Withdrawal from Cigarette Smoking
Most people suffer from psychological and physical withdrawal symptom when they quit cigarette smoking. Withdrawal symptoms come from the physical addiction to nicotine as well as the psychological withdrawal symptoms related to the habit of cigarette smoking.
Sometimes the habit of cigarette smoking is more difficult to overcome than the physical addiction to nicotine. Most people smoke when they have a coffee or sit down to talk with friends. The link between cigarette smoking and these activities is strengthened over the years, so that even when we no longer crave cigarettes in other situations we may feel like lighting up when getting together with friends - especially if those people are smoking.
Physical Addiction to Cigarette Smoking
But let's not downplay the physical addiction to cigarette smoking. Nicotine is a powerful drug related to cocaine and morphine. Some studies have shown that nicotine is even more addictive than either of these drugs.
The reason that nicotine is so addictive is that it affects the neurotransmitters of the brain. The brain becomes accustomed to the stimulation that nicotine provides. If nicotine is withheld for a period of time the brain sends out signals which are the cravings for a cigarette.
If you ignore these cravings your brain will protest. You may experience fatigue, irritability, inability to concentrate, and insomnia. These strength of these symptoms are usually related to the length of time you've been a smoker, but you may also feel strong urges to smoke when you are in places and situations where you are accustomed to smoke. This is the psychological dependency which is feeding on the physical addiction.
Overcoming Cigarette Smoking Addiction
The use of a nicotine substitute like gum or patches can reduce the physical cravings for cigarettes. These kinds of nicotine sources allow you to cut back on smoking while maintaining the nicotine levels that your body has become accustomed to. Once you have stopped smoking it is usually fairly easy to wean yourself from nicotine gum or patches.
There are also some drugs which help with nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin are effective in overcoming nicotine withdrawal. It is not known how these medications work, and they must be obtained with a doctor's prescription.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms are not constant. You will experience many symptoms in your quest to give up cigarette smoking.
Withdrawal symptoms include:
- irritablility
- difficulty concentrating
- feeling tired
- insomnia
- constipation
- dry mouth
- sore throat and cough
- tender and sore tongue and gums
You may not experience all these symptoms, and some people are more affected by them than others.
Remember! All of these symptoms will eventually pass as long as you refrain from cigarette smoking. If you give in to the urge to have a cigarette you will be back at ground zero.
Also keep in mind that the urge to smoke comes in waves. The key to quitting smoking is to handle each of these waves in succession. They will gradually become weaker and less frequent.
A good way to deal with these waves is to find some kind of distraction. Each time you feel like lighting up do something else like making a cup of tea or exercising. This will help to distract you from the thought of smoking a cigarette.
As the urge to smoke becomes weaker and less frequent you will eventually have a day when you will not feel any desire to smoke. These urge-free days become more frequent until finally you have reached your goal - complete freedom from smoking cigarettes!
It has been five days since quitting smoking. Everything is going great except I can't sleep. I wake up every coulpe of hours. Tonight I just couldn't sleep. Is this withdrawal or am I just experiencing an increase of energy.
Joy,
I'd say your insomnia is both a withdrawal symptom and having increased energy. If you can take a week or so off work, that might help until your sleep returns to normal.
Don't get discouraged! Keep up the battle. The dividends are enormous!
Thanks Paul
It's been 1-1/2 weeks now and things seem a lot better. My sleeping pattern is back to normal. I do beleive it was a combination of withdrawal and energy increase. I think I am a little ADD at times. (lol) Now I go out walking in the evenings to help burn off the extra energy. It helps! Thanks again for the encouragement.
Joy - glad to hear you're sleeping now. Exercise is a great way to work out the changes after quitting. I've been smoke-free for 14 months now and one of the things that helped me get over the cravings was to go for a walk whenever I felt like a cigarette. Now I exercise regularly and feel great - so much more productive than before.
Just began to stop smoking
8 years of smoking and have been off for 5 days, smoking a cigarette max of 2 a day to ease the horrid headaches. Marijuana helps the sleep, loss of appetite, irritability, and headaches but is illegal so not the best suggestion.
I was fifty cigarette a day smoker for almost 25years, When I decided to give up smoking after a bout of bronchitus,I went through a bad bout of depression which lasted for approx two months. This depression started exactly two weeks after giving up smoking. I got over it and it is many months and I have not had a cigarettte.
could the depression be as a result of giving up cigarett6es?
Noeleen,
Sounds to me like the depression is linked to the nicotine withdrawal. I'm no doctor, but 50 cigs a day was giving you a a massive nicotine dose - there's sure to be all sorts of effects when you give that up.
I't has been about three days today (3/19/2008). I've been a smoker for about two and a half-years, and smoked about 10 to 12 cigarettes per day. And I'm feeling pretty anxious,I have bad headaches,little sleep, and probaly most of what everyone else in the world feels when they quit cigs.I know all of this will subside in short time, and am very happy I quit now instead of years down the road, because I'm still very young(20).
Erica,
I know it's hard now, but keep the big picture in mind - a lifetime free of cigarettes. You'll feel much better in a day or two - keep it up!
been a smoker for 19 years,quit 2 months back but still have problrms with sore throat and tongue,get some unexplained blood from my mouth too.any suggestions pls reply.
Tarun,
I think you should check with your doctor. The sore throat and tongue are quite common, but not the blood.
I quit Feb 25th. This week I am having incredible withdrawals. I thought by now it would be over. Been drinking lots of water and doing deep breathing. Maybe I'll take a walk.
Hang in there everyone.
Mar
Mar,
The first couple of weeks are the hardest. Going for walks is a really good idea. Do some exercise - read a book - anything to take your mind off smoking will help. Just keep it up and the withdrawal will get better everyday.
I just quit for the second time in my smoking career - been off them for just over a week now with the help of Chantix. Was the easiest quit I could've hoped for.
I too have a sore tongue and throat, but I hear that goes away after a week or so - not sure what causes it though.
I first quit from 2 packs a day by putting them down, walking and just breathing.Although I wanted to smoke every day for one whole yr. Then it stopped. That was when I was 18 and had smoked 4 yrs. 20 yrs later I took a couple drags to show my teenager how silly he looked. I layed awake for 3 nites wanting one. For the last 10 yrs. I have smoked a pack a day for all but 1 1/2 yrs. I quit 54 HOURS ago. I am actually sick. headache nausea sweats irritability feel like i can't breath.How do you just not smoke when you are really sick? Is it worth it? I have all the reasons not too but whoo.
quit for 3 weeks now.swollen gums and geographical tongue,blood from the gums too.
Carmen
Maybe nicotine gum would help you. It sounds like your body became accustomed to nicotine at a very young age. It's very addictive, that's why you're going through the withdrawal symptoms. Hang in there - it's worth it.
Paul,
Thankyou for responding. I have a large extended family, but their way of helping is to tell you what to or not to do. I appreciate the encouragement.
Today is a little easier. Not as many pale clammy sweats. Who would of thought nicotine was this addictive. I'll keep hanging in...thank you for hanging and supporting many not only me....
hello, it is day 2 for me and i feel awful! Tired, weak, sore throat...but it is sooo worth it! I'm 20 years old and i smoked my first cigarette when i was 9. I tried chantix made me feel crazy now i'm on welbutrin it really works. i will never smoke another cigarette again.
congratulations and good luck for everyone who has quit.
It is one week for me, I quit cold turkey. It hasn't been easy, lots of irritability, muscle tension and coughing up tar like you wouldn't believe. I smoked one pack a day for about 12 years. I read "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" by Allen Carr. I think it actually helped tremendously because I've gone longer than ever before and I know that this is it! Good god is the muscle tension driving me nuts though. Smoking marijuana does help A LOT with the anxiety and irritability though. Too bad its so expensive...
Good luck everyone!
I have been smoke free since 4Pm on 4-20-08. I'm 42 year old female, smoked for 9 years, I just quit cold turkey. This has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life! Today is a little better... I can think without being to foggy (can't recall the last 2 days very well LOL!, ', ', ', ', ', NULL, NULL, 1, 1), hope this feeling goes away QUICK!!! I have been sleeping pretty good, a little chest tightness, no cough yet. I don't wish these feeling on no one. Good luck to all... each day gets us all closer to feeling better and being so much healther.
It is over two weeks, still hanging in there!
Greetings. Today is day 10 of my quit. After a really lousy night's sleep, I woke up with a sore tongue. It feels like it does after a burn. So my quitting has thus far ruined sleeping and eating and I dare not drink or I'll just end up buying a pack.
Thanks for letting me unload, and I hope everyone is successful in dropping this pernicious habit.
hi all
it's been 7 days since i last smoked. The first three days were the hardest, although it has gotten a little easier i was wondering if anyone knew how long it would take for the cravings to go away.
Hi Alisha,
It depends on how long you smoked, but I would guess that the physical cravings should be gone after 2 - 4 weeks. The psychological cravings can last much longer - that was the hardest part for me, just getting over the habit of smoking, feeling stressed and wanting to pick up a cigarette just out of habit. You have to learn a new habit of not smoking.
Alisha,
My doctor told me friday the 25th that the nicotine leaves your body in 3 to 4 days then the rest is habit that you have to overcome, to me this is the hardest part as I type I want a cig. really bad! I have been keeping busy, the hardest part so far is this weekend. I will never smoke again!!!
well for me i quit 4 months back,but too late , as im diagnosed with cancer.
but the results of quitting smoking were immense.i could feel life as in i had more energy,better white eyes,i could smell food better,lots and lots of benefits.
so people if you quit smoking stick to it and try to make all people who smoke --- QUIT before its too late.
people NEVER SMOKE AGAIN IT KILLS .
im an example.
good luck.
Tarun, I'm so sorry about your diagnosis. I certainly hope you don't mean it's too late in the worst sense of the phrase and that you cancer is beatable. All the best to you in the coming months.
tarun
tarun
Sorry it posted way to soon, laptop very picky tonight ;-)
I don't know what type of cancer you have but a girl I work with beat cancer and they said she couldn't, so hang in there be strong! I know its easy to type those words for I am not walking in your shoes but I did have a TIA stroke in November from smoking. My fear of having another one is with me everyday!
Hi.. I have been trying to quit for 10 weeks, I did fine until week 8, then the odd cig struck. I lost my mum to cancer February 7th this year and my quit day was March 13th. It seems as I go through this grieving (which is killing me) the cigarette thing gets harder. Initially i was so paranoid about cancer (my mum was 63, out shopping one week, a week later in hospital, 13 days later died of cancer in 5 places that she never knew she had) I have been paranoid i would die within a week etc, this made it easier to not smoke.. now i am going through the depression phase.. sad all the time and feelings of whats the point, lets just get death over with kind of thing, then i get all out of control and reach for a cig.. then i feel bad and want to cry cos i have had one ;o( I just feel like a out of control yo yo. I have been to see a cancer councillor once, and am thinking of going back.. do you think my reactions are cigarette quitting or grief or both. what a cocktail.. dare I have a glass of wine as I am well worse then! I am on step 3 patches (5mg) am fine all day.. its the night times that get me, maybe as there is another smoker in my house? I was doing so well, not sure how to get back in focus? any advise would be great ;o(
Tracey,
You've been hit with a lot all at once. I'm really sorry to hear about your Mom, but you've got to see her death as a real wakeup for you. You've got a good chance to quit the habit, but you've got a lot against you - a smoker in the house (not good!) dealing with your mother's death. I think you should definitely go back to the councilor you were seeing. You've got 10 weeks of non-smoking under your belt, don't give up that fantastic accomplishment. Just hang in there, go out with a non-smoking friend, keep yourself positive because there's a lot of good things to live for and being a non-smoker helps you enjoy them all the more.
i have been trying to quit smoking after 50 or so years some days more than others. i am now smoking maybe 1-4 cigs a day depending if i can buy them from someone i pay 50 cents per cig.last night was the worst nigth for me in a long time and i want to know if i can attribute how i felt to withdrawal.i couldn't sleep, had pains here them there i was constipated,i was freezing cold and i live in florida!!!!!!!! will you please let me know what i can do to get rid of these side effects ?
thank you
ana lascala
Ana:
The withdrawal symptoms are caused by nicotine, so i think you would benefit from a nicotine substitute - gum, patches etc. Good luck - keep going - it's well worth it.
Well, today is day one of the quitting smoking process. I've tried many times before and made it up to 1 month without a cig in the past. I'm 26 and have been smoking since I was 15..1/2 a pack to a full pack a day. I'm using the patch this time..and I've never experienced anxiety like I am today. Doesn't help that work is slow lately so I was taking quite a few smoke breaks to pass the time. I can't wait for the cravings and the withdrawals to subside. I'm sure everyone around me is tired of my complaining :) I decided I had to quit. I'm on my second helping of bronchitis in less than 2 months and last time it even went into pneumonia. I was afraid if I didn't quit this time that my lungs would just give out. Good luck to everyone!!
Tarun , dont be down pal , there is hope , tell me how old are you and what cancer you have, i assure you i will give you a suggestion which will lighten you up. trust me.
I started smoking about 5 years ago, the last two years I've been smoking cloves, perhaps 2-5 (more if I'm drinking) a day. I had one clove on Sunday around 4 pm, 1 Monday (yesterday) around 8 am, and today I've hit the 30 hr mark! Things aren't so bad because I'm not that heavy of a smoker, but I just don't want to use that as a justification to buy ONE MORE PACK. Good luck everyone.
Thank all of you for your testemonials. Day 3 for me, after about 2 and a half years of smoking. Cant tell you how bad I just want to cry right now. I feel like everyone around me hates me, most importantly my boyfriend. My tongue hurts constantly, has taken on a strange color, and i always have a fowl taste in my mouth. is this weird? Food never sounds good and if i manage to get something down, i worry that the nausea will kick in. im so stressed and tired but cant sleep. it doesnt help at all that i am a bartender by profession and am around smoke constantly. anyway, good luck to you all. we can do this.
Erin,
A lot of what you are experiencing is common for anyone who quits - not much of a comfort, I know, but remember that lot's of people have gotten through it. It gets better and easier every day, but if you're around smokers every day, the temptation to have "just one" is very strong. Can you take a week off work while you get over the worst of the withdrawal symptoms?
I have quit smoking cigarettes with the aid of Chantix for approx. two weeks. I have been getting sore throat pain which feels like razor blades cutting the inside of my throat. I have also been depressed. Are these symptoms common in withdrawal?
Thank you.
Barbara,
The withdrawal symptoms you are going through are quite common and will pass in a few days. Just keep on with what you're doing - it's worth it in the long run.
I'm 25yrs old. Two 1/2yrs ago I almost died from a spontaneous pneumothorax with hemofelia, unexplained lung problem. I lost 2.3 liters of blood and a 3rd of my lung. I quit for 16 months, "No Cheating." A very stressfull event happened and I was crazy to go back. I didn't go back to 2packs of marlboros a day but cigars. I still have blebs on my right lung, and still have post opt. paint. I'm quitting for good now and it's hard finding any support. I know I just need to put it behind me it's crazy what i'm doing. I just had a MRI and it's not good so I know my life is at the stake of my own hands here. If there is anywhere to talk and get support pls e-mail me. Thanks
I have smoked for about 30 years. Hard to tell how much I actually smoked because I only smoked my cigs half waqy down. I assume I could say one pack equals one half pack. I smoked nevertheless a pack plus per day. Just cold turkeyed 6 days ago. My chest feels kind of hurty does yours? Im an anxious person who takes normally celexa. I decide against patch because the patch keeps nicotine in system whejn you want to just get rid of it! I eat more! However so far jm doing good I have been in many stores right near cigarette counter and have refrained! I will say however Im just one cigarrette away from smo0king agin. On my most stressfull days I have HUGE urge!
hi ive just stoped smoking after 30 years its so hard but iam going to do it i feel its time to think about me and give me the bedt chance for a longer life my thoughts are with all of us thats trying we can only but try
all the best to you all sue
I quit last Sunday and it has been really tuff. The first 3-4 day's were the worst. You can only work on today to get to tomorrow. I feel a lot better now and found a trick I didn’t do before that really works well. Coffee stir straw. It cuts my cravings down tremendous. I hate chewing gum and candy but the small coffee stir straw has helped me a lot. I am also taking chantex but its not a wonder drug. honestly I don’t even know if it works but anything to keep your mind off it the better which is not fully possible.
Its been three days since i stopped smoking and this is so hard for me...i need someone to talk to about this...i need your help..please help me..
Well its been about 17 years since I started (almost 1/2 my life) so I've finally decided to quit. Its been 3 days now. I've been SO TIRED though since quitting. Is that normal? Its like someones giving me a sleeping pill. I especially like to smoke when I drink alcohol. So I'm dreading this weekend when I go out to the bar. Anyone else have that problem? Smoking while drinking? Any tips? (other than avoid the bar/don't drink?).
Thanks
Well I'm sorry to say that I have not quit smoking yet..I need some help. I have been a smoker for 2 years now and all I ever smoke is the nonfiltered Lucky Strikes..I don't even think I'm addicted anymore..I have quit up to a week or more and not even have the urges that I used to have..yet I still smoke..but lately I have had the worst sore throat for about a month now and it wont go away...and I'm still smoking..so it cant be a withdrawal symptom..so I'm confused..and I need help to get myself to quit..please Paul help me!
Vian,
If you're not addicted, and have a bad sore throat, why do you keep on smoking? Those unfiltered Lucky Strikes are going to kill you - just stop.
Even if you aren't physically addicted, you may have the psychological habit of smoking. Try substituting it with something that's not bad for you - like chewing gum.
Your 100% right...and another thing I have been having a challange with is that i tell myself I can quit whenever I want to quit but I just don't want to stop smoking...I mean cigarettes still have their effect on me and calm me down..the only times I do have a craving is when I'm stressed which in my case is everyday...I started smoking to aggrevate my parents cause they hate it and I feel like when I have to deal with everything they put me through I mentally and physically can't handle it so I cope by smoking..I'm really trying to convince myself to quit..but I think I'm just too stubborn
I have been smoke free for 8 weeks. 6 weeks of that I was using the patch which helped out tremendously! The past two weeks I have felt like a mad woman. I am experiencing extreme ups and downs, difficulty sleeping, and I'm extrememly irritable and angry. I don't feel like smoking, honestly, the smell really bothers me now. I just want to know about how long these symptoms might last and if I should seek addtional help?
day 2 for me, using the nicotine lozenge. it's amazing how terrible you feel despite still getting nicotine to your system. just thinking about all the horrible, putrid chemicals leaving my system and making me feel like i have the flu is motivation enough to stay off these horrible, poisonous sticks. i know i will feel better soon, but please everyone stick to it. it is so worth it.
day 3 for this ex-smoker! couldnt sleep last night but my chest feels better already (believe it or not!) was offered a cig. yesterday by a friend of a friend and replied "no thanks i dont smoke" how weird did that feel!!! anyone who is trying to quit- stick with it....i was told you dont feel like s**t forever! and very soon you will feel better than ever! after all...the human body was nt designed to be poisoned every hour by inhaling dried out burning toxic plant matter wrapped in paper and laced with chemicals!!! so lets give it the boot..for good
Sixth day cold turkey. I will never smoke again. I am pretty sure I will never be happy again, either. I am resigned to a long life of healthy misery. The thing about quitting smoking is, the life you had before you quit is the same life you have afterward, only without cigarettes. I don't know about some of you, but that's not much to look forward to. Life was never wonderful to begin with. I just wonder what makes it worth all this trouble. I have not found an answer to that question yet.
I have quit smoking so many times and I always seem to forget how shitty it feels. My blood feels annoyed, nothing seems worth while, who fucking cares.... God, I hate this. I do not want a cigarette, they make me sick to see them, but I do not feel good at all. I can't remember how long it takes my body to turn this around, I hope it's soon. Just took my first shot of St. Johns Wart.
I hate cigarettes.
gridsleep that is VERY discouraging.. LOL but i feel ya. i am on day one everybody. i am 19 years old at the moment have been smoking for 4 years... i smoke a pack a day and have a pack infront of me right now, have been staring at it for 14 hours now... 14 hours into it and i am already feeling like a fiend. i quit a strong opiate addiction so i will break this, let me tell you all smoking marijuana helped me quit oxys and has assisted quiting smoking ciggerettes every time i fiend for one i just take a hit of weed.
My husband has had the flu and hasn't had a cigarette in 8 days (50+ a day smoker) he has been very ill and cannot eat anything much without throwing up, he says he feels sick all the time, do you think this is a combination of both?
I quit for 5 1/2 months. I was going just berserk. Throwing tantrums at any little thing. Not like me at all. Being very mean to people. Eating soooo much that I made myself sick. Wasn't even hungry, just ate out of sheer upset. Bit my tongue many times till it bled. Cried soo much and always mad. I took it so hard and finally I said its not worth it. I am just sooo mad at everything and everyone. I was so miserable the whole time. Self inflicted torture for me to quit. By the way I'm 46 and I jog 10 kms 4-5 days a week even though I smoke. I quit because I figure soon the smoking will affect the jogging. Climb 200 stairs on my jogging route. Would like very much not to smoke, but not going to put myself through that torture ever again. Sorry, I know it is not what people want to hear, but that is exactly how it was for me. Withdrawal is one thing, but going absolutely nuts for that long is too much. Please don't tell me the withdrawal gets easier
Hey I smoked a pack every 2 days. I have had 5 cigs in 19 days. I cheated 3 times, but its still better than a pack every 2 days. I get sooo stressed out and I take it out on anyone who is nearby. I started working out and its helped out a little. I go through a pack of gum a day to take my mind off of it (should have a thousand cavities soon..lol) Oh the best part is that I keep having reoccurring dreams of me messing up and smoking. No other physical symptoms just extreme cravings at night and when im stressed. Good luck to everyone!!
I am on day 21 of quitting, and tonight was the toughest yet. I thought this would be easier by now. Physically, I feel SO MUCH BETTER, but I am so weepy tonight. Question: I smoked a pack a day for 15 years, so I was wondering if I should be coughing things up. I feel great actually, and wondered if I should be nervous that my lungs are not detoxing.
Beatrice:
If you feel great, great! Everyone experiences different symptoms, so don't worry too much. Just keep up the good work!
Today is day 3 going on day 4 since I went cold turkey. I've been smoking at least 5 cigarettes day for the last year and figured I'd quit now while I'm still young. I have to admit I randomly experience feelings where I really want to smoke. For example I was reading over some paper work and just all of a sudden I remember a voice in my head saying "that's nice, but why don't we go and have a camel in the basement eh'?". Thankfully I'm not getting any of these other symptoms minus the irritability and tiredness. Good luck everyone :D
Hey everyone.
It's been 30 days since I quit smoking. I used to smoke about 1/2 - 3/4 pk a day for 23 years. I woke up one morning , sneezed and blood came out of my nose, followed by some in my mouth. Enough to scare the hell out of me.
I decided right on the way that I will not smoke anymore.
Anyway the doctor checked at my lungs ( no liquid build up ) and heart ( rate normal ) and blood pressure ( a bit high ).
So now I have gone through the withdrawals and symptoms - although I am not eating as much as everyone said I would.
The headaches, insomnia, tiredness, anxiety have all come out.. now I may have a sinus infection.My nose is like its on fire. I woke up this morning again with blood in my mouth ( which has not happened since a month ago ).
What I do not understand is how someone can get so sick while trying to heal!!
Anyway I am off to the doctors ( again ) so that they can have another look..
On a footnote: Glad i found you guys on here.. can relate to it.
I quit cold turkey on july 22 after smoking 2 pks a day for over 30 yrs. I went through bad withdrawal,depression,irratbility ,and unable to concentrate.I cheated on sept 2 thru 12,just one or two a day.I stopped and had to go through with- drawal all over again.Its affecting every relationship in my life in a negative way. I can breath easier and am walking every night to try and keep from gaining weight
Hi I quit 1 month ago,..and just feel like crap,..nose infection,..Can't sleep
and the first really big withdraw craving came over me today, after being quit for a month! Does this Happen? and how many more of these do I have to go threw?
No I didn't pick up and smoke,..I wanted to but didn't. I just don't want to go threw all this again.
I am 44 years old and started smoking at 17.
Hi, this is my second legitimate attempt at quitting, 3 days in. I have to say it has been FUN. The first initial urges have been turned into pure energy which makes me feel like an absolute kid again. Stay positive people. Smoking isn't a crutch, it's a vice that holds you down from being able to do the things you used to be able to do. Also, keep as active as you possibly can. If you focus on the good and not the bad you will start to become "high on life" instead of buzzing off of nicotine.
This sites awesome. I'm nineteen been smoking a pack a day plus since 15 and recently went on Chantix. I took it for 2 days and decided to stop taking it because it made me throw up. I've been cigarette free for a week, which is the longest I've gone without one in four years and I feel great. Just stay busy, surround yourself with people who encourage not boss you around, drink water, eat breakfast and when you get a craving hold your breath in as long as physically possible and when you release your breath you no longer crave one. Good luck everybody its so nice, my teeth look white you know?
Also, don't waste your time trying to smoke fewer and fewer cigarettes. You ultimately go an entire day of not smoking a cigarette and think you can smoke one. It just doesnt work.
Kim has not had a Cig in One month, two weeks, one day, 6 hours, 8 minutes and 3 seconds. 1357 cigarettes not smoked, saving $268.14. Life saved: 4 days, 17 hours, 5 minutes. So forgive the moodswings.
=)
Hi just letting you know,..I haven't started back up!! I am feeling better, I thought I would feel better than this,..But think it is more my Age now and not the Quit smoking part anymore LOL!
I still have cravings but really not bad at all anymore,..Still haven't had a beer either,..not ready.
I have been using the Commits,..they have the Cappichino(sp?) flavor now too,..(Yummy).
So I am still hanging in there. Good luck to all of you too, this is the BEST thing you can do for yourself!!
Good going Kim! Keep it up!
10-19-08
I'M NOT A SMOKER , BUT MY HUSBAND IS. A HARD CORE SMOKER.A FEW WEEKS AGO HE WAS "LIFE FIGHTED" TO A TRAMA HOSPITAL OUT OF STATE. A COUPLE WEEKS A GO HE BECAME CONFUSED. THE DOCTORS SAY LONG HOSPITAL STAYS CAN DO THIS. TODAY HE REALLY WAS DILLIRIOUS (SP). HE WAS REFUSING TO LET THE NURSES TOUCH HIM AND SAID FOR ME TO COME AND GET HIM. NOW, HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE WITHDRAWAL FROM SUDDEN STOP SMOKING CAUSING SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I SENSE THAT AT LEAST THIS IT MAY BE ADDING TO THE DILLIRIUM. ITS JUST THE WAY MY HUSBAND IS ACTING THAT MAKES ME THINK THAT. HE WASN'T TRYING TO STOP SMOKING , HE HAD NO CHOICE. HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THIS ?
My name is John and I am 27. I have not smoked a cig in 3weeks. I used to smoke a pack a day for 7 Yrs. My wife is about to have our first baby and I am going NUTS!!!!. I have been having alot of anxiety and panic attaks which I have never had before. the first couple of weeks I had alot of nausea,hot flashes, shaky feeling, lightheadness, fine it hard to concentrate. I would like to know if anyone has had the same symptoms???
Hang in there everyone it should get better.
I smoked for 20+ years, I have not had on ein about 4 weeks now. I am doing good but last few nights I am actually dreaming about smoking. This ever happen to anyone?
i have been smoking for about 3 years. i smoke about 6-7 a day and just cut back to 2-3. i have been having severe depression, anxiety, nausea (this morning i threw up from drinking water)and i just want to know if there is something else happening besides withdrawls. im trying to be smoke free but just cutting back this much makes me feel like its going to be much harder than i thought. any help or advice is appreciated.
Austin,
I have been quit for 2 month 1 week and 1 day. Don't get me wrong our body will go threw all kinds of changes when we quit but our MIND will be our worst ememy.
I said to my self as I cried myself to sleep a few nights that it is just the nico demon tryig to get my self to quit. The nico demon is just trying to get you to take ONE PUFF! cause that is all it takes to get back to smoking more!
You may just have a cold or flu,..and you mind is making you feel like you have to have a cig t feel better!. Don't do it. HANG IN THERE AUSTIN. I still have some BAD day after 2 months,..but I don't think about it long and it goes away faster,..But every ache I wanted to blame myself for Quitting,..and that wasn't the case at all,..MY BODY IS HEALING!!!
Best of luck to ya!!
KIM
Hi everyone. It has been exactly 15 hours and 56 minutes since I had a smoke. Right now I'm feeling a little cranky and I can't concentrate with my work. I'm dying to have a cigarette but I know I shouldn't. Good luck to all of us.
kim thanx for the support. so far the depression and anxiety have gone for the most part, but ive been constipated for 2 days and laxatives bearly helped. the nausea is still around but its going away.
mentally im ok with not smoking. its the physical withdrawls that are killing me right now. i know that i will make it thru, im just really sick physically. if anyone has any advice on getting thru the panick attacks and lack of appetite please let me know.
Austin,
Happy to hear you are doing good!! You are going threw everything that you should be going threw when you quit smoking,..I am sure everyone knows and been where you are,..I know I have.
I joined Yoga for depression and Anxiety,..Walking does great too. STAYING BUSY is the main thing.
Constipation was a big one with me too,..But I use Commit as my NRT. And that will just come back with time,..OJ and Apple juice helps too.
You can do this,..just know what you are going threw is NORMAL,..I have cried,..threw things,.Freaked out, and Blamed my husband cause my 22 year old water heater Died. And he wasn't even home when it happend. LOL
I am 2m 1week and 4 days,..and If I can do this while my Husband still smokes (Outside) then anyone can do this!!! Make this quit about YOU! and only ABOUT YOU!
kim, thanks again. ive been doing lots better, constipation is gone and i can feel my digestive system returning to normal. ive now cut down to just one a day (smoked 1/3 at a time) and plan on being completely quit by the 23rd (probably sooner). i know people say that its not good to cut back slowly, but ive been really watching my nicotine intake carefully. the depression and other withdrawl symptoms are still present but are minimal now. i cant wait for the winter season so i can go snowboarding again (i live in utah). i havent been in about 2 years and i want an excuse to stay active this winter. thank you for the support and ill try to remember to post back here once im off for good.
good luck everyone
YOU CAN QUIT!
I've been smoking for about 6 months, about 5 cigarettes a day. I enjoy every one of them. I absolutely love smoking. However, I have decided that I need to take better care of my body. Today I have not smoked at all. I feel chest pain.
i have been smoking for 67 years now, im almost dead i got cancer of the throat mouth lungs almost everything i am 79 years old ive been smoking since i was 13, i dont know what to do i smoke five packs of ciggaretes a day, i think i'm going to die do i have any hope
Grandma...There is always hope when we put our trust in the Lord.
I have been smoking since I was about 9 years old and openly since I was about 14 years old. I am now 46 marrield with 2 children. I have tried on many occassions to stop, it was really hard because I enjoyed smoking. I decided to quit when my husband said that cigarettes were a trigger for him to do drugs, I love my husband and my children. I prayed, I purchased some lozengers (that I really didnt use) and said a prayer, I havent smoked a cigarette since 11/9/08 about 10:30-11:00 pm and it feels good. Now I did get a sore mouth I assumes it was from the lozenger, I have had really bad gas and this week I have had a sore throat, but nothing so severe that I cant handle. I have saved about $65-70 a dollar. I have not had to many systoms outside of disgusting gas.
Sissy,..I stoped smoking 2 months 3 weeks and 4 days ago. I used commit and all the side effects you are talking about comes with Commit and it is so much better than smoking so keep up the good work. Good luck sisy.
my throat is burning. day 4 of quitting. is this normal.
This is great reading all these withdrawal comments,,I feel like I am not alone. I am on my ninth day and have every withdrawal sympton in the book,,burning tongue- sweats -waves of cravings -snappy and irritable -weird smoking dreams -eating like mad -on and on. LOL! If things dont ease up I am going for the laser treatment. I am or was a heavy heavy smoker so it's gonna be a fight. But I am determined that I cannot live with the maddness anymore! If you guys use the Champix it may make you sick the first few days but it passes,,,I am also using regular self hypnosis. The Amazing Ravine!LoL:) Also I went on youtube and there is a video called: "Thanx tabacco - you killed my mom." If that doesn't reinforce a person in thier effort to quit, I don't know what will. Actually there's some good stuff on Youtube if you need the visuals to really hammer home why you need to stay quit. Just a thot0- but if your smoking weed cuz you think it's helping, it isn't, your body still thinks your smoking and your lungs won't clear. I quit weed 5 months before this quit smoking thing,,because I tried using weed to quit but got no where. But that is up to you,,Anyways I wish everyone the best of luck and determination. Hope my tips help. :)
is blurring of eyesight can be a symptoms of smoking?
I am glad to read all these comments. I am not a smoker, I actually got on here because my husband is trying to quit. He's 30 and has smoked for about 16 years of that. I think it's been about eight days. I am so proud of him! He sure has been cleaning alot more but is losing quite a bit of sleep. He has also been the biggest jerk ever. He says I'm not helping him withn this, but I have been...when he has a craving I tell him no, don't turn back now, you've been doing so well and I keep telling him how proud I am of him. Everything sets him off, all he ever does is complain and yell now. We have been arguing more than ever this past week. It's hard for me to except his behavior just because he is trying to stop smoking. I have to admit, he does smoke marijuana sometimes to help the anxiety and irritability...is that gonna help him quit this smoking habit? I want to be there for him as much as possible, but I'm going through alot myself...I'm almost four months pregnant and am starting to feel like he doesn't even care anymore. This will be our fourth child and he has always been a great father and husband, but he's even taking it out on our kids. February 23, 2009 will be our one year wedding anniversary and I do want us to make that. lol Is there any suggestions from anyone else to help me out on this one? Possibly a female who has been going through the same thing?
Hey Devon! Its Been 22 days for me and no I am not pleasant, I am nasty...I am okay on my own but if there is any outside stress or too many people around then I am angry and intolerant. I smoked for 17 years and quitting is not easy. But I have a job where I am not around many people and I don't have kids,, But I have been a little grumpy to my dog,,poor girl.I am not sure when the grumpiness will end but I hope soon. When it gets too bad I throw in the towel and go have a nap even if a million things that need to get done,,I have found that when I rest I calm down. I realize with the money being tight you may not think of alternative therapies -but all my friends that had laser treatment said it worked. Endorphins are stimulated in your system and you aren't grumpy at all. Most good laser treatments offer it twice for the price of one,,one being a follow up to the other,, like a backup. Good Luck -I know it sux :)
Well, it's been two days. Not so bad yet. I quit cold turkey in 2003 for almost a year. Stressful events caused me to start smoking again. However, I just quit cold turkey again two days ago. I have a family history of heart disease, mitral valve prolapse, high cholesterol and mediocre blood pressure. Couldn't ask for better reasons to quit! Not looking forward to the weight gain. (Last time I gained 20 lbs, but lost it on Weight Watchers.) However, the weight gain is much better smoking! I think it is awesome that so many people have commented on their experiences. I plan to continue my comments. I wish you all the best! Let's beat this!!!!
day 4 with out a smoke and at times its unbearable.i took a zyban this morning and have no idea if its working or not. today is Christmas and the kids are loud and crazy.depression and anxiety are present.does anyone think a .25 xanex would help. Happy Holidays to all.
So today is day 10 for me and it's not that easy. I went to my mothers house for Christmas and quit before i came. I changed my location, people i was around and habits so it will be a little easier to quit. I have tried to quit before while at home and work, but all my habits were the same; i got up a the same time, coffee, shower, drive, lunch....everything was the same for me, so to pull out one habit was hard. I didn't make it a half of day on the day i tried to quit before. So i thought now would be a great time when i didnt have the same habits. Its much easier to change everything like it did to quit because you dont think about it as much when you are in a different place, seeing different people, and different location. The only real time i think about smoking is, "wow, i have not smoked all day", the only problem is, is that i start thinking about that, and i get to wanting one. So i chew gum and go find a family member to talk to or something. 2 days ago i woke up with a sore throat, i hardly sleep at night, but i get sleepy. It's hard, but im happy. My only fear is that i will start when i get back to my home. I will do my best, and i have support when i get back, I made it this far,.....why turn back now!
I had surgery done on the 23rd of this month. I smoked one and a half ciggs that morning. Since then been down with pain pills and the like, so I think that's made it a little easier. My husband is an avid non smoker, thinks it's the worst thing in the world you could do. I did get out of the house the other night for a bit and thought I would try to smoke, took about 3 drags and put it out, made me sick, I'm sure from all the other meds I'm on and all the pain I'm in had something to do with it. So technically to me I've gone about 5 days without one, reading all your stories help, terrible headaches and coughing up nasty stuff but I figured I was just doing that cuz they put a tube down my throat. Even though the man is so against smoking, not been a very big help, bitches about me bitchin etc... I actually thought alot of what I had was due to surgery symptoms, now I'm pretty sure it's my withdrawls. No sleep, nausea, basically everything someone has written here. My mom is a terrible smoker, and got in her car the other night and almost got sick from the smell, so that could be a good sign. I never smoke at home, well maybe sneak one or two on the weekends when I'm away, but my biggest concern is when I go back to work. I'm by myself all day basically and do nothing but smoke. PLus I just lost about 60 pounds over the last year and the last thing I want to do is put it back on, I know that sounds selfish but I don't ever want to be fat again, and at 5'3 60 pounds is alot of extra weight. My doctor did give me a script for Chantix but I'm afraid to take it plus it's so expensive. I'm thinking Monday if I don't go into work I may go in and try to get put on some wellbutrin. At least then I could possibly kill 2 birds with one stone, depression included. Haven't had any of the mouth and tongue problems yet but I'm sure they are coming. It was nice to hear your stories and see I'm not alone. In some ways I've wanted to quit but the surgery just kinda forced it on me being at home for all this time and not being able to smoke. The craving for one is really getting out of control. I know my husband means well but it's hard also since he has never smoked in his entire life and basically doesn't understand how hard it is to stop, so no sympathy vote from him. Can't exercise too much for the next couple of weeks, but I read somewhere to either lay down or take a warm shower, so I may just become the cleanest person on the planet soon. SOme of this may not make sense but it's just nice to get it out. Nobody is here right now so it's quite and peaceful. My fuse with the kids and him is about at it's limit and it's not their fault. But a 13 yr old, 5 yr old and a 31 yr old can kinda be overwhelming to this 28 yr old girl who just can't take much more!
I must respond to NOELLEN regarding depression. I quit on December 1, 2008 and was fine up until a day or so before Christmas and then started getting depressed. I did already feel tired, but the depression really kicked in around the holidays and I have been having many crying spells. I would like to know if anyone can tell me how long this withdrawal symptom will last. I have been told that it could go on for six months. Thank You. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
I just posted a message and I also wanted to say that my blood pressure is high. Any information on that? Thanks Again!
I do not know how my message got posted several times, may be deep down inside I need an answer very quickly, unfortunately I do not see one yet. PATIENCE!!! Please help me!!!
Please help me! I do not see any new replies.
(can someone please reduce the repeats for Elaine,,,thanx) Hey Elaine! Well Merry F'n Christmas! Ya that SUCKED! I never cried so much...I never nicked out so much. SO ANGRY<<SO SAD!!!I would have killed my grandma for a smoke - if it weren't for the fact that I never want to go through this withdrawal again. EVER. I quit Nov.30/08 so I know how everyone was doing for the holidays,, If you all got through it then That is GREAT! I mean if you can get through the holidays than you can get thru anything without a smoke,,right? Good for all of you! Congrats. Wow it's tough! I smoked more than a pack a day for a long time,,When do the nic fits end???? Everyone says they go away but really I am dyin here,,onward and forward....
I was a heroin user for 5 years. This past summer I went through detox for my heroin/morphine withdrawals. It's been 6 months clean for me. Now I have to quit smoking. I've been smoking for 15 years but over the past 5 years I smoked 3 packs a day.
There is nothing in this world comparable to heroin withdrawals. Nothing. When I detoxed in the rehab center I thought I was physically going to die. Sweating, puking, diarrhea, couldn't think straight. It was hell on earth.
So...all in all I gotta admit that the withdrawals from cig smoking is pretty tame in comparison. Sure, I have urges, but its nothing compared to the urges, cravings, or physical hardships I went through with heroin. I was expecting this top be a lot worse. Good luck to those who are struggling and always realize that there's always someone out there who has it worse.
This too shall pass.
Oh..and it's been 4 days for me w/o smokes.
MAN I HAVENT SMOKED A CIGG IN 3 DAYS I STOPPED COLD TURKEY AND BEEN SMOKING 8 YRS ITS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR ME ESPECIALLY MORE SO CUZ OF STRESS I CANT SLEEP I WAKE UP EVERY FEW HRS WEN I TRY TO SLEEP IT WILL TAKE ME AN HR EVERYTHIN MAKES ME UNCOMFORTABLE I ALMOST BROKE BUT I BEEN MAINTAININ I HOPE IT WORKS OUT
I am going on my 3rd day but I am having diffficulties. I am also getting over pneumonia while trying to stop smoking. I am experiencing tightness in chest, almost feel like I am suffocating, sweating, and dizziness. Is this anything others may have experienced? Starting to freak me out.
Erick,
If you are having Chest pains please go to the ER.
For some reason, I don't know why, but 3's are the worse, they were for me,..3rd day, 3rd week and even the 3rd month. But it does get better. I was feeling all weirded out too threw my quit, went to the doctor and got an OKAY. So in my case it is just the crap coming out of my body and the Nicodemon trying to get me to come back to smoking. Again if you are really having Chest pains, get to a Doctor to make sure everything is okay. And then get back to fighting this Nicodemon.
