Anyone quit smoking out here? I havent smoked a cigarette in 21 hours...

[LeftNYC]

Its probably the longest I have gone in 10 years. I am using the patch and it is going well.

My question for those in the past who have quit is what was the hardest time. Day 2. The first day. The first 2 hours. Thus far I feel good. I am waiting for the roof to cave in! :bounce:

[SteppingRazor]

1. Week 3...

I'm a smoker again, but both times I've quit for any extensive period, the third week was the nasty. After that, it was a lot easier.

[LeftNYC]

6. I've got a wait until Week 3 to face my demons...

oh shit!

:argh:

[valerief]

46. self delete

Posted to wrong spot in thread!

[Poiuyt]

2. Congratulations!

I've never been a smoker, but I would like to commend you on taking the effort. Good show!

[Sammy Pepys]

3. I did several years ago....

I just went cold turkey basically. Made it three or four days before getting really antsy for one, but after a month I was fine. But I was never a heavy smoker to begin with.

[Itchinjim]

4. Five years in Feb.

Used the patch too. It may seem hard now but don't give up, every second you go without smoking makes the next second a little bit easier. Good Luck.

[riona]

33. i went cold turkey

it took 5 years before i felt absolutely no temptation to start up again. don't know why this one thing was such a hard habit to break.

[unblock]

5. congratulations!!

:bounce:

from what i've heard if you can make it through day 3, you're in great shape.
day 2 seems to be the worst from what most ex-smokers tell me, but it varies from person to person and also depends on the size of your habit.

i've never smoked but mrs. unblock gave it up (with the help of wellbutrin) about 5 years ago.

hang in there!


on edit: the patch probably extends the day of reckoning, since you're not cutting it off cold turkey.

[K8-EEE]

Day 3 Is a BITCH!

I went to the movies all day because in those days, you could smoke most places but not at the movies. Also I belonged to the Y and I would swim -- can't smoke when you're wet! Exercise is great because ALMOST IMMEDIATELY I mean, in one week you feel improved lung capacity.

I quit several times before *the* time but what got me was watching a bunch of old lady smokers in Palm Springs, they were just so messed up, wrinkled and coughing, hacking! That awful smoker's cough by the pool. I thought to myself: if I don't quit when I'm young, I will be an old smoker, it really scared me.

So I set a date, my 25th b-day, for my last cig and I made it stick. When I really really wanted one I would set a timer and say "if I still want to blow it in a half an hour, I will." But just like food cravings it is cyclical.

Be helped also by this thought: BushCo loves it when you smoke...it fattens up their cronie's coffers, or is it *hack* COUGHERS.

STAY STRONG! EXPECT A LITTLE DISCOMFORT! KEEP THE PATCH!! EMAIL ME IF YOU NEED A SUPPORTIVE WORD.

This is the best thing you will ever do for your health.

[LeftNYC]

15. Thank you!

I know about big tabackky which is #4 behind health, fiance, and money, on the list of reasons I am quitting.

[K8-EEE]

Really Effective Tools: AFFIRMATION, AROMATHERAPY

Write, type or say several times each day for a minute or two, "I don't smoke." "No thank you, I quit smoking." "I'm an ex-smoker." "I'm so glad I quit smoking." I swear this really REALLY helps.

Welcome in your new sense of smell by gifting yourself with some scented candles -- go to the farmer's market and splurge on fresh berries. Everything tastes and smells so much better when you don't smoke!

[Pharaoh]

7. Good For You

I just quit ! had my last one sunday, before that I had quit for 14 months, I had a real stressful time and smoked for 2 weeks till sunday, now I'm back on track.............It is a long long ordeal, never let your guard down.

[elehhhhna]

8. worst for me were the days I stepped down the patch doseage.

I recall crying my heart out in a cab on the way to work and having to stop at ST Peters (DT Chicago) to collect myself.


I fell off a year later and it's time to quit again. I'll definately use the patch.

[RiffRandell]

9. I haven't had one since August of 2005.

I found out I was pregnant. I quit with my last pregnancy and shouldn't have gone back to it, dammit. I'm not this time, though. Husband is 39 years old, was a social smoker (2 packs a week) and just finished a hellish regime of chemo and radiation due to Stage 3 oral cancer. Were there other factors that could have contributed to it? Probably, but smoking tobacco didn't help. Good luck---I hope you succeed. It is really something to be proud of and a fantastic accomplishment.

[underpants]

18. August 3, 2005 for me

:hi:

[LostinVA]

43. April 1, 1995 for me!

[underpants]

53. WOW you are coming right up on 11 years

:smoke::hi:

[LostinVA]

56. I know! I can't believe I used to suck down two packs a day!

Now I run two miles a day!

