Sporina's Quitlog

fussyonion

I've been smoking about 13 cigs a day for the past fifteen years.

Didn't enter my head to try and quit but I drank way too much Saturday night and woke up feeling rough.

As per usual when hungover, I made it through til afternoon before I felt I wanted a cig but something stopped me.
At the same time, I felt a cold coming on.

So it's been 43 hours since my last cig.
I don't know if it's cos I'm ill, but I've had zero physical cravings.

I have had the odd thought: "Think I'll have a cig now", but that was definitely out if habit.

I am worried I won't have the willpower to carry on being smoke-free and the thought of having an alcoholic drink frightens me cos I know my cravings for cigs are at their peak when booze is involved.

The main lure for quitting is the cost, to be honest.
I buy the 25packs and at €13 a pop, I can't really afford it.

Sickens me to think how much it's costing.
I am also so paranoid about fag breath and what it's doing to my health.

I would love to stay off them but only time will tell.

sporina

sporina wrote: »

awe thanks and you too - awful awful addiction - so addictive!!! grrrr....:mad::mad::mad:

i failed again - and i have to say i am enjoying them.. i know the price and risks etc.. but man they are so addictive - i am thinking of trying hypnosis - anyone had success with hypnosis?

fussyonion

Every ten or fifteen mins I keep thinking "Time for a smoke" then I think: "Oh no I dont smoke".
My mind is being devious too cos I have three 25packs on the shelf and the devil on my shoulder is saying: "Why dont you smoke those and give up after?".

The thing is..I feel I'm blessed having this cold at the mo because I've had zero cravings since I stopped two nights ago.

I feel if I quit without a cold, I'd have given in by now.

Also, I've told nobody I've done this, not even my other half and he hasn't noticed my not smoking. He most likely thinks I've cut down cos I'm sick.
I don't want to tell him I've quit...or anyone...because I feel that's putting pressure on me.

fussyonion

I caved.
But the spur of the moment decision I made (even though I didnt last long) has actually made me sit up and think I do want to quit.

Before, the thought never entered my brain.
I've set a quit date for January and I have Champix here and I think I'll be more prepared this way.

headoverheels

fussyonion wrote: »

Every ten or fifteen mins I keep thinking "Time for a smoke" then I think: "Oh no I dont smoke".
My mind is being devious too cos I have three 25packs on the shelf and the devil on my shoulder is saying: "Why dont you smoke those and give up after?".

The thing is..I feel I'm blessed having this cold at the mo because I've had zero cravings since I stopped two nights ago.

I feel if I quit without a cold, I'd have given in by now.

Also, I've told nobody I've done this, not even my other half and he hasn't noticed my not smoking. He most likely thinks I've cut down cos I'm sick.
I don't want to tell him I've quit...or anyone...because I feel that's putting pressure on



This is me at the the moment.. have been battling a nasty cold and chest infection for a week now.
I don't usually smoke when I'm sick as I've no mind for them but I have gone a full week without even craving a cig.

I dread the thought of feeling better in case I go crazy and make up for lost time and smoke 60 in a row!

This is my 3rd attempt at quitting having tried nearly everything..

I once lasted 2 months off them,I was doing great but I'll admit I didn't sleep properly for weeks I couldn't rest in bed and lay awake most nights knowing my body was missing something.. I eventually caved in from pure annoyance and tiredness..but I didn't feel any better afterwards.

It's a dreadful addiction really.

sporina

ok quitting again today....

tbh still love smoking - or my nicotine addiction does.. but health is my motivation here - a specific health reason which i won't go into..

i only smoke about 5/day.. i am a weird smoker.. love the first one in the morn.. don't even smoke a whole one at a time.. only half..

but i have to quit - i am hoping that if i can just get the nicotine to leave my system then the cravings will stop - morning and when i get home from work are the worst times..

I have inhalers - not using patches.. planning to use mindfulness..

so wish me luck...

oh i am also on the HSE quit website

fussyonion

sporina wrote: »

ok quitting again today....

tbh still love smoking - or my nicotine addiction does.. but health is my motivation here - a specific health reason which i won't go into..

i only smoke about 5/day.. i am a weird smoker.. love the first one in the morn.. don't even smoke a whole one at a time.. only half..

but i have to quit - i am hoping that if i can just get the nicotine to leave my system then the cravings will stop - morning and when i get home from work are the worst times..

I have inhalers - not using patches.. planning to use mindfulness..

so wish me luck...

oh i am also on the HSE quit website

I'm off them just over 3 weeks now and I basically just came off them.

I had gone out for a drink on the Sunday night, smoked my brains out, woke up Monday and didn't fancy a cig til around 4pm.

This wouldn't have been unusual for me; I could go hours without a smoke and not crave one.

Then it got to evening time and I had still only had that one cig and thought "Why don't I just stop smoking?"

