Hanging in There
I'm just starting my 3rd day and I'm doing great.
I keep getting up at 4:00 AM every morning. I feel rested so I keep asking myself why does it matter. I just start my day earlier.I did take a 3-hour nap yesterday so that may have had something to do with it. I get so tired when I quit smoking and then it just hits me. One minute I'll be fine and the next I have to go lay down.
When I nap with my patch on, even then, I have vivid dreams. So far they haven't been bad but I sleep better at night not wearing it.I heard a story once that a woman who lost her husband to smoking decided to quit a year later. In that year she never dreamt about her husband. The first night she wore the patch she dreamt of him and always wore it through the night while she was quitting so she could see him in her dreams.
My cravings were worse yesterday then the first day but I got through them. The last two days I have been chewing gum like a mad woman and by last night my jaw, ears and head hurt so bad I had to stop chewing it. A couple times I thought my jaw was going to lock up. I need to find something else.I've been treadmilling every day (has it really only been two days?). I haven't got on it yet today but it is only 4:30 in the morning.
My coughing is better. I know my throat will start to clog once my lungs start to heal and my cough will get worse again. That hasn't started yet and it gets difficult at work since I'm on the phone a lot. Thank God for hold and mute buttons. I'm still looking forward to that healing process.Things are starting to smell different, some good and some bad. That tells me that things are starting to heal.
I love putting on my favorite perfume and knowing that others can smell that instead of stale smoke.
I can remember previous quits when I started to feel FREE. I'm not there yet but I know it's coming and I love that feeling. It gives me confidence that I can do ANYTHING.I read the comments throughout the day (and night when I can't sleep). Everyone is doing great!!! I'm glad to hear that the blog helps. The comments from everyone help me as well.
Good luck everyone!! We are doing it. We are free of this disgusting demon that has had a hold over our lives for so many years.We can always remember 2006 as when our lives began again. A new beginning!
Updated 1:32 PM: I did my mile on the treadmill. : )
Comments
Good morning, Tammy and everyone.
I just smoked my last cigarette (again). I started out yesterday then ended up buying a pack last night after a glass of wine. I should know that for smokers trying to quit, alcohol is the kiss of death. I will NOT give up on quitting. I destroyed the pack I bought and quit again today. Nobody I know smokes! No one at work, none of my friends, it’s such a stupid (but powerfully addictive)habit. UGH! I find this website enormously helpful and next time I find myself starting to slip, I will post instead.
Thank you all and hang in there!
Looks like you and I Tammy are in the same boat. On New Years Eve, I smoked more than ever just to “get it out of my system”. But Jan 1, 2006, I decided to turn over a new leaf. I’ve been smoking for 10 years now and now it’s time to get over it once and for all. It’s really mind over matter. The urge hits me quite a lot during the day, and I find that if I keep myself busy, it passes. It’s tough now, but I know in the long run, we can all be proud of ourselves that we finally did it!!!!! Good luck..
Tammy and everyone else, one day at a time! I smoked for 40 years having only quit once about a year and a half ago for 3 months. I love reading what you write as it is all the things I am feeling. I use nicorette gum and yesterday chewed 4 pieces through the course of the day. I’m trying to tell myself to wait as long as possible before I give into the craving and chew the gum. Each of us must use the tools that work for us, just DON’T SMOKE! I imagine a picture of myself with an oxygen tank and the hose in my nose, having to carry it everywhere I go. I will be 56 in a couple of months and I sure don’t want that for a reality! I also relate to the feeling free, Tammy. And, I like seeing my tongue pink! My mouth feels cleaner already and besides that, my husband will kiss me now! LOL
I am struggling big time!I can’t stop..I always think of how I can sneak my next cigarette!I want to stop..but I LOVE to smoke…I know the reasons I shouldn’t..but they fade real quick!
