I as well LOVE!!! smoking!!!
But sometimes when I find myself short of breath and having chest pains I do think about quitting.
I have tried many times and I mean many 
in the past with no such luck 
I am the kind of person who suffers from stress to the point I can’t eat or sleep and smoking is my only relief sp?
When I have tried it’s only lasted about 6 or 7 hours most times because I turn into the biggest B#@!*h known to man.
I wish you luck and hope that you quit 
and mabey one day I will as well.
Ah, the fear of weight gain. When I quit back in 1987 after years and years of being a heavy smoker, I decided that some extra pounds were certainly less life threatening than smoking. So, I just ignored the gain, ate what I wanted, and gained 20 pounds, up to 140 – a lot for me. Did I like those pounds? NO! So, I joined Weight Watchers and, over the next 6 months, lost all those pounds plus a few more.
Now, as a result of a very serious case of emphysema, I’ve lost and lost and lost weight, down to 87 pounds – the result of the act of breathing consuming lots of calories. Now I try to maintain the status quo since gaining is probably no more than wishful thinking. 
All of you who think cigarettes are your friend and your crutch, think again. They are killing you one way or another. I’m not preaching; just stating the terrible facts.
I’m an EXPERT on quitting! I’ve quit MANY times LOL. Actually, this is what I did the last time and it WORKED.
I got through the physical addiction with the patch. But I still wanted a cigarette, didn’t “crave” one so much, I was just so in the habit of having one at certain times. It was so hard to come home and not smoke. I always lit up when I first entered the house, finished dinner, had my morning coffee, etc.
So, I changed my entire routine. I went on a week long vacation with a non-smoking friend so everything would be totally different. No “triggers” of the usual things. Yes, I was a rank b***h, but my friend understood and was patient. I can’t tell you enough just how much it helps to be in different surroundings with a different routine.
A couple other tips:
Get rid of all ash trays or smoking parapernalia in your house. You’ll see them and feel like smoking.
For the first few weeks, stay out of bars or places where people smoke. Nothing is harder than smelling a cigarette and realizing others are enjoying one!
Find something to occupy your hands. Something to fiddle with. Try knitting or embroidery. I swear it helps to tinker around with something.
Try not to eat too much and get really full at meals. I would always want a cigarette when I had that “full belly” feeling. It was just something I was used to.
Avoid having more than one alcoholic drink at a time. My will power gets shot to hell after two drinks.
Do be prepared to crave chocolate even if you’ve never had a taste for it before. Many cigarettes contain traces of cocoa which I didn’t know till after I’d quit and was talking to my doctor about these weird chocolate cravings (I’m not usually a huge chocolate eater).
Also, I didn’t really gain weight, but I didn’t snack when I wanted a cigarette either. I did something nice for myself: a bubble bath, a cup of tea, even a facial massage at the hotel!
Finally, this is going to sound odd but realize that went you REALLY want a cigarette, that feeling will go away and it won’t get any worse. I would get all worried that if I wanted one so badly now, how would I feel in an hour? Would I be able to handle it? But the feeling went away, it didn’t get worse.
Best of luck to you! It can be done. I tried and failed countless times before it finally took. But, like others have said, I don’t think I really wanted it for myself till the last time. So don’t panic if you “fall off the wagon.” You’ll be smoke free eventually!
Thankfully I have NEVER smoked. I think the number one reason was because both of my parents smoked when I was little, and I HATED it and tormented them to quit for many years. (So, the good news is your kids will probably never want to smoke…) Anyway, my Dad had a terrible time quitting and could never seem to be able to do it for good. He finally did some kind of one day program at a hospital. I don’t know what they did to him (mom picked him up and he was all drugged and woozy)…but he said he never had a cigarette craving again. He even admits to being a total hypocrite now because he can’t stand being around smokers because he finds it so disgusting. So, maybe this would be something to check into? I don’t know - I wish you the best of luck.
