Quitting Smoking

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Last night was bad, the cravings was nearly unbearable. I am in the process of completely reevaluating what I do and when I carry out a task/chore etc. Didn't really realize just how much my whole life revolved around even just one cigarette. You complete a chore and you want to light up, you face a stressful situation and you want to light up, you eat and you want to light up. Right now I'm existing in a void or a vacuum,
Bosch2460 said "the void of smoking" and the term sticks in my mind.
This morning was not too easy either, I read and reread all of these posts over and over again AND IT HELPED. I am not alone,
everyone here knows what I'm going through I think, But today was just alittle easier than yesterday...but not by much. I smoked alot out of boredom too. I've smoked a pack a day for 20 years. Don't understand how I got myself in this situation, never wanted to be like my Dad in this respect.
Darrel, thank-you for the insight about not worrying with weight gain. I'm concerned that I'll replace food for cigarettes. And yes, I drink lots of water.
And I've thought of Pete from Calgary, who started back up.
This is hell and I can't imagine going through it again.
Jeff who is smoke free for 6 months, will I ever get there?

You know what guys, I have to secretly confess and admit something here. Yes, I want to get off of the medications and take a real deep breath, to feel good and HAVE ENERGY again.
And not to have to rely on that little blue pill for extra curricular activites (at $10.00 a pill!).....there I said it.
That provides some motivation too, but not alone enough to quit by itself. I still need the support here.

Well I've rambled on enough for now. Have got to get my car cleaned inside really well. I'll spray some of that fabric
deodorizer on my seats until I can get it in for reupholstering next month. It's like getting in an ashtry everytime I go somewhere. Also am watching my diet more carefully, maybe I need to start taking antioxidants too.

Will check in later. THANK-YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. YOU'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

Barry
 
Barry

I know what you mean about your car. I had to get rid of mine,had the interior shampooed but the smell was in the air conditioning system and could not get rid of it. It truly was a mobile ash tray!Even with the windows down my clothes still picked up the smell. I couldn't stand it. All the Febreeze in the world couldn't help that car!

I can see you realize how addictive those cigarettes were------------get really angry------that will re-enforce your decision to stop. When I thought of all the money I spent over the years, and all the health related side effects, oh I am just furious at the tobacco industry for their propaganda campaign when I was growing up---as well as myself for falling for it! They didn't twist my arm. No it was sneaky and steady temptation to be cool, sophisticated, part of the in crowd. Damn those SOB's!

It will take a while maybe even a month or so, but your lungs will begin to clear out. You will notice how much easier it is to breath-----and oh yeah, that coughing will gradually stop----can you imagine after all those years! The sinus areas will calm down from all the irritation and hopefully you will begin to fully taste again! I stopped having all that serious reaction to pollen each fall and spring-----now just a minor problem.

Like I said, you have everything to look forward to WITHOUT smoking-----so DON'T LOOK BACK! That is the habit you MUST really change! Force yourself to forget about smoking-----and you will-----just pretend you never smoked in your life----and forget about it! And you will!

Best wishes,
Steve
 
mrsalvo-- The psychological aspects of smoking are what making quitting so difficult. Even though the chemicals in cigarettes are 'speedy' in nature, we tend to think of the act of smoking as being calming. This is an illusion.

Besides hitting myself about the head with a 2 by 4 (which, by the way, gets your mind off the cigs REAL fast), every time I wanted a cigarette, I would say, out loud, "I'm not a smoker! Why would I want a cigarette?" After awhile, I became more and more convinced that I wasn't a smoker.

And believe me, once the worst of the cravings pass, you'll wonder why on earth you ever smoked to begin with. I quit about 6 years ago, and I can't imagine why I ever did that to my body. Remember that smoking is a only a habit. It wants you to think it controls you, but it doesn't.

Good luck, we're all rooting for you!! Maybe a nice hobby would help. Have you ever considered bank robbery, LOL?
 
I was at the gym last night, when the smell of cigarette smoke was overpowering. This seemed very odd to me in that I was passing the showers where there was little or no clothing to absorb that smell.

IT WAS APPARENTLY ON SOMEONE's (BARE)PERSON.

YOU WILL QUIT THIS HABIT, YOU WILL! YOU WILL! IT IS TOO GROSS NOT TOO.
 
I have never smoked, but...

my dear Mother was a heavy smoker for all her adult life, starting in college in the 40s.

I hated the way our house, cars, clothes smelled.

When I would remove the cover to the doorbell to wash the cover, and see the nicotine on the surrounding wallpaper, it made me sick.

And yes, my sister and I had many colds and upper respiratory issues. My nieces, who grew up in a non-smoking household had far healthier childhoods.

(I am usually pretty tolerant, but when I see children in a closed car with one or more smokers, I want to call Children's Services. I wish I was kidding when I say that. I really consider smoking around children to be a form of child abuse. I am far from happy about being so judgemental.)

