need suggestions

[jeanette]

Okay, I know that I need to quit but I need some tips first. Any would be greatly apprecited... [img]smile.gif[/img]

Jeanette

[nccarol]

I need to quit also, I did for 6 months during last summer and then went back over the holidays. I know everyone says it adds to IC pain, although I had pain when I didn't smoke. I did it cold turkey after several trys. I keep swimming all summer and after a week I really did not have major cravings. Then my feet got sprained from too much swimmimg and my pain doctor got on me for my weight although I was trying, so I got mad and started again. There is some web sites on quitting. How long have you smoked for and how much. I think my bladder was better when I didn't smoke for those 6 months but I'm not sure if it just a mini remission. First I cut down from 1 pack to half, then less than quit. Good luck let me know. Carol [img]wink.gif[/img]

[ICNDonna]

Fortunately, there are medications available to help people get through the toughest part of quitting. I used Nicorette gum to quit smoking about 18 years ago. Without the gum, I don't know whether I'd have made it, but I'm sure glad now that I did.

My motivation to quit was visiting daily with a very good friend who was dying with lung cancer.

Donna

[Susie K]

Hi,
I quit smoking at the beginning of November 2000 - and honestly it was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life!! I used Nicoderm patches, listened to motivational tapes, and prayed a lot for help. I utilized every source of help that I could. I never thought that I could do it, and now I am so grateful to be free!!! I didn't really have the desire to quit, but I had turned 50 and I knew it was time. My urologist told me that it was the greatest gift I could give myself. I wish you luck!
Susie K.

[jeanette]

Thanks for the replys, I have tried the patch before...no luck....can not chew the gum...have talked to family dr and he wants me to do it cold turkey. Can the uro perscribe something? Just a thought.

[shell]

I quit smoking over 4 years ago and found that the psychological habits were worse to overcome than the actual nicotine. I was so used to having that cigarette at certain times or with certain activities. Changing my routines somewhat helped with that. Instead of sitting in the kitchen with a book, a cup of low-acid coffee and my cigarettes, I sat in the living room with a book, a cup of low-acid coffee and a bag of Tootsie Rolls (I did add a few pounds, but have since lost them. I figured a few extra pounds was better than lung cancer).

One thing I found important was to keep my hands busy so that they couldn't hold a cigarette. Washing dishes, doing a hobby, cleaning the house. Whenever I felt stressed and thought I needed a cigarette, I'd ask myself what would be different if I had the cigarette - would anything change?

It's definitely hard to quit, but I'm so glad I did it. I feel much better than I ever did.

[Susie K]

Hi again ~
Have you tried asking for Zyban? A woman I work with had very good success with it. I tried many times to quit before I actually succeeded - one of the things that I came to understand this time was that I had to accept there would be times when I'd feel very uncomfortable - there are no magic potions here!
Susie

[ICNDonna]

At the time I quit smoking Nicorette was a a prescription item --- and it was my urologist who ordered it for me.

Donna

[Nina37865]

Hey, First of all I have been in your shoes and I know how hard it is. I quit in October of last year, It has been just over 6 months. I am around a whole family of smokers but somehow it doesnt bother me anymore. For me , I had to be determined to quit and mean it, First I cut way down, every time I had the urge to smoke, I would do something else and then maybe the 2nd or 3rd time I would smoke. Then I just quit, I chose a day and had a close friend come over so I wouldnt lose it with my kids! (LOL) Well, I physically shook and was ill for the first 24 hours. It was like a crack addiction or something, awful. Well I am a very stubborn person and I knew that it was starting to get easier as the days went by and that I did NOT want to have to endure the first 24 hours again. That and my children were incentive enough for me to quit. Hubby smokes still but outside. I have gained a few pounds but hey, at least my kids dont have to breathe the second hand smoke anymore. I agree with what someone else said that once you get past the nicotine addiction, that you have the habits to deal with. For the longest time, after I ate, I would fumble for my cigarettes and they were not there, or when I was driving. You can do it if you make your mind up,No its not easy but u can do it. Also a nurse at my uro suggested the nicotrol inhalers, they helped her, I never used them but she was able to quit using them. Good luck! Hugs, Nina [img]smile.gif[/img]