Kim has not had a Cig in Four months, two weeks, 22 hours, 11 minutes and 38 seconds. 4107 cigarettes not smoked, saving $811.52. Life saved: 2 weeks, 6 hours, 15 minutes. So forgive the moodswings.
Kim
Me 55, I started smoking at 25, YES I was an Idiot, problem being I enjoyed smoking those cigarettes for all those years that I smoked.. Ring any bells????
Then 15 weeks ago I decided enough is enough, come to think about it when I started I promised myself I would STOP
one day. God knows how many Cigs I must have smoked in that time, LOTS and I mean lots.
Like so many I had no idea about these withdrawal symptoms, as I type I feel ghastly, chest hurts, mouth is sore
I have suffered mouth ulcers for the past 5 weeks not the same one, when one disappears another comes to
taunt me. Press anywhere on my body and it feels if I am pressing on some bruise.
I feel fatigued, I have not had a decent nights sleep for weeks, my thinking pattern is bizarre, I worry about
this, I worry about that, in fact I worry about things I would not have cared about 15 weeks ago.
I feel completely different, I was once Mr Confident, now I feel inadequate.
I have NOT suffered any craving for another cigarette, in fact I almost feel cheated for not doing so,
I assumed I would, I assumed I would be pulling my hair out fighting off such cravings, but I simply
do not want one, YES I still have a head of Hair :-))
Do I feel irritable? Yes I do, have I put on weight? Yes I have, but not alarmingly, can I breath in
deeply ? YES I Can, but I could when I was smoking but without feeling ‘TIGHT CHESTED’
Is this it? I sincerely hope not, I read what I am going through is WORTH it,
someone told me to think of my LUNGS as a carpet, a carpet that’s not be cleaned,
for years, just think of all the GUNK in it, ‘he said’ well your body is cleaning it for
you now, the COST you are paying for such neglect and foolishness is BLOODY
UNCOMFORTABLE’ I would not disagree.
I Don’t feel sexy anymore either, although tell that to ‘you know who’ hahaha
and I am reminiscent of being a Teenager again if you catch my meaning.
So here we are having been a GOOD BOY and NOT having had another fag
and I feel like CRAP, its been three months for me, I just hope the feeling of
‘well being’ returns soon.
Good luck to any fellow sufferers, its certainly not pleasant is it??
This is my 13th day after quitting smoking for over 15 years, over a pack a day. I have gotten over feeling sick and the cravings...still feel like complete crap though. I almost feel like I am losing my mind...completely depressed, snappin on everyone, just so mean. I too wish I had a guarantee this will go away or I will start smoking again now and stop suffering. Any advice? I am hurtin.
Rachel,
Kick, scream, cry, sleep, or Yell, do what ever you have to do, JUST don't smoke.
What you are going threw is normal. And it will get better, not great for I am at 4 months and I still have some days where I feel like Crap, but not as bad as the first month of quiting and Better than the 3 month. So it really does get better but it will just take time. I cried alot, and slept alot and even yelled a few times, I even threw a bunch of stuff. It really does get better. Just tell your mind you are a non-smoker now, and have to handle things that come along in different ways now.
It has been 81 days today for me. I have been a smoker over 3/4 of my entire life. I smoked for 30 years. I have come to realize that this is my addiction and I am taking complete ownership of it. Everytime I crave, I deep breathe and enjoy the fact of not picking one up and feeling that crave disappear. For me the withdrawals were very hard for the first two to three weeks. The insomnia was horrible. I could not think about anything else and could not focus at work. I even had night sweats a couple of times, but it does get better. Hang in there everyone. Now that we know what to expect from the next craving, we can deal with it easier.
I'm 24 and start smoking at about 18. This is my day 2 of not smoking. I'm using the patch and it seems to be helping. Yesterday was OK because I didn't have to be at work but today I have to be at work--back to stress and old habits. It's really helps for me to be able to write about it and read all of your comments and see we are all going through the same thing. So thank you. Best of luck to us all.
Hello Everyone! Congrats to those who have stayed quit! :) 7 weeks two days for me!! Yaya,,,woo hoo! I feel a little better,, finally the cravings only last minutes now,,not days of waves and waves. I am less irriatable <(sp) But I reduced alot of stress, which means I am un-employed for now. Yes Bryan I know what you mean about being less confident...and scatterbrained. I really don't feel like myself...I guess it comes with not having the nicodemon (That's Kim's word:)) on my back any more. I am now focusing on the weight I gained (16 pounds!) But the hunger cravings that replaced the smoking have abated. Thank God! I can also breath much better but that is just recent. Still a little out a sorts. Anyways Here's to another 7 weeks and the rest of my life as a non-smoker! Take care all--GOOD LUCK!!
its been two weeks now after smoking cigs for many years. obviously i coughed up alot of crap but it doesnt stop. theres a nasty taste i cant get out of my mouth and i have so much blood in my mucus all the time. i dont even crave a cigarette but i feel like i was more comfortable when i was killing myself. i guess ill just become an alcoholic now to help myself sleep the night thru and take a deep breathe off a whip cream can. good luck with your addictions people.just remember "quitting smoking is easy, ive done it hundreds of times"
Hi everyone,
I been reading and I have felt your Pains. Smoking is NOT the easiest thing to give up, and YOU are going to have to Fight this NICODEMON with everything YOU have. Believe me when I say you CAN do this. If you are anything like me, I don't like the word (CAN'T). I am 44 years old now, I did not like it when my parents told me I could not do something,I sure will not stand for A Tube of Leaves or the Tobacco Companies tell me I can't Quit.
As a Smoker for (what seems like a billion Years) started since I was 17)now at 44 I own this Quit. This quit is MINE and only mine. I understand that I have did some damage to my Body But I to get scared and things start going threw my head. But when you feel like something is not right going on in YOUR quit, let the doctor think your Crazy and Check you out, you may need to be on Zyban or Wellbut, It is okay at least you know it is in your Head and you have to Focus more in that area.
When I went to the ER for Chest pains I thought it was IT for me, turn out to be Acid Reflux, did I feel Stupid, YEAH! But I don't have chest pains anymore.
If you are coughing up crap, yes that is normal, BLOOD not so much. Get it check out and get back to us and Back in this FIGHT of Quiting.
In a way John is right, Quiting smoking is easy, CAN you STAY QUIT is the Answer? My brother after 2 year of his Last cig with Chantix just started smoking again, had a friend after 5 years do the same. As humans we forget this Hell we are going threw to Quit after so long and find ourselfs right back to killing ourself, hating ourselfs, and not caring we are leaving people who depend on our Smiles, our laughter OUR Families and Friends.
When you are sitting here thinking about that CIG, that TUBE of Leaves, think about Cancer, and is this the Cig that is going to cause your Bladder cancer down the road, your Lung Cancer, or even your Breast Cancer.
YOU CAN DO THIS!! Don't let them tell you "No you can't" and let them take your money away from you or your Family.
=Kim has not had a Cig in Four months, three weeks, two days, 9 hours, 32 minutes and 49 seconds. 4361 cigarettes not smoked, saving $861.73. Life saved: 2 weeks, 1 day, 3 hours, 25 minutes. So forgive the moodswings.
It's been about six days for me now after about 5 years of smoking. I wake up constantly at night, cant concentrate on my studies, am completely unmotivated to even try, and i get angry a lot. The angry mood swings and a bit of depression worry me. Is this a result of quitting?
I quit smoking friday (haha it's Saturday) . I have never made it past 24 hours. I have smoked since I was 15, I am 28 now. I smoked through pregnancies when I really should have quit.. I smoked in -30 temperatures because I needed my *fix* or break from kids. I feel like smoking was defining who I was... when you're young it makles you look "cool".. as you get older it makes you stink, lol. My husband is a non smoker so that helps.. but he really has no idea how hard or horrible this is... I am alone with 2 toddlers going through withdrawl (thank god for wellbutrin or I would be psyco!!) They had broken a glass a few hours ago and I seriously broke down crying and yelling.. hard to admit but there it is.. this is so hard, but I feel so determined!.... I have also had many *moments. But I have been repeating out loud that I will never smoke again! It's working.. the 2 cigs in my purse are still sitting there.. even in the most tempting moments, I haven't even touched them.. maybe just scared to...
I'm on day 18 as 'QUIT'. I smoked 20 a day for 20 years. This is my 5th attempt in 4 years at giving up, & is much easier than the previous 4 times. I'm using an inhalator & lozenges, which makes it easier. I'm down to 3 lozenges a day & 1 inhalator capsule every 2/3 days. I lost my dad to lung cancer in late 2005 which totally devastated me. I decided then, after watching him deteriorate to nothing within 6 months, that I'd never put my 3 kids through the same thing. I smoked through all 3 pregnancies as I found giving up impossible. What a hypocrite, I tell myself! I am not only quitting for that reason, but because smoking had become just a habit. I didn't enjoy cigs anymore - they made me feel sick, but I still had to have them! At 35 my chest was so tight & I was in agony every time I walked. This time my partner came to the doctor with me so we could quit together. Even though I'm getting there slowly he's still smoking, but outside, & makes me want to throw up when he comes back into the house. Did I really stink that much? I've got a really sore mouth & tongue at the moment, my nose is running for England, I have terrible wind, nose bleeds & headaches. I haven't had any sleep deprivation but I'm ready for my bed by early evening. I have to admit that I sound like one of the lucky ones on here. After my previous attempts, can I wish all of us lots of luck? I'm going to post on here in future so I can record my downfalls too, as I'm sure there will be lots of them.
Hi to everyone
Have been reading your stories and really feel for you.. I stopped smoking on 8th December 2008. I smoked for 28 years from age 15 to 43. I got sick of always being scared that something awful was going to happen to me, feeling guilty smoking around my kids, and generally feeling more and more anti social.
I've been using the patches,now on 10mg, also used the lozenges and chewing gums but stopped those a week ago as i didnt want to become addicted to them!
My tongue is really sore, have ulcers and a very nasty taste in my mouth.. and constipation and wind that is becoming embarrassing :0/
However,I'm looking to the future and feeling positive.. I hated being a slave to cigarettes.. I've watched my mum be totally taken over by smoking (she started at 13 and is now 61)
I wish all of you the very best in your attempts to stop. I guess it really does come down to wanting what's best for us and knowing that our life and quality of life is IMPORTANT.
First off good luck to everyone who has quit,
i have been smoking for about 4 months, i know that isnt that long but i decided to quit.
$1 added to cig tax, lame, juut another reason to quit. Im on my 5 day of no smokes. The first 2 days i couldnt stop coughing, 3 day was fine, 4 night was the worst, didnt sleep all night coughing up green slime. Today i feel good. I have no cravings for a cigarette but i want one, if that makes sense.
I have been through withdrawals before, anti depressants, it thought i was going to die from that zoloft.
I also know heroin users and there withdrawals are always difficult. good luck to everyone.
Yes its me again, Bryan, (last messaged January 16th, 2009) I thought I would give a progress report.
Well its 4 months now for me since I had a cig, so how do I feel now? Well sorry to have to say this but I still feel like CRAP.
I have not been tempted to have another Cig, I don’t want one, its been like that since the day I stopped,
However the inside of my mouth is still sore, not all the time, but then mouth ulcers come and go.
My sleep pattern? slightly improved, but still not as good as it was when I was smoking, I also keep
having ‘flashbacks’ by that I mean I am re-living moments of my life like some video in my mind.
some pleasant moments, some not, like a nightmare really.
Weird eh??
I Still do not feel fit, my fault really, I feel too fatigued to do anything, yes easy to make such excuses
but I cannot motivate myself, well you have to be in the mood don’t you :-))
So how long before I feel like Superman again??? I really have no idea, I just keep clinging
to the thought that one day I will feel much better for not smoking those ‘bloody’ fags.
OH well lets see how all is in another 4 months time.
Pity there is not a 1001 cleaner for the lungs, OLDER Brits might understand that. :-))
Good luck fellow sufferers, I am thinking of you all, and those to come.
I quit smoking about three weeks ago. Ever since i have felt extremely fatigued, light headed, sometimes dizzy and getting panic attacks because of the mentioned symptoms. Also just started getting intense migraines. i feel like i have a giant rock sitting in between my chest and my stomach feel so empty because i used to use cigarettes to cure my raging appetite while at work. Does anyone else have these symptoms. Anything you recommend? I've been taking xanax to cure my nerves but the uneasiness in the stomach and chest is still there
Hello to everyone
First I want to say congrats and good luck to everyone. We are a tough bunch to be doing this! All the ex smokers I've talked to say it's the hardest thing they've ever done. I can truly believe it.
I am just past five months at quitting cold turkey after 22 years. I still have symptoms like wanting a cigarette, anxiety, heart racing, etc. I want to let you know it has gotten better though. I read on another site that the symptoms start to subside around six months and be over around a year. God willing!
Wanted to share something funny with all of you. I heard on the radio the other day the song "I Will Survive." Listening to the words I realized it could be an anthem for quitting smoking.
Hang in there guys. I'll keep you all in my prayers.
A heavy smoker since I hit high school age 13 smoking a packet of 50's a day even more for 4 years. I'm now 18 and haven't smoked for a week or so I have quit smoking without the use of patches or gum. I got scared out of smoking after a trip to the hospitl. Since quitting I've suffered servere depression, numbness of the face, light headed, soreness of the chest, breathing difficulties, axiety, short tempered, loss of sleep and fatiuge severe shakiness and bad nightmares when I do sleep. Its driving me insane! I don't wanna smoke but I don't exactly like losing it with friends and family, haven't been happy since I stopped it really hard for me can someone help me please.
Quit smoking yesterday around 5 pm. Today has been dreadful, I'm extremely tired, could barely keep my eyes open at work all day. I've already chewed 2 packs of gum and drank 5 16 oz bottles of water. After work I plan on working out for the first time in a few months, hopefully this will get me through the withdraws. This will be my 3rd time quitting, I have to make it this time around.
Hey Everyone! Well 11 weeks since that first horrible week of quitting!! Hardest thing I ever did was that first month of quitting,,,and I survived! and I am still smoke free!!Slowly Life is getting back to normal,, The key is to distract yourself into new ways of thinking and new activities.. The hardest part is being around other smokers who knew you smoked - lot's of things (traps) there: like they will offer you smokes or act strange around you. After all you have defected and that makes smokers uneasy. Mostly to me the smokers look enslaved (and I am free). To all you going through your first week,, HOLD ON!! This is a great sight for people honestly telling you about their withdrawal - it helps to have someone to relate too. You can get through this,, it will get better. I used to smoke every moment of the day and it's almost 3 months now without, So you all can do it!! GOOD LUCK!!
Hi
Still not had a Cigarette, still have not had the urge to smoke one and thats after 30 years 40/50/60
a day sometimes.
If I am with anyone smoking it does not bother me, those that say 'you have to want to pack
up' I agree with, feel that way and actually its fairly easy, well thats my experience.
But the detox, My God a nightmare as far as I am concerned, does anyone else have a sore tongue
that feels numb as well? My sleep patterns although better now are still not my normal sleep patterns,
Anxiety attacks are not so strong, One minute I feel raring to go, the next I feel like a could sleep all day.
I coud go on, won't bore you.
Yes I agree with Carrissa distracting oneself helps, but October was a long time ago and I have to
say I felt physically and mentally better when I was smoking.
I am still not going to have a Cigarette I simply do not want one, now that I am out of the habit
I do not even think about cigarettes.
I am saying to myself ' listen idiot' YOU smoked for a long time and its going to take a long time
before you feel as others have said you will feel, 'better' Hope so, My God I hope so.
I think its only been 3 weeks now but its killing me not having a smoke, in the last 2 weeks I've had 2 hours sleep. How the hell is that normal! I want a smoke more then ever please help me!
Hi everyone.
In a couple of weeks it will be six months for me to have quit cold turkey. I have had the full range of severe symptoms. Some go away for awhile with massive relief on my part only to be replaced by something else. Currently I feel stressed all the time and I keep waking up early unable to go back to sleep. I haven't been one of those who gained weight but actually lost weight. This from a woman who was on a diet it seems like forever.
I am going to the doctor for a checkup in a couple of weeks. I decided a few months ago I would try this on my own but if I still had symptoms when I went to the doctor I would ask for some medication. I feel better than I did a few months ago but I am ready to ask for help. Does anyone on here have any experience with medicines or advice they can give me? I am very anxious thinking about it. Of course I don't think there is anything I haven't been anxious about since I quit smoking!
Good luck everyone. I know this is awful but it really does get better a little every day. I heard somewhere to keep a journal (I didn't) so you could see how far you've progressed. More than anything I'd love to hear from someone who has quit and they can tell me they went back to their normal self after a time.
Lastly I want to say this site has been a Godsend for me. Like most of you I had no idea the symptoms. Thanks for sharing your experiences. God bless you all and good luck.
I know I wrote yesterday but I want to ask some questions.
Why has it taken three weeks to throw up? Is that caused from quitting smoking? Why aren't I eating as much now? I hardly ever eat now and I don't know if that's through smoking. I need to know. You said it gets better but i honestly think its getting worse! I'm just so tired and every night I'll be lucky to get half hour sleep! Please I need your help because I seriously don't know what to do and another thing since I gave up smoking I've been thinking if... doing myself in.... PLEASE! I NEED YOUR HELP!
Melissa,
I just read your post. It sounds like you need to make an appointment with a doctor right away to talk to them about your symptoms. A lot of people who quit coordinate their quit with their doctor so you have nothing to be ashamed of. Quitting smoking is very difficult physically and psychologically because it is an addiction. Everybody has a different severity of symptoms with different things so your symptoms will not be the same as someone else. The thing to do is call a doctor right now or call a crisis hotline to talk to someone right away. The answers you need will come from a doctor. Call right now.
If I go to the doctors they'll give me tablets and patches and gum and other things. I've figured a way that'll help me out with this whole symptom thing. Everyone, be strong. Its hard, believe me I know its hard but I also believe you can get through this. Have a nice day.
59yr old old female-smoked numerous years-pack n 1/2 day. quit cold-turkey feb.16, 2009. nobody told me how nicotine affected my entire life. i have headaches all day everyday, cannot sleep but a few hours, sweats from head to toe as soon as i open my eyes, anxiety, irritable. went to er cause i thought my body was falling apart and took all tests, nothing negative showed up. given wellbutrin and another form of zanax medicines. have not taken them. i know its only been 10 days but i feel terrible and want to know from others does the appetite return and does the headaches go away and when? if i could get rid of these headaches i might be able to make this work even thought the cravings for cigs are there.i have another appt with a doctor and after i explain all my symptoms to them i feel they may want to commit me. are these what other people are experiencing? even though it is not as bad as it was it is still bad for me. i am not the same woman i was because of the nicotine that i have in my body and the side effects that it has given. Can someone relieve my mind especially since these headaches are controlling my every move. Thanks and everyone hang in there as Im trying to do!!!
It only been 3 weeks and the sore throat part has attacked me! Can anyone tell me when this goes away and how I can sooth my throat? Cause it doesn't help when I'm in training and I'm in the middle of talking to the trainer and my throat tightens causing me to clear my throat several times before speaking again.. AHH! Its ridiculous! And so are these mood swings! When does it all end? I hate the smell of cigarettes blown in my face now so that doesn't help since eveyone smokes around me. I also have headaches all the time. When do they pack up and leave? I feel tired all the time even when I get a couple hours sleep which I got before writting this comment. Oh great I'm going out of my mind here, I'd scream if my throat let me. Is this going to get better anythime soon cause I had different ideas about the whole giving up thing. If someone who has started feeling a lot better from non smoking could write back and say how long ago they gave up, that would be great. Thanks.
I finally decided to quit smoking after 6 years for Lent. I realized if i left it for lent i would feel very guilty to have a cigarette. Its been two days and i feel like hell, my chest hurts, Ive been dizzy, some headaches, and its hard to me concentrate. Ill tell you right now i will never have a cigarette ever again, i cant believe i did this to myself!!! I feel like I'm going crazy from withdrawals. I just want to be normal and healthy and start to take care of myself and be happy. I don't want to depend on a cig to make me feel better or feel like it makes my stress go away. PEOPLE wake up and start taking care of yourselves be proud on the decision we made and lets stick to it and overcome this and be healthy!! I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AND EVERY TIME YOU WANT A CIG. JUST REMEMBER YOUR STARTING ALLLLL OVER AGAIN!!!!
I pack usually lasted me two days or sometimes one and ive smoked for about 5-6 years... when will my withdrawals go away??????
ODD isn't it how comfort can be derided from others who are suffering.
The feeling, 'perhaps' reassurance that you are NOT the only one kicks in.
You read a certain sentence and all of a sudden you can completely relate to it.
I have to say I personally have not had headaches, again odd, I used to have
awful headaches.
So many of us want to know HOW LONG is this going to take before you
feel normal again? I guess all depends on the individual, its been
nearly six months for me and I am still not right.
But YES of course I would dearly love to know as well.
I still feel light headed, just as if I were wondering around in some
haze, I wake up and still have a foul taste in my mouth reminiscent
of stale ciggies, a sort of numbness which can taste salty making
my mouth feel dry. plus the occasional Mouth ulcer that stings like hell.
My concentration is still shot, I can quickly become irritable, my logic
can change in an instant. If I get a decent nights sleep, ' rare'
I just might feel raring to go, but the dryness in my mouth a strong
hint that my detox is still continuing. then tiredness sets in, the type
where I can hardly keep my eyes open.
Even my eyesight appears to have changed, now I can read this monitor
screen without glasses.
I can relate to those that think about death, yes morbid thoughts enter my mind
continually, in fact anything horrible and my mind appears to revel in it,
can't say anything to anyone of course making the feeling of isolation even
greater. anyone else relate to that?
So where does that leave me? where does that leave you? we have to live
with it I am afraid but in the knowledge that YES it will get better 'eventually'
Others have conquered it, millions of them, one day, yes one day I will, you as well
Smoking withdrawal symptoms has to be one of the Worlds best kept secrets.
anyone else think that?
Just woke up, typed this with a dry mouth, the day I long for is not going to be
today. :-((
I'm feeling a lot better now my headaches are fading and its only like someone is pushing lighlty on the top of my head. My anxiety is going slowly. My moods are calmer and so is the pain in my chest, throat is still dry and sore. A lot of crap is coming up which is good cause I know my body is cleaning itself out. Still tired all the time, appetite is coming back. Achie body still there but going. Going to get as much sleep as possible on sunday so I can return to school on monday after the doctors. Things are getting way better and I have it stays that way cause I want to be healthy again! Take care everyone! X
I've also quit cigarettes for Lent.. it's going to be officially the fifth day in half an hour... I have a sore throat (feels like strep, ', ', ', ', ', NULL, NULL, 1, 1), my ears are popping, I'm tired, I feel shaky.. and I just sort of want to not function until these symptoms go away! I'm coughing up a lot of crap, which is scary to look at, lol. Does anyone know how long it takes for the sore throat to go away?
Hi fellow sufferers,
I didn't quit for Lent. I quit so my husband and I could try to have a baby. They say to tell yourself all the positive things about quitting. Sometimes it helps, sometimes not so much.
All of you who have just started through the withdrawals have reminded me of the horrible physical symptoms I went through. I am so grateful that is behind me. I had terrible smokers flu after I quit. Ears popping, sore throat, headache, sinus congestion, vomitting, diarrhea, joint pain, etc. The one that bothered me the longest was the constant mucus lump in my throat and the mouth sores. I also felt like someone was pressing down on top of my head. It lasted about six weeks for me. Rarely I'm still coughing up some nasty stuff and I have a mouth ulcer going away again, not so painful as before or I've gotten used to it. I heard it's where we've cooked our gums and mouth all these years like smoking a piece of meat. My dentist does a cancer screening with some purple liquid with the dental cleaning and I was cancer free so it's just our bodies healing.
Some suggestions of things that have worked for me. For those with smokers flu, try a nasal wash system. Helps get that mucus out. You'll find info on the internet. Also try muscle relaxation techniques. Tightening and releasing the muscles really helps to relax you and the tension. Also, breathing exercises. Exercise helps but it's got to be strenuous to do any good for me. Some of these things might work for you. The biggest thing that helps me is thinking positive. I remind myself like Bryan that this is the price my body is paying to heal from years of enjoying myself. None of these things really penetrated the detox fog in my brain until after a month.
Mostly what I have left now is anxiety, nervousness, and I think some depression. I'm not sure since I'd never been nervous or anxious about most anything in my life. I'd always been the laid back practical one. Hopefully I will be again. I always feel like I'm looking inside myself instead of out at the world.
Good luck all of you. Melissa, hang in there. I wish I could have been as brave and smart as you and quit when I was 18. All of you sound like you're doing great. God bless!
Hey eveyone!
I got some great news, its a good thing I quit smoking because I just found out I'm going to be a mummy! I'm only 13 weeks but I'm so proud of myself. I'm not only quitting for my sake but I'm quitting for a little one too. It just makes giving up so much easier! Hang in there everybody!
Day 5..... i feel a lot better, my headaches are going away, i was kinda dizzy today but feeling better thank God. I was around smokers all day yesterday and didnt even think of lighting one up :-) i feel great now that im not a smoker and i finally dont have to depend on something that shortens my life..... hang in there God bless n ill pray for you guys
Went to the doctors today and found out my symptoms were all anxiety =( but it was good to have a full on check up (which I haven't had one in years!) so me giving up smoking has nothing to do with my chest pains lights headedness and being short of breath. The sore throat and mouth have also gone so I'm a happy chappy (almost) stay positive everyone you can quit just find some motivation first good luck to all!
Ive been a 40-50 cig a day smoker for the past 20 years. Im 36 yrs old and have decided to quit. Im working on day 3 now of no cigarettes. The cravings come and go, i found that when i get a craving i go outside and take 6-7 deep breaths and the craving goes away. However i find myself getting more and more wanting to light up and the cravings get stronger towards the evening hours. Is there more uphill before things get better?
I haven't smoked as long as you have but all I can say is everyone is different. I'm only 18 and I gave up smoking about a month and 2 weeks ago, I feel great. Some days I go completely mental and want a smoke but I just find something else to do screaming helps too and crying I also find music a great help too. My point, find something else to do when you want a smoke and just don't think about the dreadful cigarette. Mel.
Hi guys,
I wanted to post something very fast before I went to work. I was reading on the internet yesterday and found an article. I thought people who are still having withdrawals a few months down the line (like me) might be interested. It really calmed my mind.
www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/helthrpt/stories/s30646.htm
My doctor gave me a prescription for Zyban on Monday. I haven't taken it yet and haven't decided if I will. The side effects sound scary.
Good luck everyone. God bless.
Day 16
I feel a lot better im so happy im not a smoker now! Another thing that wont make me start smoking is they just raised the price of a pack to almost 8dollars in Michigan!!! Now all my friends that smoked are quitting haha.... But im still having minor headaches, and minor anxiety.... I also found out to keep your body on a balanced diet....vegetables, fruits, vitamins. Also for the people going to anxiety there are vitamins for that too... look online for vitamins B's so go to you local drug store and talk to a pharmacist.. Good Luck and God Bless
Here is a website I found about quitting smoking and mouth ulcers. Some of you might find some helpful tips there.
http://www.mouthulcers.org/messages.php?thread=249&page=1
I agree it really does make you feel better to know there are people out there in the same situation as yourself.
God bless!
It gets better! I swear ! It's been 3 and half months for me! And it really does get better. Hold On! You can beat the the demon! : )
I don't know why I started smoking in the first place but I'm starting to regret it! I'm not too keen on my new sense of smell with all the bad odours around! Last week I was walking a lot everyday and feeling great. Yesterday and today, however, I went for a 2 minute walk up the road to see a friend and I felt like I had walked 1000 kilometres! Is this all part of the detox? Also, I've had depression since I was 13 (just after I started smoking but not the reason for depression) and my god, for the last 2 weeks I've been laughing my head off! I feel like I'm on happy gas or something, bottom line, still got depression but not all the time now. I just saw someone light up a smoke and blurted out dirty habit lol they laughed though. Its also good to know that my family believes I can give up now, its also a shock to my friends. It been a month and a half no smoking for me and its killer at times but I know, one day, I'm going to pull through!
You can do this as well everyone! (This is coming from a teenager lol)
Have fun.
Mel.
i have not had a cig in 3 days> started smoking when i was 26, im 40 now ( how odd). no major symptons yet , the cravings are just now beginning but i think about my 11 yr old son who just begs me to quit. Tired of coughing and him are my major reasons to quit, that and dying a slow death from no oxygen!I just hope this works! oh and the depression part, I didnt get depressed until I started! hmmm!
God knows how long its been since I gave up. I'd say about two months ago? I'm completely over it now. I suppose everyone is different with their recovery. But if there's one thing I have now after giving up it is no patience! Thank you.
I am on day three of not smoking one cigarette. I'm 22 and have been smoking for 3 years on and off. I really want to quit for good, but since i'm in college it seems almost impossible with all the stress of school.Lately I have been feeling really dizzy, is this a withdrawal or something else?
7 days and no cigs. I had yet another simus infection and decided not to smoke on a day I was real sick. 1 day turned into 7. I had purchased Commit last hear and dug them out of the closet and am using those. I still want to smoke and am afraid I might..help!
3 days now and no cigs.Does everybody go though withdraws and if so when do they start? Because so far i have had no major cravings and i feel GREAT!!!I have smoked a pack maybe more for 24 years.
Hey All! 4 1/2 MONTHS!!!! I can not believe it. Amy if you have no withdrawal then I am envious,, I don't know how that is possible.... I did say it gets better and it does. But lately I think about cigs,,it was such a part of me to smoke and it was my crutch. I feel kinda down lately - I know I won't smoke but I will be honest today and say I miss it.:-)
Here I am six months a non smoker, STILL not had a cigarette
and never had any desire to light up since that day I said
goodbye to them. Cravings, what cravings, Is it me or is that just a fallacy?
Fact is I truly wanted to pack the CIGGIES UP.
Bit like walking away without giving a second look back.
However the withdrawal symptoms have been severe,
Mouth Ulcers, had many of those, first three
months were hell with them, now they seem to have ceased.
Lethargic? Yes, very, I still feel like I am walking round in
daze, concentration? yes that's still not right,. starting
to wonder if I will ever get my concentration back?
MMMMmm I wonder.
So here I am all these months later not smoking
but still 'suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
its been three days and my chest is irritating or itchy and i lack concentration,do u think whisky/alcohol can help
Day 19 and no cigarettes. It seems like longer and the cravings are worse then in the first few days. That may be because I was so sick with a cold when I initialy quit. I am still using commit losenges and they do help. I can also have my precious mary jane as well and not have a cig afterwards.
I am 20 and have been smoking 5-10 cigs a day for 3 years. It has been 5 days smoke free and I feel like I am about to cough my lungs up! Everytime I lay down I cough so much that I threw up three times two nights ago. And yesterday I felt like I was on cloud nine and I really do not remember much of what happened yesterday. I hope that this will all subside soon though.
I have not had any cravings yet but I am a college student and finals are coming up in two weeks...
lighthead, dizzyness signs of withdraw?
Did anyone experience ringing in the ears after quitting smoking?
I had ringing in my ears, and still do for that matter. And yea lightheaded and dizzyness are also signs. Its very annoying I know but hang in there!
Everyone. it's quite the journey. With this economy, and losing my job- I just couldn't afford the cigs. So- on top of not actually "wanting" to quit- here I am. 6th. day into not having a cig- waiting for my unemployment check in 2 more days, and thinking how stupid it would be to put myself through this again if I smoke!!
I can't believe all these crazy symptoms. I am actually having trouble typing this because I get so agitated from minute to minute. I want to argue with my husband. I keep thinking if I get busy and do something, I will feel better, but it's like I just can't. Can't do anything. Afraid to start something major because I will just get irritated more -- but then I can't sit around and do nothing forever either!
I was just reading everyone else's stories and I must say- kind of made me laugh- as thought i had to be the only one with all the crazy thoughts.
I guess we just must keep on trying eh?
I haven't had ringing in the ears, but can see where that could happen. With all the stuff I've been getting, I wouldn't put anything in the "can't happen category". Does anyone get a sensation - I call it walkie legs- a funny feeling behind your knees and the same in your arms?
I quit one week and one day ago and it is going well so far!! I am having less urges for fags which I didn't think would ease as quickly as they are! I do however have trouble sleeping, which I didn't realize could be related. I also have a very sore tongue, especially along the sides, it is quite painful and hurts when I move my tongue and also when I talk, and as I teacher I have to do a lot of this! Are there any suggestions for this pain?
Crissy
and all others suffering from a sore mouth and tongue.
TRY DIFFLAM its avialable in Chemists
works for me.
I am in Thailand and its also available here
LOOK IT UP on GOOGLE will tell you much more.
Good Luck.
Thanks Bryan!
I know the stuff you are on about as I usually use it for a sore throat I just hadn't thought about using it for my tongue! Thank-you I shall be trying this!
hI,
I have been a smoker for a few years but the number used to be limited to 4 to 5 a day.I stopped smoking for last 2 months.I am a Diabetic.I have tried quitting smoking a few more times earlier also.But everytime I stop I start having a dull type of chest pain.I thought it was withdrawal symptom but even after 2 months the pain and discomfort in the continues.What is it?Is chest pain one of the withdrawal symptoms?Please help.
Hi Bryan,
i can relate to you especially with the morbid thoughts. After 3 days of quitting I have these thoughts of being sick and it made me sick, it is always on my mind and i cant work. are this withdrawal symptoms? I had sweaty sleep, and cant eat heavy breakfast. I feel like puking when taking a bath (after breakfast) but nothing comes out but air. after that i feel better. I got anxiety attacks many times but subsided when time goes by. i was scared of being sick all the time, thinking of illness. I feel comfortable when i read about this. I understand it now. Does my experiences display withdrawal symptoms? because im worried all the time.
I hope we all succeed to quit.
Hello ALL
I wrote this letter to a friend in Spain telling him how I was geting on
with NOT smoking, I think the letter is self evident and explains what happenedin the six months of NOT smoking. Some of you may realte to this, others might not, what I am discovering is that experiences differ.
Comments would be appreciated, Maybe I
am fooling myself as Jerry believes
------------------------------------
I went to see Jerry this morning who believes my smoking is an emotional need more than a physical one.
WRONG, I have no desire to smoke but do know there is danger in me getting used to it again.
We went through the ADDICTIVE nature psychology thing, hahahah I know much about that myself
having lived with Lucy. (alcoholic)
So I shall see a Doctor and ask him about patches, Brain says 'DON'T continue smoking, but knowing what it did to me withdrawal wise I think I can be weaned off by
gradually reducing nicotine intake, I also think that if I were to continue smoking my hand gestures GESTICULATION' would once again be a part of the habit.
Accept for the sore throat I feel 95% better, no more weird thoughts and Flashbacks (video re-runs in the mind) I also feel so much stronger in body, even my eye sight
has improved, all I can say is nicotine and all the other toxins in cigarettes are very powerful.
Having read many other peoples experiences on my smoking withdrawal symptom website, I can relate, everything from mouth ulcers, sore tongues, fatigue ect
no trace of any of that and more now. even then I had no desire to light up again.
Many have said you are back to your old self, Peter, Ian Number two included, even Jerry saw the difference. but he says he has counseled many in his time
and thinks the portion in the back of the brain that controls emotion is tricking you into smoking again.
We have spoken on the phone Barrie, you yourself have noticed a difference, when you were last here I could hardly fill in a form.
I also know that I could drive much longer distances now, last week 'that' would have been impossible.
There is no doubt in my mind, I was virtually crippled in body and in mind last week, problem being my mind was aware of all this,
it was an awful experience, not one I would relish repeating. I think it took six months to arrive at that point with
steadily decreasing as time passed
I simply think my body was so accustomed to having smoking related toxins put into it for so many years that I was completely dependent on on those toxins,
deny the body those and the effects 'for me' were devestating.
Anyway I shall keep you inforned and tell you about any Doctors advice.
Bryan
Hey all, just to let you know withdrwal is also psychological...right? So of course after you quit you may have a lot of fucked up thinknin, And you may be feeling heavy in your chests because you are may be feeling for the first time what your body has been saying behind the addiction. Just thots...
I am slippin up folks,, I been smokin the ganja , god I love inhaling smoke. Shit now I gotta start all over again. But at least that tabacco demon isn't in the picture yet ,, I may have a fightin chance here....
ummm. im 16 and i been smoking for almost 3 years. i thought it was cool because all the other kids were smoking . and then now. i cant even go with out for more then 40 mins. i don't even know whats wrong. some days i will only smoke like 4 to 6 . then on other days. i smoke a pack or 2 . its just weird. can you help me?
All,
If you are stuggling with quiting and really wish to quit, you must read Alan Carr's book. Honestly, dont bother with substitutes, patches, gum, etc, they are keeping you hooked!
http://www.allencarrseasyway.com/
good luck
Lee
Kamilly -Lee is right. Find the strength to quit because the way you are thinkin about your habit now only gets worse and worse, and years could go by. Read all what we wrote -theres a lot of coping strategies in these previous notes here. I started smokin cause of the same reasons as you. and it was a long road of hell when I finally tried to quit. Alan Carr's book is a good start. Stay off nico re-placement it only feeds the demon. Good Luck.
I have ringing in the ears, feel like i am some type of derealization, out of it. very difficult to concentrate. it is really weird when talking face to face with people, it almost seems unreal. i have been nicotine free for about 4 days now. i just hope this all goes away or i will have no other option but to go back just to feel normal again and get work done.
Dear Smokeless..everyone has a different experience the first few days. You may have trouble feeling normal for several weeks, I am just trying to help you trouble shoot. You must find some way of holding on through this because your whole life may change. Give yourself a chance - don't let the nico demon talk you into giving up to "feel normal" again. Goodluck :)
Thanks. Woke up day 6 and everything is better. That was a pretty crazy 5 days though. Glad I am back to normal, except for just cravings now. I will continue to fight those craves and stay nic free.
*You can do it!* for me: WOOHOO! 6 and 1/2 Months free of the insanity that is smoking! Oh ya and the ganja is gone again too..hee hee. Keep on truckin folks! : ) Remeber I smoked three packs a day and here I am now still smoke free! WOOHOOOO!
Hey Bryan,,you still in the war here or have you gone back to the enemy???
Hi Carrissa, Thanks for your concern.
I feel like a naughty boy, Yes back to the enemy, hopefully for a short time.
My Withdrawls symptoms were SEVERE, NO not an excuse, I could hardly
see, TV was blurred, driving my car hazzardous and I had NO energy.
This process was gradual, but for me reached a peak.
I can still remember going to bed one afternoon
thinking this is it, ME gonna die. at the moment in
time? I could not have cared less.
When I awoke I went to buy a pack, GUESS what, I felt like POPEYE on
Spiniach, all of a sudden I was feeling my old self.
Needless to say I am ANNOYED, I still do not want to smoke,
it feels I am Damned if I do , damned if I don't, Not fair is it.
So I have been gathering information about PATCHES.
Some say, NO GOOD, Most say, 'worked for me'
Thing is what strength do you strat on?
30 Milligrams 20 Milligrams 10 Milligrams?
Its my BODY that needs the TOXINS not my head,
Start HIGH work your way down, or start low
and see how I get on?
I feel some damn good again, thats the problem
please do not tell me its all in my mind, I was
in a hell of a physical state as well as mindfully
Nightmares Day mare, no concentration and feeling
as if my internal battery was running out.
AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I hear ya man! I am not the same person, and it was a psychotic experience to quit. But I am an addict and I just switch around habits, so I am getting help to deal with my addictive nature. My life has sucked thoroughly ever since I quit, but the fact that I reallly quit gets me through it. One day I will have a better lifestyle, I will hold on to that for now. Any ways I wanted to tell you about laser treatment -all my friends who had it done say it has worked. I am not kidding. I am in Alberta, Canada so these numbers I give you will be long distance but perhaps you can get info on a center near you. You get zapped twice over a 1 month period. It releases endorphins that keep you going through withdrawal so that you don't feel like s**t. My friends said it was a painless experience to quit, they say you feel good the whole time. A little expensive,,oh well. Sangsters International Laser Therapy 780-915-5128,,or Affinity Laser Therapy 780-452-1917 website: www.affinitylasertherapy.com Also Maybe you are a little soul tired too.?Be well :)
Hi I am Maria, smoked for 16 years, and 32 now. Have tried to quit at least five or six times seriously - for weeks/months, and maybe at least 30 times for a day or two. I had started to have enough of it and it was now quite hard to convince myself that the chosen moment was meaningful enough, I didn't have any more respect for my word. Anyway I am now silently determined, I know I can do this and have quit since monday, the 8th of June! Best to all- me
Hi, i'm joe and i'm 15, iv smoked about 5 a day for only a couple of months and now early on, i've realised how stupid it is, regardless of that i have a chesty flemmy cough and am short of breath, do you know how long these symptoms last in my case having been smoking for only a short time
all the best
joe
Just remember to read the previous stuff here because all the withdrawal symptoms are mentioned by all of us. And Joe I am no doctor, which you should go to, but my guess is that : your lungs are still relatively good so they will have an easier time of kicking out the crap. I have yet to get to that stage. Anyways you prolly have that quit smokers cold some get. This will pass for sure. Good Luck!
I am on day 5 of no cigs. Someone come kill me now! I was a heavy smoker for 22 years. This is my 2nd attempt to quit. I was off them last year for 6 mths & then started back. What a dummy! I don't remember the withdrawel symptoms being this bad last time. If I ever start back & have to go thru these symptoms yet again I don't know if I can do it. Zero energy, coughing non-stop, aches all over, all I want to do is veg out & watch TV. I have been taking daily walks. That DOES help. Too bad I can't quit my job & just walk all the time! ha! I could really use some encouragement. I feel so alone. Then I found this site & read others comments. It made me feel better. Thanks gang! Good luck to all of us.
