Ok, I'm quitting smoking. I had a hard time quitting when pregnant with the twins, so I can only imagine how hard it will be without being pregnant!! I haven't had a cigarette in 23 hours, and I'm dying. I've eaten about a pound of candy in the last few hours, and am still dying to smoke. The hardest part will be driving, we went out briefly today, and I munched candy the whole time. Nate is quitting too, so at least it's a team effort. However, going to my friend's house, where I spend a lot of time, is going to be rough. We all play cards, and smoke like freight trains. They aren't quitting, so it may be what breaks me. Thanks for letting me rant, I'll let you know how I'm doing tomorrow. Any advice from former smokers out there??

By Cat on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 11:35 pm:

This will sound silly, but I cut drinking straws to the size of cigerettes and chewed on them. At least I wasn't eating (straws don't have any calories that I know of!). I know it's hard but you can BOTH do it! Let us know how you're doing.

By Emily7 on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 11:56 pm:

Carrots worked wonders for me. Also the yuck jar. Take a jar with a little water in it put a cigarette in it. Everytime you have one put it out in that jar. Before you light up, open the jar & smell it.
I can tell you quitting is hard, but look at those kids & know it is worth it. I quit 3 different times before it stuck, but I feel healthier now.
When you get an urge, wait 10 minutes before you smoke. Chew gum, pencils, drinking straws, anything. Drink so much water that you feel like you are going to float away.
You can do it. I smoked for 10 years. The hardest time for me was going to a bar, after a meal, & after sex .

By Bea on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 12:03 am:

Are you using any sort of patch or pill? Hang in there. I did it cold turkey 15 years ago. To me it's like being an alcoholic. I know one cigarette and I'd be back where I started. One day at a time.

By Bellajoe on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 08:00 am:

I was never a smoker, but my mom was. She smoked for probably 20 yrs, maybe more. She "quit" several times. For the last several years she smoked in her bathroom with the door closed....as if we didn't know *rolling my eyes*.

Last June she decided to quit on her own. She said that she just didn't want to anymore. She hasn't smoked for a whole year now and i am SO proud of her! Her clothes don't smell and her breath doesn't stink anymore.

YOU CAN DO IT CRYSTAL! Do it for those babies, but more importantly, do it for yourself!

By Brandy on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 09:31 am:

Well the only thing that made my mom quit was her having a heart attack and the only thing that made my husband aunt quit was her being put into the hospital and she almost died.So just think of that and it should help.= )

By Eve on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 10:18 am:

You can do it, Crystal!!

By Mommyathome on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 11:19 am:

You can do it! You will feel so awesome when you are "smoke free". My DH quit cold-turkey right after our first DD was born. He was working construction at the time and was around a lot of guys that smoked. He said that he just gave himself a choice in his head. Either smoking, or a healthy DD. He chose a healthy DD, and hasn't had any problems since then.

DH is appalled at how horrible smokers smell. When we walk by someone who smells like stale smoke, he can't believe that he use to smell like that too. He says he just became immune to the smell. So, now that he can smell other smokers.....he just can't believe it.

YOU CAN DO IT! DON'T GIVE UP. IT WILL BE HARD. GIVE YOURSELF A REWARD!!!!

By Kristie on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 11:38 am:

When my mom quit smokeing she used a patch. She also got on a web sight that monitored her effort. She gets on there every day and it tells her how many hours she added to her life and how her health has improved by not smoking. I'm not sure what sight it is but there are alot out there if you just type in "quit smoking" it should bring alot up. I can't say much though, I smoke and Have quit 2 times and started again. We DO NOT Smoke around our son and no body else is alowed to either. Just because we are smokers dosen't mean my son has to be. GOOD LUCK!!

By Sue3 on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 03:01 pm:

I quit 9 /9 /99.I just picked a date and did it.
I used welbutrin for 3 months and the patch only for emergencies.
I also used a support group on the internet.
If you use the patch,pick the lowest dose one even if you were a heavy smoker because nicotine gets into your blood stream a lot quicker with the patch and if you use the higher dose one
the side effects are a lot worse.
Maybe use the patch on the day`s you go to your friends house that smoke ?
I tried to avoid any place where I knew there
would be smoking for 3 months!
I knew I would lose it if I didn`t.
Talk with your Dr. also , he or she will be a good source of support and offer a plan or idea that you didn`t think of.
Good luck Crystal !!
And remember, never stop quitting ! You can do it!!!

By Andi on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 03:21 pm:

YOU CAN DO IT!! Think about all the healthy smoke fee air the kids are going to breath! It's worth it! I have never smoked, so I can't imagine how hard it is but it is worth it.

Just think about how much longer you will be around to see those beautiful kids grow up, get married and have babies.

YOU REALLY CAN DO IT!!!! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!

By Amecmom on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 03:53 pm:

Hang in there Crystal!! You can do this for yourself and for those who love you!!
Ame

By Boxzgrl on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 04:02 pm:

My Mom is in your boat right now. One thing she did to help was buy baby carrots. She had a habit of lighting up everytime she got into the car so now she has carrots sitting in there and she grabs one everytime she wants a cigarette.

