Can it Get Any Worse

[nsd_user663_51671]

A month and a bit into this quit and I am having the strongest cravings I've had so far. I could quite happily walk through walls to get to a fag right now - drama to once side the shop is down the road. The anger and irritation are back full strength as is a total lack of patience and tolerance.

It's great when it's great but right now this is total and utter crap. Nothing has changed other than this is my third day without NRT so maybe it's a withdrawal.

So, been through this? Got to the other side? You felt better following it? Then I'd really appreciate some of your experience and hope right now instead of loads of 'views'.

Thanks

[nsd_user663_50109]

Hi and well done on getting this fat with your quit

I think people expect to be feeling fully healed after the 3 days. And I blame smoking cessions and the rubbish that people read saying that after 3 days the nicotines is gone and that's the hardest part done.

We're is in reality the nicotine might have gone from ur system but it could take up to 6 month or even longer to detox out all the 100s of nasty chemicals that tobbaco Has in it, Years and years of chemical abuse is not going to be gone in a few days. We don't no how addicted we are to the other chemical. I read that one of them.(sorry Carnt rembrr what it was now) staying in ur system for a year.

Also smoking can hide a lot of hidden disorders so always go the doctors if u don't feel right

I'm coming to the end of 5 months and although the craving triggers are less I still get them so they do ease. They not gone away but they are a flying thought.

I also still feel a bit anxious at times.

But I would never go back smoking all tho I belive my body is still detoxing

And it's not a 3 day job ( which dose made me angry when I see it being told to new quitters a the time) I feel loads heather from giving up

[nsd_user663_20558]

Sounds to me that yes, you are now having the nicotene withdrawal that you have staved off so far with NRT.

If that's what it is, then it will feel like hell but won't last more than a few days. There's nothing for it but to hang tough, try and distract yourself, and KEEP GOING. Don't give in to the temptation now, because this is only a temporary feeling. Going back to the fags is permanent misery.

Some of us long-term quitters went CT, some of us used Champix or NRT, all of us at some point or another felt like throwing in the towel. BUT... NONE OF US FEEL THIS WAY NOW. I absolutely, hand on heart, swear on my life guarantee you that if you just keep going, this will pass and you will feel great all the time!

I think cake might help, by the way

Helen

[nsd_user663_52080]

I know exactly what you mean as am going through a horrendous time too and feel dissillusioned, disappointed, and desperate! I think a lot of trouble is caused like shelley said by being told Nicotine goes after 3days.I read the other day that it takes 8 to 12 weeks to get used to the new lifestyle,6 to 8 weeks for the Nicotine receptors in the brain to go back to normal and 6months to be the 'turning' point.I too have been so irritable and angry just lately that Ive thought that I cannot live like it anymore.Maybe the cravings do intensify as the body detoxifies.It just shows what EVIL EVIL drugs/chemicals are in cigarettes.How they became legal I just dont know.Think about it you are extremely craving to smoke if you had a smoke all you do is satisy that urge -until the next time etc etc etc ad infinitum.The only difference is you are not smoking and satisfying that urge.I believe that by sitting it out those urges should abate and die.Who said when youre going through hell to keep going? Youve come so far.Why dont you do what Im gonna do and give it the 12weeks and see how you feel then?(one day at a time) In Homeopathy less is more.Why dont you get yourself some low strength Nicquitin mini tabs and try taking those when you get the bad ones.As my Mum says its better to be addicted to tabs than to put smoke in your lungs.Please stick with it if you can dont just throw away all your brilliant work.Virtual hug.Sue x

[nsd_user663_51617]

Hi york, yes i think this is the withdrawal from the nicoteen leaving your body and now its is craving it.

The way i see it is you have 2 option:

1 - ride it out, it will pass. face each craving head on and welcome them. Every one you beat one you are a step closer and the nicodemon is weaker.

2 - go back on NRT but maybe try something with lower content?

Either way - i wish you luck and keep talking.

cheers

[nsd_user663_51671]

Just in from work and feeling a little more settled. I remember reading Allen Carr's stuff and how he is so against NRT and Helen it makes me think you're right in stating that NRT (mine was the low dose one) puts off the inevitable day.

Shelly, I'm always inspired by the total honesty and lack of BS in your posts - you tell it how it is and I thank you for that.

Sue, big V.Hug back to you - I'm not glad that someone else is going through the same as me but I'm glad that I'm not the only one as it makes me feel I have a chance. If others get through this this then so can we, us, me, you. I swear if someone had looked at me wrong today I'd have said f*** it I'm smoking but thank God I meet lovely people every day.

