Jooner18
07-08-2009, 06:51 AM
I'm currently on day 2 of my latest attempt. I've tried the patch a few times, and the lozenges. Didn't like the lozenges. I like the patch because every time I want a cigarette, I just slap my shoulder like I'm kicking nicotine out of the patch or something. And yes, the rumor about strange dreams IS true. I recall having some real doozies the last time I was on the patch. I've learned to look forward to them rather than dread them.
I think the biggest problem I've had in my quitting attempts is that I'll "reward myself" for quitting by having a celebratory cigarette. The last time I tried to quit, I went about three weeks, and lit one up with a patch on. It was then I realized that smoking a cigarette with the patch on while dangerous, did not make me sick like the box says, so them I could still smoke but just smoke less. Bad idea. The time before that, I actually found a cigarette on the street and took it home with me and smoked after about 4 months of being smoke free. That was a dumb idea. I apparently enjoyed it so much that it became my brand of choice for about 2 years...
Anyone else in here on the patch? How's it going for you? What have you done to fill the gap in your time? How are you coping with the lack of cigarette with the morning coffee? After a meal? With a drink at the bar
Also, how long should I wait before starting to exercise again, and get healthy? Should I be doing something extra to help regain lung strength and capacity or just let nature take it's course? A lot of questions, I know. I'm just looking for people in a similar situation. Not to say that I'm trying to form a cliquey group as it were, I invite all to participate. Hope all is well in your smoke free or soon to be smoke free world.
I think the biggest problem I've had in my quitting attempts is that I'll "reward myself" for quitting by having a celebratory cigarette. The last time I tried to quit, I went about three weeks, and lit one up with a patch on. It was then I realized that smoking a cigarette with the patch on while dangerous, did not make me sick like the box says, so them I could still smoke but just smoke less. Bad idea. The time before that, I actually found a cigarette on the street and took it home with me and smoked after about 4 months of being smoke free. That was a dumb idea. I apparently enjoyed it so much that it became my brand of choice for about 2 years...
Anyone else in here on the patch? How's it going for you? What have you done to fill the gap in your time? How are you coping with the lack of cigarette with the morning coffee? After a meal? With a drink at the bar
Also, how long should I wait before starting to exercise again, and get healthy? Should I be doing something extra to help regain lung strength and capacity or just let nature take it's course? A lot of questions, I know. I'm just looking for people in a similar situation. Not to say that I'm trying to form a cliquey group as it were, I invite all to participate. Hope all is well in your smoke free or soon to be smoke free world.
Sponsor
Stauff
07-08-2009, 03:40 PM
I'm far from an expert, but I became very proficient at smoking in my 35+ years of doing so. The final quit that actually QUIT, was when I realized that in addition to being addicted to cigarettes, I was a nicotine addict. Why then, did I think that feeding my arm with a nicotine patch would enable me to quit smoking?? It just didn't make any sense (finally) to me. I finally asked for my doctor's help, took the prescription and quit without the nicotine crutch. For me, it was the only way it would work. Was it easier - no ......was it quicker -- no ........ was it less expensive - maybe, with cigs now going for $5 per pack, I think the prescription was less costly. There is no easy way. Make the decision, face the facts that you're going to be unhappy about it for a few weeks, and apologize in advance to everyone that you have daily contact with, because you're gonna have a short fuse for awhile. I didn't announce to the world that I was quitting because I didn't want everyone bringing the subject up all day long - I was thinking about it enough without everyone elses' well intentioned concerns. Make your decision to quit and just do it. You can do it.
apex05
07-08-2009, 06:21 PM
Well i have 1 tip to improve lung strength... When the withdrawals get bad just find understanding friends and family and SHOUT at them, But seriously just don't be thinking you have to wait before exercising, it's a good way to take your mind off the Homicidal thoughts you might get in the first month and it could speed up clearing out and healing the lungs.
Liamsmom
07-09-2009, 09:39 AM
First of all I just wanted to say that a fella around the corner from me use to smoke with the patch on and died of a heart attack he was in his 30's he was also extremely over weight. But it was the contributing factor.
Second if you approach the situation as if it's something you WANT to do instead of HAVE to do you may be more successful. Like the other poster said any which was you choose to do it its gonna be hard for a while and you'll be miserable and so will anyone who has to be around you.
Third reward your self with a walk or something else you can't just use heroin once as a treat it's the same thing with a cigarette.
I quit 3 yrs ago after smoking for over 25 years. I am 41 yrs old and I can run up a few flights of stairs without huffing & puffing, I can run on the treadmill and my muscles give out before my lungs do now. Start slow with the exercising and build from there.
