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Give and get support around quitting

Jaydee731
Member

I'm on my 5 day of quitting

So starting the night of the 19th I decided to quit smoking. I did good for two days, then I went to hang with some buddies. I relapsed and took a few puffs. 

 

Yet I jumped back on the quit train Thursday the 23rd since then I have been feeling something that were not normal. Ringing in the ears, Jitters, sweaty feet, and fatigue. That was really intensified on the 3rd day. Since then the symptoms have calmed down, I been hydrating making sure I eat three meals a day with fruit involved, and daily exercise. 

The weird thing is among the symptoms I have yet to actually crave for a cigarette since I've quit <~ is that normal? 

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5 Replies
Tabbiekat
Member

Congrats on your quit. I initially quit 10/17, had a few cigarettes on 10/30 (a 5 hour setback), reset my quit date to 10/31. I started my quit journey on 10/13 by taking Chantix to help aid me. I truly have not had "cravings" more of the thoughts of either "I would normally be smoking at this time" or "I want, but not really want one". I consider them life triggers. When I smoked on 10/30 I was sleep deprived and driving. Looking back I should have grabbed a coffee at the stopping point for the caffeine stimulation, but I didn't and I used the nicotine stimulation to get me through. So in a way I would say I too have not had cravings, but my triggers could be seen as someones craving if that makes any sense Since everyone's journey is different, just take it as it comes and make the adaptations you need to keep your quit. I am still kicking myself for the slip on 10/30, but keep moving forward and celebrating each day I don't smoke.

You got this

Tabbie

YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to our community!

Congratulations on your decision to quit and your first days!  Everyone's quit is as unique as the person.  Your body is adjusting to life without nicotine, and your chemistry is not the same as everyone elses.  Don't despair - these symptoms will abate.  Sounds like you are doing the right things by drinking a lot of water and eating regular, healthy meals.

The most important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This is an easy and entertaining read. You can search for a free pdf of it on the net (copyright enforcement won't allow me to post the link here).

 You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmokingonline.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance.

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand. If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different. Buy your gas at a different station.

You need to distract yourself through any craves, should you start with any.    You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.    Get busy!  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy

Jaydee731
Member

Thanks this was very very helpful 

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elvan
Member

Welcome to EX, YoungAtHeart‌ has given you some wonderful advice.  This is one day at a time and the closer you stay to the site, the more support you will get and the more you will learn about this addiction.  Quitting is a journey and not an event and accepting that and the fact that cigarettes do nothing FOR you, only TO you will take you a long ways.  We all want you to succeed so please stay close and let us know what we can do to help.

Again, welcome.

Ellen

elvan
Member

I never experienced any of the symptoms you are asking about but lots of people have had some really unusual symptoms early in their quits and even some later...Here is a link to a blog by Dr.Hays and you can click on the magnifying glass at the top of the page and search for your symptoms.  https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/community/expert-advice/blog/2017/08/30/am-i-experiencing-nicotin...