Quitting Smoking............ adivice please

[trixjewell]

I am going to quit smoking.. I have been thinking about it for a few weeks now and not only do I want to quit but i need to quit. My mother is in bad shape from smoking her whole life and I honestly don't want to end up like that. My fiance hates the smell of it, yet he chews which is not any better. In any event I am going to quit, I have patches, armed with blow pops, gum and I am nervous as all get out.  I am scared to keep smoking, scared to stop.  I smoke within 5 minutes of getting up or maybe 10 after I get my coffee... I smoke about a pack a day or a little less. I am worried about the withdrawal part of it. I have read, re read all sorts of info but still nervous... any input on this would help me out.. thanks for your support

Trixie

[sbthurst]

I don't want to sound like an advertisement, but the best thing in the world for me has been switching to electronic cigarettes.  If there is a place where you live that sells them, I will tell you you will be more successful than with anything else.  The reason is that you still get the oral sensation.  I have talked to my doctor about it, and she thinks that it is better than the patch because you are still administering the nicotine in the same way, instead of with the patch where it is constantly in your system.  You can also slowly lower the  amount of nicotine in the liquid until you are on zero nicotine then it is just a matter of giving up the oral habit, or not.  I have been a pack a day or more smoker for 14 years.  I bought my e-cig on the 4th of Feb, and haven't touched an "analog" cig since. I got mine from a place called smart smoke.  they have a website but I can't insert a link. They are based out of my city.  I recommend the Vision because the batteries last a long time.  The best thing about them is that they have no smell at all.  Everything in them is FDA for human consumption, and they have different flavors.  (I use the coffee flavor with some vanilla flavor drop and it is awesome.)  I do not work for them either, I just know how hard it was for me to even think of quitting and doing it this way I haven't had any panic attack from this.  I hope this helps.

[Chunky]

I've never tried the electronic cigarette but I've quit (a few times  ). I havent had a cigarette in about eight months.  I like the patch better than the gum because it takes the edge off the cravings but helps break your dependence on that strong nicotine surge you get from a cigarette- my mom used the gum and I swear she chewed it for three or four years.  I even cut the patches into pieces so I just keep the bare minimum of nicotine in my system.  Also this sounds simple but dont think of yourself as quitting; think of yourself as a NON SMOKER.  As soon as you put that last cigarette down, you've ALREADY quit.  You're not TRYING to quit.  You're a non-smoker!  Drink lots of water, exercise if you enjoy that because you'll see an immediate difference in your endurance which is really encouraging.   

My problem always comes two or three years later.  When you figure that one out, let me know.

[trixjewell]

Thank you for the info... never heard of the electronic smoke before. I sent for the patches and they are sitting here on my dog cage... at least the dog is not smoking...  When I stopped when I had my knee surgery I was seriously going crazy.. I mean to the point where I was just down right rude and mean to everyone... it's that first morning smoke that gets me. If I could just sleep the day away that first day I might be ok.. I have to put these down though.. don't wanna end up like my mother is now. I am not quitting because of that, I want to quit cause I can't stand it anymore. It's such an addiction and habit.. My doc tells me I am going to feel so much better, which I can only hope. I am trying to lose weight now and worried about putting more on... mind over matter I guess in that department...

Again, thank you for the input... I know other people have posted topics on this subject, I just don't have a lot of time to surf through everything. So the responses are much appreciated..

Thanks

Trix

[jasonibs9]

read this book "Nicotine Rage"
Here is the link - http://www.amazon.com/Nicotine-Rage-Quitting-Chewing-Tobacco/dp/1602644780/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268784390&sr=8-2 

[OnTheEdge]

i've heard endless stories of friends online who quit using wellbutrin prescribed....i've heard it works well....check into it with you doc.

i quit in 2001, has a brief relapse in 2006 (8 months)  and have been smoke free since...i smoked 3 cigarettes when my brother died..thats was a couple months ago...i dont crave em and hate the smell

you know your done when cigarettes really smell like sh*t to you....as a smoker sometimes you forget the stench that lingers...but when the nocitine is out of your system...they stink

[laa43]

I quit cold turkey for about three years.....alas started back five years ago because of.....ironically a health scare (I have HA) .....I want to really bad again but it seems the second time is harder for me. I got on wellbutrin for some ADD and for the added benefit of quitting smoking. I think it def works for some. It changes the way your cigs taste......and mine did all of sudden start tasting really foul. The only thing is....I guess I wasnt ready to quit cuz I kept on smoking and then that bad taste thing went away so alas still smoking. I really want to try the e cigs mainly cuz for me, I think a lot more of my addiction is the whole oral habit/having something in my hand thing. Does anyone know if you can smoke them without any nicotine at all? I really don't want any nicotine in them. Keeping yourself busy is one of the best things along with exercise. When I was working out I didn't feel like smoking as much. That you are trying is a wonderful thing. I regret the day I ever started.

[OnTheEdge]

yes, they have e-cig cartridges with no nicotine....

i think its the best alternative to smoking as far as replacements go...its really gives the look and feel of smoking a real cig

[RobertWiggins]

I think a lot of it is mental.

I have quit about a million times!

Seriously though, I haven't had a cigarette for about a year now. It was real hard at first... but it gets easier... It's weird I still crave them!

[bobby1980]

Hi, realised you posted this a while ago, I hope you've been successful in your attempt to quit. If you haven't tried yet I can tell you what worked for me. I smoked 40 cigarettes a day for 8 years. I really loved them too! Decided I had to quit, so I read, "The easy way to stop smoking" by Allen Carr. It doesn't tell you anything you don't already know about cigarettes, but it does tell you that you don't have to smoke. I quit and from day one, I was so happy to be free and never craved them to this day. It's against the law to smoke indoors here in pubs and the like, and I even went out with the smokers while they smoked. Hope this helps.