Second if you approach the situation as if it's something you WANT to do instead of HAVE to do you may be more successful. Like the other poster said any which was you choose to do it its gonna be hard for a while and you'll be miserable and so will anyone who has to be around you.
Third reward your self with a walk or something else you can't just use heroin once as a treat it's the same thing with a cigarette.
I quit 3 yrs ago after smoking for over 25 years. I am 41 yrs old and I can run up a few flights of stairs without huffing & puffing, I can run on the treadmill and my muscles give out before my lungs do now. Start slow with the exercising and build from there.
Ihatecats
08-08-2009, 11:35 PM
First of all I just wanted to say that a fella around the corner from me use to smoke with the patch on and died of a heart attack he was in his 30's he was also extremely over weight. But it was the contributing factor.
Second if you approach the situation as if it's something you WANT to do instead of HAVE to do you may be more successful. Like the other poster said any which was you choose to do it its gonna be hard for a while and you'll be miserable and so will anyone who has to be around you.
Third reward your self with a walk or something else you can't just use heroin once as a treat it's the same thing with a cigarette.
I quit 3 yrs ago after smoking for over 25 years. I am 41 yrs old and I can run up a few flights of stairs without huffing & puffing, I can run on the treadmill and my muscles give out before my lungs do now. Start slow with the exercising and build from there.
HELLO i got a question for you. i got 5 weeks smoke free and i'm doing great also i'm using the nicoderm patch 21 mg. when will i get to go jogging or do i have to wait tell i'm on the 14 mg? i smoked for 31 years and one morning i woke up and said enough is enough. i couldn't breath worth a crap. now breathing great and no more coughing! thank god i quit.
Second if you approach the situation as if it's something you WANT to do instead of HAVE to do you may be more successful. Like the other poster said any which was you choose to do it its gonna be hard for a while and you'll be miserable and so will anyone who has to be around you.
Third reward your self with a walk or something else you can't just use heroin once as a treat it's the same thing with a cigarette.
I quit 3 yrs ago after smoking for over 25 years. I am 41 yrs old and I can run up a few flights of stairs without huffing & puffing, I can run on the treadmill and my muscles give out before my lungs do now. Start slow with the exercising and build from there.
HELLO i got a question for you. i got 5 weeks smoke free and i'm doing great also i'm using the nicoderm patch 21 mg. when will i get to go jogging or do i have to wait tell i'm on the 14 mg? i smoked for 31 years and one morning i woke up and said enough is enough. i couldn't breath worth a crap. now breathing great and no more coughing! thank god i quit.
Liamsmom
08-14-2009, 10:26 PM
I couldn't really say as everyone is different. For me I think after about 6 or 9 months I noticed that I could run up a few flights of stairs without needing an oxygen tank. I would say listen to what your body is saying to you or ask your DR's opinion.
rebecarooni1972
08-25-2009, 08:06 AM
I am 8 days in with Chantix and Wellbutrin. I couldn't tolerate the patch because it gave me skin rashes. I have found that I still am relying tremendously on will power and when things get real bad, I try to do some deep breathing and remind myself that already, my lungs are getting better. I had smoked for 25+ years and couldn't walk across the room with out wheezing and coughing. Already I feel better, I'm breathing easier and I have more energy. I've filled my house with healthy snacks and with the money I've saved (almost $80 so far) I got my bike fixed so I can go riding with my son. I'm starting to feel free. Don't get discouraged and don't beat yourself up. It takes most people a whole bunch of times to actually quit. Just keep reminding yourself WHY you are doing it. I finally quit because I had gotten to the point where I had to where depends because I peed when I coughed and I coughed all the time. And I'm not even forty.
Keep up the good work. YOU CAN DO IT!!
Rebecca :wave:
Keep up the good work. YOU CAN DO IT!!
Rebecca :wave:
joefarrell
08-25-2009, 11:36 AM
Hi Joon/Rebecca and all:
Wondering if you're hanging in there or if you have updates Joon...if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!!
I'm just a couple of days on Chantix and hoping everyone in the early stages, with whatever method of choice, will chime in so we can encourage each other.
I coach a soccer team and thank god we have a practice tonight. A primary reason for my quitting is how ridiculous I feel smoking after 2 hours running wit my son in 95 degree heat!!
Good luck all, say hello when you get a chance.
Joe
Wondering if you're hanging in there or if you have updates Joon...if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!!
I'm just a couple of days on Chantix and hoping everyone in the early stages, with whatever method of choice, will chime in so we can encourage each other.
