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RE: Quitting smoking - 11/7/2013 8:45:21 PM

HoneyBears

Posts: 337
Joined: 11/5/2013
From: Pennsylvania
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quote:

ORIGINAL: DesFIP

You might find it helpful not to wait till after the Chantix doesn't work to try the hypnosis or acupuncture, assuming it doesn't work. It would probably give you better odds if you did them together.

Acupuncture was the other method I was trying to recall. Some people respond well to it for assorted health issues.
My mother went for relief of her arthritis and rheumatism a few times but did not notice any positive, life-altering effect.
She is also rather impatient. I told her you cannot expect instant relief, but she did.

IMO, those electronic cigs are horrible. If you drag on them like you would a cigarette, they mess up your lungs.
The advantage is being able to use them at work for a quickie fix.
Unfortunately, there are not any easy solutions. Going cold turkey is cost-free, however.
That cinnamon idea sounds good. A friend of mine substituted chewing on licorice sticks. Licorice (root) has other benefits, too, especially for diabetics.

Edited: We can get our hands on the genuine Amish-made stuff, not the kind of licorice-flavored candy sold in stores which has virtually no actual licorice in it.

< Message edited by HoneyBears -- 11/7/2013 9:05:05 PM >

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RE: Quitting smoking - 11/7/2013 9:38:58 PM

igor2003

Posts: 1718
Joined: 1/1/2004
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quote:

ORIGINAL: TieMeInKnottss

I only quit smoking one time-in 2000 and used the patch. It works but there is, like weight loss, if done correctly.

1- you commit to quitting. Once you put that patch on you NEVER touch another cigarette. There is no "one puff", "just holding it for a friend".... that means lit, unlit, in the carton... This is EXACTLY why I said that everyone's situation is different and the method may need to be different as well. I used the weaker patches, and tapered off the smoking. THAT is what worked for me. You can say NEVER this, and "no one puff" that, but when you need to quit smoking you have to do what works for YOU.

2. Identify your triggers and address them upfront. I knew drinking coffee or alcohol made me crave smoking. I stopped having either a week before I quit (I was never a heavy drinker of either though so no big deal). Addressing them "up front" is what worked for you. Again...EVERYONE'S situation is different. Had I given up other things I enjoyed in order to quit smoking it would have made things even more likely to fail. I was never a heavy drinker either. In fact, I haven't had alcohol in any form since about 1993 and I don't miss it a bit.

3. The patch takes care of the nicotine need..you need to take care of the crutch stuff. I used to smoke as a way to get a break when stressed at work. Allowed me the time to get up, go outside...get away for 10-15 minutes. Decided to still do the "get up and away" thing but, when I walked down the stairs like I would to go outside, I would turn around and run up the entire flight of stairs (8 floors). In a normal patch program you start with the stronger patches and go to weaker patches. I tried that first, and it didn't work for me. So the next time I tried I did my own program, starting with the weaker patches since I knew I would also be getting nicotine from the cigarettes as I tapered off. The tapering off was how I dealt with "the crutch stuff. I didn't replace the cigarettes with candy or gum. I didn't want to replace one bad habit with another. You can claim that it has GOT to be this way, or it has GOT to be that way, but I did what worked for me, and it wasn't any of the ways you say it has GOT to be.

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Post #: 22

RE: Quitting smoking - 11/7/2013 9:41:05 PM

JeffBC

Posts: 5799
Joined: 2/12/2012
From: Canada
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quote:

ORIGINAL: anniezz338
Jeff, last month I made it 9 days with the 21 mg patch. I was a wreck (it was pathetic).

Just so you know, the 21mg patches make me psychotic. I also can't wear ANY patch while sleeping unless I want some really lurid nightmares and crappy sleep. But yeah, different people react to different nicotine delivery methods differently. In addition, there is the very valid question of "ripping off the bandaid" or not. Sometimes, when I could afford the downtime I'd just stop cold-turkey and get it over with. Other times, when demands on my performance are high and I just can't afford to want to kill everyone I talk to, then I have used patches. The gum never worked for me and honestly tasted so horrid that I'd rather smoke.

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Post #: 23

RE: Quitting smoking - 11/8/2013 1:02:50 AM

MariaB

Posts: 2969
Joined: 4/3/2007
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Just coming up 3 years for me and I took Nicorette gum. Giving up smoking is a very frightening prospect because....
We are told that we will still be craving cigarettes years later. Its a huge over exaggeration though Annie. It starts off with you craving ever few minutes (remember though, it only lasts for 15 seconds) and that's when you break out in a sweat, feel angry, want to cry and tell yourself, 'I can't do this. I can't go through this every day for years'. It takes very little time for that craving to go down to every few hours and then its every few days. Three years on and I think about cigarettes occasionally but its a passing thought that lasts only seconds.

