Anyone else giving up smoking?

poppyflower_2

Smoking history:smoked for 25 yrs-quit for 8 yrs-just 1 puff back to square 1
Several attempts to stop but managed 1/1/07
I work in a smoking clinic and have helped countless people to stop
Top tips:
When you are mind set to quit you will find it easy
Read Allan Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking-really inspirational
75% greater chance of quitting for good if you use a product and get some support
Contact your local Smoking Cessation Clinic - it works!
Good luck!

kate2510

We gave up together on 2nd Feb 2007 that's 75 days ago. We got through (at least) 50 a day between us - @ 4.25 per pack that's £796.88 saved to date - not that I feel any richer or in any better health come to that but after 25 years we do feel pleased with ourselves. We had help - 2 visits to a nurse councillor at our local health centre (this put me off for over a year but was a great help when I finally decided to quit). We were prescribed ZYBAN - 2 lots each so much cheaper than patches - this has the side effect of subduing the cravings in the brain and is not a nicotine substitute. (Not all health authorities will allow it to be prescribed on the NHS and some medical conditions rule out its use.) Even so the first 2 weeks were very difficult but we've made it so far. One day at a time!

stephenb55

dont bother with the patches or gum

ask your doctor to prescribe ZYBAN. its an anti-depressant, but as far as i know, it isnt prescribed for depression any more, since it has 2 noted side effects

1 it gives you a disgusting taste in your mouth, whenever you take a drag of a fag
2 it gives you the same buzz in your head that you get from nicotine

apart from the fact that you have nothing to do with your hands, you dont really notice that you arent smoking. no will power, no effort. try it, its easy

good luck with it. Stephen

shogun1471

FieryBlondeScot wrote: »

well what a night i put my patch on at 10.30pm went to sleep and woke up every hour almost on the hour after having welll wierd dreams how long does this stage last? i also tried squirting the nasal spray up my nose last night... an experience i dont think i will repeat ha ha

plan for today is to keep busy and hold an even keel mentally

hi,im going to a self help group through nhs and this was one of the drawbacks they told us about regarding the patches you sleep with.we were told if we kept having weird dreams to switch to the patches that only work through the day.be careful of the first hour on waking though as they take an hour to start working.best of luck to you and everyone else going through with it......;)

Becki-Boo_2

Amanda4242 wrote: »

I gave up last night at 10.30. I tried to give up the night before, but brought a pack of cigs after work and smoked them all before I quit again. Not smoked at all today, so holding out much hope. I'm really fed up with smoking, smelling awful, stained teeth, eugh just grossness. Most importantly I'm fed up with the strain on my body.
Good luck to everyone who is in the process of/thinking about quitting

Hey good luck and hang in there. I am on day 4 and beginning to feel great.

After 20 minutes your heart rate returns to normal

Becki-Boo_2

stephenb55 wrote: »

dont bother with the patches or gum

ask your doctor to prescribe ZYBAN. its an anti-depressant, but as far as i know, it isnt prescribed for depression any more, since it has 2 noted side effects

1 it gives you a disgusting taste in your mouth, whenever you take a drag of a fag
2 it gives you the same buzz in your head that you get from nicotine

apart from the fact that you have nothing to do with your hands, you dont really notice that you arent smoking. no will power, no effort. try it, its easy

good luck with it. Stephen

I tried Zyban a few years ago - it really worked and as well as that I felt really relaxed and a little spaced out.....I started smoking after about 10 months of non - made the fatal mistake of thinking I could just have one! Now on 4th day smoke free, gone cold turkey and feeling good

Amanda4242

Thanks Becki Boo ))
I'm still going strong on day 2! I must admit though I nearly caved last night after dinner!! But my boyfriend was really good and talked me out of it I was coughing quite bad last night, ok now though.
Last time I gave up for 2 weeks the first of the year, I started again as the coughing got so bad and I had to take medication to open my airways up. Was weird as I'd never had a cough when smoking and as soon as I stop I need help to breathe, then start smoking again and cough stops. I'm determined now though to do it forever.

PARKI_3

I gave up smoking on the 8 Jan this year, my fourth attempt. I felt ill for 2 weeks coughing and full of a cold, was using nicotine patches done the 12 week course and not used any for the last 2 weeks. The craving doesn't go away but it does get easier. I avoided going to the pub for the first few weeks, (as while drinking alcohol smoked like there was no tomorrow) I can honestly say that I have been out clubbing and have not gave in to temptation. I feel healthier my house does'nt smell of smoke & I dont & my sons have stopped nagging me.....

For everyone giving up smoking I wish you all luck as I know how hard it is..

Becki-Boo_2

Amanda4242 wrote: »

Thanks Becki Boo ))
I'm still going strong on day 2! I must admit though I nearly caved last night after dinner!! But my boyfriend was really good and talked me out of it I was coughing quite bad last night, ok now though.
Last time I gave up for 2 weeks the first of the year, I started again as the coughing got so bad and I had to take medication to open my airways up. Was weird as I'd never had a cough when smoking and as soon as I stop I need help to breathe, then start smoking again and cough stops. I'm determined now though to do it forever.

Well done for not giving up and a big well done to your boyfriend for stopping you.

Got some motivation facts for you;
60 mins non smoking ; Your body starts to rid itself of tobacco toxins
8 hours non smoking ; oxygen levels returns to normal. Carbon monoxide and nicotine levels levels in your blood have halved
24 hrs non smoking ; carbon monoxide is eliminated from your body. your lungs start cleaning out mucus and smoking debris (hense the cough some people experience)
48 hours non smoking ; senses of taste and smell have improved. There is no nicotine left in your body
72 hours non smoking ; your bronchial tubes have started to relax; breathing becomes easier. You feel more alert
2 - 12 weeks non smoking ; your general health is getting better. Your ability to exercise improves. There is better circulation around your body.
3 - 9 months; Your lung functioning is improved by 10-30%. Any coughs, wheezing and breathing problems lessen.
10 months non smoking ; your lungs are clear of tars and your energy levels are much improved
5 years ; Your risk of a heart attack drop to half that of a smoker
10 years ; Your risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker. your risk of a heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked

And if that lot doesn't spure you on, your skin will be clearer and you will age more slowly. You can also sit anywhere in a restaurant.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

(day 5 for me)

kate2510

Originally Posted by Amanda4242Last time I gave up for 2 weeks the first of the year, I started again as the coughing got so bad and I had to take medication to open my airways up. Was weird as I'd never had a cough when smoking


If you ask doc/nurse/councillor about this they'll explain about the effects of tar on the alveoli (sp?) - one of the nasty ironic tricks the smoking habits play on the hapless victim trying to quit.

Start of week 12 for us - still patting my pocket to find them when I sit at the PC or start the car but conquered the 'talk on the telephone reach' - that was a real achievement for me.
Started to notice the smell on clothes, hair or breath when near a smoker without a fag.
Confession- Still like the smell of someone 'lighting up' but no longer tempted at all!