Hi Tammy and everyone. I’m new here. My quit day was Jan. 1st. I use the patch and am hoping and praying that I get through this. I watched my boyfriend die in April with lung disease (3 pks. daily) and I don’t want to go thru that. I have too much to live for. Please pray for me. I’m on my 3rd day!!!
Hi Tammy and everyone. I quit on Jan. 1st. I quit for nine years and started back this past year. I am 66 and do not want to be smoking at 70 years old. I will do it this time. I quit cold turkey. I want to live to see my nine grandchildren’s children. Please pray for me.
Hi Tammie and everyone,
Day 3! Glad to hear that you’re doing well Tammie. Have you tried chugging water when you get a craving? Last time I quit, I found that the “full” feeling that I got from filling my stomach with water quenched the craving.
This time I’m on Zyban (Wellbutrin). They said that I should wait week after starting the meds to quit smoking, but I quit on day 3 of starting the Zyban. I just didn’t want to smoke anymore. I don’t know if it is helping me or not (don’t know the alternative!), but I haven’t smoked yet! I do still have cravings, though.
I wanted to comment on Jojo… I know how you feel, and I am doing the same thing. I still recognize every opportunity when I could “sneak away” and have a cigarette. And I still WANT to smoke… the physical act of smoking a cigarette is wonderful! But I guess I have gotten to the point where the reasons for quitting are more important than the “selfish” act of giving into a craving. Don’t worry… when the time is right, you’ll get there! I know it’s hokey, but just don’t quit quitting.
One day, 23 hours, 57 minutes and 44 seconds. 19 cigarettes not smoked, saving $5.24. Life saved: 1 hour, 35 minutes.
Congrats on starting Day 3. I’m right there with you. I’m using Wellbutrin and the patch, and the combination of the two is making me feel a lot stronger about this quit than any one before it. When I absolutely feel like I will die if I don’t smoke, I’ve been blowing bubbles. I look like a doofus, but it mimics the action and makes me feel better.
Keep strong!
Hi Tammy and all,
I’ve also quit on 1 January 2006. I’m not using any nicotine supplements or patches, but hope that my annoyance at being so addicted to something will help me quit. Now every time I get a craving I get angry at being addicted, whereas in the past when I tried to quit I’d blame myself for denying myself. Good luck all.
Good Morning Tammy and all fellow non smokers
I hope all of you keep up the good work. I have been smoke free since April 23,2005 2:30 AM. I smoked for 40 years!!! I used the patch until August. I reward myself by paying myself for not smoking. I withdraw $40.00 per week and put it in an envelope marked “vice fund” and spend it on anything I want. I ALWAYS “PAY” myself before any bills. I would have spent it on nasty cigarettes anyway. I hope my little trick will be helpful. You will be amazed at the amount of money you will have in your fund.
Good luck to all… stay strong!!!
Tammy,
I will be quitting on my 50t birthday, (I hope) The last time I tried I chewed gum like you and had sore gums and jaw. I suck on Tootsie Roll Pops when the craving hits. Good Luck to all
Cold Turkey, Day 3! I’ve smoked for 35 years. I love to smoke. Yum, a cig with a cup of Starbucks, what could be better? But now I’m DONE! No more cigs, ever! I am going through withdrawals! I could light up a whole pack and shove it in my mouth right now! I won’t, that’s it, I’m going to suffer through each day, marking off the days as a Victory! I refuse to give in this time. This is one of the most difficult things I have ever tried to overcome! I wish everyone who smoked could quit! Best of luck to all of you who are trying to Quit! I hope you win!
Good Job!!! Happy New Year! My quit date was April 12, 2005 now I have to start the healthy eating. It sounds as if you are doing great. Our state recently passed new laws stating that no one is allowed to smoke in a public building, including bars and restaurants it is so nice to not smell like smoke when I seen my friends that still smoke. Keep up the good work. I know you can do it. Linda
Cold turkey 59 hours and 23 minutes. Keeping the fingers busy with sunflower and pumpkin seeds…pumpkin seeds are better…less salty. I said a prayer for all of you!
