It's been 2 years (and 5 days) since I've even puffed on a cigarette. My advice: don't ramp up to a certain day, just get "sick" of smoking and spontaneously say, I am quitting. I did my best to gross out on smoking before I quit, then I just decided that I was not going to smoke any more and I didn't. It really was mind over matter, and the withdrawals only lasted for a few days, really. I took up espresso really heavily for about a week. I know it sounds insane, but deep breathing really helps. Some de-stressing yoga exercises (the hammer, the lion) helped too.

TWO YEARS BABY! My lungs will be pink again in this lifetime!

It's been about seven years since I quit smoking. I quit cold turkey the last time. I'd tried a couple times before, once with Wellbutrin.

What worked about the last quitting was that I changed lots of aspects of my lifestyle at once, thus ridding myself of a bunch of psychological cues. Once the first fews days of grinding my teeth and wanting to kill everyone were over, it was relatively easy not to buy a pack of smokes and just get on with life.

I still miss smoking sometimes. I really do enjoy the ritual and sensation. But I strongly dislike the "being addicted" and "dieing of cancer" aspects of it, so I stay quit.

I have only registered so that I can comment on this to be honest and it took me ages to type so please read it.

I have smoked for 20 years and have wanted to stop for about 15 of those years, but it was always going to happen 'tomorrow' or next week or next month...anytime that meant not now.

Six months ago I realised that I was boring myself with my same old
'Right! I'm stopping tomorrow'
I knew that as the words were coming out of my mouth my brain was saying 'yeah yeah alright, stopping again are we??'
and that I wouldn't actually stop.
It was just a cycle of kidding myself.

I think the reason for constantly wanting to stop and not actually having the courage to achieve it were because of several fears and subconciously telling myself the following without actually realising it;

Will I actually be able to stop?
What will I do with my time?
How could I get through the cravings without killing everything in my path?

Six months ago I decided that I REALLY DID want to stop, not because I should but because I wanted to and I knew it would be one of the most challenging situations I would ever have to deal with voluntarily.
I also run a business which is stressful enough so the odds were stacking up against me before i had even started.

Some people are really strong willed , some weak or whatever; everyone is different and only you know what will work for you. I am the type that if I fully understand the theory and process then my brain can accept what is going to happen and I am more likely to succeed.

Soooo for the next five months leading up to the quit date I began reading up (whilst I was still smoking) on methods and techniques on how to go about it.
I figured that replacement therapy i.e. patches etc. were just going to annoy me and prolong the agony so after 5 months of research I was really and TRULY READY to go cold turkey for the first time in 20 years to beat this bastard that was chipping away at my lifespan, my bank balance, my everything really.
Afterall it was only 5 months of reading and convincing myself...I had already smoked for 240 months so what was afew months preparation.

I decided to stop on Sunday 4th of February 2012 (no reason, just a random date) so on the Saturday night I smoked my last. As I smoked the last one I was telling myself this is it, I got a bit sad as the fear speech started kicking in that I was describing above but I just did my best to dismiss it.

I have been a non smoker now (ooooh!! get me :o)) for 4 weeks tonight. I want to list what you actually go through emotionally and physically as there is only a half story online and in books. I'm not sure if anyone has been totally honest about what you go through.

THE BIG DAY
Soooo after quitting on the Saturday I went to bed.
I went to work on the Sunday feeling great with a big smile on my face as though i had already achieved something, telling myself i just need to get through today. This all changed when i got home though. I got home and couldn't sit down because if I did then i knew I would pick up the laptop and need to smoke through routine / habit.

It was absolutely awful, I was just crying. I tell you what it was like, it felt as though a good friend or favourite relative had died - honestly! It's the strangest feeling looking back now, I was walking around my house with my arms constantly folded, my back leaning from wall to wall. It was absolute torture.

I had a headache for about 8 hours by now and was really pissed off with tears trickling down my cheeks. I was prepared, thinking that I wouldn't be able to sleep so i had bought these herbal sleeping tablets and thought, man I can't handle another minute without a smoke. I took one herbal nytol to get to sleep. I never take anything like that but i had to break the thought loop.

The nicotine withdrawal makes you a cigarette obsessed monster. Nothing else matters, even if your life didn't revolve around smoking before you quit IT DOES as soon as you attempt to stop.

Anyone that says it wasn't difficult after a few days, in my opinion, is talking nonsense.

After the first week the actual nicotine has left your body so that's not the problem, the biggest battle is with the Angel / Devil on your shoulder scenario.

Keep this in mind.
It isn't the nicotine that's the problem.
It's a psychological addiction

The first four or five days after quitting for me, involved going to work and running my business for 10-12 hrs a day, trying not to speak to anyone if i could possibly avoid it (for their own safety).
Coming home having a shower and going to bed after about an hour. I was soooo bored. Bored of thinking of nothing else but smoking. Bored of thinking 'shit am I going mental' Can I do this? Am I strong enough?
The devil on my shoulder saying...
- Well if you just had one then you'd feel better!
- Only having one is still better than smoking full time...isn't it?'
- It doesn't make you a smoker having one day does it?
- You could just have one to prove that you don't like it?

It took a while to realise that this was my mind playing tricks on me. You have no idea how much of a mental grip this shit has on your brain until you try to deprive yourself of it. Your mind will tell you anything just to get you to do what it wants. Like some manipulative ex partner filling your head with any old crap until you agree...convincing you that it's the right thing to do.