Reasons to Quit (Think of these when you want a cigarette):

Your Kids and Second Hand Smoke
The Smell of your clothes(Ugggghhhhh......)
The Cost (Not by any means cheap these days)
Your breathe and dental hygeine
Your poor body inside
CANCER!!!
Your kids!
It doesnt look as sexy as the commercials make you think

.... thats all I can think of for now!

GOOD LUCK, WE KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!

By Annie2 on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 06:23 pm:

You can do this, if it is what you want. My dh and I quit 4/12/1999. He went to classes, took Welbutrin and did the patch. I quit cold turkey on the same day he was scheduled to quit. We were both ready and never thought about starting up again.

You must change your environment and certain places where you used to light up, automatically. You may have to suspend the card playing until you are over the hump of strong cravings. Your friends may also be able to help by taking smoking breaks while playing cards to help support you.

You can do this, take every craving ten minutes at a time!

By Momaroze on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 06:56 pm:

My dh's friend chews Nicorette. He was a hard core smoker. Nicorette apparently works well, although I'm not sure if your trading in one addiction for another. Non- the-less, chewing the gum is much better. Good Luck, if you can quit cold turkey all the power to ya!

By Bobbie~moderatr on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 11:23 pm:

Good luck... And try to remember what you are doing. This is a major thing and very emotionally trying......

By Palmbchprincess on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 11:40 pm:

I almost lost it completely today... we got a letter from the IRS, about a tax return filed with Nate's ex-wife, and his paycheck was wrong. (By a WHOLE lot). The kids were driving me nuts, and I was being the wicked witch of the south!! I was DYING for a cigarette!!! (still am!) But so far I haven't broken down today... we'll see how tomorrow goes. I'm doing this cold turkey, so it's hell on everyone in my path right now!! To you moms who are ex-smokers, did you "relapse" at all your first quit?

By Bea on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 01:21 am:

I gave it up for over a year. Then my best friend's husband was shot and killed. I stayed with her that night. Her husband had left a pack of Chesterfield's (non-filtered) on his desk. I thought, "If I smoke one, I'll get sick and not want one so badly". WRONG!!! I finished the pack, and bought a carton of my regular brand on my way home in the morning.
I didn't quit for good until I was in my 40s.

By Nicosmom on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 02:19 am:

Good Luck Crystal!!

By Feona on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 07:34 am:

I heard on radio if you quit by 30 then it is like you never smoked. Else cancer risk and other risks goes up significantly.

By Bellajoe on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 07:51 am:

Somebody needs to post a picture of healthy lungs and then a picture of a smokers lungs here. I would, but i don't know how. Those pics should make anyone quit! It's nasty what a smokers lungs look like.

By Karen~moderator on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 08:41 am:

I quit a few times before I REALLY quit. And when I did, I set a date to quite and psyched myself up. When that date came, I just kept telling myself I was a NON SMOKER. I've never gone back to it and never will.

I am doubly motivated. My mom is dying of lung cancer - from smoking.

By Emily7 on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 11:14 am:

I had a cigarette after being done for almost a year when my ds was in Denver. We were told if he didn't have surgery for his reflux he would die. 3 hours later we were told for him the surgery would be to dangerous. I lost it with the docors, went out side smoked half a cigarette, & puked my guts up. Haven't had one in almost 2 years.
It takes something like 3 or 4 days for the nicotine to get out of your system so if you have even one, you are looking at that many more days of horrible cravings.

By Sue3 on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 11:39 am:

yes, I had a relapse at my mother in laws wedding.A lot of people were smoking so I broke down and had one.
That`s when I decided that I should have some patches on hand for emergencies.
Good Luck!
YOU CAN DO IT !!!!!!!
Just think of all the $$$$ you will save also !
Cigarettes are taxed a lot here in Michigan the Governer just passed another .75 cent per pack increase,they are around $5.00 a pack now for name brand !!!!

By Mommyathome on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 11:44 am:

Crystal....don't give up! Don't give yourself the option to relapse.
Just think of all the fun stuff you can buy instead of cigarettes. They are so dang expensive!

By Brandy on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 07:15 pm:

how ya doing girl ? I hope and pray for you that you will quit for yourself and for your children = )

By Palmbchprincess on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 08:46 pm:

I'm still doing ok, though I really kinda miss smoking. I really don't WANT to quit, it's my last vice and it's going hard, but I feel like I need to for my family. It's really taking a toll on me, and I'm kind of "porking out" from all the munching I've been doing! Thanks for all the support everyone, and thanks for checking up on me Brandy!!

By Tink on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 08:53 pm:

I'm glad you are still "on the wagon." My dh smokes and it is so hard for me to watch him smoke. I'm glad to see that you are even trying. I read somewhere that the more often you try to quit the more likely you are to succeed eventually. Keep on fighting those cravings! You can do it!!

By Emily7 on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 09:17 pm:

You can do it. You aren't just doing it for kids, but for yourself as well. Chew on some gum if you are worried about eating to much. I know everyone here is proud of you.

