Giving up smoking.

[Shakey1500]

I am a smoker. Have been for almst 30 years. For the second time this year I have had the most horrendous chest infection. I need to give up smoking BUT I know, deep down, that I don't want to, as crazy as that sounds.

I am not motivated by how much money I'll save and I also hazard an educated guess that once this current infection has passed, I'll conveniently forget how wheezy and scary it has been.

I have made an appointment with the GP to discuss methods but, I'm seeing it as nigh on impossible being as I don't/can't see myself having the willpower.

Having read about Champix (?) I'm reluctant to go down that route due to possible side effects regarding previous MH problems, a road I catagorically do not wish to go down again.

I know I'm asking the impossible, how can I do it if I don't want to? Gahhh! Health wise I need to but converting that into "wanting to" seems unachievable.

I guess I'm just asking for....something. Some words of wisdom/experience that may trigger something,anything.

Thanks.

[bagelmonkey]

Sorry, I think you have to want to give it up.
You know about the health risks -stroke, heart attack, lung disease, lung cancer, breast cancer etc. If the thought of struggling to breathe for the last years of your shortened life isn't enough to turn you off, maybe you just have to accept the waste of money and life that it is and keep on smoking.
People struggle to give up smoking when they actually want to quit, but they do it because they want to be non-smokers.

[moonmother]

I'm also a smoker, been smoking since I was 16 , now 39 . I did manage to give up when I was 18 for 4 years but stupidly started again.

Dp and I are actually going to try and quit as of tomorrow, we've been out today and bought the nasty lozenges. I have terrible willpower and usually turn into a wailing she-devil when I try to give up. lol.

I work in a school so as wailing she-devils are not acceptable in school I've chosen to try this time at half term, so hopefully when we go back to school I'll be over the worst few days.

Dp's using the financial side as an incentive , but like you I just buy the fags and not think about how much it costs.

The time I did manage to give up I had terrible bronchitis and my Bf at the time just said that's it, no more fags and I managed it cold turkey. I started again after breaking up with him 4 years later.

I want to give up for the health benefits and maybe for the financial, but yes I do enjoy the smoking too.

I'm just taking it hour by hour, but I am more determined to do it this time.

[bibbitybobbitybloodyaxe]

Why don't you want to give up?

[moonmother]

I think as nicotine addicts- cos essentially that's what we are, we aren't going to want to (as any addict really wants to give up) but we know we need to and that is what we have to use to drive us.

[bibbitybobbitybloodyaxe]

So, you don't want to because you know its going to be hard - but if you could take one tablet and never even think of a cigarette ever again, you would choose to take it wouldn't you? Its just the process of getting over the addiction that is daunting?

[Mandy2003]

I thought I would never give up. Then I got snowed in for 3 days and couldn't go and buy cigarettes. I found it was not so bad to do without. The link was broken in my head. I began to see myself as a non-smoker.

When I got out of the house again instead of cigarettes I bought the little Niquitin mints (like Smint). They're catchphrase is "Give up smoking one cigarette at a time" and had one every time I got a craving.

I kept thinking of myself as a non-smoker and it worked. I stopped needing the mints after about 3 months.

[Sidge]

If you don't want to quit, and are essentially going to the GP because you feel you ought to not because you really want to, then it won't work.

IME (as a smoking cessation advisor) people that are successful in quitting are those that have mentally turned a corner and really WANT to do it, and are feeling positive. Those that start out saying it won't work tend not to quit.

Previous MH issues are a contraindication for Champix, but Zyban is permitted.

[Shakey1500]

Thanks everyone

bibbity To be honest is IS something I enjoy doing (chest infections aside). But on the flipside I'm aware that I only "enjoy" it because I'm addicted. I've done it for so long it's as natural to me as any daily, hourly activity. I "enjoy" the anticipation, the first drag, the ones that are really appreciated (after a meal, with a drink etc) and all the ones inbetween. I would panic if I didn't have some.

I agree with everyone that has said I'm set for failure because of not really wanting to. For sure if there WAS a tablet I could take that would stop me "wanting" to smoke I would take it. But I guess that's the Holy Grail.

I will keep the GP's appointment, see what he says. And possibly start with the Zyban (thanks sidge for that information) as maybe if that surpresses the urge it could spur me on.

I know it all sounds so contradictory.

