Quitting smoking

[DCaplinger]

Hey all, I need some help. I smoke. I have smoked for over 15 years. I have tried (rather unsuccessfully) to quit smoking several times. I have almost ZERO willpower when it comes to quitting smoking. However, I now know I have diabetes. I want to quit, but don't have the funds to purchase smoking cessation aids. Any advice?

My biggest fear is the mood swings. I work in a courtroom. I've already been moody the past few months (and now I know it's because of my spiking blood sugars in the upper 400's in the afternoon), and I can't afford to snap while quitting smoking. I've read that Vitamin B3 is one way a person can help ease the stress of smoking cessation, however I've also read that B3 (Nicotinic Acid) can cause increased IR.

I need to quit, badly.

Regards,

Darian

[shockme]

do you have insurance? they may cover chantix-it's a prescription med. tonite will be 7months since my last smoke,thanks to chantix!

[DCaplinger]

Nope, they won't pay for it. My doc had me all hyped about it too. I mean, how idiotic is it that an insurance company wouldn't pay for something that would so obviously improve the health of the people they are covering?

Regards,

Darian

[Jan B]

I wish I could give you the right words of encouragement. I am in the process of quitting for the last time I hope. I'm the "closet smoker" type -- I hide because I know it's stupid. I often think that all smokers are secretly depressed and trying to kill themselves faster . . .

My husband and I have a "joke" that I will literally divorce him if he doesn't quit smoking with me. I can quit, but then he disgusts me. So I join him. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I have quit with Chantix also. I even have some in my drawer, but it makes me so sick at my stomach, I'd almost rather smoke.

I can be a master at mind games though. Substitution instead of denial is helpful to me. Eating ice or chewing gum works pretty good IF you have passed that first phase of just thinking about quitting and you really want to.

Once I quit by delaying my first cigarette of the day by 15 minutes every single day until I literally went all day without smoking.

WE do need to quit. I'm sure you have willpower, just like I do. WE just aren't using it where it needs to be used.

[DCaplinger]

You know, reading your post, I realized... I do have the willpower. While I do want to quit, I also have to contend with the fact that I really do enjoy smoking. It's the best stress reliever I have at the moment. However, right now, smoking is stressful in and of itself. As I smoke, I keep thinking about how much of a contributing factor those little cancer sticks had to have in me finally becoming a diabetic.

Anyway, advice is still welcome. Needing to quit, desire to quit, and the will to quit are 3 different things. I have met #'s 1 & 2, now I just need to find #3. LOL.

Regards,

Darian

[Carwy]

First thing tell everyone at work your quitting. They will understand and help.
Second this is to just stop. Don't tapper off, this will make it harder.
Third try chewing gum or something to keep your mouth busy and do things like read books go for walks to take your mind off of it while at home.
It will take a couple of months for the urges to go away. I quit chewing cold turkey and thats how it went for me.
Good Luck to all who are trying and I hope you make it.
Everything will be better once you off it for a few months ans things will tasty different and you will have more energy.

[Gabby123]

I quit 3 years ago on Christmas Day. There was no gift I really wanted or needed but the one thing I did want was to quit smoking. I decide that would be my gift. I wouldn't let my Hubby or kids get me anything. I got up on Christmas morning and never smoke since. That was the best Christmas.I smoked for 30 years and went cold turkey.After the 3 weeks I didn't even miss them.

[labob]

Hi Darian:

If you are still smoking, you have enough funds to buy smoking cessation aids. If you can buy cigarettes, you can buy the patch. A week's worth of the patch costs just a little more than a week's worth of cigarettes for a pack a day smoker, at least out here in California.

I was diagnosed with diabetes two years ago, in December 2005, with an A1c of 13.4, so I know how awful you've been feeling. I would say to tackle first things first: figure out your diet and meds, get your glucose levels under control, do as much exercising as you can, and once you've got that on the right path, then pick a quit day. Mine was in May 2006, and I've been smoke-free ever since.

Your insurance company might offer a discounted rate for the patch (mine did, but I didn't find that out until I was almost done with the program). Even if it doesn't, it's still worth getting it over the counter -- and if it pinches the wallet a little to buy it, that's all the more incentive to stay on the program once you start.

One thing I discovered when I quit was that exercise became imperative -- it really helped keep me sane. I had been a member of a gym for years before my diagnosis, so the concept of exercise was not foreign to me. But I had never felt that daily vigorous exercise was an absolute need until I quit smoking; it was a boon that exercise helped keep my glucose levels down, but the real reason I kept going to the gym was because it helped me control my desire to smoke.

So good luck! Quitting smoking is not easy -- 19 months later, I still get the occasional passing craving -- but it is possible. Just keep reminding yourself that no one ever died from not smoking. And it does get better over time. You might also want to look into Nicotine Anonymous -- I didn't join a support group when I quit, but it certainly couldn't hurt.

