Wow--This is Tough!!

[lizzysmom]

Today is day 2 for me. First attempt with the real desire to want to quit. I'm 34 years old and have been smoking since I was 14. If I had known it would be this hard to "let them go" I never would have picked them up in the first place. Do we all feel that way or is it just me?

My main reason to quit is that I found out I'm expecting my second child. I'm only about 10 weeks along, but I don't want my choices to interfere with my fetus' health. My daughter has been asking me to quit for years, so I have to include her in this desire as well. As selfish as it sounds I don't want to quit. I also don't want to be diagnosed with something later in life that I may have been able to prevent by quitting. 

I have felt extreme emotions of anger, depression, hopelessness, and moodiness in this attempt. I feel no joy yet; no sense of accomplishment or success. I literally feel like I'm crawling out of my skin!! It's awful!!! Does anyone have any advice on when this feeling will pass? I'm drinking cranberry juice and keeping water close by. Also chewing on a straw constantly. Golly--I now feel like the drug addict I have been for years!!! I just want to feel better. 

Thanks for encouraging me---I have very little outside of this group. 

[Sandy-9-17-17]

Welcome and I do think most people feel this way!  Just remember you weren't a smoker until you picked them up!  You can be a non smoker again, just keep on saying N.O.P.E. and you can do it too!  I smoked for 43 years, and I tell ya, seeing that you are only 34, you have a whole life of freedom from smoking ahead of you!  There are so many pro's to quitting, and so many lows to continuing to smoke!  Nothing good comes from smoking!  

So, set your mind, and get ready for some Elder's to make their way to this post, to give you so many good insights to read!  WE ARE ALL glad you showed up!  It is the best gift you can give yourself.  

I just hit 1 year, and it gets easier and easier every day you pledge to yourself not to smoke.   Welcome to EX!

[Mommamich]

I honestly thought that quitting would be easy but boy was I wrong. The first week was difficult for sure. I caught myself obsessing over my wanting a smoke. That was truly my biggest hurdle. I'm not an elder here and can't advise anyone but will share what I have learned in my short quit time. When you find yourself thinking about that smoke do something else. I would go play a hidden picture game on the computer.  Anything to distract me. The second week still had it's moments but was much better. Every time I craved I reminded myself that I don't do that anymore and found something else to do. I know this seems horrible right now but I assure you that everyday does get easier after week one. Please take it one hour at a time and congratulate yourself every hour won. Hang in there......you've got this. We are so much stronger than we think.

[Daniela2016]

My dear  lizzysmom , it is IMPERATIVE you keep your quit, no matter what!!!  The first 16 weeks of your pregnancy is when the fetus is developing, and smoking can interfere with the process!!!  After the baby starts moving there are still impacts on the baby if you smoke, but they are risking a small baby (under weight), and of course giving birth to an addicted baby.

Please stay with us, read about the addiction as much as you can, and don't let go of your precious quit, no matter what!  

Allan Carr's book "the easy way to quit smoking" helped me at the beginning of the quit, then being here as often as possible gave me all the support I needed.

With the permission of the authors, I will post some links to blogs written by some of our long time elders, hoping to help you getting through the hardest time.

Before you ever pick up another cigarette, please come here, blog with the title HELP and someone will come speak with you, and help you get through!

Here are the links: 

/blogs/Giulia-blog/2018/03/01/quitting-is-a-skill-that-can-be-learned 

/blogs/Giulia-blog/2015/02/23/expectations-timelines-and-the-reality-you-create 

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

/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoke 

Take care of yourself and of the little life growing in you!!!

You can do it, we will help you!

Hugs

Daniela

[Chuck-2-20-2011]

I think I was as ready as a person could be when I quit, but man, it was rough on those first few days. You're sure quitting for a good reason. In fact, you could use that reason to help you along. I found that for me at least, thinking of the future can be a big help. Just imagine yourself in your future and ask yourself how you want it to look. 

 The decisions you make today will determine what tomorrow looks like. You're on day two. That's great!! After three days with no nicotine in your body, the physical part of the addiction ends. But you're still not out of the woods yet. There's still the part of learning to live without those cigarettes. This is the part that takes a little time, but it's time well spent.

