Smoke free and Miserable

[Peterlock]

Hi Folks,

I've been detoxed from lot's of drugs in my lifetime but I don't remember the withdrawal from cigarettes being so hard. I keep reaching for ashtrays that aren't there, my thinking is erratic and cloudy and my lungs ache.

It's not the searing mind bending pain of withdrawal from Alcohol or Benzos but it's constant and horrible enough that I;m just taking it moment by moment...nano second by nano second.

I miss them terribly and wonder why I decided to quit in the first place, no sudden epiphany, I just decided last Friday enough was enough for this 3 pack a day for 25 years smoker and quit.

It was so bad yesterday I bought the Nicoderm 21 mg patch - and it takes the edge off a little...best place for it really is probably over my mouth!

• Anyway, I don't even think I have a point except to say that I hate this, I know riding it out is all I can do...just one day at a time and today I choose not to smoke.

If anyone out there is suffering, you're not alone and sometimes just in knowing that and reminding myself of that helps.

Peter

[cleochatra]

From what others tell me, it's a physical habit, too. You are used to doing:

reaching for an ashtray
having something in your mouth
maybe you play with the cigarette

Time to keep a dish nearby you can move around,
or gnaw on an inkpen
play with a pencil

It's as much the 'habit' of having something to touch that is tangible as much as the drug. Also, your doctor can probably prescribe some dopamines which will aid in the addiction healing process, as dopamines are what are doing the cha cha in the brain from smoking.

Hang in there! You'll be so glad you did! :joy

[Peterlock]

Well thanks UberCleo,

The cha-cha eh?

I must have a pair of castanets around here somewhere......

Thanks kiddo,

Peter :icondance <---does the cha-cha

[theredhead]

I can't tell you how much I admire you, Peter, for your choice to be healthy. :yes I know you're going to hang in there and lick this! I also notice another pound down for you. Awesome!

[Peterlock]

Hi Laurie, :wave

Thanks so much! these days it's really second by second but it'll get better, I really appreciate your taking the time to leave such a sweet note, you're the best!

Peter
ha

[spydergrl80]

I feel your pain! I quit a 3 pack a day habit cold turkey as well. I had to quit immediately when I found out I was preggo. The worst times were when I was driving, that's when I would always chain smoke. Have you ever taken Wellbutrin or Zyban? Wellbutrin really helped take the edge off for me. You will feel so much better once you get through the withdrawal, I promise. You will be able to breathe so much easier, not only physically, but knowing that you are doing the best thing you could possibly do for yourself and are no longer harming your body. You are awesome!! Keep it up!

[Laurenfra]

:hug :hug Peter you really are a hero. You have so much courage!

[DebbietheHugBug]

Hi Peter, you awesome person! :wave

I agree with Spyder. Wellbutrin would be a good thing to try, especially during the early quit time. My doctor put me on it to quit smoking (I haven't yet, need to pick a day). 2 pills a day really help to not even think about a cigarette. 1 a day takes the edge off.

You can do this!!! :joy

[Elleth Faewen]

Peter,
Just remember the only way out is through. I promise you it will get better, and it is so worth it! You are worth it. Take it second by second as you need to. Straws can help a lot too. Just chew on them.

:hug :hug :hug :hug :hug

[ravenfan]

Currently I am trying to quit as well. I have never smoked much at all, just socially, but just can't seem to stop for good. I think I'm going to ask my doc to let me try wellbutrin.

[stlsweeti]

Peter, I just have to tell you how excited I am for you. It's awesome that you decided to just quit smoking one day....especially after smoking 3 packs a day for 25 years! I hope you don't give up now.....you're doing terrific. I hope I can be as strong as you one day and give up this nasty habit.

[DebbietheHugBug]

Peter, I just have to tell you how excited I am for you. It's awesome that you decided to just quit smoking one day....especially after smoking 3 packs a day for 25 years! I hope you don't give up now.....you're doing terrific. I hope I can be as strong as you one day and give up this nasty habit.

I want to echo that!!! :hug

[sugarfreeone]

Hi Peter!

Kat here Hooray for you for deciding to quit! Hang in there! You CAN do this! and you WILL beat the cravings my friend Perhaps since the smoking is somewhat of an oral fixation you could try the Nicorette gum when you run out of patches? I have been told the orange flavor is better than the plain gum. Also, maybe get yourself some sugarless gum to chew on too......Does anyone know of a sugarless gum without the nutrasweet Peter can try?

Both of my parents quit smoking after years of using cigarettes....Both used gum...and my mom claims that she kept a pencil handy to play with because you DO miss holding the cigarette....Just make sure it is an unsharpened pencil...You dont want to stab yourself with the pencil...that would not be fun ...and YES take it day by day....minute by minute if you have to. Once you have beat this think of how awesome you will feel!!! You hold on and pretty soon you will have this beat!

:hug
Kat



Yay I'm melting!

https://www.renewyourskin.net/kathysatkinspage

[Elleth Faewen]

How are you doing, Peter?

[Peterlock]

Hi Elleth, :wave

That was so sweet of you to ask how I'm doing,

It's two weeks since my last cigarette, some days are easier than others, yesterday was awful but I got through it - it's definitely much more difficult than I imagined. I work from home 99% of the time much of what I do consists of writing and I always somehow associated being creative with smoking, there was always one lit in the ashtray right next to my cup of coffee!

Amazing really, that six weeks ago I couldn't walk a block without being winded, did zero exercise, smoked three packs (of kools no less!) a day and drank an average of two pots of coffee a day plus countless cans of diet coke.

Caffeine, cigarettes, carbs, sugar - all out of my life and I'm walking three miles a day, every day.

I knew the smoking would add weight, consumerreportshealth.org says the average person gains between 8 -13 pounds - it's frustrating but it's the lesser of two evils.

BTW, I looked at your site babytalkzone.com wonderful job on design and what a great gift you've given others , I was so sorry to hear of your loss but at the same time encouraged to know you're still fighting for your dream - no doubt your child is out there you just haven't found each other yet.

Anyway, thanks for checking in, that really was kind of you.

Peter ha