14th day without a cigerette

[Mike Reeter]

I'm 2 weeks in without a smoke,of anykind...I hope to maintain this streak for rest of my life.

To those of you how have kicked the habit and to those of you that are still addicted to this drug...you know where I'm coming from.

To those of you that have enough sense to have never picked up a cigarette,I doubt if you know were I'm at...That's O.K.:D

I've been a smoker for the past 38 years...

[audiobliss]

Awesome! Hang in there! You can do it! We're pulling for you!!!

Just think of all that money you can now put towards more audio gear! :D:D

[Mike Reeter]

Thanks for the encouragement,I'm into my 3rd beer this afternoon and a smoke sounds pretty good...but,,,,I'm hangin' in there.

And,yes I plan on "rewarding" myself as time goes on:D

[polkatese]

My one year anniversary was August 16. I puffed Cigar a couple times since, but no biggie. The addiction was the toughest one, and stoggies doesn't seem to give me any. This is after 24 years of puffing, half of it was on Marlboro Light.

Congrats, Mike! all those nasty stains will slowly dissapear from your life. Keep it up. Believe me, I know how it feels.

[cfrizz]

WTG Mike! I will be pulling for you to kick the habit once & for all!

[Mike Reeter]

My one year anniversary was August 16. I puffed Cigar a couple times since, but no biggie. The addiction was the toughest one, and stoggies doesn't seem to give me any. This is after 24 years of puffing, half of it was on Marlboro Light.

Congrats, Mike! all those nasty stains will slowly dissapear from your life. Keep it up. Believe me, I know how it feels.

Congrats on your milestone of over a year...I can deal with the physical withdraws...it's the "headgame" I have trouble with...

[cmy330go]

I've never smoked but I don't deny that it's a huge challenge to stop. Congrats. Hope you're able to hang in there!!!!

[bobman1235]

I only smoked for a couple of years, so I'm not sure if the quitting is the same, but I found after two weeks it definitley got a lot easier. When drinking is really the only time I have the urge, and sometimes I'll just succumb to it because I don't drink that often anyways.

Keep it up though!

[Shizelbs]

Keep it up.

[polrbehr]

Way to go.
It's definitely NOT easy, but well worth the effort.
June 14, 2003 was my stop day ( I never say quit... one can always fall off the wagon).
I would advise keeping alcohol use to a minimum; somehow it is linked to
cigarettes for some people, so I kinda quit drinking too, although I still enjoy
the occasional beer.
Two weeks is great for you. The urge really dissipates after three weeks, but like everything else, your results may vary.

Good luck, and congrats.

[Mike Reeter]

Way to go.
It's definitely NOT easy, but well worth the effort.
June 14, 2003 was my stop day ( I never say quit... one can always fall off the wagon).
I would advise keeping alcohol use to a minimum; somehow it is linked to
cigarettes for some people, so I kinda quit drinking too, although I still enjoy
the occasional beer.
Two weeks is great for you. The urge really dissipates after three weeks, but like everything else, your results may vary.

Good luck, and congrats.

I've never said "quit" myself...Cigarettes to me, are like a drink to a recovering alcoholic...1 is too many and a 100 is not enough...A few beers I can handle without a smoke,it's that morning coffee that tests my will:D

[Roy Munson]

I started smoking when I was 13 and I quit when I was 40, that was 13 years ago! I had been smoking 1 1/2 packs a day for a long time and one day I just decided to quit! It's tough but you can do it!!!!!!!

Hang in there..as time passes so do the urges!

[dorokusai]

Just start punching people in the face to help with the cravings.

[Mike Reeter]

I started smoking when I was 13 and I quit when I was 40, that was 13 years ago! I had been smoking 1 1/2 packs a day for a long time and one day I just decided to quit! It's tough but you can do it!!!!!!!

Hang in there..as time passes so do the urges!

Roy,You and I are the age,I started when I was 15 years young...I also have ran through about a pack and a half a day..

I did some rough math and I have put about 300,000 cigs. into my system over the years.

I feel like I have pushed the envelope as about as far as I should have...and then some...

[polkatese]

Just start punching people in the face to help with the cravings.

yes, that's definitely how I felt for about 6 months. I think there were quite a few drive through McDonalds close early when they saw my car coming.

[bert26]

Doro always knows just what to say. :p

Go like hell Mike - well done and stay the course.

Cheers!

Chris

[hearingimpared]

I'm 2 weeks in without a smoke,of anykind...I hope to maintain this streak for rest of my life.

