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Sporina's Quitlog

  • 16-01-2012 11:29am
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭


    So, today is Day 1. I am off work today - I think that is probably a good thing with regards to my not smoking decision. For those of you who would like a bit of background to my smoking habit, see link:

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055777228

    So last night I smoked my last and broke up the cig's left in the box.
    When I woke up this morning I felt relief that I did not have to smoke. However as the morning proceeded, I found myself automatically thinking of having to have a ciggy, and then I had to remind myself that I was off them. Strange. Anyone get that feeling too?
    So I have been getting cravings but they they do not seem to last long so far. I am giving myself little pet talks (reminding myself of the advantages of not smoking, how its just the little nicotine monster sitting on my shoulder whispering no goods into my ear and to just ignore him).
    I only just remembered that I have patches to put on.
    So I am going to go about my day.
    I can see that this is going to be some work. Smoking seems to be built into my subconscious.
    But i feel relief too. Bring on getting rid of the evil addiction - i will fight it!!

    Thanks all for reading….:)

    (ps if some could show me to how rename the above link I would much appreciate it. Googled it but I can't seem to make it work. pss. I am using a macbook incase that is of any significance).


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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    So, I read the Alan Carr book and while there is a lot of what he said in my head, I am not convinced by his theory. I mean, there is a part of me that is happy to not have to smoke, but I can feel cravings from true nicotine addiction. That is real, whether it is psychological or physical. It is taking will power to not smoke.
    I do not think I would ever be able to be totally happy to quit smoking, like the way he describes.
    Some day when I am well into recovery from smoking, I will read more about his theory.
    Anyway, I think his book is helping me, but I am using patches too, to help with the physical addiction, as I will have a very tough time coping with the emotional and psychological side of things.


  • Registered Users Posts: 39 locater7


    hi soprina
    by 3 pm yesterday i was off cigs one week
    second half of last week was really hard--still have moments and am grumpy
    went cold turkey after giving up on champix after one week--too strange
    best of luck on your journey and i reckon you will suceed-you have prepared yourself for this and now its down to will power
    wishing you best of luck


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    Hey Sporina, delighted for you that you took the plunge - welcome to the Clean Lungs Gang lol!!
    When I woke up this morning I felt relief that I did not have to smoke. However as the morning proceeded, I found myself automatically thinking of having to have a ciggy, and then I had to remind myself that I was off them. Strange. Anyone get that feeling too?

    Thats more or less exactly how Day 1 was for me as well.

    You should start finding that life is less stressful without always having to work out the where and when of having a smoke!!

    Day 2 was very similar to Day 1 for me, with the massively positive exception that I KNEW Id survived a day off them - so that made the prospect of another day off them doable.

    Keep posting!


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    Hey Sporina, delighted for you that you took the plunge - welcome to the Clean Lungs Gang lol!!



    Thats more or less exactly how Day 1 was for me as well.

    You should start finding that life is less stressful without always having to work out the where and when of having a smoke!!

    Day 2 was very similar to Day 1 for me, with the massively positive exception that I KNEW Id survived a day off them - so that made the prospect of another day off them doable.

    Keep posting!

    thanks a million for the lovely encouraging post.
    Yeah I think if I manage one day off them, it will make the next day easier.
    I thought I would feel really anxious but I don't at all. I think I use to get anxious before smoking as I knew how bad it was for me but I am only realising that now.
    I do have a slight fuzzy feeling in my head though - not sure if it is psychosomatic or because of the patches. I am going to ignore a whole load of symptoms.
    I am going to the cinema later so that will be nice.
    Anyone had any side effects from using nicorette invisi 15 mg patches?


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    locater7 wrote: »
    hi soprina
    by 3 pm yesterday i was off cigs one week
    second half of last week was really hard--still have moments and am grumpy
    went cold turkey after giving up on champix after one week--too strange
    best of luck on your journey and i reckon you will suceed-you have prepared yourself for this and now its down to will power
    wishing you best of luck

    thanks but do not be fooled by my awareness - i am good at that - will power though does not come easy to me,. But I am doing good so far.. :)


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    sporina wrote: »
    thanks a million for the lovely encouraging post.
    Yeah I think if I manage one day off them, it will make the next day easier.
    I thought I would feel really anxious but I don't at all. I think I use to get anxious before smoking as I knew how bad it was for me but I am only realising that now.
    I do have a slight fuzzy feeling in my head though - not sure if it is psychosomatic or because of the patches. I am going to ignore a whole load of symptoms.
    I am going to the cinema later so that will be nice.
    Anyone had any side effects from using nicorette invisi 15 mg patches?