See....I can't even post a message correctly. Sorry. I have no idea how it got posted 3 times. What can I say? Smoking apparently really DOES affect your brain!
I am so happy i found this... im 15 ive smoked for 4 years i took breaks i guess... but the last time i had a cig was saturday 5 days ago and i have been feeling so um... anxious? and depressed sometimes crying for no reason i do believe it is the cigs! thank god i was begining to go crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!! id be happy with ppl but when im alone i just slowly descend into sadness... i had no idea this is what happends... wonder why ive never heard someone say im sure glad i took up smoking! haha
Yay Gina ! Goodluck ! Just remember that quiting smoking is about seeing the habit for what it is. Thinking you miss it just re-enforces the thought pattern that you want another-- I just learned that. I think us hardcore smokers should seek help, there is more going on besides/ or with the addiction. Maybe,,,? Good luck :) Seriously. Almost 7 months smoke cigerette free for me from 3 packs a day. Connor you should know the biggest influence that will keep you smoking is a sense of belonging to a "group". Because of your age you are high risk for a lifetime of hell. Please try to learn to socialize with out the smokes and you will cope better with this horrible addiction, that's just my guess, just an opinion. Please be well. Keep up the good work. Remember cigerettes are really the gate way drug because your giving yourself permission to self harm. So proud of all the new quitters! I am also once again off the ganja, which after all: is smoking too... No one is ever perfect eh?
Hi everyone!!I have smoked for about 4 to 4 1/2 years.During these years its been a pack, pack n a half a day. then i lost my job two months ago and its increased to two, two n a half pack a day. Wellllll money has gotten real tight and has come down to food or smokes and right now (not having slept in 3 days) i wish i had starved. Its horrible!!! I am driving my husband crazy even my extremely hiper dog is not coming near me.its not just lack of sleep I was also sick before i actually quit and now i feel like death walkig.i cant stop coughing, getting dizzy, and swerving while driving(i have been pulled over 2 times now). Now that we have some cash i really want a smoke to make me feel right again, but at the same time i know that iam getting healthier. Someone that has been in the same shoes im in could be a big help to me right now so if you have some advice please share it !!!
Hi everyone! Today is day 3 of no cigs for me. I really dont have any withdrawal symptoms yet. I do however have a loss of appetite..anyone else have this problem? Everytime I think i want a cig I grab a bottle of water and some chewing gum and so far soo good.. Keep up the good work everyone!
*Remember to read what we all wrote, there is lots of us that have been where you new quitters are. Those looking for support just need to read the previous entries. If you are a hard core smoker you will not feel right for a while so hold on- k ? It will get easier -everyone is different. As always good luck!
Today is day 2 without a cigarette. I am now 19 years old as of 2 weeks ago. I smoked a pack a day since I was about 15. I grew up in a house where my mom smoked constantly inside, I moved in with my aunt who was a nonsmoker when I was 14. I coughed up so much lung butter and was sick for months, all because of my mom smoking in my house my whole life. a few months later, I found myself picking up the habit and by 15 I was smoking a pack a day. This is the hardest thing Ive ever had to do in my whole life. I'm having crazy dreams. I'm crying over anything. My whole chest hurts. (Is that normal?) My anxietys out of control. But yet at the same time, I feel better that I'm getting over this. But it is so hard. My lung butter has gone from being black to light green again finally. But I'm so scared, everyone on my dads side who has smoked has died by their mid 50's. AND I DONT WANT TO BE LIKE THEM.I feel like a wreck, and I feel like I'm losing it..I quit drinking coffee too, which is also hard as I'll do one thing and I'll be tired and want to sleep and if I don't I just become way over emotional.I'm scared and I just want some one to tell me that every things gonna be alright ):
hi i am on day 2 of my journey to quit smoking. i decided to first make a decison to fast for spiritual reason and that is how i started m journey. i have been doing pretty good actually. i do get cravings quit ofen but they only last for a few min. it is the freuechy of the cravings that can be hard. i do have the headaches i also have back aches, is that normal as well? i haven't experienced the sore throat or coughing yet. the first night i decided to quite i couldn't sleep it is funny because i had a cigarette that night but when i made the physicology decison to not pick up any more i couldn't sleep. that is funny. that night i had only two hours of sleep. anyway i am excited about this journey. me and my daughter are plan on a walk or a short run. i plan on a complete lifestyle change.
good luck to all on your journey.
Hi im brenda i live i a house full of smokers. It has been my 2nd day smoke free.I read all your blogs and now wonder if i well fale that is a fare im having.The cravings are mild but i feel that they really havent kicked in yet so im waiting and scared at the same time.
Hey...;-) Still don't smoke, glad to be free of the slavery. Keep on Truckin,,,eh?
Hello. Now almost 4 months smoke free after 36 years of 2+packs a day. The key really is understandinging the physical part lasts only 72 hours. After that, it's all in your head. I never really looked at it that way until I found this website. I ended up getting hooked on sugar free gum for a month or so. Chewed 5 packs a day. Now I chew my tonque a bit and am trying to get that understood. Best part though is that I used to be quite active when I was younger, and have started exercising again. Anyway, I had it in my head that I would never quit and would likely die before I was 55. I now really feel good and have most of the weight I put on burned off. For those just getting started, it will get better and if you put on a few pounds, so what. My nose is now so in tune that I can tell if people in front of me driving in cars are smoking while I am on my bike. Oh yeah, I hardly ever get a headache from a hangover anymore. I always thought it was the liquer. Good luck!
Oh Yeah! I forgot to tell you all...Rick is so right.....THE SMELL,, you will not believe how bad it smells until you actually quit. Old Cigarette smoke on people and things is particularily disgusting, new smoke makes you gag. I had no idea until I actually quit how absolutely horrible I had smelled. It took months to get the smell out of all my things! And I was/am considered a very neat and clean person,, now I am shocked if people smoke indoors! THE SMELL!!! As always: Good luck to you new quitters and middle quitters and quit quitters! One day at a time and don' quit quitting! : )
My boy frind wants to break up with me because he cannot kiss me anymore due to my bad breath
its been twelve years and ill never pick up one again. they are gross dirty deadly disgusting expensive ,,serve no purpose and just think of how crummy it feels while quitting compared to how crummy my sister inlaw felt after she found out she had cancer in her lungs from years of smoking. she died soon after that news and suffered to the end. so sad. we have choices to make and hopefully good ones. good luck to anyone trying to quit. get mad at it and you control it, dont let it control you.
I just stoped smoking yesterday at 2pm. I am already having awful withdrawls. I just keep falling apart crying and my chest feels awful i did not sleep well last night at all. I am 31 years old and have been smoking since about 16 years old and i think this might be the hardest thing I have ever done. I feel like i want to crawl out of my skin. I have quit several times it was so easy when i was younger now it is just so hard. i never thought it would be this hard. i do appreciate this site and everyone in it.
i quit smoking completely 2 months ago prior to that for a year I used to smoke 2 cigs a day thinking I cut down but of no avail as I would till get withdrawls whenever I tried to quit.I quit smoking oneday cold turkey,felt better after 1 week and went back to have one more cig as I thought I was free,next day I was were I started a week before,Than I quit for 5 days and again went back to another cig felt miserable in my 3rd attempt as it felt long and ever lasting before the withdrawl symptoms would go away.Today Iam free and I would like to say no to just another puff because one puff will bring me back to where I was.It is just not worth it.last month I used to think I wasted so many years of my life smoking and feel depressed to have another cigarette but today the last cig I had feels like a distant past and Iam so happy.
I have been without smoke for the last four days. Before this I used to smoke around 20 cigs each day.
I am on the fifth day, the wthdrawal symptoms are still there
a) Running nose
b) Heaviness in heart and head
c) Lack of concentration
d) Above all a different reality is perceived by me
Hopes this will last
Now on the sixth day, suddenly I am realizing that Ive become very sensitive!!!
Yday I had an hot soup and now Im having a sour throat
One more fascinating reason to be out of cigs,
I am creating new records each day during quiting
And I want to create history day by day
It has been 7 days going on 8 i am already feeling much better but still have the nose, throat, and chest stuff. I am starting to sleep better now there for the first 5 days or six I was only getting between 3 to 5 hours of sleep. I am still having cravings like at certain times or certain things I am doing or diffrent moods I get in. I have made it so far to 8. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
HELLo, Only quit 15hrs ago and trying like HELL not to smoke. Quit for 8yrs... 10 yrs ago. So I have been smoking again for 10 yrs. 15 cigs a day. When I quit the first time, one puff with a friend while going thru a divorce and BAMM!! Here I am. Do NOT take one puff or here you go again.
HELp keep me focused!!!
Ok, day 2, I quit cold turkey 4 days ago, and it is not at all pleasant, I felt like I was dope sick, then drunk, then light headed, unsure if I was dreaming, did not even know if I had spoken to people, or just thought about it. I thought every mailbox along the road was a deer as I drove by, AND I swore at customer and my fellow employers ALL DAY !!! I should have been locked up! well the day after I was going to put on the patch, because my boss would have fired me, well I got to the poison stick first and smoked 5!! well yesterday I had the patch on and it went well, today I have the patch on, and this will make it day 2 in a row, still thinking about it, but I was able to be in public places and not swear at every little thing, What are they putting in the ciggs besides nicotine to make you sooo sick?? there is noo way it is only nicotine that makes you act this crazy. I want to know, what poison I have bought for these last 30 something years! best of luck to all of you and me, cause you never know, just remember 1 is too many and 1000 never enough !!
Today is the 10th day without nicotine.
Yesterday I bought one cig but after 5 minutes of internal battle was able to torn it away. Looking back this seems to be the most important decision I took after a long time!!!!!
Still the withdrawal symptoms are there like
1) Heaviness in head and chest
2) Boils in the mouth
3) Restlessness
Today is the 11th day without nicotine
Somehow feels much bette today.
Heard somewhere that after 21 days there wont be any more physical cravings!!!
3rd day of quitting. So hard. I have to tell myself out loud that I will not get a cig. This helps..it's a mind thing for me. I quit on my 35 b-day (8/23). I have been smoking since 15 and it has made me look sullen, tired, and older than I am. This the main thing that keeps me motivated day-to-day.
I am on Week 8, Day 3 of being tobacco free. I smoked for 20 years and I smoke a pack a day. I am still experiencing withdrawal symptoms - extreme hunger, insomnia, nightmares, muscle spasms and painful cramps in my breasts and legs, night sweats, irritability, anger, depression, and dry mouth and throat. Another symptom I am experiencing is my upper lip feels like it is constantly chapped. However, I will not return to smoking. Since I have quit, I can smell when someone has just had a cigarette and it smells disgusting. I can't believe that I smelled like that for all those years. Not to mention the money that it has saved me. The withdrawal that I am experiencing is well worth the long term advantages of being a nonsmoker.
today is the third day of quitting smoking, my cravings are short, and getting less frequent. I haven't been coughing up any loads of grossness, which i assume i have in my lungs because im 30 now and i have been smoking a pack a day for at lest the last 15 years not to mention smoking loads of pot for years, (which i quit last year). I quit for two months last year, and was doing pretty well but after o ne month i started being very angry, at everyone all the time. very short temper. wanted to tear peoples heads off for nothing really.. im wondering if anyone else has had that come in about a month after quitting, and how long it took for them to return to a relatively normal length fuse of anger.
I am scared of that part of quitting, but right now after three days, aside from having to eat a little more here and there to staisfy my body, im doing very well. good luck to all.
So today is day 5 for me and i am having sweats when i sleep that wake me up dreams of smoking that def depress me and wake me up and getting very little sleep do to this. Was smoking a pack a day for a year and was getting worse towards the end due to two jobs. are these syptoms normal
I have smoked for over 20yrs and decided to quit. I am on my 3rd day. I have been lying in bed for 3days and wondering when these withdrawl symptoms will end! I am very cranky when I am awake. the rest of the time, I just sleep. i just want a cig so bad, it's killing me right now.
tonight at 8 pm will be two weeks, i had previously written in on my 3rd day... i guess i am one of the lucky ones.. because i am not going through any of the withdrawal symptoms that most of the people on here are..
I have read all of the posts on this page probably twice, for motivation, and expecting an incredible battle to ensue.. I smoked for 15 years, a pack or more a day... so now at just about two weeks quit, i rarely think about smoking, i sat around the house with my girl yesterday drinking beer and watching tv, and not quite bothered by thoughts of cigarettes at all.
i tried to quit last year, and it was very hard, because i had feelings of loss, like i lost a friend or crutch.. I dont have that this time, what you have to redefine is what cigarettes really are. read allen carrs book, the easy way to quit smoking...
it wasnt the way i quit, i read his book, and smoked for a few more weeks and then quit, but how he shows you the other side of ciggarettes becomes hard to ignore, and thoughts of passages in that book probably helped me through one or more of the rough patches in the first couple days.
for me, and hopefully for more of us, its is mostly in your head, redefine how you think about smoking, and rewire your brain.. then just buckle down and barrel through the physical side of it. for me, the physical side of it was easy to kick after three days.
good luck!
Keep it up everyone. I've been quit just over 7 days now.
Hello everyone, I've been a pack a day smoker for 10+ years. Today is day one for me..going in this with all hope that today is the start of a new life, but I need some help to keep my feet on the ground. Any suggestions?
Laura
27-
Hi Laura, the next 3-4 days will be the toughest. Drink lots of water and do deep breathing exercises and go for a walk when you get the cravings. After that it gets a little better around day 5-6. Good luck.
Ian
Im so happy i found this site, been feeling very alone. 6 months ago i got laid off fell into a depression of sleeping and smoking to the point it was making me sick. I never tried to give up cigs until 6 days ago so far so good. Cold Turkey. I smoked for 30 yrs (no breaks) is it true the longer u smoked the harder withdrawal will be?? I am fighting the depression already also i have no medical coverage so drugs are out. When will i feel less shaky and sleep etc. Beth
This is my 27 hour with out...and I'm going crazy!! I really hope I can continue on this is my 2nd time trying to stop.
Beth - The longer you smoked the harder the withdrawal.
V. - Hang in there for another 2-3 days it will get better.
Ian
I just hit my 10 day mark without smoking.
Just an update. I just completed day 12 of my quit. The shakes and tremors have stopped around day 9. The bad taste in the mouth is slowy disappearing. Still get the cravings 4-5 times a day. Still get tired easily. I wake up every two hours at night. Still congested since day 3, but could be due to my allergies?
Just completed day 13. Feel very tired in the afternoons. Tried to do ONE chin up - very difficult feel very weak. I am really out of shape. Mouth ulcers/sores slowly disappearing. Bad taste in mouth not as bad now, but still there. I got one tremor/shake, I guess body still looking for nicotine. I get hungry alot now. Sinus congestion still there.
Just hit the 2 week mark. The urges/cravings were pretty strong today. Had a little bit of the shakes, slowly fading... My body is getting used to not having any nicotine. Very exhausting to try and not smoke. Still bad taste in the mouth. Sinus congestion still there, but not as bad. Feel tightness in chest now. Overall starting to feel better than a week ago.
Hi, I am just at the end of my 3rd day of not smoking. It is the hardest thing I have ever done. The nights are the worse. I smoked for 30 yrs and my husband is still smoking. I have quit cold turkey because I have tried just about everything out there and nothing works. Every night I come home from work my cravings become almost uncontrollable. My husband is in the garage smoking and we always smoked together, like after dinner or with a cocktail. I am very irritable and anxious. My head and thoughts are kind of foggy. I wish someone could tell me how long before I will start feeling normal again. I don't know how long I can go feeling this out of control.
Well now!! Almost ten months,,I think I started on this site on my 6th day if you look back to November. 3 packs a day habit,,compulsive to the ma X 10! So free,, free of all smoke now..cold turkey my friends. Those who think there is a set day when nick fits end and withdrwawal stops -are setting themselves up,,there is no set anything,,,every addict is different,,all symptoms are listed here by us quitters from months back. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! END YOUR SLAVERY!! Hang on until your common sense returns!! GOOD LUCK!
Day 26 with no smoking. I broke the habbit remarkably ez after 21 years of 30-a-day. Wore 15mg patches until day 21. Was planning the usual ween off of patches but decided last Saturday that was it. So, no smoke 26 days, no nicotine 5 days. Last few days been bad, sinus congestion and ringing in my ears is awful. It is reducing day by day, but slowly! Still determined never going back. My kids and my girlfriend really proud of me.
Hey Carrissa, Thanks for being such a great cheerleader for everyone. I went back and read your blogs, and man I can feel your original pain. I don't feel any better then I did last night, I have been very emotional today, crying alot when I don't even know what I crying about. My stomach has been upset all day and I have had a annoying headache. But after reading everything you wrote, I know I can get thru this. I feel sorry for my husband and son though, they have been getting the brunt of my grouchyness. I just keep thinking that when this finally ends I will be able to breath without inhalers and maybe get up and down the basement steps with out having to stop to catch my breath. I WANT TO LIVE! Thanks again keep up the good work.
Day 20 of my quit. Have a little more energy, I notice it in the mornings. My muscles ache a little, still get the cravings but I fight them off. Still get tremors/shakes, not as bad now. Keep it up everyone...
Day 28 no smoking, day 7 no NRT. Have beaten the cravings and all the physical side affects (bar one) are gone. The 'one' is pretty bad though. Horrendous sinus/ears/nasal congestion and post nasal drip. This has lead to BAD tinnitus (ringing in the ears). I'm just praying this will stop soon?!?!
Day 23 of my quit - cold turkey. Feeling better, but still have shortness of breath. Had the body shakes 2 days ago. Still feel weak at times. My hands and feet are always warm probably due to improved circulation. Still get the cravings about 5 times a day. I have a mouth sore.
Hi everyone.. im a few days past a month here and im feeling great.. apparently i had an easy time quitting. much easier than a lot of the folks on this site.. i still get twitches now and then, but i kind of laugh them off... sometimes i think to myself.. holy crap.. i used to just kill myself, day in and day out.. and i was paying through the nose to do it.. it literally makes me laugh.. and then the craving is gone. I feel so bad for people still smoking. i was waiting for some of the awful symptoms that people on this site had spoke of, but they never came..
i still have sinus congestion that hasn't gotten too much better.. its better than when i smoked... but i had gotten so used to it when i smoked that when it got a little better i couldnt believe it.. but now i stil have quite a bit of blockage.. and im not sure if it will clear up the rest of the way.. i really hope so... but to all the people out there that have been smoking a long time.. long enough to know that they cant really breathe easily through their nose... breathing through your nose is awesome.. its one of my favorite things to do now.. and im not even that cleared up yet. anyways god luck to all.. and down with the evil tobacco companies.. they should be tried and prosecuted for murder.
day three!
I quit cold turkey 27th/sept for the first time in nearly 5 years. I am twenty three and have had bronchitis/throat problems 3 times this year, i really do think it was because of my smoking(half a pack a day). i am sick at the moment with tonsilitis and a fever and if i can ever imagine what mouth/throat cancer would feel like...im know it would be a million times worse then this (and thats unimaginable). i dont even care that im not smoking because i feel so sick...im know that once i get better ill never ever pick up a cigarette again.
Starting my 10th day today smoke free. The first week was absolutely the worst week of my life. I didn't think I would live through the withdrawals. Then on the weekend we went camping with friends and everyone of the people with us smoked. I thought I was going to go crazy. One night after a few drinks I couldn't take it anymore and had a couple of drags off my husbands cig. Worse thing in the world. I felt so guilty that I didn't even think about trying that again the rest of the weekend. Sunday and Monday seemed to go better. I had hardly any withdrawals and the temptation was there but went away pretty fast. Now today is another story. I feel like I am going to crawl out of my skin. Every little thing is bothering me and I am snapping at everyone around me. I knew this was going to be hard but I didn't think I was going to be on a roller coaster ride. Every time I think things are getting better I go back a step. I hope this will end soon, and I hope falling back during the weekend didn't make things worse for me. No matter what I am going to stick with this because my health is important to me and I no longer want to live depending on cigs, and then an inhaler to breath.
Great stuff guys, hang in there. I just completed day 26 of my quit. I'm feeling just a little better than my first week. The cravings can get pretty heavy still.
Well I have a terrible cold,,,It's hard to believe before I quit smoking I had colds and bronchiatus and pneumonia all the time,,I feel like death. First cold in ten months. So wierd ..anyways glad to see all the new quitters. Don't worry if you cheat just get back up on the horse and keep going! Yes to breath normally is amazing! Cheaters go on youtube,,and get an education on wat this crap will do to you,,I recommend "thanx tabacco you killed my mom." This one sticks out in my head till this day, I will never pick up that demonstick again. my friends are amazed because I was so hard core, Every one will hate you as u quit -- oh well they will get over it...there is never a good time to do. Now is the time. I look at smokers now with pity,,it looks so bizzarre to me...anyways keep on quitting,,don't stop! GOOD LUCK!
1 month quit for me today!!!
Day 3 for me. It's sooooo hard but I want it more than anything. I have been doing lots of coughing and hacking in just three days...any suggestions?
That's good morgan, your lungs are cleaning out all toxins. Drink lots of water, go for long walks whenever you get the cravings.
I can't seem to find any motivation to want to do anything but try to sleep. I don't crave when I sleep. I'm also having issues concentrating on anything. Thanks for the advice. It sure is nice to know other people are experiencing the same difficulty.
Just a couple of more days you will start to feel better. Hang in there.
It's been 11 days since I quite smoking. I have had some kind of chest pain. More between my ribs. Is this some kind of side effect? I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack, very anxious. Please help, I am just praying this is normal!
Is it possible for this to happen with second hand smoke? I live in a four-plex and each of the surrounding three occupants all smoke. I mean sometimes it is so bad we have to air out the apartment for hours. We told our landlord about it. When we moved in it was said these were NON-SMOKING apartments. Hence the consultation. But he seems to be ignoring it. Now my 3 year old daughter, 15 year old son, my girlfriend and I all are having respiratory problems. High fevers as well. We've been here well over three years now. But it has gotten so bad for us that we're all going in to the ER this morning. Is it possible all this might be playing a major role? Please help me with any advice you may have. Thanks.
Maria - I think you should see a doctor. The chest pain could be related to nicotine withdrawal, but don't take a chance.
I am 57 years old and smoked for 40 years. Seven months ago I was up to about 50 cigs a day. I began to record my cigs on paper and made myself stretch out the time between smokes. I went from 20 mins to 30 mins, to 1 hour etc. until I was down to 2 a day. I put on a 14 mg patch and quit 12 days ago. My withdrawal is not as bad as some of what I have read here but my sinuses ache and my tongue burns and I know it would stop if I had a cigarette. I do not want to be a smoker anymore. I am determined to overcome any obstacle. Cigarettes were my "ball and chain" and I want to be free. I am really looking forward to the night that I can finally say, "Gee, I didn't think about having a cigarette today". Love this website, good luck to all of us.
Goodluck Jan.
Hi everyone, i'v been a smoker for 25 years and 2 weeks ago i attempted to quit. on the third day i suffered a massive heart attack and was rushed to the ER and went into intensive care! the doctor told me that i need to start smoking immediately because the withdrawals and stress could kill me. Has anyone ever heard of a heart attack as a side affect of nicotine withdrawal? i am very scared now because smoking is supposed to be bad for your heart but if i don't smoke i will have another heart attack and probably die!! i don't know what to do.
Never heard of it, maybe it was coincidental. If I were you, I would cut down gradually and try again. Not everyone can quit cold turkey.
Hi folks,,congrats to all the new quitters,,once again if you read previous blogs all withdrawal symptoms are mentioned,,for some people quitting is a brief but agonizing thing they go thru for others smoking is or has become and horrible compulsive addiction and quitting will be difficult and take more than 30 days,,I was so pissy if someone suggested I go for a walk or eat a carrot stick -I usually threw something at their head,,it was recently discovered that I had an OCD form of this addiction,, and that's why quitting for me was a long process. However next month will be my one year anniversery and I will no longer blog here,, (although you are welcome to e-mail any questions) I just thot I would show people that had a tough time quitting that they could do it no matter how hard it was,,,this blog helped me stay true to myself and helping other sufferers,,but now it will soon be time to move on and fully start living as a non-smoker (who no longer counts down the months..) LOL wishing you all release and peace!
Goodluck Carrissa and fare well.
Day 26 for me. Thank you so much, Carissa, for helping me through my quit. You are a great inspiration to all of us.
Hi. I was a pack a day smoker for 25 years now on day 3 of quitting. So far I'm not finding it too bad but that's partly beacuse I drank and smoked so much last weekend I felt really ill. So far I've had intense cravings,
sweats, disturbed sleep patterns, sore tongue, headaches etc. Funnily enough though I do already feel calmer and a bit healthier in a way that I can't quite put my finger on. I once made it 3 months off the smokes but cracked in a bar one night so this time I'm giving up alcohol too (oh and caffeine...I can't have a coffee without needing a smoke) Should be interesting!
Anyone well done to all here for attempting to give up whether you have succeeded yet or not. Keep at it folks :)
hi. iam 26 yrs old as of the 3rd of november this yr. i have been smoking since i was fifteen, last week i decided i wanted to quit as this was something i had in my head for a long time. i have been using nicotine lozenges 1.5mg and breath mints..
the hardest thing i have found about the quit is the panic and anxiety as i already have this disorder with the quit..!!!
im feeling really bad for my hubby and my little girl right now as i failed myself by having 2 puffs of a smoke and iam now angry but practically blaming them...
got the shakes, aches in legs and arms,feel tired all the time,constant hunger and have a really sore tongue almost feels swollen has anyone else experienced this please help!
I gave up on 3rd of October. Comparing to your experience, mine is nothing. I was very nervous and aggressive first couple of days, but now it is getting better. I still think about the fags, but cravings are not that strong and I experience them less frequently. So, just carry on non-smoking and it has to be ok! I gave up once for one and half year, I still had cravings and nightmares about cigarettes even after 1,5 year of no smoking... It is hard, but it is possible. Nicotinism is like alcoholism, you can stop but you are never free, however is relatively easy to keep non-smoking habit after a year or so.
Beware, if you smoke even one cigarette, even if it won't be nice experience, and you think you can do this without the punishment, you are terribly wrong. That's only the first nail to your coffin. You WILL start again!!! Remember you will start from point zero! I know what I'm talking about I made that mistake and it cost me 2 years of smoking after 1,5 year break!!! Keep it in mind guys!
Good Luck
Mikolaj
All symptoms and related anxiety has been reported several times by previous bloggers,,as well as thier e-mail access,,if your looking to relate please go back and read them. Don't quit quitting....;-) I do not crave at all,, infact I am disgusted I ever smoked -my palms and bed clothes reeked of nicotine until 9 and half months later as the poison leeched out of my skin. I smoked three packs a day compulsively,,I quit cold turkey and I had a hell of a time. It took me five years of quitting to get it right! You must reprogram the way you think about this deadly addiction...
Its been 40 days since my last cigarette and I feel great. It was tough in the begining, and I didn't feel too good. But I made it through the worst part. I am looking foward for the holidays and all the wonderful scents they bring. My baking won't be overwhelmed with cigarettes and my Christmas Tree won't smell like an ashtray! Good luck to everyone else! Be strong!
Day 65 for me.
I think that the symptoms of quitting smoking are sometimes exacerbated for individuals who have panic attacks. Also, based on some research that I've conducted, quitting smoking can actually induce panic attacks and even depression. Anyway, I smoked about a pack a day for a decade or so and recently quit about a week and a half ago. Since then, I've been to the emergency room freaking out that my symptoms were something beyond nicotine withdrawal. My doctor told me that ringing in the ears, sinus pressure, dizziness, double-vision, eyes twitching, irritability, lack of desire, chronic cough, fear are all associated with stress brought about by quitting smoking. It's been a hell of a ride the past week and a half, but I'm actually starting to feel much better and I think that I may actually succeed, although at times I've wondered if it's worth it. I guess we'll see b/c I'm not freaking smoking another cigarette for as long as I live.
I hope you're alright, Henry. I think your post is important and will probably incite lots of thought among people who are interested in finding the best way to quit smoking: Maybe quitting is something that should be thoroughly contemplated before action. Have you considered possibly taking medicine and/or pills like Chantix (I'm not sure if that's how you spell it)? Maybe that will help.
Anyway, I had a trip to the emergency room as the result of quitting smoking and all of the symptoms that I was experiencing were very similar to those associated with heart attacks and stroke. My doctor told me to relax and that smoking cessation induced stress can cause a heart attack. So, what did I do? I tried the following and believe me it helps w/ the stress: 1) practiced progressive muscle relaxation (wikipedia, ', ', ', ', ', NULL, NULL, 1, 1), 2) practiced the relaxation response (buy the book by Herbert Benson, cheap and a fun read, ', ', ', ', ', NULL, NULL, 1, 1), and 3) transcendental meditation (basically a slight variation of (2, ', ', ', ', ', NULL, NULL, 1, 1), or maybe its the other way around).
According to Benson, the steps of the relaxation response are the following:
1) Pick a focus word, short phrase, or prayer that is firmly rooted in your belief system.
2) Sit quietly in a comfortable position.
3) Close your eyes.
4) Relax your muscles, progressing from your feet to your calves, thighs, abdomen, shoulders, head, and neck.
5) Breath slowly and naturally, and as you do, say your focus word, sound, phrase, or prayer silently to yourself as you exhale.
6) Assume a passive attitude. Don't worry about how well you're doing. When other thoughts come to mind, simply say to yourself, "Oh well," and gently return to your repetition.
7) Continue for ten to twenty minutes.
8) Do not stand immediately. Continue sitting quietly for a minute or so, allowing other thoughts to return. Then open your eyes and sit for another minute before rising.
9) Practice the technique once or twice daily. good times to do are before breakfast and before dinner.
Well, I hope this helps. God bless.
216 days. Two hundred and sixteen. May 26th 2009. Just to put a different slant on it apart from the health benefits - That equates to at least 4320 smokes, at least £1080 - one thousand and eighty pounds UK sterling which also converts at this stage so far to a new flat screen tv, new food mixer, new shredder, all Christmas paid for. How cool is that ? Oh and by the way I am 65 and have smoked since I was 12. The £££ maths is frightening. Done all the withdrawals, cold turkey, all of it- still battling with the sinus drainage but getting there. Keep it up, keep it up.
I have been smoking for 2 years and I am nineteen now. I quit on midnight of the new year, just three days ago. but i am having horrible nausea, insomnia, irritability, and body fatigue. I leave for basic training for the US military on February 2nd. any idea of how to try to calm these symptoms down so im not screwed for boot?
im 20 and i just quit before new years, everything has been ok until yesterday. my doctor put me on cymbalta. i am bipolar and have anxiety so i used smoking for those problems. when i quit i just got really moody, and i was having anxiety attacks, the cymbalta is helping with that but now i am really tired and have a headache that wont go away. is there any other way to deal with my anxiety and bipolar?
Hi, I m 24 and have been smoking around 10 cigs a day for last 3 years. I have quit smoking many times :P, but I want this one to be the last one. Its been 24hrs since my last smoke and the withdrawal symptoms are usual. Fever, coughing, body pain and diziness. Best of luck to everyone. From my past quitting experiences i can tell that most symptoms die down in 2 weeks or so. Some symptoms continue a little longer (for me it was coughing). It is really worth it. The pain is temporary. Just hang in there (and i'll try the same :)
I have been quit for one month today. Was a smoker for 25 years... this was my fourth time quitting.
The hardest thing to realize is that I am an addict. It is easy to think of alcohol and drugs as addictions - but the addict behavior is the same... constantly telling myself that I can't do it or hearing the addict in me trying to trip me up... "I'm so irritated and I can't stand being mean... the stress is too great and I have to get away." One day at a time... sometimes one minute at a time. I smoked for 25years... the answer will not come to me in one month.
Day 7 using 21mg patches. I'm freaking over this sore and swollen tongue thing. This morning I couldn't eat anything it hurt so bad. It started out 4 days ago as a sore throat, next day a sore tongue, now a swollen tongue, tender gums and tender inside lips. My tongue has a white blotchy coating on top. The sides feel like they've been sliced open. Gums so tender I can't brush my teeth. This is NORMAL?
John - maybe the brand or strength of your patches are not suitable for you. I think you should see your doctor about these symptoms.
I smoked for 42 years, 1 + pack per day, had a heart attack 3 years ago, quit smoking twice before in my life. I've been smoke free now for 9 months.
1. I never say that I will never smoke again (puts too much mental pressure on me). 2.Dumb Dumb suckers (helps with the physical withdrawal) . 3.Coffee (relaxes me).
hi I am 25. I smoked about eight years total. Quit during pregnancy and started up again Dumb,dumb, dumb I know but one night out at the bar... Anyway I smoked a pack or more everyday. I've tried to quit several times but never wanted to truley for myself. My husband always wanted me to. I really really wanted to this time and I know thats the reason I've been so much more successful. I've never went this long doing so well. Last pack done on 4/18/10. Trying cold turkey was my goal because I don't see a point in prolonging the inevitable struggle. I let cravings take over me and i bummed one cigaretted on the 20th and then messed up yesterday and two. They were both because I was around smokers or triggers. Which I'm not trying to be around. Like yesterday my neighbor shows up at my door whom I never hang out with or anything and asks me to help her with her fish tank and she smokes... But today will be a week of some satifaction. I was very easy to be discouraged but just because you slip doesnt mean you say screw it lets kill my self 30 years ahead of my time because im a failure. This week has been horrible though first two days no cigs at all sick as hell feeling and horrible coughing that has not yet let up. I have a horrible sore throat, tongue hurts,trouble sleeping even through sleeping aids, the head tension and headaches from coughing, and anxiety cravings. The was the worst run on sentence ever lol. The worst for me really is my cough I can hardly get anything productive. I have to cough so hard and lift my arms over my head to cough to get any airway. My throat is still on fire. Still trudging
Man I wish i would have read what I wrote before posting.I typed it so fast I made alot of mistakes sorry lol please read between the lines
Tracie - even though you're going through a lot of withdrawal pain, it sounds like you're determined to quit, so just keep on with it. Setbacks happen from time to time, but it's always important to renew your resolve - that sounds like what you are doing - so keep it up - you're doing great. And try to keep away from the smokers - they're not going to help you ...
Hey Hey ALL! WOO HOO! Congrats as usual 2 all the heroes of quitting! just popping in to say howdy! Yes I am still quit...and yes I feel good! Finally braved up for a chest x-ray. I smoked 17 years and fairly heavily. when I was 31 I had an x-ray and it was clear. I quit when i was 35 and half and my last x-ray showed extensive middle chest scarring and scar tissue... i think after 17 years of bronchiatus and pnuemonia and 3 packs a day that I got off pretty easy. no cancer! Thank GOD, the universe, and my will power! The doc said to swim or get regular exercise to strengthen my lungs. of course. also tho I was reccomemnded that reiki could heal internal scarring. make sure your practitioner is legit ..k? well thanx to everyone for thier support,,the blogging kept me honest. Hey I found some smokes in the freezer the other day and gave them away ...back in the day those smokes would not have lasted a day. I don't crave,,I healed my mind as well as the addiction. I am free. Love and good luk to all. Dont quit quitting! I am 37 and I am truly FREE! & I truly believe I quit just in time and came out lucky.
I just quit May 31 because I got a severe case of tonsillitis(sp?) and figured might as well quit now since can't smoke with this going on. Seemed to be going fine, but now that I'm getting better, not so cool. I woke up this morning feeling crazy. I thought I was dying or something crazy like that! I'm fine now, for the most part, but man I really want a cigarette. I'm assuming my crazy wake-up was really just me wanting a cigarette on top of not being all the way better. I really hope I can quit this time around. I've been smoking on and off for seventeen years. More on than off though. lol I just wish the withdrawl wans't so hard. This is worse than when I stopped doing other drugs!!! Cigarettes are my last vice (and believe me, I used that as an excuse to keep smoking. "Oh, this ain't nothing compared to what I've done in the past. Its my last vice!"). Wish me luck. I'm gonna need it.
Good luk Krys,, everything u need is here in these blogs left by us for u! o and can someone take my last name off april 28 2010. I dont know why I put that on, But thanx.
thanx! :-)
i feel tired on monday and tuesday at work place after having a weekend cigarette time. the withdrawals are hard. but if you tell your mind to find a good state of mind through another means, such as music, coffee, etc, then the mind will obey.
Totally understand! You're not alone. I quit for 5 months and all it took was one and I was back on the puffing away wagon. I was so mad at myself! I flushed what was left of the pack last night. I guess since I have a cold anyway, might as well feel miserable. I guess I am fortunate that I only get cranky but the cravings do come in waves. Just get over the waves, remind yourself of why you quit and stick to your guns! Good luck I'm right in the same boat
Well its my 5th Day since I quit.... but then I did take 7-8 drags on Sat Nite along with my Drinks.... I am 32 and i started smoking almost2 years back.... whats the way out ? i at times get nightmares that I am not able to quit and have become a slave to this horrible thing which is killing me everyday. Its not the Nicotine I feel that I want, its more the need to be involved in Conversations in office, amongst friends that makes me wanna smoke. Is there an easy out ? I really really wanna quit. Please help.
No this is not easy,, i used self hypnosis and I let the chips land where the wanted when it came to quitting ..I just let the shit hit the fan.. i made it my life's f-ing purpose to not be enslaved, I didnt care who or wat was at risk.. I didn't care how much I ate or who I pissed off,, nothing was gonna get in the way of my seeing my way out of this hell. The web sites said it the cravings would only last minutes, Bullsh*t, I sat through 9 days of maddness as wave after wave of withdrawal wracked my body. But I got through it I rode those waves like a f-ing surfer,, I embraced the whole process.. I burned it in my brain so I would never forget the hell of quitting,, it took months to gain my consentration back,, anyways my mouth was on fire and I lost my job and I gained thirty pounds,, I fought with all my friends & drove my family very crazy! It was all so temporary and all so VERY worth it!!!! One year six months..I feel amazing! Good luk,, save yourselves no one else will,,
I am right at 72 hours with out a smoke. I began smoking 20 years ago, anywhere between 1/2-1 pack a day. I have been taking Welbutrin for 2 weeks, plus have been on Lexapro for chronic depression for a long time. The first day was really not bad, yesterday was worse, but today, the only thing I could do to not go to the store for a pack was sleep. I slept most of the day. I am very irritable. I feel bad, cause I know my 4 year old doesn't understand why I am so irritable and it hurts me so much when I hurt his feeings. I tried to explain to him and he wants me to stop smoking. I go back to work tomorrow and I am scared to death! I really just feel like crying, which is not unusual for me anyway, given my history of depression. I just don't feel confident right now. I just want a smoke, so all this pain, crying and irritability will go away.
Donna - the first couple of days are the worst because your body is really craving that nicotine hit. You're doing great so far - so for the sake of your health and the sake of your son, keep up your resolve and always keep in mind that it gets easier every day you don't smoke.
Dont give up! You can overcome the cig addiction, all it takes is time, and time is going to pass anyway, right? I used the nicotine replacement losengers and it helped immensely. It was at the 2-3 week poing when the cravings really kicked in. remenber TIME GOES BY! Here are my stats, the greatest accomplishment of my life!
NO CIGS 459 days, 12 hours, 41 minutes and 47 seconds
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 6893
Money Saved: $2,242.50
I am 20 years old, only been smoking for 2 years... Probably bout 6 months outta that time was one pack a day... This is day 2 for me, couldnt sleep last night, had dull chest pains (I'm 20 and excersise) so I'm assuming it's part of the process but WTF, I know with a smoke they would go away... I work at an internship and can't be irratable so I need advice what to do to help stop these cravings.
Thanks,
Greg
Greg - you might want to try a nicotine replacement - gum or patches. Given your age and the relatively short time you've been smoking, you will probably get over these symptoms quite fast. Let the people at work know that you are quitting and they might be a bit more tolerant if you are not in the best of moods.
I'm in my fifth day of recovery. I'm 55 years old, have smoked for 37 years, and was up to 1 1/2 packs a day. I guess I quit for myself and to satisfy my family. I'm so sad without my cigarettes.
This is my third day not smoking. I am 26 year old and the doctor said if I didnt quit I would have to be on oxygen by the time I was thirty. My biggest withdrawl symptom is dizziness and short of breath and nausea. I had to quit cause I can't breathe. I just remind myself of that constantly.
Second time this year I've quit. 12 days today. Back in January I complained about the mouth sores etc., and I didn't make it 2 weeks. But, when I started again I switched from Marlboros to American Spirit all-natural no-additives cigarettes on the advice of a friend who said the severe withdrawal symptoms were from the additives in the Marlboros. Well, this time, I'm experiencing none of those mouth sores or severe odor reactions that I had in the past. Maybe there's something to her claim?
Hello, I am on day 15 and I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. I had given up twice before when I had my boys but started again once they were born. I decided I needed to give up when I went to bed and could hear myself wheeze, I have smoked for 25 years and dont want to push my luck any further so stopped. The first week was awful, I felt cloudy headed, dizzy,sort of drunk, tired but kept waking up all night and getting up very early in the morning too. I have done it cold turkey but found the dizziness the worst side effect if honest. I now have a sore throat,only on one side. If I can do it cold turkey after smoking for all these years anyone can, also my grandad died of Lung Cancer, its a terrible diesese and I want to do anything to avoid it !!!
