Former Smokers

S

SoulWinner

Commander
Joined
Apr 16, 2002
Messages
2,423
Greetings,<br /><br />First off, let me express my regrets for having mentioned gun control in my last post. I have been on-line long enough (since 1991) to know better than to bring up gun control, abortion, race relations and politics in forums and I am sorry I did it.<br /><br />There. That being said, I smoked my last cigarette on Christmas day. I quit with the help of the transdermal patch; I used a generic brand from Sams Club. I don't know about other users of these products but I think it is a trade off. You trade the really strong cravings over the short term for prolonged mild cravings over the long term. At any rate, I still have a mild craving for a smoke ( I must admit that I really did enjoy smoking) but it ain't that bad. And by and large I am glad I quit. I play the Bagpipes and saxophone, and smoking did NOT make that any easier. <br /><br />I wore my patches at night. I have talked with several people who used the patch to quit, and they all had bad dreams at night if they wore the patch while they slept. I didn't have that problem. I did have some very vivid dreams that were a bit odd, but nothing bad. <br /><br />Anyhoozer, has anybody else here used the patch? What were your experiences with it? I have smoked for about 20 years so I figure I'll be wanting a smoke for a good while yet. Any one else in this boat?? For any other smokers out there who want to quit, I offer you blessings that this burden will lifted from you.<br /><br />Best regards,<br />SoulWinner
 
ehenry

ehenry

Commander
Joined
Jan 6, 2002
Messages
2,393
Re: Former Smokers

I guess everyone is diffrent. I too smoked for almost 20 years and quit when my wife wanted to have kids. She was a smoker too. We both quit without any patches, pills, gum or anything else. I know people that tried all the above and couldn't quit. My theory on quitting smoking is this....If you REALLY and TRULY want to quit you can w/o any outside help but you have to want it. A physician told me that the withdrawal from nicotine would only last a couple days but the habit of having a cigarette when you most enjoyed one would be the most difficult to over come. It all boils down to will power.<br /><br />Some folks crave a smoke after eating. Some while they're having a drink. For me it was when I was driving. That was the hardest...any other time I didn't want one.
 
S

SlowlySinking

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 31, 2002
Messages
897
Re: Former Smokers

Quitting smoking is hard, had a friend who was an alcoholic and chain smoker, she admitted that the boose was easier to quit than the butts, and she did both.
 
M

mellowyellow

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 8, 2002
Messages
5,327
Re: Former Smokers

only thing more addictive then ciggs. is crack.<br />butts...crack... hmmmm.
 
O

ODDD1

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jan 23, 2001
Messages
1,054
Re: Former Smokers

EF... you got company....10 years without a puff, did it cold turkey.....and you know the trick to it...you really , really got to want it....I could pick up a nice cigar tomorrow, but I already had my last one......
 
C

crab bait

Captain
Joined
Feb 5, 2002
Messages
3,831
Re: Former Smokers

smoked for 12 years .. chewed skoal for 22 ..a can a day .. even slept with a pinch.. <br />had to quit when the oral surgeon had to take a biopsy , a chunk of my face , to have checked for cancer.. came back negitive.. <br /><br />i quit..<br /> <br />it had to come to that... i was nicotines slave **tch..!! it ruled me.. i will NEVER take for granted of my freedom...<br /><br />i've wrote this before... i've known two herion addicts that quit herion an can't quit smokin'...
 
clanton

clanton

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jul 9, 2001
Messages
4,876
Re: Former Smokers

I smoked for about 20 years, quick June 1978, was not easy.
 
12Footer

12Footer

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
8,217
Re: Former Smokers

Janurary 1st was a year for me. TRey still smell so good to me.<br />One day at a time.
 
N

NOSLEEP

Commander
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
2,442
Re: Former Smokers

Smoked the better part of my youth.<br />Then got smart and worked on the quiting<br />thing. Stopped cold turkey for 7 years, I<br />remember fishing with a buddy it was raining<br />a very wet damp day. He has a pack of wine<br />dipped colts.Big mistake, I thought just one.<br />So I smoked colts for a year and a half. Quit<br />cold turkey again, learnt my lesson and never<br />smoked again. Been a looong time now.
 
S

Skinnywater

Commander
Joined
Mar 7, 2002
Messages
2,065
Re: Former Smokers

I smoked for 30 years. I quit going on 4 years now. I used the patch for two weeks. It worked very well for me. On day I accidently left for work without a patch. I had an initial panick over the thought of not having that beloved patch. I was screaming at myself to toughen up and whip it. I lasted all day gritting my teeth. That night I reflected a hole day without smokes or a patch or nicotine. I had whipped it. I gave the patches to my wife, who immediately started on the patches, stayed on them for three weeks.<br />We've both been nicotine free ever since.<br /><br />In the following months I put on 30 pounds. I wieghed 215. I immediately went on the Atkins diet. In two months I dropped 35 lbs. My cholesterol went from 215 to 170 and my blood pressure went to 120/80. No drugs, just the diet and exercise.<br /><br />Very seriously, the money we saved on not buying cigs., helped buy our boat.<br /><br />Make no mistake about it. Success will take a tough mindset. I suggest to start planning now what to do with the times you want a cig. the most. If it is after a meal, then plan to walk around the block after a meal. It will be a lifestyle change. If you make it past 3 weeks reward yourself and buy a good homegym. Walk and workout. In three months you'll feel 10 years younger. <br /><br />The day will come when a cig. really stinks, you'll still want it, but it'll sure stink.
 