    Every single day it gets easier!!!

    Thats great youre not feeling anxious. Its empowering not HAVING to smoke!!

    I felt fuzzy, dizzy, mildly drunk on and off for a few days - it wasnt constant, and it didnt last, but it came and went - nothing you cant handle - a glass of water would take care of it.

    Im really delighted youre getting on so well today, imagine how BRILLIANT you will feel in the morning when you realise you lasted a whole day off them!!! Whooo hooo!!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    so I survived day one. Last night I went to the cinema and it was a relief not to have to smoke when the show was over and that is the truth.
    Also, it is nice to be able to share a kiss with a non smoker without the guilt of having a stinking breath!!!:P

    But, last night I dreamt that I smoked and I was really annoyed about it in the dream. I was sooo delighted when I woke up to find that it was only a dream. Strange how the mind works. But looks like the non smoking effort has really gotten into my subconscious which is great. :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    OMG Sporina!!! Are you me???

    You have described exactly how I felt over the first few days - relief at not having to smoke, guiltless kisses, smoke dreaming and being so annoyed in the dream and so glad that it was only a dream!!! Thats so funny!!!

    Im delighted for you now, you have passed a whole Day 1 - which is the biggest day of all, the first step is the hardest and all that.

    I had a stressful dental appointment with some bad news this morning (have to get nasty expensive things done) and even after it I didnt feel like smoking. I did cry the whole way home in the car though, but was still relieved that I wasnt trying to jam a ciggy into my numb lips!!!


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    OMG Sporina!!! Are you me???

    You have described exactly how I felt over the first few days - relief at not having to smoke, guiltless kisses, smoke dreaming and being so annoyed in the dream and so glad that it was only a dream!!! Thats so funny!!!

    Im delighted for you now, you have passed a whole Day 1 - which is the biggest day of all, the first step is the hardest and all that.

    I had a stressful dental appointment with some bad news this morning (have to get nasty expensive things done) and even after it I didnt feel like smoking. I did cry the whole way home in the car though, but was still relieved that I wasnt trying to jam a ciggy into my numb lips!!!

    wow - thats cool. Yeah I read somewhere else about smoking dreams so I guess it is typical for some. I am sorry to hear about your bad news on the dentist. But on the up side, at least you were able to go to the dentist as a non smoker. When ever I go to the dentist, he asks me when am I going to quit and I always feel guilt ridden. Hopefully next time I go I will be a non smoker - that will be another plus. He attributes my minute gum disease to my smoking. I am actually thinking of getting some teeth whitening done too in the future.
    Again sorry about your bad news - but it would be worse if you came back from the doc having learnt that you have a smoking related illness. :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    sporina wrote: »
    He attributes my minute gum disease to my smoking.

    Normally I get a check up and cleaning and he sends me on my way (unless there is work to be done), but this time after the cleaning he said to come back next week for more cleaning as now that Im not smoking my gums actually have a chance to heal and the second cleaning will be really worthwhile - they never told me that before!!

    You are so right about doctors and smoking related illnesses though.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    Hi Folks, well near then end of day 3. This was my first day at work and not smoking. I was worried about it but it turned out that I was relieved that I did not have to cut my dining part of lunch break short to go out in the rain and smoke. And I didn't even feel the need to eat extra after my lunch - I just had a cuppa and sat back and relaxed.
    Actually, I mentioned earlier that I might find it difficult to quit smoking because I tend to be an anxious person - but I honestly have found that I am now more relaxed. Maybe it was the smoking that was contributing to my anxiety; the fact that I was smoking even though a major part of me hated it?!. I don't know - but the thought occured to be today.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    Day 4:
    Not been sleeping the best for the past 2 nights - not sure if that is not smoking related or not. But got mad cravings this morning. I have no urge to give into it - but I got no cravings yesterday. Strange.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    Hi Sporina, well done, youre a trooper!!

