My Quitting Smoking Diary - yours too!

warez22

Hi Dave33

I thoroughly recommend the book 'Easyway by Allen Carr'. It addresses the issues and dispels a lot of the myths surrounding smoking.

I am reading it on a loop at the moment and it is keeping me going.

Drawing from the book, you have kicked the 'habit' of smoking but not the nicotine addition, so the minute you stopped the patches the withdrawal symptoms started straight away. This probably took you by surprise because maybe you had been so long without actually smoking the nicotine.

In fact the book says that it also deals with the many people that are addicted to patches, gums, inhalators and the like!

Maybe get some more patches, get the book (as the book recommended keeping the addition up through the first read) and go from there.

In addition to that, when/if you do decide to quit, please let us know, post as often as you feel able. I know for a fact that if I didn't have he discipline of posting on here every day I probably would have buckled by now.

I suppose it's finding a combination of what works for you. But good luck.:)

Sue-UU

Dave33 wrote: »

I didn't think the feelings would be so intense given that I had adjusted to day to day life without the cigs and had also adjusted to less and less nicotine.

Hi Dave and a very warm welcome to you. Good to see you here trying to make sure you can afford that trip.

Do you think perhaps some of the strength of feelings might just be psychological? Sort of "I've stopped using the patches so maybe I can't cope" sort of feeling.

I must admit that I have heard that there are some patch users who do have problems after they stop using them.

Why not try Alan Carr's Easyway book, warez is stopping by using it, so too has Money maker, in fact Money maker swears by it and has accomplished her dream, so have scores of other folk who have successfully quit here on our threads alone!

Please take note of what warez is saying and give the book a try - you may never need another patch again - truly!! Get yourself a copy of the book asap and do yourself a real favour.

Meanwhile, I've sent you a PM with lots of advice and tips of how to get through stopping; may things we wouldn't even think of until faced with thoughts of stopping the fags.

For now start each day with the.....

Quitters Pledge

"Today I promise not to smoke any cigarettes, tomorrow - if I wish - I may do."

Renew the pledge every morning on waking or whenever you need it throughout the day. This helps in not making quitting feel as though you're planning something lifelong, it helps trick the mind in taking it all one day at a time. The lifelong part you determine for yourself when you're ready.

Don't worry, Dave, you CAN stop smoking! It'll happen, but do get a copy of the book. Keep up with the thread and read through some very inspiring posts here, they'll help a lot.

All best wishes,

Hugs, Sue xx

Right place perfect time warez - thank you!!

Sue xx

Dave33

Thanks Sue / Warez22

I actually have both of Allen Carr's books! I have read them until I cannot possibly read anymore and I have successfully quit once (for about a year, then for reasons unknown to me I started again).

Unfortunately I finish the books and feel as though i am still at square one. I truly believe everything he says in the books but for some reason I think I am not convinced or something doesn't click. When I quit, after reading the book I knew from the moment I finished that I didn't want or need a cigarette, the other times I have read it I haven't had that feeling. That LBM if you will.

That's why I used patches this time around. As Warez22 said it was the withdrawal which took me by surprise at the weekend. I thought there would be some element of withdrawal but not on the scale that I felt because the amount of nicotine had been gradually reduced over the past weeks.

Anyway, I will finish the patches (I've paid for them after all!) and have your kind words and Mr Carr's books to keep me going.

Thanks again

PS Sue I've replied to your PM

Sue-UU

Hi again Dave, thanks so much for updating us and letting us know you've already tried AC's book. It doesn't seem as though he's giving that LB moment that many folk find is vital for them to stop. For me, the LBM was always there and I was just terrified of smoking due to all the health implications - that really was what got me to give it all up.

Have you ever been to a Cessation Nurse? Your GP quite possibly has one. You make an appointment and receive 1 to 1 help every so often, we've had great reports of them helping folk break the habit - as well as using them using the thread. We're there as support every day, but you get to see a CN physically possibly once a week or fortnight which is brilliant for so many. They actually look forward to the extra incentive that the physical contact and support gives them. Also, given all that you tell her she will then either offer you different options to stop or suggest just one.

CNs also check your CM (carbon monoxide) readings which really excites people stopping the fags as it's another wonderful change in the body with all that muck being got rid of. The levels change sooo quickly too!

If you really to stop, do consider making an appointment, Dave, I honestly think this is what you need and I'm sure you'll benefit immensely and possibly crack it once and for all - imagine that!!!

For now, try this: If it helps then have an imaginary ciggie, go through all the fingers to mouth actions, even inhaling and exhaling. Do so over the normal duration of a cig at the place where you used to smoke - or at a fresh spot, that's your choice!

When are your worse times...or is it an all day problem? Give us as much info as you possibly can, it all helps in what advice we're able to give. Never lose sight of the fact that, so long as you want to stop - you WILL, it's just a case of what method and when.

Best wishes, Dave, and if you think of anything else that might help, please tell us or ask!

Hugs, Sue xxx

Denis_UK

Have a wonderful time, Denis, and PLEASE..never give in to that demon again! Though that too will pass, I promise you, no doubt Christmas isn't helping, but YOU won't give in, never!!