 The thing to remember is that with a bit of work, you'll find yourself in a world that is amazing for once you've lived the life of slavery to an addiction, it makes us appreciate that freedom even more. Stay close. We're here to help and WELCOME!! You've made the right choice to quit!

ONWARD TO FREEDOM!!!

Chuck

[Giulia]

I think we all pretty much felt just as you.  And especially we wish we had never picked them up in the first place.  You will gain strength by reading.  Truly.  When we begin to understand the nature of this addiction we learn that we can overcome it.  We do not have to be it's slave forever.  A little primer cartoon that might open some doors in your mind:  What is the Single Best Thing You Can Do to Quit Smoking? - YouTube   

What will help in feeling some joy is to set small goals.  For example after day 3 most of the nicotine is out of our bodies.  Aim for the first week (we call it Hell Week).  Aim for the next week (we call it Heck Week).  Aim for the first month.  Then the first 100 days.  Setting those goals will help you keep aiming for something, rather than just sitting and suffering.  We have to change our thinking when we go on this journey.  And especially keep a sense of humor about you.  Humor enables us to take that necessary step back in perception.  Gives us time to pause.  Taking long, slow deep breaths helps.

[Barbscloud]

Here's sending more support. It is hard at first, but you can do it.  Everything you're feeling we have all felt, but do keep reminding yourself "I don't to that anymore".   One day at a time!  There's lots of support here so reach out if you need assistance.

Barb

216 DOF

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Your user name is rather excusive.

I'm hoping willingness to change will initiate a name change as you prove how powerful you are.  

What has been your experience?

Which do you think is more difficult?

Getting off the nicotine?

or unlearning smoking? 

[maryfreecig]

Welcome to Ex. Stay invested in your quit --two days in is early yet and your feelings are not unusual. But getting support is one way to crowd those feelings out of the way. Ex is here to help, so read, blog, say what you need to say.

What is the Single Best Thing You Can Do to Quit Smoking? - YouTube 

[lizzysmom]

Honestly, I don't know. I am using a straw to have something that isn't harmful go in my mouth. I often wonder of the act of smoking is harder to let go of than the nicotine. Today has been tough, but not as tough as yesterday. I'm staying strong for today. 

[JonesCarpeDiem]

the straw is a good choice. I chewed on them myself because toothpicks splinter. 

[karenjones]

Hi Sandy,  You can't be a 'non-smoker' a non-smoker will never feel what it is like to withdraw from nicotine. Which we have and harderthanirealized 's Blog is in the beginning of. It is hard, but this whole ex-community knows and is living proof that can be done, we are the happy Ex-Smokers.  And look at you, you should be proud , Congrats on your year, that is terriffic, I have a little over 6 months. So you are way ahead of me. Wow, Congrats!!!!!

[karenjones]

i think you should congratulate yourself too, well done! Two weeks, that is absolutely great! 

[karenjones]

it definitely is a skill, these are good blogs and should keep lizzysmom busy for a while, learning. I think you are right about the baby being addicted and it is better for the baby to quit now than to let the baby be born having to go through de-tox during its first few weeks of life.  What a welcome to the world that is. My mother had 8 kids and smoked through all of them in the 50's and early 60s. I think I was born addicted. well, I was. Many of us here were. This is great advice. Your quit looks healthy Daniela2016  .

[lizzysmom]

Thank you. I think the time that I'm at work is the hardest...I have no real accountability here. It's almost time to go home and I'm so proud to be able to tell my daughter the truth!! I survived today alone SMOKE FREE!!!!! My husband is giving up his smoke for me too, but he is vaping and I have chosen to not do that!!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

will you try something for me?

make a game of catching yourself every time you think of smoking.

laugh, and, do it out loud so at least you actually hear it.

I learned this on my second morning when my friend came into his brothers patio where I was standing.

I realized the thought of smoking was trying to get me and it made me laugh. as in "gotcha"

I started laughing every time I thought of smoking and within a week I was thinking of laughing instead of smoking.

[Christine13]

I am hoping your days get easier as you go along.  You have one of the best reasons to quit in the world.  A brand new life inside you!!  I wish you all the best.  I'm early in my quit, and I didn't want to quit either, but I must for health issues.

