Quitting smoking

[KTA123]

Tomorrow it will be three days no smoking . I quit cold turkey . The cravings are just wretched . When does the cravings go away?

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Welcome KTA123 and congratulations on day 2 of your quit. Well done! I too quit cold turkey almost 2 years ago and never looked back. It is a roller coaster of a journey but so worth it. Everyone's quit is unique to themselves and the cravings and withdrawals, my husband had very little cravings when he quit and just got on with it whereas I had very bad cravings which gradually started to ease, be less severe and less frequent after about 12 weeks.

As you are at Day 2 - the nicotine is still in your system, by end of tomorrow the nicotine will be out of your system and the mental battle will begin as your body and mind starts to rewire, repair and recover - this takes time but the great news is that the body will recover, just take it hour by hour and day by day, lots of deep breathing, keep busy, loads of water, eat lots of fruit and veg and bit of exercise daily. I promise, as each day passes it will get easier, embrace this best journey of your life - below is a link to some pinned posts if not already read (knowledge is key too, so try and read up as much as you can on what is happening and what to expect).

Stay close to us and post often - we will be here to help you along

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...

[KTA123 1 Year Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

It's now the five day of no smoking and I pray to God the Cravings will stop soon. I keep telling myself " you will be saving over three hundred dollars a month. New York and California goals 18 dollars a packed . New York is rasing the packs again. From $10:50 a pack to &13:50 a pack and California will follow.. this would make anyone to quit lol. Thanks for the kind words but my God, yesterday I picked a fight with My boyfriend and started crying and I was celebrating his b day early .

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to KTA123]

Hey KTA123 , hope day 6 is going ok for you? Nearly at your first huge milestone of 1 week! What you are feeling is perfectly normal - the cravings will ease as each day passes, but you need to patient, your mind and body has alot of rewiring, repairing and recovering to do as I advised above, keep reading the pinned post link I posted too above as there is one post with the estimate recovery timeframe - I think it will be a great help to you knowing what to expect and that it is normal. Let your family and friends know that you will not be yourself for a while as your body is recovering and to bear with you, it will be worth it for you and all your family friends when you are a new healthy you. Stay close to us and post anytime

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...

[KTA123 1 Year Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Thank you. Day six was okay a little heartburn but getting better. Day seven I wanted to steal some smokes, lol. Stayed strong . I just hope the craving gets better soon.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to KTA123]

Hey KTA123 - over a week quit now, hope things are going ok? One day at a time......

[MAB5 2 Years Smoke Free]

KTA123, I think everyone is different in quitting but I began to feel like I had made the quit at day 14, so 2 weeks for me. I used patches at the lowest mg, 7 and 2-3 lozenges a day for the first 2 weeks and then stopped them. Good luck to you and stay strong, it does get better.

[KTA123 1 Year Smoke Free in reply to MAB5]

I had to do cold turkey. If I didn't do it this way I would never do it aly all. Haha I hope soon, or I will push the people I love away.

[KTA123 1 Year Smoke Free in reply to MAB5]

Thank you. I chose to do it cold Turkey. I felt if I wore the patches or chewed on the gum . I am still putting Nicotine in my body. It would take longer for the cravings to stop. . But yesterday I was picking a fight with my boyfriend and crying . Very emotional on Day 5.

[ZoeKatsoulis]

Hi KTA123! I hope everything is going well! Keep in mind that if you feel that smoking increases your productivity in a certain way or that is a good stress reliever, the “cold turkey” method may not work for you

Here are some good advice on how to prevent cravings:

Choose to go to places where smoking is not allowed:Libraries, museums, theaters are ideal places for a walk if you do not want to confront with other smokers.

Make a handy list of things that you would do instead of smoking and save it on your phone so you could reach it every time you need.

Remember that the majority of people do not smoke.

Try to use public transportation instead of driving your car

Avoid habits connected with smoking like watching TV or limit PC time.

