31 days without cigarettes - blinkin' spots everywhere but I do smell better

[trishohara]

hi - I am 52 and essentially a life long smoker. The hard core type, that even having a stroke in December did not stop me. Now on day 31. I am using a vape to quit. I am pretty sure I couldn't succeed cold turkey. The vape is a crutch that gets me through the cravings. Yes, I still crave a lot but not as intensely as the first week. I used 12mg nicotine liquid until 2 days ago when I dropped to 10mg, so really feeling the progress. I smell better and have stopped coughing in bed. In fact, I kinda thought I would cough more and get rid of whatever lurks in my lungs. That hasn't happened as yet. I do have lots of spots though, on my face, neck, shoulders and chest mostly. Lots of the buggers. Horrible. I guess it's the toxins leaving me. I am drinking green tea and organic honey each day to help with the cleansing - I read somewhere they help. Who knows.

[Nozmo Valued Contributor]

Hello trishohara, welcome to the forum and VERY well done for getting to 1 month!

I used an ecig as well and gradually worked my way down - took me about 6 months to get there though. I was surprised at my lack of coughing at your stage too, but it did rear its ugly head at around the 2-3 month stage and my lungs got a good old proper final clear out.

Sorry about the spots. Not something I suffered with myself but I'm sure I've heard it mentioned here before so maybe somebody can give you some advice.

[trishohara 1 Month Smoke Free in reply to Nozmo]

thank you for your response Nozmo. Always good to see someone further along - makes me feel that it is possible. I shall keep my eye out for the cough. Keep going and good luck. What is your nicotine strength in your vape? I am nosey and keen to keep an eye on strategies that are successful and 6 months sounds so successful.

[Nozmo Valued Contributor in reply to trishohara]

Hiya trishohara , good to hear you're still going strong.

I've got the 0% nicotine liquid. I started off on 2.4% (24mg?) and gradually worked my way down to zero. It took me about 6 months to do it but I barely noticed the difference each time I stepped down a level. I hardly use it now to be honest, just take it along when I go out for a drink and even then I sometimes forget about it. Once I got down to zero I just sort of drifted away from it...probably because I don't get a hit from it anymore. 9 months for me tomorrow!!

Just take it all at your own pace. Every day you're not smoking the real ones is a good day!

[trishohara 1 Month Smoke Free in reply to Nozmo]

I keep telling myself that - I am mightily impressed that you 'drifted' away from the vape. I sincerely hope that happens to me too

[Nozmo Valued Contributor in reply to trishohara]

It just happens. You won't feel like that is possible at the minute but I was the same. I thought I would really struggle getting away from the Ecig. Don't worry about that at the minute though; just get on with your quit and take one thing at a time.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Huge welcome to our community trishohara and congratulations on 1 Month smoke free! That is fantastic and deserves a treat

I quit cold turkey just 1 year ago there last weekend. I coughed up the dreadful and scary tar around the second week of my quit (that memory will stay with me forever as never want to go it again!). Some people don't cough it up but the honey is great to help clear out your lungs (I took a spoonful of it every morning for the first 3 months). You could also vaporize with vicks or oils to help in lifting it too).

With regards the spots, I would say it is possibly a hormone imbalance after quitting as our body and brain goes into turmoil when we quit. It should settle down in a few weeks or so. Drink plenty of water and a healthy balanced diet (know it hard when we quit first!), keep up the great work and let us know how you are getting on...

PS Are you Irish?

[trishohara 1 Month Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Hi Roisin

Thanks for the response. I am London Irish - both my mum and dad were Irish and I was born and raised in London. Ooo the tar comes up in scary cough ups huh? There is a part of me that would prefer it out than in. I am coughing teeny rather normal phlegm (sounds so sexy huh) but not much. The spots are horrid and I have taken to slathering myself with Dettol cream. I am drinking green tea every day - which frankly, is like dish water - at least one cup a day I have spoon of organic honey in it to help shift any toxins. I am on day 38 now - wondering when I will change over to months in my counting. I guess as I hit two I will feel I have a satisfactory number to gloat about. I am still reducing the nicotine in my vape and am now mixing 0 fluid in, so I reckon my strength is now about 8 or 9 mg. Makes me feel like I am progressing. I have ordered a step counter too which will come this week some time. I might attempt the 10k a day challenge too. Good luck out they - any way to stop smoking is the right way - we got this x

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to trishohara]

Great to hear from you Trish - day 38 is great and also that you are reducing the nicotine in your vape, well done!

I thought the surname was Irish alright

Hope the spots settle down soon and the fitness goes well for you. My goal now too after reaching 1 year quit!

[trishohara 1 Month Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

I year - flippin' fantastic. I aspire to celebrate that 1 year. At the moment, I still feel like I have lost my best friend. I keep wanting to 'do something' and nothing I do is the 'right' thing. It's like my brain is searching for what it is I need. I suspect continuing with nicotine in the vape has me hooked. But the reduction is working so I am okay with that. I do hope to drop again at the end of October - try and get down to 6mg. That is a quarter of what most people seem to start on. I was okay with starting at 12. I suspect none of this makes any sense to you if you don't vape. It's a mad underworld - The shops are rather bonkers. I suspect most of the (so far exclusively - in my experience) men who work in them used to go in the Gameworld shops ten years ago. I think the vape community is a little different from the vape to quit lot. I fully intend to be able to put the vape down at some point. I hope so. I have a cousin in Ireland who has been vaping for three years with the last full year on 0 nicotine. Oral fixation is no easy thing to master. I think I am just working out how to navigate this site - I suspect it's going to become a real help. I access a facebook site too.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to trishohara]

Like Nozmo, just take it one day at a time, but it is great at this stage you are thinking about the nicotine reduction - I quit cold turkey just to get the dreaded Mr Nico out of my system asap and my body would start the detoxing and healing straight away. Everyone has their own method of quitting, you are doing great and have a very positive mindset and understanding which will stand to you

[CocoaXChange Valued Contributor]

Congrats Trish. If you search for "spots" in the 'search no smoking day' at top, you will find some information. One of the good things about this forum is the ability to reference other people's concerns.

I also used an e-cig. I think it's most helpful when the hand-mouth movement is a large part of the habit.

[trishohara 1 Month Smoke Free in reply to CocoaXChange]

Thank you Cocoa

I think the hand mouth thing is from infancy for me - I sucked my thumb until I was 10.

[Hidden]

hi trishohara

welcome to our little family.

its a great place to get advice,support or just use to let off steam.

I'm vapeing.well now I just keep it near.don't use it as much.but not ready to bin it yet. (did it once and had a very small fall.3-4 hours of smoking.biggest mistake ever ha ha )

anyway its great you are here.fantastic decision.

take care 😊

keep kicking 😎

has anyone mentioned if you click on names you can read peoples stories so you can get to know us better.

[trishohara 1 Month Smoke Free in reply to Hidden]

Great advice Thinlizzy. Love the name by the way. I just used my real name which makes me feel like quite a bore now. I could have been anything and yet chose myself. I wonder what that says. I had no idea if I clicked your names I get more info. I shall get on to that. I have a feeling this site will help me a lot.

[Abuelajeannie 3 Years Smoke Free]

Congratulations on your first month quit. I used an ecig too, was definitely my crutch in the early days, gradually cut down the nicotine level, don't use it now. I didn't cough much at first but at about 3 months. I drank loads of water, still do, think it helps to get rid of toxins. Hope the spots go soon

[trishohara 1 Month Smoke Free in reply to Abuelajeannie]

Hey Abuelajeannie - thanks for replying. You don't use the vape much already? Wow, mine feels like quite a crutch to be honest. So the cough up does feel like it's gonna happen then. I am not sure if I am weirdly looking forward to that. Does it last long?