I will be quitting smoking as of tomorrow!

[meow2u3]

I know this won't be easy, but given that I have asthma and have been getting attacks, I have no choice but to give up cigarettes. Besides, the only reason I smoke is to keep me from feeling down....

Support? Just feel free to e-mail, PM, or post.

Thank you, DUers. :-)

[GOPisEvil]

1. Congratulations!

Think about how much further you'll be able to ride that bike! :hi:

[Kamika]

2. heh

I hope for the best.. i can't understand why you still smoke if you got asthma :)

Sounds like its something you HAVE to do right?

[BigBigBear]

3. Good luck

I'm about 75 days in, myself.

Quit after 30 years. Let me know if you need any tips - I'm hardly an expert, but this current attempt seems to be taking.

[MissMillie]

4. QuitNet

www.quitnet.com


You'll find plenty of info on quitting, withdrawal, NRT, etc.

And you'll find a bunch of people in the same boat and always willing to give you a pat on the back or a kick in the a$$, depending on what you tell them you need.

Good luck. I've been smoke free for 5 1/2 years (as of today!) and I never regret my decision to quit.

[ChompySnack]

5. I understand getting prepared and savoring the last day an all...

I'm not a smoker but I have had addictions in the past (as have we all). In my opinion you should be of the mind that you have already smoked your last. No nostalgia, no last hurrah, just don't fire up another today, tomorrow or ever again.

Just my 2 cents.

In any case, good luck.

[ccvirgo911]

6. I will be quitting tomorrow too!

What a coincidence-I made a solemn promise to my 13-year old that I would quit smoking this year on my birthday; well, tomorrow's it. I am going today to get some patches, gum, dum-dums(suckers). I am determined to do it this time. I have quit three times in the past, but it never took. I'm gonna need all the support I can get, but after 23 years of smoking on and off, and now waking up in the morning with shortness of breath, I really need to do this. If you need support, please let me know, as I will be begging everyone I know in a few days to reassure me that I can do it.

[meow2u3]

I can't afford patches or nicotine gum

so I decided to quit by the school of hard knocks--cold turkey--with a little help from my nonsmoking friends, who will be on my ass every step of the way :)

[catpower2000]

11. No, no, no, no, no!

No sir or ma'am! No. You are setting yourself up to fail that way.

Patches at Target, the generic Target brand, are $30 for a 2-week supply. That's cheaper than cigarettes.

Do not do that to yourself. You need help, it's not a bad thing. Be realistic.

Cat

[meow2u3]

21. I quit today!!!

My doctor prescribed me the generic version of Wellbutrin (also great to lift depressed moods) as a triple-purpose medication: to ease nicotine cravings; to lift my mood to normal; and to help me concentrate.


Day One: a success :)

[bowens43]

12. I quit cold turkey about 3 weeks ago

The first couple of days were pretty difficult but after that it got easier. The cravings only last about 3 or 4 minutes , so take it one craving at a time. Now I only have cravings if I'm really stressed.

[meow2u3]

9. I can't afford patches or nicotine gum

so I decided to quit by the school of hard knocks--cold turkey--with a little help from my nonsmoking friends, who will be on my ass every step of the way :)

[LynneSin]

15. Fed - check your DU Box

Actually, if reply back with an address, I'm going to send you some patches for your first 2 weeks. I just need to know how many you smoke per day so I know what the best level is.

[Liberal Veteran]

18. What a great thing you just did.....

I applaud you.

I quit a 20 year habit 21 months ago and I had to do the patch AND Zyban at the same time before I finally quit.

I had one 3 month refill for my zyban (actually it Wellbutrin SR, same thing in a different package, but insurance covered one, but not the other) that someone I knew had a script for and couldn't afford to have filled so I filled mine for 20 bucks and gave it to her.

[Creamed Corn]

7. Tomorrow never comes.

You'd have better luck quitting today.

[catpower2000]

8. Hi there! Day 20 here, so I can definitely support you in the same boat!

Use the patch and just. don't. smoke. That's all there is to it. It doesn't matter if it's pretty or ugly, if you're cranky or not cranky, if you feel terrible or wonderful or switch back and forth every 5 seconds. Just. Don't. Smoke.

Feel totally free to PM me if you want support, advice, or just a friendly word. I'm here.

Cat

[rock]

10. I recommend the patch

I don't recommned 'cold turkey'. What's your plan?

[gratuitous]

13. Use every trick you can think of

Don't feel you're weak if you have a smoke. Don't beat yourself up for having cravings. You're fighting an addiction to nicotine, a very addictive substance. And the tobacco companies have invested billions of dollars in research and advertising to get you hooked -- aren't you special?

Yes, you are special. Too special to continue to be the patsy of those death-mongering greedheads. Chew the gum. Wear a patch. Keep a supply of carrot sticks handy. Put a rubber band around your wrist and snap it whenever you want a smoke. Break out of the habits and the occasions where you wanted a cigarette. Write out little self-affirmations on sticky notes. Do everything you can, because this addiction is so pernicious. It doesn't fight fair, and neither should you.

Hang in there, fed2dneck (and everyone else who's quitting and facing some tests). The reward is worth it: Your life is again your own!

[Aristus]

14. Best of luck to you, fed2dneck!

I'm a second generation non-smoker who watched my grandparents die painful, slow deaths from lung cancer and emphysema. Thank God you are quitting. Stick with it, and remember, all of us at DU are pulling for you.

[liberalmuse]

16. I quit 5 years ago...

and have never regretted it since. I could go from 1-3 packs a day at times, and loved smoking because it was my meditation time. I can breathe a lot better now, I'm setting a good example for my teenager, I don't smell like an ashtray, and I look good for my age. I gained a bit of weight afterwards (10-15 pounds), but it all dropped off within a year and a half. once the metabolism adjusted. It got so I was out of breath walking across the room. Unfortunately, my smoker friends are still trying to hack up parts of their lungs, and it's painful to watch. You won't regret quitting. I can't imagine ever going back because I feel so good now, and can enjoy doing things without that constant pange in the back of my mind worrying about my cigarettes running out, or when I'm going to have the next opportunity to smoke. It was a form of slavery.

[MaineDem]

17. Good luck

It's going to be tough but you can do it.

Just take it a day, an hour, 5 minutes at a time! It does get easier and you have tons of support here!

I did it about 30 years ago. Cold turkey. Trust me when I say if I can do it anyone can!

Very best luck to you!!! Let us know how you're doing. :)

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

19. Why not make it today instead?

One last nicotine jag?

Seriously, if you need to quit, just stub it out now and walk away. No need to delay by 24 hours. DO IT NOW.

(Yes, I did it just that way. After 10 years at a pack a day. I left it behind over 25 years ago.)

[denverbill]

20. Website to check out.

www.quitnet.com

I think it helps to surround yourself with people who really understand what you are going through.

I'm 4 months off the weed myself. Best of luck to you!

Not One Puff Ever!

[Blue-Jay]

22. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

I should quit smoking myself, but I just don't want to. I want to give quitting a try soon, though. I'd ask for advice, but I'm not quite ready yet.

[Skittles]

23. I QUIT AFTER 30 YEARS

and it wasn't that bad. You can do it! I used the patch for less than two weeks!

OCT 25, 2001