So I am now 48 hours into quitting smoking (cigarettes) and I have been using Nicorette. Last time I tried this I used the patches, but it caused blister like places on my arm and made me feel really strange...

I should also mention that a month ago I finally quit kpin, it was the final med I needed to stop. The anxiety hasn't really been THAT bad, but there are multiple times per day when it sucks. So I need all the help I can get with smoking (cigarettes) and my doctors literally told me not to stop smoking (cigarettes)this early off kpin.

Really the shittiest part has been second guessing everything I say and do, or type. That shit is driving me crazy, but that is from the kpin cessation not the smoking (cigarettes).

Any tips to help me make this time more successful and least painful?


(cigarettes)

5/20/2015 11:17:13 AM

Good luck dude!!

5/20/2015 11:18:33 AM

I used toothpicks a lot to roughly simulate the motions and satisfy urge to put something in my mouth, and yes I know how that sounds. But the things that helped me the most were pre-quitting. I set a date months in advance, then told everybody about it at such length that if I failed, I would get no end of shit.

5/20/2015 11:30:27 AM

You should probably stop smoking (weed), too.

5/20/2015 11:46:17 AM

I told many people about it too because I knew if I did that there was no way I could just be like oops, this is too hard. I think the toothpick thing is a good idea, I was trying to figure out something that could satisfy that urge. I really think the hardest thing is breaking the habit you have conditioned into your mind. Drive -> Smoke | Walk dog -> Smoke | Done Eating -> Smoke | After Sex -> Smoke | etc etc

I honestly don't even like smoking cigarettes, lol. Since I was a child I have had this fear of not being able to breathe due to my year long allergies. You can imagine how having this fear does not combine well with smoking.

I only really liked the nicotine, that was it. I wouldn't have even called myself a smoker until I was probably 23 or so and I'll be in 28 in two days. I smoked my first cigarette at age 14, but it just never stuck with me, I always preferred bud.

^ I don't smoke weed anymore either, it was a super cool inside joke from like 2008!



[Edited on May 20, 2015 at 11:51 AM. Reason : _]

5/20/2015 11:49:18 AM

Give your friends (and enemies) permission to punch you in the scrote if they catch you with a cig

5/20/2015 12:21:59 PM

it's 2015, e-cigs have been a thing for like 5 years now, just go get one.

5/20/2015 12:25:45 PM

If I was going to smoke an E-Cig, I would just smoke a cigarette. Plus E-Cigs have come under fire multiple times for their hazards to your health.

http://www.dailytech.com/ECigarettes+May+Increase+Risk+of+Infection+More+Than+Traditional+Cigarettes/article37130.htm

Either way smoking E-Cigs is a terrible suggestion.

5/20/2015 12:29:10 PM

Seriously though, use the patch. If it irritates your skin, move it around to a different location every day. Deal with it fir 6 weeks, and youre done.

5/20/2015 12:38:21 PM

Why use the patches over the gum? I have both.

5/20/2015 12:42:04 PM

Less effort, imo. Just put it on and let it do its job for the whole day

5/20/2015 12:57:47 PM

I tapered off gradually, going from 14 cigarettes a day, to 10, to 7, to 5, to 2. This REALLY eased the withdrawal and probably decreased the cravings I otherwise would've felt for years afterward.

This is shitty advice for somebody who's already quit, but I'll just throw it out there anyway.

5/20/2015 1:03:35 PM

I can't be positive, but I felt like when I used the patches last time it altered how I felt emotionally. The gum never did that and hasn't done it yet this time. Maybe I should try the patches again to see if that really is what caused it, because I do agree they are much easier. Is it ok to use the patches normally and use the gum if you have serious cravings, such as when you're driving?

5/20/2015 1:07:06 PM

I thought the patch was enough to keep you from getting cravings. Youre getting a pretty good dose of nicotine with them. Id be worried that using gum in addition to the patches would sabotage the "step down" process the patches take you on.

I think the patches step you down from 60mg to 40mg to 20mg a day, for 2 weeks each. By the time youre done with the 20mg patches, your body is used to not getting any nicotine. From there, youre free....

5/20/2015 1:32:09 PM

Yea you are right about that, I'll give them a shot and see how it goes this time. If I start to feel any different than chewing the gum I'll switch back over to the gum.

