Advice on the lead up to stopping smoking!

[BernieBear]

I am planning on stopping smoking (takes deep shuddering breath) - don't know why I am so scared but I am. Basically I want to prepare myself over the next few weeks (may even be a week/days) and want some tips (tried and tested) on anything I should do. I have contacted the local cessation clinic, although haven't heard back yet.

My reason - I don't want to die and I want to see my ds grow up. Also am a single mum and can't afford to leave my ds.

I have quit twice before, once when I was pregnant and once before that for 6 weeks (using patches) oh and before that for 6 hours.

I don't ever smoke inside, but still manage to smoke 20 a day - lets just say Gardening has become a passion .

How should I prepare? I really want to get it right this time, the only problem is is:

1. I enjoy it.
2. I am petrified of having the constant craving/feeling like something is missing forever.

Please, be nice!

I am like a stuck record on this subject, but I cannot reccomend highly enough

\link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/202-3600399-6307863?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=allan+carr\Allan Carr)

I loved smoking and quit 8 years ago after reading this book in 1 day. It was given to me by a friend who also quit with it and I in turn told 5 others about it, all of whom are non smokers some 7 years later.

Its a cliche but the book says you wont feel like you are giving up, you feel like you are made free of it, and that certinaly is how it is for me.

Good luck with whatever you try.

Allan Carr

whoops

Agree with Allen Carr recommendation. I haven't smoked for 4 years now.

You don't enjoy it, you tell yourself that because you need a reason for doing it (this is Carr's view) and you won't miss it after a while, it's just a pang and non smokers don't get them, it's pure withdrawal from nicotine and doesn't last.

You won't regret it, buy the book, it'll be the best money you ever spent.

Think i might go on the band wagon too.

I tried on new years day to give up, managed one day then the next day i was down the shop buying some. Then that was it, if anything i'm smoking more.
The more i think of stopping the more i smoke, how werid is that.
I don't wanna smoke but I do, It's those gremlins in your head all day saying you want one. i can feel my chest rattle all the time and have to have a little cough to clear it. I'm paranoid that people look at me when i smoke, think stupid woman. Everywhere you can't smoke so instead of having a nice time shopping you're thinking oh just go in here then outside for a smoke, whatever the weather blowing a gall, still there smoking.

I hate the panicy feeling you get when you haven't got any. I can't seem to concentrate on anything until i've had my fix.

I hate it i hate it i hate it

Really need charliecat to post some inspiring links. I know how hard she found it when she gave up and how annoyed she was that she had that 'one'. Which was a long time ago now and can hardly remember her smoking at all, i envy her the fact she keep trying. But i am so proud of her too.

I gave up on Sunday and its been really really hard - i havent used patches or read books etc - there are some really good comments on another thread..i'll go find it!

Here

Imaginaryfriends comments are great - what i wanted to say - but better put!

Well done Nip i couldn't even get past day one. Really considering quitting. I'm spending a fortune on it. fed up of stinking of smoke. why was fags ever invented, can't help thinking that it wouldl be easier if they hadn't.

yep oh it's gonna be a long hard road i thinks. I'll know i'll be manicly posting on mn too!! lol.

I totally agree - i'm still thinking about how much i really enjoy smoking and how i'd love to have one right now - but i know its just a stupid addiction that i need to kick.

I'm trying to get a head start before the ban comes in - i cant wait to be honest, we'll then be able to go out as a family and have a meal in a pub/restuarant!

Everytime i feel like i'm going to have one i just think of my DS and how he needs a mum! Oh and i seem to eat! Thats got to stop too! - Diet next week i think!

omg just saw this and has made me cry but also scared the shit out of me. i'll try to do the link

this is sad

have you tried a quit meter.

Whats a quit meter?

Oh and yes i have read that before - very sad - and sadly another reason to pack the filthy habit in!

you type in how many fags you smoke how much they cost and it counts how many fags you haven't smoke how much money you save and how much life you get back. thought it might give you abit of inspiration something to work towards. i'll try and get link.

here's the link meter

Excellent thank you - may have to download that when i get home..

I hate it because i live at the bottom of a steep hill and i can feel my lungs trying harder to go, its' horrible ironary is i still keep puffing, oh it's horrible.

I used to take my DS for a walk and would often have a crafty one whilst out of sight - it's like i'm hiding because i know it looks bad to be pushing a push chair with a fag hanging out your mouth. All of these things are the reason why this habit needs to be kicked. My DH has also quit so we are both supporting each other as much as possible.

That's good that your dh is doing it with you. I know how you feel with the pushchair i used to do that when mine were little. I haven't stopped yet but i think i am gonna very very soon. i really want to. been thinking of it more and more recently. All my family don't smoke or have given up apart from my dad and step mum who are very heavy smokers. i wanna be FREE of it.

Aloveheart I can really relate to what you are saying. I hated smoking but I loved it too, I always had to have another packet read to go when the current one ran out, and that lovely shiny gold B&H pack was my lifeline.

What Allen Carr taught me was that really made sense to me was this:

There is a woman who has a small rash on her face. If she leaves it alone it will go away but she puts some cream on which will give her an instant cure. It works immediately, but within 2 days the rash comes back again twice as bad. She goes to get some more cream and has to pay twice as much for it. This continues, and everytime she uses the cream it works but within 2 days but the rash always comes back worse than before. She is now in a trap, and can either spend the rest of her life spending a fortune on cream, or let the rash take it course and clear up on its own forever.

This is what it is like with cigarettes. He says there is a nicotine monster inside you that you must kill, and this can take up to 3 weeks. If you never kill him all you are doing is feeding him with nicotine and the cravings get worse and worse each time you try to stop.

I also recognise that everyday triggers - anger, hunger, thirst etc that I once thought were cigarette cravings actually arent. Even now I recognise that need for a fag, but can see it for what it is - just a signal from your body for something but not particuarly nicotine.

I really hope you do it, it is the best thing i ever did.

i like that. i gonna get some post it notes and write things arond the house. how long have you stopped for now? i know the gold packet thing. Anything to get to a shop to keep a stock. lol it's crazy really.

I have stopped for 8 years. I tried and tried, hated myself when I couldnt do it. Gave up for a week, had a cigarette, felt sick but carried on, it was madness. However, after reading AC I closed the last page and never wanted to smoke again. Actually confession time, it even stopped me smoking dope (just socially honest!) as I just didnt want the nicotine, now that was impressive.

I really am a bit evangelical about it, but I just know that feeling of lighting another fag when you dont even really want one, but you smoke it anyway. And smoking through flu and feeling dreadful but just keeping going because you cannot get by without one. It sucks.

wow eight years!! well done you.

just been reading whyquit and it's so true especially the one being your friend who is acutally fags.

It would be the best think i could give my son for his 7th birthday. I don't want them to smoke when they are older. and they are more likely to if i do.

i feel like crying why am i doing it to myself but i still end up chuffing away like chimney this is my last day of smoking, i am gonna really try to stop tommorow. i really am. i want to. give me strength please.

manic poster this mornign, my son even drew a picture of me with a fag in my hand,... the shame.