i need to quit

[mscamillec]

Hello, my name is camille. i am greatfull this is here. i did some reading some the stories that you all wrote. I will have my last ciggarette tonight,i will pray for strenght to end this addiction. i have my mind set. i wont let the reasoning set in like "just another pack" its funny how you can think about it and try to rationalize with yourself. please pray for me to quit i know its in the mind but i need to overcome this i have enough health issues.
camille

[jingle]

Hi camille -- I am so happy for you :) That's a courageous decision and a giant step. I'm especially happy that you're asking for God's help. He sure gave me the help I needed to make that leap and I had been a chain smoker for 42 years.
Overcoming the addiction to nicotine was (incredibly) reasonably fast.
I used the patch for 39 days. The addiction to the physical habits were what I found more difficult so I'd keep my mouth busy with sugarless mints and actually use the empty two first fingers of my right hand just like they were holding a cigarette. I'd hold imaginary cigs to my mouth and puff imaginary air. Don't laugh - it worked.

I will be praying for you and holding tight to the very best wishes. Let us know how things are going. ((((Camille)))

[KAYLINDA]

I didn't quit...but whenever I tried...sucking air through a straw helped me more than anything....that and keeping busy! Good luck!

[mscamillec]

Hi camille -- I am so happy for you :) That's a courageous decision and a giant step. I'm especially happy that you're asking for God's help. He sure gave me the help I needed to make that leap and I had been a chain smoker for 42 years.
Overcoming the addiction to nicotine was (incredibly) reasonably fast.
I used the patch for 39 days. The addiction to the physical habits were what I found more difficult so I'd keep my mouth busy with sugarless mints and actually use the empty two first fingers of my right hand just like they were holding a cigarette. I'd hold imaginary cigs to my mouth and puff imaginary air. Don't laugh - it worked.

I will be praying for you and holding tight to the very best wishes. Let us know how things are going. ((((Camille)))

((jingles)) thank you!
camille

[mscamillec]

I didn't quit...but whenever I tried...sucking air through a straw helped me more than anything....that and keeping busy! Good luck!

Kaylinda, thank you for the straw idea! i wil try that. i will be using a patch from time to time in the beginning but i really want to get the nic.addition out of my system ((((hugs to both of you))


Ps kaylinda thanks for being a guardian angel because you also wrote to me in the newbie's section

camille

[teddiebears]

Nice to see you both here.

Kaylinda - you didn't say if you are still planning to quit, but I hope you'll give it another try. Quitting smoking is one of the best gifts we can give to ourselves and our families! :)

Camille - It's nice to hear you are gearing up to quit. As far as using nicotine patches "from time to time", I would suggest that you just use them initially to get you through the first days of your quit. To go without one (nicotine) and then use one intermittently is somewhat counterproductive to quitting. It's good that you want to get the nicotine out of your system quickly, but be careful that you don't set yourself up to not succeed by pushing yourself to do it too fast.

COMMITMENT - DETERMINATION - PERSEVERANCE!! These are the tools that will be very helpful to you as you cope with any urges that may try to get you to smoke.

I'm printing an article that may be of help to you as you embark on the journey to freedom from cigarettes.


Depression When You Quit Smoking
From Michelle Boisvert

How to Manage Emotions Smoke Free
Depression is an issue of focus for many who quit smoking. At times, quitting smoking is an extremely difficult thing to do, and it is difficult enough when you're feeling happy. I would venture to guess that many people have relapsed during periods of depression; it is more difficult to stay focused and maintain resolve and motivation. For those people who suffer bouts of depression during the cessation process, the condition is usually mild and temporary.

People who have been diagnosed and or treated for depression prior to quitting smoking should monitor any changes in symptoms carefully as they begin and move forward in their smoke-free journey. Some may experience changes in their symptoms, which may necessitate a change in treatment. If you experience drastic mood changes when you quit smoking, or if they persist for an extended period of time, a visit with your physician is advisable.

If you find yourself suffering the more common temporary emotional upset, try to relax and let the feelings come as they will.

Quitting is a big change in lifestyle, and you will react, to some degree, both emotionally and physically. And think about it; there really is no reason to deny your emotions; they are personal, and they belong to you.

Symptoms of depression may include:
· sleeplessness
· sadness
· difficulty concentrating
· anxiety or an "empty feeling
· fatigue
· changes in appetite (more or less)
· loss of interest in hobbies, activities
· emotional irritability
While quitting smoking, the body and the mind are in a state of transition, and it's not uncommon for new ex-smokers to struggle with their emotions.

Gratitude
It helps to build up a reservoir of gratitude. When you're feeling down and having a difficult time finding the positives, quitting smoking is always there; you can always feel good about that. Take time at the end of the day to acknowledge the importance of what you are working to accomplish. It will help you fill that reservoir. Find comfort in knowing that you are being kind to your body. Gratitude will help offset negative feelings and make it easier for you to manage depression due to quitting tobacco.

