Need some advice from those that have quit. - Smoking Cessation Message Board

jspears · 10-08-2004, 02:01 PM

I finally got to the point where it's time for me to quit. did a little practice session this week as I went 7 days without having a single cigerette but I struggled! I have tons of nervous energy when smoking let alone without it. I've smoke for 14 years and though I don't feel any problems with my health (except for the usual loss of lung capacity) but I want to quit before any occur. My son was born in Feb and I want to live a long healthy life for him.

Now here are the questions I have for those that have quit so I can be better prepared for the BIG QUIT:

When do the strong urges subside a bit?

What are the best things that I can do to kepp my mind off of cigs?

If I decide to use the gum does it work?

Anyways these are just a few questions I have.. I'd be interested in any and all advice. Thank you!

Tobias · 10-09-2004, 06:40 PM

Congratulations - you went 7 days w/o smoking. That was more than a practice session - you had a good quit going there! Just keep extending it a day at a time and you'll be quit for good!

You asked about nicotine replacement (gum). I quit using gum (after smoking for 38 yrs). I failed miserably many times trying to go cold turkey. But this time I really really needed to stop smoking and nic gum did the trick for me. What I liked about gum was that I didn't have the cravings and could concentrate on figuring out what to do with myself as a non-smoker. Also it kept food out of my mouth so I didn't gain a ton of weight (that came later!)

You are right to try to figure out what you can do to keep your mind off smoking. I don't know that there are any specific tricks to it - smoking ceases to be a habit when you develop some other (hopefully healthier) habit to replace it. I have to keep my hands and my mind busy. Sipping water, sucking on sugarless candy, xword puzzles, portable handheld electronic games (I'm addicted to Yahtzee), reading, taking long walks, working out, etc. These things helped me. I'm sure your list would be different from mine but hope this gives you an idea.

Good luck to you.

TW

sheryl555 · 10-10-2004, 01:09 AM

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Don't stop now, you're getting there. I quit 9 years ago, cold turkey and I thought I would loose my mind. But I knew that given my family history I would be headed for lung cancer. Someone told me to wear an elastic band on my wrist and when the urge struck to "snap" it on my wrist. It helped a little, truly just look at your precious baby, he needs you and deserves to have you well into his adult life.

The cravings do get less and less but truly it took me a good 6 months to a year to get over it. I was an emotional smoker, I think that is the worst kind, I was truly addicted. I love being a non-smoker, I cringe when I think that I ever smoked, it makes me ashamed and sick to even think of the chances I took all for the sake of a stinking cigarette. I prayer I will not have problems from all the years of smoking, but at least I did quit.

And how did I possibly forget, what I did that kept my sanity was to keep Silly Putty on hand all the time. I took that egg with me everywhere and would work it in my hand until it was soft and smooth. It truly was the thing that helped me.

It will get better, stay with it.
Sheryl

Koot · 10-10-2004, 08:08 PM

You are already well on your way to quitting if you have gone seven days without smoking. The first stage is always the worse and things get better as time goes by.

Like you, I am quitting also. It's been a week for me too and after just three or four days I find it really no problem at all. I started out using Commit 4 mg. lozengers and no longer even need them. I cannot say why I'm finding it so easy this time because I've tried quitting a number of times before unsuccessfully. This time just feels totally different...like I really want it to happen this time...and someone (above) is helping make it possible.

Good luck to you.

mziquit01 · 10-10-2004, 09:16 PM

I started smoking at 14. i quit at 41. I just noticed as i write the irony of those numbers. Eitherway, thats alot of years. I was a true believer i would not be able to quit. Then i had what doctors call a spontaneous pneumo-thorax. Let me tell you that was scaryand very painful. I was not told smoking caused it to happen, but in my mind i believed it must have been. I have quit smoking and i swear i am amazed..i have had no withdrawls at all!! Its like i never smoked. I admit i tried a puff (how stupid), but it tasted like pure chemicals. (duh) My point is i had an experience so scarry to me i was able to quit a habit i had for 27 years with nothing but my mind! Thats the secret to all of you reading this, i promise. If i can quit with no withdrawls anyone can, its in our minds to find the strength and power . Now i just have to find the strength and wisdom to get over the anxiety of another lung collapse. Never again will i smoke tho. Never. Good luck and God bless.