QuittingGirl

When I was on the Chantix for the first few weeks I would get nauseous in the morning and it would last about 30 mins and then it went away. I also had vivid dreams, but they weren't nightmares, just regular dreams that seemed to be more colorful and kind of like 3D. They actually were quite fun...LOL!!! With Chantix you smoke for the first week and then by the time you actually quit a week later, you don't really want to smoke anymore. Like I said, it makes you forget to smoke. It's a 3 month program and they have a Help line that you can call and a website where you can find great info. Since it's a prescription, you will need to speak with your doctor. Talk to him/her and see what they say. Other people have used the patch or the gum and were successful with that method. For me, this time I weaned myself off and by the time I got down to 2 a day I realized that I had couldn't stay at 2 because I was in constant withdrawal mode always looking for that next smoke. So I just made up my mind and then just stopped smoking.

Hi Leap of Faith, No you are not being a coward at all!!! In our minds cigarettes are smokers friends. When I had my last cigarette I actually said "goodbye my old friend, I will miss you" I recently quit 3 weeks ago. It's not easy I will say that, but it does get better. The first week was difficult for me and I had a couple days where the cravings were really bad, but then in the 2nd week, it wasn't as bad as the 1st and now that I am 3 weeks quit it doesn't bother me that much anymore. I still get cravings but they don't seem to last as long. I smoked for over 40 years although I did quit for 6 years from 2009 to 2015 and then unfortunately went back. Honestly, it does get easier but everyone is different. I asked that same question when I first joined this board too. Just take one day at a time or even one hour at a time and believe me you will get through it. Look at all the people on this forum that have quit for several years or even decades. I'm sure they were all just as scared as you and I, but they got through it. If you can't do it cold turkey, why don't you try Chantix or the Nicoderm patch? I used Chantix with my first quit and it was a wonder drug, it makes you forget to smoke. Come on this board a lot and ask for help because we are all here for you! It really does get easier!! Try and keep busy a lot. Hang in there, you can do it!!

NOPE!!

I finally decided to take the pledge folks! NOPE!!

Have you tried Chantix? You can get it from your doctor, it's a prescription. The first time I quit it really helped me. It makes you forget to smoke. I was quit for 6 years when unfortunately my husband had a heart procedure and I was so stressed and nervous that I went back. Or you can try the Nicoderm patch or gum. A lot of people say that really helped them. Yes, keeping busy helps. I have been walking since I quit and I find that helps too, plus it's easier to breathe when you don't smoke. Hang in there!!

Thanks SP!! I take it one day at a time. I still get the urges but they are definitely not as bad as that first week. I look forward to the day when I don't get any urges at all anymore!

Congratulations!!! That is so wonderful!!!

Congrats on going over a month!! That is fantastic! Yup, this group is great, they sure have been helping me! I can't wait to get to the point where I don't miss it anymore. I still miss it a bit, but it is getting easier as the time goes on.

It seems a bit better today here in NYC.

I sort of figured you were from Alaska, being that your Username is DenaliBlues. I've never been to Alaska, but I have watched many shows that take place there, including some that go way up to Prudhoe Bay! As of a few hours ago, it wasn't that bad!! Growing up in Alaska must have been so nice!! Does it ever get warm there, even in the end of June/beginning of July?

Thanks Johnny, I love Classic Rock from back in the day!! That is my music!!!

Yeah I guess it got way down there in NC! Now it's not so bad like around 1.30/2PM...hopefully the fires will be put out

Hi, I'm a newbie to this forum, I joined just a few weeks ago. Is there just a regular chat, you know, like talk about anything? Today, I want to know how all of you on the East Coast of North America, (USA and Canada) are doing because there are terrible wildfires in Canada, and here in NYC, where I live, it's been really bad. About 1.30/2PM EST the sky looked orange, almost like Armageddon, but after about an hour it's like a grey color. The sun looks like it wants to come out a bit. Hopefully it will. Anyway, I hope all Canadians and Americans are doing well, hopefully the fires in Canada will end soon! Anyway, are there forums for just regular chatting, like how's the weather, I'm going on vacation, my son is graduating from high school/college, Etc. Is this the right place? If not, please tell me, because I'm looking to have a chat forum, because it keeps my mind off of smoking! Thanks!

Asparagus

Mango

Sorry you still have the shingles! Did you go to the doc and get the anti viral pills? 4 weeks is great!! Keep it up!

Thank you, but believe me Robin, it's not easy for me at all. I still get cravings even after 10 days, it's just not as bad as the first few days. I am always hungry and I'm trying to lose weight because I am a prediabetic, so I have lots of negative things going for me. It's so difficult for sure!! Yes, keeping busy is key! I'm retired but I still have my husband and 30 year old son that lives with me, and they keep me busy for sure...sometimes way too busy!! If I can give you just one piece of advice, is to take one day at a time, or even a couple hours at a time, or 1 hour at a time! I don't look beyond tomorrow, I just take it slow and every day is a day in the right direction. I know it's so hard, one of the hardest things that we all have done, but in the end it's worth it and it won't be hard anymore. Since I have quit before and you have as well, we both know that eventually all the urges and difficulties will be gone. But, since we fell off the train, it got hard again. So, Robin, let's just take this slow, and every day that we make it without smoking, is a total accomplishment!!! You can do it and so can I!!!

I am still struggling Robin! It's so difficult, as you know! I try my best but it's not easy at all! I think one day it will be, but you and I are newbies....so my suggestion is just be on this site every day! That is what I do, and if you need to post that you are struggling, just post it!!! I may post something tonight, I have see how I feel. Just post here, nobody will judge you, everyone will understand you!!!

Yup, it's totally normal. All the emotions and cravings you are feeling are normal. All part of the quit process, but like I said in my previous post, it does get better as time goes on. I believe each day will get easier. Last week I was keeping cinnamon sticks or plastic straws in my mouth and it helped me. You might want to try that when you get the cravings. Hang in there and best of luck! You can do it!!

Hi Robin, Welcome! I am new here as well. I have been smoke free for over 10 days now and my story is similar to yours as this is my 2nd time quitting. The first time I quit for 6 years using Chantix and then unfortunately went back. I also had a family issue and couldn't handle the stress so I went back to smoking. But, at least we decided to quit this time. This time I did the weaning method. After I had that last cigarette I felt the same way like you, like I was giving up my best friend! Same exact thing, but it does get better as my cravings are much less this week than they were last week when I had a couple of meltdowns. The people on this forum are great! They are so understanding, sympathetic and helpful. So stick around and read a lot of the information and whenever you feel the need to vent, we are all here to help you!

So sorry that you have shingles....I had it a few years ago and I know exactly what you are going through. The pain is just horrible. But, you can get antiviral meds and painkillers from your doctor. That's what I did and I was only in bad pain for 1 day. Go to your doc today, if you can. Glad you haven't smoked, because it certainly wouldn't help at all!

Romaine lettuce