EX Smokers, I need help.

[blue]

I need to quit smoking, soon. What worked for you? Im gonna be orderring Final Smoke tomorow, and schedualling a full physicle next week.

I now have cancer on both sides of my family. My dads side is relativily cancer free but it just showed upo in my dads brother. My moms side isnt very extensive but my grandmom died from a smoking related illness and my grandpa to a tobaco related illness, he chewwed, neither where cancerous. A cousin on my moms side has a thyroid type of cancer, it was in recesion but now its back and they cant risk opperating because its cropped up in her head so its a chemo only option for her. From the family emails neither my uncle or cousin sounded bad utill I talked to my brother today. My brother allways sees health issues in the worst possible light so I dont think either of them are terminal, but it isnt good either.

What helped you quit?

[girlbuffalo1]

My now husband gave me the ultimatum before I even started dating him telling me that he refused to date a smoker.

I generally never smoked more than 5 cigarettes a day (except for in social situations) so they way I quite was thus:
5 weeks with the 5 cigarettes a day (no exceptions)
4 week with 4
3 with 3
2 with 2
1 with 1

I did have a few relapses (like having a cig while drunk at a party) but cutting back this way worked pretty well for me. (but I don't know if it would have been the same had I been a pack a day gal or anything)

Best of luck to you. I tried to quit many times prior to this but I think it takes you really wanting it to happen and believing you can do it to make it work.

[Buddy'sParents]

Your family history should be enough, should it not?

Both of my parents quit after seeing my grandfather go through his second open heart surgery. They were thankful to be awakened but sad at the costs. I will NEVER ever touch a cigarette. NEVER. It is a disgusting habit and it kills- both those that do smoke and people that are merely bystanders.

You have to want to change in order for it to be effective. You can't be half-assed about it and think, I'm going to quit, really. You have to be forceful with yourself and just drop it in the bucket and forgettabout it. Do it for you and your health. Do you want to have 3 open heart surgeries and spend the last years of your life miserable because of something that you once thought made you feel 'good'? I certainly wouldn't.



Best of luck to you. I tried to quit many times prior to this but I think it takes you really wanting it to happen and believing you can do it to make it work.

What she said. ^

You can do it, blue. You just have to be strong and think of the better in life.

[showpug]

I have never smoked a cigarette a day in my life, so I can't offer advice. But, I really do wish you the best in reaching your goal. I think the main thing you really need to accomplish any goal is the courage to see it through...

Cancer is a scary thing. My husband's Uncle just passed away on Thursday at the tender age of 65, he had cancer everywhere. He was going to retire this year and he never got to. He spent his whole life smoking and he paid in the end. Truly heart breaking to see the void now left with his family...:(

[mrose_s]

my mum tried qutting SO many times since i was born.

she hasn't smoked a cigarette in nearly a year. she cant even stand the smell anymore.

she quit cold turkey when my sister came up to her and said "please quit smoking, because if you die i have no-one" i'd say try to think of what you would leave behind

[ACooper]

Blue I am sorry to hear about your Uncle & Cousin........I hope your brother is painting a worse picture, and everything goes good for them. So many survive cancer now when it is caught & treated. My mother fought her round with colon cancer and won, I have had my "lady parts" removed for it, and so far nothing else has cropped up.

P.S. The gum doesn't work, the patch is crap...........(at least for me) so if you do find something that works, PM me.......I will try it too.

[joce]

I was told by multiple people in my life if I didn't stop smoking they wouldn't be around anymore so after I finally believed them I quit.

I had never been a pack a day smoker,more like a pack every two to three days. I eventually dropped down to one in the morning and one at night for probably a year and then just stopped.

the only way I could do it though was to also stop drinking. Every time I'd go to a party with my friends I'd be miserable cuz all I wanted was a cigarette. I quit a couple years ago and just started being able to drink and not have to have a cigarette(although I can't lie and say one wouldn't have been nice-it jsut wasn't an overwhelming urge).

I have heard from a couple patients that the meds helped them a lot. But I think the people who have the most success go cold turkey-not what all the studies say but its what I've seen in my years of having to ask people if they smoke or not.

[Renee750il]

I've never smoked, Blue, but I've borne the brunt of a couple of heavy smokers who did quit - at least for a long while.

It seemed that the effects of withdrawal were the least when they kept grapefruit juice around and drank some whenever the craving started to hit them. It seemed to be a combination of the vitamin C and the taste. Just the plain old unsweetened white grapefruit juice, not the fancy pink stuff that is sweeter.

It's tough - really tough, but you are stronger, Blue :)

[LhasaLover]

I will NEVER ever touch a cigarette. NEVER. It is a disgusting habit and it kills- both those that do smoke and people that are merely bystanders.


I can assure you that this self-righteous & thoughtless type of "shame/encouragement" never ever helps anyone with an addiction of any type, and I believe most people have an 'addiction' to something.

Alcohol does as much or more damage to its users & bystanders - why isn't there this witchhunt on drinkers?? :rolleyes:

Blue, there's a new medication out that's supposed to be very effective. My uncle who's smoked for over 50 years just quit smoking using it and he said it was the best stuff he'd ever used. It's called Chantix and you can read about it here - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stop-smoking/HA00020

Best of luck to you!!

[blue]

For the smokers and ex smokers and Renee thank you for the encuragement, and advise.

[Laurelin]

I'm not a smoker, but I wanted to encourage you. I think it's great you're making a healthy decision for yourself. :)

My grandpa quit when he was 60 or so, but it took him his first open heart surgery to do it. He then quit cold turkey with no problems whatsoever. My other grandfather always tried to quit because everyone was telling him to. It never worked. I think in order to quit you have to want it yourself. No one can make you quit unless it's something you really want.

From what I've heard the patch/gum don't work very well, but I can't attest to that personally. I have really bad allergies to cigarette smoke (and everything else practically) so smoking was never really an option lol.