[wiseguy]

After 35 years of heavy smoking, I quit last May 17. I really didn't want to quit, but with the diabetes diagnosis I knew it was time. The hard part was getting through the first 5 or 6 days of kicking the chemical addiction (without cessation aids). After that it is just mentally willing myself away from the habit. So I bought a plastic cigarette that I found online to help with the oral fixation part. Then I told myself, my wife, my family, and my friends, that I will never smoke another cigarette. I don't lie to these people so now I am a non-smoker.

[valc3]

Darian, congratulations on wanting to quit smoking, now do it. You've been given great advice and quitting tips. Do whatever it takes so you don't smoke. I quit 2 years ago, I know it's tough, but do it for yourself. Hang in there.

[mho357]

I quit ten years ago - before they had pills. I used the patches supplemented with the gum - for the overpowering cravings. I checked with my doctor before doubling up this way. As I recall, I only needed the gum for about a week.

For what it is worth, I still have a thought of a smoke even ten years later. The urge is not strong and is easy to resist. The point is that once addicted you will always be addicted.

Good luck with it,

Mark

[bryan42]

Hey all, I need some help. I smoke. I have smoked for over 15 years. I have tried (rather unsuccessfully) to quit smoking several times. I have almost ZERO willpower when it comes to quitting smoking. However, I now know I have diabetes. I want to quit, but don't have the funds to purchase smoking cessation aids. Any advice?

My biggest fear is the mood swings. I work in a courtroom. I've already been moody the past few months (and now I know it's because of my spiking blood sugars in the upper 400's in the afternoon), and I can't afford to snap while quitting smoking. I've read that Vitamin B3 is one way a person can help ease the stress of smoking cessation, however I've also read that B3 (Nicotinic Acid) can cause increased IR.

I need to quit, badly.

Regards,

Darian

You CAN do it Darion!!!! On new years eve, I will have hit my 1 year absolutely smoke-free, anniversary!! :D I was determined and used the patch. It works very well,for I smoked for 28 years..Good Luck!!

[xMenace]

Never smoked. I know many who have quit with no assistance. Set a date to go cold turkey and do it. Come here daily and check in. Relieve your stress on us! :eek:

[DCaplinger]

It should be no secret by now what I do for a living. I am a bailiff (for now) in a criminal court here in Missouri. I've been a Deputy Sheriff here for 3 years, and a cop for a total of 7 years. I am currently training to be a Computer Forensic Examiner, so that I can be a Detective working Computer Crimes Investigations.

I just don't want to go on a rampage in court because of the stress of smoking cessation. However, Iabob made a great pitch. If I can afford a carton of smokes, I should be able to afford some type of quit assistance (patches, gum, etc). I have a week before the new year... perhaps... :)

Thank you all for your stories. Last night was very emotional for me. I came to accept that I am diabetic before I was officially diagnosed. However, I still haven't "grieved" yet. I may post a separate thread about that. Being a cop, everything is about control. If we lose control of a situation, people can get hurt, or worse... killed. This is a situation I had no control over (becoming diabetic [Actually, I know that's not totally true either, but I didn't get to choose my parents]), however I can control where it goes from here.

Anyway, thanks again.

Regards,

Darian

[CaptainMike]

Hang in there Darian, I smoked for 18 years. I was up to 2.5 packs a say and 'needed' every single cigarette. I had tried quitting dozens of times and always started back for some 'reason'... job stress, relationship problems, financial issues, etc. It wasn't until I went on a major all day hike at altitude in a national park with my family, and every single person had an easier time of it than me, including my 70ish mother. That was when I finally REALLY realized those fracking things were going to kill me, or worse yet, render me useless and incapacitated for the rest of my life. Dragging an oxygen bottle around sure didn't look like fun. Anyway, I made the decision, told EVERYONE what I was doing, and did it. No gum, or patches, no gimmicks or reward schemes. Just the final decision to quit. That was 6 years ago this March. Best of luck to you. Keep your head straight and you'll do fine.

Mike

[DCaplinger]

Okay, all... it's leap of faith time. I have set my quit date. If all goes well, I'll actually quit a day or two before it. My quit day is scheduled for the end of the day on the 31st of this month.

I have Wellbutrin available to me. I took out a prescription for it several months ago. I still have refills available for it as well. I'll take it long enough to quit, and then stop taking it in mid January of 2008.

Thank you all for your comments. I'm gonna need some support, especially during the first few days. I hope you all speak in special characters &!@#$@, because that's probably the language I'll be using for the first 72 hours. Hehehe.

Regards,

Darian

[valc3]

You can do it. Hang in there.

[verynicebecky]

Darian,

Just outta curiousity...how did the Wellbutrin make u feel? For folks that don't know, Wellburtin is for treatment of depression but it is also the very same drug called Zyban, which is used for smoking cessation. I would like to see my mother use this medication for both purposes.

[DCaplinger]

Thank you for asking. I can tell you that I have once quit by using Zyban/Wellbutrin before. I went 6 months without a cigarette then. Unfortunately, I went to work in an office where everyone smoked... in the office... so it was a matter of time.

