Bit confused about best way to go.

squirrelchops

CHAMPIX.....definitely. OH smoked 20 a day for 20 years and stopped without any relapses using these tablets. His friend who had smoked for a similar time also stopped with Champix.....OH is so impressed he tells everyone who wants to stop to try them.

He did suffer some nausea first thing if he took them on an empty stomach but it is a small price to pay.

Krystaltips

I'm another vote for the Alan Carr easyway to stop smoking book... 2 years ago Hubby and I read it and neither of us have smoked a cigarette since... I was like you, I stopped when pregnant with my first daughter for a good year then started and stopped again a few times until I finally had enough January 2008... For me, the hardest part wasn't stopping, it was the not starting again, but I've managed it... Hubby was the other way, he'd never tried to stop at all and when he did, he was so ill he's sworn he'd never start again!

GotToChange

This is a crazy thing for an overthinker like me to suggest but - if you can - try not to overthink it. I do believe that you need a plan; I had loads and loads - analysing my triggers, coping strategies, diet & exercise and financial plans - you name it. I also lined up every aid that I could - patches, sprays, inhalator (no Champix though); I joined a wonderful forum on about.com (very American though) and got some support there.

In the end though, I just did it. I did it at a rubbish time in my life - and I have had nothing but cr*p on cr*p since. But I have not gone back to it - and I was long-term, brought up with and descended from (more) smokers (nature AND nuture if you like). My entire life was puntuated by a habit AND addiction that I loved and loathed in equal measure.

One thing that you seem to worry about is your life becoming one long eternal craving. It doesn't. Sure, people will say that they could still smoke one 20 years after quitting - it doesn't mean that they have suffered from the day they put the last one out. You will be fine - yes, willpower comes into it - but two things about willpower - 1) It's never-ending - and 2) It feeds itself and it feeds on success.



(Oh - and minimal weight gain.)

sazzybum

GotToChange wrote: »

This is a crazy thing for an overthinker like me to suggest but - if you can - try not to overthink it. I do believe that you need a plan; I had loads and loads - analysing my triggers, coping strategies, diet & exercise and financial plans - you name it. I also lined up every aid that I could - patches, sprays, inhalator (no Champix though); I joined a wonderful forum on about.com (very American though) and got some support there.

In the end though, I just did it. I did it at a rubbish time in my life - and I have had nothing but cr*p on cr*p since. But I have not gone back to it - and I was long-term, brought up with and descended from (more) smokers (nature AND nuture if you like). My entire life was puntuated by a habit AND addiction that I loved and loathed in equal measure.

One thing that you seem to worry about is your life becoming one long eternal craving. It doesn't. Sure, people will say that they could still smoke one 20 years after quitting - it doesn't mean that they have suffered from the day they put the last one out. You will be fine - yes, willpower comes into it - but two things about willpower - 1) It's never-ending - and 2) It feeds itself and it feeds on success.



(Oh - and minimal weight gain.)

Bit of an over nalyser myself. I've also been thinking about the triggers. Soon as I get up..feed the cats, pot of coffee-cig...food then cig etc etc. I changed my work pattern so I'm not able to have as many breaks, hence less time for cigs. I'm going to try will power first, but have a smoking clinic lined up as well. My fiance is going to stop too-but he's verty mild mannered so won't be as crabby as me (I hope).

And thank you for putting the weight gain in very small letters.. i'll deal with the diet after the nicotine craving goes.

Highspirits

I gave up smoking over 10 years ago - what worked for me was the nicorette inhalator - it kept my hands busy - particularly when I was sat with friends who were still smoking (but not busy enough as they kept going into the sweetie jar!)

