Quit Smoking Earlier Today

[angel44240]

As of earlier today, around 6pm, I had my last cigarette.. took the rest of the cigarettes and tossed them...
I quit smoking each time I found out I was pregnant for all the kids, but started back up around 2-3 months later! Dumb, I know! I have 4 children, and quit smoking for EACH pregnancy! I quit cold turkey, too!
How do you guys get through your day?
Seems like the older ya get, the harder it is.. :(
Alli

[kathyjo]

There seem to be quite a few side effects when using Chantix, but the only one I can attest to would be the bloated feeling. It was really not bad and well worth it for me though others seem to have differing opinions. Seriously, without it I doubt I would have had the willpower to quit so I was extremely happy with it! I hope for your sake that your insurance will cover it but if they don't, try to find another way to get yourself "quit."
It was the best thing I could do for me and for all of my loved ones and I'm sure all of the others feel the same way.
Keep in touch : )
Kathy Jo
---
3m 3w 5d 16:03 smoke-free, 2,607 cigs not smoked, $625.68 saved, 1w 2d 1:15 life saved

[angel44240]

I've been viewing over that site for about two weeks now.. It's EXTREMELY helpful! :D
I can't wait to see if my insurance will cover that Chantix or not.. I heard it can cause drowsiness? I don't want that.. and I also don't want anything with nicotine in it, either.. UGH!
It was so easy to quit before, but now it's so hard.. But I know I can do it.. it's just a matter of how soon I can altogether! My life depends on it!
thanks so much for your support, guys.. you have no idea how much help I've gotten from these forums.. amazing, is all I can say.. Love ya!
Alli

[kathyjo]

I smoked as little as a pack a day and as much as a 1 1/2 packs. I only hope that I will be spared any tobacco related problems although I have been using an advair inhaler for a few years now. Since my quit I find I use it less, about 1X every 4 days where as, while smoking, I needed to use it 2X daily.
Good advice by FMXSMKR regarding whyquit.com
Visit that site often and read as much as you can about why we smoke and why we should quit. My favorites are:

Joel's Library
Library Categories
· Why do people smoke?
· The real cost
· How to quit smoking
· Relapse prevention
· What about weight gain?

The above pretty much covered all of my immediate questions. When I needed motivation, I went to the "Why quit smoking?"

We are here for you so allow us to support you in your quit : )
Kathy Jo
(way to go Giants!!)

[Jade59]

Yes, good luck to you Alli and congrats on taking that first step with the nicotine patch!  You can do this because if I can, you can!   I am also a long time smoker of 34yrs and had never quit before last July.  You are relatively young at 32 so please don't let another 15yrs go by and be FORCED to quit because of nicotine related physical problems.  Try to keep in mind all the poisens you're inhaling......look on "whyquit.com" for a lovely list of what we put in our bodies to calm us down, lol.  

We're here for you honey.............: )

[angel44240]

How much did you smoke a day? I put a nicotine patch on today- I HOPEFULLY get the Chantix tomorrow.. (wondering if my insurance will even cover it) I took a puff off of a cigarette today, and YUCK! It was awful! I can't wait 'til it's all over with already! (Patience, I know..)
I'm going to invest in some sugarless gum.. :D

[kathyjo]

Good luck to you and please do keep us posted. Chantix is how I quit smoking and I have been "quit" for 3 mths. 3 weeks & 4 days. I smoked for nearly 38 yrs. and had never quit before so I would say it is pretty amazing that I have quit! This forum is full of "chantix talk" so make sure you read up on it. We are here for support : )

Kathy Jo

[angel44240]

thing is, I have smoked since I posted this, but not alot at all.. (can't remember how many cigarettes I had yesterday- maybe like 7 or 8) But dang good from having a whole PACK! lol
I go to my doc on Monday, hopefully my insurance will cover the Chantix. I've been hearing some really good things about it.. I spoke with a lady/RN from The American Lung Association and she explained to me that NUMEROUS quit from taking Chantix.. It'll work for me, or I'll just take something else.. LOL
I'm determined to do this, and it'll just be a matter of time.. that's all...
Thanks so much for your support and God Bless! I'll keep ya posted!
Alli

[kathyjo]

Congrats on your quit! Cold turkey is probably the best way and good for you that you have done it before, several times!
You should be almost through all of the withdrawals so hang in there and stay positive!

FMXSMKR gave some very good advice regarding regarding posts to the message board. It WILL help you and others who will follow in your/our shoes : ) We are here to help one another and to support each other and I know that I have gained a lot of insight from the others.
  
Good luck and keep talking, it will help : )
Kathy Jo



,

[Jade59]

Good morning!  I'm sorry if I wasn't so supportive last night, it was late and I was ready for bed and checked this forum at the last minute....anyway, I originally quit last July with the aid of the lozenge, but I only used it for 5 days as it produced a lot heartburn for me.  Plus, when using an aid, one has to deal with nicotine w/d AGAIN so why not just get it over with.

It takes 3 days for nicotine to leave your system, then as you know it's all mental after that......after a second relapse, today is day 6 for me and I still feel congested with a little coughing included, but I feel so much better physically.  

Every day gets better and like I said earlier, if you can distract yourself from even the strongest cravings, then before you know it hours have gone by and............then you're having another one, lol!!!   Seriously though, you just have to be really ready and committed to your quit.  You will see kathyjos' posts on here and I have adopted her strategy of telling my family and friends when I need support instead of waiting for them to notice I'm not smoking.  This strategy has worked well for both of us.  You should try it.

If your having an especially strong craving that you just can't shake, then come on here and post your thoughts and I bet by the time you're done typing, the craving will have passed.  I have used this strategy also.  And if you go back and read old posts you will find alot of educational info.

Take care and stay strong..............

[angel44240]

thanks soo much for responding! :D  
Did you try any nicotine patches or anything like that to aid in nicotine withdrawals? Oh boy, last night was pretty rough! lol.. I thought I was seriously going to lose my mind!
Today's a new day, though...
I forgot, but how long does it take for your lungs to start cleaning themselves out?

[Jade59]

Hi angel and welcome to the forum.  I was just thinking today how quiet it is here, but now here you are!!   Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking again .........it sounds like you are no stranger to this struggle and one thing I would like to encourage you to do (if you didn't already) is take the extra step and CRUMBLE the remaining cigs up, lol.  I found that if I didn't do that I was out scrounging in the trash can the first time the cravings struck because I would envision those "brand new" cigs just sitting there, waiting for me..........

When the cravings hit me I just keep doing what I'm doing and before I know it hours have gone by and I realize I forgot all about it.  Also, there is a website called "whyquit.com" that has been really helpful.   Wow, 4 kids......that should help keep your mind busy.   I don't have children myself, but I do have nieces and nephews and when I quit it was not only for me, but to be a good example for them.

Best wishes, good luck and keep posting.....keep me company please : )