Day 5 and new to this forum :)

[nsd_user663_50234]

Hi all.... have quit since Saturday and now on day 5, having a good day today (shockingly). First two day i used the inhaler and now have gone cold turkey, any advise on the mood swings or temper tantrums.

[nsd_user663_48461]

Hi Shiv

Welcome and congratulations on your decision. Well done for getting to Day 5, especially now cold turkey. Plenty of help and support on here when you need it.

My advice on mood swings and temper tantrums? Oh dear, I've had plenty, as my husband will vouch, but not sure I'm qualified to advise!

If you've got supportive partner/friends/family, explain how you're feeling and ask for their understanding, but most imporantly, their tolerance. If you need to, have a hissy fit - and/or do anything else to get through a crave, eg, drink, have a bath, do some exercise, eat, anything EXCEPT light up!

Those early in the quit 'moments' can feel so overwhelming. Try some deep breathing. I used to breath in and out to the count of around 4 seconds each, but instead of counting, I used to say No, No, No, No, or NOPE (Not One Puff Ever). I'd just repeat that for as long as I needed. I'm sure others will offer hints and tips that got them through.

I promise it gets better. Stick with it, read posts, research, come on here for a rant, whatever you need to do to get you through without a ciggie.

Also, all the nicotine will have virtually left your body now, if you've not had any at all since day 2. Remember that from hereon in, any craving is psychological - a subconscious desire rather than a physical need. So time and effort is needed to untrain your brain from its addiction - don't let that nasty nicotine monster trick you into feeding him - starve him to death!!

Hope that helps a bit. Stay strong and stay smoke free!

Shazza

[nsd_user663_42390]

Hi Shiv welcome to the forum there is not a lot I can add to Shazzas post except to say you have come to the right place if you want to quit you will get lots of support and advice on here. I keep saying it but it is true, it really does get easier and the mood swings will lessen as you get used to not smoking

[nsd_user663_50234]

Thanks for the reply's :)Ive smoked for about 14 years and this is my first serious attempt in quitting ! My moods have been very bad, its like one good day and one bad day but here's hoping things get better, This forum is very good for advice and talking to other people outside my situation helps !!!

Me and my partner have given up together but like me his been doing lots of research on over coming cravings and how to deal with them and my family have been very supportive

[nsd_user663_50126]

Keep busy matey!

The cravings will decrease in frequency and strength BUT the triggers will not!

The habitual nature of smoking is hard to combat..ie "I always have a cig after a meal" etc etc

I combat this by thinking ahead. I know that the trigger is gonna come so I pre-plan my defence. It can be anything simple, using the example above, after a meal I will plan to wash my hands, have a quick walk around (anywhere) and make conversation with a stranger, if only a quick, "Hello, hope you don't mind but I'm talking to you as part of my plan to stop smoking!" Sometimes, good friendships have been struck but even when not, people seem really supporting and are willing to reply a few words.

With a pint, I silently go over a mantra about paying good money to inhale poison to kill myself etc etc..you get the jist.

Good luck