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Quitting again! Cancel

1. al_henneberry

   

   3 posts
   Registered:
   04 Feb 2021
   Answered

   04 Feb 2021

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   Hi everyone,  just wanted to introduce myself.  Like many people I've tried to quit several times and it has never lasted. I'm 51 and started when I was 11, so I've smoked for the best part of 40 years. I quit in 2002 for 2 years and started again. Last spring I quit for two months. 
   
   I have decided to try again, today I slapped on a nicotine patch and am determined to kick cigarettes once and for all. I'm asking for everyone's help to make it stick this time. I know I can do it  I have to get past the "one won't hurt" mindset. So my new motto is going to be N.O.P.E.: not one puff ever! 
   
   Thanks in advance for your support
2. coolbreeze

   

   4 posts
   Registered:
   26 Jan 2021
   04 Feb 2021 in reply to al_henneberry

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   Good luck!
3. ocean

   

   286 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   05 Feb 2021

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   You can do it, Henneberry!  I agree with N.O.P.E.  I'm finding that when I'm craving I'm always trying to find "outs", like trying to justify having a cigarette on Payday, etc..  But when I'm not craving, I don't really think about it so much.  I'm about 5-6 weeks into my quit, with a few slips.
4. lesleyaf

   

   37 posts
   Registered:
   23 Nov 2020
   05 Feb 2021

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   Hi al_henneberry,
   
   Congrats on quitting! It's certainly not easy but you've done it before so you can do it again! 
   I try to live each day by the NOPE motto. So far it's been working!
   My advice to you is come back here often for support.  When I get a strong urge to smoke, I come on here and read the posts and it helps because I know I'm not on this journey alone.  
   Good luck! You got this!
   
   Lesley 
5. happy2quit

   

   4 posts
   Registered:
   14 Jul 2020
   05 Feb 2021

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   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!!
   You can do it- again!!! 
6. wandam

   

   241 posts
   Registered:
   05 Feb 2019
   07 Feb 2021

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   Hi al_henneberry,
   
   Welcome to our little community & congratulations on making the decision to quit again! The fact that you quit for 2 years before is huge in showing your determination to conquer this addiction! I too have smoked many years like you, had 3 prior quits in the last 4 years, each quit lasting months & now on my 4th quit because like you I’m determined to conquer this awful addiction! 
7. al_henneberry

   

   3 posts
   Registered:
   04 Feb 2021
   26 Mar 2021

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   Just wanted to post an update for you guys. Today is day 50 smoke free. I'm on the patch, but have been lucky with no slip ups. 
   
   Happy2quit: I've had my share of weird dreams, mostly my brain trying to trick me into smoking by having me smoke in my dream. Almost always the same thing my mind tells me when I'm awake and have a craving,, "just one won't hurt." Excuse my language, but my mind is a f**king liar and I've so far been successful in telling it to f-off and leave me the hell alone.
   
   Thanks to everyone for their support. I'm taking it day by day and will keep you posted.
   
   Al.
8. wandam

   

   241 posts
   Registered:
   05 Feb 2019
   01 Apr 2021 in reply to al_henneberry

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   Hi al_henneberry, 
   
   Congratulations on celebrating 50 days of being smoke free, that’s awesome, keep up the great job! Yeah those cravings get less & less the longer we stay quit but even so they can still sneak up on us, so best to stay on guard & remember all your reasons for quitting. Keep rocking your quit!
9. brenda ellen

   

   1 posts
   Registered:
   25 Mar 2021
   01 Apr 2021

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   9 days down. Doing ok
10. wandam

    

    241 posts
    Registered:
    05 Feb 2019
    02 Apr 2021 in reply to brenda ellen

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    Hi brenda ellen,
    
    Congratulations! They say those first 3 days are super hard, so you definitely passed those on day 9 of your quit journey! Take Care & Keep up the great job! 
11. efreeman75

    

    296 posts
    Registered:
    02 Apr 2018
    02 Apr 2021 in reply to brenda ellen

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    Brenda - 9 days is 10 by now.  Congratulations!  That's double digits baby!  Keep going, and celebrate EVERY little milestone.  Every craving you crush is a victory!
12. lesleyaf

    

    37 posts
    Registered:
    23 Nov 2020
    05 Apr 2021

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    Hi Brenda Ellen - 9 days smoke free is definitely an accomplishment! Be proud of yourself!
    I didn't think I'd make it past day 3 as that was the hardest in terms of cravings. You got past the 3 hardest days so you can definitely do this.  Before you know it, you'll be smoke free for 9 weeks, 9 months, etc.!
    
    Good luck and come back here whenever you need support!
    
    Lesley 
     
13. al_henneberry

    

    3 posts
    Registered:
    04 Feb 2021
    31 May 2022

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    Haven't been on here for awhile and wanted to give everyone an update: On June 4th I will be 16 months smoke free. After smoking for most of 40 years it's a fair accomplishment. For those of you just starting out on your smoke free journey, YOU CAN DO IT!
    
    Yes, the cravings are still there, my lying asshole of a brain still tells me, "Just one won't hurt." , and I keep on telling it to f off and stop trying to trick me. 
    
    If you're trying to quit, keep it up, and remember that your brain IS A LIAR, it will try and try to get it's fix. Your job is to recognize the lies and keep telling your own mind where to go when it tries to get you to smoke again. 
    
    Good luck everyone,
    Cheers,
    Al.
14. treepeo1

    

    255 posts
    Registered:
    06 Feb 2020
    31 May 2022 in reply to al_henneberry

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    Hi Al,
    
    It is wonderful to get an update from you.  I am so happy that you stuck with it and have been smoke free for all this time.  Congratulations!  Way to go!
    
    You are so right.  We can never get complacent, because when we least expect it, we suddenly think about lighting one up, and that would be disastrous.  Because as we all know, there is no such thing as just one.  Such is the power of this addiction.
    
    Kudos to you for staying the course.  Keep living by NOPE (Not One Puff Ever).  And enjoy being smoke free!