I quit 3 days ago. A week ago I was in the ER twice and the actual doctors office twice. My asthma has gotten significantly worse in the past two years. This time, they had to mail me an actual nebulizer machine. Not only had I gone through a week long asthma attack but I also had the worst bronchitis I've ever had. To top it off, they gave me two Xrays to make sure it wasn't pneumonia. I was turning into a wheezing machine and had to use my inhaler every two hours. RIDICULOUS! I got so pissed that I quit, and I'm so glad that I did! Sometimes visuals help. Today I had a hard time so I went to Youtube and watched, "Thanks Tobacco, You Killed My Mom." It made me realize that this is not about me as much as it is about my son needing his mother more than I need a friggin smoke! Anyway, sorry about the exclamations everywhere...still pretty grumpy, lol :) Best of luck and good wishes to you all <3
This is my second day of not smoking! It's making me sick, but I'm sick already, so what's the difference. I went looking for withdrawal symptoms and I landed here at this site 2 1/2 hrs. ago. I read, read and read everyone's post for the last two years..WAY TO GO QUITTERS!!!! This has helped me tremendously reading everyone's posts to keep on going smoke-free. Everyone has answered one question or another for me...thanks so much for having this website. I pray to God that I get thru this. Tomorrow is a dr.'s appointment, so we'll see how I'm doing. Good luck everyone in quitting!!
Way to go Rose! You can do it :) The 2nd day is the worst in my opinion. It's been 8 days for me now. Today was especially hard because there has been more stress than usual. I guess its time to figure out a new way to handle stressful situations. Anyway, good luck to you and congrats :)
9 days in is very tough too,, Keep up the good work! "Those smokers will test you" < (Jay-Z said that) 30 days to break the habit and the rest is up to u,,
Hey all you brave souls, keep up all the great work. 24 hours since my last cig. Yikes!! 1 pack a day for 12 years. Was getting dizzy spells and had a high red blood count. Guess my body is not getting oxygen. Had to stop, but this really suck.
Thanks Lyn and Car for the encouragement. Gonna need it to fight this "demon". But I know I CAN do it....congrats to you also and good luck!!!! ;) (By the way it's day three!!!!)
Paul - I noticed you have been following this site for quite some time and giving several people advise, however I have not seen your story yet. Were you a smoker? I quit for abt 2 years and lately have been socially smoking because I work for a Japanese firm and its respectful in their culture to have a smoke together. Hopefully its just a short phase and i do not go back
Just stop smoking 4 days ago after smoking for over 20 years.This is so hard,Having lightheadness and anxiety,will that go away??
I just passed my seventh month and yes, it does get easier, but... just because I quit smoking doesn't mean that my problems or issues have gone away. For me, I am an addict, I have problems that smoking seemed to help. It was my companion, it gave me something to do, it allowed me to remove myself from social situations when I was feeling insecure... so many. For me, I not only have to look at quitting smoking, I have to look at why it is so hard for me to quit smoking. Why am I doing this to myself?
My point is... here I am seven months later and I having horrible waves of cravings last week. I was at the point of planning out how my relapse into smoking was going to happen. I went directly to my friends and told them what I was doing.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
You're welcome Rose :) Thanks Carissa! Tiffany, having to stop sucks right? I had to stop too, lol. Teresa: I still get dizzy and have anxiety but I have anxiety naturally so I need to learn how to deal with that. To you and JimmyLee: Keep the strength, it gets a little easier every day. We are stronger than smokes, we just don't know it yet :)
Thanks Lynda so needed to hear that.This is really hard but i know it's what i need to do and i'm going to stay focused and keep moving forward..Never smoke again..
You know I have to confess about something I felt awkward writing here,, because I didn't want folks to worry,, all through May and parts of June I craved ciggies very badly and felt wat I call post-withdrawl symptoms. So I brought this up with my psychologist, because it was seriously kicking my ass, I mean I really felt great 1 & 1/2 years -until this occurred. I thot it was serious. anyways he told me that obviously I was dealing with issues that were tough and smoking had been a good cover - up and now I had no cover - up so I craved. Its simple I know but I guess I had to hear it. I feel okay now,, but I realize this horse is not dead,, However it just tells me to never forget quitting or else u will be back in the mess! So I hope this does not discourage u from the battle which might be a long one. Oh I still DID NOT smoke.. but there are some angry pedestrians who would like to kill me. I think. Sorry ,very sorry -but... I have no control when the demon is out of the cage. I just hold on and DONT smoke! also did anyone else's temper blow out of control when they quit?? Would really like to know how u all feel about the irritability and anger? Not techiniques like champix and deepbreathing etc. but actual opinions or feelings,, let me know. Pretty please. And here I thot I would not blog anymore,, cant help it,,
Carissa I have never felt more irritable or moody in my whole life...not even when I was 9 months pregnant. I had to actually tell my boyfriend, "If you know what's good for you, you will just let me be a b***h if I feel that's what I need!"..lmao! I try really hard to be my normal mellow self but the cravings make it hard. And it definitely doesn't help that he still smokes. I'm really hoping that I will get better with time. As for you, I'm glad that you were honest and shared your craving and I am even happier that you stuck it out without lighting up :) I really admire you for that.
Hi everyone! Day 3 starts in 4 hours for me. I've been online all night. Why does no one ever tell you what quitting is really like? I was fine all day today other then being a little moody and light headed. About 8pm I started feeling like I couldn't get a good breathe which is when the runny nose started too. I'm 29. I started at 14 and have smoked the whole time minus 2 years during pregnacy. I smoke 1/4 to 1/2 pack a day. At this point I can't sleep. I fall asleep for 10 minutes and jerk awake again feeling like I can't breath right. I'm light headed, have a slight headache, am distracted, have had multiple aniexty attacks, runny nose going down my thoat, I have the shakes so bad! Freezing and sweating. My thoat is starting to burn. I want to cry but, that will make the mucus worse. I don't really feel like I need a cigarette but, then again my two little monster children are sleeping right now. I'm doing this cold turkey and it sucks! I'm gonna go try to sleep more and come back later to continue reading the last two years of posts on here.
Crystal honey it will get better it's just the nicotine coming out of your body,stay strong and keep focus.I'm on day 5 of being smoke free,and yes this is really hard and all we can do is take it one day at a time.You will not fill like this forever because it will go away..STAY STRONG CRYSTAL..
Thank you, Teresa! 50 hours smoke free now. This site has helped alot. Just reading some of what people have said and saying it myself. I went to the hospital last night freaking out but, didn't go in. Just walked around the block while I got my head together and realized what was going on. The worst right now is the drunk feeling and the tightness trying to breath. What is the gathered opinion on how long these symptoms last?
Crystal, I'm not 100% but it seems the average is a couple of weeks. It does get a teeny bit better every day though. Today is day 10 for me and is turning out to be pretty mellow symptom-wise...so far anyway, but its only 10:30 a.m. lol :) Keep the strength
Ok... I'll share a story with you about my quitting experience this time around. I cried... at a drop of a hat, I would breakdown and cry. That drunk, light headed, dizzy feeling would settle in on me and I would cry.
What got me through it was having a network of friends, on speed dial on my cell. I charged four people from different places in my life... two friends from different circles, a co-worker, and an acquaintance. Each one I approached prior to my quit date and told them what I was about to do and to ask them if it would be ok for me to call them for help, since I believe that I can not do this by myself. Cigarettes were the center of my world, all I thought about and planned my day around... it would take, and continue to take, time to move past this behavior. Even if my network didn't understand what being an addict was like... just to have another person their to help me get through it was so important to me.
My common sense returned to me about 45 days after I quit... to be honest... about 90 days total for me to feel like I was back to myself again.
Many of us smoked for years... again, you can not fix this in 30 days... it will take time and it will get easier.
John - you were asking about my story - I quit smoking several years ago. The thing that motivated me was seeing my dad die - he was a smoker since age 14 - several packs a day, and was in terrible shape before he died at age 66. I just think it's important to remind ourselves what a killer this tobacco shit is.
Thannx for sharing Jimmy-lee and Paul.. I agree about the process it took years to cement the habit and its not going down with out a fight,, I too thot day and night around smoking and it drove me bonkers and I am glad it did cuz not wanting to think about smoking 24-7 is a big reason I quit,,, It took 3 to 4 months before I could actually think straigt too.. Everyone is different. I also smelled like nicotine for 9 months after as it leeched out of my body.. the Stuff is like paint stain man,, Wish I never started wish I wish I wish! I still can not believe i put one after another into my body like an essembly line of self-death! Sorry its true ,,dramatic,, but true.. Well be well all ...;-)
This is day eighty for me! It's been a rough week and am also withdrawing from Xanax, which is highly addictable when you are on it for a very long time. I feel like I've been thru hell, and trying to dig myself up! BUT, I'm handling it. Gonna stick with it and fight these "demons"...prescription drugs are just as addictive as street drugs, don't let anyone tell you different!! Been on the xanax longer then I have been smoking, don't know why I ever started! Worst thing anyone can do in their lives...hope is out there, look for it!
Rose just hang in there and take one day at a time.I'll pray gor your strenghth..
Thanks for sharing your stories Paul, JimmyLee and Carissa. Rose, I will send strength and good wishes to you. I hope your recovery is fast. Today is day 13 for me. I thought for sure I would never make it without smoking yesterday...but I did. Today my gums feel really swollen which is weird. Anyway, I keep being told that it will take some time to feel normal again so I try to keep that in mind when the cravings attack me :) Stay strong people!
Thanks Lynda for your encouraging words. Not get much help from family and I have no friends, so am turning in a different direction for strength and support. Thanks for taking the time out for being here at this site. My gums were really bad yesterday which was day 7, not so bad today, but still have the heebie jeebies, got a little sleep about an hour early this morning. Hope I sleep better tonight. Good luck to you all and you Lynda for being there.....
Has anyone watched the youtube video of "Thanks Tobacco for Killing My MOM!" Very insightful....cried while watching it. They have other videos too on the subject... Lynda hope you feel better soon. There's nothing worse I think as hurting gums and throat, still have the sore throat, but gums feel better today...keep it up Lynda, I'll pray for you also!!
Also thanks to Teresa...you stay strong also. Sorry, I am such a scatterbrain right now....good thing I'm not on the road!!
I quit smoking cigarettes about a week ago after feeling like crap after a tetnus shot. oh my god i feel dead. cant sleep because of sweat, total mouth ( minus teeth ) and throat are sore... i cant drink water without lots of pain from throat and tongue. never did i think i was THIS addicted. started when i was legal age to drink (19). im 24 now.
im quitting because i only have 1 lung from birth and i want to be able to walk to 711 without being out of breath. ugh its worth it. minus well get it over with, now that iv hit "withdrawl".
Day 19 here with the help of Champix. I suppose I feel a little less of a person as I tried to quit without aides but to no avail. Champix is working terrifically for me and I have to believe the end result is to be a NON-smoker regardless of how I get there.
January 24, 2009, 6:19 pm
That was my initial post. I haven't smoked still. Not even a puff. Not even a nicorette.
It is one of the best things you can do for yourself. I became fitter, I eat better, I drink more water. I feel 100x happier than I did as a smoker. Yeah, there's still times where you are tempted. But you learn how to just leave that feeling behind and find something else to distract you. People will forget you ever smoked!!! My friends and family now forget I smoked for 12 years!
I wanted to leave you guys with some happiness, because the hard withdrawl does go away. And when you get past the first 3 days,and then the first month, I think you should celebrate it, because it's very hard. I even would get myself a gift once a month that first year, because it was still tough, and from all the money I saved I decided one new thing wouldn't hurt. Don't forget to treat yourself :)
Good luck to all of you ♥
it has been a year and 4 days. it can be done... just remember that you smoke to feel normal.. but if you can break the chain of addiction you feel normal eventually without the aid of cigarettes.
As of next week I will officially be one month smokefree. However, I still feel like i have been drug through the coals. I have been having throbbing pain in my arms, my arms constantly feel like they're asleep and my chest below my collar bone still hurts and is tight. How long does these symptoms last?
I've been quit (cold turkey) for 32 days now. Man, this has been difficult but, I know it is worth it. I have tried to quit smoking 9 or 10 times before using the patch, cold turkey, etc. (Not medication though). In any case, I have delt with going from STRONG cravings to just "ideas" about smoking. The primary withdrawal symptoms that still remain=fatigue, anger (short tempered), remorse, poor concentration (this is improving), occassional strong urges, feelings of isolation, frustration, glimpses of hope. I have not relied on prayer and meditation as much as I'd like. Much of this has been self will and I have probably made it more difficult by not "turning it over". I've also been dealing with some really difficult stressors related to my health and some other life changes. I figure I've gone this far, I may as well keep it going. I don't regret much in my life except for picking up smoking. What a bad move. Hang in there everyone! - Paully_B
I've been smoking aprox 2 packs a day since I was 15, I'm now 55 and just got diagnosed with Emphysema. So I have no choice now but to quit. I've tried over the years, and the withdrawls never let me get beyond 24 hrs;( I'm going to ask for the injection to stop smoking, hoping this will help. I need your prayers...ty Linda
i'm 16 smoked since I was 14 and omg I quit about 2 weeks ago and I still feel the symptoms. I get lightt headed, breathless and my heart beats rapidly. I never suspected it would be withdrawal symptoms due to my doctor diagnosing me with anxiety/depression after a panic attack. I occasionally feel as if i'm going to pass out because everything goes so slow, and my heart starts beating rapidly. I have ashtma and now I have a horrid cold accompanied by swollen tonsils, when will it end! I now have a paranoia of having heart attacks because I had high cholestoral since 15, pray for me
I stopped smoking 4 months ago cold turkey. I am having a hard time now and I almost feel like starting again.Ismoked for 40 years and since the age of 14.
I hope I can continue smoke-free
Hang in there Giovanna. You've come this far, that is an amazing accomplishment. No need to throw it away. The difficulty will pass. I am told the first year can have 'suprises' that result in strong urges to smoke. Phillips Morris and others don't need our money. Give it to yourself or charity :)
I relapsed... smoked a couple of times in the last week.
I want to believe that I can be a social smoker, but it just isn't possible.
I just can't go back to smoking...
Hi all! Today is day 43 for me. I'm a fanatic about my weight...I quit once before for 60 days and started again because I gained weight. I realized, that getting older is reason enough to gain weight and smoking is just another crutch. I gave up smoking and allowed myself to eat whenever, whatever, and how much I wanted. Well, I have gained 13 pounds. I didn't use any nictoine substitute but I did use an anti anxiety medication for a couple weeks to help me through the tough spots. Although there are still times that I crave a cigarette, it is getting easier. I would say day 12 is when the relentless pounding of withdrawl - whether it be mental or physical, begins to let up. I am now starting to work out. I am going to hit it hard in the hopes that I will drop at least a couple pounds and give myself hope! Regardless of the outcome, I know I will never smoke again...my father quit years ago and said it isn't hard - you just have to be ready...although I don't agree with him about it not being hard - it was much easier this time than the numerous other times I have attempted to quit - I think because I WAS more ready and fed up with it all this time. Good luck to you all..I believe this is the hardest and yet most beneficial thing we will ever do...
Hi everyone. This is day 10 for me. Quit on 10/10/10 - I liked the round number. Actually, it just hit me that day and, after 20 years at a pack per day, I stopped dead cold! Read Allen Carr's book many times - he's a saint and genuis - then also did acupressure and hypnosis. So far so good. Rarely want one and when I do it passes pretty quickly.
But....there are several physical symptoms that generally suck: pressure in abdomen; gas; insomnia; significantly increased libido (sucks because Im single); pain in neck and shoulders; numbness in hands; and aching in legs.
The aching in legs was there for years, off and on - restless leg syndrome?? Carr talks about it and says it passes after quitting - but since not smoking it SUCKS, it's there ALL the time and makes me want to scream.
I am in GREAT shape, workout for many years religiously, so I do not get that I am hit by all this stuff. I am supposed to feel better!!!
The good news? I truly think I am done with smoking - forever! and I am happy about it, just like Mr. Carr promises. I am having having, trusting God, being grateful and I know I am many others like me will end this slavery and scourge on society forever. Good luck and God bless!
Day 12!!!!!! It is still going. I am so grateful. The physical symptoms are still there, and they suck. But, less often does the thought to smoke cross my mind - only a few times per day, and it only lasts 1 minute at the most. It passes, and I dont smoke, and I know I dont have to smoke, and I love life for that!!!!!! Thank you, God!!!!
Please tell me that the symptoms I mentioned - aches, pains, pressure, etc. will leave soon.... Sometimes it makes me want to scream, esp the aches in my legs!!
Thanks again for all the support of all you fellow quitters!, even the worst smokers among us should know that there is HOPE!!! AND YOU TOO CAN QUIT, IT IS EASIER THAN YOU KNOW AND YOU WILL LOVE LIFE MUCH MORE WITHOUT IT.
Day 12 and going strong!
Charlie
Nice job Charlie keep it up. I'm now on ~ day 71. Wow what a trip. I consider myself in the 'danger zone' in terms of risk of relapse. Therefore, I remain guarded. But it has become easier. The physical symptoms are non existent for me now. The DESIRE to smoke is still there, sometimes strong, from time to time. However, I don't HAVE to smoke and can manage the urge. Keep it up brother!
To those who talk about gaining weight as a bad thing.
First off, your gaining weight because your no longer draining the life from yourself with poison so your body is going back to a healthier state. This is a good thing. You may be larger than you like, because your used to slowly draining the life from yourself but realistically, who cares. If your that worried, go for walks, go swimming, stay active. This will not only keep you healthy/fit... it will also distract your mind from cigarettes.
Hope it works out for you all. It really does feel great. I felt like I was dying when I smoked, always drained of energy, never walked anywhere. I relied soly on my vehicle to get around but now I want to ride my bike or walk.
Again, its worth the few months of feeling the worst you may ever feel, health wise.
Day 14. This is great. Allen Carr is right: if you defeat it in your mind BEFORE you quit, you have a chance. Otherwise you will fight your mind the whole way. It still crosses my mind, but only briefly and I know it will pass and that I do not have to be a slave to it anymore. I am still cautious, but much more confident now.
These are really the keys: (1) You have to know - or deeply believe - it is possible, that you are NOT a slave and God wants you happy and healthy, not enslaved to killing yourself; 2) There is NO SUCH THING AS jUST ONE!!!! This is the lie that the mind tells all the time to get the nicotine....."just this one, I will quit later, tomorrow".....etc. This is the lie that keeps us smoking for YEARS; and 3) Remember all the reasons you quit, hold fast to them, the mind will try to tell you, while it is convincing you to have just one, "You werent in that bad of shape, your health was fine, Uncle Henry lived to 91, you can bum just one and it wont cost you a thing, it isnt even really adictive"......These are lies. You are SMART to quit, your reasons are valid.
Dont listen to the lies of #2 and #3 above; see clearly that these are LIES, that you are being controlled mentally, physically and spiritually (by both the drug and subsequently by the tobacco co's and the government) and you will do it!!!!!! Anyone can, and YES, it IS EASY!
Day 33, I have been reading this thread of comments since my second week of quitting and i find it very helpful to know that we are not alone, that there is always some one in a little more pain than us.
My withdrawals have been horrible, just like some other people here i have gone to the ER thinking that i have something beyond withdrawals but everything come out normal so i assumed that is all nicotine related. Dizziness, tiredness, light headed, upset stomach, muscle pain, ear ringing and head pressure are just some of the symptoms i feel today(day 33) and yes i already went to see my doctor and a psychologist just to see if im going crazy and for the crazy panic attacks that i get, but nothing so far until i get the answer from the lab test that they did last week.
"Heroes are those who can make a decision to save any life, even their own life".
These were words from a friend in FB and i found them very inspiring, sorry if the translation is not the best, he said it in spanish.
Keep it up Celso! I hope the withdrawal symptoms freak you out too much and that what your going through is nothing serious. Try not to let it tempt you to smoke again. You are worth more than those crazy cigarrettes. It is AMAZING how strong the phsical and psychological addition to cigarrettes has been for me. The biggest difficulty I have now is stress management. I haven't found effective replacements for managing stress so right now I'm pretty raw and am having difficulty playing with others. However, I do NOT want to forsake the progress so far and I will do my best to hang in there. Best wishes my fellow former smokers!
On that last post I meant I hope the symptoms do NOT freak you out too much. Sorry for the typo!
89 days cigarette free today, I'm celebrating. For all of you out there in the process of quitting or thinking about quitting, Life's battles don't always go, to the stronger or faster man. But soon or late the man who wins, is the man who thinks he can. :)
Well, this is a great post site...I am clean for 10 weeks tomorrow and now I'm having dreams of smoking...anybody else? I am so thankful to wake up and I did not screw up but its scary! I smoked from the age of 15 or so it was over 43 years for me...so far so good...I moved to another oountry at the same time...ha!
ps...I read Allen Carrs book after I had quit for weeks..I had it in my house...darned if I can recall who gave it to me...but bless them...so much common sense.
11th days of being smoke free. I had been smoking for 17 years. Started when I was 13 and now 30 years old. Tried to quit many times with aids patches, gums, anti depressants, almost everything. This time I am going cold turkey and seems to be working. The day I quit, I also started doing heavy cardio exercises cycling and running (60 to 120 min almost every day). And this really helps me stay away thinking about smoking. To tell you the truth, only times I urge to smoke are when I see people outside a shop or restaurant inhaling fast in hurry. This is my trigger. I do not know why but it is. Writing here and telling other people how I feel is precious because I always feel like people cannot appreciate me enough for not smoking. It just does not feel that much important for others.
Good luck to all warriors for trying to quit and please remember this sentence "That which does not kill us makes us stronger" (Nietzsche). I hope you will not interpret this as keep smoking. It is going to make me stronger :)).
Day 20!!!!!!!!
Henry Ford said, "Whether a man believes he can or believes he can't, he's right!"
If only I had known it was possible.....I thought I could not live without cigarettes; what a HUGE lie! None of us have to suffer society's sinister slavery anymore. We can be free! We cannot listen to societal lies that it is impossible to quit and in order to quit we have to get addicted to other sources of nicotine. The fact is, each of us can quit, and it IS, in fact, EASY.
So....my physical symptoms....so far as I can tell, knock on wood, they are gone! No more aches, pains, pressure, bloating, etc.
I am being very cautious because I have friends who smoke (ick!, losers!!! ;) and for some reason it still crosses my mind a few times per day - "It is a great time to smoke....." BUT, I know it is a LIE! It is NEVER a great time to smoke and I know that just one will last for the rest of my life, and that I am grateful to God and life and everyone here and in my life who helped.
Thank you for everyone on this board, it helped! Especially Paully, it all HELPED. Thank you. And Paully, we BOTH can do it. Stress will pass, nicotine addiction will not pass, it has to be broken. Be joyous that you are empowered and you have broken it, and that you are NOT ALONE!
It is impossible for a grateful ex-smoker to start again. I take a vow of gratitude today!
Day 36,
Feel better and better with the days, all the crazy symptoms are hitting me little by little but they are fading as i learn that i am in great health, i thought that i had something crazy, like aheart problem or cholesterol or even high blood pressure i thought but now i know that is all withdrawals, im getting blisters in my mouth, weird dreams about cigarettes muscle pain, my ears keep ringing, etc, etc. Dont panic if you get all the symptoms gradually, to me it feels like every week i have a different withdraw. keep it up people. i really dont want to go back to be a slave of the filter.
Thanks for the feedback Charlie. I agree and take the vow of gratitude with you! That's a great idea. It is easy for me to find something to complain about and get caught up in stress, especially when I don't use cigarettes any longer to distract me from those stressors. However, being grateful for just one thing can really help dispell negativity.
Nice going on day 36 Celso.
It's cool that we are going through this together. So my gratitude choice for today is you Charlie and Celso and the rest of the crew that have made a choice to respect themselves, their health, others in their life, be a positive influence, etc by putting down the smokes.
Have a good rest of the weekend everyone.
hi.to all.iam pregnat 4 months now but iam still smokeing and iam ready to quit but i wanted to know if have side effect already to my baby ..
tnx so much and i hope somedoby will reply me .
Joyce is never late to quit and you know better than anybody that it is important that you quit. Set a date to quit coordinate with your doctor tell everybody that you will quit so everyone is aware that you might be moody most of the time, the good thing is- that you are pregnant and that will keep your mind busy. Read about the withdrawal symptoms so that you are aware of what you are going to go through. Click on the link below, there is a similar story there.
http://www.babycenter.com/404_im-pregnant-can-quitting-smoking-cold-turkey-hurt-me-or-my-b_1405526.bc
Day 24!!!
Joyce, bless you and please know that it is possible! You can stop this addiction, just like I did, just like many of us everyday. I always had this same mentality - "Well, I already did too much damage, it is too late to stop....." But I did finally quit after 25 years and I am grateful and you can do it too! How much damage did I do? I am not sure......but I know that it was headed toward more and more and more damage and filth and expense and slavery, forever, until I stopped. The one thing I wish I would have known from the start is this: I can live without nicotine, it is difficult for a few days, but I can live without it and and be happy, truly happy and healthy! Also, it is easier to stop than it is to keep doing it (day after day, the waste of time, the stinch, the burn holes, the expense, the self-loathing....) It doesnt appear that way at first, but it is far easier to quit than to keep on smoking.
Follow your addiction closely - see it for what it is, just that, an addition. Don't be fooled to think you enjoy smoking or that it is a habit. I found these to be lies for me. I had to invent reasons why I was doing it to make it make sense, to keep the addiction alive. It is drug addiction plain and simple. I enjoyed nothing about it, ever!
Please know there is an infinite intelligence that loves you and wants you free of this! With this behind you, it is a cinch!
Day 5 not smoking.
Hey everyone, i've smoked for about 3 years now... between 2-5 packs a week. I definitely feel more empowered to know that I have the strength to quit something highly addictive. This is day 5 that I haven't had a beer... been drinking for years too. Overall I am happier and seeing the big picture in life. Withdrawals are a pain though... Sleeping is the most difficult part. I usually have dreams all night, toss and turn, and not feel rested after a full night sleep. I won't go back to my old ways. Anyone can change, just need to have the right mindset.
-Drew
Start of Month 2 - 4 weeks in the can, baybay!!! I quit Oct 10, and I am very happy about it. I miss them at odd times, I do not know why. But I breath deeply; I thank God that I got this far; I realize how grateful I am and how beautiful life is without slavery and the odd urge leaves very quickly, and I am that much more grateful and free, healthy and happy!
Drew, drinking always brought me back to smoking in the past, so I know what you are going through. I quit drinking altogether last year, so when I quit smoking this time I didnt have drink to bring me back. It is so difficult to hold onto your reasons to quit when the addiction is saying, "Just one, come on, just one!!!!" When I had alcohol in my system, I would always lose sight of my reasons to quit, and.......
Please know, imho, you are over the worst of it. If someone can go 3 days, they can quit forever. And, guess what, any of us can go 3 days.... After day 3 it is more a psychological thing - thinking we want them, that we like them, that they help us or calm us down or we will go crazy without our little friend. BUT, these are all lies - there is nothing to like. The taste? Ugh!!!!! They taste nasty, they stink and offend those around us. The only reason they didnt offend us is that we killed our sense of smell. It is red hot smoke going into our lungs and choking us. They raise our heart rate to abnormal levels, they DO NOT calm us down. We will not go crazy, in fact, quite the contrary, smoking (nicotine addiction) is the insanity, not quitting!!! Quitting smoking is the most healthy, sane, joyous thing you can do for you and your family and those around you.
So, there will be a time - for me about 3 weeks - where there were some physical withdrawls. These are TEMPORARY. Whether they last for a week or a month, they are finite, they will stop! The only thing that will not stop is the addiction if we keep putting nicotine in our body.
Drew, Day 5??? Be overjoyed!!!!! You have done it. Keep caution at the ready, look at it like a game of intrigue or something. You will win! Do not be fooled by the mind saying, "Just one!!!!" There is no such thing as just one. Meditate on the filth and stinch and slavery and cost and the bad health, then be grateful! Be grateful you are free. 5 days??? You are free!!!! Whether you know it or not.
Cheers,
Charlie
I have been smoking for the last 30 years and I reached over two pkts per day. I stopped Sept 1st with the help of Chantix but I took it for 10 days only. I took some nicotine gum but I stopped them 2 weeks ago. I still wake up during the night 3 or 4 times. I take anti depressent because I went through a bad period and I couldn't tell if the depression because what I went through or because quitting cigarettes but I am still suffering even with the medication. If I know for sure that I will have this feeling for the rest of my life because of lack of nicotine, I will definitely go back. But I am ready to suffer one or two months more providing that somebody assure me I will feel normal again. My doctor told me what I am going through now is not because of cigarettes. My question: how long does it take a heavy smoker like me to get read of all withdrawal symptoms?
Okay, its getting tougher for me. I cry about everything! Thank God for this site as I was ready to committ myself! Looking at all things in my life as my personal problem to solve..and was/am feeling so low and scared. Believe me, that is not normally me. To read that all this is part of the process sure helps. Although crying in public I could do without. Dreams seem to have stopped..the ones about starting again and then waking relieved I didn't smoke and almost disappointed I had to face life without the rotters. Now to deal with this awful depression..This is week 13..
hi all
i quit smoking i haven't had a smoke for 9 days now i have smoked for 9 years and im over smoking.. i have been taking champix for 2 weeks now. it is working really good.
i have been having weird feelings in my chest likes its saw but it is not. sometime its on my left side of my chest then its on my right side of my chest it only lasts for a couple of seconds its really scaring the hell out of me !! i went to my doctor he made me have a ecg test that came back all good... he told me the feelings i am having could last up to 6 weeks.. is this happening to me only or does this happen to anyone else??
The depression I am going through is a killer. It affects every part of my body. I feel I am dying slowly. Please, anybody can tell me for how long this feeling will last. This is week 11.
I wish I could know as well how long the depression lasts because for me its well, depressing to be doing something so good for yourself and not feel physcially good.
Just stopped again 2 days ago and this time i really need to do it,the withdrawhl systoms,stomach pain,gas anxiety etc..If i can get passed that i'll be ok..Just pray for my sytrenght everyone..Thank you all.
Lorraine and Boby,
The depression will last for about 3 months depending on how much you try to keep your bussy, i went to the emergency room 2 times because i thought i was dying but i was just to anxiuos that i was getting incredible panic attacks so i coordinated it with my doctor and she prescribe antidepresant and tranquilizers for a month just to go through the rough days but this was after a month that i had been sucking it up on my own. Try everything you can if you need to see your doctor go for it 'cause it really make you feel like S#!t. good luck and dont give up.
this is my 9th week and i still have the need for tranquilizers and anti depresant.
Thanks for the info...the depression seems to have lifted but man what a drag to go through that. I still on occasion would love to have a smoke but managed to resist. Lots of walks, water, good food and less wine...grrrr. All worth it to be free after all these years..good luck to all who fight the battle along with me.
Thank you Celso, but what how would you be sure that depression will last for 3 months while it is only your 9th week??. 6 days to go and the 3 months will be over!.Will the depression will be over also?? I had 3 or 4 times panic attack, the last one was last Friday and my doctor prescribed for me Xanax and I am taking it for a month now. I beleive the secret to fight those attacks is to keep busy till we are dead tired and go to sleep. The moment I feel boared the depression finds its way to my brian immediately. It is very strange, I don't miss smoking/cigarettes but I miss the feeling to be my own self again. I want my previous life again, I want to smile, I want to be angry and cry without that awful suicidal feeling, just like normal people.
Hi everyone:
I am now on day 105 without cigarrettes. I also have suffered through depression during my [emotional] withdrawal from nicotine. I certainly feel my depression has been linked with and/or heightened by my smoking cessation. There are probably underlying factors that need attention but quitting smoking has brought them to light. I continue to struggle with feeling like myself again. I have yet to effectively manage stress in a different and healthy fashion. Smoking was my pseudo-stress relief mechanism. It is getting easier however, I am working to re-establish a healthier routine rather than letting the smoking withdrawl and associated depression, etc. continue to consume me. For me I just needed to muscle through getting over cigarrettes and now hopefully I can focus on improving my overall well being. Hang in there everyone! It has been a hectic ride but I am hopeful that I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and that ultimately I will be a better person through all of this and my physical, emotional and spiritual health will inherently have improved. In reflecting at where I am today I think the following observations help me:
1. I need to stay INVESTED and continue to VALUE myself, I need to affirm that I am worth the positive outcome once the struggle is over
2. Don't throw away all of my hard work (each day) I've invested to quit smoking
3. Recognize that I am human and am making a huge life change which is stressful and depressing in and of itself
4. Somehow stay connected with others during this process
5. Try not to use "I feel awful" as an excuse to smoke
6. Seek help for depression as needed
7. Find at least one thing to be grateful for each day
8. Carry on with the hope that one day I might be able to be of service to others
All the best, Paully_B
That was great...thanks. The depression lasted only for the third month of quitting for me...I feel much better now and had lots of good friends to help me along. This link taught me that I am not alone and what to expect.
Being thankful for every clean day is a marvelous idea...
You will know when you start feeling better, i had no desire to do anything when i was going to the worst days which was a good month and a half, until started taking tranquilizers and i hear you some times i felt like dying or very worried that i was not going to wake up. I still dream that i am smoking and i wake up wanting some but when i wake up i understand that is only a dream. I do feel everyone that goes through all the crazy symptoms, i dealt with all of them, including blisters in my mouth because the stress. Horrible people but keep it up im starting to feel better little by little.
Just starting week 15 and I feel really good! I agree you have to keep busy but don't try to change everything all at the same time. Keep it up...so worth it now....
Guys: stick to your guns!, I suffered a lot and I was ready to do anything to get myself back and to get rid of that awful depression. Only 3 days to go and I would complete 3 months without cigarettes. Who ever said that it would take 3 months is telling you the truth. Just hang up there and wait. It is coming back: myself:). I feel good, I feel I am myself again. I am not as crazy as before, I don't miss the damn cigarette (may be for a fraction of a second). But trust me, just hang on till the 3 months are over and keep yourself busy. YOU WILL SUCCEED.
I am on my 67th day and i still dream about cigarettes and i wake up craving but i know its part of loosing something that was my partner for years. Depression and panic attacks have minimize big time, i feel better little by little. keep me posted with your progress peepz, you are a great inspiration
Dreams of smoking, blisters, panic attacks...why is there no information of this before we quit? I haven't had any for over two weeks now it definitly is the first three months that are the hardest. Hang in there...
The panic attacks are not that often anymore and the blisters in my mouth was deftly the stress of, again, leaving my stupid partner of years aka number 1 cause of heart attacks.
So hang in there people this is just temporary and the best thing you can tell yourself to keep going is "it is just gonna get better day by day".
I love being nicotine free.... even if i still feel weird that i dont smoke anymore, i love being able to take real good deep breaths.
Es, breathing easier is such a bonus...why today do I want a cig so much? Missing the evil little friend? I just go for a walk and watch people smoke in the street ...it looks awful, it smells awful so I'm happy being free of it.
Well done Lorraine!. It is true, it is awful but I confess sometimes I remember this bad habit simply because it was associated with different situation. i.e.: when you are stressed, angry, drinking coffee, doing your make up, waiting for something or someone, etc. but thinking of it takes less than a second. I feel much much better. Actually I feel alive again BUT be careful (it happened to me before), even when you succeed to stop smoking for a year or two DON'T YOU EVER SAY, OK NOW I AM A BIG GIRL AND I CAN JUST HAVE ONE WITH MY DRINK AND MY SMOKER FRIENDS, because this is exactly the turning point and in no time all your previous sufferring is just gone with the wind. Even in a million year, DON'T EVER TOUCH IT AGAIN.
I'm going to have a smoke. It's so relaxing.
Is it? Week 16 of being free for me! 4 months and just when I thought oh well, maybe I could have just one you, you jerk, write that..thank you...you just inspired me to stay to the course. Yeah, I'm a non smoker.
I really was thinking of having the "just one" when that idiot wrote that. I was out with a friend who I never thought smoked and her 73 year old Mum...they both lit up as soon as we left the restaurant...I was so shocked! I thought so there, if you just smoke once in awhle you can smoke the whole of your life...not me...I was a terrible heavy smoker...its cold turkey for me and its not easy but it worked for me...four months and not even a puff!
Well done Lorraine. I think that idiot has nothing worth it in his whole life and he is extremely stupid because the challange makes us more strong to stick to our guns and not the opposit. PLEASE IDIOT; WRITE MORE AND MORE OF YOUR STUPID STUFF AS IT MAKES ME PROUD OF MYSELF AND OTHERS LIKE ME AS WELL.
Day 4 for me. I have a new grandbaby (my first) and I would like to stick around to watch her grow up. The mouth soreness has started this morning, but this too shall pass. I love this site!!
Sharron,
this is the time when you have to be really strong, the next 5-6 weeks are going to be horrible but don't give up, you know is for your own good. I went through the toughest time, probably stress was the worst because it led to many emotional problems. I got panic attacks, blisters in my mouth, light headed, head aches, throat and chest pain, runny nose and more but as bad as it felt i knew that was for my own good. For me is day 78th now and it is still hard but i feel GREAT and watch after a month of complaining you will find yourself giving support to the newly "quitters", just like most of us here.
Stick to your guns Sharron, be strong for your grandkid
I quit for myself as it was getting harder to breathe and I like to travel and just walking the streets was tough. But also ,y neice announced she was having her first babe and I wanted to be part of her life...yup, a little girl so that was an added motivator. Now at week 16 I feel great. Keep readng Sharron..this site has really saved my butt and I'm still not smoking...
A strange day here in Buenos Aires, its raining and cold and I want a smoke! Just reread all the posts from the start and that sure helped...so I'll bundle up and go for a walk...thank God for this site. It has relieved me of all the worry that I was going nuts...they are simply symptoms of getting rid of this horrible addiction. If it takes a year or more to lose the actual craving so be it...I will win over this and be able to start a wonderful new life.
Well done Lorraine. Actually I had the same feeling as you but it lasted for seconds. May be becuase the weather is changing and it is really cold?? I don't know, but what I am sure of is that the cigarette will not keep me warm:).
Let's just keep busy.
Hi, having a little trouble the last couple of days...coughing up some nasty stuff and am worried about this also being normal or not as I have not really choked up anything other than clear mucous.(sorry about the subject matter but) now my chest is congested and I'm spitting every 20 minutes...any thoughts? 4 months not smoking...am worried I am getting seriously ill and being in a foreign country...
Heavy smoker for 20 years. Day 2 as a nonsmoker....woke up every hour or so last night and now clammy feeling. I dont have the urge as much this morning as i did last nite but its still there.
Hi everyone, its only been about days for me. Its been hell. Ive tried to quit before and never made it past 24 hours. This time I had a really sore throat, ran out of smokes and just didnt go buy any.
The cravings arent that bad, them I can handle. Im not quite sure if this is from withdrawl, but Ive had really bad nausea. Since about the day after I stopped smoking I wake up and Im still tired, I get nausea so severe I gag as if Im throwing up but Im not. I cant even do anything I normally would because of the nausea. The nausea makes it hard to eat, and lasts most of the day until 8. I sleep as much as I can, but with 2 kids its hard. I have cried many times to my boyfriend saying I dont think I can do this - this nausea is rediculous. I have wanted to quit for a while, but now Im actually afraid to go to sleeo at night because I know I will wake up with severe nausea. Any advice, and could this be withdrawl?
P.S. I smoked about 25 a day for 6 years.
5 days for me lol sry
Renee, I've not heard of serious nausea. I got really dizzy sometimes...a light headed feeling. I'm still coughing up what seems like half my lungs...sure hope this is part of the plan and not some horrible infection. Time will tell. I'll give it the weekend and if its not better I'll go to a clinic...
REnee, you are not pregnant, are you?
Not as far as I know. I havent done a test yet, but am on birth control so wasnt really considering pregnancy. I know there is still that small chance, but as the nausea started at the same time I quit smoking I chalked it up to that. Although I am planning to get a test soon.
WEll, if you are pregnant it will be great that you have quit. I don't know otherwise.I have had just about every symptom there is although usually later in my quit than other...I didn't get a sore mouth or blisters until my third month...now I've got this horrible spitting up...am hoping this is yet another but will check next weeks should it continue.
Hang in there...so worth it to say to yourself .I haven't had a smoke in over 4 months. I'm 58 and smoked since I was 14!
Well, pregnant or not Im not sure, but the nausea isnt nearly as bad today as it has been teh past few days. I have noticed 3 canker sores in my mouth, not sure if thats related but oh well. Other then that Im doing good!
Oh Renee,canker sores are very much a part of it...so no worries there..other than they are a giant pain in the butt..they will go away. Read the entire page if you have the time..I know with two little ones that may be too much but each time a new symptom appears you will find it on this page...trust me..I thought I was going nuts...
So on day 5 and barely 3 hours of sleep a night all week (insomnia)I went and bought the mini cig vapor cigarette and slept all night! whew! Its gotta be the nicotine I am going through withdrawels from at night....I dont know why else I would wake up every 45 minutes or so.
Nausea is still there but not as bad. Took a pregnancy test, came out negative - but a few of my friends said they felt the same way when they tried to quit. Now Im just tired all the time. Kinda sucks, I just want some energy!
I stopped counting how many days but it is about 3 months and a half since I stopped smoking. I think I am trying to find execuses for whatever goes wrong in my life. This is not correct, we are trying to convince ourselves that whatever goes wrong is due to the withdrawal of nicotine from our bodies. This is not true. The question which we have to ask outselves is: was everything going perfect or even OK in our lives before we quit smoking??. Life is becoming extremely difficult and complicated and we (smokers; sorry: ex-smokers) used to grap a cigarette the moment we are faced with a problem or a difficult situation. Now this is not available anymore but deep inside we were counting on it (cigarette) for some sort of relief!.Keeping busy is the magic word and the ideal is to do sport, even just walking.
Good perspective Boby. I agree. I've been quit about the same amount of time as you. Boredom and placing value on thinking that somehow having a cigarette will ease difficulty in my life are two powerful aspects of cessation. I agree keeping busy/productive helps alleviate the desire to want to go back to smoking. Let's remind ourselves JUST DON'T SMOKE, get up and do something, ANYTHING, instead of obsessing about cigs and lighting up. I sure have been frustrated recently. Stay strong gang.
