The Giving Up Smoking Thread!!

melbury

basilcat7 wrote: »

Thanks Bev. But if I'm being honest- after my post last night and I went to my sisters house- I had another one. And another and another etc. Oh yes, I royally F'd it up.

HATE myself today but hey ho. I think I decided oh well I've had one may as well go the whole hog. But I'd had far too much wine.

And I agree- I can taste it, smell it and I feel sick.

Bas, I don't want to dwell on your blip, but PLEASE tell me - what did it taste like when you first lit up? I have been wondering and wondering what it would be like to have one after such a long time - would it taste vile? would it make me feel dizzy and sick? or would I think that is totally fantastic :eek:

As someone else said, perhaps having the blip will do you good because it has made you realize that you don't really want one at all.

melbury

JoeHel

Why would you even think of not posting on here? STOP those thoughts at once. You have certainly helped me a lot since I quit and, from what I have read on here, just about everybody else as well.

You are a shining example to us all:beer:

JoeHel

Wow it's been busy today!!!! Too many people feeling rubbish ... Yes it was a real shame that you both gave in to temptation BUT that was yesterday and you both found out for yourselves how revolting it really is when you have your tastebuds and sense of smell back and you can taste/smell what they are REALLY like!!!! Please describe it in full and graphic detail - and Melbury read it carefully!!!!

I remember when I first quit I posted a question on WhyQuit.com because I was worried that I would inhale nicotine through passive smoking, as my partner and his son both smoke in our flat. Well, this is the reply I got...


"Contrary to popular opinion or misconceptions, the risks of second hand smoke exposure are nothing compared to actually smoking yourself. As far as causing a relapse to needing nicotine, it can't do that. The trace amount of nicotine that can be absorbed from second hand smoke exposure is usually under 1% of what a smoker gets from smoking. Inhaling a puff or even puffing on a lit cigarette without actually inhaling and absorbing nicotine through the oral mucosa does not deliver trace amounts though, it delivers a significantly large dose of nicotine that is fully capable of causing a full-blown relapse.

As far as second hand smoke and nicotine goes, you would have to be in a smoke filled room, non-stop for 100 hours, yes I am saying over 4 days to get the equivalent dose of nicotine delivered to a smoker from one cigarette. This is a unique property of nicotine though. Other chemicals in second hand smoke can reach some pretty toxic levels much quicker than that, in minutes not days.

The side effects felt from being exposed to second hand smoke are from Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Cyanide and some other noxious chemicals that can reach levels that are well above OSHA standards for safety. If a non-smoker happens to have a heart condition or an asthmatic or bronchial problem, and exposure to second hand smoke induces an incident on the spot, it would be said by all that the second hand smoke was more dangerous to that non smoker than the first hand smoke was to the smoker him or herself at the time. But rest assured, if the second hand smoke could induce the attack, if that person had smoked him or herself it would have induced a lot earlier and probably more severely. I have to say probably because the second hand smoke exposure may have fatal consequences for the predisposed non-smoker. But again, if second hand smoke did it, if that person were a smoker they would likely have experienced much sooner from their own self induced exposure."


So, boatie_bird, any withdrawal you are feeling is PURELY psychological. It's hard sitting there and watching someone smoke for the first few times. But (JoeHel's mantra again...) THINK POSITIVE. Watch smokers and see how much smoke they exhale. That's 10% of one drag - the other 90% is still in their lungs. Nice :eek: I sit here watching Joe smoke sometimes. Putting that stick in his mouth and lighting it actually looks quite ridiculous when you concentrate properly. And you soon notice how OFTEN they have to do it as well!!

I'm feeling pretty amazing today.... I reach 3 months in 3 hours!!! :j

Adzha

Just wanted to squeeze in a message to say well done to everyone
I don't recognise most names, but I hope you succeed in your quit and stay strong.

melbury

JoeHel wrote: »

Wow it's been busy today!!!! Too many people feeling rubbish ... Yes it was a real shame that you both gave in to temptation BUT that was yesterday and you both found out for yourselves how revolting it really is when you have your tastebuds and sense of smell back and you can taste/smell what they are REALLY like!!!! Please describe it in full and graphic detail - and Melbury read it carefully!!!!

I remember when I first quit I posted a question on WhyQuit.com because I was worried that I would inhale nicotine through passive smoking, as my partner and his son both smoke in our flat. Well, this is the reply I got...