[RD]

I can't offer you any advice, but I wanted to throw in some support. It's really tough but it's a good decision on your part, Dan. You can do it. :)

[Aussie Red]

My friend is using Chantix and I think I will too . She claims to have no bad effects and is going into 1 month free. Fact is unless you picked up this bad habit you have no idea how hard it is to stop. Preaching about death, smell or anything else only angers those who smoke. It is a bad thing to start and hats off to you if you never sis. I did and that is that. Do I want to stop yes. But being forced to do it by non smokers only makes me mad and more determined to smoke. Have a little compassion for those of us who screwed up and got hooked. Smoking sucks no doubt about that but it really is a habit that is very hard to kick. My son has been smoke free for two years and still craves a cig. He says it has not stopped for him and has to fight it. Blue Fruit bat and I are right beside you we are going to put them down this week too. Hopefully we will all have success.
The bad thing I see is that I smoke while at the computer. If I am busy I do not so it will mean a lot less of me here.

[Aussie Red]

I can assure you that this self-righteous & thoughtless type of "shame/encouragement" never ever helps anyone with an addiction of any type, and I believe most people have an 'addiction' to something.

Alcohol does as much or more damage to its users & bystanders - why isn't there this witchhunt on drinkers?? :rolleyes:

Blue, there's a new medication out that's supposed to be very effective. My uncle who's smoked for over 50 years just quit smoking using it and he said it was the best stuff he'd ever used. It's called Chantix and you can read about it here - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stop-smoking/HA00020

Best of luck to you!!

Kudos to you there for pointing it out. There is a strong thing going in this country aimed at smokers to make us believe that we are killing everyone. Sheesh you can not even smoke in public in many places now and I might point out that fewer people smoke now then ever before and yet the cancer deaths are on the rise. Heart ailments are on the rise as well. It is easy for someone to tell another that they ought to think about the risk to their health and the costs to the tax payers and the costs to others health. Fact is this society has more obese people in it then ever before and the numbers are growing daily. I would think that is a much larger health problem then smoking . As I say I too am quiting but not for any reason that others want me too. I am just tired of being controlled by something.

[Saje]

Oh Blue good for you! And best of luck. I've never smoked but I know it's one of the hardest addictions to quit. On top of what LhasaLover said I think it's funny that people assume you will just be able to quit because 'you know better' when there is so much more help available for other addictions.

Anyway, ultimately you have to figure out what works for you and what kind of person you are.

Do you think you would be able to handle it better going cold turkey? If that's the case than I've heard it's best to make sure you smoke your last cigarrette before bed and get a good nights sleep. Then keep yourself VERY busy the next day.

I knew one guy that quit smoking by doing 10 push ups every time he had a craving. Didn't matter where he was. He ended up quitting and get some major man muscles lol.

Another guy I knew quit because his new wife who was a hotty told him he had to. He said he didn't really want to give it up but he went and got hypnotized. The first time it didn't work. The second time it did. That was at least five years ago and last time I talked to him he still hadn't smoked.

Like Renee said you also might want to really look at your diet. Vitamin C is supposed to be great for helping kick addictions and so are B vitamins. You might want to go to a store like GNC and see if they can recommend anything for you.

I know you can do it! I hope you find a way that works :)

[Saje]

I thought of another friend and how she quit. She knew she couldn't go cold turkey so she slowly started elimated places where she smoked. First her car, then at work, then restaurants and finally her house. Bundling up to go smoke outside when it's -40C was a good deterant and she was able to wean herself off from there.

[smkie]

batten down the hatches, grow a backbone of pure stubborness, appeal to your intelligence, and stay away from people for 3 days. buy tictacs. eat sunflower seeds (something in the shell) something in the seeds helped curb cravings. mostly decide, make up your mind and do it. i smoked soda straws. Then i chewed them up.:D

[Jynx]

I have been a smoker for almost 30 years, I watched my dad die a couple years ago from cancer, most likely from smoking.

It is VERY easy for non smokers to say "oh you can quit", and VERY hard if you've smoked for a long time. It IS an addiction.

My husband also was a long time smoker, he quit cold turkey 2 years ago,

I knew I couldn't go cold turkey, So I have been taking Chantrix and am almost done with my 2nd month..Tho it says you "quit" in 8 days, my doctor said, with most long time smokers it usually doesn't happen.

At the end of the first month I was down to less than 1/2 of what I had been smoking. Now I am down to about 8-10 a day, with a "promise" to myself that I will NOT smoke over 10 a day.

Each day is a struggle, (I have a VERY stressful life which doesn't help much)
but I am proud of the fact I smoke as little now as I had been. So with that in mind, I keep taking my pills, and each day will try to set a new goal of lowered amounts until I get to ZERO..

The pills can be used up to six months. You start with 1 a day for the first week then go to two a day thereafter..Some days I take only a 1/2 a pill when I'm not feeling the urge to light up and it does work.

The only thing, definately take them on a FULL stomache! It's hard to describe the feeling you get from the pills, and I haven't gone on any food binges *vbg*..I honestly don't want one, and if I do light up, I take a few puffs and butt it, it just doesn't taste good.

Good luck to you , it is a hard thing to conquer.
Diane

[Gustav]

I smoke.. There I said it! :p

I did manage to give up once, but became heavily addicted to chewing gum.. Was up to 3 packets a day and had constant jaw ache.. One thing I did find helpful was sugar free lollies.. It's a similar action, sucking a lolly and taking it out of your mouth again to smoking. It keeps your hands busy, I found the worst thing was when you have 5 mins spare that you would normally have a ciggie in, to find something to occupy yourself with.

Meh.. I have plenty of "Won't" power and not enough willpower to completely quit forever.

The herbal ciggies were FOUL, and made me want to vomit all the time.. The patches gave me an allergic reaction.. And the gum is AWFUL! So cold Turkey was the only way forward for me..

I can either smoke my 10 ciggies a day, and be happy or I can quit and be miserable for the rest of my life.. It may make me live longer, and I will really feel it too! lol

Smoking really isn't such a big issue in France, practically everyone smokes.. It's normal behaviour.. And Monkey see.. Monkey do! lol

You go for it and don't look back my friend.. And let me know how you do it! ;)

[Laurelin]

Oh gosh, I'm very addicted to chewing gum. At least I tell myself I could be addicted to something worse.

Keep it up Blue and keep us updated! :)

[noludoru]

Sheesh you can not even smoke in public in many places now and I might point out that fewer people smoke now then ever before and yet the cancer deaths are on the rise.

