# I have been smoke-free for **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 13, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403 "2003-09-13T16:46:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/41 "2003-09-15T03:36:32Z")
Another motivator: my other Uncle, just 12 years my senior, died of a massive coronary several years ago. He smoked, had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and never did a damned thing about it. Guess which of his nephews has all the same traits? But I’m doing something about it. Lipitor + Diovan HCL + no cigs + losing 25 pounds (I wasn’t that overweight, just some) + low fat diet. Fuck you, Death – I’ll see you when I’m good and ready. And sorry, Uncle’s Don and Jerry, I’ll stop in and say Hi in the afterlife when I can. Please know I’m thinking about you. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/42 "2003-09-17T03:07:26Z")
Five days, 12 hours, 16 minutes and 32 seconds. 275 cigarettes not smoked, saving $41.33. Life saved: 22 hours, 55 minutes. It seems to be getting a little easier. Some, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/43 "2003-09-17T04:16:01Z")
Woo Hoo! Way to go, **squeegee**! I was thinking about you today and was going to bump this thread to see how you were doing. Glad to see you’re still a quitter! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/44 "2003-09-17T05:21:06Z")
I’ve been smoke-free for… oh shit! I have a butt in my hand right now! I made it for 18 hours once… but 8 of that was sleepy time… I don’t EVER see myself (rising up, overcoming, blah, blah…) quitting. ☹ Oh well…you gotta go somehow… Might as well be slow and painful! ---
**Author:** ![otherwiseknownas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/59ef9b/32.png) [@otherwiseknownas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otherwiseknownas)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/45 "2003-09-17T05:33:33Z")
17 days, still slightly crabby, my flatmate and boy friend cant stand me at the moment, but if i make at least a year my dad’s giving me a grand! thats motivation at the moment but i think im gonna last and tell him to keep his money anyway. good luck squeegee ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/46 "2003-09-17T12:06:03Z")
Four years? Something like that. I quit once before for two years, then went back to it during a time of stress, thinking I could handle it, but damn it crept up fast. I was able to quit again for good by remembering how it felt to be clean. I have much less sinus trouble and headaches (and guilt)! I hope the current batch of quitters can feel the goodwill I’m sending, and I hope it helps. Get free!🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/47 "2003-09-17T14:09:56Z")
I’ll be thinking about you squeegee, good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/48 "2003-09-17T14:17:24Z")
Smoke free since March 2002. Good job **squeegee!** It gets easier. I never thought I would be able to not think about smoking anymore, but that day came sooner than I thought. I am surrounded by smokers all day and I have no desire to go back with them. Keep us updated on your progress! ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/49 "2003-09-17T14:43:16Z")
Smoke free for two months now. It took a big wake up call in the form of thinking I was having a heart attack to do it. It wasn’t a heart attack and my heart is fine, no blockage and such, but it was enough to make me take the plunge and quit. It feels so damn good! Hang in there **squeegee**. I’ll hang in there with ya. ---
**Author:** ![spogga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@spogga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spogga)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/50 "2003-09-17T16:21:26Z")
BRUCE\_DADDY: You beat me by 9 minutes, and don’t these smug buggers get on your tit? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/51 "2003-09-17T16:46:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spogga \* > \*\*BRUCE\_DADDY: You beat me by 9 minutes, and don’t these smug buggers get on your tit? 😃 \*\* I don’t have a tit. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/52 "2003-09-17T17:17:00Z")
It’ll be one year on November 22. I still crave them occasionally, but it’s not that bad. I’ve smoked something _other_ than tobacco a couple times since then, and I certainly had a helluva craving then. I took up excercising, and actually lost 20 pounds. It’s a whole lifestyle change that I took on, so it seems to be working. I’ve gained back 13 pounds, but I’m fairly certain it’s actual muscle weight, well, mostly. I recommend pnuemonia to anyone who is quitting. I caught it a week after I quit. It certainly helped me get over that two-week hump. My wife still smokes. I’m to the point now where, when I smell it on her, half the time I’ll think it smells bad. Other times, it’s like: _what is that alluring scent you’re wearing_. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/53 "2003-09-17T17:35:15Z")
