Help Needed

jhager79
jhager79 Woodstock Ontario Posts: 296
in All Encompassing Trip
After 20 years of smoking, tomorrow is my quit day and am looking for any tips from others who have quit. 
[img][/img]Kitchener2005
Toronto 2003
Toronto 2000
Barrie 1998
Toronto 1993
London 2005

Toronto 2006 May 9/10
Toronto 2009
Toronto Sept 11/12 2011
London 2013
Detroit 2014
Toronto 2016 May 10/12
Chicago 2018 N2
"No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead"
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Comments

  • WhatYouTaughtMe
    WhatYouTaughtMe Posts: 4,957
    I used a vape for 4 months. Not a big fan, but after 20 years I set a quit date and started vaping. Stepping the nicotine down over a few months until I didn't crave it so bad. I always left it at home to break the habit of smoking in my car and at bars, but it helped knowing I had that little crutch at home. Eventually I just stopped reaching for it. Best of luck to you!
  • jeffbr
    jeffbr Seattle Posts: 7,177
    Good luck, jhager79! You can do it. 6 months ago I grabbed a Juul to see what that was about. 3 days later I never touched another cig and have no desire to ever have one. My wife did the same. As whatyoutaughtme said, you can step down the nic % as well. Everyone is different, but for us vaping was the key. Much, MUCH less harmful than smoking (the anti-vape campaign notwithstanding, since they're trying to scare kids from picking up the habit). 
    BTW, this probably belongs in AET.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • jhager79
    jhager79 Woodstock Ontario Posts: 296
    jeffbr said:
    Good luck, jhager79! You can do it. 6 months ago I grabbed a Juul to see what that was about. 3 days later I never touched another cig and have no desire to ever have one. My wife did the same. As whatyoutaughtme said, you can step down the nic % as well. Everyone is different, but for us vaping was the key. Much, MUCH less harmful than smoking (the anti-vape campaign notwithstanding, since they're trying to scare kids from picking up the habit). 
    BTW, this probably belongs in AET.
    Thanks, unfortunately I can't get a Juul in Canada as we aren't allowed nicotine in e cigs. Congrats on 6 months without a cigarette. Wasn't 100% sure of where to post this. 

    [img][/img]Kitchener2005
    Toronto 2003
    Toronto 2000
    Barrie 1998
    Toronto 1993
    London 2005

    Toronto 2006 May 9/10
    Toronto 2009
    Toronto Sept 11/12 2011
    London 2013
    Detroit 2014
    Toronto 2016 May 10/12
    Chicago 2018 N2
    "No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead"
  • willbarclay
    willbarclay Ottawa, Canada Posts: 3,298
    I got a prescription from the doctor for cantix 
    they worked like a charm. You can smoke for 2 weeks while on them and then the cravings just go away. 

  • WhatYouTaughtMe
    WhatYouTaughtMe Posts: 4,957
    Cold turkey is definitely possible, although hard. If you're a stats nerd there's a couple smart phone apps that track all the info regarding money saved, health benefits. It helped me to constantly look at that and be able to put my progress into something I could actually see grow everyday.
  • jhager79
    jhager79 Woodstock Ontario Posts: 296
    WhatYouTaughtMe said:
    Cold turkey is definitely possible, although hard. If you're a stats nerd there's a couple smart phone apps that track all the info regarding money saved, health benefits. It helped me to constantly look at that and be able to put my progress into something I could actually see grow everyday.
    Ijust downloaded an app that tracks the money saved and even gives you stuff to do for when cravings hit, thank you for that.
    [img][/img]Kitchener2005
    Toronto 2003
    Toronto 2000
    Barrie 1998
    Toronto 1993
    London 2005

    Toronto 2006 May 9/10
    Toronto 2009
    Toronto Sept 11/12 2011
    London 2013
    Detroit 2014
    Toronto 2016 May 10/12
    Chicago 2018 N2
    "No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead"
  • jhager79
    jhager79 Woodstock Ontario Posts: 296
    willbarclay said:
    I got a prescription from the doctor for cantix 
    they worked like a charm. You can smoke for 2 weeks while on them and then the cravings just go away. 

