I'm finally going to do it.

winbig

Keep winning this amount.
Joined
Mar 10, 2005
Location
Pennsylvania
There's two types of people in this world - people that try, and people that do. :)

At 12:01 Monday morning, I'm going to quit smoking. I've tried many times, but it's time to do it.

My eyes have been watering almost non-stop for the past 2 or 3 days now, and the doc said today that it was allergies, and gave me some eye drops to combat it.

The thing is, that when I was out driving with the window down and the wind blowing, they didn't water as much. So I have to conclude that it's the cigarette smoke in my apartment that's causing my problems..:(

But anyhoo, has anyone successfully quit smoking? I'd love to hear any ideas and tips on what helped you. Any support groups online would also be a great help! :D There's power in numbers....hehe :thumbsup:
 
I hopefully will be joining you soon, my stop date is Nov. 3rd on my 43rd birthday, I never tried before but I know it will be hard. I'm reading something now on aol on how to quit, just go to aol heath center and type in, "how to quit smoking" they have so much info. and support. My doctor told me it's bad to quit cold turkey, he said it's a shock to your lungs, I believe it too, my best friend died last year at 40 years old, she quit smoking at 38 and a year later she was diagnosed with 4th stage lung cancer.. coincidence, maybe, but I'm afraid to take the chance..
I heard the best way to quit is gradually, thats how I intend on doing it. If I have a smoke with my coffee in the morning and after each meal I think I may be ok, I want to try and knock out the ones inbetween, I think quitting cold turkey is just to hard and would make me start to panick and start up again. Let me know how you make out, and GOOD LUCK TO YOU, You CAN do it..
 
My dad quit smoking in a week. He had been smoking for almost 50 years. He is a heavy smoker.He keeps coughing for several days and fainted. We call an ambulance and send him to hospital.The doctor & nurse didnt allow him to smoke in the hospital when he gains his conscious.He stays there for about a week and quit smoking. His heath is getting better and never touch cigarette again.:)
 
I used to smoke cigarettes nore than 2 years ago, but I gave up. I've red Allen Karr's book "Easy Way To Stop Smoking" - very useful!
 
I smoked for about 14 years. From the age of sixteen until I was thirty. Hell, I smoked nearly two packs a day of camel non-filters.

I was a paratrooper at the time and I read how I was sucking in carbon monoxide into my lungs, and that was enough for me. I quit cold turkey. The problem was that I associated smoking with physical things: drinking coffee, driving to work, drinking beer, office meetings, etc. So either I quit doing those things, or I did something else like chew gum. I chewed a lot of it and I quit drinking for two weeks (pretty amazing for a paratrooper).

When the two weeks were over, I had my first beer...and I was dying for a cigarette. I bummed one from one of my friends, lit it, inhaled and yuck. It was like some filmy goo coating the inside of my mouth. I knew I was good to go and didn't need it any more. That was nearly twenty years ago and I've never looked back since.

Main point: the first two weeks are the hardest. Substitute physical things you associate with smoking with something else (or visa versa). Reward yourself.
 
Wish you luck. Ive quite myself off and on for months at a time. My problem is my lifestyle is so stressful and with such lack of sleep. makes smoking a easy vice for me. My doctor has always said he found more so with people trying to kick the habit is what to do with your hands. (ok guys minds out of the gutter)
He suggest pencil to draw with licorice even as far as a smoke not lit its just the
thinking level that you place your mind into. I was lucky have never craved a smoke so really not sure why i do but for those that do need that taste gum works well candies and so on. Great success with the patch and if your health plan covers this they have all kinds of alternate help such as acupuncture hypnosis and so on.
Keep us updated and if you need someone to chat with during this I can help and im sure a few others are willing to chat you through this all.
 
Well, I'm going to try the patches, hopefully they can help curb the cravings a bit. I'll try the unlit cigarette as well as gum :)

If I can stay away from smoking when I'm gambling, I might have a shot!
 
