Quitting smoking

[Parfums]

To want so much to quit smoking but find I am a horribly neurotic person when I am trying to quit and over think absolutely everything.
Also I am just unhappy when I know I can't have another cigarette and no fun to be around. On the other hand I find it disgusting and expensive.
I have tried many methods to quit, gum,patches,inhaler, faux cigarettes, herbal cigerettes, even vaping which I hated.
I tried switching brands, sweets, mediation, saving the money for 'treats' for myself. I've read the books, watched the videos, tried exercise in place of smoking, the only thing I haven't tried as yet is hypnosis.

Aibu to think that that's it for me I'm just a smoker? And come to terms with it.
Even with all the health risks associated my mental health seems screwed up without it. Even my own family (who don't smoke) see the mood change in me and tell me to go have a cigarette!

[FizzBombBathTime]

I'm the same, I just had to do it cold turkey. It was brutal.

Sorry I don't have a magic cure

[Maz2444466]

I used to smoke about 20-30 day and it was very very hard to stop...the gum worked for me but I loved gum anyway so I think that's why, I also developed a massive tea habit, herbal teas, which I still have, chamomile etc, sounds naff but it gave me something else to do, I can do it compulsively without feeling guilty. I don' know if this will work, it's just what worked for me on a physical level.

Mentally, I was sick of feeling ill, not taking care of myself and I generally had enough of being self-destructive which is the only way I can describe smoking as much as I did.

It it was a combo of being mentally ready and having a new lightweight habit plus the gum that did it for me.

You've got to keep remembering your reasons to give up - how disgusting and expensive it is... maybe get a piggy box to put the money you are saving in will give you a psychological boost.

Good luck!!

[Parfums]

How long have you been smoke free? Is it just easier over time? I recently did 3 weeks and grew impatient waiting to feel 'normal' again..
Congratulations btw I am in awe of those that can go cold Turkey!

[Parfums]

Thank you for your response I will give the herbal teas another go!
And yes i completely get the self destructive thing!
I've even started switching shops I buy them from from because I'm embaressed embarrassed by how much I buy!
Well done to you though maybe mumsnet will help me quit. Very encouraging to hear from those that have done it..

[user1471534764]

I quit 3 years ago, it is difficult but not impossible. NHS stop smoking service is fantastic and you can interact with them on whatever level you feel comfortable e.g Facebook, drop in centre or 12 week course.

Focus on freedom - you are losing nothing - only gaining freedom from nicotine. No more planning where you can nip out for a quick smoke, no more missing chats in the pub, no more standing in the cold and rain.

I truly believed I could not quit and burst into tears just thinking about it and smoked more, as soon as I realised I could cry all I wanted but I wasn't smoking anymore it got better.

Most people take a few tries to give up so don't give up giving up. You can do it. Every day that passes without a cigarette gets easier. The cravings get fewer and fewer and you begin to wonder why you did just stop years ago.

[thenewaveragebear1983]

I stopped while pregnant and was skipping with joy at how easily I'd quit and how it was the last time. Then, after 9 months pregnant and almost s year, I was having a shitty stressful time and I ended up buying 10 cigarettes, and smoked 10 every single day for about 4 months. I was so cross with myself and hated every single one, and would lie awake thinking about how I was surely going to die of cancer. Since new year, I 've had the biggest patches available even though I wasn't smoking 20+ a day, and I put it on before I go downstairs. It pretty much stops me wanting them but if I run out I am horrible. I have resigned myself to wearing a nicotine patch for the rest of my life.
I really hate smoking, but I was so addicted. The hardest was trying to have one when I had ds here, as I couldn't leave him so would have to put him in his buggy, leave him at the front door, then hide round the corner of my house to have a cigarette.
The odd thing is, as soon as I found I was pregnant I stopped immediately and never even craved one, so the addiction must be all psychological really.

I feel for you op, there isn't an easy way. Just keep trying.

[MumsGoneToYonderLand]

the data show that all other methods work on average more than cold turkey. the most effective is using a stop smoking service (nhs-sss) with support group or online/text support and a with a nicotine replacement therapy. You need the moral support though. Pick a date, possibly when you are less stressed and out of routine. mentally have the last fag. quit with others.

Alternatively, alongside NHS SSS go to the doctor and get a prescription for champix. It makes cigarettes taste vile.
Keep trying. It takes on average 13 quit attempts before success
Good luck!