Just think your new baby will NEVER smell your stinky cigarette breath!!

[lizzysmom]

Thank you. I must stay strong for my baby....I MUST. No Matter What! I just keep telling myself that.

[lizzysmom]

Yes. I look forward to that. Never smell my stinky cigarette breath or my clothes that reak of smoke.

[lizzysmom]

I will try anything at this point. Hoping that tomorrow will be a little easier. I cannot cave. I will not. I will conquer today. Today I had a friend tell me a story that made me laugh. It was the first time I had laughed in days.

[MarilynH]

You can and will be successful one precious Smokefree Day at a time or hour minute or even a second at a time, believe it deep breaths and know that we're all here to help you in any way we can and each evening you can look yourself in the mirror and say YAY for another Day WON .....

[JonesCarpeDiem]

over time you will put the pieces together as you've already begun by what you said in response to my question above.

[the habit/psychological addiction is the part that hangs on because it is deeply ingrained in our lives, emotions and, memories.]

Daniela2016‌ posted my thoughts of what to expect in the first four months. 

The first month

then the three months after it

Be willing

willpower wears you out.

accepting that you are not smoking doesn't.

[greattobeanEX]

You CAN and WILL kick this habit to the curb!  It is hard!  I am 57 and have smoked since I was 15. I did stop while pregnant with my 3 children out of those 42 years - but for some STUPID reason I started back each time. I am now at day 23!  There is a free app that calculates the days and $$ Smoke Free. I suggest you download it, if for nothing else but the $ counter! It will amaze you at how much money you are saving! As a parent-now grandparent, I do know how expensive it is to raise a child and takes every penny earned! We are ALL here for you and so glad you have made the decision to quit! After 72 hours the nicotine will be gone from your system (unless you are using patches etc) so what will be left are the habits associated with smoking. Coffee is a huge morning trigger for me - but it has all but disappeared now. I will still have a twinge once in a while though. Make yourself a list of what you are doing at the time these strong urges hit. You will be pleasantly surprised of how often you can avoid those situations - or at least I could some of them. Stay strong and remember we are ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!!

[autumnpepper]

Hey we're are quit buddies my quit date is October 18th.  I'm right behind you!  Let's encourage each other. I'm 56 and have been smoking since I was 10yrs old.  I have quit, actually I've cut down cause it wasn't a quit if I picked them up again. 

Congratulations on your quit!  I know it's hard and I'm not there yet.  If you stay positive, you know, like the Little Engine That Could!  I think I can.. I think I can.  You will succeed!

Do you know the song about the Ant and the Rubber Tree Plant. He had high hopes!  He had high hopes! He had high apple pie in the sky hopes!  

Stay positive! 

Happy Mama makes Happy Babies! 

[lizzysmom]

I would love to be your quit buddy. We are in this together. Tomorrow I get to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time. I'm just hoping that my Dr. will believe that I have given this up. If he doubts me I will undoubtedly doubt myself!!! Trying to stay positive and believe in myself...something that I've always had a hard time doing. I'm still trying to reflect on what got me started on smoking in the first place and I think it goes back to my self esteem. I've always had a hard time fitting in...even now as an adult I struggle with it I do remember I hated it when my dad smoked. I begged him to quit, but he had to wait until he was ready. He is encouraging me, but offers little advice for how to cope. He's a tough guy that doesn't remember it being all that hard to let go. He smoked approximately 2 packs a day for 20 years, but heck that was almost 30 years ago. I hope that I will one day too be blessed to forget the quit!!!!

[lizzysmom]

Thank you so much. I long for the day when I can feel like I'm functioning normally. My morning coffee isn't that hateful without my smoke, although I'm having to limit my intake in my current situation. I think my hardest triggers are bouts of stress...being late, having my daughter not wake up for me when she leaps out of the bed on her dad's first wake up call, stress at work, etc. I can't stop living...I can't even take a short break right now. I need to keep my job and keep the money rolling in and yes you are right kiddos are expensive and so is the nasty habit of smoking. My car still smells like an ashtray I can't wait to be able to give it a deep clean!!!