Tyme2B

I am not considering this an SOS as it has been going on since Day 1. I have been smoke free for nearly 8 weeks & i have not been using nicotine gum for 3 weeks. I seem to be very depressed. I still am having a heck of a time getting out of bed in the morning and if I don't have to then I don't. I have read that people with past depression can have another depressive episode with quitting smoking. It can act likd a trigger. I am trying to plan things in the morning to force me to get up but I feel terrible & have to cancel plans because I am just too miserable to go out. I am getting plenty of sleep now....the insomnia is pretty much gone. This just totally sucks. Has anyone else experienced this problem for weeks? I can understand it happening initially but 2 months? I do not feel depressed once I am up but I have no initiative to do anything I used to enjoy doing. I won't smoke. But I am sure quitting smoking has triggered this as it started as soon as I quit. I have watched the videos & researched info....it certainly can happen....but has anyone else experienced this

Good for you for resisting Evelyn. Very proud of you!

I was slim before I quit smoking. After a lovely vacation....and quitting smoking..... I gained weight....10 lbs!!! I don't care. It will come off eventually. I like what Bakon has to say: Men don't even notice! It's a small sacrifice for a life saving decision. My hubby is just happy I have quit the Cancer sticks....if there is more of me to love so be it. Right now I just want to stay QUIT. I will address anything like weight gain at the right time for me....today is not the day.

Oh wow! How wonderful to be a part of this Victory....I am just a small part but still feel pride in all of our a Members! Congrats to Everyone!

7 weeks today I'M a Non Smoker! Marching onwards with NOPE!

Thanks Markus! All very true. Thanks for posting encouragement.

Nope

Great post Jackie....enjoyed reading it.

This is a fantastic read. I read it twice and it is so true! This is a wonderful journal of highs & lows, determination, sheer grit & refusal to fail, accepting help & giving back. It"s a story of hope. As a Newbie, I cherish the honesty & sharing. Thank you!

Markus, you ARE truly awesome! I want to be able to say what you have said....maybe one day

Oh wow!!! I am so proud to be a member of this Group of incredible people!!!! Great job EVERYONE! Congrats!

How are you doing Mike? One day at a time....heck, one hour at a time can seem like days! I remember & still have those moments but it's getting better. Extra tough when your spouse smokes. I know yours does. I give you credit for doing this...you are a lot stronger than you think. I believe in you & obviously others here do too. I always thought it was the smoke that relieved the stress...but it was actually the "time out" that relieved the stress. You can still take your "time out" but do something other than smoking. I chew, chew, chew gum!!!! That's what I go to store for now :) And I buy lots of gum so I don't have to go to that Variety Store very often!!!

Woman! You are inspiring! Despite a difficult journey you are still doing your Quit! Good for you! Not an easy road....but so worth it in the end. Nope! This word resounds through my mind constantly! You are going to get your Golden Year!

Good man! You have made a decision to Quit. Now get on with it...it sucks the first week but you will be ok. You know what you're in for. And you know you can do it. I'm thinking of you & wishing you success & all the best!

Treats for not smoking are WONDERFUL!!!! That makes me feel better...yes! We just returned from an amazing Vacation in Curacao....off the coast of Venezuela. Truly a gem in the Caribbean. Did that feel good? Oh YAH!!! Treat yourself! Even little treats make this all worthwhile

CPK you're doing just fine....what you are feeling is normal! Going to bed means tomorrow is a new day....a better day. Been there recently! You can't embarrass yourself on this site so don't worry! Your honesty is refreshing & fun AND you are doing great! Xx

I am being asked regularly "Do you feel better now that you have quit smoking?" NO I don't.....not yet. From reading & research I have done, the benefits of quitting smoking occur gradually over the first year post QUIT. I went into this QUIT thinking I would have a remarkable recovery within a month! Yeah right....NOT! After 40 years of smoking it's going to take time to feel the benefits of my QUIT. My Doc has told me it will take 10 yrs for my lungs to return to decent shape. But, at least there is a future....if I did not stop now, there would not be a future. I can say my cough has reduced in the morning & I have not had a cold this year.....normally I get pneumonia every year lasting a crummy 3 months. So, either not smoking or a lucky year has kept me healthier. That's good! The Insomnia.... which is gradually improving .....has made me feel like crap & dragging my butt around every day all day has not been fun. I blame it on the Quit. But no matter what, good or bad, I am GLAD I have said NOPE. That is something I can say that has definitely made me feel better! I said NOPE and I stuck to it. NO relapses....ever.

I blamed every ache, pain, you name it on withdrawal when I first quit....and I truly believed not smoking was causing all this terrible discomfort. I still believe some of the symptoms were certainly linked to nicotine withdrawal. But now that I can sleep again & have less aches & pains I feel good. If it was the nicotine withdrawal....I got through it. If not...I got through that "virus" too. Nicotine is not generally a prescribed treatment for anything!

I was afraid of the same as you Jackie. You have a wise & caring friend. I have been through hell with this Quit & there is no question in my mind: Nope, Nope, Nope....I NEVER WILL SMOKE AGAIN. I want to enjoy my grandkids! NO Relapses for this chickie!

How long have you gone without a smoke Mike? Are you ok? "Some of us needed a non smoking aid". If you need it....do it. It beats killing yourself by smoking. I am not ashamed in the least that I needed help initially. I am totally nicotine free after 6 weeks....smoke free for 6 weeks. You CAN do it. The longer you put it off the harder it is....but you already know that. I must say the thought of you holding a chicken & howling at the moon in your thong made me laugh though! Lol!

Ok Mike. I live in Canada & there certainly is such a thing as "social" psychiatry. Counselling is far preferred above meds . When people are unable to persue goals they are instructed on what goals to work on. You & I are trained in the same vocation. I understand the stress you have been through. I hear your pain. But Mike, You need to decide one way or another....am I going to smoke or not? You are a smart guy....well read & well spoken. I have not been on this site for long but I have been in touch with you several times....even on chat. Mike, you need to make up your mind. Our jobs are very stressful....few can understand....right? But there ARE other ways of dealing with stress that don't include killing ourselves by smoking. I DO understand and you know I do. Stress is not just from our jobs....we live our jobs...our identity is what we do. You have to decide on yes or no then stick to it. It has sure as hell not been easy for me either.....it would be easier to just give in & smoke. But when you are faced with live or die, you make a decision. Make a decision Mike. I will help you. Just reach out....there are so many great people here who want to help. I get where you are coming from....I too have been there. It sucks but it's life. You CAN Quit....if you really want to. A little tough love....but as a Colleague & dare I say someone who wants to help you.... I care. k?

Marti your post is wonderful! I so enjoyed reading it! Wonderful perspective & you are doing a great job!

Like you. I'm fighting it Runfree not every day but the bad cravings really suck when they hit. I chew gum. It helps. And I sleep if I can't get my mind focused on something else. We have better days coming. Just need to be strong & patient....it WILL get better. As for grumpiness, I can't say I have had that, but I do have little initiative to do things I used to enjoy. I'm kind of sad..this too is normal. And I have read that once our endorphins stabilize, life straightens out & returns to normal. We're Newbies so we have a ways to go but it WILL get better!

Great information. Thank you Beacon & Maryland. Guard the Quit with sneak attack cravings.

January 28, 2015