Hey Marge! 

I’m so excited to have our new buddy thread! It feels like we’ve accomplished something- made it though the month of July without smoking. I certainly couldn’t have done it without your guidance and knowledge. You have truly been a lifesaver. Even when you were speaking to someone else, I always gleaned information that helped me in my own quit. 

So, many thanks to you! 

Lori 

Hey Patty! 

Guess what! It’s been 29 days without smoking for me! Can you believe it? I remember not so long ago hanging on by a thread. Two weeks ago I was a complete mess, then slowly I felt a little stronger day by day. 

I hate that you have to have the back surgery but I’m so proud that you will be doing it smoke free. Your great attitude will aid you in your recovery for sure. 

Keep it up! You are doing so good.

Lori 

Anthony,

Im very interested in how you are doing on Champix. My husband is also taking it. I think he’s been on it for a couple of weeks. He’s still smoking and hasn’t set a quit date, but he’s smoking less. I’m letting him do his own thing. I’ve read that some have success with champix and NRT together. Are still using the patch? 

Best of luck to you. I hope this quit is the one that works. You can do this! 

Lori 

Hey Nick, 

Those cravings are tricky things. They will sneak up on you when you least expect it. The thing is, the cravings are just thoughts in your mind. Each time you don’t act on them, it makes you stronger and weakens the neural pathway in your brain. 

I too thought it was weird to think that I would never smoke again, but after the days passed, I don’t feel like I’ve given up anything worthwhile, especially when I think about all that I’ve gained. 

Believe me. You aren’t be only one. 

Lori 

Yay! We have a new home. So I am now 17 days into my quit. It has been rough going. I have been craving cigarettes a lot recently and have had to tell myself no. That I am proud to be a nonsmoker now. Today I decided to no longer use a nicotine patch. I have been still using a vape here and there though. So it isn't much of a difference. To be honest, I never really noticed when I had the patch on or not. 

-Alison

I quit July 29th. I hadn’t planned to quit that day...just thought I’d put on a patch and see how long I could last. I’ve put on a new patch everyday and haven’t smoked so far. I understand what you mean by the sadness feeling. I thought I might be grieving cigarettes and I sure hope that phase ends soon. 

Hi Lori,

You have accomplished a tremendous thing-looks like you will have a full month in a couple days.  

Keep coming back because we are stronger together.

Hi there DParton,

Welcome to the forum and to the Smoke Free Warriors.  When we quit smoking it takes time before that feeling of grieving leaves us but it will if you stick with it.  Read everything you can here on nicotine addiction.  it will help you understand how you feel right now and ways of dealing with the stress involved in the process.  Hope you will get to know your quit buddy s and keep posting.  Having a support group with you every day is a huge factor in success. You can do this.

ps-love your little dog.

Practical Tips for Your First Smoke-Free Week

Updated November 19, 2015. You may feel like you're on a roller coaster during the first couple of weeks of smoking cessation. Whether you use a quit aid of some sort or go cold turkey, you're going to feel some discomforts due to nicotine withdrawal.

Ex-Smoker Suggestions for Surviving Nicotine Withdrawal

Verywell Mind

Fight the Urge to Smoke by Knowing These 4 Triggers

Education and preparation will help you commit to beating the urge to smoke. Use these tips to decipher and manage smoking urges, one-by-one.

Read more from Verywell Mind

Verywell Mind

9 Common Rationalizations for Smoking (And How to Overcome Them)

When you quit smoking, the addiction triggers mental chatter that can make it hard not to smoke. Learn how you can overcome these rationalizations.

Read more from Verywell Mind

Hi Gloria,

Sending you this post from the Smoke Free Warriors in case you are having trouble getting used to this place.  From reading your first post, it reminds me of my quit.  I smoked over 40 years and quit smoking in 2010.  Then in 2012,  I relapsed during a period of grief and it took me 3 more years to try again.  This forum helped me get through the roller coaster ride we all go through when we quit.   

Verywell Mind

Why Quitting Smoking Can Make You Feel Depressed

Understanding why you feel depressed after quitting smoking and what you can do about it will help you manage smoking cessation more easily.

Read more from Verywell Mind

You're doing great! I experience the same thing as do most others on this forum. You are not alone. We really do go through periods of missing something in our lives. After 45 years of smoking, I built up so many associations between living and smoking, there must be a period of break-up, just like any other relationship.

I just try to do something else and come up with different activities, like drinking a nice cold glass of water. Although I am still experiencing the same feelings as you, it does get better and the feelings are less often. Just do not smoke and these periods will diminish. You can do it!!