Join now

Already a member? Sign in

Welcome to Inspire!

What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.

Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.

How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!

corner corner corner

I'm going to confess...

FrankClem
  • By FrankClem
  • Posted January 3, 2009 at 5:25 am · 37 replies
  • Shared with the public
2 Recommendations

OK. I'm going to get a lot of slack for this and, well, I should. I deserve it. Are you ready?
I can't seem to kick the cigarette habit. While I can do it for weeks at a time, I always end up back on them, thinking that I can have one, which then turns into a couple of days. Since all of this began, I've quit about ten times. Today is another day and I'm quitting once again. I put the patch on and I'm swearing to myself that I'm never going to have another one. I'm so frustrated. With the progress I've made since this all began, I'm not understanding why I haven't learned a lesson. Also, I'm wondering if I'm just not using the right method.

After you all yell at me, can someone give me some ideas as to how they finally succeeded in kicking the habit?

Thanks everyone!
~Frank

Explore topics in this journal entry and replies:

Exercise Cancer Surgery Chantix Wellbutrin Anxiety Lung cancer Acupuncture Stress

37 replies

Topper

Frank,
Cigs are truly very adictive. I smoked pack a day for
about 28 years. In February,1964 my older brother who
is a cadiologist called my attention to what the surgeon
general said about the conection between heart trouble
and smoking. I quit with the help of chewing gum
eating raisens and jogging. Of the three joging was
probably the most important. At the time I did not think
about cancer. And then by golly in June,2004 I am dx
with stage 111A lung cancer. I believe something other than smoking was involved--maybe genectics
or who knows what. Good luck .

mitziger

Frank if someone lives with you that smokes out of respect for your condition, looks like they could do it outside. I know many places it is cold outside (not so bad in Fl) but heck you don't stay out there so long so you don't smoke that much. Visited family in Indiana a year ago in winter and it was very cold out in that garage with the door up so didn't finish many. Glad I don't have to do that anymore. Arletta It has now been over 6 months and my record was about 6 weeks so not the first time I tried. Not bragging, just saying it can be done, that was my buddy for years. Anytime, I was nervous, sad, upset over anything. Went through the death of first husband, funeral and all for about 6 weeks and then started again because of nerves many years ago.

Deb2957

1st-Pick a quit date within the next few weeks.

2nd-Start on a prescription of Wellbutrin. Take it as directed by your doctor for about two weeks before your quit date. This drug did give me some weird dreams but remember, it is only for six months or so. So just enjoy them, what the heck. It is a small price to pay for getting to be a non-smoker.

3rd- Buy about 400 packs of chewing gum.

4th-Stop smoking on the designated day.

5th- Every time you want a cigarette, chew a piece of gum. When the urge passes, throw away the gum. Then, 2 to 4 minutes later when you want another cigarette, chew another piece of gum. Again, when the urge passes, throw away the gum. Continue this until you can go 1 whole hour (this will take at least a week) without thinking about a cigarette.

6th-Begin thinking of yourself as a non-smoker.

7th-Be sure to continue taking the Wellbutrin.

8th-Replenish your supply of gum. Continue the same process with every single urge to smoke. Remember to throw away the gum after the urge passes. It does not matter if you want another one in 45 seconds, that is okay, just get a new piece of gum.

9th- Begin calling yourself a non-smoker. Remind your self that you WANT to be a non-smoker.

10th-Replenish your gum supply and realize that you will NOT be able to take even one puff of a cigarette or you will not be a non-smoker.

11th- Be sure to take the Wellbutrin for at least 5 months. Too many people quit taking it too soon and fall off of the wagon.

12th- Replenish your gum supply and BE A NON-SMOKER.

Congratulations!!!! You ARE a non-smoker!!!!!!
Remember, you CAN do it.

