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Original poster

Smoking cessation

176 replies

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 14/02/2022 12:19

I know Mumsnet hates smokers so I am not expecting any support here - more just that I wanted to create a sort of log. I started smoking at uni when I was 21, I'm now 48.

I've joined Boots smoking cessation programme and have patches and a spray thing. I also have a vape. I think the habit of smoking - the punctuation points in the day - is going to be really hard to quit, but I realise I have everything to gain from stopping and nothing to gain from smoking.

Reasons to stop:

Health
Wealth
It's embarrassing to smoke and I am ashamed to be the last raver still at the party!

I have not smoked today.

OP posts:
Original poster
Judystilldreamsofhorses · 24/02/2022 00:08

Day ten, done. My dentist had to go home sick (hope she’s okay) so no shiny clean choppers for me until the end of next month.

Thank you @WTHiswrongwithme! @PaulineFowlersCardigan how are you doing?

OP posts:
oneyearin · 24/02/2022 00:31

Hi, I am 544 days off the fags after smoking 20 a day for 44 years. It took me three serious goes and I now vape (mint) instead. What did it for me was the pandemic - so scared that my lungs wouldn't be able to cope if I caught the virus, plus the smell, cost, and I was almost the last one standing in my family and friend group. Kicked them with patches and vape. You are doing great - when you feel the wave of longing, hold on and it will pass.

guestusername · 24/02/2022 13:10

Is anyone finding that their tastes have changed, either for the better or not?

I’ve gone off vinegary things like beetroot or pickle but have started drinking coffee again after years of hating it!

Original poster
Judystilldreamsofhorses · 24/02/2022 21:04

You’ve done amazingly @oneyearin! I know what you mean about being the last one standing. My smoking buddy at work - who is now retired and had been smoking for almost 50 years - switched to vaping a couple of years back and I felt ashamed to still be smoking.

@guestusername I really notice it if DP makes tea, which he tends to like milkier than I do - the milk taste is so strong and yuck. He is delighted because I am making all the cups of tea now!!

OP posts:
oneyearin · 24/02/2022 23:42

Thanks - you can do it too! My DIL also gave up as a direct result. She came for a cuppa recently and we both realised that the last time we did this indoors was when we both smoked (due to the pandemic). My coughing fits have reduced and I have saved enough money to buy a new Apple Mac. Just grit your teeth and one day at a time. 💐

Original poster
Judystilldreamsofhorses · 25/02/2022 22:06

Day 12 just coming to a close. I had to go back to the smoking cessation person yesterday for more patches - I realised the sprays she gave me were about £20 each so I feel a bit guilty they are just stashed unopened in the hall cupboard. I didn’t take any more this time.

It’s my birthday today, and I am proud of myself for not smoking!

OP posts:
guestusername · 25/02/2022 22:39

Well done and happy birthday!

hayley013 · 25/02/2022 23:00

Hey, well done for being so determined even when tempted!

I have recently decided to ditch the cigs, so started with a vape, at the moment I haven't yet quit as I have 2 cigs per day but I am looking to drop those.

I was finding the vape liquids were harsh on my throat but that I needed a higher strength to satisfy my cravings. Someone recommended nicotine salt liquid which is just a slightly different type to a standard liquid, and it's amazing! I can now have 18mg liquid and it isn't harsh on the throat at all

PaulineFowlersCardigan · 25/02/2022 23:05

@Judystilldreamsofhorses
Happy Birthday!!! And well done! Today was 2wks for me, been feeling really proud all day.
Only thing I’m struggling with is I have def replaced them with any sugary snack I can get my hands on, so need a bit of a reset 🙈

LaWench · 25/02/2022 23:13

Quitting is really tough. I managed to switch to vaping fully a few years back. I loved vaping and did it constantly. I had to go cold turkey to quit vaping.

Ishouldaknownbetter · 26/02/2022 00:00

My husband and I gave up smoking on New Year's Day.
We vape now, I make a cup of green tea and sit in the garden with my vape and enjoy. Don't miss lighting up or the smell. I prefer the vape to the mints as like the ritual of sitting in the garden in the evening with a drink. No Nasty smelly hair either.
Good luck to you op, hope you stay smoke free.

Original poster
Judystilldreamsofhorses · 27/02/2022 00:06

Day 13 ✔️. Thank you for the birthday wishes!

