Quit Smoking Thread

[Shelli]

Rather than derail vm's thread any further :sorry: I thought I'd start a quit smoking thread where people could post tips on quitting smoking and remaining abstinent along with their experiences with quitting smoking in the past or present tense. :yup:

I had my last cigg. this past Tuesday, April 17 at 7:15 a.m. I am using Commit Nicotine Lozenges but not at the dose or frequency that they suggest.. just enough that I don't mistake someone's head for dinner. :biting:

I'm also simultaneously weaning off of caffeine. I've cut my intake of caffeine by more than half so far. :tea:

Today I'm feeling pretty good compared to the last fuzzy, irritable four days. :smile:

I honestly don't want a cigg. I just want to feel like my bouncy self again. :tiggermonkey:

[viscousmemories]

I smoked heavily for over 25 years, and despite numerous attempts to quit the only successful method I found (as crazy as it sounds) was a little book by Allen Carr called Allen Carr's Easyway to Stop Smoking. I discuss it here (http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=356).

[Watser?]

I leafed through the book after I quit, but according to this method I should still be smoking (I did most things wrong) while my friend who was using his method at the time would have been successful. Not so...

[viscousmemories]

Well despite my own experience, I do know it's not a miracle book. I have a half dozen friends and relatives who were long time smokers and quit after reading that book, and I know one or two started up again. I didn't follow Allen Carr's method very closely, truth be told. It helped, but the most persuasive part (for me) was his thorough logical dismantling of every myth I had previously used to rationalize smoking to myself and others. I know other people have been successful using other approaches, but I hate to see people dismiss a book without even opening it - like I did for every other quit-smoking book before a friend convinced me to read Carr's - and I hate seeing people take approaches that have consistently failed for me and most everyone else I know.

[seebs]

The one objection I have to his book is the factual error; it's probably not true that there is no benefit at all to nicotine. There's been research in its utility in controlling the symptoms of ADD.

[Shelli]

A Collection of Articles on Nicotine Addiction (http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDA_Notes/NN0031.html)

[Shelli]

:cheer: Day 6! :cheer:

[Shelli]

I wonder how the nicotine vaccine trials are coming along. (http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol15N5/Vaccine.html) :inject:

[Shelli]

http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol15N5/Postcard.gif

[Shelli]

From "Out of The Ashes" Help For People Who Have Stopped Smoking by Peter & Peggy Holmes:

It is impossible to miss something you can have.

When I start to miss smoking, I've misinterpreted my situation. I'm feeling as though I'm no longer free to smoke, like smoking has been taken away from me. In fact, I'm as free to smoke now as I've ever been. Even though I may want to smoke, nothing is missing. I'm not giving up smoking.. I'm choosing something better. Knowing I can smoke changes that sense of loss into a sense of gain.

[Shelli]

Day 8 and I've decided to ditch the nicotine lozenges. :yup:

C'mon fuzzies.. show me whatcha got! :airbox:

[Crumb]

Bring it on!
:wookie:

[Shelli]

OMG! That's a perfect fuzzy smilie! :thankee:

:airbox::wookie:

[Shelli]

Nicotine addiction more deadly than illegal drug addictions (http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Symptoms.html)
In 1998 tobacco killed 25 times more Americans than all illegal drugs combined (418,690 to 16,926 - U.S. Center for Disease Control).

[Crumb]

And really not at all as fun... :sadno:

[Shelli]

True dat. :chuckle:

Check this out, handy to know if you're quitting smoking or know someone who is so that you can let them know:

Blood Sugar Changes When Quitting (http://groups.msn.com/FreedomFromTobaccoQuitSmokingNow/advice4newbies.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=65741&LastModified=4675369680259962456&pgmarket=en-us)

Blood sugar plummets in many people when first quitting. The most common side effects felt during the first three days can often be traced back to blood sugar issues. Symptoms such as headache, inability to concentrate, dizziness, time perception distortions, and the ubiquitous sweet tooth encountered by many, are often associated with this blood sugar drop. The symptoms of low blood sugar are basically the same symptoms as not having enough oxygen, similar to reactions experienced at high altitudes. The reason being the inadequate supply of sugar and/or oxygen means the brain is getting an incomplete fuel. If you have plenty of one and not enough of the other, your brain can not function at any form of optimal level. When you quit smoking, oxygen levels are often better than they have been in years, but with a limited supply of sugar it can't properly fuel your brain.

It is not that cigarettes put sugar into your blood stream; it is more of a drug interaction of the stimulant effect of nicotine that affects the blood sugar levels. Cigarettes cause the body to release its own stores of sugar and fat by a drug type of interaction. That is how it basically operated as an appetite suppressant, affecting the satiety centers of your hypothalamus. As far as for the sugar levels, nicotine in fact works much more efficiently than food. If you use food to elevate blood sugar levels, it literally takes up to 20 minutes from the time you chew and swallow the food before it is released to the blood, and thus the brain, for its desired effect of fueling your brain. Cigarettes, by working through a drug interaction causes the body to release it's own stores of sugar, but not in 20 minutes but usually in a matter of seconds. In a sense, your body has not had to release sugar on its own in years, you have done it by using nicotine's drug effect !

This is where many people really gorge themselves on food upon cessation. They start to experience a drop in blood sugar and instinctively reach for something sweet. Upon finishing the food, they still feel symptomatic. Of course they do, it takes them a minute or two to eat, but the blood sugar isn't boosted for another 18 minutes. Since they are not feeling immediately better, they eat a little more. They continue to consume more and more food, minute after minute until they finally they start to feel better. Again if they are waiting for the blood sugar to go up we are talking about 20 minutes after the first swallow. People can eat a lot of food in 20 minutes. But they begin to believe that this was the amount needed before feeling better. This can be repeated numerous times throughout the day thus causing a lot of calories being consumed and causing weight gain to become a real risk.

When you abruptly quit smoking, the body is in kind of a state of loss, not knowing how to work normally since it has not worked normally in such a long time. Usually by the third day, though, your body will readjust and release sugar as it is needed. Without eating any more your body will just figure out how to regulate blood sugar more efficiently.

