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Sporina's Quitlog

2

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    day 75!!! Yeah!!! I am so happy to be an ex smoker. Those of you who have been reading will remember my fear of going out and the risk of smoking? Well the other night I went out with a lot of smokers. No doubt I was anxious. At the start of the night when they started to pair off to go out to smoke, I felt I was missing out by not smoking. But it was just a thought. I have really learned to separate those toxic thoughts from rational thoughts. This process of quitting has been very therapeutic actually.

    So I didn't smoke - but I think the risk will always be there. And I am a little annoyed that I will always have to battle this. Or maybe I won't. I am still on the patches after all. 2 more weeks left on them. Things might be different in another 2 months.

    I think my teeth are whiter - or is that my imagination?? he he - perhaps!!

    I really hate the stale smell of smoke now though… yuk!


  • Registered Users Posts: 38 MaryMaryMary


    Day 37 for me now! Can't believe how far I have come! Now I won't lie and say it was all plain sailing- there were situations where I wanted to smoke but I didn't give me!
    I have found I am eating alot more but have replaced the biscuits with fruit and gave tried my best to get out for walks!
    Well done to everyone on this thread! We are proof that you can quit when the determination is in you!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    day ?? .. well its 3 months 2 weeks and 2 days… and I am one week off the patches so officially 1 week Nicotine free!!!!

    I was really worried about coming off the patches but I have not noticed any cravings or anything…

    i am sooooo thrilled!!

    And a girl at work told me yesterday that she had stopped also - just 5 days ago. And I felt like giving her a hug!! Was soo proud of her. And she needs to quit - she is a lot older than me and smoked 40/day. :::eek:

    long live BEING SMOKE FREE:)


  • Registered Users Posts: 16 Honest Bob


    Hi Sporina,

    Congrats so far.

    Day 60 for myself at the moment. Not quite the battle as before but the demon is still lurking and waiting to pounce during a moment of weakness.
    I cant believe that I haven't smoked in 2 months and having these boards to recall is great as I can see and read from other people that most of us are all going through the same experiences.

    Here's to the next 60 days.

    All the best

    HB


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,208 ✭✭✭coco_lola


    Day Two for me only - I decided yesterday I just didn't want to smoke any more. Work is not so bad, I get an odd itch around lunch time (just after I've eaten), at home is fine because my housemate doesn't smoke. It's in the car that kills me. I drive for an hour in traffic every day and that's when I would have smoked. Will have to find something else to do!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    hi all, been off the smokes now since Jan 16th!!!

    Still delighted with myself. I know I look better on the outside so I guess I must be starting to get better on the inside.

    And I had a very tragic personal situation to deal with last week; I thought I would cave in. And so many were smoking around me.
    It was like, there was a part of my head wanted a fag, and then there was something inside me wanted one. And then in the heel of the reel, the smell out me right off them. Era I do not think I would have done it anyway.

    But last weekend I was out and I so had it in my head to smoke. I even had a plan to rob one of my OH'S smokes.. but I did not - thanks god.

    I wonder if I am always going to have to battle it this hard when drunk/upset?

    So delighted to still be off them.. I do not think that I would have wanted to ever wake up again, had I smoked; I would have been soo disgusted with myself.

    Thanks all for reading - I love boards for this forum alone!

    Best of luck to ye all!!!

    xx S


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,364 ✭✭✭campo


    I am on day 10 and I feel great being off them the cravings are beginning to wean away but there is still times when I feel like I should be doing something and dont know know what to do with myself it that makes sense ( O/H is delighted as I always seem to be cleaning dishes or something now to keep me occupied ) but the worse thing so far has to be the mouth ulcers I have developed since quitting smoking, has anyone else gone through this and if so how long did they last


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    OMG Yes I got mouth ulcers for ages…

    and to make matters worse, I was chewing chewing gum for a while and I bit my tongue once.. was so sore for ages.

    I just gargled salt and water for the ulcers;

    they are all gone now:)


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


    hey sporina - great to hear you are still on the winning team (with me lol!).

    Very sorry to hear about your tragic personal situation - the good to take from it is that you didnt smoke, and even though there was a mental struggle, you got the better of it. Life will always have tragedies and upset to throw at us, so we must stay strong in the face of adversity.

