PixelSketch

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I used to suffer from anxiety/panic disorder a long time ago too. I know it can be hard and I'm glad the cats were able to comfort you. :) Animals really do have a sixth sense for all that! We have three cats and they all pile on and cuddle close if I or Mr. P get sick. Just hang in there, come post here or read. It will get so much better soon!! And we're here, just a post away. :)

You've doing great Pumpkin! :) And great job conquering the craving!! You're absolutely right - it's the break you need, NOT the cigarette. And everything is better with a nice cup of tea in the sunshine! The trouble sleeping is pretty common with quitting. I think most of us experienced it at first. I had it for the first almost three weeks and then it started to get better again. It's a temporary effect, it will get better. I would get up and read for a while, and try to go back to sleep later. Try some chamomile tea. Do something else. It's worse to just lie in bed and stare at the ceiling - that makes it harder to sleep. Just do something relaxing and try again. It will get better and usually sooner than you think! :) A little more here from a recent thread on insomnia: https://www.quittrain.com/topic/8321-sever-insomnia-help/

Oh yeah. At that age, you never listen. LOL I spent a good part of my life, from a young age, in the martial arts and I was totally invincible. I wouldn't even have torn ligaments or fractures looked at. "It'll be fine, I'm tough". I trained through it. And because I didn't listen, and have those properly taken care of back then, now, I feel every single injury. I can't stop working out, or I will fall apart! I didn't start smoking until my 20's and, yes, still trained, did weightlifting AND running. Invincible. Ha! It does catch up with you, for sure. I hear you there! Eventually, though I kept working out, my endurance just wasn't what it could have been because of the smoking. It's getting better now. Starting smoking at 10 - you pulled off an awesome quit! Serious respect there! And I'm so happy it all worked out for you with the teeth. :) I've always had a fear of losing teeth. I think that's why, even with the smoking, I never missed a dental appointment. Also, I wore braces as a kid, and after all that awkwardness, I was invested. LOL I got lucky there too. My dentist says looking at my teeth/mouth, you can't tell I was a smoker. You somehow never think about the damage you're doing to your mouth by smoking until after you quit! And YES for Sonicare!! I think it's the single best thing anyone can do for their dental health. Been using one for years and I can't imagine going back to manual brushing! Also, I love gadgets! I'm due for a new one soon, this one is holding its charge for shorter and shorter periods of time. I'm getting the DiamondClean too this time. My current one is the HealthyWhite. Seriously wonderful cleaning power, but I hear the DiamondClean is even better! That, plus flossing and you're good to go. And it keeps your gums is great shape. I found my cleaning appointments got so much faster after using it too. So worth it! I get tooth whitening done every few years - before because of the smoking and even without that now, the coffee and red wine. I'm doing this whitening round as my one month smoke-free reward. :)

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-7...Seriously! I went back to check...it's Day 9!!!! :o

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-7 Mornin'! :)

My former mother-in-law had the gum/bone grafting done too years ago, and I remember her saying the same thing as you - not that bad in reality. I think a lot of the time that's how it goes - you build it up into this big scary thing and, it really isn't. The imagination is a powerful thing! Yeah, I really can't wait to have them out. They're just so uncomfortable. I've been going to the same dentist since I was 14 (!) and I trust his recommendation of the specialist for this surgery, so I'm not worried. Just hate that the schedule worked out the way it did, but, hey, that's how it is sometimes. :) Just hope it's a super quick recovery and, I totally agree, being a non-smoker will definitely help with that! :)

-7 hmmm...hang on a minute...that doesn't look like a stick to me...thanks R! :D

Great to hear RM! :D Someone is always here if you need us. Have a fabulous weekend!

-8 Hi Joe!! :D Thank you so much! It's good to talk with you!

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Welcome Parsley! :) Happy to have you aboard! This place was such an important part of my quit even before I joined. I, too, lurked for the first little while, but I can say joining took my quit to a whole new level. It became fun! Come hang out with us. Before you know it, you'll be focussed on the positives that being a non-smoker brings into your life and you'll just become happier and happier. Even after only a month for me, smoking seems like something from another life. The hard parts of quitting weren't anywhere near as hard as I imagined them to be - especially with support - and they do pass quickly. It's worth a brief struggle to get your whole life back. Stay close, read, read, read, educate yourself on nicotine addiction and post, post, post. If I can do this, anyone can. Welcome to your new life. Let's do this thing! :D

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Love this thread! Such a cool way to discover new-to-me music! Awesome!

Haha! Love this one, MQ! "Jimmy's DOWN!" LOL :lol:

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-8 LOL Some addictions are worth keeping! :P That's one I don't want a 12-step program for! ;)

Nothing wrong with a little sausage addiction :P But, you know, we can multi-task really well, so... -6

Awww, Congrats Doreen! :) That's fantastic news! And there's nothing more special than hand-knitted baby items. The little one will always cherish them. I still have a few things my grandmother made for me, and she also taught me how to knit and crochet. I think of her every time I pick up the needles or take out the items she made a long time ago. Nothing store-bought could ever duplicate that feeling.

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