Wellbutrin is supposed to be taken for 5 - 7 days prior to your quit date so that it can build to effective levels in the body. You start by taking 1 table a day for 3 days, then you go to two a day. Before, I took it for 7 days prior to the quit day, and for 30 days after, then just stopped taking the Wellbutrin.

There are side effects sometimes reported with Wellbutrin. For me, having difficulty falling to sleep was one. My doctor just had me adjust my dosing so that I was only taking one a day.

As far as how it made me feel... I would say I generally felt better. After all, it is an anti-depressant. The way the medication works is to chemically imitate the effects of nicotine in the brain. When you go to light up, your brain signals... hey, I've got enough already... I don't need that now. So, you stop smoking.

Getting past the first 72 hours is the hardest part. For me, the last time I quit, the first 24 were the hardest. That's why I quit during the week, so that I'd be at work and wouldn't be able to sneak out to smoke so easily.

I'm not telling my family this time. My wife has practically given up on me, for the number of times I have tried and failed.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Regards,

Darian

[shockme]

good luck on the 31st,darian! if the wellbutrin makes you sleepy,maybe take it at bedtime? trish

[DCaplinger]

I think you misunderstood. Wellbutrin sometimes causes insomnia, not sleepiness.

Regards,

Darian

[DCaplinger]

Well, here's an update. As I said, my quit date was set for the end of this year. I am pleased to announce, that it has come sooner. I ran out of cigarettes on Wednesday, December 26th @ 7:00 pm. I have been smoke free since, or roughly 36 hours. I know the first 72 hours are the hardest, and I'm over halfway there. :)

Wish me luck. So far no moodiness. The Wellbutrin is doing its job.

Regards,

Darian

[Evermont]

Good for you Darian! I never liked arbitrary schedules either. When things get really tough, here's another little something you already know that can help you maintain your focus:

Quitting is hard yes, but the hard part of it is quite temporary whereas the benefits are ongoing.

I quit more than 20 years ago and I'm grateful for that every day. My lungs are pink and I like it fine that way.

[caswellhb]

Darian, let's do this together. I also quit on the 26th for various reasons. I am almost chewing the furniture right now but have found that my tastebuds are already coming back in.
Be careful not to substitute cigs with food. This has been the big temptation with me. I an keeping lots of raw veg around so that I can nibble.
Let me know how you get on.

Heather.

[DCaplinger]

Yay! I got a diabuddy quit partner. Good for you caswellhb. For whatever reasons you decided to quit, I hope you can maintain.

My New Years Resolution isn't to quit smoking. I've already done that. That's what will make the difference this time for me, I think. I've never been able to keep the resolution to quit smoking. This time it will be different. This year's resolution will be that I remain smoke free!

Regards,

Darian
Regards,

Darian

[caswellhb]

Yes, mine too. I don't need this monkey on my shoulder and it will be nice to stop smelling like an ashtray as well.
I am going to reward myself at three weeks non smoking with a spending spree and will do so periodically I think.
First on my list is lots of pressies for my new mare!

Heather.

[MARay237]

If it helps............spend the money You would have spent on cigarettes on something You will enjoy, that You wouldn't normally buy.
Its kinda like a reward, we all know what it cost to smoke.............so be generous !!!


After a while You'll get used to those rewards, it will be just another benefit of "Quitting " !!!!

My best wishes to both of You, I know its tough.............used to be a 3 pack a day man !!

Smells and taste are gonna be a whole new thing !!!! ENJOY !!!

[DCaplinger]

Now at hour 60.5. I've had a few minor cravings, but nothing I can't handle. I've also been through the "justification", where I think "your quit day isn't until Monday, so let's go get a pack". NO! I'm less than 12 hours away from the magic hour. The first 72 hours will be over. From there, it will start to get easier. At least, that's how I recall it from my last serious quit.

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement all. I really do appreciate it. We ain't out of the woods yet. How's my quit buddy doing?

[bryan42]

We are here for you Darian!! Keep us posted everyday!!
YOU CAN DO IT!!!

[caswellhb]

I'm still hanging in Darian. As you will see from my other posts I have a huge incentive.
Mind you, I'm nibbling raw veg like it is going out of fashion.
I also have the "just one won't hurt" moments but I refuse to give in.
Keep going buddy. Keep me updated. It is great having someone else doing this at the same time.

Heather.

[wiseguy]

Now at hour 60.5. I've had a few minor cravings, but nothing I can't handle. I've also been through the "justification", where I think "your quit day isn't until Monday, so let's go get a pack". NO! I'm less than 12 hours away from the magic hour. The first 72 hours will be over. From there, it will start to get easier. At least, that's how I recall it from my last serious quit.

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement all. I really do appreciate it. We ain't out of the woods yet. How's my quit buddy doing?
After 35 years of being a heavy smoker I quit seven months ago. Getting through that initial nicotine withdrawal was the most intense part of quitting for me. After that it was the oral fixation that really nagged at me, and actually still does to this day. The solution for me is a realistic looking plastic cigarette that I found online. I work in front of a computer all day, and at home, so I was used to having a lit cigarette hanging out of my mouth most of the time. The plastic one does very well at substituting.

