The Giving Up Smoking Thread - Part 3

NickJW

Hi All

Another week and still no cigarettes. Still on the patches and nice and relaxed with them. It's working for me.

I just want to add my tuppence to the recent conversations - ever since I've joined it's been a remarkably supportive thread. We all know it's not easy - if it was we wouldn't be joining a support thread to keep us motivated! For me, at the start it was great to read through other peoples experiences since I didn't want to tell people that yet again, I was trying to quit. The thread meant it wasn't solitary.

Sue-UU's first response to my post was a major boost - full of confidence and encouraged me that little bit extra. As someone who doesn't smoke anymore she doesn't HAVE to come here, but she does - most likely because she knows first hand how hard it is and wants to give everybody the best chance they have to spur them on (apologies for the generalization Sue-UU ). I've gone into this knowing it will be hard but by continuously saying 'I can quit! I want to quit!' etc helps more than thinking it's not worth it.

Obviously everyone's experience is different, but linen53 - I'm not sure copy and paste jobs about how difficult it is, without focusing on the positives is particulary helpful. Not looking for an argument - it's just the way I see it.

Anyway - good luck everybody and keep at it

smileytiger

Hi guys - title says it all :):):)

Just a quick note to say a big well done to all who are still not smoking.
I've had a quick skim through some recent posts - but have enough drama in real life - so i'll keep my 2 penneth out of it

Big thanks to all who keep me on the straight n narrow - even when i'm not online i know there are people here for me - specially Sue who has been a rock through all my recent problems..
I'm busy on stage this week singing n dancing in a 3 hour panto every night, so hoping to lose some of the excess weight i've gained since quitting!

hugs to all
Chrissie .xx

linen53

Kiwisaver wrote: »

1. ... but you seem to be focussing on one or two posters themes that you don't like.

I never felt I was alone in my own challenges and difficulties; if you read the thread you'll find some very candid reports of the challenges and trials people have faced, the anguish and the joys are all welcome here.

2. This thread has a very long history of being non-judgmental and non-threatening.

3. I certainly didn't come here looking to be told that I was doomed to fail, was wasting my time or that nobody makes it and that we'll all be back to smoking again before the end of the year. No, kidding! :rotfl:


4. We alll have different means of quitting, different strategies and ideas of our own, differing advice and periods and levels of addiction and we all have different opinions about the help and resources available to us. We take from it what we can.

5. There is no magic bullet; it is an addiction and it is hard to beat but with the right frame of mind, goals, focus, support and encouragement people can and actually do quit and manage to stay quit.

6. I don't see what pleasure people get from trying to undermine that positive 'can do' attitude, unless of course they are themselves possessed by the nasty old nic o'teen and trying to justify their own smoking habit.

1. My first post was addressed to no one. It was a general post to those who need to hear what I had to say. Who am I focusing on? I am merely responding to those who answer my posts.

2. Who have I judged or threatened? I've repeatedly said it is an alternative message.

3. I've never said anyone was doomed to fail. If anything I've said in spite of the odds you can do it.

4. My point exactly!

5. I completely agree.

6. My message says "can do" as well, just in a different way. And there you go, criticizing me.

Erme

Well I have some snooze

I made my first successful e-cig tank (makes it look like a hubba bubba pipe basically and means I don't have to top up the carto every two secs. Also means one carto lasts 3-4 days rather than 30 hours)

:j :j :j

Does anyone remember the first tank I made way back in November (and I said never again to homemade tanks or home made e-cig anything)...20 mins later and I realised I'd leaked 5ml of juice (e-liquid) all over my hands :eek:...one whopping nic overdose .....

Fortunately I survived

This one was basically the same as that first attempt but with some additions...

Extra plastic shaved off the top and bottom of the bottle (with my embroidery scissors) and grommets (just wiring ones 1/2 inch diameter because I've found them to be a perfect fit for my diddy cartos. Don't believe every youtube video on this one...really they use the bigger cartos. Hence the bigger grommets. I made the mistake of buying 5/8 inch grommets (or were they 7/8 inch) the other week and one look told me they were too big :eek:). from the auto shop....

Cost - 5ml plastic bottle (used normally for storing e-cig juice. widely available from e-cig vendors online) - about £1...grommets £1.49 (for two cos they came in pack of four - 2 3/8 inch (which is what I thought I originally needed but they were too small) and 2 1/2 inch (that fitted)...plus wasted juice (my juice is cheap as chips so no idea) about 10-15ml...Gloves = £1 for 20 (had them in though. Am going to try and get them on prescription though next time I see a nice GP. Or have a word with the handsome pharmacist cos I get free prescriptions)....

Satisfaction - priceless

E

Edinburghlass_2

linen53 wrote: »

1. My first post was addressed to no one. It was a general post to those who need to hear what I had to say. Who am I focusing on? I am merely responding to those who answer my posts.

I'm not convinced that anyone on this thread NEEDS to hear what your first post said especially as you posted an url to another website promoting e-cigarettes? (now removed by the Forum Team)

2. Who have I judged or threatened? I've repeatedly said it is an alternative message.

3. I've never said anyone was doomed to fail. If anything I've said in spite of the odds you can do it.

4. My point exactly!

5. I completely agree.

6. My message says "can do" as well, just in a different way. And there you go, criticizing me.

This thread is a very valuable thread to all who have used it over the years, please don't spoil it by posting urls and content taken from other websites.

MSE has a no advertising policy if you read this rule

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/site/forum-faqs#company

linen53

Edinburghlass wrote: »

This thread is a very valuable thread to all who have used it over the years, please don't spoil it by posting urls and content taken from other websites.

MSE has a no advertising policy if you read this rule

Ummmm, I can't add links....I'm a newbie. Never have. I couldn't even answer your post without deleting your link.

Sue-UU

Many thanks for your post, Edinburghlass, I'm pleased to see that recent goings-on here have been noticed by the MSE team and Board Guides as it's always been a terrific place for quitters in progress to vent their emotions and declare their successes. I hope we can now get back to being the thread it's always been since 2007 where we've helped so many to quit the habit of smoking.

Some find it relatively easy while some find it more difficult, whichever category they fall in - we are here for ALL to help them through their journeys. Thank you Edinburghlass, I'm sure we all intend to ignore those who seek to disrupt the good-natured thread.

Firstly, many congratulations Kiwsaver, you've done marvellously in staying free from fags for an entire year!!!!! :T :T:TYes, you've had many difficult times, but with perseverance - you made it!!! Keep strong and always resist the temptation from the 'thoughts' that may fleetingly come into your mind; toss them aside and ignore them, they'll soon get the message.

Very many thanks Katie, FDM, Nick, Kiwsaver and Chrissie for your much appreciated words, I think they all tell far more for this thread than I ever could. Well done to you ALL too, you're doing so very well!!! Chrissie, have a wonderful time at the panto with plenty of laughs and fun in general, I'll be thinking of you!

A very warm welcome to those who have joined us in the last week or so, if you're seeking support and understanding as you do your very best to resist the evils of smoking, then this is the thread to be on!

A last few words to, Erme, you've come so far on your journey so far and I couldn't be more delighted for you - determination is paying off for you alone - excellent news!!!!! :T:T:T

Best wishes to you ALL and may you get your life, health and finances back where YOU want them after becoming smoke-free!

Sue x
* Please don't forget to put your time passed and method used in the Title bar, it helps us all, even yourselves.

flis21

Hi everyone, can I join you all. I have set my quit date as Saturday. I need to quit as I'm in 'debt crisis' and have worked out I spend over £1500 a year on cigs!!! I also don't like smoking round my children and I really don't want them thinking it's good or cool to do.

So I've just signed up for the smoke free quit kit from the NHS and am hoping to see the stop cmoking advisor at my local children's centre on Friday.

I used to smoke years ago, I was on 20 a day then and quit 8 years ago. I started again last year after my marriage breakdown. Am so annoyed with myself. Last time I did it with polos (and lots of them!!) and will power. Am going to give it a try that way again and working towards little treats for each day I go smoke free.

well wish me luck and I'll let you all know how I get on.

Flis x

Little_bit_dizzy

NickJW wrote: »

Sue-UU's first response to my post was a major boost - full of confidence and encouraged me that little bit extra. As someone who doesn't smoke anymore she doesn't HAVE to come here, but she does - most likely because she knows first hand how hard it is and wants to give everybody the best chance they have to spur them on (apologies for the generalization Sue-UU ).

I'll echo Nicks words. The first message I had from Sue-UU was exactly what I needed. I have friends, work collegues and a DH who are all still smoking, but Sues message was there to remind me that I could do it, so thanks Sue-UU, it was really appreciated and for me incredibly helpful.

Anyhow, I'm now 11 days in - yesterday was a tough day for me. Not for long, but the thought was there... Today is much better, especially as someone wearing Eau De Ashtray has just walked past my desk :rotfl:

DaisyCat

Hello all

I'd like to join in this thread to get and give a little support on my journey to being smoke-free!

I've been smoking and not smoking, and then smoking and not smoking again for the past 3 years. Most successful attempt lasted a year, using nicotine lozenges for the first two months. I then thought a year later (whilst drunk) I can have one and then stop again. 2 years later here I am again!

I stopped for 2 weeks on the 3rd Jan, then found out on Friday that I had a new job and my first thought was 'I need to celebrate, I'll go out and buy some ciggies'! No logic behind it, but of course I did and have spent Friday to yesterday smoking heavily again.

Back on the lozenges again from this morning with a plan to use them until I've finished the pack (should be around a fortnight) and then really determined that it must end, and end for good. I know I can do it as I did it for a year once before but have decided I it would be wise to have support from fellow quitters this time, and offer support where I can.

Here's to being permentantly smoke from today onwards!