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Browse through 411.756 posts in 47.057 threads.

160,701 Members

Please welcome our newest members: koalablind, Jen S, CBEA KATRINA, LLYKA, aseprodi


7 years ago 0 5 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Ready to quit...again

Hello! I'm Jen. I've been smoking for about 20 years, and I have quit a few times and then relapsed. My longest quit was 1 year. 
I just had a birthday and I thought to myself, every year I think that by my next birthday I will be a non-smoker, and here I am again, thinking that same tired thought. I am tired of it. I am tired of the struggle.
Being in my 40s, I am one of the last smokers I know. Most of old smoking buddies gave it up in the past decade. I'm trying not to beat myself up about being behind the curve, and instead just focus on what I need to do for my own health and happiness.
I am going to use the patch as I have had the most success in the past while using it.
Having failed a number of times in the past, I am hesitant to tell anyone I know that I am attempting to quit...again. I imagine them all rolling their eyes and thinking "yeah right."
So for now, I've decided to keep it to myself until I can say "I haven't had a cigarette in a month" and I am hoping that in the meantime using a forum like this will help me get support when I need it. 
 
It's been about 16 hours since my last cigarette. 
I've already almost caved about three times, but each time I talked myself out of it...I'm clinging to the knowledge that it will get easier over time!
 
So hello to everyone on here. I am excited to read about your experiences. 
7 years ago 0 5 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Ready to quit...again

Thanks for the support! You are right - my mindset is very different now than it was 15 years ago. Hopefully that helps me keep going. I'm craving pretty frequently right now, but I read that cravings don't last longer than 3 minutes so I've been telling myself to wait 4 minutes before deciding whether to smoke. So far, it's working :)
7 years ago 0 5 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
My first serious attempt

Hello Isolde
You can do this! Just passing along a tip -- A friend told me he sucked on flavored (tea tree oil) toothpicks during his cravings, and said it helped quite a bit.  Gave him something to put in his mouth, or to hold in his hands -- mimicking those parts of smoking without doing damage to your body.
I'm starting day 3 of my quit, and cravings are in full force. Finding other things that can replace cigarettes definitely helps.
 
 
7 years ago 0 5 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Day 3 today

I just started day 3 today myself. For me its sore throat and being really thirsty, and having a headache. It can't last forever!
 
Best of luck to you. 
7 years ago 0 5 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
1 week in!

7 days with no cigarettes. I went off the patch yesterday - forgot to put it on before work and then decided to just give it a go cold turkey.  Cravings are no fun. Coughing a LOT. But sleeping better and not as itchy as I was earlier in the week.