I understand what you're saying, Aussie, but I am going to have to disagree with you... a lot of people are highly sensitive to cigarette smoke, and when people are smoking in public places that they need to be, it's very hard. Most of the people I've politely asked to move downwind have been exceedingly rude AND blown smoke in my face (purposely). I'm highly sensitive to cigarettes, and have trouble breathing after only a minute or two of inhaling it. If I'm around it too long, it can make me ill for days. For me it's a godsend that smoking is banned in many public places.

Blue, I really hope you succeed, and you have a LOT of support here from peopl who love you. Some of the suggestions I've read sound great, and Chantix hopefully will work with you. :)

[smkie]

you can do it blue. I been telling you that for a year now.

[Renee750il]

Blue . . . this might give you a little more incentive.

Men who quit smoking tend to find that they experience some, er, enhancement of their natural attributes ;)

[Zoom]

You can do it! I'll give you something to work towards as a rewards hee hee

My dad used Cinnamon Altoids as his substitute and this time around is trying Chantix. His biggest complaint about it is that is cuts his appetite so bad that when he does try to eat, it gives him a stomachache. So maybe eat before taking the pill. But he doesn't have munchy cravings on it.

[Dizzy]

The physical addiction is the easier bit to crack, it's the actual habit side that is the killer I think.

The cravings generally pass in a week or so, and can be controlled with the patches and stuff, but it's the inground cycle of those times when you normally have a cig, people you normally smoke with etc etc that puts you off the wagon.

You need to look at those times that you associate with smoking.

For me, when I 1st moved back to my parents, I stopped smoking. I have never smoked here, and so I didn't have that habit or routine, and I stopped.. But, started working in a pub full of smokers and slowly but surely got back into the loop.

I know people who have carried pens and things to hold like a cig in those situations! So they have the habit side (holding a cig) covered.

Or people who, whenever they have a craving, just say, I will wait 10 minutes... 10 mins pass, they forget, and say the same next time the idea pops in their head.

The hardest thing is saying NOOOO, but once you manage it a few time, and it is HARD!! it becomes easier.

Depends on the person though... some people can do it right out, wake up one day and say no more.. others need to do it in baby steps.

I want to quit. I'd say I am a social smoker, and we have the ban coming in on July 1st, so unlike most of my fellow smokers, I am not intending on standing out in the rain just to get a drag!! Plus, I'd like to spend my money on more interesting things... We'll see.

Either way - good luck. It's never easy - but it's mind over matter - be strong!!

[blue]

Thanks for the encoragement everybody.

I guess my mind is made up now. Last ttime I quit I did it cold turkey and lasted 3 months. My new job isnt as stressfull as the last one so tomorow it begins. Who wants to be my buddy?

[Renee750il]

I'd say you have a whole forum of buddies, Blue :)

[Spirit2010]

I'm not a smoker but, here are some of my tips, (some that I have learned in health class, and some common sense, that I actually can think of on top of my head) some might not help. lol

Don't start the habit! lol

You need to want to quit! Very important, which I can see that you do.

Um, thats all. lol, When I find more I will shoot it at ya. ;) But for now, good luck! I hope you stop soon!!

[bubbatd]

Unfortunately I'm with Zoom's Dad . I started with Chantix and it really cut down on my desire , then it started to upset my stomach ..... you really have to take it with food and I didn't want food . I'm going to go back and try it again though . Don't start kids !!!!!

[blue]

Unfortunately I'm with Zoom's Dad . I started with Chantix and it really cut down on my desire , then it started to upset my stomach ..... you really have to take it with food and I didn't want food . I'm going to go back and try it again though . Don't start kids !!!!!

Im going cold turkey tomorow Grammy, you wanna try?

[Aussie Red]

cold Turkey did not work for me Blue Good luck. I was just down right nasty doing it that way. I want you to succeed for sure. Go Blue.

[blue]

I made it 3 months when I was younger twice, I forgot going cold turkey going into Boot. I need to stock up on vitimen rich juices.

[dr2little]

Good Luck Blue!! I smoked years ago, I quit before I got pregnant the first time...almost 23 years ago now. I had a really hard time quitting even though I saw my dad was dying of emphysema. Watching him having to sleep sitting up clinched it for me. He died over 20 years ago but knew that I had quit before we said goodbye and that meant something to him.

I used the gum...it tasted WAY worse back then than it does now. I had a piece recently and it was actually quite yummy....I had to spit it out because it gave me arrhythmia..hehe.

Anyway, I wouldn't discount the gum or the mints for the simple reason that what may not work for some might just be what it takes to free others from the clutches. Addiction's a bitch, WE'RE ALL HERE FOR YOU BLUE!!!!!

[Barb04]

Blue, my brother & his wife have tried everything and anything including fermenting cigarettes in a jar and then having to spell the awful odor when they have a craving. The only thing that actually worked was quitting cold turkey. It's hard, but it was the only way both of them were able to quit. They actually didn't even do it at the same time.

[ToscasMom]

Blue to be honest, I quit smoking a dozen times before I quit for good. Honestly and truly the only thing that worked for me was fear. I had this horrendous cough complete with blood--and made what I could only call a rare trip to the doctor's office. Hearing the potential of what it could be scared the bejesus out of me. It turned out not to be any of those things, but it scared me straight. I had quit smoking completely within a week after that, while my nightmares were still fresh. That was five years ago.

[ToscasMom]

I say let's use this thread to help cheer Blue on. He can write how he feels and how he's doing. And the rest of us can give him encouragement.

[smkie]

YAY!!! i did it and i smoked half my life, "tried" to quit about a zillion times. Didn't even tell anybody the last time that i was going to do it. Wish i could say it was because i wised up, but it was really because i was so sick i was out of money. Dog food or cigs. Guess which i brought home. If your "trying" you won't make it..if you decide, make up your mind and follow through, you will..just keep telling yourself
1 you are in control of your mind and body
2 you are not a pawn of the cigarette companies
3 The thought of cancer (something i watched first hand and lost my best friend) is scary to you and you don't want it to be you
You will do it!
Physical cravings will be over in three days. After that it is all mind over matter. Then they will begin to smell really bad to you..if you get stressed? use something else, walk or tic tacs or whatever.THere are always excuses for everything. THe cigarette companies count on that. Start to back down? Think about the shunt they put in your chest for chemo when all your veins cant take it anymore. Or the fact is that we all have cancer in our bodies around something like 3 or 4 times a year. Usually our immune systems are quick to gobble up the bad cells and set things to the right. That is until we weaken it so that it can't do that and the cancer cells that multiply geometrically (i think that is the right term, one becomes two, becomes four, becomes 16) get a foot hold. THen it spreads like crazy. I bet if they put a picture of that shunt..or better yet the drawing i don't have anymore of Jim sitting in his office chair, with his business jacket and hat, all bones in an ashtray,so once big and in control,and now so dead, on the packs it would make people do a double take. Aaron said it was the strangest thing i ever drew but he respected it and understood completely. I wish i still had it but it made me cry so i got rid of it. Watch a video on how the cigarette companies made billions off of making people sick. THe only product out there that if used correctly will kill you. You are WAY smarter then that Blue. Go Blue GO Blue GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am in the bleachers cheering you on hour by hour.