[7SunshineSeven7]

Good way to do it:

Get an empty and clean jar (jam jar or coffee jar). Half fill with water and every time you smoke or someone else does put the butts in the water and put the lid on.

Everytime you feel like you want a smoke go and take a big wiff. It really helps!

[RosyGold]

Following with interest...

I, too, am a dirty smoker I know it's grim (and it killed my dad) but I bloody love it and I'm downright nasty and miserable without the cigs.

Tried to quit several times using alllll of the methods but just couldn't stick to anything. Even smoked all the way through my pregnancy

I was also smoking cannabis all day everyday for 5 years and managed to stop that 6 months ago - I thought that was my major addiction but I just can't give up the bloody cigarettes too!

My partner stopped smoking 3 months ago so the guilt is even more prevalent now!!

[PoptartPoptart]

I know you say that you hated vaping but did you go to a proper vaping shop or just buy a device and liquid from a local newsagents or petrol station? I ask because the devices and juices that they sell in a proper vaping shop are far superior and maybe you just weren't using the right one for you?
The staff are generally very helpful and will advise on liquid strengths, VG/PG combinations and let you try different flavours.
It might be worth another try, if you're really struggling?
I smoked 20+ a day for over 25 years and had tried every method known to man to give up. I now Vape and love it. The smell of normal cigarettes now makes me heave and I never thought I'd say that - I was a true addict.
I am slowly reducing my nicotine strength aswell, with the intention to get down to zero in the next year.
I don't want to sound like I'm preaching at you, just might be worth another try as I know exactly how you are feeling.
Whatever you choose, good luck. You CAN do it.

[Parfums]

I too was able to quit while pregnant but I would be lying if I said it was cold turkey as horrible as it is I used to snap one in half and have a couple of puffs in the early stages and the cravings didn't go at all. Mil said she smoked throughout her pregnancies and that kind of negative encouragement/enabling didn't help at all.
I hate that I did that. So shameful.
In fact there is nothing but shame circling the issue of smoking.
Another question I have is
Has anyone else experienced weight gain from Quitting?
Seems so unfair to be battling both things at the same time.
Friends of mine that have quit have noticeably gained a good couple of stone let alone lbs.
I hope it is just a myth that you gain 10 lbs and that the couple of my friends just happened to gain weight for some other unrelated reason or an exception to the rule.

[Tarrarra]

I second going to a proper vape shop. I gave up over a year ago by switching to ecigs. It took a while to find the right "juice" and ecig but I got there in the end, and then weaned myself down to the lowest strength nicotine. You have to persevere for a little while as well.

[MrsNozzle]

Something that really helped me give up when I found out I was pregnant -

Basically each craving for a fag lasts no longer than about a minute. Then it will go. The problem is at first, these cravings will come maybe every minute and a half to two minutes. But the cravings will gradually get further and further apart the longer you don't smoke. So all you need to do is ride through that minute you have the craving until it passes. Don't think ahead. Just think 'I can ride out this minute of craving'. I think this was from the Alan Carr book.

I was a heavy smoker (started when I was 12!!!) and smoked until I was 40. I found the nicotine replacements didn't help at all as all they do is keep the cravings coming thick and fast. Also you need to change your routines - whatever you usually do when you have a cigarette, say, after a meal, do something completely different. You think there's going to be a massive gap in your life without fags, but I promise you there isn't - only sweet freedom!!!!

Good luck OP. If I can do it - and I really loved my fags - so can you!!!

[halfgirlhalfturnip]

I loved smoking but hated the cost and as I got older the health implications.
I smoked from 16 for 10 years, stopped with patches for 10, smoked again for about 5 (mostly hating myself as 2 a month became 10 a day), then inspired by someone else tried hypnotherapy. That was 2009 and I have not touched one since that session. You need to really want to stop for yourself, but it was fantastic. You can stop 👍

[Parfums]

The vaping i couldn't get on with. Allbeit it was just bought from newsagents but I tried to get the best/most expensive one there looking at it as an investment to quitting.
But by day 2 I was getting chest pains like i had never had before. Plus exploding vaporizers? Really put me off too.
I know it works for some. I have seen people make 'the switch.'
Just not for me unfortunately!

Perhaps I need some sort of lobotomy !
Apparently over time your brain makes more prominent neurogical path ways and grows new receptors due to the nicotine addiction.
How the hell can that be overcome?

[Parfums]

Looks like a plus for hypnotherapy there. That could be worth exploring further.
Just not keen on the idea of anyone suggesting anything to my subconscious mind but if it works hell il book an appointment.