To those of you how have kicked the habit and to those of you that are still addicted to this drug...you know where I'm coming from.

To those of you that have enough sense to have never picked up a cigarette,I doubt if you know were I'm at...That's O.K.:D

I've been a smoker for the past 38 years...

Hey Mike,

I'm 6 months 10 Days without. . . smoked heavily 41 years. It took me two you years to quite. Don't pick up that first cig under any and all conditions. . . that urge passes quicker than you think. I have chronic brochitis (sp). I developed it four years ago and still couldn't quit. . .I'll shoot some prayers up for you ;) . . . DON'T PICK UP THAT FIRST ONE!!!

Joe

[I-SIG]

While not quite as unhealthy as smoking, I wish I would quit biting my finger nails. I can't remember ever not biting them and I'm well into 28. Good luck.

Wes

[Disc Jockey]

Never picked up the habit myself but my wife did. She quit 8 years ago and never looked back. Father in law did the same, woke up one day and decided enough was enough. Both have been smoke free for years and love it.

Persevere, it's worth it!

[Mike Reeter]

Thanks again guys/gals...I'm commited to getting through this...I told my family to get ready for the ugly in me,I've not been too rough yet,but I have a good feeling of what PMS is all about:D

[janmike]

Keep it up Mike, you can do it. Did a whole pile of test a week ago and the Doc is trying to get me to quit. I just have to say I want to.

[janmike]

While not quite as unhealthy as smoking, I wish I would quit biting my finger nails. I can't remember ever not biting them and I'm well into 28. Good luck.

Wes

Wes, Take a look at your hands more often. When you see what they look like and what they could look like, it may change your mind. You can do it.

[Joey_V]

Are you taking any medications to help you quit?

Bupoprion and the new Chantix are great medications to aide you in your quest to be smoke-free.

It's a great choice not to smoke... keep it up! I'll be rooting for you.

Your health will improve and you will have less risk factors for many diseases. Great great great job!!

[Roy Munson]

Roy,You and I are the age,I started when I was 15 years young...I also have ran through about a pack and a half a day..

I did some rough math and I have put about 300,000 cigs. into my system over the years.

I feel like I have pushed the envelope as about as far as I should have...and then some...

With the high price of cigarettes think of all that extra cash you'll have to buy gear!!! Add it up and you might be shocked how much you burn up in just one week, or one month, or...

Hang in there bro..you can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Libertyc]

Mike,
Good for you. You are on the right track. I know what you are going through and wish you much luck. You will battle this for the rest of your life. The last time I smoke was only back in April. I stopped smoking on and off for years and fell many times. Somtimes things in your life (stress, drinking) will make you want a smoke, but be strong.
Bill

[Fireman32]

Mike congrats at quitting. I started smoling when i was 13 as well and i have still yet to quit. I went on the patch a few months ago and lasted an entire three weeks and then fell off the wagon. Ask ohskigod was an asshole i was off of the smokes. Hopefully you have stronger willpower then me and can stay quit. I am going to try again as hearing these stories does inspire me to quit. Mike how did you quit? patch, pills, cold turkey? again congrats.

[Mike Reeter]

I've been taking a product called Commit,it is a nicotine lozenge,same concept as any other "stop smoking aid" you are still putting nicotine in your system,just not with a cigarette.

They help a lot with the physical withdraws,and after a couple weeks you start taking a lower dosage.And eventually "wean off"

I and many others can tell you,there is no magic pill or drug that is going to keep you from smoking...You have to WANT TO...I made a commitment to my family and myself that I would do everything in my power to beat this addiction...

15 days later,I'm still on the wagon:D

[tonyb]

Screw it man,go have a smoke!:p :)
[KIDDIN,KIDDIN]

[polkatese]

Mike, that what I used to, Commit lozenge. I had it for 12 weeks, initially popped one almost every 3 hours during the day. Side-effect for me was canker sores, but hey, it works! The WILL has to be there for sure, otherwise it ain't matter.

You can do it!

[steveinaz]

I've smoked since 15, and I'm 44 now. It's a tough habit to break. I did quit once for 45 days while in Desert Storm, I felt really good, slept better, etc, etc---but I had a weak moment, and I was back to smoking. Anytime you have a weak moment, immediately find something to do--within 2 minutes you'll forget all about it.

The three or four times I've quit, the "short term" (first 7 days) wasn't tough for me, it was the long term.

Best of luck brotha, hang tough.

