Cutting down on my smoking nearly killed me!

[Trev]

I've been trying to cut down on my smoking for about 2 weeks. In an attempt to drop from two packs a day down to one, my good lady has been putting little labels on the packs with dates on (we buy a carton and she goes to work on them).

So today I go and grab me a pack just like every other day thinking nothing of it... until about 30 minutes ago. It seems I'm smoking the pack that is meant for Sat the 8th and Toni has gone ape shit with me, even though today's pack is still in the cupboard.

I'm wondering who's taking the reduced levels of nicotine the hardest, her or me.

[Nickatilynx]

I tried that...

Its torture.

Then the worse is only buying days supply at a time.

10pm comes round and you realise you have 3 cigs left.

At first you are an optimist."Two more tonight , one for the morning , perfect!"

Before you know it ,Its now 12.20am and you are down to your morning cig...

Then I tried to replace cigs with cigars.

Great I now have a $100 a day cigar habit to go with cigarette smoking.

[DrGuile]

lol, you're weak.




"only" one pack a day... ahahah

[Trev]

I've found myself thinking, what time does morning actually start.

I mean they never say 1pm at night, it's always 1 in the morning, that only lasted about a day or two before Toni made me afraid to go in the cupboard at night.

I might have to go with buying my supply on a daily basis... but I just know I'll be scouring around the garden for a decent sized butt end in the morning

[Trev]

Originally Posted by DrGuile

lol, you're weak.




"only" one pack a day... ahahah

2 years ago it was 4 packs a day.

[EroticySteve]

Smoking is bad.

[Dravyk]

Originally Posted by EroticySteve

Smoking is bad.

M'kay.

[Trev]

Originally Posted by DrGuile

lol, you're weak.

Have you ever smoked?

[DrGuile]

Originally Posted by Trev

Have you ever smoked?

Ive tasted it. That's when I realized that to actually start smoking you had to work hard at it...

And it never bothered me that much not to be cool, or broke, or sick... so I didnt start...

I smoke recreational tabacco on the occasion...



edit:
I also dont enjoy paying extra taxes, or fattening huge multinationals... but that's just me

[Trev]

I must agree that starting was a nasty process, but being part of the in crowd was something I was dumb enough to want.

If someone had told me then, that I would try and quit dozens and dozens of times and fail, I'd have told them to fuck off... who knew.

[Dravyk]

Same, teen peer pressure is what got me started. What really got me though was trying it and doing that "newbie" cough/hack crap. I mean everyone else who smoked wasn't hacking. But when then shit is first introduced to your system your body has that natural reaction.

Natch, instead of listening to my body, I said to myself, hah, I'm not going to let this little piece of rolled up paper make me cough like that. And as soon as I master that, I can quit at any time!

Oh yeah. Right.

[PornoDoggy]

My mother smoked 3-4 packs a day of Raleigh non-filters. Being born in '53, I have no reason to think pregnancy made her pause at all.

My father was a 2+ pack a day smoker in his own right.

I started inhaling from my first cigarette. The only time I ever coughed back then was when some asshole muthafucka would switch out my Camel for a Kool.

Today, however, I cough a bit more. I've set a quit date for the 23rd. It's a lucky day for me anyway ... the 23rd will be 12 years since my last drink.

[Trev]

Originally Posted by PornoDoggy

Today, however, I cough a bit more. I've set a quit date for the 23rd. It's a lucky day for me anyway ... the 23rd will be 12 years since my last drink.

Congratulations on making it to 12 years, I hope you manage to kick the smokes as well.

[alyssa]

Originally Posted by PornoDoggy

I've set a quit date for the 23rd. It's a lucky day for me anyway ... the 23rd will be 12 years since my last drink.

Good, good luck !! : ) The 23rd is a good day - I stopped smoking Feb 23rd (1 - 2 pack a day smoker for 20+ years) and have not picked up one since that day...23rd is a good day : )

[Trev]

Originally Posted by alyssa

Good, good luck !! : ) The 23rd is a good day - I stopped smoking Feb 23rd (1 - 2 pack a day smoker for 20+ years) and have not picked up one since that day...23rd is a good day : )

Congratulations alyssa

I wish I had more will power. DrGuile is right, I'm weak.

