Help... Already... !

Blog Post created by jennioptimist on Aug 6, 2017

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Had my last cigarette last night at 7 pm... Felt super happy that today would start my journey to freedom from nicotine. But now that I am awake for a few hours and normally would have smoked at least 2 by now, I feel the withdrawal setting in and its telling my brain STUPID things... I wont smoke, I wont. But I have a headache, feel like crying, and feel so powerless like I always do against this horrible addiction... Just need encouragement today. Can feel its going to be an hour by hour kind of day

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JonesCarpeDiem Aug 6, 2017 8:25 AM
rub your temples in a circular motion to relieve some of that tension.
Move your hands to your temples (the cushy spot between the corner of your eye and ear). Apply pressure with your three middle fingers for about 10 seconds. Repeat two to three times. Then, move your fingers slowly along your hairline, massaging your scalp and forehead along the way.

put an ice pack behind your neck to get your head out of a fearful spot.
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- jennioptimist @ JonesCarpeDiem on Aug 6, 2017 8:51 AM
  Thank you... I took a long walk but cried the whole time... so weird because everything that seems bad in my life came to the surface and seemed like the only way to "feel better" was to smoke. I didn't smoke but I still feel weird. Will try the ice pack behind my neck now. hour by hour.
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  - JonesCarpeDiem @ jennioptimist on Aug 6, 2017 9:02 AM
    If you have something you loved like a craft or hobby, an instrument, listening to music. All release dopamine.
    My Welcome To New Members (12+ Years Of Watching)
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    - JonesCarpeDiem @ JonesCarpeDiem on Aug 6, 2017 9:04 AM
      when you think of smoking say "I don't do that anymore"
      It will retrain your thoughts in a weeks time.
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Christophina Aug 6, 2017 9:01 AM
Way to go jennioptimist you are doing it. You really are this time. Hour by hour is good. You've already avoided the first two death sticks. Feelings of happiness come back with each step in the right direction.
Drink loads of water. It will help alleviate the headache besides the massage that jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 suggested.
And why not cry a little or a lot? It kinda feels like relief. I like to think of my tears cleanse my spirit.
So, you always feel powerless at this stage?
Guess what?
You are not powerless. That's your 'get out clause'.....your excuse to yourself to fail.
You have the power within and the knowledge and support here.
You just have have to carry on applying it hour by hour, minute by minute until you get the hang of it.
Anyway, hope this helps. I am only a tiny bit ahead of you and feeling much stronger in my resolve that this is my forever quit.

Christine
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KMC56 Aug 6, 2017 9:02 AM
Stay focused and POSITIVE! Once you sussessfully complate this day...you will feel so proud of yourself..each sussessful day will lead to another..you win. Your goal is to look forward to success and back successful. YOU CAN DO THIS. My mantra at 470 DOF is take one day at a time...and of course N.O.P.E.!
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YoungAtHeart Aug 6, 2017 9:15 AM
Of COURSE you feel like this today! Cry as much as you need - it release good chemicals and, like our Dale often says, it waters your cheeks.
Distract yourself ---- you can nap, or do a crossword or a jigsaw puzzle, play a computer game, clean our a drawer. This takes effort in the early days - but the more you distract yourself from thoughts of smoking, the easier you will make it on yourself. Walking is good, so is marching in place, or dancing to your favorite music. Find a recipe to make for dinner and then go shopping for the ingredients.
These first days are the reason I am still quit after 5+ years. I NEVER want to go through them again....but I made it -- and so can YOU!
Nancy
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Christophina Aug 6, 2017 9:18 AM
elvan will be along soon. She is really good at explaining how we suppress our feelings with smoking.
Feeling ones feelings can be overwhelming at times.
Feeling ones feelings and managing them without a nicotine fix is a heathly way of being.
I know I gotta work through my negative baggage, but at the moment I'm having time off for good behaviour ;-)
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Thomas3.20.2010 Aug 6, 2017 9:25 AM
This is definitely a one minute at a time thing! But you are doing it! As compelling as these Addictive thoughts are - they are just thoughts! They can make you very uncomfortable - they can conjure up ghosts or skeletons from your closet but what they cannot do is hurt you or make you do anything you have decided you won't do!
You can defuse thoughts like this:
DEFUSE Your Addictive Thoughts!
Stick with your decision No Matter What! It will be worth it!
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jennioptimist Aug 6, 2017 9:27 AM
I know it's only 9am... how am I going to do this all day I will, I wont smoke because you are all being so kind. But its awful. I know that those addictive thoughts will stop when I am truly away from everything but right now its overwhelming. thanks everyone. I don't even know what to say I feel so bad right now. Makes me feel like HUGE baby on top of everything.
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crazymama_Lori Aug 6, 2017 9:34 AM
an oldie but good from another member;Mindfulness & Acceptance Group Blog #7: Affirmations
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MarilynH Aug 6, 2017 9:46 AM
Welcome, you can and will be successful one precious smoke second at a time, keep your mind as well as your hands occupied and when this evening rolls around you can smile and say YAY for Day WON! Quitting smoking is definitely difficult to say the least but it's absolutely Doable and and definitely worth it but wow I do remember the early days of quitting smoking but I made it and you will too and we're all here to help you through the rough patches!
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Dani_2017 Aug 6, 2017 10:15 AM
Hi, new quitter here!
I know that it is tough right now, but I promise that it gets better.
Today marks day 11 for me smoke free, and I feel so much better than I did in the first week. You can do this. A lot of getting through the first week is about willpower, distraction, and rest. Try to sleep more than you normally would. Stock up on food so you always have something to eat. And of course, the wisdom of the elders is always priceless.
You can do this!!! I'll follow you now so we can support each other.
-Dani
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Dani_2017 Aug 6, 2017 10:19 AM
One last note- I totally relate to what you mentioned earlier, that it feels like a lot of bad things seem to come to the surface without cigarettes. I think a large part of that is the anxiety that comes with nicotine withdraw. Just be gentle with yourself and remember that these feelings will pass.
Also I highly recommend buying a lot of gum, it helps to distract you.
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elvan Aug 6, 2017 11:11 AM
jennioptimist The long walk was a great idea, so are all of the other suggestions, including the ice pack on the back of your neck. The thing is that we used cigarettes to stuff everything down, take the cigarettes away and the emotions come back up. You need to understand that it is FINE to cry, to get angry, to feel sad, any emotion you can think of. They won't kill you, nor will a crave. No one can tell you the same thing about smoking. Take one step at a time and some of those may need to be baby steps...as long as you are going forward, you are going to get stronger every day. My mantra during the beginning of my quit was NOPE, Not One Puff Ever. It really does help.

