smoking

[washerboy]

Has any body given up smoking for the new year? I did...I've been a major bitch..try as I may my claws will not retract...LOL!!! I broke down last night and went to Wally world and bought some patches...I stuck one on before going to bed last night..seemed to help some. I quit smoking at age 28..then had a mid life crisis on my 35th birthday and picked them back up!!!! That was 9 1/2 years ago...I kick myself for ever going there. It has been nice the past couple of days...I can smell my fabric softner on my shirts rather than smoke. Any reformed smokers want to share how they quit?...I've also eaten myself stupid for the past 2 days. I went to east Tenn. for Christmas..missed the site and reading you alls postings; missed the POD as well. Hope everyone had a safe and joyous holiday season!!/mark

 

[peterh770]

Bandwidth

 

[hoover1060]

smoke free 1.5 years now here

I'd originally vowed to quit on my 40th birthday.
That didn't work so well...I was 41 when it finally happened.
I smoked my last cigarette June 7, 2005. I was sick as a dog with bronchitis, and every drag hurt my throat.
So I put them down "until I feel better"
When I finally felt better, two weeks had passed. So I decided to let two more weeks pass...now its over a year and a half!

Looking back I don't remember any serious withdrawl issues or being a major bitch. I was also pretty sick though. I do remember feeling "out of my body" a few times, but never really wanted to kill anyone(much)
You have a rough road, but if you can make the first week you have done something.
you have to be ready though, thats the key. It will not happen until you are either.
All the best for success!

Jeff

 

[lederstiefel1]

smoke free for 12 years

I stopped smoking over 12 years ago! The morning on my 33. birthday I exstinguished my last cigarette on the balcony at 4 in the morning after all guests had gone home. It was a Sunday and I didn't have coins for the cigrette-dispenser automat opposite the street...
So, I just decided to stop smoking!
And my mate did so in 2001!

Ralf

 

[drewz]

Right now, I choose not to have one!

After many attempts this is how I stopped in 1990. Yes, we have all done that thing where you throw every last pack, lighter and ash tray in the trash. Then run back to store as fast as the car will take you to restock.

This is the theory, you leave all that stuff around, you look at it every once in a while pick it up, and then say to yourself right now at this very moment I choose not to have one. Like your putting it off like you can always have one later, but again when your at that point say to yourself I'll have one later.

Now, you will eat a little more, but minutes turn into hours and hours turn into days, and you know I still have a pack from 1990 in my desk drawer and a lighter plus the ashtrays.

I refuse to part with these, I just look at them and just smile thinking that I have won, BUT there will always be memories of smoking that will never go away! After a good dinner, sex, and with an ice cold beer on a hot summer day.

These memories scare me and that's probably the reason I will not part with these things, I am silly I guess...

 

[DADoES]

One of the girlies at the office is trying to quit yet again. She did quit for 9 months when she was pregnant .. I dunno why she didn't stay quit at that time.

Funny, another girlie just passed through after having one in the back hallway. The 'quitter' says to her, "You reek!"

 

[oxydolfan1]

I don't believe I'll ever be able to quit but I give those of you who have had the determination and perserverance much respect.

 

[pushtorelease]

I'm with you Oxy - it takes a lot of determination, something I'm apparently lacking...

 

[vintagesearch]

congrats to the the quiters! and as for the ones who cant yet dont worry you'll get there dont put to much pressure on yourself! happy news year to everyone!

 

[washerboy]

thanks guys

Thanks for the words of encouragement. This seems to be the worst day so far. I cant sit still and I'm almost to the point of tears. I've already chewed a hole in my bottom lip. But I'm going to do this...I might have to shovel two big macs down my throat here when McDonalds starts serving lunch...LOL!!! Thanks guys!!! I appreciate ya'll/mark

 

[toggleswitch]

Keep up the good work.

Just remember too much of that stuff is bad for you!

 

[hoover1060]

This seems to be the worst day so far...

Not to be a downer, but there will be more...

Be strong, you will succeed. Maybe some lifesavers or something will help?

