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Browse through 411.753 posts in 47.056 threads.

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Had a Bit of a Brain Fart


15 years ago 0 101 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey Trooper, I used the Alan Carr CDs before I quit and I was so ready by the time I was done listening to them.  I also quit cold turkey.  I had my moments, but they definitely were not like the ones I had the first time.  I felt I could do this.  Alot was attitude and I also learned that in my first quit I punished myself by saying " I cant have a cig and I want one" when I should've been saying "I can have a smoke if I want BUT I choose not to".  It does make a difference on how things are said and how you look at it.  I still know I can have one if I really wanted one, BUT I am choosing not too (Plus I"m enjoying my great health!!)
Kasi

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/3/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 13
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 260
Amount Saved: $55.25
Life Gained:
Days: 1 Hrs: 5 Mins: 2 Seconds: 14

15 years ago 0 1080 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Trooper, really consider what bj suggests, the Allen Carr book- its not a preachy kind of book, its written by an ex 100 a day smoker who knows every trick in the book- he writes with wit and never once is he lecturing or condesending in fact hes quite the opposite- he says we know what we are doing dont patronise us.
Personally, I couldnt quit using that alone, but some of the stuff he writes really makes you think and its yet another tool that helps with quitting.
I know you'll do it eventually, I just know it, some people just take a little more time. Big ((hugs)) today, Karren xx

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 5/10/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 67
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 1,675
Amount Saved: $1,005.00
Life Gained:
Days: 7 Hrs: 21 Mins: 19 Seconds: 54

15 years ago 0 3875 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Trooper, you are a nicotine addict, the sooner you see that, and start to treat yourself that way, the easier it will become for you! Take it one day at a time. Just don't smoke for today, and do that every day. Sure, some days are tough, but smokers have crappy days too! You know it can be done!

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 3/5/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 498
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 12,450
Amount Saved: $5,253.90
Life Gained:
Days: 65 Hrs: 10 Mins: 23 Seconds: 4

15 years ago 0 1209 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Trooper,   I'm not sure Chantix would be an option for you since you " are emotional"  You might want to talk with the Dr and see if an anti anxiety med. or maybe Wellbutrin  or even a natural herb.. St John's wart would be helpful for  you.
 
 I also hid my emotions behind a "smoke " screen.  Most of us smokers, learned that nicotine... could hide many things..
 
 so you will be a bit emotional.. warn friends.  maybe try to stay away from  the emotional triggers you can.  Life happens....
 
  I have a mgnet  it is a field of Holstein cows... it says "Some Days You Step In IT; Some Days You Don't"
 
  Life Is a Bowl of Cherries.. watch out for the Pits.
 
 
   There is a FREE e book on line   "Allen Carr's Easy Way To Quit Smoking"  if you Can... download it .. and read it.. maybe  something in there will hit you ...
 
 I HAD to look at this site.. make friends.. and I HAD to look inside and say ... HEY YOU.... YEAH  YOU..
 
   'YOU ARE AN ADDICT"      I am NOT giving up ANYTHING... I am TAKING BACK.....  what we got from the nicotine.. was ALL a lie... because.. the more you smoke, the more you want...  
 
I am not running around before I leave making sure I have smokes, a lighter.. or if I have enough in the pack until I get back home or should I take more with me.   Oh man I have to make a run to go buy a carton...   do I have $$$$
 
Oh man... I have to find a spot where smoking is allowed,  my friends have to stand and wait while I get "MY FIX"  ......
 
oh i better put the butt in my pocket,  oh oh,, spray cologne.. spray mouth/breath freshner.   
 
YOUR day is REVOLVING around a pack of cigarettes..   take  six single dollars..  or what ever a pack costs you.
 
  would you light and burn these dollars.. day in day out 365 days a year????
 
   If you want to Quit  then Quit.. If you want to smoke , smoke.. It's a choice  the answer is YES  or NO.  your choice.
    You can always find an Excuse.. It's not about excuses ... it's about wanting to smoke or NOT
 
  

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 2/10/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 156
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,652
Amount Saved: $530.40
Life Gained:
Days: 22 Hrs: 10 Mins: 22 Seconds: 26

15 years ago 0 1356 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Trooper,
 
I feel your pain.  It screams.
 
I was so emotional, I quit with my husband,  and we were both grumpy.
 
Straight up, I didn't want to quit, he asked me to many many times over the years and I said no.
 
I don't want to quit.  I didn't.
 
One day he came home and said he would be dead by 65 and would have plenty of retirement if he kept smoking and he was starting Chantix that very day.
 
Immediately I said I am quitting with you.
 
I called my DR and got Chantix also.
 
It completely took care of the craves, anguish and anxiety for me, except I wanted to brain John with a cast iron skillet a few times.  I am sure he felt the same.
 