    I looked into chantix a awhile back and some of the side effects scared me half to death.  Did you have any trouble with side effects?
    [img][/img]Kitchener2005
    Toronto 2003
    Toronto 2000
    Barrie 1998
    Toronto 1993
    London 2005

    Toronto 2006 May 9/10
    Toronto 2009
    Toronto Sept 11/12 2011
    London 2013
    Detroit 2014
    Toronto 2016 May 10/12
    Chicago 2018 N2
    "No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead"
  • RS151862
    RS151862 Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,726
    Quit 7 years ago with the gum. I thought it was great, helped me incredibly. Just don’t let your brain convince yourself that you can have “just 1”. It’s tough but worth it. Good luck. 
    Pittsburgh 1998 • Pittsburgh 2006 • 2012 Isle Of Wight Festival • 2012 Made In America Festival • Baltimore 2013 • Seattle 2013
    St. Paul 2014 • Mexico City 2015 • Philadelphia II 2016 • Ottawa 2016 • Amsterdam I & II 2018 • Wrigley Field II 2018 • Phoenix 2022
    Apollo Theater 2022 • Chicago I 2023 • Baltimore 2024 • Pittsburgh I & II 2025

  • willbarclay
    willbarclay Ottawa, Canada Posts: 3,298
    jhager79 said:
    willbarclay said:
    I got a prescription from the doctor for cantix 
    they worked like a charm. You can smoke for 2 weeks while on them and then the cravings just go away. 

    I looked into chantix a awhile back and some of the side effects scared me half to death.  Did you have any trouble with side effects?

    No I had no issues at all. Lots of dreams at night but never nightmares. I actually liked it. I don’t tend to remember my dreams at night but while I was on these pills I would wake up remembering everything.
    all kinds of funny/strange dreams. 
    One I was in a rock band, a few others I was at concerts. All good 
  • crookedcross
    crookedcross Right Near Da Beach, Boiii Posts: 1,546
    Good luck to you!  Would suggest just doing it cold turkey.  Everyone's different, but I smoked from '00 to '13. Around a pack a day.  During those years, I tried patches, gums, e-cigs, everything under the sun at the time, as they were offered for free through my job. None worked. Then one day, while on a ship, I had to go 7 flights of stairs during ridiculously rough seas and by the time I got to the top, I was dying and coughing. Silly and weird, but that's when I realized it was time to drop it... Because I thought it was sorry as hell that 7 flights of stairs whooped my ass. Went cold turkey and it's been working great for six years now (in May).  I would light-up a cigar on special occasions while drinking with friends. No more than twice a year, but other than that, zero urge to smoke nowadays.  I kept my last pack of Parliaments in my truck's center console, been there since 2013. It reminds me how well I'm doing.  Whatever you choose, stick to the plan. You got this. Focus on the positives.  You will not regret it.  
  • gvn2fly12
    gvn2fly12 Posts: 795
    jhager79 said:
    willbarclay said:
    I got a prescription from the doctor for cantix 
    they worked like a charm. You can smoke for 2 weeks while on them and then the cravings just go away. 

    I looked into chantix a awhile back and some of the side effects scared me half to death.  Did you have any trouble with side effects?
    Been a smoker a long long time, quit for months, start again quit for years at a time. years.
    very regular cannabis smoker too, never tried never wanted to quit. always wanted to quit cigarettes, couldn’t. Tried nicotine replacement, Stupid shit, Don’t Use.  Tried “champex” poll fro
     dr, I’m in Australia so much the same I would think.  Was still somking while taking pills three months later.  No real side effects for me,  wife almost divorced me, very angry, very grumpy,  pleaded with me to stop taking the pills then I was fine again.  Still smoking but happy.
    i have found an app stop smoking in two hours.
    jason vale is his name,  it worked it’s awesome.
    listen to him then take a nap,  while listening to him.  I believe it’s based on a book by Allen car.  (Never seen the book, I know people who have read it and quit)
    you can somke while listening to the programme he will tell you when it’s time for your last cigarette, then that’s it,  I listened to it before bed for three nights and watched a sos video once. But I 
    have not had a cigarette in 36 days, had no cravings at all. No longer need to listening him,
    I recommend that you find this. app.