[Robin]

ANSWER: Zyban plus Patches.

In the surveys 30% of people using this combination still weren't smoking after 2 years.

I did it and stopped 3 years ago.

My brother in law stopped 2 years ago

My father in law stopped 1 year ago.

Both of them were very heavy 2-3 pack a day smokers. They were convinced I was talking rubbish but after many months and months of telling them about it I got them to try. And now they really thank me because it's actually so easy giving up this way that you actually forget to smoke!

Zyban is actually an antidepressant with two effects:

1) It stimulates the dopamine receptors in the brain so you feel more content. You'll find you eat less as well as smoke less and I even found I drank less as I was generally quite contented...

2) It has the strange effect of making cigarettes taste quite stale and foul after about 5-7 days.

The doctor will tell you to keep smoking while on Zyban for the first two weeks.

When you smoke while on Zyban you don't get the nicotine buzz at all strongly and put the cigarette out early because it's not satisfying and tastes quite nasty.

Well, I only made one week because after that I kept forgetting to light up and only realised some hours later that I had forgotten. I'd get a quick craving to smoke, think about it and then forget it and go another few hours.

However, when I started the patches as well, I would forget to smoke all day because I'd get no cravings at all.

My two-pennorth!

[Trev]

I tried the zyban when I tried to quit the last time, it seems I'm one of the small number of people that it doesn't affect.

Plus when I fly I wear a patch, chew nicotine gum and have a nicotine inhaler. Even if it's only a 2 hour jump to Spain.

Also tried acupuncture, not painful, more uncomfortable.


I'm thinking of going to see a hypnotist, it's the only thing I've not tried...

[Newton]

Does anyone else get this psychotic rage and extremely short temper if they stop longer than a couple of days? I mean seriously angry where the veins start popping out in the neck and you are walking around with a clenched fist and thinking very bad thoughts?

[Newton]

Congratulations PornoDoggy and alyssa

[Nickatilynx]

Originally Posted by Newton

Does anyone else get this psychotic rage and extremely short temper if they stop longer than a couple of days? I mean seriously angry where the veins start popping out in the neck and you are walking around with a clenched fist and thinking very bad thoughts?

I call that "morning"

[PornoDoggy]

Originally Posted by Newton

Does anyone else get this psychotic rage and extremely short temper if they stop longer than a couple of days? I mean seriously angry where the veins start popping out in the neck and you are walking around with a clenched fist and thinking very bad thoughts?

I just turn off Fox News ...

[ReighlynnRaine]

Originally Posted by Newton

Does anyone else get this psychotic rage and extremely short temper if they stop longer than a couple of days? I mean seriously angry where the veins start popping out in the neck and you are walking around with a clenched fist and thinking very bad thoughts?

I know what you mean. It's the reason I still smoke. I'm to cute for jail.


And congrats to all that have quit the various vices.

[Trev]

Originally Posted by Newton

Does anyone else get this psychotic rage and extremely short temper if they stop longer than a couple of days? I mean seriously angry where the veins start popping out in the neck and you are walking around with a clenched fist and thinking very bad thoughts?

I'm like that after a few hours.

[DrGuile]

Originally Posted by Trev

I tried the zyban when I tried to quit the last time, it seems I'm one of the small number of people that it doesn't affect.

Plus when I fly I wear a patch, chew nicotine gum and have a nicotine inhaler. Even if it's only a 2 hour jump to Spain.

Also tried acupuncture, not painful, more uncomfortable.


I'm thinking of going to see a hypnotist, it's the only thing I've not tried...

If you want to, why not just quit?



and if you dont, stop fucking making stories and dont quit...

[Dravyk]

Originally Posted by DrGuile

If you want to, why not just quit?

and if you dont, stop fucking making stories and dont quit...

