Never to sick to quit....

[StephPITT2018]

So, some how I got a bug. Which made me absolutely miserable. All in my sinuses. Pain in my teeth, eyes, and ears. Couldnt taste or hear much. But still wanted that cig. First day had one, didnt help how felt. By day two I didnt want anything except water, meds,and sleep. Day three feeling better but bad cough with mucus. Now day four. Havent smoked, still coughing, but that devil is on my shoulder again. I've been thinking about why I want to smoke a lot. The triggers and habits. The promises I've made to people that I will try to stop and mean it! Not having pack in the house or around has really helped. Why does it have to be so hard????????

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

It's hard because you are addicted to nicotine!!!  This isn't just a bad habit.  It has physical and psychological components - which make it doubly difficult from which to break free.  This isn't easy (as you are noticing) but it IS doable.  Do the reading I will recommend and you will begin to understand why!

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 it  or at your local library. Here's a link to a video here on the site which describes nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.
 
 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.

 After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. If used properly, gum, lozenges and inhalers are fine, but they need to be used only as a last resort.  I have seen folks become addicted to them if they substitute them for every cigarette they used to smoke - just trading one addiction for another.  I do not recommend the e-cigarette for three reasons: 1) the vapor has been compared to the polluted air in Bejing on a bad day, 2) they just provide another nicotine delivery system while continuing the hand to mouth smoking motion, and 3) the batteries can spontaneously catch on fire. . But – any method that you think will work well for you will be best for you.
 
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 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!

Hope you feel better soon.  Smoking is not required for that!!!!!!

 Nancy

[gregp136]

It is hard, very hard, with so many excuses to try to get you back to using.  But you/we can do this.  Just imagine those nice pink lungs when you have finished coughing all the crap out! 

[elvan]

Please pay attention to everything YoungAtHeart‌ has shared with you.  This IS an addiction and recovery from an addiction is not easy, it is a one day at a time journey and there are no shortcuts.  Do the reading, you are probably as sick as you are because you smoked and you will cough up LOTS of mucous as your lungs clean house.  All of that has been living happily inside of you.  Smoking does irreversible damage and no matter how hard it is at the beginning, it gets easier and it is worth every single minute to grab hold of your freedom and own your life.

Welcome to EX,

Ellen

[SaraCorinne]

The first 3 days were so hard for me and you made it to DAY 4!  Good for you!

Sorry you're sick though.  Hope you're feeling better!  

[StephPITT2018]

Thank you it is hard. I fewl like i need a d

[StephPITT2018]

A damn straw!!!  Lol

[shashort]

HI welcome to EX!  Quitting by all means isn't easy but is DOABLE!  Read and educate yourself on this addiction and know what you are up against. Start building tools in your toolbox to conquer those craves.  For starters lots of Ice water with a straw helped me, that became my main go to as the straw help with the sucking sensation and water helps flush the toxins out.  Have mints and gum in places where you kept your smokes and use those when needed. This is only a few to keep ya going.  Positive self talks by telling yourself you CAN do this and NOPE (not one puff ever) will also help.  Good for you getting through 4 days.    The coughing is cleaning your lungs so just hang on it will pass. Stay close you CAN do this!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

It's far far better to blow your snot than to blow your quit.

[jconfusion]

I used mint Nicorette gum for 3 months a and the third month to ween myself off the gum, Its  the  withdraw. good luck sweetie you can do this!

hugs,

june

[elvan]

How are you doing?  Is your cold/bug getting better?  Believe me, not smoking is the best thing you can do to end a sinus infection.   No, this is definitely not easy but it IS possible!  

Ellen