Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

My girlfriend and I gave up smoking on Saturday (nearly 5 days ago)

Previously I have used:

patches (the weakest ones stopped me from sleeping!! )
gum (gave me hicups!! )
inhalator (looked like an idiot, but got me hooked on neat nicotine!)

This time I've gone cold turkey and I seem far less grumpy than I did when I tried the above solutions!! Although my sleep pattern is all over the place at the moment!

I'm worried as I have my company Christmas party tomorrow night, and I'm worried my will power won't hold out, any advice???

Cheers
Andy

PS - Strange thing happened the other night, I drank quite a bit and I normally would have a hangover, but I woke up feeling fine, is it a side effect from not smoking???

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

My girlfriend has said that if not smoking will stop me enjoying the party, then maybe I should smoke, as long as I don't bring the cigarettes back home.

I'd rather not smoke at all, so although I think she is trying to help, it may have added more pressure on me not to smoke!

Mice_Elf

Sellotape your mouth shut.

(Sorry, Muppet answer.)


Just think how disappointed you will be with yourself if you give in now...how weak you obviously are...how feeble...

NotoriousREV

I'm afraid willpower is the only way. I'm currently on week 5 of giving up and I'm close to having a relapse. Just shout at people and kick the dog, it'll make you feel better

Good luck with it!

Mice_Elf

Imagine your lungs turning black and filling with tar...imagine hacking up blood as emphysema wracks your body...imagine having legs amputated due to circulation loss....




(BTW - not mickey taking here - this happened to a friend of mine...32 he was.)

P20SPD

iTrader: (1)

Andy

IIRC my brother in law went to the doctors, as he had tried all the above, and i am pretty sure they gave him a series of injections.

It stopped him instantly, and he has never looked back. Might be worth asking the local docs.

I could find out more if you need.

Steven

NotoriousREV

What stopped me was that advert with the young girl whose dad had cancer. Seriously, it made me so uncomfortable I had to stop smoking.

Or you could read the Stephen King short story Quitters Inc. They had a good method...

[Edited by NotoriousREV - 12/12/2002 10:40:32 AM]

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

N_REV,

I don't have a dog, so should I kick strangers dogs???

M_E,

Scary stuff!

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Steven,

I think Zyban (spelling?), has quite a big list of side effects. Maybe I should have a chat with a friend who happens to be a GP??

P20SPD

iTrader: (1)

He, according to him, has not had any side affects, and that was 2 years ago.

He actually positively hates anyone blowing smoke near him(bizarre)!

He did it for his girlfriend at the time, who then promplty cheated on him and dumped him, because he was not the person she started going out with(women)

Dont kick other peoples dogs they might bite

NotoriousREV

I don't have a dog either, so I use the cat, but it's not as satisfying as he scurries off as soon as I swing my boot.

Any dumb animal will do, however certain species are probably best avoided e.g. timberwolves, tigers, Muppets as they may fight back.

On a more serious note, on the couple of times I've had a relapse it's helped me focus, you suddenly realise how foul cigs taste!

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

Well done Andy and good luck with it. I gave up 18 months ago and have never looked back. You'll be really pleased with yourself if you stay off them (and a fair bit richer too ).

What I suggest you do is post up here the morning following your party saying whether you succumbed to the weed or not then wait for the flaming if you did and the pats on the back if you didn't. The way things are going on ScoobyNet at the moment if you dare to even think about lighting up you'll get shot down in flames.

Be strong!

BTW N/Rev is right, it'll taste foul if you try one

Sal

Neil Smalley

I've never smoked, but all the best. If it helps look at these photo's every time you feel like lighting up.

[img]www.hws.wsu.edu/healthycoug/images/lung.jpg[/img]
[img]www.quitsmokingsupport.com/ smokerslung.jpg[/img]

STi-Frenchie

Andy, stick with it - it'll get easier.

Patches - these worked for me. I started with the highest dose for 4 weeks, then the medium dose for 4 weeks and then the minimum dose for the last 4 weeks. Gradual reduction of nicotine dependency is the trick. No side effects at all.

As for Zyban - had the prescription but never bought it...carried on smoking for a year. I'd read WAY too many negative comments about the side-effects and my bro-in-law tried it and was almost suicidal. Works for some but not for everyone.

As for the hangover or lack of...yup, side-benefit of not smoking I believe. See? Less hangovers and more money to spend on trying to get one

TopBanana

Apparently every time you get a craving, it lasts 60s or so and then subsides quite quickly. If you can last the 60 seconds then you're laughing. So when you get a craving, do something that lasts at lest 60 seconds - go for a short pre-defined walk etc.

scoobyangel

Andy.... go get Alan Carrs Book... "easy way to stop smoking" and start reading it..... he also has a web site..

this'll help plus it has no nasty side affects like patches or injections can have


worked for me, i havnt smoked in nearly 12months

you are already past the nicotine adiction..... just the habit to break now


good luck.. let us know how it goes

Mice_Elf

Put the money that you *would* have spent on cigarettes into a jar. Pretty soon you'll be amazed at how much you've accumulated.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

60 seconds???? hmm.. that's twice!!!

