Smoke Enders

[Elgarian]

Today I'm having difficulty again. My main problem right now is TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS!!! Aarrrggh!!!

Remember, by now you're no longer addicted to nicotine. The cigarette in itself has no power any longer; it gives you nothing. It's only your mind playing tricks, and all that needs is a bit of retraining, and a bit more time. Just quietly restate the decision: 'I'm a non-smoker. Feeling good starts here.' Every cigarette-free day is a day closer to being rid of the wretched things and the lies they've been telling you about your dependence on them. If you're struggling, go for a walk - a really brisk one. Have a long soak in the bath. Have another long soak in the bath. Write a letter to somebody. Chew pieces of raw carrot. Chew gum. Go swimming.

[springrite]

I will be joining the quit smoking movement next week, after I return from my lecture trip. I have been asked to write a book on psychology and cancer. This is as good a time as any (not that there is a bad time to do so) to quit smoking myself.

The attached photo is not me, obviously, but I have been known to puff like a chimney more than most because of my extra large lung capacity (8000+). I ciggie lasts no more than 2 minutes, typically.

[snyprrr]

UPDATE: Thurs 21

nice pic!

Well, I'm on the Chantix. Technically, I haven't had a smoke in two weeks, however this last Sunday...you know, it IS all in the mind. The first week I was absolutely fine, but then the drooling and "mental" craving started, which, on the pills, made no sense, but I suppose my body was still feeling the effects. My stomach felt metallic/food poisoned, and I was just freaking out, and so Sunday I broke down. Mind you, on Chantix, I can't receive nicotine molecules, so the cigs "did" nothing for me, and woo boy THEY WERE NAAAAASTY. YUK YUK YUK. As SOON as my fingers touched the cig, all my pain went away. How's that for mind tricks, eh?

But I feel a lot better now, as if I HAD to do that just to prove to myself that they weren't going to work.

Well, I'm not beating myself up for it (ha, on these pills, you really don't care about much...and they say Chantix is not a psychotropic, ha, I beg to differ). My whole attitude has changed since I took those last couple of smokes. I just hope I retain this attitude.

These pills really kind of suck, but I'm sticking through the 2 month period. THEY DO WORK. If you've ever been on "Uncle Sam's meds" from those lovely people at Pfizer, Glaxo, or Lilly (my hands around their...) you'll know what side effects to expect.

So, anyhow, basically one month on the pills, two weeks without a smoke (okok). Keeping my mind occupied seems to be the most important thing, as an idle mind seems to allow "stinkin thinkin" to surface sometimes.

Hope you get there springy!

[snyprrr]

WED. June 3:

Well, I just got off the Chantix. It's been about six weeks or so. I haven't had a cigarette in 3-4 weeks (minus one slip). It's been hard to keep track of time.

Boy that Chantix was a rough ride. It certainly works, but don't let anyone tell you it's not a psychotropic. Lying sacks!!! Oh how I hate the pharmas and their lying lies...suckheads.

Anyhow, that's my brand new attitude on display, haha!!! No, seriously, it was time to test myself. It's day two off of the Chantix, and I can certainly tell a difference. The pills were doing all the work, so now it's gonna be all me. At least I have some weeks behind me.

I can certainly BREATHE again!!! And I would certainly hope that I retain my current attitude. Amazing how nasty they smell when you are removed from the context. I wonder how many people think their dirty knickers smell ok?

So, here we are, smoke free...again...certainly the longest run in a few years. It's been ten years since my 2 1/2 year smokefree run.

I'm still a bit dazed here from the Chantix. I haven't really been in touch with my feelings for about 6 weeks. I DO feel a bit shaky, but not really about the cigs. Those psychotropics do tend to mind rape you.

Well, I'm not celebrating... just for doing what I'm supposed to do? Naw, at least not yet.

So hopefully the next week or so won't bring about any noxious side effects.

