Tyme2B

Welcome Tony! I am just a little behind you in my Quit. Insomnia was my biggest problem too. It has finally settled down & I can sleep again. I only drink 2 cups of coffee in the morning & no caffeine after that. It does get better. But I must admit to you that I did finally take an Over The Counter sleep aid which helped my sleep habits to return to normal. Congratulations on your Quit! This site is a wonderful support & really helps through the tough times.

Thank you! I'm glad my quit is safe too. I would have been so angry with myself if I had given in....don't even want to think of that as a possibility ever....the cravings do pass although some seem to be more intense than others...

Everyone....THANK YOU! I am doing much better today. I went to bed rather than blow my Quit. It worked & I was better this morning. I have been out all day & no bad craves. Man did it hit me badly yesterday. Writing the SOS made me realize I was NOT going to the store. Yes it is uncomfortable but I don"t want to let myself down OR any of you wonderful people down. Thanks so much for caring. xo

i don't want to smoke....I have been smoke free for nearly 6 weeks. Bad, bad day. I am drinking water, taking deep breaths, chewing gum, trying to distract myself.....but I WANT a cigarette....no I don't....I think I just should go to bed & sleep....it helps. I am NOT going to the store. Truly....a very bad day of fighting off the cravings....worst day yet.

Like the "new normal". I think that is exactly the adjustment we go through. I am just about 6weeks into my Quit & have experienced fatigue as well but it is definitely getting better. Insomnia is gone. You are doing great! The Process just takes time.

As a Newbie I am so grateful for all of these posts. Thanks!

Hi Ricki. I started my Quit 6 weeks ago & I can certainly identify with your feelings of fatigue. I think some of us may be prone to a little depression with our Quit and our "new normal". Even mild depression can cause fatigue. The insomnia goes away & we find new ways to deal with day to day stress & life. There is an elation & pride that occurs as we progress into our Quit because we are able to say Nope to the cravings & stay away from the store! We are in control now. It is easier with keeping busy & doing something positive when those nasty cravings threaten our Quit. I'm finding it easier now but I admit there are times the craving can be strong. Old habits die hard but better that we kill the habit than kill ourselves. You are doing great! I don't always post on the board but I read it every day. The wonderful people on this site help us to remain strong & optomistic that we WILL win! It's a process and with any worthwhile process time is a requirement. We just have to be patient (even though we may feel irritable) and keep pushing through. I find chewing gum helps....keeps my mouth busy & feeling fresh. No more stink on my breath, clothing or hair! That I am really happy about! We CAN and WILL succeed...we can do this! One day at a time & soon we will be feeling better & proud of our huge accomplishment. Stay close to the Board. It really does help to identify with others who have been through this, even though we will all have both similar & individual responses to our Quit. You are doing a great job!

What a time you have had Jess! I am so happy to hear you are doing well now. 4 months is awesome! I will remember you when I get to 4 months...good job!!!

Thanks for sharing Markus.....people's personal experiences are so stirring...I never want to smoke again

Thanks Maryland...I hear you & I am trying to use regular gum now instead of the nicotine gum. Same flavour. And it usually works. I guess I have been quitting smoking the same way I get into cold water....bit by bit instead of just jumping in with both feet all at once....and no question it is sure not as fast to adjust. It has kept me on the train but I know it has to stop & stop soon. You always have great advice

Oh wow! Good job Rob!

Good for you Rob! You have it all now...you are a non smoker. I am just behind you & still a non smoker too. Success in numbers

One month today as a non smoker.

Neither of my Parents smoked. All 3 of their children did (including me) long term. Neither of my 2 children smoke. None of my sister's children smoke. My youngest sibling died of lung cancer at age 55....deffs smoking related.

Yaaay! Good job cpk!

There is definitely a link so far between smoking parents & smoking children. I seem to be the only exception....I think I did it out of revenge....so did my bro & sister....VERY strict parents....who knows? My bro is dead & my Sis quit smoking a year ago. So we can set a bad example or be too strict???? My kids don't smoke. Thank God!!

Welcome Michelle! I am a Newbie as well and I am so grateful to have found this site. The people here are awesome and truly interested in helping Newbies or Anyone in need. Trust me, you can do it! Each week brings it's challenges but it IS getting easier. Stay on the Board is great advice! You CAN and WILL do this! :)

We are all different Chrispy. You will lose your cough when your body is ready. For now it is nature's way for our lungs to clear so not a bad thing. I'm still waiting too.

I'm not looking to blame our parents....we all made our own decisions as we grew older & adicted....just interested...a poll would deffs be interesting!

Awesome cpk! I am so happy to be reading all of the positives on this Board! It truly makes my day coming to this site! I am addicted to the Board lol! Not to smoking!

Sometimes I wonder how I got hooked on smoking? A dirty, smelly addiction. My parents never smoked. All 3 of their children did smoke. I smoked but my hubby didn't. Our children both tried smoking but gave it up quickly. I lived in Residence when I left home for higher education. A large number of us smoked. It "relieved stress". At that time there were no restrictions on smoking. Even Nurses in Hospitals smoked at the desk on hospital wards & Teachers' Staff rooms billowed out smoke when the door opened. We smoked in our homes, our cars, in the company of our children....now all I can think of is how unsafe & stupid it was. We didn't know back then what we know today. What a shame. But my Parents did not smoke....ever.

My understanding about the cough after quitting smoking is that it is very individual. If a person has a chronic bronchitis & even a mild COPD when they stop smoking, the cough is a part of this disease & will take longer to diminish. The cilia in the lungs can sometimes start to regrow or even just begin to function again after years of mucous clogging their action in our lungs. Drinking plenty of water & juice loosens the mucous so it can be coughed up. I still have a cough in the morning after being smoke free for a month. However the cough is much improved & non productive now. I am hoping that after a lifetime of smoking about 12-15 "light" cigarettes a day that my lungs will improve. Several people on the Board have mentioned their Pulmonary Function Tests improved after quitting smoking. My Doc told me it would take 10 yrs to return to a non smoking state....good thing I quit now! Certainly if a cough does not go away or if there is fever or coloured sputum, a person needs to see their Doc right away. I know how easy it is to worry about what we perceive as "normal" post smoking body language. We are so focused on the quit we get nervous about any "different" reactions or symptoms we may have. But I am learning thanks to this Board & my own research that we ARE all different in our response to long term smoking & quitting smoking. Fortunately there are some commonalities that keep us sane! Good job cpk! You are doing great!!