I quite...

[Rachel]

I am so proud of you, first for recognizing the need to quit and second for not finding some excuse not to. Then you implemented your plan and are sticking to it. When you live as long as I have, you get to see lots of illnesses and death caused by smoking. About 20 years ago I lost a good friend to lung cancer, and most of my friends and acquaintances have a similar tale to tell. There is so many bad things that happen that we don't know how to prevent, at least here is one that we can do something and you are doing it as we speak.

I know quitting is harder for some than others, but personally for me and my husband, it wasn't all that hard. You are doing it and I am rooting for you and cheering you on. This is not a senseless thread. This is a celebration of Life and Health. Good Girl!!!!

[Katiesmom]

Thanks for being here for me PTers, you really don't know how much this means to me to have so many people cheering me on I'm on the third day and so far so good the urge to have one isn't has bad. I didn't have a good night sleep at all last night so I'm hoping that will change SOON

Thanks again everyone every time I read these post it makes me wanna cry that I have so many people supporting and cheering me on

[HoRsELUvR]

Congratulations!That's great!You are very strong to give up smoking, so keep at it!We all know you can do it.

[Laura's Babies]

As a smoker myself, wanting to quit, let me offer my support! I have tried about 3 times and only managed to stay off of them a couple of weeks each time. I asked a lung doctor one time which method he had seen the best results with and he told me the patch since it put the nicotine in your body 24 hours a day and other methods do not. There are more and more methods on the market to help us quit and I think the cigarette makers should foot the bill for anyone who wants to quit and pay for whatever it takes, no matter the costs.

I found that it is the lack of the constant taste in my mouth that drove me back to smoking. I was constantly eating, putting something in my mouth and of coarse gaining weight..Averaged 20 pounds in only 3 weeks every time I tried to quit. I want to try those losengers (sp?) and see if those work for that taste thing. I am going to quit.......one day.

Good luck with your efforts and may you complete the task with no problem. (you do not realize what a domant part of your life they are until you quit)

[cookieluver7]

Congratulations on being smoke-free. I know it will be hard to quite, but you will be a lot healthier and live a lot longer! Congrats!

[Katiesmom]

Today has been the worst yet, I am just so aggrivated at everything I do today. I just got done breaking a shelve in fridge, of course I didn't mean to do it but now my fridge will not close Its not a good day but I haven't had a cig. I don't really eat since I quite I ate more when I was smoking I guess its because thats when it hits me the hardest because I had to have a cig right after I ate so if I don't eat I don't have the urge. I mean I not gonna quite eating but I don't eat as much I'm much more hungry but I over look it. Ugh today just isn't good nothing is working out.

Thanks again for y'all support I know it will get easier!

I'm using the patch if anyone is wondering and yes it works well for me it is because i"m determined to quite

[carole]

You are going great guns girl, keep up the good work, and remember when you are having a hard day, it will pass, be strong, and if you weaken don't be hard on yourself, just put it behind you and take one day at a time.

It can be done, and you can do it ,sheer determination always helps a lot, its a strong addiction for some, and it is a tough road to follow, but just look at all of us reformed smokers, thats positive proof.

I have been a non-smoker now for over 24 years, for me personally it was not that hard at all, but I think the fact I never smoked properly, inhaled that much, made it easier, although I was a chain smoker, what made me quit, the fact I was going to have my son, I never smoked from that day on, and carried my son through a smokefree pregnancy.

I know your child is a priority too, so everytime you feel that urge, look at him and maybe that will help , also put those $$$$$$$signs infront of your eyes and think what you can do with that? spend ,spend,spend.

We are all here for you, to offer advice and support, so take advantage of that, as there is a wealth of that here. GOOD LUCK!!!

Onward and upward as the saying goes.

[rg_girlca]

I'm sorry you are having a bad day. Maybe if you took your son and went for a nice walk, taking in the crisp fresh air might help you.

Do you wear the patch at night while you are sleeping?

I did and found I had a terrible time sleeping. So I would take it off before I was about ready to fall asleep and then put a new one back on when I woke up. This helped me, by doing this.

You are going to have ups and downs the first few weeks, but it will get easier as each day goes by. Keep telling yourself. "I can do this, I can do this."

As Carole said, look at your son. You are doing this for his health as well as for your own.

[Miranda_Rae]

OH I am SO SO very glad that you decided to quit! My grandpa smoked for years, and he died of lung cancer in March. It was horrid, cause I watched him just fade away...he was like a skeleton when he died. It was very hard to watch, and he could barely talk. My grandma got breast cancer and kidney cancer from smoking too! And she still smokes.

[Katiesmom]

Yes, I sleep with the patch on. The first couple of nights I didn't sleep well but last night I died i slept so hard. I would take the patch off at night because I never slept that before the patch and the fact I know when I use to wake up in the middle of the night I would smoke so I'm scared to take it off at night. So its another day and still smoke free and I have been doing what carole mentioned and thats been working for me. Today seems like its going to be a better day. So I try keeping a positive attitude. If I knew I couldn't do it I would have already smoked but I haven't so I know I can do. Alot of the times when I think I smoking I just remember what kind of support and suggestions that I am getting from you guys. Y'all are the best. I love you all

[robinh]

Katiesmom, I am so proud of you! You are taking it one day at a time. That's the best way. And you're determined to quit - FANTASTIC!!

I quit about 8 years ago and I can attest to just how HARD it is. You are doing a great job. I sued the patch to help me over those first couple of weeks. I also bought soda straws and cut them in half. That's what I used to keep my hands busy and I'd chew them too. This is the fourth time I quit and I think I've finally made it.

Keep up the great work!

[Katiesmom]

robinh, after you used the patch for a couple of weeks was it easy to stop using them and not start smoking again I mean I thought about doing that but I'm scared that I may still have the craving?

[FizzGiggs_Mommy]

Congrats on Quiting My Hubby had quited a while back using the patch worked great for him.

[PJ's Mom]

If you're using the patches that help you "step down", then you slowly wean yourself off of them. If you just rip it off, you're basically going cold turkey. The biggest part of quitting smoking is breaking the habit of smoking...after meals, in the car, etc...not the nicotine addiction. Sounds like you've just about got it licked!

Originally posted by Katiesmom
robinh, after you used the patch for a couple of weeks was it easy to stop using them and not start smoking again I mean I thought about doing that but I'm scared that I may still have the craving?

[robinh]

The ones I used didn't have the step down, but I used them sparingly and weaned myself off. I did have the urge to try a drag on a cigarette - once. Tasted like I had licked an ashtray. Haven't had the urge since.

It is so wonderful being able to breathe, smell the flowers, and walk a block without being completely winded. Once you get to that point - you're in.

I'll keep praying for you as a boost to your own determination.

If you need to talk, e-mail me anytime at [email protected].