I'm quitting!

[LucyA]

I've made the decision to quit smoking (again)

I've decided on November 1st and booked two weeks off work to give myself a head start.

Just posting here so everyone knows and I know someone will check up so I'll have to be honest

I'm off to read the rest of the threads now so I know what to expect, I know it won't be pretty but I'm determined this time.

[Sasha4]

Go to the doctors Lucy and get some help from them. I have been stopped for two years. I used microtabs to stop and I found it much easier than doing it cold turkey.

I love not smoking. So much nicer and cleaner. No counting the hours till your next cig. No standing outside in the cold.

Good luck

xx

[SlvrMag]

I don't think, no, I KNOW I couldn't have quit without the patch!

I'll be checking up and checking in with you!

[LucyA]

I have an appointment next Friday, that was the earliest I could get in!
Until then I'll give it a go with nicorette stuff I can buy over the counter. I can't use patches, but I've used gum and lozenges in the past and maybe with a bit more willpower and determination I can do it this time.

I'm not sure if I'm lucky or not, I suppose lucky as a smoker because I can smoke at work almost whenever I feel like it. That's why I've booked the two weeks off, only me and my kids at home so theres only one smoker!

I just feel this time is going to be different because this attempt isn't from some nagging from someone else, it's just my decision and I've decided when and even before I start quitting I'm planning things to help me quit. I know it's still going to be hard, but it just feels different this time.

[LucyA]

Originally Posted by SlvrMag

I don't think, no, I KNOW I couldn't have quit without the patch!

I'll be checking up and checking in with you!

I'll have to do it without the patch, wherever I put it the skin swells and itches and breaks out in painfull rashes, whatever brand it is.

[LucyA]

Going to bed in a few minutes, when I get up I'll be smoke free.

I've told everyone, posted everywhere I post and done all I can to help myself I think.
This time I'm actually looking forward to it, I don't want to get up reaching for my cigarettes in the morning (there wont be any and I've no cash in the house)

My kids are all pleased I've made this decision and I don't want to let them down, but in the end it's just for me, and I think, just for tomorrow to start with, when I get through the first day I'll maybe manage another (I'm really going to try, but taking it step by step and hour by hour!)

[cece1960]

Good luck Lucy! We're all in this together. I know it isn't easy, but I'm stubborn enough to think that if others can do it then so can I

[LucyA]

yesterday was good, today hasn't been quite so good, I've smoked five today (i would normally smoke around 30 a day) but I wanted to smoke none.
I haven't used any NRT just tried cold turkey, but I'll keep trying, hopefully I'll get something from the doctor on Friday.
I'm starting again in the morning though, I havent given up givng up.

[LucyA]

I've failed abysmally this week.
I still haven't given up though. Been to the doctors today and seen the nurse, she gave loads of options and advised me to try some new patches which are supposed to be completely different to the ones I've used in the past, she said to try them for a week and if they irritate me too much we'll look at other options, she suggested using these patches with some 'minitabs' (you stick one under your tongue when you get the urge to smoke)
Unfortunately this nurse can't write prescriptions, so I have to wait till monday for my script, so I asked her if I could buy the stuff, because I am all geared up for tomorrow being my new quit day, she didn't have a clue so I got her to write everything down, took it to the chemist and bought my own patches, they won't give me the minitabs without prescription anyway (daft isn't it? I can buy as many cigarettes as I like but not things to help me quit!)
So tomorrow will be a new day, armed with willpower, patches and a shed load of wrigleys gum I will try again.

[SlvrMag]

Keep trying Lucy!!!

[LucyA]

Woo, almost two days smoke free.

I'd kill for one right now though

[Sasha4]

Do you think she meant 'microtabs'?

I used microtabs and you can buy them at the chemist. They are like a tiny tablet that you put under your tongue. Boots do their own version and nicorette do one too. I think that there are some other ones that are fruity tasting that you can get too.
Not as big as the lozenge and fewer gastro side effects.

I used them when I was at work, driving, cleaning etc. When I had the opportunity to smoke, I didn't want to as I had had enough nicotine.

What was also helpful to me is that I imagined all the receptors in my brain that were screaming out for nicotine. Every hour of every day that I did not feed these receptors with cigarettes, they died off, so my cravings were less and less.

Have you read Allan Carr's stopping smoking book? That's quite helpful too.

Best of luck being free

xx

[LucyA]

I just checked what she wrote, she did write microtabs, I got it wrong!
I have the book somewhere, I'll dig it out tomorrow.

[Sasha4]

You can buy them. Expensive, so if you can get a script then it's better. You can get them in supermarkets like asda or tesco. You might get a bit of indigestion and sore mouth for the first few days of using them, but it goes, it's not longlasting.

You can combine with the patches if you want.

Don't always stick the patches on the same place and try and avoid skinny places, like chest wall etc. Try your thighs and bum where you have more fat cells. It helps with the irritation. It's a common complaint that the patches cause irritation.

Keep busy too. That will take your mind of them. And think how proud your kids will be of you. I know you would be devastated if any of your kids started smoking, so get going with setting an example Luce!!!

xx