Almost, but did not relapse

[Muddled Quince]

This, ladies and gents, is an OMG post, as I almost done the S.O.S about 5 times today, but did not.  I made it and I am close to 24 hours on smoke free and I am soooo craving a smoke.  Been in contact with my daughter and my daughter in law, so doing good.  Just took Melatonin, so will be in bed soon, but I tell ya.....I got up at close to 7:00 a.m., southern Illinois time and the dizzy plus eyes feel half shut have been there all day and still, even now.  Now mind you, I can handle those 3 to 20 minute cravings and get through them, but this dizzy thing, is gonna be the undoing on me here.  I did check with my eye doc and my primary doc and they both said....this is WITHDRAWAL.  I did cave around 3 today and had a piece of nictine gum and felt like I was cheating, but it did keep me from going to town and spending  $13.26 on a pack of smokes.  So.....hoping in the morning, that the dizzy part is gone and I can do my daily day!!

I did break down and used a few nicotine gums......and that helped but dam...

 

[Doreensfree]

Feel sorry for your body right now …

it’s been so used to having hundreds of chemicals administered so many times a  day … it’s confused …

It has to adjust to the …New You .

This is why we call it a Roller Coaster Ride 

It all in the healing …

Stay strong and remember it’s all Temporary …

 

 

[QuittingGirl]

We all know exactly what you are going through, but time will definitely take care of the horrible withdrawal.  Why don't you give the cinnamon sticks or the straws a try?  They really helped me.  The longer you stay quit, the less of the withdrawal you will get.  I promise you, it does go away, you just have to give it time.  When you get an urge drink a big glass of water, go for a walk, do anything but smoke!!  I know you can do this!  Stay close to the board because we can give you the support you need! 

[Muddled Quince]

I did cave at 7:00 this morning at 1 day and 8 hours....all it did was make me more dizzier and gave me a dry mouth.  I tossed that high priced pack into the ditch on the way home also.  That was the longest I have gone without in 50 years, so that, in itself, is an accomplishment.  Once I reach the arguing in my head and forget that I made this choice, then my thinking goes to....wanting to sneak one, so that thinking has to go.  Now, I do not feel bad, guilty or like I failed....I just have to get through this.

 

I have done cinnamon sticks and straws with cotton inside them, but will try the cinnamon sticks again.  Yesterday, I could not function at all, so was a lot of TV and reading online.  Today, I have 2 grandkids, so that makes it harder.  I did make lists back in March and some of them are half done.  Inside and Outside work plus little 10 minute jobs and fun stuff/things I never have time for.  My husband is doing the cooking and waiting on me hand and foot, so that helps.  It is the dizziness....I call it....bobble head bordering on Vertigo, that is not helping.  More water I will do today and I have a lot of popcicles in the freezer and will read more.

 

Not sure where I read it, but when thoughts occur....it said to say out loud....next thought.  And that thought actually does go away, but then another thought pops up and you say next thought again.  

 

Thanks for the support....

[QuittingGirl]

Ohh I'm sorry @Muddled Quince  Yup, that's all it will do is get you dizzy and give you a dry mouth.  First thing, you must get rid of ALL smoking paraphernalia!!  That is a given!  No lighters, matches, cigarettes, ashtrays around at all.  You must do that because otherwise you are going to be even more tempted.  You will get through it!  The beginning is really really hard, I know, I was climbing the walls, but if you stick with it, I promise you that the withdrawal symptoms go away!!  They really do and everyone on this board will tell you the same thing.

 

This is my 2nd time quitting, first time I quit for 6 years.  This time is my forever quit because quite frankly, I do not want to go through those withdrawal symptoms again!!! I know you can do this, just take our advice and you will get through this!! 

[Reciprocity]

You're doing great @Muddled Quince! The first week is the worst of it. Your entire body & mental chemistry has been thrown for a complete loop! It's not wonder we feel like we've been hit in the haed with a hammer and our body is also rebelling. Goes to show just how damaging all the crap in cigs is!! Weaning of all that crap is no picnic but we all get through it by sheer determination at times.

 

Keep looking for and forcing yourself to think about the positives you're already seeing (saved $$ from not buying smokes!!). Soon you'll start to notice other things. 

