Quitting Smoking

[Depleted]

im chewing gum right now, and it has helped some. Unfortunately I am around smokers daily and they like to rub in my face that I'm quitting. I guess ill distance myself for them if they can't be respectful.

I don't smoke around nonsmokers out of respect. I'd run away for a cig around a just-quit ex-smoker, before I'd light up. Yupper. If they don't respect you enough to avoid smoking around you they aren't friends, once more civil human beings.

 

[Depleted]

im chewing gum right now, and it has helped some. Unfortunately I am around smokers daily and they like to rub in my face that I'm quitting. I guess ill distance myself for them if they can't be respectful.

Again -- failure here, but prepping for another go. Sounds like nicotine patches work better than gum. (Gum. Only good while you're chewing. Patches. Give a little nicotine 24/7.) Frankly, the hardest part for me -- struggle wise -- was the habit. But when the true addiction hit, I got so physically sick, I simply couldn't. I was going to puke or pass out, or both.

 

[Tinuviel]

I'm told my dad had a patch and drank a lot of diet coke when he stopped smoking, which helped him...but then, I've heard people say that the best way to do it is cold-turkey, so I guess it's what works for you.

 

[Jimbone]

im chewing gum right now, and it has helped some. Unfortunately I am around smokers daily and they like to rub in my face that I'm quitting. I guess ill distance myself for them if they can't be respectful.

That's hard and sucks really bad. It is also one of the main things that helped me not smoke was NOT being around smokers for the most part. That is a major trip up, but I also didn't have God at the time either. I hope they start being more respectful, and you will have to stop a few habits like going out for the "smoke breaks" and places where they are smoking, at least for a while anyway. I wish you the best, and pray the Lord grants you the strength to endure. Like I said it is very hard, but man once you are on the other side it makes it SO worth it, I mean SO VERY worth it.

 

[Jimbone]

Again -- failure here, but prepping for another go. Sounds like nicotine patches work better than gum. (Gum. Only good while you're chewing. Patches. Give a little nicotine 24/7.) Frankly, the hardest part for me -- struggle wise -- was the habit. But when the true addiction hit, I got so physically sick, I simply couldn't. I was going to puke or pass out, or both.

That's why I liked the gum better, it was more when I needed it and it was an active action. I needed the oral activity because I was just as addicted to the act of smoking as I was to nicotine and chewing the gum helped in both areas for me.

 

[Test_F_i_2_Luv]

I was told to suck on hard candy. I will try the peppermints. MY biggest fear is gaining weight. I struggle with that anyway, but if I can fight off smoking then I am sure I can lose the extra weight if I gain. I am just tired of living an unhealthy lifestyle. I no longer do caffeine because that can increase a nicotine craving. I just wish I could stop craving chocolate. Thanks for the tip!

I remember some former smokers using lemon drops. Apparently it made smoking taste worse?

I watch my caffeine intake. Not sure if you're referring to coffee or soft drinks. In the event it is soft drinks, there are many that are caffeine free. Root Beer is caffeine free. I like the A&W with aged vanilla. Pepsi and Croke come in caffeine free versions. I noticed a slight difference between regular Pepsi and caffeine free so put some gourmet drops in there & trick my mind.

If you think coupons or store sales are nice, think about how much $ you're saving every day by not smoking. Keep a tally of your savings and think about how you'll now be able to use that money. Maybe even use some of it to treat yourself!

Educating about asthma and emphysema and lung/heart problems associated with smoking might also help give additional determination to kick the habit.

 

[Dude653]

I quit 15 years ago. I was at 2 to 3 packs a day. I recommend the patches. They helped me tremendously. Since I was such a heavy smoker, my doctor advised me to wear 2 patches at once. ..It was hard but the patches were a huge help

 

[Utah]

For the past 13 years I've smoked about 2-3 packs a day. Last Friday(Feb 26) I smoked my last cigarette. To be honest, I haven't really been irritable til yesterday. According to those around me I'm easier to get along with but its hard. Very hard. The cravings are horrible. I'm going to stick with it, but I'm really beginning to feel the struggle. Anyone have any tips? I'd really appreciate it.

Next time you want a smoke, lick a dirty ashtray and let your tongue experience what your lungs have for years. You'll never look back.