    I must be turning into a 'real' non smoker now, I had an exam today and the minute I walked into the exam room I could smell a horrible fug of stinkiness - yes, some dirty smoker ;) in the room, permeating it with a smelly aroma of ashtray!!

    I just thought - well at least this year it isnt me.

    Seriously - did we really smell like that? Every DAY?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 29 ezryder


    Hi Sporina,

    I quit 17th Jan so i'm 1 day behind you and still off them thank God!! They kinda pop in and out of my head every now and again but no real cravings at this stage.

    Whenever Im in a stressed out situation i just think a fag right now would make this 100% worse!!

    Yes, i had coldsores too but their gone now, seriously not a good look!

    Here's to the next 4 months :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    ezryder wrote: »
    Hi Sporina,

    I quit 17th Jan so i'm 1 day behind you and still off them thank God!! They kinda pop in and out of my head every now and again but no real cravings at this stage.

    Whenever Im in a stressed out situation i just think a fag right now would make this 100% worse!!

    Yes, i had coldsores too but their gone now, seriously not a good look!

    Here's to the next 4 months :)

    oh wow - that is sooo cool.

    and the above highlighted is such a good way to look at it! The guilt afterwards would be worse than the stress you experienced initially.

    best of luck and keep us posted..

    I had an urge today but it was only cos someone was annoying me at work.. but the thought did not last long in my head..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    yeah…… been off them since jan 16th!! i no longer fear smoking when out anymore either which is a relief..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    happy 6 months smoke free to me… :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,540 ✭✭✭Vizzy


    sporina wrote: »
    happy 6 months smoke free to me… :)

    Well done and congratulations.:)


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


    sporina wrote: »
    happy 6 months smoke free to me… :)

    Happy 6 month smoke free anniversary to you, happy 6 month smoke free anniversary to you, happy 6 month smoke free anniversary dear sporina......happy 6 month smoke free anniversary to you!! Hip hip, hooray!!!


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  • Registered Users Posts: 29 ezryder


    sporina wrote: »
    happy 6 months smoke free to me… :)

    Whoo hoo!!! Massive congrats Sporina...i've my 6 months anniversary today!

    It feels great doesn't it :D:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    going on holiday with a smoker in september.. THAT will be a realllll test!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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


    sporina wrote: »
    going on holiday with a smoker in september.. THAT will be a realllll test!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Oooh - a real smoker? A dying breed ;)

    Is it more than just you and the smoker? Easier if it is.
    Is it a country that is tolerant of smoking indoors etc? Harder if so.
    Is it a holiday where you will be outdoors a lot? Easier if so.

    Was actually talking to my OH about this the other night, I dont socialise with any smokers. Not on purpose!! The last bastion of smoking was myself and one other friend and she quit too. I was in a pub last week and we were just saying how horrible pubs must have been before the smoking ban, I mean I wouldnt have a clue, I was contributing to the general fug plenty myself!!

    Im sure you will be fine on holidays, you might even encourage your friend to quit by example.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    so i gave up on Jan 16.. and like i said, I went on hols from September 21st - 28th.
    I failed.. I robbed a fag from my mate while she was asleep.. I was v v drunk and I went out to the balcony and lit it.. I only took a few drags of it before stumping it out.. I didn't enjoy it at all..

    I do not know why I did it… it was that voice again I think…. there were so many smoking around me. I thought I was missing out on something but I was not..

    I do not really feel Like I broke my pledge because I did not finish the cig nor did I enjoy it..

    any thoughts?


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


    If all you did was light one and then get rid and youre still off them now then what harm?

    No failure.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭AgileMyth


    Wouldn't be worried about it. If anything its just something else to remember next time you consider taking a drag.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    thanks ya'll..

    but i was off them for soo long…

    i need to go on another holiday and not smoke in order to get over this..

    :mad:

    so am i off them nearly 9 months or 1 week?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,540 ✭✭✭Vizzy


    sporina wrote: »
    thanks ya'll..

    but i was off them for soo long…

    i need to go on another holiday and not smoke in order to get over this..

    :mad:

    so am i off them nearly 9 months or 1 week?

    How long do you feel you are off them ????














    Thats how long you are off them !!


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


    sporina wrote: »
    so am i off them nearly 9 months or 1 week?

    If someone told you they had never smoked in their life except once on holidays when they were drunk they had a few drags then stubbed it out, would you consider they had ever been a smoker?


