When you decide to go nicotine free, those will probably be easier to quit than cigarettes.
I feel for you, brother. When you are ready to have another go at quitting, best of luck to you.
Kumar,
do you see any improvement now that you smoke again ? Do you actually feel better ?
It is very curious to me to see how nicotine is such a strong substance for the brain and body. I will never smoke again. Not after learning that the recovery is such a slow, painful and strange process.
Hello, 44 year old female who has smoked since I was 14. I can't believe it's been 30 years. Far too long. I had my last cigarette today at 1:34 pm. I plan on posting here every day mainly so I can be accountable. I can't and don't want to smoke anymore. It doesn't taste good anymore, I always feel bad after I smoke, physically and mentally. I need to set a good example for my daughter as well, I need to be here for her and my husband.
I'll be walking for exercise for now, I don't want to get to crazy, I just want to make sure I'm doing something for physical activity instead of nothing. Hubby and I are going to also be following more of a paleo diet so hopefully that'll ward off any excess weight gain. I'm already 20 pounds overweight so I don't need to add any more weight.
I hope you'll all follow me and continue to share your journey of being smoke free!
Jeni C is Smoke Free!
Congrats on deciding to quit. When I quit, I used my kids as my main motivation for quitting. They are a powerful motivation, and I think that's why I've been successful in quitting.
As someone who is still in the process of quitting (it's been 10 months since my last cigarette), I'd like to give you a few hints that may help:
If you have an overwhelming urge to smoke, try a stop smoking aid like nicotine gum or the patch. I used nicorette for a month and for me that definitely helped bridge the gap between being cigarette free and nicotine free. I see no shame in using something like that to step down.
Exercise every day. If you can find an hour a day to walk, do that. It will take your mind off things and help your body get rid of the residual cigarette toxins quicker.
Don't quit smoking and start a diet at the same time. Unless you have tremendous willpower, you will set yourself up for failure doing both. A change in diet and quitting smoking are both major lifestyle changes. If you want to be successful, do one at a time. Since you are quitting, allow yourself 6-8 weeks of indulgence in other areas...maybe a delicious breakfast or lunch or desert at the end of the day...don't go crazy, but treat yourself for quitting smoking. Hopefully since you'll be walking and boosting your activity level you won't gain more than 5 lbs over the next few months. Weight gain will most likely happen - diet or not. Once you're over the worst of withdrawl issues by month 3 (hopefully) make your diet changes.
Best of luck, and if you hit any bumps, stop in here for a sympathetic ear. This thread was a lifesaver for me, it let me know I wasn't alone going through this.
Hello all,
My update – I quit on July 12, 2012 so this my 9th month exactly from being nicotine free.
I smoked for 15 + years. I started around 14 or 15 years of age.
The first 3 months was very tough for me concerning physical symptoms. The depression, stress, nervousness, and anxiety freaking sucked for 6 months for me. It took me awhile to find the positives for quitting smoking – the easy way out was to smoke when I was feeling down. I really wanted to quit so I took the battle head on and I am happy for it.
My physical symptoms have greatly reduced. I did have some bad digestive issues but now I feel better, I just stay away from certain foods or take some essential enzymes with my food. I am familiar with my body now since I quit.
Mentally- I still get depressed once in awhile but it doesn’t last long. I just tell myself – “just keep on living.” Urges will always be with us – we will never forget the good times but you have to train your mind to see those cigarettes as evil.
I hope everyone does well on their quit. It can take awhile but it can be done. Still to this day my friends still can’t believe I quit. They all knew how much I loved it and I used to say, “I will quit when I die.” So I believe everyone here can do it as well. You all posted for a reason – to get reassurance that it can be done and if the symptoms will fade. It does people – you have to want it and you need to be patient.
Good Luck
JeniC – Hi there- I wish you the best. Hopefully, your symptoms will not be long and troublesome. It is different for everyone but you shouldn’t rely on our testimonials and time frame on this forum. You will know when you are feeling better and have beaten the addiction. It is rewarding and yes I believe it can set a good example towards your children. I started smoking because I saw my dad smoking. That wasn’t the primary reason but he was an influence when I was young and he always had cigarettes in the abundance for easy access for me. Still to this day he never knew I used to take packs from his cartons.
Bababooey has great suggestions – I wouldn’t worry about your weight- you might lose a lot because you put your body in starvation mode and because of depression. Or you might gain tons of weight. It can take over your mind then you will relapse. Fix the brain first then worry about the weight later. Don’t get me wrong – you shouldn’t make an excuse and just eat all the pizzas and ice cream you want. But I wouldn’t put more stress on yourself. I had to remove my scale after the first month because I kept weighing myself. Once your body recovers from all the years of abuse then it will be easier for you to lose the weight you may have gain or to gain weight that you may have lost.
Walking does help and that’s all I did in the early months. I walked in the evening and took a long hot shower afterwards. I did deep breathing exercise while showering. Your water bill will go up but it helped me. After, I watched movies or shows that helped me fall asleep.