You have no clue how addictive this is, so read up on it or .


Congrats Alyssa! That's amazing! PD, wish you luck, buddy!

[Evil Chris]

I've found that the patch works well for me, really takes away the irritability factor.

[DrGuile]

Originally Posted by Dravyk

You have no clue how addictive this is, so read up on it or .

Bite me yellow-teeth.

Is it more addictive for Trev than for the thousands and thousands (millions...) of others who have quit?

All Im saying is, if you want to quit, than quit. If you dont, than dont...

[Newton]

Originally Posted by Trev

I'm like that after a few hours.

Should be an interesting 10 hour flight lol

[Trev]

Originally Posted by DrGuile

Bite me yellow-teeth.

Is it more addictive for Trev than for the thousands and thousands (millions...) of others who have quit?

All Im saying is, if you want to quit, than quit. If you dont, than dont...

No, it's not more addictive, I have no will power.

Now please fuck off.

[Trev]

Originally Posted by Newton

Should be an interesting 10 hour flight lol

Indeed it will, I usually just slap the kid that always seems to sit in front of me and jumps all over his seat... it's great for stress

[DrGuile]

Originally Posted by Trev

No, it's not more addictive, I have no will power.

Now please fuck off.

That's what I mean... quitting is basically all on you...

It may not come easy to you, but it's definitely simple.

[Trev]

Originally Posted by DrGuile

That's what I mean... quitting is basically all on you...

It may not come easy to you, but it's definitely simple.

It is simple in theory, in practice it's another thing all together. Some of the most head strong and determined people I know can't kick the smokes.


There's a stop smoking campaign here in the UK called "Don't stop giving up" - I don't stop giving up.

[Dravyk]

Originally Posted by DrGuile

Bite me yellow-teeth.

Nice comeback!

[MorganGrayson]

Originally Posted by Newton

Does anyone else get this psychotic rage and extremely short temper if they stop longer than a couple of days? I mean seriously angry where the veins start popping out in the neck and you are walking around with a clenched fist and thinking very bad thoughts?

One of the times my husband tried to quite smoking he was working as a Food and Beverage Director for Holiday Inn. His employees begged him to start smoking again before he killed somebody.

I managed to quit for a week in my early 20's. (OK, so I drop kicked a vacuum cleaner and became even more irritable than my usually considerably irritable self.) One day I was having a chat with somebody who offered me a cigarette. Without thinking, I took it, lit up - nearly passed out from the rush - and was back smoking again.

DrGuile is partially right. It is addictive, and it is more addictive to certain people. (They've done studies that say people who suffer from a biochemical depression are more susceptible to nicotine addiction than others. That truly sucks. As if depressed people don't have enough problems.) Other than that, he's right...it's all down to you. If you wanted to quit badly enough, you would. I'm honest enough to admit that. It would be hell, but as Robin pointed out, there is a lot of help out there. If one method doesn't work, try another.

And, as DrGuile attempted to point out, there's a difference between "simple" and "easy." It *is* simple to quit smoking. It is *not,* however, "easy."

I'm one of the few people whose own doctor said "uh...wait on that one. You can quit smoking later, after a few other bugs are worked out of the system." (Paraphrasing. My doctor wasn't that colorful.)

[alyssa]

I think when you "are ready" - it comes easier. For 20 some odd years I tried to quit because... I knew I should, because others told me I should, because I lived in CA for a while and there, if you smoke, you're almost considered a leper, because it was definitely a no-no during pregnancy, because of a lot of reasons. It NEVER stuck for more than a few days.

When it did "stick" earlier this year, I think it was because it was really "just time for me" and I was "ready". When you "are ready", it comes way easier than all those other times you tried ! I know it sounds weird and probably makes no sense - but that is that way it felt - way easier than all other failed attempts : )

[Dravyk]

Makes perfect sense, Alyssa.

When the time is ready I will quit. I tried again a few days ago. 14 hours without one and then wham. Had to have one. Guess it isn't time yet.