Change Your Mind
One of the greatest challenges new ex-smokers face is a very important change in perspective. It is that shift in thinking from seeing smoking as an exercise in deprivation to realizing that it is in fact one of the best gifts you've ever given to yourself. This is a crucial step in the process, and it is with this transformation that many see the symptoms of depression begin to lift.

While you are moving through this transitional period, crying, whining, and even screaming are all preferable to inhaling deadly chemicals. Early in the quitting process, some resort to lighting up because they perceive smoking to be something that offers comfort.

Smoking is not comforting; it is familiar.

Time away from smoking makes it less familiar; you'll begin to see nicotine for what it is...a highly addictive drug which robs people of time with those they love and seeks to kill, one puff at a time...if you let it. Give yourself time to develop new and healthier coping strategies. Don't buy the lie. There is never a good reason to light up.

It's likely that many of you who are feeling down, felt happy recently. You'll feel that way again. In the meantime, you can find comfort in turning to your friends, your family, or your faith. In time, these will become the more familiar sources of comfort to you, and smoking will become that thing that you thought used to make you feel better. Take comfort too, in knowing that millions of people have been through this process and not only have they lived to tell about it, but many include it among the most rewarding and life-affirming experiences of their lives.

So, if you've quit smoking in the last few weeks or months and are feeling blue, please be patient with yourself. You are going through some big changes, and your body and mind need some time to adjust. Do any little things you can think of to give yourself a little lift. Rent a comedy, try a new hairstyle, call a friend, go shopping; spend a little of the money you're saving since you quit, and buy yourself something special. Keep reminding yourself that it is a temporary state, and you'll find happier days ahead; with them will come a tremendous sense of pride and empowerment.

[Dripple]

hi,

for sure you'll need a lot of courage i myself have tried to stop but wasn't able.....my advice would be to avoid people who smoke for a certain time lets say 5 or 7 days.

wish you all the best, i really hope and pray that it will work for you

[joy]

hi camille. you have my prayers and thanks for asking for help ;) . Sadly my son has started back smoking s o m e as he puts it. I smelled it on his clothes the other day and again the next time I saw him. I didn't nag or anything, I just asked when he started back smoking. In my defense, he never really believed I could detect the smoke. But bronchospasms in my lungs are a great detector, whether I like it or not. For anyone who has people that complain to you that it bothers them, take it from me, it just might be true. It's not the smell, it is the spasms in my lungs that bother me. And sadly there are many small children that have this problem and can't speak up for themselves.
Anyone that will, please keep my son in their prayers also. He is having a really bad time right now and I think this may be why he has started back to smoking. I know he doesn't want too, also. He was always such a conscious kid about most everything, even his weight. He'd downright starve himself when he would put on too much weight. I know he doesn't want to smoke because his son will be two this comming Tuesday! I just wanted you ALL to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

[mscamillec]

Nice to see you both here.

Kaylinda - you didn't say if you are still planning to quit, but I hope you'll give it another try. Quitting smoking is one of the best gifts we can give to ourselves and our families! :)

Camille - It's nice to hear you are gearing up to quit. As far as using nicotine patches "from time to time", I would suggest that you just use them initially to get you through the first days of your quit. To go without one (nicotine) and then use one intermittently is somewhat counterproductive to quitting. It's good that you want to get the nicotine out of your system quickly, but be careful that you don't set yourself up to not succeed by pushing yourself to do it too fast.

COMMITMENT - DETERMINATION - PERSEVERANCE!! These are the tools that will be very helpful to you as you cope with any urges that may try to get you to smoke.

I'm printing an article that may be of help to you as you embark on the journey to freedom from cigarettes.


Depression When You Quit Smoking
From Michelle Boisvert

How to Manage Emotions Smoke Free
Depression is an issue of focus for many who quit smoking. At times, quitting smoking is an extremely difficult thing to do, and it is difficult enough when you're feeling happy. I would venture to guess that many people have relapsed during periods of depression; it is more difficult to stay focused and maintain resolve and motivation. For those people who suffer bouts of depression during the cessation process, the condition is usually mild and temporary.

People who have been diagnosed and or treated for depression prior to quitting smoking should monitor any changes in symptoms carefully as they begin and move forward in their smoke-free journey. Some may experience changes in their symptoms, which may necessitate a change in treatment. If you experience drastic mood changes when you quit smoking, or if they persist for an extended period of time, a visit with your physician is advisable.

If you find yourself suffering the more common temporary emotional upset, try to relax and let the feelings come as they will.

Quitting is a big change in lifestyle, and you will react, to some degree, both emotionally and physically. And think about it; there really is no reason to deny your emotions; they are personal, and they belong to you.

