new stop smoking attempt!

Hi, an hour ago I decided to stop smoking. I feel that I need to make at least 1 positive change in my life, so I want to start with something easy and if it goes well I will try other things, step by step like going back to excersize. please cheer me up and encourge me, I need all your support to make it through! It's only been 1 hour but I already feel like holding my teeth, something I usually do when I get the smooking urge.. Wish me luck please!

Hi Akram, I'm so proud of you for making this effort! I think it's wonderful. I know from personal experience how difficult it is to quit smoking, but I know it can be done. You will feel so much better for it! You definitely have my support!

Hi Akram, Hang in there! Seeing your doctor is a good idea, I think. It can't hurt to have some additional support, and if the Wellbutrin helped you before, there's a good chance it will help you again. Stay strong, and believe in yourself! You can do it!

Hi, I am 11 days free of cigarettes. I have been smoking for over 10 years and woke up one morning and thought thats enough. Ive tried to quit so many times before but for some reason this time ive found it alot easier. Ive gone cold turkey and have been walking for up to an hour everyday. Im starting to feel so great. Please be strong. Its such an ugly habit. You can do it. If I can, you can. Cashmere :)

Akram, good for you in taking a positive step to make improvements in your life.  I have never smoked so I don't know how that feels to quit. My son smokes a lot and I worry about him as he has smoked for 21 yrs.  I think it is a good idea to check with your dr. and also ask about using one of those types of gum for smokers or a nicotine patch so you gradually get the nicotine out of your system.  I wish you the best of luck and do post how you are doing.

Aurora

cashmere, aurora60 & francess, justagirl thanks for your nice words I need encourigment at these times. cashmere I hope you can hold on and not go back to smoking and I wish the same for me, I'm determined this time not to be tempted. it's been about 11 hours and so far so good, the urge isn't too bad so far, keeps comming back every 5 minuts but I keep deflecting it by thinking or doing something else, anything to keep my mind buesy, even drinking water seems to help. I have been here before but want to make it permanent this time, my only complaint is my brother keeps smoking in the same rome, 2nd hand smoking is bad I think but not as bad as when you smoke yourself, he will only be with us for a few days anyway so it's not a big issue.

aurora, since you haven't tried to smoke, I'll tell you how it feels when you try to stop smoking, basically you get urges to smoke, and your mind starts to play games with you to try to convince you to go back to smoking. some people even get angry. I did some reading on affects of smoking, beleave it or not, it is cosidered both a stimulant and a relaxant at the same time! if you get nicotine in low dosage it is a stimulant, and in high dosage it is a relaxing. I hope oneday your son will decide to quit smoking too, I realise it is a hard thing to talk about and I am sure you have tried, but this is something he has to decide for himself, he already knows the effects of smoking, but maybe you can tell him the stories of people who have stoped and were successfull, just to make sure he is aware it is possible to quit smoking, because some people think it's impossible.

frances, glad I made you laugh for just a bit, laughing is good, it makes you forget your worries for a few seconds doesn't it? I have been following on your troubles and your in my prayers every single night. and yeah I consider smoking an easy thing, when compared to things like getting a job or going back to excersize or marriage! it is something I can be in control off, something I can work out on my own easily and be done with. a step forward in the right direction. I think the feeling of being addicted to the smoking makes me feel depressed, and I worry about my lungs not being able to do their job right as I sometimes have trouble catching my breath without doing much, as if I'm not getting enough oxygeon.

justagirl 2 months thats great! I stoped for 4 months in 2007, and for 18 months in the 90s. other than that I have been smoking since I was 14

Hey Akram,

Your success rate will have a lot to do with what your motivation is to quit.  Many people feel guilty about being smokers, especially since smokers have become such social pariahs.  Others feel pressured by friends or family members.  Some want to improve their health...there are just a miriad of reason.  I'm glad you just stopped when you felt the urged, but I wish you had made a plan ahead of time to have the Wellbutrin in hand before you stopped.  Playing catch-up when you are already having cravings is really hard.