I knew that if I had one I would be right back on it, ,there is no half way with smoking.
You smoke or you dont. It's that simple, if you want to quit don't have even one.

You really need help from people around you.
Ask them not to smoke around you as it is torture for a few weeks.
If you have a 'friend' that keeps offering you 'just one' and won't take no for an answer take the cigarette they are offering and snap it in front of them, they will soon stop finding it funny or they will suddenly 'remeber' to stop asking you.
Sounds harsh but tough shit they are just trying to throw you off track as they can't msuster up the will power to stop.

Here is a list of some of the side effects of going cold turkey i felt.

WEEK ONE;
I honestly felt low, like someone had died.
Shortest fuse you have ever had.
Every single thing is irritating.Trying to align a screwcap on a bottle could literally send you over the edge or make you cry your eyes out, even if you're not the emotional type, you actually become someone that you are not for a while.It's nuts.

Nose gets a bit sniffy.

Started coughing, well, more the clearing your throat before a speech type of cough
(this is involuntary which also becomes really annoying :o) surprise surprise)

Feeling really tired all of the time.
This is because nicotine is a stimulant, so your body is starting to regulate itself. This eases after a few weeks.

Waking really early but this is because you are going to bed early.
(one bonus of this was, usually when my alarm went off i would snooze it 10 times before i got up but now it's one beep and my eyes are open).

WEEK TWO;
All of the above but just to make sure you feel worse it throws another few symptoms at you.

My airwaves started to feel as though they were constricting and i actually was gasping for air which pissed me off as I thought I would be so full of energy that i would be tap dancing out of the door by now and doing star jumps waiting for the kettle to boil rather than wheezing trying to catch a breath.but no.
(this turns out to be because the cilia / lung hairs that catch impurities and tell your brain to cough in your lungs are beginning to regrow and as they are clearing out your lungs with the crap they are clearing out blocking your small airwaves making it difficult to get a breath).
I tried to turn this in to a positive and thought well if I don't continue this journey this horrible gasping for air feeling will be a permanent thing in years to come. Afterall, I had just been through a week of absolute hell there was no way it was going to be for nothing.

I started to get intense night sweats (never had these before before)
I won't do a mega list and bore you to death but imagine a flu flooring you.
As your body detoxifies and gets rid of the poison this is probably the best way to describe it.

Constipation (nice topic i know)
As smoking has a kind of laxative effect, your system becomes lazy. When you stop smoking it is like it has forgotten how to think for itself as it has been prompted for so long, so you start to get really bloated. Make sure you eat loads of veg.

I had read that I should be drinking loads of fluids, so i was having about 4 litres a day as this is meant to help flush out all the toxins.
Yeah yeah yeah, all your body does is stores this too. So even though i am female 5'7" and weigh app. 135lbs i felt as if i weighed 1350lbs.

WEEK 3 until now;
My throat is killing me, really tender and my voice was going hoarse.
This is because your throat starts to repair and renew, your throat becomes tender like teething baby gums.
I'm not once of these melodramatic people, I rarely get ill and if i do i just work through and dismiss it as an inconvenience.

I started to get itchy / tingly arms sometimes which was weird. Not all the time but a wee bit like a spider running up your arms.
I have since found out that that was my circulation starting to get better.

I had to eventually give in and go to see a Doctor on Wednesday (3 days ago) as I have completely lost my voice for a week, alongwith all of the fatigue etc.
I was diagnosed with Chronic Laryngitis.
I still have no voice and still feel rough as.
They reckon this could be for another 3 weeks.
It just shows you though. I have have had maybe three colds in my adult life and have felt like death for about 24 days so there must be some amout of crap to get rid of.
The body is quite an amazing machine really.

I reckon if I have one cigarette all these bad side effects would go away but is that the Devil on my shoulder speaking or fact
... I'd guess at the Devil.

The bottom line is I have gone through 28 days cold turkey, which has astounded me.
I was the procrastination Queen and managed it through being prepared.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

- Be sure you know why you want to stop

- Get a plan together to stop, arm yourself with knowledge

- Stopping smoking will affect the rest of your life, it's worth doing properly

- It's only the first few days that are a total ball buster, nicotine wise, the rest is all up here.

- If you need to use herbal sleep aid for three nights to get over the 'fking insanity' of cravings - then just do it.

- It's all about keeping busy and breaking your routine. If you smoke when you drink tea or coffee, maybe try switching to fruit juice or milk or whatever to break the association in your brain.

- Just don't swap one addiction for another and drink too much. Again, you might need to quit booze for a week or so to break the link of smoking when you drink. This sounds harsh but remember it's only short term to make it easier for you in the long run.

- Keep your hands busy by twiddling a pen or a coin. Chew gum or a carrot, sounds nuts but stops YOU going nuts.
- Don't worry if you gain a few Lbs / Kg this isn't fatal but smoking is. Deal with one thing at a time.

- Most importantly - don't think too far ahead.
It really helps to concentrate on this minute, this hour, this day rather than too far ahead

- try not to worry how you are going to live without cigarettes for the rest of your life.
Your goal is to get through this day without cigarettes - tomorrow comes soon enough except it's a wee bit easier than the day before!

For all the hard work that it has been, I have actually done it, which means anyone can do it. You don't have to go cold turkey, if you use replacement therapy then so what.
Just stop somehow.
You don't really realise how smoking controls you, until you stop.

