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• August 23, 2008 2:59 p.m.

  hi everyone.wont lie but im 32 and smoked for about ten years.i keep quitting but not strong enough and i find myself a harder smoker than before.you all inspire me and i hope one of this days i can post a testimony of how i quit like yal.i think of qutting and my heart beats faster.but its one habit i know i must drop.thanks all for the inspiration

  - jeddy

• August 20, 2008 2:40 p.m.

  Hi eveyone. Thought I would check in again. Hi to you Jodie and welcome. I am still taking Chantix for almost a full 5 weeks and on my first week I smoked like I usually would and then the second week I was cutting down without even trying. I told myself when I started this that if it works, it works but if not, oh well. So with that said I just kinda slowed down and on a Sat night before I went to bed I had only smoked 4 cigs that day and I told myself Sunday when I woke, lets see how long I can go without one today and before you know it I'm on day 17. I can't believe it myself. I just don't crave it and the funny thing is I have my moments and I fly off the handle (when I drive) but I breath deep and thats the end of it. This has been a part of my life for over 23 years and I did enjoy it but now I have to do without for good. So good luck Jodie and Chantix will help if you let it and don't be hard on yourself it you smoke for a while with it. I't is different for eveyone and do it at your own pace. Chat with all of you soon, bye for now.

  - Terri

• August 20, 2008 10:03 a.m.

  Hi everyone! I too am a smoker. So many years wasted with these filthy things! Yet I still smoke! I will get a quit date soon. But first I must prepare. Anyway, what I wanted to share with you is the way my brother quit. He made bets with his friends that he could quit for a year. If he smoked within this period, he owed each one he bet with $100.00! Some of his friends also took the challenge to quit with the hundred dollar incentive! My brother has not smoked for 3 years now!!! He made some money on it too! Only a couple of his friends quit but thats 3 people who are living a more pleasant life! He made it look SO easy but I know better!! I'm so proud of him!! 6 months later he had a heart attack because of his smoking. It takes time for your body to throw all the crap out of your body but it is soo worth it! He told me that "sis, don't try it until you've convinced yourself your done with smoking!! You have to WANT to quit!! Not for me or anyone else, but for yourself. He told me that once he was so sick of the smell (he is very picky about cleanliness in his home)the yellowing but mostly the coughing! He said his coughing got so bad at times that he would pass out!!. I'm am so close to getting a quit date. I have the chantix, the desire and now I just have to get the ashtrays and crap out of my house!! Then I am sooo ready to have control back!! Good luck to all of us that finally have had ENOUGH of these filthy things!!!

  - Jodie

• August 19, 2008 2:37 p.m.

  Hi again everyone. Last time I posted it was day 10 now it's day 16 and I am still feeling pretty good. And my spelling seems to be a little better today, hee hee. I sure am looking forward to hearing how everyone is. Hang in there and I'll chat with you all soon. Bye for now.

  - Terri

• August 15, 2008 11:36 p.m.

  today is day 10 for me! I am using the patches. I have had some odd side effects, not sure if it's the patches or just from quitting the smoking. My chest hurts, voice sounds aweful, coughing, muscles hurts and can't sleep well. Someone told me to take Vitamin C because it helps detox you faster. Is all this normal???? How much longer before I start to feel better? Seems I'm worse now than when I was smoking.

  - serenehope

• August 13, 2008 11:34 a.m.

  Hi everyone, I'm glad for you Chuck, and yes I agree it is getting better every day. I feel really good too and it is only day 10 and I can take a deap breath without coughing, now thats a good thing! I also can smell everything, I mean everything, YIKES, now thats not so good, hee hee. Hang in there everyone and I ckeck in soon. Good Luck.

  - Terri

• August 12, 2008 7:44 p.m.

  Seven weeks since it WAS MY TIME TO QUIT! I feel so much better! It gets easier everyday but it's still one day at a time. You can do it if YOU CHOOSE TO!

  - Chuck

• August 7, 2008 6:15 a.m.

  It is going on three weeks and I'm hanging in there. I will admit to smoking a few of my family member's cigs but refuse to quit trying. I have found that coffee does not taste so good to me now and I just drink cold, cold water instead. This way I don't crave a smoke so bad at that trigger time. I am going thru some very stressful things in my life right now and refusing to quit trying is such a good thing for me to learn I DON'T need a smoke to calm me down. LOL I just don't calm down!! Sometimes not such a bad thing I think. I just really want to get rid of the control cigarettes have had over my life for so many years of my life! Good luck to everyone. I know we can do it in our own ways....just find what workss for you!

