The Giving Up Smoking Thread!! Part 2

TismE_3

:j :j Morning all im now on day 10 wooooo hooooo and so is OH.
Have found myself craving slightly more over the last 2 days, but i think thats proberly cos im not actively avoiding smokers any more.

Just keep telling myself that i've had some really crappy stuff to deal with in the past and i smoked then , so when i get stressed now , why would having a fag make it any better!? it wont ! seems to help me stay focused.

Best of luck to all quitters

Tisme x

Naomim

nirelandguy wrote: »

I'd like to know, how do you get to the point where you know you have to stop? I would like to stop but it seems so hard and it seems like it would be easier just to continue, I know I don't like smoking or I wouldn't be asking this question. If I look in my cupboard I have patches,gum,microtabs and an inhilator, not to mention Allen Carr and Paul Mckenna books, so the idea is there

I tried before and lasted only a few days, but the thing that really got me was, I am in a really boring job, my smoke break every hour or so give me a break from the boredom, if only for a couple of mins.

Any advice very much appreciated.

you have just described me, where I was last year. Thinking I ought to quit but not managing. I had the patches I read both Allen Carr books (Easyway and Onlyway) Paul McKenna book and went to Allen Carr Clinic 4 times in all. (paid by Tesco vouchers before you all scream at the waste of money) None of it worked becuase I don't think I was in the right frame of mind. I liked and disliked smoking at the same time, I wanted to stop but didn't. My main motivation for stopping however was financial which probably isn't the main thing you should concentrate on :rolleyes: Someone told me about Champix in September and it still took me another 3 months to get to the Dr's. When I collected my first prescription they gave me the wrong strength so it was another week before I could start and in all honesty; I was SO relieved I could smoke for another week

It is hard to stop and yes, it is easier to continue and sometimes you won't know the right time, you just have to completely bite the bullet and go for it. That's why I chose an odd day and time to quit 6.15 on a Saturday evening so there was no special importance to it and no big build up.

Two months on and I feel so very proud of myself for doing it but I feel like an alcoholic. I know if I have one I'll be on 20 a day within a week.

I aslo firmly believe, people who say they woke up and just didn't want to smoke anymore are probably embellishing a little. They probably gave it a bit of thought and picked a day and I bet they struggled through the cravings too.

Naomi x

shimmershelly

Hello I am a newbie to this thread. I have given up lots of times before but my problem is I can't stay stopped, probably because DH was smoking too. However he has recently given up himself and is doing fantastically well. I don't want to be the bad influence on him and have him starting again, and I have also got to the point where I really want to give up for good.
I saw the stop smoking nurse on monday and have started on Champix (done Zyban before and they worked great for me, but started again unfortunately). I am on the second day of tablets and next tuesday is my stop date. I am going to use an empty inhalator for times when I miss something in my hand (usually when on the PC!), but the nurse said she can prescribe the cartrdges for me if I want.
Fingers crossed, I am quite determined this time, I have smoked for too long of my life and this is the last chance I will have to get tablets from the doctor, they won't prescribe Champix again for me I am sure.
I have tried patches, gum, hypnosis, a book (not sure if it is the one mentioned, but I remember you had a jar with water and fag butts in to smell if you got a craving!), Zyban and willpower. Everytime I gave up and started again later, so the journey is going to be a long one, it's staying stopped that's the goal for me this time.
I am ready, bring it on!!!!
Shelly x

ad1jnl

Hi All,

Day 3

I'm still not having any cravings for a cigarettes which is suprising me. However I do seem to want to stuff mi face with food at the moment which I suppose is craving. Now the Allen Carr book says not to go with substitutes but I've been comforting eating for a while (yes something else I have problem with) so its not that. I'm trying to do a lot of exercise so as not to put on too much weight - I'm hoping this phase will pass!!!

Jon

Sue-UU

Hi Jon and well done with getting back into the swing of things. Giving up smoking and booze is wonderful and I honestly hope you'll succeed for good with both. Don't worry too much about food for now, so long as you're doing plenty of exercise to compensate then that'll burn it off, but keep up the exercise, and increase it as soon as you feel able.

Hi everyone and a warm welcome to Smiler and Shelly, I hope you both succeed with your goals. A good idea with the empty inhalator for times that may be a bit iffy!

Hi there nirelandguy!! Good to see you've never quit quitting, it's obviously on your mind a lot for you to keep trying. Mainly, focus on your health, not now but in x amount of years and think what might be in store if you don't give it up! The longer we flirt with it, the more we're at risk. Don't add yourself to that long line of statistics - PLEASE!!! Would you like another PM or do you still have the other? Good luck and never stop trying hard!

Well done Stroppy!! You sound so much better after the weekend, if you're serious about jogging (be sure you're fit enough first) then go on to the running board and ask for help with both jogging and clothing. If you're talking more of brisk walking for now, then that'll be great for you and help you feel so good!

Hi Aeshna, lovely to see you here updating. Sad about the problems, but life's full of them! Keep in that never quit quitting frame of mind and one day it'll really take you by surprise - I hope so anyway! I'm getting on fine - slowly and surely keeping myself in stitches!

