I'm trying to give up smoking without NRT.
By nancyrowina
@nancyrowina (3850)
June 23, 2007 6:15am CST
I gave up smoking for about 4 months using nicotine patches and had started to feel much better. Over Christmas I had a couple of joints (In England we smoke them with Tobacco) and got hooked again. Today I've decided I want to try to give up again and am going to try and do it by will power alone. If I go nuts I have some low dosage nicotine patches that probably won't be enough but I can try.
So wish me luck everyone and if you have any helpful advice let me know. I am making a large patchwork quilt by hand so I can carry on with that if I have to find something to do with my hands later.
7 people like this
12 responses
@Anniedup (3651)
• Richards Bay, South Africa
23 Jun 07
My friend, I stopped a few month ago with Zyban. But it has a lot of negative effects, but nevertheless, just like you I started again. But my husband is under the impression that I'm still 'clean' meantime..... I must admit because I'm smoking on the sly, I am smoking less. I would still like to stop completely, but my will power is non existent! Good luck my friend, it is a horrible habit, and a difficult one to break!
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
23 Jun 07
I've done really well so far today woke up about three and a half hours ago and haven't had one yet. I'm a singer so it's important I have good lungs so I have added motivation to quit. And I found it easier to walk up hills etc when I'd quit, you don't realise how ill it makes you till you give up.
1 person likes this
@kempo69 (2)
• United States
23 Jun 07
My name is Diane I live in the United States (TEXAS) I have been smokeing for lots of years and tryed and tryed ,But a month ago I went to the doctor and ask about something to help me and the patch and gum did not work for me .The doctor gave me a new pill that is out ,It is called CHANTIX I was very concerned because nothing seem to help me ,But let me tell you this is a Miracle pill to me . It block's nicotine and calm's the nurves and mood swings I have been smoke free for a month now with no craveins or bad moods.
2 people like this
@Stiletto (4579)
•
24 Jun 07
I'm also thinking about stopping smoking at the moment. I did stop once for two years but then stupidly tried one "just to see what it was like!" and that was me hooked again and back to square one. When I stopped I did it cold turkey and it was hell for the first few days but it did get easier. I noticed from one of your later responses you've started using the patches again. I've never tried them - I have tried gum and managed to last nearly a week with that so I might try that again this time. I don't know if I've got the mental energy to try cold turkey again! Good luck anyhow.
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
25 Jun 07
I still relapsed last night again with a patch on, I'm trying again today this time I'm determined as I feel chesty this morning and have a bit of a sore throat.
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
23 Jun 07
Well good luck with that! I really have no advice to give you, as I've been smoking since I was 13, and I've never given up for longer than a couple of days when I've had flu or a cold and couldn't bear the smoke on my sore throat! So if you succeeed - I will be asking YOU for tips! Good luck!
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
23 Jun 07
I've done about 4 hours so far, hopefully I will be able to give you some tips.
1 person likes this
@magicalmerlin (1623)
•
23 Jun 07
I wish you all good luck with your success in quitting smoking. Positive thinking, you will succeed. Every short time is another successful step.
Does it help to save some of the money you would have spent on smoking and put it towards buying yourself something nice? I always thought it would but since I have never taken up smoking I don't know.
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
25 Jun 07
wow this is great! Keep on keeping on!
All the best. Keeping your hands busy is a great idea. Also listen to the radio if your eyes need to be kept on the quilt. It'll really help if you can have a quit buddy, someone else who is determined too. Or someone else who has quit successfully and can encourage you.
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
25 Jun 07
Sadly no one else wants to quit with me so I have to do it on my own, though it looks like one of my mylot friends is giving up too so maybe she can be my quit buddy.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
24 Jun 07
I'm sorry I can't pass on any helpful advice, but I want to wish you all the luck and success, we have the no smoking rule coming in next month in England where you can't smoke in pubs or confined spaces so it will be an incentive for a lot of people to quit. I used to smoke five a week just to 'relax' me they helped but I've never been a big smoker to be honest. Knitting or picking up a book may be an alternative for your hands or spending more time on Mylot lol!
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
25 Jun 07
Yes it does help to give up if going into a pub doesn't tempt you to start again, I've also been playing my guitar again That helps.
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
•
25 Jun 07
Today is my first day as a non-smoker. I have got hold of some nicotine inhalers and so far so good they are getting rid of my craving and i dont want to light up
blessed be
1 person likes this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
25 Jun 07
I've never smoked so I don't have any advice other than stay away from the joints LOL.
Good luck sweetie. I know it's a struggle. Both my parents smoke and have tried quiting as well as my hubby.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
25 Jun 07
Good Luck. I am a smoker & have only once given up, & that was only for 6 months.
I tried the nicobate chewing gum & patches.