I have several friends and family members that have quit smoking only to start up again months or even a year later. Sorry, but the stupidity of this is beyond comprehension. They all have their assortment of excuses like too much stress, some drastic event happens, they are around too many other people who smoke, and so on. To my way of looking at it, after you have gone a couple of weeks without a cigarette, to start again can only be the result of a weak mind.

If you are really going to quit you need to tell your friends, your relatives, and most importantly yourself, that you will NEVER smoke another cigarette. This is what I did and I guarantee you that I will never smoke again. I would not be able to look those people, or myself, in the eye again if I did. Smoking is a harsh habit that takes a harsh mindset to conquer.

As per usual, I'll leave the "kind words and encouragement" to others. :)

[DCaplinger]

I'm really starting to feel it now. Here in a few minutes, I'll be leaving to go do some work. The people I will be around are smokers. It can't be avoided. So, keep your fingers crossed that I can summon the strength not to ask for a ciggie. Just being around the smoke may be too much of a temptation for me. I have less than 5 hours to go til the 72 hour mark. I'm almost there.

My lungs are screaming... fill me with smoke. Yet they are screaming... I can fill up completely now, and I'm not clogged up with tar, or fluid or any other nasty **** caused by that cursed smoke.

Odd isn't it? Such a disgusting habit. It's horrible. I pray my kids never start.

Regards,

Darian

[caswellhb]

Don't do it! I'm at the same stage but I refuse to give in. Please, don't do it buddy. Eat an apple, go for a run, hit a cushion, chew the edge of your desk, just don't give in now.
I'm enjoying having a quit buddy.

Heather.

[MARay237]

Don't give in now !!!!

Measure by hours if necessary


Each passing hour .....another Triumph !!!!


Think of how pleased You WILL be in time to come !!!!!

[valc3]

I'm really starting to feel it now. Here in a few minutes, I'll be leaving to go do some work. The people I will be around are smokers. It can't be avoided. So, keep your fingers crossed that I can summon the strength not to ask for a ciggie. Just being around the smoke may be too much of a temptation for me. I have less than 5 hours to go til the 72 hour mark. I'm almost there.

My lungs are screaming... fill me with smoke. Yet they are screaming... I can fill up completely now, and I'm not clogged up with tar, or fluid or any other nasty **** caused by that cursed smoke.

Odd isn't it? Such a disgusting habit. It's horrible. I pray my kids never start.

Regards,

Darian

Tell yourself, you don't want that nasty cigarette. You don't want your lungs full of that nasty tar. You want to live. Rooting for you. Hang in there.

[DCaplinger]

71 hours down, 1 hour to go. I was able to resist temptation. My streak is intact. :)

I'll tell my wife in 1 hour. I haven't told her yet, because of so many past failures.

Regards,

Darian

[DCaplinger]

72 hours are over. I have officially been smoke free for 3 days. As the last bits of the nicodemon leave my body, I will hold my head confidently high and enjoy my easy breathing.

How's Heather doing right now?

Regards,

Darian

[valc3]

72 hours are over. I have officially been smoke free for 3 days. As the last bits of the nicodemon leave my body, I will hold my head confidently high and enjoy my easy breathing.

How's Heather doing right now?

Regards,

Darian

:party: Yeah Darian. Way to go. Heather, how are things going for you?

[Lil Liz E]

Hi Darian

I was a smoker for about 14 years. As of March 2007 I was up to 2 packs a day. I knew I needed to quit not only for my pocket book (smokes are around $10 or more a pack in Canada) but mostly for my health. I have been having a lot of problems lately. I bought the patch (not even nicoderm or anything just the no name brand from our local drug store). I put it off and put it off then finally one day I went to go for a smoke (live in a smoke free home) and had this urge to visit the garbage can. I threw a whole pack out along with my lighter. I went to my car and got rid of anything that could aide me. I put on that patch and have not turned back. April 3rd was one of the best days of my life. Next to getting my pump on the 16th LOL. Anyway I was able to quit whilst going through mental problems, health problems and personal problems (my boyfriend who I had been with from the same time I started smoking -14 years- left me for another woman). If I can do it anyone can!!!! I really agree if you can afford to buy smokes you can afford to by the aides you need to quit.
The patch works great!!! Chewing gum (sugar free obvoiusly) really helps too. But the best advise I can give is keep busy. Always have something to do!!!!

[caswellhb]

Thank goodness Darian. You had me worried there for a while.
Did you tell your wife? Is she thrilled?
I'm still going strong although my sleep patterns are shot now. I keep waking up wanting a cig. This too will pass.
I'm still nibbling the veg. I'm going to look like them soon!
Stay strong.
I have thrown out everything smoking related and cleaned the house from top to bottom. Keeping busy helps I find.

Heather.

