The Giving Up Smoking Thread!! Part 2

larmy16

Well done JoJo. Have a good holiday. Try to relax. Not being able to sleep makes everything seem so much worse, but that will pass.

When I grew up, it was normal to see your relatives smoking - now children are really shocked to find out someone smokes! That is how much times have changed.

Good luck Jo.

larmy16

missi1 wrote: »

Hi all

I am a 20 a day, menthol smoker and after failing on giving up only 2 days ago I am ready again and armed with Nicotine Gum.

I wanted to ask if anyone has used the Electronic cigarettes and if they found them of any use in helping to give up?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Hi Missi


B]
Way back I shared that I had bought a little plastic cigarette called Crafe-away from the chemist. I think it was £1.99.

I found this really helpful when the craving was bad. It has a herbal filter which smells a bit like nicotine. I know a lot of people think that you have to get rid of the associations but I am of the opinion that if it helps you not smoke the real thing, then it's got to be better?

It helped with that need to inhale. Gradually that passes.

Needless to say, my Crafe away has lain in the drawer for over a year.

We did have a quitter who used the E cig. If you go back over the posts you may find her. I forget her name, but she was getting married.

I found it helpful to chew on it as well - or a biro.

missi1

larmy16 wrote: »

Hi Missi


B]
Way back I shared that I had bought a little plastic cigarette called Crafe-away from the chemist. I think it was £1.99.

I found this really helpful when the craving was bad. It has a herbal filter which smells a bit like nicotine. I know a lot of people think that you have to get rid of the associations but I am of the opinion that if it helps you not smoke the real thing, then it's got to be better?

It helped with that need to inhale. Gradually that passes.

Needless to say, my Crafe away has lain in the drawer for over a year.

We did have a quitter who used the E cig. If you go back over the posts you may find her. I forget her name, but she was getting married.

I found it helpful to chew on it as well - or a biro.

Hi Larmy, thanks for sharing that info, I've had a look into the Crafe away on the internet and it looks like just what I need for those "urgent" times only and cheap too so I'll see if I can find one tomorrow or order one online. I found some herbal ones too on the Holland & Barrett website and they claim it will help to give up but I think you actually light these ones so not sure if they would be beneficial or not. I think I would be better off with the plastic ones

larmy16

missi1 wrote: »

Hi Larmy, thanks for sharing that info, I've had a look into the Crafe away on the internet and it looks like just what I need for those "urgent" times only and cheap too so I'll see if I can find one tomorrow or order one online. I found some herbal ones too on the Holland & Barrett website and they claim it will help to give up but I think you actually light these ones so not sure if they would be beneficial or not. I think I would be better off with the plastic ones

Missi, don't bother with the herbal ones - they are foul, so foul they can make you think you need a real one!

They absolutely stink too.

Try to get the Crafe away, they really do help.

Good luck

missi1

larmy16 wrote: »

Missi, don't bother with the herbal ones - they are foul, so foul they can make you think you need a real one!

They absolutely stink too.

Try to get the Crafe away, they really do help.

Good luck

Hi Larmy, have decided I will get the Crafe away as will only be for emergencies anyway, seems to be the better option. Thanks for your advice

Sue-UU

Hi there JoJo, it's good to see you back and still plugging away at quitting - just never stop JoJo, though hopefully from here on you'll stick firm and quit for good. I echo all that larmy says about the changes ove the years, I sincerely hope you neices always remember all they're being taught about the harms of the darned things! :mad: You're still only young JoJo, still plenty of chance for you to really say cheerio for good to all the chest troubles. Stick with it JoJo and have a lovely holiday, enjoy it all, no matter what the weather does!

Hello again missi1. I'm pleased larmy's been able to point you in the direction of "Crafe-away", I've never heard of it so it'll be good to see how you go after larmy's success.

I think Daz's forsaken us larmy, I just hope he's still on the wagon.

Have a wonderful smoke-free weekend everyone and stay strong and determined.

Sue x

whathavewedone

Hi

Nothing new to report really, I've kind of forgotten I ever smoked in lots of ways.

Just wanted to say that the first 3-4 months are the hardest. I put a bit of weight on and had a really strong desire to relapse 2 months ago. Instead I started exercising every day, had my teeth whitened (well in reality I spent 40 minutes every night for 3 weeks in a mouthgard, dribbling) and cut down from 8 cups of tea and coffee a day to one coffee and the rest herbal teas. I've also cut down my alcohol consumption. I feel a lot better. To begin with I didn't feel better and I think that can be quite dispiriting when you quit smoking. You feel that you should feel and look better quickly but the reality is that you are detoxing a poison so actually you can look and feel much worse for a good 2-3 months.

