13 days quit today!
Hi all, I am loving this site as it is keeping me on track! I have smoked from the age of 16, I am now 49. I must say I did enjoy my cigarettes, it was my "chill out" time, a bit of piece and quiet for a bit, and a stress reliever. I had to quit as I was having an operation. I thought I would go back to it once I had recovered, but I have changed my mind. Sitting in the Oncology dept of the hospital totally freaked me out. So many women coming in, having lost their hair and head scarves on. I was lucky, my tumour was benign, but I thought then OMG! what if it was malignant? that would be me! The hospital gave me an I can Quit pack and it is the best thing I could have read, it helped motivate me. I wrote down all the reason I should quit and it was a long list. I was in hospital for the first 2 days so a no go anyway and when I arrived home I felt too ill to smoke. I decided I had to give up. I bought patches and the 2mg lozenges. My biggest hurdle is the trigger of morning coffee and cigarette. That is really hard! Once i pass that first craving, I can get through the rest of the day ok. I think, "I want one!!!" but then I think of list and the vision of those ladies with no hair. I don't want to be that person. I hope you are all travelling well with your quit journeys!
Hi Shellu, you have done the right thing believe me. I smoked for 52 yrs and copd started to creep up on me. The cravings do get easier in time and your reflections of when you were hospitalised will certainly deter you from smoking again as they do for me when i was walking uphills prior to quitting. Now one year on thank God i walk every day and walk uphill with normal puffing for my age. Just say the "fun is over" and live without them. Also you save money that you enjoy on other things. All the best. Cheers.
I bought the patches when I set my quit date. Then 2 days before the date I had a major anxiety attack and couldnt catch my breath.. All that ran through my mind was that this is what its like if I continue smoking. This experience will become a daily thing or I will need oxygen. I prayed to God that if he just gave me my breath back that Id never smoke another cigarette again in my life. I woke up the next morning and could breathe a little easier. So I threw out my cigs and havent picked it up again. Im on day 12 so far and I know it will get easier as I go. Shellu stick to it! Stay healthy and love your life!!
Good on your quit! I am on day three and managing ok few things to relearn looking forward to keeping on. Good luck!