doing it alone.. without, meds/gum/patches - Smoking Cessation Message Board

Punkdizzle · 02-26-2007, 04:45 PM

some of you may know the chantix didn't agree with me (side effects were to much for me to handle)...

so i started cutting down on my own..i actually started out before i started the chantix keeping track of how much i was smoking a day and when and why i was lighting up.. at first i was just shy of the 3pack a day mark give or take a few cigs.. after a few days i was starting to see a pattern and started to avoid my smoke triggers. (sitting in front of the computer, after eating a big meal, walking the dogs, or just plain being bored) i have other triggers... stress and the morning smoke being #1 and #2.. but i will tackle those triggers last since for me it seems to be the worst of them all to over come..

anyway now that i know when and why i am smoking i have been telling myself "do i really need a cig because i am bored" or "just because i am walking the dogs do i really need this smoke?" the answer has been "NO!" quite a bit and i just get my mind thinking about something else... i have dropped down from about 3 packs a day to 17-20 smokes a day in just 2 weeks.. now that may not seem like much to some people but for me it is a big step..

i don't know if i can completely quit with this method and am thinking at some point i will need to try the patch but i will cross that road when i come to it.. but for now i am excited that i was able to cut back that much by just telling myself "NO!" maybe when i get down to 7-10 cigs a day ill slap the patch on and kill the cravings... but i have a feeling working on the mental habit first is going to help me in the long run when patch/quit day comes.

your thoughts or advice on this way of quitting?

mythica · 02-26-2007, 05:04 PM

Having quit cold turkey without anything six months ago, I know it's possible. I smoked between a pack and a pack and a half a day. I don't mean any offense to those who do use the patches or gums or wonder drugs but I think it usually comes down to will power and you sound like you've got a lot of it. Just keep telling yourself no and shooting death glares at those death sticks. It became a battle of wills between me and cigarettes when I first quit. I wasn't going to loose. But hey, if you end up needing patches, go for it. It's better than lighting up again. I wish you the best and congratulate you on your success so far. *hug*

You've already accomplished a lot and you should be very proud of yourself.

wailana · 02-26-2007, 08:08 PM

I agree with mythica, if you need to use the patch, it's better than smoking all those chemicals found in a cig. Lots of will power, which I think you have. Read as much as you can regarding stopping smoking. The more information you have the better prepared you are.

I didn't use Chantix and I did use Wellbutrin, for about a week. I couldn't handle the side effects to the medication. The great thing was it helped me stop smoking and after getting off the medication, I haven't smoke since. I've been coming on this message board and actually been reading literature. You'll find a lot of information and support here on the board. Remember, it's one day at at time. Quitting will be so worth it in the end. Keep up with the positive self talk.

Take care!

Wailana - Free and Healing for Eighteen Days, 7 Hours and 28 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 15 Hours, by avoiding the use of 183 nicotine delivery devices that would have cost me $47.46.

SanyBelle · 02-26-2007, 08:13 PM

Hi Punkdizzle, I couldn't do the taper down, with me it was all or nothing. I smoked 2 packs a day give or take for 25 years. When I tried cutting down it lasted for a few days and then I was back to 2 packs again. But maybe this method will work for you, you won't know until you try! Good luck!!

Memaw649 · 02-27-2007, 12:51 AM

Punkdizzle,
I want to congratulate you your ability to say NO so often. I have a feeling that you will be able to quit cold turkey. You seem to have a very strong will. I tried cutting back. I got down to 12 to 15 a day and couldn't go any more. I had to have help. It was a struggle not to smoke more than that. Cutting back is a start. You're heading the the right direction. I wish you luck. Please don't leave this board. Keep posting.

mythica,
You said "it usually comes down to will power" and you are right. Only thing is I didn't have the willpower. I would cave every time. I admire anyone who has the ability to quit cold turkey. It takes a very strong person to be able to do that. My Daddy did it years ago and didn't understand why I needed help. I'm just not that strong a person.

wailana,
You are doing super. 18 days is a big accomplishment!!!! Congratulations.

Memaw