i haven't smoked in two weeks and i'm cranky as hell... ask me anything.

[JuniperLea]

grrrrrr!

[LaraMN]

1. Are you chewing gum?

When quitting, I chewed really strong mint gum, and kind of "inhaled" the minty-ness to mimick the feeling of taking a drag. It's pretty rough, isn't it?

[JuniperLea]

2. Used the patch for over a week

Now cold turkey... grrrrr...

Really strong mint gum... hmmm... grrrrr... I hope I'm strong enough to walk up to the counter and buy the gum without looking at the cigs!

[LaraMN]

7. One day at a time.

Thinking "I can't EVER smoke again" can be really overwhelming. Hang in there! You're definitely not alone. Amazing how "painful" something that doesn't actually physically hurt, can be, huh?

[southpaw]

3. Doesn't it feel GREAT...

... to be breaking free of a deadly addiction?

Isn't it great to know that you no longer contribute to the tobacco industry?

Thoughts like these helped me steel my resolve when I quit over 3 years ago.

Also, I chewed on drinking straws cut to the length of a Marlboro Light 100.

[JuniperLea]

12. TOBACCO INDUSTRY!!!

That is an awesome thought! Thanks for that...

How did you know that's what I smoked???

I smell good:)


But you know what? I still support a person's right to smoke and I hope I don't turn into one of those self-righteous ex-smokers! Grrrrr....

[pagerbear]

4. What do you think of Cracker Barrel?

[JuniperLea]

13. Cheesy as hell....

I'm trying not to eat too much... finding things to munch and chew that aren't too costly to my thighs...

[pagerbear]

17. My suggestion, FWIW

Don't worry so much about your thighs right now. If, during the course of quitting smoking, you gain a few pounds, don't beat yourself up. After a month or two of not smoking, then you can focus on those few pounds.

[JuniperLea]

20. Thanks, pagerbear

Sounds good to me. One demon at a time is all a lowly mortal such as myself can handle.

Way to be a pal! Thanks!

[ohiosmith]

5. Gotta light?

[JuniperLea]

14. YES!!!!

I'm seriously considering going down to the smoking area and getting some second hand...

And tell all those folks I still support their right to a good smoke...

[JVS]

6. have a beer

[JuniperLea]

16. Now that's the best advice I've had all day!

Thanks!

[SeattleGirl]

8. I'm getting close to the 4 week mark myself.

I'm not really cranky, but I do have times when it is oh so tempting to go to the store and buy a pack of smokes.

Hang in there, Juniperx!

[querelle]

15. Hey!

How's that going with you? Don't cave SeattleGirl. You can do it! If I can quit, anyone can.

Q

[JuniperLea]

19. Thanks, SeattleGirl!!!

My most excellent boyfriend is quitting with me and it's been great patting each other on the back and saying, "Great job not smoking, babe!" He's from Seattle too... but lives with me in Los Angeles now... we smell nice:) We are getting the carpets cleaned soon and that should really be a treat!

I'm lucky. I don't have many really heavy deals in my life right now. If I had a kid in Iraq or a sick kid or something truly awful like that, I wouldn't even consider trying to quit smoking right now.

Four weeks? Way to go SeattleGirl! We rule!

[SeattleGirl]

26. That's the attitude!

And it's nice that your most excellent boyfriend is willing to quit too -- it would make it more difficult if he continued while you were working on quitting. One thing that helps a lot is focusing on the positive things that have happened over the past 4 weeks: breathing easier, exercising more, SMELLING BETTER, regaining my sense of taste and smell.

And yes, we rule! So hang in there, Juniprex! You can do it, and so can I!

[hfojvt]

9. Are you noticing any benefits?

Are you using gum or patches? If you get the urge to buy a pack, buy some of the gum instead.

[JuniperLea]

21. Yes!

I smell good:) That is to say, I personally smell wonderful now... and I can smell things better. I have more energy and I can tell I'm breathing easier. I've saved $67 already by not smoking!

Used the patch for over a week but trying on my own now... will revert to the lowest dose patch if it gets too rough, but I think I can hang.

[Tikki]

10. I quit, well, it's been nearly two years ago and quit...

because I couldn't stand the thought of sucking down that
hot foul tasting substance during another hot summer.

So last summer came around and I could actually breathe in and out... deep breathes.
So this summer is moving along and so am I....I can actually get out in the
thick hot damp air and feel no pain in my chest.

and what's a little cranky for a short time? You've quit...that's the battle.

Tikki

[JuniperLea]

22. Thanks for sharing your story, Tikki!

Yes, it's worse in the summer.

My boyfriend and I both smoked. We both wanted to quit, but didn't think the other would want to and we both knew it would be a disaster if only one of us quit. So, brave soul that he is, he started talking about it and we had a good laugh. Then we started laughing when we would reach for that habitual cig... and we laugh when we congratulate each other on another day without smoking. We've been cranky! Oh, yes. We've been cranky. But we know why and we know we'll be ok.

