Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Post for everyone who QUIT evil fags

1…2324262829…59

Comments

  • #752
    zenno
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,377 ✭✭✭zenno


    gave them up 4 days ago but after the third day i was getting hyper and for some reason i was seriously gagging for one but i blanked it out and 30 minutes later i had to smoke one, well so much for my willpower but i have cut down anyway to half the amount i usually go through but will try again. next time i will have to work on it better. the bloody worst thing is when you have a beer as this is the hardest. maybe i will be third time lucky as this is the second time i tried to give them up in 20 years. not as easy as i thought that's forsure.


  • #753
    username123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    zenno wrote: »
    gave them up 4 days ago but after the third day i was getting hyper and for some reason i was seriously gagging for one but i blanked it out and 30 minutes later i had to smoke one, well so much for my willpower but i have cut down anyway to half the amount i usually go through but will try again. next time i will have to work on it better. the bloody worst thing is when you have a beer as this is the hardest. maybe i will be third time lucky as this is the second time i tried to give them up in 20 years. not as easy as i thought that's forsure.

    If you are serious about it then give yourself a chance and do it when you wont have alcohol involved. I deliberately avoided alcohol for the first few weeks.

    I found day 3 the worst torture, but after that it got easier.

    I still havent had alcohol yet since I quit, besides 2 small glasses of wine at home one evening. 44 days today - yippee!


  • #754
    Vudgie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 869 ✭✭✭Vudgie


    One week down, and I am loving it.

    The only aspect I am disappointed about is my sense of smell hasn't returned yet though I'd imagine this will be gradual and will take longer.

    I knew after day 2 that I would never smoke again...I know it sounds cocky but I really believe that my perception of smoking has permanently changed. I treated the withdrawl process as a simple removal of a drug from my system which will happen with time and a bit of perserverance.

    The one piece of advice I would now give to people is to attempt to change your perception of smoking and it is easier. Don't get me wrong it takes effort, it is constantly on your mind, but it is also a great achievement and something of a milestone in your life.

    I found my first down time on Saturday hardest but I just kept reminding myself that the 'itch' would pass. It wasnt an inherent need for a cigarette but more an empty feeling and bad form....so it is manageable.

    Best of luck for the week ahead.


  • #755
    largepants
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 813 ✭✭✭largepants


    Hello again. Seems like there is a nice little crowd following this thread now which is fantastic. I'm on day 43 (I know this because I'm two days behind username) and feeling grand. Don't seem to have a huge issue with the drinking as I've been out every weekend for a few. The first few nights were hard enough but it has gotten easier since then. Getting into the running now as well so hopefully I can get this up too.

    However I don't know what I'd do without my chewing gum. Jeez I hope I don't get hooked on the gum now or it'll be chewing-gumaholics anonymous for me.


  • #756
    remembering
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 258 ✭✭remembering


    week 5 for me doing it cold turkey and roughly €250 saved in the piggy bank!! :O) off for a bit of a run now as im up a few pounds aswell, no pun intended!!! lol

    still finding the weekends very hard though, hopefully this will get better as every week passes, all tips welcome though how u get through them!! thanks and best wishes to everyone here..


  • Advertisement
  • #757
    sporina
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,126 ✭✭✭sporina


    largepants wrote: »
    Hello again. Seems like there is a nice little crowd following this thread now which is fantastic. I'm on day 43 (I know this because I'm two days behind username) and feeling grand. Don't seem to have a huge issue with the drinking as I've been out every weekend for a few. The first few nights were hard enough but it has gotten easier since then. Getting into the running now as well so hopefully I can get this up too.

    However I don't know what I'd do without my chewing gum. Jeez I hope I don't get hooked on the gum now or it'll be chewing-gumaholics anonymous for me.

    great largepants - LOVE your username BTW. I'm on day 29 (had to check that on quit.ie) and I too was worried about becoming addicted to gum. I was chewing like a good thing for a while there. I was even looking forward to a gum after my breakfast as thats one of the cigs I miss most. God dam it. But the gum was filling me up with air so not loving it either regardless of the addiction issue. I then bought mints yesterday, and got sick of them too as they were destroying my taste buds. Had neither gum or mints today and survived.

