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Quit date...Feb1st
Hi everyone!
I have set a quit date of Feb1st for my second try at quitting smoking. My first quit was in Jul07, but after a year, a few "cheats" and major dental pain, I gave in to the mental struggle.
As today has gone on, I am getting more excited to quit. What a hassle smoking is! The smell, ulcer pain, suiting up (Kathy Jo, you know what I mean) the cost, breathing trouble, brown or even black specs in the phlegm, skin trouble, possible emphysema, etc....
My problem seems to include smoking weed. I was a chronic smoker prior to Jul07 and quit THAT along with the cigs that day. No weed for many months. THEN...thought I could smoke weed occasionally which is also what sabotaged my quit. Smoking weed made me crave a cigarette just horribly, so the occasional "hit" will have to end as well. I'm wondering if anyone else has the cig/weed problem? Obviously for me, both have to go. My last "occasion" with weed was a week ago.
Even though I am really excited to stop, I am fearful of having panic attacks again. This happened with my first quit. Used the lozenge for 5days, couldn't tolerate it, then went c.t. I ended up in the ER twice in 3days because I couldn't breath. So scary. The panic attacks MAY have happened though because quitting smoking made my pain levels drop dramatically so I wasn't taking my pain meds like normal OR it was stopping the weed, or both. I felt like I was near a seizure one night before I thought to pop a Xanax which helped bring me down. I think the attacks eased up after I brought the pain meds back up to their normal level, but I'm just not sure if that was the problem or what. I don't normally have panic attacks. Hopefully, it won't be so awful this time. I know to keep the pain meds at their current level and the weed hasn't been an everyday thing at all. I know sleeping will be harder than usual as well, but I'm prepared for that. Don't sleep well in the first place.
So....I'm kinda scared, but SO EXCITED!!! I have 2cigs left, so I'm hoping tomorrow will be my quit day rather than 6days from now. I'm so done! I have made my list of positives and negatives which is giving me strength already.
Thanks for listening everyone. Any input or support would be greatly appreciated.
I have set a quit date of Feb1st for my second try at quitting smoking. My first quit was in Jul07, but after a year, a few "cheats" and major dental pain, I gave in to the mental struggle.
As today has gone on, I am getting more excited to quit. What a hassle smoking is! The smell, ulcer pain, suiting up (Kathy Jo, you know what I mean) the cost, breathing trouble, brown or even black specs in the phlegm, skin trouble, possible emphysema, etc....
My problem seems to include smoking weed. I was a chronic smoker prior to Jul07 and quit THAT along with the cigs that day. No weed for many months. THEN...thought I could smoke weed occasionally which is also what sabotaged my quit. Smoking weed made me crave a cigarette just horribly, so the occasional "hit" will have to end as well. I'm wondering if anyone else has the cig/weed problem? Obviously for me, both have to go. My last "occasion" with weed was a week ago.
Even though I am really excited to stop, I am fearful of having panic attacks again. This happened with my first quit. Used the lozenge for 5days, couldn't tolerate it, then went c.t. I ended up in the ER twice in 3days because I couldn't breath. So scary. The panic attacks MAY have happened though because quitting smoking made my pain levels drop dramatically so I wasn't taking my pain meds like normal OR it was stopping the weed, or both. I felt like I was near a seizure one night before I thought to pop a Xanax which helped bring me down. I think the attacks eased up after I brought the pain meds back up to their normal level, but I'm just not sure if that was the problem or what. I don't normally have panic attacks. Hopefully, it won't be so awful this time. I know to keep the pain meds at their current level and the weed hasn't been an everyday thing at all. I know sleeping will be harder than usual as well, but I'm prepared for that. Don't sleep well in the first place.
So....I'm kinda scared, but SO EXCITED!!! I have 2cigs left, so I'm hoping tomorrow will be my quit day rather than 6days from now. I'm so done! I have made my list of positives and negatives which is giving me strength already.
Thanks for listening everyone. Any input or support would be greatly appreciated.
Hi hun,
Good Job on passing up that opportunity! Very proud of you!! Why do we do it when it has so many negative effects? Escape I guess. As far as your friend goes, everyone is different, maybe it would help her, but I would never advocate weed to anyone for any reason. The weed today is brutal and I think, addictive. Oh, ok, I see your my age so you remember the stuff in the 70's and 80's. A whole different story. My short term memory was never good, but now I can barely remember what was said or written 2 seconds ago. I contribute this problem to smoking weed for so many years.