Yes, I feel like the hardest part is behind me now.

[billyskank]

11. Isn't it great to have licence to be an asshole?

Quitting smoking rules! :D

[JuniperLea]

23. Killer thought there, billyskank!!!

Fuck yeah! I'm a fucking asshole and it's my right, I deserve it and I'm going to be the best damn asshole I can be for as long as I can be!!! Wooooooooooooo!!


:woohoo:


Oh, yeah... that rules:)


Thanks, dude!


:headbang:

[querelle]

18. I Gave It Up

About five years ago. It's not easy. I still crave cigarettes to this very day. Be strong. If you want it badly enough, you will succeed. Hang in there. You will feel better and have more money in your pocket because of it.

Best of luck Juniperx!

Q

[JuniperLea]

24. Thanks, querelle!

Nothing worth anything is easy.

Ozzy Osbourne says it's harder to quit cigarettes than it is to quit heroin... he should know.

Money! Oh, yeah! I'm watching the money for sure. My boyfriend and I spent about $60 a week on cigs... we are $120 richer today! Yes!

It's good for me to know that the cravings could be there for years, and maybe forever. I just need to deal with that and keep weighing the good against the craving.

Thanks for helping:)

It really is a terrific help sharing experiences and giving advice.

Alla y'all rule!


:yourock:

[querelle]

27. Anything To Help Out A Quitter

Now that sounds rather defeatist. Quitter. Let's call it something else. But what? Any other DU'ers have a term for those brave souls whou quit the evil weed?

I await your responses anxiously,

Q

[JuniperLea]

29. Good thought...

there must be something better... will ponder...

[Katina]

25. good job

it will get better. Invest in some plastic coffee stirrers, the ones that look like skinny straws. They are great to "chew" on, they give you that oral fulfillment more than just chewing gum, AND they are non-fattening.

[JuniperLea]

28. Thanks for the tip!

Middle kid works at Smart & Final... yo, middle kid... heh

[Taverner]

30. Tried St Johns Wort?

Some people claim that helped them with the cravings.

I'm still on the patch so I'm not much help....

[JuniperLea]

33. Haven't tried that... but I think I will

How long you been on the patch? I was on it for about a week and a half and then decided to try cold turkey. I still reserve the right to get back on the weakest patch. No crime in that. It's still way healthier than smoking. The tars and other particulates are the real killers... literally.

[Taverner]

40. Hell reserve the right to go back on the strongest patch

But keep in mind, if you haven't smoked for a while the 21mg patch will make you sick just like the first time you smoked.

You could stay on the patch indefinitely...and there would be no more risk than drinking 2 cups of coffee a day. Nicotine in itself is not a harmful drug if used responsibly.

I've been on the patch 1 year now - on the lowest dose - and my health has never been better. Thing is, if I go off the patch - even after the cravings - I feel fuzzy. I feel as if I'm never truly awake.

[JuniperLea]

42. Wow... that's heavy

It's good to know these things, thanks.

The patch is better than what you describe, that's for sure.

I'm at least four days sans patch. Sometimes the cravings are strong as hell, but I've managed to get past them so far.

I'm not that strong a person. If I can do this, anyone can. You just have to want to do it and use what you know. All the tips on this thread have been a great help. Not being alone in this is an even greater help!

[Taverner]

43. I could go off the patch - but why?

I don't like the way I think and feel - even years down the road.

Good luck!

[Mutley]

31. I quit in May

and I've probably chewed more gum in the last four months than I ever have before. A friend also recommended sucking on cinnamon sticks. Haven't tried it yet, but it sounds like something that could help. Yummy, too.

Hang in there. It does get easier. :hug:

[JuniperLea]

34. Thanks, mutley!

All the good advice and personal experiences really help more than I can say!

Cinnamon sticks! That sounds great!

[AirmensMom]

32. Just keep going, Juniperx.

It'll only get better. :hug:

[JuniperLea]

35. Thanks, AirmensMom!

:hug:

Your encouragement is very helpful and very much appreciated!

You know, I started this thread because I was feeling crabby, cranky and very bitchy and I figured I'd bitch out a few people and feel better... but now, I just feel the love!

Heh!


:woohoo:

This thread turned out much nicer than I thought!

Thanks peeps!

[AirmensMom]

38. I'm glad it's helping.

:hug: Funny how that works, eh? There's nothing like Lounge love. :loveya: :grouphug:

[Joe Fields]

36. lol. How much weight have you gained?

[JuniperLea]

41. about 4 lbs...

That's two a week! Jeez.

Once I get past the hard core cravings for a smoke, I'll pay more attention to this aspect. But for now, I can only slay one dragon at a time.

I'm cute:) And my boyfriend loves me:) I'm not worried about that right now. I can't possibly think about that today... fiddle de de, tomorrow is another day!

[idgiehkt]

37. I misread your post

as "I haven't smoked crack in two weeks and I'm cranky as hell." I'm suddenly very tired.

[JuniperLea]

39. heh!

Good one:)

Have a good rest:)