What is the BEST way to QUIT?

[Rena705]

I am only going to tell you what worked for me in the hopes that it will work for you!

The number one fact is that you will not be successful at this unless you are ready to quit for you!  Don't try to quit for the kids, the hubby, your job....it will not work, you have to quit because YOU WANT TO!!!

These are my stats:  My Quit Date: 7/17/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 223
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 7,831
Amount Saved: $4460
Life Gained:
Days: 23 Hrs: 0 Mins: 20 Seconds: 46

I wanted to quit!  I didn't like the feeling of not being able to breathe!  I didn't like the yellow **** that I kept having to clean off of my walls, my windows, my teeth!!!!  I didn't want to have to go outside in minus 30 degree weather to have a bloody cigarette on my break rather than sitting in a nice warm coffee room having a hot coffee and a muffin!  I did not look at it as though they won...I looked at it as though I finally beat them!

I started on the Nicoderm patch, level #2!  It is important that you start on the level that you need.  If you are on that highest level of 21mg/day and you are feeling really crappy, sweating, shaky, nauseated...you are probably on a patch that is too strong!  Start on the 14mg/day patch, you will feel soo much better and it really does take the edge off.

My doctor told me that she would prescribe the patch for me for as long as I wanted.  She stated that she would rather have me on the patch than see me smoke.  I was on the patch for approximately 3 months.  I didn't wean down to the 7mg/day patch, I went off cold turkey but if it works for you certainly use the 7mg/day patch.

They say that when the craving gets you right in the back of the neck...like the Nicodemon is taking a chunk out of the back of your neck...just wait 5 minutes...they are right!  I found that when the craving hit I just wait 5 minutes and you will find that your mind becomes busy with something else and it will just be gone!  Give it a try...you have nothing to lose do you?  

Everyone has a preferred quitting aid...some people can quit cold turkey but if you are suffering badly from withdrawal, why fight it?  It doesn't make you any less of a person by using a quitting aid!  Rather than lighting up, run to the drugstore and grab a box of patches and give em a try!

If you really WANT to quit you will find what works for you and you will succeed!

Another thing is support!  It is very important but it is also overwhelming at times.  You should tell everyone you know that you have set a quit date and ask them to be supportive...BUT...you will find on that quit date that everyone is going to ask you how it's going?, did you have a smoke today? and it will drive you NUTS because all they are doing is making you think of having a smoke!  Let them know that right away!  Tell them that you are doing fine but it will make it a lot easier if you are not being reminded of what you can't have all the time...they will understand.

I personally got on the chat line with the Canadian Cancer Society and while at first it seems a little corny...it really does help to know that there are others out there feeling what you are and just when you are ready to fall off the edge and light up...you have somewhere to go and grab hold and pull you back up.

I hope that my information has helped at least one person...I think that everyone here is probably ready to quit, you just need a little help, not a push!  If someone is pushing you, you will only get your back up and you will probably fail.  When you are ready, set a date and stick to it..don't let anyone get in your way and you will succeed!

By the way, the weight gain is to be expected due to the fact that the cigarettes speed up your metabolism so naturally when you quit your metabolism will slow...5-10 pounds can be expected but you will lose it within a year and gain the ability to run up the stairs without having to stop for some air (it's a really cool feeling I haven't felt in a long, long time).

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!

[brigham1978]

Hi,
I smoked for about ten years and about six months ago I stated waking up with lung pain.  This scared the **** out me so I tried to quit.  I tried gum, the patch, zyban (yuck!) and I could't stop.  About 4 months ago my mom bought me this products called zerosmoke and I'm a skeptic but it seemed to work. It's all natural and my bro quit with it as well.  Here's some info on it http://www.tvproductsandmore.com/l.html

[mr.lucky66]

I quit with chantix after failing with zyban and nicoderm. all the best

[kathyjo]

"Everyone has a preferred quitting aid...some people can quit cold turkey but if you are suffering badly from withdrawal, why fight it?  It doesn't make you any less of a person by using a quitting aid!"

Wonderful advice and thank you for stressing that important point. In the end, what is important is that you quit : )

WTG, 223 days!

Kathy Jo
---
4m 2w 2d 21:33 smoke-free, 3,076 cigs not smoked, $738.24 saved, 1w 3d 16:20 life saved

[Jade59]

Thank you for your encouraging post!  You make so many excellent points.  I too, quit for all the reasons you listed.  I was READY!

Congratulations of 223 days smoke free!!!  

And Btw.....we share the same name!  It freaked me out when I first glanced at your post.  I thought you were addressing it to me, lol.