You may find though that you do have to change dietary patterns to one that is more normal for you. Normal is not what it was as a smoker, but more what it was before you took up smoking with aging thrown in. Some people go until evening without eating while they are smokers. If they try the same routine as ex-smokers they will suffer side effects of low blood sugar. It is not that there is something wrong with them now, they were abnormal before for all practical purposes. This doesn't mean they should eat more food, but it may mean they need to redistribute the food eaten to a more spread out pattern so they are getting blood sugar doses throughout the day as nature really had always intended.

To minimize some of the real low blood sugar effects of the first few days it really can help to keep drinking juice throughout the day. After the fourth day though, this should no longer be necessary as your body should be able to release sugar stores if your diet is normalized. If you are having problems that are indicative of blood sugar issues beyond day three, it wouldn't hurt talking to your doctor and maybe getting some nutritional counseling. In order to allow your body to maintain permanent control over the amount of glucose (sugar) in your brain ... NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF!

[Shelli]

Also..

Why one should reduce their caffeine intake upon smoking cessation: (http://www.msnusers.com/FreedomFromTobaccoQuitSmokingNow/advice4newbies.msnw?action=get_message&mview=1&ID_Message=158018)

The impact of caffeine use on tobacco cessation and withdrawal.

Swanson JA, Lee JW, Hopp JW, Berk LS.

Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, CA 92350, USA.

Continuous caffeine consumption with smoking cessation has been associated with more than doubled caffeine plasma levels. Such concentrations may be sufficient to produce caffeine toxicity symptoms in smoking abstinence conditions. To test whether caffeine abstinence influences smoking cessation, 162 caffeine-using smokers were enlisted from American Lung Association smoking cessation programs. Volunteers were randomly assigned by clinic to caffeine-use and caffeine-abstinence conditions and measured for 3 weeks post-smoking cessation, at 6 months and one year. Results showed a significant linear increase in caffeine sputum levels across 3 weeks post cessation for those who quit smoking and continued using caffeine.

Three weeks after cessation, concentrations reached 203% of baseline for the caffeine user. Typical nicotine withdrawal symptoms occurred during the first 16 days of cessation. The caffeine abstainers, but not continued users of caffeine, reported increased fatigue during the first 3 days of cessation. Among complete caffeine abstainers, compared with caffeine users, there was a significant increase in fatigue, a decrease in stimulation, and a marginal increase in caffeine craving immediately following tobacco cessation. There were no differences between the groups on other withdrawal symptoms or in cessation success at 16 days, 6 months, or 12 months.



The why of it: (http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Symptoms.html)

It's important to understand that nicotine smokers need twice the amount of caffeine in order to achieve the same effect as a non-smoker. Nicotine indirectly causes caffeine to metabolize (to be depleted) at a rate twice that of non-smokers. If you're a heavy caffeine user who attempts to continue using caffeine at the same amount as you did while using nicotine, you may find yourself not only having difficulty sleeping but probably climbing every wall in sight.

[Shelli]

BBC News: Smoking 'kills brain cells' (http://http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1985505.stm)


Scientists said they have found the first direct biological evidence that smoking destroys brain cells and stops others being produced.
Anti-smoking groups said this provided an even greater incentive to stop smoking.

French researchers led by Pier-Vincenzo Piazza and Djoher Nora Abrous, at the National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) let three groups of rats give themselves low, medium or high amounts of nicotine.

A fourth group was allowed no nicotine at all.



What is interesting is that they are saying they have found how tobacco smoking affects the body

Amanda Sandford, of ASH

Protein

The rats were allowed to absorb the nicotine for an hour a day for 42 days. They were then killed and their brains dissected.

Rodents that took the medium and higher doses suffered a 50% higher loss in the production of new brain cells than the non-nicotine group, as well as a significantly higher rate of brain cell death.

The researchers also found that all the rats taking nicotine suffered a fall in the protein PSA-NCAM.

This protein plays a vital part in the adaptibility of the brain and is related to an ability to learn and memorise.


Amanda Sandford: "It is yet another reason for quitting"


The report, published in The Journal of Neuroscience said: "These results raise an important additional concern for the health consequences of nicotine abuse and open new insight on the possible neural mechanisms of tobacco addiction."

The authors said their studies rebutted previous research in the 1990s that suggested that smoking could boost cognitive performance.

Quit smoking

Amanda Sandford, of ASH, said the new findings should spur people to quit smoking.

"There are no great surprises there because tobacco is full of nasty chemicals.

"But what is interesting is that they are saying they have found how tobacco smoking affects the body.

"It is yet another reason for quitting at the earliest opportunity and dispels the myth that smoking helps concentration."

[Shelli]

An overall interesting and informative site on the possible symptoms of nicotine withdrawel and tips on how best to handle them and lessen their severity. (http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Symptoms.html) :2thumbsup:

[Artemis Entreri]

I "quit" smoking about 6mnths ago. I use the quotes because in the past 6 months I have probably smoked maybe a pack's worth of cigarettes.
But I still consider it as having quit because I beat the addiction.
I can smoke a cigarette with a friend after a meal and not have the urge to go buy a pack and fall into the smoking again.
Actually I find, now that I have quit, that the rare cigarette makes realize that I don't need to smoke.
This weekend I went out to a bar with a friend and end up smoking several cigarettes in one night.
The next day I felt worse from the smoking than the drinking.
So much so that the thought of smoking made me feel ill. :puke:
I'm really glad that I quit. I feel much better, I'm saving money, and my new car doesn't reek. :woohoo:

[Shelli]

Good luck in not falling back into addiction, Artemis. It can sneak up on you and grab you before you realize it. :darkness:

[Shelli]

“The truth will set us free.” (http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_NicodemonsLies.html) :yup2:

[Shelli]

Caring for Our Recovery (http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_CaringForYourQuit.html)

The recovered alcoholic, the heroin addict, the nicotine addict, deep down each knows the "Law of Addiction." They’ve heard it over and over again. Just one sip, one tiny fix, or one little puff of nicotine, just once, that's all it takes and the addict is back! They know that either immediately or in a short period of time they'll once again be slaves to their old level of drug use or greater. We know the Law of Addiction so why do we break it?

There are three primary factors associated with relapse: (1) rewriting the law of addiction; (2) an excuse; and (3) a vague memory. It doesn’t matter if it happens within two hours, two days, two weeks, two months, two years, or twenty, the factors remain the same and apply to all of us. Rewriting the law of addiction is easy and you don’t need a pencil, paper or computer to do it.