I still have my moments where I want one, most recent one was Christmas as I was leaving for the 2nd of 3 church services. I pulled my key out of the front door and stepped off the proch and was thinking "dammit I want a smoke!"
Thankfully it passed pretty quickly...
I still catch myself reaching in my coat pocket for that pack every now and again too...
Some things we never forget!

 

[jmirawm]

ARGGGGG!

Well I have made the decision today to go pick up a prescription my doctor gave me in October. Chantix - to quit smoking, pill by mouth. My drug plan does not cover it and it is $100 bucks for one month supply. <p> If anyone has tried this let me know how it went for them. <p> I can go from 5 am to 11:30 at work and never even think a thought about having a cigarette. When I get off work I smoke about a pack a day, maybe a little less. <p> Wish me luck ! <p> Good luck to you Washerboy! <p> Pushtorelease: I am hoping my determination is in a little white pill......I love my generation. sad ? take a pill. cant sleep? take a pill. Restless legs ? take a pill.

 

[toggleswitch]

Vitamin *V*

and just when you think "it's over" you can hop on the little blue pill.

 

[rolltideroll]

Washerboy~all I can say is to never give up no matter how many times you fall off the wagon. I'm not ashamed of it a bit, but being a recovering drug addict(clean 100%) for 10 years next month, from nasty drugs such as Xanax and Methamphetamine. Yuckkkk! But I have never been able to stop smoking cigarettes. I have never seen a drug as nicotine that has such a strong pull towards compulsion to use it and for it to be not-so-mood-altering as other substances, it is worse to stop cold turkey than some of the other extremely addictive controlled substances such as Valium, Xanax and Heroin. Just like the commercial for one of the patches that speaks about those damned pleasure receptors in your brain that scream for nicotine. All that's very true. Good luck and never let that wagon run over you. Keep trying till you get it right. We all have to have principles and values and my values don't allow me to let a chemical dictate to me when and how I live my life. I don't and never will concede to let nicotine dictate to me although I currently smoke. I am just waiting till I am ready to make a run at the smoke.

 

[pushtorelease]

mothers little helper....

Hey Tom, you'll have to let me know how that little pill works - if it helps with that weird "out of body" feeling, I might give it a try....

 

[jmirawm]

Will do John

I start tomorrow. One pill a day for 3 days. Then 2 pills a day for 4 days......Quit day is in 7 days. I can smoke the first week.....HOW WONDERFUL! <p> Then there are 3 more weekly packets in the kit. I do not know how many pills for each of those days. have not opened those packets yet. <p> They have a whole website set up for this. you get your own personal web page. Keep track of your progress etc. Even a 1-800 number to call in weak times. We shall see how all of this goes. Tom

 

[Maytagmom]

Sorry for wasting Bandwith

With cartons of cigarettes going up $10 on January 1st here in Texas, I have noticed alot less smokers at work outside.
(Or they just hate the cold-or they are still on vacation)

Our 2 designated smoking areas outside are usually full in 4 hours. What is really sad, is seeing the homeless who frequently stroll by and stop at the huge ashtray, and pick through, collecting used butts, straightening the bent ones out, sticking others in their packs, and lighting them right up....ICK!

I got into a discussion today about smoking with our security guard and another coworker, who told me, it's easy to quit. (while he was puffing away)

BS! It isn't easy, but cutting back is a huge accomplishment for me. Keep us informed on how the pills work for you Tom.

Bet of luck!

C~

 

[pturo]

Pretty much the secret of life is that we die trying...so don't give up trying. For me it was a move-no smoking in the new house and this new house indexes my non-smokingness in history(that and the patch) It's been 7 years. Also, I got a dog and joined Applianceville and tinker in my basement. I think that adding something different in your life helps to manifest your change to yourself and others, something visabally nice that comes out of your decision. Does that make sense? The physical addiction is over with the patch in about a few weeks. The psycological "friend" that cigarettes are/were never goes away. After all, they never judged you and you didn't have to share them with anyone, and it was fun to have a badboy friend. You need to find new psycological "friends". Then you'll be fine.

 

[spbegri]

Well said Phil..."For me it was a move-no smoking in the new house and this new house indexes my non-smokingness in history(that and the patch"). Me too...it has been almost a year for me.

Good luck to all!