I hope I haven't bored you to death. I'm just thrilled that after all of my promises to myself I have lasted 28 days. I am strong now and still have thoughts popping in, I think any smoker that gives up may never, ever escape the urge to smoke but the feelings just become weaker but a 20 year habit is hard to break, but I'm well on my way!
Ha, I am getting a bit emotional even thinking about it because I am so proud of myself as i thought i never could.
(I think I have used a lifetimes supply of tears just these past 4 weeks)

People that don't smoke have no idea how much of a psychological rollercoaster it is.

Good luck to anyone that is about to or is currently trying you CAN do it and I really mean that.

yukka_plant@yahoo.co.uk

cold turkey?

it was the worst 6 hours of my life.

seriously though, when i tried cold turkey i found myself craving and craving until i finally caved and just bought more smokes.

now i'm patchin for free, thanks to the Washington state Tobacco Quit Line.

Quitting cold turkey is tough. However, i do think that it is the only way to quit smoking. Once you get over the three week hump it is not that bad. I personally either chewed gum or kept a toothpick in my mouth whenever i wanted to smoke. Good luck! Check this website out I thought it helped a lot.

http://letsbetobaccofree.com/

They only easy way to quit, if you really want to, is read "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" by Alan Carr. I know, I know, how is a book going to make me stop smoking? Don't fucking worry about it. It. Will. You don't have to take my word for it, check out all the happy customer reviews on Amazon.

It was a lot worse knowing I was going to quit than actually quitting. I don't like the idea that I need any tools to quit - I'm looking to kick out the crutch, right?

I just had to bide my time knowing I was going to quit until that moment spontaneously appeared for me. That was torture; I smoked more and more.

When I did quit, I gained some weight, but mainly the sucky part was three weeks/a month and all I had to do was Not Smoke. Not that hard. Big bonus: You did it all by yourself.

eh, it's not that bad. a couple of weeks of suck, then it gets better. it's really about your state of mind...if you are determined to stop then you will. as soon as the smell of others smoking repulses you you've broken through.

good luck!

I smoked for 2 years- from the time I was 18 to 20. I quit cold turkey a week and 2 days ago. Quitting was not all that difficult and I am a moderate cocaine user and heavy cannabis smoker.

I would say for the first 3 days all I wanted was a cigarette. On the first day I was about to throw out my cigarette pack but I couldn't- still did not smoke one but my muscles were tense that night.

The second day I slept until that afternoon and I felt slight relief in my chest when I woke up. I became irritable as the day went on- ended up getting drunk to try to forget about it at the bar where everybody was lighting up in front of me. I kept telling myself- I'm so much stronger than a cigarette. I don't need it. I smoked 2 bowls that night to fall asleep.

The third day was the worst. I was rude and inconsiderate to everybody I came across. Especially as people kept offering me cigarettes to relieve my obvious stress, I suppose. I decided to go back to my parents house that evening and looked at pictures of my grandparents who both died in their mid-50s from lung cancer. They were heavy smokers. I cried for a while that night and decided to go out with a few of my girlfriends that night.

We went to a party where I proceeded to bitch about a dude not rolling a joint fast enough, cuss some people out on a videogame- Halo Reach and snort 3 lines, then lay down some beats with some friends. Anyways, that night was very difficult to not smoke. I ended up going to my man's place and standing on the roof with him and one of our friends watching the sun rise as he, a non-smoker, held and comforted me (he is, in large, a reason a quit).

In short, I guess I felt all the cravings, irritability, restlessness, uneasiness, and whatever else somebody quitting cold turkey feels. It sucked but when I woke up the 4th day I felt completely better and no cravings at all. If you can make it through 72 hours you're good to go-- and if a pot/cokehead can do it- anyone can.

Hi Erin,

I've "quit" cold-turkey 5 days and 20 hours ago. I feel miserable and have a bunch of "side-effects" I suppose, hence the reason I landed on this site (searching for quitting smoking side-effects).

I'm a mess, but here's the thing.

Last night and today, I have experienced a tightness around the heart area, heavy breathing (as in hard to catch my breath) and found myself waking up at all hours of the night, usually trying to catch my breath again.
This left me dead tired all day long with a soreness around my chest, left part of the chest.

I am dizzy, all is blurry at times. Oh, one thing I do for the past week is drink one pint every night to build resistance when around alcohol - though one beer isn't going to test me hard, it is still a trigger, and one that I'm trying to get accustomed to while riding my mind of have a smoke.

Tonight, I had a beer with a friend at a bar where smoke as dancing around. It was all very tempting but I made a point of enjoying the moment without a cigarette.

I am feeling exhausted now, and try to go on doing breathing exercises and will try an sleep earlier.