You could also implore Hans that you MUST spend several hours everyday in a non-smoking environment and be distracted from your cravings - perhaps a nice day spa would do the trick? Hee Hee
Hey…I quit smoking!!! Three weeks tomorrow. Never have I gotten this far…tried numerous times in the past: no luck but this time: no cravings; no mood swings. Totally happy. Do not miss smoking one bit. The reason: “The EASYWAY to Stop Smoking” by Allen Carr. This is an easy read paperback (found in recovery/addiction section at B&N) that makes quitting SO easy. He says it’s nearly impossible to quit by will power alone which is probably why I failed at least 6 times. This book made all the difference. I have to tell you, if you want to quit, I highly recommend this book. He gives clinics too. I hope this is legal to mention the book, if not, sorry I will add it to the next OT topic day under favorite books cause it is awesome. Well worth the money. Just thinking of the still smoking group who may be still trying to quit. Has anyone out there quit by reading this book??
I have finally relented and ventured to the doc for a prescription for Zyban so that I may fulfill my promise to my children to stop smoking in my 35th year. If I successfully quit, which I’ve never done, I may even be able to trot twice around the indoor without gasping for air.
Besides the loss of my favourite hobby (what’s better than a ciggie after a steak dinner?), I have heard some horror stories about the side effects of Zyban; and thus, I have 60 pills sitting cozily in the box, and remain undecided whether I’ll actually take them or not.
For those who’ve successfully (or unsuccessfully, cause I may need the ammo when I light up Nov. 2 and face a wall of disapproving faces) gone the Zyban route, care to share your experiences?
“Mommy, does it really matter?” - Sumo toddler, age 3
Here’s how I quite. I got a terrible flu about last Monday. Got so sick that I actually couldn’t smoke. So, now I’m better…no more flu but it’s officially been one week and one day since I had my last ciggy. I’m quite proud of myself and intend to keep it up. keep fingers crossed It’s just one day at a time. Once you break the physical habit, the mental part is the hardest. Smoking after eating, waking up, after I’m done in the barn, etc. But so far so good.
Good luck!
~Courtney~
Heidi, you must do this. You must summon the willpower to quit smoking. Oh, if you could only see my father’s deteriorating health due to his years of smoking…
My only concern is that Robby mentioned that Zyban caused a “loss of libido.” Now that— that— concerns me! 
Needless to say, it might concern Hans, too! 
Oh my gosh, Heidi’s on Zyban! Low Libido alert! Call in the dancing Mounties!
“Charter Member of the Baby Greenie Support Group of North America”
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>For those of you that use the “I’ll gain weight without them” GIVE IT UP!!! Wouldn’t you rather be 10 pounds heavier, and have healthier lungs??? If you’re really worried about the weight, start exercising!Don’t use the ciggies as a weight loss crutch. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Rye - who said anything about a measly 10 lbs? Last time I quit I went for the big stuff - the big
2 - 0 LOLOL I don’t think anyone really uses weight gain as a crutch, but out of control eating while quitting can be just as unhealthy as smoking. The trick here is to make sure you have a good defense against those horrible oral fixations that are sure to come about while you’re quitting. Oh, and as Wingsy says, lots of grapefruit blech!!!
One Away, I’m sure you’ll be joining us in the smoke-free seats someday - you just have to really want to stop. Afterall, for the last year my mantra has been, I’m no quitter!!!
I quit smoking years ago. Being the addictive personality that I am, I was a chain smoker for quite a few years.
I just up and decided to quit once and for all. It has been, gosh, I think over 10 years ago already. Never set a date, never made a fuss.
The way I quit was two fold. This may or may not work for anyone else, but if you have a creative mind, it can!
Every day I envisioned death by emphysema. I don’t mean just seeing myself dying and saying, oh, well, got to go from something, but I mean SERIOUS envisioning of myself wasting painfully away INSIDE and OUT. I envisioned the blackening, infected, puss filled grossified lungs. Get creative, who cares what it is really like, make it as believably gross as you can. Feel the suffering (I had pneumonia last year and it was seriously NO fun to not be able to breathe).
