Daily Check In: Part V

[Alera]

Yeah! I survived day 3 aka Hell Day.

[Dr. Snow]

Okay, I'm in...

I was a light smoker from age 15-21. Then, I managed to quit for 12 years! But I picked it up again in 2003, and have been smoking about 1 pack/day for the last 4-1/2 years. It's been much harder to quit this time around, but I know it can be done.

I'm on day 2 now. I've tried to quit several times before, but can't get past 3 or 4 days. I'm still going cold-turkey, though. That's how I quit smoking before and also how I sobered-up last May and also in '95.

I almost broke yesterday--I dug the pack out of the garbage for the second time and stepped out onto the back porch with cig in mouth and lighter in hand. Sooo close! I stopped when I thought about all the benefits. I'm already feeling like an engine with a new air filter! My throat doesn't seem as dry & swelled up and I'm finding it easier to swallow now. I think my throat is a bit sore though, from swallowing too much, because I have been nibbling on lots of snacks in the last couple of days!

Hang in there, everybody!!

[cece1960]

I'm REALLY ready to tear someone apart.
Monday will be three weeks and this has been my worst week.
I have no clue why except I think the step down to the last patch was a steep one. All day cravings, headache, lethargic ugh.
I caved Wednesday and bummed a smoke. I forgot the patch at home and had to teach until 8pm. I made it all day, until around 6pm.
I hate this.

[Impurrfect]

(((Cece))))

I know when my mom quit smoking years ago, she said the "3's" were the absolute worst..3rd day, 3rd week and even 3rd month (but not the whole month). Don't have a clue why, but it seems you're finding out the same thing.

I am back to smoking, but will try again in a few days. Hopefully, one of these days I'll actually STAY quit!

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

[Alera]

Originally Posted by cece1960

I'm REALLY ready to tear someone apart.
Monday will be three weeks and this has been my worst week.
I have no clue why except I think the step down to the last patch was a steep one. All day cravings, headache, lethargic ugh.
I caved Wednesday and bummed a smoke. I forgot the patch at home and had to teach until 8pm. I made it all day, until around 6pm.
I hate this.

When I quit for three years, I stepped down REAL slow. When I failed, I stepped down real quick. This time, I'm stepping down extra slow. I'm worth having a little piece of plastic a couple extra weeks if I need it.

A friend of mine that did the quick steps downs kept nicorette around for the real bad cravings, at least then she got a quick fix without going back to full blown smoking.

And I finished day 4. I'm on day 5 now. Yipee!

[Alera]

Originally Posted by cece1960

I'm REALLY ready to tear someone apart.
Monday will be three weeks and this has been my worst week.
I have no clue why except I think the step down to the last patch was a steep one. All day cravings, headache, lethargic ugh.
I caved Wednesday and bummed a smoke. I forgot the patch at home and had to teach until 8pm. I made it all day, until around 6pm.
I hate this.

I have done that so what I do is keep an extra patch in my backpack when I head off to school. That lets me have a fresh one on me if I forget to replace it. Can you do that with your purse or something?

[Dr. Snow]

Well, it seems like others have said these exact same things already, but anyway, here are my thoughts and experiences for the last couple of days:


This is day 4. Somehow, I made it through yesterday even though I had several crises. With my disorder, I get plenty stressed-out as it is. So, without my smokes, I was another big baby having temper-tantrums all day. And like others, I also stayed in my crib so nobody would get hurt. I didn't realize that so much of my smoking was for the purpose of calming me down after getting anxious and pissed-off about things.

Babies like candy... I read before that licorice sticks are good for smoking cessation. I normally can't tolerate licorice at all, but I found myself craving it today, so I went out hunting for it. I went to 3 different stores and nobody had it! It's no secret that licorice is generally despised by people of all shapes and sizes, and it's been that way for a long time. In fact, it is so despised that most places were almost giving it away just to get rid of it. But now I can't find it! Of course, they have the damned circus peanuts, and they have the atrocious candy corn, but the licorice is totally absent! Maybe they are sold-out because everybody is using it to quit smoking, but I doubt it.

[tuffenuff]

Well, I will join you all.
Today is day 3 for me....quit on the 1st.

[cece1960]

Well, I slipped a little on Saturday, but got back on track Sunday.
I am now armed with Chantix.
Its so odd, the pyschological aspect of all of this.
Once I knew that Chantix was being started today, I didn't feel so bad about a little slip (Saturday) I was "losing my mind"
But Sunday I didn't feel so bad (no patch, no anything)
And today...so far so good, with NOTHING.
I've only taken (1) Chantix so it isn't the meds yet.
According to the instructions I'm ALLOWED to smoke the first week (until the drug builds up in me) but I could care less!
(I didn't want to blow the progress of the last three weeks so I'm trying NOT to smoke the first week regardless)
I just don't get it...but I don't have to "get it" I suppose.

[Dr. Snow]

Day 5. I've been 'smoking' Licorice 100's today. I finally located some at Wal*Mart. They have the acrid flavor of a lit filter, but also the bitter taste of ashes--so, kind of like smoking a cigarette that's lit at both ends. If I ever put a Marlboro in my mouth again I will automatically associate it with these dreadful licorice Twizzlers.

[cece1960]

Originally Posted by Dr. Snow

Day 5. I've been 'smoking' Licorice 100's today. I finally located some at Wal*Mart. They have the acrid flavor of a lit filter, but also the bitter taste of ashes--so, kind of like smoking a cigarette that's lit at both ends. If I ever put a Marlboro in my mouth again I will automatically associate it with these dreadful licorice Twizzlers.