Personally,  I'm a smoker.  I'm going to stay a smoker until I am good and ready to stop.  I stopped before for several years, but always told myself I could have a cigarette anytime I wanted to and I would not fall off the wagon.  It worked well for me.  Every few months I'd get an urge for a smoke, so I'd go buy a pack, smoke one, then throw the rest of the pack out.  It might hurt a little more these days with cigarettes having got to be so darn expensive.  When I quit, I'm going on CHANTIX, cuz it works like a charm for me.  It works like aversion therapy, making your cigarettes taste gross, since you smoke while taking the medication for the first couple of weeks.  If you are having a hard time and really want to quit and the Wellbutrin isn't working, try the CHANTIX.

Best of luck my friend, and make sure you are doing this strictly for you.  My mom badgered my dad into quitting, and he can still tell you the years, days, hours, and minutes since he had his last cigarette.  He switched to snacking.  Now mom badgers my dad about snacking...the poor man still couldn't catch a break.

Leigh Ann

Akram,

I quit 6 years ago after my 17 year old son begged me to quit for the umpteenth time. I did it for his birthday. The first night was the worst. My family went out to eat and I stayed home because I was miserable and afraid I might kill someone! The next day I cried all day and had the shakes a little bit. Then each day started getting easier. The best thing was to keep busy and make new habits. Unfortunately I replaced cigaretes with sugar. Big mistake! I should have exercized more. But here I am not smoking now and so happy I did. Be proud of each day you don't smoke. Mark it on a calendar. Tell your friends. You are starting your life over. Your organs will all be healthier in no time and you will feel better. The first week was the hardest for me and then pride took over. Good luck!!!

Hope your still smoke free!
Keep us posted...
Success to you in this...
((((((((((((((((((((((((((Akram))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Stay strong, Akram! I am so glad to hear that you are still keeping your commitment to stop smoking. Keep up the great work & post here whenever you need some extra support.

peace,
Frances

Hi Akram, Just checking in with you. I hope things are still going well - just remember, you can do this! Let us know how you are when you get the chance. (((hugs)))

Hi guys, thanks dutchone for the support as well as all the others, there is good news the last 2 days were a little easier as the cravings are down, not entirly but I can now forget about smoking for long periods of time, unless someone reminds me or smokes infront of me. I don't need nuts or cashio anymore to keep my mouth buesy, I feel fine not smoking which is great , it means I'm almost out of the addiction, and I can start cleaning my lungs slowly now... Clearing the lungs I heard it will take many years to do that right?

now time to make some tough decisions, I need to convince myself to go back to excersize, this is a very painfull thing for me to think about, I don't know why, I have given up excersize entirly a few years back when I noticed my motabilizim was really terrible because I spend all the time on the computer.... unlike in 1998-2001 when I was in a great pshysical shape, I don't know how but I have to do something... at least a small step..

    Hi Akram,   I’m glad you are having fewer cravings now.   That helps a lot, doesn’t it?   You were asking about how long it takes to clear the lungs, and I thought you might be interested in the following ‘stop smoking’ timetable:     http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Benefits_Time_Table.html     I think your idea to get back to the exercising is good.   I know how you feel about it….I gave up my gym membership last year for several reasons (pain issues, financial problems, etc.) but it is getting to that time when I need to do something more than my daily walks.   Maybe you and I can set up a buddy/support system.   I want to start back at it after my pneumonia clears up.   In the meantime, is there anything physical that you enjoy doing right now?   I know it must be very hot where you are, but is there someplace air conditioned where you enjoy walking around, like a mall or something?   Or perhaps some place with a pool where you could swim?   Just some thoughts.     Hang in there and don’t forget to congratulate yourself every day for not smoking.   It is a huge accomplishment, and one that should be recognized.   You are a wonderful person, Akram, and you deserve to have a happy and healthy life.   Stay strong, and know that we care about you.