Smoking

So not sure how many people here are smokers. I've been smoking approx. 34 years. Started telling myself when I got close to 20 years I'd quit. Never did.


Well last Monday saw my regular doctor and he said oh I thought you had quit. I admitted to trying and not succeeding. So the next day when my pack finished I figured what the heck i'd try again!

So as of today I am smoke free! My agitation level is at its' maximum. I can't use the nicotine replacement stuff (allergic) Can't take zyban (allergic) Patch (allergic).


So I'm trying +++ items to help curb the want.
a. reminding myself it is a want not a need
b. walking
c. chewing gum
d. going nutz!!
e. sleeping 24/7

Looking for suggestions on ways to keep myself busy till I can get past the first week or two. If I can make to the second weeks than I know I'll be fine.

Thanks in advance!!!

Congratulations on your resolve! Sounds like you are already making a good effort. Do you do any crafts? Just thinking that knitting or crochet would keep your hands busy. Also, cooking as much of what you eat from scratch might be a good way to keep focused on something else.

Julia I quit in June 2009 after many years of smoking [longer than you]. Why? I had bronchitis and cculdn't inhale, had a temp high as a kite, so decided to quit. I had no withdrawal at all because of being so sick.

Can I tell you that you are lucky you can't take the replacement stuff - a nurse in my doctor's office quit smoking, only she became addicted to the gum and chewed it over 10 years and had to go through getting off of it. You certainly don't want to get addicted to those.

It's all emotional now isn't it? I never had a problem this time around and I think it is because I was so darn sick - but if I thought I would have liked one I told myself why? why waste the past week [or whatever the amount of days were that had passed since stopping], why would I want those days wasted?!!!!!

Keep up the good work - you can do it, only thing stopping you is yourself.

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Julia,

I want to wish you the best of luck! My dad quit in 1996. He took up running to stay busy and ended up running marathons. This was a guy who had not worked out in 15 years. My brother and sister in laws took up running and weightlifting and quit in 2011. I think the three replaced nicotine with endorphins.

Good for you for having a go at quitting!! I smoked in my late teens & early 20's. I quit at 23-ish because I hated how much it cost!! I'm a saver not a spender!!

What is most difficult for you? Is it the nicotine withdrawal or is it something else? For me it was the habit - I needed something to do with my hands - they almost itched when I was sitting still!! I found having things to fiddle with was a huge help - Blu tack for making mini, silly sculptures, a pad & pen for doodling or even a twisty toy I had called a "tangle" (google it!).

When my hubby quit he needed something to bite or chew so just went through packs & packs of chewing gum. A close friend missed the deep breathing & relaxation she got so she started going outside for a few minutes a day and doing yoga breaths - your body should associate those things with the "high" you get from smoking so you get a similar relaxed feeling.

Good luck!!!! And plan something great to spend your extra cash on!!!!

Thought this was good about the nicotine & emotional addiction

www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/guidetoquittingsmoking/guide-to-quitting-smoking-why-so-hard-to-quit

Before I quit smoking, there were lots of times I craved a cigarette but couldn't have one... in the grocery store, at a movie, on a plane... and that is not much different now that I am a non-smoker, especially once the initial physical addiction ended.

Whenever I get a craving, I remind myself of this, and the fact that the craving will pass, which it always does.

Another suggestion is that whatever you are doing when you get a craving, stop and do something else. Anything else, other than smoking. If you have just eaten, and it hits, get up from the table and do the dishes or turn on the radio.

Also, remember that when you were a smoker you were forced to take frequent breaks in order to smoke. You still need those breaks, just without the smoking, so don't get glued to the computer for long periods of time, for example, and step outside for a fresh-air break once in a while.

Btw, language matters. Either you quit or you don't... "trying" to quit is self-defeating language, and I am sure you didn't mean it that way.

Stay strong, Julia, and keep us posted on your progress.