[TAPat]

10. Good luck! nt

[Imagine My Surprise]

11. I quit cold turkey 10 years ago...

VERY important for you to drink a lot of water the first week, to flush out the nicotine from your system. After the first week, the addiction is psychological rather than physical. But the first week is the roughest. It is important that you know that you will always WANT a cigarette. But you do not have to smoke. Congratulations and good luck. You CAN do this.

[LeftNYC]

26. Thank you! nt

[exlrrp]

12. Just don't smoke another one

I quit in August 1974, haven't had one since. Its the best thing I ever did for myself and those around me.
Hang in there!! It gets a WHOLE lot better.
Go ahead and twitch a little--anything worth doing is difficult.
But youre doing a good thing, for yourself and those around you.
Just don't ever pick up another cigarette--thats all there is to it. Look at it this way: Bush WANTS you to smoke
Hang in there!!!

[ToeBot]

13. The entire first month sucked, but by week 4 life was worth living again

Get some nicotine gum too, it helps allot with the oral fixation and crisis situations. FWIW, after that first month it was easy.

[LostinVA]

45. And, soon after this, you'll be able to smell again

You won't realize until then that your smell has been messed up... the first time you smell someone reeking of cigarettes, you'll be like "OMG!!!"

[One_Life_To_Give]

14. Worst was three _________.

Quit 6+ years ago. For whatever reason. The worst period was, 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months. (The third year was no problem and aI hope the same for the third decade :P )

Best wishes on your quit.

[LeftNYC]

21. Thats funny...

That sounds like the habit part kicking in. Maybe you started smoking on the third day of March or something...

[0007]

39. Hang in there LeftNYC, you can do it!

[LeftNYC]

71. THANKS BRO! nt

[Jersey Devil]

16. FYI, there is a Smoking Cessation Group here at DU

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=326

[LeftNYC]

27. I didnt realize...Thanks!

Sorry I posted this here moderators

[AirmensMom]

62. I'm glad you did post here, LeftNYC!

:hi:

[redwitch]

17. Great American Smokeout last November.

I feel much better physically and mentally. You can do it! Hard to know what will be the triggers to smoke- it varies by person. Try not to give in!

[LeftNYC]

25. Driving this morning was difficult...nt

[redwitch]

60. Driving is when I smoked the most.

And I am a road rep! Hours and hours in my car.
I bought tins of Altoid mints. When I got the craving I would crunch two or three at a time and then take deep breaths through my mouth. Quite a rush and MUCH healthier.
Used to be my car wouldn't start w/o a lit cigarette. Not anymore! You can do it if I can, buy the altoids!

[madmom]

19. The hardest time is when you're around other smokers and when

you would typically light up, after a good meal, when you first wake up etc. Thats when you really have to be strong. GOOD LUCK!!! I've been a non smoker for about 20 years now. Keep your hands busy, my kids like to say I crocheted the worlds biggest afghan while I was going thru this phase.:thumbsup:

[LeftNYC]

22. deleted

[TechBear_Seattle]

20. I smoked for almost a year

Back when I was 17. Got a fungus infection in my lungs (Valley Fever), ended up with double pneumonia. Even unable to breath, I wanted to smoke.

My salvation came from a local coop that sold herbs. The mother of a friend of mine went to the store and picked up several lengths of dried licorice root. Broken in half, they were about the same size and thickness of a cigarette. With something to put in my mouth and hold in my hands, I was able to quick without too much trouble and with absolutely no weight gain.

Licorice root has a sweet, dark flavor (it's licorice, after all) and I stayed with them for longer than I had smoked. I learned the hard way, though, that licorice root has a somewhat laxative effect on the body, so use with caution :hi:

[Warpy]

36. I've bought licorice root for friends who were quitting

and they've all said it helped with the psychological stuff once the nicotine had departed their systems.

It doesn't taste like licorice, just vaguely sweet with an earthy undertone. It has the added advantage of not piling on the pounds. It can raise blood pressure if used in excess, so if you find yourself chewing completely through 6 roots a day, maybe it's not for you.

I recommend it for anyone trying to get off cigarettes.

[ThomWV]

23. It Was Never All That Bad

Not as I recall now. Its been about 8 years for me but I was a 2-pack a day Camel smoker of 35 years. After about a week it was no sweat at all, but it was every bit of a year, or maybe two, before I got over the cravings.

[etherealtruth]

24. Smoked a pack and a half a day for 24 years ...

"Kinda" quit 2 years ago ... for whatever reason, I smoke 2-3 cig's a week (????) now.

