Here we go!

[nsd_user663_60196]

Here we go! Day one and feeling a little anxious. I've stopped twice before, both for periods of 7 years strangely. God only knows how I ended up with this filthy habit again. My chest hurts, I cough up nasty stuff in the morning and I'm terrified of getting a check up. This has to stop now, once and for all. I was told at my age (43) my lungs are unlikely to heal... Any truth in this? If it is the Case at least there is the possibility of not getting any worse.

[nsd_user663_60196]

Reading the 'Why Quit' section was helpful to a degree, although my heart kind of sank when I read it would take 10 years to half the risk of lung cancer! oh I'm a right miserable Mary today. I don't find the financial benefits at all encouraging, I guess because as an addict I'd eat beans on toast if I had to but I know this is a great motivator to some. I know if I can just get this day 1 under my belt I have a great chance of doing this. I'm one of those disgusting people who have a few drags within five minutes of waking up. Normally hung out of my kitchen window in my pj's... Oh how classy.:rolleyes: I'm up at six and it's 10.15 now. 4 hours in.

[nsd_user663_48218]

Welcome to the forum Franky. You already know you have made a great decision. You will find lots of help and support here as you go along the road to freedom. I can't answer the question about healing lungs but you are right when you say you can halt any further damage.

Are you using anything to help or going cold turkey? Every method has advantages and disadvantages and there will always be somebody who has quit using different methods.

There is a group got people stopping in sept and oct this year. If you want to join it go to 'quick links' at the top if the page, then 'social groups' then 'September & Stoptober 2013' then join.

Please keep us updated, and remember, take it one jour at a time if you have to but it does get easier.

[nsd_user663_60196]

Hey Franky

One hour at a time friend,or even one minute if that is what is needed.As for-can lungs heal at 43-well quitting anytine does your lungs a huge service,even at 75 quitting will make life much easier for suffering lungs so have no doubt that you will help your body massively by stopping

Thank you Max. I have to keep reminding myself of the benefits. Nicotine is a tricky little buggar. I can lose all reason in a second if I'm not on guard. I keep thinking if I just hold out, tomorrow I will be much healthier than today and so on. It's hard work though.

[nsd_user663_60196]

Welcome to the forum Franky. You already know you have made a great decision. You will find lots of help and support here as you go along the road to freedom. I can't answer the question about healing lungs but you are right when you say you can halt any further damage.

Are you using anything to help or going cold turkey? Every method has advantages and disadvantages and there will always be somebody who has quit using different methods.

There is a group got people stopping in sept and oct this year. If you want to join it go to 'quick links' at the top if the page, then 'social groups' then 'September & Stoptober 2013' then join.

Please keep us updated, and remember, take it one jour at a time if you have to but it does get easier.

Hello Mark. I'm quitting cold turkey. I have tried substitutions in the past but with little success...maybe because I'm impatient and feel I just want to get it over with, I don't know.:confused: I quit in the past using the Easy Way method (Alan Carr). It worked great for me then and I stayed clean for 7 years! For some reason, this time around, I don't seem to be able to get beyond a few pages of the book without feeling discouraged. The idea has kind of lost its spark with me.:rolleyes: Thank you, I will definitely check out the Stoptober thread. I'm so grateful for all the support I have received here so far.

[nsd_user663_60196]

Hi Franky, and welcome. This is definitely the place to be for help and support.

It may take time for your lungs to heal, but stay smoking and they are only gona deteriorate.

You've proved to yourself you can quit, let this be your final one

Stay strong

Thank you netti, I'm hanging in there. I just had a moment filled with terror. I thought I would go for a cigarette and then realised that I could not as I no longer smoked. I honestly broke a sweat with panic! A few deep breaths later and I'm ok. I'm not giving in now!

[nsd_user663_54554]

Welcome Franky and good luck! Plenty of support and encouragement here that's for sure.

Also, being the same age I'd be interested if anyone can point to any source that might answer your question about lung recovery. I know the answer is likely to be "well, it depends..." of course but there may be a consensus that points to the likelihood of recovery somewhere on t'interweb??

[nsd_user663_60196]

Welcome Franky and good luck! Plenty of support and encouragement here that's for sure.

Also, being the same age I'd be interested if anyone can point to any source that might answer your question about lung recovery. I know the answer is likely to be "well, it depends..." of course but there may be a consensus that points to the likelihood of recovery somewhere on t'interweb??

