joys of quitting smoking

[MattM]

This shit is tougher than I thought. I mean it's not hard or excruciating, but it's not necessarily pleasurable. Figured I'd give myself a birthday gift by quitting smoking. Day 1 was anxious feeling more than anything. I went to play golf and couldn't hit shit, very clumsy like. The neurotransmitters were probably all fucked up being without nicotine and therefore had trouble executing tasks that I was normally familiar with. Felt generally light headed and just off mentally. This was likely due to blood sugar.

Day 2 was kinda the same. Ironically, my appetite didn't really suddenly increase as I'd experienced before. Not that I had a concern with weight gain or anything, but I'd just expected an increase in appetite, but strangely I experienced, if anything, a decrease in appetite.

Day 3, the irritability came. Anyone who has made an attempt at quitting smoking, or who has quit, knows this irritability. It's a kind of irritiability that will make you deeply pissed off at kittens that are trying to rub themselves on you. I had an incident with a lady at Kroger documented in my other thread that really irritated me, probably more than it should have otherwise without nicotine withdrawal. But who cares, I made it through without smoking. They say the nicotine is out of the body after 72 hours or so, and you should feel better at that point, but I think the effects should peak after the 72 hour mark, because the body has flushed out the nicotine and other chemicals, and then begins to withdraw as a result of lack of chemicals it's used to. My experience supports this theory.

Anyways, now is Day 4, and I'm having a couple Heinekens. If I can drink a few brews without smoking, that will be breaking a big psychological barrier. I've gotten into some Buddhist type philosophy stuff the last couple years or so, so that shit helps too with the irritability etc. Sites like whyquit.org are a help too.

[Robin T. Fine]

How many ciggs a day were you smoking before you quit?

I never understood these withdrawls people got. I can go days, weeks, without having one, without any of this anxiety you're feeling. I only really want one if I'm drinking, which is hardly ever.

I almost feel bad for everybody else.. because it's not as easy.

[MattM]

Originally Posted by Robin T. Fine

How many ciggs a day were you smoking before you quit?

I never understood these withdrawls people got. I can go days, weeks, without having one, without any of this anxiety you're feeling. I only really want one if I'm drinking, which is hardly ever.

I almost feel bad for everybody else.. because it's not as easy.

Suprisingly, not that much. About half a pack a day on average the last few months. I've had nicotine constantly flowing through my system for a decade now though. So cutting off hundreds of chemicals cold turkey that the body has been used to for 10 years or so, I'd imagine would cause some kind of reaction.

But yea, consider yourself lucky if quitting is relatively just a walk in the park. A friend of mine quit like that, just cold turkey, and said he never experienced shit, just quit and that was that. I dunno, maybe some are more sensitive to the effects than others. A lot of it depends on the frequencey with which you smoke. A "social smoker" as they call it, probably won't experience anything too rough. The longer you go without a cig, the easier it gets. As time goes on, cravings are supposed to diminish, rather than increase. It's the first few days that are supposed to give the bulk of the discomfort.

[Oates]

i would wait a few more days before drinking... that's pushing it. Beer always makes me want to smoke hardcore and i'm just a social smoker.

[MC Twinkie]

you should take up exercise and drink more water too.

[MattM]

day 5: Pon's right, drinking wasn't the best idea. For someone who is in an early tobacco quit, drinking alchohol is kinda like playing with matches. I hadn't really had any difficulty with cravings until alcohol was added into the equation. But, I had to just be stubborn with them. As each moment passed, I knew sleep would come soon enough, and another day would pass. Not too mention, after posting about my quit here, I knew if I gave in, I'd have to come back in my thread and admit such, or at least ignore the thread, where it'd probably be assumed that I gave in, and had been ashamed to admit such. Drinking is a big trigger, but it's not something I'm going to give up totally, so I needed to experience drinking smoke-free.. Also, as a side benefit, hangovers seem to be drastically reduced without tobbaco thrown in the mix. I'm convinced now that the increased frequencey of smoking that often accompanies intoxication plays a big role in the aftermath of indulgence.

Today is day 6, and the greatest benefits are felt today. Breathing is much improved. Very calm and at ease. Energy in general feels improved. The irritibality is gone. I had a deep tear inducing laugh yesterday at something, and I wasn't high. Sleep has been improved, much deeper and uninterrupted. I can inherently feel that the body has re-adjusted itself to being without nicotine. Food does taste a lot better. It's probably no secret that smoking really dulls the taste buds. I took CD's suggestion to work out yesterday, and that increased well-being as well. I had one craving last night after eating. That's a usual trigger for a lot of smokers as they'll smoke after a meal, but that passed pretty quick. Looks like I'm in the clear overall. No big deal really. After a week, I think I'll go out and celebrate at Olive Garden

[Deff Gordon]

Originally Posted by MattM

After a week, I think I'll go out and celebrate at Olive Garden

now that's a treat... i'd say once you go a whole year, but damn, if you can afford those kinds of whimsical treats, then GO FOR IT!!!



btw- good luck man

[Rude Girl]

I tried to quit, using those Chantix (or whatever the fuck) pills...but they just made me VERY irritable, and I was snapping at everything and everyone around. Smoking is more of a habit, something to keep me occupied, but of course its an addiction. I can't quit smoking til the stress eases, or until I have something to do 24/7 lol

I do wanna stop, but I feel like my head would burst if I did.

[Deff Gordon]

girls have it easy... they can just suck more dick.

[Grey]

I quit cold turkey about 4 years ago and have never really even had a craving since. It took about 3 months to get the social aspect changed, after that it was cake. Its been soo long now that when im in a club in dallas and people are smoking my eyes get really irritated and i wake up feeling all strung. Its been amazing how much of your lung capacity you can regain in a couple years

[EASTCOASTHAPPY]

Originally Posted by Grey

I quit cold turkey about 4 years ago and have never really even had a craving since. It took about 3 months to get the social aspect changed, after that it was cake. Its been soo long now that when im in a club in dallas and people are smoking my eyes get really irritated and i wake up feeling all strung. Its been amazing how much of your lung capacity you can regain in a couple years

no shit! i quit cold turkey as well about 2 years ago. it's hard when i drink because the more drunk i am the more i want to smoke. so...i cut back on drinking. and i've given in before and had a few smokes when out drinking with the girls. but after a while i can't stand the taste AT ALL anymore. my eyes are now real sensitive to smoke. and i love not smelling like ash tray anymore

[steve-o]

i'm quitting after my 30th bidet in october.

its ridiculous the amount of money i could be saving for the new house.

[sepania]

I have never smoked, but every time I exit a building I get the urge to take a drag. Actually the urge is to exhale a drag.

That has always struck me as odd.

[matias]

nobody likes a quitter