[/QUOTE]

Hello Sue hope you are well. I thought my resolve would be tested last Sunday but I was wrong.

Driving locally with Lesley (AKA daughter) I hit a pothole punctured two tyres offside front and rear,spent 2 hours waiting for AA who could not help but arranged for recovery in 1.5 hours. The thing is although stressed,cold, watching Les puff away.I had no inclination at all to smoke.
I think I am what a few people on here have mentioned.I am not an ex smoker I am a non smoker,we are a new breed we no longer need fags.

Keep up the good work Sue,so many new faces depending on this site.

tyadog

Hi Sue and all

Just popping in to say hello and congratulations to everyone.

I cant quite believe it, however I am well over a month stopped now. I hardly miss it, and only occasionally find I am looking for a ciggy.

I stopped the champix about 3 weeks ago now, thankfully, as I've had a pretty adverse reaction to them since then and been quite unwell. If I had known in advance how they would affect me, I wouldn't have taken them. At least they got me stopped though.

If nothing else it gives me even more reason to stay stopped, having gone through such an adverse reaction.

I do feel very much like a non smoker now, haven't put on additional weight, and notice a definite difference to the bank balance.

Well done to all those who like me are still on the journey, and to those who are new to the journey - its definitely worth it.

Tx

Kizzy01

Hi everyone , just a quick post to let you all know that I'm still here , still not smoking, still grumpy, but still coping been so busy which is good, way too busy with life to smoke friend is more than likely an ex friend but that's ok too. Keep it up everyone your all amazing

Sue-UU

Hellloooo dear Denis!! It's always really lovely to see you back, and I'm so terribly happy to hear that, despite Beryl and Leslie still smoking, you've refrained from all temptation and kept so much healthier!! Absolutely marvellous news!! :T:T:T:T:T

That's a whole 18 months since you last smoked, and however you view it, I'm so delighted for you!

Very many congratulations, Denis!!!!

Please, never stop coming back to see us and helping motive others too, you've always been amazing at that.

I'm fine thanks, hubby too. You stay well...and well done for keeping your cool after the pothole incident!!

Hugs, Sue xx

tyadog wrote: »

I cant quite believe it, however I am well over a month stopped now. I hardly miss it, and only occasionally find I am looking for a ciggy.

I do feel very much like a non smoker now, haven't put on additional weight, and notice a definite difference to the bank balance.

Well done to all those who like me are still on the journey, and to those who are new to the journey - its definitely worth it.

Hi tyadog and haven't you done soooo very well indeed!!! :T:T The time has almost flown by, well for me anyway. I'm so pleased, despite all the awful adverse problems, that you decided on Champix to start with - any other method just might not have worked so well...or so quickly.

However, we'll never know, though it really doesn't matter either, as you've freed yourself and that's all that matters. :grinheart I don't think you ever will be any different, but always stay resolute and never....ever give in no matter what the 'reason' may be!

Keep us updated!!

Hugs, Sue xx


Hi there, Kizzy! Well you sound happy enough even if you're not yet! Still, if it's mostly down to having stopped smoking then believe me it will all change and you will be smiling again.

Well done for not letting the 'friend' problem get you down any further - cold hard truth - she's just not worth it, but you are!!

Mmmm, by the way, how long have you stopped for????

If you could pop it on your Title line in future..along with method I'd be so grateful. Thanks, Kizzy, and keep going strong and always stay focused!

Hugs, Sue xx


A very motivating sentence here from tyadog, folks, please take note.

<<<" Well done to all those who like me are still on the journey, and to those who are new to the journey - its definitely worth it.">>>

Dave33

Hi Sue (and everyone else!)

Thanks for replying, it means a lot

I can't go on waiting to quit, thinking "I'll quit tomorrow" all the time. I just had one outside work and one of my colleagues (who knew I'd quit in October) saw me. Fortunately he didn't say anything, but the embarrasment felt by me was immense and I felt ashamed

I am going to quit as of NOW. I have a few patches which I'll use over the next few days to allow me to prepare for the withdrawal symptoms when they're finished.

I did it before and I WILL do it again.

warez22

Morning All!

Another day fag free. Tough night last night, but got through it. Not going back now.

So close to the longest I have ever not smoked.

Inspirational post from tyadog. Nice knowing smoking gradually fades into the background as an afterthought, which is where it belongs.

Good luck Dave33 today, positive thinking, one day at a time.

Kizzy01 - you sound down in the dumps but full credit to you for showing such strong resolve.

When I feel like buckling, it is re-reading through the posts on this thread that keep me going. It shows that what I feel is part of the process and everyone who has successfully quit has gone through the same trauma.

I view it as like swimming across a lake, when you have got to a certain point, it is much easier to keep swimming forward to the other side, than to turn around and swim back. And the reward for one is so much greater than the other, even though you have swum much the same distance. Bizarre analogy, I know, but it works for me.

Anyway, off to work I go, good luck today everybody. We can do it, why would we not!