I'm just plain scared
I'm 47 and have smoked since I was 16. I have never tried to quit before and I am a heavy smoker. I roll my own and smoke at least a minimun of 60 - 70 a day. To add to my problems, I've been diagnosed with a severe addictive personality. I'm an alcoholic( Currently sober) but I can get addicted to anything at anytime. I can't even drive a different way to work because, well I just can't.
My plan is to quit on Easter Sunday using priscription patches, cold turkey. The reason being? I'm just plain sick of it, sick of the coughing, sick of having a sore chest etc. I fear I may be too late for my own good, but I want to do this for ME and for my Wife and two daughters. I really feel like crap.
I've never tried to quit before so I don't know what to expect, but if anyone out there can help me? I'd love to hear some advice. I'm almost giving up on giving up as the day approaches. Alcohol I can quit, but this smoking I just don't see an answer to the problem.
Thanks, Pauly.
My Doctor told me the same thing! "You gave up the drink, this will be easy" I do not think so! but I pray that you and him are right. Anyway I should keep my head down at the moment because I haven't tried yet. Fingers crossed.
Hi Pauly, I'm using the patches as well and I'm surprised how good they work. Don't get me wrong, I still have a few cravings so I bought a Nicibate Inhaler from the chemist. It helps, especially after breakfast, dinner etc. That was last week and I have run out of the tubes that you insert into the inhaler (other members will know what I mean!). For the last 2 days when I thought of a smoke, I just sucked on the empty tube pretending it was a cigarette. There is also a book you can get written by Allen Carr and the Easyway to stop smoking. I bought mine off Ebay and only received it today, so I haven't had time to read it, but it's supposed to be really good.
You have made up your mind to quit and with all the support the members give you here..you can do it!!!
I thought it would be a lot harder than it has been, give it a go!!
You can do it Pauly!!!! I remember how scared I was in the week leading up to my quit day. It has now been 140 days since I had my last smoke and I will never go back. Yes it is going to be hard to begin with, but as the days turn into weeks and weeks into months it really does gt easier. Make sure you have a bottle of water handy and some mints or fruit to pop in your mouth when the cravings hit as they really help. Go for walks whenever you can. And use this site as much as you can. It was a great distraction for me in the early days as when I was craving a smoke really bad I would sign on here and read stories from people who had been thru what I was going thru and it gave me the inspiration to keep on going!. I look forward to reading your future posts to let us know how your going. Best of luck, we are all here for you:)
Hi Pauly, like you mine was a heavy habit for over 50 years, never liked filters, only plain American types (Camel, Lucky Strike, Chesterfield, Carlyle, Pall Mall), it wasn't easy to take the first quit step - but it is like parachuting once you're out there it's great. My greatest fear was that it would be in the middle of the night and I would be craving a cigarette and the anguish that would result, so I've got a carton of Pall Mall wrapped in cellotape in the drawer alongside a lighter - I know that if I get to a state of mental desperation there is an escape hatch, that knowledge is all I need to continue.
Now I know the value of support. Thank you so much everyone for your words of support and wisdom. I've picked up a few tips from you all and to PallMall, your description of jumping out of a plane, taking the first step, lifted my spirits today as all the comments did.
Cheers, and will get back to everyone after next Sunday(Easter)
Pauly.
Pauly, Have the best Easter of your life and the "Golden Egg" you can give your family is surely to have a smoke free life
Thanks for your post FF, Lets hope your husband and daughter follow your lead. My cough is also very bad, embarrassing actually. I hope to finish Easter Sunday on a high note, and you should too as it is your Birthday. Happy Birthday for Sunday.
Pauly.
i wish you luck and look forward to reading your first post on Sunday. The first week id amazing, you feel such a sense of freedom. I can now breath now and i don't cough or wheeze. But there will be tough moments hang in and know that they pass. I am also a bit cranky but my family are so proud that they prefer cranky. You can do it!
Thank you wookie, cranky I think my family can handle, the blood curdling coughing I think they would be happy to say good bye to. I truly hope to succeed and pass on my story, I truly do. Cheers, Pauly.