quitting smoking

[josaphine32]

i went to a quit smoking clinic last week as i decided to quit, i got given patches which after about an hour drove me nuts so i ripped it off in temper,didnt know what was worse the itching of the patch or the craving for a fag...i am still smoke free and surviving on will power allone at the mo.. but the nightmares/dreams are getting really bad can anyone tell me how long this side effect lasts 4 thanks

[spaced]

i gave up 3 yrs ago on new yrs eve. No side effects apart from the cravings, which only last a couple of weeks.

Stick to it and it will be the best thing you can do.

[Lonnie]

As spaced has said, its the best thing you can do, the problem is the mental craving, i've been off them for sometime now, but its been pure hell. If, like me, your one of these people that need an aid, you have to find the right one, I tried just about everything on the market, and stuck with the lozenges, I was on them for about three years, 4,2 then 1ml, before I stopped, they satisfied my nicotine craving, although I did lapse from time to time, i've fully stopped now. The thing is, Never give up giving up, you can do it. Good Luck.

[andyjevs]

2 years fag free for me. I used patches...the itching does wear off after a while. Not sure if the patches work but if it keeps you off the fags, it can't be at all bad.

Even after 2 years, i still crave a smoke but i just have to be strong and resist. I gave up before for 10 years and then just one cigar down the pub one christmas.

The only drawback is i've put on 4 stone !!!!!!!!

Good luck and keep at it

[geo0939]

In the 1950s/60s there was a TV personality called Bernard Braden (some of you may remember him) and he tried to give up smoking with advice from his viewers. I was always impressed by the most popular response though I wasn't too keen to stop it myself at the time. In the mid nineties, however, I realized that I must give it up. This is the piece of advice I remembered then; no matter how many cigarettes you smoke, you only have to give up one a day THE FIRST ONE. I went "cold turkey" with this always on my mind and I haven't smoked since. I'm not saying it was easy, it wasn't, but, oh boy, it sure is worth it. I admire all of you who are trying to stop and wish you all the best of luck.

[whiffey]

Have you tried the chewing gum ? I use Nicotinell 4mg fruit flavour, and it really helps. When you get a pulse of craving remember it will only last a minute or so.

It's cheapest in ASDA.

[zubianne]

I gave up smoking 10 years ago - I was frightened into it by a cancer scare, so I found it quite easy, but my younger sister has been desperately trying to give up smoking for years.

She tried everything, including patches, and always started smoking again in times of stress. Recently the doctor gave her a book called 'The easy way to give up smoking' by Allen Carr and I have never seen such a change in a person. She has given up smoking completely, she is happy, bubbly and completely in charge of her life.

I don't know if the book would help everyone like that - but it might be a good morale booster and something to do with your hands during those long evenings! Good luck - stick with it, it gets easier.

[rsd2525]

stick with it, after 43 years igave up because my other half got cancer,not because i was scared for myself but it was the right thing to do,this was seven years ago, she pulled thru' and now i thank her for giving me the motivation to stop, ihad always wanted to but it took something drastic to make me. take the advice of a BOF and get any help you can, you wont regret it

[Lonnie]

Hi josaphine, one other bit of an incesitive to quit, and you can check this out, apart from all the other health wanings, the biggest cause of gum disease and loss of teeth, is through smoking.

[pugwash52]

josaphine32, My husband started on the patches this week and the nurse told him how to avoid the itching that affects some people. She said when you take the backing off of the patch, wave it in the air before you stick it on your body.This causes the alcohol on the patch to evaporate and the itching can be avoided. It might be worth a try for you.

[Litchick]

Hi Josaphine, I quit smoking almost six years ago after smoking for almost 20 and I did use the patch. To be honest, I did still crave cigarettes for a while after and it was extremely hard to resist. After a while though, the cravings did go away and now, I find it hard to be in a room where people smoke and never think of lighting up again myself. Please don't give up -- hang in there -- it really is the best thing for you to quit! Good luck!

[josaphine32]

thanks everyone for your support, my daughter has gone to her fathers for the weekend and i am home alone....it could be so easy but the only person i would be cheating is me and disappointing my daughter kate.... i am staying strong and good job there is no one here as i would snap there head off... you lot are very supporting and thanks to all of you ...if i need help i will post again over next 2 days but thanks guys and gals...

[NITA EDWARDS]

Don`t give in to the craving, give it one more week and you will be two weeks healthier than you were! Each day gets easier. I stopped 10 years ago because I had grandchildren on the way and I wasa 60 a day ashtray! My husband stopped smoking cigars 3 months ago and says he`ll never smoke another one. Good luck, keep in touch for support