Need advice and reassurance

[ManicQueen]

Sunday I quit smoking for the day... seriously, I didn't smoke for like 37+ hours. It was hell and if I had a bullet for everytime I said I wished I was dead.. well I'd be dead.

Anyway, Monday came and I broke down but only smoked like 5 cigarettes that whole day.

Today, I have smoked nothing. Not even cock! I'm not feeling too good. I mean, I can't even beggin to explain how and what I'm feeling/going through.

anger... lots of mean ugly anger

dizziness.. i think it's from me hyperventilating when I get anxious and angry

depression

crying.. i've been having crying out burst throughout the day today.. it's embarresing!

feelings of frustration and anger

irritability

weakness

trouble concentrating

restlessness

headache

tiredness

My question.. how long do some of thise side effects last? Is it just this bad for the first 2-3 days? Is it better on the 4th? I've never thought suicidal thought before but damn.. my mind is all over the place right now. I know it's all from the nicotine and things will get better soon but how soon is what I want to know?

I just took a handful of Ativan and Xanax so I'll be feeling fine as wine very shortly. :grin

[ManicQueen]

At home, my smoking place was at the backdoor in the kitcken. Well I can't even go in there anymore without braking down and crying. I broke my toaster today becuase the damn toast wouldn't come out so I threw the damned thing and that freaked my daughter out..

I'm becoming violent and aggitated.

[Draco1958]

Dear Violent and Aggitated,

I went 46 hours without a cig, If it wasn't for the fact of dealing with things about my Mom, I probably would have quit. My first 24 hrs or so went alot like yours. By the time I hit 40 hrs things settled down. Still felt aggressive but it was easing. It will ease off, once that does it will go easier. after 46 hours I was feeling calmer. But I broke down and started again. The stuff you are going thru should be starting to settle down. Then will come the boredom, what to do with your hands. Best bet is to try to keep busy, it will help.

[ManicQueen]

Dear Violent and Aggitated,

I went 46 hours without a cig, If it wasn't for the fact of dealing with things about my Mom, I probably would have quit.  My first 24 hrs or so went alot like yours.  By the time I hit 40 hrs things settled down.  Still felt aggressive but it was easing.  It will ease off, once that does it will go easier.  after 46 hours I was feeling calmer. But I broke down and started again.  The stuff you are going thru should be starting to settle down.  Then will come the boredom, what to do with your hands.  Best bet is to try to keep busy, it will help.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, I've found myself tapping my fingers, loudly and quickly! Even biting on the nails.

[n0Mad]

2 weeks. If you can survive two weeks of absolute hell without smoking, then you've pretty much successfully quit. I'm in a rush so can't type much now, but ask me later and I'll fill you in on my experience.

[honeymustard02]

Lol Honey that's called withdrawl and it lasts a few weeks. BUT you're probably making it worse by not smoking for a day or so then smoking again. Just quit and get the worst of it over with.

And like Spook said, if you get through that then you can really quit. Most people hit this stage, and can't quit.

I wish you luck and for your own health that you quit.

[kellygrrrrrl]

Yep....if you smoke One cig....withdrawl levels go back to what they were when you stopped in the 1st place....

It takes 3 days for it exit the blood....thats when you will feel most aggitated...

But to get "Back to normal" feelings...that will take about 2-3 weeks. You basically have to LEARN how to COPE with stuff.....Currently, you cope with a cig....that is the hardest part...dealing with stuff without having a smoke.

GO HERE!

Quitnet.com - my user name is kellygrrrrl - I frequent this site when I was quitting...

I went 7 months and had ONE smoke, and BAM....smoking again...

Now I KNOW what I have to put myself through cause I did it.....now I just have to get up enough guff to do it ...or I should say, put myself through that again.

or

Whyquit.com

Keep it up baby. You can do it....I nkow it sucks A LOT!...but it really IS worth it....

Food tastes so much better!

[n0Mad]

Yeah, I was going to say a lot of stuff she said ^^^.

In addition to fighting the chemicals, you also have a psychological battle. Smoking is a conditioned response. To break that you need to find the trigger that causes you to smoke (stress is a big one) and eliminate that, or reassociate it with a different response. Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) can help you with the second part.

[kellygrrrrrl]

When I had quit, I honestly felt like I was losing a friend or something...