Good Luck
God Bless
Deb K

FrankClem

Deb,
How about we do it together? We'll check in each Saturday with our results. In the mean time, there's a great cessation program on about.com. Start there.
Deal?
~Frank

andmegab

hi frank,

i hate to admit it, but im in the same boat, though i havent managed to go weeks yet...just a few days. lately, i cant even manage a few hours. im desperate, and thoroughly disgusted with myself. if you find an answer, please share!

hugs,
deb

candifleming

Hi Frank...
Cancer cures smoking....When I found out that I had the beast, I quit immediately and have never wanted even a drag..I was so scared and still am...Keep trying something will kick in for you...God Bless You...
Candi Fleming

Gretchen

Sorry Frank, I didn't see your question until now. That's a good one, and I wonder. Several doctors have told me that having quit so long ago, my cancer has nothing to do with smoking. But I'll always wonder. And of course if I had never smoked it would not be an issue. I'm doing pretty well -- I have one lymph node in my mediastinum that has doubled in size since October, and two bone mets that are stable. I've been off chemo for a nice break of a couple months, and will be starting back soon.
Good luck to you!
Gretchen

USMCCAT

Frank...I can only imagien how hard it is to quit, because I have never smoked. You want ideas...my dad was told "You are going to die if you don't quit." He quit that very minute after 40+ years of smoking.

Mach1

Frank, maybe it's a good time to have a serious chat to the other person in the household. If they can see that giving up themselves is going to support you and increase your chances of success, it'll be doubly worthwhile. Best, J. Mac.

liznj226

Frank,
I'm sending you hugs and lots of moral support. One of the hardest things to do is quit smoking, I know. What makes it even harder is to be around people who smoke. Something else to consider is trying to see when you had to smoke, while drinking coffee, right after eating, etc. During these times, try to occupy your mind with other things and they say the urge will pass within 10-15 minutes. I'm praying this all works out for you and if anyone yells at you, they have never walked in your shoes.

God Bless,
Liz

Angie-in-SC

Both my parents smoked, so I guess it maybe turned my brother and I off. Daddy quit cold-turkey after 40+ years. He smoked a toothpick forever, though. ;-) Mama had a harder time. She did succeed though. However, she wore a telephone cord-like bracelet (they come as key chains) every day and played with it. They had to be color coordinated with her outfits, and she even fiddled with it in church. I'd give anything for her to be here now, and me laughing at her "addiction" to those silly bracelets.
You do what you can. I admire your strength, no matter what.
I also appreciate you opening up this dialogue among all of us.

pjmac

Frank, I quit 19 years ago by a self hypnosis tape but mainly from the subliminal message side of the tape. I would listen to it at night when I went to bed--nice soothing piano with sounds of the ocean---worked for me .Good luck
Pam

Marie400

I think it's mind over matter. I quit about 12 years ago - cold turkey. No gum, patches, pills. It was tough, I won't lie. And I'd still like to smoke from time to time, but I don't because I know if I did I'd be right back to two packs a day.

You have to psyche yourself up for it - at least I had to and I guess it worked. After all you've been through fighting this disease you really should quit and stay quit. I know I'm not telling you anything you don't already know!

I hope you'll try again and succeed this time - you deserve it.

mawoni

Hi Frank ... I am in TOTAL sympathy with your struggle. I have been a pack a dayer for 35 years and I am finding it really really really hard to quit. I keep setting my date and failing. The more I fail the worse I feel about me. I'm not a stupid person. I keep thinking there must be something WRONG with me for being unable to do this. I am playing with fire and I KNOW it. I have tried all the help aids and always go back. Even the best books haven't helped long enough to get me through it. My last quit was June thru Sep (surgery and chemo time) and I only quit then because I was too sick to get outside. Pathetic.
My husband and I quit 4 years ago and I made it for two years before something set me off. He still doesn't smoke. sigh.
Good Luck. I'm pulling for you. BIG hug ... Maw

MagicWishes

Hey Frank,

By the way, Allen Carr, the author of the book was diagnosed with LC and died a few years ago....a sad end to the story. He also advocates that you NOT quit smoking until you read the entire book. It is packed full of good advice. Enjoy the read my friend, and don't worry if you don't succeed the first time. You'll do it, man, I just know you will!!

Scott

FrankClem

Wow, I'm impressed with the outpouring of support for me here. Scott, thank you so much for the offer. I want you to keep your book with the promise that I'll go out and pick one up this week. You have my word on that. Marg, this morning was the last of my fight with those things. I'm taking you on. We'll keep in touch to see how each other do :-). To everyone else, thank you. Your words have been heartfelt. This place is just so unbelievable. I'm going to check in every Saturday to let you know that I'm a reformed smoker. That's my promise to you all.
Thank you!
~Frank

texaszan

Even breathing second hand smoke is bad for you at this point so talk to the person who smokes and make sure they keep it away from you completely. You have been given a rare and wonderful gift, the NED diagnosis after your surgery was an amazing, precious gift. The next time you probably won't be so lucky so DON'T TEMPT FATE. Throw the damn things away and never pick them up again. That's the only way my husband was able to quit, cold turkey.

