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1. ocean

   

   286 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   Answered

   19 Dec 2020

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   Hello Smokers helpline,
   I'm coming back again and I'm in the panicky stages as my quit date approaches.  It'll be hard to quit during COVID as I can't go to the Gym to hammer out my frustrations.  Right now I'm not looking forward to it.  I hate withdrawl, I hate the energy sucking, obsessive thoughts, fatigue, depression, and malaise associated with withdrawl, I hate every bit about it!  And it goes on for months, but I know good times still happen and it gets easier.  I always succomb at the 6 month mark, I'm stupid - and after all of that work.  So I'm not starting out on the bright side, I know.  And I have a week to change my mindset.  So here I am!
2. wandam

   

   241 posts
   Registered:
   05 Feb 2019
   19 Dec 2020

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   Hi ocean,
   
   I hear you about quitting for months & having to start the process all over again with a new quit. Why do we do that to ourselves? I know I asked myself that question on more then one occasion. Often being very hard on myself for relapsing. Now I try to remember I’m human, it’s a powerful addiction, that is hard to quit but I’m not giving up! So I’m at it again, working my quit & soon you will be doing the same because you are determined to quit too! Stay positive & remember all the benefits of quitting!

   Last modified on 19 Dec 2020 14:21 by wandam
3. treepeo1

   

   255 posts
   Registered:
   06 Feb 2020
   19 Dec 2020

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   Hi ocean,
   
   It is good to hear from you again, and I am glad you came back for help and support.  I remember how you struggled, but you persevered and managed to quit over and over.  It's true that you seem to have a problem hanging onto your quit, but you can change that pattern.  As you know, each slip teaches us something.  You have to figure out what triggers that lapse in your resolve, and find a way to fight against it.
   
   Whenever I got that temptation niggle, I would remember how much hell I went through to succeed in my quit.  I knew I never wanted to go through that again.  And NOPE (Not One Puff Ever) became my most important mantra.  In fact, it still is, because I know that if I never take that first puff, I will be a non-smoker forever.
   
   Given this pandemic, it is more important to quit now more than ever.  And you will enjoy not having to go out in the cold this winter as well.
   
   Instead of feeling anxious about your quit date, try to get excited.  This is another new beginning for you, and it is always wonderful to have a fresh start.  Believe in yourself, ocean.  You can do this.
4. ocean

   

   286 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   20 Dec 2020 in reply to treepeo1

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   Hi again Treepeo and Wandam,
   Thank you for your replies!  I'm glad it's not completely dead in here!!  I agree the COVID part is a great motivator because I'm terrified of how it would affect me, and I work in a school, so I'm so exposed (wear a medical mask), so that's a BIG reason.  I asked for a referal for COPD test, but that was about 6 months ago so the wait list must be sooo long.  My big task is about getting positive about it,  I'm miserable thinking about it, I like the stimulation I get from nicotine and I feel brain dead, uncreative, irritable, time stops, and depressed without it.  LOL!!  Ohhh, the irony?  I wish I could just have a week of those negative feelings, I could deal with that.  But when it's prolonged, I just can't take it.  So this is where I'm at now, but I'm working on chnaging my mindset - I know how big that is to succeed.
5. lesleyaf

   

   37 posts
   Registered:
   23 Nov 2020
   20 Dec 2020

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   Hi Ocean,
   
   It’s nice to e-meet you. 
   
   I totally get how you are feeling. I was dreading my quit date as I too remembered all of the horrific negative side effects that accompany nicotine withdrawal.
   
   I hear you, especially about the lack of concentration. It’s awful. Not to mention the fatigue! The first few days of my quit I had so much energy but I’m finding that I’m really tired as of late. I just want to sleep but I can’t as I have a toddler running around wild!
   
   Each time I get a craving, I try to think about that first week smoke free and how awful it was and how I never want to go through that again.  I’m still struggling but not nearly as bad as I was the first couple of weeks. 
   
   You’ve got this! We are in this together! 
   
   Btw, do you find it difficult to breath in a mask? Another reason why I quit was because I wasn’t able to breath with a mask on. Ever since I quit, masks don’t bother me. 
   
   
6. Val H

   

   164 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   21 Dec 2020

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   Welcome back ocean and congratulations with your quits wandam and lesleyaf. 
   
   One thing I did before I quit and early on in my quit was to research other, healthier ways to deal with my withdrawal symptoms and I would try those. If it was depression I would google ways to cope with depression. I never research feeling tired but maybe another way to cope with it would be some energetic movement or music.
   
   I have been making some other changes in my life and the covid restrictions aren’t helping either but I have had cravings again recently. I have had to start chewing the 2 mg nicorette gum again. We will see if that helps but it’s worth a try if I don’t smoke. 
   