  - gammawbecky

• August 6, 2008 2:11 p.m.

  It's me again and I am having a real hard day (DAY 4) without my old friend. I am glad to know I am not alone and it is gonna get better, right? Bye for now. Tomorrow will be a better day.

  - Terri

• August 5, 2008 1:24 p.m.

  Smoker for 25 years. Quit cold turkey 3 weeks ago, things are going OK but am starting to dwell on stupid, upsetting issues, I feel kind of depressed, I think my brain is trying to trick me into smoking just one, are others having these issues after a couple weeks or so?

  - GregG

• August 5, 2008 12:10 p.m.

  Hi to all of you. I am 40 and have smoked for 25 years. I could smoke 2 packs a day with no problem. Now I am on day three without my old friend and I am using Chantix. I gotta tell you it has worked so far. I have had awful urges but I have got through them. My husband still is smoking and I have to say to be able to smell his cig has somehow easied my urge. I know that sounds strange but I am going to go with what works for me right now. I also promised myself that I would not be one of those non-smokers who judges other smokers because I have be put through the wringer by perfect strangers who think they have the right to anything to me when I was outside smoking in the parking lot, mind you in area that has working steel mills, ect.. I guess I had to say my peace. Good Luck to all of you. Do this for you not because everyone says you should.

  - Terri

• August 5, 2008 6:26 a.m.

  Hi all, have given up smoking five weeks ago and while it is not easy, neither is it as bad as we are led to believe. I just try to substitute something for the cigs which in my case is sweets etc. not good I know. Anybody got anyother ideas, not carrots. Can one get fake cigarettes as it is the action of smoking I miss (that sounds crazy but you know what I mean)..putting that cig into your mouth when you have a cup of coffee. Any ideas or tips welcome. Margaret

  - Margaret, South Africa

• August 2, 2008 5:48 a.m.

  It is quite true that people mostly fall in the addiction in adolescence, and this age is very important for any human being as it is related to their whole life management. People should understand its bad effects as it not only affects the individual’s life but also it affects the society where it is being used. Anyway, government should come forward to handle this serious issues they should introduce any strong guiding and law to prevent Chemical Dependency.

  - Drug and Alcohol Rehab

• July 31, 2008 9:05 p.m.

  I have smoked 37 yrs, more then 3/4 of my life. I have tried many times to stop and have not succeded yet. I recently needed a sinus surgery and needed to quit. Very bad thing to do with this surgery. I did not quit 3 weeks prior as suggested but did for 3 days after. Then I had 1, then 2, today 5 so... this is not working. Have been on Zyban a couple months to assist. I have asthma and do not want to sound like my mom coughing all the time. To the point of embarressment.I stopped for 3 days so I know I can, it was not that difficult really. I read some of these comments and I think I can stop if I really try.

  - Gwen

• July 31, 2008 6:14 a.m.

  OK....here I still am. It has been two weeks and only a few admitted screw-ups. I just discovered I am out of Chantix and my old "smoking brain" is trying to tell me I may as well start smoking again. Oh, how it lies to us! In fact, I got a smoke from my husband and was planning to call my daughter, chat with her....and smoke this cigarette like I have done for so many years. I wish I could reach thru the computer and pull in one of you to talk me out of it right this minute!!! But, for now I will struggle and pray I can hang on. It has been two weeks after all, even if I have messed up a few times. So, I pray and go on.....

  - gammawbecky

• July 31, 2008 Midnight

  I smoked for 40 years, and have been smoke-free for 4 days now. I put on the patch and took it off and on for about 3 weeks. Than I said I CAN! Lots of cravings, and I am flat mean, but it is getting better. Eating alot of vegetables, no bread or too many carbs. Still drink my tea. I am doing it. I know I can. I will keep ya posted.

  - Carla

• July 29, 2008 8:35 a.m.

  I am almost 30 and have been smoking since I was 16! I quit for 5 months a few years back with the patch and started again; I regret it so much! My further attempts to quit lasted a week. I would get so excited thinking about the feeling a cigarette would give me having been without that sweet nicotine for so long, that I would go and buy a pack. Well that feeling only came over me with the first cigarette of the day, but I continued to smoke them anyway. I began the starter pack of Chantix last week. The first few days I smoked as I normally would 10-15 cigarettes a day. By Wednesday, I was down to 6 a day. On Sat & Sun 3! On my quit day (yesterday), I had two left. I broke them into little pieces, flushed them down the toilet and waved to them as they swirled away. I have NEVER thrown cigarettes out on purpose...it was very liberating! I have not had a cigarette since Sunday. The Chantix has really helped me over come my urges and since you are "allowed" to smoke while it works into your system, it helped me get over that feel good sensation I would get after delaying smoking. As of Sunday, I could not stand the taste, smell or even the feeling the cigarettes gave me. I have a little nausea and a bit of a sore stomach and last week I felt edgy, but now I am feeling better with it. I would definitely recommend this; especially if you’re past attempts have failed! I know it is only day 2, but I feel confident my bond to cigarettes is over! I will keep u all post

  - Trying Again!