Read on for a full explanation. (http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_CaringForYourQuit.html) :book:

[Shelli]

Want to Quit Smoking? (http://whyquit.com/)

Ex-smokers teach new quitters about coming home

[Artemis Entreri]

Thanks Shelli.
I'm not too worried. I don't think I have an addictive personality. I abhor drugs, I don't even take pain killers when they're prescribed by a doctor. I was prescribed Loratabs by a doctor about a year ago and took half of one. My stoner girlfriend (yeah that was a tumultuous relationship) took the rest when I wasn't looking.
I have to be in some serious pain to take anything.

[Shelli]

Nicotine has rewired and desensitized the brains of dependent smokers by causing them to grow millions of nicotinic receptors in at least eleven different brain regions. (http://whyquit.com/whyquit/Quitting.htm)

The nicotine addict's brain became permanently altered the first day that smoking was no longer a matter of choice and regular nicotine feedings became mandatory. The brain actually grows permanent receptors to process increased levels of nicotine. Not only do your brain's nicotine processing circuits remain ready to return to action, millions of smoking memories (including old habit triggers) stand ready for revival with just one little puff . A recovered nicotine addict can no more take a puff of nicotine than a recovered alcoholic can take one big sip, or a recovered heroin addict just a few cc's from a real small needle!

[Shelli]

My last nicotine lozenge was done yesterday at 9:00 a.m. so I'm now into my 33rd. hour of complete nicotine withdrawel. I'm starving and irritable. :gnoshing: :climbing:

[inland wave]

Hang in there girl, you can do IT!!

[Shelli]

:glomp2:

[Artemis Entreri]

I suggest sex.... no wait you'll want to smoke afterward

[Shelli]

:rawr:

[Shelli]

Not all of this was me, but some of it was so me and I think that every smoker and ex-smoker will find something of themselves, past and/or present, in this article.

Tearing Down the Wall (http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Thoughts.html)

by John R. Polito
Nicotine Cessation Educator

NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF!

[Shelli]

And day 3 begins. :flex:

I just have to remind myself... The sky is not falling, just my dopamine levels.

:jump:

[Crumb]

Day 3? What happened to Day 7?

[Shelli]

Today is day #10 of no smoking, however, today is day #3 of no nicotine. My last nicotine lozenge ended at 9:00 a.m. this past Tuesday. So, I went through withdrawels when going from a pack a day to the lozenges, but now I'm going through withdrawels from complete nicotine abstinence.

[Shelli]

In just a little over 2 hours, the 72 hours of the worst of the physical withdrawels will be done with. :cheer:

[Watser?]

:thumbup:

[Crumb]

Great job Shelli! :victory:

[Shelli]

:vibes:

Fuzzies be damned! :twoguns: :wookie:

[Crumb]

:wookie:
:fuel:

[Shelli]

:chuckle:

"Things to do to fuzzies" :giggle:

[Shelli]

94 hours nicotine free! I'm kinda edgy but not so fuzzy. :cheer:

[Dingfod]

:bravo:

[Shelli]

Do you smoke, Dingfod?

[Dingfod]

Do I have to?

[Shelli]

I have no idea what your question means or why you've asked it, Dingfod.

[Dingfod]

I thought you might mean that I must be a smoker or former smoker to meaningfully contribute to this thread.

I'm glad you're quitting smoking. I respect the hell out of anyone that can kick the nicotine monkey off their back, it's a hard thing to do. From what I hear, you'll always be an ex-smoker.

Second hand smoke was probably a contributor to my beloved Grandma Mavis' death by a stroke at age 58 and smoking four packs of unfiltered Camel cigarettes per day almost certainly killed her husband, my Step-Grandad Emery, at age 65 from congestive heart failure. Her first husband, my Grandad Sam, a smoker for more than 40 years, died of emphysema at 61. My mother's brother, my Uncle Bob, a smoker from his early teens until about 7 or 8 years before he died, died at age 60 because of a heart attack. My paternal grandfather, Grandad Ted, a hand-rolled cigarette smoker, also died of emphysema at 58. In fact, my only memory of him is him in bed, on oxygen. Cigarettes are very probably the main source of early death in my family. I can't think of any other cause that rivals it.

[Shelli]

I thought you might mean that I must be a smoker or former smoker to meaningfully contribute to this thread.Aha. Nope, not at all. I was just curious.


I'm glad you're quitting smoking. I respect the hell out of anyone that can kick the nicotine monkey off their back, it's a hard thing to do. From what I hear, you'll always be an ex-smoker.Thank you, and yes, I'll always be an ex-smoker / recovering nicotine addict. Having finally admitted that to myself will hopefully keep me an ex-smoker.


Second hand smoke was probably a contributor to my beloved Grandma Mavis' death by a stroke at age 58 and smoking four packs of unfiltered Camel cigarettes per day almost certainly killed her husband, my Step-Grandad Emery, at age 65 from congestive heart failure. Her first husband, my Grandad Sam, a smoker for more than 40 years, died of emphysema at 61. My mother's brother, my Uncle Bob, a smoker from his early teens until about 7 or 8 years before he died, died at age 60 because of a heart attack. My paternal grandfather, Grandad Ted, a hand-rolled cigarette smoker, also died of emphysema at 58. In fact, my only memory of him is him in bed, on oxygen. Cigarettes are very probably the main source of early death in my family. I can't think of any other cause that rivals it.:shudder: All I can say is that I'm sorry to hear of so much unnecessary suffering and premature death in your family and I hope to not meet the same fate.

[Shelli]

A short summary of nicotine's effects on the body: (http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksCAids.html)

Not only does nicotine cause the brain's dopamine pathways to generate a prolonged "aaahhh" reward sensation, it stops the killjoy enzyme MAO B from engaging in normal dopamine clean-up. The result is a dopamine high lasting far longer than cocaine's. Nicotine also excites the brain's fight or flight pathways which perks the senses, accelerates heart rate by up to 20 beats per minute, shuts down digestion, pumps stored fats and sugars into the bloodstream thus avoiding hunger pains, and constricts peripheral blood flow which actually drops the temperature of fingers and toes by up to 5 degrees.

