Ok..I really need to quit

[chiynita]

Been here before. Cant count how many times I claimed I was quitting.
I havent gone more than 3 days.

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night coughing so hard. I thought I was going to pop my eyeballs.

Felt like I inhaled a huge bug in my sleep or something like that. I cant stand the smell or the taste of these things anymore.

They arent enjoyable. But I feel they are a necessity to keep me sane. Especially in early recovery.
I have patches. They seem to work. But the mental part is what gets me. The action of smoking.
In Ny they are $7 a pack now. I cant afford this.
I know if I can get the mental obsession under control. It would be no problem.

Can someone please suggest what worked for you. Or what you think will work to divert my attention from wanting that nasty little cigarette?

I am overweight too and smoking is making activity that much more worse.
I am winded from just walking a few feet.

I have been smoking for 20 years and doing drugs just as long.

I feel it is easier to quit the drugs more than the cigartettes.

I cant keep smoking. But I dont want to freak out with no outlet of relief either.
Someone tell me what to do.

[Saxony]

Have you ever read Allan Carrs "easy way to quit smoking?" I read it last year and it really takes alot of the mental obsession away, well it did for me anyway. It really makes you see smoking in a different light and to understand that cigarettes don't actual give you anything and you can see them for what they are. He dosn't recommend NRT's but I think thats an individual choice and you could still find his book very helpfull even if you used them.

I didn't stay quit last year but I was still drinking then and that didn't help. I have a week at the moment and I still remember alot of what I read and it helps.

Sax

[JigOvLife]

It's that necessity for sanity that's scaring me Chi. Only 3 days till my quit date, thought I'd have made more effort to get the rest of my life in order these last 3 weeks but I haven't, so I'm gonna have to do it all at the same time.

It should work, from past experience trying to quit, I know that I'll have to fill my time and tapping on the keyboard won't be a way of doing that. I smoke phenomenal amounts sat at the 'puter.

The last time I attempted I lasted 2 weeks,this was 18 months ago and I was 5 months sober, walking through town on a busy afternoon, a BMW exiting a multistory carpark lightly nudged me as I progressed along the pavement. I took this instantly as a 'Get out of my way, I've got to be places!' type of statement and without pausing whipped around and booted the passenger door, hard, causing a sizeable dent. I sensibly vacated that street with great haste.

That was completely out of character for me. I was mortified and resumed my smoking that afternoon and my drinking 2 days later. (Better the devil you know, instead of this whole new, sober, non-smoking brand of madness, was my skewed, sick thinking.)

Anyway, sorry, I think I've sidetracked from your original intent.
I think I'm gonna be very vocal about what's working and what's not and my general state of, 'nicotine free' mind from Thursday. So hopefully I'll be of help from then.
Sax is doing great and I've found the folks here in the nicotine forums to be above and beyond the call of duty. If you're thinking of stopping in the foreseeable future it'll be grand to have a ranting partner.

Ta Ta for now

[comfortablynumb]

Find your patience...accept that you WILL be umcomfortable... and give yourself permission to go a little insane...
I mean, my God, you're taking away something your body has grown accostomed to and before the fight is over, KNOW that it will be a battle
YOU can be a winner, though, if you accept the discomfort..and realize IT WILL PASS...don't quit before you see your miracle..

All human power is a compound of time and patience."-- Honore de Balzac

Sometimes the most difficult concept to grasp in this process of quitting smoking is that success depends largely on what you don't do. Western culture always emphasizes "action" in overcoming obstacles, but quitting smoking is one arena where just "holding on" is the key to victory.

It is a struggle made easier by knowing when to retreat: from temptation, from aggravating environments, from other people. It is a place where silence is often the wisest choice -- especially when you're feeling most indignant or self-righteous. It is a journey made easier by contemplation and introspection.

The heroes of this war may not have muscular physiques, superior intellects, cunning or even courage. Some of the best warriors on this battlefield possess one simple gift: patience.

So, wait. The craving will pass. Wait. Your ability to concentrate will return. Wait. Your physical symptoms will subside. Wait. Your blue mood will lift. Wait. There is the sweet air of freedom just down the road. To get there, just wait

[mattcake79]

I'm thinking about quitting. I slowly turned into a chain smoker, and it's disgusting to me. I used to be really healthy, jogged for at least one hour every morning. Now I can't even get out of bed without wheezing. Also, smoking zaps my energy, I'm exhausted all day long, and I've lost my sense of smell.

The problem with quitting for me is that I get unbearable dizziness within 24 hours after my last one. Like stumbling, grip-a-handle dizziness. That symptom is supposed to last 3 days at most, it's caused by extra oxygen reaching your brain. In my experience it lasts much longer than that: every time I quit I went back to smoking cos I just couldn't handle the vertigo. So the next time I quit I'm going to slap on a patch and deal with the dizziness first and the actual physical cravings later.