5/20/2015 2:06:06 PM

It sucks, and not very comforting advice, but cold turkey is the best way. I tried probably 50 times to quit over the years but I finally did it. Smoke free for 1 year and 5 months

5/20/2015 3:34:48 PM

you just gotta put it out of your mind as a possibility and don't justify anything to smoke again. doesn't matter if your whole family dies in a plane crash, it can't be a crutch. it's as simple as that - once it's not a possibility you don't think about it anymore (except you'll have dreams where you give in and smoke and wake up feeling guilty for no reason). eventually, you get to a point where it's just not appealing.

however, if you're trying to use nicotine alternatives to get off of the actual act of smoking rather than the nicotine dependency you should look into real Swedish Snus. not Camel/Marlboro snus, but stuff you actually get imported from Sweden. the link to cancer is less than 1% of that of cigarettes and other oral tobaccos because the tobacco is pasteurized (you don't even have to spit out the juices). I'd take snus all day before an e-cig.

NIH Study:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1747791/

Quote :

"Results: Snus is manufactured and stored in a manner that causes it to deliver lower concentrations of some harmful chemicals than other tobacco products, although it can deliver high doses of nicotine. It is dependence forming, but does not appear to cause cancer or respiratory diseases."

this stuff is the shit right here. like a nicotine jolly rancher

http://www.northerner.com/jakobssons-melon-strong-portion-snus.html

[Edited on May 20, 2015 at 4:32 PM. Reason : links]

5/20/2015 4:27:12 PM

EMCE, the patches actually caused a mild whelp from only one application and I read this isn't that rare. It has to do with the adhesive in the patch and certain types of skin (like attractive white people )

Thanks to everyone's suggestions, except GREEN JAY haha. Keep them coming except..

5/20/2015 6:21:40 PM

Watch out w/ Nicorette.

I loved that shit and it was a motherfucker to stop. I haven't chewed Nic in 5 months and I'm still jonesing almost every day.

5/20/2015 8:12:48 PM

I've heard oxycontin and xanax work wonders

5/20/2015 8:28:09 PM

Don't go into the store where you used to buy cigarettes. I used to get them in gas stations, and when I quit, I didn't go into one for over a year. Sounds stupid, I know, but it really worked for me.

5/20/2015 8:41:34 PM

I actually took a detour during day two to go buy cigarettes, but then I turned around when I realized I literally did not want them.

The thing that has been bothering me a lot is the anxiety, but I expected this cluster fuck between kpin and cigarettes.

On top of all of that I am reviewing Algebra through Calc III... I'm having a good motherfucking time right now!



[Edited on May 20, 2015 at 9:04 PM. Reason : _]

5/20/2015 8:59:31 PM

So I had my first dream about smoking (cigarettes) last night and when I woke up I felt like I had done something wrong.

I thought this was supposed to happen a few weeks down the road, not 6 days haha.

Oh and if the tell a bunch of people thing does work, I should be set. Today my pastor told the entire church I was on day 6 of not smoking (cigarettes). The funniest part is she used it to try and get two others at the church who are heavy (cigarette) smokers to quit, haha. So basically if I start smoking again I will let down my entire congregation.

5/24/2015 2:14:15 PM

Truthfully speaking, I went the cold turkey route, but it took seven attempts. This also coincided with me picking up running. It has been about eight years now smoke free.

5/24/2015 4:18:54 PM

The only pros I have found to cold turkey are the quitting benefits health wise happen sooner, but as you mentioned most people fail.

What benefit are the smokers who quit in here at?

When you use nicotine replacements all of this is hard to judge until you stop the replacement therapy. However I have found out that a lot of these are still true, like the first one and many others. Any of the consequences related to the smoke hazard all still apply.

