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1. mags64

   

   8 posts
   Registered:
   08 Mar 2019
   08 Aug 2021

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   Hello all and thank you for all your inspirational stories!
   
   I am 57 and have been a regular smoker for 42 years.  I always felt I was too weak to quit, but this has been my journey so far.  Forgive the length of this.
   
   22 months ago, I made the leap to smoking outside, and spent over 40 hours cleaning EVERYTHING in my apartment.  I cut my smoking down from almost 30 cigarettes a day to 12 - 14, which is where I have been for the last year.  I smoke on my balcony, and a few months ago, I started getting bees, wasps, moths and all sorts of bugs on my balcony, and I developed a bit of a phobia about going out there.  Please don't laugh - I struggle with anxiety, so this was very real to me.  Anyway, I felt I couldn't smoke outside, couldn't smoke inside, so smoking became a very stressful thing.  Out of desperation, I had a few patches, which I used a few weeks ago, and still had about 5 cigarettes a day when I went out.  Two weeks ago, I bought 28 - 21 mg patches, and some nicotine gum.  It has now been just over 5 days of no smoking at all.  I have never tried to quit, and this is the longest I have gone without a cigarette since I was 15.
   
   I am struggling.  Drinking water, chewing gum, sucking on cough drops, going for walks, wanting to eat all the time.  I admire so many of you for your "quit plans" and following through on them.  I have not planned to quit, and sort of fell "ass backwards" into this.  I don't know what I am doing.  I don't hate smoking, but hate many aspects of it, and simply would like NOT to feel I need it anymore.
   
   I could use support.  I feel like I am cheating by using the patch, since so many of you quit cold turkey.  I am irritable, not sleeping well (even though I sleep badly regularly), at times feel hyper, feel depressed and could use any hints, tips or insight you may have to offer.
   
   Again, thank you all so much for sharing - you are all an inspiration to me!
2. lynndaisy

   

   1 posts
   Registered:
   08 Aug 2021
   08 Aug 2021

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   Hey. Good luck to ya. I'm 61 and have been smoking since I was 15. I've wanted to quit for years. It's expensive, inconvenient in the winter, and as we know...not our friend. But still I smoked. Two days ago a friend was diagnosed with lung cancer. I'm on day 2 of not smoking. This is brutally hard. Brutally. I  apologized to my family in advanced for my terrible mood, irratibilty, pettiness, anger, resentment, self pity and all the rest of the treats that come with nicotine withdrawal. I'm glad I did. I have not been a delight to live with. I've been walking to get out, stay distracted, and give my family a break. Tead your story and wanted to say, "hey...I get it. I hope you find your inner beast to break this habit". 
3. mags64

   

   8 posts
   Registered:
   08 Mar 2019
   08 Aug 2021 in reply to lynndaisy

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   Thank you so much for your thoughtful response, and for sharing.  I get it - I am hating being around me lately!  Sending positive vibes your way!!
4. efram, quit coach

   

   235 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   11 Aug 2021

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   I'm a little late to this thread but wanted to chime in. First I have to say congrats to you, Mags64, for the hard-earned progress.
   
   If it helps to know, we don't think of using the patch as cheating: it's a useful tool, designed specifically for the job of helping one to quit. You're the one doing all the heavy lifting here, but hopefully the patch makes it easier than it would be otherwise. Cold turkey is great for some, but may not be the best way for everyone. 
   
   It may also help to know that withdrawals will ease, typically after the first week or two. You may be through the hardest part already! And withdrawal symptoms = healing symptoms. 
   
   You're already doing so much that is helping: the walking, the water, gum, reaching out for support, etc. The one thing I would add to the mix would be deep breathing as a way to relax (also helpful for when feeling depressed, because we tend to breathe more shallowly when depressed). 
   
   Lynnndaisy, thank you for lending a hand. I'm sorry to hear about your friend's diagnosis. I hope you're hanging in there ok! 