I also recommend the Carr book, it's very very good. It sheds a lot of light on smoking, and it basically talks you out of lighting up in a way that makes a lot of sense. It's not preachy at all.

[comfortablynumb]

I followed this man's writings when I first quit and I kept them and even re-read them today..he has such a magical way with words...
I have some more that I might post later...
His name is Daniel:

"Many men go fishing their whole lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~Thoreau.

It`s not about wanting the quit, it`s about quitting the want. ~Me.

Addicts and non-addicts are exactly alike - with only a few differences.

Addicts have cravings, non-addicts have hunger, thirst, headaches, depression, anxiety, and so on. The feelings are identical, but addicts use the wrong word. Do yourself the favor of honesty and call things by their right names. Perhaps then you can do the right thing about them, and there won`t be anything to fight.

Addicts have withdrawal, non-addicts have stress. The sensations and chemical causes are identical, but addicts use the wrong word. Also, the addict takes nicotine, which amplifies the feelings. The addict in recovery often `fights` against these feelings, and so only adds to the stress. Stop the insanity. Address stress the way sane folk do. Don`t think that smoking will help. Don`t think that fighting will help. They can only make it worse.

Addicts have urges and desires, non-addicts have memories. Again, same thing, wrong word. I remember my old girlfriend, but that doesn`t mean I want to wreck my life and leave my wife. And while I`m remembering, I`ll remember the hell that wench put me through. While you`re remembering smoking, remember that made you feel good only by taking away some of it`s own bad, and that bad is gone for good now.

Addicts fear consequences, non-addicts fear causes. Stop looking for the `next one`, start seeing through your delusions. Then there won`t be a `next one`.

Addicts believe that addiction `makes` them think things, non-addicts know that faulty thinking IS the addiction. You stopped believing in monsters under your bed, stop believing in demons between your ears.

You can quit. It can be amazingly easy and permanent. You just have to quit the right things. Quit using the wrong words. Quit lying to yourself. Quit fearing your own imagination. Do it consistently for two months, and I guarantee you will find yourself quoting Dr. King:

`Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we`re free at last!`

Addiction is not about weakness,
recovery is not about strength.

Addiction is about self-deception,
recovery is about self-love."

[chiynita]

My aunt quit smoking a year ago. I asked her last week if she still craves them. She said yes. But her husband smokes..Outside now. But she still hasnt smoked. Even if she does crave.
My father just stopped almost 20 years ago. He neer smoked again as far as I know.
This is the same time he gave up alcohol as well.

I am going to try.
No setting a date for me. I will build myself up too much. When this pack is gone..Its done.

I am going to buy some sugar free candy or something too. I am really nervous.
But I am liking my money too much lately to be spending it on drugs and nicotine.

And I am on a get back to being healthy mind set again.

I have alot of work to do. But I can do it.

Its commiting thats hard.

[Saxony]

Great decision Chiynita

The first 3 days are by far the worst, get through those and it gets easier.


Sax

[bugsworth]

Do it Chiynita!!! You will be amazed and astounded that it took you so long!

I will caution you that you will get crabby...be prepared to hide under the bed covers for a day or two....after that it will become second nature.

[cess101]

Chiynita, I hope you are feeling better?????
I've read articles about smoking cessation that say how smokers develop more phlegm when they quit. This is how the body eliminates all that tar and gung from your respiratory system and could be noticed 1 month to 9 months. It actually is a sign that you are healing. Have you taken hot, steamy showers? If you can, try sugarless cough drops to ease the cough. Also drink lots of water, at least 8, 8 oz glassfuls every day. Honey is soothing too. The "blueberry" honey is absolutely delicious, Mmmm! Italian ice, Mmmm too, especially on hot days. Take good care.


Also, see the Benefits of Quitting post

cess101

[chiynita]

Well..Not one cig all day. I was in a crap mood for awhile. especially when I got to work. But didnt feel the urge to smoke. Just was tired and a little moody. Like blank.

But as the sun went down I perked right up.
Didnt really want one until I got off.
My breaks and lunch were pretty calm.
Thats when I cant wait to have one usually.
Patch is doin good right now. But it seems too lose the effect after 3 days.

Thing is I decided to change my eating habits too today. So I cant eat to replace that habit. Which is good I guess.

I am so tired of being out of shape and tired and smelly from smoke.

Well..One day down..

[comfortablynumb]

One day at a time is pretty much all we can ask for.....
Huge accomplishment....keep it up............

[chiynita]

WOW..I am meaner than a rattle snake today.
Dont have any cravings. But my attitude needs to be checked.

