Advice on quitting smoking????

[Heather78418]

My dad recently learned that he has to quit smoking. Well he asked me to quit with him.He is on pills to help with his cravings. I told him that Iwould quit with him. My question is does someone have any helpful hints on quiting???

[borzoimom]

Well I used those plastic coffee straw stirrers. You can bite them, play with them etc..
I had quit for over 12 years. I started ( I hate to say this) 8 months ago when I retired, and bored.. ( no excuse) but New Years is coming.. lol..
also drink lots of water and if you want a cig- get a drink of water. A doctor told me this would help flush the system out as the liver etc detox's..

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Please call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. My husband is a quit counselor, and they have centers across the US. They will counsel you and your father and give good tips, plus you can get free nicotine patches to help with cravings. I'd really encourage you both to do so- it's a free program and it can help you!

[Heather78418]

Thank you , I will call them. My dad is doing good . His doctor prescribed him something stronger than what you get in stores.

[lvpets2002]

Well when I quit I just did what you call it Cold Turkey.. Now when I quit the was no such thing as patches & gum.. I of course had to sit on my hands alot, but I made it.. Have not smoked to 15 years now..

[Karen]

Yay! Congratulations! Think of us cheering you on, every step of the way. Lollipops - sugarfree if you are worried about the calories and can tolerate them - are a good "I need to put something in my mouth" substitute, as they have that handy "handle" that just happens to be a white cylinder, and you take the lollipop in and out of your mouth in that familiar pattern.

[borzoimom]

Please call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. My husband is a quit counselor, and they have centers across the US. They will counsel you and your father and give good tips, plus you can get free nicotine patches to help with cravings. I'd really encourage you both to do so- it's a free program and it can help you!

thank you! I wrote it down... I am not smoking much, but its there. Its mostly boredom ( yes excuses) but still. I have also decided, retired early or not, to go back to work. I just dont know what yet.

[K9karen]

I stopped smoking after my wrist surgery, to promote healing. Unfortunatly (sorry Rachel, my cheerleader) *hangs head in shame*, I do have one now and then. But, I stopped with the help of the Nicotrol Inhaler. It's very expensive, but luckily, my dentist gives out free samples, so he's helped me save money. It's almost like smoking a cigarette and worked great.

I'm just a weak person, who still needs a ciggie after a meal or with a drink. BUT, I went from a pack a day to a pack every 3 days.

Heather..if your dad is on Wellbutrin, I think it attributes to a weight gain. My primary doctor prescribed it but warned me of the side effects and I said no.

I'll keep trying...but it's really tough.

[Rachel]

I'll keep trying...but it's really tough.

That's enough to make me hopeful. I know you can do it. With all the things we don't have any control over healthwise, this and not being overweight are things we can do. You work on yours and I'll work on mine.

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

My only advice is to make sure you really want to quit before actually doing it. If you want to quit, you will. Good luck!

[borzoimom]

In two weeks, I will be in the hospital for a week. I am using this as the catapult to get a 7 days under my belt. I figure if I can make the first few, I got it. I could kick myself for starting again- dumb excuse boredom huh.
I wrote the number down Pembroke Corgi- . I told my doctor I wanted to do this, and he said it us usually successful as long as I have the mind set when I get home. Wish me luck..