    good luck.
    Arms wide open with the sea as my floor.
  • TheGhost
    TheGhost Posts: 540
    I had a really bad smoking habit for 20+ years without a break or real attempt at quitting. Stopped cold turkey 3 years ago. The Allen Carr book "the easy way to quit smoking" convinced me to simply stop. Here is my insight: IT"S NOT HARD TO STOP SMOKING. BEING A SMOKER is what's hard. You've been experiencing nicotine withdrawals every day for 20 years. Just keep doing that but stop adding to your misery by continuing to smoke. It will end and the only time you'll have that withdrawal feeling is in your nightmares. You are good at resisting withdrawals you do it all day. If you stop smoking the withdrawals will end. YOU CAN DO THIS! If I did, anybody can. seriously. 
    KORITFW
  • RunIntoTheRain
    RunIntoTheRain Texas Posts: 1,032
    After smoking for 33 years, I quit in 2011 using the patch. Best thing I ever did for myself. Had to take the patch off before I went to sleep every night because the dreams were intense.
    Just do it.
  • crookedcross
    crookedcross Right Near Da Beach, Boiii Posts: 1,546
    RunIntoTheRain said:
    After smoking for 33 years, I quit in 2011 using the patch. Best thing I ever did for myself. Had to take the patch off before I went to sleep every night because the dreams were intense.
    Just do it.
    The dreams were so extremely vivid
  • PJammer4life
    PJammer4life Los Angeles Posts: 2,669
    Just know with cold turkey you can’t have “just one” or you will be screwed. Never buy a full pack for that “1” during intense cravings or you will want to finish the whole pack, and end up smoking again.
    Bridge Benefit 1994, San Francisco 1995, San Diego 1995 1 & 2, Missoula 1998, Los Angeles 2000, San Diego 2000, Eddie Vedder/Beck 2/26/2002, Santa Barbara 2003, Irvine 2003, San Diego 2003, Vancouver 2005, Gorge 2005, San Diego 2006, Los Angeles 2006 1 & 2, Santa Barbara 2006, Eddie Vedder 4/10/08, Eddie Vedder 4/12/08, Eddie Vedder 4/15/08, 7/12/2008, SF 8/28/09, LA 9/30/09, LA 10/1/09, LA 10/06/09, LA 10/07/09, San Diego 10/09/09, Eddie Vedder 7/6/2011, Eddie Vedder 7/8/2011, PJ20 9/3/2011, PJ20 9/4/2011, Vancouver 9/25/2011, San Diego 11/21/13, LA 11/24/13, Ohana 9/25/21, Ohana 9/26/21, Ohana 10/1/21, EV 2/17/22, LA Forum 5/6/22, LA Forum 5/7/22, EV 10/1/22, EV 9/30/23
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,664
    edited April 2019
    The old Mark Twain Joke goes, "Quitting smoking is easy, I've done it a hundred times."  That was almost true for me.  I'd quit and then start, quit and start.  Some times for days, sometimes for years.  Finally about 32 years ago I decided it was not to not just quit, but to commit to quitting for good.  Cold turkey, no hidden smokes, no bumming even a single drag of a cigarette.  Make the commitment to yourself, not someone else.  Know why you want to quit, keep focused on that commitment and the benefits of quitting.  Hack, don't pack.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • NewJPage
    NewJPage Posts: 3,320
    jeffbr said:
    Good luck, jhager79! You can do it. 6 months ago I grabbed a Juul to see what that was about. 3 days later I never touched another cig and have no desire to ever have one. My wife did the same. As whatyoutaughtme said, you can step down the nic % as well. Everyone is different, but for us vaping was the key. Much, MUCH less harmful than smoking (the anti-vape campaign notwithstanding, since they're trying to scare kids from picking up the habit). 
    BTW, this probably belongs in AET.
    Currently in the process of quitting the vape. Worked like a charm to stop the analog smokes though!
    6/26/98, 8/17/00, 10/8/00, 12/8/02, 12/9/02, 4/25/03, 5/28/03, 6/1/03, 6/3/03, 6/5/03, 6/6/03, 6/12/03, 6/13/03, 6/15/03, 6/18/03, 6/21/03, 6/22/03, 7/12/03, 7/14/03, 10/3/04, 10/5/04, 9/9/05, 9/11/05, 9/16/05, 5/16/06, 5/17/06, 5/19/06, 6/30/06, 7/23/06, 8/5/07, 6/30/08, 8/23/09, 8/24/09, 5/4/10, 5/7/10, 9/3/11, 9/4/11, 10/11/13, 10/17/14, 8/20/16
  • jhager79
    jhager79 Woodstock Ontario Posts: 296
    NewJPage said:
    jeffbr said:
    Good luck, jhager79! You can do it. 6 months ago I grabbed a Juul to see what that was about. 3 days later I never touched another cig and have no desire to ever have one. My wife did the same. As whatyoutaughtme said, you can step down the nic % as well. Everyone is different, but for us vaping was the key. Much, MUCH less harmful than smoking (the anti-vape campaign notwithstanding, since they're trying to scare kids from picking up the habit). 
    BTW, this probably belongs in AET.
    Currently in the process of quitting the vape. Worked like a charm to stop the analog smokes though!
    Good for you on the quitting smokes
    [img][/img]Kitchener2005
    Toronto 2003
    Toronto 2000
    Barrie 1998
    Toronto 1993
    London 2005