Wellbutrin/zyban was VERY helpful for me.

[Warpy]

28. The patch is giving you a steady dose of nicotine, preventing

the cravings. However, once off that patch, you'll start to get those cravings again. It will take nicotine about 72 hours to exit your system completely, and after that, it's all psychological, that habit of reaching for the pack when you pour a cuppa, answer the phone, sit down for a keyboard session, etc. I understand it's especially tough in the beginning when somebody else lights up the brand you used to smoke and you catch a blast of it secondhand.

Also, you might have trouble sleeping with the patch in place, so be prepared that you might have the blue meanies when you wake up in the morning, your brain screaming for that quick hit of nicotine that the patch just won't deliver. It'll take a couple of hours for the patch to overcome that.

Some folks have done very well with the patch and tapering the dose down over 3 weeks or so, lessening the cravings at the end when the patch finally comes off.

Any way you can quit, though, is the right way!

[skylarmae]

29. I did - last cig Dec.15,2003 - I had a crutch tho-total hip replcmt

and put them down going into surgery. I have arthritis big time - so shouldn't be smoking anyway; but, after 35 yrs. decided to effort quiting.

In the hospital the first day, pretty out of it, but the second day, I felt the loss and they gave me a patch...
Continued on the patch trying everyday to extend the allotted hours ( 26 hrs one day 29 hrs the next and so on) until I just didn't put one on again....

It wasn't easy, and every once in a while a crave one still. But, when I see the price of a carton now, it makes me glad I quit.

Good luck - the effort is worth it...

Stepheni

[im10ashus]

30. The first 72 hours is the worst.

After that, it's about determination and will power.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

DU has a forum for this you should check out.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=326

[LeftNYC]

31. THANKS TO EVERYONE!!!

for their show of support and sharing their experiences.

[LostinVA]

32. Eleven years for me April 1 -- I smoked two packs a day

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

The worst time was the first five days.... just remember that you PHYSICALLY don't need them after about three days. The first three months were tough, especially the first month... then after that I was basically okay.

Are you married, dating? Get that person to do something special every week you don't smoke. That's what mine did, and it helped so much... it was supportive, and gae me something to look forward to.

A caveat: I drank zero alcohol for about ten months... and didn't go to any clubs or bars during that time.

PM if you need any pep talks -- you CAN do it! Good for you!

[benddem]

34. for me it

was the first 72 hours. But I did it cold turkey. By 72 hours though the nicotine should have been cleared. The strange thing for me though was for over a year the first thing I thought of everyday is that I can't smoke. I was never one of those people who smoked as soon as they woke up. So I thought that was very strange.
Take up some exercise and something to do with your hands and your mouth. Those are behavioral habits that are hard to give up.

[glitch]

35. I quit right before the theft of 2000.

It's tough, but this helps: your craving will pass whether you smoke a cigarette or not. So, if you wait 5 minutes, the craving is just as gone as if you had smoked! And as long as you keep not feeding the craving, they get fewer and farther between.
But once you feed it, it's back to the starting point.
PS I was on the patch for two years - very wimpy I was. But my doc said do whatever it takes to get over the emotional craving and you'll stay quit longer. Good advice, it worked for me.

Edit to add: when you are ready, it helps to feel the craving instead of denying it. That way, you can feel the same release when it passes that you would if you had a cigarette. It reinforces that the cigarette is not necessary to get through the craving. It's a way of getting control of it, rather than it controlling you.

I also quit once before with nicotine gum, the patch (following their 6 months program) and chocolate chips. (Did I mention I was a wimp?) This lasted 8 months and then I started smoking again. When I successfully quit it was with the patch for two years and the above mind tricks.

[mduffy31]

37. Keep it up

I just recently quit using Copenhagen after about 15 years. I tried the patch, gum all of that stuff but I still felt like screaming the word "Fuck" so I tried Zyban or Wellbutrin and I no longer even have the desire to have a snuff at all. It has even made me not want to do some of the things that I would relate to having a chew either.

[seabeyond]

57. i have wellbutrin, but i am not seeing a noncraving. mine is 150mg

did you have the 300mg. i am seeing doctor next week and gonna see about going to 300

[mduffy31]

65. I'm on the 300mg

[nascar55]

38. I Quit

back in the summer of 2004......the first 3 days were hard.....after a month it got a lot better....hang in there......I can taste better and I smell better also......:woohoo:

[saracat]

40. I quit two years ago.

I just suddenly didn't want to anymore. I had been sick and it wasn't appealing. I took lots of deep breaths to substitute. It has only been recently that I occasionally get cravings, but nothing that can't be resisted. I still like the smell of smoke! And I still think smokers are more intersting people so I still hang out with them!

