all tips welcome - Smoking Cessation Message Board

mel1977 · 09-24-2004, 03:36 AM

I have a quite date of November 16, my 27th bday. I have a script for Welbutrin that I am supposed to start two weeks before that date. I am a little nervous, okay, extremely nervous about quitting. I truly love smoking, but hate what it is doing to me. I have a lot of nervous habits and my doc hopes the med will help with that. My biggest issues are I love the smell of cigarette smoke, it is comforting to me. I get bored easily and that is when I smoke the most. I am not too concerned with weight gain, but I won't lie and say it doesn't bother me a little. I welcome any suggestions as to other ways to help me quit with the med. I don't care for gum, so that won't work. I don't want the patch either. Please share with me, I need some major support, that date is coming up so quickly!

greensky · 09-24-2004, 10:02 AM

I was ordered by my back doctor to stop smoking or she wouldn’t treat me. I tried cutting down gradually from 40 a day. After one year I was down to 10 but I slipped back and 14 days later I was back to 40. With an upcoming appointment with my doctor who always remembered to arks how my smoking cessation was going I had to try something.

I got acupuncture, it was with small needles that stayed in my ears for 10 days. The first 3 days were bad but I really believe the needles helped. I still had withdrawal but with the needles it was more like OK I feel bad but I didn’t need to smoke to stop feeling bad.

As long as you are addicted, you will have, “yes but I like the smell” or “I like the taste” or “they make me relax” etc. I do believe that if you kick the habit and addiction you won’t miss the smell etc. even if it does take time to get to that point.

elatedgiraffe · 09-24-2004, 02:36 PM

Hey mel-
Congrats on setting a quit date. I loved smoking too. If it wasn't so bad for me I'd still be smoking. I loved sitting back, relaxing and having a smoke. Oh, or a nice smoke with a beer. I quit cold turkey. I started exercising when I got bored/cravings. That helped with the cravings and with the weight gain. I've been quit over a year now and I didn't gain a pound. I eat less, eat better and excersise more than when I smoked, so I was able to keep it off. It isn't easy to quit, but it is possible. Its a choice and you have to just quit. I know its not that easy, but you'll understand once you're smoke free for awhile. The first weeks were the hardest. I feel great now. I get sick alot less. I smell better. I don't get out of breath. I saved SO much money not smoking. In fact I put daily in a jar what I would have spent smoking and at the end of every 2 weeks I'd buy me something nice. Like a reward for not smoking..
Good luck to you.

Tobias · 09-24-2004, 04:52 PM

Since your date is so far off, have some "practice" sessions beforehand. Abstain for an hour, a half a day, a day. Practice helps you find out what stresses will pop up and learn how to deal with them.

It is not unheard of to combine NRT with Zyban. In fact it is recommended in some cases. There are other forms besides gum and patches. Investigate them. They really help with cravings so you can deal with the absence of those treasured rituals, sights, and smells surrounding the smoking of cigarettes. I loved it too. Hardest thing I ever did. I envy you because you're young and quitting now is very smart. I smoked for 38 years before I saw the light. I truly didn't believe I could give them up.

Your major task will be deciding what you are going to do when you don't smoke anymore. What will you do with your hands when you get bored? Brainstorm and even write them down so you can refer to your list when all you really want is a smoke. Figure it out ahead of time and practice substituting your new healthy habits for smoking a cigarette.

Good luck. It's so worth it to finally become a non-smoker.

T.W.
959 days smoke-free.

Deda · 09-28-2004, 12:54 AM

Hi Mel, and congratulations on deciding on quitting, and planning your quit date, way to go. I know what it's like to be nervous about it too, most of us were that way as we headed in that direction. It is scary thinking, "how will I survive without them", but you will soon realize that you are stronger than you thought you were, and it is all so worth it. I just celebrated one year smoke free, and I'm pretty much breezing through it now. Yes, it was hard the first few weeks, and then it becomes much easier. I would get very bored at first too, but later I started walking a lot, and now I walk a few miles everyday. I also posted here whenever I felt I needed support, or just to vent. You'll find that you will have more time on your hands, so plan some things now that can occupy and entertain yourself, exercise, journaling, crafts, etc. I really enjoy my walks, and getting out in the sun, without looking foolish with those cigs!
Be strong, and formulate a good plan. We're all here if you need us as well. (and yes, don't hesitate to use NRT, if you feel that you need it, [I used the patch]).
Best of luck to you!
Deda