I wish you all the best.
hondabiker,
My digestion was bad, metabolism was very slow and had stomach cramps mainly on the right side and random pains on the back. I used to have (Sorry for graphic) frequent diarrhea and sometime floating poops. This had returned after feeling better from 4th to 7th month.
bababooey,
Thanks for the concerns, You are rite Gums are good, Less withdrawal, less harm... I am on gums now.
mamabuna,
It didn't help, Only mind was feeling good. actually physical symptoms worsened I developed severe constipation with lower back pain (Not sure if it from starting back or from the changes in my medication). Although I enjoyed smoking, Considering the painful withdrawal I am quit again with the help of gums. Feeling better with digestion now with some medications and no more constipation/back pain.
Next month I will be completing one year :). I will definitely treat myself for that.
-Kumar
Rob and Bababooey, i have completed my 1 year ...things are much much better i guess 80% good... but anxiety does not go away completely ...i think 20% still left ...............should we wait more and eventually it will go away completely like other withdrawals went away ? how is anxiety of you guys?
What is your anxiety like?
ohhh.. here is my update for the 17th week
1. joint and muscle aches (it was severe now it's almost gone ...WTF ??)
2. sore and bleeding gums
3. headaches
4. sporadic constipation or diarrhea
5. sore right rib
6. sinus congestion
7. chest congestion and SOB - these were gone, now there are back
8. sore right arm: not severe
9. post nasal drip
10. sporadic insomnia
I have become obsessed to look for blood into my stool, mucus and phlegm. From time to time, my mucus has these black dots in it almost like small hairs. I am feeling like I am having flu all the time for the last past 4 1/2 months. I don't want to go doctors anymore. They are not familiar with what's going on.
When I discovered that a have blood in my phlegm I thought that is coming from my lungs. After an hour or so I noticed that my gums are bleeding. My anxiety levels are high. I don't want to smoke again but there is an other guy inside of me who wants to ...hard to explain.
It has been 4 months already and I am hoping to get better although right now I am not that happy
I will update again at my 5th month mark.
bababooey, in my case its pretty simple. just health related anxiety ,although I have recovered alot in my last post smoking year.....
I too quit about 17 weeks ago. My anxiety is sky high and I am having very similar problems. The SOB I have been attributing to Spring and allergies, which I have never had a real problem with before.
I have read through this board repeatedly and it has helped me over some tough spots. I worry that I have caught every little (or Big) thing, and the anxiety/paranoia is ruining my marriage. Because the wife does not understand this feeling as when she quit, she just stopped (she was more of a social smoker) and the constant doctor trips and bills are insane.
I am getting odd chest flutters, but my heart rate seems good. Could be gas, or anxiety or both. The insomnia makes me sleepy, and foggy headed. When does the poor sleeping stop?
Hi mamabuna,
I had the exact same symptoms, Join pains weakness in legs, pain here and there around the ribs. Believe me for about month I saw few black specks in phlegm few time I saw them numbering to 10 or so specks. Only in the morning Phlegm. After brushing it used to take 30 min to clear my throat. I dint think much about the black specks because I had noticed them few times when I was smoking. For almost 2-4 months and even now I am obsessed to look my poop before I flush. Things will settle eventually. I feel 80% myself almost nearing one year mark now.
Smokefree –
I still get health related anxiety but it’s not too bad like it was before. Before, every little pain or discomfort I start getting anxiety and thought I was dying and would last awhile. It’s hard to train your mind and it takes time – I hope it will be nonexistent for all of us soon.
Mamabuna –
All of that sounds familiar to me except number 5 and 8. (It was on my left side). Do remember, its seasonal allergy time. Allergies can also increase your symptoms. But this was also similar to me during your time frame. I had diarrhea for over a week once – scared the hell out of me. I had no idea what it was happening to me and was about to visit the doctor again but it subsided. Everything I ate went out very fast. Make sure you stay hydrated. Also, once you are feeling better make sure you slowly improve your stomach. Don’t be eating a large pizza after your bout with diarrhea.
I was obsessed in looking at my stool as well. I bought a bunch of rubber gloves and used to inspect my stool. I know how you are feeling, trust me. My siblings thought I was crazy. I am sure you are fine and over thinking every little detail. Chia seeds soaked in water has helped me with my bowel movements. It is a great source of fiber and very healthy. Also, don’t forget to drink a good amount of water.
JusticeRay –
Hang in there – it takes time. The poor sleeping will get better- it took me awhile but it got better for me.
Rob & Kumar
thank you for sharing. If not for this forum I would have gone insane a long time ago.
This is such a slow slow process..
I am wondering how is Iqbalmatadzin and Istop doing ?
Hi guys,
My update : Its been 10 months today that I've stopped.
Its getting better and better. Now I can have 1-2 weeks without any Stomach/digestive issues. I'm happy about that but when it comes back I feel depressed...I just want it to go away. Actually this morning and yesterday morning I woke up at 5am with gaz...the ones that don’t feel well in the stomach and that makes alot of noise. ROB? I'm not sure if you get those. But again the good news is that I can have many days now without any problems. The anxiety comes back when I have these gas/digestive issues.
MAMABUNA : Me too I've been checking my stools...specially when I'm not well.
Rob_From_SoCal : Great! Again it looks better and better.
To all...let's not forget that our anxiety affects our abdominal area (they’re both linked in some way)...If we control anxiety, it will help in relation to cramps and all the rest. As I said I still have anxiety but less than before and I too try not to fall into deeper.
Good luck to all and keep on posting!!!
IStop