Any Ex- Smokers?!
Question: Realizing it may take several attempts before success can be claimed (I'm speaking from experience)...
How did you do it?
Cold turkey?
The patch?
Gum?
I'd really like to quit, but I'm finding it very difficult!
Any helpful suggestions?
What worked (finally) for you?
Thanks (wheeze) in advance!
Answers: Realizing it may take several attempts before success can be claimed (I'm speaking from experience)...
How did you do it?
Cold turkey?
The patch?
Gum?
I'd really like to quit, but I'm finding it very difficult!
Any helpful suggestions?
What worked (finally) for you?
Thanks (wheeze) in advance!
I'm a REPEAT ex-smoker. I quit for six months, lost it for three months, then quit again two weeks ago. I just stopped using the gum a couple days ago.
I've asked people what works for them and most are saying this pill works real well. I just used the gum. If you are a person with good will power, cold turkey, with exercise and lots of water, is probably the fastest way.
I did discover something interesting, though. After falling off the wagon and smoking almost a pack a day for three months, it was relatively *easy* to quit again. Actually, a piece of cake compared to the first time I quit.
I had to have something symbolic to help me. I know this sounds dumb, but I went back to the railroad tracks where I smoked my first cigarette. I had to trudge for about an hour through woods and down the tracks to get there. Then I smoked what was to be my last cigarette on the same spot as my first. This gave me something of a personal significance and an effort I wouldn't want to waste. Then I went to my daughter's house for a three day weekend. I surrendered my keys. These things worked for me.
As for motivation, I should have had plenty: two heart attacks, quadruple bypass, two angioplasties. Finally, a circulatory problem in my leg is what got me to quit last March.
Now when I fell off the wagon, (and ruined my whole "last cigarette" trek), what got me back on was a bad tooth extraction. They said I couldn't smoke for five days. Well, that's just what I've needed. So far, so good.
The two things which will mess you up the most are alcohol, (of course), and stress.
I went cold turkey. I is not an easy task by all means. Willpower, self-discipline and determination are your keys. I stopped buying cigs, and also stopped bumming cigs. And once you decide to quit don't ever ever ever take even one drag off of anyone. It'll set you back. That's the secret....decide to quit, then don't look back.
I gave it up cold turkey, but was easy because I am pregnant, I suppose it is easier to give up when you have a reason. Good luck keep strong!
I quit January of 2007 on the way to work.
For about 2 weeks I used commit then I went to cinnimon candy, then it was mints, mentos and then candy canes. I was always fine sure there were cravings but they passed. Now cigarettes smell gross to me. But it has been a year and no smokes and I am going to continue to be a non smoker.
Good luck!
I have heard lots of good things about the prescription Chantix. I know about 5 people now that have taken the pill and quit after 3 weeks. I am a smoker and just got the prescription for myself. The side effects are nausea and in some cases vomiting. I wish you luck..from one smoker to another (WHEEZE) LOL!
Its hard I quit cold turkey... The first few days are the hardest... I basically made it so that I was constantly busy, and when I was at home I locked myself in my room cause I'd either want to smoke or eat... I would spend like 3 hours a day at the gym and just come home and go to bed so i wouldn't have to think about it... Good Luck... You can do it...
I took Chantix, and the desire to smoke left me after the third dose. That was 9 months ago. I did continue taking the medication for a full month, just to be on the safe side.
It helped that I could identify the triggers that made me want to smoke. I still get cravings, but they are mild and fleeting.
I was fortunate to have no side effects.