Quitting smoking

[TechHead87]

OK, so Thursday morning, I woke up around 5:30am which is usually bedtime. I woke up and noticed that I couldn't breathe! So I had a relative drive me to the emergency room. I was coughing up stuff and still gasping for air.

Anywho, the doc said it was acute bronchitis. I haven't had a cigarette since Wednesday night, and I'm pretty much gonna just take it one day at time.

I tinkered with the idea of getting some of those Nicorette losenges(sp?). Anyone ever used those? I'm afraid that if I try quitting cold-turkey, I'll start back like I've done in the past.

 

[Juno]

look for a rockbottom that could give you an impact on quitting smoking.

 

[quakefiend420]

put on a shock collar and shock yourself everytime you want a cigarette

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Juno
look for a rockbottom that could give you an impact on quitting smoking.

not being able to breathe isn't rock bottom enough?

 

[NissanGurl]

I've known people that quit and those I talked to definitely preferred the patch over losenges or gum (they said the gum/losenge made their throat sore). You could always put a rubber band around your wrist and snap it every time you want a cigarette. Don't know if it works, but worth a shot.

Good Luck with quitting.

 

[TechHead87]

Originally posted by: Juno
look for a rockbottom that could give you an impact on quitting smoking.

I think that was the whole "not being able to breathe" thing...

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: NissanGurl
I've known people that quit and those I talked to definitely preferred the patch over losenges or gum. You could always put a rubber band around your wrist and snap it every time you want a cigarette. Don't know if it works, but worth a shot.

i think the shock collar would be more of a deterrant

 

[RallyMaster]

To all dem smokahz: "Stooop! You're killing yourselves!"

Why would you do it from the start. You've all seen how many people smoking kills. So please, do us a favor and not kill yourselves through a slow, painful death. Have a good life and find some other way to relieve your stress.

 

[OpenThirdEye]

I quit smoking earlier this year and I used the "Smoke Away" system. It worked VERY well! I didn't have any cravings or horrible withdrawl symptoms! I was a smoker since 1996.

I actually bought the kit at WalMart, but you can still order it online as well. It definitely gets a :thumbsup: from me!

 

[TechHead87]

Originally posted by: OpenThirdEye
I quit smoking earlier this year and I used the "Smoke Away" system. It worked VERY well! I didn't have any cravings or horrible withdrawl symptoms! I was a smoker since 1996.

I actually bought the kit at WalMart, but you can still order it online as well. It definitely gets a :thumbsup: from me!

How does that system work?

 

[psydancerqt]

my mother-in-law quit cold turkey about a month ago.. she chews alot of regular gum and has been exercising every day. good luck!!! stick with it!

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: TechHead87

Originally posted by: Juno
look for a rockbottom that could give you an impact on quitting smoking.

I think that was the whole "not being able to breathe" thing...

Well please do quit! I dont want you to be one of my patients in 25-30 years!

As a hint, the whole not being able to breath thing just gets worse the more you smoke. At some point you'll probably transition into COPD
From Wiki:

COPD is a progressive disease. Obstructive changes in spirometry and decreases in diffusion capacity are typically seen before symptoms occur. Early signs and symptoms are shortness of breath on exertion, recurrent respiratory infections or a morning cough. As the disease continues, the symptoms are seen with increased frequency and severity. In the late stages, the patient often experiences severe cough, constant wheezing, and shortness of breath with minimal exertion or rest. At this late stage, progression to respiratory failure and death is common. Progression is typically caused by the patient's continued exposure to tobacco smoke. Although medications often decrease symptoms, it is not believed that they prevent the progression if the patient continues to smoke.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COPD

Little initial info for you.

I'll put it to you this way, and forgive me for using scare tactics. But to put it simply, if you continue to smoke you'll either get COPD, or lung cancer. Either way odds are you'll die a pretty horrific death. With COPD you basically suffocate to death. Lung cancer....well at least it's quick but odds of surviving 5 years with it are less than 10%.