Been sick as a dog with the cold from hell. Finally went to the pharmacy and got some meds that sure are helping. Sleeping as much as I can and taking alot of tea consisting of garlic, honey and lemon, soup galore and orange juice..actually feel alittle more human today. Still couhging up vile stuff but it can't hurt to get that out of my body...
Everybody stay strong for the holiday season...can't imagaine how bad this cold would have been had I still been a smoker!
People,
Suck it up, we all who are quit did it. I went through the worst things while quitting smoking; canker sores, runny nose, extremely alarming panic attacks, palpitations, light headed, sore throat, constant headaches, etc. it got to a point where i had to take naps throughout the day because i was tired all the time. You deftly will not feel your self for a couple of months and honestly if you can coordinate with your doctor so he/she can prescribe you antidepressant and tranquilizers go for it it will make your life easier.
Without the help of antidepressants or tranqs I managed just fine...I sure as hell did not want to trade one addiction for another. I'm lucky that I have gotten through this without the extra meds as my family is one of addicts. So tired and ready for some serious sleep...
What would u call a partner who knows well what u r going through (including insomnia) and he calls u at 1 am to say that the luggage of his visiting friend, whom he is picking up from the airport, did not arrive. Half an hour later, he calls again to make sure if the guest room is well prepared or not!!!!!!
Told u guys; it is not the withdrawal symptoms but it is the crazy world/people we are living in/with
Body, I'd say isn't it nice you have a partner, roll over and try to sleep...revenge is best served cold...
Nausea is almost gone, but its still there. Acts up every once in a while. Cravings are fine until Im bored or really stressed, which thanks to life Im always stressed. Talked to the doctor today, she was going to put me on Wellbutrin but cant because I used to have a seizure disorder. Im already on Celexa, shes leaving me at the dose Im on because its already a pretty high dose. She also said it seems like I have SAD (seasonal affective disorder) in which that I get more depressed in fall and winter. I wonder why. This time of year sucks. Living in Canada its cold now, to cold to want to go out. Barely 12 hours of sunlight a day. All I want to do is sleep til spring. Maybe then life would be better. I dont know, the smoking thing is going good Im just depressed today.
Hang in there, if you can get through this you can get through anything. I'm from Canada and heading back there in mid Jan and am quite scared of what my body is going to go through with the weather there...jeez! What ever else is going on keep on not smoking..life is going to happen anyway...right? I still get cravings but its only for a second now....you'll get there too. WE're all marvelous for quitting...yeah team and have a lovely Christmas!
Got through the holiday without smoking and because it was more than a little lonely for me I really wanted my old friend back just for the company. Resisted and feel quite strong now. Everybody okay out there?
Amazing, almost went through same feeling; loneliness , but apparently my close friend is dead and will never come back :) happy smokeless new year:)
i'm glad i have found this site. im in my day 31, the symptoms are still there but not as severe during my first 2 weeks... recently my heart is palpitating so fast like im having a heart attack... my neck is kinda aching with some cramps in my legs and hands and body aches everywhere especially in my left side of my body. are these normal?
Hello Jasson,
Maybe not exactly but those are sounding very similiar to what others experience going through withdrawal. Reread the entire page and you'll find out so much more info. If you are really worried don't hesitate to contact your doctor as better safe than sorry. The heart palpitations sound very much like withdrawal. Good luck and stick with it...this site kept me from smoking and or going crazy from quitting.
Panic attack like feelings are part of this process as well and those aches and pains can be that.
Lorraine, tanx, i will update you after a few days if i will get better... it's better to talk to people like you...
im in day 32, i always have leg cramps and tingling hot feelings in my back and legs... are these part of the symptoms? are these normal?
You will have all sort of abnormal feelings and you will feel that withdrawal symptoms are harder and tougher than smoking effects. Actually, there is a little devil who is playing with our body and mind trying to magnify withdrawal symptoms in order to get us back to smoking.
Again, the secret is to keep yourself busy as much as you can for at least 3 months.
Thank you Bobby ;)
19 weeks smoke free today! I am one happy lady to have beat this horrible addiction. One day at a time...here's to 2011 seeing a lot more of us free, free at last.
All the best to each and every one of you for 2011! Thanks for the support and information and saving my life.
Not quite sure how long, but a couple weeks. Gets really hard when Im bored, which is alot. With it being winter its freezing so going outside with my kids is hard. Another problem is being at my moms house who smokes. We used to go outside together to smoke now we dont. Its weird seeing her smokes on the table and not stealing one. Its hard dealing with the boredom and not having a smoke. Its going to be more weird come summer when i used to let teh kids play in the front yard and id sit on the porch reading and have a smoke. Everything is going to be different.
I switch between eating alot and barely eating. Everyone told me I would gain weight because smoking increases your metabolism. I gained .5 lbs in like a month. Im not worried. Im one of the ones that lost all the baby weight after having a baby. So im not worried.
Renee, hang in there it is so worth the effort. I don't know if I could live with a smoker...good for you! The boredom is hard...I took up cleaning and trust me I hate cleaning...just pick a drawer that needs sorting...you know what I mean. Good luck and remember next summer you'll be playing with the kids and not hanging on the porch smoking...yeah!
Jason,
You are having exactly the same withdrawals as i did, i got to a point that i didn't feel my self, so uneasy, neck pain, back pain, dizziness, imsonia, oh and the palpitations where my biggest concern but i went to the doctor and to know that everything was finen with my heart took a big weight off my shoulder and here i am 3 months later and still smoke free. I still have weird dreams about smoking by the way.
Congrats on the 19 week milestone Lorraine! Keep it up. Renee don't let the boredom interfere with all the HARD work you are putting into quitting smoking. Boredom is a significant trigger for me. I firmly believe the rest of the gang is right when they say keep yourself busy. I haven't been so well with that recently. I have been bored out of my skull and feel like I just want to sleep. I need to change that routine and rationally I know that smoking won't help in the long run. Trick is to stay rational and not be overcome by the irrational desire to smoke. "Just keep swimming." [Finding Nemo] Ha! Happy New Year everyone! Cheers, Paul
Happy New Year to All!
Celso
tanx dude for the enlightenment. i havent experienced severe headaches just like what the others have experienced. i have experienced diziness, neckpain as if i have a stiffneck or something, good appetite, aches in my right and left body portions particularly especially near the armpits, backaches, shoulder aches, double vision, eyelid twiching, but what bothers most are the warm and tingling feeling and cramps in my legs and hands especially when im in the office... tanx again....
Oh yes... you got it bad like i did my man, those hot flashes were horrible and the twitching even worst because these were things i never experience in my life before. i would need to take naps throughout the day just because i was very tired all the time. I lost self confindence but what helped me out with that was to talk to people about it so they kinda understand if your not on your A game all the time and just by hearing people saying "im so proud of you" or "great job body, thats not gonna get you anywhere" that boosted up my selfsteem. make sure that everyone around you know, co-workers, your closest relatives and friends, people at the restaurants you ussualy go to, you get the picture. That helped me alot because everywhere i went people knew and they would always ask me "so how is being smoke free going?" at the begining the truth was the truth "shitty but im doing it" then from there the answers were more positives. now they are a little more like "GRRREAT... i feel a lot better now".
suck it up you wont die, its lke a hangover, nobody has die of it even if you feel like shit you always survive it
I like this site... I'm on my day 35 and keeps on praying that i will overcome the physical symptoms soon...
I screwed up last night...I was ready to go to bed to read and wait for all the noise at midnight and then the kids next door came over and invited me to Champagne up on the roof to watch the fireworks all over Buenos Aires....how could I say no? It was so sweet of them to think of me. Well, we were up there for quite some time and eventually they pulled out cigs and I had one...didn't inhale until about half way through and then couged up a half of a lung....but I woke up racked with guilt. I won't do it again.
So do I have to start counting from day 1 again? That was 19 weeks yesterday until after midnight...
Anybody else slipped and still quit smoking...help???
Don't be too hard on yourself Lorraine. I slipped in October but haven't smoked since. Here's an article you might find helpful:
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2009/what-to-do-if-you-slip-when-you-quit-smoking/
Best wishes, Paul
Thanks Paully, it was so hard to confess but I'm glad I did so as to keep this blog real as possible. I went to that site...great info...all the back up we can get. I'm a non smoker who made a mistake...not going to happen again.
Celso, Lorraine, Bobby and Paully Happy New Year and God Bless Us All in 2011!
Hi everyone congratulation for becoming a nonsmoker. As for me I am at 48 hrs almost to the minute. I have quit before for awhile then some sress came and I figured one wont hurt, wel guess what I eneded up smoking again for 2 more years. SO here I go again. I want to quit for my health, but also when the grandbabies start coming I hope they will remember grandma as smelling like liliacs or roses and not a ashtray. I have smoked basicaly for 31 years YUK. I have been up reading this blog all morning for inspiration and god bless you all
Welcome Genia,
This site is amazing and will help alot. Good luck and stay the course.
It has been 5 days. I quit New years eve at 2am. This has been the hardest. I only got 3 days off work and so for 2 days I have been at work watching everyone go fo a smoke and try not to think about it. Ihave been chewing gum like my life depends on it. (not nicorete) that is gross that only makes me want to stop chewing gum. I am tired and irritable and cant concentrate. I am really trying. Been drinking more water and breathing deaply. The tightness in my chest is what is bothering me the most. I am having trouble just not thinking about having a smoke. At my usual times like after dinner or driving the car I am freakin out without freakin out because I cant loose my job
Thanks for the New Year wishes Jasson!
Welcome Andrea! Stick with it. I chewed a LOT of gum early on. It got to the point that my jaw was sore. I switched to sugar free halls losenges instead.
I went through the same thing and still do obsess about smoking from time to time. You might consider letting your employer know you are trying to quit smoking and hopefully they can be supportive and forgiving during this time. I was constantly apologizing at my workplace for being zoned out or short tempered, etc but most people understood. I was afraid of blowing my top and losing my job but I think that fear is a big part of quitting and coming to terms with how uncomfortable this change is fo me.
Remember: "This too shall pass." Easier said than done. Try not to sabotage all of your sacrifices by having a cigarette.
So nice and thoughtful of you Jasson to wish us a happy 2011, thank you very much.
As I said before, I stopped counting because I am over 4 months now without cigarettes BUT I am over 4 months as well with a depression!. I hate anti-depressant
and I reduced to half a pill of Xanax without the doctor permission. Sometimes tears are just waiting for anything to fall down but all the time I have that tennis ball in my throat. Could it be coincident that I am going through some personal problems at the same time I stopped smoking?? I don't know.
P.S. I put on 6 KG since I stopped; another reason to be depressed but I started a diet yesterday. I was skinny but now I am sort of chobby. Will be happy if I lose 3 to 4 KG.
Just quit for the new year. I'm actually doing pretty good. My detremination was there to begin with. I was just tired of smoking, didn't like the smell, and surely didn't like the taste anymore. However, prior to reading some of the posts, I was under the impression that I was coming down with a cold. I see that sore throats are common after quitting smoking. I've smoked off and on for 17 years now. It was cold turkey physically, mentally, its been quite some time.
Hi Everyone and welcome to 2011. Had to travel a few days on germ ridden airplanes and so am a little congested once again but hopefully this too will pass.
The depression we go through I truly believe is from personal stuff we have held back from before when we were smokers...we could simply turn away from our inner feelings and thoughts by lighting up...now have to look and think and figure out what is good for us....I think that is a good thing. I swept far too much under the carpet... want to deal with it all now and learn and grow.
With this new congestion I am coughing up green crap once again...let's call it an inner cleaning of those poor lungs and thank our powerful beautiful bodies that they can and will heal themselves and we'll end up with better lives....
Still not smoking, at 3 months now, Quit 10/10/10. I still cannot believe I am doing it sometimes, it is GREAT. I used primarily Allen Carr's "EASYWAY" book, realizing that it was physical addition, not a habit, I had built the illusion of "habit" around the addiction through brainwashing, and that it would go on forever until the nicotine was removed. I saw clearly that smoking offered nothing for me - did not taste good, did not relax me, did not help me deal with stress, etc..... It is merely self-imposed slavery, killing ourselves and pay others LOTS of money for the pleasure. With this frame of mind, seeing it very clearly, it was, in fact, EASY.
I posted a while back about many symptoms, most of which are gone. Strange thing about the bloat and abdominal pressure, I started mega doses of Soy Lecithin - 2000 mg per day. This was suggested by my mom's BF who is chemical dependency counselor and quit smoking himself 8 years ago. Within 2 days of starting on the Lecithin, all was well! The bloating and pressure went away. I took it religiously for all of December and up until last week. I have been off the SL for about 4 or 5 days, seeing if the symptoms return. It is a fairly cheap supplement and seems harmless, so if I have to take it again, so be it. I would just rather not take it if I didn't have to. So, for all the many of you who have the bloating, gas pressure phenomenon, give soy lecithin a try!!!! I tried everthing OTC and herbal/homeopathic, etc until I tried soy lecithin, which was the only thing that worked. It is safe - it is a natural additive in many of our foods already, but at high doses it worked wonders with the bloat, which was my main problem after quitting.
The last persistent thing that I know of is blurry vision, at close distances. I have never had this before in my life and have always had excellent vision. I cannot explain it. It seemed to start after about 1 month into quit. Has anyone had this blurry vision symptom after quitting?
Finally, please know, one and all, that you can do this! You can be free of cigarettes and nicotine! If I can - from a long line of smokers and all siblings are in awe that I quit - you can too, I KNOW IT!
Cheers
Charlie
Yeah, Charlie! I am now 5 months without a cig and am so greatful for Allen Carrs book...I still pack it around everywhere I go.
Thank you, Lorraine. I am sorry to read about your slip. But don't get down on yourself - beating ourselves up is part of the addiction cycle. And, if it makes you feel better about it, I had a slip in my heart the other day. I saw an old empty pack under a table in the rec room. I purged the house when I quit, but missed this pack. For some reason I got in my mind that there may be a cig in that old pack. So, within seconds, after 3 months as a very grateful non-smoker, I was down on my knees reaching under the table to see if there was one left in there, while thinking, "God please dont let there be a cigarette in there, please!!!" There wasnt one in there, but....what if there was??? I am not sure. I dont want to find out either!
For me, alcohol is an absolute no-no. I know that I would start smoking again instantly with one drink - alcohol lowers my ability to see clearly what is right for me. I quit drinking some time before I quit smoking and don't want to go back to either.
About resetting your quit-o-meter, I don't think that matters. I think what is much more important is that we keep nicotine out of our bodies. Also, I hope for you that you see clearly that putting nicotine back in your body and "getting away with" it *for now* is playing with fire, not a sign that you can smoke successfully. If you have the illusion that it was or is enjoyable to smoke, that's where Carr's book can set us straight. For me, I have already gone through the hell of withdrawl (yes, in ways it was hell, regardless of what Carr tells us) and I do not want to introduce even a trace of nicotine to have to do it again.
Glenn: glad to have you aboard the train of winners who are gaining their lives and health back! I used this board a alot my first month, as it was great to see that I was not alone, esp with the strange withdrawl symptoms that no one discusses. Keep it up. You can and will do it!
Cheers and blessings all!
Charlie
Did i really just waste my time writing that for it to not post? Uggg. Question.... Been 12 days now, am i cheating myself by using nic gum and a e cigg?
When do the headaches and clammy hands n feet go away? Also quit smoking weed of ten years of daily use at the same time on new years.
Grant, good for you to take such positive actions in your life.
I take it that you want the truth....?
Well, in my experience, gums and patches (any nicotine replacement) only prolongs the problem, which is nicotine addiction. To get addicted to different sources of nicotine to get off cigarettes is like like eating cupcakes to stop eating so many candy bars, or drinking vodka because scotch gets you too drunk. I know those who quit smoking by using the patch and by using gum. I was never able to. For me, I had to see that I did not enjoy smoking - really see it as a fact; see that I did not gain anything from it; not just have someone tell me this and I agree with them, but to see it for myself. Once I saw this (ah, it does NOT help me relax, it is NOT pleasurable, it does NOT taste good, it does NOT help me concentrate or pass the time or help with stress, etc) then it can down to the question of slavery: why do I continue if I get NOTHING from it? Why? Because of nicotine! Plain and simple, case closed, cut and dried, no pun intended. Ah, so if I remove the nicotine I will no longer have to to smoke? Yep! That's right! So, if I just get nicotine a different way, can I get rid of nicotine? Nope! This is the process that I had to go through. Once I went through it, quitting was relatively easy - it came down to faith that I would no die from the physical withdraws, that I could live without it. Smoking is a symptom; nicotine is the disease. Were it not for nicotine and its lightening fast addictive qualities, I would have seen 20 years ago that I did not enjoy smoking - the filth, the stinch, the burns, the shortness of breath, the cost, the slavery - and just quit, easily. With nicotine, I did it every waking hour for over 20 years, killing myself and paying through the nose to do it.
For me, it involved trying very hard to like smoking, to truly enjoy it. The last week I smoking in early October, I just resigned myself to the fact that I was a smoker and could not quit. So, why not enjoy it? And I tried. I tried to inhale so that it tasted good. I try to sit back and relax and taste the good smooth tobacco. Strangely, I was never at more peace with myself as a smoker during that week - as much as a smoker, addicted to a drug, can by with himself. But I learned so much about it and myself that week. Then, one day, Oct 10, 2010, I ran out in the afternoon and said, "I am just not going to buy them anymore." And I never had one since, Thank God!! I have been trying to explain this process to friends and family smokers who desperately want to quit. None of them have. I have one friend who is trying my "give your attention to it and just try to enjoy it" approach and shows signs of being able to see the truth.
After having gotten on my soapbox about all this, if patches and gum can get you jump started to actually quit smoking (end dependence on nicotine), great! Seriously! Anything that can end it, for good, good! At the end of my smoking I would have considered amputating my arms to stop. However, I was miserable on the patch and gum - constantly fearful that without my alternative source of nicotine I would go back to smoking, constantly feeling doomed to go back. Most of those I see on gum and patch are like this. Once we are free of it phychologically, then we can end the nicotine addiction with relative grace and ease. I know it is possible. Why? Because I did it!!!! YES I DID!!!!!!! Many of us have, more of us everyday! nicotine-free baby!!!!!
Charlie, well said. I figured that the one addiction was quite enough and that helpers weren't really going to work for me. I was amazed that the actual physical addiction was gotten over so quickly...but the emotional pull is always there...thank God they taste so bad and now smell so bad. Truly blessed to have gotten through to the other side...
My partner quite smoking 3 days ag, this is his 4th day. He has been doing really well and only last night for the first time did he take a puff of his nicorette stick, this gave him a bad head and has put him off doing this again.
He's been having the usual side effects of giving up, being moody, temperamental and feels like he doesnt know what to do with himself when he finishes work. However, last night he was saying quite hurtful things to me, of which he apologised this morning. Is this something others have gone through also?
Suzie: Yes! These are the kinds of things that can happen. We are losing something that we relied on, rain or shine, happy or sad, every hour of the day, for so many years, and we yet hated ourselves for it, and did all that damage with it. So there is some fear and self-loathing that can accompany it. Every time I would try in the past to quit when I was with a partner there would always be fights; these would almost always send me back to smoking - that and a couple beers. These were just excuses, however, to get what I wanted, nicotine! These were temper tantrums because I was not deeply certain that I needed to quit for me and grateful and confident in doing so.
My personal relationships were not impacted *this time* at all, because I had my mind right - I knew cigarettes had to go and was grateful for every second that I was not smoking, even in those difficult first few days. Also, I am not in a relationship right now, which helped, I think, although in ways it made the process very scary, being alone at night and not having anything or anyone. He is scared (that he cannot live without nicotine) and yet hates himself for being dependent on them this way. I wish for him gratitude - to be grateful for each moment he is NOT smoking, rather than fearful for the next moment when he thinks he may fail. It was this gratitude (staying in the moment and enjoying that at least for that moment I was not smoking) that propelled me over the edge this time, over the edge to a happier, healthier, free-er me! With this gratitude each moment, 1 hour became 2, 1 week became 4, and 1 month is now more than 3 months! Without it, I think I would have gone crazy. While we never want to stay in a situation that is abusive, my advice would be to give him space, love, patience, understanding and support.
Cheers, Charlie
How long are these feelings going to surround him for? (I feel quite naive asking, however, I've never smoked so don't have the faintest idea what being addicted to nicotene can do to you)
He had smoked for over 20 years and between 10 - 15 on average per day.
Suzie: Hopefully only a week or two, while the nicotine leaves, but this often is not the case, which is why so many people fail to quit. In fact, most people fail before they even start, because their mind is that of a deprived smoker, not a liberated non-smoker. It all depends on whether he truly understands that he does not need to smoke, that it is not enjoyable, it does not help him, he gets nothing from it but the destruction of his body and mind, it costs a lot of money, ruins his breath, teeth, clothes, etc..... I have seen many people go years hating the fact that they cannot smoke, though on the surface they agree with all the above. My grandfather was one and he stayed addicted to gum for 15 years, always pining for a butt - even walked around with an unlit one in his mouth! This is the way I was every time I quit up till now. This time, however, I am grateful to be free of it (~94 days!!!), rather than remorseful and resentful that I cannot do it anymore. I LOVE that I don't smoke; I don't hate that I can't smoke. Important distinction, not just a word game!
Cheers. Charlie
One quick thing tho: I did have a fairly enjoyable and successful quit for 2 months a few years ago, when I was with my 1st ("starter") wife ;-) I do recall that for the first 3-5 days I was very irritable with her, but not with anyone else - boss, co-workers, girlfriends (jk!), etc. Ex wife smoked though, and would not quit with me. Drinking brought me back after that quit, although I truly felt great about it for weeks and thought there was no way I would start again, after those first 3 days or irritability. This time, no starter wife to blame, nor to tempt me, and also no alcohol to lower my resolve. So, give it a few days before you dump him ;-)
I am on day 9. I quit along with my husband. I feel it is more psychological with me. I now am irritable, depressed and wonder "How can anything be fun without a cigarette...best friend?" I hope I will get past this as I can remember the days of NOT smoking. I smoked in high school and college and then got married. I quit for 10 years; however, when we were going through our divorce I started back and have been smoking again since 2001. Uhhh...I can remember thinking "Why would anyone put smoke in their body?" Now, I wonder how I will do without. Any positive feedback would be great b/c I am feeling the desire and wondering how I will do without "my best friend" as whyquit.com says. Thanks and LOVE this blog!
Jules, you hit on the key: you remember living without it, and that is seemed so strange to do. Why did it seem strange? Because it is. It is horrible, smoking is. Why would any of us continue to do it? Because of nicotine! So, remove the nicotine, we don't do it anymore. UNLESS, and I think this is where you struggle now, we think we are getting something other than nicotine from it. If we do think that it is a tougher way to go to quit. Look at it logically, simply, dispassionately. Do you get anything decent from it at all? Do you get anything from it that cannot live without? You know you don't, it is the nicotine addiction that tries to get us to come of with reasons why we enjoy it. So, can you live without nicotine? You KNOW you can. For me, I was a smoker my whole adult life, I truly did not know if I could live without it. I had to have faith and prove it to myself. Instead of worrying about tomorrow, be grateful for this moment right now. Each moment you dont smoke, even if you want to, is a beautiful victory.
Thank you Charlie! How long have you been smoke free? I will continue to read this blog as it provides support and comfort to know that there are others out there struggling. I know I will one day get back to the realization that this is the best thing for me. I just LOVE the socialization of it and for me I had a specific routine and was kinda a "closet" smoker as most of my friends did not even know that I had this habit. Thanks for you quick response as I needed something positive. Jules
Hello my fellow brave souls who have beat the demon down. I have just about every stressor happen over the last 10 days and although I reached for a nic hit many times I managed to resist by rereading this blog. NOthing happens that requires me to damage my body and soul ever again with a cig.
Off back to Canada...brrrr but its all for a very good cause which is also going to bring up a lot of issues....just need to remember those issues are going to be there no matter what. All a part of growing up ...again...
I may not get a chance to write much but I will be checking daily to get my hit of the best back up team I have ever been privelidged to be part of. Thanks to all!
I will be smoke free 6 months on the 20th of January...smoked for over 40 years, most of that 2 packs a day. I quit cold turkey as I was far more afraid of an additional addiction than of the physical withdrawal syptoms. Worked for me. I feel brave, strong, independent and very much loved by myself...nice side affects to quitting the demon nicotine.
Jules: This site helped me a lot my first month. I was having so many bad withdrawal symptoms that I thought I was going to die, so I searched on the web and found this site. It was a huge relief to find from others that these are the kinds of things that happen when we quit and that others were strong enuf to get through it without going crazy. If I would have been the only one, I would have smoked or jumped off a bridge for sure, Now, I simply do not want a cigarette and that is a miracle! I post here lately on the chance that it may help someone else.
I am smoke and nicotine-free as of Oct 10, 2010, 1:30 PM.
* Days: ~97
* Filthy Cigarettes not smoked: 2385
* Money not wasted: ~$470.00
* Time not wasted: 8.3 HOLE DAYS <-- that’s right, this much time WOULD HAVE been wasted actually smoking 2385 cigarettes. About every 12 days I get back 24 hours of time for the rest of my life! Amazing! This (5 minutes to smoke) is a conservative estimate as I was a fast smoker. This does not even factor in the amount of time going to and from smoking areas, or going out late at night to get a pack, or time spent running through the airport to go out and smoke, or time spend making the money to pay for the filthy buggers, buying new shirts, etc. And this does not calculate the days/months/years I may get back from a longer, healthier life.
Lorrainne: it's great that you are going strong. Every little "trigger" we beat makes us stronger, more confident, healthier.... It truly is easy, right? The time just slips away after a while, just like when we were smoking and always going to quit tomorrow......quitting tomorrow turned into 20+ years smoking for me. The first time I thought of smoking today was going to this page. That is sooooo cool. Still hits me very breifly every now and then: "I need a cigarette to enjoy life" but now I am not trying to smash that thought; I am actualy staying with it to see WHY it is there. It is SO STRANGE, after all this time. Interesting study in psychology.
UHH! It is all psychological with me...Will life ever be fun without a cigarette? I am depressed, bored and just plain miserable! 8 days 23 hours smoke free, but unhappy!
I am a 30 yr old mother of 3 ... I have smoked about 1/2 pack a day since I was 17.
I have tried many times to quit ( could only do it while nursing and pregnant)
In my second week of being smoke free, I got very sick and for the first time since I started smoking I felt like ewwww, I do not want a cigarette.
Today for some reason has been the worst... I havent really had many craving at all ( thank goodness) but tingly face and hands and became dizzy today I thought I was going to die .
Good Luck to everyone.. Heres to a cigarette free life for all of us :)
Jules, it seems like maybe you still think that cigarettes are enjoyable, which is a tough spot to be in, like you are damned if you do, damned if you don’t. I found out in my case it was in fact brainwashing, and it was torture. There was absolutely nothing enjoyable, relaxing, sexy, smart, fun, cool, refreshing, stimulating, healthy or helpful about them, nothing! Quite the contrary, in fact. My mind telling me there was some benefit in cigarettes was simply a LIE to get NICOTINE. It is so great now, because every day I do not smoke is another day that I see through the lie. It is liberation from the lie that is the best thing for me. It is inspirational, motivating, confidence boosting to know that although I lived the lie for 20+ years, I saw through it and with help of my fellow humans I walked away from the lie! My #1 motivator to quit in the end was slavery. I could not accept the fact that it was that I HAD TO smoke, against my will or as part of a deeply conflicted, contradictory will.
Days 5-10 were probably the toughest for me, so keep at it. In just a few more days nicotine will be completely out of your body, in fact you are already well passed its half life. For those first couple weeks I did drink LOTS of energy drinks - 3-4 redbulls per day - though I usually had 2 anyway. And probably 4-5 large cups of coffee per day. Though this was probably unhealthy, I figured: WTF, I am NOT addicted to redbull or coffee, so I will do this temporarily to compensate and cut back later. Now, I am on NO Redbulls at all!!! And barely any coffee!!! Just saying that I there are ways to compensate that can at least give us something to do. We each find our own path, so long as nicotine is removed.
Charlie - I am doing much better today and am on day 3 of "no patch" and "no cigarettes" soooo the nicotine should be totally out of my body if not today by tomorrow! :))) Yeah, Now if only I can forget about the pure pleasure it brought me! I am much better today and one step closer to a cigarette FREE life! I do see the benefits...I am sleeping better and my husband is as well! We are on the road to FREEDOM! Thank you so much...I think we could be best buds! Jules
You are right, Jules, it is freedom. It has been so long since I have not not smoked that now I am seeing things fresh. I am seeing that I was running from so many things from soooo long ago, and I could not see it, because I had my little "friend" to keep me busy and distracted. Another great benefit of not smoking is that I don't feel put down by others now - you know, when they see you outside, huddling in the cold smoking. Perhaps their "glares" were actually pity. Who knows. But, we dont have that hanging over us anymore. Also, in the past, any time I would set out with a bigger vision of solving things - helping others and such - I would always collapse with "you can't even help yourself stop smoking". Now, maybe I throw my beat Charlie over the head stick into the fire and start to truly help others.
Hoping everyone has stayed strong and held fast to the truth: smoking kills (not just your body and life but your confidence, energy, youthfulness, adventure, joy, etc)!
Okay, the benifits of not smoking are really paying off now. I'm back in Canada and its a little chilly, not as bad as I thought it would be. I have to manage my brothers life now as he is brain injured and cannot lift anything as well so I am his mule so to speak. I got us a condo that has a hallway, I swear seems like its half way to the North WEst Territories...anyway at first I was afraid because my lungs capicity is that of a flea but I find the more I do it the easier it is and I'm hauling grocercies, and cleaning supplies and suitcases and its all good. It works to quit, even after 43 years you can get your health back...I feel so greatfull to the universe for letting me be strong enough to quit that horrible habit..every day in every way I am getting better.
Hello everyone. I do find turning to such forums very useful to fill the time when i'd otherwise be smoking! Day today. I've had a couple of 'urges' during which i consider whether i will have a cigarette later on..... these are the scary times. If honest, i am unconvinced of my resolve but learmign more and more that it is the nicotine voice trying to trick me. But having come this far, am pounding the message home to myself that it'd be crazy to undo all that hard work! It's nearly one week. One full week of being smoke free. I am 37 (just yesterday) and been a smoker for 20 years. Yuk.
Welcome George! Here's to finding the pleasure in being a non smoker. My sister in law bought me two new items of clothing..still had the tags on them but had been in her house for a few weeks and then in the car for 4 hours...I tried them on and could not get them off fast enough, oh did they stink of smoke...yuk! I haven't the heart to tell her as she really wants to quit but lives with her Mother (78) who smokes like a chimmey.
Hey George! Congratulations on taking the healthiest step you can take in your life!
You wrote: "nicotine voice trying to trick me"
That's all it is! That is why the addiction (with or without the accompanying habit/routine) is so confounding. It is like it is against our entire will, against our nature, against our health and well being. I have had lots of habits over time. Some were harmless, some were bothersome. The worst was shaking my leg while at my desk. Every one of my habits, all of them, I was able to quit easily, with a little attention to it. Shaking leg thing took a while, but with focus and attention, I quit and now the habit seems silly. Smoking is not a habit. It is a filthy deadly addiction that makes us miserable and ultimately kills us. This is the myth of it, the brainwashing of it: that I smoke out of habit and that I get pleasure, enjoyment, comfort from it. NOT TRUE. It is an addiction that will persist until nicotine is completely removed or until we die. If you think you enjoy it, start looking at that right away, see if this is true or a lie you tell yourself so that you can have more nicotine. If you are not clear about this, it can haunt you for years. This is very powerful brainwashing, deep in the subconscious. Don’t think for a second that Marlboro and all the rest of them spend BILLIONS every year with the cool ads of camels playing pool with busty young women and lone wolf cowboys out on the range enjoying the freedom of the sky and mountains because they like wasting money.
Please know this: YOU CAN DO THIS. I PROMISE! After my first few days (Oct 10, 2010), once I was confident I could get through the day surviving all the “triggers” the first thing I thought was “If only I would have known that I could do it!” That is what I tell people, try to pound it into there heads YOU CAN, IT IS POSSIBLE and WORTH IT.
Also, when you are 1st week or so I warn to beware of “just one.” I quit SOOOO many times in the past and this lie of “have just one, it is ok, it is just one, it wont hurt” always brought me back to my knees, a full fledged smoker within a few days. Nicotine addiction, breaking it, is a 100% thing. Just one puts the drug back in and the whole misery starts again. There is no such thing as just one. The nature of the addiction is that this one (just one) creates the need, the urge for the next just one. It never stops. It must be broken.
Cheers, Charlie
Lorraine, that is great to hear! I have had lots of benefits myself. The best is that I dont have the "Im going to run out, I have to pick some up at the store" hanging over my shoulder all the time. What a relief! I am seeing lots of things, more deeply than I have seen in the past about myself too. This I can only explain because I do not have my little distraction of smoking cigarettes anymore. Amazing at how blind we were to so much of life, right?
after 46 years of smoking cigs, I quit 1 month ago during a bout with asthmatic bronchitis. it was scary enough for me to throw 1 1/2 cartons of cigs in the garbage. about 2 weeks ago, i started with shortness of breath, tightness in chest, stuffy nose, mild coughing, achiness in head, but not actual headaches, sleepiness. I actually cannot say i feel better since i stopped smoking. could these be smoking withdrawal symptoms after smoking for soooooooooooo long?
Hello Teree,
YEs, those are normal. I did not get sick for the first month at all that then I got everything and thought I was going insane. I'm under some pressure and stress these days and think about having a cig all the time but the five months plus that I have put in encourage me to go on. I even had the nightmare again the other night of taking it up once again...it is so cool to wake up and remember you do not smoke ..it was just a bad dream...43 years I smoked! You can do this.
thanks lorraine. doesn't it make you angry that something had such a hold on you for so many years. while i was smoking, i was so angry that i couldn't even "think" of stopping smoking, let alone do it. If I didn't get so sick, I would never have stopped - at least not now. everytime i think about how addicted i was, i get so angry.
Don't beat yourself up and find and use all the old adages you can think of in order to let that anger go...
I found it a horror to think I had let the addiction rule my world and with such arrogance towards others who wanted me to quit...out of love for me yet. Stay the course, forgive yourself for the past because it is the past and look towards the good health you will enjoy sooner rather than later...
ive been a smoker for 30 yrs...i stopped smoking 26 days ago....everything was going good...but these last 2 days have been awfull...ive wanted to smoke all the time...but i havnt...i feel depressed too...and try and convince myself to smoke..which is stupid cos i dont like the smell now...just looking for some encouragement...as i havnt told anyone i quit...people have asked at work...but i just say im trying to cut down.....thanks for listening lol
Been a smoker for 36 years. 10-12 sticks per day. Quit cold turkey about 3 1/2 months ago.I am a diabetic. Still have withdrawls and fighting them off.
All the demonds will come out to play...nicotine addiction will rule your world for awhile yet. I still have nightmares that I smoked! I got so depressed the third month that panic attacks set in. I got really sick which brought up so much crap from these poor mistreated lungs of 43 years at 2 packs a day I thought I bringing up an actual lung. And still I slipped after four months and took a puff...did practically hack up a lung that time..don't know when it ends but the depression passes...the demond still tries very hard to entice me to give in, give up and light up...not going to do it. Why? Because some days its hours I don't think of a cig and its going to get better and here's the biggy...I can breathe better each and every day. Nice...............
Hey Guys, where is everyone? All doing well I hope? Getting urges a couple times a day because of stress and pressure but I do not smoke...all I have to do is recall that night I took a puff...awful results. Just wish it would go away forever..the urge.
Come on...share
I'm a newbie at the not smoking thing (except for when I was pregnant it was easy to put them down and not smoke). Its been alittle over 24 hours...and I'm blah..I couldn't concentrate at work, I'm snapping really bad at the kids, my head hurts and in general feel like I'm sick with the flu (but I don't have the flu). I can't use the patches b/c they give me a headache...and I'm terrified of gaining weight I"m overweight as it is and am trying to lose. I'm probably crazy for trying to quit smoking and lose weight at the same time, but I need to get healthy. Both my parents had heart attacks at a young age, mid 40's and I'll be 31 this year. I've smoked since I was 15.
Sorry if this post is rambling...my mind is bleck right now...I think once the physical stuff goes away I will be able to handle the cravings..
Still going strong, after 4 months. I could not imagine going 4 hours in the beginning. It is almost to the point where I cannot imagine smoking - they look so strange in people's hands when I see them and how they have to run their lives around sneaking off for their butts.....
I only think about them a few times per day, tho initially the thought it strong, it passes very quickly, and usually I don't think about them until hours after I wake up. Some days I go the whole day without thinking about them. This, for me, is a miracle.
For all the quitters out there: you can do it! You will survive this and not regret it. On the contrary, you will be happy and grateful to not choke yourself if red hot smoke again, ever. We, from this moment, no longer have to be slaves to tobacco! Freedom!!!!
Yeah, Charlie, I will be really glad to have a full day without thinking about the darn things. Sure don't want one which makes me realize it was just such an ingrained habit after 43 years. I finished everything with a smoke. But as you say...it only lasts a minute this wanting one and then passes with such a sense of relief that I do not smoke anymore. Walked into an elevator yesterday and could smell cig smoke...it was awful! When I smoked I would never have noticed that...I suppose I smelled like that and of course so did my clothes...my poor friends and family. I love the thought that some think their loved ones don't know they smoke on the side...ha! Anyway, here's to a Superbowl Sunday where I will miss nothing going outside to smoke!
I've read with interest your articles on smoking cessation.
I'm shocked to hear what you reccomend to help others quit-such as NRT patches,chews,and gums.
Danagerous chemicals in chantix,and others.
What is the purpose in keeping a person in a perpetual state of withdrawl ,via nicotine products..
cheering on someone that is only having "one or two cigarettes" to ease the craving-Is just plain crazy.
It's like the junkie that needs only a little "fix" the alchoholic that needs just a "little drink",on and on it goes.
I strongly recommend your readers to view "Whyquit.com"
I think the answers would be very helpful.
Best Regards from Canada,and a ex-smoker.
wiL :)
Day 8...well I did cave yesterday at work...but I had 4 customer in a row yell at me and one even throw his food back almost through the window...I bummed one and only smoked half of it...I purposely bummed a menthol (not my usual, in fact I hate them so I wouldn't smoke the whole thing) But since then nothing.
So I think it is going pretty good.
Lorraine: "Walked into an elevator yesterday and could smell cig smoke...it was awful!" Yes, that is important. Those fresh whiffs of the stale filth, I smell it on people everywhere. I am thinking, "You dont have to live like that" but there is nothing I can say. Just that it turns my stomach is enough to remember that life without cigarettes is beautiful. With cigs life is a plume of filth.
Wil: I know what you are saying. I dont discourage or offer anyone advice who is actually off cigs by using gum or patches. I do not want to ruin they're VERY REMOTE chance of success. They think that they are succeeding and that is a powerful thought, so you can't combat it. If asked my advice, or if I talk to someone before they try to quit with NRT I tell it to them straight "Nicotine addition is the problem underneath cigarettes, why do you want to continue the addiction with any form of nicotine?" Of course this does not help them, or seems not to. So, if they want nicotine and feel better getting it from gum rather than smokes until they're inevitably back to smokes, so be it. That said, I do know a few who have quit via patch and gum, but they definitely did it the hard, long, tortuous way. At least dropping them cold, out of understanding of the addiction, we know that we are done, whereas if you use gum/patch, now you have to quit those AND you dont have cigs to help.....
Ginger, you can do this! It is crucial that you do not smoke for at least 2 weeks. We cannot break this addiction if we keep supplying nicotine to our blood. I got stuck on 1/2 of a smoke at 1:00 pm every day for weeks and it was HELL, the most tortured I have ever been as as smoker. Of course, I eventually when back to regular smoking. It never ends.... We all know it can be hell, but many of us here also know that you can do it, because we did. When you do have those few puffs tho, look really closely and think really carefully about what that half a cig did for you! If you pay attention you will see the truth that it does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for you. They never did. Smoking is a lie!
Also, Ginger, there are 3 important and powerful peices of brainwashing in your story of the 1/2 cigarette. I hope I am not too bold here to point them out. If you examine these closely I think you are much more likely never to smoke again.
(1) Stress of customers caused the need for a cigarette. This implies that cigarettes alleviate stress. This is a lie we smokers tell ourselves to get nicotine. Cigs cause stress, they don't cure it.
(2) Changing to an off brand, even one that we find distastful will help us stop smoking. This implies that we smoked our brand of choice because of enojoyable taste. This is a lie. We tolerated the taste to get nicotine. Cigarettes taste awful!!!
(3) Your view of success ("seem to be doing ok") is flawed, because it indicates we don't understand nicotine addiction. You had a slip, sure, don't beat yourself up, BUT beware that a successful slip (one in which we don't go completely back to smoking)sends a powerful message to the subconscious: "I can have a cig here and there and not go back to smoking." This is a lie to keep getting nicotine.
I hope pointing to these things helps you in your quest, which I applaud you for! You can do this!
Hi everyone I am on day 31 of my quit. Like Lorraine I have been smoking for such a long time,42 years.
So you can see just how much I want this quit to succeed. I know that we are all addicts and nothing more than slaves but I still have these thoughts that I am grieving for something, I dare not think too far ahead as admitting I might never smoke again is too huge to contemplate.
