Arrrggh!

[tk2kewl]

Day 4 w/o cigs. Feeling very edgy.

Quit for 2 years until Sandy blew through and then needed a crutch. Now I want to get back on track.

Could use a "hang in there" right about now.

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. You don't need a cigarette because you don't smoke

That's what I told myself when I quit. Day 4 is the worst.

After Day 4, it's gravy, as you know.

[tk2kewl]

2. thanks...

mmmmmm gravy

[dixiegrrrrl]

48. Yep..Day 4 IS the worst.

The trick to cravings is NOT ignore them, NOT "fight" them, but to notice them, admit you have a craving and
say to yourself ( or out loud if it helps)
"I want a cigarette
but
I'm not going to have one." Or "but I choose to be a non-smoker"
(that's the phrase that really helped me)

Even as long as 3 years after I quit, I would have a craving and I would tell Mr. Dixie
" I am craving a cigarette"
then I would eat an organge or banana.

The tecnique works for the same reason trying to not think of elephants makes you think of an elephant.
letting cravings appear and then move on is very effective.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Hang in there. I quit 4 years ago Jan. 16.

[tk2kewl]

6. congrats...

i quit plenty of times

staying quit is the hard part - what's your secret?

[sinkingfeeling]

10. I had Stage IV cancer on my tonsils. I thought I'd be really addicted and wouldn't

be able to stop after 40 years of smoking. Found out the only thing I really missed... get this...was the smell of burning tobacco. So I used all of the packs I'd already bought as incense!

[tk2kewl]

46. i'm very glad to see you made it

[nick of time]

4. Hang in there.

I quit 25 years ago, best thing I did for my health, food tastes better, breathe better, more stamina.
99% of quitting is in the mind, you really have to want it to succeed.
Keep at it.

[tk2kewl]

36. thanks

you are right, my friend

weakness has always leads me back to the damn things

[nick of time]

40. Even after 25 years,

I still wake up now and then wanting a smoke, it never really goes away, like an alcoholic, the urge is still there, but I remind myself of how much better quality of life I have and others around me w/o the second hand smoke.
You can do it, especially with this wonderful community of DU'ers backing you.

[lunatica]

5. Hang in there tk2kewl!

chew gum, do things you normally don't smoke while doing, take deep breaths to get that 'hit' feeling in your lungs, and keep telling yourself that you did it once and you can do it again.

I did that once. quite smoking for two years and then went and thought one little cigarette wasn't going to hurt. 20 years later I finally quit for good (with the help of Chantix) and I will never fall for that fallacy of one cigarette is OK again. Now not a day goes by that I'm not thankful that I quit.

Just remember you'll feel that way again.

Hang in there!

[tk2kewl]

9. chantix is nutty

did that on 2 different quitting occasions

last time i nearly lost my mind.... so this time it's cold turkey

[lunatica]

14. I was part of the double blind study to see if Chantix worked

It was called Wellbutrin before the study which is an anti-depressant. Evidently when Wellburtrin was being tested enough people claimed they were able to quit smoking spontaneously that they decided to test it as a drug to stop smoking.

My mother had very bad reactions whenever the doctor gave her anti-depressants. After trying quite a few she refused any more, even when she was dying. Maybe you had a bad reaction to it as an anti-depressant.

I haven't smoked in 24 years.

[Hekate]

23. Was it the generic extended release version?

I've been on Wellbutrin for years without problem, but a couple of years ago was sent the generic version without warning and it damn near drove me off a cliff until I figured out what the problem was. Turns out I was a victim of corporate greed: the patent ran out on the main part of the drug, so it went generic; however the patent on the extended release formula was still under patent so they made some crap up and tossed it in. Half of the drug would be released in the first few hours and the rest erratically after that. The roller coaster was -- well, you experienced it. Turns out the FDA did not do its own testing of the new formula, just took the manufacturer's word for it.

I would not ordinarily tell anyone I am on an antidepressant, but I share this experience to keep someone from actually doing themselves harm.

[tk2kewl]

24. i have no clue...

i just know i ain't going there again

[Hekate]

31. I wouldn't either, if I were you

Every year since that episode my husband and I have to resubmit my claim for exception to the medical plan's policy about generics, and it costs us. I made up my mind that once he's retired for good, if we have to pay full freight for that drug I'm just going to wean myself off and deal with it.

Oh, and hang in there.

[dixiegrrrrl]

53. It worked for me, actually.

The procedure was to take it for 10 days, while cutting down as much as possible, then stop taking it and stop smoking.
Even so, the 4th day was bad.
If I had it to do all over again, I would have had some Valium or etc around.
But, my motivation was anger at the cigarette companies who had just admitted they DID put extra nicotine into the cigs to keep us hooked
and realizing the cost of cigs was going up and up ( at the time I quit they were 2.50 a pack)

15 years nicotine free this April.

