Have You Quit Smoking?

[GLCQuantum]

As we are in the month of 'Stoptober' ( ) I have given quitting cigarettes another go. So far I have sneaked one over the last 2 days which is a huge improvement on 20 a day. How long will it last? We will have to wait and see there.

Have any of you fellas (or ladies) ever quit smoking? What method worked best for you? How many attempts did you take before finally cracking it?

This will be my 3rd attempt in over 15 years as a smoker. The longest I've ever gone was around a month and then I had a drink and was back to square one. That's the key there for me I think... no drinking for a good couple of months so as not to allow temptation to rear its ugly head. I remember how much better I felt after a couple of weeks the last time so it really is a no brainer to stub it out but.... once an addict always an addict! Just gotta learn to control it!

[Bamboo Grove]

I quit more than 16 years ago. On a drinking night, I could go through three packs of cigarettes and on a normal day about a pack and half. It wasn't easy to quit and I think without Nicorette chewing gum, I would not have been able to quit. As you say, it's very hard when you having beers but there are also other instances when you really crave for one, for example after meals, cup of coffee etc. BTW, I gained about 10 kg in the process and it took about 6 months before I stopped thinking about smoking. For some years I had dreams where I had started smoking again and would wake up cursing myself for doing so. It was always a relief to notice that it had only been a dream. Good luck for your efforts.

[GLCQuantum]

For some years I had dreams where I had started smoking again and would wake up cursing myself for doing so. It was always a relief to notice that it had only been a dream.

I was thinking about getting the gum to help ease the pain slightly. As it stands I need plenty of nibbles. I remember being the same last time... always picking at finger food to give my hands something to do. I may just gain a lot of weight too by the end!

Well done for getting the job done though Bamboo Grove.

[VincentD]

Think I've finally stopped. This is the third time.

First time about 25 years ago; the price of a pack went up by 30%; was so mad at the guy in the shop telling me I had to pay the increase I stopped cold for 3 months.

Second time was when I got married; wife was allergic to nicotine and would get really bad skin rashes even if only a tad. Never smoked in the car or in the house, though. That lasted ten years. All it took was some stress situation, being away from home and family at the same time, smoker friends and a lot of booze to get started again.
Continued for another 5 years.

The last time I stopped, it was because of a really bad cough. (The will was there, but it was weak). The maid asked me for a smoke, and being rather irritated with the cough, said this is the last stick I'll have, lit one up and gave her the pack and the lighter. I sneaked one about a week later, but since then have been away for 7 years.

[Terry]

July 1st 2003 was the last time I touched the dreaded weed..................had been smoking on & off for 40 yrs!

Used to be 40 - 50 a day and non stop when having a drink.

The biggest influence was having two young boys. I simply did not want them growing up thinking that just because dad smokes - it's ok for me.

Was not easy - just willpower - no patches - no pills.

Sad to say that I put on weight but have never been inclined to light one up any more.

Got to the stage now where the smell of it disgusts me - they say that a reformed smoker is the worst!

Guess that's me

[Randy Cornhole]

I have given up twice and started again. The first time for 2 years and the second time for 13 years. After both times I was really not bothered about starting again as i've always enjoyed a puff.

I am currently on about 20 prison thin roll ups (with filter) a day.

[Braveheart]

Have smoked for the best part of 30 years,find it quite easy to stop,have managed at different times to stop for 2 years,9 months,6 months and various shorter times.Always just stop no patches or gum or other gadgets.Unfortunately I have so far always returned to smoking,hopefully sooner rather than later I will be able to quit for good

[richard]

STOPPED.......for good I hope?

HOPE?...........who knows

Smoked the best part of 50 years, moving gradually from 10 a day to 60 a day.

Stopped a few times using all the usual stuff. Patches, pills, acupuncture, bets etc and all failed. Did stop for 6 years when playing county level squash but when the knees and back ached too much squash went out the window and fags came in the door.

Last had a fag on June 14th 2011. Treatment? SHOCK.