[Shelli]

As of 9:00 this morning it has officially been 2 weeks of no smokes and 1 week of no nicotine! :unbow:

[Crumb]

:1thumbup:

[Shelli]

As of today... 3 weeks, no smokes & 2 weeks, no nicotine. :irwinnar:

[Watser?]

:cheer:

[inland wave]

Keep up the good work! :D

[Crumb]

:clap:

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

Come on, Shelli!

[Shake]

As of today... 3 weeks, no smokes & 2 weeks, no nicotine. :irwinnar:
:woohoo: :yay:

Keep it up!

[Shelli]

Thanks everyone. :cheerful:

[Shelli]

As of yesterday, it's been 5 weeks of no smokes! :cheer:

Go, me! :w00t:

[Crumb]

:hatsoff:

[viscousmemories]

Congratulations Shelli! Keep it up. :)

[Shelli]

7 weeks!
:tiggermonkey:

[livius drusus]

Wow! Great job, Shell. :cheer:

[Watser?]

Good on yer Shell :thumbup:

[Shelli]

Thanks again all for the support. :=)

It's cool because I no longer think about them or crave them. :nope: I'm back to living as thought they don't and never did exist. I've also gained back the 5 or so pounds I lost from starting back up again which I'm happy about. :hungry:

It was so worth the fuzzies for a couple weeks to be where I'm at now and hope to be for the rest of my life... smoke free. :beaugest:

[inland wave]

Shelli,
Wow, I am so proud of you!! Keep up the good work! :tiggermonkey:

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

GO SHELLI! :cheer:

[Shelli]

:cheer:
:tiggermonkey: 9 Weeks! :tiggermonkey:
:cheer:

[Crumb]

Congrats! :1thumbup:

[Watser?]

:cheer: Good on yer Shell! :cheer:

[Shake]

:w00t:

Keep it going, Shelli!

:woohoo:

[Seven of Nine]

Coolness! Way to go, Shelli! :cheer:





:deepsigh: I'm trying to quit... :kickscan:

[Shelli]

Good luck, SofN. Just don't ever give up trying and you'll have never failed. :wink:

[Shelli]

13 Weeks! :ovation:

Not only do I rarely ever have the urge to smoke, the smell of it when someone else is literally turns my stomach. :verysick:

I'm eating healthier and way more than I was which is good in my case. I've almost gained back the weight I lost when I had started smoking again. :gnoshing:

Last night I had to laugh when I realized the piggyness of what I had just done... I wasn't even done with my plate of spaghetti and yet when he pushed his away still half full, I pulled it toward myself and ate from both plates finishing both. :woopsie:

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

:cheer:

[Shelli]

Wow, I just realized that next week will make 4 months! Coolness! :tiggermonkey:

Also, I've gained a total of 24 pounds since quitting. :cheer: I lost about 5 pounds when I started again this last time but have gained that back plus some. :8D

I'm pretty happy with my weight now though. I think I'd better slow down a lil' before I'm unhappy with it for a different reason this time. :gnoshing: :giggle:

[Crumb]

Great job Shelli!

[Watser?]

:cheer:
:cheer: :cheer:
:cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
:cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

[Shake]

Nearly 4 months? That's awesome!

:w00t:

[Shelli]

:thankee: for your support everyone. :=D

[Shelli]

I went for my yearly exam yesterday afternoon and my doctor was very pleased with the non-smoking and the weight gain. :beaugest:

[Dingfod]

I smoked about 1/3 of a Camel Wide cigarette today. I guess it was just to see if I'm missing out on something. I'm not. I still can't get the taste out of my mouth.

[LadyShea]

I went for my first gyn check up with a new doctor yesterday and he told me about a new drug, Chantix. Said it works directly on the nicotine receptors in the brain. Probably the first in a number of anti-addiction drugs if they now know how to target specific receptors.

[Shelli]

I assume you smoke, LadyShea? If so, and you try this new drug, please let me know how it goes. :nod:

[LadyShea]

I smoke. I really don't have the desire to quit and the Dr. said until I want to, no drug or method will work. I know this about myself as well...when I am ready I will quit.

That's not an excuse, I just seriously don't have that "I want to quit" feeling and never have. The only time I even think about quitting is when someone tells me "You need to quit".

[Watser?]

I really don't have the desire to quit and the Dr. said until I want to, no drug or method will work.

Yep.

I only quit once. I guess at that point I didn't really have the desire to smoke anymore.

[Shelli]

17 weeks and 26.5 pounds! :bunnythrust:

[Plant Woman]

It took me awhile before I was ready to quit. But before then I made a lot of changes. I didn't smoke in the house so in the winter it was uncomfortable to smoke as I would make myself go outside. No, sitting in a garage, it was outside or no smoking. That also meant no smoking in the car. So on a long trips I became used to going long periods of time without smoking. I figured the more I made it a hassle for me to smoke, the sooner I would quit.

I quit almost 5 years ago. Because I set up boundaries of where I could smoke, when I quit I avoided those areas. I quit in the winter so it was easy to stay inside. When I get a whiff of a smoker's body odor, I am so glad I don't smoke anymore. Smokers smell gross! No amount of perfume covers up the stink.

My health has improved and I don't have to think when I will be able to have my next cigarette, or feel anxious when I run out. No addictions!

Although it is true that until you want to quit, it won't happen, you can work on ways to move you in that direction. The sooner the better because smoking does a lot of harm to you and it makes you smell like crap! Anyone that doesn't smoke can detect the odor.

Also I believe it is a lot easier to quit the younger you are. The longer you smoke the harder it is to stop.

[Shelli]

... I don't have to think when I will be able to have my next cigarette, or feel anxious when I run out. No addictions!Not that I think it that it lessens the other reasons to quit, but yeah, that is sweet. :yup:

[Shelli]

20 weeks! :larrybounce:

[Dingfod]

Good job, Shel.

[Shelli]

:thankee:

[Watser?]

:cheer: Wow, good on yer! :cheer:

[Stormlight]

Today is day 3 for me and I'm ready to bite someone's fucking head off. :glare:
The first 2 days were good though.

[Stormlight]

Also: Note to self:

Remember that day when you thought you could start smoking again? Well, that was a smart move, dumbass.

[Watser?]