By Melana on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 09:49 pm:

I've been thinking of quitting as well, and DH is bringing it up more. He doesn't smoke, and I know I need to quit, but as Crystal said, I don't WANT to quit. I know that I won't be able to untill I really want to. It's just to scary for me. I have smoked since I was 8 years old, so that's 13 years already. I quit for like 6 weeks when I was 12, and I remember in the first week after quitting I had a psychotic episode and the Dr. said it was from the withdrawl and going through puberty at the same time. Since then I'm so scared to try and quit again, that was one of the scarriest things to ever have happened to me. But when I am ready to quit, I'll be turning to you all for support too!

By Rayanne on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 11:56 am:

I found a picture of good lungs and lungs if do smoke. It isn't pretty.

GOOD LUNGS:


SMOKERS LUNGS:

By Rayanne on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 12:01 pm:

Crystal,
Print the picture of the bad lungs and post it somewhere you wil see it if you are really wanting one.

DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!

We are all here for you, and know that you can do it.

Also, my SIL works at a OB/GYN and they have pills that help you stop. I know that it is the easy way out, but a girl that she works with smoked for 28 years, and she took the pils and hasn't had on in 3 years.

By Texannie on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 01:16 pm:

I quit smoking four years ago after smoking for 20 years. What I found interesting was all the free time I gained. We never smoked in our house cause it wasn't the kids addiction. So I was on our patio alot.
Welbutrin are the pills that help some people with the cravings.

By Andi on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 01:33 pm:

My dad smoked for over 25 years and quite about 10 months ago. His stepson lives is his house and he still smokes. My dad said he used a herbal supplement to help him quit, I can find out the name for you if you want to give it a try.

Good Luck and I am still thinking good thoughts and hope you can make it throught this very hard time. The picture of those lungs is just NASTY, I hope that helps a little bit.

By Brandy on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 03:04 pm:

ewww i saved those pictures to show to my husband who also smokes = ( i hope you are doing okay still = ) ...

By Brandy on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 08:58 am:

alrighty then it's been 3 more days now we need an update it's a good one right your doing great i'm sure = )

By Tink on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 12:10 pm:

How's it going, Crystal? Let us know.

By Rayanne on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 12:12 pm:

Crystal? Are you hanging in there?

By Emily7 on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 01:22 pm:

bump

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 02:57 pm:

I just emailed those pics to my DH!

By Palmbchprincess on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 09:26 pm:

LOL, thanks everyone! I have been doing OK. I decided cold turkey wasn't going to happen right now, so I'm doing what I did when pregnant. A couple cigarettes a day, and wean down. Thanks for checking up and all the support!!

By Annie2 on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 12:59 am:

Crystal, take one day at a time. Stepping down gradually can be a great idea. Mark on your calendar what day you want to be your last day to be a smoker.
On the eve of that day, throw away all cigarettes...DESTROY all cigarettes, empty all ash trays of butts and consider yourself a non-smoker.
You can do this.

By Brandy on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 08:51 am:

Okay checking in on you Crystal how ya doing ? = )

By Palmbchprincess on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 04:41 pm:

Brandy you are such a doll!! I'm doing *OK*, I've cut down signifigantly, hoping to just quit soon. I've got a job interview Thursday, and I tend to smoke WAY less when I'm working full time! I'm stoked about the interview! Last week we went in to Nextel to look at phones, and I jokingly told the manager to hire me (employees get free phones). He said "Actually, I need someone in sales, call me next week" and gave me his card. I'd LOVE to work for Nextel, they are one of the best companies in this area to work for! Thanks for checking in on me!

By Schreff03 on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 07:33 pm:

I quit smoking 2 years ago this upcoming September 23. A friend of mine, she was 28 at the time, was in the hospital with her second colapsed lung from smoking. Just seeing her there with the tube in her lung and my Daughter asking..."what is this Mommy?" made me decide to quit. It was not easy. I used Nicorette Gum, except I chewed a piece whenever I felt like having a smoke. After a couple months I alternated between nicorette and regular gum for about 3 months, then I went to regular gum. I have not had even a single puff of a cigarette since that day. And you know what??? My food tastes soooooo goooood now!!! LOL Good luck on quiting!!!

By Jayne2 on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 09:04 pm:

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!

Quitting smoking takes such courage!!! June 14th, of this year has been 10 years for me. Quitting smoking is the hardiest thing I have ever done.

Let me tell you about my experience. I smoked my last cigarette as I was taking a pregancy test for my son Robert. The first 3 days were HELL. It was so awful. I got through it. You will have feelings...lots of feelings. Cigarettes are the same tool used as liquor and drugs and gambling to mask feelings. When we can't deal we would smoke...that was how smokers deal with stress, excitement, you name it. You might want to get a journal and let yourself go through the feelings...and guess what you are not going to be more physically healthy but also more psychologically and emotionally healthy.

Enjoy the journey...if you ever need to talk feel free to email me at bulleta@comcast.net Hugs, Janie

By Brandy on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 11:19 pm:

great job crystal keep it up you CAN do it = )