Smoking and How to Quit

Share Your Story

Smoking and How to Quit > Tools > Share Your Story

Have a helpful hint or motivating thought to share? Tell us your story. Encourage others. Share strategies for quitting smoking. This area is for you.

Add YOUR comments!

« previous page | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | next page »

I'm on my 4th day of quitting. I have to admit that this is probably the hardest thing I've done mentally in my life. I am feeling depressed, irritated, grumpy, can't sleep, sweaty palms and feet... And also I'm getting the shakes. I'm trying to quit cold turkey first. If I fail, then I will result in trying precription medication. Wish me luck!

Steven from California

I've been trying to quit for 2 weeks now. I started smoking when i was 15 and i am now 25 and ive been smoking regularly the entire time. it's just so easy to stop at the store and pick up a pack. grrrrrr..... How do I stop myself from running into the store?!??

Anonymous from Alabama

When I smoked it wouldn't even occur to me to visit such web site as this. I hope other smokers are smarter than me and are actively looking for effective ways to quit. I’m Nazgul, 38-year-old female, and I live in Central Asia where it is a paradise for smokers - plenty of cheap cigarettes sold to anyone regardless of age and the ability to smoke practically anywhere - airports, schoolyards, hospital stairways, taxis, and government buildings. I smoked at least pack a day for 20 years. I quit unintentionally on March 16, 2009 and haven't had a single urge to smoke since then. I guess I was lucky - a friend of mine sent me nicotine patches and I decided to give it a try. In a matter of a week I figured out that this is not going to work and that I will restart as soon as run out of patches. Frantically, I started looking for other ways to quite, as I already loved the possibility to stay out of cigarettes. Another friend told me about author Allen Carr. I’ve read his book "Easy way to stop smoking" online in one day and decided that I do not want to smoke anymore that same day. I stopped using patches, stopped smoking, and started enjoying life. I was afraid that I would avoid social gatherings where everyone else smokes - nope, doesn't bother me. I was afraid that I may gain weight - nope, instead I started enjoying sports more than in the past, so now I look more fit than before. My skin improved and my teeth stopped deteriorating - honestly, this is what my dentist said, and he did not know that I stopped smoking. The only thing that bothers me is why it was so easy to stop smoking while they are telling us that it is so hard, that you need a strong willpower, commitment, and that you need to sacrifice your whole lifestyle. You only win. I wish I stopped many years ago. I wish everyone good luck.

AllenCarrLover from AF Afric/Can/Euro/Mideast (AE)

Hi, I am 56 years old. I started smoking at the age of 14. My dad said if I wanted to smoke to tell them, not sneak around behind their backs. So of course I said sure, why not? He gave me the money, sent me to the store, and told me what kind. So away I skipped with money in hand to buy my first life destroying, pack of cigarettes. I puffed away for 30 something years. I really got good at it too. I could smoke 2 packs a day on some days. I would wake up hacking and trying to cough up a fur ball - or that’s what it felt like. I started having problems sleeping too much. I could go to sleep anywhere. I started seeing things, like talking to people that were not in the room, and reaching for stuff that was not on the table, or whatever. I could not stay awake long enough to get off our long driveway. By the time we hit the highway, I was sound asleep. I thought I was going crazy. I was afraid to go to the doctor. I really thought I was losing my mind. The last straw was when I went to sleep on Christmas day. While sitting at the table stirring a bowl of stuffing, and talking to my family. So a day after Christmas I went to the emergency room (didn't have a doctor). They went scurrying around checking me out, running this test and that test. The Doctor comes in to talk to me. I ask, “what's wrong with me?” He says, “you are dying.” He said I had 15% oxygen level. You are supposed to have a 100%. I had carbon monoxide poisoning. I was told it was caused from smoking cigarettes. I am now 56 years old. I have quit smoking for 11 or 12 years. Unfortunately it was a little too late. I have to have oxygen, and take all kinds of medications. I enjoyed smoking so much, or at least thats what I told myself. That was the addiction beating me down. I took it hour by hour for a couple days telling myself, "You have made it an hour without a cigarette. I am not going to go through that hour again." Then the hours turned into days. I would tell myself, “yea! I did it. I am not going to mess up I do not want to have to go through another day like that." Pretty soon it was weeks, then months. Then the day came that I did not think about it, for weeks, or months. Then not at all. I have to admit every once in awhile I smell a cigarette, and I think, dang it would be nice to smoke one of them. That’s when I think "NO WAY" am I going to go through the last 11 years again. I AM A QUITER, and YOU can be also. I do know I could not have done it without God. Ask him, he loves you, he will help you. He is your Father; that’s what he is for; to love you, just remember to love him back. God Bless You.

Sherry from Missouri

It’s January 14, 2009. I made up my mind to quit smoking, and I’m starting at this very hour. I’ve been a smoker for 14 years and honestly I really do not enjoy smoking anymore compared to my younger years. When I smoked, the pleasure was gone. I just couldn’t understand why I kept on smoking. Maybe the satisfaction it gives when the urges hit me. Please, I do need support to make it through.

Zarahelana from AF Pacific (AP)

I haven't had a smoke in 8 days (after 28 yrs) and to take the edge off I used the commit lozenges and I'm down to one per day. Good luck and you can do it for you and your kids.

Jeff from Missouri

It is true that we all smokers have similar thoughts and experiences. The only fear among us is in regard to possibility of quitting smoking. I now know this is really an easy task and you must believe it. Do not think too much to go for medication etc; just leave smoking at once, that’s all. It’s only a strong will-power and we can feel a real happy and enjoyable life which is not available or seemingly possible while smoking.

Om from Virginia

I am on day 5 of not smoking. I’m not too grouchy, but I think about smoking constantly. I hope that will stop too.

Liz from New York

I quit smoking 3 weeks ago today! PRAISE GOD. I decided it was time. I think you have to decide it’s time and it makes it much easier. I quit COLD TURKEY. I FEEL AWESOME. NOT COUGHING, I can breathe better my lungs feel better and I DONT SMELL BAD. I don’t worry about being beside of my non-smoking friends and thinking “Oooh, how bad DO I smell?” I am amazed. I thank the good lord. I have tried many times but this time it feels like it will work. I am scared to death of getting cancer because I smoke. Today I know my risks are still there but I AM NOT as scared. My heart feels better and my panic attacks have stopped!!! I AM AMAZED THAT I HAVE DONE THIS . . . . . . IT FEELS GOOD. I QUIT COLD TURKEY. MY NEW THING IS WATER. KEEP THE WATER CLOSE AND IT HELPS. IN THE CAR DRINK WATER - LOTS AND LOTS OF BOTTLED WATER. IT GIVES YOUR HAND TO MOUTH SOMETHING TO STAY BUSY. GOD BLESS YOU AND GOOD LUCK!

Lesa from Texas

My husband and I quit almost 2 years ago. I was 1 pack a day, he was 3. I had been smoking for 25 years, he over 30. We went to a chiropractor for a type of acupuncture. It was a sort of tack that she put in one ear. When I had a craving I pushed the tack. It helped, but was not a silver bullet! Quitting together was the most help I believe. I'd also like to say that my motivation was because of yellow teeth and facial wrinkles brought on by smoking. You could have shown me pictures of my lungs and heart all day long, but vanity was much stronger!

Connie from Illinois

« previous page | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | next page »

Content last updated February 3, 2010.