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Original poster

Stoptober... Anyone?

119 replies

elementofsurprise · 25/09/2015 14:26

Thought a support/distraction thread might be a good idea?

I'm trying to switch to vaping... have lovely coffee flavoured liquid. Also vape inside but smoke outside - as the nights are drawing in and getting colder it really feels like time to start vaping only, inside in the warm! although may require a blizzard to actually drive me inside away from the ciggies

Anyone else looking to take the first step of Stoptober? Smile

OP posts:
justalittlelemondrizzle · 02/10/2015 10:58

I'm on day 2! Well kind of... Ran out of cigs at 4pm yesterday. Went to buy more but bought an e cig instead.
Feeling ok upto now. Ahh!
I'm not telling anyone I'm quitting as I've tried and failed so many times before.

ohnonotanothernewbie · 02/10/2015 11:46

I'm on day 2 and struggling - I really, really, want a sneaky cig now! I have a vapestick, but it's really not the same - am I doing it wrong??!!After 20 years of smoking, I really want to quit!

Original poster
elementofsurprise · 02/10/2015 12:17

lemondrizzle You went to buy cigs and bought a vapestick instead? Shock That's a bloody good sign!

YY to not telling anyone either! (anonymous thread not included!)

Maybe we should have a distractions thread... or just divert to AIBU?!

Ohno You can do it - this is the hard part, remember. It wil get easier. Days 2&3 are notoriously difficult - you're doing really well.

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Original poster
elementofsurprise · 02/10/2015 12:46

Just started the Allen Carr book! The edition I have is prefaced with:

"At last the miracle cure all smokers have been waiting for:

  • Instantaneous
  • Equally effective for the heavy smoker
  • No bad withdrawal pangs
  • Needs no willpower
  • No shock treatment
  • No aids or gimmicks required
  • You will not even put on weight
  • Permanent"

Makes me think of those old Victorian advertisements for wonder cures like electric shocks and tonics made from creosote and cocaine..!

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Original poster
elementofsurprise · 02/10/2015 12:47
OP posts:
Mooogles · 02/10/2015 18:04

How is everyone getting on? I have made it most of the way through day 2.. Just contemplating having a go on DH's vapestick.. But have not touched a cigarette. Kind of looking forward to bed so that I don't have to think about it any more. Takeaway curry tonight tho, yum.

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 02/10/2015 20:28

Oooh you made Discussions of the day! Star

I think there are basically two ways to approach quitting (excluding Champix) and they don't mix:

  1. With nicotine - either NRT or ecigs. If you are using nicotine, make sure you use enough and use it for long enough. You can use two forms of NRT together (e.g. patch and inhalator) or use a patch and an ecig together. If you try to minimise the amount of nicotine you are using but are still having strong cravings there's no point - you are just prolonging the agony. The idea is to use enough nicotine to deal with most of the cravings while you lose the behavioural habit (or change it, in the case of switching to vaping) and then cut down the nicotine (or not, if you are happy to vape longer term).

  2. without nicotine - cold turkey, including Allen Carr. If you are not using nicotine, the idea is to get it out of your system as soon as possible, so you don't want to be having occasional fags/vape/NRT. Again, it's just prolonging the agony.

Whichever method you are using, don't fret if you have a slip up, just keep counting the ones you don't smoke and make plans for how you will deal with that situation next time.

You're all doing fantastically well Flowers Good luck for tomorrow!

scribblegirl · 02/10/2015 21:29

Hello gang. Am on stoptober and determined to do it this time.

It's been a busy couple of days but DH is out tonight and I've just finished up a couple of glasses of wine. I know where I've hidden the fags. So tempted. But I know that if I give in now then I'll never succeed. Tempted to go to bed at half 9 to take myself away from temptation!

Mooogles · 03/10/2015 03:32

Ah insomnia... Marvellous...

Original poster
elementofsurprise · 03/10/2015 08:48

Impressed with the Allen Carr book!

Hope you managed moogles and scribble. If not read the book - it says to keep smoking through it if you've not already stopped.

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scribblegirl · 03/10/2015 08:57

I didn't crack last night! I did call my mum and get a bit emotional (I was really blue yesterday, side effect maybe?). Was in bed by 10.30 and have woken today feeling very proud. Here goes day 3! How is everyone else getting on?

Element - I was tempted by the book but didn't order it in time. If I fail this time around I'll definitely pick it up though, I've heard great things about it!

Mooogles · 03/10/2015 09:05

Scribble - well done!! Day 3 for me today too. Goal for today is not to use dh's vapestick at all and get the nicotine out. Feeling positive and fine atm, but this evening is when I will struggle, trying to keep busy. Might go and do the food shopping early evening..

