The Giving Up Smoking Thread!! Part 2

penguin83

Hi everyone, I have a quick question to ask if its ok.

I quit smoking on the 22 June with the help of the NHS stop smoking service and the inhalators. I found the first 3 weeks a lot easier than I expected but I am finding this week - week 4 really hard. Does anyone know why?

My OH quit at the same time and we have both been 100% I just dont know why this week seems so hard - I thought it would get easier!

Thanks in advance x x x

Sue-UU

Hi penguin,

Nothing to worry about, It happen with many of us. After all the time we smoke for the nicotine plays havoc with our minds and in a sense, is still able to even though it's long since all left your body. It's what we refer to as it still messing with our heads, so in actual fact it's that bit of habit that suddenly comes back just to try to get us to go back to the way we were. Focus hard on other things, more beautiful things which take the eye and the mind away from anything else. I always think that going through photo albums is a good distraction or putting yourself into a hobby that you've always wanted to have a go at.

Keep focused and don't allow thoughts of anything related to 'you know what' into your head, it has NO right to do so now, and you won't let it! :mad: You'll soon find it passes and you can happily get one with your healthy life undisturbed, so long as YOU remain boss! Congratulations on 4 wonderful smoke-free weeks for you both, you've so very much to be proud of. :T Think of all you've achieved and keep patting yourselves on the back. You're a non-smoker, very well done penguin!

Love, Sue x

KatieShopstoomuch

Thanks Sue. I'm not really worried so much it was just more realistic studying it i think. I keep reading through allen carr again each time i get a pang lol Just keeping busy lots and lots of housework to get done so that should keep smoking thoughts out of the way. Keep up the good work everybody

Sue-UU

Well done Katie, and it's good to hear that the fear didn't get to you too much. I understand now why I did though.

Sue

Rossy2692

Hi all, I stopped smoking for the umpteenth time on Friday 17th July 2009. I am using the method of cold turkey supported by family. i am trying to get joied to as many forums as i can for extra support. My husband has also stopped and is using nicotine gum. thanks for reading

Sue-UU

A warm welcome to you Rossy and well done to you both for quitting! It's just about the best thing you'll ever do for yourselves and to achieve is a feeling that is so fantastic that you'll both wonder why you didn't do it before. Easier said than done I know, but you'll see what I mean....some day soon! Well, you've got the PM and you have each other's love and support as well as your family and of the quitting boards. Keep focused on something that really distracts you, and please, don't ever fall foul to the "I'll just try one to test myself'" It's something many have done and either been terribly sick or deeply regretted having to start right over again! Never worth it! If you're drinkers, them PLEASE beware as you don't have control over your senses after a drink, so leave it until you know you've quit for LIFE. you're OWN!!!

Mostly there's someone here if ever you need to talk...or to boast....as time goes by. Good luck with it being the latter asap! Take care and take note of the PM.

Best wishes,

Sue

bluedog

Haven't been in for a while so thought I'd pop back in for an update. Nice to see more newbies - it really does get easier and Sue-uu is a fantastic support and motivator too.

I'm now at 8 weeks not smoking and reduce to 14mg patches today. :j I wasn't brave enough to go Allen Carr alone - or should that be trust myself to beat the cravings alone. Allen's book made sense of how and why I smoked and this has helped enormously through the quit process so do recommend reading his book.

A couple of weeks ago my relationship broke down, both unpleasantly and totally out of the blue. I'm not going into details here, but I am so, so proud of myself as I have not taken even one puff of a ciggy although temptation beckoned a few times. DD even left her fags open for me to take some if that's what I wanted when I was talking it with her and drinking.

Life hasn't been easy for a while and quitting smoking was part of the plan for getting back in the saddle again. I can't quite find the words I want to say here, hope I don't sound gloaty, arrogant or anything, but I know I am not going to smoke again now. Quitting had boosted my self-confidence and trust in myself, showed the old determination streak was coming back, taught me that I can control some things about my body (have health issues that cause irratic behaviour patterns in it :rolleyes:) ......... yet seems my getting back in the saddle unsettled someone!! There's no going back in any sense of it all.

I just wish I'd found the resolve to quit a whole lot longer ago.

Rossy2692

Well done bluedog!!! You really have been through it! So much respect to you for sticking to it!

Sue-uu you are so right about the alcohol thing, luckily my husband and i don't drink that often but i will certainly be aware of the advice if and when i decide to have a night out. i have been caught out with the alcohol and just one ciggie before and i do not want to fall for it again! So glad i found this forum, everyone seems so supportive!

shimmershelly

I'm almost at 4 months now (25th) and did have a puff to test myself way back at 5 weeks and can honestly say it made no difference to my quitting, so each to their own.
I've noticed something about smokers I socialise with though, they are always trying to encourage you to have one, probably to make them feel better, I don't think they mean it in a nasty way. I don't even get tempted anymore and friends are amazed at my willpower, but I just feel like a non smoker now and don't associate alcohol and cigs anymore.

Heidi301272

Hello all!

I just want to say how brave you are Rossy2692 for doing the quitting and losing weight at the same time. It takes real guts so keep up the good work, i too need lo lose weight, quite a bit really but i feel i can only do it 'one hill at a time'. :T

Also, Bluedog you are really being tested at the moment and i hope things work out for you. Obviously you are showing true strength now and maybe your 'significant other' felt threatened by that. I sincerely wish you all the good things that you would wish for yourself.:A

Having a good day today as the side effects from the NRT are not as bad, also my gout is pretty much gone. Ive had a couple of weeks of feeling low but feel like its all downhill from here. Am determined not to 'count my chickens' just yet though.

I was wondering if anyone else had the same kind of feeling as me when i say, i dont drink, im not one for nightclubs or socialising in pubs, not a gambler so when i gave up smoking i felt like i hadn't anything else. Almost like i'd lost a friend. I know BIZARRE! SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME THIS IS NORMAL!

Hoping you all have a fab day, Heidi x