I Quit Smoking!...Need a bit of encougragement (I'm jonesing!!!)

[Cat]

Thanks for all the encouragement!

It's been nearly two full days without a cigarette, and today was definitely easier than yesterday as far as cravings go. The patch has REALLY helped, although I had some extremely strange and vivid dreams last night (a side-effect of the patch, which I was already aware of.) My cravings haven't been as strong or as long-lasting as they were yesterday, so today was a little more relaxed. I have two friends that are quitting, and they invited me over for a "smoke-free" dinner tonight (home made schnitzel, which was awesome) and we had some oysters as snacks. Even though it's only been a day or two, I was amazed at how much better the oysters tasted (I've never eaten one as a non-smoker before!)

I've had a few beers tonight and last night, but that hasn't caused any problems (we haven't been able to smoke in bars here for a couple years, so I'm used to not smoking when I drink.) The worst has been sitting at my computer for hours, because I'm used to chain-smoking while I'm sitting here. I'm chewing a lot of gum and eating a lot of hard candy, and I think I'm going to get some cinnamon toothpicks (or maybe some of that licorice root if I can find it) tomorrow. I got bored last night, so I decided to see how many pieces of gum I could fit in my mouth...I got 15 sticks in there before it was uncomfortable to chew! Completely pointless, I know, but I was trying to keep occupied and it worked!

I know I'm not technically supposed to use more than one kind of nicotine replacement, but I've found that if I get a really bad craving, even with the patch, if I suck on a nicotine lozenge, it really helps (although I spit it out far before it's completely dissolved, so I don't start getting sick from too much nicotine.)

Anyway, thanks a lot for all the support! It's been a big help, and will continue to be as I work through all this!

[Bugbear]

That's good! Keep hanging in there.

[cessna152towser]

Well I never got hooked on smoking, could count on my fingers the total number of ciggies I ever smoked and have not smoked one for more than thirty years. Though I did get too found of alcohol. Don't beat yourself up about previous lack of success in remaining quitted - a common pattern of withdrawal from an addiction is to go without for increasingly longer periods - the longer you go without, the more people you will tell I don't smoke or I don't drink and then if you did have the occsional one you will feel increasingly bad about it and you will know you no longer do this or even want to. I have not had booze for nearly four years and could never see myself going back to it now. I feel so much healthier and fitter. My whole outlook on life has changed including a much prolonged life expectancy so that I feel and act twenty years younger than my real age. The day you quit an addiction is the first day of a new and better life. You may not feel the difference in your health for a few months, but in a year or two you will be very glad you decided to quit. Best of luck for your new life!

[davedove]

I've never smoked (well, not past that first one that made me sick), but I have known others who quit. Try to remember what you're striving for. You'll have that extra cash, always a good thing. You'll start experiencing a knew world. Things will begin to smell and taste better without that cloud of cigarette smoke hanging around you. And it really is better for your health.

My personal struggle is overeating and weight. That's a tough one because you can't just quit eating.

Hang in there!

[7 miles]

[QUOTE=Cat;534579]Thanks for all the encouragement!

It's been nearly two full days without a cigarette, and today was definitely easier than yesterday as far as cravings go. The patch has REALLY helped, although I had some extremely strange and vivid dreams last night (a side-effect of the patch, which I was already aware of.)

So did you wear the kilt in your dreams?

[7 miles]

Talking about the money you save. If you were smokin two packs a day that would be close to seven dollars. In less than a half a year you saved enogh money to buy you a nice TANK. Talk about incentive to QUIT.

[Donnie]

Good luck Cat! One day, one hour at a time! Don't smoke for the next day, don't smoke for the next hour. Just keep putting it off. Keep on keepin on!

[GreenDragon]

here's a thought for ya:

Less cigarettes = more $ for kilts.

[Colin]

I was a pack a day for years and years and I managed to quit smoking cold turkey (also after several tries with Zyban, the patch, the gum, etc). It's been over two years now.

Mike is dead on. Are you bigger than the addiction or is it bigger than you. Lesser people than you have quit.You can do it Cat. It does get easier and easier.

Just remember that is it a lifestyle change and one that will help in the long run. If it makes it easier, avoid the triggers (alcohol, coffee, bars, etc) for a little while. It will make it easier to transition from smoker to healthy and it is just a short period of time.

The patch has REALLY helped, although I had some extremely strange and vivid dreams last night (a side-effect of the patch, which I was already aware of.)

Dude, did you used to smoke while you were asleep? No need to wear the patch while you are sleeping. I did that when I tried the patch and ended up getting more nicotine than when I smoked. Not fun to be curled over in a ball on the couch for a day with nicotine overload.

Patches and stuff are great, but remember that you and your will power are the one doing the quiting. The patch doesn't do it for you it just takes the edge off. Don't become too reliant on the patch.

Stay strong.

[michaelbeeman]

That's great, Cat! Hang in there buddy. I did the Colorado Quitline thingy as well. Kinda. They sent me 2 boxes of the full strength, as I was a full pack a day smoker, and I used one box as directed. Then took half the other box, and cut them in half. Cut the other half into thirds. used 'em til they were gone and haven't smoked in a year and a quarter. You can do it.