Quiting Smoking! PLEASE HELP!!!? Tomorrow is the big day.....

I have been smoking for 6 years. (full time hehe) around a pack a day. I decided I need to quit for various reasons. Ex-smokers out there do you have any advice or tricks for me?!?! I am going to try to do it cold turkey, in the past I tried the patch, gum, weening myself off-didnt work. I have a week off from work so that will help this time......

Please give me any advice you may have, tricks would help alot, im going to need it. Also if you are an ex smoker please let me know your experience, how it went, how you feel now, do you still crave them? anything would help me alot.....

Thanks!!!!!

excercise

don%26#039;t talk about it, don%26#039;t think about it %26amp; dont tell anyone or they%26#039;l keep asking you how your doing %26amp; that will make you think about it.
most important never try just one because thats all it takes.
it gets easier after about 90 days because by then the physical craving is gone %26amp; you have enough time invested you dont want to spoil your record.
I quit for 3 years the first time until I tried one at a new years eve party.
the last time I made it 5 years %26amp; 4 months until I tried one at another party. now 2 years later its getting hard to breathe so I%26#039;m going to have to quit again %26amp; I%26#039;m dreading it because I know how hard it is.
just think of it as the death of a dear friend that you enjoyed very much but will never see again.
whatever you do dont have one to celebrate when you make it past 90 days or 3 years or try one after 5 years or so just to see what it was like. ALL IT TAKES IS ONE.

I have not even read your whole question. When we are small kids, for example, we learn to walk. everytime we try to do this an electrical groove is made in the brain. When the groove is really set deep we can walk without even thinking. When we smoke there is this deep groove, a learned behaviour. It will take about 5000 times for you to resist a smoke and then this groove will become non-existant. I smoke but can go days without one. I do this as when I get a craving, I tell myself that everything is the same except I don%26#039;t have a smoke. I replace them with a nice cup of tea. It is up to you to retrain your brain. Everytime you get a craving, stop and tell your brain that you will not be having a smoke. Your brain will send out withdrawal symptoms as it is not understanding what is going on. Do not give in to it. Tell your brain that it stops here. The cravings and withdrawal symptoms get less and less over time. You will always miss smoking as the deep groove is there in the brain. You must be strong.

Ways to Quit Smoking

There are many ways to quit smoking. For example, some research has shown that an effective strategy for quitting is a combination of counseling, telephone %26quot;quit lines,%26quot; and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). For each person, the key to success is finding the plan that works best.



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Below is a general outline for designing and implementing a plan to quit smoking. There are many alternatives to these stop smoking tips, and a healthcare provider or a tobacco-cessation professional can help create an effective plan.

Get ready.
Make a detailed list of your reasons for wanting to quit (e.g., health benefits, saving money).
Keep a diary of when you smoke (or use tobacco) and the triggers that prompt you.
Research the available options in your area for information and support about quitting.
Set a date for quitting. (On this date, get rid of ashtrays, lighters, all tobacco products, and anything else you associate with smoking or using tobacco.)

Ask for support.

Ask your healthcare provider for advice in quitting.
Sign up for a smoking (or tobacco) cessation program.
Join an online support network.
Talk to friends and family about what support you would like from them.
Keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings during this challenging process.

Use the following strategies to help handle withdrawal, deal with stress, and resist the urge to smoke or use tobacco:

Learn yoga, meditation, and deep breathing.
Start an exercise routine. (Consult your healthcare provider before beginning an exercise program.)
Talk to a counselor.
Research your nicotine replacement therapy options

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)



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Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal can include physical symptoms (e.g., headache, sleep problems, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, dizziness) and emotional symptoms (e.g., irritability, moodiness, depression, anger, frustration, restlessness). These symptoms can last for a few days or several weeks or more.

Although cigarette smoking results in an addiction to nicotine, it is also a habit, or familiar routine. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) helps people who are trying to quit to adjust to giving up this familiar routine while limiting the discomforts of nicotine withdrawal. In general, NRT is most effective when used as a part of a complete tobacco cessation program—one that includes information, support, and counseling.

Nicotine replacement therapy works by delivering a dose of nicotine through a gum, skin patch, lozenge, nasal spray, or inhaler. The nicotine gum, lozenge, and skin patch are available over the counter, allowing those who are not enrolled in formal cessation programs to use them on their own. The nasal spray and inhaler require a prescription.

NRT products vary in how (and how fast) the nicotine is delivered, in side effects, in difficulty in stopping use, and in cost per day. For example, the nicotine patch is worn all day and gradually delivers a constant level of nicotine and nasal spray delivers a quick dose that is similar to the delivery of a cigarette.



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Most NRT products are available in different nicotine doses and the dosage chosen depends in part upon how much the person smoked per day before attempting to quit. In later stages of therapy, the dosage is lowered and eventually stopped.

The length of time that NRT products are used also varies. The minimum course is usually 8 to 12 weeks and it is recommended that doses not be skipped. In some cases, a low dose NRT product is recommended for a longer period of time. Although it is preferred to stop using nicotine altogether, using an NRT product is generally considered less harmful than smoking or using other tobacco products.

Side effects vary from one nicotine replacement product to another. Patients should be sure to consult a healthcare provider to help choose the best product and should be sure to follow recommendations and instructions. In some cases, a combination of NRT products (e.g., one for a regular dose and another to suppress urges as they arise) is used.


Women who are pregnant and people with heart disease experience greater risks when using NRT products and should be monitored closely by a healthcare provider.

hope it helps cardiologychannel