[DCaplinger]

I did tell her, right at the 72 hour mark. She wasn't very enthused, of course, I can't blame her. I have tried and failed so many times in the past. To her, why should this time be any different. To me, the reason this time is different, is because my life has changed. I now have a real reason to quit... my health. I have a life altering disease. If I don't take it serious, the disease could end up killing me at a very young age.

I'm glad I haven't smoked. I can't guarantee I will be a religious non-smoker (in other words, smoke one cig or cigar occasionally) for the rest of my life, but as of right now I am a non-smoker.

Keep the faith.

Regards,

Darian

[valc3]

Way to go Heather and Darian. Hang in there.

[wiseguy]

I'm glad I haven't smoked. I can't guarantee I will be a religious non-smoker (in other words, smoke one cig or cigar occasionally) for the rest of my life, but as of right now I am a non-smoker.
You are already talking about failure. Being a non-smoker means promising yourself that you will NEVER smoke again and sticking to that promise. Not one occasional cigarette or cigar nor even a single puff off of one. I know so many people who started smoking again just because they thought that one cigarette wouldn't hurt.

You said you quit before for six months. I'll bet you started again with that one cigarette that you thought would be ok.

[davef]

Okay, all... it's leap of faith time. I have set my quit date. If all goes well, I'll actually quit a day or two before it. My quit day is scheduled for the end of the day on the 31st of this month.

Darian,

I'm there with you, I'm quitting tomorrow (31st) at midnight. I have a friend doing it with and bought my last pack today. We can all do it, go for it and best of luck to us all.

[DCaplinger]

You can do it, David. If I can do it, anyone can. I have almost no willpower when it comes to addictive things. Okay, so I have quit smoking... now let's see if I can do something about that bloody addiction to chocolate.

Regards,

Darian

[tanyatype1]

Hi there Darian! I just read this thread and had to congratulate you! My hubby quit about 8 (?) years ago and I was skeptical too just like your wife. He would quit and re-start so many times, it was just discouraging. When he did finally quit for the last time, he did it cold turkey. One thing that he did to help him through the cravings were ~ he'd hold an imaginary cigarette up to his mouth and take a long drag from it, pretending that the smoke was filling his lungs. That helped him. Good luck to you!

[Old man]

I smoked 3 packs of long cigarettes per day down to the filter. Quit on 04/01/94 at 1:30 pm and used a little chewing tobacco to help me over the hump. Soon I was chewing 2 packs per day. On 01/01/95 I used the patch to quit chewing tobacco. I don't necessarily recomend this method but I am still tobacco free after 12 years. With the money I saved on tobacco I could afford the patches. They are a bargain compared to some of the health problems of tobacco use. Also I had this manly attitude that I didn't need all the cute tricks I heard weaker people used and could quit by simple macho willpower. But then it occurred to me that I still smoked and they didn't. So I wrote on a piece of paper all the reasons I smoked in one colum and all the reasons I was quitting in another colum. I folded it and kept it in my pocket. When I needed I read it to remind me of that day and my reasons which were entirely personal and no one other than me ever read them. Also I remind myself that no matter what problem I might have it will not be made better by tobacco. The only regret I have is that I ever started. You only have to quit once. Remember that there is a certain unknown number of bad moments and days you will have. And as each one passes you will never have to go through that bad time again. Do it any way you can but just be sure you do it.

[caswellhb]

I and my babies are still smoke free.
How are you doing quit buddy?

Heather.

[DCaplinger]

Darian breathes in deeply to test the air. Funny, I didn't know there were fragrances carried in the air. LOL.

Not a single craving so far today. Like I said, the first 72 hours were the toughest. I'm past it. I survived, without the grumpies. :)

Regards,

Darian

[gettingby]

Congrats on quitting Darian. :)

You too, Heather. :)

[DCaplinger]

Today at 7:00 pm, I will have officially survived H-E-L-L week. That's the first week of smoking cessation. It is followed by H-E-C-K week. No cravings at all since day 4, except when I am near a smoker that is having a cigarette. When I'm around smoker's who have just finished a smoke, I think "yuck, you stink". Then it hits me... that smell was me just a week ago!

Ick. If that ain't an incentive to kick the habit for good. Hehehe.

Regards,

[valc3]

Today at 7:00 pm, I will have officially survived H-E-L-L week. That's the first week of smoking cessation. It is followed by H-E-C-K week. No cravings at all since day 4, except when I am near a smoker that is having a cigarette. When I'm around smoker's who have just finished a smoke, I think "yuck, you stink". Then it hits me... that smell was me just a week ago!

Ick. If that ain't an incentive to kick the habit for good. Hehehe.

Regards,


Excellent. Keep it up you can do it!

