Hello - Newbie here looking for support

[nsd_user663_31764]

Hi everyone

Can I please join the 'class of June 2011' - my quit day was 23rd June. I've had 2 sessions of hypnotherapy, and am currently on 21mg strength patches. Smoked 20+ a day since I was 15, and just turned 53 last week. Had tried a few times previously but only ever got as far as 2 weeks. I think the hypnotherapy session on my quit day made the difference this time. My motivation - had a hospital visit to check out a painful knee joint and scans showed I have a disease which is causing bone to die off as the blood supply has been lost - only little remaining - smoking would shut this down. Consultant said stop - so I did! Felt okay for the first couple of weeks, but as one month has just passed the cravings (in my head) have driven me crazy - I feel really tired and have had problems with sore and bleeding gums since quitting. But am still determined to keep going - just hope these horrible cravings will pass soon! Have been reading this forum for last 2 weeks, and you guys are so supportive and encouraging.

[nsd_user663_14771]

hi alybee, a big welcome and an even bigger well done for quitting smoking! or should i say well done for choosing life!

you are doing the right thing by reading, you have by now beaten the chemical addiction and are now just battling the psychological brainwashing that make you think you miss smoking. at the risk of sounding like a broken record, allen car's book is a really good way to beat that side too (end of advert!)

when you really let go of the idea that smoking can do anything for you at all, then the cravings lose all power over you, or to put it another way cigarettes only control us if we believe in them, and reading loads will convince you they are just an empty addiction,

i think bleeding gums is a good sign. tobacco thickens the blood and weakens the heart, quitters find the blood coming back, which will likely make your gums bleed more. my dentist always says bleeding gums are a sign that you are brushing your teeth better than you have for a while! which is a good thing too! (dang reminded myself about my dentists app this week :(

[nsd_user663_20978]

smoker has said it all i to agree allen carr book is worth a read i read it two weeks into my quit and i honestly beleive it has around 80% contributed to me getting this far successfully

i believed i was a confirmed smoker who depended on cigarettes for every situation and every emotion but after reading allen carr i have a totally different outlook on smoking and wat cigarettes did for me .............a big fat NOTHING

i dont think i could have done it with the book alone and used patches for six weeks and inhalator very occaionally but i to recommend the book

[nsd_user663_21437]

Hi Ally

I've invited you to join Class of June 2011, you are more than welcome to join us, it really helps to keep you motivated knowing that you are part of a group, and you don't want to let them down!

Good luck in your quit

[nsd_user663_31764]

Thanks for replying

Hi to Smoker, Boo and Blondie72

Thank you for your replies and helpful comments (not sure how to reply individually yet?) Am using Corsodyl mouthwash for the sore and bleeding gums and must say they feel a bit better today - but reassuring to think it's just part of the quitting experience.

Took a big step yesterday and dropped from Step 1 patches to Step 2. I've been on Step 1 for 4 weeks, i know the product leaflet recommends 8 weeks before step 2, but I really feel keen to start reducing the amount of nicotine in my system. Its been hard, the cravings have driven me up the wall today but I am just pleased to be on the next step.

How are all the other June quitters doing? And I will keep reading.

Thanks again.

[nsd_user663_9987]

5mol<er has the answer.

''when you really let go of the idea that smoking can do anything for you at all, then the cravings lose all power over you, or to put it another way cigarettes only control us if we believe in them, and reading loads will convince you they are just an empty addiction'',.........5mol<er has given you the bottom line.

If you start smoking again you just fall back into the NICOTINE trap.

Best wishes for a long term quit you can do it,but you must be strong and committed.

dj.