Had two bouts of DVT in the last 8 years so on Warfarin. My doctor scared me by saying an op would be required to widen a vein into my kidney. When he assured me medication would not work he recommended I give up smoking. Also on recollection I have know a few people who have lost a leg or both legs through DVT and smoking. I gave my fags and lighter to my taxi driver and vowed never to smoke again. I was also encourage by a weeks detox program where no fags, no booze, no solid foods and loads of exercise, yoga and meditation helped me

No problem being with other smokers in fact I quite enjoy it. Helped myself by following a website

http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Benefits_Time_Table.html

I hold no grudge against smokers providing they consider others around them. Of course I still crave a little when in a bar having a beer and the guy or gal I'm with lights up.

BUT and it is a big BUT, who knows. A stressful period, a temptation in your face. Doesn't take much after all why should I give up smoking when I enjoy it?

[cookie102]

Was smoking 60 per day up till twonand a half years ago.
Stopped with the help of chemist in the UK and by using Champix.
Was amazed how quickly my carbon levels in my lungs went down to almost zero and the cash in my pocket went up by over £4000.00 in the first year.
I still enjoy a little passive smoking but do not feel the urge to light up again.

[advocate]

Was smoking 60 per day up till twonand a half years ago.
Stopped with the help of chemist in the UK and by using Champix.
Was amazed how quickly my carbon levels in my lungs went down to almost zero and the cash in my pocket went up by over £4000.00 in the first year.
I still enjoy a little passive smoking but do not feel the urge to light up again.

Started smoking when I moved to Thailand 7 years ago. Stupidest thing I ever did.

I smoke less than a pack a day, but it's still too much. When I'm on the beer I can somehow manage 2 packs. My 48 year old friend here just had a heart attack, and was told it is directly from smoking. He went from 3 packs a day to being a non smoker.Scared the hell out of him and myself as well.

I have thought of using Champix, but am concerned about possible side effects. Did you have any problems from this drug? How long did you take it for? Did it reduce craving for cigs? Do you know if it is available here?

[Rob W]

I stopped using the gum for the first couple of weeks then regular chewing gum after that took me three years to get off the gum!
As was said earlier put on a lot of weight.

[T.I.G.R.]

July 13, 1993 after nearly thirty years.....3 pack a day habit.

Took me about seven times, the best I had previously done was a year. Then my youngest son had some problems and moved in with me for awhile.....he smoked and within a couple of weeks I was smoking again.

My last time I quit cold turkey, and didn't mean to, but couldn't get a prescription for the patches until about 5:00 p.m. the day I quit......after going all day trying to get the patches I finally got them and then never opened the box......was fairly peeved about all the run around I went through to get them.

For me it took a period of almost ten years but I kept trying by first eliminating smoking in the house, then the car and finally altogether.

Just keep trying until you make it! Good luck.

[malcolminthemiddle]

Nov 5th 2003.

It’s easy to stop the hard part is staying stopped.

There is only one way to stay stopped never take another puff.

No stop smoking aid provides a miracle cure, most are psychological some even continue to feed the nicotine addiction.

You have to want to stop for yourself. No one can stop for you. If you want to stop set an agenda, educate yourself, set a date and stop. You can.

[barry720]

Stopped with the use of the electric cigarette. I used the nicotine insert for a long time before replacing and that cut down on my nicotine dependence. Using the cigarette cut down on my habitually holding a cigarette. It worked for me after 40 years of smoking. Good luck!!

[aragon]

April 2001 I was medivaced out of China with suspected TB, fortunately that prognosis was wrong and after some treatment the undiagnosed infection cleared up. As part of the treatment I had multiple tests/checks carried out on my lungs and apart from whatever this infection was, all else was fine, which after having smoked for the best part of 30 odd years was a relief and I decided right there and then that I was quitting. I had tried unsuccessfully to quit many times in the past, but I don't think I really had my heart in it but this time I did and despite having smoked around 20 a day and probably twice to three times as much when on the lash (a regular occurrence in those days), I never had any withdrawals or problems, apart from a burgeoning appetite and waistline to go with it