I’m also on my 3rd day… Tammy – I had very vivid dreams last night too. They kept me up – I am going to sleep without the patch tonight to see if it gets better.
I have taken up a twizler habit… I cut the ends off of the twizler so it’s hollow – it’s working!
Good luck all!
Today is day 3 for me as well. I too am using the patch this time. A few weeks ago I quit for a total of 10 days, but I let the stress of the holidays get to me. That was the first time in 13 years that I had been smoke-free for longer then a day. I plan to make this quit stick. This is my first time on patches and so far so good. I also never got back above 10-12 cigs/a day after my last quit, so I think that made this time even a little easier. I too know the “sluggish, icky” stage is coming up, but now that I know its normal and “it too shall pass” I believe I will be able to make it. Thanks Tammie and everyone who’s quitting together, this forum is the best thing ever!!
After work I’m going to get the patch and quit. This is what I needed – someone to go through this with. I know I can do this! Hang tough, Tammy!
Today is day 59 for me! I can’t believe it – the first week is definitely the worst – I recommend sleeping a lot and making yourself accountable to as many people as possible. Tell everyone! Don’t get me wrong – I’ve smoked for more than 20 years and during the past 59 days, I have had a few slip up and smoking no no’s – I’ve smoked about 12 cigarettes during that time – it seems I have a harder time just letting it go. Anyway, I feel great, smell good and my kids and hubby are way proud! Keep it up! Nicoreet fresh mint works so much better and is softer than the other nicorette gums. Happy to be a non-smoker (almost I guess)
Marlene
Its been 1d22h3m smoke free.I am using the nicorette inhaler and so far so good.I have quit before only to give in to my weakness, this time I will try and be stronger. It helps hearing what everyone else is going through.. Good luck everyone , hang in there.
Hi, everyone: Day three and I am going strong. Yesterday I took my pug out for a walk: we ended up walking two and one half hours. Felt soooo good to breath deeply and freely. Have been chewing nicorette gum to reduce the cravings. So far so good. This morning before work I took our pug out again for a long walk before going into the office. Our pug is named Pugz Magoo and he is my stop smoking buddy. He likes it that I don’t smell like a cigarette. And so does my wife. Thanks for all of your comments out there. I struggle with you but we can do it this New Year. Time to get back our self respect. What does smoking do? Absolutely nothing!!!! Except ruin our health, make us lazy, rob us of our natural energy and vitality, makes us smell bad, etc. Change is good. tony
I am 64,and started smoking at 13.It looked so cool when Betty Davis did it in the movies!I am down to 3 or 4 cig.
a day.Most length of time without cig.
5 days.Wish they would make them illagel.I don’t know if i can do this!
Does anyone know how long it takes for nictone to leave your system? Good luck to Tammy!Jan.3,2006
I too stopped smoking on Jan 1st. I heard that it takes 72 hours for the nicotine to leave your system and much longer to get over the mental addition of cigs. I am 34 years old and have 3 children. I have smoked off and on for the last 15 years (this is frightening how quickly the years add up). I just heard from a co-worker that a friend of hers is on her death bed with Lung cancer and she is 48 years old…that means that if I continued to smoke there is a pretty good possibility that I too could be in her situation in 14 years. I have a 18 month old daughter that I wouldn’t see graduate from High School, My Son would be 18 years old and my oldest daughter would be 22. There is a pretty good chance that I would not see my grandchildren…This is enough to convince me to stop. I have made it 3 days and at this point I would have gone through all that pain for nothing. I figure the pain that I have faced for the last 3 days and the couple days to come, is way better then the pain I will endure if I get lung cancer and the pain that my children and husband would endure watching me die from Lung cancer.
Hi Everyone,
I decided to go completely cold Turkey this time, no Zyban or NRT. It’s hard, but about to go to bed after my 2nd complete day.
Good luck to you all.
