This might be silly, but is anyone else having trouble getting comfortable as a non-smoker?

I am only on day 3. But when last time I quit (2 years ago) for 3 months...I was just starting to feel "normal" when I picked it up again. Right now I don't feel normal, but then I haven't for several weeks....broken ankle, out of work, new puppy....so right now there is nothing "normal" for me. (maybe that is a good thing) I already did not feel normal when I quit :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 2 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 45 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $8.2 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 51 [B]Seconds:[/B] 51

new medication...

Hi, I am pea. I am on day 3....and having a much better day than yesterday. I have a question for any of you who quit using this drug (chantix). I did notice that 2 days before I quit I was smoking half of what I normally did...that the chantix just kind of eliminated some of the desire. Two years ago I quit cold turkey for 3 months. I also have noticed that I am not wanting to eat as much as did when I quit last time. Actually my appetite is no different than normal. have some of you had this similar experience with this drug??? And when you go off of it...what happens? And does anyone know exactly how the drug works???? I know it inhibits the receptors in the brain from releasing the dopamine into your system when you smoke....but does it also release dopamine on it's own. I am just a little worried about the adjustment when I go off. I know over eating releases dopamine....so now I am begging to think it is really dopamine that is my real drug of choice. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 2 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 45 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $8.2 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 51 [B]Seconds:[/B] 18

day 2

Hi,I'm pea. Today is day 2. I have smoked for 20 years, I am 34 years old. I had been thinking about quiting again for a few months when I broke my ankle 3 weeks ago. 2 months before that I broke a toe....come to find out after a bone density test, I am borderline for osteoporosis. I had just started a new position when I broke my ankle, I had to quit. In addition to that I have a new puppy, a five year old which seems to be harder to train about proper behavior around animals, then the puppy. And a boyfriend who was supposed to quit with me yesterday, and did not....at the moment I would like to beat him with my crutches. I think I am angry at the moment..I am sure it is normal. Any feed back on how to avoid beating the boyfriend with the crutches....who is pouting like a baby at the moment....uhh. I know this is not the ideal time to quit, but there never is....and I need my ankle back. I miss walking. Most of my friends either smoke or never did...I feel a little empty on the ability to find people to relate with. :( [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 27 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4.1 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 54 [B]Seconds:[/B] 47

new to posting not to site

wow! I love this website....I am always learning through others...... everyday I have about 2 cups of coffee between 7am, and 10am.. and between 11 and noon I get a little uneasy...and start thinking about cigarettes. Not like I want one (I am on chantix) but I get a little panicky. It was not a "trigger" time for smoking, so I never understood why I would feel like that at that time.... now I know...the caffeine.(which I never would of thought of since I am such a coffee junkie) Thanks guys! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 107 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $20.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 28

Asking for help is the first step

Dear sally, I am sure you have many mixed emotions regarding your daughter....those feelings are hard. I lived with a woman had borderline personality disorder. she had many gifts, she also helped me out at a very tremultuous time in my life. She was also exceedingly irrational at times....and it was a difficult friendship for me to maintain, but I am glad I had the patience. I had this other great friend, he was an old retired New York city fire fighter...and he grow up in Hells Kitchen,(very interesting guy) anyway he said to me after the birth of my son.."kid, just always remember they are never really yours, god only loans them to you for a while to take care of. They have their own life and their own road to walk". I may be totally out of the ball park here....but if you seek avenues that help you make peace and find acceptance with the lack of control in your life, and the emotional roller-coaster, you must be experiencing, you may find it is easier not to smoke. Remember you get to decide. and don't forget to love yourself...surround yourself with people that make you feel warm and fuzzy. Be nice to yourself. Don't worry about telling someone "no". Allow yourself to go nuts occasionally, don't shy away from all your feelings..... :) (I hope that helps) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 105 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $20.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 20 [B]Seconds:[/B] 43

2nd question for ole timers

When do you feel like you've made it...like your safe...you won't go back. When do you start to trust yourself. When do you REALLY not want it anymore? When is something not missing anymore? I am 34 years old and I have been smoking for 20 years. Last time I quit was 2 years ago, cold turkey for 3 months. This time I found out that I was borderline for osteoporosis. So it came down to what was more important to me. And I have made my decision. I know I am stronger mentally/emotionally than I was 2 years ago, I am more honest with myself. But the truth is I really liked smoking, and I was good at it....good with coffee, good after a movie, good with conversation....oh my favorite...(coffee, cigarette, phone, and a good debate) Don't get me wrong....I like that I can smell...(except for the dog) I like that this morning I noticed my face looked rosy, my hair is softer, I feel better when I wake up....all of this in a short time too. In the course of my life, I was lucky enough to have spent 5 fives going to Al-anon meetings and working a program. My ex-husband was an addict/alcoholic. And some of my best friends are people from AA with 10+ years sobriety. So I know this is no different than any other addiction, and I know every one's experience is different. Actually the only difference in addiction is how unmanageable your drug of choice makes your life. So when will the time come that I know I am a non-smoker, when I am safe from temptation? Cause I know it could just take one 5 years from now....when do you start trusting yourself? p.s I do feel good today...and I have only had one really strong urge...(during E.R. last thur.) and I am on chantix. (and that is whole big other issue with me) Chantix, I feel has really made this easy...so now I am afraid to stop taking it...and I know I can't take it forever. Well actually when I quit cold Turkey it was not too hard...but back then I was playing one of those head games with myself..and not thinking of it as in FOREVER. Or is it with each time you try to quit you get closer to really doing it...and when you are really ready it is not as hard??? Sorry for all the questions, trying to gain some wisdom from those who have "arrived" [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 6 [B

Thanks to everyone!