My thoughts are now fewer and I think that maybe I am forgetting just how intense those thoughts were the first few days but I just long for the day when I can honestly say that I have not thought about smoking all day ( bliss )
I also did not relize just how badly I must have smelled all those years, I prided myself on being clean all those years not knowing that the first puff after a shower meant I was back to smelling like an ashtray....yuk.
I felt that reading the posts on here was a great help.
Take care everyone.
Elaine
Day 12 and have not had another slip...of course I've been off work for 5 days lol...that is my challenge..most my coworkers smoke, and they seem to get extra breaks, and dealing with the public just generally sucks...But not even really had a craving..I do miss it, which I know sounds weird, but I really did enjoy my smokes.
On the plus side I did notice yesterday while out how bad smoking does smell (which my oldest had been telling for a while) I never smoked in the house or car with my kids but it was still on me you know?
Oddly enough this isn't the first thing I have quit. But definitely seems to be one of the most challenge.
I smoked for 7 1/2 years, ending up at 1 1/2-2 packs a day for the last two years. I quit cold turkey, and I have not smoked in four and a half weeks. My concentration is faded (like I have ADD), and my sleep pattern is not correct, to say the least. Any helpful comments or support form similar situations would be great. Thank you
I'm feeling free...coming up to the 6 month mark...miscalulated last month. It's a great feeling...keep reading and learning from all of those who came before you...we did it and you can too. I'm with Allan Carr as far as using substitutes for getting through the withdrawal...may be the hardest thing you ever do but the feeling of being free, of having beat that dammed demon who pretended to be your friend for so long...my heart goes out to you because you just won't believe how good it feels to be free...
I stopped smoking about a week in a half ago and im having all the symtoms at one time how long will this last if i stay cold turkey and no nicotene gums,patches etc.
By the way Ginger, I have friends who quit drinking and/or drugs who said quitting nicotine was far harder to do. STrange, eh?
i have been smoke-free for 80 days and i still feel hot flashes in legs and arms, hyperventilation, cramps, pain in the chest, pain in the neck, crawling skin... are they normal to reach 80 days? tanx
14 days today....I still want one and find myself reaching for them when I drop my kids off and am on the way to work...My concentration is still crappy...and I still get irritated really easy. But it is much better than the first couple of days.
Patrick I'm doing it completely cold turkey I have alot of regular chewing gum and mints to help out, the patches gave me headaches and the gum tasted horrible.
I was talking with my husband last night about how much I missed it, b/c it was one of the last things I enjoyed doing to relive stress (before suggestions of mediation, exercise, and deep breathing I already do all that lol I just have really high stress)and how odd it felt to not be sitting down with one after the kids go to bed to write him...When do you stop missing them
I still feel that I need to complete a task, the end of the day etc with a smoke. I'm happy to report that now the thought just makes me shake my head in bewilderment that the thoughts are still there! I will never have another and its been almost 6 months and yet that addiction stills hovers in my head. Very powerful. My Mother quit when she was 63 and was the worst exsmoker I had ever met...just a total b about it then one day I was driving her somewhere and she asked me to light a smoke. I said, Mum, I would never do that to you, especially in a car! She looked at me and said, oh go ahead, I'm dying for one. WE never did have that smoke but it was a real lesson to me. Your addictions are always there, its how you deal with it day to day...one day at a time and learn to laugh alittle more.
HELLO GUYS!
i have been smoke-free for 80 days and i still feel hot flashes in legs and arms, hyperventilation, cramps, pain in the chest, pain in the neck, crawling skin... are they normal to reach 80 days? tanx
Yes there are all normal with withdrawal..I was having panic attacks after four months still. Horrible but you can get through it...nothing is going to kill you. WEll, except the smokes...keep the faith.
tanx lorraine..i was kinda afraid coz i didnt experience hotflashes during my first month, only now.. tanx
All my withdrawl, the bad ones, didn't happen until almost the third month. I slept alot which is not the norm but once they came they came bad. So worth it as now I am no longer talking myself into liking being a non smoker I am a very happy non smoker.
Hi,
My name is Shannon, I am 33. And I have smoked since about 15 years old. (I know its really earlier than that, but I am willing to own up to at the age of 15. lol)
But I am 8 days smoke free, cold turkey. I am shocked I have lasted this long. And I am excited to keep it up. My emotions are all over the place. And I get so anger over the dumbest things. I run striaght to my pumpkin seeds and hard candies. LOL I think they are what save me. It is hard to stop doing something that you love to do.
But so far I have done pretty well, I think. Making short term goals for myself, then extend them when goal is reached. Baby steps, definitely baby steps! ;0)
Thanks! That’s all for now.
Its been about a week since I quit, and man is it hard. I started smoking when I was 17 then on it was allright I used to get sore throat and cough issues often, smoked for 4 years or so.recently I've been diagnosed with a case of chronic Bronchitis and had to quit, but right before this I was a 2 cig a day smoker much more when I started off. since I decreased the number of smokes i had the whole week I've gone through I was anxious , I thot it was the end of the line for me. Later i was a puff or two a day smoker, and the symptoms got worse. one night i got up and i couldn't breathe and that's when I thot, No more cigs, its been a week now, but I still feel anxious. Like im gonna get a heart attack or Im gonna die, its pretty obvious these are withdrawal symptoms. But even then, hung out with smoker buddies without a puff. feeling quite strong and unstoppable. cigs kinda ruined my life which im gonna try and reclaim now!
after reading all ur comments i decided to quit smoking i smoke like 90 cigrts a day i started smoking some 3 years back......but m more concerned about daily routine....what if i m unable to concentrate.......lets see what happens anyways i have to quit ........and i will
90 cigarettes a day, wow, amazing your lungs aren't perforated. Its my 9th day without cigarettes and I feel free. I feel stronger than I was before. I don't even feel the urge to smoke, Its like I hate smoking all of a sudden! An approach with the right faith can really help you quit if u want,. For me the thing that made me quit was thinking about carrying a life threatening disease with no cure and dying of it. Even tho I still have Chronic Bronchitis, it isn't all that life threatening but its not curable. I have this faith which tells me It can be cured, No matter how tough it is!
Question - has anyone gotten night sweats from giving up smoking? I have smoked for 10 years and have cut back to smoking only on a Saturday night out and now to not at all but sleep is awful, waking up at least twice a night with cold sweats.. Does this happen to anyone else?
Hi Khan, I hope you are being successful. The first week is painfully the hardest in my opinion. But you can do it. I am a newbie at this. I have been smoking for about 20 years. I was absolutley vicious the first week. And still am off and on now.(i decided to take a few days off of work). I do suffer with my concentration, I am easily distracted. And getting past the daily habits is challenging as well. Hard candy and pumpkin seeds help me tons. If you really want to change then you will. It is difficult to learn to tell your self "no".
Maree - night sweats are normal. So are bad/weird dreams.
Good luck to you! Good luck to all of us!
It is so worth the struggle and it is a struggle big time. The bad dreams were awful for me...I would also dream that I had smoked and failed...lovely to wake up still an ex smoker or rather just not a smoker! My grand niece was born yesterday at 2 am and it was great not to be the one stinking of cig smoke at the hospital or the one running out the door to grab one with the weather a freezing -9 with a wind chill factor...7 months ago I would have been out there as well...so much nicer to be clean and smelling like my perfume and not an ashtray because my sweeties, that is what we smelled like which you are soon to find out...I'm embarrassed that I walked around like that and didn't even notice...my God! Evil evil nicotine...
Lol My bad, i was diagnosed wrong, I do not have chronic bronchitis, 4 years of smoking didnt do any damage that could be considered as fatal, I just had a little allergy which the doc thot was chronic bronchitis, He gave me quite a scare. :P, yeah but i still quit smoking, its been about a month now, and it feels great, no urges to smoke, but i still have shortness of breath which would probably be over by the 3rd clean month!
That's great that you are not as sick as you thought...so scary to think of the damage we can or have done to ourselves. That's what keeps me a non smoker. This last week has been tough as I want a cig it seems all the time but it is because of a little extra stress going on in my life dealing with my ABI brother. I will manage as there is a lot of support out there...just need to access it. Trying to look at all the beautiful things in our world and pray for all those who are so much worse off, Japan just for starters. Keep up the good fight, almost 7 months clean and it feels better all the time.
This is day 2 of my attempt to quit smoking but I'm having a really hard time. I haven't had many physical symptons yet, but the emotional ones are driving me insane. I keep lashing out, and breaking down. The littlest things are making me so angry i freak out, or so uset i start bawling all over the place. My husband quit smoking 2 years ago and had no problem quitting, he quit cold turkey and i couldn't even tell that anything had changed. So he doesn't understand why I'm having such a hard time. I can't bring myself to eat because i don't feel hungry, i just feel depressed and lonely. It sounds completely crazy but it almost feels like my best friend died. Its so much harder with my husband stressing me out and making me feel bad that I can't quit quietly, or that it's effecting me this way. I don't know what to do, i can't keep feeling this way, but i don't want to give up..
Heather, sorry gal, you are having the physical symtoms...all that emotion is just the nicotine mnster wanting you to smoke again. I read that women are much more emotionally involved with their smoking than men are and it is harder for us to quit. For me I felt I had lost "my best friend"..jeez, I did everything with those awful weeds. Started and ended everything with a smoke. I still feel at times that to complete a task takes a drag...but trust me it doesn't and you can get through this...reread some of the earlier posts on this site...you will be enlightened and it will give you more strenght! I'm going on 7 months now and am very very happy I quit and I was a 2 pack a dayer...hang in there it is so worth the effort but it is an effort!
Hi Heather - you and I are in about the same place - I am at 41-1/2 hours without a cigarette now. Yesterday was easier than day 2 has been so far. I have a headache, I'm almost in tears, I'm grouchy, and I can't seem to focus and accomplish anything.
I agree that quitting is like losing a best friend. I have an electronic cigarette that does help a little. It gives me something to do with my hands at least. I use 0 nicotine "filters" so am still going through withdrawal but get some comfort from being able to inhale and exhale "smoke."
Hope you are feeling better. I am going to call this day "done" and take a nap or do something like play computer games the rest of the afternoon and not talk to anyone.
Sleep as much as you want or can...and drink an extrodinary amount of water...at least 8 glasses a day...Vit C really helps as it heals the cells. I found being alone did help but sleep was the cure for the first week jitters...you can so do this...
Hey guys, Just spent the last hour reading some of your posts, many of which are very inspiring!..Im on week 10, doing it cold turkey. I always inagined it would get easier as time went on but the last 2 weeks have been torture! :( Is this normal? I ended up having a drag of a friends over the weekend, was horrible thankfully so gave it straight back, still raging with myself tho!..Anybody any idea how long this new bad phase lasts??
Hi guys:) today is my 2 1/2 days of not smoking. I've been smoking for 10 years, and I'm 27. I got the patch 21mg and it's helping a lot, I'm just afraid that when i take it of off I'm gonna feel horrible.... Well good luck to everyone :)
Well I have just successfully read every comment on this page on my iPhone lol! I am amazed to see all these inspiring stories and courageous people quiting smoking. This is my fourth day cold turkey and man this is getting really hard, doesn't help that I work with smokers outdoors as I am a tradie it's so easy to light a fag up when I want!! I am 21 years old and have smoked for about 6 years now I was on at leAst a 25 pack a day. I quit smoking about a year Ago for two months with the help of champix however I didn't take it for the full process as it was having some really bad side effects on me. I started again whilst drunk only "having one" lead to me getting a pack, i so wish I didn't go back into that hole of paying to die (smoking). I really hope I continue with this, as it is so hard not knowing what to do, feeling down, always tired, panic attacks via shortness of breath and snapping at people.
L
im smoke free for 4 weeks now. it has been the worst 4 weeks of my life. i smoked 1/2 pk a day and 3grms of marajana till i fainted. my dr said its timee to say bye to everything. ive been experieniceing the worst feelings. Depression, anxiety, insomia, hot cold flashes, blurred vision, fast heart beats. i started to drink water so all i do is pee all night aong with no sleep. Has anyone felt this way?. i feel so alone in this time period is it gonna ever go away??
Lee- eventually everything will go away, try to keep your mind of off it. I went threw the same thing! and i felt like i was dying!!! it's my 8th day of not smoking and i feel a lot better now. i try to keep my mind occupied with something else when i get the urge to smoke... Well i hope u will feel better soon :)
I am finding after 7 months of being smoke free that I do indeed still "want" my cig each day but it is a one day at a time deal...I just get through that moment that day and I'm good and smoke free for yet another day. It feels great...I do not have any of the physical BS anymore and the benifits really outweight the "pleasure" of smoking. I really cannot say what the pleasure was anymore...I know I would cough up a lung if I tried a cig now..maybe its the act of smoking...well I can surely just imagine that and get on with my day. It really helps that you cannot smoke anywhere in BC anymore. I cannot imagine having to go out into the winter cold to smoke on the deck etc. No, being smoke free is wonderfully freeing...I'm not anxious about whether or not I have enough smokes for the morning and all that crap. I breathe now! No racing heart in the am upon awaking because my body wants its poison...
Yes, it was worth the struggle, so worth it...I am free now and love it. Keep at it....I smoked 2 packs a day for over 43 years..if I can do it....anybody can do it. And cold turkey...sleep, drink water and depend on your loved ones to back you up. The first few months are not easy but it does get better and you don't want to go back...
Lorraine your so strong, i wish i was already 7months smoke free. how long till these symptoms go away. i have no desire to do anything with my life but sleep and complain on every fast heart beat every dizzy feeling its sickinggg i feel like these symptoms will never leavee im not interested to smoke i just wanna have my beautiful life back. im so misreable for absoulty no reason :(
Those are the evil symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. I was so anxious and unhappy...I had lost my best friend and it was months to get over all that but you do and it is worth all the effort to be free. The worst for me were nightmares....about smoking again!
Lee, I had experienced all that you're experiencing now.... Expect the worst until the third month but expect a significant improvement in your 4th month with almost all the physical symptoms gone... im on my 5th month now and i feel i'm not yet fully healed..drink lots of milk, water and real fruits and juices...keep yourself busy and take a walk or other physical activities.... good luck!
I started smoking way too young. I think I was 11 or 12 when I had my first one. I was up to a 1-1.5 packs a day by age 15. I quit at age 23 and was successful for years. Then like a fool, I started back up at age 27. I'm 29 now. I'm going to be a dad soon and I've decided that now is the time to stop for good.
I had planned on hanging on to the habit until mid-summer, but then I got an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I got pretty sick with a viral infection and my throat was so sore, I didn't really feel like smoking anyway. In fact, the sore throat still lingers now as I type this... no way of knowing whether it's the infection or a withdrawal symptom. But anyway, it's like getting a 4 day jump start on a difficult process. Today is day 4.
Jason, thank you im on week 4 i feel great, i have my ups and downs trying to stay busy which is hard because im a stay home mom. I cant wait to finally see the light down the tunnel this is not a joke and it is sickining. Thank you for giving me hope i cant wait to be myself again i started to think i was crazy :) as the days progress i fell better although depression doesnt wanna leave me alone i feel like all i do is cry and complain but i hope that will pass too. Btw do you feel all those symptoms still or its gone ?
hey guys im hitting up almost a month and what a hectic month this has been, yet it seems to be getting better, all my withdrawls sympotoms still come but they also just go. thanks for everyones support i'll get back to you guys soon :)
Well, has everyone survived? Are we still not smoking? Just at the end of a horrible cold but can remember what they were like when I smoked...God, like acid going down my throat to get that hit..ouch but still had to try! Still not fun being sick but sure enjoyed a 7 day cold rather than 2 weeks! How's everyone else doing?
Hey Lorraine! Sorry to hear you've been suffering with a cold.
I'm still smoke free and it has certainly become much much easier.
Keep it up everyone.
All the best, Paully B
I am so proud to say that I have made it 52 days with out smoking once. 100% cold turkey.
Times still get really hard. I see people driving hanging hands out the windows of their car, holding a cigarette. I stare at it for a minute, and to myself "Nope, you can't". It sucks you love something that is so bad for you. Have a strong weekend everyone!!!
OMG, I can't tell you how many times I saw someone else smoking and thought...aren't they lucky?happy? I still see folks walk away from their friends to go outside and smoke alone...that was me...now, although I still feel a twinge...beyond belief...I am so happy I am not out there and then coming back to the table stinking of that awful smoke and not damaging myself anymore. I remember when my brothers kids would beg me not to smoke...now they have kids of their own and they are all too happy to drop them off with Great Auntie..who is smoke free at last..
for me the worst part were the panic attacks...just so ya know, the withdrawals were worse than the effects of smoking for the first four months, now its great and I do believe it will get even better...a cold that lasted the way it should...7 days...not months...I see the light...
27 Hours without having one - in the process of Quiting ( A Pack A day ). Will Have to Succeed
Hi all. Checking in. Have passed 6 months without nicotine!!! Have serveral friends who smoke and road with one of them Saturday night. It flashed in my mind really hard to bum one and smoke just one. Sooooo, I just relaxed, took the pain of it a bit, and paid attention to how strange the thought it now. I realized that there is no such thing as just one. This one leads to the next one, which never ends.
I love not smoking. I rarely think about it and cannot believe I smoked for so long. Anyone having a tough time please realize that this is the better way. You can do it! It can painful, but joyous and free as well. If I can, you can, truly!
wow 5 weeks now and going strong.
Charlie.. 6 months good for you, i cant wait to say the same for me. I know i hate when i go for dinner with friends and most of the table go smoke and im sitting there with my water but at the same time i feel stronger then all of them. This site has gave me so much power thank you guys. BTW withdrawls symptoms have left the building lol and im hoping will NEVER return.
Stay strong guys cause i know im trying too. :)
btw has anyone experienced nasal infections of stuffy nose after quitiing?
Hi Lee, just wanted to let you know that yes, I caught all kinds of stuff but how can that be? Maybe we were burning bugs off before with all the hot smoke? But it does pass...try a neti pot or just let time take care of it. Lots of luck...I'm onto 8 months now and feel so strong and good..fab!
I am off the cigs since January 14th 2011. I am 55yrs old and have been smoking for 40yrs i have had all the withdrawel symptoms listed by all and still have them the tingling all over esp in the hands and feet and also the anxiety but i am not going to give in people that have stopped for years have told me that it gets better after 6mts and that after a year you are home free when i gave them up i never realised i would still be having withdrawal symptoms keep up the good work everyone this is a great site
Hello Mary, I know how hard it is but you sure have the right attitude and you can do this...I had all the withdrawal nastiness and thought it would be easier to go back to the demon smokes but now? It's amazing and I feel so good. Still think about smoking but know for sure I'll never go back...friends are turning up with lung cancer now so making this choice at our time in life is a very good one. This site also saved me as I had no idea how bad withdrawal was going to be but once I found these people who are so honest and forthcoming with everything they can share I knew I was getting the real deal and could carry on...it won't last and the benifits far out weight the need to smoke. Going on 59 this year was a 43 year 2 pack a day gal and am free now...
Forgot to ask does anyone know esp someone who has stopped recently or in the past year how long does it take to feel normal again i am almost 14wks smoke free now
Hello Lorraine thank you so much for replying it gives me hope to carry on i too dont ever want to smoke again but just 2wks ago i had planned my relapse i was going to go back to smoking 3 cigarettes a night thank god i didnt i just held out and rang someone who is off the cigs for 5yrs she told me it was all in my mind and to read alan carrs easyway to stop smoking which i did and felt better again
Mary, you've got it...Allen Carr did it for me as well...read it a couple of times. You can think about smoking just don't do it...the craving will pass. You're doing all the right things and also I would like to add it really took a full 6 months to get rid of all the withdrawal crazies. I had panic attacks, horrible colds,racing heart, tightness in my chest, serious nasal problems, sore gums, headaches you name it I got it and this site saved me from commiting myself to an institution...these are all normal and will pass.
Lorraine its great to hear all that about the withdrawal symptoms i have had most of them as well but it great to know that they ease off it gives me hope to keep going also i would like to add that i keep waking up off and on during the night and i found listening to a relaxing cd was great i was able to get back to sleep again and again. This might help someone else that finds it hard to sleep
Lorraine and Mary,
OMG i thought everything i was feeling is because i was crazy or sick of some kind of disease. Lorraine im going through everything worst right now is nasal infection with really bad headace but it seems to be passing. i didnt relize im only smoke free for 6 weeks it feels like forever and i cant wait till i can pass the hard 6 monthss.
Thank you guys for ur support it really helps
Lee keep it up,day by day i say just for today i will not smoke you can do anything just for a day the days turn into weeks and the weeks into months, i am over 3 months now it has not been easy, but it is getting a bit better. I used the nictione inhaler for the first two weeks and have gone cold turkey since. I also did yoga for the first six weeks which i found good, now i try to walk every day or go visit family or friends or talk on the phone, the main thing is to do something to get through the day dont just sit around if you are at home. Good Luck everyone! PS Cranberry juice is good to drink, also take a good multivitimn
Hi Lorraine hope all is going good for you, just would like to say my mother gave up the cigs at 59, she is now 86 and in good health except for her arthritis, we know she would not be around today if she was still smoking.
hi everyone im 21 and have been smoking for about 3 years im on day 3 and it seems like hell my throat is hurting and im gettin bad lungs pain,how long is this gonna last? im really worried
I quit smoking on 03apr2011 due to a severe auto accident. I had been considering quitting for well over 3 months and had been slowing down. Been a smoker for over 10 years and am 30. I smoked 10 to 12 cigarettes a day. Worst Ive had to deal with is bad depression which is subsiding know. This is from both quitting and the accident. For over a week I would cry hard and hug my wife closly at least once a day. Which helps tremendously. I dont care how much of a man you are it helps also has made me and my wife closer. Today I not heavly depressed at all. Im truly happy of qutting and proud of it. Will stay free for me and my wife.
Hi lloyd and Diesel,good on you both for quitting, lloyd the sore throat and pains are normal, they will improve as the days go on. Diesel the crying is also part of it, some days i still cry and it does a body good. Anyway i am 14 wks smoke free this friday and if i can get this far anyone can. I just take it one day at a time. Good Luck to everyone.
hi everyone im on day 6 and im happy i made it this far didnt think it was possible i still got the headaches and the aches and pains but ill be fine goodluck everyone :(
Hi everyone, Can anyone tell me what a craving really means because on the days that i dont have the aches and pains, the tingling, my stomach playing up, feeling nervous ect, i never want a cigarette, its only when i have the above symptoms that i want to smoke as i feel all the symptoms will disappear,so is a craving all the above nasties just trying to make you give in to smoke again or what??? ps i am 14wks a non smoker
Hey everybody, today is one month and a week off smoke free :) I couldn't be more happier :)good luck to everyone!
Hi everyone,
Well done to you all for getting this far. It is so worth the effort in the long run. Least that s what Ikeep telling myself....
25 smokefree days so far. Well done me....
Hi there people! I'm 5 months free from smoke going 6 months, but I'm still not feeling 100% well. I still sometimes feel chest pains(though not severe during the 1st 2 months) and i still feel hot flashes especially in my arms and legs. Are these still normal? Thanks :)
Hi,
Im no doctor, but from all the research ive done, I know that it is common after 5 to 6 months for the body to still be healing. So keep up the good work and carry on. You ve done so well getting this far.
Hi everyone,
does anyone else feel really bloated alot of the time. Also i have a lot of gas!!!! Its so ladylike!!!
this is a bunch of crap. i quit smoking 2 months ago, feel like crap, am crabby all the time and cry if someone looks at me wrong. i would rather smoke than live miserable
Megan, that is simply the nicotine talking..hang in there and trust that you will definitly feel better and will never regret quitting. Two months is a lifetime of quitting...don't give up now...you're almost there. Look at it this way...if you still feel this way in a year you can always go back to it but for now do it one day at a time. I can walk and even jog when needed after years of faking that I had to stop to look at a bird or a window dressing when it was just that I could not breath! Hang in there and think about the future smoke free.
Shaks, that is your digestive track startig to work again...smoking kills that alot...its why people do smoke to kill their hunger pangs. Gas can be very healthy...more fruit and vegetables will balance you in time.
Megan, im also hitting 2months may 6th hang in there . my depression was so bad i couldnt be with my son even. i happen to lease a car get a job to get some happiness. and it worked also go to zumba for fun exercise or just sit in bed and cry that also helped me and nothing like crying in a warm bath lol. Just hang in there it passes i was misreable . And on top of it i quit both pot and cigg and my husband still smokes which erks me and makes me wanna vomit when i smell it. If u did 2 months a lil more and it will be over :)
You people are so tough and strong...you will do this, no problem and come out the other end...tears and fears in tact..
Hi everyone, i am over 3 months off the cigarettes cold turkey after 30 yrs smoking. Every morning i wake up anxious and have a loose bowel movement, it just happens in the morning, i would like to know if this is normal, and how long more will it last, and if there is anything i can do? Good luck to all, it is not easy but i know it will be worth it.
Hi Everyone,
This is the fourth day for me. Have been smoking since 16, although there were years on and off, and I've always been pretty sporty and kept it down to about half a pack a day on average. Still.. at 40 my how the years build up! The first few days were great, my lungs just drinking up such fresh oxygen and my cheek cells were growing back or something, I could feel them! Felt calmer, etc. Why tonight so hard LOL, looks like it's going to be like this for a while. Thank God for this site and sometimes when we are not playing supermen and women and are brave enough to be human like this it shows how strong we really are.
Hi everyone, i am having a hard time today, just feel down and stressed and nauseous, went for a walk and it helped a little, also just started reading EASYWAY TO STOP SMOKING by Alan Carr, this is my second time reading it, and it helped me the last time about one month ago. Just to say i am off the cigs since January,but this book helps even when you have stopped. I really want to stay off the cigs, hope i can!!! Good Luck to all.
Hi Mary, hang in there as it seems we all would love to be able to smoke and the demon wants us to. I still feel like I would like one "Once in while" and just know its crazy! I don;t want to smoke and I really want to not want to but it looks like it will be a battle for a long time. So be it...just don't smoke! I just love being able to hike up a flight of stairs without wanting to die....or actually dying, ya know? WAlking really helps...I would wake up from dreams that I had smoked and go for a long walk and it always made me get through another bout of craving. Eight months now I'm clean and loving it...just keep on keeping on...
Hi Lorraine,
Thanks for the support, and so glad you are doing good. I still dont feel so good today, (but i wont smoke today) and it is not that i want a cigarette, its just that i feel if i do, i will feel normal again and all the symptoms will dissapear,it is just so hard sometimes and it feels it would be easier just to smoke again if that makes any sense. Thanks again Lorraine for the support, and GOOD LUCK TO ALL
Hi Lorraine,
Thanks for all your support to me and others on here. You are great!
Hi Everyone, I am still smoke free, and dont feel too bad today, i have been doing a lot of walking and it helps, i still feel a bit nausaus, even that i can still eat and wondered is it a withdrawal symptom, i also had it a few weeks back as well. Can anyone shed any light on this,and is there anything i can do ??? i am almost 4 months smoke free
I really thought the nausa was another withdrawal thing but found out I had acid reflux...have you been to a doctor at all? Or try Zantac or some other thing..if it works you have acid reflux.
Thanks Lorraine for that, not sure if it acid reflux as i dont have any heartburn,but i am taking motillium.I was thinking since that it could be down to anxiety as i have been anxious over the past few days, i was at the doctors 3 months ago,and am going again next week.
so i am almost at 2months and most symptoms went away as i feel it comming back slowley grrrr its feels weird and sucks i got chills all day and its driving me crazy and my heart time to time still beats funny. what did i do to my body thank g-d i quit and we are all strong even though i feel week i am proud of myself and lorraine u helped a lot :) i used to think iwas crazy for feeling the way i did
Glad I can help in any way at all as this page saved my sanity. I really thought I was losing my mind...that is how strong the addiction is...never thougth it could be true but it seems that nicotine is stronger than herion! Just want you to know I feel so good now but it took time...so glad I quit...hang in you can do this...
Lorraine, I think you might be right about the acid reflux, i bought over the counter stuff today for it, and havent felt nausaus in the last 4 hrs, Thanks for that!! I said a prayer for you and all on this page today in church. Also Lee the same happened to me at over 2mts and and last wk end as well, but it has all passed again and t.g. i didnt smoke. I am almost 4 mts smoke free now. Good Luck to all.
Hi everyone, Hope everyone is doing ok. I just wanted to let anyone know that suffers from mouth ulcers since giving up smoking, to try AloeDent triple action toothpaste (Aloe Vera fluoride free toothpaste) I got it at Holland & Barrett but im sure any health shop would have it. I have been using it for a month and have not got any mouth ulcers since. Have a good day everyone!!!
Wish i had known about that toothpaste stuff when I got them. Well, here's another surprise for you future ex smokers. I was up to see family yesterday and we were sitting around Grandma's house with my two sisters in law....now I never wanted to be an exsmoker who preached so I told the girls go ahead...doesn't bother me at all. The other thing is I was the heavy smoker betwix us all (two packs a day). So they all light up in a very small apartment and as its Grandmas place not a window is open as she gets really cold...still smoking at 78! Within 2 minutes I got dizzy and almost passed out! I could not believe it! I had to go outside! One sis said its menopause but we all knew that it was the smoke. They were darlings about and went outside to smoke afterwards but what a lesson to me! It won't bother me if we are all outside but I can't be around that much smoke anymore..ha! Really cured aren't I?
Hi folks, hows every one ? just wanted to share my journey with you five days ago (Monday) i woke up with fever and a little dizzy and the day after had found out that i have chickenpox !!!
the story begins here on the second day i did`nt smoke any cigarettes i use to smoke abouth 15 cigarettes of Golden Verginia Rolling Tobacco and been smoking for at least 23 yrs i`m 37yo .
The thing started that same day that I did`nt smoked. I wake up after a little sleep with sweaty cold nights it happened for those last Three days i was`nt smoking I decided not to smoke anymore hope I get my resaults later (lol) but the thing is that i still feel a little dizzy in the morning but it passes by time ! Is this happening couse of quitting smoking ??? and the cold sweaty nights ???? or its the chickenpox ???? couse its confusing me !!! thanks & good luck for those are trying to quit smoking !!
7 months! Can you believe it? I found this page somewhere around 30 days - when I was searching out symptoms I was having, thinking I was going crazy or dying. Well, something did die, nicotine addition! I'm so grateful for everyone on this forum - even the new ones and the ones not quite ready to quit - they show me the insanity of smoking so closely, fresh, so that I can see the insanity I was in and renew my vow to never go back. This keeps me off of cigarettes!
Hey there are also so facebook support pages, if anyone is interested. One I visit often is STOP Smoking. Also, a site that I have found is most useful, and doesnt appear to be selling anything: http://whyquit.com/ Their article http://whyquit.com/Tips2007.pdf is dead on accurate on the nature of this and understanding what we go through when we stop smoking and healthy ways to deal with it.
You can do this! One reason we don't do it is because we think we can't. For those who are afraid of cravings, try, even before you quit, inviting the cravings. I know, crazy, right?!? But seriously, the fear of the cravings is quite often worse than the cravings. When we invite them and sit with them and observe them they lose their grip on us.
Cheers and thanks to each of you!
Great about the new sites...everything helps. To tell the truth I don't know if I would have tried to quit had I known what I was going to go through. Now I know why Allen Carr's book really doesn't say too much about them all. You are right though Charlie...this forum was a God send. I'm looking forward to seeing the others you recommend. Being free is wonderful. Who knew it could be done!???
hey guys ive made it to a month this feeling is sooo great :) the only thing that is concerning me is that why am i still coughing up yellow mucus
I've been quit for over 8 months now, Lloyd and coughed up junk for 7 of them..so hang in there. Your body just wants to clear your lungs.
ok thanks lorraine
Hi Buddies, had a rough couple of days and man oh man did I want a smoke...or did I just think that would solve everything or relieve the stress? In any case I did not and mainly because I was with a buddy who still smokes..I told her about the feelings and she said...oh no, don't smoke..you are inspiring me to quit! I did not smoke...little things mean alot...think that was an old song...another day under my belt...
Lorraine, good on you for been strong, you would feel bad now if you smoked, i felt the same a week and a half ago, but it passed and i am so glad i did not smoke, my husband quit 16 yrs ago cold turkey and he says after the year is up it get easier, so hold on Lorraine you are nearly there and as you know these few bad days will pass, just like all the other ones. Dont give up now, you have come a long way:) p.s. Plan a treat for yourself, you deserve it !!!
What an excellent list of comments! Took a good 2 hours reading from start to finish :)
Anyways, I am a 30 year old who had been smoking a pack a day for the past 12 years.
There was really no pressure for me to quit (financially, emotionally, physically all was ok), but I really didn't like the fact that cigarettes were dictating my actions, and bossing me around!
So, I chose the most stressful time EVER to quit smoking just to prove I can do this, but I seriously think that I have underestimated how much of a slave I was to nicotine!
Mood swings, light headedness, anxiety, difficulties concentrating are all current symptoms I am facing at the moment.
HOWEVER, I would rather face these symptoms than to go back resorting to smoking my life away, and I am actually enjoying the mental challenge of trying to break free!
A few things that really has helped me over the past few days are:
- Think of the positives: You aren't giving up anything!
- Break existing habits: Take a few days off work if you need to!
- Next time you are walking on the streets, have a close look at smokers: Do they look happy?
- If you have any doubts, check out the following youtube video which was posted by another member here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_8BerrJg0M
Best of luck all, and I will try and post again when 3 weeks is up!
Oh my god Im 17 and I've been smoking for 3 years, I just quit and haven't had a cigarette in 3 days and I can't stop getting angry at my parents!! Everything they say to me makes me want to kill them, is this normal?
Omer: Absolutely normal! Even the slightest thing will make you fume!
All part of the fun and games - your mind is actually going through a grieving process (similar to when you have broken up with your g/f or lost a loved one) and hence you get very emotional and sensitive.
Hang in there and you'll come out alright!
Hi everyone,
Its day 45 on my mission and I have to say am really pleased with myself for getting this far. It has not been easy to get this far but gets easier every day.
Anyone have any tips on not eating everything in sight? Does this get better?
Thanks
Hi everyone,
I am 4 months and 2 days off the cigarettes cold turkey except for the first 2 wks i used the inhaler. Its not been easy, but it gets easier and you have very good days, and some bad but they pass. To shaks drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and eat plenty fruit it really helps and do a lot of walking. Also i know someone off the cigs that takes chromium supplements and finds them good i havent taken them yet, as i would like to check it out with my doctor first. Anyway i am not having a good day today, its when i wake in the morning, i feel very anxious this is going on with awhile, i would have been a little anxious at times before i gave up the cigarettes but nothing like this , i take a zanax now and then but i dont take many as i dont want to get hooked, has anyone experienced this i would appreciate tips on anything else i could do. Today i feel if i smoked again this anxiety would disappear, also does anyone know how long the anxiety lasts????
Hi Shaks,
I would just like to say ,that if you decide to take chromium supplements or any other supplements always check with your doctor first, as its important to do so. Good Luck
Hi Mary,
Thanks for the advice about drinking more water, I ll try that.
Mary, It might be worth asking your doctor for something else to help with anxiety other than Zantax. Maybe try something else
Anxiety was the worse thing for me to deal with. I did not get any help that way from the doc so started yoga and got into deep breathing but also had to face some fears. Mary, its time to look at yourself and figure out what is making you anxious. God, this is so hard to do, this quitting and once done I curse the day I ever smoked at all. What a powerful drug nicotine turned out to be...I never believed the tales of how hard it is to quit but we can, we did and we just have to keep up the good fight because I know if I start to smoke again I will never quit again...so, never light up again. The food thing will pass but if you don't want to gain weight Mary is right, water, fruit and start an exercise program...fast!
Thanks Lorraine and Shaks, I dont know where i would be without this site, pity we cant all meet up once a week, but we have this site to be thankful for!!! I really dont want to take drugs, but i might get back to the yoga, (I did it for the first 6 weeks when i quit) and you are right Lorraine, I proberly have to face some fears that are making me anxious. Thanks again everyone :)
Wouldn't that be great? A meeting once a week? Yes, this site saved my butt as nobody seems to know what the hell I'm going through or did. Maybe I'll go to an AA meeting it's gotta be about the same dynamic?
Hi, im tring quick smoking .IT;s been only 43 hours. I want one so bad . I have not feel good all day and I didnt sleep well late night .
Hi everyone, was just searching withdrawal symptoms and found this page. I'm almost through day 4, it's been tough...Pretty much a mental thing and boredom was why I smoked. Was time to quit though, but did anyone have any tingling or numbness feelings in your hands when you quit?
Yes, you won't beleive this but its oxygen and blood getting to your extremeites? How much did you smoke?
You proberly right Lorraine :)
Welcome Marie and Kelley. Good Luck to you both, It is tough in the start but once you dont take a puff you will suceed, one day at a time. I had the tingling in my hands and feet, actually i had the tingling all over and mine didnt start until i was about 3 months quit, but it passed after a week or two. Stay strong !!!!
Lorraine, I meant you were proberly right about attending the AA meeting :)
Mary, I am not givng up my glass of wine too....heh heh
Lorraine, Neither am I :)
Hi Mary and Lorraine,
Would nt it be lovely to meet? How nice would that be. Thank goodness for this forum though. Funnily enough was thinking about joining AA also. Stopping smoking has been a huge awakening for me and the way I want to live my life. Keep thinking of how I can make life easier for those around me.
Did anyone have leg pain and stiffness after giving up the cigarettes, I have had it since the begining and it is not as bad now,but still there, I was wondering does anyone know how long it lasts. I am over 4 months off the cigarettes now.
Sorry Mary, did not have that one. Lots of problems with family this past week and I want to smoke..I won't..I'll watch the hockey game instead and yell and scream and get out my frustrations that way....then a walk..then dinner and then the day is done and I beat the demon one more time.
No prob Lorraine, you lucky you didnt have the achy legs, it happens,something to do with the muscles, but i have good and bad days with it. I just read that tiger balm is good for it, so i will try that. Families, i know they would do your head in sometimes, piece of advice, suit yourself they will think more of you, thats what i do now anyway, they say we chose our families before we are born to learn lessons :) Anyway i know you wont smoke, this too will pass.
OMG, ok so I've learned patience, forgivness and rightous anger...not bad for 59 bloody years with the louts. I've suited myself for 25 years by not living in the same country but here I am agai and the games have not changed...so boring...not a problem after January..I will be gone once again.
Good on you Lorraine, you are strong,you have given up the cigarettes, so remember you can get through this too. Good Luck
Today is so bad. Been just over 4 weeks without a smoke. How will this ever end? I am going crazy!!! Help!!!!
Mary yes I have experienced that
John... just keep yourself busy man... it will get better..it will last till 3-4 months.. i'm in my 6th month already but im not feeling 100% well but i see some improvements every month... good luck bro!
jason, is it the aching muscles in the legs that you experienced, if it is any tips?? This giving up lark is not easy but i am going to keep going. I know what you mean jason i am four and a half months and i still dont feel great, but everyone tells me it gets better, so i am going to hold on. John jason is right, it will get better!!!
Mary,
Have you heard of Fitflops they are so helpful if you have achy legs, I did and now cannot wear anything else.
Mary yes i have experienced aches in my muscles near my armpits and the restless legs like im having cramps. I also experienced little hot flashes in my arms and legs like im having a sunburn and from time to time i’m still experiencing chest pains. They’re normal. Keep yourself busy and have some daily exercise. I’m on my 6th month and still experiencing the physical symptoms but not as severe during the first 4-months. Good luck!
Just thought of something for the muscle cramps. Guess I never associated the cramps with quitting as I have always had them. Try a potassium pill everyday...cured my foot and calf cramps like wow! Had I known how difficult it was going to be to quit smoking...don't know if I would have done it. But if you can get through even a week keep going. It is so worth it and I certainly don't want to go through any of it again. But here I am 9 months clean and the withdrawal is gone now its all mental which is easier, especially with all these great folks to back you up. Took about 6 months to get rid of the physcial completely so hang in there....I can breath and stop worrying about when I'll get to smoke that next demon cig...so freeing and alot of other health problems resolved themselves after the first 6 months and it just keeps getting better. Water, vegies and fruits and excercise...just do it!
Day 2,
Well, I'm 19, and I have been smoking since I was 14. Terrible, I know. I quit once, when I was 16 and went 6 weeks and then wondered why I did it in the first place. The reason I am quitting now is because I am going to boot camp in two weeks, so no smoking there. As far as physical symptoms, the first date was just that general feeling of shittiness that soon passed. What is really killing me is the hunger, I just crave one so damn bad it kills me. I'm also working out to offset the massive weight gain I believe I'd be going through otherwise. I'm trying this technique where, when I crave and get the crazies I work out, that way I can assimilate(heads a little foggy, right word here?) the pain from working out with the excessive hunger. I don't know how well its working due to the fact that I've got a cigarette 3 inches from me. After reading some other comments, I think i'm gonna go throw it away though. Thanks guys for your stories. I think I might make it.
Hi Lorraine, Shaks and jason, thanks for the tips very much appreciated. Cody,you will make it, but just take it one day at a time, everything is possible just for today. I am over 4 months, and if i can get this far anyone can. Good Luck !!!!
I am on day 3 (in fact 3 hours away from 72 hours smoke free). The first 2 days have been difficult but today is the hardest by far. I am so tempted to go buy a pack of cigs and to smoke one and chuck the rest in the bin!!
