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I have been here before. The Eighth Level. It's a lonely place to be certain. I knew this would happen, and happen it has. I have never been able to reach the other side of this dreadful location. I have attempted to quit so many times, that I consider myself a professional quitter. And it's this evil brain fog that defeats me time after time. I don't know about you guys...but I like to be able to think. This foggy no-man's land is Hell itself ! The longest I have survived this place was just over a month, then I failed. Well here I am totally enveloped in the fog once more. Eleven days in and need guidance tying my shoes,so I wear flip-flops. This time is different. I knew this was coming. I've prepared. I've made a plan. I plan on not thinking for a while. So this writing about not thinking is pretty freakin' hard ! Anyway.....I'm a Newbie to this site. Hello.........I forget what else I was going to say...so I'm gonna eat something and go for a walk. This sucks like I knew it would,but this time it's different. This time................something about being strong or something, I don't know...something inspirational and motivational I think. Anyway. Nice to meet ya ! Fair Winds and following seas to the lot of ya !

MLMR.... a wise old man once told me -" Never chop wood while quitting smoking and suffering from brain fog." I didn't listen. But seriously....the story is two-fold. 1-Stepped on toothpick, developed massive infection, 10 days in hospital, permanent nerve damage to two toes. 2- Have friend that writes Pirate adventure books. She insists that everyone has a proper pirate name. I am a proper pirate.

G’day a Bushmans breakfast. A Piss.....A NOPE.....And a quick look around!

Have a fun and safe trip Rozuki Nope, Nope, Nope

The fog is real in those early days. One morning early in my quit, I felt like I was forgetting something. Something wasn't quite right. Following a brief period of deliberative thought, I realized I should probably put some pants on before going to work. Now that the fog has cleared I almost never forget to wear pants. Almost never....

NOPE...

Nope

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations on the quit. Two quick observations... First, maybe think about trying to force yourself to go to the gym despite the fatigue. Sometimes exercise can be an energy producer instead of an energy consumer, and you may feel better as a result of going. Second, definitely don't be alarmed if your energy is not back to normal in a couple of days, as you mention in your initial post of this thread. Recovery can be a long process--and given how long most of us smoked, the toxicity of the chemicals we've ingested, and the habits we've ingrained, it would actually be surprising if this weren't the case. Cultivate patience. Christian99 17 1/2 Years Quit

Yes I have officially quit no cigarettes since yesterday. Not even a puff! Im really not feel deprived of smoking. I’m having the most trouble with the habit. I wasn’t getting anything from smoking for the last couple of weeks. I really think the habit and as dumb as it might sound fear of quitting smoking as been the worst. No one like to fail and I’m no exception. I’ve been reading a lot of others stories on here since I found the site. They have helped me more than I can tell you. I’m very thankful to all of you for sharing you experiences and stories.and I’m sure I will me posting a lot in the coming weeks and months.

Ha ! " Hey Joe, what size shoes do you wear?" " One regular and one freakishly wide."

Welcome Eight-Toe-Joe and congratulations on your eleven foggy days! Eat, drink, walk, nap, pet the dog, stare blankly at a crossword puzzle, stay off the road — and one day soon your brain will forget to fog. Keep up the great work!

All you guys are fantastic.....I was looking for a supportive bunch. I found them. I will push thru this time...NO SURRENDER !!

Welcome 8-Toe! I too had and hated the brain fog. Not sure mine lasted a whole month, at least not to a disabling degree. There were lots of annoying quit symptoms to endure but they all did go eventually. I have to think hard now to remember them and I'm sure my mind is downplaying how bad they were now but that's how this works. The crap feelings are temporary and they vanish as quickly as they came but the benefits you will see from quitting are with you forever. All you have to do is commit to NOPE every day

Oh I just realized the brain fog could be because of blood sugar lows. I should have as I’m a type 1 diabetic. And low blood sugar makes you feel awful. And wiped out after you get it right again. So that a great idea. I hope you feel better soon Joe. I’m having the fatigue not so much the brain fog.

Hi jillar and Thank You for the welcome ! yes, I have replaced after meal smokes with a dark chocolate mint candy....which I will probably need help quitting as well. But yes...I have read some stuff about blood sugar and dopamine. It's all brain chemistry. I'm serious this time. Take no prisoners ,never surrender kinda serious. Thanks for your support. Your quit journey is so inspiring !

Welcome Eight Toe Joe, Have a look at this, The Great Smoke Free Brain Fog. The good news is that is doesn't last too long, even though it seems endless. Try short, small brain chores, like one crossword answer, not the whole puzzle, just a small bit of it. Parse the mental work that needs doing out in small increments. Do something physical in between brain work, walk around look at beauty. Like Jillar said, stay on top of your blood sugar. Drink more water. Lavish rewards on yourself.The Significance of Rewards Remember, You Quit Smoking ! You are a hero to yourself.

Welcome back eight toe Joe and congratulations on 11 days quit The brain fog does suck but most of us went through it and it's only temporary. What helps many of us is drinking juice and eating something sweet. I sucked on soft peppermint puffs for months and not only did it help with the brain fog but it helped with cravings too because I never smoked and ate candy at the same time. Stay close, post an SOS if you feel yourself caving to a crave and let's get you past that part

Hi Michelle, good that your'e back. You said, dont be too tough on me. The reason people are tough sometimes is not to call on you for shame, or failure. It's because they are trying to reach you, beyónd your addiction. To reach that part where the wise mind rules. Thats the part where you know you have to quit, want to quit, be it one way or another. Try finding a way to stay connected to that part of yourself! Shout, take walks, vent, write letters to yourself, know your reasons, keep track of your progress. Do whatever is helping you and reward yourself for every milestone you feel is worth celebrating. And you will see, gradually the wise, knowing mind will take over, because you stayed comitted.

