Smoking

[littlegreenman]

Thankfully last night was a one-off, not had any today. I actually think the electronic thing is more of a hindrance than a help, provides nicotine and simulates the physical act of smoking. I've been fine during the day just going without, so I'll not be using the e-cig as that seems to bring out the "wanting". Will report back later.

[cacofonix]

20 years on, and a whiff of smoke still causes my throat to seize up. Yuk.

Hardest times: Day 7

Day 30 (actually days 25-30). After this it gets much easier. I think this is when the gland that nicotine renders inert begins to wake up again, as the body realises it doesn't have the thing that the gland produces, or the nicotine substitute.

Day 90 (not massively so)
Year 1 anniversary (not massively so)

(Approximate times)

[littlegreenman]

Update:

Fell off the wagon again, I had one cigarette during tonight's night out. Right at the end of the night I just absent-mindedly accepted one and lit it up. Realised shortly after as my head started swimming that I have stopped smoking, was a very bizarre thing. So I think that makes it 2 slip-ups in 2 weeks. Not overly happy about that, but I think I'm doing a hell of a lot better than I thought I would. I've definitely got the non-smoker frame of mind now though, and hope that I'll not be slipping up again

giving up when you dont want one isnt what giving up is - recognise when you do want one and remind yourself that getting over this hump is what giving up is.

this has seriously been the best piece of advice sc. ive been using that thought and a deep breath when ive had the urge for a cigarette and its been really helpful. ta

[Pendragon]

I actually think the electronic thing is more of a hindrance than a help, provides nicotine and simulates the physical act of smoking. I've been fine during the day just going without, so I'll not be using the e-cig as that seems to bring out the "wanting".

I always fared very badly when using Nicotine based anti smoking aids. At one point I was wearing a Nicotine patch and smoking my usual daily quota - crazy!!! Thanks to Champix I've been smoke free for 12 months now, so you may wish to consider this as a smoking cessation aid.

You've almost kicked the habit, so keep up the good work, you're doing fine.

Good luck

[Skodster]

Yeah - excellent work.

I've now been smoke free for about six years. The danger periods are when your guard is down. The periods of temptation can be sometimes measured in seconds but if there is a ciggy to hand, you're in trouble.

I found the worst period was when I was convinced that my habit was conquered (weeks or months into quitting) and I became blase about things and I would go to the pub or somewhere and the old 'I guess one won't matter' thing happened.

Be aware that it could be a couple of years before the cravings completely disappear. Keep going.

[bochetagrave]

You really are doing well, you know! Just don't let the odd little slip up get you down and undo all the good work.

[Pendragon]

Be aware that it could be a couple of years before the cravings completely disappear. Keep going.

My friend, an ex-smoker of 15+ years, still experiences the desire to smoke a cigarette, although he never has and such thoughts are very infrequent.

I've only just completed my first year of being a non-smoker, so I still get the whim to smoke. However, there's no intensity or craving to these whims, more of a, 'wouldn't it be nice', idea passing through my thoughts.

I guess once you've smoked you never really deny to yourself that cigarettes can be enjoyable. It's just that they are so harmful and frightfully expensive.

Good luck to all who are trying to quit, or thinking of doing so.

[Emperor Fabulous]

I'm just about to wrap up a fortnight's holiday in Greece and I knew this would be the most trying time for me. Mrs Fab smokes and sitting opposite her after a few drinks, watching the cigarette in her hand like I was a dog watching someone waving a sausage about was hard. I found myself sitting downwind to get a 'treat' of second hand smoke.

I didn't have one though.... God knows I was tempted, but from decades of previous attempts to quit, I knew that there is one immutable truth when it comes to quitting - you cannot have 'just the one' without it meaning you returning to being a full time smoker inside a week. You either don't smoke, or you do smoke.

As I've mentioned before, its just a question of motivation really. If you have a gun to your head, you'll manage pretty much anything. The gun in my case was my heart attack and the surgeon's subsequent warning.

[citizen68]

The better half & I quit smoking (again!) 12 weeks ago. We still get the odd urge but know that if you slip & just smoke one, then all the hard work is undone. Really determined this time which has helped a lot.

Very hard to spend an evening with a smoker now though. Maybe that'll pass...

[holnrew]

I'm just about to wrap up a fortnight's holiday in Greece and I knew this would be the most trying time for me. Mrs Fab smokes and sitting opposite her after a few drinks, watching the cigarette in her hand like I was a dog watching someone waving a sausage about was hard. I found myself sitting downwind to get a 'treat' of second hand smoke.

I didn't have one though.... God knows I was tempted, but from decades of previous attempts to quit, I knew that there is one immutable truth when it comes to quitting - you cannot have 'just the one' without it meaning you returning to being a full time smoker inside a week. You either don't smoke, or you do smoke.

As I've mentioned before, its just a question of motivation really. If you have a gun to your head, you'll manage pretty much anything. The gun in my case was my heart attack and the surgeon's subsequent warning.

That's not very supportive of her...

It's three and a half years since I quit, and I'm getting massive cravings, it's hard. I'm missing snuff at the moment. It's tobacco in general I miss... Snuff, snus, my pipe, the smell of the tobacconist. But in the end it always go goes back to fags.

The only advice I can offer is to read cancer stories when you get cravings, keep count of the money you've saved, and if you find yourself lighting up, stub it out. Just don't finish it.