[mamascan]

Hello,
Its been a while since I've been on the boards. Love the new look! I just wanted those who may be considering to quit smoking that I have quit and how I did it.
Background, I smoked 2 packs (@ 40 cigs) a day for 34 yrs. Yeah I smoked alot! I have tried to quit probably 12 times in the last ten years, more than half of those have been in the last 3-4 yrs. I have finally been able to do it! I never been able to quit for more than a day or two without a severe physical reaction: diarrhea, hives, anxiety, mood swings.
This time there was none of these things. My doctor put me on Chantix. I was concerned as I was already on 2 different antidepressants that I wouldn't be able to take it but I have been fine. And it has been 9 days without smoking! I am so glad! I feel like the cigs no longer have any power over me. My hubby is still smoking but in the basement so its not around me. Although he did have one in the car while I was in it and it didn't bother me! Yeah!!! My hope for anyone who wants to quit is you give this a go, and may it work as well for you as it did for me. You too can be smoke-free!
Michelle

 

[lazylegs]

Congratulations Michelle. I am very proud of you. You should do something nice for yourself with the money you are now saving buy not purchasing cigarettes.

Take care,
Lazylegs

 

[sam101360]

Michelle:

I quit with Chantix, used it for six months and never had or needed a cigarette (btw - didn't want alcohol either). My problem started aftere I stopped taking the medication, I immediately started with cravings, eventually those became so continual they began to affect my personality...I couldn't stand it and went back to smoking.

I have also heard many success stories about Chantix (which is why I used it)

I sincerely hope that you are able make it - I wish I could finally quit for real....just can't at this point.

Best of Luck - Stephanie

 

[LolaLola]

This is great news. I don't smoke, never have-but my Daughter does smoke a little. I wish she would stop, she has cut down. Your experience is encouraging. A real achievement!
x Lola

 

[nicky00]

Very Well done Michelle

It takes a lot to give up smoking.

I know

One day at a time, and they soon all add up.

It is an unbelievable achievement
Nicky

 

[ALWIN]

Thank you so much for posting Michelle.

I am trying to do the same right now. With little success. Smoked nothing yesterday, but today went a bought a pack and I have smoked 3. Not good.

I will keep returning to your post to encourage me. You sound so up-beat it is infectious.

 

[neongirl]

Just wanted to say congratulations! You have truly climbed a mountain:thumbs::cheer2::yahoo:

 

[florie]

Great news for you. I am happy that you have achieved your goal. Congratulations to you and maybe with a chance you can get your hubby to stop too.

I have tried Chantix but after 3 weeks had to stop it. Some weird things were happening . I also understand that Wellbuton the antidepressant helps people to quit too. What works for one may not work for another.

:congrats:
hugs, florie

 

[macfamily53]

congradualtions florie

Wow Michelle that is great for sure.That is not at all an easy thing to do.I sure hope you can keep it up for ever and we are here to support you on this and encourage you also.Please keep us posted on your success(((hugs))).

Tammy

 

[flutterbye]

:cheer2: Yay Michelle!

Well done I am so happy and pleased for you, that is a huge acheivement, do treat yourslef to something special, you so deserve it!

Much love xx

 

[ALWIN]

Hi Michelle

Just wanted to return to your post to encourage you again in case you are having any bad days. I am on day 4 without smoking and it is driving me nuts. I am using Nicortette patches, Nicorette tabs, and a Nicorette inhalator. I also have some sleeping tablets stashed in case I become and insomniac like last time.

Keep up the good work!

 

[Sage Hen]

Michelle and Alwin,

keep up the positive mind set. Your both doing great!

I know it must be terribly hard to quit. All three of my children use tobacco.
I see how they struggle..

Best Wishes to you both..

Love,
Sandy

 

[mamascan]

Thank You Very Much To All!! I hosted my daughter's baby shower and still didn't smoke-the anxious feeling I used to associate with smoking was there, but I ate a chocolate bar to calm and treat myself instead. I am very proud of myself!! Sorry, modesty is out the window. Tee-Hee.
Lazylegs: TYVM
Stephanie: You will quit when you are ready. I didn't hear of aftereffects. Scary! Just keep trying till something works, whatever that may be.
Lolalola:TYVM-hope your daughter can quit.
Nicky:TYVM
Alwin: YOU can do it! There is a website the the med that helps with support for up to a year if you need it. If you are interested let me know.
Neongirl: TYVM
Florie: TYVM. So sorry you had to stop. But I do encourage you to keep trying! Good Luck!
macfamily53: TYVM
Flutterbye: Thanks buddy! I do feel great about quitting, an achievement I am proud of. As for treating myself, it will have to wait as the new addition to our family will be here soon.
Thanks All, Hugs- Michelle

 

[mamascan]

Alwin,
4 Days is great. It is very hard. But take it urge by urge and wave by wave, then before you know it you are even farther. I am on day 12 or 13 of not smoking, and feel better for my ability to quit than I've felt in a long time.
Keep It Up,
Michelle

 

[sam101360]

WAY TO GO!!!!!!!

