Easier sometimes .....

[nsd_user663_3116]

Wow. Thanks to all the posters here who have genuinely kept me going through this, 8 weeks last Saturday since i went cold turkey. The cravings have certainly lessened though strangely seem stronger when they do hit !

I've been looking at other threads and couple of things really chime with me. One is this not quite feeling yourself, like something is missing. I know the fags were a crutch but it's surprised me how strong I have this empty feeling. Other people mention it and say it goes so fingers crossed.

I used to also have this feeling that one day something would click and everything would be sorted. Some chance. I'm a bit worried about my mood though as I have days, like today, where I feel low and depressed. Not everyday but when its there you do think is it worth going through this etc etc. Know it is really but god it can be hard. Have other peoples moods/depression improved over time ?

Anyway enough of the miserable:(. Genuine thanks to all who bravely put their thoughts and feeling up here.

Best wishes

Andy

[nsd_user663_2931]

I'm sure it'll pass soon Andy. I know how you feel re feeling that something is missing. I don't want a cig but I can't help but feel that there is a 'void' at the mo. I don't feel it all the time tho. Mind, that might not be because of the cigs, it could be other factors in my life.

Just think how far you have come. Two months is really good because for most people it is not an easy ride. Don't you just love how much better breathing becomes and not having to plan our lives around cigarettes? The only time I have thought of cigs today is when I have been on my blog or on this site and it can only get better.

I do hope your iffy patch passes swiftly by! I think alot of us become/became rather depressed because of the nicotine withdrawal. I know I did during my last quit. It'll pass, you just need to ride it out. Try to think of the positives and not dwell on the negatives.

[nsd_user663_2863]

Hi Andy,

I didn't get the 'missing something' feeling so much, but i did get the blues!! Oh boy!

I find it really helps just to say so up on the boards here, then it's there..nothing to be done about it and maybe someone will come along and share something that helps.

I tried coming off the inhalator after about 8 weeks and hit a real dark, low spot, so i started again.

I stopped them again about ten days ago and so far so good. I asked a complementary therapist who posts on here about bach flower remedies and I'm taking that. Not everyone's cup of tea and I can only say that this time around I don't seem to have slumped like last time..

Nic has got to be tightly intertwined with all sorts of poor adjustment and pain for many of us, Andy, and that stuff is likely to resurface briefly.

I'm sure you know best how to alleviate that..there's lots of choices.

Great that you've got this far,,,keep going...the dark stuff will pass, even if you just sit and watch it go by!

Not one puff ever...as they say!!

Cheers,

Bill

[nsd_user663_2931]

Hi Bill,

Quickie for ya! Are you still doing the pilates 'n stuff??? I've ordered a couple of new pilate dvds and I'm enquiring about a yoga class near me. I find yoga really does give you a sense of calm and I need that so much right now!

Are you still an active pilate/yoga person?!

[nsd_user663_3116]

Thanks guys.

I used Bach remedies about a month ago. Found they helped with calming me down, particularly at work. It was the five flower remedy I used. I'm usually a bit cynical about things like that but really seemed to do the trick.

Best wishes,

Andy

[nsd_user663_2863]

Hi Maddie,

Oh yes!

Actually I've just started again after a lay-off induced by a sports injury provoked by a chest infection which was down to YOU KNOW WHAT...Grrrr.

Don't get me started on Yoga. Pilates, shifting physical energy around...for me it's absolutely the key to living more and more free. yay!

Nuff said. Does it aid a quit...For me ..absolutely, undoubtedly, 100% positively. Gives a positive focus which challenges all that 'I'm losing something' bo*****s that the mind is prone to start up.

Good on ya Maddie..I reckon you'll be busting walls down if you add yoga/pilates to your already fired up self!

Bill

[nsd_user663_2981]

I'm the same as you CW, I have almost completely changed my lifestyle now! Decaf, water, no cigs. And no booze for me either. Even the thought of it....

(if I could just stop eating chocolate and man-size dinners)

Anyway, Andyp regarding the empty feeling. I had that for ages (you are actually ahead of me in your quit!).

It felt like something was missing, but I believe it was partly my body withdrawing from an addictive drug after abusing it for so long, and partly missing the actual feeling of having a cigarette in my hand and 'doing something'.

But the feeling seems to have lessened over time. Now when I get that empty feeling I just remember how it felt to be a smoker, how I was twitchy and edgy until I got that nicotine into my blood stream and for about 15 minutes felt truly comfortable before the nicotine started to leave and the whole nasty process would start over again. Now I feel comfortable for entire days, only occasionally thinking about cigrettes and very rarely the 'just the one' thought pops into my mind for a nanosecond. I know that isn't me, it's the junkie part of my brain thinking.

Conclusion - get on with your life and don't worry about feeling anything, you stopped smoking and you are doing yourself the biggest favour!!

[nsd_user663_2497]

That something just clicking moment???? Forget about it!!!!!

I have spoken to many ex smokers who have said that there is no actual "Eureka" moment, when things just fall into place and everything is as you would expect. It is more a gradual realisation that, as time goes by, you think less and less about smoking. One day you may think, wow, i haven't even thought about smoking for xxxx days. Maybe thats the closest we come to that big moment.

Don't go looking for it and the " wow i've not smoked" moment will come to you. But especially don't go looking for the BIG moment cause i don't think that happens.

This is Truth.com