My first full day as an ex-smoker

[festeringZit]

Finally put down the cigs for good after smoking a pack of Reds a day for the last 21 years.

Started taking Chantix 9 days ago. On day 3 I cut down to 8 per day. On day 5, five per day. Yesterday I had three, and my last pack was gone, and I will not buy another.

I'm posting this for 2 reasons. First off to hold myself accountable, even if it is to a bunch of internet strangers.

Second, and most important, is to hopefully inspire someone else who doesn't think they can quit to give it a shot. If I can do this, trust me, anyone can.

So far I have already noticed major improvements in the way I feel, which I'm sure will only get better. I felt better waking up this morning than I have in a decade. I'm sure today will be a little rough, but Chantix is supposed to help with the w/d, and I'm excited to start my life as a non-smoker. I have no idea what it feels like.

I will document the journey - both good and bad - here.

Positive vibes... I can't relate to an addiction like that, but I can only imagine how hard it is, given that people struggle so much with quitting.

I hope you're able to kick it for good.

 

[Recon792]

Harry - finish the race strong -- you can do it !!!!

 

[Betallsports]

sorry to hear about the tough times BAS - -- may the grace of God almighty carry you through these tough times.

Thanks buddy
Yeah just hasn't been good

 

[HarryCaray]

Way to go HC. If you didn't have bad dreams and thoughts on the Chantix, you're good to go and the worst part behind you. Continued success bud...

Yeah I've heard some crazy stories. Ex-gf of mine had hallucinations and shit. Friend of mind said his dreams were so real it would take him 5 minutes after waking up to determine what was real and what wasn't. I was kinda scared to start it, but my side effects have been very minimal.

A little acid reflux the first couple days (that is now gone), and I'm remembering my dreams better (but they are not nightmares or scary or weird).

 

[HarryCaray]

Keep the fight up fellas, all pulling for ya Harry:toast:

Thanks sharky :toast:

 

[HarryCaray]

What a great thread HC. Keep us updated.

I've smoked one cig in my life and I did it in an effort to get laid. The tactic worked but the cig was disgusting.

Good luck buddy.

Thanks.

Glad you got laid that one time. He musta been a special fella

 

[HarryCaray]

Best of Luck Harry ... I'm sure you will have some tough spots along the way. But you already have beaten the drinking, so i Believe you can do this.

If you remember I was quitting back in January and just wanted to finish the Cigs that I had left.
I went from a pack a day down to about a half a pack. Then to about 5-6 a day.
But when my niece got sick I started again. When she passed, all bets were off and went back to about a pack a day.

That wasn't the only death in the Family that I had to deal with in 2017 either
so i just didn't have the energy to want to stop smoking.

Going to give it another try in 2018 on Jan 1st.
This time I will make sure I don't have 4 cartons laying around.

Thanks. Yeah I don't think any withdrawals can be worse than what I got from drinking, so that fact is giving me the courage I need.

I did remember you had talked about quitting. You came to mind when I decided to start this thread. If a regular-ole addict like me can kick it, think of what someone with super mod powers could do.

Try the Chantix. Shit works. I went from 20 a day to 5 basically overnight and it wasn't even hard. It really helps control the cravings.

I know you will be able to do it when you're ready.

 

[HarryCaray]

cheersgif​BOL my friend. Hugh move and great for your health! Congratulation ! cheersgif

Thanks old friend. Soon I will be able to run like the dickens, and my opponents will be pooping in their pants.

 

[HarryCaray]

OK I made it through the morning.

Currently 17 hours smoke free.

Feeling ok. Really want a fucking cigarette, but I know it will pass. Drinking lots of water.

Gotta get to the gym soon this afternoon and burn off some of this nervous energy.

 

[NBAcapper08]

i quit for 4 years like it was the easiest thing ever. started back up for no reason and back to half pack/pack a day. quitting this time not as easy for whatever reason. good luck

 

[HarryCaray]

i quit for 4 years like it was the easiest thing ever. started back up for no reason and back to half pack/pack a day. quitting this time not as easy for whatever reason. good luck

You reinforced the addiction. Plus this shit probably gets harder the older we get.

Good luck. I'd never tell anyone else to quit, too personal of a decision.

 

[HarryCaray]

OK I'm at about 20 hours now. Feeling fine. Work is done, going to the gym. Can't wait to get to 24 hours, I think that will be a big mental milestone.

