Did you know that you can break out when you quit smoking? I got hives on my back from all of the damn toxins coming out. I have never had skin issues before, and this was like having chicken pox on my back.

It has subsided, I feel much better, and my muscles are developing because I actually have a lot more breath.

I don't know why I started in the first place, but I am damn glad I am at the finish line.

I have more breath, but I gained a few pounds, so for now that evens out and walking uphill is just as challenging. For now

Last edited Tue May 5, 2015, 06:34 PM - Edit history (2)

so it's a positive for me.

The hives did suck, though, LOL.

I mean they *REALLY* sucked.

Chicken Pox suck, and I had chicken pox post puberty.

that cannot quit.

I never thought I would say that, but I have done a combination of the gum, the e-cigarettes and just plain being fed up with smoking.

All of the things combined - you stink of cigarettes, your lungs are congested, and you generally feel less able.

Doesn't matter, though. The only thing you have to do is get to the place where you are done with smoking.

I reached that place.

I'll help you in any way that I can - I recommend starting with the e-cigs. You can do the same things that you did smoking, without the lighting up. You get nicotine, and I've come to think that the nicotine isn't what kills smokers - it's the smoke that makes us diminished.

You can get e-cigs with a hit of nicotine higher than even a regular cigarette - you will be shocked how much better you feel. You can chew the nasty tasting gum (I know I'm not selling it, I'm being honest, it tastes like crap) and use that in tandem with the e-cigs and QUIT.

If I can quit, anybody can. I mean it, Rug. You can, too.

If and when, I'll pm you.

If you are taking a look at your body and are tired of smoking, you CAN quit.

I don't give a shit what anybody else has to say about it, because I LOVED to smoke cigarettes. Until I didn't.

Any time that you choose to not love them, you can quit.

The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Alan Carr.

I resisted the suggestions to read it for years, but I finally did last June. After 45 years of a pack a day, I smoked my last cigarette as I read the last chapter.

I believe this book is written for people like you and me. Don't fear it. Just read it sometime. You can download it.

I know that what works for one person may not work for anyone else, but from what I know of you, I think you should take a look at this.

If I can kick the habit, ANYBODY can. I kicked caffeine 2 years ago, and I was a pot a day drinker of coffee. I drink decaffeinated tea, now (never could stand sweetener in coffee or tea, so it wasn't that bad).

Here I arrive off of cigarettes. It has taken a monumental mindset, but I was disgusted by the lingering habit.

It was not exactly as easy as I portray it, but it isn't as hard as I thought it would be. I was around smokers all day today, and thankfully, it wasn't last week. I probably might have folded. Today, though, I'm in enough that I don't feel the white knuckle type urge anymore.

and I never did the one month, one year, but was AMAZED to see my first post to the e cig forum was 10/2013
I must have quit quite a bit earlier..I have not noticed

I still do the e cig...I think if a pacifier could do a throat hit, I would be addicted to the pacifier

and using the pacifier. You know what? I still feel better than I have in years, and nothing will "shame" me back to smoking.

There is no amount of mocking that is harsher than your lungs at 6 in the morning after you have been smoking all night.

Yes, I always make sure I have my e-cig with me when I go out on errands. Don't know if I'll ever not need it, but wow! I'm grateful every day that I gave it a chance. I counted every day for the first year, because I was still so amazed that it was working. I'm close to 500 days now!

I feel better than I have in a long time, and I'm almost a Cialis commercial except I'm not a man and don't have those issues.

I quit cold turkey in 1992. I was a social smoker, though, and really wasn't addicted.

That notwithstanding, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Your victory represents hope to so many here. You are an inspiration!

As the days go by you'll find so many things changing. Like smelling things...both good and bad. Flowers. perfume. A delicious meal (you needed to gain a few?). Then there's the trash and other people's cigarettes. You'll say "OMG I smelled like THAT?"
I used to do a lot of sneaky smoking and losing the sneaking has made another big change in my life.

Keep it up and ask for support whenever you need it.

How I quit was realizing my addiction was aiding the people I despise ..plain and simple , even my cancer didn't stop me .Tobbaco is a mistake in time when we mortals have so little time .

I am trying too.

Was it you who posted about the Flings disposables not long ago? That is what I started with.

The first week I was going back and forth, but "real" cigarettes seem more disgusting now. I am out of "real" cigs and I think I won't buy any more... and see how it goes.

They really do help. I'm not going to say I haven't had some bad moments where I've been an absolute harridan, lost my shit and the people around me were praying I'd smoke a cigarette or at least just go somewhere else to rant, because I can't say that.

I can say I haven't lit a cigarette, and I do not intend to do so. I just reached the point where I REFUSE to do it anymore. When you have had enough, you have had enough. Yesterday was horrible - I went to get my hair done and all the ladies were smoking around me. I *STILL* didn't.

And yes, you will at some point lose your shit and realize - oh. That's the problem. I always went outside to smoke, and I realized that I can go right on outside without smoking and I need that mental break to gather my shit back together again LOL. But I can do it without smoking.

other people to quit than anything. I'm serious, it is possible. I didn't think it was, but I proved myself wrong.

If I just inspire one other person to quit, I've done something worthy of kudos.

I've been without a ciggy for quite a few years . The health benefits are what keep me going.

The sense of smell and taste came back almost instantly. It was great because I smelled things I haven't noticed in years. Man, I love that. Keep going...

You are awesome!

completely awesome!!

Keep up the good work!

Once you get as much nicotine out of your system as you can, finally quitting completely will be much easier. It won't be a shock to your body.

I've now made it to 31 years quit.