[ND13]

I stopped smoking over three years ago, after 22 years of smoking Camels. The best way to quit is COLD-TURKEY!!! You'll feel the withdrawals for about a week or so, then it starts to get better after that.

Good Luck and put the cig money into the gear fund.

[Mike Reeter]

It's great to hear that I'm not alone,this forum and its awesome members are helping me more than you know...Thanks again for all of your support...

Steve,don't feel bad,I've tried to give it up more than once...and I'm trying again...nothing will happen if you don't at least try..

[hearingimpared]

When I went to quit this last time, my wife purchased the Nicotrol Inhaler. I tried it the first couple of days and I can tell you it is nastier than smoking...so what I did was take the plastic holder without the nicotine capsule and just kept that in my fingers and mouth from time to time. After a while, I just put it down. The biggest problem I had was that I gained like 30lbs. cause I was constantly eating to cut the physical cravings and then later the mental obsession. I also did a lot of praying.

After about a week the physical cravings ceased then shortly after that the mental stuff eased. Now it's like I never smoked. My wife quit for a while and she picked them up again and I never realized how God aweful the smell is and big time dragon breath. . .

Well hang in there Mike we are all pulling for you. Again, just don't pick up that first one.

Joe

[Mike Reeter]

When I went to quit this last time, my wife purchased the Nicotrol Inhaler. I tried it the first couple of days and I can tell you it is nastier than smoking...so what I did was take the plastic holder without the nicotine capsule and just kept that in my fingers and mouth from time to time. After a while, I just put it down. The biggest problem I had was that I gained like 30lbs. cause I was constantly eating to cut the physical cravings and then later the mental obsession. I also did a lot of praying.

After about a week the physical cravings ceased then shortly after that the mental stuff eased. Now it's like I never smoked. My wife quit for a while and she picked them up again and I never realized how God aweful the smell is and big time dragon breath. . .

Well hang in there Mike we are all pulling for you. Again, just don't pick up that first one.

Joe

Joe,It is a stinking,filthy,dirty habit...I centainly hope your health conditions improve with time...

I've seen people with oxygen tubes running out of their nose,puffen on a cigarette...

I don't want that to be the end game for me.

[hearingimpared]

Joe,It is a stinking,filthy,dirty habit...I centainly hope your health conditions improve with time...

I've seen people with oxygen tubes running out of their nose,puffen on a cigarette...

I don't want that to be the end game for me.

Mike just yesterday I was at a store when I guy pulled up in his car, took the oxygen tubes from his nose, jumped out of the car, looked around and went to the cigs store window and purchased a pack of Lucky Strikes, smoked one then got back in his car, put his O2 back on and left.

I'm sure this guy wants to quit more than anything in the world. . . it just goes to show how powerful that addiction is.

I'm telling you this chronic brochitis is a real bitch. When I was still smoking I had really bad chest pains was coughing up 2 tablespoons of yuck in the mornings and it hurt when I inhaled AND I STILL COULDN'T QUIT. After six months I still get bouts of the inhaling pain and coughing up yuck. It takes years for CB to clear up and on some people it doesn't.

Don't get to that point before you actually do quit. . . keep on keeping on where you are now.

Joe

[candyliquor35m]

Hey Mike,

I'm 6 months 10 Days without. . . smoked heavily 41 years. It took me two you years to quite. Don't pick up that first cig under any and all conditions. . . that urge passes quicker than you think. I have chronic brochitis (sp). I developed it four years ago and still couldn't quit. . .I'll shoot some prayers up for you ;) . . . DON'T PICK UP THAT FIRST ONE!!!

Joe

I've heard this from a few people. Don't let down your guard and think you can have just one or even a puff because that can put you right back where you started. congrats on 2 weeks and one more day tomorrow and the next...

[hearingimpared]

One other warning . . . stay off the booze while going through the withdrawl. Nothing goes better with a drink than a smoke. Plus after a couple you'll let your guard down and think you can have a couple of smokes and stop after a drinking bout. . . I;ve tried it, it doesn't work you'll be right back to sucking down a pack or two a day!!!

[sda2mike]

it's not easy, that's for sure!...be strong and make the commitment to 'you'. the rewards are far greater than the actual act of smoking. it's nasty and stinky. fouls up your house and car and clothes. yellows your teeth. looks nasty too, to non-smokers. i quit during superbowl XX. i figured if i can get through this kind of party, i'll be alright. i turned to ben & jerry's for awhile. i'm not as skinny as i once was. but, i ran my 1st marathon 1/27/06 and i'll run my 2nd, 1/28/07. if i was still smoking NO WAY! GOOD LUCK!!!!;) :)

[wingnut4772]

Congrats, Mike. I am sure it's not easy but it is sooo worth it. Hang in there.