My beautiful lady has just got in from Tesco with a maple Danish to cheer me up - how bad do I feel now because of course it's always the nearest and dearest who cop for it. Anyhow I'm not going to spend the day beating myself up. Danish. Tea and conservatory for me.

Anyone who's struggling, and that I believe is everyone at some point, keep it in bite size portions and vent the spleen on here. Just for today - N.O.P.E.

[nsd_user663_52076]

Way to go on beating that one!

You're 8 days ahead of me and definitely one of my quit role models. Don't know what I'd do if you started smoking again.... So next time please hang in there ok?

Huggs

Shanita

[nsd_user663_42390]

A month and a bit into this quit and I am having the strongest cravings I've had so far. I could quite happily walk through walls to get to a fag right now - drama to once side the shop is down the road. The anger and irritation are back full strength as is a total lack of patience and tolerance.

It's great when it's great but right now this is total and utter crap. Nothing has changed other than this is my third day without NRT so maybe it's a withdrawal.

So, been through this? Got to the other side? You felt better following it? Then I'd really appreciate some of your experience and hope right now instead of loads of 'views'.

Thanks

Hi York, I hope you are feeling better now. I can say that I have been where you are now in the beginning and I know that they are withdrawals that you are having for sure! It is horrible but you have to just get through it and it will go away I can also promise you that. You deserve a rant and keep ranting and posting until things calm down for you. I remember feeling so crap and angry and sad that I just felt I would rather smoke and die earlier than feel like this. THANK GOD I soon got over those thoughts as the days went by things slowly and gradually got better but it wasn't overnight and I have to say the time dragged for me. A week seemed like a month. I dont feel like that any more and I am so glad I didn't give in to those craves. Chin up and you will soon be feeling better..... Promisexxxx

[nsd_user663_42390]

Sorry I read your post at work this morning and I couldnt answer there so only just seen the one where you say you are feeling better Good on you

[Lulu_65 2 Years Smoke Free]

A month and a bit into this quit and I am having the strongest cravings I've had so far. I could quite happily walk through walls to get to a fag right now - drama to once side the shop is down the road. The anger and irritation are back full strength as is a total lack of patience and tolerance.

It's great when it's great but right now this is total and utter crap. Nothing has changed other than this is my third day without NRT so maybe it's a withdrawal.

So, been through this? Got to the other side? You felt better following it? Then I'd really appreciate some of your experience and hope right now instead of loads of 'views'.

Thanks

Round about 5 weeks into my quit I had the most horrendous cravings ... very powerful and totally unexpected. I was livid. I could've eaten a pack of fags with a knife and folk if I'd given into them. They started to abate around about 7 weeks. It was the triggers and psychological addiction really stepping up the game. But I came out of the other side.... and at 8 weeks as of yesterday. You WILL come through this. just keep on keeping on

You'll be fine.

xx

[nsd_user663_51671]

End of the night and it has been a trawl today. Thanks to everyone for their kind words and their thoughts.

Tomorrow's another day.

Night night.

[nsd_user663_42220]

YorkSX, if your quit is anything like everyone else's, and broadly speaking it probably will be, it is likely to get better, then worse, then better, then worse etc.

There will come a point where the need/crave for a smoke starts to become weaker and less frequent, but every now and again a strong crave may hit you out of the blue, leaving you wondering where it came from.

Eventually, if you stick at it and not give in, you will reach a point that, rather than having to keep struggling to stay quit, you realise that you don't want to smoke anymore. There is a subtle, but important, distinction between the two.

It does get better and it will for you too.

[nsd_user663_51671]

Thanks Capitan - good to hear from those with more experience and it helps take my 'special and different' feeling.

Hey Netti - weird weird weird ain't it?! Keep at it.

[nsd_user663_52080]

I read last night that for some quitters- like you York and Netti and me for a start- dont experience the "normal" pattern of withdrawal/cravings. They experience cyclical (? : ( ) withdrawal/cravings at a later date that are more intense than even the first week or two.The article said it was these people who were more likely to give up on their quit.The researchers do not know why some people experience this though they said that its not down to how long the person had smoked for but how many.I didnt smoke many but I think it must be down to genetics? The good news is they DO fade and go we just have to be extra strong and vigilant and sit them out.I cant post the link as have only got a smartphone but will put details up later.