Another Newbie - Smoking Cessation Message Board

lsw56 · 11-23-2004, 08:57 PM

I am also a serial quitter, but this time for the last time <spoken very emphatically> After years of trying to quit with hypnotism, acupuncture, Nicorette and the patch, this time I did it cold turkey, 7 days and 20 hours ago... I am determined to succeed this time, 35 years of smoking has left me with COPD, chronic bronchitis and high blood pressure...

Before I smoked my last cigarette I did a little research and found that the addictive nicotine only stays in my system for 72 hours after that last cigarette, after that, it's just the habit to deal with... My 72 hours passed in a haze, I kept myself busy and when the urge hit, I rode it out, and now the worst seems to be over... I think about that after-dinner cig, the morning coffee and cig, and the stress cig - and then I forget about it for a while...

Meanwhile, I can breathe better after only a few days, my coffee tastes great, but I've lost my taste for Pepsi. I've won the battle with the nicotine and I will never let it enslave me again!!! God Bless all of us for having the courage to beat this addiction, by any way or means we can.....

Linda

Deda · 11-24-2004, 03:30 AM

Linda- -
Way to go girl!

YOU DID IT!!!!!

I'm happy to hear that you were able to finally do it. I'm sorry that you have been ill, but you can look forward to nothing but better days ahead! Just don't smoke again, no matter what.

I quit 13 months ago today, after 30 years of smoking, and many attempts to quit. A couple times for a full year, always to go back to it again. This time I WON'T go back! I feel too good about it, I HATE smoking now, and anyway, I'm getting too old to keep playing with my life like that! Plus I LOVE all of the benefits of not smoking, more $$$, no more ugly smell, no longer feel like a social outcast, etc. I would be crazy to go back at this point now, as I rarely crave a cig! I had a small crave today, for the first time in I don't remember how long...a quickie crave, gone in a flash! I quit with gum and then patches.
Keep that strong determination going, and do all that you have to do to remain smoke free!
Congratulations!!!

Deda

Lia813 · 11-25-2004, 02:34 PM

Hi, Linda . I quit 3 weeks ago on 11/4 /04 . I was very abruptly diagnosed with colon cancer after a routine colonoscopy . None of the drs nor expected it as I had no symptoms at all. So I had surgery to resection the colon and was in the hospital for 4 days. I was too sick to even think about a cigarette in there and when I got out I still felt really bad so I figured well this is the time to do it. I already had that 72 hours of detox under my belt so I just did not start again. For 2 weeks when I felt so awful it did not bother me one bit . But this past week as I felt better I would have a fleeting thought that I wished I had a cigarette. But the thought passed and I was determined not to act on it. Already I can breathe deeply and I do not cough or wheeze or rattle. Food does taste different. I hope someday these cravings will go away. I have smoked for 40 yrs and never even tried to quit, never wanted to. I start with the Chemo Dr. on 12/2 so this was definitely the time for me to quit. Good luck to us all. Lia

Deda · 11-25-2004, 03:05 PM

Lia...
Good for you quitting too. I'm sorry you have been sick, but you will feel so much better not smoking. Just wanted to say, in time your cravings will be less and less there. I quit 13 months ago, and can honestly say I don't have many craving at all any more. Now and then one will come upon me, but rare for me to have one now. And when they do happen, they pass so quickly.
Best of luck to you with your quit and your overall health, and just don't smoke!
Deda

Lia813 · 11-25-2004, 03:11 PM

Thanks, Deda. Congratulations on your 13 monsths ! I am glad to hear that most of your cravings are gone and those that remain are fleeting. I hope so much that I can do this. It truly makes no sense for me to put myself thru chemo to kill one type of cancer and then use a known cancer causing agent . I have to stay with the not smoking but it is hard as of course this is a very high stress time. I do know though that smoking will not help one thing . Then I will only feel bad for falling off the wagon. Thanks for your input. Lia