SMOKERS... LETS KICK the HABIT!!

Originally Posted by Strappie

To be honest it does offend me. How did you quit? Drugs/Pills, Gum, Patch...??

Quitting smoking is QUITTING any way you look at it...

I'm so sorry so MANY people can not quit COLD TURKEY. I've been smoking for 28 plus years. Quitting cold turkey is NOT an option for me unless I want to end up in jail because I have killed someone. This isn't a Joke!

I have consulted my Doctor she has put me on drugs and nothing has helped. The Patch, nicorette gum and so on. NONE have worked for me. I have major anxiety among other things when I try to quit. So if someone is using a Patch, or another form of drug to help stop them from smoking .. I say GOOD FOR YOU FOR TRYING!!! Whatever works for each person is doing something to kick this horrible habit/addiction.

I very much plan on cutting back on the dose of nicotine. But BABY STEPS is needed. I haven't had any anxiety like I have had in the past. This is dealing with the addiction one day at a time.

Good Luck to everyone any way you decide helps you!!!

Sorry if my thoughts offended you Strappie. That wasn't my intention as I said previously. I guess there's always a gap between intention and receipt of a message.

I guess we all have different perceptions of what quitting means.

Anyhoo I gave up by giving up nicotine. Flippant but true. I didn't do it cold turkey though. Actually I used Champix/Chantix, which is well documented earlier in this thread. It bonds with the nicotine receptors in your brain which in effect stops nicotine 'working' and stops making you feel better from yer nicotine 'hit'. It's sure an odd feeling but that's how it worked for me. I really do hope your method works for you and that eventually you do quit the nicotine.

I'm an ex-35yr smoker with severe lung disease as a result of my nicotine addiction and a desire to save anyone else suffering my fate...cuz believe me it sucks big style. Me Bad!

Again, my apologies for any offense taken.

[Strappie]

Originally Posted by Daktari

Sorry if my thoughts offended you Strappie. That wasn't my intention as I said previously. I guess there's always a gap between intention and receipt of a message.

I guess we all have different perceptions of what quitting means.

Anyhoo I gave up by giving up nicotine. Flippant but true. I didn't do it cold turkey though. Actually I used Champix/Chantix, which is well documented earlier in this thread. It bonds with the nicotine receptors in your brain which in effect stops nicotine 'working' and stops making you feel better from yer nicotine 'hit'. It's sure an odd feeling but that's how it worked for me. I really do hope your method works for you and that eventually you do quit the nicotine.

I'm an ex-35yr smoker with severe lung disease as a result of my nicotine addiction and a desire to save anyone else suffering my fate...cuz believe me it sucks big style. Me Bad!

Again, my apologies for any offense taken.

Chantix did not work for me. I had night tares and suicidal thoughts, hence why I got off that. I've tried other meds also. I had side effects with them also. I'm not and haven't been a pill taker. So for me it wasn't the answer.

It worked for you! I'm happy for you!! Why is a PILL any different than any other way people quit smoking cigarettes? Cig's have tar and other scary things mixed into it. They compare cigarette smoking to smoking heroin, it's just as addicting.

My mother quit 25 yrs ago, her Doctor looked at her lungs before she quit and they told her it was bad. After 6 months of quitting (the patch) her lungs improved 40% that's huge in 6 months. Now can you tell me that the patch is bad idea because she didn't "quit the nicotine?".... No she quit Smoking, period!

I'm happy to hear you are smoke free and your health is improving!

Thanks, but sadly my lungs will never improve. That's the point. The smoke and nicotine damaged them, on my behalf because I did it willingly, beyond repair. That's the nature of degenerative lung disease I'm afraid. I was one of those folks who thought it would never happen to me, no-one expects to get lung disease do they? I ask folks I know in person if they're prepared to take the risk of not being able to trot across the road or walk into town whenever they need or want to. Whether they're prepared to take the risk of having to live with a nebulizer and possibly a portable oxygen tank whilst they're still relatively 'young'. That's the reality of such illnesses. No lie, no joke.

I don't think I've ever said that NRTs (nicotine replacement therapies) and other symptom relief methods are not useful tools, I think they're invaluable... when used with an end in sight.

There are recommended times to take/use these things because we addicts tend not to want to reduce our intake if left to our own devices. That's what I'm like anyway.

On this last time of trying to quit I finally did as was recommended (did as I was repeatedly told in other words) and took the Champix exactly as recommended for 12 weeks (the first two smoking as is recommended). It really helped to make myself accountable to others and started my own quitting thread on a UK BF site. I posted every day without fail, the good and the bad of quitting, also took on board some handy hints and tips from folks who'd already quit successfully.

I know what made this final quit work and that was I wanted it; wanted it soooo damn bad that I resolved to deal with all the difficulties in social situations, the sitting at the computer not chain smoking, being with friends and not wanting to stop them indulging in their addictions, the extreme levels of anxiety and murderous irritability with patience and will-power. No amount of tablets, NRTs or positive words could replace it...for me anyway and something which continues on a daily basis as most folks I know smoke. Especially at those damn meetings for addicts who've given up the other lovely drugs

Anyhoo, this isn't about me but about you and your quit. I understand why you might feel a little defensive about your method of quitting in the light of my thinking-out-loud rambling about the ecig 'phenomenon'. It was probably the wrong time for my rambles and I shall be more mindful of that and probably take it away from this thread. Please know that I wasn't and am not judging you.