Secondly, the dang things are just TOO expensive. Why should I make someone else rich off of my own weakness? So I got tight about it and spent the money on my pony or something for me instead!!!
No, it was not easy, but believe me, it was MUCH easier than quitting eating SUGAR!!! (which, sad to say, I fell off that wagon into the cane fields a few years ago)
Lori
“Come hup you hugly beast!” Surtees
ROBBY
I’m glad Zyban/Wellbutrin worked for you; everyone has their “own” antidepressant as far as I’m concerned… But I still believe that everyone should KNOW what they are taking before they take it. I don’t know about the doctors in Little Rock, but here they tend to hand out Zyban like candy, and I know several people who had bad experiences on it.
RE: Long-terms affects of Ecstasy use: Ditto! So true. Don’t forget short and long-term memory loss, and chipped teeth (from grinding).
Ooo, ooo, ooo, everything that dogchushu said - yes, yes, yes! All of you who are thinking of quitting, now or some time in the future, print that post, read and re-read it however many times a day you find it to be necessary! There isn’t much more to be said. But it really does work.
All the aids in the world, Zyban, Wellbutrin, the patch, etc., are designed to help you get over the lighting a cigarette habit due to the nicotine addiction, but you still have to get over the addiction. And, yes, you are addicted! Recognizing the triggers and having a plan of what to do when you encounter one is big.
Oneaway, read that last paragraph of dogchushu’s post. During my “I guess I should quit” days, I also had that fear of failing so went through years of not even trying. The old adage, probably paraphrased, “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
I havent had a ciggy for 4 weeks now,I am using the patch and yes it is hard but obviously not impossibble.I was a very heavy smoker[4-5 packs a day]
I really dont think anyone can understand unless they’ve been there.I enjoyed every one i smoked,but am also aware that if I dont stop now I will probably just go ahead and kill my self with them.My breathing is a lot easier and I certainly dont cough as much.My horses are quite confused now,they used to hear my coughing and knew breakfast was on its way.
Yes I am gaining weight but hopefully it wont be too much,I refuse to call myself an x-smoker as I have been here quite often and get so pissed off at people who dont understand,but I do have a sneaky feeling that this time I may succeed.I have changed my attitude and this time I am quitting soley for myself,I have a 3Yr old I would
really like to show next year and unless I stop smoking I know I will not be able to ride him long enough to show him.
fernie fox
“I have lived my life-it is nearly done-.I have played the game all round;But I freely admit that the best of my fun I owe it to Horse and Hound”.
Oddly enough, we were talking about Zyban over lunch today. He had taken it earlier this year but finally stopped - he said that it made his fuse way too short and he’d much rather be gasping for breath than pissed off 24/7. So, he’s one of the unfortunate ones that it won’t work for - hopefully you’re not!
Swift’s Injuries: 4 Major, 18 Minor, 9 XRays. Injuries to rider: 6.
Rather embarassing accidents caught on video: 2.
Ugh, indeed.
My essential problem is that I don’t want to quit. I love to smoke; so much, in fact, that the mere act of smoking a beloved ciggie has inspired some of my adamant non-smoking friends to utter, “god, you look like you enjoy it so much, give me one, will ya”.
I’ve decided to start popping the Zybans this Saturday and within the week, i.e. Aug. 25, I should have stopped smoking - the cravings will be non-existent, the habit broken, I’ll be a happy-go-lucky, non-smoking mommy whence I venture off for my darling daughter’s soccer tournament…I hope. I’m vocal enough at her games, I can only imagine what I’ll be like should I suffer through some of the ‘anxiety’ symptoms which seem so very common.
Thank you all for your good wishes and positive vibes - I think I’ll need them next week, not to mention immunity from prosecution…
“Mommy, does it really matter?” - Sumo toddler, age 3
I just didn’t buy them, bum them or sneak any. If you don’t pick a cigarette up and light it, you don’t smoke
For about two weeks I ate a grapefruit or orange whenever the craving to smoke hit me (although I found that the craving only lasted about 30 seconds and I forgot all about it if I was busy) I must admit that I am not fond of grapefruit now!
