Ex-smokers: I need advice

[Skittles]

I had quit smoking for two and a half years but the stress of a layoff and then starting a new job made me start puffing away. I'm now back on the wagon again. Problem is, it seemed so easy the first time - I wore a patch for a couple of weeks and that was it. This time it's so much more difficult - after using the patch again I'm chewing nicotine gum like crazy and still have an overwhelming desire to smoke.

Advice for all you first time quitters - if you're successful then get overwhelmed by circumstances, buy some patches again instead of some f***ing cigarettes. I truly regret that I did not even think of that option. :(

[bearfan454]

1. I used Zyban(wellbutrin) and it worked for me.

I haven't smoked since 1-1-2000.

[Skittles]

3. the anti-depressant?

that would need a script, correct?

[bearfan454]

6. Yes.

The Dr. wrote me one.

[frank frankly]

13. me, too. i worked amazingly well. and i don't trust a lot of psych meds...

i did a lot of research and i think zyban is a-okay.

it really, really, really helped. night and day, skittles.

it's also easy as hell to get a script for it. docs give it away like tic-tacs

[davsand]

29. I'm taking it now.

I just got up to the full dose and set a "quit day" for the day after elections (you have to ease onto this stuff to cut down the side effects.) The way I see it, if it helps me quit smoking, then great--if I fail, well, then I'll be started on anti depressants if the elections go badly. Seemed like a win/win thing to me!

Go, Skittles! You are a tough lady to go cold turkey. No WAY I was trying that!


Laura

[getoffmytrain]

2. Don't know if this will

help because everyone is a little different.... but each time I crave cigs I breath deeply and hold it and if I am able to, I get online and read about how bad cigs wreck your body.

For me, it seems deep and controlled breathing is as good a remedy as any to control cig cravings.

Good Luck!

[Skittles]

9. I'll do that

another thing I've found is that these cravings - although quite severe - don't really last that long - maybe a few minutes. Problem is I'm having them all the time!

[CO Liberal]

4. If You Really Want to Quit, Try Hypnosis

But not those fly-by-nighters that travel from town to town. Look in your phone book for a Certified Hypnotherapist.

I used to be a hypnotherapist before my injuries forced me to stop practicing. The National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH) developed a four-session program that was very effective.

If you decide to go the hypnosis route, ask the hypnotherapist if they're NGH-Certified.

[Skittles]

5. what is the gist behind the hypnosis remedy?

do they change your inner thoughts about cigs?

[plcdude]

7. they

stop you from kicking other peoples asses which could be a good thing for you.

[Skittles]

11. I WILL KICK THE THERAPIST'S ASS!!!

:D

[CO Liberal]

12. It Helps Reinforce Your Willpower

Everyone has a list of "core beliefs" in their subconscience - a personal list of "right" and "wrong". Right now, smoking is on your "right" list. Hypnosis will help you move it over to the "wrong" list, transforming smoking from a pleasurable activity to a bothersome chore.

But you have to WANT to quit in order for it to work. No one can hypnotize you to do something you don't want to do. I had people call saying "my wife wants me to quit smoking". I'd tell them to call back when THEY wanted to quit smoking.

[Skittles]

15. mentally I already think smoking is a bothersome chore

it disturbed me no end having to plan when and where I could smoke; it disgusted me. Really, I'm pretty sure this is just a physical craving. My decision to quit smoking has always been mine and mine alone.

[CO Liberal]

25. Sounds Like Your Of The Correct Mindset

Hypnosis may help you quit.

[juliagoolia]

18. Bladder Cancer??? Maybe this will give you second thoughts

Deep breaths. Got something to get through the 3 days of withdrawals? I drank loads of water and isolated myself with suspensful novels and took sleep aids until it was over. It only last 3-4 days.

I've quit too many times.. finally for the last time now.

Here is a fun thing many do not know about nicotine.

Nicotine is the major cause of bladder cancer in men and women.
Bladder cancer is right up there at the top on men as types of cancer.

I had it too(a female at age 38) Thankful caught in time by good DR. If they dont catch it right away they take out your bladder and part of your vagina and all of your sex organs. Not sure what they remove from men..but they do take out your bladder so you can pee from a bag strapped to your leg! Then if they catch it in time you get to have your bladder looked into yearly for the rest of your life and they also do this wondeful thing called immunotherapy where you get to have a flu like thing every few months for five years or so.

[catmandu57]

8. This is a nerve wracking time Skittles

Try hypnosis, if nothing else go grab a meditation file from somewhere, try getting some peppermint sticks to fit in your hand like a cigarette and dragging on them, hopefully you can put them down again.

[Skittles]

10. hey you know, I haven't thought about that

I AM very jittery about the election

[d_b]

14. Heh. That sucks.

I'm using the gum right now

[Skittles]

16. I'm worried I'm getting addicted to the gum

it used to make me hiccup like crazy but not any more. :o

[d_b]

27. Yea.

It did that for the first week or so. Burned the hell out of my throat too.