[valene]

changing your habits is helpful, starting a walking program is also helpful. one of the highs we used to get from smoking was the high you get when you inhale the cig. you also take in extra oxygen. to mimmick this high, do deep breathing exercises frequently, especially when stressed. slowly inhale through your nose to the count of five and slowly exhale through your mouth for 6 or seven seconds. you will feel instant high after a couple of times and a feeling of relaxation will come over you.
good luck

[lisa35]

After 15 years of smoking 1 1/2 - 2 packs a day on Oct. 13 1995 I quit cold turkey. I suffered a lot like Nina. I was in bed the entire weekend a physical & emotional wreck. If I had it to do over again I would not have quit cold...I believe it was too big of a shock to my system. There are so many aids now, Zyban,the patch, gum and inhalers. I believe it still to be my greatest accomplishment in life to have quit and stayed that way. I also would not ever want to go through the first 24 hours EVER AGAIN. I don't think there is a magic cure but I do think that some of the "quit smoking aids" may help take the edge off. I actually lost weight because I didn't want to crave a cigarette after I ate...so I didn't eat.

I have such horrible IC even now that I cannot imagine what I'd feel like had I not quit. I noticed a huge difference in my bladder pain after I had been smoke free for about 5 months.

I know that it is hard, but I think I was actually more afraid of failing than I was of quitting.

I know you can do it...once you have decided you are ready to do it!

Wishing you good days,


Lisa

[gigipark]

I quit almost a year ago and found that
Wellbutrin SR (which is the same thing as Zyban) was a great help and also may have some benefit for ICers. In addition, it may well ward off weight gain if you are worried about that. Your insurance will probably cover Wellbutrin but not Zyban. Stupid, huh? I found that cigarettes just didn't taste right and became less desirable. I didn't do cold turkey, I cut down, down, down, over a month's time. It really wasn't bad. I know you can do it! Good luck and Good lungs!

Gigi

[jeanette]

I have tried the patch and developed a rash....the gum sticks to my false teeth, and the Dr will not give me a rx for anything. Just said to stop. I asked my uro this past Friday and he said to ge with my family dr. I don't know...that is why I was wanting some tips. I am going to try a mix of what you all suggested. I will let you know how I do

Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

Jeanette

[MB]

Jeannette,

Sorry to hear of your less than helpful medical practitioners. This is very typical of the medical community. There is almost NO firsthand experience with cigarette addiction and recovery and very little medical education. Do not give up. Maybe your dentist or OB/GYN can help you. A woman in my Nicotine Anonymous group got her OB to prescribe Wellbutrin for her over the phone because he knew it was in her best interest. Too bad your docs don't have that understanding.

Quitting can be the hardest thing in the world, or it can be an adventure.

Try checking out the websites for a smoking cessation plan...Am.Heart Assn.,Am. Lung Assn., Cancer Society, Surgeon General's site, the Nicoderm/Nicorette websites even carry the plan.

Try reading Allen Carr's "THE EASY WAY TO QUIT SMOKING" book. It is great! He has clinics in England and offers a money back guarantee at them. Where else can you find THAT?

Try finding a Nicotine Anonymous meeting or visit their website. There are also meetings online. The schedule and locations for real life meetings are posted on the website.

You might try the inhaler or even the nasal spray. Another possibility is to warm your nicorette gum in a microwave oven to soften it...maybe mix with that Freedent gum which is ok for dentures.

Cold turkey is do able. Facing the decision is the hardest part. Once committed, you find it is not as hard as you had built it up in your mind. That is where that book will be helpful.

Best of luck,

Michael

Quit date 12/19/01

[jeanette]

Thanks for the info. I have saved what you wrote and I will use it to my advantage.... [img]smile.gif[/img] My desire to quit is high so I think that and all the good tips that I have recived and support of family and friends will make all the differance in the world.

Thanks again to all that have sent me ideas to try.

Jeanette