Having a rough day of nicotine withdrawal and I'm cranky. Who wants a piece of me!!!

[shadowknows69]

:grr:

[Egnever]

1. Grats on trying to quit!

I hope you succeed . I have tried so many times now I cant count anymore. Those first three days are a bitch!

[fadedrose]

10. I quit over a year ago

Smoked for 52 years, no health problems from it, just figured it was time. Quit 1/11/07 and I still crave one when I think of it. The secret for me is not to think about it.

Years ago, I tried Wellbutrin (spelling wrong, I know) and it didn't work. This time I used no drugs.

What I did tho was to join the library and used their website to find and request books. Got as many or more than 10 in 2 weeks and read like crazy, mostly fiction, spy stuff, detectives, etc. And I consumed several bags of cough drops (the kind of bags with 100 in them). I read till my eyes couldn't stay open and fell asleep. Next day, start with a book as soon as possible.

When you request books on the website, the library finds them and calls when they're ready. Try it.

[Egnever]

16. I dont have any health problems from it either

and my family all smoked into their 90's so I dont really anticipate any . However I would love to stop spending $200 a month on the damn things.

[rurallib]

2. are you wearing a flag lapel pin?

hang in there - it is worth it. Take deep breaths when you feel a need for a ciggy.

[shadowknows69]

4. I am wearing a flag pattern nicotine patch

does that count? I mean I know I'm a devil for smoking, but am I still a patriot?

[rurallib]

8. I salute you!

[Jazzgirl]

25. Shadow...glad you're quitting!

You will be much better off for it. I smoked for over 30 years and finally quit completely a few months ago. Why??? Because it almost killed me. That's right. I wound up in the hospital back in early December and they were about to intubate me because I wouldn't breath. I was in the hospital for 8 days. I now sleep with oxygen. I'm a lot better now and occasionally I do have a slight craving. But all I have to do is remember how I felt when I couldn't breath and it stops me from thinkin' about it.

It won't be easy but it will be so worth it.

[Adelante]

3. I've stopped many times

Wearing a flag lapel pin does make it easier :)

[sandnsea]

5. lozenges and prozac n/t

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

7. ...and 2 quarts of Robitussin. nt

[olkaz]

6. Just get through 72 hours. Just 72 hours. Keep repeating that to yourself.

When you get to that point, the symptoms are at their peak. It will **never** get worse than that.

And don't use ANY smoking cessation products. They just make the process longer and more painful.

[shadowknows69]

9. I've been at it for about 3 weeks now

And actually I do smoke one or two a day but I have gone stretches of a couple days without. Just wonder if I'll still be able to quit the habit when the patches run out.

[ampad]

12. Oh man hang in there

I used the gum about a year ago and never looked back. It can be done but as you probably know it will not be easy. Good luck!

[olkaz]

35. Stop completely.

You are making this more painful than it has to be.

Stop completely. Don't replace it with anything. Tough it out for 72 hours. Come on, it's just 72 hours. If you **really** want to quit, you can go that long.

Every time you smoke, you're restarting the clock.

[shadowknows69]

36. Duly noted, and I know you're right.

Baby steps, this is literally the biggest habit (20 years) I've ever had to put down, and I've had my share of bad habits if you feel me?

[olkaz]

39. I feel you, but...

I went nine years. Smoked over a pack a day. Went from a finely tuned college athlete to an overweight, sedentary, basket case. Last December I had a couple funny feelings in my chest. I don't know how to describe it, but it scared the living crap out of me.

So, I found a website that said 72 hours. 72 hours? I knew I could get through that. It was hell, and it was really hard to fill up those amounts of time that I used to smoke. I had to find little things to do. It was serious pain. I sipped juice (helps regulate your blood sugar, which will be a problem immediately) and concentrated on what I was going to be able to do once I dropped the habit.

Now I am just getting through my third straight week of working out every morning (except Sunday). I feel better than ever, less stressed, and I'm losing weight.

I know it's hard. But drop everything and realize it's as simple as this. 72 hours. 72 hours. 72 hours. Can you make it?

Prove to yourself that you can.

[hayu_lol]

11. You ;have my sympathies for your efforts...

carrot and celery sticks might help just to give your mouth something to do. A poor substitute perhaps, but there aren't many 'good' substitutes.

I'm personally too old to even consider quitting. LOL!

Do keep us posted on your efforts and best of luck to you.