Everything I do is associated with smoking. Everyone I know smokes.

So, it's like you start to miss it like a friend. But it is NOT your friend.

In your mind you want to quit....you really do....

But it's like there is a little person in your ear constantly trying to rationalize as to why you SHOULD smoke. You find yourself trying to trick yourself into smoking. It is so bad. You try to creat reasons to smoke, but you know you don't want to. It's so tricky. You have to ignore that.

SLEEP. SLEEP. SLEEP.

if you can't sleep, go online, go for a power-angry walk, w/ fists clentched, teeth gritting...I did that....I was SOOOO pissed off, I just walked out of the house with nothing on me but my clothing.....crying, in a fit of rage...by the time I had come to...I had walked 2 miles already....then I had to turn around and walk back and recap on how stupid I reacted.....

[DarkChylde]

The only thing that keeps me still smoking is due to my bi-polar, anxiety and manic-depressive. If I try to quit then obviously the 3 is going to break out (which hasnt in years due to keeping my self calm).

Other than that I hope you succeed and good luck, its a bitch. Trust me I know.

[honeymustard02]

I'm sorry but people come up with stupid reasons to justify why they HAVE to smoke.

There are so many other things you can do besides give yourself cancer. So many different hobbies and what not to do.

Open your world a little and do something new and quit. I know a lot of you have kids. Why not do something new with your kids. That's a great reason to quit right there.

I don't care if what you do is pick your ass all day. As long as you ain't touching my food and you ain't picking up a smoke it's all good.

[Marblez]

You are fighting 2 things when you quit smoking, the habit and the addiction. Since the most dangerous thing about smoking is the inhalaled particles rather than the nicotine, get some nicotine gum. Then you won't have the withdrawals. You can rid yourself of the smoking habit itself, then deal with the nicotine addiction.

[kellygrrrrrl]

Yes...your brain will come up with stupid reasons to smoke.....Your body is wanting it...so your brain comes up with rationizations, while the other half of you is fighting it. That other half seems so small when all you want is a smoke.

It's not something you choose to do. It's just part of kicking an addiction.

Here is something I pulled off of WhyQuit?

Quit cold turkey. In the long run it’s the easiest and most effective technique of smoking cessation.

Do not carry cigarettes.

Quit smoking one day at a time. Do not concern yourself with next year, next month, next week or even tomorrow. Concentrate on not smoking from the time you wake up until you go to sleep.

Work on developing the attitude that you are doing yourself a favor by not smoking. Do not dwell on the idea that you are depriving yourself of a cigarette. You are ridding yourself of full-fledged smoking because you care enough about yourself to want to.

Be proud that you are not smoking.

Be aware that many routine situations will trigger the urge for a cigarette. Situations which will trigger a response include: drinking coffee, alcohol, sitting in a bar, social events with smoking friends, card games, the end of meals. Try to maintain your normal routine while quitting. If any event seems too tough, leave it and go back to it later. Do not feel you must give up any activity forever. Everything you did as a smoker, you will learn to do at least as well, and maybe better, as an ex-smoker.

Make a list of all the reasons you want to quit smoking. Keep this list with you, preferably where you used to carry your cigarettes. When you find yourself reaching for a cigarette, take out your list and read it.

Drink plenty of fruit juice the first three days. It will help flush nicotine out of your system.

To help avoid weight gain, eat vegetables and fruit instead of candies and pastries. Celery and carrots can be used safely as short-term substitutes for cigarettes.

If you are concerned about weight gain, do some moderate form of regular exercise. If you have not been exercising regularly, consult your physician for a practical exercise program which is safe for you.

If you encounter a crisis, (e.g. a flat tire, flood, blizzard, family illness) while quitting, remember, smoking is no solution. Smoking will just complicate the original situation while creating another crisis, a relapse into the nicotine addiction.

Consider yourself a “smoke-a-holic.” One puff and you can become hooked again. No matter how long you have been off, don't think you can safely take a puff!

Don't debate with yourself how much you want a cigarette. Ask yourself how do you feel about going back to your old level of consumption. Smoking is an all or nothing proposition.

Save the money you usually spend on cigarettes and buy yourself something you really want after a week or a month. Save for a year and you can treat yourself to a vacation.

