mouth spray
I was a forty a day smoker. Haven't had a smoke for 4 months. What actually helped me the most was I READ A BOOK! It is called Allen Carr Stop Smoking Now. I supplemented this with Nicorette mouth spray. The spray takes a bit of getting used to and if you get nausea or the hiccups you are using too much or inhaling it.
You can regulate the times you use the spray and wean yourself off it, it's not a continuous dose of nicotine as with a patch. Very quick relief from the urge for a smoke as well. My smokes were over $40 for a single packet of 40's the 3 pack of spray was $50 but lasted for a month, so it was much cheaper. ($1200 MTH FOR SMOKES!!)
A crucial tip that was covered in the book, was that if you've increased the number or strength of smokes because you aren't getting the "satisfaction" this is because your lungs are already damaged as mine are, so try your best to get off the smokes now.
Thanks for your story Briank. Keep up the good work. I csn't wait to be in your position - 4 months down
Forgot to mention, this is my first attempt at giving up, my wife quit 4 years ago.
Thanks. I HAD to give up as it was literally killing me. I had 2 lung collapses in 10 weeks last year. Cut down after the first collapse, but it wasn't enough. Now I think I know what it would feel like to suffocate or drown. I don't think of myself as giving up, because that implies you've lost something, I think of myself now as choosing not smoke.
Will look up the book. I have not had severe cravings yet, just this deal with the shortness of breath. That bothers me! But 36 hours into this and it will be okay!!!
I still get shortness of breath but slow down and recover quickly not like I was when smoking. I never thought I was going to get my breath back it was scary. I find it better sometimes to breathe out longer than you breath in for a while then once you've recovered you seem to forget about the way you breathe. Also try to breathe from your diaphragme so your stomach moves not your chest.