It will be (_thinks_) seventeen years in November. I quit before I started the job I had before my current one. And because we were starting the adoption process. I tried it once before, but started again. Then the Lovely and Talented Mrs. **Shodan** and I quit together, and it stuck. Yes, I still get the craving once in a while, especially under stress. But now it takes me by surprise. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Balle\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/54 "2003-09-17T18:13:23Z")
45 minutes. Whoops! Time for a Lucky. See ya in 5. ---
**Author:** ![spogga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@spogga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spogga)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/55 "2003-09-17T19:32:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bruce\_Daddy \* > \*\*I don’t have a tit. 🙂 \*\* English saying, get on your TIT = NERVES ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/56 "2003-09-18T02:31:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by if6was9 \* > I’ve been smoke-free for… oh shit! I have a butt in my hand right now! I made it for 18 hours once… but 8 of that was sleepy time… I don’t EVER see myself (rising up, overcoming, blah, blah…) quitting. ☹ Oh well…you gotta go somehow… Might as well be slow and painful! **if6was9** , give the Zyban a shot. I never thought I’d be able to quit. I’ve smoked 2+ packs for 25 years. I really didn’t think this attempt was a ‘serious’ attempt, I was just was humoring my Doc & family or something by giving it a shot. And you know what? The Zyban (Wellbutrin) friggin works. My doc said 2 weeks after starting Zyban I could quit. Nope, I was still puffing away, and very skeptical. Suddenly, in week 3.5, I’m puffing away and… the taste of the cigs changed. They tasted like crap. I just didn’t want them anymore. I started smoking a few in the morning, a few in the evening, and chewing the gum the rest of the time. Having a cig was almost pro forma - I had to see if I still wanted one. And every time it was ‘yuck!’. I did this for almost 4 weeks, and finally ran out one morning and just did the gum. That was a tough day, but I’ve had worse days on international flights when not smoking. And each day has usually been better. Anyway, I’m on all of day 7, so I’m hardly smug. I’m amazed I’ve gotten this far. Zyban isn’t a completely rosey story. There are some side effects like sleeplessness and anxiety, but I’ve got those controlled with some help from the doc (and a med when needed). But I’m just amazed that I could take a pill that could help me not even like smoking. Me! Mister Chimney! But do check out the Zyban and give it a shot if you’re comfortable. At worst, you’ll still be a smoker, no loss, no foul. You can always try quitting again, or not. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/57 "2003-09-18T03:06:45Z")
ONE YEAR AGO TOMORROW!!! whoo hooooo! I still get a rare occasional craving but it’s not anything I can’t handle. I’ve also lost 52 lbs. Just hadda throw that in there. :beams: ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2003, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/58 "2003-09-18T05:22:27Z")
**RushGreekGirl** You go, girl. I dropped 25 pounds before quitting in anticipation of getting some back when withdrawing. I’ve gained none of it back, so far (crossing fingers). ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/59 "2003-10-01T20:44:17Z")
Two weeks, six days, 5 hours, 51 minutes and 57 seconds. 1012 cigarettes not smoked, saving $151.83. Life saved: 3 days, 12 hours, 20 minutes. I’m actually not jonesing right now, unlink this morning and yester evening. Although the Zyban-induced anxiety I get every afternoon is more than a bit annoying. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2003, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403/60 "2003-10-01T21:43:49Z")
I quit on Aug 19th at 7:00 pm on the dot. It’s getting easier every day! I can even join my friends at work in the smoking area occasionally. One month, one week, four days, 21 hours, 52 minutes and 24 seconds. 1072 cigarettes not smoked, saving $171.64. Life saved: 3 days, 17 hours, 20 minutes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-been-smoke-free-for/201403.md?page=4)