    God that all sounds so boring eh.
    We humans are such suckers for habits god dam it.

    On the up side I too have started exercising a lot more since quitting. Just back from a spinning class - I would never have done that while smoking - I feel more motivated now to be active - as a non smoker.

    Yeah to HEALTH!!


  • #758
    mrshappy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 84 ✭✭mrshappy


    Day 3 for me. I attempted so many times last year cold turkey and I just couldn't do it so went on the mid strenght patches - hope to ease off these sooner rather than later. Today is still the hardest day so far, trying to keep busy to stop myself from eating all day


  • #759
    celticcrash
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 850 ✭✭✭celticcrash


    Day 17 nearly finished.Had to grind through it some days, but it gets less of a struggle as days go by. My walks are getting longer and faster. This is my forth attempt since November. All I can do is try and try again. I cant face detox again, so this time its all out war. Hang in there everyone, it gets
    easier and easier as the days go by.


  • #760
    username123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    Hello everybody!
    Delighted to hear everyone doing so well!

    largepants - 2 days behind me lol, when we start counting it in months we will be equal, yeah?

    sporina - go and read the first few posts on your other thread - would you ever have thought youd have such success? Its amazing!

    For all those on things like the dreaded day 3 or having a hard day of it, stay strong, it definitely gets easier. And just remember how much nicer it is not to be chained to the nasty smelly expensive cancer sticks!

    I had a lot of dental work done, even ended up in A&E last week as a result of it - and still through it all, I didnt feel like a ciggie to take the edge off.

    So many comments have been made about my complexion and teeth that I became all full of good self esteem and started taking an extra 5 mins in the morning to put on a little eye liner, hence more comments, so my self esteem has taken a huge boost! Im spending ex-ciggie money on make up, shoes, books.........its nice to have a little extra in the purse!


  • #761
    phurryphace
    Closed Accounts Posts: 44 ✭phurryphace


    Took me three efforts to stop but finally I got so far that it would have been a shame to fail so now I'm 25yrs off them.


  • Advertisement
  • #762
    sporina
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,126 ✭✭✭sporina


    username123 wrote: »
    Hello everybody!
    Delighted to hear everyone doing so well!

    largepants - 2 days behind me lol, when we start counting it in months we will be equal, yeah?

    sporina - go and read the first few posts on your other thread - would you ever have thought youd have such success? Its amazing!

    For all those on things like the dreaded day 3 or having a hard day of it, stay strong, it definitely gets easier. And just remember how much nicer it is not to be chained to the nasty smelly expensive cancer sticks!

    I had a lot of dental work done, even ended up in A&E last week as a result of it - and still through it all, I didnt feel like a ciggie to take the edge off.

    So many comments have been made about my complexion and teeth that I became all full of good self esteem and started taking an extra 5 mins in the morning to put on a little eye liner, hence more comments, so my self esteem has taken a huge boost! Im spending ex-ciggie money on make up, shoes, books.........its nice to have a little extra in the purse!

    OMG - your sooo right - or even look at the thread i started in 2009!!!!!!!!! Just had a wee glance at it there and OMG. God, kinda had an Oprah moment if you know what I mean.. tear in my eye I tell you. I had not thought to look at them but now that I have done, its quite emotional actually!!!

    That was so sweet of you 123.. hope you are feeling better though - x keep up the fantastic work too!!!


  • #763
    username123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    Thats brilliant - an Oprah moment!
    Wow - your 2009 thread is even better!!

    Fair play to your Sporina, you had thought about it for a long long time before doing it, your whole mindset was in the right place from the start. In a couple of years time we can look back here and wonder what took us so long to stop eh? I thought about it for ages before doing it as well.

    Yippee - yaaaay us and all the quitters!!!


  • #764
    Boom_Bap
    Moderators, Music Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,734 Mod ✭✭✭✭Boom_Bap


    So I've stopped counting the days now, lets just say I havent smoked this year :)

    The cravings are a thing of the past.
    The longing is a thing of the past.
    The routine is a thing of the past.

