I quit smoking and need advice

TouchRN · May 18, 2005

Congrats, and take all of the great advice you got from this thread.

One more addition. I recommend that you get massages!! At least 2-3 a week for a couple of weeks. That will facilitate the removal of toxins and nicotine from your body and help with the craves.

This really is a must for you at this time.

Good luck!!

BabyRN2Be · May 18, 2005

Congratulations on making such a wonderful, life changing decision! People who are affected by cigarette smoke so much really appreciate people like you who want to change to make this a healthier world. I have Reynaud's phenomenon, and it is activated by cigarette smoke. So I do greatly appreciate efforts like yours. Thank you! :yelclap:

I know that this is going to be a tough fight for you, and I'll be sending good vibes your way. On a humorous note, Dave Barry once said that giving up cigarettes is one of the hardest things a person can do. You know, on airplanes about 20 years ago (before smoking bans) they used to have an announcement they did shortly after takeoff, instructing cig smokers that it was OK to light up. Dave, in trying to say that cig smoking is harder to give up than heroin, once said, "note they say that it's OK for cig smokers to light up and it's not OK for heroin users to now shoot up. That's because smoking is such a greater addiction!" (BTW, I'm a potential pilot and an airline brat, I knew that people would go into the lavs and shoot up. And since it won't set off any smoke detection devices, I'm sure that it still continues. :stone) But that's beside the point...

Anyhow, my brother has giving up cigarettes. He does chew a lot of gum, he drinks a lot of juices and stays out of certain situations that would trigger a "relapse." He's been off cigs for about a year now and he's doing quite well.

I wish you all the luck in the world, and I do applaud your efforts! :yelclap:

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · May 18, 2005

May I suggest the American Lung Association's online Quit Smoking program? I've seen it and it does look helpful.

https://www.kintera.org/site/apps/kb/home/login.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=38973&kntaw1360=72872C7EB4D24E599D7F31C1FE4F9C83&membershipreq=83912&targetURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Elungusa%2Eorg%2Fsite%2Fpp%2Easpx%3Fc%3DdvLUK9O0E%26b%3D22933

badgernurse · May 18, 2005

Here's a helpful and supportive website: http://www.quitnet.com

AuntMeggie · May 19, 2005

I'm a professional quitter :-) Not that I should be giving advice, but one way to get through stressful situation is to continue to take breaks. While studying I'd always take smoke breaks and then after quitting I still needed some form of stress relief. Even if it's just playing solitare for 10 minutes.....you have to give your brain rest time.

Congrats on quitting. (I'm on day 3 of another attempt.) I graduate friday and start my first job on Monday and refuse to take a smoke break in front of the hospital. Something about wearing scrubs, working in a NICU, and smelling like cigarette smoke that doesn't go together.

casualjim · May 19, 2005

I'm really happy for you. When I quit, a smart guy told me that most smokers will talk about how they're "stress smokers" when they really are having a physiological craving. What he told me to do is be a "stress something else." Find something else to do in the 10 minutes that you'd smoke a cigarette. The whole "do something else" thing really paid off for me.

good luck! stay strong

aloha

AuntMeggie · May 19, 2005

Medic I"m on day 4 now........how ya doing?? I'm about to go to a senior send off for my graduation tomorrow. It's at a bar......If I can get through this....

cindyRN 2006 · May 19, 2005

I am smoking my last cigarette today. The hardest phase for me will be the psychological aspect. I have a plan in place, but need back up suggestions for getting through the endless stream of thoughts regarding wanting to light up another one. :stone I have categorized myself as a stress and social smoker. I am not in a "happy" place right now :angryfire
Any advice from people who have been there?
I appreciate any and all input!!
Thanks!
:balloons:

Good decision I quit on December 14, 2004 Best decision I have made since entering nursing school. I quit like Mark and his wife cold turkey using the patch. I used the patch for 3 weeks stepping down from 21 mg to 14 mg to 7 mg It worked well for me. Here is what I did when a craving would come on..

Read a book to my son

Get on the treadmill for 10 minutes

drink 8 oz of water

brush my teeth :

eat some carrot sticks

brush up on some diseases from my med-surg book

call a friend

Save the money in a jar that you would normally spend on cig. and go on vacation in 6 months!!!!

I would simply find somthing else to do with my mind, I did it at the most stressful time in my life and so can you. Stay positive and stay busy and before you know it you will think when you have to walk by the smokers outside that it is the most repulsive smell that exsists good luck and keep us updated.

GrnHonu99, RN · May 20, 2005

I am smoking my last cigarette today. The hardest phase for me will be the psychological aspect. I have a plan in place, but need back up suggestions for getting through the endless stream of thoughts regarding wanting to light up another one. :stone I have categorized myself as a stress and social smoker. I am not in a "happy" place right now :angryfire
Any advice from people who have been there?
I appreciate any and all input!!
Thanks!
:balloons:

I quit cold turkey about a year and a half ago. It was kinda hard but I am one of those ppl who like you was more psycologically addicted than physically. I thought about the times that I would smoke: ie when i was stressed, after a large meal, in the mornings, etc and tried to identify the root of the problem...for example i knew that i smoked a cigarette every time i got stressed out sooo i decided to go for a walk instead or something like that..you have to break that psychological need...also find something else to do with your hands..you will really miss that hand to mouth action! Try chewing gum instead....and just remember that is YOU conrol you, your cigarettes dont control you...sounds corny but helped me! good luck!!!

oh one more thing, if you get through the first week its all down hill from there! just keep that in mind:)

redwinggirlie · May 20, 2005

Try using the support groups found at quitnet.com

Might find some great tips, there.

Good luck and be well.

Bindy, BSN, RN · May 21, 2005

Hey, I think your great. You are determined to do something for yourself that will be an accomplishment. It is hard to quit, I sure know and had fallen off the wagon, so to say, several times. But I just climbed back on the very next day. Because I invisioned myself as a nonsmoker. I don't want my children to pick up the nasty habit. I don't want to smell from a mile away. I want to meet people in public and not worry that I reek. These may be vain (at least some) reasons but it works. Also teeth, as I call "chicklets" are never bright and white. Get your teeth whitened, that helps too. And three more tidbits......breath deep when you want one...it works, drink alot to flush yourself out...I did a ton of hot tea, and pull up some pages on the internet of what smoking does to your health and your youth. Hang tough because you CAN do this. Warmest regards, Bindy

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 22, 2005

Thanks to everyone here - you're a great bunch of people!!!

Needless to say, I have not felt like doing much of anything lately, felt kind of depressed, and just plain ole "blah". I'm coming out of it though.

It's been 4 days.....4 very difficult days - I wish I could have a partial lobotomy to get rid of "those" thoughts. BUT, I have been following everyone's advice, joined the websites and I'll be okay. I plan on starting to work out more & I'm sure that'll help me get out of the funk. I wish I could use the patch or Zyban or the gum, but for certain reasons I can't.

I'm keeping in mind 2 very important reasons as to why I quit. The first is I found out that I am expecting (so I will not and cannot have a relapse) and the second I have to give as much priority as the first - and that is for myself. If I make the pregnancy the only reason - I know I will start as soon as it over.

So.....it has been interesting!

Thanks again everyone - you're all terrific!!

:balloons:

AuntMeggie - best of luck to you...how did you do??