Ohhhh.
First proper stomach cramps are hitting.
Officially in nicotine withdrawal.
It hurts.
However, it's late and I will sleep soon.
Also, I have good pain relief available to me.
So I'm going to take some ibuprofen and paracetamol.
I don't remember the last time I felt so determined to do something. Long may it continue.
@stueytheround
Quitting smoking will be the best decision you've made so far. It is life-changing. You can do it!
@stueytheround I remember realizing how great so many things smelled after I hadn’t smoked for several weeks! You will be so glad you quit, dear friend!!!
@stueytheround ❤️ sending you hugs and strength🤗
@stueytheround Gentlest healing vibes and tons of strength to let all that stuff you don't need, and which doesn't serve you, go! 💜
@stueytheround I'm so glad I've never so much as puffed on a cigarette. The addiction is such a bear. Hang in there, hombre.
@LiberalLibrarian I'm glad too. I would not wish addiction on anybody.
@stueytheround You got this, Stuey. 🤗
I quit smoking a little over 15 years ago.
@stueytheround You smoke? I'm telling everyone you're one of the naughty kids.
@AskTheDevil I did. Until yesterday evening. Today is the first full day of no nicotine.
Using the "Lennon Method™" 🤣
@stueytheround I will pray for you. For real. It suuuuuuuuucks going off nicotine!
I believe you can do it!
@stueytheround I do really pray on behalf of others. I've never seen evidence that there's any supernatural power behind doing so, but then I'm not the one who needs to be convinced! ; )
@stueytheround @AskTheDevil Yes, Stuey, you can!!!
@stueytheround You got this my friend.💪
@stueytheround I’m proud of your Day 1, friend. Rest easy and we’ll cheer on Day 2. Small steps. When my dad was trying to quit, he walked around with a cigarette pencil unsharpened. The habit of having something in your hand then suddenly having your hand free was part of his difficulty. But these pencils gave him something to hold and hang from his mouth. It really helped trick his mind.
@Avalea I'm considering trying the Kojak trick but with sugar free lollies 🍭
@stueytheround If you find yourself calling everybody “baby”, you’ll know it’s working. 😂
It's not about healing the pain, it's about the pain of healing.
Get yourself some fresh produce. I started with big juicy peaches, then plums, melon, anything in season, when I quit.
You don't get rid of addictions, you just change them.
Also keep close track of all the money you're not spending on smokes
Listen to what I say, and pay no mind to what I do.
@Pungent @stueytheround and remember smoking is an oral habit, so finding something to chew on might help. maybe cinnamon sticks? (healthier than pencils anyway).
i chew on a popsicle stick when i knit because i have excessively sharp teeth on one side & i tear up my tongue when i'm concentrating. the stick keeps my tongue away from the sharp edges
I had tea tree oil tooth picks.
@Pungent @stueytheround i haven't seen tea tree oil toothpicks. i have mint & cinnamon ones. i'd love to find clove...
@Pungent @stueytheround i have some the same shape as those i use as miniature knitting needles. they aren't flavored though.
I discovered miniature knitting a couple weeks ago at the farmer's market.
It's so cool, I might have to learn how to knit.
@Pungent @redenigma @stueytheround
I am so good at knitting... it took me less than a minute to check out these amazing photos and decide instantly: BUY THESE FROM THE ARTIST... it will take years for me to learn how to make them poorly!
@Pungent @redenigma @stueytheround
FINE.
I'd buy the dainty flower choker necklace. The single red rose earring, and the pair of sunflower earrings.
Don't try this at home alone.
I am a PROFESSIONAL. 🌻 😎 🌻
@Pungent 100% I've been having grapes from the fridge. The coldness is really relieving for some reason.
I'm planning on saving the £20/week I currently spend and using it toward doing some work on my bike.
However.
One moment at a time.
I'm having to learn to tell myself "no" and to mean it. Self-discipline is not my strong point 😜
But that's why I'm sharing here.
Accountability.
Nobody but Eleanor and @weeblejj in my real life has a clue what I'm doing.
Sending Light for you, dear Stuey.
I hope unsolicited advice is ok - toss it if not! What helped me was the determination that I only wanted to have to quit once. I knew it would be trying but if I could make 3 measly days, I’d be on the downhill side. I drank a lot of coffee to replicate some of the stimulant effects of nicotine. Nicotine can be sneaky, so most important was this phrase to counteract relapse: “No matter what the question is, the answer is no.”
You got this!💛
@ATXJane Thank you Jane! All helpful advice.
@stueytheround Good luck, Stuey, stick with it. You can do it.
@stueytheround pulling for you man. Get through the next five minutes then do it again 👍
@stueytheround I wish you the very best in your endeavor to quit. My husband quit cold turkey about 40 years ago. He always tells people that the urge to smoke will go away whether you smoke or not. Fingers crossed for you.
You got this, Stuey. I believe in you! 💞
P.S. I'm on standby if you need to yell at someone. I have a few goofy gifs lined up just in case, because a promise is a promise. 😉💞
@stueytheround You can do this, Stuey! Having gone through the agonies, I feel for you, but it does pass! Honestly! ❤️
We’re with you Stuey!
Have you tried Chantix? It allowed E-Man to quit after years of dependence when nothing else worked with no withdrawal.
@evamarie Not yet. Trying the "hard way" first!
I wish you all the luck. You will be uncomfortable for the next 4-5 days to say the least.
May the force be with you!
Everyone has their own type of addiction and there are many different strategies to break them. You have to know yourself. Some people find "the hard way" easiest, because they want to regain control over their own physiology from the smoking. Or because they're just stubborn SOBs.
wow, you must have a habit😨
i never got cramps when i quit.
may it pass quickly 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
@stueytheround
Nicotine is a poison that attaches to receptors for acetylcholine, and acetylcholine is used to activate nerve cells throughout the body. Your body has been defending itself against that poison by reducing the number of nicotinic receptors -- but when you withdraw the nicotine, you will be getting an underdose of acetylcholine until the receptors grow back. That takes several weeks. But you will notice symptoms lessening as they do.
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/cholinesterase-inhibitors/nicotinic.html
@stueytheround you can do it Stuey! You’ll feel so much better when you’re free. 👊🏻