    My one problem now is that the odd time while watching TV or something, I will see someone smoking and think that it looks really cool. And then I want a smoke just to try be that cool :cool:

    Some major things I have noted, I can smell smokers a mile away. I'm not disgusted by it, I'm not intrigued by it, I just can notice it now!

    I have nearly broken once which was the other day. I was waiting for an appointment to get a scan done on my back and my nerves got to me. But I resisted and went through with the appointment......now I'm just waiting to see if I have a fracture in a vertibrae :eek:


  • #765
    Pulsating Star
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 702 ✭✭✭Pulsating Star


    Boom_Bap wrote: »

    My one problem now is that the odd time while watching TV or something, I will see someone smoking and think that it looks really cool. And then I want a smoke just to try be that cool :cool:
    :

    I went to see "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (a film not a friend unfortunately ) and thought it would have been torture had it been in my early days of giving up. (Very good film imo btw.)


  • #766
    username123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    Boom_Bap wrote: »
    My one problem now is that the odd time while watching TV or something, I will see someone smoking and think that it looks really cool. And then I want a smoke just to try be that cool :cool:

    I think the opposite. I was in traffic yesterday and a woman walked by smoking and I thought 'poor woman - still chained to those yokes'.

    I was at a concert on saturday night and I joyfully did not have to puff away until the last second before taking my seat, or ruin the interval by trying to squeeze through the crowds to stand out in the cold. Afterwards when we were leaving there was a man smoking and it smelt quite nice actually - but when I looked again it was a thin cigar type thing as opposed to an ordinary cigarette.

    Oh joy to not have to stand on pavements in the city centre being harrassed by roma gypsies and junkies while trying to have a quick puff to appease the nicotine monster.


  • #767
    sporina
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,126 ✭✭✭sporina


    username123 wrote: »
    Thats brilliant - an Oprah moment!
    Wow - your 2009 thread is even better!!

    Fair play to your Sporina, you had thought about it for a long long time before doing it, your whole mindset was in the right place from the start. In a couple of years time we can look back here and wonder what took us so long to stop eh? I thought about it for ages before doing it as well.

    Yippee - yaaaay us and all the quitters!!!

    thanks - well fingers crossed it will continue.
    You know I promised myself that I would not do the whole "why on earth didn't I quit sooner?" mantra, mainly because it shining a negative light on the whole issue and anyway the reality is, that it took me this long get into the right frame of mind. But also, things are quite steady in my life right now so I guess that helps. I was under no sort of pressure when I quit - there were no problems, no significant birthdays or weddings or holidays nearing.


  • #768
    username123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    sporina wrote: »
    ........the reality is, that it took me this long get into the right frame of mind.

    I feel the same way. Id been thinking and thinking and thinking, but that wasnt being ready.

    Im also in a stable period of life, plus socially I wouldnt go out a lot - especially in January, and when I do I am not in many situations where smoking is 'easy', I dont really have many friends left who smoke and its become so socially unacceptable that its actually been more difficult to smoke than not!

    Im also getting to that age where it was quit or turn into Dot Cotton - for me that was huge. I hadnt really noticed any negative health impacts but I HAD noticed over xmas when in groups of people my own age, that I was starting to look a little more lined - I was developing the smokers lines on the mouth - faint - but there. Vanity is as good a reason as any - mind you, if thats what the outside was looking like - what was the inside looking like - I shudder to think, at least now things have a chance to recover - although my face wont be getting any younger, at least Im not helping it age faster!


  • #769
    Vudgie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 869 ✭✭✭Vudgie


    I have had sinus issues for a number of years (blocked nose etc) which I always blamed on smoking (or at least for making it worse). I quit about 11 days ago or so and I have not noticed any improvment at all (Yet!!).

    In fact I have had what I would describe as a 'smoke smell' in my nose ever since.

    I know these things take time to repair and improve, and that everyone is different, but does anyone have any experience of this since they quit and how long did it take to improve.

    While I am loving being free of cigarettes, I really feel that a tangiable improvement in my sense of smell, taste, sinus issues etc will seal the deal for me completely.


  • #770
    username123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    Vudgie, I have sinus issues as well and quitting hasnt changed that unfortunately!! Maybe a small bit of improvement, but as Im currently on steroids after a bad flare up last week (not smoking related at all), its hard for me to tell. I think thats more something Ill look back on after a year and judge as there would always be times where things are grand for a while and vice versa. I would think the body takes time to improve things like that as well.

