To Maw and Tony S: Congratulations to you both on your decision to be nonsmokers!
Maw: I am using Chantix and have found it helpful (I think). It's hard to know for sure, but I do feel very strong in my quit. I'm glad you're going to try it -- every thing you do with the end goal in mind couldn't hurt, eh?
Tony S: You've read Allen Carr's book, so you know the most important thing to remember is the Nicotine Monster is always there to try to woo you back. The worst thing you can do is to fall victim to the voice in your head that tells you how "deprived" you are by "giving up" your cigarettes.
You must reverse that thinking. You were deprived when you were a smoker. Now, as a nonsmoker, you're in control and you've chosen freedom over the nicotine monster.
I know that in every other quit, I've failed because I allowed myself to feel sorry for myself that I was so deprived of my "best friends". Some friends, huh? Kind of sick, if you think about it. But it's too easy to fall into this trap. If you do, it's also too easy to back slide.
So remember WHY you're quitting -- there is no shortage of good reasons, is there? Focus on those, keep breathing (3 slow, deep breaths -- make yourself do them, and you'll be surprised how much better you feel and the craving has passed). Drink lots of water, too, and brush your teeth often. Go back to your Allen Carr book and highlight the passages that spoke to you and reread them often. It does help.
And it's okay to feel proud of yourself -- pat yourself on the back for every single day you continue to turn your back on nicotine!
You can both do this -- have faith in yourselves. This web site is awesome and so very helpful and supportive. Use it often. We're all there for you!
Monica: I'm so sorry you lost your father -- I lost mine in January and it was very, very tough. I can empathize.
My dad never smoked and always nagged me -- even with Alzheimer's, he could still pantomine smoking, frown at me and waggle a finger. I know he's proud of me that I finally did it.
When you can get through the kind of stress you're under without a smoke, that speaks volumes to your inner strength. It also reinforces that having a cigarette will in no way reduce the stress -- in fact, it will only make it worse.
You're so strong -- keep the faith, sister. You'll be foremost in my thoughts tomorrow.
Chick: Good for you! That anger can be such a positive force in quitting. Danielle called this my "light bulb" moment and she's exactly right.
I'm a 35-year smoker and have quit numerous times, but this one's different. Before I tried to quit again, I really looked at WHY it never seemed to work. And I finally figured out that it was my mindset -- I've "sacrificed", I've "given up" something big and important. Then I would feel terribly, terribly sorry for myself. And I would inevitably have a cigarette.
Now I don't allow myself to even go there in my mind, because it's such a ridiculous notion that I'm missing my "buddies".
So, yes, hang on to that anger and make it work for you. All I can say is that this has been a huge difference this time. I'm now two months as a nonsmoker. Keep at it!
Hi Kathy and Kaitilina:
Yeah, I'm doing good -- past two months and going strong! I know what you mean about the smells. I notice how much better I smell and I am very aware that I'm better able to smell the good stuff -- food cooking, wonderful candles, etc. It's great!
Have you noticed your tongue or mouth feeling somewhat sore and raw? That has surprised me, especially this far into my quit. It doesn't seem to be going away.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 61
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,462
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $488
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 7 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 33 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25
I'm back from my three-day power outage here in the very windy northwest. Whew! What a storm we had Thursday night! No damage at our house and we are fortunate to have a generator. But power outages are never fun. There are still thousands of people without power in western Washington and they may not be back up and running until Friday or Saturday. I am blessed.
My husband just chain-smoked throughout unfortunately. I'm not tempted to smoke, mind you, it just smells so bad! Oh, I wish he's quit!
JAYSGIRL: I have almost completed the 12-week Chantix prescription and yes, thirst and a dry mouth go with it for me, too.
My dental problems, I'm told, are because of smoking. My dentist says I have "dry mouth syndrome". Smoking is a major cause, as well as Wellbutrin being a contributor for many people. Menopause doesn't help, either. (Oh, in so many ways, that's a true statement.)
If you don't deal with dry mouth syndrome early, you can develop some serious dental problems. So I advise you to see your dentist to be sure that isn't what's behind the thirst and dry mouth.
The good news is that drinking a ton of water is a very good thing when you've quit smoking. It can be so helpful to the cause, so drink as much as you need to or want to.
I found the Chantix helpful for me. While I still sometimes feel like I'm craving a cigarette, it really isn't the smoke I want, just as you pointed out. I know that because early on in my quit, I tried a smoke, and it tasted awful! So it makes it easy to stay away from something that has absolutely zero positive attributes!
I still feel a general restlessness, but it's not a crave. You're right about that. I can deal with that, though, and so can you!
Congratulations on your decision to beat the addiction -- it will be the best decision you've ever made.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 72
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,903
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $576
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 9 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 54 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25
If the cigarettes are beginning to taste bad, then why smoke them? I know I did smoke per the instructions up to my quit date, but I definitely cut way back because they did start to taste so bad.
My doctor told me to just do what felt right in that regard.
I only have a few more days left on the 12-week program and I'm hoping I can just walk away from the medication at that point. The manufacturer says that some people need a second 12 weeks on it. I hope I don't. We'll see what happens.
Good luck on the Chantix. So far, so good for me and I would recemmend it.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 73
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,957
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $584
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 9 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 8 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37
Bobby: Big gold star for you! Six days and number seven almost here. See? Your magic one-week mark is just around the corner. You have done an amazing job with your quit.
Only we who have been there can truly understand and appreciate the enormity of the task. It's been a tough, tough week, but please give yourself huge pats on the back for your accomplishment.
Then give yourself a big reward -- you've earned it!
Stay true to your NRT program and most importantly, stay true to your commitment to yourself and keep reminding yourself why you've made this great decision.
Keep us posted on week two, ok?
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 70
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,833
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $560
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 9 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 31 [B]Seconds:[/B] 12
Thank you, Phil --
I'll be waiting!
So, where is Century Island for those of us who are geographically-impaired?
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/8/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 65
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,620
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $520
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 8 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 48
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