12 hours into quitting smoking...

[SinkGirl]

I’ve been smoking - a lot - for 25 years. Managed to quit for a year once, then started again when my mum died. Since then I’ve been completely unable to quit despite many efforts - managed to mostly stop while pregnant but started again right away afterwards like an idiot.

I know I need to stop, it’s absolutely excruciating though. I am so tempted to just go and get some some but then the pain of today will have been a total waste of time.

Nicotene replacement does bugger all for me. I have a vape but it doesn’t seem to help either.

How long did this worst part last for you?

I painted my fingernails a lot. Gave me something to do with my hands...and I was flammable!

DH was looking at pics on his iPad last night. I stopped at one and asked him when it was because that was the last time I smoked. It was 20 Aug last year.

I use a vape for nights out, that’s all.

Good luck op, you can do this no bother.

I'd try the vape again. What strength nicotine did you have last time? Could it have been that it was a low strength and so you weren't getting a good enough replacement for the nicotine you were used to having?

I'd go to a proper vape shop and explain to them you're quitting smoking, how much you smoked and that you want an equivalent replacement to start off with. They should be able to advise you on the type of device and liquid that will satisfy your craving and hopefully get you off the fags!! Then you can start to reduce your nicotine if you want to.

I started vaping about 18 months ago. I've never wanted a cigarette since. Baking just seems so much nicer to me. I'm 39 weeks pregnant at the moment and can't wait to charge my vape up and get it out again (on the sly obvs not in front of kids haha)

I used to love chilling on an evening with a vape and a glass of wine.

Best of luck OP!!

SinkGirl you got this.

Day three here. I have a headache, I'm snappy as fuck...and I've prolongued my life by 9 hours!

Vaping not baking!!!

I am using my vape - I’ve got both 18mg and 24mg liquid but it’s not helping in the slightest. Ugh.

SinkGirl it's normal to feel like shite. BUT...persevere, and you'll only need to do it once! I can promise you, it gets better. If you'd like a PM/email/text/whatever buddy, I'd be happy to oblige. 💖

Have you tried an e-cig? I didn't get on with vape. I find e-cigs better as I have the "hand to mouth" action with them.

I’ve smoked on and off since I was 14 (33 now.) first time I quit, they put the price up from £5.60-6+ over night and it seemed like such a lot and I just stopped and didn’t start again for 5 years. Had 4 deaths in 6 months so started again but then fell pregnant with DS so didn’t smoke for another tear or so. I lost my mum in May this year and started again in April and was easily doing 30+ a day. Last week I just knew I had to stop for my DS. I quit cold turkey again and have really struggled. It’s really hard but I know I can do it as I’ve done it before.
You can do it too. Good luck

Here's where I earn the "Cunt Of The Year" award- I couldn't even give up while pregnant!

💖

How are you doing OP?

I’m on day 8 of no fags.
I’ve been a smoker for a very long time but have always been able to go most of the day without one (no tea/fag breaks in my job!!).
Breaking the habit of my post-work smoke is the biggest challenge for me. Cost is a factor and now I’ve run out of duty-frees, I’m putting off going to buy any. I’m also trying not to announce (to myself or anyone else) that I’m giving up because I have little faith in myself to be able to keep it up long term
I’m meeting a friend for lunch today and am already dreading it - almost cancelled yesterday because I’d convinced myself that I’ll end up having a fag.

Clutter that first social outing was my main worry! But I went out last night, gin was involved, and I STILL didn't cave!

8 days is mint!!!

Amazing! Congratulations!!!

Well done OP, I've decided today is the day I'm quitting. Early 40's and starting to notice the wheezing and coughing in the morning I've had enough.

I'm looking for a good electronic menthol cig so will nip to the shops later, any recommendations or ones to avoid?

I made it to 48 hours and then fell off the wagon like an absolute idiot.

Handed the pack over to DH as soon as I got home from my appointment but I’m so pissed off with myself. Back to square one.

You are NOT an idiot! Smoking is more addictive than heroin (which, btw, I also had to withdraw from a long time ago- so I should know). We only fail when we stop trying. 💚

Ecigs- try the 10 motives from Tesco. They do normal and mental cartridges. Vapestick are pretty good too.

You’re not an idiot. Just keep getting back on the wagon.

I found the first cigarette after I quit for a while disgusting, I really had to ‘train’ myself to enjoy it again. How ridiculous is that?

They really are disgusting, even after two days. The sad part is that what I want right now is an enjoyable relaxing cigarette and that’s impossible because they’re so gross.

It’s ridiculous!

I smoked for 30 years, between 10 and 20 a day and tried so many times to give up.
I tried vaping, in the very early days, going cold turkey, Alan Carr, you name it, I tried it and just failed consistently.
Then I ordered Champix from Lloyds pharmacy. Took as directed and suddenly realised one day that it had been a fortnight since my last fag and I had forgotton to crave one! That was a year ago, and every now and then it hits me like a sledgehammer that not only am I a non smoker, I dont even want one.

I never thought I could ever do it, i suppose different things work for different people, but this was nothing short of a miracle for me.

Good luck OP 😁

I've herd that the actual 'cravings' (the brains attempt to get its fix) lasts about 3 minutes. Then, it's not like you are resisting for days/weeks/years on end, just a bunch of 3 minute moments that you can easily power through.
Go you!!

If the immediacy of the money/smell benefits of quitting aren't helping. Watch some videos with people with end stage copd and imagine your kids watching that for you.

You can do this.

Can you shake up your routine a bit? Go out somewhere new that you don't associate with fags? Go a different route to work? Confuse the brain to help it stop missing that 1 part of your routine?

Oh and you're not back to square 1 at all. You're bang on track. You need to slip up to realise how much you want to stop. With worry about that.

First 3 days, for sure. Had a wobble at 3 weeks and roughly 3 months too (which is often referred to as the icky 3s) but definitely the first bit is the hardest I think. If you're in the right mindset, once the physical craving has gone, it's easier to keep on track.