I have read the Allen Carr book before and have up for several years afterwards. It is good.

How is everyone else getting on?

Mooogles · 03/10/2015 09:06

Meant to say Scribble that I am emotional too, sure it is a side effect..

Original poster
elementofsurprise · 03/10/2015 10:40

I actually caved as soon as I started, have been very down this week. Didn't like to mention it as the OP... Wink

Chain smoked whilst reading Allen Carr yesterday and then spent the evening with a smoker puffing away next to me but didn't myself!

Physically feeling the urge now but mentally not... it's very odd.

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Original poster
elementofsurprise · 03/10/2015 10:42

Meant to add, so I'm not even at 24hrs yet, hope I last! Well done day 3 people!

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Mooogles · 03/10/2015 11:01

Hi element.. So are you going to finish the book and then stop? Keep us posted with how you get on!

justalittlelemondrizzle · 03/10/2015 13:47

Day 3 people! This is where the novelty usually wears off. DH went for a fag last night and when he came in the smell knocked me sick. Is this what we smelt like ugh! Still on my first disposable ecig. It should run out any time so I best get to the shop for another one.
Worked out I've saved about £20 so far! Well minus the fiver for the ecig but still! Grin

scribblegirl · 03/10/2015 13:59

Good point lemondrizzle, I'm a 10 a day smoker ('am'? 'was'? Too early?!) so that's easily £13 saved so far! Maybe I should spend it on some posh bath oil and a glass of wine....

I know what you mean about the smell. I get the tube every morning and am usually rammed against someone. Yesterday I was up close and personal with someone who stank of smoke. Made me feel guilty for those stuck next to me Blush

That's not to say I didn't trail down the high street earlier today in the trail of someone's smoke, inhaling deeply... Passive smoking doesn't count, right?? Wink

HeffalumpsnWoozles · 03/10/2015 17:44

Not the best of starts, vaped this morning while catching up on Doctor Foster. Had lunch and cracked, smoked 4 today but it's better than the usual 15-20 so all is not lost.

Does anyone know of a nice spearmint eliquid? The plain mint one I'm using is a bit harsh.

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 03/10/2015 18:31

That's 11-16 not smoked! Lots of vapers (probably the majority) 'dual fuel' for a while and cut down slowly. It can take a bit of time to find the right strength, flavours and kit that work for you.

Sorry I have no eliquid recommendations, two years in I still only vape cheap faggy flavours Grin If you ask on the vaping vipers thread, someone will probably be able to suggest something.

HeffalumpsnWoozles · 03/10/2015 19:08

Thanks Plenty, dual fuelling might be the best way for the rest of today. Not had any more so far. Helps it's getting cold outside and vaping with a cup of tea indoors is much more appealing.

Mooogles · 03/10/2015 19:50

I don't know much about vaping so can't offer any useful advice on that front. My DH went and bought cigarettes a couple of hours ago and I have not had one but it is harder and harder to resist. Wish it was bedtime !

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 03/10/2015 19:57

Have a bath and an early night if you can, Moogles. Can you ask your DH to keep it all out of sight and not let you know when he's having one?

Mooogles · 03/10/2015 20:03

Thanks plenty, yes I will get the kids to bed and ten go upstairs myself I think... With some chocolate! DH is being pretty discrete but I now know they are in the house... Aargh!

Totallyoutoforder · 03/10/2015 22:00

Oh can I join please ? I have been smoking since I was a teenager and even after 2 kids, I have to confess I have not quit. Shame on me. I went down to 5 then although never went above 15/day, more was overdose with headaches, nausea....
It is my 4th attempt. First was offered by friend doctor who used acupuncture, suppose it did not work as I wasn't convinced. 2nd was during 1st pg but was so stressed out that GP advised not more than 3/day if I could really not help it. 3rd was before I planned 2nd pg with patches. It did not work either, experenced a few overdoses though.
Bought Allen Carr book probably 15 years ago, could not finish it then as it is/was repetitive. Read it again during 3 last weeks, finished it this time on Friday. Finished my pack on that day too at 10am. I was home, it was easy not to smoke. But then school runs and I gave in with a pack of 10. My last fag was at 5pm this afternoon. Again, I have not left the house so I did not miss it too much. A bit scared to be left on my own with time, I am working from home most days. I am the only smoker here, DP does not smoke, DC asked me to quit as he was told at school it was bad.
So this is my 4th attempt, too ashamed to tell anyone in RL.
Good luck everyone.