Last Day - Support Needed Please!

[Kellye C]

Hi everyone,

I have made the commitment about a month ago to begin 2007 smoke free. Now I am in the final hours before throwing out everything and I'm getting freaked out. I've gone through 3 of the American Cancer Society smoking cessation classes with the 4th being on the 2nd. My fiance is an ex-smoker and is here to support me. I know all the reasons I need and want to quit smoking but now that the time is almost here I'm nervous.

What should I expect? What are the cravings like? I've stepped down from lights to ultra lights, I've made myself get up and move to a different location to smoke so I'm more aware of it, I've bought bags of peppermints to have something to do with my mouth, I've pretty much become disgusted with my habit, the smell in my room and on my clothes but now it's time to do it.

Anyone have any advice or words of encouragement for this fraidy cat?

Hugs,
Kellye

[Cynay]

Congrads to you sweetie...

Dont worry, just like any other change this one is scarry too... but it wont be scarry in a week.

Are you going to use the patch? They really helped me with cravings.

I also use bubble gum, I cant smoke while blowing bubbles and it keeps my mouth busy. Remember to use sugarless everything.... You dont want to get depressed about weight gain. Tommrow you might want to have a plan doing something that you "cant" smoke at... like a movie etc.

Change your patterns.... I use to go smoke first thing when I woke up, now I go get my slimfast and jump on the computer to post on the daily check in... It seems to me that I crave more when its a normal pattern... Like first thing in the morning or after eating.... SO I change the pattern which causes me to have to "think" about it and I dont have as much time to "feel" the cravings.

Good luck and keep posting everyday sweetie... we are here for you!

[Erin]

Hi
I don't know what your smoking habits are like? The physical cravings go away - at least for me - after about a week (as far as I can remember). The mental one - different story. I quit last August I still think about smoking especially when I'm stressed.

Change your lifestyle and expect a battle. I've heard the patch is good to help with the physical cravings... but everyone's different.

Good luck

[Kellye C]

Thanks Cynay! I'm not planning on doing the patches because I want to go ahead and get the nicotine out of my system. I'm right at or just under a pack a day so hopefully it won't be TOO bad. The habits is what is going to kick my butt. First thing in the morning. The drive through Houston traffic with all the idiots. Smoke breaks (our building is going smoke free next month so that was further incentive to give this nasty habit up). My AA meetings you'd swear you were in a bar it's so smoky. I have 4 ladies in my group quitting too though so hopefully that will help.

The idea of gaining weight terrifies me. I've already gained weight in sobriety and don't want to gain more but I do want to live. I'm getting married in September and I want to be healthy but I also want to be able to fit down the aisle LOL!

Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone and it can be done!

Hugs,
Kellye

[Kellye C]

Thanks Erin! My company will pay for up to 12 weeks of patches, gum, drugs whatever but I want to try to walk away from it if I can. If not, I will not hesitate to go to my doctor.

Yeah, it's the mental thing I'm worried about. Congrats on your months smoke free and thanks for responding!

Hugs,
Kellye

[brians]

It is well worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Smoke free 1 month and a few days. Just off the patch. Had to keep starting over but funally got it. Just the life without the ash tray ordor alone is worth it. I also used the Nicotine checkin list and that really helped more than anything.

[brians]

Link to checkin

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...art-iii-6.html (Daily Check in Part III)

[Johneebegood]

Just remember, when you get a strong craving, it will pass. I tried gum, patches, willpower, and finally just ask God to help me.. It was free and it worked.. Do not fear.. You CAN do it!!

[Kellye C]

Thank you everyone. I will be using the checking in thread I am sure. I'm going to a sober dance tonight and at the stroke of midnight, after I kiss my fiancee and hug my friends if I have any cigarettes left I am disposing of them. My fiance has offered to do this for me but I will be a part of it. Afterwards I will come home and sleep a bit and then rejoin him in his shift keeping our homegroup open for 24 hours. I know when I get up is when I'm going to struggle the most so I will definitely check in.

I will be using my steps on this and asking for God's help. He got me sober and I have no doubt he can get me smoke-free.