[bryan42]

CONGRATULATIONS HEATHER AND DARION!!! :congrats: :congrats: New years day was my 1 year after quitting. Its a GREAT feeling,when you hit that 1 year mark which I know you both will make :)

[Sheralyn]

Darian,

Don't do what I did - let a stroke make your decision to give up smokes! Please - for your own sake, give them up BEFORE they do something bad to you. I smoked for over 40 years and was up to 3 packs a day. I was very lucky in that my stroke wasn't quite a full stroke (but more than a mini-stroke) and I completely recovered. THEN - even after I quit the cigs, I had yet another stroke (blood pressure was crazy) but that was a silent stroke (it hit a part of the brain that doesn't do anything). I LOVED my cigarettes but it's been over 3.5 years since I quit and I literally NEVER miss those cancer sticks. You'll be happy to be free of being a slave to nicotine. I did it cold turkey -- I tell people, if you get scared enough, you'll quit. Don't wait like I did, do it while you're okay. I wondered, gee, can I ever enjoy anything again? OF COURSE! Nothing is different -- I'm just smoke-free and glad to be. Good luck :)

[DCaplinger]

My current stats:

9 days, 13 hours, 16 minutes and 35 seconds smoke free.
239 cigarettes not smoked for a rough savings of: $25.00

Regards,

[davef]

Well done Darian, if you lived in Ireland you would now have saved €90, which equates to about $130

[DCaplinger]

Current stats:

11 days, 11 hours, 36 minutes and 32 seconds smoke free.

287 cigarettes not smoked for a rough savings of: $30.00.

Heather, we haven't heard from you in a while. How you doing? Still smoke free?

Regards,

[princesslinda]

Darian, hang in there! Sounds like you're doing very well. You'll have to put back the $$ you would have spent on cigarettes and in a couple of months, buy yourself something you can enjoy and look at to remember your progress.

[frednouri]

I know of only one thing; Water! Water lowers your blood sugar, calms, and in general, is very good for you.

[Jan B]

Hi you quitters.

I quit too and am very happy. I haven't smoked in one week and I don't miss it one bit. My husband also quit, which has me almost jumping for joy.

I quit cold turkey AND I quit coffee the same day & way. Coffee and cigarettes go so well together; I'm not drinking wine either. The most amazing thing is that I have had ZERO cravings for nicotine or caffeine. I was up to 12 cups of coffee per day -- it's unreal that I haven't suffered any headaches. I'm having de-caf hot teas instead.

I have treated myself a couple times w/Starbuck's Strawberries & cream light Frappuccinos -- YUM.

Heather, Darian, and any other quitters -- keep it up!!

[bryan42]

Congrats again to you all!!!! I have saved $2937.35 since I quit a year ago! :D

[lewsterr]

Way to go, Darian. That's awesome!

[caswellhb]

Well done all. We have quite the little club going don't we?
I am still going strong and loving the taste sensations. A strawberry just explodes on my tongue now! I love it!
How is everyone doing? Keep coming with the updates.

Heather.

[DCaplinger]

Current Stats:

13 days, 20 hours, 2 minutes and 37 seconds smoke free.

346 cigarettes not smoked for a rough savings of: $35.00


Congrats, Jan on joining us in our nicotine free life. I won't go so far as to give up coffee. There are some things I am just not willing to give up. In 4 hours, I will have survived the first 2 weeks. It's all downhill from here. :)

I am starting to get over my cold, so I'm starting to enjoy being phlegm free for the first time in years! Nasty stuff, phlegm.

Regards,

[MARay237]

TREMENDOUS !!!!


Although i can't understand You pricing for cigarettes, anywhere I see them $5.00 seems to be a low figure.........which only means You may have saved even more !!


AWESOME keep it up !!!!

sooooo can You be refered to as a "Exsmoker" ?

[novorapid]

here in the province of quebec the provincial government gives you nico derm the patch or gum for free yes for free, my health insurance does the same, and i think pretty nuch every provincial government gives you nicoderm for free here in canada, quebec for sure, sorry you have nothing like that.

[john4tvs]

Congratulations!!

I am new to the forum, but wanted to rejoice with you all. I quit in late September last year. White knuckle. So far, so good.

If I don't put one in my mouth and set fire to it, I won't be smoking. <grin>

[Jan B]

I'm not smoking; still no desire at all. My last cig was early on Jan. 3.

[caswellhb]

Well done Jan. Keep going and keep us updated.

Heather.

[sweetblood]

what about chantix...does it work if anybody knows?

do u have alot of withdrawal on it.

im thinking about quitting smoking too;)

[DCaplinger]

My doc recommended Chantix to me, however, my insurance wouldn't cover it. It did, however, cover Wellbutrin (as an anti-depressant), which was easy to get because of my recent diagnosis as a diabetic.

I stopped taking the Wellbutrin 5 days after my quit date. I've now gone almost 3 weeks without a cigarette. Have an occasional craving, but most of the time, I don't even think about it.

BTW, here, when I buy a carton at a time, I was usually able to spend less than $2.00 a pack. They were generic, but hey, they smoked. Too bad for me, heh? LOL.

Anywho, I have done some running here and there the past few weeks, and don't tire out anymore when I do.