Yea, here I am, looking back at how desperate I was just some weeks back. Forget not where you came from. Uh, uh, mm, mm, mm.

Now if I can find a job...

[Dr. Dread]

Great work! Don't blow it now! You are over the hump and home free!!!

(Oh, and if you associate smoking with drinking, lay off the booze for a while.)

[DavidRoss]

Great work! Don't blow it now! You are over the hump and home free!!!

(Oh, and if you associate smoking with drinking, lay off the booze for a while.)

Very good advice.  Been there, eh, Dave?  Best lay off other stuff that does your thinking for you, too, or it'll think you right into a "good" reason to light up.  One of my old buddies used to fish a number out of his shirt pocket and say, "Let's get stupid!"  Next thing you know it's whispering sweet nothings into your ear, convincing you that the fact you've gone several weeks (or days, or even hours  ) without a smoke "proves" you don't have a problem so it's okay to have one.  Next thing you know, you're hi-jacking semis just to make sure you have enough to get through the week.

[Dr. Dread]

Very good advice.  Been there, eh, Dave?  Best lay off other stuff that does your thinking for you, too, or it'll think you right into a "good" reason to light up.  One of my old buddies used to fish a number out of his shirt pocket and say, "Let's get stupid!"  Next thing you know it's whispering sweet nothings into your ear, convincing you that the fact you've gone several weeks (or days, or even hours  ) without a smoke "proves" you don't have a problem so it's okay to have one.  Next thing you know, you're hi-jacking semis just to make sure you have enough to get through the week.

Yeah, I've been there. But more than booze, I used to light up when I got pissed off about something. Just an excuse, really. And I don't do that anymore.

[DavidRoss]

Yeah, I've been there. But more than booze, I used to light up when I got pissed off about something. Just an excuse, really. And I don't do that anymore.

Do what?  Light up?  Or get pissed off?  In either case, you have my admiration and respect...especially if it's the latter, unless you don't drive, don't read newspapers (virtual included), and are no longer married. 

[Dr. Dread]

Do what?  Light up?  Or get pissed off?  In either case, you have my admiration and respect...especially if it's the latter, unless you don't drive, don't read newspapers (virtual included), and are no longer married.  

I haven't had a cigarette in quite a while is what I meant. Driving, I just talk or yell at the idiots. And I don't really read the paper.

I am happily married. Though, back a ways, some of the strife came from smoothing out the bumps along the way. But marriage is like quitting smoking, you have to work at it until it becomes easy.

[springrite]

I will stop smoking on June 9th. I will use this thread to update my progress, share my difficulties or other experiences during this time. I will start the day by going to the dentist for some dental hygiene work, which would be a good start. I will go from there. I have no psych work scheduled for the next ten days which cuts off much of the stress.

[DavidRoss]

Great, Paul!  No stress for the next several days.  Drink lots of water.  Reward yourself for incremental successes.  Pray for help (whatever that means to you).  Eat well and get plenty of sleep.  Avoid known triggers for the urge, i.e. alcohol, caffeine, people smoking.  We're all pulling for you!

[snyprrr]

MONDAY in June

It's been a week since I stopped taking the Chantix. That stuff was definitely messing with my mind. I've been feeling a bit shakey this week (trying to settle into my "old" self... but forgot what that was!).

I haven't had any desire to smoke, really, but I don't feel as strong as I had hoped. Perhaps this last time around I just smoked waaay too much, and it's going to take a little while longer to get to where I'm not "bothered." Rush hour traffic is not yet the place for me!

Hope springy gets off on a good foot tomorrow. I will forego the usual huggy feely stuff and just say, Be vigilant. Most of us relapse (normally takes 7 quits to make it stick), but we must pick ourselves back up and keep at it. I was so low in hope and motivation I needed to take the Chantix (which worked), but now i have about 3-4 weeks separation...it's not about smoking cigs anymore, but boy oh boy there are a lot of other persnickety "habits" and "behaviours" that pop to the foreground...WOW...I didn't even know I was like "that." yikes!

