Good luck! You can do it. 

I've never smoked so I can't offer any personally tried advice but several people I know from my job told me that it was surprisingly easy to quit smoking when they were half-unconscious and hemiplegic after a stroke. Perhaps your way is preferable though. 

i quit december 10, with welbutrin. husband quit also, at the same time, with chantix. i, too, smoked for most of my life, from age 14, so 37 years. i still want one every day, but i don't need one at all. my best little advice...lollypops, i found blowpops and tootsie pops the most effective. you get to hold the stick in your hand like a cigarette and it goes in your mouth (that all sounds terribly sexual LOL) also lots of gum. i think i had gum in my mouth just about every second i wasn't sleeping for 2 months. you can do this! drop me a line if you want someone to commiserate with...

26 minutes ago, AmazonGrace said:

Good luck! You can do it. 

I've never smoked so I can't offer any personally tried advice but several people I know from my job told me that it was surprisingly easy to quit smoking when they were half-unconscious and hemiplegic after a stroke. Perhaps your way is preferable though. 

I've actually quit twice medically before!  I had a brain aneurysm rupture and was comatose for a few days then, on such heavy doses of meds (whichever drug that's better than morphine ) for another week.  Needless to say, I wasn't smoking then.  Problem is, my husband still smoked in front of me and smelled of smoke AND we had the relationship from hell so I was back on within six months.  Second time I had a bleeding ulcer and stayed in the hospital a week, and they sent me home on chantix.   Unhappily, I was too stupid to see how lucky I was to be physically quit because I still mentally wanted to smoke, so I did.

Happily, I really do want to quit this time!

15 minutes ago, MayMay1123 said:

i quit december 10, with welbutrin. husband quit also, at the same time, with chantix. i, too, smoked for most of my life, from age 14, so 37 years. i still want one every day, but i don't need one at all. my best little advice...lollypops, i found blowpops and tootsie pops the most effective. you get to hold the stick in your hand like a cigarette and it goes in your mouth (that all sounds terribly sexual LOL) also lots of gum. i think i had gum in my mouth just about every second i wasn't sleeping for 2 months. you can do this! drop me a line if you want someone to commiserate with...

Congratulations, @MayMay1123!  That is so great for both of you!  

Right now I'm using Werther's and they're doing a great job.  Okay, that and soda like it's going out of business.  WHY do we crave sweets when we quit?  Why can't I have an ever-burning need for apples and green beans?  Oh, I accept whatever weight I gain.  I'll cross that treadmill when I waddle to it.

I thought of lollys for the car trips at least, that's always been a big one for me.  Also planning to bring some games to play.  

Thank you for the pm offer, I might just take you up on it!

I am sending tons of good thoughts your way.  I smoked as a kid, quit when I got pregnant the first time and didn't have one for a little over 10 years.  Became a closet/don't ask don't tell smoker of maybe a pack every couple of weeks (never at home, never in front of anyone) for about 4 years.  Quit for 1.5 years.  Started smoking again only to and from work but long commute and it was a lot - maybe 2 packs a week in the beginning up to about 3/4 of a pack a day at the end.

When I wasn't smoking I always wanted one when stressed - always.  I would get mad at myself for not letting me have one.  The craving lessened but was always ready to be triggered.

After a bout of bronchitis in December 2013 I just never started again.  It's been years since I've had a craving and even under incredible stress I wondered why I didn't want one anymore - they just seem gross to me now.  I have no idea why.

Pure anecdata and rambling - just that I know how hard it is and sometimes the cravings do go away on their own.  

It's really tough, I know.  The little I know of your life from what you've shared here you've got more strength than I can even imagine, so don't be hard on yourself for not being able to do it before...you were busy trying to handle the unimaginable and protecting your girls and ffs that's beyond impressive.  

Now you tackle this.

Fwiw my husband was able to quit with those vaper things.  He's now down to 0 nicotine but still uses them.  I say he looks like Burgess Meredith as the Penguin sucking on one of those, but it keeps him off cigs which is all that matters.  

Yikes, hope you have recovered well after your aneurysm. 

Good Luck! 

I quit several time before I quit for good. The number one thing that helped me was not being around it at all. It took almost a year of just not being around it before I could be around it and not want to smoke. That means no being around people who smoke, no bars, walking away and finding other things to do. Having a partner who didn't smoke was very helpful. 

I also started working out and that helps a lot with stress levels. 

I'm at the point where I smell it and I have to walk away because it will make me gag and cough and I'm just horrified that I used to do it. 

1 hour ago, violynn said:

 

Right now I'm using Werther's and they're doing a great job.  Okay, that and soda like it's going out of business.  WHY do we crave sweets when we quit?  Why can't I have an ever-burning need for apples and green beans?  Oh, I accept whatever weight I gain.  I'll cross that treadmill when I waddle to it.

I thought of lollys for the car trips at least, that's always been a big one for me.  Also planning to bring some games to play.  

Thank you for the pm offer, I might just take you up on it!.