I coach a soccer team and thank god we have a practice tonight. A primary reason for my quitting is how ridiculous I feel smoking after 2 hours running wit my son in 95 degree heat!!
Good luck all, say hello when you get a chance.
Joe
rebecarooni1972
08-26-2009, 12:19 PM
Hi Joe! So far so good for me. I have noticed that I have trouble getting to sleep but I have always been a bit of an insomniac and since I am self employed, I can nap as needed. I feel so much better already (day 9) that I am starting to get excited about next week next month next year. I know I need to take it one day at a time but I feel liberated!! I just got my bike fixed so I can go for rides with my son and we went for a mile walk last night. It's nice to be able to walk past the end of the driveway! Keep up the good work and BE KIND TO YOURSELF!!!! This is one of the hardest things you'll ever do but also the very best. This is literally my 20th time trying to quit and I really want it this time and that's making the difference for me. I guess coughing up blood was a good motivator! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!:D
Rebecca
Rebecca
joefarrell
08-26-2009, 03:21 PM
Hi Rebecca:
Just curious - Day 9 is 9 full days completely off cigs? I am on day 3 of Chantix but have not completely quit just yet, yesterday I had 7 I believe. Did you follow the Chantix plan or your own version?
Glad you're feeeling so well - I know your son is loving those walks!
Joe
Just curious - Day 9 is 9 full days completely off cigs? I am on day 3 of Chantix but have not completely quit just yet, yesterday I had 7 I believe. Did you follow the Chantix plan or your own version?
Glad you're feeeling so well - I know your son is loving those walks!
Joe
Jooner18
08-26-2009, 05:26 PM
Yea, Joe. I'll be trying again soon. I've tried I think every OTC besides the gum, so I might try that next. I made it about two weeks this time, and then started hanging out with a few friends and....
So, in the opinion of the board.... With most other drugs like cocaine and such, they say that if you quit and then you slip, you've immediately become an addict again. Just like a former alcoholic who hasn't touched the sauce in twenty years is somehow still "recovering". What does the board think of this statement?
So, in the opinion of the board.... With most other drugs like cocaine and such, they say that if you quit and then you slip, you've immediately become an addict again. Just like a former alcoholic who hasn't touched the sauce in twenty years is somehow still "recovering". What does the board think of this statement?
Liamsmom
08-27-2009, 08:20 AM
I quit for just under a year once, then went to a party had a few cocktails and took a drag on someone's smoke. Walking home I picked up a pack and smoked again for years. I think it depends on your personality. There are people I know who can just smoke when they have drinks others like myself just one and it's all over.
Just pick yourself up and get started again no sense in kicking yourself ,now you know you can't smoke a little so what your like most people.
Just pick yourself up and get started again no sense in kicking yourself ,now you know you can't smoke a little so what your like most people.
rebecarooni1972
08-27-2009, 11:14 AM
@ Joe: I started Wellbutrin a week before I started the Chantix because I am prone to anxiety and depression anyway so the Wellbutrin makes it possible to take the Chantix. It also works to suppress the urge to smoke (like Zyban) so by the time I started the Chantix I was down to only one or two smokes anyway. I started the Chantix and went two days w/o smoking and then started having a major anxiety attack, found a half smoked butt in my junk drawer and smoked it. Made me barf it tasted so bad and hurt my lungs after just two days. Even still, the next day, I had another anxiety attack and ended up stealing a ciggy from my husband. That made me sick too so I haven't smoked again. I have filled my house with healthy snacks and am being gentle with myself regarding the eating. I made a big bowl of home-made salsa and I have carrots, celery and cucumbers to munch on and popsicles. I think about smoking a lot throughout the day but don't really have a strong compulsion. I tried a hypnotist last fall and one thing stuck: when I start to think and think about smoking, I take a few deep breaths and tell myself "I'm so grateful that my lungs are pink and clean" Hokey, but it helps me.
@ Joon: Alcoholics are still n "recovery" 20 years later because alcoholism is as much a thought process as a physical action. I'm married to one. He NEEDS to go to at least one meeting a week or he feels out of control. He's trying to apply the principles from his meetings to quit smoking.
Good work guys, keep it up!!;)
Bec
@ Joon: Alcoholics are still n "recovery" 20 years later because alcoholism is as much a thought process as a physical action. I'm married to one. He NEEDS to go to at least one meeting a week or he feels out of control. He's trying to apply the principles from his meetings to quit smoking.