oh i forgot the good things

smelling wonderful smells again..and food tasting devine..
being able to swim across the swimming pool underwater:D
the fact that you are still young enough that in 7 years you will have pink healthy lungs again..
less colds
i haven't coughed hardly at all since (i had chronic bronchitis)
women that don't like smokers will want to meet you
some of them are worth meeting;)
You will be proud of yourself!
and if you feel yourself weakening..read stuff like this http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/tobaccostatistics/a/CigaretteSmoke.htm
this is pretty good too http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/cravingsandurges/a/halt.htm

if you would have asked Jim or me which of us would have lasted the longest i am sure we both would have answered Jim. He was so big so strong so healthy, so happy with his retirement to look forward to. His rv set and ready for the road, his new harley in the garage. Turqoise chrome and white. He got to ride it i think 3 or 4 times. He was too tired, and then he was too dead. DO it for him. Dont be another statistic. He was a good man and i miss him terribly, he was only 63. HIs doc called him at 9 pm and said Jim you have cancer. I will never ever understand the reasoning behind that. Freaking cigarettes i hate them they take my favorite people away from me and makes them suffer so. Put your money that you would spend on them in a can and buy yourself something you have wanted for a long long time.

[bubbatd]

Good luck , Blue !!!!!

[ToscasMom]

One of the posts reminded me of what helped me most to succeed. Downright physical labor. Particularly outdoors. I dug gardens, I landscaped. I did the hardest work I could to keep me and my adrenalin busy. When you do that kind of stuff, you just can't think about cigarettes. Hours can go by before you stop and think about lighting up. That's hours you went without a smoke. I also went places where I couldn't smoke and made sure i stayed there as long as I could. Like malls (can get very expensive, lol), restaurants, etc. I even took a long train ride instead of driving where I was going. I did anything that would take me away from tobacco for as many hours as possible.

[blue]

If I can make it the next half hour till I go to work Ill at least make it through the morning. But so far so good.

[Melissa_W]

Just make it through the first 3 days. That's all you have to do! It won't be horrible forever. The first month will still be hard at times... when things happen that trigger your desire for a cig. But soon enough, you will be glad you stopped. You will feel much better and wonder why you ever did it in the first place. My advice is to just stick with it! Good luck! Don't feel bad if you don't make it on the first time though, it took me a few times to quit.

[ToscasMom]

Excellent Blue. Don't forget to check in if you need a poke in the eye when you reach for a weed. I promise to tell really bad jokes designed to make you too nauseous to smoke.

[Denaluvscorgis]

Blue..........I wish you the best of luck during this process. I totally understand first hand (my mom) how difficult it is!!!!!! I commend you for wanting to give it up...that's a critical piece to the puzzle.:hail:

My mom started smoking when she was 13 years old. She quit when she was 75. Four years later she was diagnosed with lung cancer and died a year later. Her quitting smoking when she did really helped her during the last year of her life. Her quality of life was better.

She really felt that quitting cold turkey was the best way, and that's what she did. It was really tough at first, but she just bit the bullet. It got easier each week after that.

Just don't give up...if you have a set back, just try again. Don't beat yourself up about it!!!

I'll be sending positive vibes your way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

[Tracer Tong]

Maybe rent "Trainspotting"? Take a few days off from work and just really do the whole withdrawal thing? It will suck, but it will be over.

[SharkyX]

Ah it takes longer then 3 days... I found the first two weeks to be the hard part... with the occasional cravings now only when I'm drinking.

I decided I wanted to be a better skijorer so I quit cold turkey, started roller blading and making sure I got my vitamins to clean the crap out of my system.

Try and find yourself a woman who will leave you or lock down the fun house if you smoke again... that is real incentive to quit there. Because as good as that cigarette feels there are some things that are just better :p

[blue]

Today went pretty well. I did have some random puff that might add up to 1.5 cigs. 1st one at 10:27am, Im happy I made it that long.

[smkie]

Horrrrayyyy Almost One Down Two More To Go>no Cheating Tomorrow:hail: :hail: :hail:

[Saje]

Good start blue!!! :)

[blue]

Making it through tonight is gonna be more of a challenge.

[Renee750il]

But you love a challenge, Blue :)

[Laurelin]

You can do it, Blue! :D

[ToscasMom]

How is it going Blue???

On the lighter side, and I'm sure by now you need a lighter side, you can join Cigarettes Anonymous. This is a great group. If you crave a smoke in the middle of the night, they come over and get drunk with you.

[Renee750il]

Blue, it's another day and I KNOW you're kickin' smoking's ass!

[blue]

No smoke signals this morning.

[Renee750il]

EXCELLENT, Blue!

[Aussie Red]

WTG Blue. Carry on.

[Denaluvscorgis]

You're doing awesome blue!!!!:D

[ToscasMom]

Goooooooooooooooooooooooo BLUE!
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k298/ToscasMom/18_1_107v.gif

[Saje]

I am most impressed :D

[darkchild16]

Your doing great bro!! SOrry bout last night i was wore out i pasted out the second my head hit the pillow. Im proud of you :D.

[dr2little]

Way to go BLUUUUEEEE!!!!:hail:

[blue]

Its getting easier, between really wanting to finally quit and you guys it really is getting easier.

[ToscasMom]

Blue, the great thing right now is you can actually calculate the cigarettes you DIDN'T have in the past two days.

[Barb04]

Blue, you can also start calculating how much more money you'll have in your pockets. So glad you're succeeding.

[smkie]

Go Blue Go Blue each day will be that much better. No more monkey on your back!

