1. < Smoking & Quitting

I want to quit smoking: What worked for you?

Posted by mfv @mfv, May 27, 2021

Hi, I am hoping others are looking for a positive and quick way to quick smoking! I should have done this long ago but here I am! Any comments would be much appreciated! Thank you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Smoking & Quitting Support Group.

shellmats | @shellmats | Mar 27, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "@mfv- Good morning and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Congratulations on your desire to quit smoking...." + (show)
@merpreb

@mfv- Good morning and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Congratulations on your desire to quit smoking. It's a big step towards being healthier you for sure. The reason that I stopped smoking almost 24 years ago was lung cancer. I had been coughing up specks of blood and had a horrible cough. At the time I knew that I had to quit and was more worried about that than cancer.

When you stop smoking you will immediately begin to feel better. Your breath will clear itself of smoker's breath, your nails will whiten and your clothes will be fresher after you wash them. I loved all of those things but the withdrawal was a tough one. I used a patch for about a week and then went cold turkey. Cold turkey is the quickest way to stop smoking. Depending on your strength of character, determination and physical make-up will also determine how successful you will be. I was a very heavy smoker, two packs a day for 35 years. But I did it. If I did it, you can!

Why have you chosen this time to quit?

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I guess I don’t have “good strength of character” what in the world? This is not a good place for me to get encouragement.

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3 replies
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 27, 2022
In reply to @shellmats "I guess I don’t have “good strength of character” what in the world? This is not..." + (show)
@shellmats

I guess I don’t have “good strength of character” what in the world? This is not a good place for me to get encouragement.

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I hate that term and I don't use it to ever describe anyone who wants to quit and addictive behavior. SO let's forget that phrase, ok? This is a great place to get encouragement. I don't know where you picked that up or heard it but please ignore it.

What can I do to help you? DO you not have anyone to support you at home?

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 31, 2022
In reply to @shellmats "I guess I don’t have “good strength of character” what in the world? This is not..." + (show)
@shellmats

I guess I don’t have “good strength of character” what in the world? This is not a good place for me to get encouragement.

Jump to this post

Hi @shellmats, how are you doing today?

REPLY
bth001 | @bth001 | May 18, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "I hate that term and I don't use it to ever describe anyone who wants to..." + (show)
@merpreb

I hate that term and I don't use it to ever describe anyone who wants to quit and addictive behavior. SO let's forget that phrase, ok? This is a great place to get encouragement. I don't know where you picked that up or heard it but please ignore it.

What can I do to help you? DO you not have anyone to support you at home?

Jump to this post

I used a patch for about a week and then went cold turkey. Cold turkey is the quickest way to stop smoking. Depending on your strength of character, determination and physical make-up will also determine how successful you will be. I was a very heavy smoker, two packs a day for 35 years. But I did it. If I did it, you can!

REPLY
2 replies
hubert | @kuma | May 18, 2022
In reply to @bth001 "I used a patch for about a week and then went cold turkey. Cold turkey is..." + (show)
@bth001

I used a patch for about a week and then went cold turkey. Cold turkey is the quickest way to stop smoking. Depending on your strength of character, determination and physical make-up will also determine how successful you will be. I was a very heavy smoker, two packs a day for 35 years. But I did it. If I did it, you can!

Jump to this post

Determination and hydration. I was a pack + a day 40 years ago. I had just returned to work for a company where I had previously worked. While I was gone they had changed the policy to no longer allowing smoking inside the building. I smoked my last three cigarettes, crumpled up the package and began an intense hydration practice. Between determination and an intense will I stopped. Have never gone back.

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 29, 2022
In reply to @bth001 "I used a patch for about a week and then went cold turkey. Cold turkey is..." + (show)
@bth001

I used a patch for about a week and then went cold turkey. Cold turkey is the quickest way to stop smoking. Depending on your strength of character, determination and physical make-up will also determine how successful you will be. I was a very heavy smoker, two packs a day for 35 years. But I did it. If I did it, you can!

Jump to this post

Congratulations, @bth001. What motivated you to quit?

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Comr Joseph Oliver Oruma | @oliversmile | Jul 21, 2022
In reply to @authorchris "Fear is the greatest motivator. I was hearing about people developing lung cancer (including a family..." + (show)
@authorchris

Fear is the greatest motivator. I was hearing about people developing lung cancer (including a family member) and I quit cold turkey. It wasn't easy - as my husband continued to smoke. But he had the good grace not to smoke in front of me. That was 40 years ago. Today, I can smell smoke blocks away and find it most unpleasant.

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Fear! Thats superb

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jrsav | @jrsav | Jul 21, 2022

Nothing has worked yet. I've gone hours days weeks ando months, even years without smoking. But I always go back.
For the past 3 years, I have averaged about 1/2 pack a week. But I still don't quit.

I'd also say I throw away more of the cigarettes that I light than I smoke.
Pretty foolish

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2 replies
vacationv | @vacationv | Sep 11, 2022
In reply to @jrsav "Nothing has worked yet. I've gone hours days weeks ando months, even years without smoking. But..." + (show)
@jrsav

Nothing has worked yet. I've gone hours days weeks ando months, even years without smoking. But I always go back.
For the past 3 years, I have averaged about 1/2 pack a week. But I still don't quit.

I'd also say I throw away more of the cigarettes that I light than I smoke.
Pretty foolish

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I quit 20 years ago after smoking for 30 years. Cut back gradually then doc prescribed a nicotine divide imI would hit when I wanted a smoke . I quit in two weeks after nearly two packs a day since age 16. I put on some weight at first but eventually got back to normal. Feel so much better without cigs. Don’t even miss them.

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Deb | @dg0797 | Sep 12, 2022

I quit two months ago with Chantix. I had smoked 1 pack a day for 30 years. Patches were unsuccessful and a friend told me about Chantix. I was nervous hearing about possible side effects like nightmares, but I can say I did not experience any nightmares or mood swings. Chantix has been a great solution for me. Good luck, and don't give up; sometimes it takes multiple tries.

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