Ex Smokers

Kotzurk · 03-28-2005, 11:51 PM

How did you quit and how long did it take? Do you still have cravings?

nurseychicky · 03-29-2005, 02:00 AM

I'm in the quiting process everyday of my life. Started when I was 13 (1993) stopped in 1996, started again in 1998, quit in 2002, started again in 2005, quit 3/1/05, smoked this past weekend and had one today. This has got to be worse than heroine!

HollywoodMN · 03-29-2005, 02:03 AM

People aren't going to like me for this, but: I quit really easily on the first try and it only took a few weeks. (Maybe I wasn't fully addicted, LOL)The only time I really crave one is when I am socially drinking for some reason. That and when I am REALLY upset. HTH

Kotzurk · 03-29-2005, 02:51 AM

It's driving me crazy. I feel like smoking is my on-again/off-again romance!

Maybe I'll beat it someday.....

Dazed · 03-29-2005, 03:13 AM

11 years 3 months of my life was spent worring if I would have enough smokes to make it through the night or how long 'til my next break so I could smoke. I tried to quit too many times to count during those years. I read every book and tried every technique I could get my hands on. Finally, I just made up my mind that I was truly done, and I think that's what really made this time different. It still wasn't easy at all, and I had my moments when I was about to break. It got a bit easier each day, but I found that I didn't know how to cope with stressful situations at all and that was the toughest part. I was so used to turning to my "old friends" that came 20 to a pack in a cardboard box. I did get a lot of support from whyquit.com. It's a fabulous site with tons of information. I do still get those sneaky smokers thoughts where I'll start to think I want to smoke, but I have gone back to that site and find the stories there bring me back to the reality of things. It's been 2 years 3 months today since I smoked my last cigarette. I can honestly say that I feel like a much happier person. When I smoked I felt like a prisoner.

I hope you find what works- but, IMO the main thing is what's going on inside you- you've got to really be commited (cliche, I know, but true). Feel free to PM me if you need any support.

leanner977 · 03-29-2005, 03:24 AM

I quit cold turkey once for about 2 years, then started again to piss off my hubby (I ended up leaving him).

Then the night before I took my home pregnancy test I saved one last cigarette in the pack for that 2 minute wait. When it said "pregnant" I knew that was the last one I'd have for at least 9 months. That was 1 year and 11 days ago...still smoke free. I had a very good reason to quit that time, otherwise I wouldn't have.

Fir me the only way to do it is cold turkey...but I know most people can't. One of my friends had great success with Smoke Away...almost a year smoke free for him.

Kotzurk · 03-29-2005, 03:25 AM

What is smoke away?

K9Queen · 03-29-2005, 04:18 AM

I have quit twice. Once was 8 years ago when I found out I was pregnant with Ashlea. I started again when she was a little over one year old. I then quit again the last couple months of my pregnancy with Sarah, for some reason I wasn't able to kick it when I first found out I was pregnant with her. Of course after she died, I became a smoking fiend again.
Now that I am pregnant I have "quit" again. Each time I did it cold turkey... just didnt buy anymore. Only way I could do it. I admit even now that I have cheated this time and have had a couple of cigarrettes. But I am able to stop at having only one, from a friend... still havent bought any lol. I really hope to not have to stay quit. I actually enjoy the act of smoking and will most likely pick it back up to some extent once this baby is born and not breastfeeding any longer.

Jmacfeely · 03-29-2005, 04:21 AM

Hi there,

Stopeed New YEars 4 years ago. I had a relapse for about a month 3.5 years ago. That was my third attempt to quit. Don't crave it anymore. Chewed lots of gum.

dna · 03-29-2005, 08:44 AM

I smoked for years I started smoking butts out of my Nans ashtray when I was oh about 8 ! *yikes* I wanted to be an "adult" like her or something ridiculous !

I quit using Zyban or Wellbutrin 3 years 1 month and 1 day ago...

I find now I am wanting to smoke more, it comes and goes and with the death of my Gram and work and my marriage and a second adoption I just want to go out and have a butt on the front porch with a tea and watch the cars go by. I don't think you ever really lose all your cravings, you just have to beat them each time and know its not good for your overall health. My Gram survived Lung cancer 10 years ago and still kept on smokin ! Its an addiction and a bad one for me.

Good luck on quitting !

Take Care,
Amy

Jolynne1174 · 03-29-2005, 09:28 AM

I started smoking at 11now and then, at 13 I just stopped. Then at 14 my cousin asked me to teach her how to blow smoke rings. Thought why not what would it hurt. :p well That was it no stopping me then. When I got pg with Connor I smoke 1- 1 1/2 pcks a day. Cut back to 5 a day then weened them off over the next mth. That was how my dr told me to do it. She had said cold turkey would be to much stress on me and the baby. That was 8 yrs 8 mths ago and unfortunatly I do still get cravings. Hate the smell of them and would never smoke another one but do still find myself saying ugg I could use a cig right now.

Little_Lady · 03-29-2005, 01:32 PM

The longest i managed without smoking was 3weeks. I felt so ill. Had chest pains, felt dizzy. Had to start back up again! All that withdrawal was for nothing. Best of luck to u. I hope u can do it!

dachshundqueen · 03-29-2005, 02:19 PM

I smoked for about a year and just quit cold turkey. Still want them every now and again, sigh, but haven't had any in 5 years?

Liz

K9Queen · 04-01-2005, 07:02 AM

Man here I was braggin that I'd quit and only cheated a couple of times... boy it is getting worse. My sister came over (she's a smoker and smoked during all 3 of her pregnancies) and of course I ended up smoking in sync with her

I find myself back to really craving them worse than ever. So I guess this means I am going to have to be stronger and not accept any next time I see her. Though I have to admit a cig after eating and after BD'ing is so nice! Oh well.. cold turkey again, praying I don't pick one up. I really really want to give this baby a chance! GL with your quitting! It is far from easy and I really dont think the cravings ever go away.

Rasburry · 04-01-2005, 09:06 AM

I used hypnotherapy through a board certified (x35 yrs) hypnotherapist. That was in February 04, 1 office visit, and haven't smoked since. It feels awesome to be free of cigarettes. I may have had 1 or two cravings; nothing strong or that I couldn't resist. I went into my hypnotherapy session as a skeptic, but I was so ready to quit. I had no idea of what to expect, or if it would work, but I went with an open mind and a strong will to quit once and for all. I knew I wasn't going to see a quack. I went to a Navy hospital and saw the hypnotherapist. The session was extremely calming and I left feeling very empowered. If anything, it made me feel in control and more mentally determined that I don't have to continue to smoke.

We all know that it's bad for us. The one thing that the hypnotherapist said to me, and I was able to back it up with medical facts and figures, and I want to share with you is that.....

The nicotine in cigarettes, which is the primary thing that addicts you, stays in your system for 2 days. So for the first two days, that nicotine craving (nic fit) is physical; your body wants it and NEEDS it. Anything after that first 48 hours is psychological. Think about that for a moment.

The very best of wishes to all of the cysters trying to quit!! It's so worth it to succeed. You improve your health immediately the moment that you put down the cigarettes, as well as saving lots of money!! :p