I am on day 5 of not smoking.

[im10ashus]

ANd it SUCKS! I am using the patch but I still have urges at times. This is my THIRD attempt this year alone. Any other's quitting? Is there a forum for this? I woke up this morning with the worst craving.

[Joe_VB]

1. I haven't had a smoke since October 15 2004......Keep it up.

You will thank youself later.

[R Hickey]

2. I quit years ago.

One thing I did was to mentally tie nausia to nicotine craving. The greater the craving the greater the nausia.

I used another paychological trick on myself by re-defining myself as a "non-smoker" rather than a smoker.

[im10ashus]

3. OK.

That's interesting. I've never approached it that way. I'll give that a try.

[xmas74]

4. i quit yesterday.

[im10ashus]

12. Are you using anything, like the patch of gum?

It seemed easier for me the first few days. Strange as that may seem.

[xmas74]

15. just cinnamon gum.

I've done patches and nic gum before but they didn't help me. I had to force the nic out of my system. Otherwise, I still wanted a cig.

[im10ashus]

19. That's what I may need to do.

I've failed on the patch before. Thanks for the tip.

:hi:

[xmas74]

25. The last time I quit it was for two years.

I chewed alot of cinnamon gum, ate alot of grapes (and carrot sticks and cherries), drank many bottles of water and puffed on drinking straws (not kidding). Cut them down to size and you can gesture w/ them like you would when you are talking to someone when you smoke or just puff on them like a cig. It helps give you something to do w/ your hands and it helps w/ the oral fixation that you are so used to when you smoke.
Someone else told me about a rubber band on your wrist. You are supposed to snap it every single time you think about a cig as a form of conditioning. For some people it works really well. All of the above are healthier than patches and gum (and much cheaper) so they are worth a shot.

[im10ashus]

26. Good one!

Thanks so much.

:yourock:

[xmas74]

27. No prob.

If you need anything send me a pm. I think that we both need all the encouragement that we can get. It's time for both of us to kick a nasty habit.

[im10ashus]

29. I have totally added you to my buddy list.

Feel free to PM me too. Support is good.

:-)

[xmas74]

30. Just added you!

[Theres-a]

5. here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=326&topic_id=1&mesg_id=1

[im10ashus]

13. Thanks! n/t

[Roon]

6. I haven't had a cigarette since Feb 25th

I quit after 20 years of smoking. I will never smoke again.

[im10ashus]

14. What's your secret?

Please share.

[Roon]

23. Using the patch.

and remembering that it gets a little easier every day. I also attended group.

[im10ashus]

28. There are groups?

I am so new to quitting, can you tell?

[Roon]

33. Yes

Here in Denver we have groups to quit smoking. I went to the county hospital. I also got my patches for a nominal fee.

[MissMillie]

7. It only sucks for a little while!

I promise, you will never regret giving up cigarettes. I quit nearly 8 years ago, and it was the best thing (besides having my son) that I ever did.


Keep up the good work!

[im10ashus]

16. Thank you, Miss Millie.

I will try.

:-)

[Mutley]

8. You could try this group, too.

They deal with addictions in general. A good addition to the Smoking Cessation Group.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=336x12

[WCGreen]

9. After you make it through five to ten days.....

it's down hill from there...

I quit drinking March 22, 1983

And quit smoking Feb 20, 1984.....

It can be done....

BTW, I have the will power of Ken Lay around easy money,
Or Michael Jackson around small boys,
Or Kristy Ally around Pizza,
Or Barry Bonds arround steriods,

so if I can quit, so can you....

Stick with it.....

Celery Sticks and carrot sticks help with the oral thing....

But don't get too hung up on the patch cause that really delays the inevitable nicotine WD....

My broth in law is a phsyciatrist and he suggest moving to a mild sedative after the oral fixation is broken to combat the nicotine WD. He says it only take anout two weeks and then you are home free....

[im10ashus]

17. That's my fear.

Now I will become addicted to the patch. And given today's political climate, it's not easy to quit. Thanks for the tips. :yourock:

[Bassic]

10. Hey I hear ya, but keep it up..

The patch kicks in after about a week (did for me)

Course I didn't stop for very long (5 weeks), but I'm just weaks. Although, as a musician playing in bars and the like, its hard to stop when you're surrounded by it.

[NawlinsNed]

11. I'm gonna light up a stogie in your honor!

Mmmmmmm..... fresh dominican tobacco, rolled on virgin thighs.... Pedro needs to get out more often.

[im10ashus]

18. You suck!

:rofl:

A friend told me he used marijuana to cessate. I honestly don't see how becoming a stoner would help me.