[MsUSA]

41. OMG LeftNYC........it's only just starting.....but am so proud

of you for starting to quit. *hugs* Go to this website http://www.stopsmokingcenter.net/ It's the best site on the web.....it helped me quit last May 2nd. I'm coming up on my 1st year anniversary. Hang in there and you'll be so much healthier, feel better and have lots more $$$. Good Luck. :thumbsup: :toast: :hug: :yourock:

[LeftNYC]

69. Thank you...!

That is a great site...

[underpants]

42. What a lousy bunch of QUITTERS we have here

7 1/2 months for me. Pack a day for over 20 years. Quit the day we brought our daughter home from the hospital.

As K8-EEE points out above day 3 is a real....uh it's problematic.

Actually once you get past day 10 you are pretty much set. It might suck (it will) be just keep going. Trust me I can't even imagine smoking anymore. You will look back and laugh at yourself.

I don't have to check my smokes as I leave for work or from work to see if I need to stop. No more of those sudden FREEZE spot checks for lighter and smoke. No more having to worry (this one is HUGE) about whether you can smoke at the place you are going HOW MANY SHOULD I HAVE BEFORE I GO? WILL THERE BE SOMEPLACE *TO* SMOKE WHILE I AM THERE?!?!?! and that sort of thing.

I will offer this advice. The patch is good-get some clothelike gauze tape at a drug store it is great for making sure that the patch stays on. I switch from THE PATCH to a CVS brand and saved about 50% (I would NOT risk cutting them in half and thirds as some people advise).

Lastly even if you never had before-do some sort of cardio workout. Now mind you this is not medical advice but take a walk down the street or around the block...dance to music....do it every other day at least or twice a week. After a month see how much easier it is. I ran for the entire time I smoked and I can feel a HUGE difference even if I take a day off.

Best of luck you clearly have lots of support here on DU.

Oh one last thing-think about where your money would go should you buy another pack. (you have to set your mind to the fact that you will never smoke again not a year from now never...that part that silly part of your life is over) Who do you think is in the back pocket of tobacco?

[sharp_stick]

44. I quit 8 years ago for the 7th and finally final time

The patch saved me that time. I found the 3rd day to be the worst because I was looking for something to do with my hands. The patch kept the cravings down and by the end of the first week I was doing a lot better. The roof never did cave in, it wasn't like going cold turkey for me. I was always able to control my reactions to a craving with the patch and it passed really quickly.

IMO you have to keep busy, once you can crack the desire to hold a smoke you'll be home free.

Congratulations.

k

[Left Is Write]

47. Yep. I quit in the summer of 1998.

[valerief]

48. It was years ago that I quit

I was sooooo happy and sooooo ready to quit. I'm still uber-pleased with myself for doing so. And I smell lovely now.

Good luck. You'll rediscover yourself after you shed the addiction.

[VOX]

49. You can do it too, LeftNYC! I went cold turkey several years ago...

And never looked back. There were some rough times, **especially** when I had a drink or two (that's when I really would have sold my soul for a smoke).

Typically, the first month or two is the toughest. Give your hands something to do :evilgrin: -- for example, when you're reading or sitting at a desk, play with a rubber band (sounds silly but it's effective).

After some time has passed, you'll notice that your sense of smell and taste come alive again, and you just feel better.

After more time has passed, you might even come to find the odor of cigarette smoke unpleasant. That's what happened in my case.

Hang in there, take it one hour at a time, and know that you've got tons of good vibes for doing the right thing! :toast:

[rinsd]

50. I'm on Day 37

Day 3 was the worst but then again I went cold turkey after smoking a pack a day for 13 years. I just didn't like the patch or any of the other nicotine weaning products. WARNING: DO NOT WEAR THE PATCH OVERNIGHT when they warn you on the package about vivid dreams they are not kidding. We're talking terrifying nightmares that will leave you in a cold sweat. I chewed straws instead(strange part of oral fixation but the chewing action helped stave off cravings). I also let my id run wild, anything was allowed except cigarettes. People who have never quit or smoked don't quite understand what the withdraw and cravings are like. Think of being hungry, really hungry all the time. That is what quitting cigs is like, that's why people gain weight

So I let the id go buts for two weeks. I gained 5 lbs but I wasn't smoking. Then I started to rein in the id, cutting down on the amount of straws I chewed and snacks I ate.

This is my 2nd attempt in 2 years to quit smoking last time I made it 2 1/2 months before I had way too much to drink at a wedding and ending up giving in to a craving. That mirrors a previous attempt at quitting when once again I made it over 2 months but decided I could "handle" a drag every now and then while having a drink at the bar.