Make sure you take up some aerobic exercises (if you're not already). When I quit, I was running six miles every other day (not including weekends). You need to exercise your lungs and body with oxygen :D
 
Good point CM when you feel the urge to smoke do some exercises, there is nothing worse then heart rate going poundin. breathing heavy and lighting that smoke. not only does it taste like crap your mouth is dry you wont even want to finish it or light up in first place. Temperature has dropped here a lot but i also found that if its really hot outside i never had a smoke. Sweetie whatever works for you is the main thing here.
 
online support group

Awesome decision Win!! I wish you the best of luck in this extreme accomplishment! I am so proud of you for making this choice and will be behind you 100% as always!! :notworthy

A little while back I had posted this link.. It's one of the most popular online support groups for anything from alcoholism, gambling addictions, quit smoking, you-name-it., it's there.! Including any and all medical issues, diseases, etc for anyone else who might want to check it out!;)

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here is the link for smoking addiction and recovery
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Good Luck Hon!:thumbsup:
 
It's gonna be rough. I may have to extend my deadline, but we'll see. I'm gonna try to start cutting back this weekend, but I'm almost back up to 2 packs a day now :eek2: I haven't smoked 2 packs a day in years....

I should go down to the Y in the next couple of days and apply for a scholarship that they offer for low-income people. I definitely qualify, so it shouldn't be a problem :) This neighborhood aint great, so I'd feel better walking around the track there...lol

Plus, they have free classes for weights, exercise, etc...

Thanks for the suggestions :thumbsup:

.....and it's a good thing I'm naturally fit...I do understand that most people that stop smoking gain weight...I guess cause they're eating more junk food to make up for not smoking? (If that makes any sense :D)

I can eat anything I want and not gain weight :p
 
I hope it works out for you Brian! I myself have been smoking since age 13 and now Im 46. I managed to still smoke less than a pack a day. I wish I wanted to quit but I think in all of these years I only tried one time. It was shortly after getting out of rehab ( i thought i was mighty woman lol) I figure If I can overcome coke I could overcome anything. It lasted about a month and not too put pressure on myself, I had a cigarette. Believe or not my dr agreed (not that he wanted me to smoke) but when your under stress, its a bad time to quit.

I go to the dr every other week and my lung oxygen is at 98% and my heart oxygen is at 99% (they were surprised and pleased). I guess some ppl can smoke their whole life and it doesnt hurt them while others can get sick just from second hand smoke. I truly believe its either in your genes . Your either gonna be fine or not. I dont think any kind of smoke that is being ingested is good for anyone though.

I wish you well and if you do give in, dont feel bad, thats why there are erasers on pencils! Tomorrow is always there to start again. Im always here for you if you ever need support
 
Winbig,

I quit cold turkey about 8 years ago. Was it easy, absolutely not. Do I still crave a smoke. Sometimes. However, it has been so worth it. To get up in the morning and not start hacking up your toenails and to walk into your home and it not smell like the inside of the ashtray. Wonderful.

The hardest part for me was, like CM said, doing the things you use to but without a smoke. The first time I sat down at a slot machine without a cig was horrible. I wanted a smoke so bad. I was one of those nervous smokers. The more nervous I got the more I smoked. I could smoke a pack at one of my son's baseball games.

Now the cravings is almost all gone. I tried a cig about a year ago and almost died (not really). My lungs went into lockdown with the first puff. And the taste. Ick, Yuck! Made my mouth taste like a trash can.

You can do it. It will be hard, very hard. Keep busy. Hard candy is good and holding a pencil/pen in your hand helps too.