  • Registered Users Posts: 16 Honest Bob


    Hi Sporina,

    Dont beat yourself up about this. So,you've had half a cigarette in 9 months. I'd say 12 months ago you would have taken that.

    The important thing is not to smoke again the next day. Remember the reasons you quit in the first place. I'm sure we all dream about taking just one more smoke no matter how long we are off them. I over 7 months off them and nearly everyday I still get the odd twinge for a smoke.

    As far as I'm concerned you didn't fall off the horse,the saddle just slipped a bit!!

    Keep it going,

    HB


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    Honest Bob wrote: »
    Hi Sporina,

    Dont beat yourself up about this. So,you've had half a cigarette in 9 months. I'd say 12 months ago you would have taken that.

    The important thing is not to smoke again the next day. Remember the reasons you quit in the first place. I'm sure we all dream about taking just one more smoke no matter how long we are off them. I over 7 months off them and nearly everyday I still get the odd twinge for a smoke.

    As far as I'm concerned you didn't fall off the horse,the saddle just slipped a bit!!

    Keep it going,

    HB

    excellent metaphor.. keep me coming..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    as time goes by i do not think i see this as me giving it…

    i thought i was missing out on something by not smoking.

    but when i let the cig i realised that i was not missing out on anything.. quite the contrary..

    i have a wedding coming up soon so that will be a test also - one i will pass though me thinks.

    perhaps i got the curiosity out of my system.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    Hi Folks, I feel of the wagon - been smoking about 18 mths... only 5 a day but none the less...

    Anyway today is DAY 1 of quitting again.
    I have the Nicorette inhaler..
    I tried the gum and it made my jaw click and tummy sick..
    I don't smoke enough for patches...

    Gosh my head is not in the quitting place at all but there is a huge part of me that wants to quit..

    But even as I type I can feel the addiction gnawing at me...

    Gosh how I regret ever lighting that first fag..

    Words of wisdom, encouragement folks please??? xx


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 373 ✭✭ibstar


    sporina wrote: »
    Hi Folks, I feel of the wagon - been smoking about 18 mths... only 5 a day but none the less...

    Anyway today is DAY 1 of quitting again.
    I have the Nicorette inhaler..
    I tried the gum and it made my jaw click and tummy sick..
    I don't smoke enough for patches...

    Gosh my head is not in the quitting place at all but there is a huge part of me that wants to quit..

    But even as I type I can feel the addiction gnawing at me...

    Gosh how I regret ever lighting that first fag..

    Words of wisdom, encouragement folks please??? xx

    I send this to everyone who is on the line between decisions

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXsQAXx_ao0


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    thanks for that..

    been off them 5 days now,,, the 2nd day was the hardest so far - felt really down..

    the mornings are the hardest

    was at a party at the weekend; i thought that that would be a challenge but there were no smokers there..


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,807 ✭✭✭✭Orion


    Keep it up sporina. Day 3 is the hardest. Then it will come hard when you least expect it. Stay strong.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    Orion wrote: »
    Keep it up sporina. Day 3 is the hardest. Then it will come hard when you least expect it. Stay strong.

    thanks for that...

    I was out at the weekend and smoked 1.. and to my astonishment, I enjoyed it. I was surprised as, I usually don't actually enjoy smoking,.. it was always like, I got this notion to have one, but then when I lit it, I would not actually want it.

    But on Friday night, I smoked a whole one I one go (normally I only smoke half at a time).

    I am still off them though.. I don't get any major pangs, though I am using an inhaler..

    My smoking addiction is weird - its like, Its just something for me to give me time out or something.. or maybe I am kidding myself - maybe Alan Carr is right - its just an addiction.

    I am eating more though... but I have lots of fruit in the house so I am not too worried about that.. and anyway smoking is worse than gaining a few pounds,. and luckily enough, I can afford to gain a bit.

    The main imminent reason why I wanna stop smoking is for my teeth.. I have some gum inflammation; smoking causes/exacerbates this.


