I came across this group and it seems really supportive so thought I'd sign up!
Today is day 9 of no fags after smoking since age 12 and I'm now 30 (18 years!).
I guess I'm wondering though, if the damage has already been done? It's a long time to smoke isn't it...
I've only been using the nicorette gum and I've found it okay so far. Thinking of switching to normal gum as I'm starting to dislike the taste, anyone think this is do able at this stage or should I keep going with it?
Anyone else on day 9? How are you finding it?
Written by
Kelly-86
2 Years Smoke Free
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Congratulations on quitting, and pleased you are doing so well. Like thinlizzy says keep your nicotine gum handy in case you need it, you will have good days and bad days, we all do so just have some back up gum. I smoked for well over 40 years, been quit 10 months now and I can honestly say I feel much healthier so it's never too late to quit. Keep strong
Stay strong Kelly-86 What I did in the early stages of my quit was lots of early nights, pamper myself with a soak in the bath, face mask, scented candles - just be kind to yourself as the great achievement of quitting deserves it Post anytime, there is someone always about here and have all time zones covered
As Roisin mentions, sometimes you just have to give up and go to bed. It helped me a few times at the start of my quit, when I SO wanted to smoke. It's normal to get bad times, seemingly out of the blue and it's normal to be moody. The early stages are basically horrible at times.
Stick to the nicotine gum for now. It gets easier but you're not out of the woods yet.
Thanks, it's strange because I was doing so well and suddenly hit a brick wall, ended up going to bed last night to stop myself from driving to the shop and buying cigarettes! I'm still using the gum so I'm not sure why it's getting harder rather than easier...
That's how it works I'm afraid - it DOES get gradually easier (honestly) but it isn't a straight line. There are days like the one you had yesterday and they can crop up at any time. I think the trick is to be prepared for bad days and don't think something has gone disasterously wrong when they come along. It just happens.
I got a batch of bad cravings at the three month mark which took me completely by surprise as by that stage I was generally fine and quite settled. The good news is that the longer you go the easier it is to deal with them. I could still fancy a smoke but it's just a thought that pops into my head and back out again these days.
Try to identify any trigger points where you expect to get cravings and figure out how you're going to deal with them. For me it was lunch breaks at work, going to the pub and getting home from work. I found the last one hardest to deal with as I ALWAYS used to have a cigarette outside as soon as I got home from work. This was the time when my worst cravings hit and I was a irritable, snappy, moody....git!! It gradually goes away; although some might argue that I'm still gittish
Thanks Nozmo- I'm glad it's normal to feel this way.
Haha yes can definitely relate to the moods! I can feel myself getting angry at silly things such us hearing someone eat or drink! Or someone walking too slowly in front of me! I'm horrible at the moment!
I too used to always have a cigarette straight after work, my other triggers are after coffee and when I'm bored particularly in the evenings...
Thanks again- and well done on 1 year smoke free!!
Welcome Kelly-86 and congratulations on Day 9 - over 1 week, that is great! The following members are around the same stage as yourself if you want to have a look at their posts and see how they are getting on - chrisiemull kmaymu dillyd Perch suesue14 Cfarw xinyi
With regards the gum, get some normal gum too if you want but have some of the nicotine just on stand by.
It is perfectly normal to feel that the damage is done and have some fear and anxiety as I did when I quit over 16 months ago - but good news, the body is a remarkable healer but it is a gradual process and most people who quit say they feel and notice the real benefits of quitting and their body recovering well from the 6 - 12 month mark - patience, strength and focus is vital - you will never regret quitting
Congrats on making the decision and making it this far! Keep up the good work
I noticed recently that I almost hate the taste of the gum, when on day 1 it just tasted like a normal minty gum. I'm taking it as a sign that my body is beginning to reject the taste of nicotine, and so it is for you and that's wonderful!
Like RoisinO1 suggested, go have some normal gum and keep the nicotine ones on standby.
How annoying- I just wrote out a long reply and somehow lost it!
Thank you to everyone that has replied to me. It's great to have some support!
I must admit I'm a little surprised that here I am on day 10 and things are suddenly harder rather than easier! I thought the first week was easy- guess that showed me! Cravings are very intense, I just had to give up and go to bed early last night, today isn't much better so far and it's only just gone 9am!
Oh well I'll try and hang on in there! Hopefully it will get easier eventually.
Still on the gum too- definitely not ready to come off it like I thought I was!
Morning Kelly-86 - it is perfectly normal the intense cravings you are going through as you are in the thick of the mental battle as your brain begins re-wiring from the damage of thousands of chemicals from cigarettes - I would suggest setting up a plan to keep yourself as busy as possible (maybe a to do list of stuff to do around the house), lots of water, deep breathing for the big cravings, bit of exercise and plan the treats too for your first big milestone of 1 month Again stay close to us and post anytime....
Have a read of the pinned posts across the way too if not already done so.
Hi thank you for asking- I'm having a much better day today! I run out of the gum so I thought I'd try something different and got the mouth spray and it's fab- it makes me gag and feel sick which might not sound great BUT it's working! The last thing I want to do is smoke! Haha
Good to read Kelly-86 - is it the nicorette quick mist you are using, if so, be very careful with it as we have had a few past members who confirmed that it is highly addictive and very hard to stop it - remember too the first time you smoked, if like me, I felt very sick when I started smoking but continued to do it for 25 years....
I'll be careful though, I'm using it sparingly and I think when I've run out I'll switch to the lozenges or go back on the gum, as I do find it really harsh, it stings my mouth!
hi Kelly your doing great, stay strong!! I found in the very early days I had to keep really busy even though I was exhausted, lots and lots of walking and when I was in the evening I did loads of crosswords and puzzles just to make the day pass quicker and as some of the other quitters have said when the cravings were really bad I just went to bed
the are mainly 2 possibility's either you you have cancer if you give up smoking the chances of getting smoking related cancer i guess would be small but there have been cases when people have quit and years latter got cancer most notably allen carr the quit smoking guru although there are theories that he got it through passive smoking for years while teaching non smoking seminars the other possibility is that you have copd i would say the majority of ten years plus smoking have damaged their lungs to a degree if just depends if it is interfering with you breathing and if you have been diagnosed either way if you do have codp the condition can be slowed down and as you are only 30 you have a very good chance of a good lung function for the rest of your earth days
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9 Month's Smoke Free
9 months smoke free 