Quote :

"20 minutes Your blood pressure, pulse rate and the temperature of your hands and feet have returned to normal. 8 hours Remaining nicotine in your bloodstream has fallen to 6.25% of normal peak daily levels, a 93.75% reduction. 12 hours Your blood oxygen level has increased to normal. Carbon monoxide levels have dropped to normal. 24 hours Anxieties have peaked in intensity and within two weeks should return to near pre-cessation levels. 48 hours Damaged nerve endings have started to regrow and your sense of smell and taste are beginning to return to normal. Cessation anger and irritability will have peaked. 72 hours Your entire body will test 100% nicotine-free and over 90% of all nicotine metabolites (the chemicals it breaks down into) will now have passed from your body via your urine. Symptoms of chemical withdrawal have peaked in intensity, including restlessness. The number of cue induced crave episodes experienced during any quitting day have peaked for the "average" ex-user. Lung bronchial tubes leading to air sacs (alveoli) are beginning to relax in recovering smokers. Breathing is becoming easier and your lung's functional abilities are starting to increase. 5 - 8 days The "average" ex-smoker will encounter an "average" of three cue induced crave episodes per day. Although we may not be "average" and although serious cessation time distortion can make minutes feel like hours, it is unlikely that any single episode will last longer than 3 minutes. Keep a clock handy and time them. 10 days 10 days - The "average" ex-user is down to encountering less than two crave episodes per day, each less than 3 minutes. 10 days to 2 weeks Recovery has likely progressed to the point where your addiction is no longer doing the talking. Blood circulation in your gums and teeth are now similar to that of a non-user. 2 to 4 weeks Cessation related anger, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, impatience, insomnia, restlessness and depression have ended. If still experiencing any of these symptoms get seen and evaluated by your physician. 21 days The number of acetylcholine receptors, which were up-regulated in response to nicotine's presence in the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, basal ganglia, thalamus, brain stem, and cerebellum regions of the brain, have now substantially down-regulated, and receptor binding has returned to levels seen in the brains of non-smokers (2007 study). 2 weeks to 3 months Your heart attack risk has started to drop. Your lung function is beginning to improve. 3 weeks to 3 months Your circulation has substantially improved. Walking has become easier. Your chronic cough, if any, has likely disappeared. If not, get seen by a doctor, and sooner if at all concerned, as a chronic cough can be a sign of lung cancer. 8 weeks Insulin resistance in smokers has normalized despite average weight gain of 2.7 kg (2010 SGR, page 384). 1 to 9 months Any smoking related sinus congestion, fatigue or shortness of breath has decreased. Cilia have regrown in your lungs, thereby increasing their ability to handle mucus, keep your lungs clean and reduce infections. Your body's overall energy has increased. 1 year Your excess risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke has dropped to less than half that of a smoker. 5 years Your risk of a subarachnoid haemorrhage has declined to 59% of your risk while still smoking (2012 study). If a female ex-smoker, your risk of developing diabetes is now that of a non-smoker (2001 study). 5 to 15 years Your risk of stroke has declined to that of a non-smoker. 10 years Your risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer is between 30% and 50% of that for a continuing smoker (2005 study). Risk of death from lung cancer has declined by almost half if you were an average smoker (one pack per day). Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and pancreas have declined. Risk of developing diabetes for both men and women is now similar to that of a never-smoker (2001 study). 13 years The average smoker who is able to live to age 75 has 5.8 fewer teeth than a non-smoker (1998 study). But by year 13 after quitting, your risk of smoking induced tooth loss has declined to that of a never-smoker (2006 study). 15 years Your risk of coronary heart disease is now that of a person who has never smoked. Your risk of pancreatic cancer has declined to that of a never-smoker (2011 study - but note 2nd pancreatic study making identical finding at 20 years). 20 years Female excess risk of death from all smoking related causes, including lung disease and cancer, has now reduced to that of a never-smoker (2008 study). Risk of pancreatic cancer has declined to that of a never-smoker (2011 study). "

5/24/2015 9:16:24 PM

Quote :

"Either way smoking E-Cigs is a terrible suggestion."