I was sick of the smell and the cost. It was costing me €40 a week; frankly it's money I don't really have.

I was sick of the health implications; I'm a gym fiend and smoking meant I was being held back on a lot of stuff, in particular running.
Embarrassingly I could only run for a minute before stopping. I was that breathless.

I just felt there were more pros than cons to quitting.
I bought a cheap vape pen from the local vaping stand in my nearest shopping centre (bought 12mg nicotine/menthol flavour juice) and used it every now and again in the first few days.

On my first night drinking in the house I used the vape a few times but nowhere near the amount of times I'd have had a ciggie.
Last Thursday I went out; first night out since quitting and it didn't bother me.

Used the vape three times.
Didn't envy the smokers in the beer garden. I actually kept thinking "I'm so lucky I'm finding this easy. I'm so relieved I've quit."

I kept thinking of how my health was improving; after only a few days I was able to run for four minutes non-stop!
What really kept me going was thinking of how I'd feel if I went back on the cigs.

I'd be disgusted. And I was enjoying this new smoke-free me too much to go back.

I also downloaded the SmokeFree app to my phone and it tells you how long you've been off them, how much you've saved and for me the best bit; how your health is improving.
It's been great.

It's now been four days since I used the vape pen.
I don't think about smoking at all and I only really get a craving when I drink; it's not a mad craving, just a fancying for a vape and it comes in handy, though I still only take the odd puff through the evening.

During the day/week when I'm not drinking, I find I don't need the pen.

I do think if you really don't want to smoke anymore and you tell yourself it's the best thing you can do, you can do it.
Tell yourself you're a non-smoker. Believe you are stronger than cigarettes.

I also strongly recommend you distract yourself when you get a craving.

I really enjoyed reading about your journey, Sporina and I know you can do this again!

sporina

So... here we go again.. didn't last v long the last time at all..

But I am off them 28 days today..

This time I have quit for medical reasons.. and I am using the quick mist.. (not a fan of it but it helps with the cravings)..

So.. I am succeeding so far but only because I know that its really not good for my health but especially a medical condition that I have....

Thing is, I still want to smoke.. I wish I didn't.. I'd love to get into that mind frame..

I was off them for 2 years at a time - 2 different periods... but when I quit then, I did it off my own free will - I didn't want cigarettes to have control over me.. so it was easier in a way..

I am not in that head space now.. I still want to smoke - whereas then, I didn't..

So I feel now that I could fail so easily - because my foundation is not strong enough..

Any tips appreciated on how to think/feel differently about smoking ie: change from they are not my friend - they are the enemy!! grr

Cherry Blossom

I read Allen Carr’s book. It was really helpful for that last push to get off the nicotine. I also did meditations and quit smoking hypnosis videos at night when going to sleep. There are lots free of charge on YouTube. Any time I tried using nrt it did not work for me. It does for a lot of people though so whatever works for you. You are obviously doing something right if you are nearly month off them though so keep on doing what your doing. The hse say that if you have quit for 28 days you are 5 times more likely to quit for good.

I will say it’s ok to mix and match different quit methods. I did everything that I thought helped.

sporina

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

I read Allen Carr’s book. It was really helpful for that last push to get off the nicotine. I also did meditations and quit smoking hypnosis videos at night when going to sleep. There are lots free of charge on YouTube. Any time I tried using nrt it did not work for me. It does for a lot of people though so whatever works for you. You are obviously doing something right if you are nearly month off them though so keep on doing what your doing. The hse say that if you have quit for 28 days you are 5 times more likely to quit for good.

I will say it’s ok to mix and match different quit methods. I did everything that I thought helped.

hi ya thanks for the post and the youtube tip.. are you still smoke free?
I read Alan Carr's book in the past - it worked for me at one stage - then not at another.. might give it another go...
I am off them 28 days now.. well - tbh - the reason I have managed so far is really just to do with my health..
I also have a smoking cessation counsellor who calls me every week and tbh she is fantastic!!!!
I realised today that what I miss most about smoking is the "friendship".. they wer my friend.. I only smoked at home - on the qt.. time out with my "friend"... so now that I recognise that - I can separate that from me actually wanting to smoke..
Cig's are NOT my friend!
The automatic thought it still there - esp in times of stress - but I am hoping it will diminish - it feels less even now tbh..
I must be strong

Cherry Blossom

I have been smoke free two years and nine and a half months now. I always had funny notions and superstitious ideas about what would and wouldn’t work on each attempt before and all the ducks had to be in a row for it to last. These notions changed from one quit to the next. I’m not normally like this with anything else, it’s funny how the mind works. I’m a bit OCD so maybe it comes from that lol. Good luck, I wish you continued success.

sporina

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

I have been smoke free two years and nine and a half months now. I always had funny notions and superstitious ideas about what would and wouldn’t work on each attempt before and all the ducks had to be in a row for it to last. These notions changed from one quit to the next. I’m not normally like this with anything else, it’s funny how the mind works. I’m a bit OCD so maybe it comes from that lol. Good luck, I wish you continued success.

well done and keep up the good work xxx
cigarettes are NOT our friend!! evil toxic relationship! be done!

sporina

hi all.. so been smoking again since Jan 2015 - but my last ciggy was Thurs 15th..