My 2 cents

ive been a smoker for about 20 yrs.. i quit about week and a half ago cold turkey....it is not easy it actually one of the hardest things ive done in my life, but this is the 7th or 8th time ive tried to quit, i hope this time i can stay away from smoking and look forward to a healthier lifestyle.. i started smoking when i was 13 yrs old and i am now 33 the price of a pack of cigarettes has gotten unreal its a very expensive habit plus it makes your cloths stink plus your house your car and everything else... one thing i have had to do to quit was keep my mind busy with things that don't envolve smoking...i am having serious withdrawls after about 2 weeks ive thought a few times about going and buying a pack but then again all this time would have been wasted...if anyone else reads this post i want to tell them that they can do it...it is not impossible all it takes is strong wilpower and you have to want to quit to be successful thanks and goodluck... if i can do it you can also

I'd been smoking for about 6 years by age 36. I tried quitting a couple of times just out of will, but after a week or two I'd get right back to smoking. Until one night I hung out with a friend, my pack was finished, and I was left smoking my friend's heavy menthol cigs. I said on my way home that I wasn't going to buy anymore and that the day had arrived to finally quit. I got home, no cigarettes; next day I didn't buy cigarettes, I didn't want anymore. It was tough only the first couple of days because of the habit. After every meal I wanted a cigarette, getting in the car I wanted a cigarette. But I had made up my mind, and I was strong enough! I've been cigarette free ever since that day. Today it is 445 days cigarette free,I have not smoked 5,351 cigarettes since then, and I have saved a total of $1,605.00
I thank all the people that supported me and didn't try to tempt me!

I quit 6 weeks ago and its been really really hard. I had terrible panic attacks and a sore throat. I still get really dizzy once in a while and still don't feel like myself. I can't even sleep through the night....I'm a complete mess! I hope this changes soon!

Have to agree with bobo on the anticipation of quitting being worse than quitting itself. I have several friends who agonized over quitting before actually pulling the trigger. And, most started smoking again. My mother planned for weeks and was tortured the whole time. And she took at least two tries to quit. My father woke up one day and decided to "try to go the whole day without smoking." It's been almost 30 years since that morning. He never seemed bothered by it, and he was a smoker for over 20 years. Me? I smoked for 14-15 years. My "significant other" decided to quit (after - unbeknownst to me - wrangling over the idea for several weeks), and I said, "aw, what the hell?! I will too!" and had my last cigarette before going to sleep that night. [However, it is worth noting that, over the year prior to that, my smoking went from average 1.5 packs a day to 1 pack every three days, without a lot of effort.] The physical crap lasted about a week. The psychological twists continue to this day, and I quit 9 years ago. When I first quit, I didn't drink alcohol for about a month, and I stayed away from bars/clubs at least that long. That seemed to help. I chewed a LOT of gum (not nicotine). The first time I found myself at a bar, waiting for a friend, I was so uncomfortable that I would have given a limb or my first-born for a cigarette at that moment. That was probably about 4 months out from quitting. It was before the smoking ban in bars, and I actually counted how much cash was in my wallet, which I could potentially offer someone at the bar for a cigarette. I knew it was insane that a cigarette would somehow alter my situation, but those thoughts consumed me. The first year was very bad for the psych/social/emotional side. Today, my problem times are when I'm drinking alcohol, which happen very infrequently (luckily). Good luck! It is difficult, but it gets easier with each passing day......

I think a lot of it depends on your hardwiring. I quit cold turkey 15 years ago (gawd, it's been that long?), before all these fancypants devices like "patches" and "Wellbutrin" were around. Cold turkey was all you could do. I remember it being a little rough physically for about two weeks, and then after that it was just a question of managing the psychological dependence. In other words, I had to quit Dennys at 3 am as well, and that was definitely a net positive.

I drank herbal tea every time I had a craving, and during the first few months I took purposeful walks on my breaks at work. Wasn't easy, but it wasn't impossible either.

It took about two years before I developed a strong aversion to the smell of cigarette smoke and that's when the cravings finally went away. I mentioned hardwiring above, because I've known other people who seem to have more addictive personalities than I do, and they've struggled waaaay harder to quit smoking than I ever did.

After smoking for 10 years, I quit cold turkey 6 years ago. The physical withdrawal stopped after about a week. I remember I slept for about 3 days straight. After that I couldn't do drink coffee or alcohol for months, because the cravings were so bad.

For me quitting smoking was a decision that I made when I moved cross country, and I think leaving all the familiar places that I used to smoke helped A LOT.

I found that walking was a great way to deal with the cravings. When they got to bad I would just move and it would get better.

I started smoking when I was 15 I quit last month on the 26th of April ... I'm 20 years old (I know I'm young and dumb call me what you want , I was stupid) .... I decited to quit "cold turkey" and its been hell .... I can't sleep at night , my brain hurts , I feel like throwing up all the time , I feel like shit ( please excuse my French ) .... It's hard but I know in the long run its worth it .... A lot of good things started happening to like I can hold my breath under water , I can smell way better , food taste better , and I don't smell like an ash tray lol .... It's no walk in the park but that's what I get for being an ass hole when I was younger ....

I tried many, many times to quite cold turkey and couldn't do it! So I must say, great job to those who can. I personally had to rely on Chantex to help. Sometimes I thought to myself that they were only placebo pills and the effects of the pills were all in my head (maybe that was a side effect of the pills - haha!), but then I'd get shaky and nauseous and have to eat something and know that there was something in it. The pills also really curbed the craving and made that heavy pressure on my chest and the feeling that my skin is shrinking so minimal that they were almost non-existent. I still get those feelings once in a while, with nights being when it occurs more often, but I am only 5 weeks free of cigarettes and one week free of the pills. I just tell people that ask, "being an ex-smoker is like being an alcoholic... each day you have to re-commit to not smoking that day!"

I also had to change my routine. I used read every spare minute I had (5-10 books a week), and smoking was a constant companion at these times. Because reading outside and smoking were so closely intertwined, I had to stop going outside and reading. As a result, I have not finished one book in the last 2 months. I miss reading, but I don't want to allow myself to miss smoking, so I'm going to give myself a couple more months before I commit to reading again.