Hello all!
I am so glad to see I have so many people in the same boat as me- Although I am only 23 years old, I have been smoking since roughly 15 or so! I have never wanted to quit as much as I do now, and I really hope this works! I have been smoke free since Jan.1 and the hardest part is beginning to kick in. I almost feel as if though i am coming down with the flu, my body feels very achie and sluggish. Good luck to you all, I am praying for everyone!
Shelly – I can relate, I’m 23 (soon to be 24) and have been smoking since I was 14/15. Today is day 2. I’ve tried and failed in the past, but I really feel like this time I can do it. I wish you all the best of luck and will be visiting this site daily for support!
Thank you all & stay strong!
JDS
Hi Everyone,
Good news!! My partner and I have made it to Day Three. This time (yep, we’ve tried to quit smoking so many times before) we are doing it cold turkey – no nicotine whatsoever… and so far so good – amazing (mind you, we aren’t the happiest couple around – ha and we are both having the weirdest dreams).
To stay smoke free, we:
* Watch all the anti-smoking ads on TV (we used to change the channel, and now we love them)
* Read everything about how bad smoking is
* Read everything about how great giving up smoking is
* Drink heaps of water (with sliced lemons – because the acid in lemons is supposed to rid the body of nicotine)
* We brush our teeth, often, and comment about how pearly our whites are
* We talk about how much we really want to do this
* We talk about all the people we know who have given-up smoking for good (almost everyone we know)
* We talk about how unpopular it is to smoke (in Australia there’s no smoking in pubs, restaurants, buildings, beaches, near doorways and windows, etc)
* We’ve been working in the garden and doing lots of exercising…
* And, we’ve worked out our cravings for a ciggie only last about 1 minute. Although we used to smoke about every 15 minutes, we only have about 10 real cravings a day. And, those cravings only come when we do things that ‘go-well-with-a-cigartette’ like talk on the telephone, work on the computer, have a drink, etc….
But, so far so good. It seems that we are all doing it. So, pats on the back all round – we are NON-SMOKERS!
Easy breathing
Congrats to everyone. So glad to have found this, what an inspiration. Didn’t start on New Years, have a phobia to resolutions on new years, so started on the 2nd. Am officially 18 hours with out a smoke and so is hubby. I am doing welbutrin, he is cold turkey…nothing….and grumpy but loved anyway.
Best wishes to all and good luck!
Good luck to all of you guys,I quit december 2nd, 2005…It was really hard I did the patch the first week, all me the rest still no smoking over a month I have smoked for 21 years. the demon is gone
I have quit so many times, but I’m hoping with the help of reading this blog, that this will be my last. I had my last cigarette yesterday afternoon. Reading Tammy’s blog will be something I read each day to help me. I’m not using the patch.
Hello everyone. I am 62 years old and have tried for sooooo many years to quit smoking, now I am on day 4. Still want a cig, but instead I grab a bottle of water and I say I want a cig . The want one is gone . Best I have that will work for me.Yes I use the patch and meds. best of luck to all of us for not smoking ever again.
I have been reading your Blog Tammy and I think it’s great. I plan on quittin Jan.29th,my 50th birtday. All of you are a great inspiration to me. Just thinking about quitting makes me nervous, but I want to so badly. Hang in there guys.
Does anyone using the nicorette gum have any side effects from it?
Hi everyone, this is my umpteenth time trying to quit and I am doing wonderfully. Last time I quit, it was for two months and I unfortunately started again when I began drinking alcohol. So this time I have given up alcohol, caffeine AND smoking and I think I am having more withdrawals from the caffiene and alcohol that I don’t even THINK about smoking:) I am working out in the mornings, and evenings and trying to keep myself constantly occupied so that I don’t even have time to think about smoking and it is definitley working. Well good luck to everyone and congrats on making the smart and healthy decision to stop!
i guit smoking since 23 of jan and i still have craving and when i do that i go for a walk. i have been smoking off and on for 21 years this year will be the best cause i will be smoke free. don’t give up have faith and have god to help u and he will. god bless u all.
