Stopping smoking? What helps you

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Jan 31, 2008

I love reading these success stories...it gives one hope.

Keep them coming.

If you are currently struggling with the desire to quit, like I am...please tell your story too.

mlvnurse03 · Jan 31, 2008

I myself do not smoke. But many of our patients have quit using that new drug-Chantix. Maybe you should give this a try.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2008

Chantix.

NICU_nurse2b · Jan 31, 2008

I too am a smoker. The only thing that made me quit was getting pregnant. The last time I stopped was for 7 years. Then 3rd semester of nursing school I started carpoolling with 3 other smokers. (not blaming them at all, just made it easier to start again) It was during the summer and we were craming 16 weeks into 10, very stressfull. I started smoking again. I feel horrible. My youngest daughter was born with congenital heart disease and swore I would never smoke again. (I smoked until I found out I was pregnant, but by then I was 6-8 weeks along.) She was not a planned pregnancy or I would not have been smoking at all. I NEVER smoke around my children or in my house, but they do know I smoke.

I can't believe how easy it was to start again! I will start working soon and really need to quit. (Pregnancy is not an option this time!!) When ever I even think of not smoking I have such anxiety. I don't remember feeling this way the other times I quit. I'm making this post the first step in quitting.

I have to agree with other posters, lecturing does not help and does fall on deaf ears. My husband does not understand why after everything we have been through, why I would start again. I don't understand it myself.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 31, 2008

I haven't smoked but I have offered support to many as was part of my role in my previous job and know it is not easy to pack in but I hoped I never lectured my patients but offered them support and passed on hints/tips that others had given to me that helped them in their quest. My hats go off to the ones that keep trying and to the ones that struggle and stop you will find a time that is right for you and I hope you find the support in others to help you

TheBean · Feb 2, 2008

I quit smoking 7 years ago, after smoking for 13 years. I didn't use the patch, gum, or anything. Just did it cold turkey. I'll tell ya- it was really hard at first.

Busy hands helped but one can't always keep their hands busy. Going out with my friends was really tough, since I smoked a lot with them: Someone is late- light up a cig; drink in one hand, smoke in another. Also, waiting at a light in my car was tough- what does one do with their hands when you're just sitting there?

Once I realized that smoking for me was more of a means of displacing my anxiety, I was better equipped to handle not smoking.

When just telling myself to stop didn't work, I had my handy dandy little back-up: I had a small jar of cigarette butts in water that I would open up and sniff. :barf01: That was discouragement enough.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Feb 3, 2008

When just telling myself to stop didn't work, I had my handy dandy little back-up: I had a small jar of cigarette butts in water that I would open up and sniff. :barf01: That was discouragement enough.

You know, I may need to include that in my orificenal when I choose my quit day. Thank you for this suggestion.

TAB_RN · Feb 3, 2008

I quit 21 days ago. I used Chantix for 3 weeks. I don't have the urge - but the first week was BRUTAL! I was a WITCH! Not to mention, I quit 10 days before sitting for the NCLEX-RN. If I could get through that without a cigarette, I can do ANYTHING!

I now know, 21 days later, that I am done. I won't go back, because I don't want to have to do this again. I am past the nicotine and now past the habit as well. Now, if I went back - it would just be a stupid decision, so that is NOT going to happen.

:)

giggy2 · Feb 3, 2008

I agree about the lecturing. Anyone who has been a smoker should know better than to lecture. I know when someone would lecture me all I would think to myself was "shut the hell up!" :icon_roll All my friends still smoked when I stopped. Quitting was my choice and I was ready for it. We all have to decide for ourselves when to quit. I don't offer any advice unless asked.

My husband quit 4 months after I did. My best friend still hasn't quit, that's okay cause she just isn't ready to yet. I support her no matter what she does. My neighbors both quit with Chantix about 3 weeks ago and are doing well.

I did it for me and for my children, I was ready for a positive change in my life.

Happy Sunday! :w00t:

BrayaRN · Feb 3, 2008

I have quit two times using the following method. I have been smoke-free since September 18, 2006.

I bought myself Step One patches and also 2mg lozenges. I wore the patches for the 24 hours and when I had a break-through craving I would pop a lozenge. The pathes contain about the nicotine of 1/2 pack of cigarettes and I was a pack a day smoker. I usually only needed 2-3 lozenges a day. This was during nursing clinicals and I did not want to be crabby.

I continued to use the patches as directed. When it was time to go to Step 2 I did. I would still use lozenges but still only 2 or 3. When it was time to go to step 3 I didn't. I didn't feel the need for nicotine anymore.

The experience was not even awful for those around me.

I believe it was probably cheaper than filling Chantix. But different methods work for different people.

I would still love to smoke. However, I do not have physical or mental cravings. I do know that if I give in and smoke one cigarette I will be off to the store to buy a pack. That is what happened to me last time.

Karley9336 · Feb 3, 2008

chantix:up:, god bless chantix. i smoked for hmmm, 35 years.... quit/abstained many times...difficult quits every one of them, except when i was pregnant...then it was a no brainer:tinkbll:. i started on chantix mid november with no quit date in mind...just took the med...found that i was smoking less and less....set my quit date for jan 1st...no...it was/is not a new years resolution:dncg:! smoke free now for over a month.....and now my husband is trying the chantix also!!! i joined a:pumpiron: gym before i quit smoking and have been religious about going when i am able...still am fighting the battle of the bulge, but...i think that i am winning!:w00t: i won't say it is always easy with my husband smoking:scrm:, but for my health and his...i had to quit. when i started quitting chantix was not covered by our insurance....as of last week when my husband checked...it is now covered....oh...and added incentive for myself...i take the money that i would have spent on ciggies....and buy myself something totally self indulgent.....diamonds are my current favs..... :saint: . when i think that i may want a ciggie.....i get up and walk to the basement...(where my new gym equipment is:yeah:) and by the time i get back upstairs...the urge is gone. if i get the urge when i am not at home...i tell my self to wait five minutes... by the time five minutes have passed...i usually have forgotten about it...

i feel for me that this is an especially appropriate forum...cuz i am a nicotine addict....and it would be all too easy to revert back to the habit....guess i'll just wait five minutes....see if i still want one...nah...i will just look at the new diamond ring i just bought...

good luck to all those that are quitting...attempting to quit...thinking about quitting.....

try chantix...get support....get gum.....get diamonds...lol.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 4, 2008

Congrats Karlee..... glad it is working out for you and I hope you both go from strength to strength