The fact that cigarettes are going up tomorrow anywhere from $1.25 to $1.50 a pack here in Texas has many people up in arms but I looked at it as just one more reason why now is the time to quit.

7 hours and 27 minutes to go.

Hugs,
Kellye

[aasharon90]

Happy New Year Kellye..! Im sending wishes and luck ur way as u quit smoking.....one sec at a time....tootsie pops is what we put in my husbands hands....well my fiance' at the time when he came down with pmemonia and got real sick...so instead of handing him Cigarettes we gave him tootsie pops....

Oh and a wish and prayer that he would stop smoking before we got married...and it happened...he hasnt had a smoke in all of our 24 yrs marriage.

So he gave up cigs and i the drink. I guess we're even now...

[Kellye C]

I am having crazy thoughts now, like why did I say I would do this???????

But I know it is for the best, I had to be put back on an inhaler last month so it is insanity to continue to smoke when clearly my lungs are suffering and I get out of breath so darn easy. I'm 41 and want to live to a ripe old age and I need to be smoke free!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok guys I'm getting ready to head out. When I log back on I will be a non-smoker! OMG!!! Wish me luck!

Hugs,
Kellye

[Kellye C]

Ok, I'm back. It's 2007 and I am a non-smoker!

[Erin]

Congrats!!!!

[mooselips]

Okay Kelly,
I quit right when you did. I kind of coughed my head off last night in bed, but MUCH better today. Infact, I'm also using the patches, (tried the Chantix, didn't work for me) and I only craved about 3 or 3 times today.

Now mind you, I'd still like a cigarette, just one, about a foot long, but, I'm doing so far, so good.
I'm keeping busy.

How are you doing today?

Hugs, and happy breath,

[Kellye C]

Hi ML,

I'm actually doing good. I'm doing it cold turkey. Not much craving, not much coughing, more mental things than anything else. I didn't realize how much of a routine I had of just grabbing a cigarette each time I was in the car, as soon as I woke up, in the middle of the night, while surfing the computer in my room. It is that realization and my mind wanting to indulge those habits that is my main struggle and they aren't too bad today. Monday I thought I was going to lose my mind. I spent the day between OMG what have I done and OMG I want a cigarette. Yesterday saw me back at work and things were easier and so far same thing today.

I'm glad to hear you're hanging in there too! We CAN do this!

Hugs,
Kellye

[janana2u]

Hello Everyone,
I'm planning to quit for good next week, and as the day grows closer, I become more of a basket case. I've tried to quit many times before, picking a quit date, decreasing the amount I smoke everyday till I get down to two or three, and thats as far as it goes. I'm taking Chantix, day four, but this medication really scares me. I don't do meds well.
I joined a smoking cessation program, Quit For Life, and a counselor is suppose to call me to help, but they only called once over a week ago. I was on my way out the door and they said they would call back, and never did.
I have very little support, my entire family is heavy smokers, so I know I need to just stay away from them for awhile.
Soooo, I found this site, and it looks like everyone helps each other out.
I'm scared how I'm going to feel when I up my dose of Chantix tonight, I already feel a little funny. but still woke up with such a huge craving for a smoke, so I smoked. I wasn't suppose to smoke for at least three hours after waking, (my own rules), and I failed!
I'm so afraid if this Try to Quit fails, that I fail for life.

[Cynay]

Welcome to SR Janana... we are glad your here cuz we need all the support we can get too!!!

Sweetie, you make failure sound like a bad word..... If you never fail then you are probably not living, learning and growing. We all fail.

We all check in everyday and help as much as we can when the cravings hit or we just get cranky... I think Wino used Chantix and can probably help with questions.

I look forward to getting to know you.

[Kellye C]

Hi and welcome!

I'm at work so can't really post much but did want you to know I saw your post and I'm glad you've joined us! This board has been a lot of support for me. I am on day 4 since giving smoking up, I'm going cold turkey and so far I'm ok (haven't killed anyone or anything yet LOL!)

Hang in there, you can do this!

Hugs,
Kellye