QuittingGirl

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!

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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!

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Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and just recently quit smoking, my last cigarette was Monday night at around 7.30 after dinner, May 22nd. I haven't had a cigarette in almost 72 hours! Yay!! It's not easy as all of you know, but my question is....are there any pre diabetics/diabetics here who have quit smoking? I am a pre diabetic, I have been for about 8 years now. I'm not on any medication, but I try to watch my carbs to an extent. My A1C has been between 5.9-6.1 for most of the time that I was diagnosed. Anyway, another question that I have is how do you quit smoking AND watch your carbs and diet? I am trying to watch my carb intake, but it's difficult because not smoking makes me so hungry!! I hope this is the right place to post this in since I'm a newbie to this whole website and forums. Thank you for helping me! Sandi

Salad

Thanks everyone....I am now posting on this thread.

I am totally insane over this!!! Thank you all for helping me....I am going to try my best. My husband quit back in 2018 but he is totally not understanding at all. I would think he would be understanding, but he isn't!!! He has been horrible to me. I just can't deal with this!! Ugh! It's so difficult!!!

Yes, the cost is very high, if I go without insurance. As I said, I have insurance but they don't know that I smoke anymore. With insurance it's free now, without, $500 a month. Way too much for my budget. Yes the Nicorette stuff is way more affordable...maybe like $40-50 a week and it's like a 2-4 week program. I don't know what to do! I'm afraid these cravings will last for months, even if I go cold turkey! It's just horrible!!! Thank you for your help!!! Really appreciate it!! Ok I get it, but if I go on the Nicorette which is also weaning, how will that work out for me? Won't it be the same as weaning from actual cigs?

Thank you Johnny5, I can't do the Chantix again because my insurance company doesn't know I smoke now. Back when I quit in 2009, Chantix wasn't covered by insurance and it cost me with a pharmacy discount $120 a month, which was expensive. Now it's covered by insurance, but as I mentioned, they don't know that I smoke and the price now of the Chantix is $500 a month which is totally insane and I cannot afford it. So, I'm trying to do the weaning method. Once you gave up smoking for good, how long did the cravings last? The cravings now are really horrible even though I'm smoking 1-2 a day, and I can't imagine the cravings will get better, if I have no cigs? Do you think if I go on the patch/lozenges, gum will that help me more than my method? Thank you!

Thank you for replying! I have another question. The patch/gum/lozenges are also a cutting down method? I know several people who used that method and are quit now for many years. Is the cutting down method I am using, the same as the patch/lozenges, etc? Do people still get the horrible cravings when using that method? Thank you!

Hi, I am a new member and trying to wean myself off of smoking, (2nd time trying to quit...first time, back in 2009 I quit for 6 years but then went back). I have been a 3/4 pack a day smoker and I have been weaning myself off for the past 2-3 weeks. As of now, I'm smoking 1-2 cigs a day and it's very difficult because of the physical cravings. I'm very irritable and it's just so hard this time. Last time I used Chantix and it was very easy, this time doing the weaning method and it's not easy at all! Any advice? I would greatly appreciate it. What do you do to get rid of the physical urges? Thanks so much! Sandi