anyone else quitting smoking?

[acezz4e_tish]

im trying to quit smoking and exercise more. i bought equate patches at walmart, and although i didnt get a rash, by the time i got it off, my arm has hurt there since. I was just wondering if anyone is having the same problem.

[MoneyMan21]

I quit smoking and dipping a month and a half ago...it was tough but I stuck with it and I'm pretty much over it now. It's better for your health and saves a ton of money.

[PrincessPerky]

I quit awhile ago, before the patches were OTC, it was hard, but so worth it!

I dunno what you can do about the patch but stick with it, you can do it!

[PRICEPLUS]

I also quit some time ago! I am trying to get the wife to quit!

[lrjohnson]

Keep trying. It's funny, but the more often you try to quit, the more likely you are to succeed. So if you don't make the first attempt, keep trying. I quit five years ago after 19 years (or so) of smoking. My recommendation? Sleep though as much of the first the insane days as possible. No need to be awake for that jumbledy brain. Good luck.

[Ima saver]

I smoked for over 30 years. I quit cold turkey by having something (like hard candy) in my mouth.

[flash]

Quitting. Yeah! Only smoked for a few years, but it's still a challenge. The reasons I started are over with, but it's still hard. Congratulations to all of you!

The patch -- reactions are common. Several brands have "test" patches so you can determine if you are allergic to the adhesive, latex/plastic, etc. before you purchase them. Not every brand is the same. You can email the companies and ask for a test, and I'd certainly report the reaction and get your money back. You wouldn't be the first that had the problem.

[msnln]

I quit about year and half ago and it was the toughest thing to do. I had been smoking 18 years and I was trying to quit for 10 years until I drew my final puff. I had been a heavy smoker (2 packs a day) in college and I reduced smoke intake gradually, until for last couple of years, I was smoking two cigarettes a day. I still don't consider myself as quitter as I have a feeling next puff will get me hooked again, which has happend many times during 10 years of quitting. But, I am so glad I was able to stop.

[PrincessPerky]

Tell the truth if I were out and kidless I would be smoking.... but I have kids, I nurse my youngest, I don't smoke for them, least not lately. (not since before my oldest was born)

[JBinKC]

I don't want to be rude but I have to laugh you all here are quibbling about saving money in terms of minute amounts and this item alone could potentially save both you and society potentially a millions dollars in the long run from health care cost overruns from a shortened lifespan.

[Ima saver]

Did you ever see the pictures of what your insides look like if you smoke? I use to smoke two packs a day..I could never slow it down, so I had to quit cold turkey. That has been more than 15 years ago and I don't miss it a bit. I hate to see kids start.

[CRFSaver]

You can put the patch anywhere including your stomach or leg. You wont get the sensitivity in your arm and because certain areas dont move as much or rub the patches stay on better as well.

[flash]

Originally Posted by JBinKC

I don't want to be rude but I have to laugh you all here are quibbling about saving money in terms of minute amounts and this item alone could potentially save both you and society potentially a millions dollars in the long run from health care cost overruns from a shortened lifespan.

Well, you are being rude, and in case you didn't notice, the thread is about quitting. I journaled when I decided to quit about the huge savings in different ways, and Jeffrey has a brilliant article on the potential savings of quitting.

I only smoked a few years, after a doctor suggested it.

My savings are not minute, and since I don't drink, don't buy "stuff", try not to waste "stuff", run 6 miles a day, and have cholesterol at 120, I wouldn't be too quick to judge.

The people who have quit or are trying to quit deserve support and a round of applause.

[Ima saver]

You have got right flash! I started smokiing back in the 50's cause i thought it was cool and all the kids did it. (plus my parents) We did not know it could kill you, back then. It is a tough thing to do and I applaud those who are trying.

[acezz4e_tish]

its no different then a drug, except that its legal. Trying to quit has better enabled me to understand someone elses frustrations with other crutches. I dont know why i started, but i kept on cause i couldnt stop. Then when i did, i was smoke free for four months. We had a sever ice storm here, ten days no power no relief in site it was so cold the ice stayed all that time, the trees here split in half and froze to the ground. We had to stay with dad cause he had the only heat. He had propane stove, mine at the time was electric. My son was a newbie, others 7 and 9 and 19. we were crammed in one room and dads house not kid proofed we couldnt touch nothing, it was like being a prisoner and i couldnt help but grab one of his packs and light up. You seem to think its so minimal, but im telling ya, its as addictive as morphene to some, heiroine to others, alcohol to others, etc. Are you that sinical about those issues as well? Not trying to be rude either, however, like im trying to say, cigs no diff then a drug addiction also. thats why theres messages about it on the side of a pack, that non were there when i started smoking. Do u eat red meat even tho its bad for you, not only colesterol, but blood pressure not to mention gout. everyone has a vice of some sort, and i feel its nothing to make sound that way. everyone needs support when they know they need and or want it. thats the first step, knowing you have a problem. Im sure if you dig round in your daily, you will find a fault of your own, biting nails, cussin like a trucker, eating fat on meat, eating more sweets then you should, the list could go on, however ill stop. Just chalk my post up to my bad! nicotene withdrawl, it is something!

[PrincessPerky]

It is real all right, and it is a drug, some people actually find it easy to quit, but then some people don't get any realiefe from tylenol, drugs do not all effect everyone the same.
I have to say though on the messages, I started after the packs carried them, and it didn't stop me, after all those lost years were at the end of my life! Course now I have kids, I have a really good reason to be nice and healthy for a long time, I want to see my great grandkids someday! (and I don't want to be hacking up a lung when I could be talking to them!)

You can quit, and you will

[acezz4e_tish]

ty all, most all, for the support. its really needed and appreciated.

[Lemony]

I quit in January. I fell off the wagon a few times in February (when I was out with friends). I'm really proud of myself, though. I've started a new job delivering newspapers in the morning, so I need to be able to breathe to do my hikes around the neighborhood. I feel like a completely new person, and it's only been a month since I gave up the death sticks. Keep at it!

[Ima saver]

Good for you lemony!!! That is great. I would have a few puffs every few months after I had quit for a while when my husband was still smoking. It tasted nasty!

[Firefly]

I quit 4 years ago cold turkey. It was tough but I am so glad I did it.