ugh!! Quitting Smoking!!!

April 25, 2008

The best thing I EVER did for myself. It was hard, yes, but I don't dwell on that when I give advice about it. Set your mind to this, tell yourself you are doing it, and then do it. When a craving comes, address it, say "Hello craving. I'm sorry, but I am no longer a smoker, so you are not going to be given a cigarette." And then release it. The times between the cravings will get further and further apart.

This will NOT be easy, but look at where you are going to be when you are done. A smoke free, healthy person who is not obese!

awakened2dreams · April 25, 2008

For me, the hardest part about quitting was all in my head. The addict in me didn't want to feel uncomfortable.

I smoked for the better part of 30 years! What tipped my thinking to an absolute "no more cigs" was test results that came back about my diabetes effecting my kidneys. It freaked me out in a bad way.

Then I looked around at all the people I know who had quit smoking, they did it and I told myself then I could too.

I've been smoke free for almost 3 months now. I was on Zyban for about 3 weeks. I took it for 1 week prior to quitting, then for 2 more weeks and threw the rest away.

The first few days are the hardest, but it does get easier!

I know this sounds so simple and easy and I know it isn't, just know it is possible!!

awakened2dreams

skinnyme2be · April 26, 2008

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for the encouragement. I have tried so many things in the past, but I have heard a lot of great things about Chantix, so I am going to give that a try this time. I see my PCP on May 1st so I will ask for a script. I have until 8 wks before surgery date, which I won't have for at least 5 months, so that gives me time to keep trying until I am finally smoke free. I've cut back some already, but IT IS HARD!!

singledad167 · April 26, 2008

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for the encouragement. I have tried so many things in the past, but I have heard a lot of great things about Chantix, so I am going to give that a try this time. I see my PCP on May 1st so I will ask for a script. I have until 8 wks before surgery date, which I won't have for at least 5 months, so that gives me time to keep trying until I am finally smoke free. I've cut back some already, but IT IS HARD!!

Most people who have quit smoking, have quit many times before it actually "stuck". The average smoker quits seven times before he/she finds success. I truly believe that quitting is a learning process. There is no right way to quit, just what works for us. For me it was the patch, for others they want to go cold turkey. Just remember to never quit quitting, you'll find your path to being free of this addiction. Just the freedom from being addicited is so wonderful, not to mention all the money you get to save now. Go to the site I suggested, get your script, make a "quit plan" set a date, then go kick some ash! Keep us posted :w00t:

KristeyK · April 26, 2008

Go for that Chantix. My surgeon warned me the first time I met with him that he would NOT operate on someone who had a cigarette within the last 14 days prior to surgery. I've tried another four times in the last year from that warning. The fourth time I wanted to quit my PCP wrote me a script for Chantix and it was a MIRACLE!!! It's been over a month since I've had a ciggie. Of course I still have cravings, but they are SOOOO manageable now it's unreal to me. (Like they only last MAYBE 30 seconds and aren't bad compared to not being able to get it off my mind for HOURS and getting the shakes. lol)

Good uck!

texgirl · April 26, 2008

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for the encouragement. I have tried so many things in the past, but I have heard a lot of great things about Chantix, so I am going to give that a try this time. I see my PCP on May 1st so I will ask for a script. I have until 8 wks before surgery date, which I won't have for at least 5 months, so that gives me time to keep trying until I am finally smoke free. I've cut back some already, but IT IS HARD!!

The Chantix did make me quite weepy about 2 weeks into it so my Dr. also put me on Lexapro. After that, I was a very, very happy non-smoker! People at work would sit and roll their eyes when I would come in singing on Monday mornings! Anyway, if you feel sad and miserable don't give up on the Chantix, just ask for an anti-depressant. I can't say enough about how great Chantix is. I seriously tried every other way out there to quit and nothing worked for me. The hardest part for me was that deep down I didn't really want to quit. I definitely had to go through a mourning period where I really, really missed my old friend, cigarettes.

cleanteeth · April 26, 2008

Good luck on the quitting smoking. I was a smoker for 22 years, tried to quit 2 times and the 3rd was the charm! I used the patch just because there wasn't much available then. I dream very vivid anyway, so the patch didn't have that much effect on my dreams. The main thing about quitting (which besides quitting eating) was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I wanted it very badly. The only person who can make the decision to really quit is you, and you have to want it so bad that you are willing to go thru the bad stuff to get it. I've been smoke free for 10 years now, and I can't believe that I ever smoked. In today's time I really would try Chantix. I work for the Health Department, and i went to an all day seminar on Chantix. It does have some side effects, and isn't right for everyone, but a 44% success rate is rocks! Each person has to do it in his/her own way. I had a pack of cigarettes that stayed on my kitchen table for 6 months. I knew they were there, and i had to choose each day not to pick them up. Also.. straws cut to a cig. length and I just chewed the heck out of them!!!

Good luck and keep trying!

Molly

singledad167 · April 26, 2008

Good luck on the quitting smoking. I was a smoker for 22 years, tried to quit 2 times and the 3rd was the charm! I used the patch just because there wasn't much available then. I dream very vivid anyway, so the patch didn't have that much effect on my dreams. The main thing about quitting (which besides quitting eating) was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I wanted it very badly. The only person who can make the decision to really quit is you, and you have to want it so bad that you are willing to go thru the bad stuff to get it. I've been smoke free for 10 years now, and I can't believe that I ever smoked. In today's time I really would try Chantix. I work for the Health Department, and i went to an all day seminar on Chantix. It does have some side effects, and isn't right for everyone, but a 44% success rate is rocks! Each person has to do it in his/her own way. I had a pack of cigarettes that stayed on my kitchen table for 6 months. I knew they were there, and i had to choose each day not to pick them up. Also.. straws cut to a cig. length and I just chewed the heck out of them!!!
Good luck and keep trying!

Molly

Congrats Molly on your 10 year smobrity. I went through the American Lung assocation program before Chantix. Now I am a cessation consoler with ALA and with the combo of Chantix, Education, and NRT were hiting 80% smoke free for a year. Were really getting this down to a science, but it's still hard, and it's a great accomplishment.