Post # 1
Member
555 posts
Busy bee
So!
I quit smoking almost two weeks ago (yay for quitting) after smoking for 6 years, a pack a day.
It’s been going extremely well! I thought I’d feel like death for ages, but I was okay after the first 4-5 days.
My problem is the cravings are still there, so bad. I just want to puff away on a cigarette. I’m not craving the nicotine, or the flavor, the only thing I’m craving is the experience of smoking.
Would it be crazy to get an e-cig? I’ve tried them out before, they’re pretty good, but I’m worried it’ll just make me want a real cigarette!
Post # 3
Member
3370 posts
Sugar bee
When my Mom quit she had an e-cig, but it did not help at all and actually you can become addicted to the e-cig. She also tried the patch, but she said the gum helped the most. You just have to remember not to chew it like regular gum.
ETA: And GOOD FOR YOU! YAY!
Post # 4
Member
18628 posts
Honey Beekeeper
I had a coworker that did e-cigs for a while and she is now back to smoking a pack a day so I don’t think it really helps you stop smoking.
Post # 5
Member
2777 posts
Sugar bee
@LeSpice: I think if you’ve already given up smoking, you should just keep it up!!! E-cigarettes will lead you back to regular cigarettes.
Post # 6
Member
4045 posts
Honey bee
Chew the gum, chew on straws, or something. But I wouldn’t do the e-cigs.
Post # 7
Member
328 posts
Helper bee
I agree with everyone else. I have never smoked before so I might not be the best to give advice, but I think the physical act of smoking the e-cig will make you want the real thing. If you are doing well and not craving the nicotine, I wouldn’t use any replacements that have nicotine either. Dont make yourself want it more if you don’t have to. Try a different replacement. Every time you have a craving for the experience, replace it with something else, whatever that may be. (i remember when I was young and my grandma quit smoking she would chew spearmint gum constantly! Or you could try hard candy, whatever). Train your brain to want something besides a cigarette. Good luck and congrats on quitting!
Post # 8
Member
5867 posts
Bee Keeper
I have a lot of co-workers who’ve found success in quitting by going for e-cigs. IMO, it’s way better than smoking!
Post # 9
Member
47430 posts
Honey Beekeeper
Do not start with the e- cgarettes. You are basically over the worst part of quitting smoking.
You do not want to give your body any reminders about smoking right now. Place an elastic band around your wrist and snap it every time you think you want to have the experience of smoking.
Post # 10
Member
1130 posts
Bumble bee
I’ve heard that e-cigs can lead you back into smoking actual cigarettes, so I don’t know if they’re the best way to go. Maybe pop a piece of gum or a mint into your mouth when you feel like smoking. My dad did that when he quit.
Post # 11
Member
634 posts
Busy bee
Well, it depends on what you miss about cigarettes. Is it the ritual or the oral fixation? You’re past the nicotine, and that is AWESOME of you. That’s the most difficult part. A lot of people have made some good oral fixation suggestions, but if you miss the going out, tamping your pack, lighting your cigarette, sharing the connection with others smoking outside, and the actual act of smoking, that’s harder to replace. You’re going to need a new ritual. Like French pressing some coffee, stretching, reading a newspaper or magazine, something you can do with a sense of ritual to it.
In either case, I wouldn’t reccomend an e-cigarette. It’s reintroducing yourself to the chemical addition, and a poor substitute. The people I know who use them only take one or two occasional puffs, not enough for an oral fixation substitute, and zero ritual involved.
Post # 12
Member
576 posts
Busy bee
My bff just switched from cigs to ecig to help her quit. It’s been great for her. She smokes a lot less now, because she just puts it on a lanyard and carries it with her. She used to light up every chance she got, and now I see her smoke the ecig maybe one third of the time she used to smoke a cigarette. So for her its been working very well, and she doesn’t want a cigarette anymore.
I think it depends on how ready the person is to quit. Since you’ve already quit, maybe it would be better to find an alternative? My friend talks about how a lot of smoking for her was the calm, the several quiet sessions a day to relax and not have to focus on anything. Maybe you could switch the physicalmact of smoking for something else, like drinking a water or chewing regular gum, that way you’d still have repetitive motion and your timeout sessions of the day?
Post # 13
Member
555 posts
Busy bee
@jadlnc: I tried the gum! I didn’t know there’s a specific way to chew it? I just kept chewing on and on and got so bloated, oh my.
@MrsSaltWaterTaffy:
@Ninteenthchance:
@bowsergirl: @FunfettiCupcakes:
@julies1949:
@musical-lady:
Exactly that! I believe it could quickly lead me straight back to actual cigarettes. Ugh. Wish I didn’t start in the first place! I believe when more than 5 people make the same point, it becomes valid.
@Bracelet00: I think it’s just the sort of, something to do? I don’t know, I just miss smoking. I’ve gone to the kitchen and made three salads in the past 6 hours (at least I’ve replaced smoking with healthy food!) and eat time I sneak a spoon of Nutella.
I cannot win. I think I’ll avoid the e-cigs for a while!
Post # 14
Member
555 posts
Busy bee
@southsun: I agree with what your friend is saying! It was simply something to do. I do try to drink a glass of water when I feel like one, but I end up getting bloated and then I don’t want to drink the water any more. Such is life, haha.
Thank you every one for your advice 🙂
Post # 15
Member
1130 posts
Bumble bee
@LeSpice: Yeah I would suggest chewing some regular gum when you get the urge to smoke. Not the nicotine gum and definitely no dipping! Just normal mint/whatever flavour gum you like. My dad quit cold turkey that way and he hasn’t smoked in over 20 years.
Post # 16
Member
555 posts
Busy bee
@musical-lady: I too quit cold turkey! I just decided that it was time to stop smoking. My Dad also made the very same decision, and he’s been smoke free for 5 years, smoked for over 40 years!
I’m going to go through gum like there’s no tomorrow! Thank you 🙂