MagicWishes

FRANK!!!!!!!!FRANK!!!!! WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!?!?! AM I YELLING LOUD ENOUGH!!! YOU MUST BE AN.....ok, Frank, buddy, you know I'm kidding!!!

I know how tough quitting smoking is. I was a smoker until diagnosis. I still crave them.

Look Frank, YOU know as well as anyone that you need to quit. You don't need me, or anyone else to tell you that. For anyone to tell you to quit is crazy. What it really comes down to is the "want" to quit. I truly loved smoking - I still do. I would love to smoke a cigarette. But that is me. Let me tell you how I stopped for a year once:

I am a magician. I was attending a class taught by a world class magician - Jeff McBride. During break, I was outside smoking and Jeff stepped outside and saw me. He didn't say a word. When the class was over and everyone was leaving, he pulled me aside and asked his wife to get me a book from his case. The book was "Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking". He made sure that no one saw what he was doing. He inscribed the book, "To Scott, YOU CAN DO IT! Your friend for a longer life, Jeff McBride" he handed me the book and told me that up until 3 years prior, he had been a smoker and couldn't quit. He told me that the book had helped him quit. He told me he completely understood how I felt. He said it used to bother HIM when he would step out to smoke and people saw him. Someone gave him the book, and it changed his way of thinking. He said that only when I wanted to quit I would, never before. He was so kind and compassionate and I felt like a shit. I vowed to read the book. I did, and I quit for a year. A night at the bar changed that. That was in 2005. Move forward to 2008. I am in Las Vegas and Jeff invited my wife and me over to his house. We were both smokers at that point. When Jeff saw me smoking he didn't say a word, and as a matter of fact, followed me out to the ash tray in his back yard in order to finish giving me some advice, and he never alluded to the cigarette, but I felt like I had let him down. So, I vowed to re-read the book. I did, but I didn't quit. I loved the cigarettes too much. Through the years I told anyone who mentioned that they wanted to quit I would mention the book. It helped several people to quit. I would tell them about the book, but the copy I have is inscribed to me, so I would not lend it out.

Here is my offer to you my fellow rib-less friend. If you would like to read the book, I will send it to you. If it will help you, you can have it. I mean that Frank, I really do...and no pressure. Send me a private message if you want to answer that way. I just thought that maybe that may help. If not, don't worry about it, my friend. I will also offer to be your quit buddy. If you want to call on me, I'll be glad to help in ANY way that I can. my email address is scott@scottcomptonmagic.com and my cell phone is 865-607-3956. Your terms buddy...and as I said, no pressure. You can see Jeff's website at www.mcbridemagic.com - he is a super guy, and a good friend.

What I took from the book was that nicotine is a monster that lives in your body. If you feed it, it continues to live - if you starve it, it dies. You can slay the little monster when you want to.

So let me know how I can help you. Frank, a lot of us on this board love you and want you to succeed. We will do anything to help you, friend.

Your rib-less friend,

Scott

Taffas

Hiya,

Get yourself a copy of the book 'The Easyway to stop smoking' by Allen Carr. You'll never look back :)

Good Luck...!

erinroro

Frank,
The time(s) I have quit smoking I have had the most success when I don't put myself in the place where I was used to smoking... So no coffee, and for me, NO COCKTAILS!!! I hated it! But I went for 3 months with not one glass of wine - but no cigarettes either. I got to where I could eventually have an occasional drink and not smoke. I now can even drink coffee!!! My husband still smokes, and it is really hard to be around that. But he smokes outside, or on the front porch, so I don't have to breathe in the smoke. He says that he bought his 'last' pack today....
I know that people who have either never smoked, or those who smoked but did not get addicted, find it hard to understand the pull those stupid cigs have.... I have heard that it is as difficult to quit smoking as it is to quit using heroin. I don't know if that is true, but I know that it sure feels like it is true when you are trying to quit.

Good luck buddy! Just remember, every day you go without a cig it is better for your lungs. (And saves $$ to boot!!)

Erin

Add to the discussion

Don't have an Inspire account? Join now!

Forgot password?

You