 

[NBAcapper08]

my biggest hurdle is sitting at the gun club thursday nights with guys ranging from ages 30-80 all smoking cigs at the table playing poker. makes you think maybe its not so bad even tho they are just really lucky to be that age and not have health issues from smoking

 

[Jack1999]

OK I'm at about 20 hours now. Feeling fine. Work is done, going to the gym. Can't wait to get to 24 hours, I think that will be a big mental milestone.

After smoking squares for 21 years each day early in the process of quitting is a milestone imo. I have been a regular smoker for 15 years and it feels great not to be smoking. However if you can stop with the Chantix you are in a better position than me for I am still getting a Nicotine fix with the gum. But for now I am satisfied that I am not smoking. Lesser of 2 evils scenario.

 

[Bourn]

Thanks. Yeah I don't think any withdrawals can be worse than what I got from drinking, so that fact is giving me the courage I need.

I did remember you had talked about quitting. You came to mind when I decided to start this thread. If a regular-ole addict like me can kick it, think of what someone with super mod powers could do.

Try the Chantix. Shit works. I went from 20 a day to 5 basically overnight and it wasn't even hard. It really helps control the cravings.

I know you will be able to do it when you're ready.

Pretty sure Heroin addiction would be worse. Congratulations on quitting smoking. I need to do the same.

 

[Michelangelo]

Good luck, bud.

I quit 2-3 packs / day 7 years ago this past 6/26. Cold turkey. Made a deal with God. I will not break that deal. Plus in the deal I got a primary care physician for the first time in my life. I've had a hard on for her since the day I met her. Need to keep that respect going. Believe it or not that helps me 'cause there are still days I reach for the butts. I loved them. But they were killing me. Now have COPD. It sucks.

You can do it, man.

 

[HarryCaray]

Pretty sure Heroin addiction would be worse. Congratulations on quitting smoking. I need to do the same.

I've been in detox with heroin addicts. I disagree. Alcohol w/d can kill you, heroin can't.

I'm not talking about the shakes. I'm talking about full-on DTs. Ugh

Anyway, both are nasty, no doubt about it.

And thanks. GL to you if you decide to try.

 

[HarryCaray]

Good luck, bud.

I quit 2-3 packs / day 7 years ago this past 6/26. Cold turkey. Made a deal with God. I will not break that deal. Plus in the deal I got a primary care physician for the first time in my life. I've had a hard on for her since the day I met her. Need to keep that respect going. Believe it or not that helps me 'cause there are still days I reach for the butts. I loved them. But they were killing me. Now have COPD. It sucks.

You can do it, man.

Thanks MA.

I'm over 24 hours now, it seems like it's starting to get a little easier physically.

 

[HarryCaray]

Day 1 coming to an end. Really a lot easier than I had envisioned it being. I think a lot of people paint this picture in their head that withdrawal will be completely unbearable; I would describe it as a minor annoyance. Obviously Chantix helping with that.

I had a few major cravings in the morning and right after lunch. They lasted a few minutes each and they were gone. It helped to keep myself really busy.

I did 45 minutes of cardio and drank 2 bottles of water at about 3pm and I've been fine ever since. It really helped. No real cravings tonight.

Hoping for a better night's sleep tonight, I had a little difficulty falling asleep last night. Restless. Had regular coffee this morning but switched to decaf in the afternoon to help with this.

Will update tomorrow.

 

[HarryCaray]

After smoking squares for 21 years each day early in the process of quitting is a milestone imo. I have been a regular smoker for 15 years and it feels great not to be smoking. However if you can stop with the Chantix you are in a better position than me for I am still getting a Nicotine fix with the gum. But for now I am satisfied that I am not smoking. Lesser of 2 evils scenario.

Thanks Jack. Small milestones are important, I learned that when putting down the bottle.

You're definitely better off with the gum than the cigs. You can step that down, right?

Side note, I wasn't planning on quitting yesterday. I was going to continue with 3 or so per day for a week and then down to 1, etc. Realized how silly that was, as it just puts you in a state of perpetual withdrawal. Just setting the clock back to zero every time I had one. Decided to dive in and power through 72 hours and take it from there.

The truth that I need to keep telling myself is that I probably haven't really enjoyed a cigarette in many years. Smoking was not giving me pleasure, it was giving me the illusion of pleasure by easing the pain of withdrawal. Smoking to feel normal, not good.