Due to health reasons and the rising cost of cigarettes, I have made the decision to quit smoking totally. I have tapered off quite a bit but need to be done with it once and for all.

I tried Chantix but broke out in a terrible rash so meds are not a good alternative for me. What I am wondering about is if anyone has had success with the gum or patches. They are both quite pricey but I am willing to give them a shot. Is one better than the other? Is neither a good route to take to quit? I am stronger than these stupid cigarettes. I can do this.

I would appreciate any advice any of you might have for me. I am very lost and really could use some advice.

It's over 25 years since I quit but I remember the first week and how difficult it was. I found that I had to change my routine. For example I always had a cigarette right after my meal so I had to get up from the table right away and go for a walk. I tried to replace each cigarette with something healthy. I didn't go to the Dr. so I didn't use any patches or gum. I ate a lot of carrots and kept my hands busy with a sewing project.
Evenings were the worst for me so for the first couple of weeks I went to bed REALLY early. I also avoided friends who smoked for a few weeks.
I hope you can do it. It's hard but you will be glad when you can finally say that you are finished with the smoking. I saved up the money I would have spent in the first month and put it towards a holiday.
I watched my Dad die from lung cancer and dementia caused by a heart attack and it wasn't a nice way to go. I have two sons who smoke and it just kills me to see them follow in their grandpa's footsteps.
I wish you strength in this endeavor.
northernlights

Way to go Snick. Now you can sit at the grown ups table.

I never smoked so I have no idea what it's like to try to stop. Bill was a big smoker. He gave it up for Lent in '68 and never started again. He had good will power because he left a pack of cigs on top of the fridge for what seemed like forever. His hardest time was after eating because he always had to have a cigerette after eating.

He did say it was easier because I didn't smoke, but it was all his decision. You can do it too, Snick, if you really really want.

Good Luck

My son quit two or three years ago, he had success with Nicorette Gum. It is pricey but he thought it was good, easier than going cold turkey, which he tried first.

I have never been a smoker. However, my experience with my residents at work indicates that the patch is a good system. Also having a support system helps, even if it seems kind of hokey.

Don't think of the patch as expensive. You'll end up being resentful about buying them and will probably not give them much of a shot. Remember, cigarettes are expensive too! So really what you are doing is just repurposing your money from cigarettes to patches. Thing is, you'll eventually be off the patches. Then you'll have to reward yourself with the extra cash.

Good luck to you.

I wish I could tell you how to quit but I'm right there with you. It's a hard addiction!!

Gosh, when you find the secret, let me know!!

When I have tried to quit smoking in the past, I could never go cold turkey. I used to time the cigarettes. I'd start out with one every hour, then the next day one every hour an a half and so on.

Another trick someone told me is to throw out one cigarette each day from your pack. So you'd start out with 20, and depending how many you smoked that day, the next day you'd throw out another one. I guess its like a weaning off process like the above. If you happen to smoke the whole pack that day, then the next day you throw out two cigarettes and so on.

I know people that were very heavy smokers, husband and wife. They have been smoke free for two years now. They had that new laser thing done on them. I think its done on the ear. My daughter also had it done and has been off for a year now. But then I know people it didn't do a thing for. It around $250 but for as many visits as it takes for you to quit. My daughters insurance paid for the treatment. I don't know about other insurances though.

So good luck my friend. Hopefully one day they will be an easier way for us to kick that habit. It's a terrible additiction.

