Suggestions for quitting smoking?

[Phoenix79]

Hey all!

I quit smoking on Monday (it was my b-day too!).

Sooo, here I am on day three of no smokie-treats, and I'm cranky, but okay, I think. I was just wondering if anyone on this board had any suggestions for what helps when you get a craving. I quit cold turkey, and chewing gum is just not enough!! I'm getting really cranky by the end of the day, and am open to any suggestions anyone has about helping calm my nerves a bit.

So, if any of you have successfully quit smoking, congrats, and HELP! :eek:

Phoenix

[Ljt09863]

hey! your in luck! i just quit a month and a half ago. now, when i think back on it, i realize, it wasn't as hard as i thought it would be. yes, i got cranky(Fiancee got close to leaving) and yes, cravings were hard to deal with as well. but then i realized why quitting is soo good. not only was is it great for the child that im carrying, but its great for me too.

yesterday, i walked by a customer at work, and i immdiately thought 'ugh, he stunk...' then i realized what the smell was. it was cigarettes. he smelled of his cigarettes, and i thought it stunk, which made me realize how bad i smelled when i smoked. im surprised my non-smoking fiancee wanted me. ut nw, i smell better, and not like smoke!

i think it got easier just thinking about the reasons why im quitting, and not thinking about why i want a cigarette so bad. but i understand how hard it is. i do.

gum didn't really do much for me either. i also tried beef jerky, cause it taste better for longer. it was ok. but every time i though about having a cigarette, i would do something else to occupy my mind.

good luck with quitting, and trust me, when you quit, you are going to be alot healthier! and smell oh so much prettier!

[Trishlovesdolphins]

i have a friend that swears that this works.
http://stopsmokingnow.com/

[PuckishOne]

First, happy late b-day, Phoenix, and congrats on the smoke-free days so far. :)

My fiance was a pack-a-day smoker from age 12 to 27, and he says he too literally just threw them away and stopped. He also says that the hardest part was socializing with others who smoked - the temptation to light one up over drinks was really, really tough for him (although he swears he never cracked!).

On a more practical note, if you have health insurance through your work, see if they use a program called "Free and Clear." This will pay for the costs of your patches/pills/whatever you use while quitting, and also provides resources for support and encouragement (like regular phone calls to check your progress).

Good luck and let us know how it goes!!

[Banrion]

If you've made it 3 days DO NOT start a patch or nicotine replacement program. Nicotine only stays in your system for 48 hours. The physical addiction is gone. Now it's all about the psychological addiction and the oral fixation and the habit of having one hand constantly to your mouth. Gum doesn't help because it doesn't occupy your hands. Try lollipops. They replace the sugars that you are craving from not smoking, and will occupy your hands just as much as a cigarette would. Some people looking for a healthier solution than candy use grapes. Those also require you to occupy your hands a bit and contain the low levels of sugar to help the cravings.

Good Luck!

[digilight]

I quite smoking almost 7 years ago, went from smoking 2 packs of menthols and a pack of Djarums (either Supers, Blacks, Specials, or Bali Hai's) a day. I literally gave my fiancee the rest of my pack and said to chuck it. I tried the patch for a couple of days but it didn't seem to do anything for me.

I would definantly find things to keep your hands busy and occupied. I would also try and avoid activities that you would normally find yourself smoking, if you have to have a smoke while you're drinking (if you're a drinker) then go a bit without a drink. If you are looking for a oral fixation then try sunflower seeds. It will get easier though, believe me. Congrats on going smoke free.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Take up drinking.


Sorry, couldn't resist. :D

[Mr. Rager!]

I wouldn't recommend taking up drinkig... that's when a lot of people smoke. I know that during a night of smoking, I can burn up a pack by myself. Oddly enough though, when I'm not drinking, I don't crave it at all. In fact, I think it's gross.

Alcohol really messes with me, I guess.

Good luck on the quitting though, Phoenix.

[AFpheonix]

Good luck!

There is a prescription med called Zyban that typically isn't covered under insurance that's used for smoking cessation.
However, it's the same active ingredient that is in the anti-depressant Wellbutrin, which also has a cheaper generic available. Woohoo!

So, if you come to where over the counter stuff doesn't work, talk to your doctor about getting a script for the Wellbutrin.

[Phoenix79]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, well wishes, and comments!!

I appreciate them more than you know at this point. I quit cold turkey, and considering the number of medications I'm currently on already, I would like to try and stay away from any more meds (I have to take thyroid meds, along with a few things for another condition I have). I figured quitting smoking can only help me, but the withdrawals are horrible!!!

I read somewhere that when you stop smoking, your blood sugar drops. Apparently, every time one smokes a ciggie, the nicotine causes your body fat to release sugar into your bloodstream. Every smoke you have, raises your blood sugar within seconds, while if you eat something sugary it takes at least 20 minutes to bring your blood sugar up.

Sooo, the drop in blood sugar is the reason why you feel so tired and have trouble concentrating the first couple of weeks. Its also why people tend to over-eat when they quit. And it is also why I'm so darn cranky, but it should pass in a couple of weeks. It gets easier every day, too!

I'm never going back to smoking, I like being able to smell my shampoo on my hair at the end of the day, instead of smelling like smoke. The getting healthy part helps, too! ;) Sorry to post so much, but just typing about it and sharing the experience with you all is helping a lot. Keep any suggestions or encouragment coming, and thanks again!

Phoenix - Still not smoking! Day 5 is almost over, WOOT! :D

[Broomjockey]

Congrats on quitting! :grats: :yourock:

All 4 of my grandparents smoked, and I hated going over to their places as a kid because of the smell. I've even got a few friends who's houses I won't go over to because they smoke.

I used to be one of those people who always badgered people about how nasty a habit smoking was, and health-wise and all that. Then I found a new tactic.

Think of all the money you'll save by not buying expensive ciggarettes! :lol:

[TNT]

I suggest the book, "The Easy Way to Quit Smoking" by Allen Carr. It's geared to people who are still smoking while they're reading it, but I read it after I quit and found it helpful.

Carr's position is basically this: to change the mindset from "Gee, I miss smoking," to "Great! I don't smoke anymore."

A lot of people I know swear by it... but some swear at it.

However, I may not be the best one to give advice. After three smoke-free months, I started again... not sure why I thought starting again was a good idea, and I'm certainly not able to name any specific benefits.

[smalltownclerk]

I quit with the help of Zyban 5 1/2 years ago. I smoked 2 packs a day of menthol 100s for 24 years. I took Zyban for two weeks before quitting smoking, and I was ready to quit because cigs tasted really horrible while taking the Zyban. I quit, actually walked away from it, continued on Zyban for another month (slept like a baby during that time), and then quit Zyban. I used 1/2 of a McDonald straw (the exact size of a 100s cig) between my lips when I drove for almost a year (the oral part of quitting was the worst for me). Best of luck to you! I'm pullin' for ya!