New Here from Another "Unkind" Quit Board

[Pippa]

Hey Renee - welcome aboard and congrats on a wonderful 3 months to date

[sgt.barney]

 Many here on quittrain may recognize me from another quit site.  I have stopped going there because of some horrible people who like to bully others.  

 

 

Pffft.

 

The Sarge left because he was accused of being a bully and banned.

 

 

 

Easy Peasy

[babs609]

Pffft.

 

The Sarge left because he was accused of being a bully and banned.

 

 

 

Easy Peasy

 

me too

[MarylandQuitter]

So, my name is Renee, my nickname is NayNay.  Many here on quittrain may recognize me from another quit site.  I have stopped going there because of some horrible people who like to bully others.  

 

I quit smoking on May 23, 2014 after almost 40 years of smoking.  I am a Type 2 diabetic, and smoking and diabetes just do not mix. I had attempted to quit smoking numerous times over the past 40 years, however this time I used an electronic cigarette to get to 0 nicotine.  Although I continue to use my e-cig for vaping, I do not use nicotine juices.  I do have a weight issue, and the vaping keeps the hand to mouth busy without using food. Besides, I'm limited on snack foods because of the diabetes.

 

So, enough of that.  I have not smoked an analog cigarette in almost 3 months, and have to say I'm pretty darn proud of myself.  I thought this day would never come, but here it is!  I had tried cold turkey, the patch, the gum, weening down.  None of it ever stuck.  As a matter of fact, I didn't make it much more than a day or two without giving up and going back to smoking.  I had purchased my electronic cigarette a while ago hoping to use it to quit.  It wasn't until just recently that I actually got my head wrapped around quitting that I was successful.  There are still times that I get a crave or two; especially during times of great stress or anxiety, but I get through them.  So, I am through the withdrawal from the nicotine, but still like the vaping.

 

I truly hope to find a more gentle, kind, supportive and encouraging group here.  I did notice there are many members here who I saw on the other site, so obviously I wasn't the only one who felt like I did.  Great to see you all here!

 

Welcome, Renee.  There are several different methods used to quit smoking and although cold turkey is the one with the highest success rate, it doesn't mean that other methods don't work.  I used Wellbutrin XL to quit.  You found something that works for you so don't ever second guess or look back because when you're 80 years old and haven't smoked in many decades, it won't matter how you quit, only that you quit.  The end result that we all seek is to stay quit forever.  Once you quit, protect it at all costs because if you lose it, it may be years before you try and quit again or perhaps never even attempt another quit.

 

If somebody says they pet a toad every evening at 10 PM for 15 minutes to keep them from smoking I wouldn't tell them to stop petting the toad but I would stop the train at Creepsville.  lol

 

Here you will find support to never take another puff, ever.

 

Your cravings will be few and far between the longer you stay quit.  You can go months and even longer without thinking about it.  Here's a good video to help put the whole craving thing into perspective.  One thing to remember, never, ever forget that you were once a smoker for the day that you forget is the day that you can get caught off guard by a sudden trigger and you could find yourself smoking again.  We're nicotine addicts and remembering that we were once smokers and getting the occasional craving or thought of smoking is what we signed up for when we decided that we wanted to become smokers. 

 

For us, we can never, ever take another puff.

 

Craves Or Thoughts For Cigarettes That Occur Over Time

This video discusses the fact that people may get thoughts for cigarettes after quitting and how we have numerous resources to help former smokers minimize the problems that these thoughts may pose. The following videos explores the different causes and solution to these thoughts or craves.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7Z980ITCvk

Related Media:

Difference between physical and psychological urges

http://youtu.be/_A8s7Pw7jA0

Video discusses how while the intensity between the psychological thoughts for cigarettes weeks or months into your quit may feel very much like the physical urges you may have encountered in the beginning of your quit, that there is an important difference in the two states.

Fixating on a cigarette

http://youtu.be/OZLJ_nlkUCQ

Video discusses how people often fixate on the desire to have "a good" cigarette.

"How long before I don't want a cigarette?"

http://youtu.be/CLp_ic5VgiI

Video discusses how experience is what is going to dictate how long it is before you can do certain activities without smoking, not time. Covers some of the same concepts as smoking triggers filmed a few days before, but I believe more people will look up this title because it is a question often asked by people first quitting.

"Will I ever stop thinking of cigarettes?"

http://youtu.be/8310BI-euJw

Most people overestimate how much of a battle staying smoke free will be once they quit smoking. This video discusses how people will generally stop thinking about smoking, and much sooner than they usually think.

Smoking triggers

http://youtu.be/MMhyHzvHgt8

Video discussing why triggers can often create thoughts for cigarettes over time.

Tell a newbie how many seconds a day you want a cigarette

http://youtu.be/W_S_Z8R0_Pk

Video introduces the Freedom from Nicotine thread that has hundreds of members describe the frequency and intensity of thoughts for cigarettes that they have over varying lengths of time after having quit smoking.

Avoiding situations where you used to smoke

http://youtu.be/M681p2B-8kA

Video discusses the importance of facing triggers head on as opposed to the natural inclination of many to avoid situations where they used to smoke.

