79 days

[brunac]

hi everyone, its now been 79 days since I last had a smoke. I started cold turkey then patches and occasional ecig puffs .I have smoked for 48 years. everyone says it will get better and the urges go, but I crave a smoke all through my waking hours constantly. is it just me.

[Briarwood Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

Hiya brunac and welcome to quit support😊

Wow 79 days is terrific, so well done to you👍

To be honest with you, something you have done for 48 years, your brain is not going to forget in a hurry. Our brains are quite remarkable as we can learn very quickly but trying to unlearn is much more difficult. The nicotine monster certainly doesn't give up easily and you have to fight it off. It can be an uphill struggle but the cravings should become less as your quit progresses. It may not seem it right now but I can honestly say it will get better. Be very proud of your achievement as you are doing brilliantly and the good news is these feelings will pass😊x

[monky Administrator Cake eater]

Hi Brunac its lovely to meet you and 79 days quit is just fantastic and of course a big warm welcome to our quit support community

You started off cold turkey and now on the patches and e-cig now and then to help you ermmm, to tell you the truth, after 79 days quit, normally, we and our bodies have got used to being smokefree sooo, you've got me on the hopp here

Maybe your trying toooo hard on your quit if you see what I mean, maybe just relax a bit more, try to change your thinking mode, like, dont be waiting for the cravings to come, just let them come when they want to, if you see what I mean dont think that they are coming, just wait until they appear

Have you read through the TOPICS to the right of your post, there are some breathing exercises which may help you, cos I think you have a very busy mind there is one to help you sleep, to calm a busy mind down

I will repost it now, cos it might just help you during the day time

Brunac, if you could please let us know your quit date, then we can add you to the Wall of Winners and sort you a Winners badge out

Pete

[droopyJ]

Wow brunch 79 days is fantastic 😃😃 we are all different, yesterday I had cravings all day....it drove me nuts and I am 15months smoke and nic free.... no rhyme or reason for it😮

It does get easier however it can come and bite you on the arsenal when your least expect it...😃😃

Good luck, stay strong and keep the faith...😃😃

[monky Administrator Cake eater in reply to droopyJ]

Brunch, just love it gal your always thinking of food xx

[droopyJ in reply to monky]

Oh for crying out loud... flippin predictive text.... sorry brunac.....😃😃😃

[droopyJ]

Arsenal.....Arsenal..... what in God's green earth is the matter with my fingers....

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER]

hi brunac and a warm welcome to quit support.

Well done on your 79 days that is a fantastic effort

In terms of the strong cravings you are getting - like the others have said - its is going to take a bit to change after 48 years

On saying that - It can be done - I found for me - changing the way i thought helped me a lot. By that I mean instead of seeing cravings as urges/wants/needs etc - I turned it around by acknowledging the craving for what is is and then constantly told myself that I dont need a cigarette..i dont want a cigarette and with each craving i got, i kinda made a bit of a game with myself by convincing myself that i was always going to be stronger and any stupid craving..

Now days - I very rarely get an urge at all and i when i do, i just smile and tell myself..this is a reminder that i won the battle

Looking back - i feel the actual quitting is the easy part - Once you get through those first 3 months and especially the first 4 weeks. It is the staying quit that is the struggle for most people and this is evident by the countless stories we here of people smoking after being off them for many years etc...For me..this told me that i needed find our best to overcome this for me

Changing the whole way you look at smoking was the answer for me. Often the minute the slightest thing that went wrong- I need a smoke. if i was angry - i need a smoke..after a meal.. i need a smoke etc etc etc.. kinda crazy now

I know now that i will NEVER have another Cigarette - NOPE Not One Puff Ever - and that is because i just see no logic in it at all They cannot fix anything - they cannot make you feel better..that is purely your thinking

Sorry to ramble..but i thought by sharing what worked for me, you may be able to get something from it.. I quit cold turkey almost a year ago

All the very best

[jim224488 34 Months Winner]

Well done, its by no means easy and what you have achieved is admirable. If you think how much time smoking occupied your day then you will realise how much of a hole its left. Not only that you probably spent some time planning on when to smoke.

I'm still on gum at month 5, although have cut this down. But yes I still think about it less and less though.

I have a long list of why I wanted to become a non smoker alongside a list of what would happen if I just had one.

I don't even have to look at it, its branded onto my brain.

Keep going, everyday that passes is a day further away and the cravings will get less and less

Jim x

[chubbystuff]

Hi Brunac,

Well done for quitting cold Turkey that takes some doing, you are not alone with the cravings mine have started to diminish but still get the 9:00 pm one (always had a ciggie an hour before bed). My mum quit 44 years ago and told me the other day she sometimes feels like a ciggie.

The choice you have now is not to give in to the urges but remain strong and remember you are so much healthier and richer without Mr Nic.

[Angeline12345]

Hi

Bless you you are doing really well.

Like you I went cold turkey 6 months later I still have the urge but they are not as strong and when I have a strong urge I then smell it from others and makes me

Feel sick.

My big brother gave up a few years ago and he still has urges but they are easier to handle!!

[monky Administrator Cake eater in reply to Angeline12345]

Thank you sooooo much Angie for taking the time and trouble to come and put your view forwards for Brunac and all the other members tooo just loooooove it gal

WAYYYY HAYYYY, your a 6 months WINNER now Angie do you think its helped you with your health do you feel better in yourself have you saved money

You take care now Angie and hope to speak soon xx

[Angeline12345]

Monkey

Hope your well

6 months later I still have phlem in my throat but it's not as bad as what it was so I'm not constantly sucking on boiled sweets. With the feeling of going to choke.

Every illness has gone so no longer in the docs once a week but still on acid tablets as my docs says that could be a year to sort it self out. Hayfever this year is awfull as smoking is not hiding it however I'm a stone heavier!!!

Im a different person than what I was a year ago, last year I smoked like a troper and lived off red bull 4 cans a day, done this for years. When I got a bit heavier like us all smokers I would smoke more and eat less to shift it!!

Now I'm walking the dog 3 miles every day and a month a go I started running every other day 3 miles with my poor dog. I also like running now ,I could not run even if it was to the shop to get fags at closing!! My wrinkles are better and I look healthier apparently !!

I'm still not drinking and not going out as that's all to do with temptation and I don't think I'm ready for that still as I'm the worst ex shocker moaning about the smell.

God how I've noticed the money I've saved and that will pay for myself and my little girl to go abroad for a week. After my facial peel.

But like us all I tried many times to give up and many different ways and when I even get a slight urge I've still got the phone app I used I look at that see how much time I've saved from not smoking on average 4 mins a fag, and how much cash!! That helps with the urges...

[monky Administrator Cake eater in reply to Angeline12345]

Dont forget Angie, we are here tooooo if you need a bit of help or just want a good ole moan or a chat

That reminds me, I will have to get my earmuffs back off the flippin cat

Hope to speak soon Angie and take care