 

The toughest part is having to keep saying NO to those withdrawal cravings in the early days and even weeks. The craving do eventually go away and they get fewer and fewer as time goes on and they become less strong and are eventually just fleeting thoughts. Hang in there and stay strong! No matter what you have to deal with, quitting won't kill you whereas the alternative has a much darker ending. You CAN do this. Remember to treat yourself along the way as you get over hurdles; day 1 done; Yay! that's worth a small treat for yourself. Be kind to yourself because you deserve it 

[Muddled Quince]

I will keep trying but I am reaching a point that the dizziness is driving me bonkers.  The dizzy will let up some if I chew a piece of 4 mg. gum, which I did this afternoon, but that is still nicotine, which I am fighting, so......

 

What I do know, is once this heat wave here lets up, I can go out and walk farther and work in my flowerbeds.  We are in the 100 heat index stage with high humidity, so few more days of that, I hope!!

 

Cinnamon stick did not work.  So I read a lot on here today.

 

 

 

 

[Doreensfree]

I didn’t suffer any dizziness , I couldn’t 

sleep for weeks , sometimes I was here 24/7 … everyone is different .

I can tell you all your feeling is Temporary 

A good few people here quit using the gum 

Don’t beat yourself up … 

Just get yourself to Freedom any way you can

[Muddled Quince]

Oh golly, Not sure Doreen which would be worse....being dizzy or not sleeping!!  I am sleeping very well, but the last two nights, smoking or vaping or something smoke related has been in my dreams.  I know full well....this is where that saying  on....one minute feels like an hour, so one day feels like forever.  I may be a gum girl for a bit, as that has to be better then inhaling all of the chemicals and stuff.  

 

I well remember back in March where I almost made it 3 days and I remember high anxiety, brain fog and dizzy, plus I was not fully committed to it, but I did not want to let the family down and I felt that I should be stronger and able to do this.  So I took a break from quitting, then tried again and again and I finally made it 12 hours.  Took a few hours break, then made it to 14 hours.  And at this point, almost made it 2 days.  A few of those times, I did use anxiety med, which did help, although I would prefer to not take any drugs, at this time.

 

I contribute this last attempt to an owl.  Right before this last quit, I went outside and walked in the woods to try and not think, as sometimes, not thinking, then answers appear.  I was standing there and I looked up and there was an owl, not very far from me.  That Owl actually scared me, as he was staring at me.  So I googled seeing an owl in daylight and it said, that sometimes owl's are just out through the day, as they have babies to feed and sometimes, they appear when you are trying to make a decision.  So, I deduced, seeing the wise old owl, was my sign to get this done.  We do follow the almanac moon signs when planting garden and stuff, so if one followed that, in 2 days, the signs would be right again.

 

So....seems like tonight will be a good night to get quiet again, rewatch Joel's videos and decide on straight cold turkey again with the....suck it up buttercup attitude or use the gum, to just keep from inhaling smoke and maybe the moon signs.  Thanks....think I needed to ramble on for a bit.

[QuittingGirl]

You can do this @Muddled Quince  Jus follow what we tell you to do.  Yes, you will dream of smoking, I still do after 2 years, but thankfully they are only dreams!!  YOU CAN DO THIS @Muddled Quince!! If I can do it, and I was a total cigarette addict, anyone can!!  Please don't give up!!! PLEASE!!! Read all the info on here, watch the videos, play the games, do the NOPE pledge EVERY DAY!!! You can do this!!! I know you can, I did it, and I was so addicted.  Go into my profile and look at my posts from May of 2023 and look how I was insane from the withdrawal...I was going nuts.  Go look at it.  You will see that you are not the only person to go through this.  You will get through it.   I know you can do it!!! 

[Muddled Quince]

I did go back and read your May posts and I had to smile, as yes, lol, same thing here.  

 

Since I am dizzy, the one thing I thought of was it is similar to Vertigo, which I had a few times in the past.  So I am going to Walmart in the morning and get the Meclizine patch and try that when I start again.  It cannot hurt and it might help with the dizzy and if it does not....I have decided to just hole up in my little room for 72 hours and get through it.  The gum....prefer not to, but if it keeps me from going to town, I will do the 2 mg. and chew for a few minutes, then spit it out.  

 

You did make me smile, tho....which I needed!!  I may end up with a post that simply states.....3 hours, then reply 4 hours.......whatever it takes....

[beazel]

Seeing that owl was really cool and definitely a sign.

 

I'm sorry to hear about the dizziness, I sure hope you can get some relief.

But I do know smoking won't help that!

 

Glad to hear you have strong support at home as well as here, I know he is so proud of you.

 

Keep posting. Stay strong...you can do it!

KTQ

[DenaliBlues]

Hi @Muddled Quince. It’s great to read a little more of your story - thanks for sharing. 