[Renee750il]

Okay, Blue . . . . there's no turning back now . . . . . :)

[ToscasMom]

Blueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! How ya doin' today man?

[Jules]

You're ma boy, BLUE!

Way to go!

[Gustav]

Wahooo... Well done you! :D

Keep it up, no thinking.. "Oh i'll only have one" ;)

[Zoom]

How's it going?? I'm sorry I can't be on more often and give more support!

[SharkyX]

Don't call them cigarettes or smokes anymore... call them cancer in a tube or something else that turns you off when you get a craving.
It doesn't sound as appealing when you call it what it actually is... well it worked for me anyways.

although it helps, the warnings Canadian Cig packs come with
http://www.smoke-free.ca/warnings/Canada-warnings.htm

Seeing the gross teeth or the lungs every time you pull the pack out turns ya off the craving.
So maybe print those out and tape them to your pack or somewhere else you tend to be when you have a craving :p

[Renee750il]

LMAO, Sharky . . . that fourth one down would, I'd think, be enough to stop most men before they reach for their lighter ;)

[bubbatd]

Blue , I'm going to look to you for support ....my quit day is July 4th !!!

[blue]

Im cheating less each day and still not totalling up to 2 complete cigs each day. I wait later and later to cheat one in, and my lungs hurt worse than when I had a heavy day of smoking. The habitual part hasnt been an issue, and so far the physical part hasnt been that bad.

Grammy for me it was actually WANTING to be free of these danm things.

[ACooper]

Wow blue........WTG!

[Renee750il]

Proud of you, Blue :)

[blue]

No more cheaters at work or in my Jeep.

[SharkyX]

LMAO, Sharky . . . that fourth one down would, I'd think, be enough to stop most men before they reach for their lighter ;)

You'd think so wouldn't you? But I actually preferred to get that one or like the two kids or something.
It was much more comical then the bleeding brain...

[smkie]

You doing it! Yay..almost to the top of the hill...the rest is easy.

[ToscasMom]

Blue you are doing incredibly well! A whole lot better then I did in the first week.

[Denaluvscorgis]

That's so great Blue....you're doing amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:hail: :)

[blue]

Made it all day without and then cheated when I got home. The worst part is coughing all this crap out of my lungs.

[Renee750il]

Hack it up, Blue . . . better that gunk now than half a lung later!

[Saje]

LMAO, Sharky . . . that fourth one down would, I'd think, be enough to stop most men before they reach for their lighter ;)

Apparently the 'teeth' one is the worst. I used to have people ask for packs without the 'teeth' on it when I worked at a grocery store. :rolleyes:

[ToscasMom]

Yeah the cough lasts a bit too.

[Tracer Tong]

Go blue.

Can I suggest going for the kill and doing a whole day without? Or is it too soon for that?

[ToscasMom]

How are you doing, Blue??

[Renee750il]

You know, this is important. Sticky important!

[ToscasMom]

Yes! Sticky it!

[blue]

At the momment Im quiting one day at a time. THis aint easy.

[ToscasMom]

I know it's not easy Blue. Been there. And if you fall off the wagon with a weed, just know that it's not the end of the world and we are still here to help you pick up where you left off. That's exactly what it is, a day at a time. If you slip up, just also remember how many cigarettes you HAVEN'T smoked that you WOULD have smoked in the past week if you didn't work at this.

[Melissa_W]

You'll eventually make it blue! It wasn't able to quit my first time either.

[smkie]

nononono you fall off a horse you get right back on.

[ToscasMom]

Darn right Smkie!

[Renee750il]

One day, one hour, one moment at a time Blue . . . just like eating an elephant - one bite at a time :)

[squirtsmom]

My then 4 year old had a class at preschool about the hazards of drugs and smoking, got in the car with me, and chewed me out only the way a 4 year old can. I quit that minute and haven't smoked in 8 years.

[ToscasMom]

just like eating an elephant - one bite at a time

Dang! I use that all the time. You have a scarey mind.

[smkie]

just picture a really big monkey flipping you off and grinning like the monkey on your back he is. Each time you give him more right to jump all over you. Don't let him win.

[Renee750il]

Dang! I use that all the time. You have a scarey mind.

Just a wee bit fey . . . comes with the old Celt bloodlines ;)

[mctraill]

I started smoking when I was eleven, gave up when I was 30 I used to smoke over 40 a day. I just got up one morning and decided thats it no more. This is what worked for me.

Change your routine
My meal was never finished unless I had smoked a cigerette, so what I did was after my meal I kept going, I didnt sit down and relax, I kept moving until it was time for bed.

I always used to smoke alot when I was around my friends out drinking, I gave up drinking and didnt go out with my friends for a while, we went to the Gym, to see a movie, swimming that kind of thing.

I could never answer the phone without lighting a cigerette up first, I stopped answering the phone and had someone else in the family answer it, it was never for me anyhow.

Just keep busy, do things out of your normal routine, very soon you get your sense of smell back, then your taste. If you smoked in the house, take down pictures on the wall and see the difference, then paint the walls.

Dont let others smoke around you, if they visit tell them its a smoke free zone and that includes the garage and the garden.

I wish you luck, why dont you start something on here, to let us know how your going on so we can support you at times when your about to give in, I am sure there is always someone on line to chat to.

Good Luck and Good health.

[Meggie]

Hey Blue, how's it going today?

Here's a sort of neat site for you: http://www.quitnet.com , they've got forums and some articles that might help. I just think the little counter tool is cool, LOL

Mine reads:
Time Smoke-Free: 82 days, 8 hours, 45 minutes and 43 seconds
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 2059
Lifetime Saved: 15 days, 17 hours
Money Saved: $807.70

(Cigarettes are really expensive here, btw.)

I didn't quit for any of the smart or noble reasons, I quit because 84 days, 8 hours, 45 minutes and 43 seconds ago I was lifting a desk and blew a hole in my lung. Over the next two days (What can I say, I'm an idiot with a doctor phobia) I sat around thinking I'd thrown my back out. In reality my lung was leaking air into my chest cavity with every breath I took, compressing and collapsing my lung. 82 days ago I woke up thinking I was having a heart attack and had no choice. A week in the hospital with a Borglike chest tube and some darned fine drugs and I decided I was going to hedge my bets and stay off the smokes. I realized there really are worse things than death, like living in absolute misery and having to look into your child's eyes and see the fear there.