[tk2kewl]

54. congrats

cost is a big factor here in ny at over $10/pack

$300/mo ain't no good for the budget

[OldEurope]

7. Hang in!

I quitted some 20 years ago. Had a cigarette after 3 years because of some trouble. Noticed that it did not solve anything, only caused a stinking breath. Never returned.
So I'm sure you can, too!


Edited to add: I quitted because I hated to be used as a cash cow for the tobacco companies.

[Cirque du So-What]

8. You're nearly over the crest of the hill

Cravings are most intense during this period. Definitely hang in there, because it gets easier from here on. My advice: do NOT succumb to temptation whenever you're around other smokers. If necessary, just GTFO if you contemplate bumming a smoke from someone; it is most assuredly the fastest route to perdition.

[Lesmoderesstupides]

11. If you want to smoke, smoke. if you don't want to smoke don't smoke

all it takes is will power.

I smoked for many years about 2 packs per day, stopped for a while then back on them again, stop for a while then back. Now just 2 smokes a day, maybe a few more when drinking with friends.

I figure 2 a day won't hurt besides I am breathing in worse things everyday then what 2 smokes will do.

[hedgehog]

12. hang in there!

Something to soothe you:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/01/25/170243274/really-cool-video-shroud-of-cold-air-descends-on-the-u-s?ft=1&f=1001

[Hekate]

13. Hang in there

Yes, you can.

[tjwash]

15. Hang in there...Don't give up!

[tk2kewl]

39. lol

that is funny

[1StrongBlackMan]

16. You've inspired me to give it a go ...

one more, again!

I had been cigarette free for a year, then Mrs. 1StrongBlackMan went into the hospital for a one hour, out-patient procedure ... on the 6th day of her hospital stay, with the medicals not having a clue what was causing her persistent 103 degree tempature, I went out and bought a pack.

That was 5 years ago and I have been promising myself to quit everyday since.

[tk2kewl]

38. those moments of weakness can really get you

no shame in it... give it a go... after all you are 1StrongBlackMan

[LeftyDemLibProgress]

17. Spam deleted by uppityperson (MIR Team)

[longship]

18. Buh-bye, yet again.

[Spike89]

19. dAy 15...my first without patches

Edgy goes away, you'll get past it. You can do this, I can too.

[tk2kewl]

30. rock on spike!

[Old Codger]

20. It is rough

For sure, quit 22 years ago, hardest thing I ever did, get some Nicorette gum to take the edge off for a bit...BIG help for sure.

[tk2kewl]

27. i have never tried the gum

but i guy i've been working with chews it... maybe i will try a piece. Thanks

[Old Codger]

62. I did in fact

Use the gum for a while after I quit, I quit in 91, after 38 years of smoking and was smoking almost 3 packs a day, I needed to quit so I could live... I got one package of the gum I think there were 40 or so little gums (like chiclets) and used them the definitely helped take the edge off. It is a lot cheaper now as they sell it OTC at he time I quit you had to have a Drs.prescription.. go for it anything that helps is worth it I have never regretted quitting.

[cynatnite]

21. Cravings pass...always...

I quit several years ago and the temptation to light up is still there. Once in a blue moon I still get a craving. It's purely psychological.

Two things I always remember that keeps me from lighting up again:

1. How it was when I smoked. I always wheezed and I reeked of smoke. The dirty ashtrays, too.
2. Cravings pass...always. That thought alone has kept me from picking one up more than once.

[tk2kewl]

26. the temptation to light up is the worst

there is always the opportunity. that is the hardest part for me. i am great at quitting, done it many times... just not so good at staying quit

[cynatnite]

35. I also changed what prompted me to smoke, too...

I realized what my triggers were and made changes. Sitting at a computer was one of them so I stayed off of it more. After a meal was another one. I took walks after eatiing and that helped. Making these changes did help.

I had to learn to ride out the cravings.

It's not easy either.

Also, if you wind up lighting up anyway, don't punish yourself for it. Look at the failure as another opportunity to try again later. Learn what the reason was that you lit up and the next time you decide to quit, it might help you.

When you reach a milestone with your quitting, treat yourself with something you really like. It might be another way to help you.

No matter what happens, don't be hard on yourself.

Good luck!

[flamingdem]

22. You will not miss in a short time

It's just a biological process and you need the amount of the drug reduced in your system.

Other than that I recommend FEAR to help you stop. Did you know that cigarettes are damaging the capilliaries in your eyes? Do you like to read?

[tk2kewl]

25. i like to breathe...

i have been doing a lot of construction work after the storm and cigs always have gone hand-in-hand with that for me, but the dust and the smoke were making it hard to breathe. i had gotten used to being able to breathe the last 2 years and kinda liked it

[enlightenment]

28. Hang in there.

Just keep reminding yourself that you WANT to quit.

