Really trying to stop smoking but....?

Question

I have been smoking 2-3 packs a day for 18 years now and I'm 29 years old. I was just diagnosed with COPD and I finally decided to stop smoking. My doctor put me on the patch and the stop smoking pills both. My question is this. I read all the instructions and it said that it's very easy to get nictine overdose and not to smoke while taking the patch or the pills but I can't just go from smoking 2-3 packs a day to nothing. So I'm wearing the patch taking the pills and smoking about 1 and a half packs a day now. What are my chances of developing nicotine overdose and how quickly will I start getting the symptoms? Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

Before you start having heart arrhythmias, please stop the smoking! If you're taking the pills, the patch, and still smoking, then you're making the situation worse.

The pills are to help diminish your desire to smoke, but they only work if you actually are prepared to not smoke anymore. Since you're still smoking, the pills are useless: they help diminish your psychological addiction.

The patch helps to diminish your physical dependence on nicotine.

By continuing to smoke, you're obliterating the use of both modalities; you're not ready to stop. Please contact your doctor.

Answer 2

Trying to stop smoking is very difficult, but it can be done. There is no single method that works, and often the most successful strategy is to combine approaches. You may try to stop and fail, but don't let that discourage you. Many people have to try many times before they finally quit smoking. Several things may need to be addressed: 1) Motivation. Keep reminding yourself why you want to quit. Every day. 2) Craving. Start off with a combination of nicotine patches or gum along with decreasing the rate of your smoking. Eventually supplant your smoking completely with the gum (it tastes bad, I know, so chew it along with a regular gum). 3) Exercise. Regularity of exercise is key to good metal health even if you are not trying to quit. This will help with your energy level, decrease craving and irritiability, and make you feel better. It will also remind you of what smoking has done to your body, but you will get better as you exercise regularly. If you're out of shape, start off with long walks (~1 hour) with a friend or companion around the neighborhood or the mall. Take the stairs! 4) Support. Find a support group. This is key. 5) Find a hobby that is NON-STRESSFUL. GOOD LUCK!!!!

Answer 3

look, you want to stop smoking, stop using the nicotine patches.
this is how i sttopped smoking and many of my friends have stopped using this method. everytime you want a cigarette, get a pencil or pen and pretend to smoke it as if it was a normal cigarette, you will gradually wean yourself off it and stop all together, DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO SMOKE A REAL CIGARETTE!!! let me know how you get on, my email is [e-mail]

thanks

Answer 4

smoke zero cigarettes a day. and exercise. hmmm. this must be harder than it sounds. why dont u just force yourself not ot smoke. spend all the money you buy cigarettes and buy something else better! that way you can reward yourself when you dont smoke.

Answer 5

You are going to die horribly because you are lying to yourself about the nature of smoking and your condition in an attempt to rationalize still being a smoker. Here is the truth:

1. You have one of the forms of COPD. Your body has run out of tolerance for cigarettes. It has started the process of dying horribly. Your one chance is to stop smoking immediately. You have run out of time to fiddle fart around with the issue. Stop smoking or a horrible death. Those are your two choices. The paragraph above basically says you have chosen a horrible death. Bad decision.

2. Smoking is like crack. You cannot "taper off". Smoking anything little bit at all causes you to smoke more. Only stopping smoking completely has any chance of working. The problem with that is nicotine withdrawel. The drugs the doctor gave you prevent nicotine withdrawel. What is left is your desire and decision to smoke (to choose horrible death instead of smoking). That is the ONLY thing left keeping you smoking. The idea that you can't go from smoking alot to smoking none is a bullshit, quite frankly suicidal excuse to keep smoking. If you give in to it, you will not stop. You will choose horrible death instead of quitting. This is no joke.

3. Because you are not in some sort of program to help you stop, this is another way you are rationalizing your smoking. There are a number of issues like 2. People experienced in treating smokers and people who have recovered from smoking are knowledgeable about such things. Not working with them is a specific method you are using to keep smoking. Unless your intention is to choose horrible death instead of quitting, go seek these people out (ask your doctor). Go to group. See a therapist. Hell, see a hypnotist. Your attitude needs to be, whatever it takes. Because I tell you what. The shadow of death is behind you and he's putting one hand on your shoulder. You either give it your all or you go with him when he finally decides to turn you around.

Answer 6

you should talk to your doctor!