topic Re: How can I stop smoking? in Wellness

How can I stop smoking?

purrmom — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 01:19:19 GMT

I've smoked for 40 years. I now have a medical diagnosis where I must stop smoking. The patches gave me a problem, I'm afraid of the side effects of the medications, such as suicidal thoughts. I threw away all my cigarettes, stopped for one month using will power & now I'm back at it again. Help.

Re: How can I stop smoking?

Mistreatedbycs — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:16:33 GMT

My mom just died from years of smoking, her lungs were terminal.

You just can't imagine what I witnessed these past 2 years, it was terrible. She couldn't get her breath, she struggled to eat, her body was leading to a slow death.

All the pictures, all the people telling you, all the stories you hear, nothing will help, only you and you alone can stop.

Hope you listen to that little voice in your head and heed the warnings...it's serious.

Re: How can I stop smoking?

June Lands — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:23:36 GMT

It is not easy. I quit 25 years ago... Cold turkey. The only way you will quit for good is you have to want to do it for your health...no other reason. Are you ready to make that commitment? To value your health?

Re: How can I stop smoking?

cosmic1 — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:50:13 GMT

I used the nicotine gum and I used it for longer than recommended, but I figured as long as I wasn't smoking, it was good. I also made my switch during a week that I was on vacation. After I felt ready to get off the nicotine, I used a vacation week again and switched to regular gum. It only took a few days to over the nicotine cravings. Take as long as you need to ensure your success. You can do it.

Re: How can I stop smoking?

pegsue — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:55:33 GMT

Purrmom-I pray that you find the strength to quit, for yourself, your health and your family. I am 51 and I grew up and my mom smoked all the time-as far as I can remember. It upset me so much-her alarm would go off and her feet would hit the floor and she'd light one up and cough and hack. Her work was across the street so there'd she go smoking and walking to work, and back then she could smoke all day long in her office. She'd come home still smoking till she went to sleep. I just remember how she stank, everything stank, I'd go to school stinking and it was so unattractive. Me and my dad would beg her to stop....nothing doing. I was happy when I got married and moved out-and I did not allow smoking in my home or car at all-and she was not pleased. She ultimately had several health issues and wouldn't quit and ended up with lung cancer, had to have the left lower lobe of a lung removed, and yet she still to this day says it's not because she smoked. I have come to her house unannounced and actually caught her with a cigarette! So sad. When I see a nice looking girl or guy around and they have a cigarette-it just really makes them less attractive to me.

I pray that you do find the strength to quit/cut down and quit. I am resentful at my mother for putting us all through this and I also hate to think about how much $$ she and my dad would have if it all didn't go up in smoke. Good luck!

Re: How can I stop smoking?

AstridDrey — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:09:25 GMT

I also don't like to hear, "you have to quit cold turkey." Advice like that kept me smoking for years because the thought of going cold turkey was too stressful.

For me, I looked at it as a drug addiction. I slowly weaned myself off of it. I used the patches. I cut them in half, then in quarters. I took my time, smoking two cigarettes a day for a few months, one in the morning one at night. Then one cigarette a day. Then the patches only.

I changed my routine. Instead of lighting up first thing when I got home from work, I would light a candle. Sit down and relax. That really helped. Find a substitute that is not food. Find new ways to relax.

I also changed my way of thinking. I would imagine myself smoking and feel nauseous. That still works for me, 15 years after I quit.

Think of it as your own private rehab. You might not feel great everyday, but the drug is leaving your system! You will be so proud of yourself when it's over! Keep a journal and mark off each day that you were successful. It may not happen overnight, but give it a month or so. Take it one day at a time just like an addict. One day you'll wake up and know you are DONE. And it is a great feeling. Good luck!

Re: How can I stop smoking?

nomless — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:14:35 GMT

This thread is over three years old....granted, it might still help someone....

Re: How can I stop smoking?

LuLuBelle — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:15:01 GMT

purrmom, it's one of the hardest (and best) things you'll ever do. I too quit cold turkey. I however did it with a friend and the support we gave one another really helped. We walked, we changed our diets, we gave up coffee for green tea. We tried not to engage in the things that prompted lighting a cigarette - talking on the phone, having that morning coffee, driving. We both kept cigarettes in the freezer and when the urge was overwhelming we'd pull it out, walk around with it and put it back. There are some on-line support groups so that may help you too. And keep in mind, when an urge hits it only lasts about three minutes - you can work through it! And as an added benefit I taught myself to knit to keep my hands occupied! You can do it - you know you can! Best of luck and can't wait to hear back from you when you tell us you're a non-smoker!

Re: How can I stop smoking?

morning glory — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:33:30 GMT

Here is how I stopped smoking. I stopped buying cigarettes. If I didn't have them in the house I couldn't smoke. If you don't have cigarettes you won't smoke cigarettes. It is that simple.

Seriously, that is how I stopped smoking. It worked for me. I took an anti anxiety pill while I was quitting. I had smoked a cigarette when I got tense to relax so needed the small dose of anti anxiety pills to use instead. I also found out if I counted slowly from one to ten the desire for a smoke stopped. Just don't buy cigarettes. That is the secret.

Re: How can I stop smoking?

makeupaddicted1 — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:37:05 GMT

Everybody has to find what works for them. I smoked for twenty years and decided since I was getting older, it was past time to stop. I quit cold turkey! No programs, no patches, nothing. In July, I will celebrate five years of not smoking!