:rughide:

I didn't even know you smoked and/or were trying to quit, but good on yer :cheer:

[Stormlight]

:rughide:

I didn't even know you smoked and/or were trying to quit, but good on yer :cheer:

I didn't smoke for a long time ... :rolleye2:

[Shelli]

omg! :excited: That's awesome, Stormlight! :forcehug:

ja, day three sucks :donkey::golfball::golfball: and ja, knowing that you are going through this yet again when you frickin' knew better sucks too :doh: but... meh, who cares, you quit again and that's what counts. :victory:

:cheer: Go, Stormlight! Go! :cheer:

[Stormlight]

Thanks. Yeah, I need to get this day over with. I actually felt great this morning. :larrybounce:

Yep, :larry: will help me!

[livius drusus]

Larry is so inspiring.

I've got your back, Stormy.
:larrybounce:

[Shelli]

Me too.
:larrythrust:

:giggle:

[Stormlight]

:vibes:

[Uthgar the Brazen]

I keep trying to quit smoking thread, but then Joann's Fabrics gets these new shiny brands in from exotic locations, and I just can't help myself.

[Crumb]

:larrythrust: :cheer: Go, quitters! Go! :cheer: :larrythrust:

[Stormlight]

Thank :larry: I got through the day. The really bad cravings have passed. :larrybounce:

[Watser?]

Yay :larrybounce:

And Happy Humpday :larrythrust:

[Shelli]

:powerwoot:

[But]

I'll put this in spoilers for those trying to quit (dunno)


Met this girl on Monday, been kissing and smoking cigarettes a lot, today waiting for her to call and the little stinkers taste so good I've already smoked a pack again.

Bloody hell.

[Shelli]

:sadcheer:

[But]

:cheerup:

It's quite harmless. I just want to avoid subconscious positive associations concerning cigarettes :D

eta: I think you think that I tried to quit. That wasn't the case. No worries :)

Congrats on your progress!

[Stormlight]

Day 4:

I'm damn restless this morning. :biter: On the other hand, I noticed that I can definitely breath easier. :larrybounce:

[Stormlight]

And also: It's scary how many "smoking-triggers" there are. The reflexes are all still there. :glare:

And everywhere, I mean everywhere, I look someone is holding a cigarette!

No. Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.
:yoda:

[Deadlokd]

Keep going guys. Once you've hit day 4 you're practically home free. All the nicotine is now out of your body. Damaged tissue is starting to repair itself. The mind is now your enemy. Your body no longer needs nicotine, but the mind has been trained to seek a cigarette in so many situations. You have to learn to ignore yourself and tell yourself to shut up.

Now for the bad news. The triggers will not magically go away. They will fade and diminish, but will never be truly free. Try to remember the gross ashtray mouth you used to get, the hacking cough, the craving, the total abject slavery to a freaking weed. Humans are supposed to be at the top of the food-chain, not brought down by a plant! Unless a tree falls on you.

I quit in February and feel better for it. But I still get cravings sometimes, really overwhelming ones. But I get through them and life goes on, and that's the important thing, it will go on. Count quit over six years ago, and she feels like one occasionally.

[Stormlight]

Try to remember the gross ashtray mouth you used to get, the hacking cough, the craving, the total abject slavery to a freaking weed.

Yeah, I know! It's awesome! :beloved:

Just kidding, of course.

[Watser?]

:larrybounce: Go Stormlight!! :larrybounce:

[Stormlight]

:larrybounce: :larrybounce: :larrybounce: :larrybounce: :larrybounce: :larrybounce:

[Shelli]

Go Stormlight! :cheer: :larrybounce: :cheer:

I can honestly say that I haven't had a craving for some time now.. for ciggs anyway.. now food, that's a different story. :giggle:

[Stormlight]

So far, day 4 is pretty bad. But that was to be expected. :shrug:

:larrythrust:

[Shelli]

:smile!:

[Stormlight]

Day 5:

Let's see how this one goes. I didn't get much sleep tonight, again. :insomnia:

[Deadlokd]

You need a computer game that is all pervading. Something like EE2 or Sim City 4 or similar. This doesn't allow dwelling time. If you find it isn't working, watch a compelling movie. When that stops working, play the Playstation or XBox. Go fishing, go for a jog. Keep your hands occupied.

[Dingfod]

You mean :ff: isn't enough?


* Dingfod goes off to check the latest on totalfark

[Stormlight]

They won't let me play computer games at work! :chuckle:
You're right, of course, I need to occupy myself all the time. That's why I'm slightly nervous about the weekend. :biter:

[Shelli]

Keep your hands occupied.:orly:

Bad me! BAD! :giggles:

You can do it, Stormlight! :cheered:

[Stormlight]

:rofl:

[Stormlight]

Day 5 is over!! :larrybounce:

And what's even better: We went to a restaurant and then a pub and I didn't feel like smoking. Yay! :larrythrust:

[Watser?]

:thumbup:

[Uthgar the Brazen]

Woohoo!

[Stormlight]

Yeah, I'm pretty damn happy right now! :larrybounce:

[ceptimus]

Congratulations Stormlight. Keep up the good work.

Awesome Shelli! Looks like you've kicked the habit for good now :) But remain ever vigilant!

[Shelli]

Stormlight :rarrow: :irwinnar:

[Ensign Steve]

I haven't had a cigarette today. I'm not really a full-time smoker anyway, but there was a special about 2 weeks ago where they lady talked me into buying 3 packs because they were on special, and i just polished off the last pack last night, so remind me not to buy any more packs on my way home. Not that I would anyway, since I don't have the triggers and I always forget. Who the fuck forgets to buy cigarettes?! ME! Remind me to forget again tonight.

[But]

http://www.hypnoticaddiction.com/images/stories/spirals/basic_black_white.gif

You must.. forget.. to buy.. cigarettes..

[Stormlight]

Day 7:

Yesterday was great. No cravings, I felt great. Today's cravings came very unexpected. I feel like shit. :kickscan:

Oh well, things can only get better from here.

[Shelli]

Good job, Stormight, and yep, you know it get's better. :squeezle:

[Ensign Steve]

I didn't technically buy any smokes, but I did smoke half of bey's. :glare: I think I should refuse to see him again until he quits too.

Doing okay on my own ever since, though. :cheer:

[Shelli]

:joecool2:

[beyelzu]

I didn't technically buy any smokes, but I did smoke half of bey's. :glare: I think I should refuse to see him again until he quits too.