Practice deep breathing exercises when you have a craving.

Go places where you normally can't smoke, such as movies, libraries and no smoking sections of restaurants.

Tell people around you that you have quit smoking.

Remember that there are only two good reasons to take a puff once you quit. You decide you want to go back to your old level of consumption until smoking cripples and then kills you, or, you decide you really enjoy withdrawal and you want to make it last forever. As long as neither of these options appeal to you - NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF

[kellygrrrrrl]

VVV

[Shade Everdark]

Yes...your brain will come up with stupid reasons to smoke.....Your body is wanting it...so your brain comes up with rationizations, while the other half of you is fighting it.  That other half seems so small when all you want is a smoke.

It's not something you choose to do.  It's just part of kicking an addiction.

Here is something I pulled off of WhyQuit?

Quit cold turkey. In the long run it’s the easiest and most effective technique of smoking cessation.

Do not carry cigarettes.

Quit smoking one day at a time.  Do not concern yourself with next year, next month, next week or even tomorrow.  Concentrate on not smoking from the time you wake up until you go to sleep.

Work on developing the attitude that you are doing yourself a favor by not smoking.  Do not dwell on the idea that you are depriving yourself of a cigarette.  You are ridding yourself of full-fledged smoking because you care enough about yourself to want to.

Be proud that you are not smoking.

Be aware that many routine situations will trigger the urge for a cigarette.  Situations which will trigger a response include: drinking coffee, alcohol, sitting in a bar, social events with smoking friends, card games, the end of meals.  Try to maintain your normal routine while quitting.  If any event seems too tough, leave it and go back to it later. Do not feel you must give up any activity forever.  Everything you did as a smoker, you will learn to do at least as well, and maybe better, as an ex-smoker.

Make a list of all the reasons you want to quit smoking.  Keep this list with you, preferably where you used to carry your cigarettes.  When you find yourself reaching for a cigarette, take out your list and read it.

Drink plenty of fruit juice the first three days.  It will help flush nicotine out of your system.

To help avoid weight gain, eat vegetables and fruit instead of candies and pastries.  Celery and carrots can be used safely as short-term substitutes for cigarettes.

If you are concerned about weight gain, do some moderate form of regular exercise.  If you have not been exercising regularly, consult your physician for a practical exercise program which is safe for you.

If you encounter a crisis, (e.g. a flat tire, flood, blizzard, family illness) while quitting, remember, smoking is no solution.  Smoking will just complicate the original situation while creating another crisis, a relapse into the nicotine addiction.

Consider yourself a “smoke-a-holic.”  One puff and you can become hooked again.  No matter how long you have been off, don't think you can safely take a puff!

Don't debate with yourself how much you want a cigarette.  Ask yourself how do you feel about going back to your old level of consumption.  Smoking is an all or nothing proposition.

Save the money you usually spend on cigarettes and buy yourself something you really want after a week or a month.  Save for a year and you can treat yourself to a vacation.

Practice deep breathing exercises when you have a craving.

Go places where you normally can't smoke, such as movies, libraries and no smoking sections of restaurants.

Tell people around you that you have quit smoking.

Remember that there are only two good reasons to take a puff once you quit.  You decide you want to go back to your old level of consumption until smoking cripples and then kills you, or, you decide you really enjoy withdrawal and you want to make it last forever.  As long as neither of these options appeal to you - NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not that I don't appreciate what you're trying to do (trying to quit again myself), but the bits about instantly becoming hooked again are bunk.

I'd been quit for 9 months, and I could smoke one or two every so often without feeling the need to start up again.

[n0Mad]

Not that I don't appreciate what you're trying to do (trying to quit again myself), but the bits about instantly becoming hooked again are bunk.

I'd been quit for 9 months, and I could smoke one or two every so often without feeling the need to start up again.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ah, but by smoking those one or two every so often, you have started up again.

I know what you mean though, but I also know what Kelly's getting at. It takes 2-3 weeks to get all the crap out of your system. If you so much as take a few puffs off a cigarette during that time, then you may very well be hooked again and you've ruined all the work you've done so far. After that time though, then if you try to smoke your body rejects the chemicals and you'll feel nausea, sore throat, etc. If you pay attention to these signs, then it's easier to stay quit. But if you ignore them and continue to have a few every now and then, then your body will get used to cigarettes much more quickly than it did when you first started so it's easier to get hooked again.