Looking foreward to your progress. One day at a time!

[springrite]

Most of us relapse (normally takes 7 quits to make it stick), but we must pick ourselves back up and keep at it.

That is very encouraging information considering this IS try #8! 

[Dr. Dread]

I had quit lots of times. 

[DavidRoss]

I had quit lots of times. 

Me, too.  It took a long time before I understood the nature of addiction and learned the hard way that once an addict, always an addict.  Just because I had managed to go a week or month or six months without a smoke did not mean that I was no longer addicted and would be able to have just one or two when I felt like it.  One inevitably led to another, then another, and before you know it I was smoking cancer sticks by the carton again and wondering what happened.  It took years of repeated failure to learn this lesson.  But once learned, then the next time I quit I knew I couldn't have as much as one puff, and I've been smoke-free for more than twenty years now.

Of course it helped that I quit drinking, too.   

[snyprrr]

ok springrite...where're you hiding???

It's the 10th...(foot tapping)...how's it going?

[Homo Aestheticus]

it's 2 in the morning. i'm smokin till i pass out and destroying the rest....again.  At least i don't have any money.

boy, this sucks. it used to be easier, but then i picked up that ONE, and poof...of to the races.

but i HAVE to stop.

Best of luck my friend. I neither smoke nor drink (never have) so I can't give any advice.

But here are two photos that will put things into clearer perspective for you:

Just click and post it someplace where you can see it everyday:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://sdfs.ucps.k12.nc.us/images/Smokers%2520Lung.JPG&imgrefurl=http://sdfs.ucps.k12.nc.us/images/Lungs.htm&usg=__tWOF-Z-OVj_MBZUwOWz7wcEMeJc=&h=2014&w=1872&sz=218&hl=en&start=12&tbnid=a1TtmlVrDvDcVM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=139&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Binside%2Bof%2Ba%2Bsmoker%2527s%2Blung%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den

[springrite]

ok springrite...where're you hiding???

It's the 10th...(foot tapping)...how's it going?

The first 24 hours went by fairly smoothly. I had my dental appointment. The mouth feels so refreshed that I'd hate to ruin it with a ciggie. The counseling client cancelled, which is also a good thing. I had a little difficulty in the late afternoon, so I went into a starbuck and had a cup of latte. Then I actually had a little nap in there, sitting up. After sweat came out I felt better.

I went to bed very early and slept for 11 hours. Now I am just up.

So far so good!

[DavidRoss]

The first 24 hours went by fairly smoothly. I had my dental appointment. The mouth feels so refreshed that I'd hate to ruin it with a ciggie. The counseling client cancelled, which is also a good thing. I had a little difficulty in the late afternoon, so I went into a starbuck and had a cup of latte. Then I actually had a little nap in there, sitting up. After sweat came out I felt better.

I went to bed very early and slept for 11 hours. Now I am just up.

So far so good!

Cool!  Chances are you'll have some severe cravings over the next three or four days, then their duration, severity, and frequency will diminish.  As you probably know, the detox from nicotine is quick.  Don't let that stupid little drug whip your ass, buddy, just hang in there and wear it out!

[springrite]

I am a few hours away from finishing day three successfully. Last night was a bit tough. Instead of being at home, I stayed in my little one-bedroom worksplace across the street. Whenever the craving hits, I'd take a quick hot shower. It worked very well. I also drank 3 gallons of water/tea in 24 hours. By 3 am I was feeling so much better and I went to sleep. Did not wake up until about 11 am, during the 4th quarter of the Lakers Magic game.

I am very confident that I can kick the habit once and for all this time. I know the detox is three days. But I am not taking anything for granted and am contiuing my detox routine for another three days, until Monday morning at least. I have no work that I have to do until Friday. It is a two hour lecture in a scenic city on Saturday and I will be staying 2 extra days there to relax. So I have my time planned very well with no due stress at all.