Help-SOMEONE!!!

[tommy9]

my mame is Tommy--I was in the hospital for 2 weeks with pnuemonia and a collapsed lung--they put me on 14 mg patches--then 7 mg--i did not have a smoke for 4 weeks--but as soon as I stopped the patches--I felt sick with withdrwal--my whole body ached--i lit a cigarette and it was all better--i am ashamed and disapointed at myself-i thought i had it beat after 30 years--i know i can do it because i almost did--but i need help--can anyone help me--Tommy--TGaumer7@aol.com

[succeedingthistime]

No, you weren't ready psychologically.  You need to be careful physically.  But you will not beat this without being centered mentally.  Take it easy.  Don't beat yourself up.  This is not easy.  It is not something you "just do".  You did not fail you will be OK.  Give yourself time.  Be hear listen to us.  you will gain strength.  Make a plan, set a date.  You can do this, but not in chaos.  Reply please.

[barbara42]

it takes a long time to get over smoking, first it is the physical craves, after three days of no nicotine, the system is clean, then you have to deal with the mind craves and to me, that was the hardest part. i smoked for 42 years and i have been nicotine, smoke free for 11/2 year now. if i can , i know you have heard this many times, you can. you can do this, just make up in your mind that nothing is going to beat you, get stubborn and get some sugar free mints, gum, what ever, and just do it

[Mary84]

Your body has just been through a trauma and you have too psychologically being thrust into a quit in the midst of, what I imagine had to be very scary.   You can do it.  Pull on those weeks you were smoke free to build on the belief that you know you can do it.  And remind yourself that you don't want to go through that again.    Education is your best tool and defense.  I recommend reading all you can on www.whyquit.com and Allen Carr's book The Easy Way to Quit Smoking is a good resource.   Stay as close to this site as you can and follow the plan.   I wish you all the best.  You CAN Do IT.  Hugs, Mary

[kate8]

You are Not a Failure, Until you stop trying. And practice makes Perfect. Your gonna do this. Just believe in your self. And just like Mary says, whyquit.com and Easy Way to Quit Smoking , a few practice runs, lol, :-), and my wonderful support group are why I am 32 days Smoke Free and Healing.

If you don't keep trying, you'll never know which quit was the right one.

[butt-kicker]

Tommy,, I can only repeat what all of these good people before me just said to you. Just stick w/ this site and read the blogs. You will find an answer even if you're not sure of the question!

The people here share so much, and trust me, it is not a mistake that any of us made it here to this place! If we can quit, you can do this too! You already have determination and Faith in yourself because you almost did it. You will succeed!  The whyquit.com site is definitely a great place to read about nicotine and relapse and so on. Check it out for sure!

Best Wishes and We are all here for you!

Diane

[donutman439]

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I have been smoke free for almost 3 years. I had been a smoker since I was 18 years old and smoked when I was 39 years old. I tried everything to stop but nothing worked. Then I saw a new medication called Chantix. I used it for 3 weeks and I was done smoking. No cravings, withdrawals and no side effects. The medication is very expensive but well worth it. I also used dum dums suckers to help break me of having to have a cigarette in my mouth. Sounds crazy but it worked. My wife stopped smoking at the same time I did but went back to smoking a little over a year later. She has tried to stop many times but goes back each time. Having a smoker in the same house makes it tougher to stop but it can be done. Sometimes during very stressful times, I want to smoke but it soon passes. I have a lot of stressful times being in law enforcement.

After a few months, food tastes better and different. Things smell better and I can breathe better. I even helped a co-worker stop smoking. He had been smoking for close to 40 years. You do need a support buddy to help and it helps to have someone praise you at major milestones.

If I can do it, you can do it too. If you need a support buddy, just ask.

Good luck

Donutman.  

[hwc]

This isn't that complicated. Tommy, like all of us, you are a drug addict. When you stopped taking the drug nicotine at four weeks, you went into physical withdrawal, freaked out, and started using the drug again in the prefered way - smoking. The drug hit your brain 8 seconds after the first puff (just like a crack pipe) and you relieved the stress of drug withdrawal. The only problem is that you also ensured the craving would return an hour later when the nicotine levels in your bloodstream fell again.

If you want to enjoy the freedom of life without the nicotine drug addiction, then you are going to have to accept a period of discomfort during the drug withdrawal as the price of healing. It's not that bad if know what to expect. Education is the key. If yo are interested, you can click the lobster and find links to a ton of free education materials at my page here.

[yana-bradford]

I currently smoke......I am getting married soon......starting Nursing school......in a new state......no friends.....no outlet.......future husband can stop and it does not bother him......I am unemployed.......stress everywhere.......but I am trying to quit......not easy need some help and support......heard about chantix......the people I know that have quit used it......I cant afford it at the moment......any answers to help stop the cravings would really help.

[bird]

talk to your doctor about chantix. it's a medication to help you stop smoking. there are side effects that you should talk to your doctor about, but it can be worth it. i am on day 18 of chantix and i haven't smoked. the only side effects i have are some stomach "unrest" (but that went away fast), funky dreams and needing more sleep. not so bad when you consider the fact that i have tried to quit so many times and it hasn' worked. if you don't feel like that is a good option, there are others---this site has helped me and i plan to stay on it long after i am off chantix. good luck!!

[bird]

sorry, yana, i was replying to tommy's comment. i think you should talk to your doctir--not about chantix but all options. also, create a create a plan on becomeanex and stick around and read the blogs. good luck--TRUST ME if i can put 18 days together, so can you.

[meacrobat]

I have to say all the comments have really helped me to realize something... it's all true and you are not a failure untill you stop trying... I quit a few times before but after a month sometimes a little longer I'd have one and then... forget it I had one I failed... I was wrong and it was that attitude that has kept me smoking... Thank you for your post and the comments because now I realize that I have never failed I gave up and I let myself down... not this time a slip does not equal failure unless I let it.

You can do it if you want to and this is a great place to be if you want to quit... as you can see I've got a lot to learn and this place is the best help I could ever ask for... people helping people through talking about their experience we are all in this together and we can do it

[tommy9]

From Tommy--I have read your comments and they are all so supportive--I am going to talk to my Doctor about Chantix--my quit date is January 3,2010--if not Chantix--I feel a systematic patch withdrawal will be an option--Thank you and God Bless you for your comments and suggestions--I'll keep you posted--I also will have a strong support system which I never had before--Happy Holidays to all