Am I missing the Peter Jennings thread here?

[Don Claybrook]

Hi. I just added the smoking cessation group to my list of favorites. I've never been here before.

The news of Peter Jennings' death has really gotten my attention. Sure, I knew of the dangers of smoking before, but something about his death really brought things home for me.

I have a doctor's appointment Wednesday afternoon. I want to get a Wellbutrin prescription.

I'm not really mentally prepared to quit, but it's time, so I need to come up with some sort of plan. For the time being, I'm keeping a list of each cigarette I have. I'm denying myself the option of smoking in the car or in my office at home, the two places I normally smoke. I'm also not smoking socially at work--if I need to smoke, I'll go alone and walk the parking lot or something. I want to keep to 10 cigarettes per day until I get my prescription (I'm smoking a little over a pack a day now).

I just wanted to introduce myself and make the proclamation that I'm going to try to quit. In doing so, I'm trying to use the shame factor against myself, if that makes any sense.

I will also need help from wherever I can get it.

Please wish me luck.

Are there any others as shallow as I am who only decided to quit after hearing of Jennings' death?

Thank you.

[Cathyclysmic]

1. His death is important to remember

hopefully this is the extra push my hubby and I need. Good Luck!

[SillyGoose]

2. Good for you! I've decided to quit as well.

I have been mulling it over for a couple of months now and this sad news has finally made me get serious about quitting cigarettes, too. I bought the patches already and am going to go that route. I know it won't be easy but I just feel its time to break this awful addiction one way or another. I think the worst part for me will be that there are times I really enjoy a cigarette - like with my morning coffee or after dinner.

Good luck to you in kicking the habit. I'll be interested to hear if the Wellbutrin helps. Wish me luck, too. I'm glad to know there's a place on DU for those of us trying to quit.

(BTW, I don't think you're shallow at all for wanting to quit after hearing about Peter Jennings death. Events like this often have a significant impact on the public.)

[Don Claybrook]

4. Thank you

And good luck to you also.

Yes, I enjoy cigarettes far too much, with morning coffee, after a meal. I hear lots of good stuff about Wellbutrin, and I'll let you know how I do with it.

I'm going to get my doctor's advice (and anyone else who gives advice) on whether to try to go cold turkey when I start the Wellbutrin, or whether to gradually decrease.

Also, my wife does a good bit of yoga (at home/dvd player). I think I'll start to join her; it couldn't hurt. And walking, I think I'll start walking, maybe in the morning before work. Sad to say, but the first thing I do when I wake up is get coffee. The second thing I do is to light up. I need to find something else to do with my mornings.

In another thread (in GD or LBN, I think), someone mentioned a website called Quitnet (.org?). I haven't been there, but people were saying good things about it. The way I see it, I need to muster every ally I have against this thing. It's a beast. So I'll use diversions, psychological games, whatever may help.

Anyway, good luck to you, and thanks for the reply.

[Droopy]

3. That Wellbutrin really works

I've been taking it for a while now as an anti-depressant and when I decided to quit smoking it was so much easier. I think you need to let the drug get into your system for a couple of weeks and then you give up the smokes. It really works. It makes the cravings so much less intense. I've quit for 18 days now and I'm not going back.