I have 3 weeks now. I have made it through days of anger, irritation, sadness, the feeling of being unsatisfied, restless sleep, no sleep, sleeping too much, GI problems, anxiety, and lethargy. I have endured a broken ankle, being unemployed, a five year old, a new puppy, fighting with the boyfriend, my mother's snotty comments, and one night just too lovely not to mention where I was up every 45 minutes or so with a pucking kid, and a puppy with diarrhea! (all night long). I am certainly not out of the woods yet, still a babe in my quit, knowing the mental and physical changes to come in my life will warrant many adjustments, patience, and tolerance. But I am just so happy with myself that I have been a non-smoker for 3 whole weeks! And I wanted to say thank you to everyone! This website, has been so helpful. It has been a source of information, understanding, support, commitment, and humor. (a lot of you are super funny!) Thanks! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 21 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 386 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $86.1 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 22 [B]Seconds:[/B] 52

Drinking, socialising, & the hermit

Hi everyone! Tonight I ventured out of my cocoon. I do tend to be some what of a homebody, but when I do go out I am very sociable. Well I think I am experiencing my first day of depression. I really don't like anybody right now, and would prefer to be alone. Anyone else feel like this? So we (my boyfriend and I) went over to his friends house and I didn't want to smoke, or maybe I should say I don't want to be a smoker (that is more accurate statement of my feelings). And I really didn't want to drink either. Partly because my G.I system is still really out of wack. and partly maybe because.....I really don't think I wanted to be there.....I think I just went to get out of the house for a while. I don't like myself like this, in this mood. I am going to go think about positive things, and do a gratitude list. bye :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 19 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 343 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $77.9 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 49 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37

Did We Know This or Am I just making this up

Hi sticken to it, yes it is true, I have been doing a lot of research on how to speed the metabolism in a healthy way. Apparently the amount of muscle mass you have has a lot to do with the speed of your metabolism. The more muscle you have the faster the your metabolism. Also consumption of more foods high in Fiber can help in metabolism and weight loss. so in other words, we all have to start eating right and exercising, both aerobic and weight training, or most likely the majority of us will most likely gain on average 6 to 9 pounds. (At least that is all the information I found on the Internet) I have not tried anything out....I am still sitting here with my broken ankle and all my G.I. issues at the moment. :( However, I figured I smoked about 17 cigs day, about 12 minutes a cig. So that should give me an extra 204 minutes a day. (plenty of time to work in some exercise. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 15 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 276 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $61.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 40 [B]Seconds:[/B] 40

"The Issues"

Now I know most of you will know what I am talking about. "The issues" refers to that same argument you have with your significant other, That "thing" that your sister/mother/mother-in-law keeps saying, the co-worker that is always taking stuff out of your desk without asking, the neighbor that doesn't have any concept of healthy boundaries. Whatever your issue is, we all have 'em. And if you are like me you might tend to "make nice" to get along, and generally try to let the little stuff go. Well the issues have arrived as I knew they would, this being the part of quitting that I dreaded the most. After almost 10+ years of therapy, I should have my own degree in counseling. Never the less,the act of smoking represses one's feelings, therefore when you quit you are forced to listen to those repressed feelings as is everyone else. (wicked laughter erupts) Basically I am kicking a#@ and taking names later. And honestly I don't feel bad at all. Maybe he (the boyfriend) should have listened to me the other 5,000 times I tried to convey to him that an authoritarian parenting style does not work well,and especially on a overly sensitive gifted child such as my son. Not to mention the fact we just had a parent teacher conference...and those were the exact words of his teacher. So I put my foot down and told him if he can't learn some new parenting tools then just stay out of it, it's my kid! Well other then the mild discord in one of my close relationships I feel pretty good. although I must confess that I made the decision to cut back chantix to half a pill twice a day last night. And I am sure that has nothing to do with my new found rebellion (sarcasm) I couldn't take the GI issues anymore, and I also noticed I was starting to feel more sick. I figured I would have to deal with life on life's terms, without a crutch at some point. I am actually looking to forward to being more aware of my feelings, not compromising myself as often, and learning more about myself. I just hope everyone else can handle the ride. Maybe I should go give my boyfriend a kiss and a helmet. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 17 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 306 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $69.7 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8