I can't manage these cravings! - Smoking Cessation Message Board

Sylvia224 · 08-18-2005, 02:47 PM

Hi everyone. I’ve been a smoker for 16 years, and I have tried to quit several times. The only time that I was moderately successful is when I found out I was pregnant. I say only moderately because I still smoked one cigarette per day, I just couldn’t deal with the thought of NONE EVER. Unfortunately, the pregnancy ended in miscarriage and against all reason, I went back to smoking full time. And do you know what? I hated smoking. Even when I started again I remember thinking to myself "I hate cigarettes. I hate this, why am I doing it?" but I did it anyway and before I knew it, back to a pack a day habit.

Now my husband and I are ready to try to start a family again, and I am so terrified of going through the trauma of another miscarriage that I am doing everything I can to prepare to get pregnant. Obviously quitting smoking is number one. I have been using the patches – I know not everyone agrees with those, but they have been so helpful for me. I have only smoked two cigarettes since Monday morning and I am just hanging on for dear life to these patches. Because my problem is that it isn’t getting easier!! When am I going to stop obsessing over cigarettes? I don’t know how long I can hold out like this! I have to go to a family function tonight, and for some reason being around family makes me want to smoke a million cigarettes. I just think of that relief feeling of smoke filling my lungs and nothing else will do - not gum or carrot sticks - I want smoke! How sick huh? How do I deal with this, when in my weaker moments there is always a convenience store right around the corner that would be happy to sell me cigarettes? I have to be vigilant and strong every single moment and I don't know if I can deal!

I guess my question is – how long will I feel so tense, how long will it be until it gets easier? I’m so terrified by this, because the worse the cravings get, the more I realize what a powerful, powerful addiction I’ve nursed for 16 years. When I am smoking actively, I guess some part of me likes to think that I am in control, that I could quit if I really felt like it – no problem – and now I’m afraid that isn’t true! I need some advice from those who have managed to quit.
Thanks for reading.

Deda · 08-18-2005, 05:26 PM

Sylvia...hi there. You CAN do it!! Just get the right mindset, that you truly are going to commit yourself, 100%. What's more important..the few seconds of enjoying that sensation of your lungs filling up, (with over 3000 poisonous agents) or having a healthy life and giving birth to a beautiful, full term healthy baby? Yes, the patches work wonderful, I quit 23 months ago using them, as I had quit many times before with the patches or the gum, the only differance this time was, I REALLY WANTED TO QUIT!!!!! Huge differance! Your mind is playing games with you! Tell that little voice in your head to shut up, get bent...."I WANT TO QUIT THIS SORRY HABIT FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL". Leave those few cigs you're still having ALONE. THROW them out, NOW!!! Don't think about them--do something else to occupy your time. Start walking, reading, puzzles, how bout start decorating that little nursery as an incentive??? Do whatever it takes--if you REALLY mean it, that you want to quit!! I quit after 30 years, I was scared to death, as I loved my smokes, but I love living healthy even MORE!!! Yeah, you will have the cravings more at first, but every week they become less and less, honest they do! Be patient. I hardly ever think about it now, and when I do, the thought of smoking sickens me!

YOU CAN DO IT SYLVIA! It wasn't easy for any of us at first, but if you want it badly enough, you will hang in there, and soon you will see, the craving become shorter and come less often.
Hang around and let us know how it goes. Good luck!!!

Deda

Johnsternow · 08-18-2005, 07:06 PM

Hi Sylvia,

Deda is SOOO RIGHT HERE!!! THREE THINGS NEEDED!!!

1. COMMITMENT
2. COMMITMENT
3. COMMITMENT

Others and I have quit with the aid of patches, gum or whatever and some even cold turkey. ALL HAD ONE THING IN COMMON! The three things listed above or nothing will work. For me personally it took being so mad at those things that they became the enemy and devil!

I wanted them gone for good. As I say time and time again. They rob us of so much, even our free will. Look at the control they have over you. Even our loved ones, we can walk away from but those things have such control over us. Why is it so easy to be mad at those we love and not some stupid paper stick that is killing us? What is that??? It’s raw evil!!! They hurt us, rob us of our free will, steel time from our lives, steel our money and take away others in our lives as well. I know you can do it if you pull the right attitude out. After you have your first child you will never want them to smoke. You will also do them a big favor by being around for a good portion of their lives or seeing your grandchildren. It hurt me to see my parents not make it to retirement age. They might still be here if they quit years ago. They did not just hurt themselves but their entire families. Those things took them away too and I became even more ANGRY and committed to stay away for good.

I did what you did once and wouldn’t cheat anymore. One time when I quit it was torture for me.

Even one a week, makes that strong craving thing last so much longer. REMEMBER, anyone who quits and starts again years later does it by having even one every 5 years like I did before stupidly starting again once. 1 a week or 1 a day prolongs them cravings. I had a bit of trouble with craving the heat from smoke inhales too at first. What helped me were two other things too. I went for Halls cough drops. The mentholiptus felt warm when I inhaled it instead and they also helped loosen the nasties up in my lungs. Also I started doing sour stuff at times. Sour candy or sour gum. You pucker up and get that weird strong feeling instead. I didn’t really like the stuff but I think when rewarding myself with that God awful stuff when I craved smoke made me want to smoke even less in my mind.

Whatever way you do it JUST GO FOR IT AND NO CHEETING! You can beat this thing as many have!!!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck and hope this helps.
John

wiredqs · 08-19-2005, 12:55 AM

The first week is the worst, let us know next Monday how you feel. I took up walking, and for the first couple of months I made sure that I did not have enough money to
buy cigs at the convenience store.

It will get better and when the little one comes, you probably won't have time.

alsaser · 08-20-2005, 10:16 PM

Yes, the worst is definately week 1 and maybe into week 2. After that, your free! Yes, I admit, I was real mean and literally cried on a few occasions cause the withdrawal was so bad. I'm almost 3 weeks free and my body is completely nic-free, its a great feeling to be free!

Be strong! You can do it! It is hell on earth.... those first couple days...but, it wont get worse, it'll get better...than sneak up...than they WILL leave! Now, if I even breath 2nd hand, I just want to vomit! Me, Miss-smokey-smoke-luv-my-smokes now cant stand it! Yuck. You CAN do it!!!