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First Day Here, 5 Days Smoke Free Cancel The title field is required!

1. rml2019

   

   8 posts
   Registered:
   24 Jan 2019
   24 Jan 2019

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   Good morning, everyone! On January 20th, I woke up with the urge to smoke but lo and behold we were snowed in and I was down to my last cigarette. First thing I did was panic, second thing was to make a decision. 
   I have tried to quit off and on throughout my 40 plus years of smoking. I have had successes and have failed. The fact that I am here and trying once again, proves any previous attempts eventually failed. I DO NOT WANT TO FAIL this time... I'm tired of breathing problems, smelling of smoke, trying to find a place to smoke and spending lots of money on something that is hurting me. Its time!!!
   I had my last cigarette at 9 pm on Jan. 19th. I still have that one cigarette in the house which I will admit almost got lit a few times. But so far I haven't succumb to it. Going into my 5th day, I thought I would have started to feel a bit better, with less withdrawal but today is already hell and that is what initiated my joining this forum. I realize, I need help and support which isn't always available from the people we live with, friends etc.
   Thanks for listening and wish me success in my goal to finally be smoke free!!
   
   
2. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   24 Jan 2019 in reply to rml2019

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   rml2019,
   
   Congrats on deciding to quit.  
   
   Sounds like you are going cold turkey (I did the same) and you should start to see the nicotine withdrawal symptoms start to reduce soon. Been there, done that - a few weeks ago. I'm on week 3 now and feeling much better since end of week 1, so hang in there. 
   
   On about Day 5 I went on a blitz of getting rid of all my smoking stuff, butt cans, and was spraying air freshener everywhere. Just trying to cleanse myself of smoking and eliminate unneeded craving triggers. Might be something you will want to do. Kind of makes the quit more real and motivates you to keep going. 
   
   Drink lots of water and try to keep yourself busy. Changing up you routine also helps - spend time to make a decent breakfast, go for a walk at lunch, whatever. 
   
   There are a lot of good posts on this site which helped me through the early days of my quit. 
3. rml2019

   

   8 posts
   Registered:
   24 Jan 2019
   24 Jan 2019 in reply to atp

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   Thanks atp and congrats on your progress. Yes I am going cold turkey and must admit today is one of my worse days. Its funny, as  a smoker I felt like an outsider for the most part but since I started this venture all I see is people smoking and I find myself wanting to get near them to inhale the smoke. I did get rid of ashtrays, etc but still have that one cigarette in the house. I haven't lit it but I will admit I have held it and tried to smoke it while not lit.... Complete nonsense, I know but it got me through the morning. 
   I have been drinking more water and agree a change in my routine would be good. Not so easy to do in the winter but I will try. Thanks again for you response. I am off to familiarize myself a bit more with the forum and help out there. Have a great night!
4. merline, quit coach

   

   124 posts
   Registered:
   12 Sep 2018
   24 Jan 2019 in reply to rml2019

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   Good Evening rml2019,
   
   Congrats on deciding to quit!
   
   I agree with you changing your routine is not an easy thing to do in the winter but keep trying don't give up and think of the benefits you will have after changing your routine.
   
   Everyone finds different benefits to quitting. What are yours? Share with other quitters on Smokers’ Helpline. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns about quitting, you can call a Smokers’ Helpline Quit Coach at 1-877-513-5333 (toll-free).
   
   Merline
   
5. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   24 Jan 2019

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   Hi rml2019,
   
   Congratulations on making the decision to quit for good.  So glad you could join us.
   
   I smoked for over 43 years and quit cold turkey, too, so I understand what you are going through.  It sure ain't fun.  Do your best to distract yourself.  When the cravings get bad, wait 10 minutes, and then another 10 minutes, and so on until it passes.  I know you are anxious to start feeling better, but you smoked for over 40 years, so you have to be patient.  It is going to take some time for your body to get used to being smoke free.  For me, the whole first month was really rough, but after that, there was a noticeable improvement.
   
   Hang in there, rml2019.  Quitting smoking is truly the best thing you could do for yourself.  You won't regret it.
6. butterflyna

   

   135 posts
   Registered:
   15 Feb 2018
   25 Jan 2019

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   Hi rml2019,
   That is absolutely awesome!!!!  I love to hear these posts. I may have to go cold turkey on Jan 31st but trying to wean down. I am even struggling with that!  I can relate to walking around the house with an unlit cigarette. That sounds like something I would do lol. Be very proud of yourself and you can do it this time!!! Congratulations!!!!
7. rml2019

   

   8 posts
   Registered:
   24 Jan 2019
   25 Jan 2019 in reply to merline, quit coach

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   Good morning, Merline and thank you....I will keep trying and haven't given up. So far today, I am feeling a little more positive which is good!
8. rml2019

   

   8 posts
   Registered:
   24 Jan 2019
   25 Jan 2019 in reply to treepeo

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   Good morning, Treepeo and thank you so much. I'm on day six and its the first time I have felt semi-good since I started this venture. Mind you I have only been up for a few hours but still, its an improvement. I will continue to try and distract myself. Would be nice if the weather was a bit more conducive of taking a walk or something but I will find other ways. 
   
   I'm hanging in, treepeo and I agree, quitting is the best thing I can do for me!!
9. rml2019

   

   8 posts
   Registered:
   24 Jan 2019
   25 Jan 2019 in reply to butterflyna

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   Hi Butterflyna and thank you... I have tried weaning down in the past and that worked for maybe a day or so and then I was right back up to my pack a day. Cold Turkey is not easy but I think its the only way I can do this. I wish you luck.
   
   By the way, I still have the one ciggie and so far today haven't even put it in my mouth...LOL  Day 6, so we will see.
   
10. atp

    

    501 posts
    Registered:
    31 Dec 2018
    25 Jan 2019 in reply to rml2019

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    rml2019,
    
    Day 6!!!! congrats to you! Tomorrow will be 1 week. You should reward yourself for getting to this point. 
    
    Everyone is different, but by the end of the first week you should start to see some improvement. Been up a flight of stairs lately?  How's your food tasting?
    
    By the end of my first week I felt like i accomplished something really significant - I hadn't smoked in a whole week and survived and was thriving. It really is a good feeling to take control of the addiction. 
11. efreeman75

    

    296 posts
    Registered:
    02 Apr 2018
    25 Jan 2019

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    Hey rml,
    
    Sorry to hear what you're going through - it can be pure hell.  Personally, it is one of the greatest factors to keeping my quit - I never want to have to go through that again.
    
    As painful as it is, you will start to see glimpses of relief and reward.  Those glimpses will then increase in both frequency and duration.  Soon, the rewards of being a non-smoker will be your norm.
    
    You're in this far, might as well stick with it and go all the way!