First time user

[jackieinv]

Hi first time on forum bit confused, but will give it a try and see if it works. Stopped 3 months ago, when will I feel normal?????

[nsd_user663_2783]

Hi Jackie - welcome to the forum. You are in the right place and well done on your 3 months quit. Just keep coming on here for advice, laughs and support, even rant and rave if you like and you will be fine.

As far as feeling normal is concerned have a read of the links in my cig they can explain it better than I can.

We are all here to help each other and I can't think of a better place to be. They are a great bunch of people on here.

All the best

Jan

[NicFirth 10 Years Smoke Free]

Hi there and welcome,

May I ask what you mean by "when will I feel normal?" what isn't normal at the moment?

I don't feel the same as I did when I smoked, but that's because I'm no longer poisoning myself, and I feel better, calmer and more in control!

Cheers

Nic

[nsd_user663_3911]

As Jimmy said in Quadrophenia "so what's normal then".

Joking aside, I'm nearly 2 months into my quit and tbh honest there's still bits and bobs of my health that are not what a lot would decribe as normal. Bleeding gums, think I've got a bit of post nasal drip (but that could be due to a twisted septum [bit in the middle of your nose]) and sometimes feeling generally a bit off (panicky, depressed and so on).

HOWEVER I'm still prepared to ride it out because what's the alternative?

Go back to the weed? No way, if anything all that I'm going through and have been through has really strengthened my resolve to never touch those wretched fags again:mad:

By the way, damn fine effort getting to three months

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Jackie

You ask when will I feel normal what is normal for you may be completly different to what is normal for others

I like Nic feel much better than when I smoked I am more far cheerful, less stressed, have more energy to mention but a few bwnefits from my quit

Welcome aboard this is a great place with everyone helping each other click on the links in the signatures on many of the posts they will be a big help to you

Marg

[jackieinv]

HI and thank you to all who replied to my first ever try. I knew as I posted the message that I had not explained what I meant. I find it hard to describe what it is I get now and again - old smoking thoughts - perhaps its cravings. I am looking forward so much to not getting them and in my words "feeling normal". They are not bad, but i guess i had hoped at 3 months they would be gone, but not so. I already have diseased lungs so I had no choice but to stop so that I could have a quality of life. I definitely feel a lot better.

I like the forum you all praise and support each other, I do that but forget to give myself a pat on the back.

for Margareth - are the "links" by the signatures the websites listed at the end of some of the postings. I have no real idea how to use the site - is there somewhere I can go to for help?

[nsd_user663_1733]

Hi Jackie

Welcome and congrats on your quit so far. i think I know what you mean by normal. But all I can say is it just gets normal as time gose by till one day you think Im starting to enjoy being a non smoker and getting used to not smoking. If that makes any sense. Yes the links at the bottom of some peoples posts just click on them and it will bring up a extra page. look forward to getting to know you.xxxxx

[nsd_user663_4121]

Jackie, great job on 3 months!! I KNOW what you mean by normal...... thinking of smokes all day is driving me crazy.... I have many, many breaks of none cig thoughts but they keep coming back and ALL I WANT IS THEY VANISH.... oops.... I almost yelled that out loud That feeling of our 'normal' is within reach though...... closer for you I'm sure.... just keep moving forward and smile a lot

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Jackie

Yes thats them there are lots of really good ones try them 2 of my personal favs are whyquit.com and woofmang.com find them very good

I think I understand what you mean by "old smoking thoughts" I still have them from time to time but they are certainly not craves more like a fleeting thought gone almost before I know they are there and they are less and less often now I am just in front of you at almost 4 months They will decrease just don't fret about them OK

I really don't know if there is anywhere to go for help I usually just ask on here if I want to know or find out something and someone comes up with the answer, Bible Black{Jim}, Cavalier,Stuarth to name but a few

All the best

Marg

[jackieinv]

Hi again and many thanks for all the tips.

I read about the "threes", it was great, now I know about it I feel, dare I say it "normal" and these thoughts will go away. I stopped before in May 2008 and one day around 3 months I had this powerful thought and I smoked. Once again I was caught in the addition trap until now. I also read many other stories on the links they were all interesting and enspiring I will re-visit them I am sure.

This quit I used patches starting on the second step, I also have a smoking cessation nurse whom I see every couple of weeks. Not sure about patches used to think it was odd to feed an addiction while trying to stop it - now I think its more important to stay stopped and get all the help I can.

For BibleBlack, are you serious about Inverpolly being a place or is this a joke and I have missed the plot??

[nsd_user663_3845]

Hi Jackie and welcome, I read somewhere that some sort of difference i.e. 'normal' can usually be noticed between 12 - 20 weeks, really can't remember where though or what was considered 'normal'. I have done 9+ weeks and still have days that can be annoying, like today, I have a bit of a lump in my throat as if I'm missing something and the monkeys in my head are trying to convince me that a fag would sort it all out. Tomorrow I'll probably be enjoying being a non smoker.

I'm hoping the non smoker thoughts will have all but taken over by the time I've done 20 weeks and that will be my 'normal'.

[nsd_user663_4016]

Well said JohnT. I've been quit for 6 weeks and 6 days and that's what I'm waiting for too in order to feel "normal". Most of the time I don't even think about smokes, but every now and then a brief thought pops in my head.

Quit: Jan 18, 2009

Method: CT

[jackieinv]

Hi

Just had a look and found yesterdays replies but now I have lost them anybody know what I might have done or where they went?

Jackie

[jackieinv]

OK so this no smoking does ones head in as the youngsters say - so does using a forum for the first time and not knowing what you are doing. Have found my replies.

Great John I will look forward to it all getting better somewhere between now and 20 weeks!!! good luck to you too.

Best wishes to all my fellow stoppers may we all get through another day and be happy.

Jim I did find Inverpolly, in Sutherland North West of where I live, are you fond of fishing and climbing, see there is a lot of it published for that area.

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Jackie

You're doing great and glad you found your replies as I know the replies are truly helpful

All the best

Marg

[jackieinv]

talesfromthequit.com/the-te...

[nsd_user663_4990]

Good link that to the 'threes' theory.

If it was just a few folk you'd think .. 'PAH HOKUM!', but it seems about right for many.

That said though, i wouldn't purposely dread the 3's, just be ready for them just in case. Some folk can get wound up for no reason due to the experiences of others, and while a number of us have seen the dreaded day 3, week 3 and later month 3.. there are a rare few who seem to sail through them oblivious.

As i did have a bit of a bad day 3, and a rough start on week 3.. i could relate to that info.

[nsd_user663_4990]

I just take a deep breath.. in fact i think i must have borrowed this idea from someone in work who saw me stressed once.. as i still hear their words with thier voice saying it...

'In with the good..... out with... the bad.'

and if that doesn't work, i go for a walk....

naturally, i find day dreaming about far distant islands, sunkissed beaches and the sound of waves lapping against the shore to be helpful too... especially if i'm there and its paid for by money saved.. now thats a powerful vision to behold Raaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[nsd_user663_4026]

I would say that for one who suffered quite badly with the 3's, without realising why at first, this link gave me and a lot of others a lifeline. A light at the end of a tunnel so to speak. I most certainly was able to turn a very bad quit time around in week three by reading this article and understanding why I felt so rubbish and even if it was a load of old superstitious rubbish it gave me something to cling on to. I also recall that in the last 6 months many others have suffered the threes and a lucky few managed to waft through it without the terrible three link to influence their suffering. If you're a wafter or are lucky enough to be able to choose how you feel then super and well done you, to anyone else, it strangely can be quite helpful mentally.