    On sense of smell - check out this post from me:
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=76561005&postcount=655

    I can confirm that a week or so later I stopped thinking things were off but my sense of smell was definitely better, and remains so. So from around Day 15/16 through to around Day 23/24 that change happened for me. I am tasting food more - its subtle though, I was expecting a big burst of flavour like being in Willy Wonkas Chocolate Factory, its not like that, its more like the difference between tinned food and fresh food. Everything just tastes a little fresher.

    I was disappointed as well that it wasnt all more dramatic.

    Heres one for you to check thats definitely started improving already - have a look and feel of your teeth/gums - mine started showing mega improvement by Day 10. And your complexion - mine was less 'grey'.


  • #771
    Vudgie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 869 ✭✭✭Vudgie


    username123 wrote: »
    Vudgie, I have sinus issues as well and quitting hasnt changed that unfortunately!! Maybe a small bit of improvement, but as Im currently on steroids after a bad flare up last week (not smoking related at all), its hard for me to tell. I think thats more something Ill look back on after a year and judge as there would always be times where things are grand for a while and vice versa. I would think the body takes time to improve things like that as well.

    On sense of smell - check out this post from me:
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=76561005&postcount=655

    I can confirm that a week or so later I stopped thinking things were off but my sense of smell was definitely better, and remains so. So from around Day 15/16 through to around Day 23/24 that change happened for me. I am tasting food more - its subtle though, I was expecting a big burst of flavour like being in Willy Wonkas Chocolate Factory, its not like that, its more like the difference between tinned food and fresh food. Everything just tastes a little fresher.

    I was disappointed as well that it wasnt all more dramatic.

    Heres one for you to check thats definitely started improving already - have a look and feel of your teeth/gums - mine started showing mega improvement by Day 10. And your complexion - mine was less 'grey'.

    Thanks for the input, much appreciated. I did notice my teeth last week it felt like they had been polished or something!!!

    I quit smoking for 2 years but I went back on them in 2007 (hating every minute of it since if I am honest), but I do remember walking through Stephen's Green when I quit before and almost being over powered by the smell of the flowers (it was summer!) and food tasting dramatically better...I suppose it is something to look forward to. I can't remember how long it took the last time so maybe I am being hard on myself.

    I have almost stopped counting days at this stage and it honestly feels (at times) that I never smoked...though this is obviously the positive brainwshing that you actually give nothing up other than nicotine through quitting smoking.

    I will keep the updates coming as I found that understanding the processes in advance really helped me two weeks ago.


  • Advertisement
  • #772
    Love2love
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,257 ✭✭✭Love2love


    Day 15! Woop!!!

    I can't believe that I don't smoke anymore!!! It just seems really hard to believe and I still class myself as a smoker!

    Desire to smoke has gone for the most part but I dream about them every night! I can smell a cig a mile away and still love that smell! Can't wait until I absolutely detest the things! Finding it rather easy at the moment as I was the last of a dying breed (pardon the pun) as most of my friends/family have given up.

    My dad still calls me everyday and asks me how I am doing - love telling him that I am still off them! He is buying me something nice when I get to the month mark!


  • #773
    username123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    Vudgie thats great about your teeth - amazing how much nicotine we were laying down on the gnashers daily eh? I like to drop in and post updates too, it helped me to read them, and still does actually - despite feeling fine about it all and not needing 'support' as such at this stage, I still like to sort of marvel that Im off them with people who understand!

    Well done Love2love - 15 days in thats brilliant, I have not dreamed about smoking in a while now actually, Id forgotten about that.


  • #774
    quaalude
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,198 ✭✭✭quaalude


    username123 wrote: »
    I like to drop in and post updates too, it helped me to read them, and still does actually - despite feeling fine about it all and not needing 'support' as such at this stage, I still like to sort of marvel that Im off them with people who understand!

    Same here, username123 - it helps me to re-read my old posts.
    I'm off them 5 weeks tomorrow, feeling fine.