After that though it really is worth it. People kept telling me I was glowing and asking if I'd had work done and it really felt good. I'm missing the compliments now as I've kind of hit a plateau in the looking and feeling better stakes. I do feel that I don't want to start smoking again though and go back to yellow teeth, puffy eyes and grey skin. My teeth were really yellow and now they are pearly white - at a cost of £350 and many nights dribbling in front of the TV. I do not want to go back there. I also do not want to think of my lungs which cannot be bleached so easily...

dundeedoll_2

Hello everyone!

Still keeping at it.........have not been on here for a few days as had probs with my wireless connection.
Great to see people that have been on this thread for a while still doing well and more new ones joining........Well done and keep at it!

Am keeping busy tonight - got some plum chutney on the go as I type.

Had to laugh today - I actually asked at the pharmacy (in a supermarket after seing all the giving up smoking support advertising) if I could sign up and get a weekly test on their 'puffer' just to help keep me smoke free, should I have a complete meltdown/oh sod it etc moment.
'Oh yes, of course Madam, congraulations on taking that 1st important step towards being nicotine free! Now, I just need to take some details.......'

'Name...address...age...smoking history...how many smoked,so we know what srength nicotine patches/gum is right for you.....'

'No, I haven't smoked for nearly 3 weeks and really DO NOT want NRT, just to be able to come and blow on the monitor once a week'

Oooohhh.......well we can't do that. You HAVE to have NRT!'

Congraulations on taking that 1st important step towards being nicotine free! INDEED!!!!!! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Want to write a load more, but have to go and finish off the chutney.

(Thanks for the support - I just know that it has made all the difference :A)

auntiesue

Hi everyone,

I've noticed this thread numerous times before but never popped in. I promised my son a while ago that I would give up smoking soon and it's a promise I don't want to break. Some-one thought they would do me a favour and bring me some cigs back from Spain - couldn't refuse to take them off their hands when they had gone to the bother of thinking of me!!
I am now down to the last pack, well the last 6 in the pack so it looks like I might have to start giving up tomorrow. Help! I keep trying to come up with excuses why it's not the right time like ' I've got a hen night to go to tomorrow night and will be tempted when I have a drink' or the excuse for a while now has been that' I am currently trying to complete a dissertation for my degree course and I'm stressed enough as it is. But I know these are just excuses!

I really don't want to pay the price for a pack of cigs at the shops and we're going camping next Fri and I'm now the only one in the company that still smokes.
I just need to find that will power, have already got my gum ready and waiting with my extra large bag of clementines Now, where is that willpower?????.

Sue-UU

Hi whathavewedone and great news about the teeth and especially the 5 months free! Get yourself passed this plateau stage and remember, how after all the money spent and such brilliant teeth, just how quickly they could change again! You said it all with how soon friends noticed you glowing and believe me they darn soon notice if you were to start up again!!! You've pointed out all the things I'm talking about so keep at it WHWD, you CAN get past this stage. How about giving yourself a treat, a hair-do, a holiday, even if it's only got a few days. Keep reading your post above, it's quite an eye-opener to all you've noticed, the bad before quitting and all the good you've derived due to being a NON-SMOKER!!! Keep up the amazing work WHWD, you're one very, very gutsy lady!!! :T:T:T

Hi DD and it's wonderful to see you still so hard at it. :T:T Would you ever believe the stupidity of the Pharmacist, you'd think they'd be doing their level best to urge folk along. How about going to your Dr or your cessation Nurse at the surgery, they may be happy for you to be encouraged along and some folk we have had here get such a buzz out of seeing the reading going down so low so quickly. You're more than welcome to the support, if it helps, that's all that matters! I hope your chutney turned out alright, I love the stuff!!! Marvellous work DD, keep at it!!

Hello Sue (another?!)and welcome to the world of trying your very, very best to quit those evil fags. I hope you've found the PM I've sent, it has some helpful bits and pieces to help you see it all through. ALL of us here will be urging you on and wishing you the very best to do what you've probably wanted to do for so long. Most of us get on alright after the initial first few days, some finding it far easier than they'd ever thought possible; I do hope that's how it is for you. As you probable already know, on this thread we talk to each other, telling the others exactly how we feel, how our day has been, good or bad. Then seeing the replies of others, how they're all coping and what gives them the strength to continue, as well as any tips they've found that are useful.

If there's anything that crosses your mind which just might give you a buzz and help you through it more easily..try it out! Just never, ever be tempted to have "just one puff or just one fag" especially if you're drinking as it never works! One of our very successful members attributed her success to eating/sucking Ice Poles..and it's worked for others too!

If you're a little anxious for now then why not read through some of this thread as well as the other one, you'll no doubt find some very helpful posts here. You'll also find many posts from excited members at their joy of having quit!! Stick with us Sue as we'd all love to help you to your goal of having QUIT smoking for good. If you have any hangup times that have stopped you from succeeding in the past, let them go and move on...to a new beginning! Have a great holiday if we don't see you before.

Sue x