The Giving Up Smoking Thread!! Part 2

waccoe_2

Hi Caz and welcome.
I started on patches 36 days ago and they are a great help. I am on the strongest, 25mg that you wear for 16 hours a day but I am about to come down to 15mg.
Just a few tips.
Stick them on the top part of your arm on the firmest part.
Change arms and positions every day.
Take it off when you go to bed.

Don't expect them to get rid of the cravings straight away, I was climbing the walls for the first 10 days but then day by day the cravings have got less and less, they have almost gone now.
Don't think that by sleeping with your patch on it will stop you wanting one first thing in the morning, all it will do is disturb your sleep and give you nightmares.
Just keep on feeling pleased and proud of yourself for going another hour without one, you have so many good reasons to stop but most of all do it for you.
Andrew

Sue-UU

Hi Caz and welcome!!!:wave: It's wonderful to see you here, especially as you're trying to make a fresh start with your life, it really is possible to do just that as your friends and relatives have shown you, but now you can soon join them if you really set your mind to being free from all the nasty things about fags! You have the patches (that's great advice Andrew has given you about them) and the determination, now, one day at a time, you'll get there. Keep reminding yourself of all the things in your post above, and every now and again go back and re-read that post and see how far you've gone along your journey, it might surprise you. I sincerely hope so!

Keeping yourself very busy is one of the best things to help you stay focused, you've started out well with that one, do things that make you feel really good at having done them, cleaning something that you've not felt like doing and put it off, plunge in and get it done, things like that are so therapeutic and keep the mind off of nasty :mad:, evil :mad:, smelly :mad: things that keep us smelling like a dirty ashtray all the time. Get plenty of exercise Caz and whilst you're doing so, fill your lungs with fresh air! When you get a craving reach for some sips of water or a segment of apple or something similar and replace the 'thoughts' with beautiful memories to transport your mind to somewhere relaxing or flick through a photo album - anything that will destract you. I've sent a PM which I hope will also help, but coming on here, as you already know, is a great distraction as by writing all our feelings and experiences down it helps get your feelings - good and bad - out. Mostly there's someone here to help and encourage, but even if not, just writing it all down really, really helps.

Enjoy your journey Caz, you'll be thrilled to bits when you get to your destination! Now then, dare I ask what you're doing with the money saved??? If you don't put it in your pot then save it somewhere where you can watch it grow, it's such a great incentive to keep you heading the right way. We're here for you Caz, all very best wishes!

Hi Andrew and what some great advice you've given Caz! :T Very well done on 36 days free .....36 days closer to your goal!

Keep it up folks, and even when the time might be a little on the tough side (oldreekie ) remind yourself of just how far you've come and how amazing you are at having done so whether it's an hour, a day, a week, a month ..whatever, it's success! Stay proud and keep focused.

Sue x

grandmasam

Good morning,
and thank you for the welcome and the advice, Waccoe andSueuu

Well, had a bad night as i was a bit hyper! must be all the unaccustomed fresh air going in my lungs not to mention all the water i've been drinking
I did take the patch off when i went to bed [the 1st ] time, so maybe take it off before i go up? and had the munchies all evening, which is when i used to smoke most so i will have to find some busy work for my hands then!
The money i'm saving is in another sealed pot at the moment , until i open an account for it's new home, and be very busy today
. Thanks,
caz

Derby-Girl

Hi there MSE, I'm new to the board and have been looking for a place to discuss giving up smoking. I know MSE is active so I thought I'd try here!

I have been to the NHS stop smoking service Monday this week and have set my quit date for 17th May.

I'm worried I won't be able to do it, but am now in a happy relationship and a job I love so the idea of becoming ill is now a lot less appealing than it used to be. Just wondering if anyone else is thinking of quitting at a similar time who would like to post their progress with me here?