Re: How can I stop smoking?

maestra — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:41:52 GMT

There is no incentive like having chemo (unrelated diagnosis). I smoked on and off for 40 years also and it was the side effect disguesia (everything tasted terrible, changes in smell) that did it for me. I began to notice there weren't that many 'old' smokers around and figured they had quit or were dead. I've been smoke free for over 3 years.

Re: How can I stop smoking?

morning glory — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 06:05:12 GMT

Ask youself Who is it that is buying the cigarettes? Answer. It is you. Stop buying them.

Re: How can I stop smoking?

OkeyDokey — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 06:12:09 GMT

With every single day that passes without smoking, your cells in your body are improving. With passing time, risks start to diminish, including cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, cancer, and the like. Even if you are now experiencing any of these now, quitting will help further your treatment. I can understand being afraid of medications, but they do work very well for many people. Perhaps talk to your doctor about it and whether they would be a good option or not. My husband, despite anxiety, was able to use chantix. It didn't make him have suicidal thoughts, but it did make him have crazy dreams. It only took one prescription for him. But, ultimately you need to do what is best for your situation.

Re: How can I stop smoking?

Lizzy Bennet — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 06:24:02 GMT

I agree with chickenbutt. You just have to stop and then every time you crave a cigarette you have to say to yourself ""I don't do that anymore."" Been 5 years for me and I still occasionally get cravings but they don't last long. There's no magic bullet. Just do whatever works for you and stick with it. Don't buy any cigarettes.

Re: How can I stop smoking?

athenian — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 06:40:22 GMT

You can do it! I quit cold turkey--it was easy for me, but my brother, who smoked three packs a day, did it by tapering off. My dad quit, after sixty years, by only smoking outdoors, standing up (it was a damp cold year). I have friends that used hypnosis. A big help is breaking the habit associations: if it's coffee and the paper at the kitchen table in the morning, then read the paper at lunch. Find a hobby that involves keeping your hands busy. Don't be discouraged; this thread is testament to how many have been successful and you will be, too.

Re: How can I stop smoking?

adoreqvc — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 21:48:05 GMT

I sympathize with those who are really trying to quit smoking.

Cold turkey and a mind set usually work well and last.

I know many people who tried everything which was a costly venture including e cigs, which btw are not really a healthier option since they also have chemicals...best way I heard was just quitting cold turkey.

One has to really be ready to want to quit, so if one is in the proper mind set then after a few days the nicotine exits the body, and the nicotine addition stops, but the cravings and memories may linger, but usually fade.

Smoking also results in cardiac arrest, emphysema and COPD Stages 1 thru 4. None of these are enjoyable, and many people are shocked when they have have waited way too long to quit cigarettes and are diagnosed with the above.

As for E cigarettes it states on the internet that the health claims of E-cigarettes are going up in smoke, and that was the headline on the Forbes web site at this link below:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasperhamill/2014/08/31/the-health-claims-of-e-cigarettes-are-going-up-in-smoke/

Many other web sites are also stating the same....evidently switching from tobacco smokes to e-smokes is really not a healthy alternative, just one which is also costly, dangerous, and unhealthy.

Some say the smell of cigarette smoke after they have quite is highly offensive. They never realized how that offensive cigarette odor permeated their breathe, hair, clothes, home and furnishings.

The cigarette smoke odor is a constant companion and traveled with them, wherever they went.

Now with many laws not permitting smoking in indoor areas and outdoor places, with fines being given it may be just the incentive many smokers need to once and for all kick the habit, and the $ saved could be spent elsewhere.

In many outdoor recreation and socialization areas like boardwalks, beaches, parks, school playgrounds, outdoor eateries, bus stops, and other places have placed a ban on smoking and police do issue violations.

Re: How can I stop smoking?

Tenners — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 22:03:31 GMT

It's easy. Have triple bypass surgery and a carotid endarterectomy. You'll quit smoking real fast. Take my word for it. Quitting smoking is WAY easier than having those surgeries.

Re: How can I stop smoking?

GSPgirl — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 22:13:45 GMT

Both my parents stopped smoking cold turkey in their 40's, but dad still died at age 75 of throat cancer. You do not want to go through this!!!!!! Quit smoking now. Do whatever it takes. It was awful watching my dad die. It breaks my heart that my daughter still smokes. She started Chantix, but it gave her horrible nightmares.

Re: How can I stop smoking?

Nightowlz — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 22:13:52 GMT

I have a girlfriend that quit & is now using one of those electronic cigarettes. So far so good working for her. Good Luck.

Re: How can I stop smoking?

Tenners — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 22:37:56 GMT

Purrmom, here's the deal. If you don't stop smoking it will always catch up with you and you'll have to have some procedure you don't want to have. Tell me you haven't told yourself it won't happen to you...you can smoke and just not think about the consequences for one more day, and then just one more day, right? You can only fool yourself with that behavior for so long. You're only putting off the inevitable. Either you quit smoking and hope you've stopped in time to prevent a painful surgery, OR...you'll be stopped in your tracks some day and there you are. No options. You're going to have surgery. Your worst nightmare has happened. There is no "trying to stop smoking". There is only stopping smoking. One way or the other you'll stop smoking. That's the plain truth.