the e-gig, he became addicted to them and they did cause mouth and lip sores. Sorry this is so long but smoking is a major problem addiction to overcome. Best of luck.

concordancia

I quit by location. That is, I quit several times cold turkey, but each time I started again, I wouldn't smoke in certain trigger places.

No more smoking in the car, over a decade ago.

No smoking at home, about three years ago. (And I often work from home)

No more smoking at the office when the campus became smoke free.

Since those three places make up most of my life, I haven't had a cigarette in ages!

Crayvn

I just started the patch on Monday . a dear and extremely supportive MFP friend convinced me..so far so good

LaurasClimb

I quit cold turkey, too. These things helped me:

Don't PAY an evil corporation to KILL YOU.

You CANNOT be healthy if you smoke.

Just don't have a cigarette TODAY... you can worry about tomorrow when it comes.

And good luck to you! It's not easy, but it is worth it.

Worry about tomorrow, I love this!

I quit just over 8 years ago, cold turkey. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done.

Don't hang out with smokers for a while!

The biggest thing that really worked for me, seriously, was a little competition with an "unknowing" participant. Here's the story...
My sister and I do not get along real well. Nothing major, just don't like each other. She is the type of person who can be mean an pick on you about anything (the "reasoner" in me knows it's because she is very insecure and this is how she makes herself feel better). I know my sister has tried to quit several times, unsuccessfully. So I secretly "white-knuckled" my way through every craving and temptation, knowing I was going to accomplish something she couldn't.

That's what it took for me! I should also mention that I was in a Quit-Smoking program through the VA center, the support group was helpful. Didn't bother with the patches they wanted to give me - had previously tried them and hated that I went through withdrawals every time I stepped down to a lower dose.

Best of luck to you, you CAN do this!

50ishFoodie

I smoked a pack per day for 28 years. It took me 5 tries in 3 years, but I finally quit using Chantix and the buddy system. That was 7 years ago this month.
My friend and I spend HOURS on the phone chatting, just to keep from smoking. Other tricks: take a long bath and just go to bed. Get in your PJ's and read or play cards or a video game. When you are freshly scrubbed, you are less likely to get stinky again. I went to bed early A LOT in those first weeks. And, I ate a LOT of fruit. Tangerines, apples, bananas... anything to cub that need.

leyte26

i quit almost 3 years ago. i was trying to lose weight to get pregnant and i wanted a personal trainer. my husband refused saying why would he spend all that money to help me get healthy when i am smoking. he had a point plus better to quit before getting pregnant anyways. so I made a deal with him told him if I quit the next day and stayed quit for 2 weeks i could get the trainer. i quit cold turkey havn't smoked since that day everytime i would think about wanting to cave i would think about how disappointed my husband would be and when times got hard i went to the gym i lost 75 pounds ran a half marathon still no baby but quitting was the best thing i could of done for myself now i can't belive i had smoked for so long.

i agree with the others you really have to want it and be ready to quit! plus avoid all the triggers as much as possible my hardest thing was driving loved to smoke while driving. and talking on the phone. but i am awhole lot warmmer in the winter now!!

i wish everyone good luck who is trying to quit you can do it!!!

travelbug002

Kudos to those who were able to quit cold turkey. I tried and failed--again and again and again. I used the patch and never had any cravings. I never had the urge to smoke and I still don't; in fact, the smell makes me ill now--and I've been smoke free for over ten years.

MsJulielicious

I just recently quit cold turkey (Saturday will be 2 weeks) Every time I want to smoke I pull up some saved pictures of Lindsay Lohan and remind myself that she is a few years younger then me but looks decades older bc of her poor lifestyle choices. Sounds odd, but its helping. I also quit drinking bc I know if I have a cocktail I will smoke.