FEE_100

Hi Sazzybum, like you Im 42 been smoking since I was 12:eek: got two kids tho mine a lot younger than yours! I really came on here to find some1 similar that I could get some support from and maybe offer support too! Just walked into Boots the other day and saw the patches reduced to 50p (that did it for me) Told the kids and my hubby (he needs to know why Im so crabbit) but no-one else really as dont want people asking me all the time how Im getting on as that will just make me think about fags:rolleyes:! I had my last one on Tuesday night, I was ok till last night but just went to bed early to get over the craving. I wont lie its very hard just now but plodding on. Good luck for sat:D!

sazzybum

FEE_100 wrote: »

Hi Sazzybum, like you Im 42 been smoking since I was 12:eek: got two kids tho mine a lot younger than yours! I really came on here to find some1 similar that I could get some support from and maybe offer support too! Just walked into Boots the other day and saw the patches reduced to 50p (that did it for me) Told the kids and my hubby (he needs to know why Im so crabbit) but no-one else really as dont want people asking me all the time how Im getting on as that will just make me think about fags:rolleyes:! I had my last one on Tuesday night, I was ok till last night but just went to bed early to get over the craving. I wont lie its very hard just now but plodding on. Good luck for sat:D!

Thanks Fee, I've managed to cut down a fair bit over the last few days, but it's after meals I'm really struggling!People say-get up and load the dishwasher, tidy the kitchen etc, but my fiance won't let me! He says I do enough round the house and that's HIS job. Bless 'im. So very well done to you not having one since Tuesday. I'm dreading Saturday but the ol' teeth are gritted. I tried patches before- but they made me smoke more- which meant I couldn't sleep. Admittedly I only gave them three days...a-hem. I'm determined to do this for my boys though-no matter what. You keep going and rest assured I'll be suffering with you-every step of the way :beer:

Kazipoo

sazzybum wrote: »

Thanks Fee, I've managed to cut down a fair bit over the last few days, but it's after meals I'm really struggling!People say-get up and load the dishwasher, tidy the kitchen etc, but my fiance won't let me! He says I do enough round the house and that's HIS job. Bless 'im. So very well done to you not having one since Tuesday. I'm dreading Saturday but the ol' teeth are gritted. I tried patches before- but they made me smoke more- which meant I couldn't sleep. Admittedly I only gave them three days...a-hem. I'm determined to do this for my boys though-no matter what. You keep going and rest assured I'll be suffering with you-every step of the way :beer:

Try sucking a lollypop after your meals, that way there is something in your mouth and for your hand to fiddle on with... I found that lollys and chewing gum and mints were the best distraction!

FEE_100

Good luck for tomorrow sazzybum, hope u have a busy day....My house has never been so clean as it has in the last couple of days overwhelming smell of bleach coming from everywhere:o! Found that keeping busy really is helping so keep my mind off things, yesterday was rough but today been a bit easier, still getting wee crabby moments and strangley hot flushes
Really missing my weekend wine but going into work early tomorrow so prob would not have had more than a glass anyway. Out for dinner with some friends tomorrow, this is where I fell down the last time but that was before the ban came into play in Scotland so hopefully shld be a bit better this time as not getting the reek drifting over from other tables.
Also I can breathe a bit better today so starting to feel the health benefits already. Not ate anymore than usual so thats good too, Im not overweight always been a bit of a skinny thing so hopefully Im gonna stay like that!

fletch3163

Hi there

I've just speed-read your thread so I could get to the bit where I could post:p I too am 43, from Scotland and CRABBIT! I made the decision to quit at the age of 39 with the big 40 round the corner, my FIL dying of lung cancer and generally being afraid of the future.

So, I quit. No replacements, just cold turkey. It wasn't easy to start but I did love the feeling of lightheaded-ness for the first week (apparently that's the extra oxygen getting into your system:o) and after that I depended on deep breathing in and out about 4 times a pop when I fancied a smoke, or I had a straw, pinched at the end and I "faked it". Sounds very basic but it worked. Oh, and drink water and OJ lots too.

I also went on a website for one of the replacement therapies and found the likemindedness of everyone there to be invaluable. click2quit it was called. I posted like a fiend that first Christmas, it truly was my saviour.

Listen to me getting all evangelical:p. I do still "fancy" a fag occasionally but like Victory said above, it's almost a nostalgic feeling, not an urge. I still love the smell (not the stale smell) and I do honestly seek smoking for what it is now. I used to be so bolshy about my right to smoke but it just looks SO dirty now.

I wish you the very best of luck. I smoked from secondary school 39, 20 a day so anything's possible.