My head is all over the place. I have smoked 20 cigs a day for the last couple of years and have smoked for 24 years in total. I have decided to go cold turkey as patches just made me feel sick. I'd like to think I am feeling the worst of it but the comments here lead to me to believe this is nothing compared to what I can expect :-(
Danny, I've found that its all different for each person. I had no problems for the first couple of months and then got slammed. But others have the worst reaction in the firts two months...come on, you really want and need to quit, hang in there. It is so worth it. If you can go lie down when you want a smoke or have a shower, drink a glass of water or go for a walk. The urge only lasts 9 seconds...do something for that 9 seconds and you have it beat one urge at a time. Lots of water, cleans out the nicotine faster from the system plus fruit and vegetables....all good. REad Allen Carr's book ...stay on this blog and trust me....I breath so much better and am having alot more fun doing things rather than hiding the fact that I could not do them! join us for a life of freedom...
Cheers Lorraine. Yesterday was certainly a blip. Today has been nowhere near as bad. I have started reading Allen Carr again (now for the 3rd time) but read it before as a smoker whilst still smoking, not as an ex-smoker)!! Onwards and upwards ;-)
im now in my 4th week quiting smoke but it seems like my psychological symptoms does not disappear, tired always and can't sleep and how lonng i nsuffer for these?... i do 30 to 40 cigarettes everyday and 5 stick straight lighted.... tell me what to do
Cody, Danny, and Marco, you can make it guys... just keep yourself busy and drink lots of water and pure juices ... I also experienced what you are experiencing right now... Good luck...
i feel anxoius everytime and cant sleep and tired everyday.... what if i will go back smoking whats my effect by these time im already in my 1st of of my fifth week..... your help is higly appreciated... when i go back to smoke? does my feeling will be ok by the moment? thanx
I am 44 yrs. old I had a heart attack , a mini stroke, and open heart surgery I quit cold turkey it's been 23 days and I still crave them but with me still healing from the stent surgery than open heart 3 bypasses I don't know what is harder me craving them or just having a half one I have chewed gum eaten candy ....but since my whole life has changed with my eating....I need help plus I still have smokers around me so please please help
TAmmy, are you kidding with this? You have had all that done and your loved ones are still smoking around you? Please, for God's sake show them your post and ask them for help in at least not smoking around you. AT this point I would think even second hand smoke would be very dangerous for you. You need to stand up for yourself and your health. I used to be one of those smokers who detested exsmokers who preached and waved away my smoke..well, I'm one of those now...ask for help from your loved ones...if they love you they will help.
lorraine, please help me im now in my 2nd day of my 5th week in smoke free.... but i cant still sleep and tired and anxious for the whole day.... whaqt should i do? advice me please
Marco, you will be fine...keep on fighting for your life...there is no quality of life with somoking..you know it and I know it...keep calm, breathe deep..practice some meditation..meaning..breathe deep and envision a healthly life for yourself..you can and will do this..how old are you? For every year you smoked, think of the next ten you will be smoke free...it is wonderfull..you can do this...believe in yourself...you do not smoke...learn to live your life as such...xo and hugs..
Hi everyone, I have been away on holiday and the first few days were horrible, ashtrays were everywhere, i had to remove them from the tables, but i survived and did not smoke. Also i want to ask did anyone suffer from swollen ankles after giving up. Also i really feel like smoking today, my dog is at the dog hospital since yesterday they think it is liver cancer, i am just waiting as they are giving him every chance, but to be honest it doesnt look good, and in a way i wish they would tell me there is no hope and i could then do the humane thing, the waiting is the worst, but i also know it is best to give hime every chance, he is 11 yrs old. Also i keep telling myself i will hold going till the six months are up, i will be 5 months off the cigs in 9 days time. It is so hard at the moment.
lorraine, is it ok to drink a liquor with a little proof just like a lime?
Ah Mary, that's sad...hope he's ok or like you say they tell you its ok to do the right thing...almost 5 months! Hang in there its great to hit the 6 month mark and then you will never go back because you sure don't want to go through withdrawal again, do ya? Heck no!
Marco, if booze makes you weak do not have one...try to take a nap instead. Good luck!
Thanks Lorraine for that, I will let you know the outcome. You are right about the 6 months, and as you said,i sure dont want to go through withdrawal again. Its just when something stressful is going on the first thing i think about is a cigarette, but i just tell myself to wait until the stressful period is over, and then i can decide to smoke or not and it kind of works for me. Thanks again Lorraine and good luck to all the newcomers.
Marco bro, drink lots of water, take a warm bath during evenings and drink 1 glass of warm milk before goin to bed..relax your mind...sleep in your most comfortable position and pray..it will help you sleep.. good luck bro
jason, thanx.... is it ok to take a bath without sleep last night? it doesnt affect your health? how old are you now jason?
HI I HAVE NOT HAD A CIG FOR 7 DAYS BUT I AM USING A PATCH, I HAVE BEEN MOODY, EMOTIONAL, VERY WINDY I SMOKED FOR NEARLLY 8 YEARS 10 A DAY, MY Partner and i have never got on so bad, i dont want to go ack to smoking but then i also dont want the arguing?? wat do i do!!!
jason, lorraine... is it okey to have a 2 glasses of wine before bed?
Marco - If you are anxious and having problems sleeping you should see your doctor. The comments here can help you understand that your symptoms are shared by many other people who have quit smoking. If you are having severe symptoms you should see a health professional. These comments can offer encouragement, but you may also need a doctor's advice and support to successfully quit smoking. Good luck.
paul, i only feel anxoius past 3 days and now i can handle it... and i sleep 5hrs last night straight because im following the jasons advice.... thanks jason....
jason
thanx for the advice on how to get into sleep.... i sleep last night starting 11pm to 4am.... i eat a lot of fruit now and having 8 glasses of water then milk before and after bed... thanks jason
paul, medicine has a lot of side effects...
jason, thanks for the advice i sleep last night for about a 4 or 5 hours.... thanx a lot jason
jason, did you take or visit the doctors to fight for withdrawal like paul adviced me?
marco, im 31 years old... yeah have a half bath only if you didn't sleep the night before..i'm glad you did what i told you to do...make them as a habit till your 6th month...good luck may man!
marco, yes i visited the doctor in my 3rd day because i didn't know about the symptoms...i thought i had a terminal illness .. the hospital checked my blood, urine, blood pressure, and heart... they were all normal until i asked some quitters and read forums in the internet and i haved realized that i was not alone so until now i haven't revisited my doctor.
Marco and Friends add me in you facebook skychiong@yahoo.com .. send me a message also and introduce yourselves ...tanx
Marco my bro, drinking wine before goin to bed is not a good idea...Just follow what i told you till 6 months and I promise you everything will be alright...I'm on my way to my 7th month and i still don't feel 100% well...but there was a big improvement when i reached my 6 month...
Hi
I have been cig free for one hole day. To be honest I didnt think I could even last that long. The proplem for me is I have way to much stress and anxiety. I recently gave up smoking weed and drinking as well. I havnt done any drug of any kind for three months.I just tried to take a nap and my heart was pounding like crazy.I am wondering if anyone ever had that problem, like heart beating fast or chest pain? This site is very helpfull, reading everyones comments and ideas really helps. Good luck to everyone.
sheg yeah we experienced that so it's normal...
TG i still didnt smoke, i have had a very stressful week, my dog didnt make it he died by himself we buried him yesterday, he wasnt going to get well. If i had smoked it wouldnt have changed the outcome !!!!!
Ah, sorry Mary, I know the loss and it hurts. Having a "surprise" presented to me at this time is a serious piss off. I want to smoke, I know I won't but I want to...damm, when does it end? According to my brother who quit 40 odd years ago...never...crap!
Thanks Lorraine, and i know you wont smoke, it feels so good when you dont give in, and im sure it will end or at least it will get easier. Remember everyone is different. I think people on this site should make a commitment to come back on this site ( esp if they stay off the cigs) at least once a year and tell us their feelings of how they are getting on ect, ect, !!!!!!
That's a really good idea..hope they will let us know how they are doing...
Stress rears its ugly head and all I can think of is having a smoke...grrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Lorraine, I know how you feel, I felt the same way today as i was out walking around, i really wanted a cig today.I know it just because i had a stressful week, because of my dog and a few family issues, and i have a bachache because of the stress, and i felt if i had a cigarette all would be ok in my world again, (but you and i know we would feel worse) but i am going to hang on another little while, and even that i have just had a holiday, i am going to plan a week-end very shortly, i find that it really relaxes me. Try that Lorraine or something else first,!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Mary, I will...lots of exercise and water and positive friends to help me through it. Another good thing to do is go back and read old old posts on this blog...
Hi, sorry all but i am sick of been positive and i feel i cant last much longer, i am thinking of smoking again but a milder brand, i just cant do it anymore, esp because of the anxiety,(which i had before i gave up),so that might be the reason. Also i have not felt good since i gave up. I have tried so hard to be positive, but i dont think i can make it at this time. I wont smoke tonight, but i feel i wont make it this time. To all who have just started, if i dont make it that is not to say you wont, as my husband has given up for years as have a few friends of mine, everyone is different.
Ah Mary, don't give up...let's make a deal...one more week...the hardest time for me was the first 6 months...here I am looking at 10 months free...come let's do this...it's ok to feel low. But to start again..and then go through this again.???? No no no no
Hi Lorraine, thank you so much for replying, i went to this site first thing this morning, and just to see your reply perked me up again and you are right i am just proberly feeling low at this time esp as i had a few stressful weeks, and yes i will make a deal one more week.... Thanks again Lorraine and good on you imagine 10 months just 2 months to the 1st anniversary !!!!!
Mary, I was ready to give up too so your post made me want to keep going..we can do this and then a year from now we will be able to handle anything....the stress may not go away but the health issues from smoking won't be one of the issues..thanks for being there!
Lorraine, thank you for been there too it means alot,you right the stress will be always there whether we smoke or not, just have to get used to a different way of dealing with it without smoking !!!! ps if i was smart enough i should have put a bet on when i made that deal i could have made a packet :) :) :)
hey, lorraine, mary, jason
im on my 7th week of smoke free..is it normal that sometimes i feel that my mind thinks faster and faster then leads to a head ache? the sleep for 4 night then after cannot for 3 nights? sometimes my head is empty for an hour or a 30mins....
Marco bro yeah i have experienced that. i'm on my 7th month now and i'm still experiencing ocassional headaches, dizziness and leg cramps.... add me in your facebook skychiong@yahoo.com .. send me a message also and introduce yourself ...tanx
jason,
thanx for that... i added you already....
jason,
somtimes when i stared people then my mind thinks bad towards him.. did you experienced that? thanx for the advice on how to get into sleep...
Marco, you should go see your doctor and tell him about the problems you are having. He can probably give you better medical advice than we can. Walk, drink water and do deep breathing exercises. You should feel better soon but do talk to your doctor. Good luck!
lorraine,
i did already but my doctors said that its all psychological effect it has no medication for it as he said... and now all i want is how toc cope up this one in a natural way... thanx lorraine
Marco, take it easy and one day at a time....you'll get through it...it is not easy but so worth the effort.
marco, yeah it's all psychological. i used to get easily irritated with the people around me... my patient was also short.... i easily got mad without any reason at all....
marco, what's your name in fb? i haven't received any invitation from any marco... is marco also your name in fb?
jason, i added you already... my name in fb is marco pls add me marchellabalde@yahoo.com.... give me more tips on how to get through with this.... i can sleep now but not like before i have only 4hrs sleep
Hi there, i've been smoke free now for 4 months, which is awesome. it was prettty hard for the frist few weeks. Hard time sleeping, sore muscles, headaches, upset stomach among others. things got better and then they would kinda come and go. I havent really had any urges to smoke which is good, but kinda surprising. then the last few weeks i've had a sore neck kinda, not really in a sore throat at all, more on the sides of neck, thought it could be lymph nodes, but i dont really think there swollen or anything. just not sure. anybody have and ideas or have felt this yourself, thanks everyone
SCOTT my bro, i also experienced that... even now on my 7th month i'm still ocassionaly experiencing hot flashes-hot sensation, leg and arm cramps like there's an electricity inside my body hehehe, soar throat, neck and chest pains... but they're tolerable now and not that severe unlike my 1st-3rd months... we really don't know when will it stop but be sure dude every month it's getting better so i guess we have to be patient.... drink 10-12 glasses of water a day, real fuit juices and eat more vegetables and fruits.. avoid liquors and decaffeinated drinks....many say the more you used to smoke, the harder and the longer it will take to heal... and it's good we have this kind of forum so we can discuss our respective experiences as we go along the withdrawal process... keep us updated dude....
Hi Scott, I get that sore neck on one side it seems like a sore throat but it is not: it didnt start until i was about 3 months off the cigs, i just ignore it and it goes away again for awhile, i think it gets worse if i am anxious or stressed. Good on you 4 months free, keep it up!!!!!!!!
today is my 7th week smoke free...
i'm experiencing chest pain, like my lungs are tingling, also upper back discomfort.. also i've had a terrible headache in the last 5 days..
but i can bear this! :D
i'm on my 5th week of quitting now.
Thanks Jason and Mary for your input, I really appreciate it. Its good to hear there are other people out there experiencing the same side effects that i have been. It makes me feel like te stuff im going through is normal and i'll get through it sooner or later. I just wish it would hurry up. lol Its just crazy how long it takes for these symptoms to pass. Well keep up the good work people, Thanks
10 months smoke free yesterday..free, what a wonderful feeling. Hang in there everyone it is so worth and all the withdrawal symptoms are gone. Now it is simply the head space...I don't want to be a smoker and so I choose not to be. Besides, who the hell wants to go through that again? Not me, not ever. All I have to do is read the sickness I experienced in the beginning and the insanity I thought was, at times, real. Never again..I would never want to go through that again..who knew what a posion nicatine is...I've not seen anything like it. Even if you only have a day under your belt stick to it..it is a very , very good thing to be smoke free.
Oh my God- It is my first day and I am a useless mess and cannot function at all, or stop crying. I have had to lock myself in my house not to drive to the shop and buy a pack and I am not able to do anything but cry. I feel like I have lost my best friend. This is dreadful and I have no idea if I can stand it for much longer. I never thought it would be this bad in a million years. Reading the Alan Carr book did absolutely nothing for me.
Shelley you can make it! Kokoy, it's normal because your lungs is crearing all the nicotine and tar.... SCOTT, KOKOY and friends can you add me in your facebook skychiong@yahoo.com .. send me a message also and introduce yourselves ...tanx
Congratulations Lorraine, 10 months :) Well done !!!!!!! Welcome Shelley, you can do it one day at a time.
jason,
today is my 7 weeks and 2 days.... i still suffer on and off depression which means today has then tomorrow dont have and also my sleep i can slee the other night then last night sleep for about 3 to 4hrs then.... is this normal? have you experienced that?
Thanks Mary, we can do this...
Shelley, I so know the best friend feeling...really, all I had for every phrase of my life was that darn smoke and it worked well for a very long time. Now that I am smoke free (I hope and pray it is now forever) I wish I had done it so much sooner. Because smoke is such a false friend, a liar, and a cheat..I am looking at my 59th birthday and I cannot do the things I really want to do anymore...but it is getting better..hang in there, so worth the effort. Mary, aren't we wonderful...???? Another week under our belt...
Hey Mary and Lorraine , Its Lee from before so july 6th will be 4months after 3months my withdrawls pretty much faded but yet i feel like its comming back to haunt me , i feel like a little dizzy and light headed or neasous and my eye sight plays with me you guys think its withdrawls ? im deff gonna go next week to the dr but can it be that its comming back to haunt me .. and another personal question did ne1 loose there sex drive after quitting ? or am i just loosing my mind overall ?
how long this insomnia gone? any reply please
Hi guys, my symptoms didn't really come into play until my second month and then I had every nightmare you can come up with for the next four or more months. The thing is they do eventually go away..all the physical stuff that sends you screaming to the doctor or skrink will go away...your body is strong, your mind is strong...you will get through this. Good luck...sure glad this blog was there for me...saved my life and sanity. Reread from the beginning every time you come up with a symptom...it's there and then you can rest a little knowing that someone else had it too. For better sleep, exercise more, drink lots of water and still some stretches before bed..yoga will really help..
hi i am so so so strugling after 8 weeks and feel that i can not cope have no 1 2 talk 2
lorraine,
thanx for the advice on exercise.... but is it ok to jogging eventhough im lack of sleep? for how many hours do i need to have exercise everyday? strceches for how many minutes? yoga for how many minutes also? thanx
iana,
we know we can do it....
Marco, an hour of exercise is good..if it is just a long walk that's ok..yoga is usually about 5 minutes ..get a tape from the library if you don't have one. Don't do anything really strenous without a Doc's advise. But walking or yoga cannot hurt you and will probaly help alot...good luck!
Sorry Marco, I meant 45 minutes for yoga...
lorraine,
what about jogging.... how long you experience insomnia or lack of sleep lorraine?
I don't know anything about jogging, Marco, did you do that before..come on now use some common sense. I did not sleep well for awhile but it passed. We're not experts here, Kid, read a book or two about withdrawal...
I am in my second month and frankly its not been so difficult for me. Its all in the mind. I KNOW that Smoking will eventually Kill me, its not a matter of IF, its all about WHEN. So I have made a personal choice of making my life better and healthier by quitting this Monster (who we all think is our dearest friend). So to all of you trying, don't try, simply Believe that you HAVE quit. Keep repeating this to yourself whenever you think of Smoking. Also read Allen Carr's Easy Way. It will just make things easier for you. I read this book after a month of quitting. And it did help a lot. So incase if any of you want that book let me know; I have a PDF copy. I will mail it to you. Best Of Luck
tan,
thanx for that can i have one.... can u please.... thanx in advance
tan,
here's my email add:
marco@avi-rom.com and
craming2@yahoo.com.... thank you very much
People
Be strong the hard moments go away, i am on my 8th month, basically every symptom has resided by now, i feel great now but the first 4 months are the worst, try to work with your Dr. they could make it alot easier for you... i strggle with all the symptomsm you all have so keep it up and suck it up too, that is the price we pay for poisoning our body so much...
are all symptoms are constant? or it is just on and off? have this time then for the next week you dont have? is that kinda like that?
TAN, SCOTT, KOKOY, and friends can you add me in your facebook skychiong@yahoo.com .. send me a message also and tell me who you are...TAN, can you email carr's pdf file please?--- skychiong@yahoo.com ...tanx
jason,
your from phillipines also?
Hi everyone, Lee, i am over 5 mts quit, and the past few weeks have not been good for me, dizzy, lightheaded and nausea, i put it down to stress as i had a stressful few weeks, but it proberly the withdrawels rearing its ugly head as well, and if it wasnt for Lorraine making a deal with me i could be smoking now THANKS LORRAINE. I still am a little stressed but i just keep going and hopefully it will pass. I am so glad i didnt smoke. marco: yes the symptoms come and go, but i think they will dissapear with time and it proberly different for everyone!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Everyone again, i forgot to ask if anyone that suffers from the achy legs,did you ever experience swollen ankles, i get this from time to time and when i rest the swollen ankles go away, i never had the achy legs or swollen ankles when i smoked !!!!!! I would appreciate any input on this. Thanks
Hi Mary, good for us hanging in there...listen I think the swollen ankles thing is your circulation returning to normal. The longer and more you smoked the more damage you did to your circulation and now it is healing itself...the body is amazing in its healing abilities! I don't have cold feet and hands anymore or a constant dripping nose...didn't really notice until you brought this aspect of recovery up! Another win for us!
Yes Lorraine,we and all the others that have quit should give ourselves a clap on the back, when you think about it we are strong people to have got this far. Thanks for the input on the swollen ankles, you are proberly right, and when i think about it, one of my legs had bad circulation when i was smoking it was not as pink as the other one, now they are both the same, proberly the smoking was effecing it, not proberly i know it was!!!!!!!!!!
Forgot to say,i heard the film "THE BRIDESMAIDS" is so funny. I am off to see it tonight, could do with a laugh, anyone that could do with a laugh should go if they havent seen it. It really is supposed to be very funny.!!!!!!!!!
Saw Bridesmaids last week and laughed my head off! You'll love it! I'm hoping Bad Teacher gives me the same release...we gotta laugh more...best to all...
Hi everyone! I am 3 weeks quit today:) Cold turkey, I feel strong and alive! I won't lie it wasn't and isn't easy, but I found by reading this book at whyquit I totally got it....I finally understood the reasons we all smoked. Some of the withdrawl symptoms I've had are strangee the feeling that I have a throat full of cotton wool, and the extra saliva in my mouth, however I know it's just all those cells that were marinated in toxions for 35 years are now mending. If you need extra encouragement or just good reading here's the link:) Congrats to all who have quit ....Freedom is such a wonderful thing, how can we not be exceedingly joyful that we are finally free? Hugs to all!
http://whyquit.com/ffn.pdf
almost 2 months i dont have exact sleep.... i miss my life before but i dont wanna smoke again...
marco
Just hang in there, u are doing great!Sometimes we over concentrate on things,like not sleeping,and it makes things worse. Perhaps if you just quit trying sooooo hard to sleep.....it will just happen.That's how it worked for me:) Good luck!
marco - hang in there, there will be bad days not sleeping ect but dont give up it will get better, try doing different things, exercise ect. When i cant sleep or wake up during the night i listen to a relaxation cd there are special ones to help you sleep and they really work,also you will get used to this new life, but it will take time, i am over 5 months quit and am still not used to this new life, but i will !!!!!!!!!!!!! Also Good Luck Ricky good on you !!!!!!
I'm 33, smoked since 15, two weeks two days in. Lots and lots of quit attempts over the years, I usually break within two weeks. Insomnia is getting better, as is the binge eating of pop tarts. Depression is setting in though, feeling a general lack of cheer or enthusiasm. I know it'll be fine in a couple months, this time I'm pretty sure I'm quit for good.
I'm here to tell you, this is the hardest thing I have ever done. 10 months now and it is so worth it. Yes, I still think of smoking but its rarer and rarer and never hard to say no to it. Who would put themselves through this quitting bs ever again? Not me! The withdrawal near drove me mad so there is no way I could go back. All I'm saying is keep on keeping on...the road is clear...the agonies cease, the lungs clear and so does the mind. The depression lifts as the days go on and one day you realize you've done it... You will beat the monster, beat the physical addiction and show yourself how strong you really are...and you are!
Mary- thank you, and I know you will for sure taste victory in your new life:) This isn't THE hardest thing I've ever done in my life,but it is ONE of the hardest!
Kudos to all of us!One hour at a time,stay stong :) Hugs to all
Hi Keith!Yes me too....tried more times in 35 years then I care to say.....but each time we quit we learn something new about ourselves and nicotine.Keep going your doing great and remember you're not alone,and Lorraine and Mary are super role models !!! Yay Girls!!!! Group Hug! :)
hi friends. i'm on my 6th month now and i'm still not feeling 100% well. there are days when i feel ok and there are days when i dont feel. I still feel little hotflashes in the different parts of my body. it's like there's a hot part in my body for a second then it's gone then another hot part. is it normal?
I'm just on day 2 with no smokes man this is the hardest thing i've ever tried to do,i want one so bad right now,but i'm not going to smoke.Please pray for my strenght.
Dave
Everyone's body reacts differently to the healing process once the chemicals that were mixed with the nictine start to leave. You should go see your Dr. to be sure there is not some underlying reason for the way you feel, unfortunately we have to deal with aging as well cause the nicotine and chemicals hid some of the aging process. You are doing great! SIX months that's wonderful! Keep it up, Congrats!
Teresa,
You're almost there,it only takes 72 hours for the body to be free of nicotine.....then the healing can begin. You should be really proud of yourself for making the decision to quit, you are already adding hours to your life:) Cranberry juice will help flush out the toxins. You have already put yourself on the road to recovery. Good Job!
Thanks Ricky i really needed to hear that,the support here is so graet and much needed..
u r welcome Teresa, you have now become one of the support group just by being here.....we all need to help each other :)
Hi All! Just stopped in to say that I have decided to join a group that has 24/7 support,loads of reading material and up to date info on nicotine addiction :) If anyone cares to join me I've gone to http://whyquit.com/ Hope to see you there. Good luck to all....Cheers!
Hey all - I am on day 3 of smoke free and I'm very excited about it. I've been a smoker for almost 3 years, about 10 cigs per day or so and am 34.
Practicing yoga as well as spinning and walking and drinking lots of water and fresh juices has helped tremendously with keeping me sane.
I feel overall upbeat and happy. I do witness mild headaches that go away after a good walk, or any other type of exercising. My biggest issue is insomnia but I bet things will get better as time pass.
Marwan -
Hello everyone. I attempted to quit smoking on June 24, so on this day I smoked 3 ciggs instead of my normal 25 to 30 a day. The. Next day I went to a concert and ended up smoking like a train(only because I had some drinks). On the 26th I woke up with a fever of 102 and feeling very sick. On the 27th I ended up in the ER twice in one day with a fever of 105. They said I have strep throat and sent me hme with antibiotics.Today is the 29th and I've only had 2 ciggs all together since the 25th. Do you think the strep thraot is from going from 30 ciggs to 3 and then back to normal the next day? I honestly think I can completely quit after I get over my. Strep. I've have been smoking since I was 12 and I am 26. The only time I quit smoking was when I got pregnant and then I started bkack up after I was done breastfeeding. So all together I quit for about a year and a half and what's weird is I never craved a cigarette once that whole time. I really don't want to raise mu daughter up around cigarettes.
its my 2 months of smoke free insomia gets better now but depression and anxiety is still there.... advice more please.... good luck to all.....
marco - i just logged on now as i feel the same as you again this week, and do you know i am sick of it!!!!!!!!! anxiety, stress, ect, what can we do ? do you know i dont know i am sick of trying to be positive and keep going, maybe it best to do nothing and go with it. ( i read in a book lately if you go with it and not fight it, you will feel better quicker, and also to give yourself plenty of time) Do you know i am starting to feel better just writing this:) i am just going to go with it for awhile and see how it goes!!!!! Anyone else any ideas what we can do ??????? I am 5 months and 2 wks quit
OMG, sure felt like liting up this week and it is not over but maybe just feeling it is the answer..thanks Mary...I'm driving for three hours today so will have plenty of time to get into my feelings and just hopefully let go....best to you all...
Lorraine, there is no way you can smoke now, you know the feeling will pass just like it did with me and you before, i was so glad i didnt smoke when i so wanted to, we are strong and we are not going to let the cigs win now are we ??? we are stronger than them small rolled up tubes of poison, horrible things !!!!!!!
Thanks Mary...I will get through it as we all will...it is just life and smoking does not help...why did we ever think it did? On the road now so will be out of touch for a couple of days..
mary,
thanx for the advice... anxiety ruines my day.... i cant go with my life straight of what im planning... how long this feelings will disappear
Marco, when you say you have aanxiety, what exactly to you mean. How does your anxiety feel. I think thats kinda what i'm experimenting that too. I just kinda feel tense all the time and my hands get a little shaky, its hard to explain. still get kinda a sore neck sometmes but seems like its getting better!! i'm on 4 1/2 months now and still dont really have an urge to smoke but i'm sick of feeling like this. anyone feeling the same!!!
Hello, good job 2 all. i`m a 24 y old have and have smoked for 8/9 years now but i am on my 2 day of quitting
i have sore throat but want irritates me is an excess of mucus ( not sure if it is a symptom of quitting ) that and i feel my throat tight < are this normal ?
For the rest of my quitting i am taking up exercise ( i do lack exercise a lot { a bit overweight }) so thx and good luck 2 all winners hope to be one to :P
scott,
have you experienced that when you wake up you feel like your not feeling well until for the whole day because of ther is something heavy in your head? and tingling in the arms make you panic that leads you to fear? nannd lack of sleep like you go to bed in the 9pm then you awake 10:20pm the sleep again at 11:00pm then awake at 2am then back sleep by 3am then awake by 4am then after that you cant sleep nback.... have you experienced that?
mary,
what did you do for your 3 months recovery? how does you feel? like are u taking some medication to fight and struggling troubles? of this withdrawal?
Marco, ya i have experienced that. i had the same troubles as you not being able to sleep the first couple months, but it has gotten better, now i only have that once in a while. and yes i do kinda get a tingly, numb feeling in my arms once in a while, they just kinda come and go, hate it, you get the same thing??
scott,
mabye the tense and shaking hands will be the anxiety... i experienced that also.... did you take any anti-depressant?
SCOTT,
then what did you do for that couple of months of not having good sleep does your head doesnt get heavier or light or something?
what are your remedies to get through with these?
scott,
add me up to my yahoo acount at craming2@yahoo.com and fb: marchellabalde@yahoo.com.... i ask more on you for your first couple of months.... thanx
scott and mary,
have you experienced also having heavy gas onn your stomach ang fart every second
jason,
how are you now?
It's 48 hours since my last cigarette. I am using 2 mg nicotine lozenges. I use 4 lozrnges a day. I am 64 years old and have smoked since I was 30 years old. Does anyone know how long the cravings will last for someone with my habit? How long should I continue with the lozenges. They really help me get past the bad cravings. I am happy that I am quitting, but afraid that I will smoke again. Does any feel that way?
scott,
how old are you?
anyone knows about AMORYN?
Marco, Im 31, how about you??
scott,
im also 31. scott have you experienced heart beat fast and low...
marco, yes i have, but only for the first couple of months, the last few months the heart has felt good
scott,
on my first month i never had this way... but ocassionaly not all the time... have you experienced also a lot of gasses in your stomach... from where are you scott? thanx for the kindness scott
Hey. Been smoking for 3 years. I'm 19 now and I wanna stop before I get serious with my girlfriend. So I stopped cold turkey. Now on day 2 and have been having chest pains and have been lightheaded. I'm hoping that this will go away in the next coming days because they are not fun to deal with. Haha. Any advice on how to manage with these annoyances would be helpful. Haha thanks!
marco, yes the gas in stomach and passing wind is quite normal after quitting, just give it time its different for everyone how long it lasts, try to eat "healthy" fresh fruit and veg ect. Dante - drink lots of water, and exercise helps as well, just go day by day, you can do anything for a day. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!
I'm back and so wanting a smoke...not going to but just to let you know bad habits take a long time to kill....no physically craving anymore just want the ritual...so silly and at this point..so easy to say no.
mary, thanx.... im in 2 months and 2 days smoke free now... good luck everyone.
4TH MONTH OF NON SMOKING
I FEEL NEW LIFE
IF YOU STOPE SMOKING YOU FIGHT WITH YOUR VERST EANMY STOP STOP SMOKING I SMOKED 33 YEAR KNOW I HAVE A NEW LIFE
hey,
mary, lorraine, scott
have you experienced difficulty in concentrating, like you just put your cellphone then after a minute you forgot where did you put it.... anyone please.......
Yes,Marco, I had that but it did not last long...any problems like that now I put down to old age...which is certainly not your problem. You are getting there and its really worth the effort...keep on keeping on!
lorraine,
thank you for being there all the time...
im 2 months smoke free..
oh my god...
sometimes i fell like my head is going empty cant think straight... i feel like my head is heavier or sometimes light.... is this normal?
On my 8th day. Thought I was past the cravings. I was wrong. So damned hard to concentrate - just hope I don't get sacked before I have this beat.
When do you stop waking in the morning feeling like you smoked the day before? When does the taste in your mouth go, the sense that someone lit a bonfire in your lungs go?
I was a secret smoker - 10 a day for 10 years - so now I'm a secret quitter. This site is a godsend.
I decided to quit smoking on July 3, 2011 and it was been 6 days for me now. I have not had any cravings so far, which is to my surprise. The symptoms I am having however, are what seems to be a head cold/sinus infection, headaches, nausea from time to time, also dizziness. I do not feel well at all, but I am aware this is just a fraction of the cost us ex-smokers have to go through in order to lead a long healthy life. Congratulations to those who have found the courage to put this habit behind, and to move forward.
Quit two months ago started again and now im on my fourth day sober every day I feel worse :/ I also developed major allergies that me and no one in my family has ever had to deal with I have confusion mood swings graphic tounge swollen gumseyelids random painsanxiety in intestins i belive the stressroom of quittingappetite caused me toand have aconfusion miscarrige (when i first quit)chest pain rapid heart rate dizziness hot flashes weakness feeling of doom migraines loss of appetite and increased appetite. Sore eyes swollen eyelids swollen face (I think its due to water retention?) My veins are bulging out my skin is pale and I find it difficult to breath. I think its easier to sayvwhats not wrong with me. Im 19 smoked for three years. I was very active healthy I eat right. I never smoked alot either on average four a day. I will never smoke another one in my life because I will never go though this again. Please someone tell me it gets better and please people just don't start back up because it will make you feel even worse.
Day 5? I went on a walk an experienced chest pain and shortness of breath im just gunna say its the toxins working there way out I try to exercise but whenever I do I feel ten times worse I get dizzy my vision gets crazy like when u look at something there is a point that's clear but all around it things are spinning and moving thenvi feel confused and it takes me hours to feel normal again. I find that I also tense up alot whenever I catch myself I have to force relax my neck and shoulders. I also developed a throbbing in whatever ear im sleeping on I get random ringing too. I started taking melatonin and it sure works I don't wake up at night you can findvit in walmart in the vitamin section. Start with low doses take 30 mind before sleep. Only take one a night.
I also started taking a one a day vitamin. Fish oil. 5htp(mood enhancer I love it) drinking masssssss. Quantities of water. And nasonex for the sinus trouble. Man I just wanna go jogging but im afraid I won't be able to breath and um afraid ill get more symptoms. I randomly get panic when I go outside ill be fine having a good time then my chest feels tight my throat feels dry and like its closing.. does this sound like my new allergies? Or a withdrawal symptom? Because I would rather die of ling cancer then never go outside again and yes I take allergy meds now that I developed them but they don't help at all I tried a ridiculous amount of them mixed with the steroid they didn't do anything which makes me think its something worse but idle doctors just send me away because of all the weird symptoms im experiencing been to the er three times because my depression was getting out of hand and they just sent me away. Why are doctors so uneducated? But I can honestly say I've never been to the doctors more in my life probably 9 times totaky in the month I quit. Im more prepared this time around I am not going to give up. But honestly if nothing improves in a couple months ago (which im sure it will.) I will most likely start again. I don't think living a miserable healthy life is living. But like I saucing not giving up but its affecting my marriage affecting my two year old and everyone in my life that I no longer speak to because I don't have the willpower to be happy or to start a conversation. Im not trying to discourage anyone it just feels good to type my true feelings down makes it that much easier to deal with my issues for myself and not having a cancer stick kill me slowly.
Hi everyone, just back after a few days away sooooo relaxing i would recommend it to anyone,esp anyone trying to quit, i am almost 6 months free now and am getting better all the time. Lorraine hope you still on the wagon?
Hi everyone, I'm on day 11 of quiting with the patches.I've got to say it's proving alot easier than I thought.I'm 36 and was smoking around 35 a day. In just 11 days I feel so much healthier and positive that I can do this. I used to walk a short distance and need to stop to catch my breath, now I don't. I've tried everything else to stop in the past even patches but this time (this may sound weird) it's like something has clicked in my head. I work with smokers and my wife smokes and it genuinely isn't bothering me. Early days I know but fingers crossed this time I've beaten them!
Oh my goodness kids hang in there ...it will all pass. Thanks for asking Mary but I'm doing good...up here in the mountains and actually bike riding! Without losing my breath! It's so wonderful! YEsterday I went twice! Plus, I'm madly cleaning my brothers house as he had a furnace explosion over the winter. So it's a busy physcial life that I could not have done a year ago...
My sister in law still smokes but she is seeing the benifits of being an exsmoker so here's hoping she quits soon as well. Changed my life...I used to make up so many excuses to not do anything outdoors ...now I can't wait. 10 months clean coming up to 11...best to everyone..I want to tell you its worth the fight but it is a fight. You will get through it..be very good to your bodies and walk and talk and drink water, take vitamins, deep breaths and meditate in your own way..your brain controls everything, ask it for help.
Wow sorry for the long depressing posts the mornings are always the worst. I had a crazy amount of energy that was pushing me two think very badly I kept telling myself its just the cigs. Wow that craving lasted for hours. I took a long walk and felt much better my mood swings are insane. I get vertigo when I walk but its not starry now that I know its just my body healing :) I almost caved so glad I didn't. Oh and did anyones veins get bigger and more buldgy. After quitting im a little worried my circulation isn't what it should be. Only take happens when I have my arm down then the veins in my hands get huge and blue also one in my wrist to my elbow is constantly big whenever my heart rate goes up then seem to buldgeno matter where my hand is? This a good sign or bad sign? Im talking to an ent on the 14 seeing if it has to do with allergies
im 2 months and 8 days smoke free....
stephanie,
i know we can make it.... drink lots of water, walking, exercise real fruit juices, vegetables, fruits....
Day six thanks for the support I can see light I woke up tired and haven't been depressed today :)I a little anxiety and boredom but its manageable I got tones of fruit veggies and nuts also a ton of fruit juice.my face is swollen and mu intestines feel funny but im not concerned. Unless it starts causing me major pain I think the worstvis almost over :)
My husband just told me he wants to quitvtoo :) im glad I wont tell him what to do but im glad he wants to he a very stressed man so im kinda afraid howvits goingvto effect him :(
today is 5 months for me with no smoking. I'm really proud of myself and i'm confident that i'm going to be able to keep it up. things have been getting easier and i'm starting to feel a little better too. havent had many headaches lately so thats awesome. my throat has felt pretty good too, but i noticed a few white spots in the back of my throat so im wondering about that. any ideas? Thanks for all the support and everyone keep up the good work!!
Scott, Congrats....you will feel better and better all the time...white spots I have no idea..google it or go to a doc...
Scott, Well done!!!!!!! 5 months. The white spots could be tonsillitis, you might need antibiotics so go to your doctor. Lorraine good on you with the bike riding, hope i will get more excerise soon, its in my head to do more but it doesnt seem to have reached my feet yet!!!!!!
Well watch out Mary, 'cause once it does hit your feet its addicting, the best addiction I've ever had! I live and caregive for my brother who has some brain damage and make him walk three times a week for 40 minutes...yesterday I did the bike ride then in the afternoon went on his walk and cleaned out that furnace I was telling you about...I'm sore this morning but head wise feel great!
Found a way to exersize and not go outside... jumping on the bed is super fun!
Well this is my second round and it's not any easier than the first. It's been over 24 hrs now and the Chantix is really helping but, I really, really want to smoke... At least that's what my mind tells me.. I even went outside with a friend today on a break from work and watched her smoke.. It made me feel good not to smoke while she smoked. She couldn't believe I could just stand there. It will be worth it, is what I keep telling myself. The companies making these damn things should be shut down.. It's crazy how we are hooked and it's legal.
Tonya your almost past the hardest part! For some reason when I watch others smoke I feel better about not smoking the smell is now unbearable and when my husband kisses me I have to just say ewwww. Wells... I got this horrible neck pain today accompanied by ear pain and the bottom of my throat feels funny like im abolished t to throw up or somethings stuck in there... I think its acid reflux does anyone know how to deal with this without the use of medication does anyone know how long this will last? Im sure its due to the lack of saliva from quitting. But that explains why eating feels awefull. Help?
Hi all. Currently trying to quit, but struggling too much with the withdrawal. Been a smoker for about 10 years - 2 packs a day on average. 2 weeks ago I tried to stop cold turkey, but I got sick with sore throat, cold and cough, and became very depressed that I was weeping for days. =S It became too much for me that I ended up smoking again and instead, planning to just do it gradually. For the last few days so far, I've managed to lower it to just half a pack now. Still going through cravings and insomnia, but no longer that depressed nor moody. *sigh* Any tips to make this a bit less of a torture? Seems a lot of you did it cold turkey, how in the world! >_< Is it better than doing it gradually? Thanks in advance
There is absolutely nothing easy about quitting smoking...I went cold turkey and got lucky for the first two months..after that it was hell for a few more months...It is going to be hell but it is a drug you are kicking and you can do it..imagine giving up Herion???? My Goodness, we are doing basically the same thing..don't believe me? Look it up! But, and here is the big but..you can and need to do it...I'm coming up to 11 months clean and at times thought I was going to die...panic attacks, the works...get the advise of your doctor but everything you are feeling is normal for quitting this horrendous drug..
THE FINAL STORY...SO WORTH IT!
I have been smoking about a half a pack to a pack and a half a day for a little over a year. Im 16 yrs old. Day 3 of quitting smoking. I started Champix about 2 weeks ago, chewing nicorette gum. Im very tired all the time, I sleep but it is very difficult to get myself to sleep, I wake up about 6 am every morning sweating, almost impossible to get back to sleep. yesterday had a very bad breakdown, bawling and shaking lasted for about an hour and a half then I finally calmed down, today one thing made me upset and I broke down again, not as bad as yesterdays breakdown though. I have never been this emotional, normally im very emotionally strong. My parents both smoke, my mom avoids smoking around me, on day 1 my dad walked up behind me and sparked a smoke.. made it so hard not to do the same. I loved smoking, but then I started dating this guy who doesnt smoke. Hes the whole reason I have decided to quit. But now hes gone out of the city for a week, today being his first day gone.. Im not sure if I will be able to go smoke free till hes back.. When will this all get easier? please comment back..
Katie. The first couple weeks is the hardest. Im on day seven and feel down but not as bad as yesterday everyday gets better its just so slow that you might not noticebut each day you are getting better :) just don't pick up anymore cigarette s if u can stay away from people that smoke and know that smoking wont "make it go away" it'll just postpone it until eventually you get a serious problem. Like death. Keep going strong I read this board every day to keep me strongi find myself needing it less and less everyday :)
Okay today is day #2 and it sucks... I had to buy hard candy today to keep myself busy. I'm working but think about it every second. Lump in the throat is still there but, not burning any more. Yesterday tried to eat Mexican and thought I'd die after eating salsa... My throat burned so bad it was like sucking down a bottle of HOT Sauce. I know it will get better but, it's not easy and the more support the better.