Wickedone1973

I quit smoking about 12 years ago. I got a very bad lung and sinus infection on top of my asthma. I was miserable, but still puffed away. Then one day I was feed up and said to myself "NO MORE". I have not smoked since that last one coughing and hacking. The key for me was that it had to be my choice, not "I won't buy anymore after I finish this pack/carton". That tacktic had failed me many times. I had a half pack open and almost a whole carton. I carried that half pack around in my poket, just like normal, for about 1 month. It made it easier, because I could have one if I wanted. I chose not too. Those first few months I had to litteraly tell myself 'NO" when the cravings would hit. After a month that half pack got moved from my pocket to my truck. It remained there until I sold the truck a few years later. That carton was on the top of my fridge until 2 years ago until I moved to my new home. Hope my story helps, this is my first post. You inspired me to finaly do it.

Beautifulsoull

I stopped then went back to it 3 different times.It wasn't till I was talking about children that made me want to stop and I knew I had to stop for my health and the babies health so I stop in Nov of 210 and got pregnant in Jan.2011 and have been smoke free since.

Cherbear67

Good luck.. I am going to a workshop next week that they hold here in Ontario to quit smoking.. I am getting some product to help me..

rduhlir

I quit using Chantix and it works great. I haven't gained a pound so far, but it has only been about a month. Take each day one at a time. Recognize that slip ups happen. If they do, don't panic and continue on. The first 3 weeks are the hardest. They were for me. Now, I rarely crave a cigarette. When I do, it lasts only a few minutes at the most.

barb1241

I only tried to quit once. 4 years ago. Used Chantix for 6 months. It stuck. There is so much hype about all of the possible side effects-but honestly the only side effect I experienced was the ability to quit smoking.It was not easy, but it wasn't nearly as awful as I expected. I remember when I forgot to go to the store and would paw through the butts in the ashtray in the car until I could make a ciggie run-pathetic addict I was! And based on that-it was much easier to quit permanently with Chantix than to wait an extra half hour to get a pack while I was a smoker. There is great support at Quitnet.com and a number of states have programs that will help pay for patches, gum or prescription meds based on a sliding fee scale.

Best of luck to you!

ETA-Forme, the Chantix made smoking seem like ordering a pizza and licking the box but not taking a bite of pepperoni. All of the "reward" was gone after the first week, leaving only the habit which just took time. Lots of triggers and just remembering that I was no longer a smoker.

jha1223

I quit cold turkey because I was ready to start trying to get pregnant and didn't want to be one of those people who waits til they're pregnant to quit. DH had a MUCH harder time quitting. He ended up getting an e-cig. I think he has the ego-C. I can't vouch for their safety vs cigarettes but his doctor said he'd rather him vape than smoke. Have you tried any of the other stuff? Gum, patch, Chantix(sp?) Good luck!

Sadly, I'll admit, I had to go the ecig route too. I just didn't have the will, I'm weak, however you want to put it. That being said, I'm six months on vaping, can smell and breathe again. I'm hoping over the next few months to ween myself completely off the ecig as well.

I have a counter in my sig on an ecig forum. So far, I have saved myself from over 4k smokes and saved about $800 (that includes taking out expenses on ecig supplies). Its a path to the permanent solution - completely quitting.

Wynterbourne

Quit twice on the patch, once lasting six month and once lasting one year. Finally quit for good on my third attempt using lozenges. They were fairly new at the time. It has been five years this month and I can be surrounded by smokers and don't even give it a second thought. Absolutely no desire to smoke at all.

LSeales

I used a hypnosis dvd to quit. I don't know if that really helped or if I was just really determined to do it. You essentially quit cold turkey. I heard it takes 3 days for the nicotine to get completely out of your system and then the rest is just mental. I can honestly say that I haven't craved them since. My husband quit cold turkey and he still wants one. February, WE will celebrate 5 years since we quit.

underwater77

This is a very odd way to quit, I'm sure, but I kept a full pack of cigarettes on me for a year. There was some comfort in knowing I could smoke one, but even greater than comfort was the strength I felt each time I decided not to. I finally gave the pack away a little over a year after I quit and haven't so much thought about it. I was ready though. And I do think it was easier because it was time.

Good luck to you! Put your mind to it - decide you're done and be done. I know it sounds cliche, but that is what it comes down to.

