General Chat

Hello everyone, We are Jim on the Solent's Brain Cells and we have a problem. We are fedup with him coughing in the mornings until sometimes he bring up his morning cuppa. We are worried about our Lungs having a touch of Emphysema, and we are concerned about his poor circulation. Yet in spite of all our nudging he is still having a hard time fighting his addiction to nicotine. Please can anyone out there give us some help in persuading the big lump to GIVE UP SMOKING?

Hi Jim's Brain Cells, My f-i-l had many failed attempts at quitting smoking but finally managed a few years ago using a combination of Zyban and nicotine patches. Just wanted to say that it can be done and that was what helped him. http://www.givingupsmoking(.)co.uk/ Crista

Jim, I was in the same position as you. I had smoked for 46 years. Despite half-hearted attempts I had never managed to stop. Four years ago I just quit cold turkey I can only say to you I have never told myself I am a non-smoker. Just someone who has stopped smoking. I just took it a day at a time and at the end of the week treated myself with the money I had saved on fags. It was hard Jim, but not as hard as I thought it would be. Go for it Jim you will feel so much better in quite a short space of time. If you fail try again and again and eventually you will do it. Good luck. Jean.

Throw away whatever's left in the packet: dump it under the tap, shred it and bin it. Don't buy another. Don't accept offers. It's the only way.

Hi Jim's brain cells, I,too, am an ex smoker, i quit 7 yrs. ago and believe me, i thought i would never manage to do so as i had tried a few times. Anyway i bought the patches which finally worked at the third attempt, i think the reason it didn't work the first few times was because i didn't really want to quit and the patches only work if you are TOTALLY committed and REALLY want to quit. Good Luck and let us know how you get on Tricia

Totally aqree with Brian. Can't help thinking that we are being brainwashed into thinking that it is really difficult to give up, and giving up is such big thing to do, so we are tempted to buy all these "give up" products, and buy tobacco as long as possible so the tax man can get the most out of us. It is about time that smoking was banned in public places here. Chuck it all into the bin and just think about something else. I gave up some 15 years.

Hi Jims brain cells, I have read this with interest as I am a smoker, and am considering taking the plunge and going cold turkey! My friend suggested I should decide what I would buy with the money I would save, and use this thought to spur myself on when things get tough. This got me thinking how many extra certificates and CDs I could buy. I am beginning to think my addiction to genealogy is stronger than my addiction to nicotine! I have set myself a date to quit, and am determined to stick to it this time. I`ll let you know my progress. Rebecca (nearly on the solent!)

Hi Jim's BCs My mum made me and my siblings smoke when I was about ten. It had the desired effect as I've never smoked since! Obviously I don't know if it's easy or hard to give up. I do know though that Rebecca is right! Which is your greatest priority? Do you want to keep wasting money on ciggies or spend it on yourself and your family, with better health to boot? Being selfish, we need your expertise on here too for many years to come! John.

I smoked my last cigarette on April 29th last year. I had been smoking for 40 years. A friend had a leaflet through her door about a free stop smoking course that our local health authority were running. Her doctor had told her she must give up so I went along with her for moral support, never dreaming I would give up. The course was run by a specialist on treating drug addiction. Quite an unassuming man, quietly spoken, not preaching, giving us a few 'facts' that we all disputed, but he obviously knew his job. The course lasted for 8 weeks, every Tuesday evening for 2 hours. There were 24 of us at the start and 10 at the end. After the second meeting we all were supposed to be ex smokers. The doctor running the course spoke to us all individually each week and I knew from his attitude to me that he thought I wouldn't be able to quit. He was a psycologist too, because it made me think 'I'll show him'! I did it 'cold turkey'. No patches, gum or pretend fags. It hasn't been easy, but I tell myself that I will have a cigarette 'one day'. That day hasn't come yet though. I suppose, like alcoholics, we are never ex-smokers, just in remission. I will also add that I have put on 2 stone in weight and have had more coughs and colds in the past year than in the past 10 years. I am still breathless when I run up stairs (the extra weight?), have develpoped a smokers cough which I never had before and am still waiting for my tastebuds to return to normal as promised! The money I save by not smoking is now spent on chocolate! My cholesterol is too high and my blood pressure is just above what it should be. BUT........ my clothes and hair smell nicer so I'm told! Sue PS the friend I was on the course with is still smoking!