• July 23, 2008 10:01 a.m.

  The Fear of Quitting is normal as the cigarette over the years becomes an extension of our hand. We often grieve the lost of that part of us because it is a "friend" that has always been there for you through whatever life tossed your way. The truth is, a friend would never hurt you and all those around you. A friend would not take 15 years off your life. A friend would never make you choose between a pack of smokes and dinner to go on the table or presents to go under the tree. The nicotine tricks us into believing that we need it, when in fact it takes us away from our family, our friends, our memories; about 8 minutes each cigarette (the time it takes to pull out a cigarette, walk down the stairs, go outside, light it, suck it down and return to my family). Quitting is anything but the loss of a friend, it is an opportunity to become a "new you." I was a pack a day smoker and never realized how much I missed out on. Today I am 5 years and 79 days smoke-free. That is 1,904 days and 38,080 cigarettes I have not smoked. At 8 minutes a smoke that's over 5,077 hours I have spent enjoying my family and making memories, versus standing outside in the cold smoking and feeling guilty. Stay strong and remember that slipping after your quit day is not worth it. The cigarette will not make the situation any better; if anything it will just make you feel worse mentally, physically and emotionally- not to mention you can be hooked right back into the vicious

  - Jen from Pennsylvania

• July 21, 2008 9:09 p.m.

  gammawbecky!! don't give in!! turn it around to your favor. take deep breaths when the urge sets in. sip on ice water. pick up the phone and call someone close who understands but most important don't smoke. it seems like forever but the urge will pass and with each passing day it will get easier,i'm on my 72nd day off nicotine and i now have the cleanest house in town because when i get the urge to smoke i clean. stay strong. no ciggs sally

  - sally

• July 20, 2008 3:49 a.m.

  Day #2 And I am doing just OK. My hardest time has been at night, and I gave in and smoked a cigarette last night. It didn't do a thing for me except make my hand stink and my breath smell bad. It is crazy that I even want to do that....but I do. Still not giving up!

  - gammawbecky

• July 19, 2008 1:35 p.m.

  i smoked for 37 yrs and i am now on my 68th day of not smoking. my mother died of lung cancer and never touched a cigg. i have lost 3 friends to lung cancer in the last 2 months and my bestfriend heidi just lost her husband who i helped take care of while he was dying. BELIEVE me i never want my family to see that. i didn,t make a plan or set a date i just did it!!! i was so angry that i just started the chantix and accupuncture. and let me tell you. life is hard already but it just became alot softer without nicotine!!! good luck to all you can do it.

  - sally

• July 18, 2008 6:53 p.m.

  Just checking in. Three weeks and good to go. I don't have the physical hebie jebies anymore but I "feel" like I'm missing something. I would be lying if I said I don't miss them but I feel so mch better healthwise and know I will not let myself down. I hope everyone suceeds here. I can do it, if you choose too!! It won't be easy but nothing s easy that is important like quitting smoking

  - Chuck

• July 18, 2008 3:00 a.m.

  OK, folks.....here we go!! It is quit day #1 - very early in the morning. I would have smoked two cigarettes by now, but instead I am excited. I have my whole day planned out to stay busy with my grandaughter 'watch dog, cheer-leader". I have made up my mind to be happy and positive about this whole ordeal since that is the way I am most of the time anyway. Hey, Lisa, how is it going?? I hope you are doing well and making new history for yourself!

  - gammawbecky

• July 17, 2008 9:08 a.m.

  Although there have been reports of side-effects from Chantix such as nausea, sleep disturbance and changes in mood and behavior, many people have benefited from its use to help them stop tobacco. Like other prescription medications, you should review the benefits and side effects with your physician before using. There are no plans to take Chantix off the market.

  - Jennifer Kern, MayoClinic.com

• July 15, 2008 1:45 p.m.

  Hi Everyone, I'm new here and tomorrrow is my quit day, I have to say I'm a little frightened, but so tired of being sick and tired. The cigarettes are the main reason for my migraines (daily) I had horrific side effects with Chantix, and my Dr. took me off of it. I know this is oing to be hard but I want to do it this time.

  - Lisa