Smoking

[LoveMrsG]

Hi Chit Chat Board! I'm new here and I've mostly been hanging out on "The Facts of Life" boards because it's one of my favorite sit-coms and I'm working on a fanfic now about it. I wanted to say hi, and if everybody can forgive me, I need to ask a favor. I know it's not the best manners to ask favors of people 2 seconds after you meet them, but you all seem like such a nice bunch, I figured what the heck?

I'm considering making quitting smoking an issue later on ahead in my story, and it's kind of hard for me to write about it because I've never been a smoker. If there's anybody out there who's quitting now, I was wondering if you could tell me what cravings are like, perhaps describe what your body goes through or something when you want to smoke, and your own best way of dealing with the cravings. If anybody could help me out, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks,
LoveMrsG

[Jo_Luvs_Ketchup]

I'll be able to answer any questions you may have, but I will be quitting shortly. I'll send you a PM then.

[LoveMrsG]

Great! Thanks a lot, Kelly.

[Yooch]

I quit smoking twenty years ago. Only once did I go back to smoking, it lasted about a week and I haven't smoked since, not once (in 15 years)

I can't speak for everyone, but for me

1) The desire to smoke, although it lessens with time, never has gone away completely. I wouldn't say at this point that I ever have a craving, but there is still some desire there at times. That's how addictive the stuff is.
and

2) What controls the desire for me to smoke, are the images of people, especially some older loved ones, who went through lung cancer and/or emphysema. A doctor once told me that emphysema is a horrible way to die. That was enough to scare the s*** out of me. Plus whenever I see someone with one of those oxygen tanks and those tubes around their nose, it depresses me, especially knowing that it was preventable. I don't want to be in the same situation.

3) I had to face reality. I thought that if I could just smoke a few cigarettes a day, I'd be ok. In no time it went to half a pack a day, then a pack a day, Then I'm opening up the second pack of Marlboro's. That's when I said, 'That's it, no more' And with the price of cigarettes today?! A person would have to be nuts!

I hope this helps! Good luck!

[LoveMrsG]

Thanks, Yooch. I've heard the same things. You're right. Emphysema is a horrible way to die. I watched my dad go through it. I wish he would have stopped.

Anyway, I appreciate you replying. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Yooch

I quit smoking twenty years ago. Only once did I go back to smoking, it lasted about a week and I haven't smoked since, not once (in 15 years)

I can't speak for everyone, but for me

1) The desire to smoke, although it lessens with time, never has gone away completely. I wouldn't say at this point that I ever have a craving, but there is still some desire there at times. That's how addictive the stuff is.
and

2) What controls the desire for me to smoke, are the images of people, especially some older loved ones, who went through lung cancer and/or emphysema. A doctor once told me that emphysema is a horrible way to die. That was enough to scare the s*** out of me. Plus whenever I see someone with one of those oxygen tanks and those tubes around their nose, it depresses me, especially knowing that it was preventable. I don't want to be in the same situation.

3) I had to face reality. I thought that if I could just smoke a few cigarettes a day, I'd be ok. In no time it went to half a pack a day, then a pack a day, Then I'm opening up the second pack of Marlboro's. That's when I said, 'That's it, no more' And with the price of cigarettes today?! A person would have to be nuts!

I hope this helps! Good luck!

[Theda Bara]

I smoked off and on for nearly 23 years. I finally quit 4 months ago, developing a pack a day habit. I just came to the conclusin that smoking was, sooner (than later) going to effect my health and it was just a nasy (and an expensive habit). I finally decided to quit (for good this time *knock on wood*) I immediately, started using Nicorette gum; and have been successful for not, craving in and having a cigarette. At first, I craved a smoke, terribly; but, within a few weeks, the need for a cigarette diminished. I also, did not gain any weight, too. I started to exercise more, because, it is very true, once you quit the cigarettes, yon constantly crave SUGAR, and your appetite does increase; hence, the reason why I extended my mileage and added another hour to my daily walking.

[Lee]

Originally Posted by LoveMrsG

Hi Chit Chat Board! :wave: I'm new here and I've mostly been hanging out on "The Facts of Life" boards because it's one of my favorite sit-coms and I'm working on a fanfic now about it. I wanted to say hi, and if everybody can forgive me, I need to ask a favor. I know it's not the best manners to ask favors of people 2 seconds after you meet them, but you all seem like such a nice bunch, I figured what the heck? :)

I'm considering making quitting smoking an issue later on ahead in my story, and it's kind of hard for me to write about it because I've never been a smoker. If there's anybody out there who's quitting now, I was wondering if you could tell me what cravings are like, perhaps describe what your body goes through or something when you want to smoke, and your own best way of dealing with the cravings. If anybody could help me out, I'd greatly appreciate it! :)

Thanks,
LoveMrsG

What character does your story revolve around?

[Larenz09]

It'll be fourteen years for me this coming September since I quit smoking.
I had quit in '86 for two years, went back to it from '88 to "94.

Wore the patch for two days, then stopped all together. Never looked back that way since!!

[Theda Bara]

Originally Posted by Larenz09

It'll be fourteen years for me this coming September since I quit smoking.
I had quit in '86 for two years, went back to it from '88 to "94.

Wore the patch for two days, then stopped all together. Never looked back that way since!!

WOW, that is amazing!!! Congratulations