Any former smokers?

I smoked for 25 years I haven't had a cigarette since the 8th. Tell me when does the WANT to smoke go away? My hard time is when I'm in the car, don't have much trouble when I'm home.

I am allergic to cats and I have 2. Since I brought the 2nd one home my sniffling sneezing allergies developed into asthma symptoms. At the beginning of the month I got a cold and then that turned into asthmatic bronchitis, there were 2 days that I could not get up and move around and be able to breath, I had to just sit. Pretty scary. My husband came in one of those days and said "you started getting sick when we got the kitties, so they have to go" I cried for hours. I can't let them go, I am so much happier since I have them. So hopefully, quitting smoking will help these asthma symptoms I am having.

Please, if you have ever quit smoking tell me how long it took to quit wanting to smoke. I would think it would get easier but it doesn't seem to be.

WEll i personally dont smoke! but 2 of my uncles quit.
One took 3 months and the other took 6.

I have never been a smoker, I tried it once and hated it, thank goodness.

But my brother in law is a heavy smoker and he was told by his doctor to quit for his blood pressure. To help him along, he was prescribed this: Nicotrol

He hasn't smoked ever since - apparently it has a flavour when you inhale and once you puff on a real ciggie, you get a really awful taste in your mouth that makes you want to throw up - it has worked on him so far.

And its covered by insurance (well, it should be!)

I wish you all the best in quitting smoking!

I quit smoking after smoking for most of 35 years!! The CRAVING (withdrawals) lasted about 3 weeks for me, and then the physical longing for a cig. was mostly all gone, however, I STILL miss smoking and I have not had a cigarette for almost 3 years. I think that part will be with me for the rest of my life. I started carrying hard candies around and when I wanted to smoke real bad I would have a candy(careful, better get sugarless ones or you will gain a bunch of weight like I did :-( ). But most of the time it doesn't bother me, just sometimes when I see someone else smoking and enjoying it...sigh..you might also consider getting allergy shots....hope this helps.

I smoked for only a little while, quit about 2-3 years ago and still want it.

Your story sounds like my husband.

Last year he had asthmatic bronchitis very bad. During that time the doctor was also pretty sure he had emphysema (he's only 41), but obviously said to come back after the asthmatic bronchitis was gone to redo the breathing test. We went back 3 weeks later and he was officially diagnosed with the early stages of emphysema.

Quitting wasn't an option -- it was a HAVE TO (though I never thought my husband would quit).

And just like you, after 20-25 years of being a heavy smoker, he quit, cold turkey.

I can only tell you what he's told me. It's about 8 months now since he last had a cigarette. The first three weeks were the physical part -- the actual withdrawal. Then the shaking, headaches, hyperactiveness alternativing with fatigue subsided.

Behaviorally though, he says he could light one up now without a second thought, and it's still his first desire to do so. He reaches for his violet candies instead. He says it's definitely easier than it was... the physical "need" isn't there anymore... it's more just the behavioral habit he misses (like after a meal, or driving in the car).

Psychologically, you HAVE to tell yourself you can do it, you will do, and it's the best thing for you to do it. That it WILL get easier.

Don't give up! I have faith in you Sassy -- if my husband could do it with no real desire to quit (he was scared into it), and considering just weeks prior he had said he was pretty sure he would never quit, anyone can do it.

And if you need help, ask your doctor! They can prescribe Zyban to help. My husband didn't go that path, but he might have if he felt he was struggling more than necessary. Ask for support from everyone around you. Suck on straws, or life savers, or sugarless lollipops. Chew gum. When you're in the mood for a cigarette, get up and change scenery if you can.

I'm pulling for ya!

and ps. No, I myself haven't quit yet, but I've cut way down by only "allowing" myself to smoke in one room in my house, not anywhere near my husband (when he and I are together, which is a lot), by not buying another pack when I'm out for the day, by chewing gum and finding other things to do with my hands. I hope to quit or cut down to 2 or 3 a day in the next six months.

Good luck!

I'm 41, like your husband. The thought of emphysema and stuff like that scares the heck out of me, that doesn't go away. Last year when I turned 40, that was the first time that I WANTED to quit. I didn't, but for the past year I did smoke 10 or less a day. I know I can do it if I set my mind to it, and I know I have to now. 10 or so years ago I lost 75lbs and have kept it off, so if I set my mind to something I can do it. But at the rate I'm going I may gain 75lbs. Well, I guess that will be my new years resolution, get the eating under control.

quit about 2-3 years ago and still want it.