Symptoms of depression may include:
· sleeplessness
· sadness
· difficulty concentrating
· anxiety or an "empty feeling
· fatigue
· changes in appetite (more or less)
· loss of interest in hobbies, activities
· emotional irritability
While quitting smoking, the body and the mind are in a state of transition, and it's not uncommon for new ex-smokers to struggle with their emotions.

Gratitude
It helps to build up a reservoir of gratitude. When you're feeling down and having a difficult time finding the positives, quitting smoking is always there; you can always feel good about that. Take time at the end of the day to acknowledge the importance of what you are working to accomplish. It will help you fill that reservoir. Find comfort in knowing that you are being kind to your body. Gratitude will help offset negative feelings and make it easier for you to manage depression due to quitting tobacco.

Change Your Mind
One of the greatest challenges new ex-smokers face is a very important change in perspective. It is that shift in thinking from seeing smoking as an exercise in deprivation to realizing that it is in fact one of the best gifts you've ever given to yourself. This is a crucial step in the process, and it is with this transformation that many see the symptoms of depression begin to lift.

While you are moving through this transitional period, crying, whining, and even screaming are all preferable to inhaling deadly chemicals. Early in the quitting process, some resort to lighting up because they perceive smoking to be something that offers comfort.

Smoking is not comforting; it is familiar.

Time away from smoking makes it less familiar; you'll begin to see nicotine for what it is...a highly addictive drug which robs people of time with those they love and seeks to kill, one puff at a time...if you let it. Give yourself time to develop new and healthier coping strategies. Don't buy the lie. There is never a good reason to light up.

It's likely that many of you who are feeling down, felt happy recently. You'll feel that way again. In the meantime, you can find comfort in turning to your friends, your family, or your faith. In time, these will become the more familiar sources of comfort to you, and smoking will become that thing that you thought used to make you feel better. Take comfort too, in knowing that millions of people have been through this process and not only have they lived to tell about it, but many include it among the most rewarding and life-affirming experiences of their lives.

So, if you've quit smoking in the last few weeks or months and are feeling blue, please be patient with yourself. You are going through some big changes, and your body and mind need some time to adjust. Do any little things you can think of to give yourself a little lift. Rent a comedy, try a new hairstyle, call a friend, go shopping; spend a little of the money you're saving since you quit, and buy yourself something special. Keep reminding yourself that it is a temporary state, and you'll find happier days ahead; with them will come a tremendous sense of pride and empowerment.

MY teddiebear :)
I just re-read this posting and i wanted to tell you thank you for the information. When i quit which didnt start in november as earlier, I quit on decenber 30 2006. I quit cold turkey and i still quit. i will never go back. Just some info I believe i went through a anxiety/depression when i quirt it arrived around one month after i quit. I am currently under a drs care and i will overcome. but reading what you wrote here comfirms what the smoking can cause (depression) anyway heres my stats since i quit.
thanks again
Camille

camille - Free and Healing for Two Months, Twelve Days, 20 Hours and 13 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 4 Days and 11 Hours, by avoiding the use of 1293 nicotine delivery devices that would have cost me $379.37.

[teddiebears]

camille - Free and Healing for Two Months, Twelve Days, 20 Hours and 13 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 4 Days and 11 Hours, by avoiding the use of 1293 nicotine delivery devices that would have cost me $379.37.


CONGRATULATIONS, CAMILLE!!!

ALMOST 6 WEEKS SMOKE-FREE IS A REAL ACCOMPLISHMENT! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!

Sorry to hear that depression has been a problem, but it won't last forever. I'm glad you are under a doctors care and having such a positive attitude certainly will be helpful. Doesn't it feel great to be done with those nasty cigarettes?? :) :D

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad that my previous post has been helpful. Take care of yourself...... You CAN do it!! ;)

[Whisper]

Kaylinda, thank you for the straw idea! i wil try that. i will be using a patch from time to time in the beginning but i really want to get the nic.addition out of my system ((((hugs to both of you))


Ps kaylinda thanks for being a guardian angel because you also wrote to me in the newbie's section

camille

hello,
I don't come here often anymore, but look in now and again. I have quit smoking for almost 5 years now.

What I used, people don't like. I used the herbal cigarettes. I used them very sparingly (about 2 packs to finally quit completely) and I only used a puff or two from each cigarette.

I didn't want nicotine in my system either. That's why I chose the herbal cigs. They were fantastic for me.

Now, while I was telling people on this board what a wonderful tool they were for me...others were saying not to use them because of them still being a cigarette.

I just wanted you to know that there are OTHER ways to quit smoking SUCCESSFULLY, without using nicotine replacements.

Try the nutrition store for the herbal cigarettes if you wish to try them. That's where I got them. I wish you all the best.

Lorraine:)