Quitting Smoking One Day at a Time

[AgentFelix]

I took my last puff at 23.59 and I am not going to smoke for the rest of the day, or the day after that, or the day after that ...

Bit of a blow at 00.00 when I gathered up my ashtray, lighter and 4 remaining cigarettes to find I had an unopened pack of 20 hidden on my desk. DP now has the somewhat crappy job of distributing said pack somewhere in the neighbourhood. I was going to post them through a (smoking) neighbours letter box but I don't know her very well and thought it might creep her out.

Does anyone want to buddy up?

I'm going to make myself accountable to this thread. Support is very welcome.

DP has just come back and assured me he has left fags where I won't find them. I just hope that the person who comes across them hasn't just started their own quit.

[Elderflowergranita]

Great news! I quit a long time ago, but found nicorette gum a life saver back in the day (1998).

Use all the support you can get. Don't think about the day after day scenario, just focus on much smaller time frames. Don't underestimate the withdrawal feelings - this is where you need your patch/gum whatever. It carries you through those times.

Focus on how good you will feel at being a non-smoker. For me, following several attempts I finally gave up when I realised how much I loathed the idea of being a smoker, and of how fearful I was of the health issues. These factors totally overrode the pleasure I felt in smoking.

Just focus on saying goodbye to the guilt and stress you have felt over smoking. The very best of luck - will keep watching!

[AgentFelix]

Thanks both of you

I'm going cold turkey. Sounds utterly ridiculous but I am so scared. DP is being great, he's a non-smoker but knows how much I relied on my ciggies to cope.

I'm going to be extremely nice to myself over the next few weeks. I'm going to treat myself with the money I'm saving, sleep in late and eat junk food.

Thanks for the support. It's much appreciated.

[mrsdinklage]

You can do it - and its great your dp is being so supportive
yy to the junk food

[AgentFelix]

I'd like to start knitting again but the only person I know who could refresh my memory of how to do it is my extremely impatient mother. I don't think it will end well.

Instead, I've got some cross-stitch projects organised, I'm going to cull my bookshelves because I've got a kindle, and I'm going to do my Smash Book which is all about the evils of smoking.

[toiletbrush]

How's it going Agent?

I smoked my last cigarette Saturday lunchtime . Feeling slightly light headed this morning and a bit wobbly with a good dose of panic thrown in ( sounding positive here aren't I ) but determined to give this a good go!

[6monthson]

Just wanted to cheer you on - I smoked my last cigarette on 5th December last year. Used Champix to give up, which, although it wasn't pleasant (makes you feel a bit sick when you take the tablet) really did work for me. I'm 47 years old and had been smoking on average 15 a day (sometimes less, sometimes more) since I was 18.

I still sometimes think it would be nice to have one, but I know I can't, and I've only put on about 6 lbs (that's the upside to the Champix making you feel a bit sick - not only does it put you off smoking, but it also puts you off eating to compensate!!).

Best of luck to you.

[AgentFelix]

Thanks for cheering me on

I'm doing ok today. DP is doing everything so I'm just lazing about. I didn't even bother to get up until 1pm. No problems so far.

toiletbrush well done! I've been wondering how you were getting on. Day 3 is always the hardest for me but once it's over the cravings really ease up IME.

[maudpringle]

Good luck

[AgentFelix]

Thanks maud

I found last night quite hard. I didn't know what to do with myself and everybody and everything was pissing me off. I did feel good at midnight though, knowing I'd gone a full day without nicotine.

Woke in same grumpy mood this morning but it's lifted now.

toiletbrush how are you doing?

[maudpringle]

The week I stopped smoking (champix) I really spoilt myself too, lots of lovely things to eat and drink,long soak in the bath etc.
What also helped when a craving came on was to brush my teeth.
Good luck Agentfelix and toiletbrush

[NoobyNoob]

Well done!!

I had my last fag this morning and I've had a Nicorette patch on all day. It's so scary because I've smoked for so long I don't know how I can go on without it! But one day at a time and so far so good :)

[AgentFelix]

Fantastic Nooby.

I feel scared as well. I've smoked for 23 years and have had a 40 a day habit . I feel very unsure of myself at the moment. Nothing feels natural and I'm unable to forget that I want a cigarette. I can't concentrate on anything and no activity appeals to me. I wish I had a sound proofed room with padded walls so I could scream and thrash about without hurting myself/alarming my neighbours.

Anyone else want to join us?

[NoobyNoob]

Agent I'm exactly the same - I've got mega rage at the moment and have just had 20 minutes cycling furiously on the exercise bike in the garage.

I can't think of anything else but taking the tenner out the drawer and nipping down the offy!

...But I'm not going to. I'm going to breath deeply and tell myself that I've gained an extra day on my life :)

[AgentFelix]

How are you doing Nooby?

Yesterday was bloody hard for me. Today has been a lot easier. The cravings are changing I think. At the beginning I just wanted a cigarette all the time and felt irritable because I couldn't have one. Today I've not had that constant nagging feeling of wanting but I've had BIG craves where I've had to take deep breaths to get through them. They only last a minute or so though.

Anyone else quitting and looking for support?

[QueenOfCats]

Hello all!

Just posted in chat and was kindly pointed in this direction

I have one ciggie left in the box and once that's smoked that's it - no more!

[AgentFelix]

Oh Good Queen

I've just got to 72 hours and I'm having a quiet celebration. I had a difficult phone call earlier on which upset me and I bawled my eyes out in the bath afterwards. I was very close to chucking the towel in.

Good luck Queen. Keep us posted.

[QueenOfCats]

Thanks Agent - and well done!

Had my last fag at 11pm last night so 16 hours in and not finding it too bad - had 2 bad cravings and am a little ragey!

[NoobyNoob]

I'm not too bad - today was worse than yesterday. I went out for a run last night and instantly noticed a difference in my lungs - they didn't feel so heavy so I'm definitely noticing the difference.

Agent it sounds like you're doing so well - just keep it up. Think of the money your saving and how you'll look back in a few months time and feel very proud that you're still going strong :) x

[QueenOfCats]

Why am I irritated by every little thing?

I feel absolutely murderous and can't settle to anything

[AgentFelix]

Queen I think hope I'm over that stage of super irritability. It really is horrible. Poor DP and DS have had a lot to put up with this week. I'm surprised they haven't just presented me with a packet of ciggies and sent me to my room to get over myself.

Yesterday turned into a lovely day here. I went to see my mum and nan. They always treat me but it normally goes in my purse for cigarettes food shopping. Anyway, yesterday I went shopping and bought a dress and boob tube thing. I haven't had the money to treat myself to clothes for ages.

Nooby wow, that is impressive. I've been looking at bikes and think I might treat myself once I've saved enough.

[LalyRawr]

Isit ok if I join you?

I had my last smoke about an hour ago. Am armed with one of those electric ones and am determined to quit.

I smoke 20-30 a day, gave up completely for 9 months while pregnant then stupidly started again.

This past week I've started to have problems breathing. Like when I breathe in, it's not fully if that makes sense? I'm 25! I should not be struggling to breathe!

I have told th e women in Tesco's to not serve me anymore! She is lovely but scary so definitely won't. I do need help, so I hope its okay that I've posted here.

[QueenOfCats]

Hi laly - what type of ecig do you have? Let e know how you get on with it - and well done for making the decision to quit!

Agent - I'm still the same today - it's doing my head in! I'm so snappy! It's nice that you got to treat yourself - kep it up!

It's now 48 hours and 20 mins since my last cigarette