Please help- stopped smoking and feel so low :-(

[calmday]

Hi. I stopped smoking a couple of days ago. I ran out of money so am unable to afford any more cigarettes or tobacco. I've been using nicotine lozenges but I'm still finding it extremely difficult I don't know what to do. Usually when I smoke I feel extremely low when I wake up and my mood lifts when I'm out having my first cigarette. So it must be due to withdrawal. Now I don't have any cigarettes to lift my mood The truth is I really want to stop smoking. Why is it so fucking hard I have a history of MH problems and this is making me feel like I was when I was depressed Please please any words of encouragement would be appreciated xx

Congrats to the best decision of your life!

What about knitting? A sweater, will keep your hands occupied for a while and something to concentrate on.

Yeah that's a good idea thanks, unfortunately I don't know how to knit or anything like that so would have to learn. It's good to keep my hands busy though.

Ah, I could have written your post, am flat broke so been forced to stop, am on day 2, using nicotine gum which i’m trying to make last as long as possible as can’t afford anymore, why do they make it so expensive, am craving madly and really depressed, really trying to stop myself thinking about it and cheering up but I feel bloody miserable

Book an appointment with your GP they can give prescriptions for nicotine replacement patches etc it's tough giving up without help or support...

Calmingbalm I'm really sorry you're suffering too but it's lovely to know that there's someone else in my situation! I too have to make my nicotine lozenges and gum last until I next get money! I'm feeling a bit more positive than this morning, I'm starting to feel that maybe I can actually do this! Take care and stay strong! xx

The main thing to remember is that the way you feel now will not last forever (or even that long). A couple of weeks from now, the nicotine will be long gone from your system. After that any cravings are about habit, and while I can’t pretend those are easy to break there are ways to manage (eg keeping your hands busy at times you usually would smoke, avoiding booze and other smokers if they are usual triggers, keeping some healthy snacks so you have something (eg carrot sticks) to put in your mouth in place of a cigarette).

I genuinely think the first couple of days are the hardest though and you have already done those. Now, if you stick to your guns you won’t ever need to go through this again.

Thanks for lovely words of encouragement, we can do this! I gave up for 2 years after a heavy habit over several decades and then about 4 months ago I started playing around with one here and there, then used a house move to justify starting again, ridiculous, now back at square one going through all the withdrawals again, isn’t it crazy how lack of money forces you into a situation that care for your health should take priority over, but I honestly know if money wasn’t such a problem at the moment I would still be smoking xxx

I stopped smoking for five years when I was pregnant and breastfeeding then stupidly start again you're right that health reasons should be enough to make us stop but we are addicts! It is a truly hard experience! I wish you all the luck and strength in the world! xx

Try and take your mind off it do something positive. Go for a walk, do an excersize video, pester your other half, visit family friends nonsmoking

But you weren't enough of an addict to keep smoking when pregnant or breastfeeding. So isn't your own health just as important as that of your children?

Yeah Titsy that's a very valid point. The good news is I'm at the end of day two now, and suddenly everything seems easier! I know I can do this now!! I can become a non-smoker!! xx

My dad claimed the best way to stop is the way you do, stop abruptly and cling to the table until you're through the first week or two weeks. Just hang in there!

Have only second-hand experience, had to promise both my parents never to smoke...

You can totally do it!! I hear my Mum hacking, wheezing and coughing after a lifetime of smoking and am soooo glad I gave up. It does get easier.

Thanks guys xx

Third day and counting. Get yourself a pair of knits and appropriate yarn and look up on YouTube how to do it. If you go for somewhat thicker yarn you could easily make a scarf, your first. Look at a second-hand shop if you're out of money. The start of a new and useful and fun hobby.

I know it's stressful. I gave up on 9th Jan this year after 25 years of smoking. I was pretty angry for quite a long time but the urge to smoke went pretty quickly and I avoided going out for a few months to take away the drink and fag temptation! I rarely think about it now and if I ever do fancy one it passes quickly. Very glad I did it!

Well done Titsy. Well Im on day three now and I feel quite good, although I have had a lot of nicotine lozenges today. I'm really looking forward to going to my parents' at Christmas cos I'll finally be a non-smoker! And no-one else smokes there.

How's the no smoking going?

Thank you for asking Buster, I had 3 yesterday but haven’t gone back to craving so hope I haven’t done too much damage!