New member - on day 3

Hello everyone

I've been hanging around on here since Saturday when I made the decision to quit. Been smoking 15-20 a dat for 22 years and never tried before. I'd just started to worry about my health and was beginning to hate myself every time I lit up. I also work in a cancer hospital which really hits home sometimes. It also doesn't help having a 5 year old daughter and 6 year old neice who kept asking why I smoked when it kills you!! Wise kids eh?!

Anyway, I'm now on Day 3 and all I can think about is cigarettes. I'm on the strongest patches patches and also have a puff from time to time on an inhaler. I guess the reason I'm posting is that I'm finding it incredibly hard. Surprisingly, I'm not grouchy but I'm finding it difficult to think of anything else, and I am not sleeping really (removed patch before bedtime last night but still lay awake for hours).

I know this is the addiction but I'm just hoping it will get easier. I also know it's not going to be easy but I just wanted some encouragement - and to hear that it does get better. Also considering hypnotherapy - has anyone else tried this?

8 Replies

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  • Hi Lin

    Welcome to the site you will get great support on here to keep you going. You have made a great decistion to quit get over today and things start to get better keep posting Linda xxxx

  • Well done Liney123:)

    The sleeping problems do get better as time goes on.

    We had problems for the first couple of weeks with disturbed sleep, but

    glad to say this has improved.:)

    The minor side effects do ease up and you will gradually find that you think about the cigs less and less with each passing day.

    Keep it up.:) :)

  • Welcome Liney123,

    I have only given up for 4 days but I am feeling stronger every day. Everyone on here will give you loads of support and encouragement they really help you get through the rough patches. I have used hypnosis tapes and patches in the past and I think they can work well together if you have got that willpower in the first place. I gave up for 3 months using this method but very stupidly started again just because i thought i was missing out on something and that was the only reason. I am not going to be that stupid this time!

    Just remember I am only on day 4 so what you are feeling today I was feeling yesterday. I have been very grouchy as well but I do feel much better today. Just stay strong and take it one day at a time as they say.

    Good luck.

    Befly x x :)

  • Thanks everyone and nice to meet you! It's comforting to know I'm not the only one going through this. My partner is supportive but he's never smoked so I don't think he really understands how it feels. I'm trying so hard to take one day at at a time as I'm sure you'll all understand looking too far in the future is very very scary. I also feel quite tearful. I keep thinking about social situations I'm going to be in and can't imagine not sneaking out for a fag. (I have to say, I've also met some very nice smokers standing out in the cold and rain and I will miss that - it's a bit like a secret club we all belong to!!!)

    Even though it's only day 3, I do feel a bit better health wise funnily enough -a bit 'cleaner' if you understand what I mean(?) - I'm just hoping that's enough of an incentive to keep on keeping on.....

    I think the morning and evenings are the hardest - the daytime doesn't seem too bad. Also I'm back at work tomorrow which will be hard as I usually nip out 2 or 3 times for a fag. That said, it's a cancer hospital and I've always felt so uncomfortable seeing all the patients and thinking 'what the hell am I doing?' at least I can hold my head up high tomorrow and say to myself I AM A NON-SMOKER.

    So deep breaths and hang on in there everyone along with me!!! It's going to be a rough ride I know but I want to be there for my little girl. I know it sounds very depressing but I've gone through the scenario so many times in my head about what happens if.... it's a horrible thought and I never want to feel like that again. Sorry for waffling, got all tearful again so better go.

    Speak soon

    Lx

  • Liney 123, good luck, you can do it, you have already taken the step to combat the addiction. Stay strong, we are here for you.

    xxxxx Pupalup xxxxx:)

  • Welcome Liney x x x x

    Well Done on the desicion to quit!

    Stay strong, keep busy and keep posting! :p

    ~Buffy x x

  • Hi Liney,

    When I stopped smoking (my god - I cant believe it will be 5 weeks after tomorrow!), I also started listening to Paul McKenna's quit smoking hypnosis cd in bed on my Ipod.

    I hardly ever got past the 'counting' part before I was unconcious but I still think that whatever he was talking about (I am assuming it was stopping smoking!) sub conciously entered my brain and has just added to the arsenal of support that I have found these past few weeks (this forum being a major part of that support).

    It certainly helped me to sleep and relax and that's a very good thing when you body is working overtime to get rid of all the chemicals that youve been subjecting it to by inhaling a million and one ingredients that are in cigs.

    good luck, keep posting and let us know how you get on.

    Sharkey X

  • Welcome and Congrats on your decision! You can do it we are all here for you! :D

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