Oona

Thanks! I don’t know who thought of the “mod squad” but I love it; I used to watch that show ALL the time. I cracked up when I saw that in print.

Hey mod squad, how many newbies are there? Is it a yearly calendar thing? I haven’t been able to figure that out yet...

Welcome to the family! Don’t be shy. You have a really good quit going and I applaud you for coming here. YOU are worth it.

I’m so very happy for you! Day 2 will turn into day 3. Baby steps. Just keep going...

I am all of you. Everyone smoked in family. Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles. I’m 68...so you can easily see that I grew up in cigarette’s heyday. Packs were fifty cents, so was gas pretty much. I wanted to be tough and cool and worldly. I remember the Marlboro man well. Cigarettes were in vending machines everywhere...even in public restrooms. What a legal scam. I’ve been through countless quits. With no outside help early quits were torture. I’ve tried a psychiatric hypnotist that I couldn’t really afford and all I got out of it was the realization that, yes, I DID light a cigarette in the same place each time while driving. I went through the motion picture program twice. They threw all kinds of nicotine replacement therapies into the mix with weekly face to face appointments to talk and take oxygen levels. I made it to seven months. The cravings never went away. So, here I am again, with Chantix and a support group that I can reach anytime. I know that I can’t do it alone. 

Oh boy, do I know that wish to jump forward in time. Congratulations! 

Today was a good day for you. You did it. Hugs

Yay for you! You’re on your way to 9 more...everything you need is here waiting for you.

Hi Shezi!  Yes! It’s so strange how our brains work...or don’t work. Lol. I’ll be doing it again, I’m sure.

Lol. Thanks! I will definitely use the SOS when I need it. It dawned on me in the middle of last night that I haven’t had to smell cigarette smoke yet. I’ve been smoking for so long that almost everything is a trigger and that’s ok. But smelling it again? I’ll be hitting that SOS as soon as I can. That will be a big test for me.

Thank you, Mona, for reaching out. I think I’d rather give birth to triplets than quit smoking. Somehow I have to make it work this time.

Yay Linda! Someday us newbies will be the ones dispensing quit wisdom. Imagine that. Think how strong we’ll be. We found ourselves some amazing people in this group so stay close. I’m praying for positive test results and an easy(ish) day for you. Whoop!

Thanks, Angeleek! Thank you for reaching out. I’m doing a little better; the mental exhaustion is worse than the physical exhaustion by far. Every new day is different but that’s a good thing. Bedtime for me now; have a wonderful night!

You have a wonderful attitude and that is half of the battle. You will be in my thoughts and prayers; please post updates.

You sound sad...are you sad? BIG HUG to you! You’re here. You want to do this and you CAN!

Seems like it gets harder not easier. I hate to even post because I'm ashamed Iam having such a hard time

This was me on my last quit. It just kept getting harder and harder. There was nothing easy about it. I know that feeling well. That’s why I started quitting with Chantix this time. I knew that I needed help in a bigger way and came across someone who quit using Chantix. I picked his brain; he was so patient! 
 

One day at a time. That’s all.

Linda, it’s never your last chance. You just aren’t feeling up to it today. Tomorrow or the next day will be different.  You are struggling because it IS a struggle. It’s tiring...that’s what I had to post about yesterday. Plus, you’re still having withdrawals. Don’t lose hope. If I could, I would come to your house and sit with you on the day that you quit for good. Find a book that you’ve always wanted to read and save it for quit day/week. Be gentle with yourself when buying and preparing food. Babysit a toddler that needs your undivided attention 24/7. Know that time passes differently and you may actually lose track of it. Treat yourself in small ways. Nap during the day when you can’t sleep at night. Be your own friend. Don’t think about how long it’s going to be before the cravings go away. Just know that it will get better. It’s not for sissies. My doctor told me that it’s right up there with quitting heroin. Imagine that for just a minute. You got this far; your brain has been leading you here. Relax a little; you’re doing everything you should be doing. Everyone does not have the same journey but we all want to get to the same place. Want to borrow my 18 month old grandson? That’s the only thing that kept me sane at first. He’s so much work. He’s the only thing that kept me totally absorbed my first week. 

I promise. You can do it!

Hi Mee! Yes, Lindas are special. I’m really a Chris. Lol. You brought a tear to my eye, darlin’. Everything makes me cry since I quit smoking. Thanks for the encouragement! Big hugs to you!
 

P.S. Linda, when you quit completely, stick close to this site. It’s been proven over and over again that we need support during a quit. You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. Just be here.

i have a sister named Linda.

Hi Linda!

I took Chantix for a week before I quit cold turkey. I knew from prior quits that I’m not capable of just smoking less. It wasn’t an option for me. I plan on taking it for the full 3 months. My doctor is thinking about extending it for an additional 3 months if I need it...but no more than that...only because I’ve been smoking for so long with so many unsuccessful quits. It’s the cravings that get me into trouble. Every. Time. Chantix helps with the cravings but doesn’t take them away; you will still need to fight them. I think it will be easier for you in the long run to quit completely. Pick a date and try to be healthy and strong before it comes. How are you doing with the two pills a day?  I get nauseous. Yay! Maybe I won’t gain so much weight. Lol. I can’t sleep but that’s ok... until I have to pay attention. I don’t get the wild dreams that are a common side effect...damn. That’s the one I was hoping for. Figures. Let’s see, I quit on 8/27/2020, so I started Chantix one week prior to that. I filled the prescription about 3 weeks before I started. I had to look at it every day and build up to actually starting the prescription. Crazy, isn’t it?! I’ve found that a tiny bit of marijuana (edibles) can help with the nausea and anxiety. I’m a little afraid to put that out for the whole site to see because I’m a newbie and don’t know if rules apply...but it’s true for me. I’m in California and have a medical card. My doctor knows. I told her before I started this journey. Did I answer your question properly? If I can do this, you can do this. I’m cheering for you!

To MarylandQuitter and Doreensfree; thanks for the response and the words of wisdom! Yes, my body is still mixed up and so is my fragile mind. Sometimes I feel like I’m babysitting myself. Lol. I guess that I am. I’m feeling better today and am very grateful for the help. I came very close to an SOS last night.

I wish it would go away. It’s awful. Sometimes I feel as if I just can’t take another day of it....but I always do. It’s hard to be upbeat and enthusiastic about anything. I try to find humor in it but haven’t been successful in the craving/exhausted thing. Thank you for the encouragement; it means a lot to me and I really needed it today.

I’m laughing because there have been many nights that I’ve gone to bed early to escape the cravings; and I plan to do the same tonight. Soon. 
Have a wonderful night!

You answered me; that’s hero enough, sister!