   Some of the positives of not smoking that I have noticed are that I’m not worrying about my health like I used to, I have enjoyed my improved sense of smell (I also treated myself to things that smelled nice early in my quit and still enjoy taking a deep breath of enjoyable scents), I don’t smell like a walking ashtray, and I have more stamina when I go for walks. There are many joys in life without cigarettes. Appreciate those. Enjoy the freedom. I too needed this reminder. 
   
   Merry Christmas and Smoke-free New Year!
   quitfriend
   
7. ocean

   

   286 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   22 Dec 2020

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   Hi again, I love these discussions!  leslleyaf, I hear you about wanting to sleep it off.  I get those feelings too, that's why I'm quitting a week before my xmas vacation ends, so I can have time to nap during the day, and not perform a critical error at work, lol!!  The masks don't affect my breathing, but going outside for yard duties makes me blind because of foggy glasses, lol!  And wet masks from condensation suck!  Keep going girl, maybe lie on the couch for a bit with one eye open, lol.  Toddler days are hard and full on, so nap when they nap. 
   
   Quitfirend those are great coping strategies, thanks for bringing it up!    Yes on the smell!  I just picked up a few items and included was a scented candle, nail files (the only time ever I do this is when I quit, lol), my dear old dog just died and I miss dog walks, but getting outside is critical to my mental health during COVID.  I have feelers out to adopt another dog in a few months.  There's this thing called Go Noodle on youtube for energy breaks for students, and I'm going to have to do these at home, because they work!!  I'm so proud of you, Quitfriend, you're really rocking it, and I admire how you used nicotine gum to manage your out of the blue cravings, doing anything but smoke!
   
   I just logged on to My Quit Coach to start weaning from 25 to 18 cigarettes a day, then lower every day for 1 week.  It's easy so far, but tomorrow I cut down another 4, etc..
   
   Thinking of you all!
   
   
8. ocean

   

   286 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   04 Jan 2021

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   A  couple of weeks have passed and I just refreshed myself with this post as I'm Day3/4.  After seeing your suggestion of scented things, I quickly ran to my bathroom to apply my favorite perfume that is banned from public places, but I can wear it at home, lol!
9. happy2quit

   

   4 posts
   Registered:
   14 Jul 2020
   11 Feb 2021 in reply to ocean

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   HI Ocean, 
   First and foremost I want to state that - I am happy that I quit last June 1 cold turkey on a whim- a few days later I decided I needed to quit smoking weed as well because after smoking a joint I would get an overwhelming craving to smoke a cigarette.
   From my limited experience My best advice if you are reading this and you are thinking of quitting or have just begun your quitting journey - Have a plan! ( I didn't) Start by speaking with your doctor and get a physical and tests so you have a baseline of your health ( I didn't) Also speak with a nutritionist as eating healthy will help (guess what- I didn't) But I have done all those now!
   Firstly when you do research you will discover a lot of different sites - Medical included- will tell you all the wonderfully good things that will happen to your body and health and likely feel better after 10-14 days- that is not good advice in my opinion. It sets an unrealistic expectation.
   Think about that for a moment- you have been smoking for years and you stop for 2 weeks and you feel great? If that was the case wouldn't quitting be easy and everyone do it? It is difficult and you should put yourself in the best position to quit. No matter what method you decide to use to quit the most important element is ; YOU and your desire to quit.
   You may ask why do I suggest these steps? I am not a doctor by any stretch of the imagination and can only talk about my ongoing experience. Well I can tell you that since quitting I have experienced and continue to experience a wide range side effects for longer than you might think.
   Some the side effects I have and continue to experience are : weight gain- not only because I started to eat more- because I have discovered that smoking stimulates your colon and digestion. Also, due to COVID I am not exercising as much as before ( I am used to playing 4-6 hours of hockey per week).
   Dizziness/Brain fog/Headaches - apparently smoking elevates dopamine and they level off after smoking. There have been studies to show that people started to produce higher levels of dopamine after 3 months- which is good to know. Doesn't mean you are cured- however doing things that you like will help with that. Hard to concentrate at times. Here is another fun fact - smoking elevates your blood sugar levels quicker than orange juice.
   Anxiety and Depression- Not all the time- but will sneak up on you and hit you out of nowhere and for no reason.
   Insomnia - sometimes just can't sleep for no reason.
   **Weird Dreams-**Now this is ironic- one you fall asleep you may have crazy dreams!!
   Tingling in hands and feet- Apparently this is the blood finding it's way back to my extremities because of increased blood flow.
   Red blotches on face and Dermatitis- No idea why this happened
   Saying all that I have also been lucky- I have not gotten "smokers" flu, I am not coughing up tar or disgusting coloured phlegm, I really haven't had many breathing problems- just a few here and there, I don't have cravings
   Despite all the ups and downs that I have experienced I have no desire to go back to smoking- I have bet on myself and intend to win! And you can do it too!!
   I am here to lend my support to anyone who wants or needs it.