The Giving Up Smoking Thread - Part 3

Dazi

Hi everyone

I have been directed here by a friend :wave:Dundeedoll

I gave up smoking when I ran out last Wednesday night at 8.30, started with patches on Thursday, and so far am doing ok, but it would be nice to speak to others in the same boat.

I can't say I have had any cravings, but that is probably because of the patches. By the way I have been smoking for just over 40 years. I do have a sense of loss though. ie when I get bored/stressed at work I think to myself I will go for a fag, errrr NO I won't, then I get this little pang and feel awwwww I will never have a fag again. It's like I am mourning for it. Is this normal, has anyone else felt this way. I have tried many times in the past to give up, including during 2 pregnancies and even that didn't make me stop, but this time I am stopping because I want to, not because I have been told to. And have to say, it is the money side that is making me give up rather than the health side, but, my Dr said that is ok :rotfl:anything that makes me stop is good.

I am getting patches and attending the giving up smoking programme at my doctors. I see a health worker there. There was one thing I was really miffed at, she wanted to see me once a week for the next 4 weeks, go out to make appointments and they couldn't fit me in this week, I think that is really bad as surely it's at the beginning that you need the support!

Actually I am annoyed cos I really wanted to go today and for her to say well done :rotfl: anyways I am getting a lot of support from family and friends but would like some support from people who are actually doing this!

I have the NHS choices smokefree widget on my desktop at home and at work, it helps! I keep seeing the time and the money adding up.

Sorry for such a long post!

Speak soon

stamina9008

My advice to all of you is this..

Dont try too hard.

I smoked for 10 years, from the ages of 16 to 26 and im almost 28 now, i havent smoked for two years...nothing.

I tried to quit COUNTLESS times in the past and failed, why?
Becuase i was trying too hard, preparing for too long..it might work for some but not for me.
It ended quite weirdly really, i didnt even plan to quit, i just remember smoking my last cigarette in october of 2009 and thinking.."yuk", that's all i remember feeling...
Since then, i dont even think about them, not since i've seen this thread..
Maybe it was my ten year cycle? Who knows..
But during that ten years my life was hectic, stressful, traumatic and uncertain.
It's not a bed of roses now, but i think it's better (more stable) and i think smoking is a sort of destructive coping mechanism.

If you think about things too deeply and worry yourself often, then, imo you're more likely to be a smoker.
But hey what do i know, im no professional on these matters, i was just a smoker for ten years (20 a day)..

Stabilize yourself, that's the key.

stamina9008

That pier looks better than Brightons!

o2bfree

rizla01 wrote: »

Walton, Frinton?

There are a few more pics here.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/47411491#Comment_47411491

And more to follow.:)

Actually Clacton.
Your other photos are great too.

Did you see characters from Eastenders on the Pier?
Apparently they were filming for a Christmas episode on there.
You can just see the Christmas tree in your photo.

ani*fan

Hey everyone

I made it to 48 hours this afternoon. It came and went without me thinking about smoking, so that was good. I'm now at 53 hours and not long to go before the 3 day withdrawal period is done. It feels good and I've noticed more energy already which is always useful.

You lot are a god send. Well done to everyone on their quits.

rizla01

o2bfree wrote: »

Actually Clacton.
Your other photos are great too.

Did you see characters from Eastenders on the Pier?
Apparently they were filming for a Christmas episode on there.
You can just see the Christmas tree in your photo.

Saw some activity and knew what it weas about but I was more interested in taking my photo's.

Be great if I ended up in the background tho.

Hey everyone

I made it to 48 hours this afternoon. It came and went without me thinking about smoking, so that was good. I'm now at 53 hours and not long to go before the 3 day withdrawal period is done. It feels good and I've noticed more energy already which is always useful.

You lot are a god send. Well done to everyone on their quits.

Ha. I was waiting your post.

Nearly pre-empted it and congratulated u anyway, around 5.30 but thought perhaps you might've slipped up.

Well done ANI.

ani*fan

You're at one week and one day rizla? I'll be catching up with you soon...;) Well done.

rizla01

ani*fan wrote: »

You're at one week and one day rizla? I'll be catching up with you soon...;) Well done.

Wel according to THIS Ani, after today you will find :-

Your entire body will test 100% nicotine-free and over 90% of all nicotine metabolites (the chemicals it breaks down into) will now have passed from your body via your urine.

Symptoms of chemical withdrawal have peaked in intensity, including restlessness. The number of cue induced crave episodes experienced during any quitting day will peak for the "average" ex-user.

Lung bronchial tubes leading to air sacs (alveoli) are beginning to relax in recovering smokers. Breathing is becoming easier and the lungs functional abilities are starting to increase.

Good to know, eh?

Lippycow

Hit the 7 months without a ciggie today and banked £800.00, i feel so pleased with myself as i didn't think i could do it so it shows even if you have smoked for over 40 years you can and will succeed....keep going everyone and give yourself a massive pat on the back everyday you go without:-)

mazza111

3 weeks 2 days £282 not spent on cigs :T

Another trip to GP with the wee man today, still not getting any relief from this urine/kidney infection. Got antibiotics now, hopefully that will sort him out. So I've made it thru another day.

RE: Full strength patches. Asked the chemist about them today, whether I should be cutting down, they said no, 6-8 weeks on this program. Still gonna stick to it tho. After all, I've got this far before and started again.

BH done really well yesterday, he's counting it as day 2, we can forgive him his little barlinnie special roll up i think :T So proud of him. He has been having the occasional puff on ecig where I would rather he would have a nic patch or spray of the oral stuff, but whatever suits him eh


Ani*fan :T:T:T Well done you!!

Stamina - I don't think it's a matter of trying too hard, I personally think it's timing, if the timing is right for you then you'll do it. Seen this with both my parents in the past. Mum was smoking at least 60 a days and just decided to stop, dad decided he would too, it was mum's time, not dad's. He started again, she didn't. He did however stop smoking several years later when time was right for him. Myself too, tried several times and it didn't feel right, this time feels totally different.

Misskaytee - I hear u on the sense of smell thing!! Can't believe how smells I used to like really are minging! Can't believe I've been smelling of my this perfume all these years and it's horrible! Altho not as bad as smelling the cat tray *gross*


The biggest difference I'm noticing is in my teeth, how much cleaner they feel and look.


Big warm welcome to Dazi, keep up the good work!

Viv - :T:T:T:T Well done, keep going!!

Missymoo, I really wouldn't like to advise, cos I don't know anyone who's definitely successfully stopped with the ecig. I tried it and failed when my battery broke. Started again when waiting for replacement. Altho, you can get the cheaper ones for about £25? That's cig and replacement batteries, why not try one of those, if u can manage to stop on it, try for a better one? This one looks a better idea than the cheaper ones http://www.tvs247.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=392 and not a lot more expensive


Well done to everyone who's gone one more day without a smoke :T:T:T