I like your sense of humor! Good for you for!

[Dr. Snow]

I'm off to see the Wizard. I'll check-in when I get back in a few days. Hang tough, everybody!

[Alera]

Still not smoking. Been busy working and campaigning, now will be tough as I don't have as much to do. However I am over the big hump of days 3 and 4. I've also naturally cut back on the gum which is good, although last week I must admit I snuck a cig when I forgot my gum at home.

[Alera]

Still not smoking. Past the nasty cravings part. Hope everyone is doing well. Also glad to see the new thread with more people with plans to quit soon. I hope to see them here!

[SeekSobriety]

Completed day 2 and onto day 3 here, one breath at a time. Purchased a ton of bottled water and am drinking alot of it. Feel a bit hungrier , just had a big foot long sub, probably not the best thing for me but alot better then smoking and using. So I wont be too hard on myself.
I chose one of the most stressfull times at work here to quit, but I figured its now or never! It's never going to be a "good time" to quit in my mind as far as the addicts inner voice goes, of course its always a good time to quit, but the addict inside us does not want to quit. It wants us to go down with the ship. Infact it wants us to drill the hole into the ship, sink it and then go down with it. But I threw the drill away It did hurt to throw away all my packs of smokes, since I am in NewZealand for business and Cigs cost 13 dollars a pack out here! I was like I don't care, I am throwing them out, I dont want them and I certainly don't want to give them to people and feel guilty for helping others smoke. So anyways, thats my ramble, it helps to talk it out, thanks for listening.

[Alera]

Seek, I live on foot long subs. We have a deli here that has been in business for thirty years under the same ownership, and they make italian subs to die for. I'm lucky as I need the weight so I can get them with all the fixings.

I am still not smoking, but although I'm on the patch if I don't have gum I go crazy. I nearly tore my place apart this morning looking for one piece. AND I am going off the gum tonight.

I nearly tore someone a new one at work yesterday and sent an apology email to him this morning, mentioning I am quitting smoking. I think he'll understand.

[cece1960]

First day smoke free on Chantix, although I've only been grabbing a puff here and there all last week on my "smoke week".
I've realized something...I miss it. The Chantix takes care of the nicotine withdrawal (heebee jeebies) but I found myself bummed this weekend because I feel "something" is missing. Most likely the reward/pleasure/satisfaction smoking brought.
I guess thats why even the makers of chantix say you have to want to quit.
And I do...enough to keep with this.
I'm feeling pretty good today.

[Dr. Snow]

Today is the 2-week mark. The cravings were completely absent for the week I was gone, but now they are back. I guess it has something to do with returning to a familiar place--and boredom. The porch has been calling me to come out and have a smoke ever since I got back. The mild, gray, rainy weather has made it worse.

But I'm mindful of the many benefits that I've already experienced, and that's what's keeping me from lighting-up. Like getting sober, it takes a relatively short time for the advantages of cessation to start tipping the scales:

For example, quitting for 2 weeks has enabled me to save over $50. I just realized that I've been spending more on cigarettes than I have for gasoline! So, now my car will go for free, plus I will have an extra $25 at the end of each month!

Also, the other thread has made me aware that my chronic, hacking cough is gone! In fact, it's been gone for several days. And I haven't been constantly attempting to clear my throat either. Wow, that must've been extremely annoying to others... So, the tomcat finally got rid of his furball--hallelujah!

[n0sm0ken0b00ze]

It most certainly has been a while since I have checked in here. Another bunch of days all strung together. After a while it all adds up and I know I am approaching a milestone as sometimes my thoughts of having a smoke seem to come more often. As long as I stay away from that stinking thinking, when I go to bed in a short while, I will have experienced another day free of cigs, booze and drugs.

I have been quit for 5 Months, 6 Days, 2 minutes and 46 seconds (159 days). I have saved $1,144.80 by not smoking 6,360 cigarettes. I have saved 3 Weeks, 1 Day and 2 hours of my life. My Quit Date: 9/23/2007 8:35 PM

[tstorm08]

I found that I was very vocal when I quit once for 6 weeks. My husband who wanted me to quit, decided he liked me better smoking. haha
I did go back but am getting ready to try Chantix. Are you using anything? I'm new here and haven't read all the posts.

[historyteach]

Welcome, tstorm!!!
And kudos on trying again. Each time we quit we learn something new for the next time. Most quitters go through a few quits before they are completely successful. So, don't ever give up! This is one time when the quitters are winners!!!

Keep the quit and post before you puff!

Shalom!

[Slowbriety]

Still smoke free after 9 months.

[tstorm08]

Thanks Historyteach. I started smoking at 13, I'm now 48. I quit once for 6 weeks, cold turkey and didn't get along too well. My husband has never smoked. Tomorrow, I go to the dr, and will get a script for Chantix. I'll start taking it the next weekend, when I have a couple days off. Then the next weekend, I double the Chantix and stop smoking. I planned it that way so I would be home a couple days..to try to adjust. Wish me luck!!

[Teiger]

It has been awhile since I have been here but I am still smoke free and very happy for that. Life is good.

Karen

I have been quit for 2 Years, 5 Months, 3 Weeks, 6 Days, 21 hours, 25 minutes and 19 seconds (909 days). I have saved $7,279.14 by not smoking 36,395 cigarettes. My Quit Date: 9/8/2005 9:00 PM