[chuckieb]

and I'm wondering if anyone has tried the new laser treatment or knows anyone who has? The cost is around $300 in my neck of the woods and before I dish out that kind of cash I would like some feedback other than what is on the company website. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

chuckieb

[futuresurferchick]

Hi chuckieb, I have no experience with that treatment (I've never heard of it actually) but I just wanted to say good luck with quitting smoking! You can do it! I quit earlier this year and I am so glad I did.

[Less of Lena]

Chuckie, I quit smoking back in the early '80s, breaking a nearly 15 year habit of pack-a-day (and a little more). It took about 8 weeks and cost under $30 (the current price is under $20). I haven't had a puff since. Not even one. Haven't had any cravings, either. Not. A. One.

I used a program called One Step At A Time by Waterpik (you can find it by Yahooing or Googling). It is a series of 4 filters you attach to your cigarettes. You use each filter for 2 weeks. Each filter gradually cuts down on the amount of nicotine you can draw.

Filter 1 cuts out 25%. You'll probably end up smoking MORE during Filter 1, to compensate for the lack of nicotine. That's normal.

Filter 2 cuts out 50%. You'll probably go back to your normal amount of smoking.

Filter 3 cuts out 70%. You'll find yourself just not wanting to smoke as much. You'll start cutting back on your own, as hard as it is to believe!

Filter 4 cuts out 90%. Somewhere in there, you'll probably just quit. I did about 10 days on Filter 4 and was done. Haven't picked up a ciggy since.

It worked for me. And it was painless, I never, ever felt deprived or went through any withdrawal symptoms. It was cheap. I'd recommend it.

Good luck!

[cruisintolose]

I haven't heard of the laser thing either, but I just quit cold turkey pretty much about a week ago. I have slipped up for 2 ciggies, but I'm doing much better the more time that goes by and am already feeling better about not being a "slave" to the cigarrette. I'm glad you made a decision to quit and whatever you decide to do, just keep trying till you find what will work for you to help you quit for good.

[TMunday]

Hi there. I quit smoking almost a year ago. This is a good thing to do! Though, it is not easy! But... with all of the business's going smoke free (slowly) it will help and make it easier.

I have never tried what your speaking of. But I have tried numerous other ways. None of them worked until I put my mind to it! Once you put your mind to it (for real!) anything will work!

I used meds from the doc, the patch, and reg. chewing gum for one week! Without smoking! Then after that I decided I was not going to spend anymore money to quit smoking! I did it basically cold turkey! Safest and cheapest way to go!

Good luck and congrats on your decision!

[Dinahgirl]

I agree with Tracy. No tool or gimmick in the world will work unless you are hidebound and determined to quit. It is not an easy thing to do, so you have to strap yourself in and not let anything get in the way. There are a couple of very good support groups. The one I used is stopsmokingcenter.net

[TMunday]

Originally Posted by Dinahgirl

I agree with Tracy. No tool or gimmick in the world will work unless you are hidebound and determined to quit. It is not an easy thing to do, so you have to strap yourself in and not let anything get in the way. There are a couple of very good support groups. The one I used is stopsmokingcenter.net

DINAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Long time no see!!! Its nice to see you (at least on the screen here lol)!! Been so busy here I have not had time to do anything! Hope your doing well!

And yes, you have to keep your seatbelt on and very tight when quiting smoking! It has almost been a year for me since I quit and there are some days where I would like to just get a puff. But that would kill everyhting I did. So I don't.

How are you doing with quitting? Keep in touch!

[EZMONEY]

GOOD for you CHUCKIEB~

I quit 7 years ago, at the age of 45, after smoking about 2 packs or more a day for 30 years. I tried cold turkey MANY times ~ too many withdrawl pains! I tried SMOKE~ENDERS twice ~ a great program but I didn't let it work for me, it did work for my ex-wife 100%. I tried the gum many years ago, but tried to smoke "just a little" too.

What finally worked for me was the absolute desire to quit first. Then I just made myself chew the gum, after a couple of days the edge was off by getting the nicotine in my system. That way I could work on the other aspects of quiting smoking such as smoking after meals (went for a short walk instead) ~ smoking for "recreation" ( I tried walking a 5K with my wife and kids the second day I quit) ~ it took me an hour and a half, I was able to get that time down to 26 minutes after 18 months by jogging!

I will admit that I chewed more gum than I was supposed to, and was probably addicted to it for a year ~ but it did help me to realize I didn't have to smoke, I felt way better not having the "crap" in me.

I switched to the patch ~ started chewing sugar free gum ~ then after 3 days of the patch I just said FORGET IT! and threw it out. I chew a few packs of Eclipse gum every day for the oral fixation but I have NEVER ~ EVER had the desire to smoke .

Good luck to you!

[VelVeeta]

I quit smoking as well and everyone is right. You must be determined and set your mind to it. Don't let your guard down and then eventually it will become habit and you will be able to be around people and not go crazy, you wont want to smoke at all. I have never heard of the laser thing either but whatever you think will help you, try it but remeber you must be committed to quitting. Good luck.

[chuckieb]

Thanks for the words of encouragement and advice. I've been smoking for 30yrs. and I know that it has to stop. Having tried hypnosis,prescribed medication and going "cold turkey" several times hasn't worked for me so I'm on to the next possibility. As all of you former smokers know it isn't easy. Maybe this laser thing will be what works. For anyone interested,information can be found at www.freedomlasertherapy.com. My mom knows someone who was a three pack a day smoker who did this and she says she has no cravings. As all of you mentioned you have to really want it in order for anything to work but I'm hoping that this will be the thing that gives the added support needed to make it as painless as possible. I'll let you all know how it works when I do it. Thanks again

[Artemis__]

I was very confused about how this worked when I saw your first post, and now I've looked on the link you provided.

Basically this is a form of acupuncture, but using laser instead of needles. Could possibly work. I know acupuncture works for some. I tried that 15 years ago with limited success. However I have friends who found acupuncture was very successfull.

I quit 3 years ago. Was a minimum 2pack a day smoker, had been for almost 30 years. I dont know what finally made me really want to quit, but something did. I worked with a hypnotherapist and I stopped smoking after I left the first session. However, I see you've tried that and it didnt work for you.

My suggestion would be to you : do not give up giving up! Keep trying. You seem to be highly motivated, so eventually something will help you to quit! Everyone is different, and its hard finding what works for you.

I really wish you the best of luck with this method! Let us know how it goes.