Trying again

[linda24]

I've been reading posts since this morning and feel awkward joining up. I am determined to quit smoking this time so I am enlisting the aid of everyone that I can. I called my daughters, spoke to my employees and am now doing this blog thing - for the first time in my long life. I would usually keep my attempts private so when I failed I wouldn't have to tell anyone. I stopped yesterday and today is pretty awful. I have a prescription for Chantix but decided to try on my own since I believe it is a matter of commitment....Hoping for encouragement and success stories

[francine]

Good luck, you can do it. I am on day 3. It has not been easy, but I want to be smoke free. We are here for encouragement.

[hwc]

The good news is that, awful though it may be, you are motoring right through day one! Just take it hour by hour. Log on here for one crave. Try a whyquit.com video for another. Go outside and scream for another. One crave at a time, you'll get it done and then you will feel a real sense of pride and accomplishmnent when you go to bed (maybe a little early after a nice relaxing bath).

[linda24]

Thank you both, Francine and hwc....I expect to be here a lot in the next days/weeks/months. Linda

[cindywilson]

You Can DO IT!!!! Just take it one day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time, personally, I liked having my goody bag with cinnamon toothpicks, some folks love sunflower seeds, plenty of water to cleanse the system, read, read, read, I like Candid Quitters, anything from HWC, relapse traps, whyquit.com, also had pillows for throwing or punching and screaming if needed is good too:)

[cheryl2]

Buy lollipops and drink tons of water! I focused on keeping things one day at a time and I now have 54 smoke-free days behind me. It is starting to get easier and I find myself thinking more and more like a non-smoker every day. Fight hard!

[kellie3]

Just take it hour by hour. I am on day 3... and I am OK. You'll be OK too, just when those moments get overwhelming take deep breaths and find something to do. I get up in the morning and head outside, even if it's just to sit and stare at the flowers or watch the clouds float by... it keeps me out of the smoking routine.
When you get that urge just get up and do something... they only last a few minutes. I found sucking on Corn Nuts works, my daughter is quiting and for her it's brushing her teeth... anyting that works for you. Don't think of it as day by day right now just get through hour by hour, minute by minute if that makes it easier for you.
🙂 We are all struggling down this path together.

[suzzz]

hello Linda! I loved the "trying again" because that's what I did. Basically, I didn't want stop smoking and really I still don't want to stop but I haven't smoked since April 26th. You are going through unnecessary torture not using the chantix. I have done it both ways and your chances of really getting through the tough part is SO MUCH better if you are on the Chantix. It takes the cravings away and makes it more of a choice instead of a struggle. Believe me, it is the best thing I have ever seen on helping you get past the toughest part. I didn't gain any weight, it didn't give me bad dreams, and actually it made me calm. Tomorrow will be 6 weeks since I smoked. I'm not really taking the Chantix now unless I start to think, HMMMM I could smoke just one! Then I might take one half of a pill and the desire fades. Trust me, there's no need in suffering! That saying, "no pain, no gain, is for working out, not for stopping smoking!" 🙂

[Makela]

It seems like you've been down this road before so you know what it takes. Give it all you've got this time. Just don't give in and smoke. You can do it. In the beginning I thought I wouldn't make it either, but I had determination..yeah, that's it..determination to do it. I quit cold turkey and it's been 5 months. This was my first (and only) attempt. There's so much help here. Just shout and someone will come running. I'll leave my light on for you. 8-)

[claudia2]

I think the key is to stay focused and as hwc said, with each crave log on somewhere, go out and scream, come somewhere and read, read, read...YES>>>THERE IS LOTS OF THAT TO DO!!!.... Have faith in yourself that you CAN do this. Like Cindy said, fix you a little goody bag..but make it sugar free!!

It is fantastic that you have told everyone what you are up to!! I myself still have things hanging all around the house as my "reasons for quitting", when will I take them down??? maybe never..they have been up for 5 months and are now sort of the decor!!!!!

Have FAITH, believe in yourself......WE DO!!!!!!! Keep us posted please?

[linda24]

Thank all of you for the encouragement. I guess it's true -misery does love company. Today is day 3 for me. Last night was difficult, but this morning even worse. I, of course, have no cigarettes here or I would possibly have smoked one. Suzzz, I was interested in your positive Chantix comment. Has anyone out there had any negative results - beyond the vivid dreams? Also, aren't you supposed to have started taking the Chantix before you stop? Linda

[linda24]

I think I'm going to go fill the prescription for Chantix today.....I need to do all that is within my power to make this stick. Thank you Suzzz for the input. Point well taken.

[Rick_M]

Linda, would have to go with Suzzz advice. I did not really want to stop either but knew health issurs were on the horizon. I had the Chantix for months before setting a date. Had a Doc appt in Apr and knew what the first qustion was going to be. Set a date 4/03, started the Chantix, now 67 days later no smoke, by no means easy but the Chantix worked and I to had no side effects.Do whatever helps, just don't light one up.