Methods of quitting -- what worked for you?

[FD]

I quit smoking a few weeks ago, and was curious to know how other people on this board have gone about quitting, and how well it's worked for them. Cold turkey? Wellbutrin? Zyban? The patch? The gum? Hypnotherapy? Herbal medicines?

I quit after going to see a hypnotherapist who was recommended to me by several people that quit after visiting him. I personally wasn't ready to quit yet (my husband was ready so we went together), and I pretty much didn't believe in the whole hypnotherapy thing. I still don't, frankly...although I did quit smoking so there's something, I guess.

I explained in another WAY off topic thread about what "hypnotherapy" as it applied to my experience meant...mostly it was three one hour discussion sessions wherein the person that helped me quit talked to me about how I had been tricking myself into believing smoking was ok for over 12 years, and that I needed to be reminded in a direct way why it was NOT ok, and how to deal with the resulting "withdrawl" and other symptoms I would encounter (kind of giving me a mental toolbox to resort to when needed). I don't think I was hypnotized, and even if I was to a degree it's nothing like the hypnosis you see on TV or in the movies. I didn't have any real withdrawl from the addiction itself, basically all that I had a hard time with (and still do) is the habit of reaching for a smoke every 15 minutes which I do without thinking.

I'm totally not advocating hypnotherapy, in fact I'm still not sure how much of my quitting smoking can be attributed to it. I was just curious if anyone else had tried it, and also hoping to get stories of what methods worked for everyone here. Commiseration welcome!

And a big ole congratulatons to everyone that has quit. If I had known how difficult it would be to quit back when I started I never would have, you know?

[This message has been edited by FD (edited 03-29-2001).]

[rajesh chandnani]

Dear friend,
Hope this letter finds u in ur best of heath with the grace of almighty.
I was going through ur write up & I thought I had a question in my mind for which u can help me.
I have stopped smoking on 29th January-2001 .(I have smoked for almost 20 years @ average 15 cigarettes a day i.e during having a drink I used to smoke more and also I have had drinks beer and whisky from the past 18 years at an average of 3 drinks thrice a week).I have also stopped alcohol from 29th January-2001 along with cigarettes completely.I am now 36 years old.
I am very happy about it and I am also feeling very good and infact I have now no cravings at all as personally its been last 3 years I was fed up of smoking and used to smoke because of compulsion rather than pleasure and drinks because of social life and sometimes fun ( I am married with one daughter of 7 years and by the way I am very happily married touch wood}

now my problem is though the cravings r not there I get sudden headaches and dizziness mainly in the evenings--which last for an hour or two and also I get cold sweat and I feel as I will faint.now my doctor feels it can not be withdrawal symptoms of nicotine but he is not sure since he says now its been nearly 2 months u have left it (though he is very happy about it),he feels it is ANXIETY ( stress & tension ) as my business has really nose dived since last 6 months .so he has given me one nerve relation tablet which when I take I feel quite relaxed after some time.I want to know one thing which last 15 days I am trying get the info from internet.HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS GO AWAY IN A CASE LIKE MINE?AND EXACTLY IN DETAIL WHAT DOES A PERSON FEELS PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DURING THIS WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS(so I can compare with mine)

I will really appreciate if u give me some knowledge since I am at one side very happy that I could quit it this time since previously I have tried numerous time but never succeeded more than 11 days and this time I dont want to touch it but at the same time I am not sure that what is happening to me ( dizziness, cold sweat ,faint feeling,headache after 2 months of no nicotine is due to no intake of it or I have some other problem).

awaiting ur reply early

thanks

Rajesh Chandnani


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rajesh chandnani

[This message has been edited by moderator3 (edited 03-30-2001).]

[Lori]

First of all, congrats on the few weeks!!
I quit cold turkey, and I found the worst over after 3 days. Also Ive known people who quit succesfully with hypnotherepy. Everyone is different and different methods work with different people.
Take care!
Lori

[Lori]

Rajesh,
Great job on quitting for 2 months!
I also experienced dizziness and headaches after I quit, but I dont think they lasted to 2 months nor were to any extreme. But everyone is different...
Im not sure if your symptoms are withdrawl symptoms of quitting so far along from the cigarettes, but you mentioned you also quit alcohol? Maybe that could be part of it also. I think you should get it checked out (just to be safe) as it could be something more serious.
Remember that even though you are experiencing these problems dont let that go back to smoking/drinking. Because whatever the cause, smoking and drinking will ONLY make things worse.
I hoped Ive helped.
Take care
Lori

[FD]

Thanks for the congratulations, Lori. Congrats to you too! Cold turkey is incredibly impressive. I needed help, my mind just wasn't where it needed to be to do it on my own.

That three day thing applied to me too...I had a hard time the first three days. How long have you been quit now?

And great advice for Rajesh, too Lori! It may or may not be from the quitting smoking/drinking, but going back to it will only make it worse. I too would recommend seeing your doctor and discussing the problems with him.