Summer seasonal triggers

http://youtu.be/BxWAiSN7Yls

Video discusses how a national holiday or change of seasons may result in a temporary increase of thoughts for cigarettes.

Change of season triggers - the fall

http://youtu.be/ADlHtj7N8vo

Video discussed how change of season events and conditions may result in a temporary increase of thoughts for cigarettes.

Holidays that result in three day weekends

http://youtu.be/BGCFdg9tY_w

While discussing labor day and fall kind of changes, issues discussed in this video applies to lots of holidays and situations like three day weekends and the end of vacations for recent quitters.

Be prepared for holiday triggers

http://youtu.be/EOQvS4hjKYY

While filmed on Thanksgiving 2011, video relates to how any holiday or special annual event can result in more smoking thoughts than no

Longer-term quitters who say they are having "Bad Days"

http://youtu.be/1TpXVAEgOtU

Video discusses how longer-term quitters sometimes lose perspective of what really constitutes a bad day when it comes to thoughts for cigarettes.

"The only time I think of smoking is when I get one of your stupid letters"

http://youtu.be/DgZN4UI_8wU

 

[beacon]

Hi welcome! I find the experience here to be warm and supportive :)

[Nancy]

ewww...I do not like the petting the toad quit...but I guess it beats the stapling a live chicken to your forehead...

[jimmy]

welcome aboard renee     congrats on 3 months

[NayNay]

Wow!  Thank you all for such a warm and kind welcome to quittrain!  I already feel like I've found a new home.  Putting my warm and fuzzy socks on, getting my decaf cup of coffee, and reading lots!

 

Just so people know, I do use an e-cig, and although many of you say you don't care how someone quits, as long as they quit and stay that way.  That is such music to my ears.  I do not vape with nicotine; I only vape because of being a diabetic and cannot allow myself to use food as an alternative at this point in my life.  I struggle with my diabetes, and it is so very important that I do not eat foods that are dangerous to my health.  Therefore, the vaping gives me a way to enjoy certain flavors of things I'd love to either eat or drink, but cannot.  I do have a plan to be off the e-cig by years end, so I did use it as a way to cut down on my nicotine until I reached no nicotine.  I'm now working on the psychological aspect of the hand to mouth thing, and to help defray stress and anxiety (which also causes me lots of trouble).

 

I am so glad that I finally had enough of the abuse and bullying that I was experiencing because of using an e-cig from another site.  I do see many here that I had seen previously from the other site.  I unfortunately feel like you all had enough as well.

 

Again, thank you all for accepting and welcoming me into your group.  I plan on participating quite a bit as I feel I can offer support, encouragement, and understanding to anyone newly quitting or having difficulty with a quit.  I know so many are the same, so on those days I need that support, I'm certain I've found a place to find it.

 

Hugs to all of you.

[John_Doe]

Welcome, NayNay! I'm new myself. But it already feels like home. A lot of support here. :)

[Nicole Diver]

I'm late again, but welcome! Welcome!

We are here for you. :)

[sherry]

Nay Nay, sorry to be late to your welcome party, Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii  :bye:  and welcome aboard!!

 

Yep, I understand the whole  "your way of quitting is not my way so you're wrong"  thinking - got that myself on another board.. BUT, i also got a HUGE amount of support from  folks  who believe   how you quit isn't as important as quitting - and then stay'n quit... 

 

The QT is an all support 24-7 "family"... .. or at least it's how i've come to feel about our little corner of cyber space ...as a former recipient of the bully'n,  I hope you'll find it as comfy and welcoming here  as I do   :D

 

Congrats on your 3 months, keep rock'n your quit!! yer do'n AWESOME!!!! :yahoo:

[joe]

Welcome Renee...

 

I am not sure if you remember, but I sent you a message (on the other forum) when you joined..i thought you could possible be my daughters neighbor...lol...you are from about the right location and her name is also Renee, and goes by Nay-Nay (turns out your not  ;) )...

 

anyhow, welcome to this forum..i am sure you will find it much more to your liking...

 

a lot of us have  :)

[El Bandito]

Renee..

 

It was all going so well.

 

Decaf Coffee?

 

Really? Are you sure?

[Jenny]

:)    NayNay you do whatever it takes to get and keep your quit.   It's awesome you are not on the nicotine any longer, you've got all the hard stuff behind you!

 

If you needed to do 50 cartwheels a day to stay quit I would be all for it.  Same goes for anything else that will help you. As Doreen mentioned before, all roads lead to Rome.  Perhaps your story will be the catalyst for another member to find their quit.  I'm betting it will.

 

It's great to have you here.

[NayNay]

Renee..

 

It was all going so well.

 

Decaf Coffee?

 

Really? Are you sure?