Jackie

Startling what the new cigarette tax looks like at the store, huh? When I saw the posted price at over $6/pack last week, I also decided to quit. Have a date of May 1, with weaning down in April. I intend to EMBRACE the urge, and will exercise instead (mostly dog-walking) so I can quit AND both of us can get thinner. I'm allergic to the patches, and the gum/inhalers/lozenges all cause nausea. I considered the E-cigarette, but decided to just cold turkey it. I've lately realized I'm avoiding situations where I can't smoke: going out to dinner, movies, riding in others' vehicles, etc. Smoking has become a primary need in my life, and I'm stronger than that. Have spent a lot of time analyzing life without them, and realize that instead of substituting something for that smoke, I want to just be free of them, leaving opportunity for a whole new lifestyle. I can't even picture it a little bit, because my whole life includes cigarettes now. Anyway, I'm going to do it, and for the first time, am not dreading the process. I have a schedule to "prepare" for it, from: clean walls/blinds/carpets/upholstery, detail the truck, do all the laundry/dry cleaning, to a "breaking ashtrays ceremony" and appointment for teeth cleaning. Haven't told anyone but you all, as I don't want to field questions or skepticism. The victory will be MINE! But alcohol may be involved...

I think northernlights and Barbilou have exactly the right idea. You can't remove something powerful from your life without replacing it with something else. Replacing cigarettes with something positive like a walk or house cleaning or social calls or anything else will be a lot more effective than simply sitting there thinking "don't smoke, don't smoke, don't smoke..."

I've flirted with smoking over the years but any time I wanted one too much I wouldn't let myself. As a result I've never had an addiction and sometimes go 6 months without a smoke. That approach is probably only valid on the front end though, and not as useful after an addiction has been established. Once an addict always an addict, as they say in AA.

Ahhhh...this topic. I have an assignment from my doctor to quit smoking. I have a box of Nicoderm patches on the table that I was supposed to start Saturday. I couldn't even open the box. Still smoking.

Thanks for all the encouragement:)

I am still tapering and have made one pack last for 2 days now going into the third. That's actually excellent for me.

I do agree that I need to find a healthy alternative in place of smoking. Quitting means making changes in lifestyle. I have a good attitude about quitting and don't feel forced or belligerent about it. I am going to try to just give it up without a huge production and move through the process of detoxifying my body.

I have found myself in the hands of addiction before, many years ago, and without getting into detail, I made it through. It was tough but I did it. I can do this too.

Hi, you have done the hardest part!! You have said that you are stronger than the cigarettes!!!! That is a BIG start. I quit about 7 years ago. It was about the easiest thing I have ever done. Course it took me getting so sick that I could not breathe, but hey, whatever works!!!! I am in the house with 2 sometimes 3 smokers and never want one. The time that I want one most was when driving a long ways. But now that doesn't even bother me. But just your wanting to and your determination is gonna be the thing that helps you most. Maybe try chewing on a mint flavored toothpick after meals would help?? Good, good luck. Keep the strength!!!

I've heard that taking Lobelia, an herb, helps one quit. It makes the taste of cigarettes bad and is also a powerful relaxant, hmmm, sounds like one would need it.

Hope something works, way to go Chris, you can do it, you can do it, you can do it,

~Kelly~

Snick, check out aerosinfo.com. They are a bit expensive but not when compared to the cost of cigarettes. I am using them and haven't had a smoke in 2 days now.

By the way, lots of prayer helps too.

Hi Snick! I tried and failed many times, but now haven't smoked in, I can't remember how long, maybe 15 years? I kind of used the twelve step process, because it has worked for me before. NEVER tell yourself you are quitting FOREVER, just for today, or this hour, or this moment. Or, I would use a phrase "This (insert thing, or situation) is not IMPORTANT enough, to make me smoke today!"

Be careful of Holidays, and Anniversaries (once you have really quit) also elation, joy, celebration. I also found the 4th day, a killer, and then the first month, and the first six months, and then they say be aware of the first year, and don't treat yourself! I could never even take a 'puff' or I was well on my way to that first Pack, again. My uderstanding is, that the cravings do not stop, until you get it out of ever cell in your body. This makes sense, because when I was 'trying' to quit, it smelled so feakin' good, but now that is been years, I cant stand the smell of cigeratte smoke, I am actually repulsed by it. Then you know, you are over the hump!

I also have some VHR's and cassette tapes, I used to listen to in my car. If you'd like them, I will comb my house for them!

And congrats Lori, I know this is hard for you as well, but will be the very best thing, you ever did for your body, if you succeed!