Question:
How long will I feel like I'm going to die?
I quit smoking yesterday cold turkey. I know that I had to quit to have this surgery, and trut me, this surgery is needed alot more than my smoking. I have three kids to worry about. But how long am I going to feel like I'm going to die? I've been sick, I've been shaking, and everything reminds me of that stupid ciggarette, I can't take any meds, I'm alergic to well-butrin, and I've had cancer and cant take the patch. Please give some advice on dealing with cold quiting,,Thanks Bernice — Bernice B. (posted on August 12, 2003)
August 12, 2003
Hi Bernice: First of all, congrats on taking that first step toward
improving your health. I think that anytime we make such an important
decision, our own mortality is always in the forefront of our thoughts.
But rest assured - quitting smoking is a GOOD THING! :) You will be
healthier, your surgery will go easier, and your kids will have their mom
for a long, long time! It may help to see if you can find an online
Nicotine Anonymous meeting (or one in your local area).
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org/ If an online meeting isn't available, at
least there's some additional support information on that site. Best of
luck to you as you continue on your journey! You're gonna be FINE!!! :)
— momstah
August 12, 2003
A few years back I went for accupuncture to quit smoking. I was not a
believer in accupuncture but I had a law school buddy who had it done and
it worked for him. Right before entering the office, I was puffing away
like no tomorrow! Afterwards I threw away the rest of the pack and didn't
go back for many years. Since then I've converted to a social smoker every
now and then. Any way... the accupunture experience... It was very
shamanistic. I had to hold two small vials of water, one named chicken and
the other named egg. The accupunturist said I smoke because I had an
allergy to chicken and egg. While I was holding on to the vials.. she
pounded my back with a rubber mallet and it hurt like hell. Then she poked
me with some needles (or maybe she did the needle first). The needles
don't hurt at all since they don't penetrate very far. I was then told to
lay down and repeat over and over... "I am suffering inside"
while I listened to new age music. Something she did worked though since I
stopped smoking afterwards. Maybe it would be worth giving a try? Just
find a credible accupunturist. Mine taught accupunture at Temple
University. The cost of treatment was 2 visits at $65 a pop. She wanted
me to come for 5 visits but I figured I was doing well and didn't need the
extra sessions.
<p> Take Care, Be Well, Be Happy!
— John T.
August 12, 2003
Hi, I know how ya feel I quit cold turkey almost 3 years ago, and my strees
level went up. Now I am taking antidepressants, but also cuz I had a
hysterectomy done too. They do help but sometimes I still find myself
craving one especiaaly when I am around others who smoke. The only thing I
did to keep my away from smoking was turn too food and that made me even
gain more weight before I decided to have this surgery done! So please
don't do that! Now, though, I am use to not wanting one, but still have the
cravings at times, the only thing I can suggest you do is try to focus on
getting into better health by not wanting a cig, that is what I try to do
now since my surgery 6 mths ago, like I said food was the answer before,
but not no more. If nothing else discourages you away from wanting to have
one, then try to talk to your doctor to see if there are any other meds you
can take for the cravings I am sure there has to be something out there you
can take! Good Luck to You, you can do this! And, congrats for taking the
step!
— Melodee S.
August 12, 2003
Hi there. Don't know if this will help you at all, but it's worth a
try....My mother smoked for 40 years then decided to quit. She found that
the hardest part for her was not having a cigarette in her hand all the
time so what she did was this: go to a craft store and find the small
wooden dowels/rods. Cut one about the size of a cigarette and paint it to
look like a cigarette. Carry it around with you. Even when you feel like
you need a drag of a cigarette, drag on it. You won't get anything out of
it, but it helps tremendously with the psychological part of kicking the
habit. Hope this helps.
— Jen D.
August 12, 2003
Hi Bernice, I sure understand your stress! I've quit many times and then
started again when I got too stressed. I tried hypnotism and that worked
for a while. You really have to WANT to quit for it to be effective. Try a
health food store or a chinese herb pharmacy. They have some good
homeopathic tablets to put under your tongue to help ease the cravings. I
will be using them again to help me prepare for this surgery. We just have
to learn that our health is much more important than the disgusting habit
of smoking! I don't know about your faith, but asking a higher power to
take away your desire will help you too. Good Luck!!
— Debi W.
August 12, 2003
— sissie S.
August 12, 2003
Hi Bernice,
Congratulations! You Go Girl . . . It takes 96 hours for all of the
nicotine etc. to leave your system. Stay away from coffee . . . drink lots
of fruit juice. (^ hours for the physical stuff . . but a lot longer for
the mental.
You can do it! Best wishes . . . Michele:)
RNY 6/3/03 63 lbs
— Michele D.
August 12, 2003
Bernice...Listen to me girl...YOU WILL BE SOOO GLAD THAT YOU STOPPED
SMOKING. Within a couple weeks, you'll start noticing how much better you
feel and believe me, there are sooo many positive feelings you will
experience by stopping smoking. I smoked 2-3 packs a day for over 20 year.
I stopped three months prior to surgery. I am actually more impressed with
the way I feel from quitting than I am with the weightloss and God know's
how impressed I am with that. The benefits are much the same and even
though it's pure h-- right now, I PROMISE you it will get better. Keep
telling yourself that you made it through the day before and you can make
it through today. I chewed sugarless gum along with Nicorette gum..Kept
sometime of gum with me at all times. You can do this Bernice and you will
be so happy that you have stuck to it. The rewards are unlimited!
Good Luck and keep up the good work Bernice!
Josii*
— meltedbuttr
August 12, 2003
I quit three weeks ago and feel great... if you can, get some nicotine
suckers, they will really really help. Thats how I did it and I promise,
it is the way to go. I felt bad for about seven days, and after that, it
was only the mind wanting them, but like you, I also had to go through the
physical withdrawl... I promise, just got seven days and after about five,
it gets easier....
— tia S.
August 12, 2003
I am so PROUD of you that you quit. Drink WATER and flush that nicotine
out of your system! You will get better EVERY DAY. It is not easy but you
CAN do it! Your Personal Cheerleader!!!!! ME
— Eleanore Davis
August 13, 2003
Bernice,
I quit yesterday as well. I keep thinking if I want this surgery I have to
quit smoking. I have the patch and taking wellbutrin. Take deep deep
breaths. Chew on straws (that helps me) and keep saying to yourself you
can do it!!!!
— NJChick
August 13, 2003
Good Luck on your journey with out cigarettes, it's not easy and I'm sure
that is not what you want to hear. But, when I quit cold turkey, I cut
straws about the size of a cigarette and every time I got the urge I got my
smokeless straw out. Believe me it worked, I inhaled and all (lol). It
was the habit of having that sensation and holding something at those
certain times we always smoked that helped. I had them in the car and
everywhere after about two weeks it got easier and I even gave up the
straws. But bloeve me even after 3yrs it is still threatening. Best of
Luck. Oh yeah and trust in the Lord he'll also help you, better then any
of us.
— Joan T.
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