[NawlinsNed]

34. Best thing about cigars...

... you get a nice nic rush, but none of the addiction. I have over 400 stogies in my collection, and I smoke maybe 2 a week.

[henslee]

20. Good for you! The temp. of a lit ciggie will vary from 752 deg F to 1292

degrees F depending on whether or not you're inhaling or not and which part of the cig. is burning. If one must have a nicotine delivery system, it should not be this type -- which litereally cooks your lungs which are actually quite fragile and beautiful. In add. to the patch, why don't you try a water pipe or a vaporizor to quench your nic. addiction. Also, the deepest breath most smokers take is when they inhale, if one simply practiced breathing deeply, the impact of the nicotine on their lungs would be dramatically negated. Not trying to be a know it all but I was a pack a dayer and I quit. Just want to share.

[im10ashus]

21. THANK YOU!

That's GREAT advice. I will definitely incorporate into my routine.

[BeTheChange]

22. Day 13 here..

But I used hypnotherapy and am not using any nicotine replacements. My most difficult part was making it through the first few days of nicotine withdrawl.. The rest has been alot easier then I thought. Yesterday was stressfull and it was bad because my brain was trying to adjust to how to deal with out a cigarette.. but I really didnt want one.

Anyway, good luck. I hear that if you can make it a month, you are home free.

Personally, I like reading the bulletinboard and articles at http://quitsmoking.about.com/

They have really helped me with some of the physical symptoms like quitters flu and sinus issues.

[im10ashus]

24. Congratulations!

And THANK YOU for the link. I will bookmark and read it daily.

:-)

:yourock:

[Mrs_Beastman]

31. Mr B and I quit once a month

we went 3 days this week, broke down on thursday. I gave up on the patch and just go cold turkey now. no difference(except no itchy skin)..

good luck!

[SuperWonk]

32. I gave it up in 1997...

good luck, it ain't easy.

[cassandra uprising]

38. you go girl

You and Mr. B have all my best.

I can loan out Chavez to you and Mr. B -that's how I quit!

[Mrs_Beastman]

44. Thanks!

we are willing to try anything. after you guys unpack and get settled, you should do a road trip to Cleveland.

[Taverner]

35. I just smoked my last one

I feel like shit....lets hope this time it sticks

Congrats!

[swag]

36. Be sure to reward yourself for this accomplishment.

Keep going.

It took me several tries several years ago, but I'm so glad I quit. Fucking hell, I am so happy I don't smoke any more.

Best to you.

[swag]

37. I HIGHLY recommend the Lung Association's "Freedom from Smoking"

materials

http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=44456

They seem to have an on-line course at the site, but didn't when I quit. When I quit, this below-listed booklet, listed on the same page, was extremely helpful (though the description makes it sound a bit cheesy). If you find you're still having trouble, please look into it. I ordered mine from my state lung association.

Freedom From Smoking® Self Help Manual (ALA Item #0055)-- This 46-page guide was developed by pulmonary physicians and American Lung Association staff to help people quit smoking. It is organized according to the various steps involved in the quitting process, from “Starting Out” to “Becoming a Non-smoker.” Each chapter contains short summaries of critical points, color photos, and interactive elements, such as checklists and quizzes. It also features a tear-out “Quitting Smoking Calendar” and “Pack Tracks,” which are small cards that help the soon-to-be ex-smoker track his or her smoking habit, and therefore, better understand how to avoid situations that could lead to relapse. At the end of the guide, there is a
“Certificate of Nonsmoker” to help celebrate the accomplishment

[im10ashus]

40. Thanks, swag.

I'll check it out.

:hi:

[cassandra uprising]

39. I quit about three years ago

I started dating a non-smoker and that's what finally got me to kick the habit. Hang in there!

[im10ashus]

41. Thanks, doll!

I am feeling better now today. Despite my co-workers pissy attitude, which doesn't help, I am feeling better.

[bigwillq]

42. Good for you.

Best of luck. Hope it's for good this time.:hi:

[redqueen]

43. Congrats!

:toast:

I quit years ago... can't stand the smell anymore... good luck!

[Taxloss]

45. I have not smoked since December 2004.

And I don't even think about it now. It takes so little time to clear it from your system. You can do it.

If all else fails, use the Allen Carr method. Worked for me.

[im10ashus]

47. What's the Allen Carr method? n/t

[Ramsey]

46. Good for you!!!

The life you save will be your own!

Hang in there.

[henslee]

48. you can do this... just google search "lungs + unhealthy', print it out

and put it on the fridge.