I agree with Jean - don't make the Big Statement, just don't have one now;tell yourself you can have one soon if you REALLY want one.Keep 1 in a packet for emergencies, I finally threw it out about a month later....10 years ago. Good luck, be positive. Bobby in Melbourne

Hi Jims JCs. I have tried three times and have stopped for longer periods each time. The latest attempt was for 7 1/2 months. I did this with patches and going to a quit smoking session every week (which i think was a waste of time as they only keep telling you how well you're doing and take it one day at a time and this doesn't really help you although i know it's all good intention). I found the first couple of weeks a dawdle and then it gets much harder. I started again because i put on 2 1/2 stone and was so miserable all last summer as i was like a house end. I work for a heart surgeon and people are coming in for bypasses all the time that stopped smoking up to 40 years ago so it makes you wonder if it makes any difference apart from the things like smelling nicer etc. Dont mean to be negative, hope you manage it and I will definately be giving it another go, just not now.... Pam

Hi Jim, I've been a smoker for 25 yrs and decided I would try to stop on the 1st March. No ciggies up to date and it's getting easier every day. I had patches for the first 2 weeks and then lots of sugar free chewing gum (I've swapped my addiction and am building up a set of amazing jaw muscles with all that chewing). I have just been taking it one day at a time, and have decided that if i do have a cig I wont treat it as a failure but as a lapse. It's amazing but I really do feel better already and havent had to take an inhaler since I quit. Good luck Jim, if you really want to quit I'm sure you will manage.

Hi Jim, I hope you manage to give up. I gave up last year for 5 months after smoking for 15 yrs. Yes my clothes and house did smell alot betterand I got my taste buds back aswell food tasted lovelly, and I was very pleased with myself, then got depressed with putting on 3 stone in weight. Then had a relly bad day and started smoking again. Sorry to sound negative, I did through patches and yes once I had made the decision to give up it was easy, the hard part was sticking with it. Good luck Jim Natalie

Jim's Brain Cell's I am coming to collect Jim and sit him in our clinic at the Hospital and let him see all the nasty things I see caused by smoking and if that doesn't put him off nothing will!!!!! Will call for him at 8am on Friday so have him ready Message for Jim GIVE UP SMOKING!!!!!! Love Ann,Darlington

Ps told my now husband when he gave me his first kiss that he smelt like an ash tray nd he stopped I don't know what made me be so blunt--but that was 31 year ago Ann,Darlington I know it must be hard and it's ok for me as I have never smoked!!

Thanks everybody. Jim has now signed up for the Stop Smoking Group which starts on Monday morning. We know all the disadvantages of being a smoker, both Health and Financial, but he has no problem giving up fags....until he wants one and then it is a losing battle. Thanks again Jim's Brain Cells.

Dear J.B.C's I had been a smoker for many years, having had several tries at "Giving Up" all doomed to failure. However, in 1978 after a budget, i took stock of what it was costing me, and decided i was never going to BUY any more.....i finished what I had...and the day after they ran out, I "borrowed" one, and the next day, another......and that was it.....I have never smoked since, (except other peoples' secondhand smoke")......Good Luck......Bob

Jim's brain cells I've never smoked since being forced to breathe my father's smoke second hand as a child. I am sure that it will be so hard for your brain cells to adjust but that shouldn't stop you trying. Have you tried your local hospital ( if you are near QA ) they often run clinical trials and you may be accepted on a programme. They also give support and a free mini health check. My friend has just done this and it's now been 8 weeks smoke free after 20 years +. His 4 year old was also one of the best reasons to give up. Failing that, pop yourself down the local path lab and ask to look at their collection of smokers lungs! Lastly, keep the money that you would have spent and after a month do something totally outrageous or different. Then again the next month etc. We will all support you on here ( and anyone else ) Debs

Hello Jim's Brain Cells I went to my doctors last August (l think) and asked for patches - he asked me "how much do you want to give up" l said "quite alot, but l do still enjoy them", he then said "l won't give you patches because you are not 100% sure". By October l made my mind up, l really wanted to give up, so l did just like that.I had 7 cigs left in packet,when they had all gone l stopped. But its mind over matter as well - you can always tell yourself its going to be difficult. l told myself l was ready and l could do it!!!! Jim's Brain cells - tell Jim l wish him loads of luck - just be determined:o) Jude xx

Hi Jims BC's, I've been a smoker for over 15 years. My Dad and his father both died of emphysema although this hasn't put me off. Am in the process of stopping at the moment. I would definitely recommend the book "Allen Carrs Easyway to Give Up Smoking" It tells you not to use patches gum etc as is the equivalent of replacing heroin with morphine. You're still addicted to something. Well worth the £7.99 Good luck Naomi