so, ex-smokers, is this normal?

by Vivamus 17 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Sirius Dogma

  Heya Vivamus,

  I smoked two packs a day for a couple years and then quit cold turkey several years ago. I was really pissed and irratable, moreso than usual. I felt really crapy. The thing that helped me was mountain biking, it took some effort to get motivated to go, but once I got up there in the clear air, it was awesome. I think any type of fun exercise would make your spirits feel better. Or maybe even sexercise.

  If that doesn't work, have you considered the patch or nicotine gum? ramp off slowly on those things perhaps?
• 

  Carmel

  Viv, I had developed a pack-a-day habit but quit cold turkey. Life was a bitch for a few months. Luckily I wasn't married at the time and only lost a few friends from my nastiness. but it taught me a lesson I'll not soon forget.

  carmel
• 

  Sentinel

  Hey, Viv,

  I tried to post earlier--had it all ready and "poof" it just didn't make it on here, it came out blank???

  Anyway, you can beat this. Just takes lots of willpower. Hubby smoked a pack a day for twenty years and quit cold turkey on Jan. 22nd. No patches, no gum, etc. He's been doing better than I thought he would. He had tried before using nicotine substitutes. He thinks now that they were actually part of his problem not being able to quit.

  Best wishes for your success!! Remember, it's one day at a time.

  /<
• 

  Eyebrow2

  I quit smoking almost 14 years ago...I quit cold turkey after my father died of a heart attack...he had smoke for 40 years. and they saw that he had emphasema too..

  Get one thing through your head...you DO go through a difficult time when you leave the JWs but please please PLEASE don't think that it is just because you left. You need to never allow yourself to think that you fell into those things because you left the Kingdom Hall.

  Anyway, when you try to give up smoking it is sooooo hard. It does make dealing with things hard when you try to get away from an addiction. I think smoking is much more difficult to give up them some harder drugs. I was pretty bitchy when I gave it up, but I don't think things were quite that severe. If you can, you should seek some therapy, it won't hurt.

  Good luck...hang in there!
• 

  Eyebrow2

  Regarding pot...used to do that recreationally...my last joint was in May of 1990. I quit when I found out I was preggers....I stopped smoking cigs while I was preggo, but hopped back on them after I had my son...until dad died.

  I don't think there is anything wrong with occaisionally use of pot, and think everyone that uses ought to consider growing their own...but of course THAT could get you in big trouble! I won't smoke now because it is illegal and just isn't worth the hassle. But I don't see it any worse than alcohol...too much of ANYTHING is bad for you...moderation is the key here.
• 

  Xena

  morning cranky girl....hope today is better for you
• 

  Billygoat

  It's been about 10 years for me since I quit. I didn't have too hard of a time quitting. Didn't mean to actually. I was at a bachelorette party and ran out of my lights. So I smoked a bummed pack from a friend, but they were unfiltered Camels. The next day I was so incredibly ill from overdosing on Nicotine (and loads of tequila and beer) that smoking didn't even appeal to me. (Hung over for a good two days that time. ) It took a good month for cigs to even smell good to me, but I figured since I quit for a month, I might as well quit for good. I still occasionally smoke when I'm drinking, but I have to have a pretty good buzz going before I do.

  Funny thing though...since I've quit, a freshly lit cig STILL smells REALLY good to me. I can't get rid of that appeal even 10 years later.
• 

  Navigator

  I smoked two packs per day for more than 30 years and quit about 20 years ago. I dreamed about smoking for more than one year. Nicotine is one of the most powerful addictive substances. It is normal to feel the way you do. Your body is crying out for another "fix" and to be comforted. It will pass. You will smell a lot better to yourself and to those around you. Food will start to taste good again. Be careful here as it is normal to pick out more than a few pounds on the frame. Exercise will help and get your "endorfin" level back in balance. It will also remind you of the damage that smoking is doing to your lungs. Remember the slogan of the American Lung Association. "When you can't breathe, nothing else matters".