Am having a difficult time...

[Cinnabar]

...quiting smoking. I've posted this subject before but now I have a question.
Has anyone here quit smoking successfully going Cold Turkey without going into seizure replapse? My neurologist suggested reducing one cigarette per day but I find this almost impossible to do. (Red in the face!!) I used to smoke over two packs a day and now I'm under a pack. I'd like to leave it at that and just stop. The count down, let's say" 18, 17, 16 is tourture! I know he doesn't want my system to go into shock. Over the counter smoking cessation aids are not an option for me because they are seizure risky. So.
Has anyone been able to Cold Turkey on a pack and been fine? Laurie

[RobinN]

Laurie - I have never smoked so I don't know what goes along with this process. I can only imagine that it is difficult.

My suggestion would be, if you can possible take a couple of weeks during the time that you make the decision to go "cold turkey" and truly treat yourself well. Eating, sleeping, stress free... put good things into your life. Reduce all other triggers... it seems logical that you might have a better chance of accomplishing your goals.

Treat yourself to places that are smoke free. A lunch with a friend, a museum date, a massage, facial, pedicure... Take the time to do really nice things for yourself.

I am sure there are nutritional changes to help with this process too.
I hope these ideas help.

[Cinnabar]

Laurie - I have never smoked so I don't know what goes along with this process. I can only imagine that it is difficult.

My suggestion would be, if you can possible take a couple of weeks during the time that you make the decision to go "cold turkey" and truly treat yourself well. Eating, sleeping, stress free... put good things into your life. Reduce all other triggers... it seems logical that you might have a better chance of accomplishing your goals.

Treat yourself to places that are smoke free. A lunch with a friend, a museum date, a massage, facial, pedicure... Take the time to do really nice things for yourself.

I am sure there are nutritional changes to help with this process too.
I hope these ideas help.

Thanks RobinN! Some of your ideas I've already incorporated into my life. Fore example, I've just returned from my dermatologist for a Salyacilic exfoliation (an expensive treat I've been saving up for). I drink lots of water (don't drink wine anymore which was a big trigger!) and eat well...fertile eggs, yogurt with oat bran, spinach and kale stir frys....I think you've got the point! I've never read a book with a cigarette in hand so I can get in more reading. When I smoke, now, I concentrate only on that...What a picture! Me, sitting on the couch staring out into space and smoking. When a friend is talking to me (it should be "with me") and is waiting for an exchange or an answer, I have to tell them that they'll please have to wait until I finish my cigarette. Now that's crazy! However, I don't smoke when on the phone or at my desk where I'm typing now. The last two are behavioral changes I've made on my own and am pretty proud that I've changed these two patterns very successfully. While I can't drive yet (you know, once you've had a seizure driving is off limits for a year) I'm thinking of busing it into town. Port Jefferson, here, on Long Island is an upbeat, classy, cool little town. My favorite place to go to relax and read is "The Tiger Lilly Cafe" where they serve health food. Environment is just up my alley - "Artsy Farsty" with funcky couches, music, wild, sitmulating artwork. Smoker types just don't go there. So, now that the weather is getting warmer, I'll be out more and am thinking about early morning walks to the Sound, nearby. Yes, I should get myself in gear and I think stopping at ten cigarettes won't throw me into an episode if I keep treating myself and my body well. I'll be able to hande any life stressers much better. My neurologist said to stay "stress free" and I asked him "which planet should I move to?" For us, it has to be about "stress managment, I think. Actually, once quit for ten years and I turned out to be a much calmer person - even went through a divorce without even thinking of picking up. But about "stressers" I have had trouble sleeping but that's a whole different concern I'll be addressing in another post. Thank you so much RobinN. You always seem to have a "calming caring" quality and am always glad when you respond to my issues.Laurie

[skillefer]

Haven't done this myself....as I am still smoking....but, in behavior modification, I do know a couple of things. You said you smoke inside, looking out the window. Now, find a way to make that uncomfortable for you...for example, not being able to sit down, standing on one leg, standing in the corner, or make it so you can only smoke for a specific amount of time.....let's say 1 min...and then cut the time every 5 days... Remember, it takes 20 days to make a habit and 20 days to break a habit.

[Cinnabar]

Haven't done this myself....as I am still smoking....but, in behavior modification, I do know a couple of things. You said you smoke inside, looking out the window. Now, find a way to make that uncomfortable for you...for example, not being able to sit down, standing on one leg, standing in the corner, or make it so you can only smoke for a specific amount of time.....let's say 1 min...and then cut the time every 5 days... Remember, it takes 20 days to make a habit and 20 days to break a habit.

I'll try standing on one leg in the corner of my room puffing away looking like a smoking Flamingo! Thanks for the imagery, Skillefer. You make it sound like quitting can be actually an amusing experience!
Laurie

[skillefer]

LOL...it can. The thing is, your brain has connected smoking with comfort for a long time now.....so now, we have to do some reprogramming and make the brain see smoking as uncomfortable or painful in some way, and that will encourage it to want to quit. I had a friend who quit by making it so that the only way she could have a cigarette was if she was standing in a pan of ice. The cold made it so that she would quickly put out her cigarette and she wouldn't finish it. After a while, she actually thought, "why bother" and quit. But she had to make it uncomfortable first.

[Cinnabar]

LOL...it can. The thing is, your brain has connected smoking with comfort for a long time now.....so now, we have to do some reprogramming and make the brain see smoking as uncomfortable or painful in some way, and that will encourage it to want to quit. I had a friend who quit by making it so that the only way she could have a cigarette was if she was standing in a pan of ice. The cold made it so that she would quickly put out her cigarette and she wouldn't finish it. After a while, she actually thought, "why bother" and quit. But she had to make it uncomfortable first.

Another good (funny) solution! You've got creative friends! Laurie

[skillefer]

LOL....yes I do.