I'm doing it!

[SengaKitty]

That's right, I am now officially eight whole days without a cigarette. No patches, no nicotine gum, no pills. Just sugar free gum, sugar free hard candies and a lot of will power and support. It's been very hard and yesterday I almost went and got a pack, but stopped myself. Then we got some terrible news. Someone I know was told back at Easter she had to quit smoking or she would die. Yesterday she had a severe asthma attack, and died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

I am now even more resolved than ever to quit and kick this habit. I promised that woman's daughter, who is a dear dear friend of mine and like a little sister to me, this morning that I would never pick up another cigarette and I will do everything I can to keep that promise.

[evillebee]

Congrats on quitting!! I was just getting ready to google sucessful ways to quit smoking when I saw your thread. I really, really, need to quit!!

Sorry to hear about your friend.

[Kittish]

Great job so far, keep it up! You're over halfway thru the hardest part, the two weeks (approximately) of the physical withdrawals and getting the nicotine out of your system. Stick with it for another week or so and it'll start getting easier.

You'll still have to watch out for your triggers (those things that are so strongly associated with smoking that doing them makes you automatically reach for a cigarette), because the mental addiction will take a LOT longer fade.

If you've never quit smoking before, there is a stage I feel I should warn you about, that will start up in another few days if it hasn't already. You'll start having some fairly major coughing fits, and coughing up some truly nasty crap as your lungs start cleaning themselves out. It'll be like the standard smoker's cough only worse. At times it'll feel like you're trying to cough up your toes and taste even worse. Just ride it out and that will taper off and pretty much stop after about a month. I don't think I'd go with using any cough suppressants during this, as that seems like it would just make the process last even longer.

[SengaKitty]

Kittish, I have started a lot of coughing fits the past couple days, mostly at night when I'm trying to sleep (at least per the boyfriend with whom I've managed to fall asleep on webcam with most nights... we stay up far too late together). I was wondering why, thinking my allergies were getting to me, but that makes more sense since my nose isn't stopped up.

As for the trigger thing, I had actually spoken with stop smoking coaches in the past and got tips and tricks for helping to get through it. I've lost a lot of weight recently and don't want to gain it back, so I've gotten sugar free hard candies for when the cravings hit. Since the cravings only last for about 5 minutes at a time (scientific fact), sucking on a hard candy usually gets me through it, and tastes a lot better.

Also, the people I'm living with don't smoke (well, J smokes cigars but only does it outside and they stink anyway so it doesn't bother me), which makes it easier. They've been saying I smell a lot better and they're constantly telling me how proud they are of me. The boyfriend is also quitting with me, which makes it easier =D

My friend's mom passing away was just kind of a punch in the gut for me, since she started smoking at the same age I did (13). She just turned 40. My friend is 19. My son is 2 right now. So, if you were to do the math, in 16 years, if I were to continue smoking, my son would be 18. I don't want him to go through what my friend is going through. I don't want that to be me.

Evillebee, look into Russell Stover sugar free assorted fruit flavoured hard candies, as well as cool mint sugar free gum. It's helped me a LOT, and since it's sugar free, it's not going to destroy your teeth, or make you gain weight. The hand to mouth thing is my hardest part right now. Also look into sugar free dum dums.

[tropicsgoddess]

Quitting any bad habit is not easy and I'm proud of you quitting smoking and being strong about it! Keep up the good work, RHPG! Sorry to hear about your friend's mom.

[RetailWorkhorse]

Con grats, keep at it, YOU CAN DO EEEET, and all that jazz.

[Midorikawa]

Congrats! I know that's a hard habit to kick. Last few years I've watched my mom go through several rounds of chemo, lose most of her jaw, teeth, tongue, and now has an infection that won't go away as a result of continued smoking, and the chemo killing off her immune system. I really hope to one day see the end of tobacco companies, even though I know that's not likely.

...or at the least, see the upper level execs be held accountable for killing so many people.

[pitmonkey]

Drink lots of water to help clear your body of junk.

[Exaspera]

Wow! Congratulations to YOU! I know just how you feel, having quit after 30+ years in February. It really is worth it not just in terms of saving your health, but so many other things like saving money and all of the $#^( taxes the government has stuck on cigarettes. Perfume lasts longer, you don't have to leave a fun time to stand outside in the dark cold to smoke, no chronic coughing,,lots of wonderful things!

Sometimes, it was soooooo much fun, though. But all the good outweighs the bad.

[Eric the Grey]

Congratulations on your decision to quit. I know it can't be easy.




Eric the Grey

[SengaKitty]

Thank ya'll so much for the support. That's one thing I have this time that I didn't have all the other times I tried to quit. I have a LOT of support and people who keep encouraging me. A lot of "atta girl" and "you can do it!" and "you're doing great!" It's really helpful especially when i'm almost in tears cause I want a cigarette so bad i'm having dreams about smoking (which I did the first night)

[Sonoma]

Here's one more voice saying CONGRATULATIONS, you can do it. My Mom, Dad, & Grandma all managed to kick their decades-long smoking habits. It was rough, but it is so much nicer to visit their houses now. No more cigarette smell, and no more excessive worrying about their health.

[Exaspera]

Reading stuff like this is soooooo helpful, too! I have found that since I've quit smoking that, since it's banned pretty much everywhere and I hardly see anyone smoking, that it's a little easier because I can't see cigarettes or smell smoke.

[RootedPhoenix]

I'll be cheering for you!

[trailerparkmedic]

Congrats! It's not easy but I'm proud of you for sticking with it.