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Discuss different approaches to quitting, including medication

CarynS
Member

New here. Cold turkey and my brain Isn't working

Well, I guess less than normal  I accidentally quit smoking on 2/28 when my plane landed from a work trip and I got the flu so bad I couldn't smoke... for days!!

I kept trying desperately to light them and hacked my face off everytime I tried to inhale. After a few days I figured it was bronchitis and went to the urgent care. That's when I figured I should probably just give quitting another go. It had been days since I smoked anyway.

I'm sure like most, over the past 30 years, I've tried every method there was - NRT, pharmaceuticals, hypnosis/ acupuncture... but never cold Turkey. I figured that was the WORST of the WORST!! Turns out it really makes the most sense and has been a million times easier than tapering off my addiction- which sounds silly to me now.

Anyway, I'll be okay for the 1st month or so. Somewhere around month 3.5-4 is where I LOSE my mind everytime! This little bug in my brain wants to smoke and nags the shit out of me until i give in. I figured I'd try finding a support site ahead of it, change some behaviours and see if I can head it off beforehand.

In the meantime, my brain is only functioning at like 50% I dont remember when to start or stop tasks. My job still has tons of deadlines that I need to meet (some I'm late on already) and I'm really wanting to find a way to manage this. I've read a lot where folks say it'll pass. I kinda dont have time for that and presentations that must go on! Does anyone have tips that help with minimizing brain fog and getting projects started/ completed? I've given myself a few days already, passed a couple of small assignments off, but now I'm down to the wire. Any suggestions would be great!

Looking forward to meeting my new quitting smoking friends and wish us all the best!

Caryn 

Labels (1)
15 Replies
maryfreecig
Member

Welcome to Ex. Congratulations on your quit! Seeking support to head off the 3.5 month blues says a lot about how much you want to quit. Stick around, blog as much as you like, read, learn, participate--Ex is here 365. 

Someone recently said of Ex, the the site is Become and Ex--and that that is what it really is all about. It takes time to really get over the dependency, the rituals, the romance of how gooood smoking seemed to be, the associations. Think of it as smobering up one day at a time--and what better way than to hang out with a bunch of quitters.

TW517
Member

Welcome!  Go to the top right of your screen and click on the magnifying glass symbol.  Type in search words, like "brain fog" and you will see tons of posts about this.  It is a very common side effect early in most people's quits.  Check out these posts as well:

/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months ,

and https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex/blog/2018/01/04/early-withdrawal-symptoms 

I quit the exact same way as you, except I caught the flu from my wife, not on a plane.  The early days are tough, but you can do it!  All of us here did, and we can't wait to help you!

Barbara145
Member

Welcome Caryn to Ex.  You have come to the right place.  I tried to quit smoking for years.  I was never successful until I found this website.  That was over 5 years ago. Quitting smoking is life changing in good ways.  It is a journey that you live through one day at a time.  There are so many good people here to help you.  I had to chuckle about the brain fog.  I remember it well.  You will manage and it will get better.  Congratulations on quitting smoking.  It is quite awesome.  Give it time.  It just takes time. 

CarynS
Member

Thank you all for the replies. Everything says it'll pass, give it time- for the brain fog. Bummer, I was looking for magic.

As for the quitting. I also bought a mini-trampoline for my phone calls/ conference calls. 

So in addition to forgetting everything about my job, I'm also springing and panting through all my calls.

Good times.

DonnaMarie
Member

The brain fog will lift a little bit every day. I'm back to normally goofy now instead of withdrawal goofy. I love that you accidentally quit. I kinda did the same thing. I left the hospital after a one day admission and just stopped. Maybe we got smart finally! 

I felt like I should have worn a button that said, "Excuse me being stupid; I just quit smoking."

Donna

Day 91

CarynS
Member

Thanks, maybe a button or maybe a hat!! would help. "Brain malfunction- doing my best" we should market it with a smoking foggy brain logo. Unfortunately no one at work knows I smoke as my main office is at home. 

The first million attempts were not accidents. I feel better about falling into this quit than any I've ever planned. So I'm excited about the ease thus far. Need to prep for month 3.

Well, good luck to us!! Thanks!!

0 Kudos
DonnaMarie
Member

Again, I know the feeling. I quit a million times too! 

Tabbiekat
Member

Congrats on your semi forced accidental quit Going cold turkey myself on my current quit, the cog fog was crazy at times. I did increase my caffeine intake, my water intake and when possible I would spend a few minutes outside just breathing in the fresh, smoke free air. Keep a list of the must do items and check them off as you go through your day and add to it as you need. As I entered week three I did notice the fog clearing a bit and as of tomorrow will start tapering back on the caffeine, but will not hesitate to increase it vs going back to smoking.

Good luck, you got this. stay close to this site, the community has been a huge help to me.

Tabbie

26 DOF

CarynS
Member

Thanks

Extra caffeine- not sure why I didn't think of that... I'll try zinging around tomorrow. I should be working right now...