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Showing content with the highest reputation on 11/16/19 in all areas

  1. So I called quit line and got some help to quit smokes. I wasn't a huge smoker, had cut down to between 6 - 10 a day most days but for a long time. anyway I got the patches and lozenges they send out and started using them. Had a pretty good week at first. using the patches and a few lozenges a day was making it through. One thing that I felt really helped was forgetting the patch one day about 3 days in and being so strung out that it helped me realise that the patches were helping and gave me a huge boost in confidence for the following days. The problem I have is that on the first day after applying the patch I felt like I had a pain in the bone of my arm, all day like someone gave me a really good dead arm, the next day I move the patch to mu other arm, and the pain followed. I looked it up online and found this wasn't the most uncommon thing and that my pain seemed mild compared to some of the posts. The n ext day I put the patch on the back o0f my shoulder, and from this point I had pain in my kidneys .. it started mild but after a few more days was getting quite pronounced and playing on my thoughts all the time. I decided to stop using the patches and see how I went with just the lozenges, still only using maybe 5 or 6 lozenges a day I managed to push thorough but the kidney pain persisted. I hoped it would subside, the next day it was just as bad if not worse and had not been using a patch for 2 days. So then I stopped taking the lozenges, and after a couple of days the pain had all but gone, but I was really struggling with my mood and generally ability to focus on literally anything at all, So now I am at the point where I feel like the patches and lozenges are causing side effects that I just cannot deal with, even though I could tell they were helping me with the smoking. I know some people that used those Champix tablets and basically went mental, my sister in law for one so much so that we no longer have any contact with them at all and we used to see them most weekends. I guess my only way forward is cold turkey but that's really tough on everyone and difficult with work. I feel like I need a 'something to look forward to' like how when you get home from work and can turn on your 'relax' mode I don't really drink much except occasional 'events' like a big BBQ or whatever but day to day I don't really drink at all. I've gotten some green tea with lemon which is quite nice and almost fills that hole but I guess maybe I was wondering if anyone else had experienced similar problems wioth the NRT patches and lozenges. thanks DC
    5 points
  2. A successful cold turkey quit is very doable. I did it. Several others here did it. You don't need superhuman strength or willpower of steel to quit cold turkey. Mostly, you just need to learn to ride out those moments when you are craving a cigarette. Deep breathing exercises are great. Physical exercise, a leisurely walk or something more vigorous depending on the mood, is a great option. Reading. Listening to music...there are many options to choose from. Every crave is temporary. Quitting cold turkey is just a matter of not making a permanent decision based on a temporary feeling. What really drew me to cold turkey was the simplicity of it all. There's nothing to administer at regular intervals. Nothing to buy. No side effects(what some may call side effects of quitting are actually side effects of smoking). A cold turkey quit could not be more simple; you don't even have to do anything, you just stop putting things in your mouth and lighting them on fire. Congratulations on quitting smoking DeadlyChicken. And thanks for sharing the information about your experience to this point.
    5 points
  3. NOPE - I don't smoke anymore.
    5 points
  4. 4 points
  5. Nope, I don't smoke anymore!!!!
    4 points
  6. Congratulations @johnny5 on five years quit today! Thank you for all you do here and your unending support to everyone. I hope you have a great day my friend and celebrate this awesome achievement
    3 points
  7. Congratulations on your five years Johnny!
    3 points
  8. I agree with everything @Boo posted. I quit cold turkey and highly recommend quitting this way. Free and clean. Just stop smoking or ingesting nicotine. It is a poison, you know. Educate yourself about nicotine addiction. I offer two links from our friend, Joel Spitzer Pharmacological Crutches and Keeping NRT in case of emergency
    3 points
  9. Hi, thanks for the support, I will say if I didn't make myself clear in the opening post. that quitlline is awesome, they give you 3 months of patches and gum or lozenges for free, in three deliveries. So I have the first delivery and am thinking about just telling them to not bother with the others when it comes time ( they ring you once a week to chat about your week etc ) I think its a really good way to kick things off. And it does make you answerable to someone if you don't have anyone else at the moment to be answerable to so I found that it was one of those sort of steps you cant take back once youo taken it and helps get your head in the right space. Recommend to anyone who may have tried alone and struggled before, or who thinks that they want to try the NRT stuff but are scared of the price. 3 months should be enough to quit and not have to spend a cent. Tonight we went to a friends for a BBQ and beers … normally would have been a time that I might have smoked a lot more than normal, but didn't really crave at all. I took some lozenges with me but didn't need to pop any ( would have messed up the beers flavour ) fingers crossed. Now to see if a hangover without smoking is any better than one with smoking nn
    3 points
  10. Welcome aboard ... Congratulations on your decision to take your life back ... Cold turkey here too....chewed regular gum ....came here 24/7.... Read all you can ..knowledge makes you stronger .. You can do it !!!
    3 points
  11. G'day @DeadlyChicken....nice to have another Aussie onboard. So I used the NRT chewies to get through the first months. Luckily no side effects. I have mates who have had successfully quit using champix without side effects. I wouldn't recommend it though because the side effects can be deadly, a month in hospital with a DVT taught me that. I would mix up the NRT gums with pks or extra or Chuppa Chups. Minties and Fantales are ripper options...they take long enough to eat that the crave will pass.
    3 points
  12. Welcome deadlychicken and congratulations on taking back your life. I quit cold turkey so I can't help with your NRT problem but we have many members who did and will be around to offer their input I'm sure. No matter which method you use though, you'll need to be prepared for some discomfort. I assure you it's temporary and well worth getting through to conquer this nasty habit. If you decide to stay with cold turkey I would recommend stocking up on sweets to suck on and drink lots of water/juice to help flush the nicotine out quicker. You've made a great decision to quit this deadly habit and we're glad to have you aboard