Hang in there, you really are doing well.
Ellen
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maryfreecig Aug 6, 2017 4:41 PM
"One hour at a time" if that's what it takes. These are your first steps. You summoned your own courage, keep walking with it.

Keep coming back, keep participating.
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indingrl Aug 6, 2017 6:48 PM
Congrats Jenni your doing fantastic loving yourself first... and most of all sharing your love by letting us help you... thank you for your courage to blog first and accept all the suggestions and love back to stay quit no matter what TOGETHER....The Serenity Prayer helps ME then and even today i use it by saying it out loud... God grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change.... Courage to change the things i can and the Wisdom to know the difference. amen ...suggested me to eat lots oranges... put cinnamon on my applesauce....drink lots of water and i chewed lots of double bubble by the bucket... I stayed on this site all day off and on ....stay close for the first 90 days...it was suggested to go to whyquit.com too... i watched Bryon early death video the family shared to help ACTIVE nicotine addicts to STOP using nicotine... Byrons video woke me up... i am a RECOVERING nicotine addict today only by Gods grace and for me... please take what helps and let go of the rest... in Jesus name amen... thank you Jenni for helping me to remain nicotine free with you this hour... God keep you in his love Jesus. Amen
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elvan Aug 6, 2017 6:58 PM
Keep in mind that sometimes, it has to be a minute by minute day and baby steps also count as long as they are in the right direction. OldBones-Larry says: "One step and then another will get you to where you want to be." Like I said, baby steps count. Hang on, we are here.
Ellen
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Sootie Aug 6, 2017 9:01 PM
First days can be really tough....but hang in there...you are doing fine!
One positive thing I hope you've noted....................you seem to have a LOT of new friends here (including me!) who are supporting you and cheering you on.
Stay Strong
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bonniebee Aug 7, 2017 8:51 AM
How are you doing today ? The first three days are the hardest to get through once past those it gradually becomes easier . What is your quit plan are you using an NRT or Cold turkey ???
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elvan Aug 7, 2017 12:17 PM
Update us...we want to know how you are doing and if we can do anything to help!
Ellen
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xjamarkx Aug 9, 2017 3:37 AM
I understand it's tough. I've been depressed, got a headache, and I feel the cravings in my lungs, like they are desperate to smoke, yet I can't. My cravings have been lasting for 10 minutes at a time. I also feel like everything is nothing, and a foreboding of death, not mine, but someone close. Feeling like I'm distant from God's love. But feelings are deceiving and they come and go. I didn't want to comment at first, I felt like being a hermit, and if I comment on someone's post, everyone is looking at me as I type this.. it's very strange, dark feeling. Embarrassment and humiliation is what I'm feeling as I comment...
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- crazymama_Lori @ xjamarkx on Aug 9, 2017 11:09 AM
  are you on the patch? You sound so much like me when I went cold turkey
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  - xjamarkx @ crazymama_Lori on Aug 9, 2017 11:13 AM
    I'm on the patch, yes. Cold turkey was bad for me. I couldn't do it.
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    - crazymama_Lori @ xjamarkx on Aug 9, 2017 11:22 AM
      I hear you. I couldn't do it either. Those cravings came in hard and fast. When one finally went away, another one came in. it was awful. It was a relief for me with the patch. I just posted something. please take the time to read it. I was sorry to see that you felt you were being beat up upon. Sometimes people feel they coddle some and yell at others. In reality, all they are doing is trying to help. Sometimes for some it's the wrong way. Find members you connect with. Disregard the comments of those you do not. Please don't delete your comments or discussions or blogs. I know I use them to gauge where you are in your quit and what to send you or have you read at the stage that you're at. Also you'll use those as you go further down the line to reinforce where you are and see how far you have come. Visit my profile and click on content and you'll see the multitudes of things I have written. I still go back to them at times of trouble. Hang in there, Alex.
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prjimm01 Aug 10, 2017 6:59 PM
it gets easier. good blog - you will want to read it a year from now when you are in the 6%. YOU ARE AWESOME AND YOU ARE DOING THIS AND WE ARE WITH YOU.
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Help... Already... !

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