    Very interesting what you said about anxiety. I too feel that it is in fact less stressful not having to smoke. There seems to be a few aspects to it. One is that you simply dont have to be wasting the mental energy of thinking about when and where you can fit in a smoke at appropriate times. Then there is the ease of not having to finish things quicker to go stand in bad weather. And then the internal battle of hating being a smoker but still doing it is gone. Oh yeah, and no more being super conscious of the smell of smoke of yourself when you dash back in from a having a cigarette.

    I think its far less stressful to not have to smoke anymore. Its not something I ever thought of before I stopped. I suppose thats all part of the evil of the trap of smoking isnt it?


  • Registered Users Posts: 221 ✭✭The Irish Riddler


    Well done S. A positive attitude seems to be the most important thing. Not having to sit in a full car of non smokers and have someone say jesus lad the smell of those cigarettes is brutal is great.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    thanks 123 - you are dead right.
    but i felt terrible this morn - cravings and then i had palpitations all morning and felt really shaky. i am feeling better now though. not sure if the symptoms are from the patches or tiredness - hardly nicotine withdrawl as i am on patches. I will stick with the current plan though for now.. i will ride through the crap...:)


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    day 5 nearly over. Had a relatively ok day not smoking. Head incredibly fuzzy all morning but I guess thats part of the withdrawal. Went to the cinema again and I was home 10 minutes before I realised that I did not even think about not having a ciggy after the show. During my smoking days, I would be running out of the place to light up - funny isn't it?

    Anyway here's to a fuzz free day tomorrow. :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    whoo hoooo.. day 6. Off work and up early and hitting the gym for a step class before heading away for the night. This quitting the smokes lark is great as it has inspired a whole new healthy me as the cinema was chosen over the usual bottle of wine for my friday night. :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    Youre doing great Sporina, imagine, your other thread had you thinking about it for 2 years and now here you are, nearly a week in already!!!

    Well done!


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    yeah 123, to refer to Alan Carr again, it was the fear of failure that took me so long to pick a time to quit. But also, I think it just took a lot of time for my mind to really come full circling to really WANTING to quit as well as feeling READY to do so.
    Oh and I had a few glasses of wine last night and still no major craving.:)
    Good luck to all.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    sporina wrote: »
    Oh and I had a few glasses of wine last night and still no major craving.:)

    Thanks for this bit, I still havent had a night of drinking, Ive had 2 small glasses of wine at home, but not been out - I wouldnt drink that often anyway but it is a fear of mine that I will fail then. I feel more positive that it was ok for you.

    As for being ready, I honestly think its the key to it isnt it? I told some friends on Saturday afternoon that Id quit and they were amazed and delighted for me, but one of them said that Id been making it harder and harder for myself for years, cutting down, not smoking at home, less socialising, not smoking in the car if I had a passenger etc.... So I guess that was all part of the mental preparation.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    Thanks for this bit, I still havent had a night of drinking, Ive had 2 small glasses of wine at home, but not been out - I wouldnt drink that often anyway but it is a fear of mine that I will fail then. I feel more positive that it was ok for you.

    As for being ready, I honestly think its the key to it isnt it? I told some friends on Saturday afternoon that Id quit and they were amazed and delighted for me, but one of them said that Id been making it harder and harder for myself for years, cutting down, not smoking at home, less socialising, not smoking in the car if I had a passenger etc.... So I guess that was all part of the mental preparation.

    oh, i wasn't out - it was in my friends house…

    I am however dreading meeting and drinking with a few mates in particular, as they are smokers. As sad and all as I am to say it, I think i will have to avoid them for some time. A few months anyway. :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    day 9 nearly over and its getting strange. On reflection, I was so worried about failing on day 1 that I was almost anticipating cravings as oppose to having them. Or I wanted a cig out of habit as oppose to wanting one, if you know what I mean.
    Now on day 9 - i realise that over the past few days I have not really wanted one at all. It feels strange. In a way I am worried about it. I would nearly prefer to have cravings to battle. This way, I feel that I could have a moment where I would give in too easily as I do not feel that I have had to work very hard to stay off them so far. Does that make sense to anyone? Or maybe I did all the hard work before I actually quit. :confused:


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    got some bad news on day 10 and really really wanted a cigarette

    Day 11 now and feeling sorry for myself and really want a cigarette but I won't give in.
    Its difficult to think of all the reason's why you quit when you get the compulsion to quit. God dam it.