Stay strong, keep telling yourself the craving will pass. It gets a little easier every day.

Even better is you will find that once you have beaten such a formidable demon other daunting tasks in changing your lifestyle become that much easier. That 5lbs I gained? Gone and I am working on losing more by simply cutting down on greasy foods and the like and walking in the mornings.

[helderheid]

51. Congrats - hang in there! It's been 6 years and a few months for me - quit

the day I found out I was pregnant with my first baby. Unfortunately the papa of that baby (now 5 year old) still smokes.

[TalkingDog]

52. Good Luck! My mom finally quit for good when they diagnosed lung cancer

Which has since spread to her brain. The prognosis in VERY bad.

No,I'm not trying to piss on your parade. I'm trying to reinforce that the little bits of discomfort that may never happen to you now (fingers crossed), pale in comparison to the end results of a future filled with smoke. You are not only saving yourself grief, you are saving your family pain and anguish. You are doing a good thing for yourself and for the people you love.

I'll PM you a site which is very successful at easing the cravings, both physical and psychological, if the (very easy technique is used consistantly.

[madokie]

54. August 14 1977 8:00 am for me

A friend told me how he quit so I tried it and I never looked back. Here is how I done it.
I bought a pack of cigs and kept them with me all the time. The next time you want a cig tell yourself you will smoke one the next urge, the urges go away real quick so the next time I told myself the same and so on, in 3 days I was going for 3-4 hours between urges and that is when I realized I have this thing whipped. Kept the pack of cig for months and ultimately put them above the visor in my ole bug. I had gone so far as to have opened them but never smoked one. Months later a friend and I were out planting a little herb and he said he would give anything for a cig, so I told him about the cigs in the car, he went and sure enough there they were. Lit one up and about choked on it, it was so dried out. He promised me then if I made it a year he would quit, guess what, he's still smoking the bastards. You can do it. I was smoking 2+ packs a day and I started puffing on them when I was in the first grade. I had smoked for over 20 years. Sometimes a cig sure smells good but I have never been tempted to smoke one though.
Good Luck

[Lerkfish]

55. What did you do with your last diaper?

what? you don't know? is because you never intend to wear one again?

the same should be with your last cigarette. It shouldn't matter how many hours, days, etc. since you last smoked, since you're not going back.

:)

at least, that helped me quit drinking on my own through sheer willpower, that one little mental certainty.

good luck!

[helderheid]

61. that is a great way to think about it! I just kept saying that I knew I

wanted a smoke but I also knew my baby didn't and baby won.

[Beausoir]

58. 12 years ago. 2 pack/day habit. You are on your way.

Never pick up another cigarette.

I ate like crazy and gained weight like crazy but I FAR prefer being fat to being a smoker.

[spanone]

59. Aside from your health, think of the money you'll save.

It's tough. Real tough. I smoked for 25 years. Quit cold turkey. You can do it.

[AirmensMom]

63. I can't remember a specific day.

But stay away from other smokers until you can't stand the smell.

I'm really glad you quit. A good friend of mine died of emphysema yesterday. It was really bad. At least all his kids have quit.

Make sure you post here if you feel like lighting up and we'll all :spank: you before you get a chance. :hug:

[DrGonzoLives]

64. I'm at nine hours

shitshitshitfuckkilldestroypillagedestroygaaaaaahhhhhdeath

[LeftNYC]

66. How are you doing?

[LeftNYC]

67. SMOKING UPDATE!!!!

I havent smoked in 1 day, 18 hours, 34 minutes. HAHA! Its no so bad. Last night was terrible coming home from the Rangers game. They played horribly. I was in a pissy mood. My body was killing me because I went to the gym. But I made it through. I am learning that the nights are hardest for me.

[bigwillq]

72. Good for you!

Keep it up! :bounce: :hi:

[LeftNYC]

75. Thank you! nt

[kwassa]

68. Quit smoking in May of 1984

I smoked 2+ packs of Marlboros a day for 14 years before that.

[MissMillie]

70. I've been smoke-free for 8 years

it was the BEST thing I ever did for myself.

The whole thing was hard. I don't remember what was hardest, just that it was hard, and that I never want to have to quit again, so I'm staying quit!

[Burma Jones]

73. The Hardest Part for me, and when I relapsed twice, is 6 Months

After 6 months, when I still wanted to smoke, I got so damn frustrated. Finally, I just got over it.

[ET Awful]

74. If I recall, it was June of 2002 (possibly May).

So coming up on 4 years since I quit.

I used Zyban, and honestly there were no really bad days.