    3 points
  13. 2 points
  14. If it wasnt for quitting smoking, I wouldnt have been... • gradually, over the past year, deep cleaning my house to the point where I feel at home and at ease again • succesfully negotiating my job position and salary • taking up yoga classes (and even liking them) • saving money for a piano ánd being able to deal with some unexpected financial surprises • picking up writing again • losing 22 lbs • re-doing my bedroom And on a more subtle, but very meaningful level: • accepting and adjusting to some major changes in my personal life • coming to a new understanding with anxiety • learning to say 'I need some time. Let me get back at that'. • learning to be less (self)judgemental • slowly gaining back some concentration, which I use to read. Thats major, after years of depression and fighting for my sanity. The other day I ran into someone I havent talked to in a long time. She said these unforgettable words: 'its like you are more at peace now, not being haunted by some invisible raging inner critic'. And thats exactly how it is! At the time it all seemed to go sooo veeeeerryyyyy sloooow. I nearly lost patience and kept complaining about the time it took for the patterns to, well, die. I clearly remember my desperation at smokey thoughts: "does this ever stop?!". And now I am almost three months into my second year and Im able to look back at that time, with nothing less than satisfaction and an insane amount of gratitude. To the hero strugglers, keep going. You will feel better at some point, you will get there. Every day done and dusted is another promis for change. Thoughts about smoking will diminish, unrest will settle and you will find ways to give different meaning to whatever personal issues this addiction forces you to work with. It is doable and more than worth it, for me as well as for you!
    2 points
  15. What can I say, my friend? You have been there for me through the ups and downs of my quit process. I have been so proud to watch you remain steadfast in your quit, and I'm honored to celebrate this anniversary with you!
    2 points
  16. NOPE - I don't smoke anymore.
    2 points
  17. Way - to- go Johnny5.... on your Fabulous 5 years ... Thank you for all the support you bring to the Train ,you are a valued member..... Do something nice to celebrate....
    2 points
  18. Welcome DeadlyChicken, I also went cold turkey. I do think it is better to just bite the bullet and get the nicotine out of your system. This forum is a great place for information and support. We are here to help guide you to freedom. Stay close and shout out when you need us. Keep that wonderful quit going!
    2 points
  19. 2 points
  20. Awesome post, MLMR. Great to hear about all the positive changes in your life. 22 lbs???? Please share the secret.
    2 points
  21. While we enjoyed smoking, smoking enjoyed us...
    2 points
  22. 1 point
  23. Never in your wildest dreams
    1 point
  24. I am definitely trying this. I think my husband will do well with this also. He has to have knee replacement in January, after he retires. I think he would do better with the surgery if he loses some weight. I will keep you up on our progress.
    1 point
  25. Thank you, such a positive and happy post, with objective milestones which you have reached. Being thankful creates a loving journey.
    1 point
  26. Well done of doing the Barbie smoke free, from memory the anxiety of faving it was harder than not smoking while I was there. Hope you don't have the SOLs too bad.
    1 point
  27. What a lovely day ! Congratulations, @johnny5 on your FIVE Years of Freedom ! and thank you so much for sharing your quit with us and giving such great and informative support. You're aces. S
    1 point
  28. Its definitely doable @Linda Thomas Just Make sure you get your elektrolytes, in order to prevent a headache. On a 5:2 day I usually skip breakfast (also on non-fasting days now) and then have a simple salad or some pre-steamed vegetables for lunch. Dinner is often more veggies, these days mostly roasted pumpkin, zucchini, onion etc. Often with salmon or chicken. On regular days I really dont mind kcals, but to my huge surprise Im not as hungry or craving for mindlessly putting eatable things in my mouth as I was before. I can have my wine and beer like I used to and I still bake with butter. In general Im a lot less ocupied with food and I really love that!
    1 point
  29. Thanks MLMR. Both my husband and I need to address the extra pounds these days. This even sounds doable throughout the holidays.
    1 point
  30. @d2e8b8, I do 5:2 intermittent fasting. (https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/the-5-2-diet-guide) Basically you eat normal for 5 days and mimic fasting for 2 days. On fasting days you consume a restricted amount of calories: max 500 kcal women, 600 kcal for men. Apart from the apparant health benefits (https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-health-benefits-of-intermittent-fasting#section1) its supposed to help you lose weight. Well, I clearly do. Most of the time i find it easy to do. I expected to be binge eating on regular days, but its actually the opposite, Im less hungry and tend to make healthier food choices, without the feeling of depriving myself.
    1 point
  31. Great honest post ... This is why this addiction is evil....it tricks the brain into thinking it's enjoyable ...which in reality it's the complete opposite....
    1 point
  32. I enjoyed lots of bad things...for a bit....
    1 point
  33. The fallacy of enjoyment came from the release of endorphins that nicotine triggered. Nicotine appropriated our brain receptors for pleasure, then they would only respond by administering nicotine. One by one we claim these receptors back. This is why rewards are so important. Here is a great thread by MLMR with a super video Educational Video on Nicotine and The Brain and a scientific study on Reward Processing and Smoking
    1 point
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QuitTrain®, a quit smoking support community, was created by former smokers who have a deep desire to help people quit smoking and to help keep those quits intact.  This place should be a safe haven to escape the daily grind and focus on protecting our quits.  We don't believe that there is a "one size fits all" approach when it comes to quitting smoking.  Each of us has our own unique set of circumstances which contributes to how we go about quitting and more importantly, how we keep our quits.

 

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