Cravings worse than day 1

Been quit for 58 days now and just wondering if anyone else feels like this.

I have had a cough since new years eve and whilst it is getting better I am craving a fag worse than I did on day 1!

Of course I have no intention of acting on this, but it is driving me mad!!

Has this happened to anyone else? Is it just the cough?

[nsd_user663_20558]

I feel for you - bad cravings are bad cravings. The difference is now you know you can get past a bad patch.

I reckon it's the terrible threes - have you read this article?

talesfromthequit.com/the-te...

Hope your cough gets better soon x

[nsd_user663_5920]

Hi John

The terrible threes +/- really can kick in and affect how we maintain our quits/feelings. It makes for good reading.

Also, check out the link in my sig re HALT.

Keep reading either for reinforcement or just new knowledge and with that, extra power to manage a quit just that little bit easier.

All the best,

Pol

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Hi Helsbelles

I have just re-read that article and it has helped!! It has taken my mind off the cravings which seems to have taken the edge off!!

Keep up the good work everyone!!

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Hi Pol

I don't know if it is just me but the link appears to be dead?

[nsd_user663_5920]

Thanks John. I didn't realise the link had ceased to be.

HALT : Fi, one of the supportive folk on here of old often reminds us about HALT ..... hungry, angry, lonely, tried.

Any one of these or a mix of, can be easily felt or thought of as a crave. Thinking through and identifying if possible what is causing a crave can sometimes result in the feeling being one of those and not actually a smoke crave.

Right, off to find a better explanation and to replace the broken link

[nsd_user663_18695]

I have had some craves too recently. There is so much hype about stopping- and I am guilty of this when encouraging the newbies, and sometimes I feel great and believe it all as well.I think my craves are when I mess up- its almost like I think life has to be perfect now because I dont smoke. It isnt. Sometimes it's great and sometimes it's rubbish.

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Hi Sandymarsh

I think I get what you mean. It's a bit like the health benefits we hear so much about. I am not saying they do not exisit because of course they do, however I have not felt so bad as I do since I quit with coughs, sore throats etc.

Now someone is bound to say that it is the time of the year for colds and flu, but all I know is that I didn't feel this bad last year when swine flu was all the rage!!!!

Rant over :mad:

[nsd_user663_4625]

Hi John, rant all u want. Thats what this place is for lol.

I have only managed a quit of just over 3 months since I joined here. I haven't experienced coughs colds etc luckily. Not even the initial getting rid of the muck cough which I always find odd because I cough like a trooper when I am smoking.

As far as craves go I think (find) that in the early days of a quit you are so determined & focused it is relatively easy to get through but further into a quit we have lost that inital bloom of willfullness. Is that a word lol.?

That is the time to revisit why you quit in the first place. To read & re-read the reasons why & what smoking does to you. It is that lil old monster having a last ditch attempt & trying to trap you again. If you give in he will have one & you will be caught in that cycle you fought so hard to get out of.

Sooooooo, read, read, read. remember why you did this without lighting a fag because that is truly the worst thing you can & will do.

Here for you whaever.

gaynor xx

[nsd_user663_4625]

Apologies for spellling & grammar lol

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Hi Gaynor

Sadly I did not make a quit list as I thought I would remember the Dentist saying to me "I can see white spotting on your tongue which could be cancer" and the feeling of complete horror as it sunk in that I might not see any of my 3 girls get married or have kids (12, 3 and 18 months).

Or indeed when the 3 year old said to me "Daddy stop smoking we don't want you to die" (I think she was put up to this by the older one)

Ah turns out I didn't need to write them down after all, I am sitting here looking at the 3 most important reasons for my quit!!

Thanks for the reminder

[nsd_user663_4625]

Hi John,

You most decidedly do not need a written list at all.

Bless you, every time you have a weak moment you have the greatest reasons in the world to beat it & I am sure you will. It is SO easy to light fag after fag & put the bad thoughts to the back of your head but too late when & if the worst happens. Sounds horrible I know but it is what happens. The time when you thinks shit (sorry) this is it, pushed it to far. Lets make sure that NEVER happens to you.

Gaynor xxx

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Luckily it turned out to be nothing serious, but I can tell you one thing - I never want to feel like I felt that day again!!

[nsd_user663_17388]

Hi john I've nothing to add here really - looks like it's all wrapped up.

Bless, I can only imagine how long it took your 12 yr old to coach the little one into saying that

"No - not like that! Your eyes must be bigger, rounder and try to look like they're welling up....."

Keep on keeping on John. As gaynor says - the alternative brings us possibilities we don't really want.

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Thanks Looper

This post was written at a pretty low point - I must say that the further along I get the harder it becomes - which is very strange as you would have thought it would become easier!!

I must say though I am as determined to quit today as I was on day one - this will not beat me - much like davofgy I find solice in humour so try to keep my posts as light hearted as possible, but somtimes.... well you can see by this post.

Still stay strong and in a year or so's time this will all be a distant memory!!!

[nsd_user663_17388]

Thanks Looper

This post was written at a pretty low point - I must say that the further along I get the harder it becomes - which is very strange as you would have thought it would become easier!!

I must say though I am as determined to quit today as I was on day one - this will not beat me - much like davofgy I find solice in humour so try to keep my posts as light hearted as possible, but somtimes.... well you can see by this post.

Still stay strong and in a year or so's time this will all be a distant memory!!!

We all have our moments love, wouldn't be human otherwise....