Advice please

[Louise-heather]

I've been told by my go to give up smoking as I still have a viral infection and plursey 2 months later any1 got any advice on good ways to give up xx

[Dotpot]

Hi I smoked for 50 yrs and packed and have e cigs feel a lot better not chesty now no cold for over a yr had chest infection and new minis

[Lou1054]

I found the e.cigs helpful, gradually cutting down the nicotine strength to zero then stop, good luck it will be the best thing you ever do for your health xx

[dannyxox]

Hi Louise I got champix tablets from doc I've been off them 6 weeks x my mum got them as she has copd n had to stop she's been off them 3 weeks. Goodluck x

[Dinkie]

Hi, and well done for wanting to quit, if you are UK based then the NHS have various classes and products available to help you kick the habit. My husband tried various things from hynotherapy to products like patches and gum and vapour cigarettes. I don't think he really deep down wanted to stop because nothing worked for him until he had a heart attack and when that happened he never touched another cigarette. Now that's a very drastic, not to be recommended course! but it means that stopping can be done. The hospital gave him patches of various strengths and an inhaler type thing. He didn't use them he just stopped and I can't admire him enough for doing it and it has certainly improved his health and his bank balance! Good luck and let us know which route you decide to go down.

[Hidden]

Two ways one just say it's now throw rest away not when packets empty or never quit

Other is hold off for few minutes then 10 mins then 20.30 and so on as 60 mins make an hour 24 make a day 7 days make a week 28-31 make a month before you know it's a hey not smoked for ages

If pussy foot around as they say will always make excuses

[Claire133]

Hi Louise, I can recommend using Nicotinelle, or Boots own nicotine replacement lozenges.

I smoked from the age of 14, to the age of 35 and was totally addicted to cigarettes. I tried to give up many times and just couldn't until I used the lozenges. At first they will taste disgusting but you eventually you get used to them, and eventually like them. Since I started using them, I have never even had 1 puff of a cigarette. I am still addicted to the nicotine and 9 years down the line, I am still using them but I would prefer this to cigarettes as there's arnt over 100 chemicals in lozenges and my lungs are clean and healthy, its far far cheaper than cigarettes too.

I wish you all the luck in giving cigarettes up, it was the best decision I have ever made.

Claire

[welshie]

Hiya. I went through the GP and got the patches and an inhalator with nicotine capsules that go inside it. The inhalator was handy for the first few weeks with the oral habit of putting something in my mouth.

It's been nearly five years now and l haven't touched a cigarette. I was really struggling with my breathing before l have up and had an awful smokers cough. My lungs feel great now. Good luck xx

[notmebutme]

Champix which I got free from NHS stop smoking clinic. I'll have been quit 3 years next week. Was the only thing that worked for me after several years of trying to quit using everything else available - gum, patches, ecigs, hypnotherapy etc.

Also, join a quit smoking support group - in person or online - to get support - makes a difference. Good luck

[Hidden]

From experience professional help is needed and your gp should have offered you a programme of help. Buying "stop smoking" stuff from a pharmacy can be a waste, make an appt, with your practice nurse and tell them your gp has suggested you stop and she will have a programme of help for you.. good luck hope you manage

[Ramjets]

I've never been a smoker so can't offer any practical advice but just wanted to wish you all the best in trying to give up. I know when my mum gave up it definitely improved her health and quality of life so I hope you get the help you need to conquer the habit. Good luck! xxx

[Rachelle400]

Hi. My gp wasn’t interested (unbelievably!). I contacted the nhs ‘smoke free’ helpline. I got prescribed champix which worked. Slight side effects but nothing too bad. I came off them a couple of weeks early and have been stopped a year in February. This is after being a heavy smoker for 30 years! I didn’t want to stop as I enjoyed smoking but turning 50 and the cost of smoking made me stop. I wish you the best of luck. You will need some will power but I don’t think it’s as bad as you imagine. I could never see my life without cigarettes before. I used an e-cigarette to start with but the fluid had no nicotine in. I went weekly for support in a one to one basis which helped me a lot. Good luck and let us know how you get on? 🍀

[jayfer]

Hi, I tried everything, patches, lozenges, e cig etc. Nurse at my surgery then suggested champix. I have now been a non smoker for 21 months. I wasn't really mindset to stop but it worked for me and I was approaching 60, having smoked since I was 14. Good luck

[Louise-heather]

Thank you all for your helpful advice I have an appointment at go on 24 this month I have also managed to cut down a small amount on my own. As of yesterday I have been a recovering alcoholic for 7 years so here's to hoping I can give the fags up too. Xx