Unfortunately El Bandito, yes I'm sure.  I had to cut my caffeine intake big time after quitting because the caffeine was affecting my nerves and anxiety more.  I didn't know that the absence of nicotine causes caffeine to have a greater effect on your nervous system.  So, I cut way back.  I use a 75/25 decaf/caf mix in the morning (gotta have some caffeine; otherwise I get a horrible headache) and I switched to just decaf in the evenings because I was having difficulty falling asleep.  Caffeine never had that affect on me before, but then again I was a pack a day smoker too.  So I guess you do what you gotta do to keep the quit right?  I'm adjusting and finding that it really is just the coffee that I like; not necessarily the caffeine.

[NayNay]

Again, thanks to the late comers and their warm welcome.  I feel so giddy now with all you lovely people.

 

Joe, yes I do remember you from the other site!!!  Nice to see you here.  I believe I have found a much kinder and gentler home here.  Already I feel like I've come out of the war to a huge warm embrace.  Thank you for that.

[Nicole Diver]

I hate to say it, but I've kind of replaced smoking with drinking coffee.  For me, it helps.

Bouncing off the walls 24-7.

[NayNay]

Ava, I've been a coffee drinker from probably the age of 16!  So there was no replacing smoking with coffee.  I did have to cut out the caffeine, but that's okay.  Don't really need all that hyperness.  My anxieties give me that "jolt" daily  :lol:   

[robert]

Hi NayNay. I hope that all goes well here.

[joe]

Hi NayNay. I hope that all goes well here.

 

hey Robert..nice to see you are still around.. Haven't seen much from you...I hope all is well with you, and your quit is strong!

 

 

Ava, I've been a coffee drinker from probably the age of 16!  So there was no replacing smoking with coffee.  I did have to cut out the caffeine, but that's okay.  Don't really need all that hyperness.  My anxieties give me that "jolt" daily  :lol:   

 

 

Hey Renee..same here..Ive always drank coffee..and "way back when I was a smoker"  ;)  I used to drink 3 POTS or more a day...I always had coffee brewing...since I quit smoking, I am lucky to finish  1 pot of coffee in the morning...None at lunch, and none when i get home..I have an ulcer and now that much coffee really messes with my stomach....makes me wonder why it didnt before  :huh:

[NayNay]

hey Robert..nice to see you are still around.. Haven't seen much from you...I hope all is well with you, and your quit is strong!

 

 

 

 

Hey Renee..same here..Ive always drank coffee..and "way back when I was a smoker"  ;)  I used to drink 3 POTS or more a day...I always had coffee brewing...since I quit smoking, I am lucky to finish  1 pot of coffee in the morning...None at lunch, and none when i get home..I have an ulcer and now that much coffee really messes with my stomach....makes me wonder why it didnt before  :huh:

Well Joe, I would suspect that it has something to do with that whole "getting older" thing.  I drank coffee like a fiend for many years.  I just can't anymore.  I have to listen to what my body is telling me, and it was telling me it was time to cut the caffeine.  I never experienced issues with anxiety growing up, but I hit my 40's and it was like a bomb went off in my body.  So many issues with anxiety, weight, hormonal imbalance, stomach and intestinal issues.  It was like can I just turn around and go back to my 30's?  But we do what we have to in order to keep our homeostasis right?

[robert]

hey Robert..nice to see you are still around.. Haven't seen much from you...I hope all is well with you, and your quit is strong!

 All is well and the quit is strong -- thank you for asking.

 

Hope that all is going as you would like.

[whackamole]

So, my name is Renee, my nickname is NayNay.  Many here on quittrain may recognize me from another quit site.  I have stopped going there because of some horrible people who like to bully others.  

 

I quit smoking on May 23, 2014 after almost 40 years of smoking.  I am a Type 2 diabetic, and smoking and diabetes just do not mix. I had attempted to quit smoking numerous times over the past 40 years, however this time I used an electronic cigarette to get to 0 nicotine.  Although I continue to use my e-cig for vaping, I do not use nicotine juices.  I do have a weight issue, and the vaping keeps the hand to mouth busy without using food. Besides, I'm limited on snack foods because of the diabetes.

 

So, enough of that.  I have not smoked an analog cigarette in almost 3 months, and have to say I'm pretty darn proud of myself.  I thought this day would never come, but here it is!  I had tried cold turkey, the patch, the gum, weening down.  None of it ever stuck.  As a matter of fact, I didn't make it much more than a day or two without giving up and going back to smoking.  I had purchased my electronic cigarette a while ago hoping to use it to quit.  It wasn't until just recently that I actually got my head wrapped around quitting that I was successful.  There are still times that I get a crave or two; especially during times of great stress or anxiety, but I get through them.  So, I am through the withdrawal from the nicotine, but still like the vaping.

 

I truly hope to find a more gentle, kind, supportive and encouraging group here.  I did notice there are many members here who I saw on the other site, so obviously I wasn't the only one who felt like I did.  Great to see you all here!

Hey Nay! Will introduce myself shortly but just want to say hi to those I already know. I'm another refugee who's been under bombardment... so happy to be here!

[Evelyn]

A big welcome and a good job an quiting!

[Nancy]

Hey Nay! Will introduce myself shortly but just want to say hi to those I already know. I'm another refugee who's been under bombardment... so happy to be here!

Good to see you!