These set of events aided my quit, I didn't have to do it alone, I had that pill and John, I wasn't alone doing this you know?  It was easier for me to get to the other side.
 
It is an addiction Trooper, as long as you keep feeding the junkie you will not be able to quit.
 
The wise ones here say, and they include a lot of cold turkeyers (right Kiwi?) say when you want to quit more than you want to smoke you will.  It sounds a bit trite, but those are the most honest true words I can say.
 
That and I wish you all the very best, I wish I could make this easier for you.
 
Believe me when I say you are so worth this quit.
Sue

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 5/3/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 439
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 4,390
Amount Saved: $878.00
Life Gained:
Days: 42 Hrs: 20 Mins: 23 Seconds: 57

15 years ago 0 12049 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Trooper,
 
We know you want this!  You are actively trying to make a difference and this is great.  Re-focus and re-prepare.  Be ready for anything and get those lists and coping mechanisms going.  You have had enough and it's time to take care of you.
 
Make sure you have rewards ready for when you reach your goals and don't forget that relaxation is essential within a quit.  Give you body time to relax and detox.
 

Josie, Health Educator
15 years ago 0 46 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Ok.  I've been doing some more writing and some soul searching.  I think I may have an understanding of why this struggle is so hard for me.  I'm sure others here can relate to what I'm talking about and hopefully you can help me.  After a couple of cigarettes I started writing in my journal.  I felt stronger and more confident.  I wrote positively.  I came to understand a flaw in my thinking imbedded in my brain from way back.  I have always gotten through difficult times in my life with a cigarette in hand. For some reason I believe I draw strength from cigarettes.  I also used cigarettes to stifle my feelings.  I have no idea how this twisted thinking started or why it worked for me but I can see it is still working for me.  The struggle is so hard because I need strength to beat this addiction and I use the cigarettes to draw strength.  Somehow I made it through almost five months of a quit with only a couple of minor slips.  Now I keep having major relapses.  I smoke a pack.  I build up my strength and confidence and I try to quit again only to fall back into relapse when I start crying too much, or being too afraid, or getting a bit angry.  In the five months that I did well I almost never cried, I was not afraid and I didn't get angry.  I have such trouble facing my emotions.  I'm always trying to make sense of them and when I can't I panic and reach for a cigarette.  Having been through several bouts of deep depression I have always been afraid my emotions would take me back there.  Believe me it's not a place anyone wants to go.
 
Any words of wisdom?


My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/14/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 1
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 11
Amount Saved: $4.84
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 4 Mins: 51 Seconds: 15

15 years ago 0 46 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I don't know what's wrong with me.  I broke down this morning and started crying in front of my grandson.  I've never fallen apart in front of the children.  I couldn't stand it.  I shut down emotionally and made my way through the brunch doing what I was supposed to do, acting like I was supposed to act.  It wouldn't pass.  It kept coming back and I would start crying again.  I got home and wrote in my journal.  All I wrote was "Not one puff ever.  It's the only way."  I kept repeating it in my head.  I was exhausted.  My husband and I lay down for a nap.  I couldn't sleep.  I can't even say what thoughts were going through my head.  It was just this overwhelming unhappiness.  I got up and walked to the store.  I was really hoping there would be someone outside smoking and I could just buy one cigarette off them, but there was no one.  I bought a pack of cigarettes and smoked one on the way home.  I don't know what I'm going to do now.  This is nuts!!!

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/14/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 1
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 11
Amount Saved: $4.84
Life Gained:
Days: 0 Hrs: 4 Mins: 38 Seconds: 49

15 years ago 0 1890 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Trooper!  You've done so well all through that struggle yesterday with the psychiatrist and the drive home and watching the tobacco shops swing by the window of the car!! Well done and Huge Congratulations!  You've been tested and you've risen above the insidious, niggling rationalizations that the addiction slaps you in the face with during a dreadful withdrawal-crave!!   You're tough!! I admire the hell out of that!
 
    Stay tough and do not weaken... each rebuttal of the wily addiction-noise will make you stronger to meet the next one...
 
 
Patrick


My Milage:

My Quit Date: 1/18/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 179
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 4,475
Amount Saved: $2,013.75
Life Gained:
Days: 33 Hrs: 7 Mins: 27 Seconds: 30

15 years ago 0 1693 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Trooper,
 
You made it through day one! Congrats! Even though it sounds like you had a bit of a rough day, you made it! You didn't stop at the store, and you didn't smoke. Your strength and will to keep your quit is what you should focus on.
Stay strong Trooper, you can do this!
Members, has anyone felt the way Trooper is feeling? Any tips or advice?
 
Breanne, Bilingual Health Educator

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