Im 18 hours in quitting. I started Chantix a week ago. Havent had a smoke since yesterday at 930 ish pm. It's hard, my head is pounding, my chest is tight ( doing deep breathing to help, but it's making me dizzy) I feel like curling up and crying myself to sleep. I have smoked for 34yrs! This is hard but i just want today over.

i am 16 smoked sinse the sith grade. i all way told every one i would quit when i was on an oxegen. a week and a half ago i got really sick and could not breath, i was on oxegen. so far so good. i have quit before but one here and there started and i started smoking again. but this time is it.

What's wrong with drugs? Get some Chantix, I bet any doctor in the state would prescribe it without thinking twice (it doesn't fuck you up), a month supply costs ~$150, probably less than what you spend on smoking. All it does is block your brain's nicotine receptors, denying any pleasure from tobacco. And I hear it makes you want to kill yourself, but that's what they all say.

I smoked 1-1.5 packs a day for about 8 years (started around 16 or 17) and tried to quit exactly 1 time. I took Chantix for a month total and you're supposed to keep smoking during the first week. It was weird smoking but still wanting a cigarette, without getting any reward from smoking one, they suddenly became a lot less attractive. I bought shitty cigarettes that I didn't like for my last few packs. For my last pack, I made it last a whole week only smoking about 3 per day.

Then I quit completely and felt like crap for about a week. My lungs hurt a lot and there was a crazy amount of coughing that just led to everything hurting. I wanted to smoke but I always remembered that within a few minutes, the desire to smoke would probably be gone. About a month later I was starting to feel better physically but still really wanted to smoke. I stopped taking Chantix because my month supply ran out and didn't really notice any difference. It wasn't until around 6 months that I felt like I was getting over the psychological hump and things began to feel like they were downhill.

That was about 19 months ago. Haven't had a single drag since. I definitely feel healthier than I did at any point when I smoked, my lungs feel great in comparison. I really have no problem with the smell of cigarettes and even kind of like it, but I am finding myself bothered by smoke filled rooms. I honestly don't think I could smoke an entire cigarette without throwing up at this point, the nicotine buzz would kill me.

Good luck but no hate to the smokers, smoke 'em if you got 'em.

First two days, sweating at night, no sleep, irritable, constantly thinking about having a smoke. After this every hour became a buzz because the change was a hit in itself. Your body gets so used to nicotine that when there is none the body experiences a high. This high is the body clearing out the carcinogenic poisons. People’s minds tell them this is not good and they must have another cigarette to kill this so called craving. I say sit back and enjoy the buzz instead; it helps to tell yourself this is a good thing not a bad or uncomfortable feeling. It’s a bit like some people who enjoy pain. If you wish to give up smoking you must educate yourself to this fact. You are only smoking the cigarette you are currently smoking to deal with the withdrawal symptoms’ from the one you had before that is now wearing off. If a person can realise this they will normally stop.

It has been 24 days since I quit cold turkey. I am still craving the nicotine every day. I have not cheated once. It's not easy but it can be done. I had some weird withdrawal symptoms like itchy skin, I mean it felt like I had bugs crawling on me. That lasted about a week. I took benedryl and that seemed to help. This has been twice as hard since my husband is still smoking. Quitting cold turkey I think is the only way to do it. I just woke up and decided I was not going to smoke anymore.

I quit about 2 weeks ago and I will tell you, my cravings are gone and I hardly ever think about smoking one, I knew I HAD to smoke whenever I was drinking but I ended up passing through. It took me about 2 tries before I finally told myself this is my last cigarette. I had many cravings during the first few days and if you have gum with you, start chewing on it and just breath. Chewing gum helps you to not think about the pleasure of smoking. I am also very active and do weight lifting/cardio exercises 4-5 times a week and I will tell you, exercise HELPS. In my opinion, a good mindset and discipline to quit is the most important thing of all. I hope this helps.

Hello, My husband and I are currently in the process of quitting. Personally I wish I picked a better time. But after rushing my husband to the hospital with a foot turning purple, I found out it had to be now. He was possibly one puff away from losing his leg from the knee down. So, that was clue number one. Clue number two was,we just found out he has cancer in his kidney. All caused by smoking. I figured I would share the other side effect from smoking can cause. I really only thought about the breathing aspects to the habit, not anything like what my husband is enduring. Good luck to everyone.

I quit smoking cold turkey 1 month ago from yesterday!I was smoking a pack a day for almost 8 years and cut out all sources of nicotine all together.

The first week was straight hell but every day gets easier, at least that's what I keep telling myself!
I used suckers for the first couple of days and also singing while you drive can keep your mind off the cravings. My withdrawals were pretty intense even to the point of extreme nausea for days at a time. Just don't start back up to stop the withdrawals because they really do go away after a couple weeks!

The cravings will last for a while but only for a couple minutes at a time. Getting through each one, one by one, is the key to quitting!

Some other random things that helped me quit/get through the intense cravings were:
Internet/phone games
Keeping track of how long ago you quit, how many cigs you would have not smoked, and how much you have saved.
Taking walks/runs
Over educating myself on quitting/effects/etc..
Retail therapy...rewarding yourself is a GOOD thing;)

Also, I even wrote on a note card all of the reasons I was quitting and kept it near me for the first couple of weeks.