I still go and stand by my friends who smoke because freshly smoked tobacco still smells great to me but that doesn't mean I have the slightest desire to smoke.

If I had known how quickly those awful cravings pass, I would of given up years ago. Whilst giving up isn't easy, its not as awful as most people make out and think on, its the ones who take up smoking again that tell you how awful it ls.

I do have one major tip that will, if you are willing, make a huge difference. Wean yourself off commercial cigarettes and on to roll-ups. Yeah I know, roll-ups are bloody awful things and you nearly break your jaw trying to get a pull from one. There's a dry tobacco called American Spirit that tastes very close to commercial cigarettes and its pure tobacco without all the addictive additives you get in straights. Getting off straights is the toughest thing I did but I was still smoking roll-ups. When I quit rollies I was only quitting tobacco and not all the other shit that comes with straights and oh boy, did that make it easier to do.

The other thing for me and one of the reasons I think I had failed miserably so many times before is, everyone tells you to change your routine. If you are used to having a cigarette with a coffee, don't drink coffee, if you enjoy a cigarette with wine, don't drink wine. What about enjoying smoking when friends come round? Should you stop them coming round ?!?! What if you enjoy a cigarette when driving? should you stop driving?!?! I changed nothing. I had my glass of wine and my coffee and sat with friends, even ones who smoked. Not changing my routine helped enormously.

< Message edited by MariaB -- 11/8/2013 1:12:17 AM >

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RE: Quitting smoking - 11/8/2013 1:36:38 AM

popeye1250

Posts: 18104
Joined: 1/27/2006
From: New Hampshire
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quote:

ORIGINAL: anniezz338

I was recently diagnosed with COPD and need to quit smoking. It is a 35 yo habit that I am having a devil of a time stopping. Has anyone successfully quit smoking with the patch or gum or Chantax (sp)? Any tips that helped you quit or anyone that you know?

Anniezz, I used Grizzly chew to help me quit smoking and it really does take the edge off!
Chantax sp didn't do anything!

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Post #: 25

RE: Quitting smoking - 11/8/2013 10:18:28 AM

anniezz338

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Joined: 8/17/2010
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Thanks for everyone's input.

I have decided on December 1 for my quit date and will be tapering off this month. I'm going to look up some meditation exercises and work with them to calm my nerves. Not sure of my method yet but am thinking more and more on the cold turkey.

As CP said, I am also a smokaholic. But I'm not going to let those little buggers get the best of me.

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Post #: 26

RE: Quitting smoking - 11/8/2013 10:46:03 AM

ChatteParfaitt

Posts: 6562
Joined: 3/22/2011
From: The t'aint of the Midwest -- Indiana
Status: offline

Being an off and on smoker for over 40 years, the last time was much harder than ever before. But, after two days the urge comes less often. After two weeks it comes less often and is not as strong. After two months, it still might be there on occasion, but it's much easier to deal with.

Get yourself through two days, then the two weeks. Really, after that it's all down hill.

I've done cold turkey (the time I quit for 20 years) and the gum. Last time I *literally* got addicted to the gum. Cinnamon does help (nice tip Jeff), and I used cinnamon gum as well. I still put a pack in my purse when I'm going to see my therapist or something else stressful !

I agree about not changing routine. I do think it's helpful to realize that if you are used to having your first cig with your morning coffee, when you have that morning coffee, the urge to smoke *might* be even stronger.

Which means you prepare yourself by upping your fortitude.

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RE: Quitting smoking - 11/8/2013 11:17:15 AM

popeye1250

Posts: 18104
Joined: 1/27/2006
From: New Hampshire
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Yeah, after two months I didn't even think about it anymore hardly and when I'd look back I thought how easy it was to quit smoking.
I always carried a tin of chew in the car or had a few around the house in case I needed them.
And one thing that I've read is *very* important is to take walks when you get a little jittery.
They said that people that take walks are much more successful in quitting smoking so that's what I did and it worked!
But, stick with it, it does get much easier over time!

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RE: Quitting smoking - 11/8/2013 12:10:12 PM

defiantbadgirl

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Joined: 11/14/2005
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Major surgery helped me quit. I wanted to avoid anything that could make me cough.

