Cold turkey

[Jojo2015]

Hi, I stopped smoking 2 days ago using patches. I'm not finding them Amy help at all, neither did they the last time I tried to quit.

Has anyone gone cold turkey after using patches. I'm thinking I'm miserable anyway so why not give it ago?

Any advise would be great, as I don't have any one in house who's interested and all my friends are smokers so I'm trying to avoid them.

Site is great by the way

[droopyJ]

Hi jojo and welcome to this very friendly, if not a bit nuts, support site 😃 are you on the right strength for you and, if it ain't too rude a question, where on the body do you apply them??

I gave up with patches but that was because they were right for me....they ain't for everyone...I did try cold turkey before but only managed about a year so am hoping i go all the way this time 😃😃

We have a few people on here who have gone cold turkey so hope fully they will be best advise you 😃😃

Well done though on deciding to make the best decision for your health and your wealth 😃😃

Please feel free to ask us anything or even to have a moan.... we have all been where you are and everyone has something to add from there own quit experiences.... regardless of how far into your quit you are 😃😃

Stay strong and keep focused 😃😃

[Jojo2015 8 MONTH WINNER in reply to droopyJ]

Hi droopyj

Thanks for reply, I was applying to my upper arm.

[monky Administrator 35 Months Winner in reply to Jojo2015]

Hi ya Jo

The upper arm is the best place soooo, if they aint working their, then patches arnt for you

What I found with patches, you have to believe in them to work, you have to want to quit and I mean really want too

Jo, to succeed, you have to really want to quit soooo, maybe sit yourself down and have a good think about it Ask yourself WHY you want to quit write down the reasons you want to quit

Lets just take it 1 step at a time eh

Pete

[droopyJ in reply to Jojo2015]

Maybe you should try different locations... anywhere from hip to shoulder.... 😁😁

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi jojo and welcome to quit support

Congratulations on making the decision to quit smoking

In terms of quitting, it really is an individual thing and finding out what works best for you.

I quit cold turkey as i believed that was the best for me. Yes it was tough in those early weeks, but with the support from all the lovely people here I got through it

They have all the NRT there to support people in their quit These reduce having to deal with all the side effects of quitting at once

Quitting cold turkey, you really have to have a determination that is stronger than the cravings

have a browse around the site as there is a wealth of information that will help you and like droopy said, we are a friendly bunch and will help you any way we can ..We know how tough the roller coaster of both physiological and psychological emotions can get.

We have a wee mantra here that we use NOPE Not One Puff Ever

All the very best of luck

Linda

[bandit2 in reply to glolin]

you did it cold turkey did u get the headaches and salivating, wanting to eat too. How long have you been smoke free and when will these withdrawls stop

[Briarwood Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

Hiya jojo and a big warm welcome to quit support 😊

Having people around you who smoke can make quitting a bit harder, I know coz hubby smokes😩 but you can do it😉

The good thing about this site everyone has been where you are now and we know how difficult it can be but lots of help here for ya👍🏼

You say you're miserable and that's unfortunately how it is at the start but things will improve. Sometimes patches aren't enough on their own and maybe you could get inhaler, gum or mints to use as well. That's a two pronged attack and will help with the cravings. With cold turkey it's gonna hit you all at once but you'll be over it quicker. I didn't quit cold turkey but lots of success with others on here. I used ecig and it worked for me. Which ever you decide is best for you. Hope this helps and our motto is NOPE not one puff ever, good luck😊x

[roneo]

Having tried patches, I came to regard them as being like tearing off a bandaid very, very slowly! They definitely make it easier to start, then when you stop them, the inevitable nicotine withdrawal comes as a bit of a shock. After 3 months or so your resolve may have waned a little & that's when I relapsed. They serve little purpose than to forestall withdrawal rather than negate it. Nicotine withdrawal lasts for 1-2 weeks tops, so I can't see the point in putting it off. Withdrawal can be uncomfortable, a bit like hunger but definitely not painful or unbearable. If you can imagine those nagging feelings as nicotine's death throes you may even take delight in each niggle. Try to isolate the nicotine withdrawal from the psychological impact. You'll find nicotine isn't so powerful after all.

[Shazbog 17 Month Winner]

Hi well done on the quit - I had a previous quit where i used patches ..... i succeeded and had an eight year quit and disappointingly started again and had smoked for four more years and 6 weeks ago decided that the disappointment i felt in myself was too much and quit cold turkey (i had purchased 14 patches as had planned to use again) - the first week was pretty awful but I can honestly say I have found it much easier as the nicotine is gone so quick - whatever way you decide to go - stick with it ........ I am feeling soooooooo much better for my decision and determined not to let the evil monster in my life again EVER!!!!!

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER in reply to Shazbog]

you are doing so well shazbog

[Jojo2015 8 MONTH WINNER in reply to Shazbog]

Hi

Thank you for your reply.

I have tried to many times before but never made it. I've always used nrt in the past. This time I've done a lot of research and came to the conclusion that I may as well just get it over with cold turkey style, instead of dragging the eventual nicotine withdrawal out for months.

[LilyMay73 LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi Jojo welcome to quit support. Like you I tried patches and lasted one day before ripping it off and going cold turkey. It certainly wasn't easy but thanks to a bit of determination and a lot of help from everyone on here I haven't looked back. Really good luck, you can do it

[letaparadise56 in reply to LilyMay73]

Hola LilyMay,

Yet another hero I have met on this site. So fabulous. Good work and BIG HUGS!!!

[bandit2 in reply to LilyMay73]

did u get withdrawl symptoms if so what and how long did they last. Its been over a month and I still have headaches and drooling, sweats and anxiety up the ying yang

[LilyMay73 LONG TERM WINNER in reply to bandit2]

Hi Debbie, I had horrible withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, insomnia, weird taste, headaches, irritability, depression, tiredness. This did last for quite a while but gradually reduced until they had gone without me realising. I can remember still being pretty anxious at 4 months quit but knew that I would be worse if I caved in and had to start again.

You are doing brilliantly getting through one month cold turkey and all I can promise you is that you are over the worst and it will get better. Keep going x

[bandit2 in reply to LilyMay73]

ok now I feel better. I didnt notice the first month of withdrawl because I was also detoxing from 100 mil of morphine and I had a tooth implant that was infected and trying to get out. The worst pain I ever felt in my life. It was like the movie Alien, a big bubble formed on my gum and when it big enough to burst out came all this puss and the screw which had tiny blades or rivets and it kept turning in my gum trying to get out. Now in the second month I have headaches, salivating, sweats, and anxiety. Smoking 40 yrs a pack a day how long you figure I will go through this. I couldnt find anyone who smoked as long as I did on this site so Im in the dark

[LilyMay73 LONG TERM WINNER in reply to bandit2]

Everyone's quit is different but you should notice small improvements soon. Try distraction techniques. When I felt pee'd off or anxious I would do deep breathing (with a swear word on the exhale to lighten the mood) walk if I could and have a drink of water. Lots of members will have loads of different ideas on how to get through so it's whatever works for you but remember if you give in now you will be right back at the start and it will be worse x

[bandit2 in reply to LilyMay73]

I know u r right its just the pain in my head is never ending and moving hurts never mind walking or putting on a hat. Its freezing here in Canada its like -15 outside. BRRRRRRR!!!!! Im hoping to find someone who was in my shoes. Good for you 32 months. That seems so far way yet u still come to this site. How good of you

[letaparadise56]

Good Sunday morning JoJo,

I quit cold turkey April 28, 2014 out of pure unadulterated FEAR. Fear of drowning in my own phlegm. I am terribly sorry to be so graphic on a beautiful Sunday morning but you gotta do what you gotta do. My suggestion: 1) conceptualize what you are actually doing to the body God gave you. 2) how much you will hurt those that love you by leaving this life too soon. 3) NOW...LET THE DAMNED CIGARETTES GO.

You do not need NRT really. It just keeps you hanging on to Mr. Nic....no friend...a traitor.

I beg forgiveness if this is too harsh but smoking is far more harsh than I ever could be.

Sending love,

Leta

[monky Administrator 35 Months Winner]

Hi Jojo2015, a big warm welcome to you and well done for making that initial decision to quit the smokes

I see you've had loads a great advice already and all I can add to it is, stick your foot down with a firm hand and flippin GOOOOOO for it Jo kick that mr nic into flippin touch

Ok, you say your miserable now, sooooo, what you got to lose you may get more miserablererererer for a couple of weeks but then, perhaps my right boot will help you to become HAPPY again eh

Good luck Jo and you take care now

Pete

[letaparadise56 in reply to monky]

Well said, Pete!!!

Sometimes a good "boot" is all that is needed.

JoJo...keep coming back to this place. It is really a loving bunch of hard cores!!! I honestly could not have done it without these miscreants ; ) Okay, it's a joke.

We love you and each other.

Sending another load of love,

Leta

[Jojo2015 8 MONTH WINNER]

Hi all

Thanks to all of you for your replies. Really appreciate it

Today has been hell to be honest. Felt sick, dizzy, irritated and depressed.

Avoided all friends and stayed in house all day. Felt so rubbish this morning I went back to bed. No such luck tomorrow as it's back to work. Can't hide for ever!!

I nearly cracked this eve and bought a packet but made myself wait until dizzy spell went, by that the my local shop would have closed. It's weird how you have to almost convince yourself your not doing now but you could later if you wanted to! Lol

You've all done so well quitting for such long times. I've been a smoker off and on for 25 years so I don't expect this to be easy.

Thank again to you all

[monky Administrator 35 Months Winner in reply to Jojo2015]

Jo, ok you nearly cracked tonight, BUT, BUT, YOU flippin didnt you got through it thats just flippinn ACE

I am so so PROUD of you and HEY, you'd best be proud of yourself toooo

Jo, just think, smoking has been a habit of your's for 25 years sooo, its not just the nicotine you have to get rid of, BUT, the habit toooo

[bandit2 in reply to Jojo2015]

U have been smoke free 5 months great, how long did the withdrawl symptoms last for you. I smoked 40 years, pack a day. Im getting constant headaches, salivating, hunger, sweats, anxiety its been over a month Im wondering if this is going to last forever it was less painful to smoke help please

[Sandyy 8 MONTH WINNER]

Hi,

I hope you are doing fine. I quit about 4 days ago cold turkey. I have been a smoker for almost 10 years. It was very hard for the first few days and then I have just began to feel good. Best of luck. Cheers. This is the 7 or 8th time that I 've quit. But, I hope this would be the final one.

[Coco797 17 Month Winner in reply to Sandyy]

How's your success story? I'm new!

[bandit2 in reply to Coco797]

Im new too, smoke free 2 months but still going through withdrawl. I smoked 40 yrs a pack a day, how about you. Im trying to find someone who walked in my shoes but mostly people smoked 10-20 yrs not 40 like me.

[Hidden]

Good morning Jojo☕️

I went cold turkey for the first 2 weeks and it was hell physically : headaches, chest and back pain, blurry vision and extreme exhaustion so I now have one piece of nicotine gum and I park it anywhere in the house or office when I'm not chewing it haha. ABC gum

I think it helps ease my withdrawal but you know, it could be psychological. Who really knows but I'm smokefree and that's what matters to me

I wish you all the best of health

NOPE. NOT ONE PUFF. EVER🌷

[bandit2]

I have not smoked in over a month and I have constant headaches, its like my scalp is sore to touch, I salivate like a hungry dog and I get hot flashes they only last a minute I can deal with them but not the headaches and salivating very annoying and I have no idea how long they are going to last. I smoked 40 years anywhere from 10 cigs to a pack per day. Anyone else gone through this please help me. I dont want to smoke but the constant headache is killing me. I figured cold turkey would be the best way to go now Im not sure what to do.