Doing okay on my own ever since, though. :cheer:

a glare?

really?

next time you ask for one i will just say no, for your own good dont you know

[viscousmemories]

Congratulations Stormlight, good luck! (Have I ever mentioned how much Allen Carr's Easyway To Stop Smoking helped me? ;) )

I can confirm They's comment that the cravings don't seem to go away completely, but it's also true that they fade with time. After a couple years they are so few and far between as to be hardly worth mention. It's been about six years for me now and I get cravings about 4 times a year.

[Shelli]

6 years! Way ta go, vm! :cheer:

[Deadlokd]

Nice one VM. And to everyone quitting just remember that if you can quit smoking, you can quit anything. So feel free to take up heroin, cocaine, whatever, 'cause you know you can kick them all:yup:

[Shelli]

:giggle:

As one of my favorite (and bizarre, so I'm told :dunno:) sayings goes..

It could always be worse; it could be crack. :pipe:

Wot? Well, it's true. :unnod:

[Stormlight]

I tried Allen Carr's book. Did nothing for me. :(

Anyway, on to day 9. :larrybounce:

[Watser?]

:larrybounce: Go Stormlight :larrybounce:

[Shelli]

:bunnythrust: Go, Stormlight! Go! :bunnythrust:

[Sock Puppet]

Meh, the cravings did go away completely for me. Of course, it's been 19 years.

Congratulations, quitters! :cheer:

[Shelli]

19 years!? :w00t:

[Kyuss Apollo]

It's been little over three since the last time I quit.

I miss my cloves once in a while, but not the pain in my chest or the constant coughing.

[Shelli]

And you smell better too.
:psst:

Yay, Kyuss! :five:

[Ensign Steve]

I dunno, cloves smell pretty nice. :)

Beginning Day 2 for me. Also beginning Weight Watchers today. I'm a double threat. Look out!

[Shelli]

:rughide:

[Stormlight]

Good luck, ES! :leprechaun:

[Stormlight]

You know, those last few days have really been :meh: for me. I guess it's the lack of any obvious progress.

After the first few days I could actually breath easier. That was an immediate result. Since then, nothing really. So the withdrawal makes me question whether it's really worth it. And how nice it would be to light up.

Well fuck you! Not this time. :shutup:

[Shelli]

Yeah! Fight the urge, Stormlight! :airbox: Kick it's ass right good! :asskick:

:giggle: :hug:

[Stormlight]

Yeah, with your help and, of course, :larry: this will be easy!

:larrybounce:

[Shelli]

:vibes:

[Kyuss Apollo]

When you get the urge guys, take deep breaths until the urge is gone.

Sounds korny but it helps. The real intense nicfit actually lasts not that long, someone told me who taught me that trick a long time ago. The extra oxygen helps re-equilibriumize you or something. I don't know why it works, but it does.

Just need to outlast the crave--you can do it!! Also, don't leave any cigarettes laying around handy... :yup:

[Ensign Steve]

Cool trick. I've always learned "just wait 2 minutes" or "the craving will go away whether you smoke one or not".

Anywho, I ate salty munchies at stamping like a little piggy, and I was disappointed in myself. I was tempted to buy a pack on the way home and I was all rationalizing like "I'll lose some weight first, then quit ... one thing at a time" but then I didn't want to have to face y'all :blush: so I didn't do it.

I went to Krogers and got some healthy snacks and bubble gum instead. :ungum: Day Two draws to its close ...

[Stormlight]

Ok, tonight sucked. I need to get my :insomnia: under control and quick. I lay wide awake at 3am and all I could think about was how great it would be to smoke. I could actually feel the big wave of depression crashing down on me. :(

Man, that sucked. It's scary how much your own head can fuck with you. Fucking nicotine. :mutter:

Oh well, day 10 now. The deep depression has gone. So far, so good.

[Stormlight]

Maybe it's time to channel "The Larry" ...

:larrythrust: :larry: :larrybounce:

[Deadlokd]

Start jogging. Start whittlin'. Stop thinking about it. Ten days does not deserve a backwards slide.

Good luck to Ensign Steve too. :thumbsup:

[Ensign Steve]

Ok, tonight sucked. I need to get my :insomnia: under control and quick. I lay wide awake at 3am and all I could think about was how great it would be to smoke. I could actually feel the big wave of depression crashing down on me. :(

:doh: I couldn't fall asleep the last couple nights either, and it never occurred to me that this could be related. :duh: We should take up pot. I bet that's what Larry would do. :larry:

Day 3 begins ...

[Stormlight]

Well done so far, ES! :cheer:

Hey, I'll channel "The Larry" for you, too. :yup:

:larrythrust: :larry: :larrybounce:

[Ensign Steve]

Oh, also, I have "cycling" class this afternoon at the gym. I hope my lungs hold out. I've got kind of a sore throat today, but that could be because of all the nighttime mouth-breathing I've been doing, thanks to my sinus congestion. Damn, who knew this shit tore you up so much? :nosmoking:

[Stormlight]

Sore throat is normal. I had that for the first week as the body starts to heal itself.

[Shelli]

Oh yeah, I slept like utter crap when I quit smoking. Nicotine withdrawel, although not for all, can most definitely affect your sleep, affecting your mood which is already chemically depressed because of the nicotine withdrawel. Oh yeah.. it's a good time. :medusa:

Just keep reminding yourself that things won't be like this forever; it'll pass and you'll have passed. :victory:

Go, quittters! Go! :cheer:

[Watser?]

:larrybounce: :cheer: :larrybounce:

[Shelli]

Didn't think it could feel good to be a "quitter", didja? :giggle:

[ceptimus]

Stay strong guys!

For a laugh, here's part of the Father Ted episode where he tried to give up cigarettes for Lent (Father Jack gave up alcohol, and Father Dougal, rollerblading).

Cigarettes and Alcohol...

[Stormlight]

Day 10 was smooth. Let's see what day 11 brings. :larrybounce:

[Ensign Steve]

Yay for smooth! :larrybounce:

Day 4 dawns for ES ...

I feel like crap in the ENT area, I'm tired as hell, and I just want it to be the weekend. "Yay." Day 3 was good, though, with the healthy snacks and working out at the gym and all.

