[missy123]

Both of my husbands parents died of cancer. So of course my smoking cigarettes has him concerned. On our honeymoon I promised to quit smoking when we got back. As I always hold true to my promises I have not smoked a cigarette in 8 days. I smoked for 25+ years... I smoked when I was pregnant with my boys (back 20 years ago no one really said it was all that bad, there were not the warnings out there there are today).

The only time I quit was when I was pregnant 1 1/2 years ago - I quit for 3 weeks and the day I found out we lost the baby I started again.

It is so hard to quit smoking. I want a cigarette almost every waking moment. I am going through physical symptoms that are making me angry and crazy. It is withdrawl just like any drug addict and/or alcholic. I feel unbalanced and crazy and not myself. I have to take deep breaths and breathe slowly so I wont go insane.

Yesterday I went out to Macys. Then went to the gas station to buy some diet coke. I couldn't even go in the store to buy soda because I was alone and knew if I walked in there I would buy cigs and smoke them right away.

Quitting is hard... If you smoke or know someone that smokes please do not harass them about quitting. It is so freakin hard. I feel like I should be in some kind of rehab center.

As I type this, I wish I was smoking a cigarette.

[BeccaM]

Quitting is very very hard. I smoked for about 10+ years and decided I liked breathing better so I quit cold turkey about 5 or so years ago. It was hard at first but each day got easier and easier. What made it more difficult is that DH smoked and still smokes. I found chewing gum helped alot. It will get easier hun I promise. You are a strong woman and will make it thru! HUGZ!!

[shen7]

Missy, GOOD FOR YOU!!!!! I know it is hard as hell and yes, you will be a demon as you detox, and yes, you will ALWAYS have to battle cravings for cigs. I was only a light smoker for a few years, quit 8 years ago and I still get cravings. It is exactly like being an alcoholic or having any other addiction, you have to keep up your willpower and separate out the addiction talking from the REAL YOU (who does NOT want to smoke). 8 days is GREAT, keep it up!!!!!!!!!!!!

I knew a guy who was a really heavy smoker and quit cold turkey after getting some really effective hypnosis therapy. The hypnosis was that there was a monkey on his back who wanted cigarettes, and the more he smoked the stronger and more tight-clinging the monkey became. I know of course we joke about "feeding the monkey" and having a "monkey on your back" - but he LITERALLY felt like it was on him!!! An evil monkey! It freaked him out so much that he became actually afraid of cigarettes and had no trouble disregarding his cravings. I don't know if you're as susceptible to hypnosis as he was, but boy did it work for him! Just a crazy story I thought I'd share.

[Pitridge]

Missy, I also understand, quitting is very hard. I was also a smoker, I stopped smoking about 8 years ago and I did it cold turkey as well. dh (boyfriend at the time) told me that I needed to quit, so I finish the one pack that I had and that was it. Each day will get better and you reach that month milestone, it will be great, you'll great.
Good luck! I know it's not easy.

[zkat]

Good for you, Missy! I quit 7 years ago and it is very, very hard!

I used the commit lozenges to take the edge off. It took me longer to be nicotine free, but I truly feel it was the reason I was successful this go around (compared to the previous 3 failures) I also told myself continually it was disgusting and i hated the habit and never wanted to go back.

I will also add that for about 2 years after I quit, I would dream I was smoking and it was so real, I woke up all upset that I had just thrown away 2 years of nicotine free!

You can do it - hang in there.

[tobi4]

Congrats Missy!! 8 days!! You are amazing! You should be so proud of yourself! I bet your DH is so relieved and happy with you!
Ive been on the patch, and it really really helps, (my RE told me the patch is totally safe in pregnancy, its simply a stimulant, like a chocolate bar or a coffee) but if you have already gone the 8 days, with no help, I say, Keep At It Girl! You've got this one!

[dreamer10]

Go Missy go! I know it's hard.....but keep it up! Your doing great...and when you want to be crazy and yell and scream just call me! OK? You can unload on me and then after a laugh or two you might just feel a bit better! K?

[Halfbaked]

You're doing such a great job! Whenever you need to, come on here and we'll be your cheerleaders.

[missy123]

Thank you girls. You are so awesome. I never knew how many of you used to smoke. I appreciate all of your stories and everything. You all rock!!!!

[markswife]

I think smoking is one of the toughest addictions to break. I quit three years ago and still have occasional cravings.

You can beat this habit. Just hang tough. I found the best thing to do was find a way to fill all that time I spent smoking previously. So find something new to do right after dinner or first thing in the morning. I didn't call a soul for weeks because I always smoked on the phone.

It does get better! You can do this!!

[Joanna1127]

so glad you are sticking to quitting! It will be so much better for you in the long run. I've never smoked, but can imagine how difficult the quitting part is.

Hang in there!

[missy123]

Thanks girls!

Seriously, this is so crazy hard... One more day down!

[mmllhh]

Missy, It's been a little over 5 yrs since I quit, I can tell you that I found the 1st two weeks to be the worst. I came home everyday after work and tore my apartment apart looking for a pack that I swear was in there that had 2 butts in it. I wouldn't allow myself to go buy a pack but man, if I found that phantom pack with 2 in it, i would have done it in a second. Keep strong, it does get easier as the days go buy. You can do it....

[ldovey83]

Missy you are awesome woman!!! WooHoo... I used to smoke.. I was a lighter smoker, and I quit like 7 or 8 yrs ago.. My DH is a heavy heavy smoker.. He quit due to some health issues with bronchitus and other issues it created, and did so well... Then started the reptile job, and got started on it again.. Now he is still smoking.. He has tired numerous times to quit and will freak out and buy a pack.. I get upset everytime he does, cause I want him to quit so bad I know it is better for him, but I also know how difficult it can be too.. So good job Missy.. Keep it up!!!

[mom2moose]

I'm in the process of quitting myself. I smoked for 17 years, even while pregnant with my daughter who's 2. At the time I didn't feel that bad about it, then she was born and I felt like a jerk. So, I finally decided I wanted to quit to be around for her. I quit 4 weeks and 2 days ago!!! The first 2 weeks suck so bad, words can't describe. Then they slowly get easier. I used the Patch, anc chewed a LOT of gum! I love how much better I can breath. No more bad taste in my mouth, or wheezing. You can do it!! It DOES get easier. Promise! Godd luck!

[Celena]

I'm very proud of you, you're a strong woman! (do you have xanex of valium to help with that anxiety of wanting the cigerette?)

[zkat]

Missy - I totally forgot. Something I did was take the money I used to spend on cigarettes and put it in a savings account. On my 1 year anniversery of no smoking, I went SHOPPING! I ended up buying a very expensive, top of the line (for 2003) digital camera. It also helps to give your self small rewards along the way.

Kat.

[missy123]

Kat - I started doing the same thing! I really want a new fancy lense for my camera that costs about $650.00. I am thinking with how much cigs cost now, I will easily have that much $ in there in a year!

Great thinking!

This is really so hard. Day 10 and I am a crazy woman. I still want to smoke so much and it is really really hard. I have had to stop myself so many times from going to the store and buying some. I know if I had a cig in my hand right now I would smoke it. Ugggggggg....... I hope it gets easier. I can't imagine going my whole life feeling like this.