    So I am defo an emotional smoker.
    One thing quitting has given me is a bit of pride - I would feel so **** if I smoked.. i would be disgusted with myself..


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,752 ✭✭✭markesmith


    Stick with it Sporina, you've become an inspiration...I'm on day 2 now, mates want me to go to the pub and I'm tempted, but I know if I get a few pints in me...

    Stay strong! :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    markesmith wrote: »
    Stick with it Sporina, you've become an inspiration...I'm on day 2 now, mates want me to go to the pub and I'm tempted, but I know if I get a few pints in me...

    Stay strong! :)

    thanks mark - fair play to you. Yeah the pub is a tough one. I was out last night, had a few beers and on the way home I had a thought "if i meet someone smoking i may ask them for one". Thankfully I didn't. I am not sure if I would have had, but its a wake up call. I would hate to think that all my hard work would be ruined by a drunken impulse. I am going to do a little revision now to remind myself of why I gave up so that I will be stronger in a situation like last night. Bloody drink - maybe I should give that up too.

    So did you go out Mark?


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    Day 14 - ha ha - still off them. Still getting cravings but I am beginning to feel a little distance from them now unlike previous days where i felt they overwhelmed me and I could not really think clearly on the reasons why I wanted to quit. All I knew was that i had not worked this hard for nothing.
    So I am happy to keep going - I think it is getting easier.

    I am not sure that the patches are helping me at this stage though - aren't they just keeping the nicotine buggar lit? But I am afraid to stop using them in case I fall off the wagon.

    Nah actually on reflection, I will keep using them. Smoking for me is a lot more psychological than physical. I will keep using them until the psychological associations are weaker.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    Hi All, ok Day 18 and i am very happy today as the sky is blue and the sun is out. Yes, I suffer from SAD too, so today's weather is very much welcomed. And its Spring - and I do indeed have a spring in my step.

    However, with the nice weather and all, comes a change in mood from meh to excitement. And with excitement comes….. CRAVINGS for god dam Nicotine!!!

    I would have thought that by day 18 they would have subsided? And it feels like a physical craving as oppose to just an emotional association????

    I am very confused. I mean, I am wearing patches, so shouldn't I be free from Nicotine cravings (physical)?

    Or could it be just an emotional craving but feels like its physical???

    And are the patches helping or not??

    I would love some professional insight to all of this.

    Either way, I will not smoke.

    Off to the gym with me now to get an endorphin hit!!

    I would love some insight so if anyone has anything to share, please feel free..:)


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    day 21. Went for a hill walk yesterday and it was great to not have to light up on the hills and have my fellow hikers comment on my smoking habits. Again, I actually find not smoking less stressful, contrary to what I imagined before I quit, as I do not have to worry about when I can smoke etc.

    Still avoiding the big night out though. But I am planning one for a birthday party which will be in two weeks time. I will be in the right mind frame then. :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭sporina


    Ok, day ? Well it will be 6 weeks on Monday - smoke free that is. Though I have to say, I am not a happy camper. I was out last night and while I did not smoke, there was a little green eyed monster on my shoulder saying "ok, first chance I get I am going to go out to the smoking area and nab a ciggy from someone". It felt like I had another personality, looking back on it now that is. But I didn't give it. But I felt a bit like jackal and hyde.

    I am annoyed at myself for having had these thoughts. I wish I was able to go out and have a drink and not have these thoughts. I am worried that sometime that monster will be stronger than me.

    I know I should be happy that I did not smoke - but why am I getting these notions when I have a drink? Its not even that I get cravings - they are more like naughty thoughts.. can anyone relate?:confused:


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  • Registered Users Posts: 16 Honest Bob


    Hi Sporina,

    Day 3 and sucking NiQuitin Lozenge. Physical withdrawls have never really been a problem but being out for a drink without a smoke-that's my downfall.
    Keep it going


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