Glad you're over your blip ameliarate, though do try not to obsess about smoking in your waking hours and you'll quite likely find your sleeping much better. Get yourself some "Kalms" to aid sleep, they're totally natural and you'll feel so much better in the day time after a good night's sleep. Whenever you find yourself thinking about cigs, be strong and switch your mind instantly to something that's likely to stay in your mind for a good while, a past holiday, meeting your OH for the first time, beautiful memories of your life together.

Oh Naomi, what a time you've had - and survived without those nasty health-threateners! You're doing brilliantly, I hope things will quell with the neighbour - people eh!!! :mad: Hope OH's elbow soon heals, he was very, very fortunate though!

Well done whathavewedone! Leaps and bounds springs to mind!

Good going helnag! Keep pushing those awful, smelly, disgusting things as far from your mind as possible the minute they come in. DON'T allow them to take up your time - or your life, both are extremely precious to YOU not THEM!!!!:mad:

Mimi - keep focused on the excitement part of quitting and when OH is away from the house think of how very proud he'll be on coming home each day to find you so happy to have achieved each one without those things in your life. Remember, water, plenty of fruit and as much exercise as is possible!

All the very best everyone! I apologise of I've missed anyone out but have to be up early in the morning. Another great day beckons to you all, grab it and succeed!

Sue

whathavewedone

Still no slip ups. On the medium strength patches but trying to wean off by putting them on later in the morning and taking them off early in the evening, around 6pmish. Don't feel any different when I don't have them on so I guess I must be over the worst now. Oh has been off the patches altogether for around a week now and is back to his normal self. No more rows thank god!

The weather's been really nice so I've been hanging my washing out in the garden. Have felt the odd pang as I've gone out into the garden and looked at "my" bench where I used to sit with a brew and a ciggie and have 5 minutes out.

So I have been reminding myself why going into the garden isn't so great.

1. I would do it in the rain, sitting on a tea towel with a hat on which wasn't as pleasant as all that.

2. Lately I couldn't enjoy it at all because of my dd shouting "MUMMY! COME BACK IN!!!!!!HELLLP!!!". So I'd rush in and she would want me to pick up a crayon she'd dropped on the floor or something.

3. All the mouthwashing, handwashing, febreze spraying to cover up my habit, the fear if someone came to the door unexpectedly after I'd had a fag that they would be able to smell it on me.

4. Forgetting to empty the ashtray before bed and waking up to a load of buts swimming in dark brown water if had been raining...yuckGetting it all over my hands, double yuck

5. Still coughing up a bit of rubbish in the mornings so still plenty of tar coating my lungs. How much more to go I wonder?

6. Only so many times you can make the excuse of "emptying rubbish" or "hanging out washing" and you can't find a good reason for not allowing your toddler to accompany you in the garden to do these things.

7. A friend of a friend quit because her 3 year old said to her "are you going out for a ciggie mummy?" She hadn't even realised that her dd knew what she was going outside for. I don't want that to be me, especially not if it happens in front of other people who don't know I smoke (which is my family, my oh's family and all my dd's friends' mums and all my neighbours)

helnag

Hi everyone,

Today is my day 11!!! I think I'm abnormal, I'm actually finding it really easy at the moment...is it all about to get really hard???

The only other thing is I've put on nearly half a stone but I haven't been eating any more than normal I promise and I've been eating loads more fruit and stuff, also the cars broken down so have been walking everywhere...doesn't make sense but hey ho, kick boxing dvd is on today!!!!

MimiJane

Got through the first day OK. Loads of "little voices" reminding me of my trigger times to have a ciggie, followed by a quick realisation from me that I was no longer smoking, then a horrible feeling of despondency before contratulating myself! Not really bad cravings as such though ... just feel there's a huge void in my life at the moment, but I know it will pass and just have to keep ignoring those voices.
Well, at 11pm tonight, it'll be 2 days :T Will just concentrate of getting through today (and trying not to wish my life away :rolleyes:). I've downloaded the silkquit meter thingie to help inspire me.

Cough worse than normal and kept waking up all night with it, but at least expected this.

Great weather for a walk in the sunshine, so will aim to get outside later when household jobs done.

Helnag : Strange about the weight isn't it? I remember reading that the actual act of smoking 20 a day uses up about 200 calories per day, so this could have something to do with it.

Well done to EVERYONE for doing so well and thanks for the great encouragement Sue ... always much appreciated (getting through those clementines like no-body's business) :T

x

helnag

Very strange indeed, perhaps I'll just have to pretend to smoke 20 pens a day instead lol. Stiil I'd rather be a bit rounder for a while and give up now than keep smoking. I'll deal any weight gain as and when I can. One thing at a time (however I will do my best not to put anymore on)!!

Has anybody else developed extremely bunged up and painful sinuses?? Mine are soooo uncomfortable, I can cope with the sore throat but the sinuses are horrid.

ameliarate

Well I am now well and truly off the wagon.

I have felt so ill over the past few days, I seem to have been bombarded with every possible symptom of nicotine withdrawal possible, headaches, not sleeping, getting irritable and starting to feel very depressed; on top of which had a second row with OH and we are now not speaking (until he wants a lift or a shirt ironed):rolleyes: .

I am off to lick my wounds, re-group and plan my next move. I have an appointment with the smoking cessation clinic next Tuesday so will talk to the nurse about it.

I want to thank everyone for their support you have been great:T .

Stoppy - Hang on in there, you can do it.