I want to quit smoking

[bk3019]

I am a 53 yr. old woman and need to quit smoking. (Medical reasons).  but I can't seem to get my mind ready to quit. I bought Nicoderm CQ step down patches. Has anyone tried them with success? I also need alittle support during this. Anybody else trying to quit? Any advice?

[teko]

Well the mind set is crucial I admit. But once you get motivated, it makes getting off so much easier and with me at least, it got tuffer as time went on because the anxiety got me. If that happens go to the doc and get something to get you over the hump and dont just go back to smoking cause the anxiety is temporary. Cutting down didnt work for me. It was all or nothin and 35 years of two packs plus a day so it was like changing my whole life. I am 9 months out cold turkey and altho it wasnt easy as pie for me, it is soooo rewarding. What keeps me from smoking now? The fact that I know I could never go tthru the quitting process again. It seems like I have been quitting for the last 5 years! lol  Good luck to ya.

[bk3019]

Thank You!  I haven't been on here for a while so I just now read your comment. I know it's not going to be easy to quit smoking and many others have told me to go Cold Turkey also, I do have the step down patches but this is one hard habit to quit for me anyway. I have been a smoker for about 30 yrs. I have cut down to about a half a pack a day sometimes a little more. I guess that's a start in the right direction. I know I have to do this and soon as possible. I say everyday okay tomorrow I'm going to start the patch but, I end up reaching for a cigarette with my coffee of the morning. Like you said it's mind over matter and habit of the hand. I thought about buying one of those vapor cigarettes while doing the patch but I'm not sure that would help or make it harder. I really do appreciate your advise. I just have to set my mind to a quit date and stick to it!!!

[teko]

My first suggestion would be for you to go to whyquit.com and just read the articles and the tips and hints and other peoples experiences. Dont do anything right now, just read. It has a wealth of information and has proven to be very inspiring and informative for someone thinking about quitting. The mind set is very important. I quit cold turkey because it didnt make sense to me to continue doing nicotine in order to get off nicotine, but my way doesnt work for everyone. I tried the patches and they worked for the nicotine and grouchiness but I still had that oral fixation and habit with my hands, the gum was nasty and I have known others that got addicted to it instead of getting off of it. Its tough but easier if you have the will it takes to have mind over body. I am 7 months out for health reasons as well. I rarely have a crave now, but to tell you it was mentally easy would be lying to you im afraid.