I'll occasionally have a few cigarettes every now and then and when people say, "I thought you quit?" I state, "I did. I just have one every now and then to remind me why I quit." That's kind of a joke, but kind of serious.

Personally, I never should've started in the first place and the reasons I did were incredibly stupid. One of these days I'll quit entirely and never even have those few every now and then. But I haven't reached that point in my life yet, though I'm hoping it will be soon.

[Shade Everdark]

I know exactly what you mean. It sort of has to be 'time' for you to quit. At least, it did for me. It was a weekend when we were moving my then-girlfriend's stuff from Chicago to Detroit. I came down with a horrible sinus infection and said, "Enough, don't want 'em anymore."

[ManicQueen]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. I'm still smoke-free today. I've been literally breaking down and crying a lot. All this morning I was crying, I could barely work.

I'm fighting the urge and tonight everything seems a little less hectic.

I don't think I can possibly chew anymore gum! *lol* my jaws hurt so bad.

[kellygrrrrrl]

Not that I don't appreciate what you're trying to do (trying to quit again myself), but the bits about instantly becoming hooked again are bunk.

I'd been quit for 9 months, and I could smoke one or two every so often without feeling the need to start up again.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You are stronger than I my friend......

I had ONE smoke after 7 months cold....that shit rushed right to my finger tips, and it instantly gave me numbies.....tingy's...almost a euphoric feeling.....then I felt light headed dizzy, then pukey.

THAT's what I've been smojking for all that time?....it just goes away and then your left trying to get that BUZZ back forever....at least maintain it.....You never get it back....until afteryou quit and then have that one smoke....and then you want it again. and again. and again.

Horrible

[Mickmick]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. I'm still smoke-free today. I've been literally breaking down and crying a lot. All this morning I was crying, I could barely work.

I'm fighting the urge and tonight everything seems a little less hectic.

I don't think I can possibly chew anymore gum! *lol* my jaws hurt so bad.

How is it going now?

I quit just over two years ago and it was the hardest thing I have ever kicked. I am surprised my children survived my quitting. It took a LONG time for the withdrawals to stop with me. That was the easiest part though. The HABITS I had developed over 25 years of smoking were what killed me. I had NO idea what to do with my hands any more. THAT part seemed to take the longest amount of time.

Now I find that the longer I go without, the worse it smells to me. I love my mother but can't STAND to go to her house any more. She babysits for me and I strip my child at the door and toss her clothes in to wash.

It CAN be done, but it's a battle.

Good luck!

[Saephyr]

Ok so yah Brookie bomb mama!

I smoke. I don't smoke due to an addiction, I don't care what anyone says.

I love to smoke when I drink and when I'm just relaxing outside on the porch at night, not when I jump out of bed, notr right after I eat, I'm off the booze for a fair wehile so just leave that alone.

Just try this, just an idea... taste it.

i try to NEVER sit in the smoking section of a restaurant. i want to taste my food not nicotine.

Food will taste better but you'll get some 'colds' so keep on tryin babe!

You haev overcome MUCh more than this! :innocent

[ManicQueen]

It's been 12 days now and I feel fine as wine. I still feel anxious every so often but it passes quickly. I even had a few drinks lastnight. I was afraid to drink because when ya drink you gotta smoke. But I did alright.

To be honest, I don't feel any different. The only difference is that I now know what cigarette smoke smells like and it ain't pleasant!

When ever someone is smoking, I find myself kinda moving closer to them so that I can smell the smoke. *lol* I prolly shouldn't be doing that becuase of that blood test thats coming up but sometimes I just can't help myself.

[Guest Megalicious]

I'm sorry but people come up with stupid reasons to justify why they HAVE to smoke.

There are so many other things you can do besides give yourself cancer. So many different hobbies and what not to do.

Open your world a little and do something new and quit. I know a lot of you have kids. Why not do something new with your kids. That's a great reason to quit right there.

I don't care if what you do is pick your ass all day. As long as you ain't touching my food and you ain't picking up a smoke it's all good.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

:laughing

[Saephyr]

Hangin Tough Manic BABY!!!

[honeymustard02]

????

:laughing

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>