I have gum disease.. and bone loss.. nothing like a dental scare to make one stop...

Periodontist advised I stop right away.. today is day 3 with no smokes.. using patches.. awful anxiety in the am..

Nicorette quick mist gives me hiccups.. anyone else?

its an awful addiction.. smoking.. only smokers understand.. I actually hate it.. but the addiction is strong

wish me luck and strength

best of luck to you all too

sporina

awe so here I am again - only stayed off them for 2 weeks last time.. but my periodontitis persists so I am trying again..

lesson from last time - I just felt so depressed without them - so I went out and bought a pack - and I didn't even enjoy it - but I had bought them and so continued to smoke and was hooked again..

didn't smoke today - this am was tough - had anxiety - but worked thru it..

I am using patches and quick mist and inhaler..

wish me luck

seaniedakid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120745932#Comment_120745932

Hey Sporina, hope you are keeping well.

Just wanted to let you know that your story since 2012 has been a source of inspiration to me. I was scrolling through the internet last week searching smoking cessation topics and advice when I stumbled upon here. Your story is real life, honest and emotional and inspired me to give up a few days back. I am on day 4 and not doing too bad but from reading your story, I am now well aware of the pitfalls and not to get complacent, so one day at a time for me. I am slightly different to you in that I gave up smoking 10 years ago and began vaping. Now I am trying to give up the vape… damn nicotine…

I am on patches and inhaler and tbh the withdrawal symptoms aren't too bad but as I said very early days.

I really hope you managed to quit the cigs, but if you haven't…. then maybe knowing you are in inspiration can maybe inspire yourself some time soon.

Thanks again…

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122149865#Comment_122149865

awe brillo - thanks soo much for messaging - what a wonderful message - not many on boards like that these days - i'm back on them unfortunately but maybe your post will inspire me to try again now.. so thanks again - and best of luck to you - we can do it - but it is tough..

Soc_Alt

Im off cigarettes for the past 3 years after a 27 year habit.

Tried everything from patches , cold turkey, gums, sprays but which led to giving up for short periods.

I went to my GP to go the medical route where I was prescribed champix and then zyban.

This worked. Don't get me wrong. I miss smoking and still like the smell of smoke when passing someone who is smoking but I don't have the urge to actually have one and know I never will smoke again.

Started smoking at 14 and had a 20 a day habit for the next 27 years.

Let me know if you require any advise if you want to go the medial route.

bilbot79

I quit cold turkey when I was 28 because I absolutely hated myself (45 now). I'd tried and failed like 75 times or so. I put my final success down to the following:

• I tapered down with some rules like no cigs before 12pm each day, have as many cigs as I wanted but don't inhale deeply at all.
• Made a plan and set a date for one month later. During that month I made my peace with the horrible task I was up against.
• I made a promise to myself that no matter how s*** life would get I would still not pick up a cigarette, even if I had to suffer the horrors everyday for the rest of my life.
• Gave up drinking at the same time, for the 3 months or so that I think you need to normalize not smoking
• When I started drinking again I went back easy and built up slowly. Drunk you needs to be trained completely separately from sober you.
• Years later I had a couple of cracks in the armour when drinking as drunk me learned to love a smoke while sober me had zero interest. I knocked this on the head by committing to a few sessions in a row where I'd be drunk but hold the line nonetheless. This is hard going but it works.

Remember you are only giving up one cigarette, the next one.

seaniedakid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122151319#Comment_122151319

How did you get on with Zyban?

I tried it a month ago and after 3 days was suffering from very low moods and unable to concentrate so had to come off it.

Soc_Alt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122154048#Comment_122154048

I had only taken a few Zyban as I was initially on Champix for most of the treatment . The only side effects would have been the dreams which would have been close to nightmares and seemed very real.

But that wore off after awhile.

Deffo worth the investment looking back.

seaniedakid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122160444#Comment_122160444

The feed back from Champix seems to be a lot more encouraging but unfortunately off the market for a while now.

Soc_Alt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122175729#Comment_122175729

Champix is really what helped me kick the habit.

The issue was that when I required the last maintenance pack , Champix was no longer available is any pharmacy so I got a new prescription of Zyban.

It turned out I only took one or two zyban but mentally I was over the threshold of wanting a cigarette.

I often think a smoke would be nice which only lasts seconds but I don't have any urge to have one and I will never return to smoking.

Sure it was the cost that made me give up in the first place, not health benefits.

I could never justify the cost of buying them now.