  • Registered Users Posts: 42 dartsplayer


    i'm off the smokes 6 months, i had one lapse of a few smokes when i was a bit messed up from drinking too much, but since that about 4 months ago none. the first few days very hard to beat but believe me it get's easier. i hardly even think of them now. first of all you'll have to really want to give them up then it's beating the first few days and not smoking this may take a few attempts LOL. i used nicorette inhaler, when ever i wanted a smoke i had a spray of that, its takes a few seconds to take effect but that is all, and then your urge is gone. and only do it when your desperate for a smoke. i don't mean your crawling the walls but you really need a cig then go for a spray you'll know yourself don't have a spray because it's lunchtime and you always have a smoke at lunch time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    i'm off the smokes 6 months, i had one lapse of a few smokes when i was a bit messed up from drinking too much, but since that about 4 months ago none. the first few days very hard to beat but believe me it get's easier. i hardly even think of them now. first of all you'll have to really want to give them up then it's beating the first few days and not smoking this may take a few attempts LOL. i used nicorette inhaler, when ever i wanted a smoke i had a spray of that, its takes a few seconds to take effect but that is all, and then your urge is gone. and only do it when your desperate for a smoke. i don't mean your crawling the walls but you really need a cig then go for a spray you'll know yourself don't have a spray because it's lunchtime and you always have a smoke at lunch time.

    hi thanks for that - i was at a wedding at the weekend and fell off the wagon.. tried again today but fell; i bought a pack.. i will try again after this pack .. I am using the inhaler... its kinda hard to inhale? how do you know when its empty btw?


  • Registered Users Posts: 42 dartsplayer


    mine sprays liquid into your mouth, it has an acidic taste, i never finished a bottle so it never ran out. I have about six bottles at home unopened that the pharmacy wont take back as they class it as a medicine, anyway; The best time to give up is when you feel the urge to give up and do it straight away, just break your smokes and throw them in a bin outside your house. i used to always say to myself i'll give up after this packet. but anytime i did that i didnt have the same feeling to give up the smokes at the end of the packet that i did on that instant that i wanted to give up its 10 euro for a pack, so you feel your being cheated but in fairness it's 10 euro for your health, not too expensive LoL. if you don't really feel like it don't force yourself to give up, it never works. the urge may take days it may take weeks but it will return


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    I totally flopped - I stayed off them for two weeks only.

    I just had my last cigarette there - so tomorrow is day 1 again.

    I am not totally in the mind frame but I have so many reasons why I want to give up.
    Here goes again.
    Wish me luck.


  • Registered Users Posts: 546 ✭✭✭ja1986


    Any updates sporina?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    yep i fell and hurt my jaw a week ago - realised the other day that smoking was making it worse so not smoked since Wednesday ...

    It is easier knowing that I have an imminent reason not too.. no idea where my head is at long term though


  • Registered Users Posts: 546 ✭✭✭ja1986


    sporina wrote: »
    yep i fell and hurt my jaw a week ago - realised the other day that smoking was making it worse so not smoked since Wednesday ...

    It is easier knowing that I have an imminent reason not too.. no idea where my head is at long term though

    Oh God I hope u feel better soon. I would have been off them a month since last Friday but iv bought 3 boxes since then so I can't say iv given up really . I used smoke 20 a day. The Times I bought the cigs I was having a really really stressful day so I need to channel that stress a different way. Patches ready to go for tomorrow anyway.
    Good luck.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    ja1986 wrote: »
    Oh God I hope u feel better soon. I would have been off them a month since last Friday but iv bought 3 boxes since then so I can't say iv given up really . I used smoke 20 a day. The Times I bought the cigs I was having a really really stressful day so I need to channel that stress a different way. Patches ready to go for tomorrow anyway.
    Good luck.

    awe thanks and you too - awful awful addiction - so addictive!!! grrrr....:mad::mad::mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,821 ✭✭✭fussyonion


    I've been smoking about 13 cigs a day for the past fifteen years.

    Didn't enter my head to try and quit but I drank way too much Saturday night and woke up feeling rough.

    As per usual when hungover, I made it through til afternoon before I felt I wanted a cig but something stopped me.
    At the same time, I felt a cold coming on.

    So it's been 43 hours since my last cig.
    I don't know if it's cos I'm ill, but I've had zero physical cravings.

    I have had the odd thought: "Think I'll have a cig now", but that was definitely out if habit.

    I am worried I won't have the willpower to carry on being smoke-free and the thought of having an alcoholic drink frightens me cos I know my cravings for cigs are at their peak when booze is involved.

    The main lure for quitting is the cost, to be honest.
    I buy the 25packs and at €13 a pop, I can't really afford it.