I'm not a smoker but I do have some behavioral knowledge. I think Rob is dead on, you have to say " I am going to quit." It might be helpful to set some short term goals and then reward yourself.

What I found so so odd is that I have not had even 1 craving since I quit in June 2009 - and I smoked over 40 years. Gained weight but no craving for a cigarette.

It's funny, I quit over 20 years ago but every once in a while I get a craving; until I smell stale smoke on somebody else! My sister smokes and I can't stand the smell. Our mother wishes she would quit, but she hasn't even tried.

It has been 1 week with no smoking! I wouldn't call it a craving so much as periods of where my agitation level increases (I want a smoke). Right now I'm trying to over eat because I noticed I have been doing that!

Just started trying the stepping outside for a break. Have never smoked in my apartment I always stepped outside to smoke!

Last few days I've had to put my Ipod on and just start walking till the agitation/ crave goes away! Took a break with a co-worker who smokes and got a smell of the smoke and was actually turned off. Hoping that is a good sign!

Every day I add it does feel better! This coming weekend will be the big test. Our festival starts Friday big concert where I'll be among lots of smokers and will have a drink or two!


PS: I said trying because I have tried before and always ended up starting back up!

You are well on your way! The agitation will pass.
You might always want a cigarette from time to time,
but soon you will no longer feel that you NEED one.
This is a great thing you are doing for yourself, and for everyone who loves you!

You go girl!

Still not smoking ... The cravings are gone ... that said every time I see someone light up I still want one.

Habits are hard to break!

Good going, keep it up. Sounds like you have found a way to make it through the worst of it.

Keep up the good work Julia - it is behind you now and you will keep it there!

I just found it unreal that I had no craving after all those years and I still don't have any carvings. Wish I could lose weight as easily as I finally quit smoking

I do not plan on going back to smoking! That said still haven't told a lot of people!

Now that has been said I have gained weight (not happy) but I'm willing to live with it! I am about to sign up for a 5km run or dye. The good news is you do not have to run in fact walking is ok! Looking forward to it!

Good for YOU!! You should be very proud of yourself. Quitting is hard and you have done the worst of it. Just don't be tempted by crazy thinking like "I'll just have this one". When I quit I had to stay away from people who smoked and stay away from drinking. I was too weak when I was drinking and other people were smoking.

Running seems to be a theme! hah I quit in 1980 when I fell in love with a runner vegetarian health guy. I started drinking more water, that helped- also gained 15 lbs but thats okay, its worth it to kick the habit. The relationship with the runner didn't last but the freedom from smoking did- so grateful for that!

hope the Rituxin goes better next time- good luck with that! It took me 9hrs first time very slow, I had a throat itching swelling reaction. It was stopped for a while, more benedryl. The following infusions were slow 7-8hrs. They had me take benedryl at home an hour before I was to arrive- then more when I got there. I believe I was also on low dose prednisone.

Just an update:

still not smoking do not have the cravings anymore mood has settled! Now I just need to work on removing the weight I gained!

Most importantly need to start more walk running to prepare for the 5km Run or Dye. Which you can also walk in and chances are I will be walking most of it!

Good for you!! Fantastic news!!!

On a side note - here in the uk the NHS has made an app called "Couch to 5k". It's a 7 week ( I think!) plan to slowly get you to run 5k. The app is great - you can listen to your own music & a voice tells you when to walk & when to run it gets a little harder each week but starts off really manageable - even I could do it & I'm not a natural runner (understatement if the century!!). If you can get it it's worth a look. Good luck!!

Katism - They have that on youtube as well lots and lots of people are doing it! I am just to lazy lol

Good for you Julia! I will tell you that I despise running but I do love hiking, walking, lifting weights kickboxing and Zumba. It's really not about running just exercise in general is really good.

Well I'm still not smoking but I've put on weight! No longer craving!

Now my goal is to drop the weight I gained and keep not smoking!

Everyone I know, including myself, has gained weight when stopped smoking - of course "they" say it won't happen, ha!