Smoking or not smoking.... is there a question?

[Sofied9972]

Hi all, I am new here... I am still a smoker.... but I really really want to stop. It is in my head since quite a long time, I really want to become, be a non-smoker. Why? I simply have enough of it... I even don't understand why I still do it, II really have enough of this habit that doesn't bring anything positive to a human being. I see what it is doing to me, to my body... I feel what it is doing to my body and I really see and feel that it is high time to quit... I am becoming a wreck at 45 years old.... and this makes me sad. I'm always somewhere between the 'I want to quit, I want to be a non-smoker, I want to be free from this habit and the addiction that calls my poor self' and the 'here, have a smoke, you will feel good, you know how good it feels when you inhale'...

Oh my goodness, how will I ever manage this? I really feel the will to be a non smoker.... I'm really making plans in my head about how to manage without the smoke....

When will I feel stronger than my poor smoker inside my mind?? When will I be able to say: whaw, this is day xx without a smoke, I am so happy and proud not being smoking!

I feel like no one believes that I can quit... I feel like I am the only one that believes I can. I am preparing, planning... and I know one day they will see and hear I have become a non smoker, they will not believe their eyes...and I will feel stronger than them, because I believed and they didn't.

I will get back to write my experiences as a quitter and non-smoker :)!

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Welcome Sofied9972 to our community, you have come to the right place for motivation, encouragement and support. Yes, you CAN stop smoking but you must be in right mindset that smoking is just not an option.

Below is a pinned post from one of our long term members Lanark and think it is extremely inspiring and worth a read if not already done so - continue to read posts here and elsewhere. We look forward to seeing you on Day 1 very soon. We will be here to help you on the best journey of your life....

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin....

[Aoibheann75 1 Year Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Wow, the link to Lanark's story is so moving and inspiring, will keep it in my thoughts throughout my journey

[Sofied9972 in reply to RoisinO1]

Thank you Roisin01 and thank you Lanark! That was a very touching post to read, that is something to hold on and yes I can see myself in this story... I also will decide not to be a smoker anymore. And I love the idea not being a "quitter" and not "giving up" on anything and instead decide that I am not smoker anymore, as Lanark wrote. This is a great thing to hold on for me! Very soon, I will not be a smoker anymore, and I will not loose something or quit, it will be a start of a healthier life....just draw the line and pass over it, and that'll be it!

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Sofied9972]

As soon as I read your post, had to share Lanark's story, it is remarkable, honest and from the heart but above all, puts things in perspective about stopping smoking and just makes sense - you might want to have a read of another members journey, Hercu which I also pinned (see below). He was a few months ahead of my me when I stopped but his words of wisdom really got me through the early days of my journey....

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...

[Lanark Valued Contributor in reply to Sofied9972]

Hey Sofaied9972 That is the spirit! Decide you ain't a smoker any more! You don't look like the "quitty" "giving-up on things" kinda gal. Put one foot in front of the other, step we gaily and on we go!

Pick a date (soon is good). Draw a line. Step over it. No negotiation and no debate. Only two rules.

1. Never spend a single further penny on tobacco products ever again.

2. Never put any tobacco products in your mouth again.

The wee pangs and urges soon pass. Do better things with your Life. Don't look back. I'd love to hear you had started the journey.

[Hercu Valued Contributor]

Sofied...Welcome to our community and an abrubt answer to your topic is ....NO !!

There is no question ..!!!!!

Nicotine is certainly the most cunning and false substance excisting and the most difficult addiction to overcome...We do not recognise how deep in it's claws we are until we get the courage to stop and rediscover the true healthy world on the other side..

I guarentee that life is so different without smoking especially for me that lived that false sence of happiness for 38 years... pumping my body full of chemicals and damaging my lungs...But luckily it is never to late to stop and over the past 2 + years I discovered life the way it should be and so can you...Yes, it is not easy but possible...You can do it !!!

[Sofied9972 in reply to Hercu]

Thank you for your reply Hercu.... I know, there is no question.... it is meant quite sarcastic .... it's that there's still two voices in me, the smoker, the non-smoker, and they are arguing all the time But funny, I finally start hating the smoker!

[Hercu Valued Contributor in reply to Sofied9972]

Sofied...I have red a Blog in my early stages where a "series" quitter said that we must not quit if we are not ready...If you can't say with 100% certainty that you can go out with your friends not smoking the whole night...you must not try to quit or you can be like Mark Twain who said " Quitting is easy I have done it thousands of times"

Hating the smoker is 90% in the positive direction..!!

Give it a hell of a go.... I am sure you can do it !!!

[Rjg45 500 Days Smoke Free]

Great read , so many similarities I can relate to ..

Funny thing , I was in that frame about a month before ... was getting fed up with the wheeze , And almost like it was a chore .. smoking at work is only permitted in a certain place , so cram 2 in 10 minuets while your there !!!!

I smoked roll ups to , with no filters !