I miss it, I really do. I miss the "breaks", the camaraderie, the whole "culture" thing, but I know I will never, ever, smoke again.

Some of the good things are pretty predictable, mostly things that I would've said "yeah, yeah... sure, sure" to when I was smoking. Cleaner teeth, hair, clothes, etc.... but one thing I wasn't expecting was how good food is. Not the taste, haven't found a lot of difference there, but I can now eat well and a lot! When you smoke, a certain percentage of the nicotine and other chemicals get swallowed and irritate your stomach. Now I can eat pretty well anything (although I'm sure my husband doesn't appreciate my new found love of all things garlic, LOL) and I don't feel ill.

Anyway, good luck breaking the habit. Drink a LOT of water, flush your system.

[smkie]

Now there is incentive Blue..how is today?

[Denaluvscorgis]

Great site Meggie!!!

[Fruit bat]

I had an unsuccessful attempt about 8 mo. I made it 1 week. since then a pack lasts about 2 days . Its been creeping up . I think I'm ready again , only I really don't want to tell my husband. Maybe after a week or so.

[blue]

Well Im finaly out of tobaco so it is on now. Ordinarily a pouch of tobaco would last me about 2 days or less, this one lasted a week and a half and Im not buying any more.

My water intake deffinently jumped in the last week.

If I hadnt started this thread I would have givin up allready.

Edit.. I may be becoming addicted to tic tacs.

[Renee750il]

Blue, when Nanny quit smoking, she became addicted to Halls cough drops. Tic Tacs are benign by comparison, lol!

[smkie]

I am a tictac addict..i like orange. I use to share with a little girl my mama babysat until i was scolded for giving her too many. SO i told her if she could suck on one until it was gone i would give her another. SHe would bring me the tiniest sliver of a tic tac, sucked to a needle thickness. I have never been able to do that...:D
Way to go Blue your gonna make it this time.

i like the bold ones too fruit flavor

[Fruit bat]

This is to funny, I'm sucking on an orange tic tac as we speak. Blue I'll join you in a tic tac support group after this is all over! LOL

[Renee750il]

How's it going, Blue? You okay, or do you need some (im)moral support? ;) If you'd like, I'm sure we can come up with a barrage of smutty jokes or something to distract you :D

[ToscasMom]

Just checking in Blue. How are ya?

[Barb04]

Blue, so glad you're doing so well. I'd rather see you eat a tic tac than smoke.

[dr2little]

Hey Blue, how's it going today?

Here's a sort of neat site for you: http://www.quitnet.com , they've got forums and some articles that might help. I just think the little counter tool is cool, LOL

Mine reads:
Time Smoke-Free: 82 days, 8 hours, 45 minutes and 43 seconds
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 2059
Lifetime Saved: 15 days, 17 hours
Money Saved: $807.70

(Cigarettes are really expensive here, btw.)

I didn't quit for any of the smart or noble reasons, I quit because 84 days, 8 hours, 45 minutes and 43 seconds ago I was lifting a desk and blew a hole in my lung. Over the next two days (What can I say, I'm an idiot with a doctor phobia) I sat around thinking I'd thrown my back out. In reality my lung was leaking air into my chest cavity with every breath I took, compressing and collapsing my lung. 82 days ago I woke up thinking I was having a heart attack and had no choice. A week in the hospital with a Borglike chest tube and some darned fine drugs and I decided I was going to hedge my bets and stay off the smokes. I realized there really are worse things than death, like living in absolute misery and having to look into your child's eyes and see the fear there.

I miss it, I really do. I miss the "breaks", the camaraderie, the whole "culture" thing, but I know I will never, ever, smoke again.

Some of the good things are pretty predictable, mostly things that I would've said "yeah, yeah... sure, sure" to when I was smoking. Cleaner teeth, hair, clothes, etc.... but one thing I wasn't expecting was how good food is. Not the taste, haven't found a lot of difference there, but I can now eat well and a lot! When you smoke, a certain percentage of the nicotine and other chemicals get swallowed and irritate your stomach. Now I can eat pretty well anything (although I'm sure my husband doesn't appreciate my new found love of all things garlic, LOL) and I don't feel ill.

Anyway, good luck breaking the habit. Drink a LOT of water, flush your system.

This is just FANTASTIC!! I'm really rooting for ya Blue!!!!!!!:hail: :hail: :hail: :D

[blue]

I need more Tic Tacs.

Still not entirely smoke free but I aint givin up given up.

[Baxter'smybaby]

Go Blue!

[Renee750il]

Just keep in mind that EVERYONE stops smoking - whether they want to or not. . . :eek: We want your quit to be voluntary ;)

[smkie]

have you tried the bold tic tacs? yummy:D

[blue]

The BOLD are deffinetly better.

[smkie]

yup they are aren't they? I don't like the lime ones, they taste like fruit loops.phooey and lime is my favorite too. I got the citrus tonight, not so bad, but the bold is so hard to find around here i dunna know why.

[ToscasMom]

Whuzzup Blue?

[Aussie Red]

wintergreen tic tacs my favorite

[blue]

I am my own worst enemy. I will be smoke free before my trip to Chicago.

The orange tic tacs are pretty good, the bold ones rock.

[Barb04]

So glad you're popping the tic tacs!

[Denaluvscorgis]

I really like those sour, fruity altoids. Yumm!!!!

[smkie]

i don't know why the bold ones are so hard to find here. I get mine at walgreens. Nobody else where i shop seems to carry them.

[Spotty Dog]

hi Blue - and good for you deciding you want to stop. I was the worlds best smoker and loved it sooooo much and one day my heart went in to a wrong rhythm and an hour later I was in intensive cardiac care, the cardiolologist said - Do you smoke? I said - Yes. He said - Now, you dont. it was hard at first and a friend said he had had hypnotherapy to stop and he was successful. it cost him £65 and I decided to have it too. then I thought - why am I paying someone to tell me I want to stop smoking? So I stopped. the greatest thing is the feeling so good about myself for stopping. I used the gum to help me at first and re-chewed on the same bit of gum and found that I was just chewing on bland gum. That was 3 yrs ago. I wish now Id never smoked and I hate the smell now. Please dont leave it til you have a health probelm to give up do it so you WONT have a health problem. There is a good website called ASH

quote


Time since quitting
Beneficial health changes that take place
8 hours
Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half, oxygen levels return to normal. Circulation improves.
24 hours

Carbon monoxide and nicotine eliminated from the body.

