Quitting smoking was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I quit cold turkey. Months before I quit smoking I had weaned myself down to 1 pack of cigarettes every three days. I cut down to about 6 cigarettes per day. I know of cheated in quitting in the way that after I suffered my Pulmonary Embolism, I now become sick if I smoke. My lungs literally can't take smoking even one cigarette. I get dizzy, nauseous, and sick if I smoke now. That is a pretty good incentive to stay away from them. Every now and then I get depressed and light one up, then I get sick and regret it. I don't know what method will work for you, but I do know that you also have to stop hanging around with people who smoke. Every time I'm around other people who are smoking, I always ask them for one. I wish you luck in quitting. You can do anything you put your mind to.

I meant to say that I cheated in a way. I was pretty much forced out of smoking by a serious medical condition. My lungs are damaged from the blood clots, and it is really pronounced when I smoke a cigarette.

I already had COPD and asthma before i ever started smoking, but when i quit i quit cold turkey, 6 times now but this last time was for good about a year ago. I have too many health problems i dont need more. Will power and hard candy helped me

I used to love smoking. The only kind I would smoke was clove. As soon as I finished one, I couldn't wait for the next one. I smoked them for years. Then one day I just decided to stop. That was it. I stopped cold turkey. I'm not sure why it was so easy for me. About 6 months after I stopped, I was diagnosed with cancer, so then I REALLY had no desire for cigarettes, so that's kept me away from them ever since.

Thanks for the personal struggles! I've just been feeling in my heart lately I'm done. I keep feeling icky after I have one! I've noticed I wheeze more often than I did before, and I really don't want any breathing disorders :/ The hardest is just I smoke more when I'm stressed, otherwise it's a pack every 3-4 days.

Jeremy- I will have to limit my social situations for a bit, you're right. I really don't think it'd bode well with my goal. I get my spinal cord stimulator in less than a month, so I want the best healing possible as well!

I took smoke enders class from American Cancer Society at local hospital that my dad paid $45 for ....best $45 he ever spent...I quit with their help back in 1987...I have some tools for quitting if you need them.....hugs bill

There's a nice little smoking cessatation support group here on DS.
Hugs
jc

I did very well for quite a long time doing mostly cold turkey. I did, however, use the 4mg nicotine lozenge and a 0mg nicotine Blu e-cig. I used those sporadically but they did help...both to help with nicotine withdrawal (the lozenge) and the e-cig for that oral fixation. I also sucked on sugar free hard candy and drank a lot of water. I used the lozenge ONLY for those times when I was sure I was going to go buy a pack. It did help, surprisingly. I also kept my mind and hands occupied. I took up crochet to keep my hands and mind busy. It's hard to maintain with arthritis but I do still crochet when I'm bored and struggling.

It does get easier after the first couple weeks when you have become accustomed to your routine not including cigarettes and the physical symptoms are gone. In the beginning, you will feel extremely exhausted and emotional. This is normal and will go away.

If you have picked a date in the future (which I suggest), start preparing by quitting smoking in certain places...such as the car. Slowly become accustomed to your routine without smoking. Try to go an extra hour before smoking your first cigarette in preparation.

I fell off the wagon very early this morning. I feel like I have good reasons but, in the end, they are all just excuses and I'm back at it. Don't let a slip get you down. Just get back on it and the next time strive to get further than the time before. It takes the average smoker 7 actual quit attempts to succeed so do not be discouraged. I know I'm not.

GOOD LUCK! Also, online smoking cessation support groups help to keep you accountable and to talk to others who understand.

Redheaddiva- Thanks!!! Your plan sounds fantastic, I will check out the group too :)

I did like Jeramy1999, just weaned myself from almost 2 pks a day to 1 or 2 cigarettes a day. I should give up those, but I am not quite ready yet. Don't set your goal so high at first. Don't go cold turkey...just cut down a little bit at a time. I also had to change some habits. I now have to go outside to smoke. When I am allowed to smoke in the house I burn them up. It is very easy when on the computer. It still bothers me to not smoke when I am on the computer at times.

I have COPD and have had it for many years. I too have quit many times in the past. I have tried hypnosis and acupuncture. I used the patch. The only thing I was really able to do was quit cold turkey. I have stopped for as long as 6 months and then went back. It was very hard because my fianc smoked. Back in Aug, he couldn't breathe. He was diagnosed with COPD and quit smoking. Just like that. He hasn't picked up a cigarette since. I also know its time for me to quit again. This time for good. I Am glad you brought this topic up because of the support and ideas from everyone who answered. Good luck

Zasas- thankfully we don't smoke in the house, we go to the garage. I don't take cigarettes to work with me... I actually only smoke 3 packs a week... But I just feel soooo icky in my chest!!! I ordered a vape pen, I've used before, and I plan to wean off the cigarettes & fill in with vape, because I used that ALOT less. My biggest hurdle will be not smoking while I'm having a drink in social settings :/ I plan on involving my friends in hopes they fully support me not partaking in my typical Marlboro light special blend fix LOL

I brought this up in here because- I find when I'm being treated for my pain with narcs, I tend to crave cigarettes more... When I'm not on meds I seem to handle not smoking better... But regardless enjoying a glass of wine is hard without a cigarette!!!

Yes, Pink, I totally understand that...harder to quit when on meds.

It's really important to know our triggers and you seem like you are aware of yours. My biggest trigger is pain. When I'm in pain, I crave smoking much more. So I'm able to not smoke on pain meds because my biggest trigger (pain) is not in play. Does that make sense?

Knowing our triggers makes handling them so much easier. And, sometimes a "new" trigger pops up in our quit that we have to deal with. That's why having tools that you can find on smoking cessation websites will help.

When I had my slip up, I realized after that I had been preparing to fail for awhile before it actually happened. I didn't realize until after that I wasn't using my tools so, while I was able to fend it off for awhile, it eventually got to the point that I caved in.

It's no doubt very very hard but it's doable. We just need to learn the tools and get support and encouragement!

GOOD LUCK! I'm only a message away if you are struggling.

~Michelle