Third day

[nsd_user663_64120]

I have not smoked a cigarette for three days but i am using nicotine patches. Still finding it difficult. Did anyone else give up with patches and if they did how long did they continue to use them.Probably prolonging the symptoms? Apart from cravings the main symptom i'm suffering is feeling tired, shattered actually.

[Canwes 1000 Days Smoke Free]

Mandy, everyone has to quit the way that works best for them. Many say CT (cold turkey) is best. I'm a believer in CT as well but knowing that everyone, and I mean everyone quits one day, one way or another the choice of how you do it is yours. Congrats on getting through the 3rd day, it's not easy and we all know that and most of us here have had the same issues your having and can empathize but the best healer is time so hang in there. Although it's quite dim right now there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Keep reading and posting here, it helps.

[Incy_Wincy]

Hi Mandy - well done! Three days is GREAT, that's the hardest bit over, you know! It will carry on being difficult for a while whatever method you use, but it does get easier, gradually, and one night you'll go to bed and realise you haven't thought about smoking all day I can't help on using patches - I never tried them...but others here have.

I slept a lot during my first week - lots of early nights to avoid the cravings, and because I too felt really tired. It's not unusual to find sleep patterns disrupted one way or the other.

Keep fighting, you're doing a great job x

[nsd_user663_64024]

Hi Mandy

However you decide to quit is going to be tough, I havnt used the patches but some others have who will post their experiences, but you have some wonderful support here and I find that this is really important especially in the first few weeks, we have all quit we just need to stay as ex smokers, some methods work for some but not for others, sometimes we change half way because what we were doing isn't working, at the end of the day we want to remain as ex smokers 😳

[nsd_user663_64120]

Day six. Thank for all your comments would have got back on the site at some point but lost the will.......... Day six nearly completed and just occasionally I feel proud of what I've achieved but mostly I'm too sad. A couple of times today I've had to remind myself that i don't smoke anymore when the craving hit. I'm taking this as a good sign as I obviously was not thinking about smoking or giving up when the cravng hit, even if only for a minute. Taking one day at a time and hoping it will get better tomorrow. Found myself focused on the smoking timeline for quitting, searching the internet as if for an exact date and time when all the negative emotions and cravings will disappear and I will reap all the benefits. Has anyone noticed it jumps from 72 hours to 2-12 weeks, i'm still working in hours and they have jumped to weeks. Still trying though which is the main thing x

[Canwes 1000 Days Smoke Free]

Don't give in to temptaion of the cig, you'll be unhappy with yourself. Stand in front of a mirror, look at yourself and say 'I am better than this crave', 'I am stronger than this crave', 'Not smoking won't kill me, smoking might', 'no one ever felt good about giving in to a crave', 'I'm the boss of my body', 'I choose not to smoke from now on' . Say them again and again. These type of things may help and they'll take some time to repeat to yourself at which point the crave may already be over. Good luck, stay strong.

[nsd_user663_58050]

Welcome Mandy. Yes, one day, one hour at a time, whatever it takes. It's a powerful addiction otherwise it would not have held so many of us for so long, nor killed so many of us for that matter.

Great going on your new status for a week now? Shouldn't you be in a different room now? Post regularly, daily even, updating on where you are or just supporting others. And leave the thinking about never smoking ever again for a later date. You have enough going on at the moment with what's happening today.