[cfrizz]

Way to go Mike!!!

[audiobliss]

Stick with it, Mike! You'll be glad you decided to kick the habit when it's all over!

[hearingimpared]

My wife got home from the pulmonary doctor about an hour ago. She has the begining statges of chonic bronchitis (43 years old). The doc told her she had to quit. She now is wanting to smoke more because of the added stress of knowing that she has COPD.

MIKE don't pick up that first smoke. . . I know first hand how wanting to quit, having to quit, praying to quit, agonizing over needing to quit, makes it 1000 times harder to quit. If you haven't smoked the really hard part is over. Just don't look back or you will be turned into a pillar of salt with COPD.

COPD is too sterile. How about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD increases the risk of cancer due to the, scarring of the lungs, nature of the disease.:eek: :eek: :eek: :mad:

[Mike Reeter]

My wife got home from the pulmonary doctor about an hour ago. She has the begining statges of chonic bronchitis (43 years old). The doc told her she had to quit. She now is wanting to smoke more because of the added stress of knowing that she has COPD.

MIKE don't pick up that first smoke. . . I know first hand how wanting to quit, having to quit, praying to quit, agonizing over needing to quit, makes it 1000 times harder to quit. If you haven't smoked the really hard part is over. Just don't look back or you will be turned into a pillar of salt with COPD.

COPD is too sterile. How about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD increases the risk of cancer due to the, scarring of the lungs, nature of the disease.:eek: :eek: :eek: :mad:

This is exactly why I'm SERIOUS about getting through this and beating this addiction...

Show your wife this thread and let her know that she is not alone...Myself and others here are pulling for her.

Like I said,I smoked for 38 years,I'm now in my 17th day without a cigarette...

[Ricardo]

Good for you Mike; I quit on labor day 05, after being smoking 30 years; after six or seven months, was playing poker with some friends and decided I could have "one" cigarrette....BAD IDEA; as others say, DON'T TAKE THAT FIRST ONE, because odds are that you'll get back smoking....more than before.

I am quitting again any day.

[jhermance]

Keep up the good work! You get past that habit and there will be that much more money to go towards this habit.

[Mike Reeter]

Keep up the good work! You get past that habit and there will be that much more money to go towards this habit.

That's rich:D I don't know which habit is worse...I do know which is more enjoyable

[madmax]

Congrats on being a non-smoker! It really isn't hard, you just have to not do it and have a real good reason to keep not doing it. I just said eff it one day and quit. I took all the money I would have spent in the next year and bought myself a keyboard I had been wanting. Put it on the card. Eff it. My promise to myself was I had to sell it the first time I picked up another smoke.

Here you go, buy something expensive you want now without thinking about it. If you smoke again whatever you bought goes up for sale and your complete audio system must go. Set up the rules right and you have no choice but to never smoke again.

madmax

[hearingimpared]

Set up the rules right and you have no choice but to never smoke again.
madmax

If I get an urge here or there, I remember how it took me two years of freaking out trying to quit while my chest hurt, couldn't breathe, sore throats, hacking up nuclear waste, weeks of bronchitis along with the chronic bronchitis, etc, etc.

My rule is to remember how extremely hard and how long it took to actually quit in the first place.:mad:

I like your idea Chuck where the immediate pain is in the pocket book and then the loss of the rig.:eek:

[Mike Reeter]

Here you go, buy something expensive you want now without thinking about it. If you smoke again whatever you bought goes up for sale and your complete audio system must go. Set up the rules right and you have no choice but to never smoke again.

madmax[/QUOTE]

Damn Max...my complete audio system has to go...you set down some pretty tough rules to live by...but I like the way your thinken:D

[madmax]

For me, I have to play games to get done what I want. And hey, if it becomes yet another excuse to spend money I don't have on things I want but don't need then so much the better. :)

Besides, My initial expense in this matter was $1100. Each year afterwards I do it again. Well, I haven't lately but I did for a few years. But, in the final analysis I would have spent the same money anyway plus future doctor bills etc. Besides, I finally figured out I was constantly waiting for that "pleasure time with a smoke" rather than having a pleasurable time for the better part of the day. You just don't think that way when you are waiting for your next smoke.
madmax

[Mike Reeter]

Hell,I was in my first week without a smoke and bought a pair of SRS 2.3's for my reward:D

I'm thinking this no cigarette thing might turn into an awesome 2-channel rig one day!!!