Ross J

Ross J

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Nov 30, 2001
Messages
1,119
Re: Former Smokers

Started young, smoked 30 odd years till 8th August 2001. Never been happier, or richer for that matter. My old smoking money still goes into a seperate bank account and I run my boat from that!<br />Ross<br /><br />PS<br />I wanna hear from Derwood! Howya doing mate?
 
SS MAYFLOAT

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: Former Smokers

Started kicking the habit about 3 weeks ago mainly due to the flu. The smokes tasted nasty. Told my wife if she could quit for the first year, I would buy her a new Accord. She went out and picked up the patches. They are doing pretty good for her. But for me not smoking for about 3 days, the first patch I put on was like smoking a pack in an hour. Dizzy, stomach cramping and was sick from it. Smoked a few prior to wearing the next patch and then I was okay. I'm still smoking a couple throughout the day, but going from 2 to 3 packs a day to less than ten now, I'm getting more gumption to start limiting those now.<br /><br />It is coming up with a way to deal with the after meal craving for me and the wife. So we go and shoot a couple of games of pool. With the last several weeks here being under the freezing mark, it is rough to get outside and do anything.<br /><br />I have tried to quit before, but with the wife still smoking made it impossible for me to quit. Now that she is quitting, we both are accomplishing our goal.<br /><br />Now I wish there was a patch for Bud Lite! :D
 
C

crab bait

Captain
Joined
Feb 5, 2002
Messages
3,831
Re: Former Smokers

ROSS,, from what country are your smokes from... an how much $$ a pack..???
 
gonfishn

gonfishn

Commander
Joined
May 16, 2002
Messages
2,390
Re: Former Smokers

Smokn and patches are not a good thing Mayfloat especially if your ticker is involved. Known to cause Heart Attacks. Takes a while for it to get out of your system even though you are patchless...I'm a thinkn that the dizziness is from your B/p heading to the roof and maybe you should not do one or the other...be careful my friend.
 
12Footer

12Footer

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
8,217
Re: Former Smokers

Gonfishn, you are correct according to what my d9octor told me,after a failed attempt 4 years ago.<br />I had the patch, and it simply was not helpiong me that much,as I was in the constant presence of other smokers.So I ended-up smoking and using the patch at the same time.<br />My doctor said that my blood pressure was etremely high,and I should just go back to chain- smoking , claiming that it was better for me than doing what i was doing.<br /><br />But this last time, I used te gum, stayed-away from smokers as much as I could, and made it (if making it is the 1-year mark)
 
SS MAYFLOAT

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: Former Smokers

Thanks there GonFishn and 12 Footer, I didn't put one on today. Actually, I feel pretty good without it. So far I'm only smoking about 6 a day. Wife and I have plans to drop one each week until we stop completely.
 
D

derwood

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
499
Re: Former Smokers

Howdy Gent's,<br /><br />Well as a matter of fact Ross it is 4 months today and I have'nt even looked back....I would suggest sunflower seeds to anybody for something to take the place of the habbit....I have A five pound bag less than four feet from me at this very second.<br /><br />I don't know what elese to say about it than if you need support this is the place to get it....I truely think that between this board and my wife and kids I got all the backing that I needed....And It helps to know pepole are rooten for ya.<br /><br />So soulwinner....keep on keepen on and if you need to hear someone say your doin good and to keep it up just post it on here and we'll jump right in.<br /><br />Good job....It just gets better from here dude.<br /><br />Smokelesswood.<br /><br />P.S. Thanks to all the fellers that helped me...yall are the best.
 
Ross J

Ross J

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Nov 30, 2001
Messages
1,119
Re: Former Smokers

Crab Bait,<br />here in New Zealand the tobacco is all imported since the Motueka fields were cleared out.<br /><br />$10:00 a packet of 20's here and I would have smoked that a day at times.<br /><br />I reckon I've saved about $5,000 thus far since I stopped.<br /><br />Ross
 
H

Homerr

Commander
Joined
Mar 4, 2002
Messages
2,294
Re: Former Smokers

Just want to say...<br /><br />Hats off and lots of 'Ata-Boys' for any smoker deciding to quit the nasty habit.<br /><br />I've never been a smoker, but my family is.<br />I was the only smart one out of the bunch who never took up the habit.<br /><br />I agree that the power of the mind is an awesome thing. If you really want to quit, then you will.<br />Now before you say because I was never a smoker... The power of the mind applies to all sorts of things. Not just bad habits.<br /><br />You also have to agree that today's cigarettes are far more addicting than they have ever been. Thanks to the tobacco companies. One has to wonder what they really put in them that makes it so hard to quit?<br /><br />Good luck to you all.<br /><br />H.
 
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