I really do wish you all the luck in the world, it's a fabbalus journey to start and you're right, baby steps are necessary and believe it not I'm in there rooting for ya, just like I am for anyone giving up, whichever method they use. I hope you turn those baby steps to strides.

Remember folks, if you don't take the first one...you know the rest!

[not2shygrrl]

Never fear........this thread is still here..... for all who want to read words of encouragement, and/or need some support in choosing to quit smoking or thinking about it. Some of you are in different stages of having quit.....good for you in your decision and keeping up the status as a non smoker and for those who have quit in other ways.....good for you that no longer are you inhaling that toxic smoke! As I like to say.........be a proud quitter ! <wink>

[iddiggchiks]

I realize quittting smoking is healthy for me and has many many pluses but it pisses me off that I have to quit. Today is day number 1-hopefully there will be a day 10 or 24!

[funkyfemme]

Originally Posted by iddiggchiks

I realize quittting smoking is healthy for me and has many many pluses but it pisses me off that I have to quit. Today is day number 1-hopefully there will be a day 10 or 24!

You can do this!!! Today is day 42 for me. I think I've got a handle on it but I'm not getting too confident just yet. Like, right now, I'd LOVE to go sit on the deck with my coffee and have a quiet, peaceful smoke. But I know I can't. Sooooooo I'll just do something to get my mind off it and keep on keeping on. That's what works for me.

Wishing you lots of luck!! Lady Pamela should be along any time now with her words that are so encouraging!! She always says just the right thing!

[macele]

Originally Posted by iddiggchiks

I realize quittting smoking is healthy for me and has many many pluses but it pisses me off that I have to quit. Today is day number 1-hopefully there will be a day 10 or 24!

it will be 4 months october the 4th. i still want a smoke, badly. i too, am pissed off because i can't have one lol. there's an anger. very angry. i want one so bad. but i can't let me myself have that 1st one. can't do it. i have to be strong. iddiggchiks, i hope you'll be strong with me. we have to. and everybody else <high 5>.

[iddiggchiks]

been 3 days now and i'm ready to say eff it but i'm holding strong--

[Lady Pamela]

No I am not missing in action..lol
And I am still going strong and on the ride..smiles

Sorry been in the hospital and kickin ass getting better..or trying atleast..ha

Congrats to all the people who have been doing so well and truely kicken butt!!
Way to go! And so proud of you.

This battle has truely been one of the hardest I have ever done.
Today while I was standing waiting for the train, I had a very hard time with a smoker next to me.
I wish I would have realized how hard I made it on those trying to quit.
I just thought they were being mean when they spoke out, Ya know what I mean?

The smell is everywhere you go.
That is why this addiction is so damn hard.
But also why it is so huge and should be done with much pride.

Please don't forget how incredible you are.
And how amazing what you are doing truely is.

Celebrate your month and year marks.
This is such a beautiful time to validate to yourself how much respect and care you have for yourself.

I know it is hard for some to do.
But the reward in itself creates new doors to be explored.
And leaves behind all the times you kicked your ass with negative thoughts.


Anyway, I know I am long winded.
But today was such an incredible eye opening day for me.

Be good to yourself and stay on the ride!!!

Namaste


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[Lady Pamela]

Originally Posted by Strappie

Chantix did not work for me. I had night tares and suicidal thoughts, hence why I got off that. I've tried other meds also. I had side effects with them also. I'm not and haven't been a pill taker. So for me it wasn't the answer.

It worked for you! I'm happy for you!! Why is a PILL any different than any other way people quit smoking cigarettes? Cig's have tar and other scary things mixed into it. They compare cigarette smoking to smoking heroin, it's just as addicting.

My mother quit 25 yrs ago, her Doctor looked at her lungs before she quit and they told her it was bad. After 6 months of quitting (the patch) her lungs improved 40% that's huge in 6 months. Now can you tell me that the patch is bad idea because she didn't "quit the nicotine?".... No she quit Smoking, period!

I'm happy to hear you are smoke free and your health is improving!

I just got back and read past posts a little.
Thought I would say a few things, Take them or leave them.

I have to say I admire anyone who has even given quitting an attempt.
As for what works and does not work is tottally a personal joureny as well.

No person should judge another based on how they quit or what they do to do so.

I took 2 or three times as long as most do to finally quit.
But for me, it was the only way.
I used many methods together. As you can read in previous posts.
And if drugs would have been an option for me, probably would have done those as well.


The point behind quitting is be true to you.
Do what you need to stop.
And find people who support you in doing that.

I am telling you this,
I am standing behind you and anyone wanting to stop.

And am truely thankful to you for adding this thread/post.

Keep up the great work and if I can help at all let me know.

.