If you live with someone who smokes ask him/her to avoid smoking around you

Keep your hands busy: scroll through your phone, play with a pencil, straw or a rubber band.

Limit beverages that are usually accompanied by cigarette like coffee or alcohol. Alcohol and coffee are considered the main cause of sudden bursts of urge to smoke.

Tell your friends and family that you are trying to quit smoking, so they have to be supportive.

Every time you confront with the urge to smoke, use the method of controlled deep breathing. Take a deep breath hold it for 3 seconds and exhale slowly. This is supposed to relieve symptoms of smoking withdrawal by resulting in a sensory and motor experience similar to the act of smoking.

If certain method for smoking cessation does not work for you discuss the alternatives with your doctor. In many cases a combination of two or more methods may be necessary to achieve results.

you can find more here:

highbloodpressure411.com/st...

verywell.com/5-minute-cravi...

I hope it was helpful!

Zoe

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

Welcome ZoeKatsoulis to our community. How long are you quit? Perhaps create a new introductory post to share your story.....

[KTA123 1 Year Smoke Free in reply to ZoeKatsoulis]

Thank you . No I appreciate the support .

[ZoeKatsoulis]

Thank you for your welcome! I live in Greece I am from Crete I smoke 1-3 cigarettes/day and I have recently lost my brother at age of 52 because of small cell lung carcinoma. He was a heavy smoker. My oldest son smokes 40-60 cigarettes per day and he is trying to quit.

[KTA123 1 Year Smoke Free in reply to ZoeKatsoulis]

My deepest condolence to you and your family.

[ZoeKatsoulis in reply to KTA123]

Thank you

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

Very sorry for you loss ZoeKatsoulis - we hope you join us here on our quit journeys very soon and quit - it truly will be the best decision of your life

Please note this a community for members who have quit smoking to share there stories, struggles and achievements and to be fair to our members that are quit vulnerable and struggling posting about smoking is against community guidelines.

[ZoeKatsoulis in reply to RoisinO1]

Thank you! Much appreciated!

[KTA123 1 Year Smoke Free]

I am on Day six. Yes I have been crying and lashing out but I have a new censation . I can smell things a mile away. Weather is gas, others smoking perfume . My God my sense of smell is all over the place . Has this also happened to anyone else?

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to KTA123]

Hey KTA123 - replied above to another post, again these feelings are perfectly normal of anger and sadness but will improve and ease very soon, I promise.

Ah the smell you have so much to look forward to, from tasting and smelling food and savoring every meal now, especially spicy food, it sends my taste buds wild, enjoying the smell of nature, first cut lawn smoke free, the list goes on, enjoy this amazing new found journey.

(Beware though of nasty smells too from smokers coming in from a smoke on a rainy cold day, toilets - public and private! body odour - never knew they smelled so bad until I quit!!)

[Lanark Valued Contributor]

Hiya KTA123. Eleven and a half years down the line from my last cigarette I can only commend you for stepping over that line. You are no longer a smoker and you can do what you damn well like with all that money that you are now saving. I quit when I really enjoyed my cigarettes. I stopped dead. I just walked away from tobacco and never really looked back. My health has improved immensely, I am wealthier, healthier and sometimes laugh at what a stupid sucker I was for ever smoking in the first place.

Follow these two rules and NEVER flinch from them

Rule 1. NEVER buy any tobacco or vaping products EVER again.

Rule 2. Never put a cigarette in your mouth EVER again.

It really is THAT simple. The little pangs go fairly quickly and you soon learn to completely ignore them and stop giving such thoughts any houseroom or braintime. Then one day you notice that you havent even thought about a cigarette for months. Then years.

You have claimed your life back. Imperial Tobacco, The Philip Morris Group and the other Cigarette and Tobacco Companies didn't give a shit about your health and Tobacco was NEVER your friend. You have now said "Goodbye". Never turn back. There is no negotiation. Your decision has been made.

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

Wow Lanark - great reply, thank you for sharing for KTA123