[DrGuile]

Originally Posted by alyssa

[...]definitely a no-no during pregnancy, because of a lot of reasons. It NEVER stuck for more than a few days.
: )

So you smoked while pregnant?

[Evil Chris]

People who can just quit piss me off. I wish I was like that.
Or better yet people who can smoke like chimneys but only on weekends or at parties and not have cravings otherwise.

I'm a true addict, and it's very tough to quit.
Non smokers generally don't get this. Most ex-smokers understand though.

[Trev]

Originally Posted by alyssa

I think when you "are ready" - it comes easier. For 20 some odd years I tried to quit because... I knew I should, because others told me I should, because I lived in CA for a while and there, if you smoke, you're almost considered a leper, because it was definitely a no-no during pregnancy, because of a lot of reasons. It NEVER stuck for more than a few days.

When it did "stick" earlier this year, I think it was because it was really "just time for me" and I was "ready". When you "are ready", it comes way easier than all those other times you tried ! I know it sounds weird and probably makes no sense - but that is that way it felt - way easier than all other failed attempts : )

After reading this I'll still hold out hope, I just hope my time comes sooner rather than later.

[Trev]

Originally Posted by Evil Chris

People who can just quit piss me off. I wish I was like that.
Or better yet people who can smoke like chimneys but only on weekends or at parties and not have cravings otherwise.

I'm a true addict, and it's very tough to quit.
Non smokers generally don't get this. Most ex-smokers understand though.

These people really boil my piss.

Plus they're usually the ones without smokes of their own and bum them from everyone else!

[alyssa]

Trev - never give up hope !

Chris - LOL - I agree ; )

Not proud to admit it, but I did smoke some while pregnant, yup...not much, but a few a day. Addictive, addictive, addictive - that is what they are !

[Trev]

Originally Posted by alyssa

Trev - never give up hope !

Chris - LOL - I agree ; )

Not proud to admit it, but I did smoke some while pregnant, yup...not much, but a few a day. Addictive, addictive, addictive - that is what they are !

Thank you, I won't

[Evil Chris]

Alyssa...
Long time no see. Hope we bump into one another in January.

[Dravyk]

Originally Posted by Trev

Thank you, I won't

Toni ain't going to get you preggers now that you called her a cod.

[DannyCox]

I've cut way down. Now I'm at only 50 smokes a day!!

I can do a pack in 2 hours at the bar

[Dravyk]

Originally Posted by DannyCox

I've cut way down. Now I'm at only 50 smokes a day!!

I can do a pack in 2 hours at the bar

Danny, please do not bring up smoking at bars! I don't want to even go there.

[Trev]

Originally Posted by Dravyk

Danny, please do not bring up smoking at bars! I don't want to even go there.

Tell me about it, one sniff of beer and I'm a chimney

[selena]

Originally Posted by Nickatilynx

I call that "morning"

This past August was my 4 year quit date. Like some of you, I grew up in a smoking household, in a different time. Hell, I can remember walking around with candy cigs hanging out of my mouth as a child. Can remember ashtrays in the waiting rooms at the doctor's office.

I started when I was 16ish or so. 25 years later, I stopped. I had a 2 year break in there where I didn't smoke, but started again for absolutely no reason. I was pretty motivated though. I had gotten bronchitis 3 times in about 5 months, and it was bad enough to be scary.

So I got the gum, and I stopped.

This may sound dumb, but it really did make for a life change. I have some friends I just can't be around much anymore. I don't want to go out for a cocktail, because I dont' want to come home with the money in my jeans reeking of smoke. Etc, etc.

So I stay home alot, and I chew lots of Extra gum. It's an obsession. I freak about getting low on it the same way I used to freak if I only had a pack left in a carton.

[voodooman]

Trev,

Make the transition, your wife will love you for it.

http://www.moistsnuff.com/

[TheEnforcer]

Quitting smoking cigarettes is probably the hardest habit to break. I truly wonder if you did a scientific study and compared cigarettes to some illegal drugs on the addictiveness and ability to quit said addiction how they would compare.....