Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Left coast hell

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread		 This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU
 
Starry Messenger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 02:55 AM
Original message
Left coast hell
I have quit smoking cold turkey and am onto my third month. I have been awake since 2pm Tuesday with only the lightest of kitten naps. I am ranting into cyberspace at the cost of considerable dignity to say...this sucks!!!! I am a college teacher with no health insurance and have the NR gum for tight spots...but god I want a smoke.


Ack,

MPK
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
Adsos Letter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 03:00 AM
Response to Original message
1. Hang in there!
As a former smoker I can tell you it will get better, and you will be glad you did it. Really glad. :thumbsup:

Sucks right now, though...and many of us have been there.

Don't surrender to the urge!!!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Starry Messenger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 03:13 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. thank you
I needed that!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Gidney N Cloyd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 10:08 AM
Response to Original message
3. I remember that 2nd - 3rd month period having elevated cravings, too.
They will pass. Hang in there.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Starry Messenger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 12:41 PM
Response to Reply #3
8. thank you!
That is helpful to know. The stop smoking sites all seem to imply that after 3 days you should be safely out of the woods and I was feeling discouraged, so that is really helpful!

MPK
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
just a girl Donating Member (173 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 01:21 PM
Response to Reply #8
13. The 3's are generally the hardest
When I quit someone told me that I would have the hardest time staying quit during the 3's
Day 3
Week 3
Month 3
Year 3
That little tidbit got me through the tough times.

Congrats on your quit. Stick with it, it does get better.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Starry Messenger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 01:34 PM
Response to Reply #13
14. Thank you for that
Wow, week three was a dark place so that makes a lot of sense. The thing that keeps me going is the thought "Do you want to go through this process *again* sometime in the future? No, didn't think so. Keep marching." Posts like yours help a lot though.

MPK
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
LNM Donating Member (538 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 11:26 AM
Response to Original message
4. It's been just over 4 months for me.
Hang in there, it gets better. If you can, chew just 1/2 piece of NR when needed and I found the generic stuff isn't too bad.

Good Luck.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Starry Messenger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 12:43 PM
Response to Reply #4
9. I got some habitrol
off of ebay and it isn't so bad. I'm trying not to use it too often. I have some cough drops and jolly ranchers. It helps that my husband quit too. He's using toothpicks. :)

MPK
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
LNM Donating Member (538 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 12:50 PM
Response to Reply #9
12. I know someone who quit before they had all these nicotine products
She never enjoyed a smoke after she brushed her teeth, so she brushed her teeth whenever she wanted a smoke. I don't imagine that would be very good long-term for your teeth, but it got her through it.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
NV Whino Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 12:02 PM
Response to Original message
5. Go outside and take a deep breath
That should hold you for a year or more. Cough.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
KitchenWitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 12:04 PM
Response to Reply #5
6. Gods, I am sure!
The fires up there are affecting our air quality down here. Apparently in the valleys, our air is unhealthful.

Have they gotten a grip on any of them?

To think it is not even July yet, and half of California is already on fire. :scared:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
NV Whino Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 12:40 PM
Response to Reply #6
7. It's really bad up here
This valley collects smoke from anything burning west of the Rockies.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 03:23 PM
Response to Reply #7
25. It MUST be bad because I can smell here, seaside and with all the
coastal winds going. Definitely bad. :(
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Starry Messenger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 12:50 PM
Response to Reply #6
11. I am in Oakland
So we are a little bit coastal (off the shores of Alameda anyway) so it doesn't seem to hang as badly but it's still not great.

MPK
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Starry Messenger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 12:46 PM
Response to Reply #5
10. True that.
The heat has been crazy too. I just woke up and the smell is insane down here.

MPK
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Adsos Letter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 01:59 PM
Response to Reply #10
15. We live about 2 miles from one of the larger fires...
and a skunk totally blasted our dog in the back yard a couple of days ago...imagine adding THAT to the mix...
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Starry Messenger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 02:31 PM
Response to Reply #15
16. cripes!
That is a lethal blend! I hope it clears a bit for your weekend. :(

MPK
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 02:34 PM
Response to Original message
17. Have you cleared your home and car of triggers?
That can help A LOT.

Also, do you have some substitutes in place for the "tight spots"?

Best of luck to you, MPK.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Starry Messenger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 02:48 PM
Response to Reply #17
18. Well...
The good news is I never smoked in the car so that's safe.

The living space is the bad news. I think we might have to get rid of two couches and get new ones. Holy heck!

I am using substitutes. I am posting like mad on DU! ;)

Plus I have some hard candy, but I'm trying not to abuse that too much because I can't afford tons of future dental work.

Thank you for the luck. And thanks for all of the good wishes from ex-smokers here. It really helps a lot! I know I sound like broken record, but I really appreciate it. I've never started a thread before and I'm touched by the replies.

MPK
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 02:56 PM
Response to Reply #18
19. If you clean the goop off of the surfaces, you'll notice a big difference.
Seriously! And rearrange the furniture, especially any seat where you used to sit and sXXXX. You might be able to just get yours cleaned and moved to a different position -- your brain will appreciate the help while it adjusts to the new program. :)

Also, besides candy, there's also popcorn, carrots, apples, celery, sunflower seeds -- you can ritually prepare them just as you ritually used to fuss with your lighter, ashtray and stuff.

It's okay to be a broken record, definitely! :hi:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Starry Messenger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 03:16 PM
Response to Reply #19
22. Thank you!
That is good advice! It's funny, I read your post and realized that my husband and I have switched sitting on different couches for the past few weeks. Our brains must have been looking out for us without our knowing it. (He quit too).

This weekend I'm definitely penciling a cleaning binge. Thank you!

MPK
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
EFerrari Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 03:21 PM
Response to Reply #22
24. If you've both quit for just one week, you've saved at least $70.
That's less than it costs to get a cleaner in to clean goop for three hours. The walls, the light fixtures, the carpets.

It really does add up fast!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
CaliforniaPeggy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 03:00 PM
Response to Original message
20. My dear MPK!
Good for you!

As a retired nurse, I can definitely say you've taken a HUGE step towards greatly improving your health!

Hang in there!

We've got your back!

:hug:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Starry Messenger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 03:21 PM
Response to Reply #20
23. Thank you!
I hope to never ever go through this again! I was really tired and constantly having sinus headaches. I thought of going in to the doctor and imaginged having them say "Well, do you smoke? Yes? Well you might want to look into not smoking. Just a thought." ;)

Thanks for the hug!

MPK
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Auggie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 03:10 PM
Response to Original message
21. Here's some advice that helped me, MPK:
Get angry. Really, really angry. Vent your ire at the tobacco firms for doing this to you. Swear, cuss, scream, whatever -- for a few minutes. The urgings should subside.

Just don't do this in front of anyone. ;)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Starry Messenger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 03:24 PM
Response to Reply #21
26. Good thought!
Quitting smoking has made me do more research on the chemical addiction side of it. Boy, it really brings home just how cynical big corporations really are. I mean, I knew that, but...

My eyes, as they say, are opened.

Thank you!

MPK
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Tue Apr 30th 2024, 09:53 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » The DU Lounge Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC