Help

[Spanishverbs]

This should have been day 4 but on day 3 I smoked. What a wus. Feel bad about it but not sure what to do.

Want to start again tomorrow but feel so weak when I see how strong everyone is on here. How do you stay so strong, feels that I have not got the Umph you all have.

I am not kidding myself that it is any easier for you as I know that it is not, what is it that I have not grasped yet or is it that I am so weak that I can't stand the pain.

Any thoughts on how to build the strength would be great. Used patches but still let the thing beat me.

Well done to you all for the inspiration you have given me all I need now is the resolve you all have

[nsd_user663_54332]

Aww hun, don't beat yourself up!!

Believe me, almost everyone on here has done exactly the same thing as you - quitting isn't fun and isn't always easy either so a slip is nothign to beat yourself up over

Am on the patches too, and they're good but sometimes I need a little extra help so have got some 2mg Nicorette gum - it really does take the edge off the "I need a fag now" feeling.

And believe me, i have absolutely no willpower whatsoever, so there's nothing special about me!!

If you feel able to, get back on the horse, pick up a packet of gum and you will be fine!!

Maybe make yourself a fake cigarette, I pretend to smoke post-it notes because the action of "smoking" takes the edge right off my cravings - that might not work for you, but there's other things to try. Distract yourself, have a big glass of water, chew some gum (nicotine or normal) go for a jog on the spot, eat choccie, play games - anything to take your mind off it!!

Believe me you really can do this

xx

[nsd_user663_54332]

Take some time hon, have a good think at how smoking affects you, what things you miss out on, how it affects your relationships, how other people perceive you, the financial cost, the health cost, etc, etc. Maybe write stuff down as it occurs to you. And take notice of how you feel when you want to smoke, how you feel when you do smoke, how long it is before that nagging feeling starts again. Evaluate the sensation of smoking, the taste, etc.

Kat told me this when if I'm honest, although I did want to quit still enjoyed smoking and didn't feel able or prepared to stop.

That was no more than a couple of weeks ago and I'm on day 6 and totally happy with my quit. Not bragging in the least, but this is extremely good advice!!

It doesn't work immediately, takes time to settle in your brain, but when it does you stop seeing fags as anything other than a burning stick to satisfy an addiction.

Can't stress enough though that it's really important to write it down pen on paper - something I learned during my GCSEs but it makes stuff stick in your brain far more than just thinking or typing it out.

You *can* do this!!

[Spanishverbs]

Thanks gema and kat you are right about all the things that being a smoker has spoilt in my life. Hate being a slave to it,hate being the only one in family that smokes hate the smell, the shame of creeping of to have a fag, the harm I do to myself, hate the kids wishing I did not smoke. Hate the fact that I have no control over this.

I know it does nothing for me so why ,why, why do I still want to do it.

Trying to feel angry with it as I really want to stop again tomorrow before I lose the little bit of momentum I have.

[nsd_user663_54332]

Thanks gema and kat you are right about all the things that being a smoker has spoilt in my life. Hate being a slave to it,hate being the only one in family that smokes hate the smell, the shame of creeping of to have a fag, the harm I do to myself, hate the kids wishing I did not smoke. Hate the fact that I have no control over this.

I know it does nothing for me so why ,why, why do I still want to do it.

Trying to feel angry with it as I really want to stop again tomorrow before I lose the little bit of momentum I have.

You can definitely do it!!

Know how it feels being the only smoker in your family, it's not nice but you don't have to be!!

You've got so many fab reasons to quit, loads and loads, so write them down!!

Maybe Allen Carr or Champix would be a good option for you?

[nsd_user663_61233]

Aw Gilly, you're not alone, truly you're not.

Have you been to the GP stop Smoking clinic? The very act of making an appointment and then going does a world of good.

I would say that cold turkey is probably the best and quickest way to do it, but the most painful!

I'm too much of a coward, so my quit (10 days) is a bit of a mish-mash.

Now, I consider myself to be the most hopelessly nicotine and smoking addicted person that ever walked the earth - though my logical brain tells me that's just stupid and self pitying.

When I went to the stop smoking clinic - it's one to one by the way and they're very non-judgemental - I did not think she could say anything to me I hadn't heard, read, experienced or tried before. And she didn't, and yet during my chat to her I began to actually feel glad I'd come, and that if she could be bothered to take an interest in helping me give up, then the least I could was listen with a genuine ear.

As an aside, when she did the carbon monoxide test on me, the alarm went off! That was an eye opener.

The day before I had ordered some ecigs, so I wasn't even going to bother with the appointment at all, because ecigs are not yet recognised as a cessation aid and I was thinking 'one or the other'.

Anyway, I came away from the appointment with a perscription for Champix.

I started the Champix on Wed 15th Jan - my ecigs also arrived that day.

I was still smoking, because you're supposed to with Champix, but then I had the brainwave to put my last fag out at 10.30 that night and start on the ecigs next day.

This is how I've been carrying on. I don't use the ecig anywhere near as much as I smoked, and when I do, it's only a couple of puffs at a time. I reckon the amount of nicotine I am getting is only a tiny fraction of what I used to get.

Now, I am aware that a lot of peeps on here - especially some of the long term ct quitters, would not encourage the use of ecigs because it is not breaking the 'hand to mouth' habit and not addressing the 'brain reward' thing. I do agree with this, but I have decided to be very cowardly and easy on myself. My plan is to reduce gradually to 0% nicotine over the next few weeks. I'm already feeling a lot more confident, and my mind is learning that it does not need a constant supply of nicotine.

I know this method will drag out the process, but I'm ok with that as long as I never smoke another fag. I haven't to date and apart from a couple of wobbles - mainly drink induced - I've been ok.

Anyway, I thought I'd give you my experiences. Everyone is different and you WILL find your route out of the fog. Don't be frightened to grab whatever help you need :)xxxx

[nsd_user663_61248]

This should have been day 4 but on day 3 I smoked. What a wus. Feel bad about it but not sure what to do.

Want to start again tomorrow but feel so weak when I see how strong everyone is on here. How do you stay so strong, feels that I have not got the Umph you all have.

I am not kidding myself that it is any easier for you as I know that it is not, what is it that I have not grasped yet or is it that I am so weak that I can't stand the pain.

Any thoughts on how to build the strength would be great. Used patches but still let the thing beat me.

Well done to you all for the inspiration you have given me all I need now is the resolve you all have

Hey Gilly

Agree with all of the other posts. Dont beat yourself up, just keep trying and you will succeed. Keep coming on here and dont be afraid to ask for help, shout out that you are struggling, there will always be someone to help you out.

To be honest Gilly you have the same strength and resolve as the rest of us, you will get there. Try to not over think your quit, roll with the negative feelings and know within yourself that you can do it. No-one who has a successful quit is any better at it than you.

Clear your head, take a deep breath and start the quit. You can do it and we can all help

Good luck

[Spanishverbs]

Hi Jim black

Check out day 1 posts I'm back on the journey

Thanks for your support