Has anyone recently given up smoking

[Tillysmummy]

Has anyone recently given up smoking. I have a couple of times. I only ever smoked a few in the evening, normally 3 or max 4. Never in the house.

I gave up throughout my pregnancy and then started again smoking the odd one about 2 months after dd was born. Then I gave up recently and lasted for 2 weeks and then dh went out on the piss really late and i was frustrated and ended up smoking again and then I gave up again last Saturday so a week tomorrow.

Read Allen Carrs book and a lot of it makes sense. Just one thing. I do really enjoy the odd ciggy with a glass of wine and am finding it hard. Like today, I've had a really bad week with DD very ill with tummy bug and tonight feel like nothing other than going home, bottle of wine and a couple of fags with DH (who normally only smokes when he goes drinking and is trying to avoid this).

Am I the only one ? Does it get better ? I can't imagine ever drinking and not wishing I could smoke.

About to do it Tillysmummy, will let you know when I do...

Tillysmummy, I gave up years ago, but the hardest thing was not having one after a few drinks. I eventually got to the stage where if I'd had a lot to drink I would blag a ciggie off someone, light up, then realise that it tasted vile and stub it out. So if you stick to it (and I know from experience that it isn't easy) eventually it does get a bit easier (perhaps never totally easy, but once you can smell the stale smoke on others etc it helps to reinforce things).

But please please please keep trying to give up, for your daughter's sake. My Dad died of lung cancer (after I had given up), and it was absolutely horrible. I will never touch a cigarette again because of what we all went through, I don't want my children to go through what we did if there is anything I can do to prevent it. And if you can't give up, even cutting down can help.

Tillysmummy

I had my last one (and I was down to one every now and again unless pissed when I could do ten!!!) about three weeks before I found out I was pregnant. Two weeks ago (ds is 8mo) I was "verrrry, verrrrry" drunk at a girls' night out and I pinched a fag from someone

It was foul. I put it out after two drags.

Even after (I daren't tell you how many glasses of wine) it was awful - so it's worth persisting. It IS hard at the beginning but youget used to it - your dh not smoking will be a help

Good luck - if you fancy a fag get on Mumsnet instead!

Tillysmummy, I went to a hypnotist last April '01 & it worked really well...until this January! So I saw the same guy again & I've been off them for 3 weeks now. It is much easier than going cold turkey but even so I would really like a fag!! I don't have awful cravings but this time on a Friday it's very hard. I know it's a good thing to give up, especially when you read messages like Azzie's, but I like smoking goddammit!! What a saddo I am!! Don't mean to sound hopeless,I did give up for 6 years before, but I keep starting again!!! Good luck anyway T'smummy & WWW

you can now get nicotine patches (and I think lozenges too) on prescription as from april 2001 sorry never smoked so I dont know what your going thru but good luck any way.

You can also get nicotine nasal spray on prescription. All the nicotine replacements can be prescribed for 12 weeks by your GP, then you're on your own!!

Tried the spray for the first time today (stings like !) and managed to go without a cigarette for 5 hours. Then playgroup rang to say my son was ill. Panic, panic, went to newsagents on the way to fetch him...still, tomorrow's another day, maybe manage 6 hours!

I am 8 weeks into giving up. It it still in my head alot, but the great urge is only once a day, roughly, and i feel its easier to cope with that than the guilt of smoking when i know i shouldnt. Good luck!

it tried going cold turkey last summer, but it didn't work (no willpower!). tried again in the autumn, still couldn't stop but i didn't want/need to smoke half as much as i used to. then i tried again after new year, and ended up having about 2/3 cigarettes a day. then i tried again and although it was hard to break it, i haven't touched one for 6 weeks now, i just don't feel any cravings any more so it took a loooong time but i did it in the end!

Annat well done!!!..im about 8 weeks now, its not worth the hassle going back now, i mean its so hard to give up, i wouldnt want to do it all over again! Keep up the deep breaths!

This is my second day now, patched up to the eyeballs and chewing gum all day but boy is it hard... All I can think about is "I could do with a fag RIGHT NOW".

But I won't... Glad to see you're doing so well, Edgarcat and AnnaT. It's very inspiring.

Sorry Charliecat... I misread...

I still chew 8+ weeks later, i think i will look like Desperate Dan soon with the muscles im using chonking on gum!!! Well done everyone!

my big tip for smoking when your in a bar. yes you will feel like a ciggy, but you dont want to go there - or you will start up again so

smoke a big fat cigar - you will enjoy the first puf and feel gradually sicker and not have another one all night - until next time you go out - when youw ill do it again

( imagine me - drinking pints cos its cheaper with a big big fat cigar!hehe)
ps. have stopped smoking in january
and hve been a complete bitch since - am emotionally all over the place - and its got to be the fags combined with stress - and not being able to have a fag when stressed

good news tho

havent put on any more weight

Charliecat, my jaws ache from all the chewing!