    I've become super sensitive to the smell when someone lights up near me - and I find it revolting. Shocked to think I used to walk around, making the same smell! It's certainly making it easier to not want one when I'm talking to a smoker.


  • #775
    GastroBoy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 863 ✭✭✭GastroBoy


    Hi All!

    Day 6 off them, cold turkey.
    Im actually doing pretty well, I can see a craving for what it is and let it pass.
    Im not, however, so sure about the weekend!!
    Im expected to go for a few drinks tonight and tomorrow night.
    I've smoked longer then i have drank so it may be tough to have a pint and not smoke.

    Tips anyone?


  • #776
    mud
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,699 ✭✭✭mud


    Stick to soft drinks if you think you're not ready for pints without fags maybe?

    Or, just don't go out for cigs with your mates, I avoided the pub for a month or so at first then I was over the worst of it and can now quite happily sit in a smoking area and not be a bit bothered by the rotten smoke!


  • #777
    username123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    quaalude wrote: »
    I've become super sensitive to the smell when someone lights up near me - and I find it revolting. Shocked to think I used to walk around, making the same smell! It's certainly making it easier to not want one when I'm talking to a smoker.

    Well done quaalude!!! You know, I havent been in the company of a smoker since I quit - amazing really, but its down to smoking areas being outside and none of my friends smoking in the homes.

    Gastroboy - I wouldnt have been able to go for drinks in the early days, as it happens I havent been for a drink yet, 48 days in!
    I wouldnt have felt I was giving myself a chance to drink in the early days of it, the battle is hard enough without making it harder, if I were in your shoes Id leave off the pub for a couple of weeks to give yourself a chance.


  • #778
    quaalude
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,198 ✭✭✭quaalude


    It's interesting - the notion of finding it really hard to not smoke when boozing.
    I was really worried about it before I quit - I thought I'd have one sip then cave instantly.

    But, as it turns out, I'm happy just drinking - you're with your friends, it's fun, your hands are busy, plus it's bad for you!

    I'm much more likely to want a fag at a different sort of time - like when I'm in work, feeling in need of a distraction for a few minutes, and wanting a break.


  • #779
    username123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,484 ✭✭✭username123


    quaalude wrote: »
    It's interesting - the notion of finding it really hard to not smoke when boozing.
    I was really worried about it before I quit - I thought I'd have one sip then cave instantly.

    Ive been worried about it too.

    Im actually going out for dinner tonight and will be having 2 or 3 glasses of wine, so that will be the most amount of alcohol Ive had yet, Ill see how that goes - I think itll be ok, because its just me and hubby going, and I used to hate having to leave him alone at the table while I went alone outside for a puff (I still did it mind you!!).

    Ive been dying to have a drink out tbh, but due to recent dental issues causing other health problems Ive missed out the past 2 or 3 weekends where I would have planned to have a drink out :(


  • #780
    quaalude
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,198 ✭✭✭quaalude


    username123 wrote: »
    Ive been worried about it too.

    Im actually going out for dinner tonight and will be having 2 or 3 glasses of wine, so that will be the most amount of alcohol Ive had yet, Ill see how that goes - I think itll be ok, because its just me and hubby going, and I used to hate having to leave him alone at the table while I went alone outside for a puff (I still did it mind you!!).

    Ive been dying to have a drink out tbh, but due to recent dental issues causing other health problems Ive missed out the past 2 or 3 weekends where I would have planned to have a drink out :(

    I'm sorry to hear about your recent health problems, username123. I hope you have a lovely dinner and a great time tonight - you've earned it - and I'm sure you won't miss the fags a bit.

    On a related note, I've found that wine actually tastes nicer now, I've found it more flavoursome and complex since I'm no longer smoking - must be my taste buds growing back since getting off the smokey yokes.


  • Advertisement
  • #781
    remembering
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 258 ✭✭remembering


    im off them nearly 6 weeks and before i quit i had 2 really sensitive teeth when i was brushing them, dont know if its coincidence but that has all stopped since i stopped smoking!!! yeaaaaaaaaaaaaah :O)

    great site and i love reading all the different posts aswell :O)
    still find the weekends tough, hopefully this will pass with every week!! :O)


Advertisement