    Sickens me to think how much it's costing.
    I am also so paranoid about fag breath and what it's doing to my health.

    I would love to stay off them but only time will tell.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    sporina wrote: »
    awe thanks and you too - awful awful addiction - so addictive!!! grrrr....:mad::mad::mad:

    i failed again - and i have to say i am enjoying them.. i know the price and risks etc.. but man they are so addictive - i am thinking of trying hypnosis - anyone had success with hypnosis?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,821 ✭✭✭fussyonion


    Every ten or fifteen mins I keep thinking "Time for a smoke" then I think: "Oh no I dont smoke".
    My mind is being devious too cos I have three 25packs on the shelf and the devil on my shoulder is saying: "Why dont you smoke those and give up after?".

    The thing is..I feel I'm blessed having this cold at the mo because I've had zero cravings since I stopped two nights ago.

    I feel if I quit without a cold, I'd have given in by now.

    Also, I've told nobody I've done this, not even my other half and he hasn't noticed my not smoking. He most likely thinks I've cut down cos I'm sick.
    I don't want to tell him I've quit...or anyone...because I feel that's putting pressure on me.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,821 ✭✭✭fussyonion


    I caved.
    But the spur of the moment decision I made (even though I didnt last long) has actually made me sit up and think I do want to quit.

    Before, the thought never entered my brain.
    I've set a quit date for January and I have Champix here and I think I'll be more prepared this way.


  • Registered Users Posts: 33 headoverheels


    fussyonion wrote: »
    Every ten or fifteen mins I keep thinking "Time for a smoke" then I think: "Oh no I dont smoke".
    My mind is being devious too cos I have three 25packs on the shelf and the devil on my shoulder is saying: "Why dont you smoke those and give up after?".

    The thing is..I feel I'm blessed having this cold at the mo because I've had zero cravings since I stopped two nights ago.

    I feel if I quit without a cold, I'd have given in by now.

    Also, I've told nobody I've done this, not even my other half and he hasn't noticed my not smoking. He most likely thinks I've cut down cos I'm sick.
    I don't want to tell him I've quit...or anyone...because I feel that's putting pressure on



    This is me at the the moment.. have been battling a nasty cold and chest infection for a week now.
    I don't usually smoke when I'm sick as I've no mind for them but I have gone a full week without even craving a cig.

    I dread the thought of feeling better in case I go crazy and make up for lost time and smoke 60 in a row!

    This is my 3rd attempt at quitting having tried nearly everything..

    I once lasted 2 months off them,I was doing great but I'll admit I didn't sleep properly for weeks I couldn't rest in bed and lay awake most nights knowing my body was missing something.. I eventually caved in from pure annoyance and tiredness..but I didn't feel any better afterwards.

    It's a dreadful addiction really.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    ok quitting again today....

    tbh still love smoking - or my nicotine addiction does.. but health is my motivation here - a specific health reason which i won't go into..

    i only smoke about 5/day.. i am a weird smoker.. love the first one in the morn.. don't even smoke a whole one at a time.. only half..

    but i have to quit - i am hoping that if i can just get the nicotine to leave my system then the cravings will stop - morning and when i get home from work are the worst times..

    I have inhalers - not using patches.. planning to use mindfulness..

    so wish me luck...

    oh i am also on the HSE quit website


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,821 ✭✭✭fussyonion


    sporina wrote: »
    ok quitting again today....

    tbh still love smoking - or my nicotine addiction does.. but health is my motivation here - a specific health reason which i won't go into..

    i only smoke about 5/day.. i am a weird smoker.. love the first one in the morn.. don't even smoke a whole one at a time.. only half..

    but i have to quit - i am hoping that if i can just get the nicotine to leave my system then the cravings will stop - morning and when i get home from work are the worst times..

    I have inhalers - not using patches.. planning to use mindfulness..

    so wish me luck...

    oh i am also on the HSE quit website

    I'm off them just over 3 weeks now and I basically just came off them.

    I had gone out for a drink on the Sunday night, smoked my brains out, woke up Monday and didn't fancy a cig til around 4pm.

    This wouldn't have been unusual for me; I could go hours without a smoke and not crave one.

    Then it got to evening time and I had still only had that one cig and thought "Why don't I just stop smoking?"

    I was sick of the smell and the cost. It was costing me €40 a week; frankly it's money I don't really have.

