Dr W Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Stopped smoking on Sunday and have decided the cold turkey route is the best to clear out all traces of the evil stuff. The problem is the cravings are driving me nuts, have this tight feeling in my chest and keep thinking how lovely a cig would be. However I am determined to be strong and not let the damn things control my life. So the question is, does anyone have any ideas for beating the cravings without having to resort to nicotine replacement which I don't want to use. I'm getting through a packet of chewing gum a day but need something else as replacing fags with biscuits is not a good plan (i.e save lungs but ****** heart). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkBoy Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 I used Nicorette gum, really helped with that desire for the first fag of the morning- after that I'd just chew half a piece of the gum when ever I felt the craving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vole Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Sounds like youve got it really bad Dr.You are far better off getting off fags gently rather than the turkey route.Less likely to relapse.Take the easy way and get patches or something.Worked for me but we are not all the same.Best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 So the question is, does anyone have any ideas for beating the cravings without having to resort to nicotine replacement which I don't want to use. What about heroin? You'll have to inject though, there is a smoking ban on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 I went cold turkey several years ago after a mate got throat cancer. Sore throat one day, having half his neck and shoulder muscle removed the next. I've not felt like one since. You're probably better off using patches or gum. You then get a chance to reduce the effects of the habit while your brain is weaned off the need for nicotine. Good luck with it though. You'll feel like a new man in a couple of months and the first 72 hours are the worst. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 It was many years ago, but I ate apples when the craving became too much, at one time I was on 40 apples a day ( only joking). You just want something to be doing to take your mind off it and eating an apple worked for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr W Posted July 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 the first 72 hours are the worst. Don't I bloody well know it. Anyway I'm going to use some will power, something that I've never really used before and not give in. I don't want to prolong the agony so just going to sit it out. I've given up for a few months before but it was always the pub that made me crack so this time with a smoking ban in place I should be in with a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJaxeman Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 When I gave up I did it by reading the Alan Carr book first which put me in the right frame of mind before going cold turkey. Keep with it. It does get easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkBoy Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Have to agree with Gully there, I know a few folk with cancer and its a real wake up call. I quit three months ago and while I still have the occasional ciggie at night I've conquered it. On Saturday I played tennis for an hour and half - don't think I could have done that a year ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadeye ive Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Chicken pocks off the kids at 38 then followed by a dose of toxic welding fumes off galvenised plate cured my smoking addiction has I had a 5 second cough for at least 4 months Seriously though get a picture to look at of a post lung removal operation on a young patient .......especially when the contents are drained afterwards Keep with it because it's one of the best things you can do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html this might help, sadly shows that gum etc is a big no no if you want to succeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berettaman1 Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 hi doc, I smoked very heavy for over 30 years-40 to 55 a day, I tried several times to beat it but kept going back, what made it worse I was in company of others who smoked as bad as me,looking back at photos of myself as a teenager then when in the services , allmost every photo of me ocer that period shows me with a ciggy in my hand. then a few years ago i arose in the morning early to go to work 6am, made the wife a cup of tea got biscuits and made my way up the stairs when bang, the most terrific burning pain in my chest I remember thinking bloody hell whats wrong with me? anyway I got up the stairs the cup and biscuits dancing on the tray staggered into the bedroom, and my wife bless her who was getting over a knee replacement took one look at me and she shot out of bed when she saw me,what have you done she asked your like a sheet and your lips are blue. no I said its bad indigestion, with that I staggered back down the stairs to have a drink of milk, by now the pain was so bad the sweat was dropping off my face as if I was standing in a shower, also my T shirt and jeans were clinging to me , I had a drink of milk and the pain had not gone and I was aware of terrific pain in my jaw, and in my arm, As i had allways been a very fit bloke I did not think it was anything more than the worst indigestion. now I did not know what to do with myself, I did not want to stand sit or lie down. i had the the doctor call out to see me, first time ever,when he came I was standing behind the setee with my face burried in it. HE TOOK ONE LOOK AND SAID YOU MUST LIE DOWN. YOU ARE HAVING A HEART ATTACK. I thought daft ******, just out of medical school he aint got a clue.No doc I said its just my gut playing up , give me a strong painkiller and I will be ok. anyway to cut a long story short I was in hospital 21 days told I had heart disease and told I must stop smoking. I did the following- every time I craved a cigarett e I took a extra strong mint and told myself I had just had a ciggy,It took just over three weeks before I stopped the mints , over the next Three years I would be in the company of friends who smoked and I would think-- just one just one cigarette , but I knew having just one would start me off again, come on doc, go for it were all backing you. good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Come on man what's the matter with you? Use your will power, you do not need a cigarette, noone does. It is a filthy unsociable and disgusting habit that WILL kill you. Be a man and get on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr W Posted July 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Thank you all for your words of encouragement. Hearing stories like Berrettaman's