My Quitting Smoking Diary - yours too!

gettingready

Read the book too... LOL

It is willpower I need .. sigh...

Fergie42

Hi getting ready and welcome.

I am new to my journey too and I have had so much support from here. I was so convinced I couldn't do it that I never even tried before (if that makes sense).

I am going into day 3 today fag free and couldn't feel better. I can't believe it is only the 3rd day as I have completely wiped them from my mind now. Last night was a bit touch and go at times but I just tried to keep busy and got through it. I am using the inhalator (a lot!!) and patches and have really been ok.

OH slipped yesterday and got through about 8 but still very good for him. He smoked outside and I expected to be behind him waiting for a good sniff but it smelled revolting which cheered me up even more

Good luck everyone and here's to another fag-free day xxx

WantToBeSE

For all of those quitting, you might find this useful

http://smokefree.nhs.uk/quit-tools/quit-kit/

Sue-UU

gettingready wrote: »

Read the book too... LOL

It is willpower I need .. sigh...

Hi everyone, I hope you're all having a great smoke-free Sunday.

Hi again, gettingready. I see Moneymaker's given you some great advice about AC's book which many have had great success with.
If you really don't think you have the willpower to stop via cold turkey, but do wish to stop, then, can I suggest that you ring your Dr's surgery and ask to make an appointment with the Cessation Nurse, they are properly trained to chat with you and guide you on what means of NRT to stop smoking.

We will all help you here as much as possible, but you also get to visit the CN and keep that physical contact that many find such a help. Please do ring and make an appointment at least, then just listen. It's far better to stop now while you can...far better than when you might have to!!!

If you'd prefer than why not cut right down (to half, then half again) that's when stopping via CT is the most effective, or that's how I found.

Never, ever think that you're not able to stop for good - we can ALL stop smoking and do so for good - if we wish!

Every best wish to stop completely and soon. Let us know what you think now.

Sue xx

Thanks a lot, Moneymaker, I know you and many others who have successfully stopped via AC's book would highly recommend it, you've done marvellously, great advice! :T:T:T:T

Sue x

Hi there, Fergie, still feeling stoked as you're well into your 3rd day then - brilliant news! :T:T Great encouragement too for all those wishing they were where you now are!

A suggestion for your OH: DD (dundeedoll) always found help with having 'pretend fags'! She used to go out by the back door and go through all the motions of having a cig - without a cig in her hand! Two fingers up to the mouth, inhale as he used to...then exhale; relax and repeat several times.

Sound crazy? Well, it certainly worked for her and she's quit for well over 2 years!!! I do hope that might just help him like it did her - anything's worth a try after all!

So very well done you, Fergie, let that pride build up, it'll do you a power of good....so will not choking to death on fags!!!

Sue xx

Fergie42

Thanks again Sue for your wonderful words of advice which really do motivate me. Just popped on as having a 'bored' moment and felt a bit down. Feel 'on the up' again now

Another plus side....house never been cleaner! lol.

Take care xxxx

gettingready

Sue-UU wrote: »

Hi everyone, I hope you're all having a great smoke-free Sunday.

Hi again, gettingready. I see Moneymaker's given you some great advice about AC's book which many have had great success with.
If you really don't think you have the willpower to stop via cold turkey, but do wish to stop, then, can I suggest that you ring your Dr's surgery and ask to make an appointment with the Cessation Nurse, they are properly trained to chat with you and guide you on what means of NRT to stop smoking.

We will all help you here as much as possible, but you also get to visit the CN and keep that physical contact that many find such a help. Please do ring and make an appointment at least, then just listen. It's far better to stop now while you can...far better than when you might have to!!!

If you'd prefer than why not cut right down (to half, then half again) that's when stopping via CT is the most effective, or that's how I found.

Never, ever think that you're not able to stop for good - we can ALL stop smoking and do so for good - if we wish!

Every best wish to stop completely and soon. Let us know what you think now.

Sue xx

Thanks Sue - I already knew about the book and read it - made no difference to me.

I have also been to smoking cessation (I work in NHS), tried all there is and again nothing.

I even had surgery (kidney cancer - kidney and adreneal gland removed) in April this year - made no difference,

Perhaps not ready to stop - It is my head that needs sorting.

I know all the stip smoking places/gadgets/books/methods.. just keep on putting it off and off...

