Day 1

[nsd_user663_4905]

So, went to the chemist today. Decided to quit. Ended up in floods of tears. Was such a big step - nearly twenty years of smoking. Doing it for my little girl (she's 4) - I think she deserves better and so does my husband. All my friends have long since quit. Feeling very vulnerable. I just hope I can do it. Tried once ages ago and lasted a while before falling back on to it. I have the patches. I want to know whether or not I'll experience mood swings to a very great extent or not with these (i.e. better mood stability than without them). Any thoughts/help/tips greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[nsd_user663_4847]

Good luck Katie

Not going to lie to you, my first 3 days this time were hard but I'd had enough, tried before on patches/gum/inhalator and always started again.

Day 2 - my friend described me as a space cadet.

Day 3 - was hard, end of week 1 things were much better. I've written down some stuff to read whenever having a fag seems like a good idea, have also saved a text message I sent people telling them to slap me (day 2) if they ever see me near a cigarette again.

Day3 for me was last piece of nicotine gum, had been reading whyquit had also come to the conclusion for me the only way forward was cold turkey, because as long as I was still getting nicotine somehow I'd give in and have a puff.

You need to find your own way through the maze but starting here is a very good place to start.

I have been quit for 1 Month, 1 Week, 5 Days, 22 hours, 40 minutes and 29 seconds (42 days). I have saved £186.80 by not smoking 858 cigarettes. I have saved 2 Days, 23 hours and 30 minutes of my life. My Quit Date: 31/05/2009 20:00

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Katie

Welcome to the forum and well done on the decision to quit possibly one of the most important you will ever make and you will be losing nothing but you will regain control of your life and that has to be good

You will find all the help and support you need on here as we all help each other just like a family we are here for you every step of the way cheering the good days and sympathiseing with the bad but the good far outweigh the bad

Read the posts on here you will find a lot of tips and advice and in the signatures of a lot you will find links to other sites just click on them Here are 2 I find very good to start you off whyquit.com and woofmang.com Read, read and then read some more as the more you read and learn about why you smoked and about your addiction the easier your quit will be

you may experience mood swings for a little while but they pass Promise by reading the post and links on here you'll find a lot of help

Post often to let us know how you're doing, to rant, rave have a moan whatever you like pretty much anything goes on here OK

Love

Marg xxxxxxxx

[nsd_user663_4905]

Well, it sounds hard but you're doing so well! I am so pleased for you. Thanks for your generous words of support.

I am hoping that how much it really *matters* this time is going to make that difference. As I've reached my mid-thirties I am starting to notice the terrible effects on my health that I somehow managed to escape before. Awful, dry skin. Horrid colour. Dry hair. Hacking coughs that last for weeks after a slight summer cold. I just hate to think what's going on in there! So: I want to do this for my daughter. I want to be around to nag her for many, many years to come - and I want her to feel proud of me (she's starting school in September and I don't want her to be one of the girls whose mother smokes). And I certainly don't want her to follow my example.

The chemist said that reaching for a nice glass of water pacifies and gives you something to do with your mouth, as it were. I am also going to try relaxation techniques. I just want to make it to the end of the week but no it's probably best to take it one day at a time and just focus on the reasons why I am doing it every time I get the urge.

[nsd_user663_4905]

Thanks, Marg. It helps so much to know we're all going through this, I can't tell you. x

[nsd_user663_4847]

Katie

You might also want chewing gum, carrots, celery, try not to focus on anything other than getting through a crave. Lots of little jobs helped too, nothing that requires too much thought. I did one stupid thing, got some tee tree oil on a freshly painted wall, because it was oil decided to spray it with a oil preventing coat and looked like a bad Banksy in the living room. Do something less overt, shred old receipts, the tearing action is quite beneficial

[nsd_user663_4901]

Hi Katie

I'm just wishing you luck Katie - in a previous quit I found the patches to be a really great help. In fact I stopped for about 3 months on the patches and didn't really have any problems with them at all - but we are all different!

Good luck with your quit!

[nsd_user663_4905]

Thanks all! May have to rant on here tomorrow at Day 2. Forgive me (in advance)!

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Katie

Come on here and rant as much as you like just don't smoke OK we really don't mind and have nearly all done it at some point more than once

Love

Marg xxxxxxx

[nsd_user663_4625]

Good Luck (As if you need it!)

Hi Katie,

Good luck on good on you for deciding to quit. You have the very best reason in the world in your daughter

I quit this time using patches & lozenges. I have found the patches really helped me, if I am totally honest they really did stop those awful craves at the beginning.

As already said, everyone experiences things to a greater or lesser degree nut with determination & knwledge you WILL get through it.

I know Marge has already given you some great links. My fave is whyquit. com. Certainly did not want to smoke ever again after I had read some of the stuff on there.

We are all here to listen & help when you need us.

Love. gaynor xx

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Gaynor

You coming to the Party and anyone else that would like to join in

Love

Marg xxxxxxx

[nsd_user663_4625]

Hiya Marge,

Am on my way, will stop for supplies so see you soon

G

xx