"Contrary to popular opinion or misconceptions, the risks of second hand smoke exposure are nothing compared to actually smoking yourself. As far as causing a relapse to needing nicotine, it can't do that. The trace amount of nicotine that can be absorbed from second hand smoke exposure is usually under 1% of what a smoker gets from smoking. Inhaling a puff or even puffing on a lit cigarette without actually inhaling and absorbing nicotine through the oral mucosa does not deliver trace amounts though, it delivers a significantly large dose of nicotine that is fully capable of causing a full-blown relapse.

As far as second hand smoke and nicotine goes, you would have to be in a smoke filled room, non-stop for 100 hours, yes I am saying over 4 days to get the equivalent dose of nicotine delivered to a smoker from one cigarette. This is a unique property of nicotine though. Other chemicals in second hand smoke can reach some pretty toxic levels much quicker than that, in minutes not days.

The side effects felt from being exposed to second hand smoke are from Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Cyanide and some other noxious chemicals that can reach levels that are well above OSHA standards for safety. If a non-smoker happens to have a heart condition or an asthmatic or bronchial problem, and exposure to second hand smoke induces an incident on the spot, it would be said by all that the second hand smoke was more dangerous to that non smoker than the first hand smoke was to the smoker him or herself at the time. But rest assured, if the second hand smoke could induce the attack, if that person had smoked him or herself it would have induced a lot earlier and probably more severely. I have to say probably because the second hand smoke exposure may have fatal consequences for the predisposed non-smoker. But again, if second hand smoke did it, if that person were a smoker they would likely have experienced much sooner from their own self induced exposure."


So, boatie_bird, any withdrawal you are feeling is PURELY psychological. It's hard sitting there and watching someone smoke for the first few times. But (JoeHel's mantra again...) THINK POSITIVE. Watch smokers and see how much smoke they exhale. That's 10% of one drag - the other 90% is still in their lungs. Nice :eek: I sit here watching Joe smoke sometimes. Putting that stick in his mouth and lighting it actually looks quite ridiculous when you concentrate properly. And you soon notice how OFTEN they have to do it as well!!

I'm feeling pretty amazing today.... I reach 3 months in 3 hours!!! :j

See JoeHel - I rest my case.

a11waysindebt

Hiya all,

I've tried giving up several times but have either turned nasty or just feel depressed.

I know what its like so for those that have given up....brilliant and for those just starting the process keep going.

I just wish I could.

JoeHel

a11waysindebt wrote: »

Hiya all,

I've tried giving up several times but have either turned nasty or just feel depressed.

I know what its like so for those that have given up....brilliant and for those just starting the process keep going.

I just wish I could.

You can. You just have to want it more than you want to carry on smoking, and keep that desire strong for three days. That's all it takes to get nicotine out of your system and start feeling what it's like to have a drug-free body. Trust me, it's lush!

There are some on here who have used patches and others using Champix.

At the end of the day, however you do it, you CHOOSE how you feel. You can either wallow in misery and decide it's the most awful thing you've ever done or you can be positive and realise you've just bought back maybe years of life.

I'm choosing to think positively and am waking up with a grin every day. I've hit three months today and I NEVER thought I would get this far. It's fab! :j

JoeHel

Adzha wrote: »

Just wanted to squeeze in a message to say well done to everyone
I don't recognise most names, but I hope you succeed in your quit and stay strong.

Adz - MATE! How the devil are you?! Good I hope. Happy New Year and all that!! Yes, it's nice and busy here after the new year resolutioners (is that a word?! heh)

skintnow

a11waysindebt wrote: »

Hiya all,

I've tried giving up several times but have either turned nasty or just feel depressed.

I know what its like so for those that have given up....brilliant and for those just starting the process keep going.

I just wish I could.

have you tried champix? i was exactly like you, very moody, snappy and complete !!!! to live with when coming off the cigs, i have been on champix for 3 weeks now and its honestly a breeze so far! it may get tougher in the future but will deal with it if it happens.
There has been some negative press about champix recently, but feel good and will take my chances.
I wish i was as strong as some of the people on here going cold turkey, ive tried and failed dozens of times, same with patches, gums, sweets, inhalers, the list goes on...just find what works for you and stop!

you got nothing to give up:beer:

All the best

bev79

My first couple of weeks on champix were very strange, I would still have my usual cravings, but I would light up and not be able to smoke a full one. I did cut down by a few a day. But, I was so tired! Had the most bizarre dreams and was quite emotional as well! This is my 3rd week on champix and my 2nd week of not smoking, its been hard but especially after my blip on sunday, I am starting to feel more confident. The wacky dreams have calmed down as well. I would recomment Champix, but also, it definitely increased my appetitie I have put on 5 pounds in those 3 weeks. But today, I have my tub of carrot sticks so hopefully I'll ditch the fags and the fat lol!