I found sunflower seeds very helpful - they give your mouth something to do. If you have one around, find a dirty ashtray, swish a tiny bit of water in it (don't empty it) and take a big whiff. After you've stopped gagging, remind yourself that awful smell is what you smell like when you smoke.

You can do it. You've done it before.

[snooper2]

29. smoke a joint, you'll forget all about it

LOL

[tk2kewl]

34. after work

[randome]

32. Nothing is better than an oxygen high. Kick the habit!

[PoliticAverse]

33. Hang in there, you can do it! n/t

[WilliamPitt]

37. YOU CAN DO IT.

I quit after 20 years by using CVS brand nicotine lozenges. They kill the cravings while satisfying the hand-to-mouth mental thing that happens when you have a nic fit. Highest recommendation.

Have you reached the coughing-up-squids-and-mollusks stage of the exercise? That's when you know you're saving your own life. "That was in me???"

[tk2kewl]

43. no lugies yet

but i am breathing a bit better than last week

might be that i finished the tiling job that i was doing too... the combo of the mortar dust and the cigs was killing me

[Tikki]

41. Can you go some place where smoking isn't allowed or where no one smokes?....

Hang a sign near you that says : NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT.

Rearrange your room's furniture, eat lunch/dinner earlier or later..do something different
right now than you have ever done and promise yourself you will do it again tomorrow.

Your brain is working at you..push back. Unless you are really rich and can afford the cost
of those things and the health damage..Give It Up.

There is a reason you became a non-smoker four days ago...that reason is still valid.

Tikki
non-smoker 10 years...

[tk2kewl]

45. most of the time i am in places where smoking isn't permitted

"Your brain is working at you..push back" - never heard it put that way before, but it's a good way to look at it... I push back at bs all the time, might as well be my own for a change

[randome]

42. Brush your teeth after every meal. That helps quell the craving.

[tk2kewl]

44. interesting

why do you suppose that is?

[ellisonz]

47. I fell off the wagon the week before the election...

...after having quite for a year. I'm back on the wagon. It sucked for the first month but then I started working out heavily again and I got over it.

[tk2kewl]

49. i wish i could find time for the gym

that used to be the best way for me to stay away from cigarettes when i was younger

now i spend about 3hrs a day commuting and have wife and a kid that i want to spend time with

good luck with your efforts and thanks

[ellisonz]

50. You're welcome

Good luck to you to.

Make some time for it - take the kid and the wife with you!

[KauaiK]

51. You can DO IT!!

After 40 yrs of smoking I haven't had a cig is 5 months and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about it. I tried every quit smoking program created since the 1970's without success. You CAN do it and make it without a cig. Use straws, meditation and deep breathing for a few minutes, gum, hard candy as a substitute. Go for a walk, do push ups or other exercise. Think of it as breaking Tabacco Co mind control.

Kudos to the State of Hawaii for creating the Hawaii Quits Now Hotline - with 24/7 coaches, hints and crutches to help you quit.

[NightOwwl]

55. Here's how I handled that edgy feeling when I quit.

I would find a cigarette butt and take a couple puffs. That would usually take care of the edge the entire day.

I did this for a couple weeks; eventually, the urge went away completely.

Hang in there! It is SOOOO WORTH IT!

[Waltons_Mtn]

56. Keep it up and Hang in there.

Good luck!

[malthaussen]

57. Hang in there. n/t

[kairos12]

58. Hang In--The Benefit Will Be Great

[grasswire]

59. As Chip Kelly would say:

Win the Day!

Hold on.

[fadedrose]

60. I smoked for 52 years...

When I decided to quit, I bought countless huge bags of menthol cough drops, and everytime I wanted a smoke, I had a cough drop. Sometimes had 3 or 4 in my mouth at one time.

And I started reading a lot, mostly fiction, didn't want the stress of reading nonfiction or anything educational. Drowned myself in mysteries and fell asleep with red eyes without the cigarette.

It helps to keep busy, cook something, clean something, get tired and lay down...

I miss it like hell, but don't want to go back to a smelly house, clothes and the expense. It sure was fun while it lasted.

I told my doctor that when he thought I may have only a month to live, or less, tell me, so that I could buy my last carton of cigarettes, the hell with visitors and the weather, just put me outside and let me smoke.

But hang in there. You couldn't be more addicted than I was, and that was a very long 5 years ago....

[11 Bravo]

61. Hang tough! I quit 16 years ago. Of course, being told I had cancer was quite a motivation.

Fortunately, after surgery, a six-week course of radiation, and 16 years without a cigarette; I am cancer free and loving life. I wish you the same (minus the cancer, surgery, and radiation).

[kentuck]

63. Hang in there.