Ohmygerd The last 12 hours all I think about cigarettes
Went to bed with it, got up at 3 with the thought. Still heavily in negotiations with my addiction.
And wanting to go back to that life style
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Ohmygerd The last 12 hours all I think about cigarettes
Went to bed with it, got up at 3 with the thought. Still heavily in negotiations with my addiction.
And wanting to go back to that life style
The breathing helped for a few mins. I do have it marked in my favs so it is easy to access thank you, for a quick resolve that worked quickly.
Use your tools. You don't want to start over with this many days won. Stay close in the meantime.
Barb
Hi AnAussieMom,
Don't go to the store, IT WILL PASS!
I know the emotions are driving you, but think about the benefits....
Figure out what is driving you to think smoking would help the situation - it won't
Breathe deep - eat a hard candy - drink water - use a few strategies to move pass it.
I understand. I use to dream about smoking. I use to wake up in the middle of the night and go outside to smoke. I am sooooo happy I have changed my life and you can as well.
Here is a link to 101 things to do instead of smoke.
101 things to do instead of smoking. - Quit Support
Stay strong. I support you.
Maggie
No no please no! It's the devil Nicodemon messing with your brain! Read Bob's new bog post "A thousand days a thousand deaths" Don't give up your POWER! Not to a nasty addiction that wants to rob you of everything good. Why are you romancing a stinky smoke? Go deeper! It's not physical anymore: it's emotional/mental. I was a chronic relapser & believe me that first drag will taste like s***. Literally. And you won't feel good, you'll feel horrible. Guaranteed! Keep your power, keep your health, keep your $$$ and keep your self-esteem. Say YES to a better "lifestyle."
You don't want to smoke , your addiction wants you back . Starve the beast and it won't come back when it gets the message enough times . Each time you refuse its demands it loses its grip on you and then you can breathe .
Good job posting ! Excellent choice .
You have made huge progress , keep going .. envision that finish line . Day one will only put you back at start , you won't be able to run the race for coughing and breathlessness and you don't want that ..
Remember the Ds today , and remember halt . Hungry , angry , lonely, tired .
Write your why your quitting list , write the benefits you've felt this far .. The little things are big things.
I know the anxiety seems overwhelming but you are healing . We are so proud of you .
Cry , scream into a pillow , run cold water over your head , owalk , anything but smoke . You got this , you are stronger than you think . Believe that ... take action to change your thinking .. the thought will change .
Thank you need these things so much. The thought od smoking makes me sick.
However not having them around is causing me to feel like I need to flee to get some cigarettes.
My bp is quite high this AM. Just checked it. Im also so tired, and the nights and sleep feel like Im fighting in my sleep????? Cannot explain it... Really
Maybe some chamomile tea? I use melatonin with l-theanine as a sleep aid. Every night these days. I believe covid is causing underlying stress for anyone who is exposed to the media these days...I've had smoking thoughts "for no reason" lately and that's when I stay away from the news...
I think someone above posted a breathing excersise .. now might be a good time to practise bringing down your anxiety level ..
inhale , take in a big breath of calm and slowly ,
slowly .. SLOWLY exhale the anxiety ..
envision your anxiety at a ten then as you breathe out watch the numbers decrease ,
as you do , feel your body release the tension and your blood pressure going down ..
repeat til you feel you are at a comfortable level ... maybe a five feels better than 8 .
Do this several times ... really focus on becoming relaxed .
I have high high blood pressure , and am on two medications ... do monitor if you have been diagnosed and always check with your dr if you have concerns about your blood pressure and let them know as well that you are quitting smoking . I'm not sure if you are on meds but you know if it's of concern and what to do .. . Take care of you .. all the reason more not to smoke right .
You are on track , right where you are suppose to be .. and although some days are uncomfortable the key is to be patient .. you can acknowledge it's a harder day today but remember easier days usually follow harder ones .
How are you doing now anaussiemom?
We're here for you and we're rooting you on, huge hug coming your way. 
Im here @MarilynMarilyn.H.July.14.14. Im just trying not to cry and not watch TV, and trying to breath.
Praying a lot.
I hate this gnawing feeling. I'm so sleepy and my mind is racing.
Maki I am on 3 bps. It could be lack of electrolytes, nerves what have you.
Doc wont do anything really. Not uncommon for me, to have it. I took off my patch, just in case
that wasnt' helping my BP. Im as good as it gets at this moment.
Yes , I had to stop one of my copd asthma medications as it raised my bp as well . I hear ya.. it's possible the patch can do that . My heart raced on the patch . I noticed it right from the start but ten years ago I wasn't really interested in researching nrt methods . I would get advise from your dr or from your pharmacy if you notice that the patch is increasing your bp .