Good work guys, keep it up!!;)
Bec
joefarrell
08-27-2009, 11:18 AM
Hi Joon,
I think L'Mom has it right, most folks (if they are really trying to give something up) must abstain, otherwise the 'joy' is too great to make it a once in awhile thing. Cigs are like that for me. I'm 43 and I have been smoking since I was 16 - the minute I got the freedom of the car my copilot was Merits! Since then, the longest I have ever gone without smoking was 4 days - hospitalization. I do not have a 'quit once' story, I honestly don't have any tried to quit stories. (last fall I got the Chantix prescrp. but only made it 4 days - the dreams freaked me out, I needed to read up on things).
I have 2 bad habits, alcohol and cigarettes. The difference is I can quit drinking whenever I want - stopped on Sunday because of this smoking adventure. I classify myself as a heavy drinker for 15 yrs. (>5 drinks, 5 days a week) I know what this does to me and I balance it with this: workout 3 days/week, 5"11 159lbs, very good diet, very active coaching soccer, baseball and basketball 12 months of the year. All was fine till last year when I was diagnosed with mildly high blood pressure. So, for 6 months I have seriously reduced my drinking, and now, because of the smoking program I am giving it up entirely for at least 3 months. No problem - other than some difficulty falling off to sleep, but that's no biggie. I enjoy drinking, realize the ramifications and go from there.
BUT, cigs - forget it. Trying to go one full day ( Monday is my quit day) will be awful. I don't really ENJOY smoking as much as I am completely addicted to nicotine and feel like I will lose my mind if I don't smoke. This is why I mainly want to quit. I am atheletic and active, but I know I can do much better and don't like not being in control of smoking.
So, in a long winded way, back to your question: If I quit both drinking and smoking altogether, each for 3 months...there is no doubt in my mind that I could raise a taost to you on December 1st and then not again till Feb 1st, but if I smoked a cig on Dec 1st I'd be full time on the butts without blinking an eye!!!
Thanks for listening.
Joe
I think L'Mom has it right, most folks (if they are really trying to give something up) must abstain, otherwise the 'joy' is too great to make it a once in awhile thing. Cigs are like that for me. I'm 43 and I have been smoking since I was 16 - the minute I got the freedom of the car my copilot was Merits! Since then, the longest I have ever gone without smoking was 4 days - hospitalization. I do not have a 'quit once' story, I honestly don't have any tried to quit stories. (last fall I got the Chantix prescrp. but only made it 4 days - the dreams freaked me out, I needed to read up on things).
I have 2 bad habits, alcohol and cigarettes. The difference is I can quit drinking whenever I want - stopped on Sunday because of this smoking adventure. I classify myself as a heavy drinker for 15 yrs. (>5 drinks, 5 days a week) I know what this does to me and I balance it with this: workout 3 days/week, 5"11 159lbs, very good diet, very active coaching soccer, baseball and basketball 12 months of the year. All was fine till last year when I was diagnosed with mildly high blood pressure. So, for 6 months I have seriously reduced my drinking, and now, because of the smoking program I am giving it up entirely for at least 3 months. No problem - other than some difficulty falling off to sleep, but that's no biggie. I enjoy drinking, realize the ramifications and go from there.
BUT, cigs - forget it. Trying to go one full day ( Monday is my quit day) will be awful. I don't really ENJOY smoking as much as I am completely addicted to nicotine and feel like I will lose my mind if I don't smoke. This is why I mainly want to quit. I am atheletic and active, but I know I can do much better and don't like not being in control of smoking.
So, in a long winded way, back to your question: If I quit both drinking and smoking altogether, each for 3 months...there is no doubt in my mind that I could raise a taost to you on December 1st and then not again till Feb 1st, but if I smoked a cig on Dec 1st I'd be full time on the butts without blinking an eye!!!
Thanks for listening.
Joe
joefarrell
08-27-2009, 11:25 AM
@Bec:
Looks like we posted almost simultaneously - good Karma. Sounds like a good program you're on, keep it up!
Good to hear you and your husband are both goin in the right direction. My wife happens to be one of the '3 smokes at night with wine' types so for now I'm solo - but it doesn't bother me because our habits are much different - she does not smoke or drink nearly as much as I do.
Today will be my first Chantix '2 a day' days - here come the funkier dreams!
Thanks so much for talking - its a big help.
Joe
Looks like we posted almost simultaneously - good Karma. Sounds like a good program you're on, keep it up!
Good to hear you and your husband are both goin in the right direction. My wife happens to be one of the '3 smokes at night with wine' types so for now I'm solo - but it doesn't bother me because our habits are much different - she does not smoke or drink nearly as much as I do.