Although it has only been a month I have never felt so empowered!

Well. Ive smoked a pack a day for about 25years or so? Jeez :P Anyhow..yesterday i thought "Hmm I wonder how long I can go without a smoke? How long till i actually HAVE to have one..well here I am 32 hours later. Tryng to decide if I want to quit or not. The withdrawls aren't 1/2 as bad as my brain tried to tell me they are. Ive quit during pregnancy so I know the biggest battle is im my mind. Good luck to you all!!

I was a pack a day smoker for 4 years. One day i woke up and decided it was enough. the first mounth was very hard, but everyday i found that i had so much more energy then i did as a smoker. So i went on a diet, lost 45 pounds, got a job, i can go on and on. point is quitting smoking ciggerettes was the best idea of my life. im also the happest ive ever been in my life. basically if your thinking about quiting...DO IT... itll be the best decision of your life. .p.s cold turkey is the only way to do it correctly. take it day by day. if u have a serious urge chew suger free gum. YOU CAN DO IT..JUST BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.

I first stopped buying a carton of cigarettes a year ago as I put a financial strain on me. Then I got down to about a pack a cigarettes that would last a week/week & a half. I did this for a year. Valentine's Day weekend, I was down to 1 cigarette & I was saying "one more pack". I was tired of doing as I did not give in and have not bought a pack since Friday, February 10th after 37 years of smoking. I' m 46 years old. Feeling awesome--wish I did it sooner!!!! BTW I went cols turkey--no help

Phylligannon_technologies@hotmail.com

I quit smoking a week ago after 17 years of smoking 1/2 - 1 pack per day. I did not feel the urge to smoke the first few days. Over the past few days I would say I get the urge at least a few times a day usually when I get up in the morning or drink coffee (these are the times I smoked the most). I have noticed a few side effects. I almost immediately got cold symptoms (sore throat, chest congestion, coughing) which is pretty typical when a person quits smoking. Also, I sweat more and I have read this is your body's way of removing toxins. I have researched and found that a lot of people who had the same symptoms gave in and smoked and the coughing and symptoms went away. Sounds odd, but apparently true. I have thought about having, a cigarette but then I think, I have gone one week, why ruin it? Also, when I imagine the taste of a cigarette it doesn't sound too good. The money I would have spent on cigarettes ($9.00/pack per day)I put away and will have over $4000 by this time next year to take a trip. That keeps me motivated.

I went from 30 a day to none over night,the next morning was hard but was realy determened to quit.Arrived work and hung around the smoking shelter to get my fix.Was very proud at the end of the day and wanted to tell everyone that i was a no-smoker.3rd day was hard,was eating like a horse,only done 1week but am determened never to smoke again.You have got to be in the right frame of mind to quit like i was,i just keep looking at my grand-kids on my phone when i feel the urge to smoke--works for me--early stages yet but very hopeful.

Hello there, I'm in the process of quitting cold turkey and have reached day 6 with few problems. This is the 2nd time I've done the cold turkey routine - the last time was about 15 years ago and lasted for 1 1/2 years which was a better result than the three times I've tried to quit with the patch. The patch just seems to dull the symptoms and delay the inevitable. I prefer the fast track solution as it suits my personality. I've adopted a surrogate cigarette which is a silk flower stem with the wire removed. Last time I used zip ties and this works and looks better. Withdrawal symptoms? Sort of an edgy feel which has peaks that last a couple of minutes but feel much longer. This time has been easier for me and I believe it's due to some health problems that affected my breathing - the symptoms eased up immediately and are still continuing to improve.

I'm 60 years old - female and began smoking at the age of 19. I worked for 31 years doing physical work which ranged from arduous to moderate. I retired 3 years ago but didn't shift into neutral and found other projects to keep me busy.