 

[Dude653]

When you are a smoker, you don't notice the smell but after you quit, you can smell it a mile away

 

[sassylady]

My son quit last fall and the doctor told him it basically takes 3 days for the physical cravings to quit, but longer for the actual habit of doing it. He got put on welbutrin, which didn't thrill him because he doesn't like to take meds if he doesn't have to, but it definitely made it where he just did not want to smoke. He went off the welbutrin after about a month and hasn't missed the smoking. The doctor said the patch is still just putting nicotine in your system.

But what works for one person doesn't for another. Welbutrin is something that is frequently used for quitting smoking.

 

[jb]

...Anyone have any tips?...

Try doing a brisk hour's walking each day and make sure you drink more water...

Also experiement with different things (as you are doing) as different things work effectively for different people!

I tried many times to stop in the past, it really was the Lord that helped me stop AND stay off them, he removed my desire and cravings for them!

 

[Dude653]

My son quit last fall and the doctor told him it basically takes 3 days for the physical cravings to quit, but longer for the actual habit of doing it. He got put on welbutrin, which didn't thrill him because he doesn't like to take meds if he doesn't have to, but it definitely made it where he just did not want to smoke. He went off the welbutrin after about a month and hasn't missed the smoking. The doctor said the patch is still just putting nicotine in your system.

But what works for one person doesn't for another. Welbutrin is something that is frequently used for quitting smoking.

Wellbutrin along with the patches is actually most effective method for quitting. The patches help to gradually reduce the amount of nicotine in your body because if you just quit suddenly, your body goes into freak out mode. Is quite unpleasant... the Wellbutrin helps your body cope with the withdrawal symptoms

 

[Test_F_i_2_Luv]

I quit 15 years ago. I was at 2 to 3 packs a day. I recommend the patches. They helped me tremendously. Since I was such a heavy smoker, my doctor advised me to wear 2 patches at once. ..It was hard but the patches were a huge help

So you just reduced your dosage over time?

Less nicotine per patch as time goes on?

This thread is somewhat difficult to grasp for me as someone who hasn't experienced the cravings/addition of nicotine.

 

[Dude653]

So you just reduced your dosage over time?

Less nicotine per patch as time goes on?.

This thread is somewhat difficult to grasp for me as someone who hasn't experienced the cravings/addition of nicotine.

yes.. you gradually cut dosage of the patches. you start at 21 milligrams, then down to 14 and then down to 7. its about a 3 month process but it it took me 6 months because my doctor told me to double the dosage

 

[Elizabeth619]

I take Wellbutrin and I have patches. Today has been a better day. Cravings are getting better.
Thanks everyone for he advice and please pray that i can kick this habit

 

[resurrection33]

For the past 13 years I've smoked about 2-3 packs a day. Last Friday(Feb 26) I smoked my last cigarette. To be honest, I haven't really been irritable til yesterday. According to those around me I'm easier to get along with but its hard. Very hard. The cravings are horrible. I'm going to stick with it, but I'm really beginning to feel the struggle. Anyone have any tips? I'd really appreciate it.

I smoked heavily for twelve years. Finally I quit. It took about six weeks before I was comfortable. That was in 1986.

 

[Test_F_i_2_Luv]

I take Wellbutrin and I have patches. Today has been a better day. Cravings are getting better.
Thanks everyone for he advice and please pray that i can kick this habit

Noticing any positives besides cravings being easier to deal with?

 

[oldethennew]

I started smoking at 13, and was instantly 'hooked' to the point of stealing and picking up
butts where ever I saw them.,..

I was an addict for 23yrs...

one day I had a moment of clarity and threw them in the gutter where they came from,.,.,

I never had a desire to go-back or return to this satanic bondage, and I can only give the GLORY
to my Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.,

 

[Hungry]

I worked in a kitchen full of smokers. One was an older guy who hacked relentlessly. Because of him we all ended up quitting accept for him. Eight of us started, six cold turkey and two on the patches. All of the cold turkey quitters were successful but the patch users returned after a month. All of us, self included gained 30-40 lbs. I was eating vegetables and healthy food. I started running and exercising regularly. I gained 30lbs of lean rippling muscle. I quit coffee and drinking, anything that would make me want a cigarette. I didn't get one craving until a year later when I went camping with a bunch of smokers. My wife even smoked around me and it didn't bug me. The key thing I attribute it to is, I set in my mind that I wasn't a smoker, I was an athlete. So, I did what athletes do, and that includes not smoke.

 

[Omega223]

Hi I am new here