I better get out if this mood before I go to work.

[chiynita]

Whoa..I cme so close to going to get a pack earlier. I was in an evil mood. I had it all in my mind to stop at the store and get em. BUT..I went through Dunkin Donuts drive thru instead and got an iced latte. Day 2 in the bag.
This is harder than quitting crack.

[Saxony]

Well done on making it though day 2 Chi, my worst day mood wise was day 2, day 3 was pretty bad aswell, but it gets rapidly better after that. Hang in there.

Sax
D10

[chippa]

WTG sounds like you're well on your way Chiynita

I've heard it's harder than quitting crack- I never had to quit that one, buit I have quit smoking a billion times and right now I'm on 8 months smoke free-

I can't believe in my abscence how much has been going on here- I just read for about a half hour or so, and the mentality of what comfortably numb has posted where you change your mindset is so astute, and I never really put it in that perspective-

I'm also going to look into Allan Carr- I want to read his book and then make my wife read it- I'm like your aunt chi- My wife has set a quit date, but it's in October, I know that whether she quits or not has no bearing on my choices

But I still crave them (or anxiety them) when I see other people smoking- I don't know that the urges ever go away, but they get less intense (by and large, every once and a while it's through the roof)

Sorry to yim yammer about myself here-

Chi keep up the good work and reward yourself- celebrate the fact that you can be 'evil' ffor a while here, you deserve it because you are truly bettering yourself

[chiynita]

This is hell.

[chippa]

Chi

It's not, it's purgatory-

You get through it and you'll feel so much better, you can do it-

I work for CAT we have an office right up in your neck of the proverbial woods-

Reward yourself- popsicles, ice cream, gum, schedule a massage (they feel awesome and they're so good for you) go outside and enjoy the warm weather while we still have it-

you can do it!

[chiynita]

I am so close to caving. OMG..It is effin crazy.
I feel like I need a cigarette like I would feel if I was holding my breath and needed air.
It feels that intense and crucial right now. ALL day. It is a constant battle. No breaks. It wont stop today.
Crack isnt even this bad.
I want to go so bad..But I dont want to even more. But I feel very very uncomfortable and agitated right now.
I am talking to myself like a basket case to not go.
I am going to keep trying. But I dont know how much longer I can hold.

[bugsworth]

chiynita Stay strong!!! You got this...you are way stronger than you think. The benefits are amazing! Go to sleep if you have too...I went to bed early the first 3 nights...like 6 pm early....got me thru another day.

[HopeTo180]

Here's how I quit smoking...I was awakened late one evening with whooping cough. I made an appointment in the morning and they got me right in. After the doctor checked my lungs she said "I'm going to prescribe a inhaler that you will take each hour"...I interrupted her and asked "aren't you gonna just tell me to quit smoking?" She looked at me with this face (like I was the lowest form of life) and said "would it really make a difference?" That was it for me. I never had to use the inhaler, I quit cold turkey! You just never know what will do it for you...research all you can so, one day, you can use that ammo against yourself. Prayers!

[steamvessel]

Originally Posted by Saxony

Have you ever read Allan Carrs "easy way to quit smoking?" I read it last year and it really takes alot of the mental obsession away, well it did for me anyway. It really makes you see smoking in a different light and to understand that cigarettes don't actual give you anything and you can see them for what they are. He dosn't recommend NRT's but I think thats an individual choice and you could still find his book very helpfull even if you used them.

I didn't stay quit last year but I was still drinking then and that didn't help. I have a week at the moment and I still remember alot of what I read and it helps.

Sax

I am stopping again today. I also read the Allen Carr's book (don't blame it for my failure I made it 29 days and then 23 days using this method), I honestly just decided to smoke again because I didn't care. This method does work if you are ready to quit and are looking for ways to quit, I highly recommend it. My only recommendation would be to be prepared for a lot of repetitiveness in the book, I think he does this to cover every aspect that a smoker may use to smoke again. Also, I wouldn't focus on whether or not it is Easy or not, the author claims it is easy but you may find it is not and get discouraged. Whether it is easy or not, I think his philosophy is spot on regarding the mental aspect of smoking and I have found it very helpful. Now that I am stopping again, I will be using his methods.

Good luck

[chiynita]

UUUGGG!! I caved!!!
I couldnt take it anymore. Especially with my bac pain and then the tramadol that my Drprescribed today for the pain made me feel like I was messed up. I paced around for hours talking myself doown. But I gave in.
I am like totally pissed about the tramadol too. My Dr dsaid it was non narcotic and I swear it felt like I was fiending for crack. I did not like that at all.
Well..I guess we will keep trying. I am not out of the fight yet.