52 days smoke free.

[Christopher123]

Hi all.

Am so pleased to say am 52 days smoke free. After 40 years of smoking a packet a day. I still have craving but I can get over them. The problem I am having is I don't feel like I am the same person anymore. I once was once very laid back and easy going. I don't feel like that anymore. Usually I am sad, anxious, tired and I worry more. Anyone else felt like this. I was on champix but had to stop a week ago because of adverse reaction. And I guess thinking about it I have been feeling worse since then. Up to that point I didn't even want a cigerette. I am determined not to smoke again, I don't want the last 50 days to have been for nothing. Any advice would be very welcome. Thanks. Annmarie

[Hidden]

hi Christopher123

you are doing great.you just gotta hang in there 😒

keep busy.keep occupied.

you can do this.😁

be ready.always on guard.

its not easy.but you can do this

take care 😊

keep kicking 😎

[webbs8 2 Years Smoke Free]

Hi Annmarie

I am on day 56 and have same smoking history as you too funnily enough! I know what you mean about feeling like a different person. Seems that when get to our age, by the sounds from a lot of other people, can get quite severe emotional withdrawal symptoms like you saying. Some people have NRT maybe to try to prevent the withdrawal too bad. The times I had given up in the past def left me feeling very flat and low which wasnt like me at all and living with the mental torture of wanting to smoke but couldn't. This time I didn't want to feel like that so had spent few months before I gave up researching all sorts to help changing my habits, lifestyle, diet and looking at my emotional side too. I changed quite a few things leading up to giving up to get myself a better mindset ready and took up exercise and meditation. I had read about getting your endorphins going again naturally from diet or exercise etc rather than having a false quick high from cigs!!! There was quite a bit to it and not sure if this makes any sense how I explaining it! Think not being too hard on yourself if you can and take one day at a time, keep busy and need to find other ways of something to replace those cig times! When I had a craving or felt low, would come on here until got through it. Also I came to realise that I had brainwashed myself that I actually enjoyed or needed them! There is only good that comes out of quitting although it can take while to see that. You are doing brill, keep going and find ways to get those happy hormones going!!! I did couch to 5k in a week ha ha and started doing park runs and loving it so can still be life in our lungs!!!! x

[Christopher123 1 Year Smoke Free in reply to webbs8]

Hi thank you for response. Yeah that all makes sense. Just recently a little voice In my head been saying you were a nicer pleasent person when you smoked. Ha. I am not going to have any more cigarettes I am not going to let them win. Thank you for your support. X

[mushen Valued Contributor in reply to Christopher123]

Hello Annmarie. First of all, you are to be congratulated on getting this far! Well done. 😃

I think that RoisinO1 is right. You are now experiencing the mental withdrawl and this can be tough. Do not be disheartened. Smoking has been with you for many, many years and you are learning to adjust to life without it. You are indeed the same person you have always been and the way you are feeling at present, will pass. Give yourself time because quitting smoking after all those years is not easy.

You're not alone in this. I too smoked for decades and to start with, the mental adjustment was difficult. You can do this, just keep plodding along. And don't worry that you will never feel like yourself again, because you will. ☺☺

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to webbs8]

Ah great to read an update from you webbs8 - Day 57 now already, time is flying by, keep us updated on your progress and well done on the running

[webbs8 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Hi Roisin, yeh amazing how the days go by and doing something like quitting and enjoying the counting of them makes you realize how quick they clock up! Yeh thanks about the running, good to have something else to get buzz from thats better for you and cheaper!

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Hi Annmarie, as you have come off the champix earlier than expected, you are experiencing the mental withdrawal and in the thick of it now after a week cold turkey per say - it is perfectly normal to feel this way but I promise, it will get easier as each day passes, keep yourself as busy as possible, maybe do up a to do list of stuff you put on the long finger and never got around to doing, stay close to us, you CAN do this

Wishing you strength...

PS Over 52 days quit is some achievement, you will be on here in another 52 days saying how much better you feel.....I promise

[Christopher123 1 Year Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Hi thank you so much, that has really helped and has given me a better understanding of why I am feeling like this. X

[Abuelajeannie 3 Years Smoke Free]

I think a lot of quitters go through this, I actually felt bereft almost grief stricken for a while around the 50 day mark. Let me assure you it passes. Just hang on in there you will come through this stage. Your doing great