Regards,

[lewsterr]

Darian, congratulations on this ENORMOUS accomplishment. :congrats: It sounds like you are now discovering all the benefits of not smoking. You should be very proud of yourself. WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DCaplinger]

Well, I silently passed the 3 week mark last night at 7:00 pm. I am excited to know I am only 6 short days away from the magic 4 week mark.

21 days, 12 hours, 28 minutes and 18 seconds smoke free.

538 cigarettes not smoked for a savings of: $55.00.

Regards,

[valc3]

Well, I silently passed the 3 week mark last night at 7:00 pm. I am excited to know I am only 6 short days away from the magic 4 week mark.

21 days, 12 hours, 28 minutes and 18 seconds smoke free.

538 cigarettes not smoked for a savings of: $55.00.

Regards,

:congrats: :congrats: :congrats: :congrats: :congrats:
That's awesome.

[Jan B]

Our friend Darian,

WAY TO GO! I haven't even had the slightest craving for a nasty cig. Cold Turkey worked great for me. And my husband isn't smoking either, which was even a greater challenge. Indirectly, you helped him!

[Evermont]

I think you're getting the hang of this! Atta-boy Darian.

[DCaplinger]

And my husband isn't smoking either, which was even a greater challenge. Indirectly, you helped him!

Thank you very much for telling me that. It really means a lot to me.

I still can't believe how drastic the difference is. I stopped hacking within 3 days of quitting. I have only had a single episode of coughing up anything thick since that day. My chronic bronchitis is gone. I can breath deeper than I can ever remember. I can taste foods again, and I can smell scents I had long forgotten.

It's just too bad that it took being diagnosed as a diabetic for me to quit. Oh, well. As stated repeatedly in Stephen King's Insomnia... Done, but can't be undone. I am at peace with the fact that I am diabetic. I am not able to be confortable, however, because I no longer am certain what type of diabetic I am. Hopefully, that will come next week.

Regards,

[wiseguy]

Thank you very much for telling me that. It really means a lot to me.

I still can't believe how drastic the difference is. I stopped hacking within 3 days of quitting. I have only had a single episode of coughing up anything thick since that day. My chronic bronchitis is gone. I can breath deeper than I can ever remember. I can taste foods again, and I can smell scents I had long forgotten.

It's just too bad that it took being diagnosed as a diabetic for me to quit. Oh, well. As stated repeatedly in Stephen King's Insomnia... Done, but can't be undone. I am at peace with the fact that I am diabetic. I am not able to be confortable, however, because I no longer am certain what type of diabetic I am. Hopefully, that will come next week.

Regards,
It's nice to hear that someone is quickly reaping the rewards of smoking cessation. Eight months later and I'm still waiting for the return of the sense of taste and smell. Maybe I just smoked too much for too long. At least I'm now starting to notice some improved lung function.

I hope all these positive results helps you to remain a non-smoker.

[DCaplinger]

I think the positive results will help me, however, it's the fact that I am diabetic that will keep me from ever lighting up again. I can't run the risk. I've seen the results of diabetic smokers. I can't believe that they light up, sitting in their wheelchairs because their legs are gone. Of course, some are also on oxygen for their chronic lung illnesses too. Sick. That will NOT be me. :)

Regards,

[wiseguy]

I've seen the results of diabetic smokers. I can't believe that they light up, sitting in their wheelchairs because their legs are gone. Of course, some are also on oxygen for their chronic lung illnesses too. Sick.

Regards,
Ain't that the truth! I have an uncle who is diabetic, has lost a leg, is confined to a wheelchair, and continues to smoke and drink excessively. And then there's my recently deceased father in-law who would take the oxygen tubes away from his face long enough to fire up a Camel non-filter. There's stubborn and then there's just plain stupid.

[Fenway]

I quit just over 9 years ago when I had pneumonia. I was so sick for about 5 days that I never thought of a cigarette. By that time I was over the physical cravings.

I thank God every day for the pneumonia - I would probably still be smoking, although the cost might have stopped me by now :)

I can honestly say that I do not have any cravings these days - haven't since about 3 months after quitting.

Good luck!!

[DCaplinger]

As midnight nears, so does yet another milestone for me. I have passed the 150 day mark, and as of 7:00 pm on Monday, I'll pass the 5 month mark, smoke free.

I still don't find the smell of smoke nasty yet. That means I have to stay away from people who are smoking, lest I be tempted. That being said, however, smelling someone who has just had a cigarette is just plain nasty. I shudder to think I used to smell like that. I wish I could go back and apologize to anyone who ever had to suffer that disgusting aroma about my person... especially my dear wife.

Did the others who quit around the same time stick with it as well?

My Stats:
My Quit Date was: Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at 7:00:00 PM
Time Smoke-Free: 151 days, 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 3771
Money Saved: About $377.50

Regards,

[Hammer]

When I decided to give up smoking, I went and got the nicotine patch. The patch is a 21 week program to help wean you off of nicotine. I used it for 5 days and that was long enough for me to quit smoking.