really bring it home that it's not a good idea, the stupid thing is that you want to tell young kids ,when you see them smoking, that it's not cool and its the biggest waste of time and money but yet you carry on yourself. I'm not a heavy smoker (was having around 5-10per day and smoking 20 in the pub at the weekend) but still find it hard to stop. Thanks to al4x the link showed that cold turkey is the best way to go. To many, cold turkey conjures up visions of torturous pain, suffering and general drudgery. In fact, it is easier to stop smoking using the cold turkey method than by using any other technique. Cold turkey induces less suffering and creates a shorter period of withdrawal. Most important, cold turkey is the approach by which the smoker has the best chance of success. Getting married in 3 weeks and always promised gf that I wouldn't be smoking by the time we got hitched, I want to be able to run and play football with my future kids and not sure I'd be able to do that at the moment. I always said that I'd stop when I reached 30 but here we are 2 years later and still doing it, so martincavie said time to stop pussy footing around and put an end to it. Will let you know whether I make it to the wedding (on the 20th) without giving in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vole Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 I stand corrected.Turkey the way.You will wonder why you ever bothered with it.As far as drugs go,it is pretty naff.Just puts you off till the next fag.I deal with heart attack victims for a living.Nothing sadder than seeing a young lad in a hospital bed with his young kids just not comprehending that Dads days are numbered.Stick in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkBoy Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Being a unilateralist I still maintain the nicorette gum got me through the worst part. Whatever the way Dr W I wish you the best of luck..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 It's all mental. I am a smoker and have been since I was 16. For the duration I stopped for 2 years and then one day in a pub with a friend after a tough meeting, he offered me a cigarette - I thought I haven't smoked for 2 years, where's the harm I can have the odd one or two here or there.... well, I was back on it full time within 2 weeks. I gave up again for a year on another occasion and the same thing happened again. The worst bit about giving up is the knowledge that I must never have a cigarette again. Lots of people say how they never liked smoking and it was just a habit or an addiction. Well I love it and that's the nub of the problem. Why can't I give up carrots or parsnips? I have to pack it in soon - over weight, stressful job and f-all exercise does not make for old bones. Mind you, I might get hit by a bus - that's the other mad smoker bit of logic - going through the aggro of giving up to be destined to die in a non smoking related manner. Prepare to get fat(tter) - as the case maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagsy Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Smoking out in the rain with my young kids watching through the window asking me why I'm killing myself was enough to make me give up. Can't beat a bit of psychological pressure! Started with patches which took enough edge off the craving to stop me looking like a Glaswegian heroin addict who hasn't had a fix for a month Stopped over three years ago and never looked back and I loved a fag ( cigarette variety). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 I could never understand the urge to smoke in the first place. Maybe it's because when I was young I was extremely strong willed and didn't cave in to peer pressure no matter how strong it was? Now I'm a bit older, I'm really glad I stood up for myself and kept away from the habit. From talking to people who do smoke quitting is a very hard thing to do, but think of your future. My ex was a trainee nurse, and some of the people I talked to when picking her up from work at night really showed me how bad it actually is. Give it all you've got buddy, I wouldn't wish lung cancer on my worst enemy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Decided to stop on 10th June and smoked my last one at 08:00 after 40 odd years. Haven't had one since and haven't wanted one. My body feels like it's had the kicking of its life though and for a couple of days I felt like my best friend had fallen out with me. No cravings though. Not a one. No patches, chewing gum, up yer nose stuff (or up yer bum stuff for that matter) . I didn't tell anyone for a week because if someone had tried to support me I'd have started again if you get my drift. The best intentioned "don't do it" is bound to have the opposite effect with me. Like a red rag to a bull. Anyway, 3 weeks on and I still don't want one. I thought it would be a lot harder than this but not a sausage of any side effects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeboy Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 I'm told that flogging yourself with stinging nettles takes the mind off cravings for a while ! Didn't work for the missus though. Wish I hadn't offered to help now, me flogging arm is still a bit stiff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 When I found out mrs p was in the family way I stopped there and then. Still fancy a smoke, won't have one though. I will say one thing, you have to want to give up. That doesn't mean pretending you do, that won't work. No matter how many substitutes you use, aids you take or times you get hypnotised. Either want to give up or don't waste your time. I have tried loads of times, each and every single time I really didn't want to. I thought I did, I told myself I did, but really if I was honest I loved smoking and dind't want to stop. That all changed, that day on the way home from work I looked at the cig I had in my hand after a coughing fit and thought "what the **** am I doing this for". Not been near one since. No aids, nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Not been near one since. No aids, nothing. Can you get HIV from giving up then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 Get used to it guys 'cause by the time this government is done you'll be craving alcohol, sex and even air to breathe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny bagger Posted July 4, 2007 Report Share Posted July 4, 2007 i gave up 2 1/2 years ago , and found it realy easy. i didnt tell anyone i`d given up and if anyone asked i replied that i hadnt had one that day but maybe i would later or the next day. Not saying I`VE GIVEN OP SMOKING took all the pressure away and after a couple of weeks you realise that youve done the hard bit and it would be stupid to start again. Mind you i`ve put on 1 1/2 stone, good luck and stick with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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