I Want to Quit Smoking

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I used to smoke as a teenager and quit at age 19, but began again around 1996. I usually smoke 10-12 cigarettes a day (maybe 15 when I am stressed, out with friends or on the telephone/computer for an extended amount of time), but now, I am haunted to stop. I am more tired, occasionally have SOB and also, my mother died from lung cancer in 1999, and this haunts me to no end each time I light a cigarette. In addition, now they are more expensive and with this economy, we need to save where we can and not bother with habits that are simply not helpful. I did quit for about 6 months around 2003 with the patches, but started again around the time I entered nursing school.

It is strange, because I sort of feel that I am giving up a 'friend'...and truthfully, I enjoy smoking, but I find myself saying that this does not make sense (almost like a suicide mission). Maybe I just want to 'wake up one day and not smoke again', with no effort (that is the easy way, I know). Sometimes, I think of hypnosis, accupunture and other things, because the patches gave me nightmares (so I took them off at night). Can't really take the Wellbutrin because I am already taking Zoloft. I am also afraid to gain weight, because I am working hard at eating better and losing.

I hope that interactions here will lead me to the path of a smoke-less life. Thanks for listening.:smokin::down:

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I have been cigarette free for one week now. The last time I stopped, I only lasted 4 weeks, till I succumbed-this time I am going to be successful.

I wear a rubber band on my wrist and when those cravings strike I give it a 'ping' , it hurts just enought to take my mind off ciggies. I have gone without any patches etc, because I need to stop and I feel that the replacement therapies will just draw things out. I am trying very hard to be very busy, am changing some behaviours and getting new habits (drinking many cups of tea, and walking )

I used to love smoking but have realised that cigarettes were a fair weather friend, and I need to leave them behind. .. .It is really hard. It feels like I am leaving an old life behind and making a new smoke free one . But, I believe the positives are worth the current difficulties.

Good Luck to you and to me..

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Pagan, biving up smoking WAS giving up my best friend. Always there, pacified and sooted when I was stressed, added to the joy when I was celebrating, passed the time with me when I was just hanging out.

Nicotine is more addictive than heroin.

Talk to your doctor about Chantix. It really helped me. If not that, Wellbutrin is the same thing as I forget the name, but cheaper. Nicotine produces changes in the levels or neurotransmitters, and the nicotine receptors WILL be screaming, "FEED ME!" night and day.

I quit in '95, with the patch, a hypnotist, and Zoloft. 3 packs a day for 27 years.

:)

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Good luck on stopping smoking, any time you feel an urge for a cigarette I would just come on here and be distracted :)

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.

pagandeva2000 - You sound like you're at the point where it will be possible for you to quit. In 9 days, I will have been nicotine free for 1 whole year. I did 2 things. 1) I had laser therapy (just google Anne Penman). I don't know if that really worked, or I just thought it did. But I haven't smoked since. 2)I also joined up at the Freedom from Tobacco boards at http://whyquit.com/

It's an absolutely fantastic site. You just need to sit there and read through the stuff a little at a time. I think you will especially like this

http://whyquit.com/joel/Joel_02_01_my_cig_my_friend.html

Good luck, you'll need lots of it!! Feel free to email or PM me.

The best way to quit is COLD TURKEY. That method has the HIGHEST rate of success.

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I've smoked for a long time and believe it or not, never did acquire the actual addiction. I could stop right now and never look back. I just don't want to!

I like to smoke! I wish they would invent a non-nicotine cigarette. It would be perfect for me. I'm crazy, I know!

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