Giving up smoking

gardner1

gave up 2007 when smoking ban came in to force after loads of failed attempts whilst trying every tablet/gum/patch etc


But after having a hacking cough for 18 months enough was enough and stopped using nothing but loads of [EMAIL="Wrigley@s"]Wrigley's[/EMAIL] chewing gum and willpower


was smoking 20-30 a day and still fancy a cig couple of times a day with coffee etc and if I walk past someone smoking it still smells nice

DUKE

Hi Izadora, the first time I gave up I managed 6 months. However, I craved a smoke every single day of that 6 months, I even used to follow smokers & sniff them :eek: I frequently felt like throwing myself under a bus, & I wanted to kill people too! The Dr said it was best to start again, so I did. I'd stopped because my Mom & husband had stopped, & they put pressure on me to do so too. I didn't want to stop, as I absolutely adored it! I gave up for the wrong reasons & that's probably why I didn't succeed that time.

Then in 2009 I was diagnosed with boob cancer, I stopped smoking within a week. I did go to a no smoking group at the Health Centre every week, where they monitored me & were a good support. I didn't go cold turkey (it is said that it's easier to kick heroin than nicotine) as it was recommended that I tried the inhalators. Also I felt that I needed that hand to mouth thing. I'd stopped using the inhalators within 3 weeks, they worked for me.

Even the breast nurses told me not to stop smoking, honestly, I was shocked too! However, I knew that I'd be spending a lot of time at the hospital & if I didn't get my fix I'd be your worst nightmare! That wasn't fair on the NHS, also they were spending all that money on an operation, chemo, radio, herceptin .... to save me, when I couldn't even help myself. But I did try, & I succeeded!

I'd like to say & she lived happily ever after, but then I got bladder cancer in 2012, & have had many recurrences since. They say it's caused by smoking, but that's debatable. My latest check up was yesterday, & there was no recurrence this time, woop woop!

It ain't easy, but you wont regret it, you'll be healthier, have more money, & you wont smell any more! Sorry but you smokers get yourselves all dressed up, why bother? You absolutely stink! Don't be offended I'm just giving it to you straight. Giving up smoking was more of a shock to me than being diagnosed with cancer. I never thought I could stop, but If I can do it then anyone can. It's probably (sounds daft) but stopping smoking's one of my biggest achievements & I'm so pleased with me I knew then that I'd never smoke again, 5 years on I feel the same.

Sorry for going off on one there Drink water rather than eat, go for a walk, that's good for stress, get a stress ball to squeeze the life out of rather than a neck One day at a time, I have every faith in you all! Wishing you all the very best x

McKneff

Well done everyone, its been interesting looking through all the posts.


I had a heart attack in April and stopping smoking was instant for me.
I tried the inhaler first, for a couple of weeks but I wanted to get to a 'I don't smoke' place and while
using them I felt as if I still did.


I then tried the patches, started on the middle one, they worked great, I had no cravings, just the habit to deal with.
6 weeks of using them, putting them on on a morning, I realised that at 2 pm one day I did not have a patch on and felt okay, I thought I would leave it and see how I felt later, no problem, haven't had a patch since and no cravings.
I still, even now, have the 'urge' specially late at night for some reason. But I am so proud of my achievement. My other half gave up instantly for me too. He has not faltered either.
But I have to admit, I would never have done it going cold turkey, Im not that brave.

McKneff

Duke, you say you craved a smoke every day for 6 months.


How long did it take for that to pass, given that you have been stopped 5 years now.


I don't crave at all but I get the 'urge' at least a dozen times a day, which I presume is the aftermath of 50 odd years habit. surely that will pass ??





Airwaves chewer helsp but I don't want to get addicted to that, instead.

Izadora

DUKE wrote: »

My latest check up was yesterday, & there was no recurrence this time, woop woop!

Hopefully it'll stay that way for the next one as well, and the one after that etc.

DUKE wrote: »

Drink water rather than eat

I'm starting to worry that I might drown with the amount I've drunk. Combined with the not eating as much at least it means I'm spending plenty of time away from my desk...

McKneff wrote: »

I had a heart attack in April and stopping smoking was instant for me.

I can see how that would give you the incentive to give up!!! I've known people who still haven't managed after a heart attack though so well done, especially for sticking to it after the initial scare.