    Toronto 2006 May 9/10
    Toronto 2009
    Toronto Sept 11/12 2011
    London 2013
    Detroit 2014
    Toronto 2016 May 10/12
    Chicago 2018 N2
    "No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead"
  • jhager79
    jhager79 Woodstock Ontario Posts: 296
    TheGhost said:
    I had a really bad smoking habit for 20+ years without a break or real attempt at quitting. Stopped cold turkey 3 years ago. The Allen Carr book "the easy way to quit smoking" convinced me to simply stop. Here is my insight: IT"S NOT HARD TO STOP SMOKING. BEING A SMOKER is what's hard. You've been experiencing nicotine withdrawals every day for 20 years. Just keep doing that but stop adding to your misery by continuing to smoke. It will end and the only time you'll have that withdrawal feeling is in your nightmares. You are good at resisting withdrawals you do it all day. If you stop smoking the withdrawals will end. YOU CAN DO THIS! If I did, anybody can. seriously. 
    Thanks for that,  library by my house has the Allen Carr book you mentioned, heading out to grab it.
    [img][/img]Kitchener2005
    Toronto 2003
    Toronto 2000
    Barrie 1998
    Toronto 1993
    London 2005

    Toronto 2006 May 9/10
    Toronto 2009
    Toronto Sept 11/12 2011
    London 2013
    Detroit 2014
    Toronto 2016 May 10/12
    Chicago 2018 N2
    "No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead"
  • jhager79
    jhager79 Woodstock Ontario Posts: 296
    All cigarettes,lighters and ashtrays have been thrown out and on my out to grab Allen Carr's book.  Going to lock myself inside and kick this nasty habit .
    Thanks for all the great advice.


    [img][/img]Kitchener2005
    Toronto 2003
    Toronto 2000
    Barrie 1998
    Toronto 1993
    London 2005

    Toronto 2006 May 9/10
    Toronto 2009
    Toronto Sept 11/12 2011
    London 2013
    Detroit 2014
    Toronto 2016 May 10/12
    Chicago 2018 N2
    "No matter how cold the winter, there's a springtime ahead"

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