[RandomKoolzip]

17. My advice: gradual steps.

Smoke two less cigarettes than you would every day for a week. The next week (or use whatever chronological hash mark that works for you) take another cigarette a day off the schedule. and on and on....Remember, don't force it. Find a rhythm that works. Don't jump in at the deep end; it's easier to rationalize geeting back on the wagon if you do.

This is how I quit. I used to smoke two packs of Marlboro 100's (the long ones) a day. For six years. Of course, developing anxiety attacks didn't hurt either....

[Skittles]

20. oh, I'm already not smoking and past the three days

it's just that these cravings don't seem to be subsiding at all

[RandomKoolzip]

23. Then start again. Seriously.

Get some nicotine back in your body to make the cravings subside a bit. Then begin tapering off.

[radwriter0555]

19. You might consider some TRANQUILIZERS... Clonapin, for the short term

in small doses really, really helps take away the nervous needs and cravings.

I relied on it to stop smoking and use it now on occasion to relieve anxiety. It IS addictive, so small doses and extreme moderation.

I love that stuff. It stops the rat wheel in my head without turning me into a blithering idiot.

You don't build up to it, or take it 2 times a day, you take one or half a one as needed, once in a while.

It made a huge difference for me.

[Hobarticus]

21. Buy a pack, smoke one cigarette...

...and run them under the faucet, so as to way destroy the rest of the pack so that you can't have 'second thoughts'.

Seriously.

When you get tired of paying the price of a full pack for one smoke, you'll be more than ready. Worked for me!

[nine30]

22. Quit cold turkey, or forget it.

I have been smoke free for over 7 years. I tried several times and failed but then finally it worked. I realized if I had to depend on an aid to help me quit, I wasn't strong enough or determined enough.
Cold turkey worked for me.
My brother however used patches and has been smoke free for 2 years.

[SarahB]

26. I agree.

Be content to be miserable for a few days-- feel the your pain, but don't pick up a cigarette. Wait for a 3 day weekend and isolate from the rest of the human race and cry, throw things and be miserable. I quit for 8 years, smoked lightly for a year, quite for 18 months, smoked lightly again another year, then just over a year ago, said "I'm sick of this. I'm done." I had two cigarettes since then, but rarely want them. In fact, I never crave them except on occasion if I have a beer, but I don't drink much, so that helps too.

Once the physical addiction is gone (which only takes a few days), then it comes down to stress management. I can't believe with all the stress in the past year I've gone through, not only have I not started my old smoking habit, but I also weigh less. I also don't stuff in my feelings anymore. That's what helped me more than anything. Good luck and best wishes, Skittles!!!

You can do this!!!!
:yourock:

[Skittles]

28. no no

I'm well past the three days; it's just that I am having extremely powerful cravings that are driving me insane!

[SarahB]

30. Shoot

I don't know then. I seemed to always be better after that point. I'd say if you're not, hit some of that nicotine gum maybe to get you over the hump. Sorry you're having a tough time. It's hard sometimes. :(

[skygazer]

24. I did the same thing

I'd quit for 12 years and then I took a bus from Watsonville, California to Brattleboro, Vermont. Round about Cincinnatti, I dragged some poor slob off the bus and demanded, "gimme a cigarette!"

Smoked that time for about a year and it was MUCH harder to quit than it was the first time. I haven't smoked now for over 3 years but up until last year, I'd still get occasional cravings which I never did the first time. Wierd - I'd be interested to know if there's some sort of physical or psychological reason for that.

Everyone is different too. I have a sister who quit probably ten years ago but she still gets cravings. She is very high strung and I think that's why - she gets stressed easily.

Good luck to you. :)

[MissMarple]

31. And find something else to do with your hands.

I found that needlepoint and smoking are almost mutually exclusive activities. Reading and smoking, not so much. :D

edit: oops,wrong word. All fixed now.

[Skittles]

32. I need to get a new boyfriend

:D

[Bluebear]

33. Done.

[Skittles]

34. BE STILL MY BEATING HEART

*SWOON* I would smoke him in a SECOND!

[Bluebear]

36. I quit a year and a half ago

I had a really tough time and went back to sucking my Commit lozenges. Now I'm hooked on them. Go figure.

PS Fuck Curt Schilling

[Skittles]

37. I tried those Commit things

they actually made me REALLY want to smoke! :o

[JanMichael]

35. Get some fake, herbal cigarettes....

Seriously, the legal ones. You should find them at the local tobacco shop....then use those and committ lozenges...

That combination worked for me.

[GOPisEvil]

38. QUIT SMOKING OR I WILL NOT LET YOU KICK MY ASS ANY MORE!!!