If you're using other forms of nicotine replacement with their own inherent risks (you mention blistering from the patch) then you really should at least read up on some of the experiences people have had with vaping and how it allows for an easier way to quit than cold turkey. The cigalikes all suck and wont' do anything for you, but the Kanger, Innokin, and Aspire products are a nice starting point that won't break the bank. I wouldn't push someone who is dead set against it or encourage a nonsmoker to take up the hobby/habit, but I'd hate to see you try all the shit that doesn't work for most people and never give vaping a shot. There are a ton of local shops in Raleigh that you can try different liquids and discuss w/them what nicotine level you should start at. I used to be a social smoker and that turned in to smoke for 3 months quit for 4 months smoke for 2 months quit for a month. I can't even stand the smell of cigarettes and if I ever forget my device or run low on liquid I have 0 desire to go buy a pack. Hell I don't even care enough to go to Sheetz for a bottle of shitty e-liquid. I'll eventually give it up, I fluctuate from 12mg to 6mg to 3mg and the truth is that no one really knows the long term effects "Safe for Human Consumption" chemicals have on the lungs, but there's plenty of evidence that points to it being a less dangerous alternative. Is it still bad? Of course. Am I comfortable with the risks to continue my nicotine habit? Yes. It seems like there's never a day or two passed on those forums before seeing a "So long and thanks for the fish" post of a user that vaped for a couple months or a year and just didn't want to continue anymore. I dunno, I guess just don't swear it off and say you'd rather smoke a cigarette if the gum fails you.

http://www.reddit.com/r/electronic_cigarette/
https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#safe=off&q=vape+shop+raleigh%2C+nc

5/24/2015 10:14:39 PM

I'll be using nicotine replacement for another 4 weeks (weaning as I go) and then it ends. You suggested replacing cigarettes with E-Cigs which IS a terrible suggestion in this case.

I have used E-Cigs extensively for ~10 months, the point was to stop smoking, not to find an alternative.



[Edited on May 24, 2015 at 10:38 PM. Reason : _]

5/24/2015 10:37:09 PM

Oh, sorry, guess I should have suggested praying instead.

5/25/2015 1:02:18 PM

My buddy was able to "quit" for good using an e-cig. He managed to fully quit a few times in the past going cold turkey, stayed away from them for years, then a big life event would happen, he'd get stressed out and start right back up.

This time around he's kinda given up on the idea of quitting, since relapsing has a pretty high chance. He switched to an e-cig and he's been able to manage his nicotine intake, tapering it down to almost nothing. Its an extremely hard habit to break, and he's found a solution that's put him in a much higher control over it by breaking his addiction to nicotine. He still uses it just as much as he was cigarettes, but he's using pretty harmless oils. It helps him manage his stress without feeling like he's going to kill himself. He also no longer has the "I MUST HAVE A SMOKE RIGHT NOW" cravings.

5/25/2015 1:15:28 PM

Quote :

"harmless oils"

5/25/2015 3:26:40 PM

Quote :

" pretty harmless oils"

If you're going to quote, at least include the full phrase. I don't claim they are harmless, but once you've whittled down your intake to nothing but just mild oils, you're much better off than inhaling burnt tobacco with extra nicotine and carcinogens pumped in.

Even the article you posted suggest that e-cigs are a safer alternative than cigarettes. Also that there are more large industries (tobacco, big pharma) trying to discredit e-cigs than those that support them.

The oils are harmful when compared to breathing nothing but fresh air. It doesn't take a doctor to realize that if you inhaling any kind of vapor beyond fresh air will have some negative results.

However, when it comes to smoking cigarettes vs. e-cigs....e-cigs are found to be a better alternative and a viable road to quitting. Patches and gum are great, but they don't do a lot to address the other obstacles to quitting beyond

You asked for tips, I relayed the success of someone I know personally who has found a lot of positives with e-cigs. The road to quitting an addiction is different for everyone, but if you ask for help and then just discount all the best advice; it isn't really an attempt to quit, its just trying to justify why you can't.

5/25/2015 5:31:51 PM

Is there anyone who is saying that E-Cigs aren't safer than normal cigarettes??

I said multiple times I am not interested in replacing cigarettes with E-Cigs yet it continues to be discussed.

This is about quitting cigarettes forever, not starting E-Cigs (again).

Quote :

"but if you ask for help and then just discount all the best advice; it isn't really an attempt to quit, its just trying to justify why you can't."

LAWLS, read the very first fucking sentence of the thread:

Quote :

"So I am now 48 hours into quitting smoking (cigarettes)"

I already quit... this is day #7. I haven't discounted any advice, I simply said I do not want to smoke (ANYTHING). Is this hard for you to understand???

Also, try to read the thread title next time:

Quote :

"Any Advice From Smokers Who Quit? (Cigarettes)"

Thank you for your 2nd hand knowledge from a friend about why he smokes E-Cigs..