   Last modified on 11 Aug 2021 18:41 by efram, quit coach
5. mags64

   

   8 posts
   Registered:
   08 Mar 2019
   11 Aug 2021 in reply to efram, quit coach

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   Thank you, Efram.  On day 9, still can't believe I have made it this far.  And TOTALLY agree with the deep breathing - I want to start meditating, because I see the calmer I am, the less I want a cigarette.  Thanks again!
6. treepeo1

   

   255 posts
   Registered:
   06 Feb 2020
   15 Aug 2021 in reply to mags64

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   Hi mags64,
   
   Wow, you should be so proud of yourself for making it this far!  Way to go!   I know how hard it is to quit.
   
   Like you, I smoked for over 42 years.  I had tried to quit in the past but was not successful.  This time, I was more prepared, and determined to get it done.  I have now been a non-smoker for over 4 years and quitting was the best decision I could have made.  I always say, A little bit of pain for a lifetime of gain.
   
   You are indeed doing all the right things.  I found distracting myself was very important.  I also slept a lot, because you don't crave when you sleep, although you may occasionally dream that you are smoking.  It is such a relief when you wake up and realize that you are still smoke free.
   
   Hang in there.  With every day that passes, you become more invested in your quit.  You don't want all your efforts to be in vain.  Make them count!  And get excited about your quit.  This is the beginning of a whole new way of living for you.  It's really nice to give yourself a second chance.  Take advantage of that.
7. mags64

   

   8 posts
   Registered:
   08 Mar 2019
   15 Aug 2021 in reply to treepeo1

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   Thank you so much for your kind and supportive words - your story is an inspiration to me.  I'm on day 13 - never felt I would even get this far, but stories like yours help me to keep focused.  Thanks again!
8. brieffree

   

   1477 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   22 Aug 2021 in reply to mags64

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   Hello mags64
   
   Congrats to find support, Personally I was very heavy smoker for all I remember I am 51 years old, You can imagen. 
   Well long story short, I quit back then 6 years ago, it was a healthy issue, i could not brief!.
   So I quit or die!
   
   The first 2 weeks was so easy, then the problem started I was  craving a lot, different rezones or situations. It took me 2 years with support of NRT  until I finally surrender for good! I never wanted to let go....
   
   Today, I enjoy my life Free of all! I looked for support, for help, you are not alone!
   
   Remember is your addiction who try to trick you into the crave. Is not you!
   
   I thank all people in this site who support me my journey!
   
   All the best you can do it!   
9. aurora

   

   94 posts
   Registered:
   08 Mar 2018
   22 Aug 2021

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   Hello Mags64 
   
   You on on the right track!  GLad that you made it here. 
   I smoked for 35+ years and the last time I tried to quit it took me over a year. I kept moving my quit date because I wasn’t ready. 
   I am now smoke free for 1244 days. 
   I Am so thankful to have escaped the grip of feeling like I needed to smoke.  
   I didn’t go cold turkey, but I also quit on a day I didn’t plan to. I had one cigarette and a closet full of Nicotine tablets, and I couldn’t get more smokes because a blizzard hit. 
   Here’s what Helped me:
   lots of water, deep breathing, one minute at a time, putting one foot in front of the other, going to bed early, going for lots of walks, avoiding my usual smoke routines. Keep going, you got this! I also came here for suppler, and adopted  NOPE - Not One Puff Ever. This is my quit motto and I will follow it. This is how I started up again the last 25+ times I quit, having just one puff. 
   Sometimes I see people smoking, and I am so thankful for the freedom that quitting has given me.  
   Keep celebrating those milestones, and never quit quitting. 
   
10. mags64

    

    8 posts
    Registered:
    08 Mar 2019
    02 Sep 2021 in reply to brieffree

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    Thanks so much for sharing your stories, and for the support!!  Today, I am one month in - NEVER thought I could do this.  As they say, one day at a time!!

    Last modified on 02 Sep 2021 10:02 by mags64
11. wandam

    

    241 posts
    Registered:
    05 Feb 2019
    03 Sep 2021 in reply to mags64

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    Good morning mags64,
    
    Welcome to our little community. Huge congratulations on celebrating 1 month, that is awesome! I was a long time smoker like you, a pack a day one, so quitting was extremely hard. I used champix & was able to quit each time with it! I, like you never thought I could do it, but we are doing it! Keep rocking your quit mags64! One day at a time, you are doing it & NOPE (not one puff ever) Take Care

    Last modified on 03 Sep 2021 10:46 by wandam