Thanks again

[bibbitybobbitybloodyaxe]

It does sound contradictory. Good luck though.

Giving up is hard but not impossible.

And when you have properly given up you really won't miss them. Honestly. Promise. You will be perfectly happy without cigarettes. Even when out for a night in the pub with your mates and the smokers go outside for a fag, you won't want to go. Seriously.

It is do-able and you can change.

[Sidge]

Well Champix and Zyban are tablets that do stop you "wanting" to smoke, sort of. Champix stimulates the nicotine receptors in the brain so you don't get withdrawal effects, and it also blocks those receptors so that the nicotine you inhale has no effect, and so you don't get the pleasure from smoking that you do now.

It's not exactly known how Zyban works (it was originally developed as an antidepressant) but it seems to stabilise mood, reducing cravings, and reduce the desire to smoke.

They're not magic bullets, you still require a lot of willpower and determination, but IME pretty hardcore smokers do very well with these medications. I had a 60-a-day smoker quit recently with me and even he was astounded at how easy he found it with medication.

They can have side effects and aren't suitable for everyone but if the GP says you can have it I'd say give it a go. Nothing to lose, and all that!

[essyol]

i used patches following the instructions to the letter; and joined a quit smoking forum, forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=ab-quitsmoking&lgnF=y and I have been quit for 8 months now - not too bad after 20 a day for 35 years. I feel so much better, haven't had a cold since then, can run for the bus... good luck

[ripstheirthroatoutliveupstairs]

I'm just entering week six as a reluctant non smoker. I started when I was 12, smoked all through my DDs gestation and out the other side.
Once we moved back to England, I decided I should stop smoking. I honestly didn't want to but have. I was lucky enough to be able to tolerate Champix and, six weeks on, don't want a ciggy.
I haven't noticed any health benefits, but my adviser assures me there are some.
DD is happier because she thought I'd die at any moment and DH is happier because of the extra money.
Do speak to your GP and good luck.

[Shakey1500]

Thanks again everyone. The chest infection has cleared up and as predicted (don't mean that to sound "smuggy" "boastful" or anything) I am back to smoking the same amount as before.

I'm still keeping my appointment with the GP on the 31st, and I'll be honest with him. I need a bucketful of willpower and a good wind. I shall update after the appointment. With any luck I'll be starting a support thread!

[clearchange]

I smoked heavily for many years. I used to smoke even when I was ill, smoked first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I stopped after my DH begged me to read Alan Carr's book and this is the thing that worked for me: you are not giving up ANYTHING. You are only gaining by stopping smoking.

I am utterly, totally so happy that I don't smoke anymore it is the very best thing I have ever done. In fact, when I think back on it I am p*ssed off that I smoked for as long as I did. What time and energy I wasted thinking about smoking, worrying about where I could smoke and if I had enough cigarettes! I never think about it now. Not. Ever.

Having been one, I think smokers are normally in denial and will use any excuse to continue smoking (because it is an addiction) and the notion that you have to 'want' to stop or that you enjoy it is just another excuse. As are all the others: I don't think I can; I'm scared I'll put on weight; I'm scared I will fail; I don't smoke that much; I enjoy it; what will I do with my hands.

All I can say is try stopping today. No patches, no drugs, no substitutes. You will not regret it. I promise.

[Shakey1500]

Update

I had a week of antibiotics which helped clear it a bit. Kept my appointment with the doctor and spoke to him about giving up. I explained how trepidatious I was, we agreed that NRT was the best way forward. I also told him that we were travelling to Greece for a Greek wedding in December so had decided it was a bit pointless trying to give up before then.

However, this chest infection has not fully gone away and is getting worse. Doctors again today. So yesterday I started on the patches, got myself a fake cigarette and it's been 25 hours and 7 minutes since my last one. Not that I'm counting.

It's bloody hard. I'm thinking about it constantly :(

[Shakey1500]

It's been 3 days, 4 hours and 23 minutes since last one. Still finding it incredibly difficult but have lots of support on FB and have somehow, miraculously, thus far, desisted. Not sure why as I'm CONSTANTLY thinking about it and could have had countless sneaky ones

[Sidge]

Well done!

What strength patches have you got?