One day.. Meanwhile - will be lurking on here

jammy_dodger

good evening folks

WOW fergie42 is all i can say you are doing so well i am soo soo pleased for you , its amazing how quickly that after fag smell turns your guts when you smell it on others , you still cant help but notice and to know i used to smell that way ...yuk


been there done that on the house clean front when newly quit but believe me thats something that doesnt last :rotfl:


welcome geting ready as you see above on my stats i gave up cold turkey and smoked for 30 years :eek:

i got to t he point where i no longer wanted to be a smoker and no longer "enjoyed" having a smoke , i had a few half hearted attempts to stop ( maybe testing myself to see if i could stop ) but always ended up after maybe stopping a few days buying some more ( a 20 mile round trip to the shops to get them :mad:) i believed as i stopped for a few days i could choose to smoke or not but i wasnt fooling myself i was addicted and needed to either put up being a smoker or stop once and for all ( was getting fed up stop/ starting )
a lot of smokers who have quit have described a "click moment " thats it ....enough is enough the time for me to stop is right.....

I discovered this wonderful thread and fantastic support of Sue-uu :Aand others the rest is history

I did fall off the wagon after stopping for 9months :mad: when my marriage ended ... but i did climb back on board and having started again from scratch have been nearly 11 months fag free

when i started again after all those months i was soooo angry with myself and now know no matter what life throws at me i shall not and will not pick up another fag ever again , they are NEVER a solution and NEVER make " things better "

sorry for long posting but thought it may help to know where i came from how i did it etc

we are here for you whenevr you need it

best wishes to all those quit what ever stage you are at

JD xx

belladonna13

Hi everyone,

I have dipped into this thread quite a few times but never posted because I am not sure I want to stop but wish I could if that makes sense.

I am in a bit of a mess with it all because I have Bipolar and due to some pretty spectacular breakdowns I have used cigarettes for a crutch.

I was so mentally ill in 2003 that I decided I would 'smoke myself to death' so I accelerated my intake to 60 a day (I was buying black market cigarettes ) still not cheap but I would chose them over food!

I still smoke about 30-40 per day and it is ridiculous and I feel weak willed and pathetic about it all.

In 2011 my GP picked up an heart murmur and I was referred to a consultant and diagnosed with stenosis (tightening of an heart valve, although I am not aware of any symptoms, but monitored every 6 mths) I also apparently have angina, diagnosed in 2010 (although again I have no symptoms) I know these conditions are my 'wake up' call and because I no longer wish to die...I need to somehow stop...but how?

I do enjoy some of the cigs I smoke, but not all and I hate the smell in my home and the taste in my mouth.

I will admit here and now that I am scared of stopping, scared of letting go of my crutch.

I am seeing the heart consultant at the end of the month and I have not made any attempt to stop. I am overweight also so I fear putting more weight on (although that is no doubt just one of my feeble excuses to justify my excess smoking).

Even if I could substantially cut down I would be happy (but again realise I am again justifying some smoking still).

So I am here asking for help because I cannot do this alone...so here I am a smoker of 40 yrs with no plan on how to stop, so no date set or method chosen.

Please help me. x

Sue-UU

Hello belladonna13 and a very warm welcome to you. I really am so sorry to hear about your health problems, though it honestly does sound as though you would benefit no end if you could give up cigs.

Your first sentence makes complete sense as we have all felt like that, you're not alone I promise you! I never thought I could have given up, but as you can see from my title bar (above) I did, and so have so many here on MSE too! You also CAN do it, and it's much easier than any of us think once we start, it's only the thoughts of it all that hold us back.

Your sentence "I will admit here and now that I am scared of stopping, scared of letting go of my crutch." is one that will ring true with every single person who has smoked because every single task we've done in each day of our smoking lives is based around a ciggie: They become like a friend to us and we feel we can't do anything without them - but that friend is an evil friend that we need to kick out of our lives as it can ruin our health, stops us having any money and countless other things. However, once you first release yourself from having any more, you'll be feeling so very much better!

Firstly, can I suggest that you ring your Dr's surgery and ask to make an appointment with the Cessation Nurse, they are properly trained to chat with you and guide you on what means of NRT to stop smoking.

All of us here will also help you as much as possible, but you also get to visit the CN and keep that physical contact that many find is such a real help. I really do believe chats to her could be just what you need to help you. Please do ring and make an appointment at least, then just listen. It's far better to stop now while you can...far better than when you might have to!!!

I'll send you a PM (private message) with tips to stop smoking.

Please, never, ever think that you're not able to stop for good - we ALL can stop smoking and do so for good - if we wish!

All best wishes to stop completely and soon, for your health's sake, especially the angina. Let us know what you think and if you're prepared to see a Cessation Nurse. We will help you, you won't be alone!

Sue xx

Fergie42

Hi all, and welcome belladonna13.

Just popped in to say well into day 4 now and all going smoothly so far.

Good luck everyone xxx