Stephanie

 

[mamascan]

Hello!
Just an update, 31 days quit! I have cheated a few times (a puff here & there) only to find I didn't care for the taste, or the sensation of smoking. Needless to say it helped to strengthen my resolve! My daughter is to be induced in two days, so my 1st grandson will be here by then at the latest! As my daughter, the baby and the baby's dad all live with us (for the next six months) I felt a smoke free environment was necessary.
Now my hubby is even talking about quitting! Hurray!
The only side effect I have had is a couple of really "spaced out dreams". I can live with that. Thanks for the support you guys have shown, it helps me more than I can say. This may sound crazy but here goes, at least quitting smoking is something I can control in my life, when I've had so little in that area for so long.

Michelle

 

[Katharine]

That's great Michelle!!

Well done to you. I hope that everything goes well for your daughter in two days time. I'm sure you'll suddenly find the house is very busy again

Katharine

 

[silverlady1]

Hi Michelle congratulations...:excited good luck it takes alot to get to where you are now , be proud of yourself and your achievements so far... save up the money and treat yourself to something really nice....you deseve it:eleph:

Ellen xx

 

[onetay]

Michelle,
That is wonderful and thanks for sharing the way you quit with us. Keep up the good work and remember we are here for you if you need us. I will be of no help to you as I have not got to the point of quitting yet. Good luck with the quitting.

 

[wheeliefab]

some stop smoking tips

Hi I also managed to stop smoking (been non smoker since last June after decades of being a moderate to heavy smoker)

The drug options were not deemed suitable for me but I used GP nurse help and nicotine patches- All I can say is yes you still need will power but the patches really do help

Some tips on stopping smoking

I'd recommend anyone who smokes to first ask yourself if you want to stop (if the answer to that is no then there's probably little chance of success! - keep reviewing if that is your answer over next few months - can you decide you would like to stop?)

If the answer is "yes I want to be a non smoker" then start preps and consider seeing what your doctor can do to help you (my surgery had a specialist stop smoking nurse/ could give me nicotine replacement therapy eg patches/inhaler)

I then did a month of really preparing with a set stop date in mind
I chose the 1st of month as an easy to remember stop date and this also gave me an easy to count "how many smoke free days" date.
(As it was the 1st it actually helped my first day stopping to stay stopped on that date and not go back on my plans / use a "put it off to another time" excuse )

I also tried to look at it from point of view of "beating an addiction" / "I can control nicotine" rather than in terms of "not smoking"/ "I'm stopping smoking" and I think this helped shift my mental blocks to success

The preparation I did also included several things eg a months worth of writing down exactly how much I was smoking, if I was enjoying those smokes (try scoring them out of 10 its amazing how much people smoke when only at 5-6/ 10 level rather than a 10/10 I'm desperate for a cig stage)

I also tried my best to cutting out all those "unconsciously lighting up" smokes/cigs and any that on reflection I was smoking out of habit/ was not really enjoying (eg when on phone, or driving, just because I was drinking alcohol/with other smokers etc.)

I also noted what exactly I was spending each day (wrote down every time I bought anything smoking related - cigs matches etc) and for the first month not smoking I spent the equivalent on treats for myself . every so often even now I try to treat myself for being in my "first year as an adult smoke free" (ideas for treats new lipstick, CD's books clothes holidays etc)

The nurse saw me about 10 days before my actual stop date and provided advise and help regarding getting patches and telling me about other support/helplines that may also help. I had patches on prescription (1st 2 weeks worth were free to anyone in UK and NHS has helpline and web resources)

Then on the stop day itself I just remained positive that I could beat the nicotine addiction and had a "just do it" attitude

I hope this gives some encouragement for any one who needs it

eg to Alwin -I'd say so you "slipped up" but congrats on how little you smoked over those few days. (proves you can stop - the 1st day is actually the hardest withdrawal wise but 1st week hardest re sticking to your resolve)

so Alwyn why not try use the "slip up" as extra motivation to try again and this time succeed in beating the addiction you can do it go on I challenge you to try again!