I “quit” on November 13, but I broke down a couple of times. However, even then I never wanted to go back to being a “smoker” — I just wanted to smoke! It’s totally crazy.
I find that I’m quite forgetful these days because the smoke breaks used to provide cues and reminders.
Generally I like to smell my hands to help my motivation. I enjoy that they don’t stink. I also try to wear my favorite perfume, because it smells so much nicer now.
This is my second time quitting, both on Zyban. It works great to get me over the hump of just not smoking anymore — honestly, you can just forget about it, it’s quite remarkable.
My biggest concern is how to manage my stress levels. Last time I quit I got terrible dizzy spells. Of course, it was just after 9/11, I’m a native New Yorker, and my husband is a Marine. Of course, it’s not much better now — I’m in the middle of a dissertation. But, I figure there will never be a point in life where stress won’t be an issue, so I might as well do it now as any other time.
I’ve always exercised, so I am upping my levels as I pile up my non-smoking days. It feels good to be running more and faster — relatively, of course!
Peace!
Jill
It
I’m a nonsmoker but I see what people go through. When I tell a friend at work they should quit I hear all the excuses. My theory is that it is the nicotene talking telling smokers why they should smoke that next cigarette. Nicotene says you just woke up and you haven’t had a smoke since you went to bed, light up. Nicotene says a cig would sure taste good after that meal, or with that drink, or after sex, so please smoke another. Nicotene tells you to say you’re not ready or able to quit right now, light a cigarette. Nicotene tells you you still enjoy smoking and you can quit when you want but we all no better. QUIT LISTENING TO NICOTENE, LET EVERYBODY KNOW HOW STRONG YOU REALLY ARE AND GIVE NICOTENE THE BOOT.
Hi everybody, I see that comments have been coming in slow over the last “2 years”
Hope I still get some responses. I stopped 7 hours and 30 minutes ago using the patch. Tomorrow morning is the scariest part, but I am giving it all, water, healthy eating, training every morning with wifie and so more. I wonder how things turned out for Tammy,does she still visit this site. I’m coming back to keep you all posted.
Best of luck to all other “Quiters”
It’s all about dignaty, self respect, self discipline, value for life, honour and unleashing the warrior that lives inside each and every one of us. Lets take back all of our lives, little by little, step by step, we can all achieve greatness, living on the edge!
Keep it up and “JUST DO IT”
Esten
I’m still doing it
28 Hours and 22 Minutes clean. I woke up this morning and did not know what to do with myself since the mornings would normally start with a smoke. This morning this house was quiet and wifie was still sleeping when I took my running shoes and just hit road for a good old jog. I came back and found her awake in the kitchen, scared the jeevers out of me, then I hit it for 5 sets of dumbell curls and 5 sets of bench flys, I also did 5 sets of jacknifes. I focused on water today, and eating healthy, lunch was tuna sald, then cracker bread with cheese, water, water and more water. At work now, not easy all the time, but hanging by the moment each moment bit by bit, hour by hour. The warrior inside is about to come out. They phoned me for a job interview today, seeing the boss tomorrow morning at 9AM, yeah, hope all goes well. “Keep ya all posted”
Hectic morning this morning, little sleep, but much more awake considering the amount of sleep. “Being a smoker could really make one feel it in the mornings. I had loads of water, went for that interview “Went well” but now waiting to hear from them. Got home and trained trained trained, At work now. 50 hours clean now and proud as hell. People are really starting to encourage me as well, their faith in me is growing by the hour and each hour clean earns a little more respect from others and myself. Anybody else out there that would like to join in on this mission? Im done with the bad smelling, dirty, life taking, filthy, unattractive sh!t. It’s now all about detoxing, diet, train and being healthy. I’m getting there, and boy am I going to get there.