OP posts:
Original poster
Judystilldreamsofhorses · 28/02/2022 00:21

And day 14 ✔️

OP posts:
Original poster
Judystilldreamsofhorses · 01/03/2022 00:03

Day 15 has been hard. If I had had cigarettes to hand I would have smoked. I didn’t, so I didn’t.

I have been sleeping badly with awful vivid dreams/nightmares which I think are due to the nicotine patches - the counsellor lady said that was common but said I had to have the 24h ones. That doesn’t make sense to me because I have never been in the habit of getting up in the night to smoke! I’ve just taken today’s off to see if that helps.

I am tired and grumpy, tbh. I know smoking would not make me less if either of those things. But yes, I could go a fag.

OP posts:
guestusername · 01/03/2022 08:59

Maybe give it a couple of days without the patches but keep vaping? The amount of nicotine you’re getting with both the patches and vape it’s no wonder you’re having funky dreams!

You’ve got this! The first few weeks are the hardest but once you’ve aced them you’ve done the hardest part 💪🏻

Original poster
Judystilldreamsofhorses · 01/03/2022 09:34

Thanks @guestusername - I took the patch off before bed last night and slept straight through, no dreams, no waking up feeling panicky, so that was good! DP also slept in the spare room so that might have helped too, he is an awful snorer but I think he was afraid I might murder him with my grumpy mood!

I have no-nicotine vape liquid arriving today too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Judystilldreamsofhorses · 02/03/2022 00:27

Day 16 ✔️

OP posts:
pawpaws2022 · 02/03/2022 00:33

Keep going
I quit a 30 a day habit by vaping

Original poster
Judystilldreamsofhorses · 03/03/2022 00:32

17 ✔️

OP posts:
PiperPosey · 03/03/2022 00:47

@Judystilldreamsofhorses
OH Yippiee.. I'm a vaper. Quit cigarrettes 5 years ago...and the thought of them now repulses me.
I smoked for maybe 30 years.

The one thing about smoking and going to patches...is that we LOVE the ritual of grabbing our cig inhaling ...exhaling. Holding it while we are gabbing with people...in person or on phone...with coffee, tea etc.
With Vaping you get all of that. ( The patches will give you nicotine, but without the ritual behind smoking)
I vape 6 mgs. of nicotine now...
Now I don't want to encourage you on the vape continuation if you want to stop all together... but I can't emphasize that the ritual is the key thing that is missing with the patch...and that you can eventually go down to 0 nicotine...and then stop.
I'm proud of you...woo hoo... xoxox the vape hasn't caused any health issues for me... love and light and kindness to you..

Bogeyes · 03/03/2022 05:50

Well done . I am so happy for anybody who stops smoking. One day you will realise you have stopped counting the days since you stopped. Keep going....x

glitterelf · 03/03/2022 06:09

Hi just stumbled across this thread and wanted to say well done keep going Smile
I gave up smoking on the 29th Dec last year and so far I've actually found it quite easy. I'm vaping only because the patches in the past have irritated me and disturbed my sleep. Those who vape how much nicotine do you have in the e-liquid ? Currently I'm using 12mg but my goal is to reduce and eventually not use the vape.

guestusername · 03/03/2022 08:54

@glitterelf well done 👏 I started in November on 12mg, went down to 6 in January and my next lot will be down to 3. Not gonna lie, I was very scared of dropping down to 6 but it was seamless so hopefully going down again will be just as easy 🙂

glitterelf · 03/03/2022 09:02

[quote guestusername]@glitterelf well done 👏 I started in November on 12mg, went down to 6 in January and my next lot will be down to 3. Not gonna lie, I was very scared of dropping down to 6 but it was seamless so hopefully going down again will be just as easy 🙂[/quote]
That's amazing well done ⭐️ I'm hoping to drop down to 6mg next month. My DH has also chosen to give up for lent he's finding it more difficult than I did and had 2 fags this morning but I've told him that he's still doing amazing and to keep going but he's using the patches and a vape I have got him a disposable to take to work which he didn't want to use but broke by lunchtime yesterday.

PiperPosey · 03/03/2022 10:35

@glitterelf
I am down to 6, but I started at 12 also.
I don't see me stopping anytime soon. I enjoy vaping. Hasn't hurt me one bit.
In fact before mysurgery Dr's asked if I smoked..I said, " I Vape.." Well, don't put that on the form...Just say no.
They did every test on me imaginable and my lungs are great. ( They thought I was having a heart attack at one point in the Urgent Care, but it was something else...can't remember what..So they did a chest xray..blood work etc. Good Luck!