I gained 18 pounds...I swear the only things I wanted were salty snacks and sweets...not good when you're a diabetic. Crazy enough, my a1c was great this time, weird. So now I'm dieting to get that off. It all sucks! 

3 hours ago, AmazonGrace said:

Yikes, hope you have recovered well after your aneurysm. 

 

Pretty well, thank you, @AmazonGrace.  Some residual memory loss and problems with my brain and mouth not wanting to communicate the same thing, and just little things like that.  I'm very lucky to be alive at all!  

Thank you, @HerNameIsBuffy for your quitting history.  It really does help to know others have gone back and forth too, and then made it!  Congrats!

3 hours ago, Maggie Mae said:

Good Luck! 

I quit several time before I quit for good. The number one thing that helped me was not being around it at all. It took almost a year of just not being around it before I could be around it and not want to smoke. That means no being around people who smoke, no bars, walking away and finding other things to do. Having a partner who didn't smoke was very helpful. 

I also started working out and that helps a lot with stress levels. 

I'm at the point where I smell it and I have to walk away because it will make me gag and cough and I'm just horrified that I used to do it. 

That's what I'm planning to do this time, @Maggie Mae - just avoid it at all possible costs!  Good to know it works for you, thank you!

2 hours ago, MayMay1123 said:

I gained 18 pounds...I swear the only things I wanted were salty snacks and sweets...not good when you're a diabetic. Crazy enough, my a1c was great this time, weird. So now I'm dieting to get that off. It all sucks! 

 

I'll take the 18 lbs, @MayMay1123!  I know I can kick those quicker than I have the smokes.  Also, I managed to get the Menopause Middle anyway, so I've adjusted my brain to my body looking different than I would rather it did.

I smoked for ten years, from age 19 to 29.   Tried to quit a few times and never got more than a couple of months before I caved and started up again. For me it was mostly social/peer pressure and only a small amount of actual chemical addiction.  For the first few years I only smoked one cigarette per day.  Then it slowly increased and I had a few years at a half-pack a day and perhaps one year where I averaged more than that.

I quit when I moved from a place where everyone smoked, to near Lake Tahoe where everyone was into fitness -- I was embarrassed to tell anyone I smoked, and immediately reverted to the one cigarette per day, out on the porch in the evening after there was no one else around.  After about a month of that I was able to stop completely.

What worked for me to stay quit was knowing my own psychology and that I felt really motivated by the "don't break the chain" feeling.  So once I got a few months' in, when I would crave one I would remind myself that if I smoked, I'd have to start over in my success counting.  I guess that's the same strategy AA uses with the chips.  It REALLY worked for me after it had been a few years, because I would still crave it when I would see someone smoking, but by then the idea of having to re-quit and start my tally over was way too strong and I was able to stick with it!

The worst time was once, after it had been maybe 5 years -- I had a dream that I was in a bar (which is odd for me just by itself), and someone offered me a cigarette, and I automatically accepted and took a puff before remembering "Oh wait!  I quit!  Now I've just ruined it by taking that puff, and I have to start all over!  DAMMIT!"  Horrible sinking feeling and REALLY pissed at myself!

Of course then I woke up and realized it was a dream, and was SOOO relieved that I hadn't broken my run!

Then there's this:  a dear friend of mine had a nagging cough early last year, learned it was lung cancer in July, and died in December.  As far as I know she didn't smoke, but it's quite possible she smoked when she was young just like I did (I've only known her for 5-10 years).  She also lived in an urban area and had a million other potential toxins as well as whatever her genetics was -- so of course I don't know why she got it.  But it's enough to be a reminder to me that it would have been better if I had never smoked, but since I can't go back in time to change that, the best I can do is allow that to be a phase of my life that is as far in the past as I can possibly arrange.  I have read that once you've been quit for 15 years, the risk of related cancer supposedly drops way way down.

I'm always happy to hear of people deciding to quit.  My other thoughts would be -- find a handful of things you really enjoy -- a soak in a hot bath, time to get lost in a book, your favorite meals, a pedicure, etc -- and use them as rewards in whatever way is most motivating to you.

Good luck!  You can do this!  

12 minutes ago, church_of_dog said:

What worked for me to stay quit was knowing my own psychology and that I felt really motivated by the "don't break the chain" feeling.  So once I got a few months' in, when I would crave one I would remind myself that if I smoked, I'd have to start over in my success counting.  I guess that's the same strategy AA uses with the chips.  It REALLY worked for me after it had been a few years, because I would still crave it when I would see someone smoking, but by then the idea of having to re-quit and start my tally over was way too strong and I was able to stick with it!

That is really brilliant, @church_of_dog!  I've always thought of it more along the lines of, "Well, if I fall off the non-smoking wagon, I can always climb back on" which probably explains how I've always fallen off.  I'm not thinking that way this time, but other than having the youngest throw her worst at me, I hadn't thought a lot about what I'd do to keep myself from taking that first puff if tempted.  I haven't struggled much at all yet, but I'm only 2 hours into my sixth day, so I'm not considering myself even close to home free yet.  I will certainly start using my smoke-free time as an incentive.  While not difficult, I for sure do not want to start from Day One again.

