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Need advise on quitting cold turkey!!!

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Need advise on quitting cold turkey!!!

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 115

Hi Karen! I tried to stop smoking several times using nicotine gums- and failed. This time, I seem to be making it: and I quit cold turkey. It's like jumping into cold water straight away- instead of dithering, dipping in yout toe, then up to your knees, then your belly (ouch...). For me, cold turkey worked better. I felt that I REALLY had quit and was not still dependent on nicotine or drugging myself. AND I really was saving money, and not spending it on substitutes. Anyway, that's me. A huge selection of different teqs helped me, stupid mechanical repetetive computer games, loads of movies and food- though you probably won't feel like the latter after an operation... Good luck for the operation!!!! Catioroc [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]10/17/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 111 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,887 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �434.01 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 8 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 38 [B]Seconds:[/B] 7

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 880

I am sorry, I never did cold turkey, I was more like a warm duck. I used patches and a whole lot of inward looking to get it done. Perhaps one idea may to be to concentrate on the benefits that you will gain once your surgery is complete. You might want to add on to that thought that since you went through the trouble of the operation, that quitting smoking will add to the positive effects of surgery. It will, I promise you that much. However, you get this done, the doing is worth its weight in gold... nonnic [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]12/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 404 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 12,120 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4,242.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 75 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 17 [B]Seconds:[/B] 28

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$71,211.00

Amount Saved
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Days: 1559 Hours: 3

Minutes: 30 Seconds: 25

Life Gained
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6782

Smoke Free Days
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203,460

Cigarettes Not Smoked

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2534

Hi Karen, How's it going? London is close enough (Essex actually) - you? Penitent d1355 :)

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$61,666.00

Amount Saved
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Days: 1278 Hours: 15

Minutes: 2 Seconds: 14

Life Gained
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5606

Smoke Free Days
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123,332

Cigarettes Not Smoked

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1151

Yup, what the others said! Also, take some time to go through the Road to Success Workbook on this site. It will help you plan and prepare and give you some idea of things to watch out for. Lainey is totally right - your normal routine will already be changed and that will help a lot. One of the biggest parts of quitting is breaking the habits we've created. Get some things to keep your mind busy or occupied since you won't be able to exercise. Rent some movies, maybe a jigsaw puzzle, crossword puzzles or some crafts. Hold tight to the list of reasons why you want to be a non-smoker and after 5 days you will already be feeling a lot of the health benefits. There are a lot of cold turkeys that have gone before you and we all got here one minute, one hour and one cigarette at at time. You will too. Gobble gobble :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]8/5/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1275 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 25,500 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $5,737.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 99 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 42

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$39,845.00

Amount Saved
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Days: 696 Hours: 4

Minutes: 24 Seconds: 45

Life Gained
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6130

Smoke Free Days
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79,690

Cigarettes Not Smoked

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 3875

Hey Karen, if you are having surgery, you may be sleepy and groggy for the first day or so afterwards, and may not have the full blown wirhdrawal because of that! But everyone has given you great advice, the ice water, straws, hard candy and gum should pull you through! Most of all ,use self talk to tell yourself, it is only temporary and will pass! :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/5/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 333 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 8,325 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $3,513.15 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 43 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 29 [B]Seconds:[/B] 32

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2462

Hi Karen, just to add to the great advice others have already given: the main question is do you really want to quit? If you really do, then you will. You will hang onto each precious non-smoking moment and use it to help you get through. Rather than see it as something to "get through", see this as a serendipitous opportunity to move on to the next, healthy stage of your life. This is your opportunity to say NOPE to addiction, and YES to taking back control. Rather than just saying I have to quit for seven days, take charge of your quit. Since you were planning to do it someday anyway, grab the bull by the horns, and take charge of it. Make a list of all your reasons for quitting (not just "I have to"), make a plan of coping strategies and rewards, stock up on good stuff to eat and drink every few hours to keep your blood sugar up. Do research here and on other sites about addiction and the kicking-it process. And good luck! Rusty :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]12/13/2004 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1145 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 32,060 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4,007.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 163 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 49 [B]Seconds:[/B] 45

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$59,404.80

Amount Saved
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Days: 714 Hours: 18

Minutes: 54 Seconds: 53

Life Gained
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5712

Smoke Free Days
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228,480

Cigarettes Not Smoked

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1093

Hi Karen, I quit cold turkey as well and used all of the techniques the other said. I also spent about five days before my actual quit date cutting down. I started at around 30 went to 15 then 10 then seven and eight, I think. It helped to "practice" not smoking by delaying and using some of those techniques while I was cutting down. I'll reiterate cold water and deep breathing as well because I think those two things are so extremely helpful. Best of luck! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]8/25/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 160 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,800 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $936.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 14 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 29 [B]Seconds:[/B] 28

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 16

HI thanks for your advise. Where abouts are you in Enlgand? That is where I am orginally from.

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 16

HI I am not planning to smoke after surgery. But was planning to use smoking aids to help me? But now I can't use anything hence my Dr. I can't do anything strenuous either. So I am limited what I can do at all. Taking 5 days off work. This is really going to be a test for me. As I can not do anything to keep my mind busy apart from walk the dogs!! I have sent off for those ear magnet's that go on your ear? Not sure if they will help or not. But thanks for your advise

17 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2534

Karen, Hang on to your pants tight, grit your teeth hard and get ready for a rough ride! It's tough, bloody tough but it does not last long. We are talking days and then joy. Ever marvelled at the best ever view of the most tranquil lake and its surroundings on the quiet morning after the most tempestuous of tempestuous storms? Amazed that you are looking at the same place? Well, it's just like that and so very worth it � believe me! Good Luck Penitent d1354 :)

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$61,666.00

Amount Saved
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Days: 1278 Hours: 15

Minutes: 2 Seconds: 14

Life Gained
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5606

Smoke Free Days
Quit Meter

123,332

Cigarettes Not Smoked

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Need advise on quitting cold turkey!!!