Scobie's Quit Smoking Journal -- With Prizes!! (Week 3; Strong, like bull!)

Scobie

Scobie

CAGiversary!
After about 10 years of smoking at least a pack of cigarettes a day, and for several years two packs of non-filter Lucky Strikes and Camels, I decided to cash in my chips and walk away from the smoker's table. 10 Years. A decade of cardiovascular destruction!

Last night at midnight, Friday 16 March 2007, I had my last cigarette, a Camel Light. It wasn't even all that memorable to be honest, and that's one of the reasons why I want to quit. It's just not "good" any more. For years it's been total addiction with no real satisfaction, and I'm sick of it.

I've tried to quit several times before and failed. Part of it was trying to quit while still going to work (too much stress) and the other part was using crutches like Nicotine gum (gateway right back into smoking). This time I'm going cold turkey. I'm taking some time off from work, shutting myself in, and shaking it out of me.

Anyway, If you would all be so kind as to indulge me with this space as my quit smoking journal, I would really appreciate it. Kind words and well-wishes are of course welcome.

To make things interesting, at the end of this ordeal, I'll be randomly selecting two posts from the thread and buying you your choice of a Microsoft Xbox 360 or Nintendo Wii points card. I figure two cards is less money than two weeks worth of cigarettes, and why not give something back to the CAG community that's been so good to me?

Rules of engagement on this are easy: I'll be taking the total number of posts as the parameter set and using random.org to shuffle 'em up. Whoever's post number is on top is the winner. If one of my posts is selected, I'll toss it and the next one will win. Jerks need not apply -- if your post is hateful as judged by me, your entry will be thrown out.

*** UPDATE: CONTEST WILL END AT MIDNIGHT FRIDAY 23 MARCH. WINNERS WILL BE CONTACTED ON SATURDAY. GOOD LUCK! ***
 
Alright, here we go! Day 1, Saturday 17 March 2007:
So far so good, which is to say this totally sucks! If I was at work, I probably would've been escorted out of the building by security by now. :D It's actually been pretty brutal, waaaay worse than times before where I'd supplement with nicotine gum. I feel like I would violently beat somebody down for a cigarette right now. I'm just locking myself in and going through the waves of pangs. Sometimes it gets to where my vision blurs and my whole body aches like a rolling tide is crashing over it, starting with my jaws down to my ankles. Other times it feels like I'm floating and it's hard to concentrate on anything.

I picked up a Smoker's Detox Kit last week which is basically a vitamin and fiber supplement, but it actually made me feel a little better this morning. For as sick as I've felt throughout the day, I've got to say I'm encouraged. If this is as bad as it gets, then I've got this thing by the ass and a couple of lucky CAGs are going to be enjoying some free 360 or Wii Points. Whenever I feel an ache, I just dig in and get red dog mean with it till it passes.
_________________________

Day 2, Sunday 18 March 2007:
The morning was surprisingly easy. I woke up and wanted a smoke, but it passed pretty quickly. The rest of the morning through the early afternoon was a cakewalk. Didn't get any real strong cravings till about 6:30 PM. I thought about going over to my neighbor's and bumming a smoke, but I fought it off easily enough. Actually popped in God of War I for the first time tonight. I'm about half-way through. Not really my kind of game, but it's impressive enough in its scope. Also scored GRAW for the 360 for 15% at BB and COD2 GOTY for the 360 at CC.

But anyway, back to the quit smoking thing. Today was definitely easier than yesterday, and I'm sure tomorrow will be easiier still. On a goofier note, I think I pulled a Britney Spears last night... I shaved my head. I'd been wanting to do it for a good long while and I didn't have anything better to do, so I went right at it. It's workin' out like a champ.

Also wanted to extend a *huge* thanks to everyone who's been posting. Your support has really been fantastic! Thank you!
_________________________

Day 3, Monday 19 March 2007:
This was a rough one. I felt like a dope fiend most of the day. Just jittery, stuttering, dazed... I went for a walk for about an hour, listening to the Bad Brains. The worst part was getting groceries with the cigarette rack right there at the register. I have to admit that around noon I checked my sock drawer to see if I had any emergency packs hidden (I was good and had gotten rid of them all). I probably would've chain smoked 'em all if I had 'em. Glad I didn't. This is really, really, really hard. Non-smokers can't even relate. Unless you've been strung out on pain meds or some other serious drug, you don't know.

