For anyone that's quit smoking.. any tips you can give? What worked for you?
It's a horrible habit and i'm finding it really hard! It was easy when i was pregnant, well that's a lie it wasn't easy at all it was horrible and i never once had a day when i didn't desperately want one but it was easy to just put up with the cravings and not light one. Now i just can't do it!
Did you use any aids like gum or patches? Also, now when i'm stressed i have one.. I need something else to deal with my stress? It's even ruining my relationship so it needs sorting!

Hi Lisa,

I made the decision last year that New years eve would be my last day of smoking. Havent smoked at all this year. How many do you smoke a day, i was smoking around 8-10 a day I decided that i was going to use the patches so got them on prescription from my doctor (which will be free if you are on benefits). I used them for a week and then started to forget to put them on and found i didnt need them any more. I think a lot of it comes down to how you feel about smoking in your head, if you really have had enough of smoking and are determined it makes it so much easier, ive tried quitting several times before but think i wasnt quite 100% committed and that makes all the difference.
Im almost 9 months without smoking now and believe it or not still get a craving once in a while but its not strong enough to make me do anything about it. I do like the smell sometimes too I think its something that will never completely leave your head. I wish i had never started smoking in the 1st place.

Thanks Nutty
You've done amazingly well not having one for 9 months!!

It's got to the stage now where i 100% want to! I can do it when i keep myself busy, like yesterday i went to a bbq and even with people there smoking i managed to not have one, i just went inside the house while people were! The problem was when i get home, i was just desperate for one and really really snapped at my OH because of it
I just need something for when i get like that, think i might give the gum ago because i've got chewing gum in 24/7 so when i get to the point where i'm really wanting a cigarette i could just pop a nicorette one in and hopefully it'll help?
When you had the patches, did it really help at first then? I just can't imagine it making you feel like you've had one/don't want one anymore?

I am a weird one.
I smoked about 20 a day before getting pregnant. I admit that through my pregnancy I probably had one or 2 ciggies.
I have not had a ciggie for a few days and I probably won't for a while.
I go through a couple of months smoking and then some not. I don't struggle through the not smoking periods either
Do you know what makes you want to smoke???
With me its mainly when I am drinking and I don't drink so much anymore. On a night out I will smoke quite a bit - depending on the weather x
I think that the smokng ban is brilliant. Its hard to imagine that we once would sit inm a pub and smoke xxxx

Lisa & Alfie wrote:

Thanks Nutty
You've done amazingly well not having one for 9 months!!

It's got to the stage now where i 100% want to! I can do it when i keep myself busy, like yesterday i went to a bbq and even with people there smoking i managed to not have one, i just went inside the house while people were! The problem was when i get home, i was just desperate for one and really really snapped at my OH because of it
I just need something for when i get like that, think i might give the gum ago because i've got chewing gum in 24/7 so when i get to the point where i'm really wanting a cigarette i could just pop a nicorette one in and hopefully it'll help?
When you had the patches, did it really help at first then? I just can't imagine it making you feel like you've had one/don't want one anymore?

Yes I think the patches really helped. Every time i thought about cigarettes there was just no craving at all, before you know it youve gone through a day without even thinking about them. My arm felt a bit itchy at first when i had it on but it soon goes.

Emz i'd smoke quite abit while i getting ready to go out, but when i am out i'm not interested at all :S
Well, i haven't had a single one since this time yesterday and i feel fab
I bought soe of the lozenges yesterday and i just had one of them whenever i felt a strong craving for one and so far they've worked brilliantly! I haven't been stressed in the slightest I hope it stays this easy although i doubt it will lol!
Thank you so much, i was stupid before to even attempt and quit without even using something to help!

heya when I was quitting I used all kinds of things, patches gave me nightmares and rashes (yuck!) the lozenges and chewing gum were just beyond vile haha so I used the inhalator - I really liked that it sort of felt like smoking, and you can feel the nicotine hitting the back of your throat....the tamponesque look isnt great, but it helped me loads