I've smoked for about 5 years, and the environment I used to work at was smoker friendly. I could always bum a smoke, or buy a pack cheap. Bumming alone would be a pack or 2 packs a week. I did reach pack a day status if I was with friends, bought my own pack, or if I was at social events where drinking was involved. The first thing on my path to quitting was I said was I will not bum cigarettes under no circumstances, if I really wanted to smoke I'll buy a pack. And for those who offered I politely said no. You have to develop, and be comfortable saying "No, or no thanks." Hell pretend that they're asking you for a million dollars or something you wont give up, or seriously pretend they're offering you to drink corrosive acid to drink, whatever. I told myself and others "I quit, and honestly I mean that loosely" and told people so because in all honesty relapsing would probably be very easy. But I insisted on telling people that "if I want a smoke, I'll buy a pack." This message was for friends, family, or coworkers. I thought I would buy a pack here and there but to my surprise I didn't. I briefly looked up ways to quit for support on staying quit, and saw the phrase "one puff leads to another" I wish I could give the reference to where I got that quote, but in general I agreed with it. And I continued saying no thanks to friends that offered, I lied to them intially and told them I have already reached my 2 smoke limit. But later I got comfortable telling them no, I quit, but thanks man. I got comfortable seeing other people smoke around me where it didnt press my button to buy or ask for one. Although, I did avoid enablers for a couple of days at first. Exercise usually circulates the blood betters and gives you the natural endorphins which helps. For a while my real challenge wasn't the triggers or anything but I just felt really exhausted and a kind of pain or soreness that was at the upper right area of the lungs. It was hard to even start exercise or my day even. I felt really tired, too tired to do anything. And, I didn't want to drink coffee or caffiene, because before that would be one of my triggers. Now, I can honestly say its been getting better. I'm estimating that in a year or 3 years time I'll have normal non-smokers lungs again. I doing a little bit at a time. The human animal is easily able to be addicted to anything. Moderation is ideal if anything. For those of you still smoking try to reduce the amount and try to exercise even a little bit. I would also suggest if you're continuing to smoke, drink lots of cranberry juice or orange juice, or take vitamin C pills. This help your blood not get thick. I would say when I was smoking it prevented me from having any smokers cough. I also haven't felt ill in a while like cold or flu. Although, this is just my opinion not medical advice, it's what's worked for me. For those of you still trying to quit, do whatever works and do whatever it takes. Read the amazing stories here or elsewhere to inspire you. You only have one body, the physical vehicle is yours to maintain. (Not to downplay spirituality in the hearafter or recarnation) But feed your body the proper nutrients. "You are what you eat is true"...not to be preachy though. One last thing, this may sound like nonsense but for those that worry about getting cancer, or have it. Think positive thoughts or try to. And try to eat a strickly vegan diet avoiding animal fat. Honestly, I'm not doing that now, but if I may have it, I'm doing the strictly vegan thing. But for sure I'm definately eating a alot better, avoiding junk or processed stuff. Say no McDonalds people, trust me! I wish I could give you scientific research on the strickly vegan preventing cancer thing but sadly I don't. I can tell you a friend of mine did that and it went to remmission and went away, and NPR or KPCC or one of those programs suggested it with success. Again, I'm not a medical doctor and my experience is anecdotal, and I'm not even sure if it applies to all cancers... so consult a doctor obviously. But I have faith it should work or will work. I have faith you reading this will be inspired or will find inspiration elsewhere. Best of luck to everyone.

I had read the book "The easy way to quit smoking" twice and then found a web site about a new way to look at quitting. I didn't think that reading these things would help, but they must have because I am smoke free without using anything for 2 weeks now. It hasn't been an easy time for me either as I just lost my mom, grandma and long term relationship of 4 years all in the last 4 months. Also, my ex is still living with me and has racked my credit card up to $3,800. After reading these books I realized that the feeling of quitting is almost like losing a best friend which I am already feeling like anyways. I thought to myself that I might as well feel that way and get something out of it. Honestly it isn't that bad at all. The first 3 days I thought about having a smoke often, but just kind of felt what I was feeling and just thought to myself "so this is what a nicotine craving feels Like" and sort of analysed it. I walk a lot and drink a lot of fruit and vegetable juices. I love the Bolthouse carrot juice and green goddess juices and a lot of water and vitamin C.. I did notice I was getting awful night sweats (pretty grosse) so I went to the sauna and steam room and drank a lot of water in there. That seemed to help with that problem. Now I am breaking out on my chin and feel a little tired. I just don't give the feelings of wanting to smoke any more power than they deserve. The feelings pass and if you keep yourself occupied and just analyse the feelings it will get easier everyday. Good luck to you! I sure never thought I could quite especially during the worst time of my life:)

I quit cold turkey after 30 years @ a minimum of 1 pack per day thanks to something my wife made me realize. Which was that I was just smoking out of habit. I didn't care for the taste nor the smell of cigarettes. I smoked after eating while driving when drinking alcohol (which I've also quit) I have had no side effects nor any desire to return to smoking. Sorry big tobacco. I truly believe its all a matter of truly wanting to quit. Addictions are all in the mind and if you can tell yourself that you don't want or need them as much as you tell yourself that you do I think you will find it easy to quit. I wish you the best and good luck . If you believe in yourself you will succeed.

i have been smoking on and off for 8 years, im only 24 and always had the assumption that i'd give up before i got old. Im recently first week of cold turkey, but i built myself up to it, you should never ever go from 7-10-15 smokes a day and STOP, you should first cut down. I cut myself down over 4 months, from 10 smokes a day to 9 to 8 to 7 etc, till i was only on one which i would smoke half of at a time. This helps alot, one your lowering your tolerance to nicoteine, and 2 your brainwashing yourself into getting used to not smoking. Another issue is the social side, its easier to not be around people who smoke. And alcohol is a big no no, unless you build up your tolerance with that as well. If that doesnt work then just scare the living shit out of yourself with images of cancer, mouth, lungs, statistics of death rates, and how much money you spend in a week, this also helped me as im studying psychology addiction, so basically got forced into learning about it.

A few years ago I quit smoking (I smoked a few black and milds or Sherman Classics per day). It lasted a few feeks and I smoked for a few days. Repeat. 4 times. Then I quit for a few years. I was VERY hard at the 2 week mark, every time. By far the hardest time. But even after a few years, I completely knew life could never be the same. I would still wish I could smoke every now and then and be happy again.

Then I DID smoke. I had a big cigar. That turned into a couple cigars a week, then a few little cigars a week, then every day and eventually buying smaller stuff I can smoke in 15 minutes. I gotta quit again.

But when I did quit for a few years, I made sure to believe to myself that I wasn't really a smoker, therefore I stopped. But then I kept believing that until yesterday, when I realized 2 smoke a day isn't "ocassional smoking".

I didn't have any physical symptoms. I had damn horrible psychological ones though. I couldn't focus. Each mild work day felt like the craziest ever workday. It's better after a few years, but not over. I assume it's never over, but who knows? I hope I'm wrong about that.