[Stormlight]

Congrats ES! :larrybounce:

Day 3 and 4 are the worst. It gets better after that!

[Watser?]

:cheer: :larrybounce: Go quitters! :larrybounce: :cheer:

I like that slogan :giggles:

[Shelli]

:larrybounce: Yay quitters! :larrythrust:

[Ensign Steve]

I half-woke up from my nap this afternoon with "where's my smokes?" on the brain. It's not quite the same a smoking dream, but it was still confusing until I came all the way awake.

Closing in on the end of Day 5 with the weekend ahead of me ...

I think I won't drink this weekend. Better for my inhibitions and my diet.

[Shelli]

I think I won't drink this weekend. Better for my inhibitions and my diet.That's probably a good idea. :cheer:

[Stormlight]

Day 14:

I can't believe I haven't touched a cigarette in 2 weeks. :larrybounce:
Tonight I was reminded that the fight is not over yet when I woke up and had a panic attack. :panic: I didn't expect that and it was very disturbing.

[Deadlokd]

Two weeks and you're worried about a slight panic attack? Wow mate, two weeks is huge. That's your first fortnight as a non-smoker. Nice work. Have a vege-stick :vegcook:

[Watser?]

Spicy food, alcohol and coffee can make cravings worse, it's prolly wise to avoid them for a bit.

Otherwise: :cheer: :larrybounce: Go Stormlight! (and Go ES!) :larrybounce: :cheer:

[Shelli]

Vege-stick?! Bah! Get yourself a Kondike bar. The Heath version is awesome! :sundae:

Good going, Stormlight! :cheer: :larrybounce: :cheer:

[Ensign Steve]

I don't know what day I'm on. I don't even know what day it is. I've had more sleeping hours than waking hours (possibly even 2x as many) since Friday. I'm so foggy right now.

BUt smoke-free anyway. "yay"

[Dingfod]

Good on ya, all of you!

[Shelli]

Go, Ensign! :bunnythrust:

[Ensign Steve]

:larrythrust:

[Ensign Steve]

I was jonesin real bad last night for a minute, but I ignored it and it went away.

I got a week under my belt. Here begins day 8 ...

[Watser?]

:thumbup:

[Shelli]

:mvp:

[Stormlight]

Well done, ES! :larrybounce:

Day 17 for me. It's still an uphill battle, but it's getting easier. :larry:

[Watser?]

:golfclap:

[Shelli]

17 days!! Awesome, Stormlight! :snoopy:

[Stormlight]

:larrythrust:

[Ensign Steve]

Today begins day 10 for me.

Small challenge at the picnic yesterday, as some of my friend were smoking and I did enjoy a beer. But I was concentrating too much on the tournament and getting a sunburn to think about smoking.

[Shelli]

Yay, Ensign! :larrythrust:

[Stormlight]

:larrybounce: Well done, ES!! :larrythrust:

[Kyuss Apollo]

You can do it ES!! Just keep taking those nice deep breaths of clean air whenever the urge occurs. :yup:

[Deadlokd]

Nice work Stormlight and Ensign Steve. Just a question ES. You're in the Air Force? Do people at work smoke around you? How do you handle that.

[Ensign Steve]

It's actually pretty inconvenient to smoke at work. The one designated smoking area is way far away from my office. I stopped smoking at work years ago, and my good friend at work is one of those annoying "wah-wah-I-have-asthma" non-smokers, so when I started again, I hid it from her, so it was definitely no smoking at work for me anyway. The other day was just special because it was Air Force picnic instead of regular work, so we were outdoors and grilling and having beer and there was just general smoking going on around me. It's not an issue for me daily, though. Thanks for asking.

Thus ends day 11 for me. I am completely strapped for cash right now. I only put $20 in my tank instead of topping off, I only got 10 out in cash at the grocery instead of 20, and I bought sammich stuff instead of nuka meals. As I was putting away my groceries, I thought, "wow, I'm glad I didn't have to budget for cigarettes this week!"

[Shelli]

:cheer: :dollah: :airforce: :dollah: :cheer:

[Shelli]

157 days and 28 pounds!! :powerwoot:

[Ensign Steve]

That's awesome, Shelli! :cheer:

OMG! I just remembered I had my first dream of smoking last night. Guh. I remember worrying about telling y'all. :lol:

[Shelli]

:chuckle:

[Stormlight]

Well done, Shelli! :larrybounce:

Yeah, I dreamed about smoking last night, too. I woke up and felt bad, because I "failed".

Pffff. Day 19 is almost over.

[Shelli]

:cheer: :bolt: :cheer:

[beyelzu]

tomorrow i will be a nonsmoker

im smoking my last cigarette right now

[Ensign Steve]

:cheer::dancebey::cheer:

I'm at the end of lucky day 13. It's a bitch, but it's totally worth it.

joo can doo et!
:duh:

[Deadlokd]

Go beyelzu. Good luck with it.

Stormlight, that's got to be three weeks now right? Hooray.

A big hand for all our quitters, Shelli, Stormlight, Ensign Steve and beyelzu.:appl:

[Stormlight]

Yes, three weeks today. :larrybounce:

Congrats, ES! And good luck Beyelzu!

[beyelzu]

thanks guys we will see how it goes

i do have a can of altoids though and tht should help

[Watser?]

:larrybounce: Yay is Stormlight and ES! :larrybounce:

:cheer: Go Bey! :cheer:

[Shelli]

Good job, Stormlight & Ensign! :super:

Go for it bey! :cheer:

[beyelzu]

well i had a cig after work, i bummed one from my brother but im not going to buy anymore smokes regardless and i still feel pretty good i did smoke 2 plus packs a day for many years after all


anyway.

let see if i can hold on to only one cig today

and hopefully zero tomorrow

tomorrow will be easier cuz my brother wont be home when i get off of work

[Ensign Steve]

Dude, you're stronger than this thing. Mind over matter.

[beyelzu]

no doubt, it really shouldnt be a big deal


and it really wasnt at work
and its not now

[Anastasia Beaverhausen]

:cheer:

[Ensign Steve]

It's been 2 weeks now exactly. The fucking :insomnia: is killing me.

I think I need to stay a week or so behind your posts, Stormy, so I can see what's in store for myself.

