Who here has QUIT smoking?

**3-boys-4-me** · 08-15-2007, 09:27 AM

If you've quit smoking I would appreciate any tips/suggestions/ideas you could share with me to keep me on the right path.
My last cigarette was last night. I woke this morning and I literally felt like I couldn't breath. I was coughing and couldn't catch my breath. I was really scared. I have to quit. I feel fine now, very little withdrawl so far but my head feels cloudy and I feel the urge to do something with my hands. I have been cleaning to keep myself busy.
Thanks for any help you can offer.

**quiltingmommy** · 08-15-2007, 09:33 AM

Hang in there! The first few days are the WORST!! Keep yourself busy and don't be surprised if you are a little emotional for a few days. The coughing is just your lungs getting used to clean, clean air. You'll notice in a week or so that your breathing is better and your sense of smell is improving...okay, maybe with 3 boys that may not be an improvement!

**brenda67** · 08-15-2007, 09:56 AM

First of all congratulations on taking the first step..

I just quit 5 months ago

it was the biggest hurdle I've ever jumped..I had to do change my whole routine around like not sitting in front of the computer for to long because thats when I would really crave a ciggarette..I couldn't drink coffee for a couple of months..I walked alot..cooked alot..slept alot! My stepmother played with playdough to keep her hands busy she was a 3 pack a day smoker..I didn't do this and I should of.. go see your Dr to get on a anti-depressant pill (You might not need to do this..but just in case)it will help relieve your cravings along with the depression you might experience..Another thing is the taste of food is unbelievable..smoking covers up your taste and your smell.. I did gain 15lbs...however the weight you can lose.. Your life is worth more than a few pounds gained.. This is how I looked at it "I'm saving my own life" .... And you will be around to see your children growup..I hope this helped answer some of your questions?? Feel free to pm if you like..Good Luck Honey!!!!

**accountantbyday** · 08-15-2007, 09:59 AM

I have some Commit lozenges, almost a whole box (I think 1 or 2 are missing). I'll send them to you for shipping, if you'd like. Just PM me.

I quit in October and didn't need them the way I thought I would.

**Neeley** · 08-15-2007, 10:07 AM

I quit 3 1/2 years ago. It was not a planned thing or even something I had ever had any intention of doing. I was perfectly happy smoking 1-2 packs a day.

I got a cold and had left my cigs in the car, was too sleepy to get them out and did not smoke for a day. The next morning I figured I went one day without a cig, why not try another and I kept going from there. It was not easy, but it also was not the hardest thing to do. I went total cold turkey, no patch, no gum, nothing. I did keep some hard candy on hand for those tougher moments.

I was lucky that I did not gain any weight when I quit. For me it was easier to not eat because if I ate then I wanted a cig afterwards. The hardest part for me was what do with my hands. I was so use to having a cig in them. I spent a lot of time working on craft projects and then sleeping.

To be honest, it was more difficult on me when I gave up meat than when I quit smoking. Another thing that really helped was that DH made it clear to the kids not to annoy me in any way, shape or form. He went out of his way to wait on me hand and foot and kept me as peaceful as possible. Everyone was so calm and did whatever they could to help. The support was great and the thought of disappointing them was huge.

Best advice I can give is to keep busy and get some hard candy. Good Luck!!!

**tink** · 08-15-2007, 10:17 AM

You can do it!

I didn't go out with my smoker friends. I ended the phone conversation when I heard them lighting up. And I brushed my teeth like crazy.

I still have trouble watching films that show someone light up. 8 months, and some days are still hard for me.

**jamie79** · 08-15-2007, 10:37 AM

I have been smoke free for little over a month. I am on the new drug Chantrix. Mentally I still want a cigaretter but physically the urge is gone. The drug really helped with that. I can not smoke even if I want to as I have COPD. I have friends that quit over 20 yrs ago and they say once in awhile they still get a craving for it. Good luck

**watchingpennies** · 08-15-2007, 10:50 AM

I will be 1 month "smoke free" on Saturday. I used the patch for the first week and then went "cold turkey". I actually ate tons of peppermint and spearmint lifesavers(individually wrapped) and brushed my teeth. I used crest whitestrips to get myself a "lovely white smile"! I am on holidays for the summer and found that without work it was much easier to quit - I also was really tired at first and needed to nap and I don't think I could get away with napping at work!