 

Quitting is a wild ride at first! Our bodies need to detox, and our addictions throw a tantrum. Blood sugars, digestion, sleep, emotions, etc. can all go a little wackadoodle for a while. 

 

I love your strategy of having a list of projects/tasks to check off. Staying busy and distracted absolutely helps, as does exercise. Hydration is important. Curling up into a fetal position and hiding under a blanket is also legit, LOL.

 

Don’t be afraid to use whatever tools you need to navigate the early days of withdrawal. I was a heavy smoker for 40+ years and I used mini-lozenges and gum to support my quit at first. I disliked both enough that long term dependence was not a big risk. But they did  help early on, when my quit was still new and fragile.

 

Remember that cravings are NOT commands. They are just loud, obnoxious commercials trying to sell you junk that you don’t need or want. You have the power to mentally change the channel, push the mute button, or walk away. Like you said about Next Thought. Each time you do that, your quit muscles get stronger. I remember early in my quit I used to shout, “Begone!” or “NOPE” (Not One Puff Ever) to banish the urges. It drove the cats bananas. 

 

The thing about owls is that they can see in the dark. By yourself, you may not yet be able to see through the darkness of your withdrawal struggles. But your owl can. It sees the lightness and the freedom that awaits you as a nonsmoker. 

 

You CAN do this! Find your inner fierce and protect that precious quit! 

 

 

[Muddled Quince]

I have the owl picture printed out and taped to the wall.  Your saying on owls, seeing, but not I, was very comforting, so I may put that quote on my Owl picture.  

 

I like the gum but those nicotine lozenges but did not like them and the pouches, are something I think I would get addicted to.  I done some reserching on supplements and herbs for the dizziness, that may or may not help, so I have a plan in place on that.  Before I throw away this pack of smokes, I took a motion sickness pill, then took a nap and at this point, I am not near as dizzy as I was.  I had reached a point, where I was dizzy, regardless of sneaking a smoke or not smoking, so I knew that my body was getting terribly confused.  I also got a Magnesium spray for my feet and the essential oils in those are a wonderful aroma. I also got liquid IV, which is electrolytes and a huge bag of LifeSaver hard candies.  Few mints plus a king size Almond Joy Payday candy bar for little rewards along the way.  And I have not used my diffuser yet, so good time to put Breath essential oil or black pepper or something soothing in it.

 

I will be attempting this either this evening or first thing in the morning again.  I will keep the gum on standby and only use it, if I am about to cave and go to the gas station, as for me, even tho it helps, it is just delaying this nicotine withdrawal, but in the end, my not inhaling on my lungs comes first, so if I need to do the gum or patch, I will.

 

I remember asking my husband....do you think there is any way to make this withdrawal fun instead of miserable???  He was like....I don't know, but we can try.  He said, bake all kinds of cookies, maybe.  We shall see.

 

I well recall several times, through the day.....I literally shouted NO and then slammed a kitchen cabinet door, as there is something about slamming a door, in the kitchen, that is oddly satisfying.  I have two shih tzu dogs and both of them would look at me and slink off, lol.  

 

Thank you for your support....

 

 

[Muddled Quince]

.......I do believe some "junkie thinking" just entered, between my last post and sorting the laundry.  Junkie thinking, as planning on when to throw away the smokes now, later today or in the morning.  Might be the first time I have saw it that way.  I may be bat crazy before this weekend is done!!  I told myself....if no dizzy, then you got this.  

[QuittingGirl]

You will get through this @Muddled Quince, We are all pulling for you!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!! One day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time, and even one second at a time!!!  I promise you, and we all can, the withdrawal symptoms DO GO AWAY!! PLEASE stick with it!!! PLEASE!!! 

[Muddled Quince]

I am sticking with it.....we go again this evening.  The dizziness did let up with the motion sickness med and lasted all day, to which, I said, if no dizziness, then I would proceed....so here we go again, lol.

 

Changed my event on the calendar to tonight also.  

 

If I need to vent, ramble or S.O.S., I may do so here, as all my posts be in same spot and can look back at all of my whatever.

 

Without the dizziness, I felt normal, so guess I will do a new normal and go from there.  I have a family function tomorrow, but I tell ya, if I am not up to socializing, I will stay put.

 

My daughter in law saw my owl last night on the power lines at her driveway and sent me a picture.  That owl is watching over her also....you all have a wonderful evening!!

[Doreensfree]

Well done muddled … 

Allen Carr the easy  way to stop smoking is a great read 

He has helped millions … a lot of us here too Just a thought … another tool in your tool box to help you along