Good luck and I will pull for you.
 
good luck win:thumbsup: its funny but the two times i was pregnant, i always knew, didnt even have to have a test, cigg. smoking or just being around someone who smoked ,made me sicker than a dog, after they were born, i wanted one so bad and it didnt make me sick.....have to agree with babs if your under stress not a good time to quit, anyways, i wish you much luck and take it one day at a time, ok ?........laurie
 
good luck win:thumbsup: its funny but the two times i was pregnant, i always knew, didnt even have to have a test, cigg. smoking or just being around someone who smoked ,made me sicker than a dog, after they were born, i wanted one so bad and it didnt make me sick.....have to agree with babs if your under stress not a good time to quit, anyways, i wish you much luck and take it one day at a time, ok ?........laurie

hmmm, that's the ticket. All I have to do now is get pregnant! :lolup:
 
what, you aint gonna be my baby's momma? :confused:
oh no honey!!!! done all the raising of kids i want:eek: besides you would prolly want child support and id be stuck doing dirty diapers, again:eek2:.......oh god just the thought of more kids, now i have got to have a cigg, maybe a drink too:D............just kidding............laurie:).........you can do this win, anything you put your mind to can be done:)
 
I have first person seen many people quit smoking using Chantix.. It's a "wonder drug" It's the only one that's legit as far as I'm concerned......
 
I have first person seen many people quit smoking using Chantix.. It's a "wonder drug" It's the only one that's legit as far as I'm concerned......

I've heard it works wonders, as well.....thing is it's like $100+/mo, and you have to take it for 3 months minimum, right?

edit: Yep...$125/mo :eek:

I can get the patches, a month supply at a time, for $60 at walmart ;)
 
I'll try the unlit cigarette as well as gum :)

I see you smiling. You'll be playing with fire if you do that first part.:)

Cold turkey is the way - you've got to really want it completely and really believe it's important enough. You can hack all day for the first several weeks, have dreams that you blew it so intense that it takes a while after waking up to realize you didn't really break down and light up after all, but in the end you can really reach a point where you don't even know what was so great about, hate it, and couldn't be tempted again in a hundred years.
 
It's in the bag....!

Don't empty the last ash tray in the trash just tip all the ashes and butts even if it's just from the very last ciggie you smoke in a little clear zip-lock sandwich bag then tape it somewhere in the bathroom (inside the medicine cabinet door) or the kitchen (the side of the fridge) anywhere you'll see it for a few seconds every morning.

Each time you cough up a hunk of gunk and get rid of it...... thank the bag!
Each time you take a bite of something and can really taste it, smell it , savor it... thank the bag.
If you really believe you really want and need to have just one drag...... go open the bag and have a good long sniff, when you come to your senses ..... thank the bag.


You'll be fine and you'll do great.... It's in the bag!:)
 
It's in the bag....!

Don't empty the last ash tray in the trash just tip all the ashes and butts even if it's just from the very last ciggie you smoke in a little clear zip-lock sandwich bag then tape it somewhere in the bathroom (inside the medicine cabinet door) or the kitchen (the side of the fridge) anywhere you'll see it for a few seconds every morning.

Each time you cough up a hunk of gunk and get rid of it...... thank the bag!
Each time you take a bite of something and can really taste it, smell it , savor it... thank the bag.
If you really believe you really want and need to have just one drag...... go open the bag and have a good long sniff, when you come to your senses ..... thank the bag.


You'll be fine and you'll do great.... It's in the bag!:)
 
Good luck in a hard battle Winbig. Men have a much greater sucess rate at cold turkey than women. I'd skip the unlit cigarette. Although I started again, I had my greatest success with the Nicorette inhaler. Same as using gum, but you have that hand/mouth thing, and it is need responsive in a way the patch is not.

Zyban can be helpful for many people. My boyfriend quit using it, and after several relapses his doctor just kept him on a "maintenance" dose of 150mg, instead of the 300 you use while quitting. My mother ate bags of sunflower seeds in the shells. Karen knit 6 sweaters, and her husband finally quit on the patch after several attempts. David's mother put her "pack-a-day" money in a jar on the fridge, and took a trip every year for the 22 years she was smoke-free. Donny smoked a garbage bag of homegrown pot.

There's as many ways to quit as there are smokers. Today is my day, five to go in the carton, and I have my inhaler on the ready, and I'm back on Zyban. I'll start my day with a 2 1/2 bus trip to a B&M, and I find I usually smoke very little at the casino as I'd rather be on the slots than outside smoking. I'll get rid of all my money, and I won't be able to go buy smokes (at least for a few days), and I figure that may help as well. :lolup:
 

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