[hearingimpared]

Hell,I was in my first week without a smoke and bought a pair of SRS 2.3's for my reward:D

I'm thinking this no cigarette thing might turn into an awesome 2-channel rig one day!!!
Great attitude, keep it up!

[madmax]

Hey, whatever it costs you in the short term is nothing compared to the long term benifits. Now, whip out that card. :D
madmax

[krabby5]

I'm on day 13,425 of not smoking:D

[Mike Reeter]

I'm on day 13,425 of not smoking:D

That's AWESOME,I would think you would be less "krabby" by now:D

[audiobliss]

Lemme see, here,...

17 x 365....+...31+28+31+30+31+30+31+31+30+12......=... .
6205....+....285....=....
6490 days

Hmm. That doesn't sound like a long time.

6490 x 24 = 155,760
155760 x 60 = 9,345,600

There, that sounds better. :D

9,345,600 minutes I have been free from cigarettes! :p

[Mike Reeter]

Damn,I've been approx. 1,140 minutes without a cigarette.

You guys are setting the bar pretty high:D

[audiobliss]

Just keep trucking! And buying expensive audio gear you can't afford. You'll get there!!

:D

[PhantomOG]

Just seeing the prices of cigarettes at stores, I would think the money saved alone would be a pretty big reason to quit. But I have never been addicted so I don't know the feeling.

Good luck to all who are trying to quit.

[cfrizz]

Instead of spending that money on cigs, you can spend it on gas! At least you will be able to take yourself somewhere!

YOU CAN DO IT! GO MIKE GO!

[krabby5]

That's AWESOME,I would think you would be less "krabby" by now:D

nope...13425 days ago, I was born krabby:o

[audiobliss]

nope...13425 days ago, I was born krabby:o
:eek:

That's over twice my age!!! *points* You're.....umm, uhhh, *cough*...in your prime! :D

whew, narrowly missed that one!

[apc]

Congratulations. It's a good thing you are doing for yourself and your family. I smoked for over 25 years and quit just over 8 years ago. One of the hardest things I've ever done. My wife almost divorced me during the process, but we endured. Keep the faith.

[hearingimpared]

Well for some reason in the past week or so my wife's cigs are really getting to me. What surprises me is that she gets really pist off at me when I tell her the smoke is bothering me. I never realized how really aweful cig smoke really is. Now I know why there are so many people who make a big deal about the nastiness of it.

[MattN03]

Keep it up! I never started, but my dad smoked cigars for years. He quit about 10 years ago and hates to be around smoke now. My family is very proud of him for quitting and sticking too it.

[Mike Reeter]

Well for some reason in the past week or so my wife's cigs are really getting to me. What surprises me is that she gets really pist off at me when I tell her the smoke is bothering me. I never realized how really aweful cig smoke really is. Now I know why there are so many people who make a big deal about the nastiness of it.

She might as well try to give em' up also...it won't be long...it will be illegal to smoke in your own home.

[Mike Reeter]

Congratulations. It's a good thing you are doing for yourself and your family. I smoked for over 25 years and quit just over 8 years ago. One of the hardest things I've ever done. My wife almost divorced me during the process, but we endured. Keep the faith.

Many thanks again to everyones support,it takes a smoker to really understand just how tough this process can be.

My wife has never smoked a single cigarette in her 45 years,it hard for her to understand what my body and mind are going through.

But,she and my son are soo supportive,and very understanding so far,they want this as much as I do.

I'm in my 20th day without,and I'm already "feeling" better:D

[cfrizz]

Yeah you can do it Mike! Do a Kojak & just suck on lollipops all day long!!!

[hearingimpared]

Yeah you can do it Mike! Do a Kojak & just suck on lollipops all day long!!!

Great idea. Mike set a limit as to how much weight you will let yourselve gain, and just eat something sweet everytime the urge comes. It really works to cut that urge and cravings.:)

[audiobliss]

20 days! Awesome! Keep it up!

[hearingimpared]

She might as well try to give em' up also...it won't be long...it will be illegal to smoke in your own home.

She quit for a month but started up again about 3 weeks ago. Everytime you quit and start up again it gets that much harder to quit again. Addiction is a progressive disease.:(