But, your friend may be desperate for relief, I understand that, and if it helps, then that's good. Me though, muscles tightening up is putting it mildly. It feels like my muscles are rock hard and squeezing my bones. It's really horrible! Nope, no more weed for me. That decision is made!
I must ask you. Flashing? Never heard that term before. Interesting....
Freedom sums up quitting smoking perfectly. That's just how I felt the first time. It was actually difficult to start again, lol. Tasted awful, but.......
Thank you so much for talking with me about the pot. It really helps. Please post if you're feeling like you might want a hit. We can be there for each other on this too. If you want that is....
Hope your day is going well. Awww...FREEDOM!!
Good Job on passing up that opportunity! Very proud of you!! Why do we do it when it has so many negative effects? Escape I guess. As far as your friend goes, everyone is different, maybe it would help her, but I would never advocate weed to anyone for any reason. The weed today is brutal and I think, addictive. Oh, ok, I see your my age so you remember the stuff in the 70's and 80's. A whole different story. My short term memory was never good, but now I can barely remember what was said or written 2 seconds ago. I contribute this problem to smoking weed for so many years.
But, your friend may be desperate for relief, I understand that, and if it helps, then that's good. Me though, muscles tightening up is putting it mildly. It feels like my muscles are rock hard and squeezing my bones. It's really horrible! Nope, no more weed for me. That decision is made!
I must ask you. Flashing? Never heard that term before. Interesting....
Freedom sums up quitting smoking perfectly. That's just how I felt the first time. It was actually difficult to start again, lol. Tasted awful, but.......
Thank you so much for talking with me about the pot. It really helps. Please post if you're feeling like you might want a hit. We can be there for each other on this too. If you want that is....
Hope your day is going well. Awww...FREEDOM!!
Hey ~ just checking your post. I am interested in the fact that your muscles tighten up on weed. A friend of mine has been wanting to try it for her fibro. I'll pass this info on to her.
One thing I did before my quit was to smoke the worse smokes in the world, not my brand. Helped my mind to think of what I was getting free from. For me it is becoming more and more of a freedom rather than a quit. I never dreamed I would feel this way. Oh yeah, I have my times when I would love to run to the store but I haven't and that is what I focus on, the small successes.
My suggestion: stay away from flashing especially if it causes anxiety, paranoia (it sure does in me). I had an opporturnity to take a hit a few days ago and I had to think the entire process trough. First - I would want a cigarette since my brain would process this into a slip and second - I would have the paranoia and probably freak out through the high because I slipped. Not a great time for me. Anxiety and paranoia are not friends of mine LOL.
You have my support. Keep in touch ~ El
One thing I did before my quit was to smoke the worse smokes in the world, not my brand. Helped my mind to think of what I was getting free from. For me it is becoming more and more of a freedom rather than a quit. I never dreamed I would feel this way. Oh yeah, I have my times when I would love to run to the store but I haven't and that is what I focus on, the small successes.
My suggestion: stay away from flashing especially if it causes anxiety, paranoia (it sure does in me). I had an opporturnity to take a hit a few days ago and I had to think the entire process trough. First - I would want a cigarette since my brain would process this into a slip and second - I would have the paranoia and probably freak out through the high because I slipped. Not a great time for me. Anxiety and paranoia are not friends of mine LOL.
You have my support. Keep in touch ~ El
Kathy Jo......As always, thank you for being such a wonderful, supportive friend. : )
elwoodsf......Funny thing is, weed increases the tension in my muscles ten fold. I deal with Fibromyalgia which makes me ache all over to begin with. Your right about the anxiety too, makes me feel paranoid. It always has. Don't know why I do it other than the fact I just want to escape my own mind sometimes. Personally, I've never had friends that smoke weed, but my husband does. ALL his friends do, so it's around. He stopped smoking it with me in Jul07 (really proud of him) but after a year it became an occasional thing. I asked him to stop for good this time and he agreed easily. He wants me to stop smoking cigs and if that's what it takes to help me then he's more than willing.