My sister and I had pleaded and begged for her to stop,(anti-smoking indoctrination at school) until we were teenagers, and then we realized that she was hooked, and that if she stopped, it would be when she stopped.

Other people in her life begged her to quit, I remember one time when my Aunt Milly was on Mom's case, and I was there. I laid it out, gently, yet firmly for Aunt Milly (her brother's wife). I said that I would be delighted if Ma quit (this was in 1993), but that it would have to be on her time. That seemed to shut up Aunt Milly.

Mother did have health complications, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diminished lung capacity....could increase the list, but why?

She did stop, late in her life. In summer 1995, she had a major surgery, and had post-surgical complications that kept her in the hospital for nearly a month, sometimes barely conscious. The remainder of her life was smoke free (1922-2001).

The carpets, upholstery, and everything else stayed much cleaner, and we were (eventually) happier.

Oh, at times she would say that she wanted a cigarette, but I (gently, humourously) would say that I would break her arm!

Lawrence/Maytagbear

PS- I ain't no plaster saint. January 31 will be 25 years without a drink.
 
You can do it

Quitting is not easy. Not by a long shot. I had help when I quit, namely a whopping case of pneumonia.
I highly recommend it in a way.
I can say though that once the pneumonia was gone the withdrawl was still there.
There were times it was so bad I felt like I was out of my body.
So I busied myself with soemthing, restoring a vacuum, washing the car, whatever until the craving passed.
You've come a great distance already, you have some more uphill to go, but if you can make that first week withoug smoking, you'll be able to go the rest of the way.
I'm pulling for you!
 
Hello Everyone,
Jackson (Jaxsunst) you have two weeks on me, how is the intensity of the cravings? Are you doing ok? Someone told me that about the second week or so the cravings get real bad and again in about 6 months from quitting. I've tried the patches, pills, hyposis, just about everything and it all failed in the past.....hence the cold turkey method.
Eugene, you brought up a very valid point about the psychological aspect. I wonder now if I've used cigarettes in the past in order to really mask other areas in my life, you know like not really wanting to deal or face something. You have a wonderful sense of humor, did you really hit your head with a 2 x 4? Come now.
Louis (Foraloysius), favorite after dinner activity is sleeping. I've slept alot since quitting, and I will probably continue to do so for the rest of this week. It just helps me to cope, after all...if I'm asleep, I'm not craving it.
Lawrence (Maytagbear), Yes, I do pity the children that has to grow up in a household as I did, it's not good. Like your mother, my father still smokes like a chimney.
And lastly, Steve (gyrafoam) how can I not think about it (for now)???? When the cravings hit I just shut down mentally, I just stop until it passes.
Maybe I could save up enough money to buy a new TOL Miele front loader with money I'm not spending on cigarettes!!!

Ok, tonight and the next two days are going to be critical. I have a date later this evening (a smoker). I will be off of work Wed. and Thurs. and taking care of my Dad (another smoker). I plan on cleaning the h$%l out of my car tomorrow, as well as replacing the air filter. I'll get an estimate on new upholstery on my seats also. The car is so very important as I have a 35 minute commute one way to work everyday.
As for the rest of my evening, I'm going to workout on the treadmill till I drop, hit the wet sauna, then the dry sauna......SWEAT IT OUT. I'm hoping this will cut the sever headaches that I've experienced a couple of times.
Oh yes, do any of you think that eating carbs makes the cravings worse? Or maybe not even matter? Diet. Your thoughts.

I think everyone is different to an extent, but the cravings and the addiction is there for everyone. I don't and didn't want to sound like a little whinney cry baby, that's just not me. Cigarettes have ahold on me, its just so very hard. So I'll take it back to square one....just going to see what happens. I'll be back with an update in a couple of days.
 
Please Check Out The SmokeNoMore Group

All the people in that group are going thru the same things you are. You can share in the group. My neighbor couldn't speak enough good things about this group. And remember, it's free!
 
mrsalvo-- Just as there is really nothing to fear in a dark, empty room and just as there really is no boogyman under the bed, we fear the anxiety of not being able to smoke. When your brain starts racing and it has you convinced you need to smoke, just stop for a minute, realize it's only a conditioned thought pattern and laugh it off for the silly non-entity that it is. There is no actual physical entity involved, only electrical impulses in your brain. YOU ARE IN CONTROL, even though your anxiety-driven feelings would have you think otherwise.

And bring your 2 by 4 on the date tonight. He'll be very impressed, LOL!
 
Noooooo, don't go on that date! I know you can't avoid your father, but I think you need to make a tremendous effort to stay away from smoking situations.
 
Mr Salvo,

I smoked a pack a day. It actually gets better after the first week. One thing that helped me was I did it while off work for two weeks (had to burn some vacation). I am three days into the third week, and my second day back at work. It is kinda tough. The gum helps with the gumpy mood, and headache, but I really need to find something to do with my hands when I'm idle. That is when I miss it.

Hope this helps.
 