I also bought a new car that month , and also thought I should try stop , as don’t really like having debt ..

then on holiday falling ill with pneumonia and then to be told you need to stop .. was weird ..almost as it was meant to happen 🤔

Not smoked since that day I was taking into hospital . 18th August...

And believe me , I am so so surprised how anyone like me can quit cold turkey..still can’t believe it .. ok getting ill is what it took , but doctors said. Get help in quitting. Because as soon as your better you will be back on them , in There exp that is ..

Nope .. still get a habit reminder now and then , but fob it off .. Also , I now , I cannot stand the smell of cigarettes ..it is absolutely horrible and I find it so sickly ...weird how you can smell from a million miles away lol It’s nasty .. and again , friends ,, close ones etc cannot believe that change in me ....

You will do it 👍💪

[Sofied9972 in reply to Rjg45]

Thank you so much RJG45, yes indeed, similar story! I had a bad pneumonia in 2011... but I did not quit... although I should have! The doctors told me... so I feel bad, bad, bad because still a smoker... my lungs only got worse since then I suppose. So strange, the addiction is soooooo strong, I am sooooo weak. Or Shall I say, until now I have been so weak.... time to be strong now.... time to get clean! You have done a very good job when you listened to your body and the doctors, I think it is very strong you could end this habit and you stayed strong after your recovering! Have a nice day and enjoy fresh air!

[Rjg45 500 Days Smoke Free in reply to Sofied9972]

Thanks , some weird things are going on though with tingling in hands , told that’s down to getting more oxygenated blood getting to parts that have been not getting it through smoking ..will see as had it about a month .. not numb or anything , just that sensation of it ..

still a little breathlessness, depends what the temperatures are like .. but chest is so clear now , unbelievable how clear it feels ..

sessions on the mtb up in the woods with my boy are easier so must be making a difference..

As you say. Time to be strong ...yes ..just focus ..honestly , if I can do it , anyone can !!!

Days will turn into weeks and weeks into months ... 99.9% of the time , I don’t think about it ..which is brilliant ..

I just hate getting a wiff of it when I’m out , to the point of wanting to say something lol ... it really is that bad .. maybe because I’m trying to get away from it that you find it offensive 🤔

I really do feel for individuals on here , reading that they are taking prescription drugs to beat it .. just goes to show how strong a drug nicotine is , and being all different. It affects us all in different ways ..

All the best , focus on being a non smoker ...Best of luck 👍

[Sofied9972 in reply to Rjg45]

Thank you and keep on going!

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Rjg45]

Hey Rjg45 - good to hear from you, with regards the tingling sensation in your hands and fingers, if this is getting worse or not improving, would head to your doctor just for piece of mind....

[Rjg45 500 Days Smoke Free]

Yes , thinking about doing that as not improving... not getting worse or causing probs , but there all the same ...

Also read , and I know you shouldn’t read to much on the net 😌 but also some antibiotics can cause this .. I had my fare share of the stuff back in August ..pumped up with it in hospital for 3 days plus 7 days worth at home ... But as said shouldn’t read to much into it ..

Maybe worth while chatting to gp 😉

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Rjg45]

If worried, better to have a chat with gp....

[Rjg45 500 Days Smoke Free]

I am a little worried plus a little paranoid.. my gp is on a call back system , booked my call back Thursday as the next available!

Yes a little worried as numbness sensation in fingers what ever it is , never had before I quit or got ill with Pneumonia which was the same time .. I have read as said , antibiotics can also do this ...

perhaps it is body repair 🤔, Ive smoked for a long time !

[Rjg45 500 Days Smoke Free]

I’m also wondering if I’m still withdrawing 🤔 but after all this Time , as said , have smoked al long time ..

I see something on a nicorette website , as looking for feeds in relation to whats going on with me and see that states tingling in fingers during withdrawal process ....

Hardly notice it this morning , was quite bad Last night with numbness sensations in my fingers .. very weird ..

see what gp suggests tomorrow...

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Rjg45]

Hey Rjg45 It could be still withdrawing from smoking, trying to remember how long the tingling feeling lasted in my arms - think it was about a month or so....you will be 3 months next week, let us know how you got with the doctor today...

[Rjg45 500 Days Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Doctor says nothing to do with quitting smoking and sarcastically said “ smoking makes you better not worse “ !!!

Thinks trapped nerve or something else

I’ve said , it’s Been since I’ve stopped !

He now wants a fasting blood test done !

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Rjg45]

Well, hopefully you get to the bottom of it soon.....

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

Hows things now Rjg45 - 3 months today, whahey

Any word on your blood tests?

[markjoes 1 Year Smoke Free]

Hi Sophie

You sound exactly like the stage I got to, I hit my 40's and become more disillusioned with smoking and could see the damage it was doing to me. Teeth, broken sleep, occasional coughs and wheezes. But I dreaded it become something more sinister. I can definitely recommend Champix, it's been over 2 months now for me and it's getting easier and I smoked for 20 years, 20 a day and have never been able to go a single day without smoking.

You can do this!!

[Sofied9972 in reply to markjoes]

Thank you... still struggling!!

Take care and courage to you!