You are doing great .. we are all so proud of you .. some of those early days aren't so pleasant but I promise you it's worth it to get through them and be free of this addiction once and for all .
Been doing some reading about NRT and high blood pressure. First of all everything I read indicated it was safe for people with high blood pressure.
High blood pressure by itself, or accompanied by nervous jitters and a fast heart rate, can be a sign of nicotine withdrawal. So the increase in your blood pressure could also mean you are not getting enough nicotine in the patch. For heavy smokers, a nicotine patch sometimes doesn't deliver enough nicotine to replace what they had been getting from their cigarettes.
Harvard Medical School
I took two medications for my blood pressure prior to quitting. I was able to eliminate one after I quit. That may be a goal.
Barb
Bp gets higher these days in Am prob coffee.
because I was/am having anxiety.. That causes me to worry a bit to much.
Thank you Barbscloud's for researching.
Come on girl, I know you've got that strength in you! Pull it out and remember why you decided to quit. What has made you successful since the day you smoked your last cigarette? Your determination has been on the list somewhere. It's hard but it's not impossible. Tell your head to shut the hell up and go with your heart, the part that deep down wants you to stay smoke free!
Hang tough! Breathe. You can do this you do not want to have another day One but each day Won at a time.
Hell NO! I do not one to have a Day one!
Lung Cancer and Other Tobacco-Related Diseases - Nicotine Research Program - Mayo Clinic Research
Education was SUGGESTED for ME to read and read and read YET YOU Kim can CHOOSE the NEW mindset for QUIT TOOLS of YOUR OWN personal choice to THINK FACTS about buying a pack OF CANCER or READ what BEcomeanEX has to OFFER NEW thinking by filling YOUR thoughts with NICOTINE TRUTH - please NotOnePuffEver over YOU
In HIS love - I love YOU Kim and lifted YOU in prayer in MY Lord Jesus name amen
Awe your welcome Kim - just sharing - I been SMELLING cigarette smoke past 3 days - while I am accepting that MY ma who has been in hospice 7 months is slowly dying and now and again - MY emotions are SOOOOO WILD with just - WANTING IT NOT TO BE REAL being sad and crying then joy filled when memories of MY ma n me throughout our lives together loving and disagreeing and growing in OUR relationship as child an mommie and young lady and Mother and no just MY Ma - anyway I can soooooo relate wanting to just ESCAPE all MY emotions thanks for letting ME share with ya
s.i.n.a.o.
You have done a lot of work don’t throw it away on something this stupid and hurtful, you deserve better, but some hard candies, tic tacs, anything but cigarettes. Cold water deep breath’s. Please don’t give up, don’t let them strangle you any more!
Kim,
l am just seeing this. Having a rough day & have only been on here for short periods. I am so sorry that you are struggling so. I am so proud of you for reaching out & l am praying that you took some of this advice. You can see how many people care & want you to get through this. Hoping & praying for you, Kim.
Hugs,
Ellen
That nicotine monster is no joke. I have a little less than 72 hours in so I don't have an experts advice. I've made an image in my mind of what the nicotine monster looks like and when it acts up, I inhale the clean oxygen and visualize the clean air punching the monster. It hates clean oxygen. I wish you well.
Just got on to Ex’s this morning Kim anaussiemom I was visiting with a friend all day yesterday...you received some great Help yesterday...I am thinking you didn’t buy them...and you are still smoke free...sending some prayers your way....~ Colleen
I am! (smoke free)
anaussiemom Thank God Kim....
I have faith in you...you have faith in you too...
Praise god, you are still smoke free!!
Great job sis!! I'm so thankful you didn't give in!! I wanted to let u know I used the gum and it worked AMAZING for me. Every craving I popped a piece...up to 9 prices the first days all the way down to one I added more and more regular gum each day. It worked so well. Not sure if it will help you sis but I too am praying for you and so glad you are still smoke free!! N. O. P. E. One day at a time sis. You can do this!! 
Keep going Kim
That's what we are all here for!!!
