Anyone here ever try useing the patch to stop smokeing? I 'am thinking of buying it.

ds

I've heard good and bad about it. Some people experience side affects. Personally I think that you should consult a physician about using the patch.

Going on 9 months for me soon. Cold Turkey. It's tough but you can do it my friend. TIS also quit last summer and I believe that she is still going strong.

Go for it Smitty! You can do it!

Thats great that u and Tis have been smoke free for so long! Congrats!!! I guess cold turkey is the way to go. Iam gonna try starting tommorow. Thanks DC.

ds

I've never used it, but the best of luck to you.

If you do go with the patch, I guess it's a good idea not to relapse with it on. I went to the pharmacy with my friend to go pick it up, and the crazy-ass lady who sold it to him told us she made that mistake, and resultantly told us how she tried that, and had "night-terrors." To which I responded, "nightmares?" and she went on to tell us about her adventures through what she referred to as the "zombie world" and how she would often wake up screaming loudly. But she was fucking crazy.

Are you familiar with Chantex, DS? The same friend tried that after the patch, and it seemed more affective.

LLC, Zombie World hu!!!! What was in her patch, LSD? She sure had what I would think were a little extreme symptoms.

I considered the patch as well. If you decide to go with the it, be careful. I "heard" if you use the patch and even have one cigaret that you'll get sick as a dog. So check with someone and/or make damn sure you don't smoke while using it.

For me, I gradually weined myself off nicotine. Sounds really crazy, but I use to smoke a pack a day and started by cutting down to a half pack, then after a couple weeks only 4/5 a day (after meals were a must). Finally quit. As a matter of fact it's 10 months today. "By George, I think I've Got it." I'm not tempted at all anymore. However, my daughters' think I'm crazy because if were are exiting a restaurant our outside somewhere and someone is smoking, I do tend to want to take a big snort. They say, "That smells good?" Hard to explain to those who have never smoked. Never think about lighting up anymore though.

Anyway good luck to you DS. Quit whichever way you feel is the best for you. Keep us posted

TIS

I'm pretty sure I saw her taking bottle shots of Robitussin that same day.

Best of luck DS.

Although all my half-hearted attempts at quitting smoking have failed miserably, my brother, using nicorette gum has been smoke free for six to eight months now give or take. Nicotine is very, very difficult to kick because it is a psychological as well as a physical addiction and the cravings are (at times) unbearable. Anyways, best of luck to you Don Smitty in trying to quit.

Smitty, the patch can be helpful. But the most important thing is: you have to be ready, really ready and convinced, to give up smoking. Otherwise it'll fail.

Thanks for all the good advice and support guys!

ds

I wouldn't have seen this coming when I first posted in this thread last night, but this morning, after waking up and smoking a morning cigarette, I decided I am also going to try to quit. It worked out perfectly. It was the last cigarette of my pack, and it was probably one of the best cigarettes of my life--I mean, usually when I smoke, I feel like the cigarette goes way too fast, and afterwards I'm always keeping an eye on the clock, choosing a time in which I could smoke another without seeming excessive. But I just felt completely fullfilled, and got a head-buzz off of a cigarette for the first time in probably six months. It just seems right.

And besides, it's never been the health-issues that bothered me, but the idea of being addicted to any substance is just down-right depressing to me. I just keep telling myself, I don't need it, but I'd like it, and as corny as it sounds, it's actually been helping. It's been less than 12 hours, and I already feel like a humongous weight has been lifted. Hopefully I still feel this way in a day or two.

I'm enjoying a nice smoke after a nice meal right now. Ahhh

I've been gone too long. When the fuck did you start smoking?

I assume you're referring to the C-man. I guess the dude thinks just b/c he's turning 16 in a few days that he can start lighting em' up.

Did you hear about the gay guy who tried to stop smoking?

He put the patch on his d*** and he's down to two butts a day.

You're the only one who laughed, Mama!

Damned liberals.

I do the same thing TIS!

Quite some time ago I realized everyone dies. If everyone dies eventually, who's to stop you from doing what you want? I'd say a year, year and a half ago or so is when I first smoked, but not when I "started." Then I'd say I was "casual," usually only smoking after sum drugz lawl, because nicotine supplies a 17% increase to the high you get off of that other stuff you smoke. Then I'd say in the last 6 months or so I've been about a pack a day.

I still don't give a shit about my health, but the idea of being addicted to anything is a little much, once you put it in retrospect.

By which I mean I dressed up like I was from the fifties and looked around.

Smitty, did you ever try the patch? I just received my free two-weeks supply, courtesy of New York's quit-smoking program.

I've only been wearing it for a few hours so far, but a few observations; I am able to watch television without wanting to smoke a cigarette everytime I see someone else light up... Also, I am able to sit still without feeling antsy, just waiting for the effects of my last cigarette to wear off so I can go out and have another. I was a little reluctant to put it on, wanting to just go out and buy one last pack and enjoy it before putting my first patch on, but that idea went out the window within an hour of applying the patch.

I'll admit, there is still a slight urge to go out and smoke a cigarette, but it's pretty easy to ignore. I'm assuming that will all go away once I've been wearing the patch for a while.

It sure beats the hell out of cold turkey. I can't do cold turkey as it is... I can't imagine trying to quit without an aid like the patch if I had been smoking as long as some of the older smokers here who have been smoking for 10+ years.

I just went on the NYS website and applied for my free patch. They are supposed to arrive within 7 to 10 days.

I'm actually frightened. I'm not sure if I'm more frightened of not smoking or not succeeding. When you classify yourself as a "smoker", and you commit to quitting, are you not declaring to change who and what you are?

Good luck with that SB. BTW, how are TIS and Cardi doing being smoke free?

Thanks, Beth. I'm going to need it. It was scary, when they asked how many years I had smoked, to answer "27". How the hell did that happen???

Just think, in August you won't feel the need to step outside to take a smoke break.

I wish you all the best SB. It won't be easy but you are a strong woman. You can do it.

Oh, I'll probably still feel the need - I just hope I won't give into it.

I hope so, too.

I had stopped smoking for two months and then attended the 2005 sitdown. I bought a pack that first night (of the sitdown) and then another and another.....

I remember that, actually. I felt very guilty.

Just think, the less time spent outside smoking the more time to spend drinking martinis.

That's the kind of logic that I like, Beth. Except that I can't imagine a night of serious drinking without smoking.