I was very fortunate in that seeing other people smoke didn’t make me want to light up and, to this day, I have no desire to smoke. Now I can taste my food and the smell of stale smoke is nasty (I never noticed it before)
Good luck, Heidi, we are pulling for you. Remember, just don’t buy 'em or bum 'em and you will have quit!
Heidi, that was my present to my self on my fortieth birthday. To quit smoking. I was like a chimney, always had something on fire!
I caution you not to try until YOU want to quit for yourself, not for anyone else. I quit cold turkey, no drugs, just did it one 15 minute interval at a time. Really, I would get in the car, reach for a smoke, and say “NO WE DON’T OWN ANY”, then go on. Literally on the way to the barn I would have reached 3 times.
I also did not tell anyone I was quitting, not even my husband. I did not want the pressure of , “How are ya doin’” all the time. It took 3 days before my hubby finally brought it up. Mind you I smoked 2 packs a day, plus.
Once I broke the habit of reaching for them, the rest was easy for me, I didn’t crave them, I didn’t get shaky. Might have been a bit witchy, but how could anyone tell, I was normally a control freak .
I did gain the weight, but from your post on the dressage board you could benefit from some extra “padding” right?
I am so glad I made the decision, and I had thought about it for a good year or so before I did. The 40th BD was just a good starting point.
I refuse to be one of those holier-than-thou non-smokers. I still sit in the smoking section of restaurants and do not chastise those who still smoke. It is very personal, [B]DO IT FOR YOURSELF[/B]. Your family will appreciate it, but they should not be YOUR reason.
Just my not so humble opinion.
“The older I get, the better I used to be.”
Lori, I totally forgot the economic argument.
I use it often when my husband gets a little testy about horse expenses. I do not hesitate to remind him that I smoked 2 packs a day/31 days a month. I think they are around $3.50 a pack. Why that is $217.00/mo. So your problem with Bud’s board is what?
And being the number person I am, that is $2492.00 per year. Why heidi, what a little trust fund you could develop…or that charitable riding program you had wanted to help fund…
Well, we all get the picture…
“The older I get, the better I used to be.”
As someone who prescribes bupoprion (Zyban, Wellbutrin) I thought I’d add in my 2 cents.
I’ve had folks do great with it and folks not quit and folks have terrible side effects. I think it’s worth a try unless you have contraindications to it.
Bupoprion is not an SSRI. As someone else explained it works on the dopamine receptors and not the seratonin receptors. It is not related to Prozac or any of it’s brothers or sisters.
It does not decrease libido. In fact, a study out of Case Western Reserve University in the past year or so shows promising effects for increasing libido. (A god-send for all the perimenopausal women out there who find their libido lacking a little pizzaz…)
Most of all CONGRATULATIONS!!! The best aid in quitting smoking is the desire to quit and the dedication to that part of yourself. All the aids in the world ain’t gonna help 'til you’re “ready”. I never know it it’s good or bad to tell people this but I do anyway - the average person quits 7 times in their lives before they become a non-smoker. Most of all in this process be good to yourself.
I always also ask people if they’ve quit before why they started up again or, what do they like about smoking. 99% of people say, “stress”. I think it’s absolutely crazy to try to quit until you have some others methods in hand to deal with stress. I advise making a list of things, activities, thoughts, etc that calm you. From going for a walk to looking out a window to taking a deep breath. Write them down. Put the list on the fridge door. Put the list in your wallet. When you’re going nuts for a smoke take out the list. Do something on it. Also, continue to do what smokers do when they “gotta go have a cigarette”: get out of the situation, go outside, take some deep breaths for 5 minutes.
GO FOR IT!
Congratulations, Heidi- great decision. My mom just celebrated her one-year anniversary of quitting smoking. She did try Zyban but it gave her insomnia, so she stopped that pretty quickly. What eventually worked was a stop-smoking class at a local hospital. She liked the support of having 10 other people in the same boat. They still have monthly “reunion” classes for extra support. Good luck, Heidi- and keep us posted!