I did three loads of laundry, getting rid of the smell of smoke in some of my clothes. It's amazing how much it permeates. I hadn't really smoked in my apartment for years outside of the bathroom where I would stand and puff really fast and blow into the exhaust fan and still the whole place smells like stale smoke. Operation Febreeze begins tomorrow.
_________________________

Day 4, Tuesday 20 March 2007:
I suppose that in theory the chemical addiction is pretty much gone. So what gives with the aches I'm still going through? Maybe by tomorrow I'll be over it, but it's starting to feel like a freakin' sanity effect from Eternal Darkness. I'm also periodically exhausted, like collapse in a heap exhausted. Not easy, not fun. You really gotta fuckin' want this, otherwise you'll never get off of cigarettes. For the other CAGs who've posted saying they're trying to quit, good luck to you. You can do it, but you've really gotta dig in and go for it. Eye of the Tiger! Day 5, here I come!
_________________________

Day 5, Wednesday 21 March 2007:
This one kind of sucked sporadically, but looking back on it, not so bad. And that's the funny thing about this whole process. There will be times where the pangs will be so severe to where it's like I'm being ripped up and a thousand voices are shouting in my head so I'm unable to focus or even be conscious of anything else. Then those times will pass and I'll feel like "hey, this quitting smoking thing's easy as pie!" It's just a crazy rollercoaster. I think that on the balance, the bad times are dwindling and the better times are on the increase, so that's encouraging. Five days without a cigarette. I didn't even manage that a couple years ago when I had a slight pneumonia. Day six lies ahead. Bring it on!
_________________________

Day 6, Thursday 22 March 2007:
Hands down, this was the easiest day so far. Only the most minor cravings sporadically. I feel great, head's clear, body doesn't ache. I'm out of the woods, I think, but like most former smokers will attest, I've now entered the hanging gardens (?). No worries, though. I've got this thing. I'm feeling strong and confident and happy to no longer be a smoker. Thanks for everybody's kind support! Prizes will be doled out Friday night/Saturday morning! Good luck everybody!
_________________________

Day 7, Friday 23 March 2007:
First week as an ex-smoker has past! The last two days have been a piece of cake. Occasional cravings are still there, but it's really easy to fight them off. I've got this thing licked. Thanks once again to everyone who commented -- your positivity was tremendously appreciated! One more example of why cheapassgamer.com is arguably the best gaming community on the web.
Also, prize winners have been selected -- AshesofWake and ramatut4001! Congrats, guys! I'll be in touch shortly.
_________________________
Monday 02 April 2007, into Week 3!
Hard to believe I'm into week 3 already. My lungs really feel a lot better and my sense of taste and smell are both noticeably improving. There's still moments where I'd love a cigarette, but it's surprising how quickly they go away. Been working on fighting through all those situations that I used to associate with cigarettes by putting myself into those places and consciously not smoking. I think it's an effective strategy. Best of luck to the other CAGs who are trying to kick.
_________________________
 
You can do it. My best friend smoked 2 packs a day for about 15 years (since high school) and quit cold turkey. It's been over a year now. He did have one cigarette a while back in a drunken stupor and it made him sick. He can't believe he used to smoke 2 packs a day.

The first few months are probably going to be tough (I can't speak from experience) but if you really want to quit you will. You have to want it.
 
Smoking is disgusting and I wish I didn't start smoking (I'm not that bad with a pack lasting a day to a day and a half) but I can't say that I have the will power to quit. Good luck
 
Another anecdote like javeryh's, my grandfather was a heavy smoker and would stop smoking for months a clip whenever he'd get a cold. Good luck.
 
You can do it! I smoked for about 7 years and I quit a few months ago. It's amazing how much my sense of smell and taste has improved in that short amount of time. Also I no longer smell like an ashtray and I'm not embarrassed to have my non-smoking friends and family get in my car or come over to my house. Best of luck to you.
 
Good luck Scobie! I've been trying to get my brother to quit smoking for years, and I have always told him the best way to quit is cold turkey.

Have you ever thought of going to a hypnotists? As crazy as it sounds I have two friends that did it and have not touched a cigarette in four years.
 
It's all in your head. If you have convinced yourself that you are done smoking already, as you have by the sound of things, you won't feel nearly as tempted to have another. One things for sure, you are getting rid of a habit you won't regret losing.
 
i find that chewing tobacco helps...j/k

my advice stay away from places that you are used to lighting up. example stay out of the bars for a week or so, chew gum while driving and avoid alcohol if you are used to drinking and smoking at the same time.
 
[quote name='gaelan']my advice stay away from places that you are used to lighting up. example stay out of the bars for a week or so, chew gum while driving and avoid alcohol if you are used to drinking and smoking at the same time.[/QUOTE]
QFT!
 
I met a south african who had been imprisoned on Robben Island during Apartheid, and he told me that he withstood 12 years of torture (eventually he was released and smuggled Nelson Mandela's biography out the door) but could quit smoking.

Then he had a daughter and one day she came back from school and said "i learned that it only takes 5 seconds to not want a cigarette every time you want one"

and then he quit smoking.

huzzah! story's true by the by.
 
