General Chat

To all smokers and Ex smokers....... Which is the better option??? Cold turkey was working(?) for me today until about 6pm when i couldnt take it any longer!! I have had 6 ciggies now, which is better than my 25 a day!! I'm thinking now that i should aim for 4 tomorrow??? Maybe i need help?? What did you do to stop smoking?? Karen

Ummmmm. I've done nothing to stop yet Karen :0] maggie

hi karen, i'me a non-smoker,but i do understand that nicotine is addictive,therefore,coming off any drug 'cold turkey' is not to be recommended. cutting down,will not work,you need to prepare yourself in advance,buy patches,and they will help to get the nicotine out of your system slowly. bryan.

Bryan's right hon, if you contact your local health authority they should be able to help, otherwise use the national helpline 0800 1690169. you may also find it helps to have a 'smoking buddy' someone to phone or talk to when feeling low or desperate. Ken xx

Go for it big time, just stop. Each time i gave up the first few days were the worst, after that about the fifth week, but we all re-act differently to giving up. I only started again from worries. All the best to you in giving up and may you succeed. Micheal.

I know that i have probably gone about it the wrong way but i only really decided late last night that i wasnt breathing as well as i could be!! I have felt really weird today, dizzy spells and sheer frustration!!! But when it came to family stuff, eg dinner times and homework etc, i gave in and said , well just one then!!! i know it sounds like a cop out but its gonna take me days to get a docs appt but i think cutting down to 6, tho it will be 7 by the time i go to bed, i have done okay!! lets see what happens tomorrow??? all the family and friends i have, have done it over night!!! which doesnt help!!! LOL Karen

Thank You for your tips and advice... i think i am gonna need a little medical help in quitting this!! I have been feeling dizzy nearly all day, and being a diabetic i was trying to differenciate lack of nicotine with hypo!! I have got to ask for patches and maybe a buddy (but i dont like asking for help!!) Karen

OMG!!!! Bendy!! I dont think pregnancy is an option!!! I did that last time!! and within months i was back on them with a vengence!!!! Now i have a teenager (and hubby) who looks down her nose at me when i light up!!! I gotta give up!!! Karen

karen,as you know,i'me not a doctor! but,i think your feeling of being 'light headed' may be due to,an increase in oxygen levels. you said that your breathing was becoming a problem,smoking inhibits oxygen intake,and this can cause a shortage of breath. i never preach about smoking,as i know,that although it's potentially harmfull,it does help those suffering with anxiety/depression, there is a brilliant book,written by alan carr,i dont know it's title,but it's helped hundreds of thousands give up smoking. bryan.

Karen - I tried to stop smoking several times over the years. Then I made a decision (again) when to do it, planned the time and date so I would remember it in years to come. I last smoked a cigarette just after 22 hours on the 22nd of the 2nd 1992. It had to be because *I* wanted to do it, rather than I thought I ought to do it because someone else wanted me to do it. all the best, my friend Karen, :-) Joy

Hi Karen, I haven't had a ciggie for over a year now and I found the Nicotine patches worked for me! I smoked for 25 years!! Keep trying! My doctor once said to me 'as Mark Twain said, stopping smoking is easy, I've done it hundreds of times' LOL Julie xxx

Thanks Guys!!! Well i didnt have any ciggies yesterday and i havent had any today!!! I called the 0800 number yesterday night and the guy told me that i would be better off planning a stop date and time!!! I dont understand that when i had a mamaged for nearly 24 hrs??? I have an appointment with the doc on Mon, but if i can go till Monday without a ciggie maybe i can do without patches too?? Thanks for the support!! Karen

Karen did you forget? a symptom of giving up maybe LOL Ken xx

Karen I smoked for about 15 yr. I alway's said I would stop before I was 30. (I did) I had tried cutting down a lot of times. Then one night after a party I was the only one smoking. One person said I bet you cant stop smoking. The next day was my last smoke lol. Over the weeks I was grumpy, had wind :(( probably due to eating chewing gum, felt light headed, sick and constipated. A few week's later I ate a mars bar and thought it was 'OFF' but it was just they way it was meant to taste. It is now 20 yr since I stopped 0:)) see my halo? lol good luck Marion

Hi Karen, Well done on making the decision that you want to stop. I think it depends on the person on how to give up. Some just give up, others find it easier with patches etc. I hope that the Dr gives you lots of support. Why don't you start another thread so peeps from the boards can support you? I am sure that others would join you. Good luck Jill xx

Karen, You are doing brilliantly. You have not had a cigarette for 2 days. The first 3 days are the worst believe me. After that it does get a little easier. I smoked for 46 years and gave up 5 years 9 months ago cold turkey after trying to cut down for years and never succeeding. It really is wonderful not to be a slave to nicotine. Go for it girl, you can do it. You are well on your way. Jean x.

hiya karen . i gave them the elbow 10 yrs ago. no probs, if you use the patches . try one on each eye then you cant find your cigs lol ,good luck my friend xx

karen, well done for trying!!! 6 is much better than 20 odd. keep trying.. lynnxx (who smokes under 10 a day)

Hi Ken LOL no i didnt forget i am just trying not to do the usual things that i would normally do with a ciggie in hand!! Bendy, i havent noticed food tasting better yet. Marion, i too am feeling very light headed and sicky, but i understand this is normal, to do with better oxygen levels etc. I had many reasons to give up, one being the fact that it felt like someone was sitting on my chest on tuesday and i couldnt expect sympathy from anyone cos they all ahte me smoking!! I hate 'i told you so's!!'.... Also I think that if i got all the pills and potions from the docs, and then i failed, i would blame the pills and potions for not working!! Oh and as my gob isnt sucking on a ciggie i have started to waffle on a lot more!! LOL Karen

AAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I WANT ONE!!!! Just been for a walk around the garden to have some lovley fresh air and it didnt work!!! Maybe i will try Sandra's idea...LOL.... do you think postage stamps would work just as well?? Karen