Second Hardest Thing I've Done

[Dudewado]

Most non-smokers, and some smokers, won't really understand.

I was-am seriously hooked on cigarettes, especially the last ten years or so. I was up to almost two packs a day.

I have tried to quit lots of times; patches, gum, cold-turkey. I quit for a few days taking the Chantix once before, but the drug made me sick.

I decided to try the Chantix again, and since I'm not working, I would put up with the side effects.

Last night it was 5 days since I smoked. I'm feeling better, but I'm still 5 minutes away from heading to the store at any given minute.

The Chantix is a hell of a drug; I feel like I'm ready to puke at the drop of a hat most of the time.

It also makes sleep an adventure. I've stayed up for 36 hours some days, and slept for 12 the next.

(To be honest, fifteen years of rotating shift work hasn't worn off yet, either.)

They warn about "vivid dreams" and they are not kidding! I could write several stories.

They also warn about fun things like suicidal thoughts, depression, mania, confusion, hallucinations etc.

So far, no one has been able to tell the difference. :huh:

I've decided I am going to make it this time. It's been 5 1/2 days.

Yesterday I walked through someones smoke cloud and it smelled terrible.

Don't let my experience with Chantix scare you, it's worth the trouble, and some people have no problems at all.

 

[FJRay]

Hang in there, It's the best thing you can do. I quit in 84 after 20+ years of Camel straights. I thought I wouldn't make it but looking back it was easier than quiting drinking and I was real good at that.

My son is doing the same drug thing and describes it the same way but he says it is worth it.

If you need an intervention let me know and I will come over the mountain and kick your ass for you. You gotta buy the gas

 

[Tyler]

Hang tight, honey... you can do it!!! I'm rootin' for ya!!

 

[BikerGeek99]

As long was you really WANT to quit, you will.

Stick with it!

 

[Fairlaner]

I plan on talking to my cardiologist about Chantix on Friday...........

There you go guys I said it......

R

 

[beemerdons]

I plan on talking to my cardiologist about Chantix on Friday...........

There you go guys I said it......

R

Yeah, I'll believe that when Snoop Dogg performs at the Royal Wedding!

 

[wheatonFJR]

2 packs a day of Winstons in the early 80s.

When I quit(after a few trial quits), it seemed like EVERYBODY on the construction site smoked. After a couple days, I was even tempted by the butts laying around the construction site.

After 1 month I had kicked the physical part of the addiction. After a year, I had gotten mainly free of the psychological part of the addiction...

I do note that my fellow smokers were on my side cheering for me.

You need to know why you are quitting and have that picture in your mind when it is tough. Also, I stayed away from alcohol, and my friends having alcohol as having a beer usually meant having a cigarette or two or five as well. I put myself in social quarantine.

It was worth it.

Today, I can't believe I ever picked up the filthy habit...

...but I still remember that the first thing I did in the morning was light up.

I wonder how much money I saved over the years by quitting??

 

[yamafitter]

My brother used to be a drummer in a band when I was in highschool and one time he sent me to the store to buy his smokes. I bought the wrong brand and he made me smoke half the pack. I was so sick. First and last time I've touch a smoke.

 

[rushes]

Hope you can beat it.

I did.

Tryin ta quit alcohol has been 1000 times harder.....

Good luck!

 

[Bungie]

Some of you met Christie at CFR at Mont Tremblant, well I'm happy to say she quit smoking back in September with the help of Champix (must be the Cdn version). She said the same thing, felt nauseous like crazy for the first few weeks, and to this day, still says it gives her bouts of it. Wicked dreams etc etc.. but, she stuck it out and hasn't touched one since she popped her first chalk back in Sept.

I've got a box of Nicoderm Patches sitting here, which work really well for me (I've quit a few times and it wasn't that hard. Staying quit is.) I just need to get really busy. Idle minds don'tcha know....

Go Dude!

 

[Panman]

Good Luck, I to have kicked the habit and it's been well worth it. Been told that the physical part of the addiction really is gone in a week. But know dam well the mental part took dam near six months to really go away. Single best farkle of my life!

 

[MEM]

I've decided I am going to make it this time. It's been 5 1/2 days.

Yesterday I walked through someones smoke cloud and it smelled terrible.

Excellent, John! No platitudes here. I know it's hard and nicotine / cigarettes are more addictive than heroin.

I'll be thinking about you.

And you, too, Richard....

ps - what's The Hardest thing you've done ??

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

You got some support down here from H'town.

Hang tight and keep going.....5 and counting is good.

 

[madmike2]

You're already through the hardest part. From now on you'll have sporadic instances where your body tells your mind to convince your conciousness you "need" a smoke.

Decide now! Don't give in. There are many of us joining in Tyler's Pep Squad and cheering for your success.

Uhm.....it's been a loooooong time (more than 2 decades) since I visited the 2-3 packs of Marlboros each day.

 

[SacramentoMike]

If this was a "12-step" forum, you'd have taken a big step coming out with your decision to quit. Think of the **** you'll get handed if you turn up next WFO with nicotine stains on your fingers! :lol:

Can't believe it took a dozen posts before somebody else wondered about that "first hardest" thing. What the hell was it, John?

I plan on talking to my cardiologist about Chantix on Friday...........

There you go guys I said it......

R

How will we recognize you?

 

[nik.hisham]

You have at least one guy rooting for you all the way from Malaysia!!!

Hang in there! I'd done the same a couple years back. I had been smoking since I was in the 3rd grade - yes, I was a bad kid. By my teens, I was up to a pack a day. Had 3 prior attempts to quit, once in my teens, once when I was in college, and once more in my twenties. Finally, in my early thirties I just woke up one day and went cold turkey - I just got sick of how my mouth tasted when I woke up every morning. Plus I kept getting horrific images of my mouth and throat rotting from cancer. So I've been free of smokes ever since.

Like someone said earlier, there will be really rough patches. When that happens, you just need to hang tough and remember you reason for quitting. And if all else fails, go ride your FJR!!!

Good luck.

 

[madjackdog]

Everyone's in your corner, Kid. Don't let us (and you) down.

 

[user 6393]

Congratulations and best of luck. Your loved ones will thank you...

I lost my mom to emphysema and my father-in-law to a smoking related oral cancer; both were heavy chain smokers.

I'd give anything to have both those people back, even for just one day.

It's a tough road, to be sure. I watched both those same people try the patch and the meds, but they were unable to beat it.

I am here to cheer and support you all the way, and if need be, tell Ray when he needs to come over the mtns and kick your ass.....hehe

PM, email....there is even that "phone a friend" option. Name it.

............really

I plan on talking to my cardiologist about Chantix on Friday...........

There you go guys I said it......

R

yay! we're all gonna hold you to it.....you know that, right?

 

[user 6393]

I plan on talking to my cardiologist about Chantix on Friday...........

There you go guys I said it......

R

How will we recognize you?

Easy. I dunno about you, but this image is burned into my psyche..........LOL