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Browse through 411.748 posts in 47.053 threads.

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When will it get better?


18 years ago 0 1155 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I've made it to Day 4. The past 4 days have been beyond Hell. I could list all of the physical & mental ways I've felt tortured, and in a bunch of postings I've done just that. But........... Late last night I made a decision. I've got to stop obsessing, thinking, and talking about all of the negatives I'm experiencing - I think I've been over-indulgent in this "poor me" self-drama. My withdrawal symptoms & cravings have overtaken my identity this week. I need to try to focus on the positives & living now. So, this is my goal. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/3/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 84 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $21 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 34 [B]Seconds:[/B] 23
  • Quit Meter

    $1,135,150.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 5539 Hours: 12

    Minutes: 53 Seconds: 41

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45406

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    908,120

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 1155 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Pamala - This is great info & very helpful. Thanks! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/3/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 86 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $21 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 41 [B]Seconds:[/B] 45
  • Quit Meter

    $1,135,150.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 5539 Hours: 12

    Minutes: 53 Seconds: 41

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45406

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    908,120

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 1155 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Lady, Thanks for your words of support. I'm hanging in by a thread...but at least at this moment the thread is still holding! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/3/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 2 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 66 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $14 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 7 [B]Seconds:[/B] 24
  • Quit Meter

    $1,135,150.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 5539 Hours: 12

    Minutes: 53 Seconds: 41

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45406

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    908,120

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 1155 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi. I'm on Day #3. This is the hardest thing I've ever tried to do! I'm white-knuckling it every minute of the day. I'm definitely playing mind games with myself...thinking of reasons/justifications as to why I don't really need to quit right now, plotting a relapse over the weekend, etc. Nicodemon is really messing with me! Is it true that things should get a little easier in some way after Day 3? I don't know if I can keep it up at this level! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/3/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 2 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 66 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $14 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 5 [B]Seconds:[/B] 11
  • Quit Meter

    $1,135,150.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 5539 Hours: 12

    Minutes: 53 Seconds: 41

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45406

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    908,120

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 13 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey Strugglin, Good to see you here. I've been feeling quite jekkyl and hydish myself with the insanity being interspersed with some mild calm. I almost started feeling like this was a physical and psychological game I am watching happening in my own body. When the cravings hit, they hit hard and i really feel like i need an exorcism or something. The peeps really have helped, and i think subconsciously my mind is replacing the craving for tar stick nasties with craving for foods i have liked one in my life. I was DYING for saurkraut and mustard sandwiches last night. So i freakin had one. Keep on writing, this forum is great!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/3/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 28 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $5.88 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 16 [B]Seconds:[/B] 4
  • Quit Meter

    $158,921.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 5104 Hours: 8

    Minutes: 4 Seconds: 16

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45406

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    908,120

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 99 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
hey there, we're doing it. It might not be pretty, but who cares. Last night I spend about an hour in the shower. I figure if nothing else it calms my nerves and I can't smoke with the water running. Hang in there. we will get through this...together.
  • Quit Meter

    $50,400.66

    Amount Saved

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    Days: 6250 Hours: 6

    Minutes: 40 Seconds: 52

    Life Gained

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    45406

    Smoke Free Days

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    272,436

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 1010 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
TY for the 'heads up' list. I have printed it out and saved it to my fridge and purse. TY again!! T. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/4/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 8 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 70 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $16 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 34 [B]Seconds:[/B] 22
  • Quit Meter

    $35,948.39

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 418 Hours: 18

    Minutes: 41 Seconds: 28

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    3193

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    73,439

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 852 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Dear Struggling, That is a wonderful idea! Stop obsessing over the cig and the crave, and you will get through it much easier! I too had the obsessive thoughts about smoking and not smoking. It did change once I made the decision to accept this quit, and stand firm on not smoking. I accepted and embraced the concept that my life is a new life. A healthy life. A fun life. And smoking has no place in it. Ever. It is hard to still look beyond today, but I know I will never smoke again. Embrace your new life. There should be no poor me, and self pity. You have done a wonderful thing! Think of some new thoughts of a brand new life. Most people dont get a second chance. Take advantage of this opportunity to sieze yours! You are doing great! It does get better, you just have to get out of this black cloud over your head. But protect your quit at all costs. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/5/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 32 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 973 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $104.64 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 37 [B]Seconds:[/B] 41
18 years ago 0 58 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Everyone is different.. but IT WILL GET BETTER, but also know that there are hills and valleys.. I found this somewhere... hope it helps... STAGES OF A QUIT! [b]Stage 1: Agitation[/b] Anxiety, muscular tension, irritability,difficulty sleeping, high craving. You've probably already experienced this innumerable times during your smoking career (this is when you root through the ashtrays looking for butts). It generally begins a few hours after your last cigarette and lasts for a day or two. [b]Stage 2: Slump[/b] You feel depressed, fatigued, jittery, are forgetful, short-tempered, and emotionally volatile. You may also have trouble sleeping. You continually crave a cigarette. This may last for several days. [b]Stage 3: Honeymoon[/b] Somewhere in the first 10 days after your last cigarette, you start feeling better. A lot better. Your mood improves and your energy returns. Craving is still present but manageable. The danger is you'll become overconfident. [b]Stage 4: Second Slump[/b] It's hard to pin down, but for most of our patients,this second slump begins two to six weeks after the last cigarette. Craving may return along with episodes of nervousness, irritability, sleep disruption, flu-like symptoms, and fatigue. [b]Stage 5: Second Honeymoon[/b] Begins four to six weeks after the last dose. Improvement in the above symptoms leads to the conclusion that danger of relapse has past and withdrawal is over. [b]Stage 6: Relapse Phase[/b] Most ex-smokers experience at least one more noticeable "slump" during the first four months of abstinence.Craving returns, and with it, the risk of relapse. To get through it, you have to avoid exposing yourself to risky situations. [b]Stage 7: Stabilization[/b] Once the last of the initial slumps has ended, things stabilize. Craving is largely the result of conditioned responses (e.g., to smells, activities) which can be avoided. [b]Abstinence[/b] is fairly comfortable with the exception of periods of unusual stress, recurrent craving, and occasional strong memories of pleasures associated with smoking. [b]Patience[/b] is the key here......keep going in your quit, and all these stages will soon become history.... Hope this helps! Pamala [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Qui
18 years ago 0 5195 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Struggling... Not only can you keep it up, you are keeping it up. Congratulations!!!!!! You are right smack dab in the middle of Hell week and they don't call it Hell week for nothing. Yes, quitting smoking is probably one of the hardest things you will ever do in your life but it can also be one of the most rewarding. Take some deep, deep breaths, drink some ice water and hang on for the ride. Kick, scream, yell, cry, punch a pillow, eat a gallon of ice cream... whatever it takes.. just don't smoke. Take it five minutes at a time, one step at a time. You can do it. We have all been there and we know how bad it sucks. However, quitting won't kill you, just make you wish it would. :) This will pass and you will be so glad you stuck it out. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 278 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,573 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $973 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 24 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 20 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25

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