Rebecca

waccoe_2

Hi Rebecca and welcome.
I hope someone comes along and stops at the same time as you, it would be great for you to compare notes. In the meantime, I am 37 days non-smoking and I suggest you read back on some previous posts, I think you will find them very helpful.
If you have any questions come back to here, there is always someone to give you help and support.
Good luck, it is worth you.
Andrew

jammy_dodger

great to hear your decision to quit derby girl and grandsmasam ,

it'll be the best one you have ever made as waccoe says read back on some of the posts of fellow quitters and am sure Sue uu willl be along and pm you her wonderfully inspiring email , come on here regular read and share your experiences there are many friendly folk on here to give encouragement and support
.i quit 4 and half months ago and the help and support on here has gotten me this far . I wish you well x x

grandmasam

Hi all,
Had a very busy day, 1 shower, 1 bath,extremely clean teeth!!!!,lots and lots of water and fruit! But have a nasty headache and so will be off to bed by 9pm.
No ciggies and feeling good about that,although i had terrible cravings about 3 ish, so went in the greenhouse and potted on loads of seedlings to keep myself productively occupied,and it worked!! Have been reading others experiences and i am looking forward to the day i will call myself a non smoker!!
Thanks
Caz

Sue-UU

Helloand welcome to the start of a new life Rebecca! Please look above at my Post No 32796023 for what's best to do when you're quitting smoking. There are some very helpful tips there, ones that I dearly hope will help you to get through this most wonderful time of your life! Thought I understand your concerns, please, try not to be too worried that you won't be able to make it, we all get a little anxious when we're about to undertake something so major, but take it a day at a time, using a sort of game of pretence by making a daily commitment that "I'm not going to smoke today". Then keep renewing those words at the start of each new day. Meanwhile, whilst you're waiting, keep relaxed by taking long, deep breaths.

Try not to focus on the stopping, start up a new hobby or an old one, anything you really enjoy doing, it helps so very much. Being in a happy relationship and having a job you love is a perfect time to begin to get back to a healthy life again, just like it used to be! You can do it! If necessary, change your life a little, alter routines that used to connect you with fags, different hot drinks, getting straight on with washing up after a meal, going for plenty of walks.

IF you should happen to falter a little, don't worry, just get straight back on to stopping for good ....and PLEASE, if you connect alcohol with fags, then please do be careful ...and NEVER be tempted to "try just one puff/ cig" thinking "it won't hurt" because it will!!! There's still time for someone else to come on to quit either before and just after you do, or you're quite close to Caz who only started yesterday, chat to each other and help each other out. That's what happened to Andrew, and even though he mainly comes on alone now, he still stays true to getting his health back, I'm sure you're wanting the same! All best wishes for a very healthy life ahead Rebecca, you and your body deserve it!!!

Hi again Caz and very well done with all the great things you've already been getting on with to really help yourself through. Stick to such things and you'll do yourself proud!!! :T I'm delighted you found the potting on of loads of seedlings to work for you, excellent!!! :j I expect the hyper night, nasty headache too, could have been due to excitement of achieving your first free day as well as possibly the patch. Well done on starting up another sealed pot for all your money saved, don't forget to include it in your total at Christmas or whenever it is you've decided to empty yours, it's still money saved!!! Stay strong Caz!

You're doing wonderfully well Andrew, I always feel that when quitters start helping others out that they're well on their way to success - that's the way it's been with jammy dodger who's doing marvellous ..for herself ...and for others!! Well done jammy, 4 and half months is just amazing!!! :T You're going great guns and I love your solid determination!!! :T

Very well done EVERYONE and it's so good to see new members always popping up to give it their best shot. Keep hard at it however long you've been stopped for every body and for those who haven't yet started on their journey ...all the very best for when you do!!!

Sue x

grandmasam

Hi all,

Took the patch off 1/2 hour before i went to bed and had a much better night, so i'll be doing this in future, don't want another night like that!
Got lots done again today, dug up and replanted a large flower bed in the front and then repaired some render , found the paint and painted the wall outside.
Came in about 3,15, and fell asleep on the sofa Still got that horrible irritating cough [with the red face and streaming eyes :rotfl: ]much to the concern of the neighbours ,but lots of water and sugarless chewing gum , and sitting down frequently to get my breath sorted it . Soon i hope to garden without sounding as if i'm going to pop my clogs :j
Welcome REBECCA we've both started at the same time so keep going honey, we can be healthy non smokers!!

Thanks to all who post their stories, it really is encouraging to those of us just taking our first baby steps to a healthy life.
Caz

jammy_dodger

Greaat to hear grandmasam you are doing so well you should be proud , stick with it sounds like your garden will be amazing this summer too
you are so doing the right thing keeping busy and your health will improve too . I find now am able to walk faster and for longer i never thought smoking had impacted on me physically ... that is until i stopped smoking .. how wrongn i was not as exactly running about like spring lamb but definately more of a spring in me step

thoug i have slipped into bad habit eating ways started off with great intentions but things have slid will have to get back on track , but those bags of revels where just looking at me

have a super smoke free weekend everyone x x