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Give and get support around quitting

Gwenivere
Member

Worst cravings ever!

I seem to have hit a phase of cravings that are so intense they don’t pass in a few minutes, even with the lozenges or if I take a couple drags from my allotted cigs for the day (4).  This maddening.  I’m also sleeping too deep and still get head rushes when I turn over.   I’m under a lot of stress right now so am wondering how much is physical and how much emotional.  I know I’m dehydrated so that isn’t helping.  I can’t walk them off because of hip pain.  I was getting used to finding ways to get thru the cravings as I didn’t have time to make a quit plan or choose a date.  This phase is throwing me for a loop.  I’ve gotten all the advice about addiction, still using nicotine and such.  I have chosen a tapered quit as cold turkey is out for me.  I don’t even really like cigs much anymore which is something I never thought would happen.  Thus s a long way to ask are there times the cravings don’t subside in a reasonable time? 

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21 Replies

Maybe it’s time to stop smoking cigarettes all together now.  Each time you smoke, your triggering the nicotine receptors.  Tapering down is a good plan but since your down to just four per day it’s kind of like torturing yourself.  I would suggest going cold turkey or have you thought about a nicotine replacement such as the patch, gum or lozenges? It will take the edge off while you work on the mental/habitual aspect of quitting while weaning you off nicotine.

Sorry you're having such a rough day! I often wondered about those seemingly long craves myself when I was quitting. What I realized over time was that it wasn't one long crave. Rather, I appeared to mentally latch onto the crave when it occurred. My mind would become the creator of the crave. 

 I think there's a constant war going on within our minds when we choose to quit. Part of what makes it hard at first is there's so much to learn, and it can just seem overwhelming!

 I chose to cut down when I quit as well. One thing I noticed during that period is that there's lots more opportunity to feel those craves and latch onto them. Distraction can be key in these moments. Also, I practiced not smoking for many hours at a time during my prep. This taught me that I was latching onto the crave simply because I knew that eventually I was going to satisfy my addiction. So in a way, you're at a good time to experience this now, allowing you to better understand what's happening when you reach your quit date. That way, you'll know what to do when the quit date arrives.

 I know all of this is hard but it looks to me like you intend to succeed. Just try to remember, the crave only lasts a minute or two. It's our addicted mind latching onto the THOUGHT of smoking that gets us. Just a little of my personal experience. Keep learning and soon this whole thing will be nothing but a memory.

ONWARD TO FREEDOM!!!

Chuck

karenjones
Member

yes indeed, you do create the crave by thinking of cigarettes and then craving them, the crave does not come out of nowhere, it comes from your thought.

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maryfreecig
Member

    My dependency on cigarettes/nicotine was pretty complete when I decided to quit at age 54. Decades of dependency left me feeling like I had nothing else but the cigarettes. So I did not have cravings (except first handful of days of my quit) so much as I had a huge dependency that I didn't quite understand and didn't quite feel able to deal with. Distraction was my best bet as it made my brain break from fixating on smoking--or my old smoking life. I did best at work, watching TV or comedy or documentaries, drawing and photographing birds and nature etc. There may be other exercises instead of walking that could work for you. Keep looking for ways to get your brain off the cigarette focus. 

    Ex is a strong and supportive community--so blog away about your days if you wish to. Quitters understand that it is not easy. One day at a time, yes you can.

JACKIE1-25-15
Member

Until you let it go you will be in the vicious cycle of cravings.  Yes, you will still have cravings but they become less the more you no longer are feeding the nicotine. Stop smoking and see if that helps.  If you are still smoking you have not quit and you are making yourself miserable by dabbling.  Let it go and go through the withdrawal and be done with it.  Chuck_Quit_2-20-2011  explains it well.  Here is some information to let you know /blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months?sr=search... 

Gwenivere
Member

As I addressed in another thread, I had no time to put together a quit plan.  Pick a date and prepare. What I do know is cold turkey would be an utter failure.  I think the intense cravings ever are from today being a stressful one and tomorrow being even worse. I saw my pulmonologist today and she was pleased at the progress I have made considering I got thrown into this by an infection that was tough to beat.  She’s of the mind like many doctors that she doesn’t care if I use nicotine forever, just don’t smoke it.  I know I will quit the nicotine eventually tho.  Want to be free of it in any form.  For right now I know I stand a better chance with the replacements to adjust from the physical rituals, that is why I nixed e cigs or vaping.  They reinforce the hand to mouth part.  I’m doing less nicotine than I allot myself already so it does drag out the quit.  We each have to this in our own way and I appreciate the people that have been supporting me thru this.  Saying just do it and get it over with is not helpful.  There are some intensely emotional times coming for a couple of months, plus other health issues I have to address and can’t be in total withdrawal.  

maryfreecig
Member

    Yes, pain is a real pain in the butt. Definitely at Ex, the key idea is to take what you need and leave the rest. As you come to terms with the crappy things in your life, please let the community of Ex cheer you on. Progress is good and it sounds as if you got pretty good news from a doctor on heart issue. Coming out of a painful place can be overwhelming and seem dark...but so long as you are working toward something better...(and why shouldn't we?) you are on the right road...in my opinion.

    Yes you can, one day at a time.

elvan
Member

It takes TIME and we have to relearn everything as we recover...you CAN do this, I will not tell you it is easy but I will PROMISE you that it is possible and that it gets easier.

Ellen

Gwenivere
Member

It was my lung doc, not a heart doc, that was pleased.   I’m learning quickly to not take personally posts that upset me.  So many good people here that have been so helpful and respectful of my choices.   This place has become one of the tools in my arsenal.