I quit cold turkey after being a smoker for 12 years. I used NOTHING.

The first week was the absolute worst. Especially after eating and while driving. I was drinking a lot more soda, but over eating (thank god!)

My mood swings and emotions were all over the place. At one point, my husband told me I needed to start smoking again or he couldn't deal with me! lol!

I went from laughing, to crying, to screaming. I got hot flashes, and had an upset stomach for two weeks. After the first two weeks, I started only thinking of a cigarette once or twice per day. I still hadn't had any drinks, though...which I knew would be the tough part.

The first time out drinking, it was the toughest of all. However, while friends went out to smoke, I remained in the bar, and instead ordered another beer, or popped in a piece of gum. As hard as that was, the best thing was waking up the following morning and not feeling like a brick was on my chest due to chain smoking!

Ive tried quitting before but didnt have the determination, motivation or will to stick with it. Which, I believe are the three HARDEST things to conquer!

It has been one of the hardest things Ive done. But at the same time, I think of the long term affects, the cost, and just the simple fact of having a longer life, and it makes ALL of it worth it!

Good luck to anyone that is ready to take the step!

I got bronchitis REALLY bad (Second time--dumbass that I am.) Had to go on 2 albuterol treatments, steroid, AND a nebulizer. Quitting cold turkey was easy, I wanted to breathe. First week was easy, considering I could taste my food, smell my perfume and above all---BREATHE easily. :D I kept a pack of cigarettes so that I wouldnt buckle and bum one. I'm now In my second week. NOT fun. My arms are shaking, getting heartburn and over stressed. I want to cry. But I dont want to smoke. They say the three week mark is where it gets easier. GOD, I hope so.
If youre thinking of quitting cold turkey---I will say its the best (not the easiest) way to go. The most difficult choice is often the right one though. Patches and such are just miniature addictions. Its like moving from one addiction to another. Good luck. Youve GOT THIS! :D

I haven't had a cig in 6 days now after 20+ years smoking... completely cold turkey (4 days light smoking prior to quitting) I am happy to report the withdrawls are not too bad. The key is to OVER-estimate your opponent, nicotine. I went in assuming I would have to go through terrible hell. You will have very strong urges AT TIMES, but they are fleeting (almost illusory) and get easier to shrug off as you go! Also, once you are VERY committed to the fight, it seems easier, as "cheating" becomes categorized in your mind as a non-option. Be committed to one week of total hell, endure it, and realize you only want to endure it once! (btw, I have unsuccessfully tried many methods in the past...cold turkey style only true path)

Alright so I've only smoked for about 3 years but it my second day quitting cold turkey. And more days to come. But as the day progresses my body starts to tremble, my hands and legs shaking uncontrollably. My hands are frozen cold but my body feels like a bottle of Tabasco sauce. Literally! I've even come close to throwing up. I can't sleep at all. Yesterday I slept for a good hour if that. I feel jittery and anxious. I feel awful and pain throughout my body. I've heard bananas help, so Ive been eating them. Also I went to gnc to buy vitamins to help fight colds and keep healthy. Just keep your mouth busy either with gum or even straws. Shrugs* it works for me. But good luck everyone cause once the worse has ended life emerges :)

i quit cold turky on 4-3-10 and i feel great other than want a cigarette every day im driving my self crazy thinkin bout it i have the same dream every night of smokin one and its pissing me off cause i wake up automatically think bout it i tell my self everyday u made it this far ther is not way im letting u fail but i neeed help forgettin fully bout it

It is a very difficult part of quitting. It is just like temptation was always teasing you!!! But what can I do? Quit smoking is better.

__________
Cheekybug

And guess what...that book "The Easy Way To Quit Smoking" by Alan Carr can be found at the library. so...

hi, i havent cold turkeyed it yet but i have found some natural ways to ease the the cravings. 1. start taking vitamins every day D3 is a very important one also take mineral suplaments. smoking depleats your nutrients. 2. get rid of your trigers before or at the same time you turkey the smoking. instead of coffee find an herbal tea that tastes good to you (NO CAFFENE ANY MORE) thats key. i know what your thinking... i cant do that ill be going through too many withdrawls at once having headaches ect. thats what the suplaments are for also try to eat less prosessed foods that is going to help clean out your system. 3. no more sodas or sugary drinks. drink lots of water, flavored mineral water ( NO SUGAR) is how i kicked my red bull addiction (4 16oz a day + coffee +5 hr energy+ caffene pills)and last but not least, some one told me about smokers clense ( its in a white box with a sun on it) i figured i would try it. i needed to do something because i had bronkitis, that was also the reason i did all the stuff above. when i was taking that (its all herbal) my body still had the timer for smoking but when i did smoke i diddnt really feel like it so i went from smoking 1 every 15 min to 1 every 1-3 hours and it diddnt even bother me. but i messed up on it because i drive a truck, and kept forgetting the sups. in the truck when i went home. for non- truck drivers this should be easy for you. oh, the vitamins will help you get the nutrients you need so you will be less likely to use food as a crutch and gain weight. it also takes care of your energy levels for the day. i ended up with mild insomneia. good luck!! i hope this helps you and others :)

Hello - i have smoked for about ten years. I quit for a year , the reason being i was preggers - though i am not suggesting that that is what you do!

the second was i quit was again cold turkey and all i did was put £5 in a jar everyday and although it was hard it was great to see the money mounting up.

Good luck

xx