Thank you for your comment, el, I wanted to see if anyone else struggles with the whole cig/weed thing. And big congrats to YOU on day eight. You're over the nicotine and it's all mental from here, as you know. : )
I thought this morning would be the day. I felt all hyped up last night. My list is getting long of what I have to look forward when I quit. I already know from my first quit how much better I will feel physically so I'm really looking forward to that the most. But here it is this morning and I was feeling panicked when I woke up and having trouble breathing. Ugh, how stupid. I know it's my mind playing tricks. So, did buy another pack (only one) and will keep my current quit date so I can get used to the idea a little more. Just scared that this time will be like last time. My husband had to drive me around for 4mos. I started walking back then too, every day, but I couldn't go alone, he had to go with me. That "unreal" feeling staying with me what seemed like forever.
Hmm.....I think that's why I started cheating on my quit, I couldn't stand the anxiety every second of every day. I remember now, I started thinking I was bi-polar or something and was terrified I would need to go back on AD's. I HATE being on Ad's. I't been 5yrs since I was and I refuse to ever take them again.
Ok, thanks again for your support.....
elwoodsf......Funny thing is, weed increases the tension in my muscles ten fold. I deal with Fibromyalgia which makes me ache all over to begin with. Your right about the anxiety too, makes me feel paranoid. It always has. Don't know why I do it other than the fact I just want to escape my own mind sometimes. Personally, I've never had friends that smoke weed, but my husband does. ALL his friends do, so it's around. He stopped smoking it with me in Jul07 (really proud of him) but after a year it became an occasional thing. I asked him to stop for good this time and he agreed easily. He wants me to stop smoking cigs and if that's what it takes to help me then he's more than willing.
Thank you for your comment, el, I wanted to see if anyone else struggles with the whole cig/weed thing. And big congrats to YOU on day eight. You're over the nicotine and it's all mental from here, as you know. : )
I thought this morning would be the day. I felt all hyped up last night. My list is getting long of what I have to look forward when I quit. I already know from my first quit how much better I will feel physically so I'm really looking forward to that the most. But here it is this morning and I was feeling panicked when I woke up and having trouble breathing. Ugh, how stupid. I know it's my mind playing tricks. So, did buy another pack (only one) and will keep my current quit date so I can get used to the idea a little more. Just scared that this time will be like last time. My husband had to drive me around for 4mos. I started walking back then too, every day, but I couldn't go alone, he had to go with me. That "unreal" feeling staying with me what seemed like forever.
Hmm.....I think that's why I started cheating on my quit, I couldn't stand the anxiety every second of every day. I remember now, I started thinking I was bi-polar or something and was terrified I would need to go back on AD's. I HATE being on Ad's. I't been 5yrs since I was and I refuse to ever take them again.
Ok, thanks again for your support.....
Congratulations on your quit date and I am excited for you also. I am 8 days into my quit. I've tried several times, too many to recount why I started again other than the fact that it is an addiction. I relate to all your reasons to quit and as kathyjo stated "make a list of reasons you want to quit" and may I suggest to do it now. My original quit date was Feb.19th or so and one night I didn't have any smokes left so I just quit.
As for the weed part. I am not a big fan of smoking weed, never was, yet I will have my occasional flash if someone else around me is flashing. Because this is not a favorite activity of mine I've decided during my quit smoking weed is also included with my quit. I am already on meds for panic attacks, the attacks can be debilitating, I agree. I try to take them when I know I have stress in my life around the corner. I wonder if smoking weed is keeping your anxiety at bay or worsening it? Just a thought.
My best wishes are with you. You will find a lot of support here. This site is what gives me the hope and strength I need.
El
As for the weed part. I am not a big fan of smoking weed, never was, yet I will have my occasional flash if someone else around me is flashing. Because this is not a favorite activity of mine I've decided during my quit smoking weed is also included with my quit. I am already on meds for panic attacks, the attacks can be debilitating, I agree. I try to take them when I know I have stress in my life around the corner. I wonder if smoking weed is keeping your anxiety at bay or worsening it? Just a thought.
My best wishes are with you. You will find a lot of support here. This site is what gives me the hope and strength I need.
El
Good luck my friend and remember that you have our support.
Be strong and keep your list of reasons with you at all times.
Kathy Jo
Be strong and keep your list of reasons with you at all times.
Kathy Jo
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