Quitting Smoking
- Thread starter The_Khan
- Start date
I didn't go to e-cigs to quit...I went to them, because I liked smoking. I still am smoking my e-cig.
Background: I started smoking Marlboros when I was 12 or 13. Kids could buy cigs back then if they said they were buying them for their parents. I smoked pretty steadily until I was 25 or 26 because my then-wife was allergic. I used the Nicorette CQ patch to quit, and it worked, and I didn't cheat. I stayed quit until...2009 or 2010.
Then hookah bars started springing up and becoming popular. I enjoyed the occasional hookah--the tobaccos came in great flavors, and the smoke was much more mellow. I ended up buying one for the house, and ended up smoking it all the time. So, I decided to give e-cigs a try. They had the same features I liked in hookah: Lots of different flavors to try, and a mellow smoke, but without leaving you smelling and tasting like an ashtray. Been smoking the e-cig ever since.
Background: I started smoking Marlboros when I was 12 or 13. Kids could buy cigs back then if they said they were buying them for their parents. I smoked pretty steadily until I was 25 or 26 because my then-wife was allergic. I used the Nicorette CQ patch to quit, and it worked, and I didn't cheat. I stayed quit until...2009 or 2010.
Then hookah bars started springing up and becoming popular. I enjoyed the occasional hookah--the tobaccos came in great flavors, and the smoke was much more mellow. I ended up buying one for the house, and ended up smoking it all the time. So, I decided to give e-cigs a try. They had the same features I liked in hookah: Lots of different flavors to try, and a mellow smoke, but without leaving you smelling and tasting like an ashtray. Been smoking the e-cig ever since.
My boyfriend (now husband) was my incentive since we were getting serious, talking about marriage and a family, etc. He didn't like cigarettes, but was ok with me smoking when I wasn't around him. I figured if I was going to have babies in the semi-near future it would be easier to quit now rather than later. I threw my last pack in the trash and dealt with the withdrawal. Chewing gum (regular gum) and keeping my hands busy was a help. Reminding myself of why I was doing it also kept me on track. I went to a party a few months after I quit, had a bit to drink, and decided I needed a smoke. I nearly threw up after two or three drags. I knew I was done with smoking after that. I still get cravings once in a while, but it's nothing I can't ignore.
There are some awesome flavors out there. And things taste better, or not as dull, when you stop smoking. Extra has the best gum in their Dessert Delights line. YAY Lemon Square gum!
I actually did the Wellbutrin thing for depression. My doctor said it might be a great thing and I might quit smoking too. Unfortunately I suffered some of the most serious side effects including suicidal tendencies. So I made the decision to remove myself.
Doctors response: "why did you go off your meds?"
.... because I was going to kill myself if I didn't jackass!!
personally, this was a key moment for me to know that there are times when I definitely need help. but all help needs to be evaluated
I have stayed away from Chantix, even though I have heard wonderful thinks about it. I have been told that for those that it works for that it is simply like a switch. just shut off the smoke desire. and this is all that I desire. The bad thing is all the stories about Chantix taking someone with a history of mental illness, or a family of with that history (which, that I have) and just pushing it into overdrive.
I don't want to die just yet.