Bloodly hell, I won't be able to walk or see!!!

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

Andy

Good luck mate, BTW was there any particular reason for quitting just before the Xmas party period?

People say theres a gene in us that that enables some of us to be less physically addicted to the dreaded weed than others...even so its usually a lack of willpower that does it in the end.

I gave up 6 years ago on my 25th birthday. It was early November and I thought that the month or so would be enough before all the festive **** ups arrived! I was wrong.
I smoked 15-20 B&H a day, a month before my birthday I moved to Silk Cut, by the time my birthday came I was on 10 Silks a day.

Like you Andy I wanted to give up, but didn't want to compromise my enjoyment of social events buy making myself miserable through sheer cold turkey endurance! So I made myself give up the Filters and allowed myself the odd small cigar/cigarello type thing on occaision. Usually in a pub towards the end of the evening and I tried not to inhale!! luckily for me almost all my mates don't smoke so I had a lot of positive encouragement when faced with the pub/party scenario.

This worked for me, it took 6 months in total and I think (for me anyway) it takes 3 months to get past the physical addiction side.

Good luck mate.

Justin

P.s.
yes I was a grumpy b'stard for months
yes I put on a bit of wieght, but its gone now
yes I saved a fortune
Yes I'm fitter now at 31 than I ever was
yes its worth the effort

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Cheers Justin!

I think cigars may be the way forward for the Christmas party! I'll worry about it, when I have to worry about it!

I sit 10 metres from the smoking room, and people going in and out of there (most of them smoking my old brand) hasn't tempted me at all!

And why did we give up now? Well we were out of duty frees!!!

pban

Andy

Alan Carr worked for me, I've been clean for just over 12 months.

If it were me I would consider not going to the party or when at the party not drinking. Depends if you feel likely to give in with a drink or two. If you are serious about being a non smoker then there will be other christmes parties that you can go to when there is less pressure. All IMHO
Paul

[Edited by pban - 12/12/2002 2:09:27 PM]

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Since giving up:

I've sat in a pub with smokers
I've round to a house of smokers
I've been quite drunk
I've had smokers round at my house (made them smoke outside)

And during all of this, I didn't want a smoke!

I think if you change your routine, you think you are missing out of something! And you will then smoke to try and recapture what you think you've lost!

I will be going to the Christmas party, I will get drunk and I will *NOT* be smoking (cigarettes or cigars!)

beemerboy

chop off all yuor fingers, bar one on each hand (so you can still type)

BB

TBMeech

Andy,

Just think that you will smell / taste like the ashtray, that seemed to work when I gave up for a bit, everytime someone sparked up it smelt rough, just think that you dont need it, cos at the end of the day you don't, its only a habit.

You know if you have one you're going to be well disappointed in yourself, dont think you 'need' one...

pban

Good answer Andy, sounds like you don't need any encouragement.

Paul

Andy Hall

Hi Andy,

I gave up **** 12 years ago, but kept relapsing, so I started smoking cigars, just in the pub. If I feel a craving I tell myself that I can have one next time I go to the pub, and that seems to work. I havent touched a *** for probably 9-10 years. (and no I dont spend all day in the pub)

Best of luck.
Andy

fast bloke

Andy Pandy tarty tango. - At long last you have wised up


Forget the cigars at the party. Tell everyone you are a non smoker - the buzz far outweighs the urge to smoke.


Allen Carr and zyban cured me - 14 months ago. Don't feel that you are giving up - that implies that you are losing something you like. Think that you have stopped. Same as you have stopped that dancing thing you used to do (so badly). everyone knows your life will be better for it!!

weapon69

If u stop buying cigarettes, apparently that helps u stop smoking.

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

Andy

If asked if you want a ciggie, say

"No Thank You, I'm a Non-Smoker"

Just think it if "the craving" ( ) "comes over you" ( "rolleyes:" )

Worked for me over 7 years ago Best thing I ever did & why I was too sissy & weak to do it before, I'll never know... (Previous 25+ Rothmans day for 14 years )

Cold turkey is the way forward

Well done m8 - & keep it up

Does wonders for your sense of smell too - I can now smell a *** even if it is being smoked in the car in front @ 70 on the m'way I hate it [img]images/smilies/mad.gif[/img]

Oh & you'll smell nicer too

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

PS

No grumpiness
No weight gain

Lots of pleasure