trying to quit smoking

[brendy1990]

is anyone trying to quit smoking? or has quit lately??  i am in the process of trying to quit, i have smoked for 22 years and it is hard .. any advice, or quitting aids that helped you,, please tell..

[cah5525]

yes. have also smoked for 20+ years. i quit for a few months with the patch. tried it again last year and i lost feeling in my legs and kept falling down. it took a couple of weeks to walk right again. - not a very common side effect but, my doctor said to stop using it because it can cause permanent nerve damage in a select few. NICE!
chantix - that just pissed me off because, you still want to smoke but, it takes away the pleasure receptor therefore, tasting like crap! frustrating. i used the lozenges a few months ago and had quit for about 10 days (and felt pretty good-not crawling out of my skin) BUT...my friend flew in for a surprise visit, went for coffee - she's a smoker -coffee and cigarettes= complete pleasure - i was weak. i am going to try the lozenges again. cigarettes are $6-7/pack here in ny. Good luck to you - if one technique doesn't work for you, move on to the next.

[hemapreethaa]

my husband one day when the dr said u have to quit smoking he stopped the next day he is smoking for 20+ yrs he didnt use any pills r patch r anything to quit. itz ur mind set that makes u smoke not the body.... make up ur mind that u have to then u will in a day.  but, he still uses the chewing gum when he feels like smoking r if he is at home he takes a coffee, but, he can manage also without these too.. again i tell u itz ur mind set and not the body that asks for a smoke. so, try to do this, dont try any patches r pills those r worst than smoking if u r trying to use those itz better u smoke

First try to make it lower nos a day suppose if u r smoking 4 make it 2 r 1
then make it 1 for 2 days then make it 1 for 3 days r if u cud do it like my husband u can stop totally in a day. he do smoking sometimes but, itz 1 a week. slowly i think he shud stop that tooo

HOPE This helps u

ALL THE VERY BEST to u
 

[cah5525]

itz ur mind set that makes u smoke not the body.... make up ur mind that u have to then u will in a day. 

HOPE This helps u

ALL THE VERY BEST to u
 

Not a smoker.  Smoking is not psychological
The physiological basis of nicotine addiction is found in the body's physical reaction to nicotine. When you smoke the nicotine triggers the "pleasure center" of your brain. A hit of nicotine stimulates the adrenal glands that cause the release of adrenaline. This adrenaline arouses the body and causes a release of glucose, as well as increasing respiration, blood pressure, and heart rate.

[klkwid]

I've seen Chantix work for a lot of our patients.  Maybe give that a try.  If your insurance doens't cover it, think about how much you'll be saving in the long run by NOT buying cigarettes!  I think you only stay on it for several weeks so the cost is definitely worth it.  GOOD LUCK!!!! 

[squirrelgirl44]

I've seen Chantix work for a lot of our patients.  Maybe give that a try.  If your insurance doens't cover it, think about how much you'll be saving in the long run by NOT buying cigarettes!  I think you only stay on it for several weeks so the cost is definitely worth it.  GOOD LUCK!!!! 

I spent years "quitting" only to start smoking again after a few days or weeks.

I quit in 2007 using Chantix. It was NOT covered by insurance, but it was the only thing that worked. Less than a week until it's been 18 MONTHS since my last cigarette.

Worth every penny.

[unojuno]

try a vitamic c lozenge (with zinc).  then try a cigarette.  the taste is horrible!! maybe, after a few tries you'll think twice about lighting up???

[FarleyGuy]

I didn't smoke as long as you have, but I smoked a pack a day for 7 years and I quit about 3 years back. Main thing you gotta do is jsut use your willpower, and you have to really want to quit. Most reason people fail to quit is because they truly don't want to quit. I quit coldturkey so I don't really have too many tips. I carried a small sharpened down pencil for awhile because a friend told me to try it. It helped more than I thought it would. It still comes down to willpower though. Good Luck! I hope everything works out for you.

[discardedheart]

last year i quit for about four months.
but i just did it cold turkey.

i've started back since then.
 

[dream420believer]

It is very hard to quit but i have asthma and had to do something. I stopped smoking and would maybe smoke one or two only when i was drinking. After a while i was breathing easier and every time i tried to smoke another one it started tasting bad and finally i couldnt stand them. I smoke one once in a blue moon now. Sometime you cant help but to have one but u can quit if you just dont think about it. lol i know its easier said than done.

[trop8cana]

I'm a smoker and can't seem to quit myself so I just came into this forum to see what kind of advise that you got that I could use.
But good luck to you!!

[jester2dr]

Nicotine is a powerful addiction. If you have tried to quit, you know how hard it can be. People who are trying to quit smoking go through both physical and psychological withdrawal. Here are some tips for quitting.

Cravings

Drink a lot of liquids, especially water. Try herbal teas or fruit juices. Limit coffee, soft drinks, and alcohol - they can increase your urge to smoke.

Avoid sugar and fatty food. Try low-calorie foods for snacking - carrots and other vegetables, sugarless gum, air-popped popcorn, or low-fat cottage cheese. Don't skip meals.

Exercise regularly and moderately. Regular exercise helps. Joining an exercise group provides a healthy activity and a new routine.

Get more sleep. Try to go to sleep earlier and get more rest.

Take deep breaths. Distract yourself. When cravings hit, do something else immediately, such as talking to someone, getting busy with a task, or taking deep breaths.

Change your habits. Use a different route to work, eat breakfast in a different place, or get up from the table right away after eating.

Do something to reduce your stress. Take a hot shower, read a book, or exercise.

Psychological Needs

    * Remind yourself every day why you are quitting.
    * Avoid places you connect with smoking.
    * Develop a plan for relieving stress.
    * Listen to relaxing music.
    * Watch a funny movie.
    * Take your mind off a problem and come back to it later.
    * Rely on your friends, family, and support group for help.
    * Avoid alcohol. It lowers your chances for success.

Tips for the First Week, You Can Quit Smoking.March 2001. United States Public Health Service - Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention.

[brendy1990]

thanks for all the advice, i am going to try the lozengers this weekend,, that way if i get stressed i can take a lozenger,,i dont think i will be trying the patch that sounded like a scary possible side effect cah5525,, thanks for sharing..

[cah5525]

this may only replace one bad habit with another but, i was considering camel snus. ok - not too pretty a sight for a gal to be dippin.
i have a stack of couons for free snus. it would still give me the nicotine while getting away from the cigarettes and give my lungs a break - then possibly quit tobacco alltogether? oh, hell - i'd try anything. anyone use hypnosis?

[ayryns]

You have to be ready to quit.
I quit in October 2008 after smoking for about 15 years.  I tried to quit many times, but really wasn't ready.  I truly enjoyed smoking.  I started taking Chantix which, after a week really made my smokes taste nasty and I didn't want one anymore.  I have a one twice since then - both times over Christmas while having a drink or two.  Great thing about it was, I had no desire to have one the next morning.  It's really mind over matter.  I truly enjoy not spending $4+ dollars a pack, I love the way my hair smells now and can walk by someone without leaving the nasty smell of smoke in my wake.  Good luck!!!