DUKE

McKneff wrote: »

Duke, you say you craved a smoke every day for 6 months.


How long did it take for that to pass, given that you have been stopped 5 years now.


I don't crave at all but I get the 'urge' at least a dozen times a day, surely that will pass ??


Airwaves chewer helsp but I don't want to get addicted to that, instead.

Hi McKneff, sorry I didn't explain properly. The feeling didn't pass in my first attempt which was the 6 month period. I wanted to smoke every minute of every day, & could think of nothing else but smoking.

During my 2nd attempt there was no cravings at all. I got straight on the inhalators, & I had no cravings as I felt that I got everything I needed from them. Although a few times I imagined opening the pack, lighting up, inhaling .... But it was just a thought, no cravings just the thought that I'd never smoke again.

Sorry I can't explain it any other way, apart from first time nightmares, & 2nd time was so easy for me. I'm baffled to this day!

DUKE

Thanks Izadora.

That made me laugh about the drowning I used to try & think of ways where I could constantly eat, like drinking soup through a straw through out the day I didn't, but I really wanted to.

rock_queen

How has your day gone today quitters?

I've done really well and hardly used my e cig at all today. It got to 11am and I realised I hadn't even had a puff on it let alone craved a fag. I used to be awful in the mornings and the first thing I would do would be to light up but not today and I feel great for it! I've also been less on edge and not wanting to tear into anyone. Lol.

Hope your doing ok! X

McKneff

DUKE wrote: »

Hi McKneff, sorry I didn't explain properly. The feeling didn't pass in my first attempt which was the 6 month period. I wanted to smoke every minute of every day, & could think of nothing else but smoking.

During my 2nd attempt there was no cravings at all. I got straight on the inhalators, & I had no cravings as I felt that I got everything I needed from them. Although a few times I imagined opening the pack, lighting up, inhaling .... But it was just a thought, no cravings just the thought that I'd never smoke again.

Sorry I can't explain it any other way, apart from first time nightmares, & 2nd time was so easy for me. I'm baffled to this day!

I know exactly what you mean in the 2nd part. This is the way it is for me. I don't get cravings, just an 'urge' for a few seconds and its gone. Well done to you, im looling forward to the 5 year line. x As it is at the moment I can actually say 'I gave up smoking 'last year' x

Baileysonice

Izadora wrote: »

Thanks for the encouragement everyone, it's always nice to hear that people have succeeded because it makes me feel more like I can do it.

Rock Queen - I hope you're feeling less on edge today and well done for giving up for 8 months, you've done it once so I'm sure you can do it again.

Baileysonice - Hopefully you're less depressed about not being able to smoke again. I had one of those moments this morning, realising that I'll never be able to have another one was quite scary but it's the only way I'm going to do it. I know I don't have the self-control to have just one every now and then.

I know giving up and dieting together is a lot to take on but I lost a lot of weight a couple of years ago, which had started to creep back on, and I really don't want to put on any more - which is what normally happens when I try to cut down/quit smoking.

I made it through yesterday without too many problems - I did find that I was a bit tearful at times and I really, really missed my after-dinner cigarette but going without the others was easier to cope with than it was on Monday. Trying to think of the positives, even though I miss having a cigarette between the station and work it's really nice that I can put my gloves on as soon as I get off the train rather than having to wait until I've finished my fag.

My boyfriend's also given me a great incentive to keep going - if I haven't had a cigarette by the end of March then he'll give up too. Being the stubborn cow that I am, it's worth it just to make him quit

Glad its getting better Izadora. Make sure he takes you for a nice big meal too for the diet success

Today was far better. A few wobbles but on track so happy with that.
Sense of smell already coming back today I noticed the awful wet dog smell of someones coat (nasty lol) and a good old garlic breath on the train :rotfl:

rock_queen wrote: »

How has your day gone today quitters?

I've done really well and hardly used my e cig at all today. It got to 11am and I realised I hadn't even had a puff on it let alone craved a fag. I used to be awful in the mornings and the first thing I would do would be to light up but not today and I feel great for it! I've also been less on edge and not wanting to tear into anyone. Lol.

Hope your doing ok! X

Hi rock queen. Used my e cig much less today too in fact wont be long before I want to ditch those too. Exactly the same with mornings and I am now having a good 15 mins extra in bed thanks to no need to do the fix.