Thank you Hawkeye. I was also told (not a reliable source) that men's lungs heal better/faster than women's. It was a guy that told me that mind you. I've no idea if there is any truth in this but am curious all the same. For now I'm just focussing on the fact I'm getting better. Guess that's the best way to look at it. Thanks again for the welcome, the support has been really great here.

[nsd_user663_60196]

I need to remember that cravings are short, intense but short!

[nsd_user663_60196]

God this is hard. Up and down. Guess it does not help that I chose to stop on a day that I don't have much to do. Sorry to whine but posting really seems to help. Its so easy to talk yourself backwards isn't it. It's like the drug tries to reason with you every minute.

[nsd_user663_59642]

Yep, the nicotine monster will try to lure you back, he will make you crave him. But as you have already noted, Franky, the cravings will soon pass. I found chomping away on chocolate and nuts helped enormously, as I was replacing the fags (which I thought I enjoyed :rolleyes with something else that I really did enjoy!

It will get easier as time goes on, and although it can drag at first, you'll be amazed at how quickly you can get past week 1, week 2, month 1 and so on!

Come here and rant or whatever as often as you need to....this place is a lifesaver and everyone understands what you are going through.

Val

[nsd_user663_48218]

You do whatever you need to to get through. If that means burying jelly babies in a sand pit and declaring war on scooby doo then you do it, as long as you don't smoke. The first couple of days can send people crazy (looking at the forum most of us stay that way lol). No one will judge you in any way.

[nsd_user663_60196]

I'm so angry! I started an unnecessary argument with partner then used it as an excuse to smoke but thankfully saw reason at the last minute. This is madness!

[nsd_user663_60196]

Yep, the nicotine monster will try to lure you back, he will make you crave him. But as you have already noted, Franky, the cravings will soon pass. I found chomping away on chocolate and nuts helped enormously, as I was replacing the fags (which I thought I enjoyed :rolleyes with something else that I really did enjoy!

It will get easier as time goes on, and although it can drag at first, you'll be amazed at how quickly you can get past week 1, week 2, month 1 and so on!

Come here and rant or whatever as often as you need to....this place is a lifesaver and everyone understands what you are going through.

Val

Thanks Val

I feel all chewed up inside....hit a real low. Like a two year old having a tantrum!

[nsd_user663_60196]

You do whatever you need to to get through. If that means burying jelly babies in a sand pit and declaring war on scooby doo then you do it, as long as you don't smoke. The first couple of days can send people crazy (looking at the forum most of us stay that way lol). No one will judge you in any way.

Hehe....I just forgot how hard this was. I don't want to waste the time and effort I have already put in. I know it's not been long but I don't want to feel this way ever again or for any longer than necessary.

[nsd_user663_59642]

It's the monster getting at you, Franky, he has many devious and sneaky ways of trying to get you back. But you saw it for what it was...he was making you find excuses to have a fag.

Just give him a good hard kick up his scraggy ass and tell him where to go! :eek:

Val

[nsd_user663_35711]

Re your lungs healing. 2 years ago i was diagnosed with copd. I have two inhalers, one specificalky for copd and the other is ventolin. My reliance on tbese inhalers has steadily grown. I couldnt breath in tbe morning without the one for copd, and i was using ventolin nearly every hour.

I stopped smoking 13 days ago and havent had to use the morning one for 9 days and have only used the ventolin twice in those 13 days.

They say you cant cure copd, only manage it but i feel as though ive never been ill.

Think of the benefits your lungs will gain from not smoking and go for it. Also go on you tube and have a look at people who suffer from advanced copd that should stop you wanting to smoke.

Goid luck

lillie xxxxx

[nsd_user663_33441]

Hey Franky, I'm on Day 2 of my quit - 33 hours and 19 mins in not that I'm counting I stopped for Stoptober too to give me extra incentive. Like you I had a whopping craving last night in Tescos and came out in a sweat and a panic it was awful :eek: But I got through it and was so proud of myself and it really is a great feeling to get the dreaded Day 1 out of the way. As to the lungs, I think they heal themselves without us realizing because I had a previous quit of 50 days and when I smoked again my lungs became really painful within a couple of days so obviously some healing had taken place in a relatively short time.

Anyways, good luck with your quit, eat chocolate and cake like me and you will feel great in the morning when you wake up in Day 2

TC,

Zoe

[nsd_user663_60196]

It's the monster getting at you, Franky, he has many devious and sneaky ways of trying to get you back. But you saw it for what it was...he was making you find excuses to have a fag.

