Okay...I'm going to ask even though Harry would be quite upset that I'm asking "outsiders" about this but has anyone ever tried using Zyban when they were quitting smoking???? Has anyone here even had a problem quitting smoking? Is there an herbal supplement that is equivalent to Zyban? Does anyone have any suggestions for help for someone who is trying to quit smoking? Is there a "help thing" for a mate for the person who is trying to quit :-)!??

HELP....E.M.!!!??

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2003

Answers

I've never tried Zyban, nor the patch or the gum. I saw an add for an herbal remedy that is supposed to help you quit in seven days - can't for the life of me remember what it is called :^(.

I quit five years ago (a 1/2 pack a day of Camel Filters steady for 18 years - what a waste of money!) when my wife was six months pregnant and convinced me to give it up for the sake of the health of our first child. A good reason to quit helps every time - I quit cold turkey and except for occassional 'nic fits', I don't miss it at all.

My uncle quit years ago when he ran out of cigarettes early on a Sunday morning and refused to get dressed just to get a pack of cigarettes - that worked for him. The person quitting has to make up his / her mind that this time, they are going to quit for good. Making a chart with the estimated costs of cigarettes helps alot, especially when you see the yearly cost of the darn things. When I started in 1981, a pack went for 55 - 65 cents a pack. When I quit, they were $2.50 or so. Now?

:^() @)#*%&!_#$($

What can you do to help? Well, frankly, not too much. The person quitting might be a major pain for a while during his / her detoxification. Lots of exercise, healthy snacks and encouragement for the person would also be of benefit. And if they weaken and go back - try try again.

Quitting isn't easy - I had tried on numerous occassions before, and even after quitting for three months MISSED my cigarettes badly.

Good luck.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2003

It's been a long time since I quit smoking (1977); smoked for 10 years, about a pack and a half the last five. It was very hard,and I tried many times before I finally succeeded.

I agree with jr, the single most important factor is the smoker's own personal decision and desire to quit. Many people need an event to kick their butt into quitting, like an illness, or a new baby like jr. For me it was the humiliation (humilation has been a good teacher all my life) when I burned a hole in bren's parents' coffee table the first weekend I met them. All the gimmicks in the world will not gurantee permanent success if the spirit is not truly willing, and that is,IMO, the hardest part: really saying good=bye to your cigarettes. Smoking is certainly a physical addiction, but like all addictions, there is also a strong emotional component, especially for long-time smokers to overcome. IOW, addicts get something positive from their addiction, and it's often difficult to determine what that is cuz it can be subconcious.

I know two people who quit via the patch thingy though,and it worked. Unfortunately they're both rather emotionally constipated men, are not really open to discussing those issues so I cannot give any input from their perspective.

The best thing you can do for him is probably what you always do, sweet woman that you are, which is to stand by him, be his support and believe in his strength. And if he should fail another time, remind him that most smokers fail many times before they succeed, and how much you love him anyway, unconditionally.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2003

Sorry I haven't gotten back here sooner. We've had a carpenter here for some upstairs work...which also included repainting the ceiling. He insisted on keeping EVERTHING disconnected and covered while he was working...including my webtv and screen!!!

Thanks, J.R. and EM for getting back to me. It's truly been a tough three days. Harry "technically" had his last cigarette on Mon. at 9 a.m. and since then has rolled and lit up one cig, took two puffs...but didn't inhale (where have I heard THAT before :-)!!). In spite of lots of aggravating and frustrating situations since then, he hasn't had a smoke. He's doing better than I'd expected what with the winter doldrums, his mother complaining about "stuff" and with the decrease in work coming into the garage. That REALLY makes me nervous too!! I guess folks are worried about this Iraq war that's forthcoming! Anyways...he's been going through some of the pain involved in nicotene withdrawal and is doing really good. Last night was quite bad...all I could do to relax him was to make him take a hot bath and go to bed!! Tonight our granddaughter was here for a visit and I know that some of the things she was discussing with her Grampa was enough encouragement to make Harry want to stick around for another 30 yrs. or so!!! They say that "the third time is a charm" and this is the third time that Harry has tried to quit. I'm sure keeping my fingers crossed that he makes it through this time!

Thanks again for the help!!

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2003

Maybe if cold turkey is to much a pipe might work to slowly break the habit? I only mention it cause I know of a couple of people who went from cigs to a pipe and they mentioned just having something in their mouths helped. Of course Hopefully Harry just quits for good. Never having smoked I guess I should shut up. Its just that I like you so much Marcia I just wish I could help! Ha! Huy come to think about it didn't Kojack suck on tootsie-pops? Brutal habit to break!! Good luck ....Kirk

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2003

I still have a "two pack a day" habit. Only now its Jolly Ranchers. One rancher lasts as long as two cigarettes did. Every morning I drop a handful of JRs in a plastic cigarette box in my pocket and I filled my ashtrays with them too.

-- Anonymous, March 01, 2003

Thanks for the input Kirk and Jay! The tootsie-pop idea sometimes does help folks who are trying to quit, but once before when Harry was trying to quit he was sucking on a lollipop and had a bad experience when he almost choked on one after being hit in the face while working in the garage...long story!!! So those are out of the question! Do they still make those candy cigarettes?? Seems like he's mostly over the physical pain of quitting, but it's the motion of getting out a cig and lighting it that he seems to be missing now. He's looking for something to do with his hands...I guess...when he's stressed out. My suggestions don't seem to interest him :-)!! Like you, Kirk, I've never been a smoker and cannot possibly understand what he's going through right now. Guess I'll just do what E.M. suggests...stand by him and support whatever his decision will be. Sure hope he can quit 'cause I just don't want to live the rest of my life alone!!

-- Anonymous, March 01, 2003

I turned a pack of cigarettes into "Baretta" pacifiers by putting epoxy glue on the paper. That way I could suck air through it and taste clean tobacco , but if I bummed a light it was like smoking a mattress.

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2003

My husband quit smoking about the middle of January. He's pretty grumpy most days, but nothing like he was for awhile after he quit. He was sooo bad to live with that I can' even describe it. Weeks went by without a kind word or gesture of any kind. Every word out of his mouth was said with hostility. Well, then he began to get some better after a few weeks. He's still grumpy, but nothing like he was.

To help yourself through what might be a very trying time I recommend indulging yourself in what ever your favorite vise is. Personally I made myself a stiff drink most nights when I got home from work and just went about my business making dinner etc. When it was finally time to eat, the drink had taken the desired effect and I no longer cared if he was grumpy.

There are two things that helped him get over the grumpys. Chewy chocolate candy and blow jobs. It is hard for a guy to be grumpy when he is busy participating in one or both of those activities. :)

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2003

Gee, Jay! Sometimes I wonder about you....:-)! Epoxy glue?? Isn't that poisonous? I do like the Jolly Roger idea, though. Harry is constantly putting his hand up to his shirt pocket looking for his cigs and lighter!

Love your suggestions, Debra!!! And...since Harry is not much of chocoholic, I guess that just leaves one thing :-)!!! Okay folks, I might be busy for a few days so you might not hear from me......!!!

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2003