Need ... Sleep ... :tired:

[Deadlokd]

Alright ES. Mind over matter right. At two weeks all addiction is now in your head. The receptor beasties in your brain are dying in droves. There is a small part of your mind telling you that you want a cigarette. Your body doesn't. It's just that wee tiny bit of brain. You need to find it and tell it to shut up.

Beyond that, do read Stormlight's old posts and see how much better he is feeling now. Huge kudos to all.

[Ensign Steve]

It's not a cigarette I want right now. It's some fucking shuteye. Thanks tho.

[Stormlight]

Day 22:

I agree, Ensign Steve, the insomnia is a real bitch. The last two days have been a bit better, though. I still have trouble sleeping but I only wake up twice per night instead of every bloody hour like I used to.

Hang in there. It gets better.

[Ensign Steve]

Heh, I can usually stay asleep once I fall asleep. It's the falling part that's not working out for me. It's now 2 a.m. and I have a kettle on for a cuppa Sleepytime.
:countsheep::countsheep::countsheep::countsheep:

[Ensign Steve]

On the bright side, I get to catch up with all my friends on the future side of the world. :ciao:, Stormlight! :wave:, They!

[Deadlokd]

Oh dear. I'd forgotten the insomnia. All I can say is that it does get better. Do the usual avoid insomnia things. No caffeine after 4pm etc.

Anyway, :bigwave::wave::boywave: right back atcha!

[Shelli]

You could try a half hour or so of exercise one or two hours before bed too. :nod:

[beyelzu]

so far so good

no smokes right now

and the withdrawals are feeling my head with thoughts of rage

[Shelli]

:couch:

Go, Bey! Go! :cheer: :dancebey: :cheer:

[Stormlight]

Just take it an hour at a time, bey. This will go away.

[Ensign Steve]

Wrapping up day 15. I really wanted to lay down for a nap when I got home from work, but I took a run instead. Two miles in 22 minutes (working my way up to 5K). I avoided caffeine all day, and had a nice herb tea with my tv-watching.

Here's hoping I can actually get some zzz's tonight. :crossed:

[Stormlight]

Nice, ES! :larrybounce:

Another awful night for me. I fell asleep around midnight, woke up at 1:00, the again at 2:30, 4:00 and 5:00. :mutter:

[Shelli]

Hope you slept better, Ensign. :bed:

Sorry to hear it, Stormlight. :cheered:

[Ensign Steve]

I'm sorry, Stormy. :sadcheer:

I slept really well! But of course I'm still tired this morning. :gmorning:

[Deadlokd]

Hurrah for partial success. How's the rage bey? Are you past it or do you still want that ashtray mouth?

I'm gone for three weeks. That's plenty of time for all of you to be over it. So, go, do it, no, don't do it. Quit! Yay. No smokes FTW.

[Watser?]

:larrybounce: :cheer: Go quitters! :cheer: :larrybounce:

[Deadlokd]

Hurrah for partial success. How's the rage bey? Are you past it or do you still want that ashtray mouth?

I'm gone for three weeks. That's plenty of time for all of you to be over it. So, go, do it, no, don't do it. Quit! Yay. No smokes FTW.

[Ensign Steve]

I'm really fighting the urge to take a nap. We need a quit napping thread. Maybe I'll lay down and just try to stay down until work tomorrow. :bed:

[Shelli]

Yeah, I was really dragging the first few weeks when I quit too. What I hated the most about quitting was the fuzzies (what I call it when I'm in a fog and can't think straight). :wookie:

[Ensign Steve]

17 days put away. I'm running like a crazy person, and it's really cool to push myself to my limits knowing that I'll have enough heart and lungs to still finish it out. I find myself going hours (dare I say almost all day) without thinking about having a smoke.

[Stormlight]

Yay, ES! :larrybounce:

I'm on day 25 now. The hooks are getting weaker and weaker. I don't automatically reach for the cigarettes every time I sit down in front of my PC at home. I don't reach for them when I leave the car in the morning to walk to work. :larrythrust:

[Watser?]

:larrybounce:

[Stormlight]

Also, I am no longer constantly hungry. For the first 2 weeks I was eating like a pig. All the time.

How I managed to still lose weight, I'll never know. :whatthe:

[Shelli]

Yay for Ensign & Stormlight! :cheer: :larrybounce: :cheer: :larrybounce: :cheer:

Also, I am no longer constantly hungry. For the first 2 weeks I was eating like a pig. All the time.

How I managed to still lose weight, I'll never know. :whatthe:I'm on day 163 and I'm still hungry most of the time and eating like a little :piggy: . It's a good thing I needed the 28 pounds that I've gained to date or I'd be one sad tiggermonkey. :giggle:

:gnoshing:

[Stormlight]

Heh, yeah I eat anything I can put my hands on. Still, since I stopped smoking I lost 3 kilos. :larry:

[Shelli]

Heh, yeah I eat anything I can put my hands on.:orly: :giggle:

Still, since I stopped smoking I lost 3 kilos. :larry::w00t:

[beyelzu]

so been sticking to the spearmint altoids, day 4 i guess.

so far so good.


supposed to see my gf tomorrow

[Ensign Steve]

:trophy: You rock, bey! :trophy:

Just think how much more energy you're going to have. :nudge:

It's definitely rough with the eating. That's why I had to do the diet and quit at the same time, or I would have ballooned up even bigger than I already am. But I'm smoke free and down 8 lbs. :cheer:

[viscousmemories]

Keep it up, peeps. You're doing great. Also, you're now eligible for America's Top Model (http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/hot-maybe-but-tyras-girls-arent-smoking/).

[Ensign Steve]

You never know. I mean Tyra does outweigh me by like at least a bill.

[Stormlight]

Pfff, you're way hotter than Tyra anyway, ES. :yup:

And, way to go beyelzu! :larrybounce:

[Shelli]

Go, bey! Go! :dancebey:

Ensign, you're abstaining from nicotine AND you've lost weight! You da whoa-man! :victory:



Stormlight...

You're falling asleep..sleeeep..sleeeep..
:hypno:

[Ensign Steve]

It's all the running. Running away from the pain of it all. :melo:

[Shelli]

Oh!! The pain!!!
:dramaq: :larrow: Ensign


:giggle:

[Watser?]

:unrun: