I stopped smoking 17 days ago!

[gigooctet]

Dear readers,

I just wanted to share my experience of the above. Just to put this into context, I was smoking 6-9 (rolled) cigarettes per day and I have been a smoker on and off since I was 17 years old. I am not 44 years young. I decided to go 'cold turkey' and I am happy to say that I haven't relapsed once.

It's interesting learning about the various symptoms that people experience when they give up. During the first 12 days, apart from the odd headache, I didn't honestly experience a great deal. However, last Sunday evening, a small area of skin near to or on the trachea (just below the neck) became very painful to touch. It felt similar to a pimple only the pain was more intense. It kept me awake and for long periods I was clutching my chest. I don't whether that was anything to do with the smoking - no idea!

Anyway, it's Friday now and whatever that was has more or less gone away. In the time in between, however, I have had issues sleeping. It now takes 1.5 to 2 hours for me to get to sleep and then I usually wake up at around 5 am. As you can imagine, I am generally tired during the day. I do really hope this will pass soon and I can start sleeping normally.

On a more positive note, I can't see myself relapsing any time soon. It helps not being around other smokers and also I really appreciate sleeping in a smoke free bedroom. Additionally, my throat and mouth in the morning feel so much cleaner! It's incredible!

Thank you for reading this post. Please feel free to share your thoughts.

[TheTabbyCat Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi gigooctet and welcome to Quit Support. Firstly congratulations on your 17 smoke free days! Quitting is never easy but it's easier with a little support.

I have no idea what the painful patch of skin was all about but I strongly suggest that if it happens again have a chat with your GP. While we're smoking, nicotine can disguise some medical conditions, when we stop, especially cold turkey ,these conditions can reveal themselves. The most common is anxiety, many members have had to adjust their 'meds' after Quitting.

Our sleep can be affected too,that last puff at bedtime really wasn't helping. Here's a link which should help you cope with the sleeping pattern.

healthunlocked.com/quitsupp...

You're doing really well, keep popping in even if it's only to read posts.

Please let us know your exact Quit date so that we can assign you a winners badge.

[gigooctet Next attempt in reply to TheTabbyCat]

Hi TheTabbyCat,

Thank you for your encouragement and for link. I've just been reading this information and it's helpful to know that the effects of smoking cessation on sleep normally disappear after 30 days. On this note, I did get to sleep much more quickly yesterday, though I did wake up briefly at 4.30 am; it seemed like the noise from very strong winds did this.

Additionally, I'm interested in taking up exercise. I can go for long walks but opportunities to do something more vigorous are, at the moment, limited. I am also aware not to use my phone before I sleep but tbh I can be poor at sticking to this.

The last cigarette I smoked was around 1 pm on 19th Nov.

[monky Administrator 45 Months Cake sniffer outer]

Welcome to Quit Support gigooctet 👋👋and a big WELL DONE to you for reaching 17 days smokefree 🚭👍👏👏👏

I see our TabbyCat has given you some great advice 👍so all I will say is, stick with it and stay determined, any help, just come a shouting and we will try our best😀

Good luck 👍😀

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee in reply to monky]

I second and third both posts. 😊👏👏👏

[gigooctet Next attempt in reply to jillygirl]

Thank you as well. I appreciate it!

[Yvonneh1234 Administrator Rockerbilly quitter]

hi just wanted to say well done to you 💪 I was a much heavier smoker than you but managed to pack in eventually it very hard I’m sure you will get there 😊x

[gigooctet Next attempt in reply to Yvonneh1234]

Thank you so much! When I have tried in the past, I've always done it alone. Sharing this experience instead with others is cathartic and so may be it will increase my chances.

[Yvonneh1234 Administrator Rockerbilly quitter]

you can😊you’ve got this far , take one day at a time ,don’t be to hard on yourself if your struggling with it support is here even if it just a rant 😂all of my family were smokers it wasn’t until I got told I had emphysema that I thought I’ve got to be here for my family it gave me a good kick up the bum 😂 I stopped with a vape and just decreased nicotine level when I was ready . . . It does get easier in time and you’ve made it this far keep going your doing great 💪👍😊xx

[gigooctet Next attempt in reply to Yvonneh1234]

Yes, I am taking this one day at a time and view each day that passes as a small victory.

Sorry to hear that you have emphysema. You must, though, feel a lot better now that you've quit smoking!

[Yvonneh1234 Administrator Rockerbilly quitter]

gigooctet I do feel better although I can get quite breathless at times especially in the cold weather .i think your doing great an extra day to you been an non smoker well done you done the hard bit now xxx😊