Is it Just Me?
This is not really a hint or tip but rather a desperate plea for help and understanding regarding my quit. I quit smoking 2 months ago and this quit has been a nightmare to say the least. I felt ready to quit and prepared as much as I could with past failures being my incentive and assistance. I quit cold turkey and for the first week felt great! From there it has gone downhill and I truly believe I am going crazy. I am angry, depressed, anxious, moody, unable to think straight and cannot sleep well. I have gone to my GP who has suggested that I try and chew nicotine gum to try and relieve the symptoms, which makes no sense to me, why would I introduce nicotine back into my system after not having it for over 2 months. He does not want to put my on anti depressants and believes that this is all mind over matter. My eating is out of control, I am now using food as my addiction rather than nicotine. My cardiologist is concerned about my extreme weight gain and while I know what I must do to combat this, my motivation is non existent and I just want to stay cooped up in doors away from friend who still smoke and family who don't understand. I had smoked for over 30 years, I do not know who I am as a person and I hate who I have become
Hi HolyDooly,
I relate to everything you said as I feel exactly the same when I give up cold turkey.
I am on day 87 now using lozenges and the chewing gum. I am cutting down on the nicotine replacement little by little. For me it's the only way I can do it as I've tried just about everything else. I'm hoping as the months pass I will rely on them less and less. It's such a mental battle, but you've already gone 2 months cold turkey which is fantastic. Try and look at it as it will eventually pass. Maybe try hypnotherapy at the same time if you don't want any replacements. Excercise also, especially if you feel depressed, moody etc. And maybe when you feel like eating, stop for a minute and see if you're actually hungry. I know it's hard. I'm sure you'll work out what's best for you. Don't be too hard on yourself. You are doing one of the hardest things! Keep praising yourself for what you've acheived. Instead of staying inside which can make things worse you could maybe go for a walk alone if being around friends etc is too hard for now. Just think in the future when you've pulled yourself out of this how strong you'll be for it. If you believe you can, you will! All the best, take care. Sharon :)
Hi HoolyDooly, You know there is sooooooo much more involved than just quitting the darts. It really is a life changing experience. I am using this time to revaluate where I am and where I would like to be and go from this point on. I have sat down and made a few other goals that I would like to achieve. As the guy on the quit site explained to me its all about forming new habits in your day. That can be a simple as taking a vitamin, nice bath ,manicure, reading, meditating, exercise just simple things to incorporate in your day as part of the NEW YOU. I think when smoking has been a big part of our life we are left with quite a void to fill and we realise we have all this spare time to fill and we need to go in a new direction and embrace the new that we now have time for. All the very best I hope you find a new happy joyous road that you want to take and discover. xx
Hey H.D - What you are going through was the same as what I experienced numerous times trying to give up the stinkies.
I put on weight when eating to control cravings, everything you say is so true of my past experience..
In saying this, I need you to understand that quitting cold turkey is by far the best method to quitting cigarettes.. Cold turkey wins hands down over every other method.
The cigarette companies want you to smoke so bad, they want your money and whats worse, they need your PRIDE, so you will not even try and give up ever again.
I tried to give up for years, I got to around 90 days and finally caved in, because I was sick of feeling like you do now.
This time I am using Vaping, as my STEP 1 - to give up the smokes.
Vaping is a controversial method of Nicotine Replacement Therapy, which has been alive and thriving in our wonderful world for over 10 years. Check it out on youtube.
To me, Vaping has been SO WONDERFUL, because I'm not eating more, I sleep well and I'm totally in control of the stinkies. (for a change)
I am sure there is something else, other than nicotine, which the cigarette companies put in the cigarettes to keep us addicted.
Vaping replaces the nicotine side of things, BUT,,,,my body still craves something else.. There is still a need for those bloody smokes which I have to resist.
My step 1 - includes Vaping for 12 months, or until that need goes away.
Vaping does not have Tar, or the other 2500 carcinogenic chemicals, so I am happy using it to replace tobacco..
Good luck with your quit and I am very proud of you for all your hard work.
Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply and offer support and advice. I do understand that it is the addiction. I have a long way to go and each day, while still a battle, is another day down. I no longer "crave" the nicotine as such, what I crave is that soothing feeling I guess. I never smoked because of peer pressure, I took up smoking to deal with childhood abuse. It was a way as a young child to "psychologically" deal with emotions and in some crazy way, it was my way of rebelling against the very people who were hurting me. I would steal their cigarettes and then smoke them. At age 10 it seemed like a great way to get back at them. So you see smoking had been my way to get through the many things early in my life and it became embedded that smoking was my only way to deal with any stress, negative or even positive things in my life. So now 35 years later. I don't know how to do it without cigarettes. I am trying to learn and unfortunately food has taken its place until I can get out of this slump. I don't want to smoke again and I also don't like feeling this way. Its a battle that often feels lonely and very misunderstood. Thank you for taking the time everyone, I really appreciate it