Lookie here at the literal LEGION of folks from multiple disparate butt not desperate climes and circumstances who care. Add little ol Me™to the list. N.O.P.E. has a running buddy, whose names is D.O.N.T. My cred, 2years, 140 days, 6 hours and 13 minutes without.me old pal Nic (his shortname for Nicrotine). Was going into my neighborhood Walgreen's for the once every 3 weeks consignment of Reese's, York peppermint patties, chili cheese fritos, all the colby jack cheese sticks in the cabinet (this time 17 @$1.00 ea.), & a couple 6 packs of Ensure chocolate drink.. Before I entered the store, standing outside about 3 vehicles over from my truck an olden lady was giving her smoke the literal blues. I thot to myself lady that thing is bad for your health, and down the road (hers obviously short and getting shorter with each puff) and can possibly kill you. I really wanted to say probably. But a couple years ago She was Me. I always pray Lord 
please don't let Me be You fora bout 30 sec WHATEVER YOU DO. I wouldn't leave He/She/It enything to fix. And that older lady's smoking 
problem, and your temptation 
would be over. 'Cept one of the offices the offices the Almighty of whatever stripe bestows upon us which we always need moar practice in using is that of Judge. Fortunately that practice starts at home, so I stepped and left the lady to her belaboured puffing. Because true to form when I came out of the store $110 broker but thanking the gawds and the Governor for EBT, she was gone. Both she and you, and Myself persist in my thoughts, and in those of at least 37 other respondents to your entreaty. Here. On this blog, is where I finally GOT IT. It could work the same for you. WANT IT Mom. Battle for it and YOU, then come back, like I don't do nearly enuf, and tell us that YOU WON. My rite index finger am now exhausted, howeva we both Judge that we got thee job done. For today. Be blessed, and D.O.N.T. quit quitting.
A friend.
Hey Jimbone LOVE this, particularly the snack run! Poor little old lady, l feel for her.
Ellen
You know what really tugs at your strings when you see someone you know is in pain like the lady outside the drugstore is you don't know what medication she's there to pick up and for how serious a condition. It's like Father take this cup from me but not my will but Thine be done. My faith gets tested both inside and outside of the 
and it's taking more each time just to go out. A complaint for another forum I know but I'm Just saying. I trust you get me. No period
it's a fine line, sometimes...
Hello anaussiemom.. I just came upon your post and have read each exchange between your supporters and yourself and am amazed about all the love and caring these folks have shown as they shared with you their secrets of staying quit. Or, as Jimbone said, "D.O.N.T. Quit Quitting!" We all know it's hard, especially in the early days, and even in the later daays when we have moments where we feel overwhelmed and think -- even briefly -- of going back to our old ways, but we know deep in our souls that the battle is with the addiction itself. I think someone suggested you write down the reasons you are quitting. Putting stuff in writing somehow feeds our soul and propels us onward. Perhaps you might even go back and complete your home page- entering your quit date and your profile where we often highlight the reasons we are quitiing, etc. Above all, please know that we here at the Ex have your back and we are pulling for you. ~Suzy
Hello Aussiemom, you aren’t just an Australian mom, you are an “Awesome Mum” because you quit this dreadful disease. We all know this addition will kill us yet we keep turning back towards it., I’ll be 63 next month I have “moderate “ COPD and emphysema yet I still want “MY” cigs back. I quit smoking in 2009 and stayed quit for 8 years, then let my guard down and started smoking again in 2017 at the time my COPD was only “mild” once I realized that I couldn’t breathe anymore I went to a pulmonologist and he told me that I went from “mild” to “moderate “ in only 2 years I quit again in 2019 quitting this time was a lot harder to do the second time around than the first time. I now realize that because of my age and stubbornness that I DONT HAVE ANOTHER QUIT IN ME, and if I smoke another sicarette that it will kill me this time around I refuse to take another puff. I have to live my life by N.O.P.E. NOT ONE PUFF EVER!!!!!! One puff will lead me to buy another pack then I’ll be off to the races..... I WILL SMOKE TIL I DIE!!!! Please don’t let the nicodemon fool you into smoking again. It’s a lot harder to quit the second time around....... and if you are like me....... you might not have “another quit” in you!!!!!
not a sermon....... just a thought......
I am on day 2 myself..I am like you.
I want to get into my car and go buy a pack of cigarettes....
But I refuse to...I am so sick of smoking.
Stay strong & keep your self busy...
You and God has this...Keep the faith.
Smoke - regret it - have to start another Day One
Don't smoke - feel uncomfortable - but proud of yourself and regret free.
Aim for that Best part of you, Kim. Just keep aiming for that Best Part. It so wants you to be free. Just like we do.
Have you Replayed the Relapse
"Still heavily in negotiations with my addiction." You will never be smoke free if you continue to negotiate with your addiction. I know you know this, but I have to point it out nonetheless. It's when we stop negotiating and lay down the terms and accept them that we begin on the path to freedom. You've simply got to close and lock the door on the option to smoke. God how I wish I could hand you to the key.
