Hello

[Jklnhd]

Good evening everyone, I've been reading a lot on here and it's been way more helpful than all the sites just repeating the same half dozen symptoms and timelines over and over.

 

I've got a lot of stuff I want to type, it's a long story, but I'll try to keep it short for now (it probably won't be)

I cut way back like 1.5 to 2 months ago. Last satursay I decided I was really gonna quit. I had a lovely 5 a.m. smoke last Sunday, an anxiety inducing 6:30 pm smoke, then Monday an annoyed at work 2 pm smoke that I got about half way through before basically I just said I don't wanna do this anymore.

I have anxiety issues. It was a seemingly random occasional attack a couple times in a couple years, that evolved into a general feeling of crapiness. Basically stress that wasn't dealt with well.

When they happened I was a part time hypochondriac now working on full time, largely due to the internet. Search "nicotine withdrawal" for every 1 semi useful thing, there's a dozen things saying you have heart desease or thyroid cancer, maybe malaria, I don't know. So I'm on the panic channel all the time, sometimes there's commercials and I can relax a little.

On the plus side, I'm so preoccupied with what's gone horribly wrong with me that I haven't had time for a craving.

 

Btw, i had vitals checked, in the midst of a panic attack and chest pain. BP, temp, O2 levels, all good... yes, your mind is great at screwin with you.

Also, I'll be getting checked more in depth, first attack a couple years ago I thought I was having a heart attack or something. Blood tests, EKG, all kinds of expensive stuff, nothing physically wrong.

Also, I realize this is a stop smoking board, not an anxiety bored, but anxiety is a potential side effect and the internet is great at inducing it.

[Doreensfree]

Hi and welcome JK !!!!!

Glad you decided to take your seat on this freedom train...

The internet can be your friend and enemy too...if your worried about your health in any way..going to see the doctor is much safer..

Quitting smoking can only help you health wise..it's effects on the body is damaging in parts you would never think of.

Keep reading knowledge about this addiction is the best way of fighting it..

We have here to support you ..but you have to put the effort in to your quit..

The first step ..is Take smoking off the table ..no matter what is going on ...

Taking the daily pledge...

Looking forward to getting to know you better..x

[Reciprocity]

Welcome Jkinhd! Glad to see you have decided to quit smoking. As I'm sure you already know, smoking isn't good for you health in any way. Take a look at the list of chemicals that are in a cigarette. It's crazy that we put all that junk into our bodies every time we light up. With anxiety disorder, quitting will be extra challenging for you I'm sure. Quitting requires your complete and total commitment. Not One Puff Ever. That's our NOPE pledge we make daily here. You should do that too. Helps to get your mind in the right place at the start of every day. As long as you want to quit more than you want to smoke - you'll be just fine.

 

Remember, smoking doesn't help with stress or your anxiety. All smoking does it feeds your nicotine addiction what it wants - more nicotine. Yes you can expect to feel more anxious in the early part of your quit. Unfortunately, that's just part of the deal. It won't last forever. As your body and mind adjust to not smoking, things will get back to normal again. Also, be aware you will likely experience changes of some sort within your body as you quit smoking. Those too will eventually get back to normal once your body adjusts to what it's going through. Things life interrupted sleep patterns, changes to digestion, minor weight gain, even things like chest congestion while you're getting rid of all that crap in your lungs. You may not get all of these things but you will likely experience some so, don't be concerned about those. If you're concerned, go get checked out by your doctor. Once he/she gives you the all clear, carry on with your quit no matter what. \wishing you the very best and we will see you around the board.

[Jklnhd]

Thank you all. In about 5.5 hours it'll be a solid week. I actually slept last night and didn't wake up with the numb/weak limb feeling.

I've been looking around and it's good to see that people are supportive without the added negativity - the "yeah my friend felt like that it's normal, except you might also have malaria" or what have you.

Also, went and got checked out yesterday. Xray, ekg, blood tests, all the fun stuff they do when you say chest anything (pain, tightness, discomfort, etc). Not dying, which is nice to know.

[Reciprocity]

Well then "Happy First week Jk!! :) We'll post up something tomorrow in our celebration thread so tune in for that. We have another 1 week quit on the same date as you 6/6/17 :)

 

Good to know you got checked out because now you know you're at least starting your with a clean slate. As I said in an earlier post though, don't be surprised if there are some sort of changes in your body or your body's functions as you move through the quit process. Not sure how long you have been smoking for but the sheer number of chemicals we smokers continued to dump into ourselves for years is amazing. It's no wonder our bodies change a little as they are readjusting to the way things should be. That's one of the main benefits to quitting. Allowing our bodies to heal and become normal again.

 

Keep up the good work. That initial week in particular is a tough one - I remember it well. Keep taking things a day at a time for now and you'll be fine. Just keep to the NOPE pledge (Not One Puff Ever).