Day three using patch.

[dave143]

It is weird the way cravings work. When one hits I am so glad I soaked my remaining cigs because I would do almost anything for one. Then within 5 min or so it is gone and I am ok. I would like to ask how long these episodes last is it weeks or months. I really want to quit not only for me but I may need spine surgery and it is a no go with smoking. Also right now not smoking consumes most of my day, does this lighten up?

[lois2]

Dave, in a week it will get better, hang in there good luck on your surgery. take care.

[mailyn]

The cravings are different for everyone, having a different activity helped a lot for me. Every time I had a craving that was particularly strong I would verbally complain then get up and walk to another room. Just the action of moving from one room to the other made me "forget" that I was craving anything and aknowledging my craving helped soothe my mind, rather than fighting to ignore it and causing myself more stress.

[YoungAtHeart]

Most people find that the most uncomfortable part of the quit lasts 2-3 weeks.  This quit is a journey, not an event, though.  

While you have found us a bit late, it is never too late to educate yourself on this addiction of ours.  Most of us who have been successful here swear by Allen Carr's "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking."  This is an easy, entertaining read that contains a wealth of good information on what nicotine does to our bodies and minds.  Here is a link to a free pdf version of it:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf

It will also help you to read the blogs and responses here.  We are a community of folks in various stages of quitting, and some veterans who hang around just to help others.  You might also want to check out whyquit.com and quitsmokingonline.com.The better educated you become, the better your chance of success.  Knowledge IS power! 

The idea is to distract yourself when an "episode" hits.  Take slow, deep breaths, take that wonderful dog of yours for a walk (he'll LOVE that!), play a computer game.  Do anything but let that crave roll a.round in your head.  If you go to my page, there are blogs with lists of 114 things to do instead of smoke a cigarette.  You might find some you think will work for you

Stay close to us here and ask for advice and support as you need it.  We ALL want you to help you be successful!

Nancy

Quit 7/4/12

[Michwoman]

I was just about to post the link Nancy just posted for you. Please read it. It's easy to read and does not lecture at you. It just gives you the facts - it's written by a man who smoked 100 cigs a day (no kidding) and quit OVERNITE using this method.

Also, whyquit.com is really cool. It will not only give you some really cool short videos to watch and things to read but you will find yourself suddenly distracted from the craves.

You need that surgery. You can do this and you will be so darn glad you did it. I promise!

[Nyima_1.6.13]

It is different for every one but here's my take on it: the bad news is it feels like forever in the beginning and it is easy to believe it won't ever get better....the good news,in a month it will be much easier,in two months you'll wish you weren't still having occasional cravings and after three months, it begins to fade completely! I am at 130 days and my biggest worry is that the addiction might convince me it would be OK to have 'just one' since I really can't remember how horrible quitting was!!

two things to remember; a craving never killed anybody but smoking will and Not One Puff Ever = NOPE

[pamelaine123]

It does get better...133 days for me and even when a craving comes I can talk myself past it. You will too! I also am looking at spine fusion surgery. Stick with the patch ...I used it for the first 5 weeks and don't think I could have done it without...

Best wishes to you! Hang in there!