Philly0381:

The reason it sounds medical is, I suppose, because I took the time and trouble to learn what I was talking about. Yup, I am a M.D.

Your

Please do stick up for your "personal opinion": Don't ever visit a Doctor again! By doing so, you will undoubtedly live longer, and not have to wait for an appointment! So PLEASE...do us all a favor... stay away from me and my colleagues forever!   

Good luck, you can do it.

Dr J0622 - you have probably heard of Chantix then - it is different and is aimed directly at the physiological side of smoking.

I can tell you this - we have been on it for a few days - the doctor told us that we didn't need to stop immediately but wanted us to - the documentation actually says there is no need to stop for 8 days - well we stopped after 4 not because we had to but because the cravings just simply stopped.

It is weird but seems effective so far. I know it is far from over but this stuff sure gives you a head start. The downside is the cost - without insurance you are looking at about $140 - $160 US for a month and it is recommended for 12 weeks. It is also only by prescription.

Ranger375;
Yes, I've heard of Chantix and it is a novel approach to treatment. It binds the Nicotine receptors in the Central Nervous System. It really helps with the withdrawal cravings...the non-behavioral (pharmacological) ones. Chantix helped 44% quit...as compared to 17% placebo and 30 something percent for nicotine patches.

The behavioral ones are tough too, though. The "after meal" or other pleasurable activity cigarette is the behavioral craving that cessation causes. These respond to support from a buddy or spouse.

vStyler: No one says it'll be easy, but lots of us are on your side, and we want to see you succeed. Good luck! The longer you hold out, the less you'll feel the craving.

Ah...so it is her fault! Thanks for that!

Just kidding - point well taken. Time to try that abstinence thing - I think this may be harder than I thought.

I think you got it bass ackwards: Abstinence from the cigarettes, not the pleasure.
Oh...my lady just reminded me: It's ALWAYS the man's fault. Thanks, Ranger.

Oh - thanks for clarifying that!

vS, good luck, and I'm with you. I haven't smoked a cig since around 11:55pm yesterday. So far so good, but I've got this horrible urge to eat sweets. Last time I quit (that lasted 2 years), I gained about 30 pounds in the first 6 months. Let me recommend exercise for two reasons: 1) It will help keep your mind off smoking, and 2) It will help you keep from gaining a ton of fat from all the food you'll probably end up eating......

Thanks for everyone being so supportive

Day 1 5:29 craving badly but not smoked a puff all day.

Sleeping helps.   

Good to see I'm not alone, I wish the others trying to quit the best of luck.

vStyler - I tell you - we read a pamphlet that the doctor gave us describing the bad stuff about smoking - man that will keep you FROM sleeping when you read that.

Hang in there!

Well John...I really really hope you succeed. Maybe this will give some incentive...I know it has for me.

Last march I got out of my truck while making my deliveries and when I stood up my whole left side just went numb...I went to the hospital and luckily it wasn't a stroke.

But since all this has happened and I've had to have all these tests done. In the process of testing (CT-Scans) something else was revealed that had nothing to do with my numbness (I see a Neurologist in 6 days to see if he can tell why that happened) and if was that I have 2 Aneurysms....1 is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (4.4 centimeters) and the other is in my heart on the ascending aorta (3.5 centimeters) ...both of which were caused "mostly" by smoking and will continue to increase in size if I don't quit smoking. And even if I am successful in quiting I will still have to have a stint inserted into my abdominal aorta because of my age....meaning to young for it to be that size....if I was older it wouldn't be as much as of concern.

So think about it because the same "could" be happening to you and you wouldn't even know it until it was to late...there is no warning sign...it just happens...and believe me bud I know what your going through trying to quit...its hard as hell...especially when your stressed or sitting front of where you are right now reading this. I've tried everything numerous times to quit...and those patches went great with a cig! And right now I'm stressed to the limit not knowing why my left side is all messed up.

All joking aside, I really hope you succeed and I'll be right along side you trying again and praying I succeed...because this time for me its literally life or death...I gotta make it work! And if ya need to talk any time of day for support let me know....more than glad to be there for ya.

Oh....and I don't have health insurance either...which is more stress...just what I need! (

Know what u mean about no insurance WG.. same boat here... thx for the words of advice too.


Hmmm.. might have to google that.. little extra incentive eh  

You might also want to try and get some Xanax (.5 milligrams) through a doctor...its cheap....like 10 bucks for a months supply. Just tell them your stressed out and can't sleep...it doesn't make you feel weird or anything like that but it does a great job at calming the nerves.

You can do it


If not done it check out photos of what smoke does to lungs etc.

vStyler - I guess the central issue is we want everyone here to be around for a long long time and quitting sure helps in that regard.