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Post #: 29

RE: Quitting smoking - 11/8/2013 12:13:08 PM

peppermint

Posts: 5169
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From: Montana
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The hardest part of giving up smoking is to go into a store and not buy any cigarettes. Once you get home it's easier as you have none there. I'm going close to 8 years without smokes. Sometimes I'd like to do "just one" but have come to realize that just one would lead to the habit again.

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Post #: 30

RE: Quitting smoking - 11/8/2013 1:57:18 PM

JstAnotherSub

Posts: 6174
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I'm quitting again tomorrow. The longest I have made it before is 5 years-ish. I hate my self for the money I spend on them!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Post #: 31

RE: Quitting smoking - 11/8/2013 2:00:17 PM

ChatteParfaitt

Posts: 6562
Joined: 3/22/2011
From: The t'aint of the Midwest -- Indiana
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Best of luck butter butt !!

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Post #: 32

RE: Quitting smoking - 11/8/2013 4:12:38 PM

playfulotter

Posts: 2195
Joined: 6/27/2005
Status: offline

I quit smoking when I was your age before they had Chantrix but my doctor prescribed Wellbutrin which is a drug for depression but back then (19 years ago) was used to quit smoking too. He also prescribed for me this......Nicotrol. It is like a plastic cigarette with nicotine plugs...I only used the Wellbutrin and nicotine plugs for a couple months but did use the Nicotrol inhaler with an empty plug in it for many months and I have never wanted to smoke since...I think it really took care of the oral fixation of smoking. The first two weeks are the worse..especially no sleeping at night.

http://www.nicotrol.com/

Good luck!

< Message edited by playfulotter -- 11/8/2013 4:18:35 PM >

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Post #: 33

RE: Quitting smoking - 11/8/2013 4:37:36 PM

TheBanshee

Posts: 403
Joined: 7/19/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: TieMeInKnottss

I only quit smoking one time-in 2000 and used the patch. It works but there is, like weight loss, if done correctly.

1- you commit to quitting. Once you put that patch on you NEVER touch another cigarette. There is no "one puff", "just holding it for a friend".... that means lit, unlit, in the carton...

2. Identify your triggers and address them upfront. I knew drinking coffee or alcohol made me crave smoking. I stopped having either a week before I quit (I was never a heavy drinker of either though so no big deal).

3. The patch takes care of the nicotine need..you need to take care of the crutch stuff. I used to smoke as a way to get a break when stressed at work. Allowed me the time to get up, go outside...get away for 10-15 minutes. Decided to still do the "get up and away" thing but, when I walked down the stairs like I would to go outside, I would turn around and run up the entire flight of stairs (8 floors).

I respect your method but I would like to just mention not to think of it as "forever" - it can be too overwhelming and you may not be that strong willed ALL the time. To steal from the AA Mantra - take it ONE DAY AT A TIME - sometimes one hour at a time. For the first week or two I allowed myself one cigarette before I put the patch on for the day. That worked for me.

To the OP - good luck - quitting sucks but it is so worth it. I was so happy when I finally quit.

(in reply to TieMeInKnottss)

Post #: 34

RE: Quitting smoking - 11/8/2013 4:51:21 PM

popeye1250

Posts: 18104
Joined: 1/27/2006
From: New Hampshire
Status: offline

I wonder how long you have to quit for before you're considered a non - smoker?

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Post #: 35

RE: Quitting smoking - 11/8/2013 5:53:38 PM

Spiritedsub2

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Joined: 7/18/2012
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I'm glad I read that you once quit for 20 years. That'll teach me not to be complacent after 10 (which is my longest stretch).

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Post #: 36

RE: Quitting smoking - 11/8/2013 9:30:01 PM

MistressDarkArt

Posts: 5178
Status: offline

Annie, I'm not a smoker but I had a sub who was in the process of quitting when we met. He used patches, but the hardest part for him was psychological. What helped him most was knowing a habit (any habit) takes about 6 weeks to mentally let go of. He buckled down doing his time, and 6 weeks later he was off chew, patches, smoking and feeling great.

Your body, your loved ones, and everyone but the tobacco companies will thank you. Very best of luck to you! You can do it!

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Post #: 37

RE: Quitting smoking - 11/9/2013 7:23:38 AM

UllrsIshtar

Posts: 3693
Joined: 7/28/2012
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quote:

ORIGINAL: popeye1250

I wonder how long you have to quit for before you're considered a non - smoker?

As far as what to say on medical docs and so on, I don't know, but as far as how your brain reacts to nicotine: never.

People who have smoked in the passed can never be non-smokers. They're ex-smokers.

And only one cigarette away from being smokers again.

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Post #: 38

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