Katie... 16 and smoking over a pack a day. Please stick to it. I never thought I'd be smoking at 33 yrs old after starting at 16. But here I am making the choice to quit. It's really not the cool thing to do any more. It's like Crack one drag and your hooked. Don't stop for someone else, stop for yourself. We have to start loving ourselves more than an addition. We are all dealing with the withdrawals and it sucks but, IT'S WORTH IT!
YOu got it Stephanie, this blog saved my butt. I really had no reference at all for what I was going through. Here is all the info you need. Read all the old posts too...the withdrawal symtons are all there...some you get and some you don't but they are all there to show you. I found it very usefull to walk and smell others smoke ...horrible.
Thank you to all for sharing your stories daily and providing the support we all need to get through this rough time in our daily living!
I thinkbim going through a cravinig im not surethe other ravings haven't felt like this... I feel really uneasy kinda nervous ans anxious and uncomfortable was random still going on... I feel wrong. Its not that bad but its new. Im still so glad its not depression anymore but as time goes by it feels like that's what its turning into. It feels like its lasting a while so im going to try to distract myself. I dont know where this came from but I hope it stops soon :/
I read though alot of these almost all of them and I can't find anyone who said blurry vision affected them? I have loss of sharpness in vision am I alone here? Going to an ent today and going to ask himvif I should see an eye doctor. With increased activity my vision gets blurry. Close objects are blurry and far small objects are blurry also I randomly get get eye pressure and floaters and light streaks.
I got horrible new today. My sister is twenty years old and never smoked a cigarette s in her life but she did smoke weed. And they found a black spot on her lung. I don't know whatvit is she's in the hospital and has been quarantined.
Stephanie ---- What? I hope it's not bad. Why would they quarantine her? Never heard of them doing that before.
They think its tv but now they r changing there opinions she has a high fever she said it hurts to breath and she resists coughing because its excrusiating they put her olshe also has adverbs body pain. Idk what it isthey are running tones of tests and are going to put a tube down her throat into her lungs to test it....
I have, she could have ingested something like a food particle and it has now absessed. If this is it she is in quarantee in order for her to be safe from others bugs as she is more open. They can deal with this...my prayers are with and your family.
Thanks for the support and ill know what she has tomorrow sometime :) im trying not to worry. And how long does the blurriness last? Do I need glasses now??
Sorry Stephanie, I have not heard of he blurriness....didn't you say you were going to a doctor? Always ask your doctor, they want to help as much as they can because they so admire that you are quitting smoking...
Hi, I am 6 months quit yesterday, never thought i would get this far, thanks to all on this site you have helped alot, thanks Lorraine for making that deal with me that time, i think it saved me, heres to the next 6 months. I would like to say that it gets easier, I feel so much better now than i did 3 months ago. Aslo Stephine i have just lit a candle and remembered your sister. Hope you get good news today!!!!!!!
Thanks guys :)) well I missed my appointment yesterday my hubby is in the airforce so his hours get crazy sometimes which sucks because I like being able to see lol and wow I can't wait to say I haven't smoked for six months if any of you guys want to add me on face book im under Stephanie Watkins Yorktown Va and my picture is just of my face black short hair blue eyes if anyone need s support im on there alot :)
Mary, ya did it! Yahoo! Now to just live your life as an exsmoker. The worst is over and now it is just the "habit" of having a place to hide...6 months...doesn't it just feel wonderful?????????????
O also had my first dream of smoking my friends an d I were at a club and one of them handed me a cig I put it to my mouth and pulled it away and said that was close and I woke up I clearly remember even in my dreams that smoking isn't me anymore.
i feel tense today..... leags and arms are shakin and heartbeat fast....
how long this synmptoms disapear?
Soon Marco, just hang in there. Go for a walk or do some yoga...breathe....good luck, you can do this.!!!!
lorraine,
im almost 3 months now.... thanx for the advice.... lorraine how many months you feel like this?
Just give it time try not to think about it its just your body healing whenever it happens to me I take a short walk or put on tv or call a friend if u worry about it ir seems worse than it is. If it feels likebits getting worse go to the er just in case tell them u quit smoking as have had these symptoms since you quit but it's starting to worry you. I find I always have to exaggerate a little for doctors to listen. Btw im on day 11seven I woke up with a swollen face especially around my eyes... its weird because nothing else gets swollen seeing dr next friday. Also they think my sister has rly bad pneumonia so they r giving her antibiotics and sending her home today...
Marco, I felt ok the first two months..did not go through what you all did at that time.then I had the worst 3 months so it's about 5 months until I knew I had it under control physically. I'm not kidding, I thought I had was going mad...so hang in there, it does get a whole lot better.
Stephanie, hopefully your sister will be fine.
lorraine,
u mean you had your symptoms after two months?
stephanie,
i just wanna add you in my fb but theres a lot stephanie there listed... just add me marchellabalde@yahoo.com
Yes, I had not a one until after two months...the first two months I pretty well slept. Then the rest started, everything you have described (almost) and then some...but I did it and cold turkey.
lots of hot flashes today, at my back, back of my neck. shoulder
lorraine,
what is that cold turkey? u mean no prescription or any drugs to control the symptoms...
That's right...I did not want to have to battle that as well. It worked. I am a non smoker now.
Just wondering is nausea a symptom two months after quitting.
lorraine,
thanx lorrainne... me too i did not take any medicine just like the others do.... i just follow what posted here... like you, mary, jason, scott.... thanx....
Nausea is a symptom eat smaller meals make sure you don't have acid reflux. Its common to get when you stop smoking because thevlack of saliva in your mouth. Chew gum take some tums. Sip on water try and stay away from alot ofbdairy at once. And Woot day 12? I feel mostly the same just a timetable bit better no more mood swings :)
hey,
as when i wake up this morning, i feel tired... coz i only have 4hrs sleeep..... im 2 months and 2 weeks smoke free
It has ben 4 days since I quit smoking. It isn't easy, but it hasn't been to bad because I just have convinced myself that I do not want one. I also have been walking and cleaning to keep my mind occupied. Today I thought about smoking because I have been arguing with my husband, however /I didn't, Praise Jesus. I just thought just because I am angry or stressed is no reason to give in. Anyways I am going to continue to fight the fight, and keep telling myself that I am no longer a smoker. The past is tha past.....)
Oh By the way I am 25 and have been smoking since I was 12 just to let everyone know.
today is just my second smoke free day and the ~100th time that i tried to quit smoking!luckily,the urge is still manageable.but i fear that as the day goes by, the urge will grow bigger... i need to have more determination to overcome the up comming wave of urge!
Hi! It's been 9 days of no smoking for me. I honestly don't feel any different. Actually, it's quite the opposite. I wake up in the middle of the night because my stomach hurts so bad. I also have a sore throat and a headache every morning. I only quit because cigarettes are about $10.00 a pack here and I can't afford it. I feel like I have to re-learn how to do things like drive, drink, etc.
I was reading something that says you need to think of one of the times that you felt like you NEEDED a cigarette and think of something else you can do instead of smoking. Last time I quit, I quit for 6 months until my dog passed away. Drove down to the gas station and bought a pack.
What else has anyone done instead of smoking when something catastrophic happened?
Hilary hang in there. This is my 4th day too. I found this site and I thank God for it. I have been reading it most of the day. To all of you that have shared and encouraged each other I want to say God Bless each of you. You have touched the lives of people you will never know. You have helped me today .
For sleep get melatonin im on dayyy hmm like 12a its easy not smoking now. Im still angry with my husband alot for no reason. Smoking smells gross I can't even stand it anymore the smell actually makes me feel anxious im happy instead of moody now sinuses still messed up but good I think ill feel alot better next month.
stephanie,
what is that melatonin? is thaat a slepping pills u mean?
lorraine,
my sleep pattern back like a fir st couple of month... is this nornmal? im 2 montnnhs and 2 weeks smoke free... nbut i have my sleep for about 4nhrs....
3 days hard to sleep.... i only have 4hrs....
Kinda...its natural you can find it in the he vitamin section. I take 3mg when I go to sleep when I think ill have trouble sleeping only like once a week it works. Take it when you go to sleep. It will help you fall asleep if you wake up take another pill and try and go back to sleep.
Hi all i am still a non smoker 6 months and 5 days, and its true what they say a day comes when you start to feel good again, and i am starting to feel good again slowly but surely. Alison- I suffered from nausea off and on and still do sometimes, i think it gets worse for me when im stressed. Good on you 2 months !!!!!!!!
Back of my neck hurts also the whole left side of my head a dull ache but my neck is throbbing. Big step backward.
OMG, hang in there Stephanie, it is so weird the stuff that your body will do through this process but it is all good as the poison is slowly leaving your system. I'm 11 months clean today and yesterday I walked uptown....a haul and felt great! I smile so much more now, feel proud of myself, breath easier and feel sorry for those who have not quit as yet. I'm going to be 59 next week and smoke free almost a year...what a year it has been. You too can do this...Mary, isn't it a absolutely fab feeling to get to 6 months? You are queen of the world...who knew we could do it? But we did...yeeeeaaaaah?
Dear Smokers Diary: As of about right now, I have been a non smoker for 4 days and 4 hours after being addicted for the last 7 years non stop. I wont go back, I am strong this time and I feel like I already have defeated it. I do feel kind of sore. Developed an ulcer in my mouth and generally my mouth is sore but I did just have 2 wisdom teeth out. Infact haveing my teeth out helped me quit. It gave me a head start. My stratagey was to have my last smoke at night time before I go to bed. That way by the time I woke up it had already been 7 to 12 hours with out a smoke. Plus I find it is much easier to resist having your first smoke for the day than to stop smoking abruply during the day. I also decided to go cold turkey this time so I could get the whole process over and done with in a relitivly short time rather than dragging it out with gum or mints or someother medication. I have never had succcess quiting with quit aids. Cold Turkey is also the most cost effective way to stop smoking. Anyway, I feel good I am writing this down and it makes me feel good to say I am a non smoker. I regret smoking so much, how stuip I was.
Congratuations Lorraine!!!!!!! 11 months, just one month to the Anniversary, hope you are planning something nice, you deserve it. Welcome Krausy you can do it too one day at a time......and you were not "stupid" you were "addicted" !!!!!
On the 21st of Aug, one day after my 1st year free I am doing a Play at Golf Tourny for Breast Cancer...great way to celebrate being cancer stick free for a year..
Still no cigarettes for me, it has been almost one week. I sttill doing pretty good with not wanting o smoke, but now I am totally stressing out about my icreased eating and weight gain. My stomach is poking out, I think I have gained 5lbs already. Can anyone tell me how long it takes before the weight gain and eatig slows down?....Before I quit, most days I didn't eat very much. I think the cigarettes made me feel full. Someone give me any adviceI am so self cnscience. Did anyone else gain weight?
I apologize for my spelling my keyboard is messed up.....
i feel good today.....
OMG..yeah Marco, you certainly deserve it finally! You've got it made if you get that first "good" day...congradulations and many more!
Heyyy well im so glad I have a positive look on everything now all the anxiety is gone and most the time I feel inspired to do something. I still have mass brain fog and a bunch of other problems but like I said before im sure its allergies getting a consultation friday :)) im going to start eat organic because I watched this movie... food inc... yea made my stomachs turn I Wana go for a run damn allergies... and I don't have cravings just thoughts like that monster pops up randomly... one wont hurt... wait where the hell did that come from but it leaves as soon as it comes :)
lorraine
thanx.... im almost 3 months now... this coming august 3... starts to fell better...
Hi Everyone, That great Lorraine, a great way to celebrate the anniversary. Good on you marco keep it up, it really does get better!!!!!!!!!
Day one, started today. Been keeping a journal of my anxiety. Smoked for about six years. Woke up and said today is the day
i'm really inspired by your stories guys! i'm currently on my sixth smoke free day, and i'm feeling great!good luck to us all...
Wats up people im 24 im a heavy clove smokeive tried everything to quit and nothing works i smoke atleast 30 a day and work 13hrs misnight shift.ive tried walking and water but NOTHING WORKS HELP
Bad new doctor said my sinuses are horrible and I should get surgery also my earing is extremely bad so I should see a hearing doctor im starting to think the cigs didn't cause this.
When I posted here last year, I relapsed about a month into it. quit atleast 2 times since... but the last being sometime soon after I went on a vacation to the tropics.
That was roughly 6 months ago, quit cold turkey that time, but my body it seemed was rejecting the cigarettes so I think that made it easier. I Didn't get sick. It was, and is like I never smoked. I was caughing every morning though spitting out black tar and was doing so on a regular basis until about a months ago (5ish months straight) and now its only a few times a week, if that. usually when I drink lots of water.
I started doing a lot of hiking which was fun just because of the peacefulness of the wilderness, but it made it sweeter because i couldn't walk 1 block without being out of breath, and now I walk 5.5 miles on a basic trail 3 times a week, and do another stupidly steep 2 mile hike every few weeks.
I am rarely out of breath before my body is exhausted. My breathing capacity surpassed my overall fitness health which is now driving me to keep going.
It is truly amazing to feel first hand the effects 5 years of chain smoking at least a pack a day had done. Smoking I think actually stole all my motivation to do anything from me, and now that I have it back... it is like I am high on life.
Yeah, Justin, I too feel renewed..yesterday I did a bike ride all along the dykes then walked to town and then before dinner another bike ride....a year ago I would have been making excuses as to why I could not join folks in these simple pleasures...I'm free and loving it! Today, a bike ride and then fishing along with a hike to get to that sweet trout stream...Ah Sundays without smokes...so cool!
wow! those are cool outdoor stuffs justin and loraraine! I would love to try hiking too! I agree with justin, the wilderness is surely a great place to go!
Keep it going Vic. It is Worth the little bit of sick time if that happens to you. I don't think I can stress to you personally how different and full of life you WILL feel. Their are many great rewards you WILL feel as you continue to stay smoke free.
I admit it is, by far, the most challenging thing I have ever had to do in my life to this date, but it is also the most rewarding.
Hi Everyone:- Feeling low at the moment, i am over 6 months quit, when will the longing for the cig go away? (I wont smoke though) i have come too far. Lorraine i was just reading your posts when you were 6 months quit, and you seemed to be the same as i am now, so that was a great help as i see how good you are now !!!!!!!!
Mary, I turned 59 today and am so happy to be a non smoker at this age and finally. Went out for dinner with some great gal pals and three of the 8 three had to go out and grab a smoke and missed more laughs than they wanted to....my birthday wish for myself is that they quit this year as well. I still "want" one occassionaly but as you said, never would I lit up....it feels sooooo good to be free of it.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORRAINE HAVE A GOOD ONE. FIRST BIRTHDAY FOR YEARS NOT SMOKING IMAGINE THAT??? ITS WONDERFUL !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today is my fourth day as a non smoker. I would say for the most part it has been better than expected. The cravings are mostly mild. I refuse to continue killing myself.I have noticed that I go down for bed earlier only to awake in the night and take hours to fall back to sleep. No headaches or mouth problems so far. Good Luck All! Glad I found you guys!
Arikah congratulations. Keep hanging in there. This is day 12 for me. I have read all the posts on here. They have helped me. If I can help in any way I check this site several times a day.
hi everyone,
i feel tense today because when i woke up in the morning my neighboor's bakeshop was attacked by a men then he crashes all the glass with displayed bread.... i feel tense.
Marco I hope you are ok. I understand feeling tense. Reaching out is the best thing. Typing helps to keep your fingers busy. I pray no one was hurt. Keep in touch often times it helps just knowing someone is out here to talk to.
Starting to get another infection why! My lymph nodes are swollen on one side of my neck but I try not to think about it I got allergy tested and now im allergic to literally every tree any!
I think my cravings actually got worse its been about a month and I always feel like im missing something
stephanie, what you feel you are missing is your evil EX twin...you will get over that feeling and I wish you well...my allergies got worst and then better in the begining..please hang in there. It is everything to breathe and live...
Thanks for the support yea im getting allergy shots to get rid of that problem and take more meds for my infection I started jogging a little that kinda helps the brain fog is killer.
If your having trouble quitting, This is how I managed to quit (6 months free with 0 cravings cold turkey)
wean yourself off of it. If you smoke at work, stop smoking durring work. Do this for as long as you have to to feel comfortable not smoking durring work.
If you smoke while driving, do the same thing.
The key I found was to do 1 thing at a time. First work, then driving, then while at home.
I was smoking before and after work, but not durring. It was hard.. but after a week it was easier.
I also didn't get as sick as I did when I tried to just.. quit.
If your having trouble, try this. depending on how much you actually want to quit.. it will wean your body off of nicotine when your mind feels the habitual need to light up in these surroundings.
Its kind of like the commercial where the guy jumps into the delivery truck just to have a cigarette.
tomorrow is will be my 3rd month...... goodluck guys...
Yeah, Marco! And Justin, your ideas were great!
Am totally pissed off with myself but needed to let you all know. I had two puffs of a cig Saturday night ...did not inhale..would probably have thrown up a lung but still feel really bad. I was at a bridal shower with all my ex sisters in law and needless to say they are not happy and we drank too much wine and when they went out to smoke I went with them and the rest is history. I will not view this as a failure but a slip that hopefully will not be repeated but it's back on the wagon and that's that....best to you all.
ohh Lorraine. You put too much pressure on yourself. That type of situation is the hardest to overcome as drinking and smoking went hand in hand. I hope you didn't run to the store and get a pack.. otherwise I would say its in the past now, and the past usually doesn't matter as long as you keep looking forward.
No one is perfect. You are still smoke free. Look at the positives, stay positive and all will be forgiven.
My last cigarette was Sat 30th July and I am experiencing strong cravings today. Were not too bad day 1,2 and 3 but today I have had to stop myself several times from going to the shop. I smoked about 15 a day and have smoked for about 14 years although for about 3 of those I was pregnant and didn't. Every time I have become pregnant the first sign is that I can't smoke. I go completely off it and can't smoke until after I have the baby. Usually wihin a day or so after the birth, I start smoking. My last pregnancy was better and I lasted for 5 months after the birth. This is the first time I have quit any longer than a couple of hours without being pregnant. I desperately want to remain stopped but need some help and advice. Why are the cravings so strong now? I read that the nicotine leaves the body completely after 48 hours. Thanks.
This is hard to stop smoking but I am so ready to quit I do not want to smoke anymore. They cost too much money and right now I have Bronchitis so it has been 3 days and no cigarettes. That was the reason why I decided to quit I can’t smell and can’t taste anything. I just want to know how long it is going to take for me not to even think about a cigarette. I have been chewing gum, eating grapes and strawberries and some nuts during the day even if I can not taste anything. I just need to know what to expect in the coming weeks, months etc.
Slipped up with a couple hits im very drunk but im not gunna let it happen again.
Hi All,
I'm on my 3rd or 4th quit with significant success. Like many, I've tried quitting countless times. I'm 44. I started at 18; coming from both parents smoking. I remember I had a boring retail job that everybody else smoked at. In those days we could smoke right in the store. Plus my good friend worked in the same mall at a convenience store that sold every brand of smokes, and he would toss me free packs. So easy to start and get hooked. I smoked for the better part of 26 years total, about a pack a day, with a couple of quits that went about a year. I'm very grateful for the invention of the patch, as it was what worked for me in quitting for long periods.
I'm happy to say I'm on day 167 now. It was easiest this time because I was so sick and tired of feeling like I was physically being beaten up everyday. I had a heavy chest and breathing. I couldn't talk anymore without making gurgling sounds and constantly clearing my throat. I had regular bouts of acid reflux. When I'd make love to my wife, Id wheeze and be embarrassed. I'd consciously breathe different to try and hide the wheezing. My 9 year old daughter wouldn't stop giving me shit about it, no matter how hard I tried to throw her off. I became ashamed and would hide while smoking if she were around. One of the last straws was her asking me if I knew I was inhaling poison. When I said yes, she quickly asked me if I was retarded. I didn't know what to say, and had to admit it sure seemed like I was.
I had all the typical withdrawal symptoms. The cravings and urges do keep at you for a while. Don't let that discourage you. I can give good news that at over 5 months now, I rarely get them. The incredibly real and vivid "cigarette dreams" are inevitable, and I look at them as a positive because it shows I'm in recovery. think of the relief you feel when you wake up and realize you haven't blown it and gone back to smoking. Don't freak out or panic my brothers and sisters because of lingering problems like sore throat, hacking up junk, weird tongue, sleep irregularities. They fade, for real. I'm still dealing with the deeper issues like depression and hopelessness. I'm also not sure if it's all due to ciggie cessation because I also quit a years long daily addiction to cannabis. I'm on day 40 of that. to those who talk about using cannabis to ease cigarette withdrawal, I have to say, IMO, it's substituting one problem with another.
So, have heart that the physical symptoms will relent. As far as the psychological ones, I'm still fighting through that. I wake every morning not knowing who I am, feeling depressed and often suicidal, and that I don't know what to do with the rest of my life. Any advice/encouragement concerning that would be immensely appreciated.
Good luck to you all. Don't give in or give up. Cigarettes fucking suck and do no good at all!!!
Good job david! I have had vivid dreams every night now for now a month not about smoking. About something that gives my body an adrenalin rush. Jumping off buildings ect. Im gunna stop taking my vitamins because sometimes excess vitamins can do that also not eating enough does it so make sure to eat healthy and don't over do it on the vitamins skip a couple days if unsure.
Hi - So I have been smoking on and off for about a year now. I started really smoking often, last summer. I quit for when school started and this summer I started up again. I decided that I wanted to quit "cold turkey." Which is hard since I have half a pack still in my car but I am trying very hard. So far, today is my first day, besides this morning, that I actually stopped. I normally have at least 4 or 5 a day, so now too bad but still not good. After about 5 hours - I have started to get a really bad headache, really sleepy and a very bad nauseous feeling. Is this normal to already feel? Will it get better? I really hate that I even started this habit in the first place.
I'm only on day one, I smoke tobacco pouches, 12.5g lasts me around 1 - 2 days, about 20 cigarettes a day, been about 12 hours since I last had a cigarette and I am already going mad, i feel like tearing down the whole """"" house! Been smoking for 3 years and am going cold turkey, I don't know how muh longer I can last cause i heard it gets harder before it gets better and it's making me go crazy, I drove to shops early ran over someone because all I could think about was a cigarette
Chris, Welcome. You are doing a Great job by posting your feelings. People like Lorraine and the many others provide so much assistance to everyone. It is the best site I have found. Hang in there. This is a day by day, sometimes moment by moment walk.
Chris - it is my first day too - I tried yesterday but now it seriously is. It is so frustrating at times but remember you are helping your body.
Hi all, i've quit smoking for 25 days now.I feel good, healthy, as im exercising as well. I had two of the symptoms mentioned in the article, which were constipation and tiredness, but now its gone. I think I had constipation because I'm used to smoking cigarettes as well as taking a dump :S. Anyways, good luck everyone, there is not much to it. I'm a 12 year smoker where i averaged a pack and a half a day for the last 5 years.
Hi everyone, and welcome to all the new people, i have been off the radar for awhile, but am still smoke free, its almost 7 months now for me cold turkey, and if i can get this far anyone can,just take it one day at a time, its still not easy for me esp when things crop up like people that use people esp relations they do nothing for you when they should but then expect you to do what they want (USERS) I have given all that up too because if i can give up the cigs i can do anything !!!! and i am not going to let people use me anymore !!! Sorry for rabiting on but im just anxious at the moment with all that going down, but i know i did the right thing for me, not bowing to their selfish needs any more. LORRAINE dont worry about the few puffs hope you are on the straight and narrow again, thats what counts and remember you are nearly a year free now, and what is a slip up compared to all the hard work you put in think back and remember it !!!!!!!!!
Hi everyone, its nearly been 24hours since I last had a cigarette, I'm going cold turkey. Iv had a constant headache since I woke up, I also feel like I'm going to puke but knowing that I'm going to be FREE is keeping my going. I just feel a little bit bad for everyone I keep snapping at /: ... I MUST BE FREE!
This site is very helpful indeed. Reading comments from others helped to be a sort of virtual friend to replace that other constant in life - a lit cigarette.
I quit cold turkey on February 3rd 2011. I took a long weekend so that I could just sleep and lay on the couch for 5 days - that worked fine for the nicotine part.
In the first few weeks, I gained about ten pounds! Did I drink lots of fruit juice or eat hard candies as often recommended? NO! Clearly, the weight was a huge problem as I was already fifty pounds overweight.
I switched from concentrating on "stopping smoking" to focusing on adjusting my weight, blood sugar, and ability / willingness to excercise. As it turns out, the biggest challenge to stopping smoking is not really the nicotine - it is the blood sugar levels and insulin release mechanisms in the body that have been altered by years of smoking. Through careful monitoring of my foods and a log of my feelings, I found out that the nicotine withdrawal was less than a week - but readjustment from the effects of nicotine takes MONTHS! Can't think or handle stress? Guess what - it could be low blood sugar. Duh, why didn't I think of that before. Feeling blah with no energy? Ah - endorphines are missing because the cigs are not stimulating production of them. Solution? Excercise = good feeling brain, good feeling body. Insides stuck and not movin', not droppin' th' ol' donuts without that cup of coffee and a drag of cig? -- big problem for health. Solution - fiber in diet, and spicy foods when possible, plus excercise.
I started walking. First one mile walks on the level were tough. Starting eating foods with high fiber.
Six months later - now walking five miles per day, except once per week, seven to eight mile hike up steep mountains. Have not thought much about smoking, and I was a true chain smoker for years. Born in a house with sticky tobacco juice on the walls and the family car smelling like some sick sort of tobacco candy sprayed all over the inside... ashtrays overflowing with matches. Second generation smokers - it is way more difficult to quit. But time and patience helps a bunch with it, quitting does get easier and better if one gives it the time it takes. It is not necessary to gain weight either - I have lost fifty pounds too.
But once in a while, a few minutes or even an hour go by where it is difficult to concentrate or deal with stress. Or I have odd pains. After six months! I know that a cig is not the answer. I simply have to either let it pass, or go for my walk a little earlier.
I quit once before, a couple decades back. When I started again, my addiction increased tenfold. I'm lucky to remember that - if I were to start again now, the cig companies would just have to harvest me as a new concentrated tobacco product. There is no way I will smoke again, no matter what, no matter how much I might desire to in the future, because I never want to have it control me like that again.
Walking is miraculous for dealing with cig withdrawal. Just plod along, even if it feels like it isn't working. Keep trudging even when feeling lazy. After a block or two, the fog starts to lift. By the end of a walk, endorphins are kickin' in. Instead of candies or loads of sweet juices, etc. - I have protein, such as almond butter on a slice of sprouted flourless bran bread, which makes a slow carb. Slow carbs and protein keep the brain working nicely without spiking the insulin that makes fat set on, plus causes mood changes.
I did not go with patches, gums or pills. I know myself too well for that - with my luck, I'd have a patch on each side, chew the gum and then light up a cig too...imagine getting used to that, or having to go find all that stuff to buy all the time! I let them con me into doing something I hated - smoking - why should I give them more money, or trust them to not get me more addicted to something else?
Drinking water instead of soda, even diet soda really helps not only for weight loss, but stopping smoking. I don't know why it works, but it does. I used to drink diet soda (with caffeine) by the case. I was able to save a bunch of money by taking advantage of withdrawal / feeling woozy to dump the diet soda too. Spending less on cigs, sodas, chips and other simply addictive and horrible junk (stop eating those things, then you'll agree that they are horrible) leaves more money to live on. More money to live on can mean working less, and then spending more time enjoying life again. What's the point of more and more money if one has no time to see the world or feel healthy?
Just wanted to share that in some cases, such as mine, taking the focus away from the cigarette-centered one to addressing the damaged parts that need correction can be helpful.
A great joy of six months for me is being able to hike at altitudes greater than 10,000 feet. This spring and summer so far have been glorious. Just six months ago, I was winded to walk around the block. I thought I might be stuck at my desk for years to come. Yet now, I can hike to see the most spectacular sights in the Eastern Sierras of California, or the rich beauty of the Columbia Gorge in Washington State.
Make as much time for quitting as you possibly can. Think of you=valuable, your time > worthless dollars, your health=priceless.
Whatever you do, just don't smoke. If some weight problem crops up, work on that. If you get angry, deal with that. If people around you smoke, and cause you to keep withdrawing over and over again because of the secondhand smoke (yep, it is terrible to walk by people on the street who are smoking for this reason), try to get away from them. But still, just do not smoke.
I tell myself that each day, it WILL get a little easier. The process will probably take a year or two to work out, and at least several months.
Mr. E. you nailed it...good for you. And yet another stressfull week here and I have not had a cig. Because of the slip I told all my smoking family and friends that I was really loaded to start again...would you please help? And they did...by not smoking in front of me, by telling me how they wish they could quit...sometimes ya just gotta ask for a little help from your friends...the ones in front of you and the ones on this great page..thanks you guys...
Hi everyone and God bless us all in our effort to get our life back. I smoked for 44 years and about a pack a day, so it makes me ill to think I've smoked over 300,000 times. No wonder it is so difficult to try to do anything without having a cig to go with it.
I am on day 13 of not smoking, and I actually quit because I had pneumonia which caused me to believe that the last cig I smoked almost 2 weeks ago was gong to use my last breath. I have wanted a miracle to help me quit, and pneumonia was it!
I get terrible aches in my belly because I miss cigs so much. It's the same ache I feel when I miss or worry about someone I care about. Cigs were always there to comfort until they became responsible for the worst discomfort I ever felt--not being able to catch my breath. I am 60 years old and I don't want to be one of those people carrying an oxygen tank everywhere I go.
So, this is a hard task--it hurts like mad and gives me anxiety, but this time I'm done with cigs. Walking helps me the most--especially with the foggy brain, which is still occurring for me. Sugar-free Spry gum helps, cracking open sunflower seeds helps, those little Tootsie Roll midgee candies help, and those coffee nip candies help. If you can't walk around or exercise for the moment, then deep breathe in through your mouth like inhaling on a cig, hold your breath a second or two, and then exhale. Do a few in a row like you were panting.
I wish I could get more excited about the money I'm saving. I know it's a lot and what's more the tax man is getting less out of me now. Money and taxes was a motivator for me several years ago, but I only quit for 4 months that time. This time it's life and breath as the motivator. I wish us all the best of results.
Bonnie I will add you to my prayers. Yes this is very
Hard. But we will all make it. I have only been smoke
free 26 days. I look at this site several times a day.
I have no one in my family that understands what it is
like after 33 years of smoking to just stop. They try to
Understand but really they don't. I pray a lot. This is
difficult but it will be wort it! Hang in there everyone.
Remember "Who the Son sets free, Is free himself."
Oops I forgot indeed.
Hi I am looking for some advice and people who understand what I am going through.
I stopped smoking yesterday 09 Aughust 2011.
I felt terrible all day, I was laying in bed most of the day feeling miserable, angry and totally bored.
The smallest thing made me angry, I tryed reading a book but I couldnt even concentrate to read one paragraph, I played a game on my playstation but that made me really angry.
The cravings lasted all day with no breaks just getting worse at some points.
I woke up today and thought, I am not having another day like yesterday and bought some fags.
I REALLY want to give up smoking so I am going to try again tomorrow.
How did everyone get through each day?
Did anyone find giving up as hard as me?
I will write again tomorrow and tell everyone how its going but I would really really appreciate any help or advice so I don't feel like I am going so crazy.
Hi Lindy, I wish you all the luck for tomorrow and I hope it turns out to be the right day for you to quit smoking.
Please keep in mind the the extreme success you've already had just by trying and already putting yourself though the frustration of the first day's withdrawal. Pat your self on the back and know that next time you try, the way you feel will be less of a shock and maybe a tad bit easier to go through. I remember when I tried to quit a few months ago, the first day had me thinking about smoking even more than I normally would have thought about it. I decided to go ahead and smoke, because I got so antsy, I thought my heart was going to jump out of my body. Now I've tried again and I'm at 2 weeks smoke free. I bet each person who has ever quit permanently had to try more than once.
I think we all have a lot of different emotions like anger, fear/anxiety, and sadness that nicotine subdued for us. Now that we want to stop the cig habit, we will have to feel those emotions full force instead of burying them with nicotine. Even once the nicotine is out of our body, some days are harder to deal with. It's the same for anyone whether they ever smoked or not--everyone has good and bad days.
I think the reason we blog about quitting and we search for the experiences others are having is that we want some assurance that success follows the effort, making all the hell we might have to go through worth it in the end. All I can say is YES, success comes. Don't give up. We all support you. It's one day at a time.
Welcome Lindy, Let me first say I am not the expert on this
topic. This is day 27 for me. I have read all the posts on this site. There is so much information listed above. Lorraine is a mentor to me. She did not know that until just now. The first week I really thought I was poising my mind.
I was a pack to a pack and a half smoker for 33 years. I put them down and walked away. Cold turkey. There are
different methods out there. Check them all out. If you can talk to your doctor for advice. You take each day at a time. You can do this. I watched my mother pass away with horrible health issues because she was a chain smoker. This was several years ago. I kept telling myself that I needed to quit. I looked at my husband, kids and grand children and I realized I could not and would not put them through that Hell. I spend time praying and that helps the most for me. I read this web site. That helps too. Just knowing there are others out there that understand what is happening to you. None of my family smokes. They are trying to support me but they really do not understand what is happening inside me. The people above do. Welcome to the rest of your life. Hang in there. Post a message anytime. From what I can see someone is always out here. It will get better.
Ah, you guys...you really help me get through the rough times. I suggest,Lindi, to reread as much of the above musings as you can. I cannot tell you how many times I've reread and reread to reenforce the knowledge we all have that it is killing us and yet the urge is so strong. You can get through this...I am just 10 days away from celebrating a year clean...Baby, it was the hardest thing I have ever done and it is so worth it. I found this blog when I really needed it and now so have you!
Hi everyone!,
It's great to see so many people trying their best to quit smoking.
The first time i quit i went cold turkey and it was for 8 months. I was in love and it became my addiction but when we broke up and everything i went back but this time it felt even worse smoking.. this is week 2 of me not smoking again i try not to chew the gum. I may have 1-3 gums a day but the worst part is i have a roomate who also smokes and wont listen to me when i tell him to go on the balcony to smoke. which makes it soooooo damnnn hard. but i try.. i lock myself in my room or try and stay out of my place.. i know i need to move lol.. anyway everyone keep trying the benefits of not smoking feels so much better than when you do smoke.
Hey Bryce -
Wow you really are strong for not smoking even when your roommate is smoking, it must be so darn tempting. Good for you though being strong is a magical feeling in itself, at least for me. Your last sentence though, keep trying the benefits of not smoking feels so much better than when you do smoke. That is the most real comment I have ever read or the most relatable to me! Once I go a day without smoking I feel so much better about myself, than when I come home smelling of ciggs. I went to a party two nights ago and did not touch a cigg or bum one from anyone. This feeling made me feel amazing and made me feel better than a cigg has ever made me feel.
Keep up the good work guys!
Hi everyone, i am 7 months quit cold turkey, not been easy at times but it does get a bit better month by month. At the moment i feel stressed and feel if i smoked all would be ok (but i wont smoke) because i know i will feel better again. I had a stressful few days last week end and i know feeling like this is the outcome, ( it always effects me afterwards) also my stomach plays up with the stress, which doesnt help, but i will keep going. I am reading alan carrs book again at the moment. Will i ever be totally free and not care about smoking ever again ??????????????
Apparently not Mary, I still think about smoking although like you, will not do it. I had another dream that I smoked! This time as I was inhaling I thought, "This should really hurt!" It's a demon. My Mum quit at 63..at 75 she asked me to light up in the car..I said I would never do that to you and she looked at me and said...Please? She never did light up again but there ya go...the demon never really leaves. Once I was up visiting her and she had a horrible cold...I took her to hospital and they had to put her on some oxygen...why? Because old smokers get colds like they have asthma...the cold goes deep into the lungs...crazy eh? All the time my Mother looked at me and said...see? You had better quit! I just know that the physcial stuff I get to do now is the pay off for me...bike riding, ctually getting up some of the hills at least, seeing the goreous scenery, walking with friends without huffing and a puffing...feels so good. Keep up the good fight...we will get there.
My sister quit smoking over 25 years ago and she still thinks about it, and is still totally aware of the pull smoking has, and still remembers how hard it was to quit.
She and I discussed just yesterday that we would never have started smoking 40 years ago if we had known how dangerous it was. Back then, it was just plain fun and pleasurable and you could smoke anywhere--in theaters, hair salons, grocery stores, restaurants, and maybe even in church?? (I don't know about that one).
I am now on day 16. but it feels like I should be saying I stopped a couple of months ago. It sure feels that long ago. Time has slowed down I guess.
For the first time yesterday, I walked the treadmill long enough to break a sweat--and I found that it eliminated a whole lot of the not-smoking anxiety that had built up in my chest--yayyy.
Lorraine, congratulations on your upcoming year anniversary and thank you for continuing to blog here. You know so many of us look forward to celebrating the same occasion.
Hey Bonnie, I sure do remember all the locations you could smoke in...my God, what were they thinking! Although Church was not one of them...hee hee. Hats were sitll required though. Both my folks smoked and I do not recall there being a bad smell in the house as there seems to be now in smokers homes. Do you think the tobacco has changed? I've been reading about the permanent damage done after smoking for 40 more years and all I can say is better to quit now and want one all the rest of your days...because there will at least be "days" to have! And Amen to that with a hat on....
hi i have gone cold turkey for 4 days now and when i stand up i get serious pressure in my head i dont no whether this is classed as vertigo or headaches but it hurts like hell and makes me feel extremley rough i am only 20 and just had a baby girl so am determined to give up for but have read some things that say that these symptoms can stay for months and even years
Hello Aaron, yes your symptoms can last for months, not years though, and as you said you are a new Mum....you have to quit. Anyone who can give birth is surely strong enough to withstand some unpleasant withdrawal...especially for your new life. Have faith you can do this because you can and being so young your symptoms won't last. Your rewards will be so wonderful...playing with your kids without losing breath, living longer to see your grandchildren....we'll sure try to keep you going...one day at a time..good luck!
Had a really great day yesterday...my sister in law and I had our first bike crash...once we picked ourselves up and realized we weren't seriously hurt we started to laugh and laugh. Our poor bikes will need a day in the shop, I've a knee so bloody that I can hardly bend it, she has a butt so hurt she can barely sit...but laugh we did because last year we could not have even attempted that bike ride....then went to a family wedding, large bandaides and all...my niece was there and was so proud that her Auntie was not going out to smoke with the others...and we had some very special talks. I love being an exsmoker...it rocks! 6 more days!
Hi Everyone,and thanks Lorraine for the feedback. Sorry about your bike crash, but tg you both ok. I went away for the week-end and really relaxed, it got me over the stressful week-end before. I find it very good to go away (good for the mind me thinks) and since i dont smoke anymore i try to go away once a month, and i find it really helps me to relax. I suppose its my crutch at the moment, and id recommend it to anyone, when the going gets tough it really helps !!!!!!!!!!
hi everyone, how are you....
Hi Everyone too....I'm doing good, the weather has changed yet again and its starting to get cold...still not a smoker! And that's all good. How's everyone else doing? Seems pretty calm out there in our blog world...are we all ok? Saving the money we blew up in smoke sure feels good now, doesn't it?
Hi Everyone, Good to see activity on this blog. I hope everyone is still on target. Lorraine I so wish I were you right now. You are coming up on your one year. Congratulations on that. Today only makes five weeks for me. You said it is getting cold there. I will trade you weather too. No rain in a couple months and tempts are over 100 each day. I hope everyone has a great day. Keep in touch everyone.
Renee, you will be me and I will be there cheering you on all the way....it's a battle, one we fight every day, apparently for quite a while but so worth the fight....
Yayyy--it's 3 weeks for me now and I'm really feeling like the non-smoker me is real and permanent.
I'm addicted to walking as my new stress reducer for times when it feels like the clutching in my stomach and chest area is getting too strong--anxious times when smoking would have been my old response. It's been about a week now that I trust myself not to smoke for any reason--however I do enjoy the occasional second-hand smoke that drifts by when I'm out running errands. What a nutty situation nicotine created! I'm sure that second-hand smoke will eventually become annoying.
Here are some nice affirmations that are played as subliminal messages on a quit smoking mp3 that I downloaded from Kelly Howell. Maybe one or two of these messages will hit home for someone. I recorded these in my own voice and play them right before I play Kelly's recording. That way I am speaking to myself in my voice which can be very effective self-talk:
With every breath I choose health.
All my desires are fulfilled.
I am free, I feel great.
I am completely relaxed.
It’s easy to let go.
I love my body.
I am clear and focused.
I honor my lungs, I respect my health.
I fill my lungs with life-giving energy.
I am secure and confident.
It’s easy for me to choose health.
I am willing to change.
I am committed to my physical well-being.
I am in control of my desires.
I have willpower.
I am strong, I succeed.
I am different now, I release the past with respect.
New opportunity exists in every moment.
I achieve my goals, my resolve is strong.
I welcome my new life.
I follow my inner wisdom.
I am healthy.
Bonnie congratulations on 3 weeks.
I need to get back to walking. I will tell you one thing I found out. at about 4 weeks. I walked past someone smoking. I walked as close to this person as possible without looking like a stalker. Ha Ha. I took a deep breath and all I could think was Lord that STINKS. Which for me is a good thing. I have read almost all the postings on this site. I have not had many of the withdrawal issues. Like you and the others I will never smoke again. I have way to much to live for. My family, kids and grand children. I am 51 and I want to live a lot longer. None of them smoke. So they do not understand the hell it is to quit. This blog was a God send to me. Hang in there everyone.
Hi Everyone, marco havent heard from you in awhile hope you doing ok. Also Renee and Bonnie good luck to you both, i was where you were and i have survived one day at a time, and if i can get this far anyone can, i am over 7 months now a non smoker cold turkey, and i still have bad days, but