Do yourself and your body a favor. Quit now.

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: TechHead87

Originally posted by: Juno
look for a rockbottom that could give you an impact on quitting smoking.

I think that was the whole "not being able to breathe" thing...

but you plan to smoke one cigarette a day.

 

[DCFife]

Originally posted by: NissanGurl
I've known people that quit and those I talked to definitely preferred the patch over losenges or gum (they said the gum/losenge made their throat sore). You could always put a rubber band around your wrist and snap it every time you want a cigarette. Don't know if it works, but worth a shot.

Good Luck with quitting.

I tried the lozenge once and I hated it. The patch works great. The first day or two can be a bit harsh, but NOT smoking becomes a habit pretty quickly. Do it now!!!!

 

[lokiju]

I quit 3 years ago (smoked for 8 years prior) and before that I tried many times by taking the approach of slowly quiting and taking it a step at a time, when I did finally quit in '03 it was cold turkey and I haven't even taken a drag of a cig since, but you have to have 100% conviction to do so. I would think that not being able to breath and going to the hospital should be enough to stop, but doesn't sound like you feel the same about that.

My number 1 piece of advice to quit smoking is......

DO NOT DRINK WHATSOEVER while you're quitting, wait at least 3 months before drinking since you WILL smoke a cig or two when you drink even if when sober you say "no chance in hell"

Also, stay away from smoke and smokers, even if they're your friends, ask them to not smoke around you or just lay low for that 3 month initial period to help yourself get over the hump.

When it comes down to it, no one but you can make you quit! No gum, or patch or whatever, only your unwaivering will power and determination.

/preachiness

 

[BornStar]

Originally posted by: Juno

Originally posted by: TechHead87

Originally posted by: Juno
look for a rockbottom that could give you an impact on quitting smoking.

I think that was the whole "not being able to breathe" thing...

but you plan to smoke one cigarette a day.

One day at a time != one per day

 

[huberm]

i quit september 1st. The first week is the worst - then it gets easier. You'll start to appreciate fresh air.

I have tried several times in the past. The trick is to just not give in to the cravings, no matter how difficult it is. Tell yourself that you will accept the craving instead of giving the craving away for a cigarette. Throw all cigarettes and lighters away in the house. And go for walks each day!

After the first week or so of madly chewing gum, my lungs no longer burned for a cigarette. I still get the urge to light up several times a day, but there is no physical feeling of a need for it (its similiar to an appetite when you're not hungry).

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: BornStar18

Originally posted by: Juno

Originally posted by: TechHead87

Originally posted by: Juno
look for a rockbottom that could give you an impact on quitting smoking.

I think that was the whole "not being able to breathe" thing...

but you plan to smoke one cigarette a day.

One day at a time != one per day

sorry, i misread.

OP, you still need to QUIT smoking. my dad quitted smoking for good when i developed asthma at age 6 (16 years ago) and had to continue with inhalers for like two years. that was his rockbottom.

 

[kingtas]

I smoked for 16 years. I'm talking about a die hard Marboro smoker who didn't hold that sucker or sit it in the ashtray. I sucked the tobacco through the filter, OK.

Anyway, my experience is this:

You have to be ready to quit or you won't. My reason was also health, as well as I pretty much hated everything associated with smoking - but I was addicted.

I used the patch. It helped a lot. I also took a smoking cessation class. It didn't really help that much except I had to or couldn't get the patch.

One thing that the Doc said in the class makes sense. he said the patch was good because you broke the habit while weaning yourself from the addiction. He said gum and things like that don't work as well as the patch because you don't break the habit of "You get a craving. You reach into your pocket and put something in your mouth".

The patch did give me wicked dreams, though. And you will cough more before you feel better. I also found that I was over sensitive to cigarette smoke for the first year or so. But it past and I can be around smokers just fine.

Good Luck.