Well, my dear... First of all, you have my phone number, so go ahead and add me to the list of "methods". Feel free to text or call whenever you want to or need to! I'm here for you! Second, way to go!! I think it's awesome that you've quit and that you're seeking support. That's a great start! I've never been a smoker, but my best friend has. She said that the only way she has succeeded in quitting is with Wellbutrin. I'm not sure if you are open to trying it, but perhaps it would help? It might even be helpful for the hearing, you know? I think it helps with anxiety. 

I know this is different, but eating disorders are kind of like addictions. Something that helps me is to surround myself with people who are healthy and have healthy lifestyles, and particularly don't obsess over food. Perhaps being around others who smoke wouldn't be conducive to your quitting at this point? 

I'll see what else I can think of, and pm you. But remember that I'm here for you! 

Lastly, YOU CAN DO THIS. YOU ARE DOING IT! EVENTUALLY YOULL SAY YOU DID IT! 

Oh yeah, counting the days, as @church_of_dog, mentioned! That's super motivating for me! It feels so good to say that I haven't restricted for x days! Perhaps that will help you? 

Thank you, hon.  You're a great friend!  And yes, being around non-smokers is my safe space right now, and for the foreseeable  future.  I haven't even gone to the store yet, I don't want to have to walk past anyone smoking.  Or see those evil little packs just beggin' to be purchased.  So I'm a homebody for now.  I CAN do it!! 

Yes, you can do it! I'm glad for you.  I've never smoked, but I see how hard it can be for the people I know and love to quit. You've a strong person who does amazing things in her life. You can do this!

Thank you so much, @WhatWouldJohnCrichtonDo?!

Today I realised with a start it's the month that I stopped smoking 6 years ago. I had tried a few times before, but always for other people and never for myself. The last time I did it for me and just went cold turkey, didn't hang out with my smoking friends for 5 (weeks!!!!) and made small changes to my routine. (Having my coffee indoors, moving the TV so I couldn't still see it from the door so I couldn't smoke during ad breaks, drinking in the back room of bars/pubs)

I LOVED smoking and still enjoy rolling cigarettes for friends that smoke. If they ever invent healthy smoking, I'll be there with bells and whistles, but in the meantime, I'm a happy non-smoker.

Sending you best thoughts for willpower and distraction. Might be a good time to start knitting or adult colouring in books 

I stopped smoking 5 years ago after 40 years, the last 15 2 to 3 packs a day. I quit using a thing like a cigarette holder, which contained a capsule of nicotine. You were allowed 5 capsules a day, but I never used more than one, and after about 5 days, just had the empty holder. BUT I held that empty holder constantly for weeks - it was a replacement for the feeling of holding a cigarette. Luckily, few of my friends smoke, so I didn't have to cope with that until I had visitors come to stay about six months in.

I was the heaviest smoker I knew - basically a chain smoker if I were somewhere smoking was permitted - and never thought it would be possible to stop.Then my close friend and next door neighbour died of lung cancer, and she made me promise to stop. For the first time I really WANTED to stop, and I think that is the key. I had some nicotine withdrawal: very vivid dreams were the most obvious symptom, but it didn't last long. Now, I have no problem being around smokers.

The real will to stop and supportive family will make you able to do it this time. Thinking of you, and sending very positive thoughts!

When DH quit smoking, he got rid of all the cigarettes in the house. This made him crazy and the thought of not having them just increased his stress. So he went and bought one pack and put them in his shirt pocket. He said he felt less stress knowing he had them close by. He carried that same pack for about 6 months. Eventually he moved them to the top of the fridge and they stayed there for 6 months. One day he just decided he didn't need the security of knowing they were close and threw them in the trash. That was 20 years ago.

On March 2, 2016 at 4:15 AM, sawasdee said:

I stopped smoking 5 years ago after 40 years, the last 15 2 to 3 packs a day. I quit using a thing like a cigarette holder, which contained a capsule of nicotine. You were allowed 5 capsules a day, but I never used more than one, and after about 5 days, just had the empty holder. BUT I held that empty holder constantly for weeks - it was a replacement for the feeling of holding a cigarette. Luckily, few of my friends smoke, so I didn't have to cope with that until I had visitors come to stay about six months in.

I was the heaviest smoker I knew - basically a chain smoker if I were somewhere smoking was permitted - and never thought it would be possible to stop.Then my close friend and next door neighbour died of lung cancer, and she made me promise to stop. For the first time I really WANTED to stop, and I think that is the key. I had some nicotine withdrawal: very vivid dreams were the most obvious symptom, but it didn't last long. Now, I have no problem being around smokers.

The real will to stop and supportive family will make you able to do it this time. Thinking of you, and sending very positive thoughts!

That is so incredibly impressive -- I hope you use your knowledge of your ability to do that, to motivate you toward whatever your other goals are -- so many things will be easy in comparison to what you've already done!