After 1 month and 3 days without smoking, a VERY, VERY ROUGH day yesterday.
I had been so happy the day before yesterday, when it made 1 month, I even posted here my happiness (if happiness can be posted...).
But yesterday, I went for a reading of my poems and everyone was smoking in the end, and I thought it would be a comfort to smell the smoke. Well, it was not!! It was a temptation that didn't leave me the rest of the day!
I did not smoke, but it was really hard! I had some drops of Valeriana drops, to calm down and back to Nicorette chewing gums.
If anyone can comment on this, I would appreciate. After 1 month, should this have happened? And an advice: keep away from smokers. Also: Valeriana (a natural herb) does help.
Thank you to all of you. This is such a big help! I wish we had this kind of community here in Portugal!
Written by
anaamaral
9 Months Smoke Free
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hey anaamaral - it is perfectly normal to have bad days especially this early on as you are in the thick of the mental battle as your brain and body is working very hard to rewire, repair and recover, it is a gradual healing process....
For me, I really detest the smell of cigarette smoke and that was a blessing in disguise for me if had a nasty craving - it will get easier, I promise
You are fighting hard and it will pay off, hang in there and continue to post anytime especially if struggling....
Thank you for the support and explanation, Roisin. These last hours have been quite bearable and, in general, today was fine. I went for a film and didn't even remember the cigarette when I came out! Very surprising!
What really discouraged me was yesterday and that horrible, horrible craving all afternoon and evening, after a FULL month.
Not wonderful, I'm afraid, Roisin01. I haven't smoked (1 month and 5 days now), but today I had a vertigo episode. I have problems with my inner year (benign paroxysmal positional, I think this is the name in English) and since I stopped smoking I've felt a bit dizzy.
But today it was these vertigo episodes. Tomorrow I'm going to my doctor, but I wonder whether the lack of cigarette can cause this. I've also experienced heightened sensory episodes (don't know the name for this in English!).
I was a smoker for 42 years, almost 2 packs a day and I just quit cold turkey (except for some Nicorette, 2 or 3 day). Even my identity -- it is as if I will have to reinvent myself, a new self, as I can't imagine myself writing without the company of a cigarette. I am a poet, you see, always wrote, all my life -- and in this last month I have been unable to write a single line of a poem! I try to, but what comes out is just rubbish... And I do need to write.
I'm sorry for this long explanation, and thank you for being there, for your concern! Thank you!
Hey anaamaral - you will find your mojo very soon, your brain is in the thick of rewiring and repairing, I promise, you will in fact have more and better inspiration to write over the coming months.
Almost 3 years smoke free for myself - the confidence, courage and strength I have gained since I stopped is remarkable - I completely turned my life around, healthier, happier and in a job now that I have a passion for, cooking/baking - it took a while to get here and was bumpy, very bumpy at times but I persevered and it paid off!
With regards the vertigo, make sure you are keeping well hydrated with lots and lots of water and your sugar levels up with fruit - if you can, avoid sugary foods and caffeine, how did the doctor go today?
The heightened sensory levels is a surprisingly common improvement when we stop, hearing, sight, smell and taste all improve as our lungs cleanse and repair from all the gunk from smoking...
Don't loose faith, it is a good sign that your body is repairing, it will improve week on week
Thank you again, so much, Roisin01! The doctor told me what you did :), that is: drink a lot of water, avoid salty foods and caffeine. Caffeine is very hard, i can't cut everything at once...! And I drink a lot of coffee (expressos, actually), but will try to reduce a tiny bit. Salt is easier.
I will trust you in what regards inspiration and writing. You have been a great, great help. Tomorrow (it's almost midnight and a new day) it will be 5 weeks!!!
Everything you have described were all a part of my quitting as well. The dizziness and lightheadedness were crazy at times! That has settled now after 50 days! A couple of moments but no where near as intense, these sensations will pass! I stopped cold turkey after 35 years, so the brain had some extra work to do! Try to wade through it, be kind to yourself and I found cutting back the sugar helped me!
You’ll love the new version of yourself, it just takes a little bit of time! You are doing a great job! Stay strong and take some deep clean breaths! 💪👏🙌⭐️
Well done anaamaral, you stayed strong despite the temptation. Remember, you are breaking years of habit and it will take time to reprogramme the neural pathways that trigger your feelings.
I've just achieved 2 months and my cravings are far fewer than a month ago so keep going, keep believing and keep adding up the benefits. You are doing brilliantly and you have it in your power to succeed 👍
Things that are so worth it, as in giving up smoking are worth the pain and discomfort! It really does get easier as the days roll by, just a lot of body calibrations! Once we find our real self behind the smoke and mirrors, there’s a lot of joy! Congratulations to you after 45 years!! There’s a celebration 🎉 Right there! All the best 👏👏👏
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Day 3 on Champix
Day 12, smoke free on Champix
TAKING IT ONE DAY AT A TIME! ;)
Here goes my first day, again.