Be strong, it will get easier. Are you having lots of diversional therapy? (A.K.A keeping busy)

[Rikalaily]

Well done!! It's totally normal for the first week or so to think about it constantly, the habit of smoking is harder to break than the physical addiction. I'm 7 weeks in and now on the lowest dose patches with gum for after meals (the cig I miss the most) and I don't think about smoking constantly anymore and haven't for quite a while.

You are going great, just take it one day at a time, keep it up!

[PaigeTurner]

Well done!

I just wanted to second the Allen Carr book and also their clinics, which run in various places in the UK. It costs around £200 but there is a money back guarantee if you don't stop smoking.

Clearly you are doing well enough on your own but perhaps it might be helpful to others. It really changed my view on smoking forever.

[Shakey1500]

5 days, 10 hours and 22 minutes. This is more like a theraputic blog now

sidge I'm on 14mg patches and now have various "plaster marks" on different parts of my anatomy! As for keeping busy, I haven't stopped. The house has never been cleaner, xmas shopping, rehearsing/peforming.

I mangaged to survive a night out drinking and in the company of smokers. My fake cigarette is a definite crutch, I seem to be as desolate/panicky if I can't find it as I was if I didn't have cigarettes. Another thing to work on.

Still can't get rid of the urge to have one though. But perplexingly, I have a left over carton of 200 in the cupboard which I SO easily could open, even when I'm on my own and yet...I haven't. I suppose my subconcious is doing something there

Bit worried about the Greek wedding. All the people that will be there are prolific chain smokers and because we will be sans DS and foot loose I'm not sure I'll be as strong. Maybe I'm using that as a reason/excuse to have one, well I know I am to be honest as even though I've come so far (for me) it occupies my mind every nanosecond.

BUT I think that if I did start again (I know how ridiculous this sounds) then I have more confidence now that I can than at the top of the thread. I've surprised myself greatly.

[Sidge]

You're doing so well!

Get rid of your carton. Why put temptation in your way? But you have done well to resist them so far!

And stop making excuses eg the wedding. All smokers make excuses to smoke, oh there's a party/wedding/stressful event/Christmas/work do/it's Saturday/whatever... Life goes on with all it's social events and stress and you'll always have to endure events with other smokers. You need to start thinking of yourself as a non-smoker. A non-smoker wouldn't care that there will be smokers at a function so why should you?

It's all about changing your mindset and that takes time. But I promise before too long cigarettes won't dominate your every waking moment. You just need to stay focused in the meantime

[Shakey1500]

I'll hang on to that promise sidge

I think in a stupid/weird way, it's better if the carton IS there, not sure why. Possibly if it wasn't there I'd panic as if not smoking was NO option. If it's there and I don't have one then it's free will and resisting temptation.

I have lost my ability to reason :)

[BamBam21]

Just wanted to say well done shakey.

I am on day 21 of a very reluctant quit, so understand what you are going through. Basically, I am 29wks pregnant, and knew I HAD to stop for my baby, and also because my DS, who is nearly 8, kept nagging me about it. I really resented having to stop doing something I liked, and it took me ages to be able to do it. I used patches and mini-lozenges (prescribed by the smoking cessation midwife) for the first week, and then nothing, as NRT isn't recommended for very long in pregnancy, and also because I think drip-feeding yourself nicotine just prolongs the agony! I still really want to smoke, and think about it constantly, but I have a packet of 10 menthol fags (yuck!) in the cupboard, and I feel better knowing they are there. They have been there for 2 weeks now and I haven't touched them. I don't feel any benefit from stopping, but keep telling myself it's good for the baby. Maybe if we just keep plodding on with it, then it wll get easier! Good luck.

[Avenged]

Good on you lass. I'm proof that a reluctant ex-smoker can stay on the right track after giving up. I'm now almost 4yrs quit (9th Jan 2008 I quit).

How are your senses of taste and smell coming back? Are you able to smell/taste everything more, now that you've stopped? Are you getting out of breath less so than before?

[BamBam21]

Well done avenged. That's impressive for a reluctant quitter!

My problem (apart from really wanting a fag!) is that I feel no benefit whatsoever from stopping. I have a rubbish nose which is always blocked up anyway, and I have always got constant sniffly colds, so my taste and smell are no different, and I don't feel any fitter (probably because I'm getting huge with being pregnant!!))

The only difference is that I really notice the smell on cigarette smokers now. My DP smokes roll-ups, and I love the smell of them, but "proper" fags just smell horrible now!