48 hours
The decline in lung function and excess risk of lung cancer halts.

1 month
Appearance improves – skin loses its grayish pallor and becomes less wrinkled

3 - 9 months
Coughs and wheezing declines

1 year

The excess risk of a heart attack reduces by half compared to that of a smoker.

15 years
Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.

Good luck Blue.

[Renee750il]

BLUE!!!!!!

You need to get after a certain young 'un in Florida . . . . I cannot believe I have a daughter who is SMOKING CIGARETTES!!!!!

I told her I was going to rat her out to you ;)

[blue]

New favorite tool, Dill Pickle Sunflower seeds!

[smkie]

sunflower seeds are suppose to have something in them that helps curb the craving at the same time allowing you a substitute for the "habit". GLad you found something to add to tic tacs.

[Zoom]

Just giving you some encouragement!! I'll be waiting. Hee hee

[blue]

BLUE!!!!!!

You need to get after a certain young 'un in Florida . . . . I cannot believe I have a daughter who is SMOKING CIGARETTES!!!!!

I told her I was going to rat her out to you ;)

Im shocked!! Shocked I say! She swore me to silence, I tried to talk some sence to her with what Im going threw.

sunflower seeds are suppose to have something in them that helps curb the craving at the same time allowing you a substitute for the "habit". GLad you found something to add to tic tacs.

The sunflower seeds are so much better than tic tacs and for some reason the dill pickle ones truely rock less salt to boot.

Just giving you some encouragement!!

What no pics? :popcorn:

[Denaluvscorgis]

Our daughter smokes cigarettes??????????????????:yikes:
BLUE!!!!!!

You need to get after a certain young 'un in Florida . . . . I cannot believe I have a daughter who is SMOKING CIGARETTES!!!!!

I told her I was going to rat her out to you ;)

[Renee750il]

Yup. We're going to have to do something . . .

[Denaluvscorgis]

She's in trouble!!:yikes:

[SunnyNJazzy]

WHOO! keep it up Blue!! and I have to agree dill pickle sunflower seeds are freaking awesome lol. I love them! How are you doing???

[ToscasMom]

How ya doin' Blue? Blow any smoke today?

[blue]

Nope. Im at my brothers so I no longer have a say in the matter.

[ToscasMom]

Well you might as well drink then.

[blue]

Already on that.

[Renee750il]

How's it goin' Blue?

[littlephoenix]

i quit because i started to have chest pains, sometimes something painful has to happen for us to understand the negative of smoking etc.

[RD]

Ok guys I need help. :( I've been hiding this from everyone I know (and myself) but I'm starting to notice some of the physical effects smoking has had on my body and it really bothers me. I've been smoking on and off since I was about 15, and it didn't become a genuine habit until about 6 months ago and I'm already noticing that I need to stop.

Cold turkey probably won't work. I have crappy willpower. But at the same time if I have a pack open in my purse, I'm a chimney..

A friend and I are going to be quitting together, she's just quitting cold turkey but I doubt I have it in me to follow through with that.... Any tips on trying to control myself? :( Ugh. I feel so stupid coming here for help with this but I can't turn to my family and I don't want to be a burden to my friend, who has her own habit to kick.

[Zoom]

Take one or more of the Borderkids out for a run/training session every time you would reach for a smoke? You can't breath and smoke at the same time. And get the new Blaqk Audio CD with what you save on not buying a carton of cancer sticks.

[blue]

Im of no help, Im still quitting every day.

I need a week away from here in order to quit with no stress. I should have broken my brothers arm as he was the source of my stress while I was in Chicago. Maybe a week at my dads with none of his danm projects, just relaxing would do it.

New tobacco taxes are soon. Mainly middle class and poor people smoke. The taxes are for the children, yet they are gonna impact the poor the most. The gov wants people to smoke for their pet projects. That should be a motivator for any smoker to quit.

Dont get me started on gas taxes.

[RD]

Aww, blue, come stay with me! Tomorrow evening I'm going to take the boat to my favorite bay, drop anchor and just hang out with Eve and fall asleep looking at the stars. After about 10pm the water is as still as glass, and the only noises are the fish jumping and the crickets on the shore. It's times like that when I get the urge to light up, but it's relaxing even without the **** cancer sticks.

[blue]

Take up fly fishing RD. With conditions like that the fish are biting and you have no urge to smoke.

[blue]

Thats my **** problem I HAVENT BEEN FISHING!!

[RD]

I love fishing - that's a good idea! Last time I was out at the bay, the fish were jumping all over the place and I remember thinking if I just had a net and a **** worm to dangle over the water, I'd catch a ton of fish. I don't have a fishing rod or anything here though. *Sigh*

I've never tried fly fishing, but there's a store around here dedicated to just that. D'you think they'd help me out with what to get, if I went in to buy some gear?

[blue]

Fly fishing is something you can lose yourself into, there are times it dosent even matter if the fish are biting.

[Renee750il]

Grace, it's a fly fishing STORE . . . .they'll be thrilled to help you get a fly fishing outfit together, lol! But get Blue and Buckshot to tell you what you really need so you don't end up buying a bunch of expensive stuff that you don't.

[RD]

That's exactly what I need, blue - a good hobby. When my hands have nothing to do and I'm bored, I reach for the cancersticks. I fidget compulsively and a cigarette is the perfect thing to keep my hands busy aside from petting a dog or.. inappropriate things.

I'll see if I can get someone to take me to that store tomorrow. In the meantime I guess I need to figure out what I should be catching. And get a license. Eek.

[blue]

Grace, it's a fly fishing STORE . . . .they'll be thrilled to help you get a fly fishing outfit together, lol! But get Blue and Buckshot to tell you what you really need so you don't end up buying a bunch of expensive stuff that you don't.

I fly fished on the cheap for a few years. It gets pricey the longer you are good at it.

[ToscasMom]

Which reminds me, how are you doing on your Quitting of smoking, Blue?

[RD]

Which reminds me, how are you doing on your Quitting of smoking, Blue?
Yeah, how goes it? I was thinking about you today.

I'm currently failing. Miserably.