Back then I was going to the gym every day, and because of the perspiration, you were supposed to remove the patch during a workout, and replace it when you were finished. I did that for the first four days, then I decided after my workout to leave the patch off. I figured if I didn't need it during my workouts, I'd see how long after the workout I could last without needing the patch. Once I felt the urge to smoke, I'd just put on a new patch. Funny thing is I waited and waited and I never needed to use another patch again. The fifth day was the last day I had worn a patch to the gym, and I left the gym without wearing one and I never needed one again.

As for smell of cigarette smoke, well, you never get over how good a cigarette smells when it's first lit. For some reason that smells good. Once it's lit, then it smells awful. I don't know what changes after the initial lighting of a cigarette and the second puff, but it smells different. The thing is, you find that the urges for a cigarette never completely go away, but they become so weak that it's easy to resist them.

It's been 20 years since I quit, and I'm glad I did. Even so, I still like the way a freshly lit cigarette smells. One thing I do notice is that I'm more sensitive to cigarette smoke. If someone lights up around me, I have to leave the room because the smoke really bothers my sinuses. I was never that sensitive to smoke before I quit, so something has changed. I often wonder if other ex-smokers have the same sensitivity to cigarette smoke. It would explain why people say that ex-smokers complain the most about other people's cigarette smoke.;)

[wiseguy]

One thing I do notice is that I'm more sensitive to cigarette smoke. If someone lights up around me, I have to leave the room because the smoke really bothers my sinuses. I was never that sensitive to smoke before I quit, so something has changed. I often wonder if other ex-smokers have the same sensitivity to cigarette smoke. It would explain why people say that ex-smokers complain the most about other people's cigarette smoke.;)I thought I was the only one that experienced this. I quit a year ago and it now seems like I may actually have a bit of an allergy to cigarette smoke. My sinuses act up also whenever I'm around it. It just seems too weird to be true being that I was a heavy smoker for 35 years.

[Hammer]

I thought I was the only one that experienced this. I quit a year ago and it now seems like I may actually have a bit of an allergy to cigarette smoke. My sinuses act up also whenever I'm around it.

Before they outlawed smoking in public places here, I would be at work and all six of my coworkers smoked. Their cigarette and pipe smoke was so bad that it made me gag and cough. I ended up sitting by myself in a separate room so that the smoke wouldn't bother me.

Years ago when my daughter still lived at home, she wanted to visit a friend of hers in Brazil, so I paid for her month long trip there. When she got back home, her bronchitis was really bad. She told me that everyone in Brazil smoked and it was normal to see kids smoking.(my daughter is a non-smoker). She stayed at her girlfriend's house and everyone in the house smoked.....so much so that she had trouble breathing. It took two weeks of being back home and away from cigarette smoke before she started to feel better again.

I can't say anything about smokers because I was one, but when I did smoke, I always tried to keep my smoke away from others. Of course, I don't know how successful I was in doing that, so for all I know, my smoking was as bothersome to others as others are to me now. I wish that I could go back and jam those cigarettes in my face to make me realize how much they bothered others.:(

To show you how long ago that was, I stopped smoking for a number of reasons.....one was that I vowed that if cigarettes every got to $1 a pack, I would quit. I would never pay $1 for a pack of cigarettes. How long ago was that?:)

[Scrabblechick]

Congratulations, Darian! That is fantastic! You can make it for the long haul, now.

A success story for you. My mom had smoked for 50 years. She knew she needed to quit and went to an American Cancer Society support group to get the help she needed. She set a quit date and kept it (mostly because I took her car keys and wouldn't go buy her any cigarettes. LOL.). That was in April, 2004. She no longer even wants a cigarette. If a 75-year-old woman can quit, and stay off the ciggies, you can, too!!

Good job in keeping your commitment and staying with it. You keep doing what you need to do in order to stay off those things. I stay away from the breakroom at work so I'm not tempted to nibble, so I know what you mean.

[CookD]

Congrats!!! 150 days is fantastic.
I've been smoke free for 813 days. I smoked for 30 years but after a year of non smoking the smell made me gag.

I found two sites online that helped me stick to my quit.

quitnet.com
and
quitsmokingonline.com

[DCaplinger]

CookD:

Thanks all. Yep... quitnet.com. I had planned on making my quit day be 12-31-07 at midnight, however, I ran out of cigarettes just before 7:00 pm on the 26th, and decided not to buy more. I also refused to beg, steal or borrow from other smokers. So, I've been smoke free (NOPE [Not One Puff, Ever]) ever since.

I look forward to the day when smoke makes me gag. Until then, I'll stay away from people who are smoking. I wouldn't 'cheat', however with no temptation, there can be no slip up.

Regards,

[labob]

I quit just over two years ago and sorry to say, the smell still doesn't make me gag. The urge to smoke is extremely rare and very easy to resist, but the aroma is still attractive (people who have never smoked understandably find this baffling). The smell of stale smoke on people is unpleasant, but two years down the road, I still get a pang of longing when I walk by folks smoking outdoors, which is the only place I ever encounter smoke these days.