I never smoked in my house so I didn't really have to change any habits there but I have cleaned my car out and it is very shiney and smells like a pine forest!!! I also spray tons of perfume on myself and use handcream from bath & body works so that I can smell myself smelling nice instead of smokey. It is amazing how I can smell the smoke on other people and how it really grosses me out now.

I still crave once in a while but my savings are about $50 a week. I have spent more on groceries (fresh fruit, veggies, chicken, lean meats) as I really don't want to gain too much weight. I do crossword puzzles and am feeling pretty proud of myself. I do dread going back to work because I think that I am an "emotional" smoker. I will have to be very careful that I don't get upset about something and respond by going for a smoke.

DH smokes so unfortunately I still have access to cigarettes but he has been very supportive of my quitting (and moodiness - although I didn't feel moody - I think he was just imagining it lol).

I wish you all the best in quitting. There are some great support groups online for quitting too!

**momof2inpa** · 08-15-2007, 11:25 AM

I just quit last Sunday (over a week)- we did the hypnosis thing. To be perfectly frank the "heck" week is lasting long for me. I like to play with things in my hands and the guy said that you will get cravings and I want you to take straws from fast food resturaunts and cut them up cigarette size and put them in your hand. So far it is working! BTW drink a lot of water to flush the nicotine out of your body!

**many houseapes** · 08-15-2007, 11:40 AM

I have been "smoke free" for 22 years. The first week was really rough. The thing that helped me the most was prayer and keeping my hands busy with crocheting or any other craft that I could do.Best of luck -you can do it!!!!

**Darlene** · 08-15-2007, 01:09 PM

I was a pack a day smoker for about 10 years and quit over 20 years ago & quit cold turkey, reminding myself often that I want to be alive to see my kids grow up and their kids. A bottle of water was often in my hands, taking a swig when the urge hit. As I got stronger I didn't need something in my hands. Just kept reminding myself that I deserved to be sick & out of breath less often, smell good and just be alive & healthy for many years to come. Saving money to spend or save on good things is huge too. It's hard and I still think about having one but always remember the cost of starting back up. You CAN do this.

**AprilP** · 08-15-2007, 05:00 PM

First, congrats! And in concurrence with everybody here, that first week is pretty miserable. Keep yourself busy, particularly your hands. Write letters, doodle, anything. Also keeping your mouth busy is good to do. Sugarless gum, even toothpicks to chew on helps (particularly flavored ones).

My downfalls were:
1. Sitting in front of the computer (I chain smoked and surfed the web)
2. Driving. Sitting in traffic was horrid w/o a cig.

If those are "triggers" for you, again find an alternative activity.

Take heart, it does get easier. Another good idea is to find somebody who WHOLEHEARTEDLY supports you and will be your cheerleader and "distractor" and can help keep your mind off it when you are having trouble with cravings.

I've been smoke free for over a year and a half now and at my heaviest I was on 3 packs a day.

YOU CAN DO IT!

**cab54** · 08-15-2007, 06:04 PM

Yep.

Also over 20 year ago.

**Its_Donna** · 08-15-2007, 06:14 PM

Congrats!!

DH and I quit almost 6 years ago. We had been married about 1 month and needed a transmission for a Van we had....we were spending approx. $400.00/month on cigs so we decided we needed wheels more than smokes. We quit and it was so hard. I gained about 25 lbs but I wouldn't change my decision now for anything in this world.

You can do it....save all the money you have been spending on Cigs from now until Christmas. Then you will have some "mad" money to go blow on yourself at holiday time.

**3-boys-4-me** · 08-15-2007, 07:42 PM

I would like to thank you all for not only the encouragement but for also sharing your inspirational stories with me. Today was not as bad as I thought it would be. I do fear tomorrow. I used a patch today and did okay while driving and watching TV. I had difficulty while making dinner, I would always smoke in the kitchen with the fan on.
Again, thank you. When I find myself wanting a cigarette I can read this thread and know that people are out there rooting for me and wanting me to succeed. You all are the best.