NOPE

NOPE (this will have to cover me for a few days as I am leaving on a road trip to North Carolina early tomorrow morning!)

Pants are overrated.

NOPE!

Nope!

Welcome aboard ,our bodies are so messed ,we have been pumping crap into it for decades. All what your feeling is temporary.... Your going to be just fine here... Congrats on your great quit

Thank You Linda. I did the whole patch program...21mg for 6 weeks....14mg for 4 weeks.....7mg for 3 weeks and ripped off the last patch July 4th ,Independence day for a number of reasons. I've been smoke free for a while but nicotine free for 11 days. I have come to win this once and for all. The fact you are approaching a year free, gives me and I'm sure many others, strength to continue the battle. Never underestimate the power of your example. Have a wonderful day.

Welcome 8 toe. So glad you have decided to quit smoking. You have found the right place for help and support. We have all gone through it. I was tired but did not experience the mental fog. 11 days quit is great. Just keep directing your thoughts forward and towards all the benefits associated with quitting. Don''t let that fog make you give in to the crave. I promise your life will improve so much with quitting. Hang in there.

This is the coolest ever. I whish I had a friend like that, because she is sooo right. Funny, I imagined one foot with eight toes

Hi Diane, what you are experiencing is totally normal. Your body is working hard to heal from all the damage smoking has done. So if it's tired, rest. Hungry, eat. Craving sweets, eat a candy or drink some fruit juice. Just let your body dictate what it needs right now. Many of us experience shortness of breath after quitting. I have asthma and my breathing got so much worse I was questioning why I even quit! But, it does get better. To ease your worry though it's never a bad idea to talk to your dr. about it. My cousin quit and doesn't have asthma but her Dr. gave her a rescue inhaler to use for that first month or so. She's great now. Congrats on being past day !

Stare blankly, Jordan7......Can I get arrested for that? Or better yet be paid for it? Boy, I sure can do it well. .........................I'm doing it now. Thanks to you , Martian5 and all . I can not stress enough, how helpful it is knowing that an army of fellow soldiers stand by my side. This enemy is formidable. But not unbeatable. Your success stories are the proof. With all of you....I plan on being victorious. Thank You.....in advance.

Welcome aboard on this journey eight toe Joe. It does look like you are committed to this. As said above the brain fog can be there (I had it) and it can last for a bit but it does go away. I did use sweets to help with the cravings and the low blood sugar and used plenty of cold water (you can use juice), those things helped as well as taking short walks and deep breathing techniques -- they can help with the brain fog as well. Stay close to the site and do a lot of reading, there is a lot information here that can help you educated yourself about the addiction and quitting. Keep Strong!!!!

I get such a charge out of posts like yours (NO SURRENDER !!), Eight Toe Joe. YOU are fantastic ! You quit smoking ! Read all you can about our addiction and build yourself a sturdy quit. Stay vigilant, post often and tell us how you are feeling.

Positively NOPE !!!!!!!

Nope

Nope!

Maybe I should have tried the porn star generator mine sounds kind of boring Yarr olde name be linda thomas. But we'll now call ye: Melancholy Lea Dagger

Nope!

Hey eight toe Joe, just wanted to let you know that the 2019 quitters call themselves the ash kickers. Here's the logo if you'd like to put it in your signature We also have tickers for your signature that keep track of the time, money saved and cigarettes not smoked since you quit. It's super motivating and will also show you what you stand to lose should you cave to a crave. You can find the tab to create one at the top of the forum

I used to think of it as a new experience - like going on a spaceship. If spaceship doesn't excite you then you can substitute 'vacation to an exotic destination'. The idea is you're experiencing something new and unique (without spending a cent) going where you haven't gone before. Enjoy the brain fog while you can - it'll soon be gone.

Ahoy Boo ! Thanks ! Yeah.....temporary. A long ass temporary. Last time it lasted a month. Failed and lit up just to feel normal. But this time I'm ready for that long as hell temporary. BRING IT !! I will outlast it ! I will outsmart it ! I will out- temporary it ! What ever the hell that means,it sounds pretty bad-ass. I have come to this battle armed with patience. Something I am not known to posses. So, I will outsmart the fog by unleashing the Kraken of patience, kick fogs ass, and someday be able to operate a microwave oven like I once was able to do, back then, when I could think and stuff. But I digress.....Thanks again, Boo.

The brain fog associated with quitting is temporary. The improved focus that comes with not being a smoker and having to deal with smoke-breaks and withdrawal agitation is permanent. One step back. One thousand steps forward. By the way, welcome aboard Eight-Toe Joe. Good call on ditching the smokes.

Sazerac.....I look at your quit date and am honored for your assistance . Such a true champion. If this was ancient Rome, and you emerged from behind the iron gate the veteran gladiator , my money would be on you ! The video nailed it. Exactly. The mind fog. I was holding a cup of coffee in my left hand, was asked what time it was, spilled the coffee in my lap looking at my watch. I am now on board with the juice principle. The preemptive blood sugar control approach. I will start this tomorrow. Wish me luck. You and this message board are a powerful thing. Rome...doesn't stand a chance ! It is indeed, a good day to be free ! Thank You my new friends !!

^^^^^ Yes Diane your first NOPE. Come here daily to make the pledge, it may seem corny but it really helped me and I still come here daily!!!!!

NOPE

I refuse to be an apologist for these ruthless predators. Juul started this deceitful social media campaign and realized it had become so entrenched in youth culture they could afford to pull away. There are blame and accountability factors that can be cast far and wide. But the lion's share of the responsibility rests with the manufacturers who make a product that serves no other purpose than to get people (mostly young ones) addicted to nicotine.

Nope

NOPE !!!!

NOPE!