Need a Replacement for Cig's

Jules:  I quit smoking over 10 years ago, and I'll tell you something about nicotine gum....it's addicting!!!  I still chew it, I am soooo addicted to it.  Plus I know if I stop chewing it, I will gain a bunch of weight.  So, you may be on to something by wanting to avoid nicotine replacement items to quit.

My dad quit after smoking for over 30 years....I know he used regular chewing gum to keep his mouth busy, which he kept in his pocket where he used to keep his cigarettes.  Some people use cinnamon sticks to chew on, they have a similar size/shape to a cigarette and give you something to do that is similar to smoking, but isn't (there was supposed to be some psychological benefit to doing that). 

I also hear that the new medicine, Chantix, works really well.

Good luck

I quit on May 5th (40 days ago) - used nic gum for three weeks until I found out that the gum could also limit the effectiveness of chemo and slow healing.  Switched to Doublement Gum -now chew gum like a cow chewing its cud...also use blowing bubbles (uses same inhale and exhale motion and counting/watching/catching bubbles can be fun - just don't try to blow and drive).

I quit the 24th of Feb cold turkey, how did I do it?? Not really sure just did and I smoked for over 20 years but, I told myself listen you are doing everything to beat this cancer and you tell yourself get up do something, don't feel sorry for yourself, you can beat this, you will not be sick, you will win, and win gracefully and boom you do and yet how many times have you tried to quit???? and failed???? I am not sure how many times honestly but, I can tell this IT WAS ALOT and always I found a reason to pick them back up but, NOT THIS TIME!!! If I could kick Cancers ass I can darn sure QUIT SMOKING!!! and I used the doublemint gum technique as well.  I did not replace my cigs with food or anything else other than gum and I won't lie I would love to have one right now, but Not this time usually I started right back up and the longest I had quit for in the past was 13 days but, now Its been what about 4 months wow didn't realize it had been that long I am so proud of myself (pat pat on my own back LOL) I also am around others who smoke on a daily basis and that can be tempting but, you can do it.  I KNOW YOU CAN !!! challenge yourself and if that doesn't work I will challenge you to quit just like Wendy from these boards did for me, heck maybe thats what worked and you would be the next one in our tradition on this forum to win the battle.

Good Luck and I so Challenge you!!!

Hugs,Debbi

One friend of mine used lemon drops when she got the urge to smoke.  Relatively low-cal and she would be sure to dissolve them in her mouth, not chew them.  She didn't gain any weight.

I've heard of other people just using a diversionary tactic when the urge hits -- find something to do for 5 minutes. Sit ups, deep breathing, whatever, but make your craving wait for that period of time.  Often by the time that's over, the craving has passed.

When I smoked for a few years during a divorce many years ago, I talked to myself a long time about quitting, set dates and watched them go by, etc., but kept in my mind that I absolutely wanted to quit.  One day I realized I was out of smokes, and then and there suddenly decided that I was sick of spending the money and didn't feel like going out for cigs and that was it.  I was lucky, didn't have serious cravings, etc., and I know that will make some of you roll your eyes at how easy I got off   All I can figure is that all my thoughts towards quitting finally paid off.  

Good luck!  I've heard (don't know if it's true) that quitting nicotine is harder than quitting heroin. It's certainly an addiction.  You can kick it!!

Jules...I second the bubble gum...and chewing straws..moistening a cinimon stick in warm water and using that (this one came from the american lung association) it sucks that there isn't another thing quite as satisfying to the cravings -except maybe food - and it's always the food that's bad for you, but you're right in that won't work either! I have cut down drastically - but I have not been able to give up the last 2-4 a day I do smoke...I'm hoping the more I get in shape, the less I will need those last few. Good Luck!!

Congratulations on week twelve, Sue.  I am on day 3 and really want a smoke.  This is my 10th day on chantix.  I have had laryngitis since last Thursday, so can't really call the support hotline- isn't that a double whammy?  Need to talk, but can't!

Good luck to each of you on the journey of being a non-smoker.  I like what Jill said- she is choosing to not smoke.  I have told myself that I will try to be smoke free until and through my reconstruction next month.  After that, I can smoke if I want to. 

Mary Beth

I ended up taking 5 drags yesterday ( on Day 3).  Was so sad right before doing it and while doing it.  I quickly put it out and am moving forward.  I do feel calmer today. 

Thank you for your support and encouragement.

mb

Mark Twain; "Quitting smoking is the easiest thing to do.  I've done it hundreds of times". LOL

Quit Smoking All Together: the Web's Largest Quit Smoking Community

I had fun reading posts and tracking my progress in the above forum when I quit 3+ years ago. 

I quit using Nicorette gum, which worked extremely well for me, although I'm still hooked on the gum to this day.  Yes, I have cheated along the way, but never to a point where I went back to buying my own pack.  Rewards work better than punishment.  I bought myself  nice gifts every month or two  with the cig money I saved from quitting.

Mom-in-law quit 2 yrs ago using Chantix after 45+ yrs of smoking.  Wanted a face lift, and PS would not operate on her until she quit.  She said she never had any urges, so that med must be really good!  I remember her being very hyper/talkative, and even seemed happily "high" while she was on that med for few weeks - LOL. 

Just thought I would pop in on this thread in addition to the Stop Smoking Thread. The more ideas/support I can get as I attempt to quit again the better. I really loved that Mark Twain quote. It sums me up so well. I have tried to quit many, many times. Honestly I think the best chance of me to quit would be drug rehab, but that does not exist so I have to create my own drug rehab of some sort.

Would those of you who have quit share the positive physical, mental and emotional things that have resulted since you have quit?

Jules here are a few things I have tried, when I have quit before. Some of them actually I never followed through on. Make a list of alternative behaviors and commit to go through each and everyone of those, before taking a drag. The longer the list the better. Drink lots of water to flush the nicotine out of the body. To keep the blood sugar level more balanced drink some fruit juices during those first weeks. I dilute mine with water at times. I second the gum idea. Lollipops and mints. Scullcap tea. Lobeila which you can also get in tea or supplements is similar in structure to nicotine. Toothpicks/straws. Carrot and celery sticks. Pickles--the big ones to suck on. Stay away from your smoking spot. Of course get rid of all ashtrays, and lighters. Exercise. I have things to keep my hands busy. Puzzles and word search books are my newest addition to these.

I tried everything and on my 8 attempt I said this is the last time. I'm quitting quitting.  I used patches and ate a "Hot Tamale" candy if I craved a cig.  These are small,red, cinamon, jelly bean type candies that come in a box like Dots and also in a big bag at Costco.  They seem to bite the tongue and satisfy the oral thing.  I didn't gain any weight and felt pretty good.  My doc said that I could just stay on the patches because I was doing so well.  I was afraid to go off because I'd get so bitchy.  Well, I went off the patches after several months and all was fine.  I was so mad that the cigarette industry that insisted the cigs were not addicting when they knew better.  That was a big incentive to me.  No more of my money going into their coffers.

I haven't seriously wanted a smoke since then ... Nov 1999.