quit today-help!

[lorizing]

ahrghhhh!! I quit this morning after smoking off and on for over 20 years....this is hard! I need support....I feel so weird, almost dizzy like..must be withdrawals??
Lori

[patricia1]

Lori I know its hard, but you can do it. I quit cold turkey about 3 yrs ago after smoking for over 10 yrs. I know I did not smoke as long as you, but it is hard, very hard....Dont give up we are here for you. Think of it like this everyday you go without a smoke is one day more for your lungs to heal. :grouphug: cause I know it is so hard.....

[emilyrose197377]

I am wishing you luck you can do it . I quit 8 yrs ago with the help of wellbutrin .

Kim

[ICNDonna]

I used nicotine gum to quit over twenty years ago. I had a friend who quit at about the same time. When she had a strong urge for a cigarette, her doctor told her to hold her breath as long as she could --- then take some deep breaths. She said if she held her breath until she felt almost dizzy, it was almost the same effect as the nicotine.

Congratulations --- just remember that you don't have to repeat this morning. And tomorrow you can know you made it for a whole day --- and if you can make it for one day, you can make it for two ---

It does help to stay away from places where there is smoking. Second hand smoke has enough nicotine to keep the addiction going.

Sending encouraging hugs,
Donna

[SharonA]

YOU CAN DO IT....Congratulations for making the decision. That is the first step.

Now, take one minute at a time. Don't think about the next. Just say "no" during that minute. Then, face the following minutes...one at a time. Before you know it, you will have not smoked for an hour...then 2...then 3...etc.

I stopped smoking "cold turkey" in 1991 after around 20 years of smoking about a pack a day. It is not easy. It is one of the hardest things I have ever done. But, speaking as a recovering smoker, it is so worth it.

Donna is right. It is much easier if you do not put yourself in situations where people are smoking.

Just remember... YOU CAN DO IT :woohoo:

[Kathi]

I went cold turkey 2 1/2 yrs ago. I went hour by hour for a couple of weeks. (It's 10:00, I can make 11) some times it would be 1:00 before I realized it. Just take baby steps so it doesn't overwhelm you. You can do it!!!! My bladder says thanks, too. Encouraging hugs, Kathi

[K9wife]

You are doing such a great thing for not only yourself but those around you!!!! My only sister died in 1998 awaiting a lung transplant from a childhood lung condition that her doctors warned both of my parents about their smoking in the early sixties(my sister NEVER smoked)....my dad quit instantly and my Mom quit the day she was placed on the waiting list for new lungs over 20 years later....too little, too late. remember our story whenever you get the urge to cave!!!!!! I am SO proud of people who quit!!!!!!!!!

[Bianchi]

The last post by K9wife is a powerful reason to quit.
I quit 20 years ago cold turkey too, my daughter kept throwing my cigarettes down the toilet, she couldnt stand the smoke. I finally realized what I was doing was not only hurting myself but those around me.
Yes, you can... yes you can....
Bianchi

[Judith56]

Good for you! I just made the two year mark of quitting. I used the patch to help me. I also changed my routine and I kept a filthy ashtray around, so that when I wanted a cigarette, I would smell it and get grossed out. It made me realize that when I smoked I would smell like that ashtray-EEEEWWWWW! Judith

[mary124]

Congratulations! :woohoo:

You can do it. My husband quit about 10 weeks ago, when he had to have a cardio-stress test (no cigs and coffee for 24 hours-- don't know if that was more stressful for him or me!!) anyway, after testing he went back to the coffee, of course, but not the cigs. - and this was after 30 years and 1-1/2 packs aday.

Good luck. :woohoo: :woohoo:

[KShaff]

Woooohooooooo!! I'm 1 year old today for the 3rd time in 47 years but this birthday is forever. Wooooohoooooo!!! for you too!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!

[jeanniebug]

Nicorette gum is really helpful to me, and it is the only nicotine gum I found that does not contain aspartame..which really would bother my bladder! The gum helps take the "edge" off the urge to smoke sooo much. The nicotine in the gum does not bother my bladder at all.....it's all the other crap in the cigarettes..like embalming fluid etc. I read up on what all is in cigarettes, it's really gross!

The Nicorette gum comes in several strengths, it tells you what to buy, on the box, depending on how many cigs you smoked per day. So, you may find one that works for you. I tried the generic brand, and it did not personally work for me as well, had to switch back to the name brand.

Also, what Donna said about the breathing really does help. I take deep, long breaths several times when I get the urge and blow it out slowly. My doc told me, part of the smoking habit is taking in those deep breaths on the inhale which smokers find soothing..so you can do it, just minus the smoke! :)

Hang in there!

[rhea]

YOU CAN DO THIS...YES YOU CAN!!! I quit cold turkey a year ago and haven't had one since. I tried to a few months back and it was nasty...didnt take more than one hit and was like yuck!!! Just keep thinking what a good thing you are doing for your already aching bladder! :grouphug:

[Pumpkin Perry]

I am in the same boat as Lori. I want to quit smoking, and decided to stop this morning. I have been smoking for 18 years. Yes, it is going to be hard, but I want to stop now.

Pumpkin

[SharonA]

Good for you, Pumpkin. :woohoo: YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!

BTW... :welcome: to the ICN. :)