Fishing was amazing but then my boat broke, and fishing off the docks here just isn't the same. It's great and this area is loaded with fish, but I find myself wanting a smoke even more when I'm just sitting on the dock . . . blarg. At least when I go out on the boat, I can leave the cancer sticks in the motor home. :(

[shadowfacedanes]

I'm currently failing. Miserably.




Same here. And I had such a good incentive too, but now my will power is kaput. :(

[Herschel]

To all of the smokers in this thread:

Next time you light up, please remember that there are thousands of children that are dying because they developed cancer "by chance". They will never drive a car, take a girl on a date, or even own a dog. Hell, they won't even get the chance to try a single cigarette. You have been given the gift of health and instead of cherishing it, you mock those less fortunate than yourself and invite illness.

http://www.pcfwalk.org/images/patient.jpg

You should be ashamed that you take their deaths so lightly.

[blue]

How can we quit smoking when so many children rely on tobbacco taxes for their health care? The less fortunet, the poor, are the biggest group of smokers. They are the least likely to be ably to afford healthcare for their children. Shame on us smokers without children or the ability to afford their health care for quiting smoking. With out tobbacco taxes those same kids have nothing.

[jess2416]

nvr mind

[iwantmypup]

Seriously guys, you have to quit.
I hear so many people say "well my grandpa lived until 85 and he smoked all his life"
Well guess what? Say that now.. but wait until you get ephasima, lung cancer etc etc.
And not only are you hurting your selves, but second hand smoking is the worst! You are hurting everyone around and guess what else?

Even your dogs.

You are absolutely right, Herschel.

[Aussie Red]

You know this kind of mentality is just wrong really. My mother who has never smoked a day in her life and has not been subjected to second hand smoke either has Emphysema. Why ? Because she lives in the Los Angeles area and suffered from breathing the out put of peoples cars and the out put of the refineries that produce the gas to run those cars. If you really believe that smoking is killing people as much as you say I hope you are not driving. There is the one major cancer causer as well as many other things the public uses daily and refuses to give up.

[Herschel]

How can we quit smoking when so many children rely on tobbacco taxes for their health care? The less fortunet, the poor, are the biggest group of smokers. They are the least likely to be ably to afford healthcare for their children. Shame on us smokers without children or the ability to afford their health care for quiting smoking. With out tobbacco taxes those same kids have nothing.

That is an incredibly flawed justification.

As you said, the low-income people account for the largest number of smokers. Those are the same people that can't afford health care when they fall ill from smoking and smoking-related illnesses. Thus, resources wasted on smokers could have been used to treat innocent children...

Smoking costs $100 billion in health care costs per year.
State and Federal cigarette taxes in 2005 brought in $21 billion.

In other words:
-Smoking results in $80 billion dollars (net) being spent on health care.
-That $80 billion dollars could be used to fund research/treatment for just about anything else.
-But smokers still pretend that they are saving children with cancer because of the "tobacco tax".

:rolleyes:

[nancy2394]

I didn't read through this whole thread, but was wondering if you were successful in quitting smoking? I'm not a smoker, so I can only imagine how difficult it must be to give up a habit you've probably had for a long time.

But, I think you are going to be much happier in the end when you are able to quit. So won't the people around you. Goodluck if you're still trying to quit, I hope you achieve your goal!

[blue]

Had a complete relapse over Labor Day weekend. Gearing up to quit again, Im gonna call the local help group soon, even if it is federally funded, and set a new quit date.

[nancy2394]

You can do it Blue... have faith in yourself. Don't give up!

[RD]

Blue, you can do it! I'm going to take another serious stab at it really soon too.

[juliefurry]

Blue I'm in the process of quiting again, too. I have just decided to go cold turkey again. It's really hard but after the first 48 hours once you get over the headaches and extreme anxiety and anger it gets better. I would just not suggest entertaining anyone or talking to anyone for the first 2-3 days. I tried weaning myself off, and the patch and that didn't work so now I just have to do cold turkey.

[GHOST]

the new pill they have out, CHANTIX worked good for me

i used 2 weeks out of a months supply and quit (17 years) and my mother used the other 2 weeks and quit,,,and i know she got 30 years in,,,

so on one months supply 2 ppl quit,,,

it stops the chemical(dopamine) from being released from the brain,,,thats released when you smoke a cig,,,

stops the craving,,, you just gotta get rid of the habit of holdn them

with my insurance 10 dollars for a months supply without insurance,,, $102.00 FOR A MONTH,,, which is still not bad,,, considering i spent 210 a month on cigs 4 me,,,
had to smoke the good ones,,,2 packs a day,,,

i posted this because i'm one month out ,,, smoke free,,,
i've tried everything because my insurance covers it,,, and nothing really helped like it said but this is so much different,,, it done what it said,,, imagine that,,, something that works as it said

[nancy2394]

WTG Ghost... I have the utmost respect for anyone who can quit smoking. I am not a smoker, but I can just imagine how hard it is to quit.

[TheWholePack]

Hey Dan. I stopped smoking 3 weeks ago. Interestingly enough I smoked for 24 years and after a week I went for a day without thinking about cigs. The other day I realized that it had been a whole week without thinking about it. The first 3 days were hard, but they're doable.

I took a course called Free Yourself from Cigarettes. It took a year and two courses but I really think I'm there this time. Here's some of the things that I learned that helped or made an impression on me.

- When you want a smoke, just ask yourself the question: What for?
- Don't substitute something else for smoking. (eating, etc.)
- Change your smoking routines and look for the triggers. Mine were driving, sitting at my desk, watching tv.
- The more you smoke, the faster you get over the physical addiction. Someone who smokes 3 packs a day will get over the physical side effects in a matter of hours.
- It's all psychological after the first 3 days. Visualize yourself as a non-smoker.
- Take 3 deep breaths (in through the nose, out from the mouth) when you crave a smoke.
- Stopping is actually easy once you get past the physical addiction. "Everyone" says that it's hard, but that could just be propaganda.
- Nicotine is the main ingredient in pesticides (that got to me...)

You'll do it when you're ready. Have you ever tried hypnosis? A friend went for a 30 minute session and never thought about smoking again.

If you want some contact info on this program, I can get it for you. I took it here in Mexico. The instructor smoked 3 packs a day, took the course, never looked back and brought it down here. He can get me the contact info in the states.

Best of luck....