Just give him a good hard kick up his scraggy ass and tell him where to go! :eek:

Val

I've just got to get through until bedtime. I don't remember it being so hard before. I know things will be better tomorrow. I can't explain it because I want to stop and will but it feels like I have less determination than when I stopped before. 7 years free and I I started again. I was angry at myself about something and then smoked a friends fag. Almost like I was punishing myself because it made me so sick. I'm going to re read the health benefits....see where I'm at.

[nsd_user663_60196]

Re your lungs healing. 2 years ago i was diagnosed with copd. I have two inhalers, one specificalky for copd and the other is ventolin. My reliance on tbese inhalers has steadily grown. I couldnt breath in tbe morning without the one for copd, and i was using ventolin nearly every hour.

I stopped smoking 13 days ago and havent had to use the morning one for 9 days and have only used the ventolin twice in those 13 days.

They say you cant cure copd, only manage it but i feel as though ive never been ill.

Think of the benefits your lungs will gain from not smoking and go for it. Also go on you tube and have a look at people who suffer from advanced copd that should stop you wanting to smoke.

Goid luck

lillie xxxxx

That is amazing news and great inspiration too! Well done Lillie and such progress in only 13 days! Guess I have to start trusting in my bodies ability to heal. Thank you.

[nsd_user663_60196]

Hey Franky, I'm on Day 2 of my quit - 33 hours and 19 mins in not that I'm counting I stopped for Stoptober too to give me extra incentive. Like you I had a whopping craving last night in Tescos and came out in a sweat and a panic it was awful :eek: But I got through it and was so proud of myself and it really is a great feeling to get the dreaded Day 1 out of the way. As to the lungs, I think they heal themselves without us realizing because I had a previous quit of 50 days and when I smoked again my lungs became really painful within a couple of days so obviously some healing had taken place in a relatively short time.

Anyways, good luck with your quit, eat chocolate and cake like me and you will feel great in the morning when you wake up in Day 2

TC,

Zoe

Hello, congrats on day two! Not too many hours and I will be joining you....well not really because you would have moved on to day three by then. you know, I really never want to have to do this again ever. It's a tough ride. I've never been a one for sweet stuff so unfortunately cake and chocolate don't entice me at all. :(Considering a glass of wine to unwind but realise it might be dangerous so probably won't after all. Keep up the good work Zoe!

[nsd_user663_60196]

So... A friend drops by....a smoker and she drops her cigarette box on my coffee table with her keys. She then looked at me and apologised and I told her it was perfectly fine, I did not want one at all. Thing is I was telling the truth, I really did not. I don't smoke in the house except for my morning cig where I literally hang out of the window so maybe it was just a lack of association, I don't know but it feels good and has given me a boost. strange because 20 mins before I was pulling my hair out?

[nsd_user663_60196]

Not strange at all, those early days are serious rollercoasters and the extremes are very extreme! Hope you're ok, hang tough, it WILL get easier and after all, you don't want to go through Day 1 again do you?:eek:

Thanks Kat, no I don't! Day two now I'm hanging in there.

[nsd_user663_54305]

Here we go! Day one and feeling a little anxious. I've stopped twice before, both for periods of 7 years strangely. God only knows how I ended up with this filthy habit again. My chest hurts, I cough up nasty stuff in the morning and I'm terrified of getting a check up. This has to stop now, once and for all. I was told at my age (43) my lungs are unlikely to heal... Any truth in this? If it is the Case at least there is the possibility of not getting any worse.

Hi Franky,

I wouldn't get at all hung up on your advanced age(!) - there are so many other factors to take into consideration that it is impossible to generalise in this way; whilst it is true that some unfortunate people have done irreversible damage by this age, there is every chance that you will see a huge health benefit by stopping. I think everyone who stops smoking is amazed at how much better they feel after just a short space of time - and as you've done it before, you'll perhaps remember this from your previous quits?

Many, many long term smokers (and I was one of these), when told how much better they would feel after a short time, tend to dismiss such messages as rubbish - after all, I felt absolutely fine - nothing wrong with me!

But my definition of 'absolutely fine' was the smoker's perspective - the wheeze, the cough, the tiredness, the lack of stamina - all perfectly 'normal' to me. Smoking drags you down so slowly and so subtly that you are unaware that it is happening. It distorts your view of what is normal, and you don't even realise it.

It's only when you stop smoking, and your health bounces back quickly, that you come to realise those messages you used to dismiss as the rantings of an over zealous ex-smoker, might just be true!

Never doubt the health benefits, never use this as an excuse to abandon a quit; just stick at it and you really won't believe how good you feel within just a couple of months!