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Yikes, that sucks

I smoke for about 20 yrs and quite 1 year, 1 mo and about 20 days ago Seriously I think the awful cravings went away in about three weeks. I was really easier than I thought it would be. Whatever you do, don't cave now. You've made it this far!!!! I held out on one thing that I knew would do me in. I couldn't imagine having a drink without a cigarette. So, I stayed away from any alcohol for at least 6 monts. I'm fatter now, but I allowed that to happen. I knew that your metabolism slows a bit and I didn't do anything to counteract that. Better to be fat than smoke. That's my next challenge, but I'm waiting until after the holidays!

If you need support, you PM me, O.K.???? Set aside that money your saving and do something special for yourself!

Originally Posted by captiva

Set aside that money your saving and do something special for yourself!

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Yes! We did this and my husband got a new car! I'm not kidding -- in NY cigarettes are almost $7.00 a pack in our area, so all the money we saved was enough for a car payment!

I quit smoking cold turkey 2 1/2 months ago. I use a nicotine patch and it has really helped decrease my desire for nicotine. I'm on step 2 of this patch now, and I still have some nicotine cravings, but these are mild and easy to control. I'm sooooo proud of myself for being able to quit! You have to be really determined that you're going to quit smoking, and willing to change habits that you associate with smoking.

I have found that the longer I go without smoking, more anti-smoking I become. I have gotten to the point now, where I absolutely hate the sight or smell of a f*****g cigarette! And that's a GOOD THING!!!!!!!

P.S. My supervisor is a former smoker also, and one thing she told me was that there is always some desire for a cigarette once you've been a smoker, but this desire is very mild and easily managed. About your allergies, you might consider investing in an air purifier that will take the cat dander and etc. out of the air

Uh--it doesn't. It gets weaker, but it never goes away. I quite 2.5 years ago and I still crave them, but I know it's bad for my baby and I quite because I ended up in the hospital unable to breathe.

About your allergies, you might consider investing in an air purifier that will take the cat dander and etc. out of the air

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I did that, I bought 4 of the Sharper Image air purifiers (that was a fortune, and can't really tell if they help). But you know I read that ozone emitted from some air purifiers can irritate the lungs

for your replies and support. I'm hoping after 3 weeks this gets easier. I have heard it takes 21 days to form a habit, so 21 days is 3 weeks, hope I will then have formed the habit of NOT smoking.

in NY cigarettes are almost $7.00 a pack in our area

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that would make me think long and hard about smoking. Where I live I can buy a carton of Misty for like $16.00 and it would last me 2 weeks. Course I live in KY and cost of living is way less I'm sure.

I smoked so much I got really sick and couldn't smoke. After I got better, the thought of smoking made me ill. I almost smoked myself to death at 30! (3-4 packs a day) It has been about 15 years, and I have only gotten the craving twice. Once I was really drunk, and once I was really stressed out, over taking care of a woman with lung cancer. I felt so stupid, in addition to turning green and throwing up.
My sweetie is a heavy smoker, and he says the gum helps cut down on the cravings when he can't up from work to smoke.
I guess I was lucky, I never even missed it.

I'm copying the following information from "How to stop smoking" copyright 1997 Channing Bete Company, Inc.
(This is a booklet I got from my doctor a couple of months ago, and it's full of helpful information.)

"Smoking Harms Your Health In Many Ways
It's no secret that smoking can lead to:

Respiratory Problems,
Including:

*lung infections--colds influenza, pneumonia, etc.
*chronic bronchitis--shortness of breath and chronic cough.
*emphysema--in advanced stages, emphysema can cause extreme difficulty breathing. Ordinary activity becomes difficult, if not impossible.

Cancers,
Including cancer of the
*lungs--fatal in nearly all cases
*larynx (voice box)
*mouth
*throat
*esophagus (throat passage for food)
*kidney
"pancreas
*cervix
*bladder"

***In the 2 1/2 months since I quit smoking, I have found that the following information is all true!! ***

"When You Quit Smoking, You'll Feel Better!

You'll breathe more easily,
and have more stamina. Smoker's cough should disappear.

Your sense of taste and smell will improve,
and your digestion may improve.

You may have more energy
and a feeling of clearheadedness.

You'll save money
you once wasted on cigarettes.

Risks go down
for both heart attack and cancer.

Your lungs will work better
as harmful elements are cleaned out.

Your heart won't have to work as hard
as it did when you smoked.

You may have more confidence,
knowing you were able to break the habit.

Others won't be harmed
by your smoking."

Good luck! Try to eat candy or chew gum. Paint one of your fingernails on your smoking hand black, to remind you of why you're quitting. Then when you get the urge, look at that and think about your lungs.

It's mind over matter. You can do it! My grandmother smoked for years and finally quit when my grandpa had a heart attack. If they can do it, any one can.

My dad quit cold turkey and hasn't mentioned it since. That was 20 years ago. I swear that man has willpower made of iron.