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Give and get support around quitting

vol876
Member

Hey guys-day 2

Hey guys,

its day 2 of quitting smoking. I've quit before and always have successes with the patch. Ive been smoking a pack and a half to 2 packs a day for about a year and a half now and have been a smoker for 15 years.

I've been able to quit with the patch for 2 weeks the last time with the patch. I jumped from 21 mg to 7mg skipping 14 altogether and weaning off too soon and lost it lol. the time before I was able to quit a month and a half and get off the patch.

I know cigarettes will kill me sooner or later. im 32, I gave up drugs and alcohol 2 years ago, and I know my body, every bit of it hates cigarette smoke. I saw the commercial where some guy had like 6 major things going awry with his lungs and heart, and it pushed me over the edge to quit again,

It wasnt that hard..until now. I still feel physical cravings and have for the past few hours. granted my first patch ran out and I changed it...so that could be it. im also popped a piece of 4mg nicotine gum with the patch. im worried that if I take too much nicotine, it'll make the withdrawal even worse.

its just hard right now,  but it'll pass...everything does. I did great making it through the first day, but right now is uncomfortable. I don't want to smoking,  but that itchy scratchy craving feeling around the neck throat and chest area is very irritating.

thanks guys,

vala

Tags (2)
17 Replies

Look at you on day two! Way to go! And you are absolutely right, it WILL pass. On to day three!

TW517
Member

Hi Vala!  Welcome to EX!  You're right, it will pass.  But I still feel for you.  It does help to come here and vent if you need to.  Let us know how we can help.

vol876
Member

Thank you!! Day 4 today!

YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to our community!

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking and your first (now) two days WON!  The first couple of weeks when you quit suck - no way around it.  Each cigarette you used to smoke contained about 1 mg. of nicotine, so if you are using a 21 mg. patch and adding 4 mg of nicotine with the gum, that's equal to about 25 cigarettes - for just one piece of gum.  I will give you some tips on what to do instead of adding more nicotine to your system when you get a craving.

The 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 it online or at your local library. If you do nothing else to get ready for your quit, please do give this a read.


 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, quitsmoking.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. Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.

.The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit.  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. Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.
 
You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You need to do something ELSE before you add more nicotine to your body.  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.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. 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

vol876
Member

thank you that book didn’t work for me the 2 times I’ve read it but the cravings with the patch are subsiding. It’s just knowing what to do when theres nothing to do as the habit was always there.  Thanks for your support!

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sweetplt
Member

Hi and Welcome to Ex’s...Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking...the uncomfortable feeling is definitely an emotion early on in the quit.  You are having physical and mental withdrawals.  Be sure to drink a lot of water.  Nice slow breaths...also, read at My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX it will have you thinking about your triggers/craves and what you will do in place of smoking.  You can do this, Hang tough...keep busy...keep it here and get support and support others.

I am glad you found us...~ Colleen 136 DOF 

Barbscloud
Member

Welcome to the Ex.  You're off to a great start with 2 days of success.  There are lots of steps to this journey.  If you need help, reach out.  We're here for you.

Barb

vol876
Member

5thanks barb!

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JACKIE1-25-15
Member