    I was sick of the health implications; I'm a gym fiend and smoking meant I was being held back on a lot of stuff, in particular running.
    Embarrassingly I could only run for a minute before stopping. I was that breathless.

    I just felt there were more pros than cons to quitting.
    I bought a cheap vape pen from the local vaping stand in my nearest shopping centre (bought 12mg nicotine/menthol flavour juice) and used it every now and again in the first few days.

    On my first night drinking in the house I used the vape a few times but nowhere near the amount of times I'd have had a ciggie.
    Last Thursday I went out; first night out since quitting and it didn't bother me.

    Used the vape three times.
    Didn't envy the smokers in the beer garden. I actually kept thinking "I'm so lucky I'm finding this easy. I'm so relieved I've quit."

    I kept thinking of how my health was improving; after only a few days I was able to run for four minutes non-stop!
    What really kept me going was thinking of how I'd feel if I went back on the cigs.

    I'd be disgusted. And I was enjoying this new smoke-free me too much to go back.

    I also downloaded the SmokeFree app to my phone and it tells you how long you've been off them, how much you've saved and for me the best bit; how your health is improving.
    It's been great.

    It's now been four days since I used the vape pen.
    I don't think about smoking at all and I only really get a craving when I drink; it's not a mad craving, just a fancying for a vape and it comes in handy, though I still only take the odd puff through the evening.

    During the day/week when I'm not drinking, I find I don't need the pen.

    I do think if you really don't want to smoke anymore and you tell yourself it's the best thing you can do, you can do it.
    Tell yourself you're a non-smoker. Believe you are stronger than cigarettes.

    I also strongly recommend you distract yourself when you get a craving.

    I really enjoyed reading about your journey, Sporina and I know you can do this again!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    So... here we go again.. didn't last v long the last time at all..

    But I am off them 28 days today..

    This time I have quit for medical reasons.. and I am using the quick mist.. (not a fan of it but it helps with the cravings)..

    So.. I am succeeding so far but only because I know that its really not good for my health but especially a medical condition that I have....

    Thing is, I still want to smoke.. I wish I didn't.. I'd love to get into that mind frame..

    I was off them for 2 years at a time - 2 different periods... but when I quit then, I did it off my own free will - I didn't want cigarettes to have control over me.. so it was easier in a way..

    I am not in that head space now.. I still want to smoke - whereas then, I didn't..

    So I feel now that I could fail so easily - because my foundation is not strong enough..

    Any tips appreciated on how to think/feel differently about smoking ie: change from they are not my friend - they are the enemy!! grr


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,964 ✭✭✭Cherry Blossom


    I read Allen Carr’s book. It was really helpful for that last push to get off the nicotine. I also did meditations and quit smoking hypnosis videos at night when going to sleep. There are lots free of charge on YouTube. Any time I tried using nrt it did not work for me. It does for a lot of people though so whatever works for you. You are obviously doing something right if you are nearly month off them though so keep on doing what your doing. The hse say that if you have quit for 28 days you are 5 times more likely to quit for good.

    I will say it’s ok to mix and match different quit methods. I did everything that I thought helped.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,940 ✭✭✭sporina


    I read Allen Carr’s book. It was really helpful for that last push to get off the nicotine. I also did meditations and quit smoking hypnosis videos at night when going to sleep. There are lots free of charge on YouTube. Any time I tried using nrt it did not work for me. It does for a lot of people though so whatever works for you. You are obviously doing something right if you are nearly month off them though so keep on doing what your doing. The hse say that if you have quit for 28 days you are 5 times more likely to quit for good.

    I will say it’s ok to mix and match different quit methods. I did everything that I thought helped.

    hi ya thanks for the post and the youtube tip.. are you still smoke free?
    I read Alan Carr's book in the past - it worked for me at one stage - then not at another.. might give it another go...
    I am off them 28 days now.. well - tbh - the reason I have managed so far is really just to do with my health..
    I also have a smoking cessation counsellor who calls me every week and tbh she is fantastic!!!!
    I realised today that what I miss most about smoking is the "friendship".. they wer my friend.. I only smoked at home - on the qt.. time out with my "friend"... so now that I recognise that - I can separate that from me actually wanting to smoke..
    Cig's are NOT my friend!
    The automatic thought it still there - esp in times of stress - but I am hoping it will diminish - it feels less even now tbh..
    I must be strong


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