Today will be my first Chantix '2 a day' days - here come the funkier dreams!
Thanks so much for talking - its a big help.
Joe
rebecarooni1972
08-28-2009, 09:53 AM
Hey Joe! Yeah, the dreams do get a little weird with the Chantix! I had a left over prescription from a while back that I was taking and so I used it for a week and then ran out. My insurance doesn't cover it so I'm trying to just keep up with the Wellbutrin. So far, so good. Something else that has helped me was calculating how much money I've saved so far...$105 in 14 days. If I keep this up it will be $2700 at the end of a year which means a nice family trip. And when my husband quits, double the savings and instead of Disney, we're going to Europe. I still think about smoking a lot but not seriously enough to go buy a pack. And we never smoked in the house so now that it's getting chilly here in Maine, that helps too!
Have a great day and keep up the good work!
Bec:jester:
Have a great day and keep up the good work!
Bec:jester:
joefarrell
08-28-2009, 11:29 AM
Hi Bec, sounds like a great plan. Plus, why go to Disney when the real thing is just across the pond!!
My wife and I have a book on Maine and will spend some time there someday...are you native or transplant?
Here comes my last weekend of smoking...it's supposed to be rainy all weekend with this silly hurricane off the coast so I suppose Monday works out to be a good quit day.
By the way, what are you healthy carb snacks of choice? I find it helps alot if I eat instead of wondering what to do, but I've haven't had my weight change is 15 years and don't really need that to happen now!
Joe
My wife and I have a book on Maine and will spend some time there someday...are you native or transplant?
Here comes my last weekend of smoking...it's supposed to be rainy all weekend with this silly hurricane off the coast so I suppose Monday works out to be a good quit day.
By the way, what are you healthy carb snacks of choice? I find it helps alot if I eat instead of wondering what to do, but I've haven't had my weight change is 15 years and don't really need that to happen now!
Joe
rebecarooni1972
08-29-2009, 11:22 AM
Morning Joe. I was just thinking of you! My husband quit yesterday so he's 24 hours cold turkey. A little grumbly but we have lots of stuff going on to keep him busy. We're remodeling the kitchen! For snacking I keep tons of veggies, raw and cooked around. I'm not much of a fruit eater and being pre diabetic, I have to be careful with carbs. One of my favorite snacks is homemade salsa because I can pack a ton of flavor into it and I don't need to eat a lot of chips. I also really like queen olives. I do have GORP around and have given myself a pass when it comes to chocolate. I stick to high quality dark chocolate so there's a little bit of a health benefit. I also like celery with peanut butter but sometimes I get a little lazy and just have a spoonful of peanut butter. I also drink a lot of sparkling water. Something about the way the bubbles hit the back of my throat takes away the stronger cravings.
It was weird yesterday after 15 days, I took my son to my parents' house for the weekend and after visiting for 30 minutes or so, I headed home. I was in my car for like two minutes and I was absolutely CRUSHED by an urge for a cigarette. I mean, root through someone else's trash for a butt craving! Fortunately, my parents live in the middle of no where so by the time I was somewhere that cigarettes were available, I was feeling better.
As for me being a Mainer, I was actually born in New Hampshire but grew up in a border town so I went to school in Maine. I went to Europe as a high school senior and got the idea that ME and NH were too small for me so after high school, I bailed for the West Coast where I lived on coffee and cigarettes while trying to be an artist. Then I got married and pregnant and realized that 3000 miles away from my mom while being preggers was way too much so home I came! Once a New Englander, always a New Englander! Where are you from? Is your wife ready to quit yet seeing how well you are doing? I'll check in later!
Reb ;)
It was weird yesterday after 15 days, I took my son to my parents' house for the weekend and after visiting for 30 minutes or so, I headed home. I was in my car for like two minutes and I was absolutely CRUSHED by an urge for a cigarette. I mean, root through someone else's trash for a butt craving! Fortunately, my parents live in the middle of no where so by the time I was somewhere that cigarettes were available, I was feeling better.
As for me being a Mainer, I was actually born in New Hampshire but grew up in a border town so I went to school in Maine. I went to Europe as a high school senior and got the idea that ME and NH were too small for me so after high school, I bailed for the West Coast where I lived on coffee and cigarettes while trying to be an artist. Then I got married and pregnant and realized that 3000 miles away from my mom while being preggers was way too much so home I came! Once a New Englander, always a New Englander! Where are you from? Is your wife ready to quit yet seeing how well you are doing? I'll check in later!
Reb ;)