I know you do Giulia I thank god for your passion of this site. As well as countless others, who help each other. I did relapse. My crazy felt crazy into my early beginning 3rd week!
I will move up my date much sooner. Just want to chat with a doc on Monday first about nicotine gum and horrid gerd at night.
No excuses. I had all the support I could possibly have! I just got so scared.....alas.
Pathetic!
KIm
Scared of what, Kim? What exactly are you afraid of? What is your "crazy?"
Giulia
Couldn't shake the the thoughts of smoking. No matter what I did, was taking a shower and just cried with swirling thoughts of smoking stress free like I always did. Just wanted to be able to feel no stress. Felt like smoking would stop the constant feeling of having a calm cigarette. I could not remember what the big deal was to just smoke. I know that's ridiculous" but I just couldn't shake the frantic thoughts of having some peace in my mind! Crazy. Idk how to explain the pain that felt so paralyzing" in my brain"........egads I am not good at writing my woes. It didnt feel normal to me to be so tense? I was going into my beginning, of 3rd week, feeling like this is" a nightmare" ! Really that is what it felt like, that felt like my reality...It was just crazy.
You wrote it very well actually. Have to ponder it before I respond. But my immediate question would be: what did you do to shake the thought of smoking? You say "no matter what I did." What were they? And - if none of what you did worked, what are you going to try next, instead? There is no limit to our imagination and the things we can try. We just have to find the things that work. That's the fun part of the challenge.
Giulia I played with dogs, went outside some. Could not breath well but read that was somewhat normal when your a quitter.
Showers, nico gum, pop cycles, atomic cinnamon ballls. Binged netflix worked out a lil"
Did couple yoga with hubby. tried. Read, I have so much to do. Really missing normal" whatever that is in our lives. Crazy times. Hardest thing was being active due to shortness of breath felt it was a lot from not smoking. My brain would not shut off. Insomnia with gerd. To much Nico gum only ate maybe 4 pieces a day 2 mg. But my body said hell no I think. I have lots and lots to do. Not sleeping was really effecting my emotions. I trued teas, warm milk, baths, cat purrs..
Okay, so none of those things you did worked to change your focus. At least not for a long enough time. But those are easy things. They don't occupy the brain. Perhaps you need to find something stimulating, fun, and takes a great deal of focus. Like a new hobby. Can you think of one that you've never tried that might work for you? I always mention Origami because it's a hobby that is intricate, but you don't have to spend money on. Another thought - have you tried guided meditations? If not, maybe give it a go. It may not shut off your brain all day, but at least you will be able to focus on something else for a half hour or so. There are many guided meditations on line.
"Hardest thing was being active due to shortness of breath felt it was a lot from not smoking." Now that sounds crazy to me. We don't get short of breath from not smoking. We lost lung capacity BY smoking. Unless you mean you were having a panic attack from not smoking and those certainly can cause shortness of breath.
Giulia LOL No the shortness of breath was all of a sudden spurred on. Quite sure it was not from not smoking/hence breathing deeply... Whatever the case, oxygen is a good thing! I will try what you have suggested Thank you for getting back to me so quickly.
Giulia
https://www.newhealthadvisor.org/shortness-of-breath-after-quitting-smoking.html
I also had night sweats the first 4 or 5 days, then it ceased.
You were 3 weeks in. You were over the night sweats, right? That's a fine link you gave. It shows that we can have shortness of breath. Are you practicing what it suggested doing to combat it? I don't mean once or twice, I mean every time it happens? Change takes work. We have to apply ourselves. I'm working on that myself in certain areas of my life. And it takes constant work. I'd better shut up now, I'm starting to go into tough love mode and I know you don't want that.
====================
Breathing Exercises After Quitting Smoking
The shortness of breath after quitting smoking can be reduced by engaging in deep breathing exercises. Here are three breathing techniques that may help.
Belly Breathing Feels Better: Belly breathing involves allowing your belly to expand as you take a deep breath. You’ll become more conscious of your breathing by watching yourself breathe. The most positive effects are best achieved when having deep breathing in a quiet place.================
Everyday everyone works on oneself. That is a given in life.
No matter who you are we have to evolve if we want to or not. Good bad ugly!
Thank you Giulia
I understand. It isn't always easy to slowly turn into a butterfly as you well know.
I will never give up. EVER! I will always keep quitting til the day I die, if I must.!
Thank you for your words
~Kim
Practice this Breathing Exercise Stay Close. Do not go to the store. Stay on line. Choose Freedom. NOPE no matter what. You do not have to act on every thought. You an get through this if you go through it. It will not kill you. smoking will.