The Giving Up Smoking Thread - Part 3

smileytiger

DaisyCat wrote: »

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!

Good luck hun - you can do it! .xx

jacflash

Hi all,

Another voice of utmost support to Sue - that she takes time to acknowlege and support each and every poster on this thread speaks volumes to me. I think you shoud have a superhero cheerleading costume, Sue, complete with pompoms. The written word lacks the nuances and emphasis markers of speech, and the use of bold, italics or any other means to make your meaning clearer is not a problem, except to those that are looking for problems.

Back on topic, day 12 here and still going strong. Finally had my appointment with the stop smoking nurse on Monday, and blew a 1 on the carbon monoxide meter - ie: non smoker level. Was really good to see. My Alen Carr book arrived a couple of days ago and is very interesting reading. Although his method would not approve the use of NRT, there are lots of observations and ways of looking at things in there that are very helpful.

Well done to everyone, and good luck to those that are just starting out/ just about to start out on the road to smoke-freeness. Go us! :j

linen53

What is Nicotine?

Nicotine is the tobacco plant's natural protection from being eaten by insects. Its widespread use as a farm crop insecticide is now being blamed for killing honey bees. A super toxin, drop for drop it is more lethal than strychnine or diamondback rattlesnake venom and three times deadlier than arsenic. Yet amazingly, by chance, this natural insecticide's chemical signature is so similar to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine that once inside the brain it fits a host of chemical locks permitting it direct and indirect control over the flow of more than 200 neuro-chemicals, most importantly dopamine.

Taken from whyquit dot com, article: Nicotine Addiction 101

To be continued

girl_withno_name

Today is week 10 for me... for those of you just starting out, it's getting easier!

Sue-UU

A very warm welcome to, Flis and DaisyCat, it's good to have you both here and back on your journeys to quitting again.

Little wonder you fell off the wagon, Flis, though what a real shame after having quit for 8 years! Still, you're back having another go and that's what counts. I'm pleased you're booked in to see the Cessation Nurse as it's always good to have someone to physically go to regularly. As we say to everyone, come on the thread and give vent to your feelings as even the act of writing it all down alone helps so much. Don't forget to also come and let us know about the times when you're thrilled to bits at how well you've done. Not only do those times help you, they also motivate others!

All the very, very best, Flis and all the best in getting your finances back on track....don't overlook your health though, a very important reason to quit for!

Sue x


Please, all those new to stopping smoking use the Quitters Pledge below to help more daily.

Quitter's Pledge

Tell yourself every morning "I'm not going to smoke at all today, but if I wish to, I may smoke tomorrow." Repeat that pledge every morning, it tricks your mind and makes things far more bearable to do it in bitesizes.

Oh dear, DaisyCat, the perils of the other demon, alcohol eh! If you're vulnerable to it then do try hard to keep away from it, at least in the early months of stopping smoking. It's amazing how we're inclined to either commiserate or celebrate with those horrible white sticks and be tempted back with thoughts of "just one puff/ciggie". Still, you know you'll be an easy target for a while so never succumb to idle thoughts as 9 times out of 10 it only leads back to having to start quitting all over again!

One thing I'm uncertain of is that you say on your Title Bar that you're 0.5 days smoke free -nrt lozenges, then there's your sentence <<<"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.">>> Have you stopped smoking and it's the lozenges you're talking about or have you not yet finished with the fags??

All the very best, DaisyCat, you've already quit successfully for a year so you CAN do it again and carry on being smoke-free!

Sue x

Very many thanks indeed, Little bit dizzy, a good job there isn't a door to MSE or I'd never get out of it! I was really pleased the stench of another smoker brought you back to thinking rationally. Don't forget to have a list of lovely memories or plans for the future at hand so you can focus on them rather than other 'thoughts'! Aside from that - you're doing really well!!!

Sue x

Fantastic news about you blowing a 1 in the CM machine, jacflash really well done!!! :j I found it interesting what you said about the Alen Carr book, I really must have a look through one myself so I'm more aware, everyone has such good things to say about it, it has to be worthy of a read. You've really done well, jacflash, your lass too, I'm sure.

Sue x

Many thanks, girl_withno_name!! All the very best on your journey too and you know where we are if you need us. For now, congratulations for getting to 10 days free!

Sue x

For all those lurking and possibly thinking "I think perhaps I could quit too", come on the thread and give it a go, you've nothing to lose, but so much to gain, not least of all - better health!

Sue x

Katiec950

Evening all!

Well it is day 17 for me and all is going well! The stage I am at just now is trying to get used to doing things as a non smoker. It's finding ways of stopping myself automatically going to buy cigarettes or going out with work colleagues. I'm trying to have 'strategies' to deal with these beforehand

I feel so much better already and not just smell and taste buds! I can walk for longer without having to sit down for 10 minutes and I feel calmer than I did before!

Good luck to all you newbies and stay with it as it does get easier!

Take care all
Katie xx

Sue-UU

Not easy always remembering we no longer smoke, is it Katie, but the further we get away from having been a smoker the more we start to adapt ourselves to a different way of living life.

You say about having strategies and it's wise to do so, a little bit like the person with a phobia who has to think of ways out if the going becomes to tough. Written notes you think may be helpful, pop them in your pocket/handbag to grab for when necessary or having ways to bring mental images to mind to help you through sticky times, all these things help. Always carry some car keys (any keys) on a ring to fiddle with, it helps to fiddle with while thinking or just keeping fiddling with anyway.

You've done so well so far, Katie getting further away each day from the habit, it'll take a while but as time goes by you get more and more used to the fresh you...great isn't it!!! It's good to hear you too are noticing the calmness, it's the lack of nicotine (and chemicals) which we used to wrongly believe calmed us, that stressed us out so much.

Stay strong and be proud, Katie!

Sue x

DaisyCat

Hello again all

Sue - reading back my first message I can see it is a bit confusing! I have stopped cigarrettes completely and am using nicotine lozenges at the moment - what I should have said is that once the pack of nicotine lozenges have gone then I intend on carrying on with the no smoking cold turkey style!

Fortunately, I'm not much of a drinker - it only takes one to make me tipsy and have a hangover! It won't be a problem to stay away from it.

Hope you all have a good day!

=booboo=

Hey all,

Cant believe ive only just seen this thread!

Would firstly like to say congratualtions to everyone who is trying their best, Wish you all the best with your quitting, especially FLIS (ive just seen your other thread and think it would really help you).

Personally, im now on day 14 and am not looking back. Ive smoked for 16 years and have truly come to terms with just how horrible it is.

I started with an e-cig and left it in its packet (for emergencies lol, my thinking was that if i failed and had to open it, i still hadnt actually failed). My first 5 days were pretty bad, but cans of soup and packets of biscuits got me through. After that i havent really had any further issues.. I did have to open that e-cig, i was on a 400 mile round trip to collect my daughter from her mothers and hit traffic, it did the job thou. Have only needed to use it twice since too

Theres a lot to be said for the desire to stop! and for the feeling of an extra £50 per week in my wallet!

A lot of credit goes to my GF though. She also smoked a lot, but has stopped smoking around me and in the house and has severly cut down as a result, im almost more proud of her than i am of myself.

Well, diet starts today, need to work off those packets of biscuits now lol...

Good luck everyone and keep up the hard work!!

Sue-UU

Hi DaisyCat, thanks for that, at least I know exactly where you are and what you're doing now and appreciate you getting back so soon.

Many thanks for the PM and remember, the further away you get the less stress you'll feel. Practice breathing in and out at difficult moments...almost as you did when you smoked - before you freed yourself.

Have a good day Cat and keep thinking beautiful thoughts/memories,

Sue x