[PoptartPoptart]

You shouldn't get chest pains from vaping, that is not good at all.
Unfortunately some newsagents and petrol stations sell dodgy kits and liquid (and charge extortionate prices so you think you're buying a good quality one) and it gives the whole thing a bad name.
Fair enough if it's not for you though op, I wish you luck

[Craftylittlething]

I've been off the fags since the 1st January, using gum occasionally I have a vape thing, I'd tried this before but this time 3mg oil that's slightly fruity and slightly menthol/ very pleasant. I enjoy and miss the hand to mouth action. I've been drinking water, exercising more and eating mints.
I decided I wasn't stopping smoking forever/ this was a huge thing for me, not having a cigarette for the rest of my life. So I decided to not have s cigarette on the 1st of January. Now I'm going for January. I've had some shitty psychotic days so far but that is easing and its all temporary.
I stopped before for five years, this time the trick is to not start again.

[prettyfiestyforasmallone]

Im 5 days smoke free...I invested in a really good vape thingy and I have been great up to tonight and I am struggling a bit but powering through vaping like a trooper :) good luck

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

Hello ! I am on day 4

I am another that get awful
Chest pains from vaping - I am asthmatic though

Get this - I gave up as had my 3rd chest infection in 2017 . Enough

But now I have really bad chest pains from the giving up (4 days) really tight chest and wheezy

I have 101 reasons to quit but I know
Once my tight chest goes I will want

Sorry this is old thread !

[CreepyPasta]

Have you tried Champix? I quit with it a couple of years ago after trying pretty much everything else.

You have to go to one of the NHS stop smoking clinics to get it and they want to see you every week. That also spurs you on as they check your CD levels every time you go.

As for weight gain, yes it happened. But less than when I'd tried quitting with other methods as it takes the actual craving away.

Good luck OP!

[MsHooliesCardigan]

I used to smoke 30 - 40 a day. I tried doing it on my own literally hundreds of times and never got past more than a few days. I managed to cut right down in my first 2 pregnancies by using gum and did give up for about half of them and only smoked 1-2 a day for the rest of the time but went straight back to me previous levels after the kids were born. I finally gave up by going to an NHS smoking clinic and using a combination of gum and nasal spray for really strong cravings. I really recommend the spray - it's like smoking a fag through your nose. It makes your eyes water and makes you cough but it absolutely knocks any desire to smoke on the head. I also found the peer support and buddy system totally invaluable. For a very long time, I still thought of myself as a smoker who was going without a fag for as long as I could and it took about 5 years for me to think of myself as a non smoker. I'm just coming up to 13 years and I honestly can't believe that I ever used to smoke. I genuinely believe that, if I can do it, anyone can. It's the single best thing you can do for your health. PM me anytime for support.

[SweetChickadee]

Another vote for Champix - I've not had a fag for over 7 years and don't miss it at all.

Watch your moods though - I had to stop after 6 weeks as I felt like I had the worlds worst PMT. And DO NOT take on an empty stomach

It got me off the fags though.

[emma6776]

I'd tried everything before I finally got a prescription for Champix (my GP wouldn't prescribe as it's expensive so I got a private prescription from Boots). It was amazing - you just take it and smoke as normal. Suddenly I realised I hadn't had a fag for two days! I haven't smoked for nearly 7 years now and haven't had a single craving (or any withdrawal symptoms). I used to smoke between 20-30 per day.

[aprilsdelight]

I was a smoker for 40 years and never thought i could give up. Loved them, especially that first one of the morning with a cup of tea, even though i was nearly choking with coughing. I had the most awful wheeze and used to get out of breath just going up the stairs. I was always getting colds and chest infections. One day i just thought "that's it, no more fags, they're killing me"

Went cold turkey, but every day i put the fag money in a tin, it was bloody hard but every time i was tempted to go out and buy some id look in the tin and think of some lovely thing to buy with the money. Amazing how quick it grows. On top of that i was starting to get my sense of smell back, everything smelt stronger, and i was taking deeper breaths. That awful wheeze i had literally disappeared, my skin was glowing.

It was just no contest in the end, the temptation for a cigarette was outweighed by my ever growing money tin, glowing skin, renewed energy, no more coughing and spluttering, i'd have been mad to go back to them.

Now done 8 years fag free, the best thing i ever did, giving them up.Never ever think of them now, but one things for sure, if i could do it, anyone can. Good luck OP you can do it.