Be strong and know you CAN.

brianddl

Smoked off and on for more years then I would like to admit. Finally kicked it with.the help of e cigarette. No real.seceret just will power. Have to give yourself a real reason to do it and stick to it. Hardest part was adjusting to having a ton of free time on.my hands. Some things work better for certain people. Blu worked wonders for me.
Smoke free 2 years in May.

mrso97

i was on my way to work june 20, 2011 and decided "i'm done" finished my last cigarette and never turned back...you have to WANT to stop....

The_Invisible_Boy

I quit in 2006 with acupuncture. Walked out of the office and it was like I never even smoked or chewed tobacco. My addiction was gone. It was easy. No cravings or withdraws whatsoever.

The_Invisible_Boy

I smoked and chewed since 1988.

Thomasm198

I smoke two packs a day. Have for most of my life. I have quit several times but it never sticks. I am trying again cold turkey. I could use advice and stories of how you did it, what it took to make that decision. I hope this will help and inspire me.

I'm coming up on 12 months off them. I used to smoke about 25 cigarettes each day. I quit cold turkey. I was sitting in work one day. I had just come back into my office after being out for a smoke. I had the urge to go back out for another cigarette. I looked down at the pack of cigarettes and said to myself "you're an idiot! Why are you even doing this to yourself? Once that pack is finshed, that is it, no more. Never again".

I stubbed out the last cigarette in that pack at 11:57pm that night and haven't looked back since. The first month was probably the hardest. It was trying to break the habits like walking outside for a smoke when in work.

I think quitting is 90% mental. You have to be prepared for it mentally and then just fight through cravings etc.

pwnderosa

I use/used an ecig to quit...I feel no shame in it, I breathe easier, reversed the gum disease I was being treated (very expensively & painfully for!).

Things that helped me keep my cool:
Green tea
Lots of walking & yoga
Spending time on arts & crafts
Talking to ex-smokers about it
Celebrating the mini-victories
Fancy new perfume that I could smell for a change!

Good luck & congrats to all the quitters here!!!

Coltsman4ever

Hardest and biggest accomplishment of my life. I smoked for 26 years.
I quit cold turkey when I was 40. I knew it was time because every night when I laid down in bed I thought I was going to die.
I had to take it not a day at a time but more like an hour at a time.
If I was really struggling in the evenings, which was my hardest time, I would lite a cigarette and smoke it w/o ever inhaling. I probably did that 5 or 10 times total and only when I really felt like I need to. The trick was having the discipline to never inhale it.
Every day got a little easier and eventually the desire goes away completely. I can not even imagine smoking a cigarette now. I can't stand the smell of it on people's clothes and I hate that I used to smell like that.
Exercising and being healthy feels SOOOO much better than ANY cigarette ever tasted.

Good luck to you. You can do it if you really want to. It's just a decision.

Lesa_Sass

I smoked for 27 years. Got news from my doctor that I was in the beginning stages of emphysema, so I ran directly to the mall and bought an ecig.

There are dozens of other additives besides nicotine that are addictive in cigarettes that I had to get used to being with out. That took me about 3 days then it was smooth sailing after that. I puffed on my ecig all day for about 2 months, then a couple of times a day for a few months then I noticed I was only doing it after big meals. One day I realized I had not used it in 4 months so I was done.

I also took bee pollen to help with my appetite. I took 2 before 10 minutes breakfast and the same for lunch. This kept me from eating everything in the house as it curbed my appetite.

I am now 2 years traditional cigarette free and I can honestly say I am tickled to death. I never thought I would say that because I loved smoking LOVED IT! I also can smell other people that smoke from 10 feet away. Its really gross.

Good luck!

ghdsmais

congrats to everyone who quit smoking!!!! Like everyone else, I smoked for most of my life. Over thirty years. Pick a day and stick to it. I used the patch to take the edge off. Now I have the eye on the prize of running the marathon in October this year. Good luck

JaErb183

Quitting is one of the hardest things I have ever done! (although i believe that losing weight is harder) I quit Dec 10th 2006 using the patch, after being on it for 2 weeks I had decided I had enough and went cold turkey! I also used Quitnet.com Best site out there and truly I believe that is how I kept my quit. You really do have to want to quit for it to stick.. if you believe in yourself you can do it!! Good Luck!