[Edited on May 25, 2015 at 6:16 PM. Reason : _]

5/25/2015 6:08:08 PM

I smoked for a few years regularly. One day I just decided to only smoke when I drink, which I did for about 10 years. Then I met my wife who hated it, so I just stopped altogether.

5/25/2015 6:15:22 PM

I went in the reverse order, lol.

5/25/2015 6:28:49 PM

I was trying to be helpful. If you want to be combative and argumentative then a simple "thanks, not for me" would have sufficed. Clearly you are handling this with a clear and level head.

5/25/2015 6:34:55 PM

Clearly.

Quote :

"Symptoms include cravings for nicotine, anger/irritability, anxiety, depression, impatience, trouble sleeping, restless, hunger or weight gain, and difficulty concentrating."

Or perhaps I don't want to have to explain multiple times why I don't want to smoke E-Cigs when the entire point is not to smoke at all? If you had read any of the thread before posting you would have seen I already had this discussion once before with Grandmaster and GREEN JAY, you were the third.

[Edited on May 25, 2015 at 7:49 PM. Reason : _]

5/25/2015 7:42:31 PM

If you don't want to explain multiple times why you won't consider that option, then don't respond to it. Like I said a simple, "thanks, not for me" would be about all you need.

You asked for advice, I watched a loved one go through the struggle of breaking his addiction to nicotine and thought I'd relay his experience. I'm not obligated to read through what others have posted anymore than your obligated to take my advice.

Stress is going to be your enemy in this, which is the case for pretty much any vice. You're a week in, which is great, but toothpicks aren't going to cut it when something big happens. Are you prepared to manage your stress when it does?

My buddies first relapse was when his sister was diagnosed with cancer. He quit when she went into remission. His next relapse was when it returned and killed her. He kept smoking while trying to manage his grief. The E-cig was a vice for vice trade. It helped him manage his stress without having to inhale tar and nicotine.

I've known others that have relapsed after much less significant events. They could have been 3 weeks into quitting and got stuck with a double shift at work and a cigarette break was a better alternative than snapping at customers. Or they got in a big fight with their SO or stuck in traffic for hours or had friends cancel plans at the last minute.

But you know, I don't have first hand experience in this so what do I know, right? I'm sure out of the thousands of other users on this forum you'll find a plethora of those who have direct first hand experience with your specific problem.

[Edited on May 26, 2015 at 9:00 AM. Reason : ]

5/26/2015 9:00:14 AM

i quit smoking using an e-cig and then quit using the e-cig (though I will still bum one at a party). sorry it doesn't seem like that will work for you.


If you relapse again, I suggest you talk to your doctor about alternate methods of nicotine cessation. wellbutrin and those faggy little medical nicotine inhalers are still out there.

5/26/2015 11:24:07 AM

I'd like to see one of those breakdowns for drinking alcohol.

5/26/2015 12:31:36 PM

So I made my longest drive in a car today (5 hours), which for me is a big deal. I would smoke more when I drive than when I'd drink

5/26/2015 9:01:44 PM

just pick up another bad habit instead

5/26/2015 9:40:28 PM

Well I have never paid for sex and I am single

5/27/2015 12:37:26 AM

I stopped Nicorette 24 hours ago and I feel better now than when I was chewing it.

5/28/2015 4:02:55 PM

Today is day 28. I'm still keepin on.

6/15/2015 8:49:36 PM

6/15/2015 9:15:57 PM

When I quit I picked a day 2 months out and smoked guilt free up until that point while consciously thinking about how bad smoking was and how I was going to quit on the day that I picked.

If it was first thing in the morning and I'm outside freezing my nuts off because I have addiction I made a mental note on how ridiculous that was. Same thing with plenty of other scenarios. What I did over that time was build up some hatred and animosity for cigs. Then when I finally quit I went cold turkey, and was able to stay quit because I actually hated them and what they were doing to me. I found out over numerous failed attempts that you'll never stay quit unless you honestly hate cigs.

There were certainly times I wanted to relapse, but I always thought to myself that would mean starting over at day 1 again, and it was so hard to quit that I didn't want to put myself through that torture again. It was enough to get me through the cravings.

Been quit 6 years now

6/16/2015 7:04:58 AM

you are on QuitNet.com aren't you?

6/16/2015 5:19:12 PM