Stan (lurking around here for some time now and just singed up to make this post))

 

[pushtorelease]

ALL the little steps to cut back help, maytagmom. My only new years resolution (well, besides finally giving in and dating George Clooney) was to quit smoking at the computer. So now I make myself go down 2 flights of stairs to have a smoke - actually amazing how quick I've got used to it.

 

[washerboy]

Thanks

Hey..well I've made it 8 days!!!! had a few tuff spots over the weekend but I went to Dallas and that was a diversion for me.Just came back from the dentist..got my teeth cleaned...nothing like getting your mouth scrubed!!!! The dentist said getting rid of the residue on my teeth would help the cravings. Thanks again for all the post of encouragment. The patches are working and I'm chewing gum and drinking a lot of diet coke. I had some friends over Sunday night for dinner..one of my friends went on the back porch to smoke (no smoking in my house..even for me when I smoked)..when he came back in he about knocked me over...I never realized I smelt that smokey. Thanks again..you all are the best!!!/mark

 

[hoover1060]

YAY!!!

you are doing very well!

Here's something to think about that may help motivate you more:

I used to buy cigarettes and gas at the same time, and charge all of it on my BP oil card.
I'd pay the bill off every month.
Before I quit smoking, that bill was $275-300 every month.
I drive a 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. Not exactly a gas sipper, but not a hog either.
The first month off Cigarettes, my BP balance was $65!
Thats how much money you're gonna save by NOT SMOKING!

 

[jmirawm]

Congrats Mark !!!

That is good news. Keep up the good work....one day at a time. My quit day is Thursday. I think the pills are quelling my cravings.....not smoked as much in the past few days.

 

[washerboy]

jmirawm

j:
keep the faith!!! I'm the biggest "P" in the world!!! if I can make it this far it will be a breeze for you. I hate to admitt this but last night when I got in bed I noticed I could breath easier and I did'nt make that weezing sound when I laid down. Seems like the worst time for me is in the mornings..that was my thing...up at 5:30 smoke and drink coffee until 6:30..I've stopped drinking coffee until I get to the office...coffee in the morning is just not the same without my Marlbors!!!!I really have'nt been ill tempered since last week...I just feel like being quite and staying busy. Hang tight!!! Keep us posted on how the pills work.m

 

[jmirawm]

My first cig of the day

is usually at 4:30am, on my way to work. 2 at lunch, and then from 2:30pm (when I get off work) until 9pm - 15-17 cigs. <p> I did without the 1st one today, and not having the two at lunch today. I am up to two pills a day on the Chantix. Quit day is Thursday. I may just not buy another pack after this one is empty. <p> Hey over there in Little Rock! I am so observant I just noticed. I get over that way occassionally. Have a cousin that lives there.....She is family in more ways than one. Her and her partner have been together 20 years.

 

[hoover1060]

memories...

I normally wake up about 5:30am, get dressed, make the bed, put the coffee on, and then Jack goes out for a pee...
Use to be I had the cigarette in my mouth before I even had the leash on Jack. We'd stay out long enough for me to finish that cigarette, and it didn't matter how cold it was either!

Washerboy I am very happy for you, it sounds like you're doing just fine and will make it. Keep focused on the positive stuff and soon enough you'll be one of us reformed smokers!

 

[maytagbear]

And--for what it's worth...

I am very proud of and happy for you quitters and those of you working towards quitting.

Here's another reason...I prefer to kiss non-smokers.
and by kiss.......

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[chachp]

Smoke free for about 10 years now!

Mine was when I was moving from one Condo to another. I took a picture off the wall and was shocked to see the wall.

It helped that I was in new surroundings so I wasn't fighting old habits as well. New place = new habits. That helped. I bought the patches and used them for a week. One day I came home from work and realized that the patch had fallen off sometime during the day and I seemed to get by without it. I didn't buy anymore. I have not had a cigarette since. I haven't had a craving in as long as I can remember.

My advice is don't bother unless you REALLY want to quit. If you are doing it for someone else you might as well not bother. The other piece of advice is avoid the triggers for a while. My trigger was wine. It just seemed to go hand in hand with a smoke so I quit drinking wine for a while and that really helped. Actually, I never went back to drinking either. I didn't plan for that to happen but it did.