[shadowknows69]

14. Never too old, I'm 39 and have been informed I have irreversible lung damage

Sucks, but I earned it.

[Jazzgirl]

26. I have irreversible lung damage too.

I just hope you don't get to the point I did. I actually "quit" two years ago but "cheated" at home. I didn't smoke anywhere but at home. I'd smoke 4-5 a day but I didn't realize how that was killing me too. I have COPD now. It sucks eggs. I didn't use any patch or gum. When I was in the hospital I had no desire to smoke and it held up after I got out. I feel so much better but I still have to be careful.

I know it sucks but I'll help all I can! :-)

[shadowknows69]

28. I have COPD too

I'll support you if you'll support me. PM me anytime Jazzgirl.

[Jazzgirl]

32. Thanks Shadow!

I am always available. I'm just so glad you don't have to go through what I've gone through. Really, when I couldn't breath, I knew this "cheating" thing had to go. I haven't gained any weight at all since I knew not to use food as a substitute. That is hard because it does taste better when you don't smoke. I still think about smoking but now I really can't stand the smell. Time will take care of most of the craving though. I'll be here to help you when you need it! :-)

[DarienComp]

13. it's been almost a month for me.

It's rough, but it's quite worth it... of course, once I quit, the primary fight had to devolve into stupid trivial bullshit, so that doesn't help at all.

[DevonRex]

15. Being a closet smoker, I can truly relate.

I go through nicotine withdrawal anytime I can't get out of the house on some manufactured errand to sneak a cigarette. I tell ya, I look like a bag lady when I do it, too. Have to have on a jacket so the smoke won't get in my clothes, a hat so it won't get in my hair, and a glove so my fingers don't reek. Then of course there's the little bottle of mouthwash, my travel toothbrush, and Extra Polar Ice gum. Oh yeah, the Halls cough drops, too.

And after all that, I have to hide all the above evidence so the family doesn't know I've been sneaky again.

Then when I try to quit, there's the patches and the nicotine gum. Tried Chantix once but it gave me horrendous nightmares. Like that'd help. So I'm back to the bag lady routine. I need nicotine rehab, 28 days in the middle of nowhere, with nobody to bum one from and no plant growth that looks like it might pass for tobacco and no paper products to roll it in.

But hey, I'm wishing you all the best.

[shadowknows69]

18. I need nicotine rehab, 28 days in the middle of nowhere

Lol, that's what I've told my wife and doctor. I have a home remedy as I'm pretty much a shut in. Wife takes the car to work and has all the money so I have no option. She bums one a day for me off a co-worker.

[L0oniX]

17. Force yourself to think about other things.

[BlooInBloo]

19. Here's someone who wants a piece of you, methinks....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5563454

[shadowknows69]

22. Oh be my pleasure

My back sucks but the two hammers can still hit hard B-)

[BlooInBloo]

24. Go get 'em tiger! :P

[JimGinPA]

20. Depends Which Piece

:evilgrin:

[rudy23]

21. You kind of have to learn to just love your anger for those first few days.

There's nothing much you can do about it, but find a safe outlet for it. It'll pay off later when you feel much calmer every day!

[shadowknows69]

23. I yell at furniture a lot

And the refrigerator has a restraining order against me.

[Jazzgirl]

29. LOL @refrigerator restraining order!

Don't substitute food! Get veggies to snack on! It's better for you and there are some great home made fat-free dips that can make them taste even better. PM me if you want a recipe....

[JackORoses]

27. substitute Reefer

that'll make you feel better

[shadowknows69]

30. Done and done

Problem is that's getting as expensive as the ciggys. Got a good wholesale connection you could introduce me to? Gods I wish I lived in California. Specifically Agrestic. B-)

[whatchamacallit]

31. Are you male or female, and which piece?

:silly:

[shadowknows69]

33. Male, but all the good piece(s) are my wife's

Not sure she still wants them but that's what the contract says. Heh.

[whatchamacallit]

34. Maybe you should renegotiate ;-)

[shadowknows69]

37. Never, I have a sweet deal. She's the best.

If for nothing more than not leaving my disabled ass.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

38. Hang in there and congrats on trying to quit!

Now, per your request to distract you:

YOUR CANDIDATE SUCKS BUSH'S TOES! HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT A BUSH TOE SUCKER!! IT'S TRUE! I JUST SAW IT ON FOX NEWS!! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!@!1!!

[shadowknows69]

40. Toe Jam

"With a name like Smuck.uh.er..Obama, it has to be good."