Jeff and I both smoke. Not in the vehicles, not in the house. We like out habit and enjoy a cig. Please, I wish you all the best in quitting, cause it aint the healthiest thing to do.

I aint quitting.

Steve
 
I love smoking, but the gastro doc says that I may be able to go off some meds I take if I quit. So, I quit.
 
When I was at the doctor a couple of weeks ago for a sinus problem (HELLO!!!) I asked her about quitting smoking and what her recommendations were. She believes it's a 'two-prong' approach. She said to get the niccotine replacement aid of my choice (patch, gum, cupcakes - I wish!) and then when I've chosen a stop-date to call her two weeks before that date and she'd write a script for Welbutrin to help take the anxiety down a notch. She said most stay on the drug for 3 months but it can be continued longer if needed.

This thread is very inspiring, thanks for starting it. Best of luck to those quitting and those who desire to quit.
 
Yay, Greg! As an ex-smoker, all I can say is this: Once you're past the worst of the cravings, you'll wonder why you EVER, EVER smoked to begin with. And the Wellbutrin's probably a good idea. See my 2 by 4 advice in an above post.
 
RJ just got back from a birthday party for some relative or other. I'm sitting here at the computer, he walks up behind me, and reeks of smoke. eewwwwww. I shooed him away, said go stand in the yard, I'll spray ya down with a hose.
 
I would not say that.

It's a learning thing. You have to learn what are your vulnerabilities in order to avoid them.

I have a piece of 4x4 in the garage, I'll send it right over. ;-)
 
A True Story:
Glen, I think you will appreciate this as we are in the same business.
Ok, well at 11:59 this evening I out standing outside the front doors of my theatre getting ready to call it a night
smoking my last cigarette in the company of an usher, security
guard, and one my assistants. Just as I was about to take the final drag we hear a huge crash in the lobby, 3 punk kids of about 12-13 years old runs out of the theatre. My usher runs in and checks the poster cases and there is glass everywhere, all over the floor, on the rails, everywhere...and blood too.
The cop runs after them as they are getting into their car, he stops them and asks to see their hands. Well, lo and behold, one is a bloody mess. I am quickly roping off the area as I had other shows getting out, so that other passerbys don't cut themselves....those who are wearing sandals. The cop comes in with the punk, all dressed in red (Hmmmm!) and asks, "Well, Barry what do you want to do?" "We can start with spade and neutering. After that lets prosecute to the fullest extent of the law and he is never welcomed back EVER." So the cop calls it in to the station and half of the police force shows up at my theatre...with EMS to attend the punk who is bleeding all over my lobby. The cop says to the kid, "Stand in one place you're getting it all over everwhere." I am secretely hoping they will amputate his hand at this point. EMS, lights blaring and all, & juvenile detention officers are now on hand too. The only thing missing at this point is the fire department. My asst. and I are trying to get the rest of the broken glass out of the smashed poster case and what didn't end up on the floor comes crashing down on my assistant, luckily he was not harmed. So they take the punk into the restroom to clean him up, I don't even want to walk there thinking half of the restroom is now red. Juvenile officer then informs me of all the procedures to follow, "ok but can you spade and neuter all of them too." Tomorrow I have to get the glass company out to replace. Oh yeah, we also stopped a car jacking in the parking lot earlier this evening. A tow truck was highly suspected!!
A tow truck!!
I never got a chance to take a final drag off my cigarette...but that's ok. And on this note, I quit.
Have the patches now so that should help. I'll definitely remember my last smoke.
 
mrsalvo-- You post a most dramatic and interesting story and all I can think is "Wow, can you imagine being able to wear sandals in January?"

Best of luck with "The Quitting: Part Two" (now there's a movie poster for you!)
 
Oh, sandals are no big deal. We have a well-known fellow in town, farmer, father, wife is a businesswoman. He's often seen around town barefoot. I ran across him several years ago at the county services office fetching his car license or paying taxes or some such. Cold, raining. Barefoot.

Neutering is TOO GOOD for 'em! Let 'em bleed to death hiding back of the building. Ha!

Nothing quite that dramatic has happened here .... yet. The most memorable event was a tornado passing down the road in front, with IDIOT customers trying to get out to their cars while pieces of the greenhouses at the nursery next door were blowing past, and me trying to keep them inside. There have been a couple customers faint. An elderly woman stumbled with her walking cane, had a minor bump on the head. A really mentally deranged fellow from a nearby town has been coming here for YEARS (claims he is banned from theaters in Victoria). He's epileptic, not uncommon that he runs to the restroom when a spell comes on. Several times customers have come out frantic, there's a man having a heart attack in the mens' room! Uhhhh, no, that's just Roy Dale. He seems to like fire but never has done any damage. Claims he has injected himself with diesel, among other things. There have been some vehicle burglaries and vandalism. I think I've mentioned previously that over the years my cars have been shot, dented, peed on, tire slashed, and in one case the front, rear, both passenger-side windows and the radio smashed (the perps couldn't get the radio out so they smashed it). All in a day's work.
 

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