Advice please

[AimeeDaws]

I have smoked since I was 13. I'm 35 now. I stopped once for 5 years then started again a year ago. I smoke more than ever now and can really feel the effects. I so desperately want to stop but I can't use nicotine patches I've had bad reactions to them. I can't go cold turkey because I become a monster to my husband and 3 kids! Please does anyone have any advice? Thank you.

[Rastis]

Hey i totally feel you on this one i was exactly the same and i had been smoking since 13 and started giving up this year at 41. I took champix for for the first 3 weeks (usually a 12 or 24 week course) this helped hugely with cravings and keeping my emotions in check also I had zero will power and actually didn't want to give up but the doctor said i had to. I had to stop taking the pills as the nausea got a bit much to handle and i figured i was better off taking my chances and it turns out i was, I'm now 8 weeks without a ciggy and while I've had small cravings i can talk myself out of them and I've also managed to not yell at my family once. Also if champix isn't an option there are the stop smoking books by Alan Carr, they mention how you had managed lifes stresses before you smoked and without nicotine so you can do it now without nicotine and its very true you just have to get inside your own head and remind yourself you don't need nicotine to get through the stresses of life. Also tell your family that this is probably going to happen and you will try your best not to be mean and how you are feeling they should be your support and its perhaps if you feel yourself getting cranky remove yourself from around your family until you have talked yourself out of the craving/cranky zone. Alan carr books are brilliant very repetitive but absolutely on the ball with describing the addiction and how to get rid of it. Dont let the nicotine monster win, you can do this!

[AimeeDaws in reply to Rastis]

Thank you, I'm like you I don't want to stop smoking I enjoy a cigarette but I need to stop for my health. Think I will have to go cold turkey. Today I have started to cut down, think I will do that a few days then try to stop. Fingers crossed!

[ellebron]

I smoked since I was 16 and also gave up for 5 years (How weird is that )I am 51 now and stopped 6 months ago again. I went cold Turkey .

I just got up one day and said to myself (I have had enough) I just got fed up buying the tobacco and it costing a small fortune ,getting the ash all in my car ,having to keep remembering to take my smokes every day when going out .

I just had to make myself absolutely sick and tired of smoking . My health was suffering with my breathing and energy levels . Think how bad it was for me then ,as my partner still smokes to this day and honestly don't think she will ever give up.I have a good family and smashing young grandson and was so scared of leaving him without a grampy while he was still young . I was struggling to play with him at times and knew it was the smoking.

It's not until you've had lots of tests and your sat in the doctors waiting room for your results ,that you think to yourself this could be the moment your gonna be told some bad news and that does put the fear of god up you .

[AimeeDaws in reply to ellebron]

Thank you, Just as I've said above I don't want to stop smoking I enjoy a cigarette but I need to stop for my health. Think I will have to go cold turkey. Today I have started to cut down, think I will do that a few days then try to stop. Fingers crossed!

[ellebron in reply to AimeeDaws]

I wish you all the best Aimee

[Busylady21 in reply to AimeeDaws]

That's what I'm doing at the moment. Trying to cut down from over 25 roll up's a day. Now having less than 10 a day. Been smoking for 38 year's so not easy but I intend to succeed this time. I'm sure you will too.