Good luck! It'll probably be hard, but it sounds like you've got the willpower.
Just look forward to how much you will enjoy things tasting again. And of course all the newfound money you'll have to spend on games (or other more important stuff).
 
The sooner the better man. Good luck.

Here's another little anecdote: my Grandfather died of either a heart attack or a stroke in his early 60s, but his health and his breathing had been severely affected by his smoking already at that point.
If he hadn't died of his heart attack/stroke, the cigarettes would've killed him soon afterwards.
 
A friend of a friend used to say "When I tried to kick heroin, I wanted to die." (they did successfully quit). "When I tried to quit smoking, I wanted to kill myself."

The difficult thing to grasp is the sheer *absurdity* of nic fitting, and (like you mention in your OP), how truly unsatisfying that cigarette becomes. Your entire life is consumed by having your current cigarette as well as wondering when the next one will happen. Ultimately, though, that cigarette you satisfy yourself with is one of the most short-term, empty, and meaningless ways of satisfying yourself.

Good on you, man, and good luck.
 
Congratulations on quitting and being able to do what so many other people haven't. I have so many friends that are like "Well, I know it's bad for me, but i'm young and it won't leave permanent damage so i'll quit in four or five years." I had a health class where we did seminars on anti-tobacco and everything.. it was a real eye opener to be able to see how much it costs weekly and yearly. We even had this machine that replicated a fetus in the mother's womb and what would happen each time she took a drag.. let's just say when I get married and knock her up, she better not smoke. Even got to meet Chuck W., president of Truth. This was back in late '03 or early '04, right after they did the one commercial where they had body bags piled up in NYC. Pretty cool guy, said that TRUTH is nothing more than a bunch of teenagers against smoking and they come up with their own skits.

Anyway, sorry for the tangent. The issue of smoking hits a little close to home (I've lost friends and relatives to it. My Grandfather was told to stop or die. He stopped, but died of pneumonia a few years later. My girlfriend's aunt recently had to have a triple bypass. She was told to stop drinking and stop smoking, and she did.. for about two or three weeks. She's back to chainsmoking.. again). Congratulations again on quitting.
 
Yet another smoking story - my grandmother passed away from emphysema several years ago. For years, she was confined to the house and hooked up to an oxygen tank, and spent most of the day in bed watching TV. The only times I can recall her leaving the house was either to the doctor or to church.

Not a pretty sight. Congrats on trying to quit, and good luck.
 
You made a good decision, some people don't quit 'til it hurt their loved ones or themselves. I've known people who smoked for years and now they barely can breathe without an oxygen tank.

We all gotta start somewhere and it seems your on the right path. Celebrate life man and keep up the good work. Plus side, you'll have more extra cash for gaming.
 
I've been smoking for 4 years (I'm only 20), with a pack a day for months at a time (usually a pack every few days) and it truly has become unsatisfying.

You want one so bad and as soon as you light it up, you don't have that craving anymore, but you also don't want to keep smoking that cigarette. For some reason it just tastes like shit, then again I smoke Marlboro Reds and they have always tasted pretty shitty.

Now that I think about it, I am going to try and quit too. You have inspired me OP. I'll post my progress (assuming there is any) later on in this thread.

Good luck man, you'll need it.
 
Good Luck. I hear that one you quit, you are extra sensitive to the smell, and will realize how icky smelling other smokers are (and their stuff).
 
Congratulations of getting that monkey off your back.

Only 4 people in my family were smokers, my dad, both my grandmothers (one quit years ago but the other still smokes), and my aunt that ded 3 years ago. My grandma who quit quit a few years before I was born, but when she did she was a heavy smoker (two packs a day), so I'm very glad she kicked her habit.

Good luck to you OP.
 
I'm sure that very shortly you'll be able to taste food more again, so that's something to look forward to. Plus, the money from a pack a day adds up quickly. More games for your cheap ass!

Best of luck, and hang in there!
 
Good luck. Don't think of gum or patches as crutches though, it's a chemical addiction, sometimes those things are necessary. My gf's dad has quit cold turkey several times (notice the several as in it not working), and he has used gum, but never properly. I dunno if the gum would work for him anyway since he seems to be one of those easily addicted people and he buckles to cigs and booze when he's stressed, but it takes both dedication and not making excuses for failure or writing off things as "crutches" when they fail too.

In the end, just do whatever it takes and stay focused. Don't make excuses or refuse help when you need it.
 
Best of luck Scobie. I quit smoking, after 3 years of about 2/3 a pack a day, a year and a half ago. The one thing you will definately notice after about a week is how nauseating the smell of cigarette smoke is. I wasn't able to hang out with my friends for about a month and a half since they all smelt horribly. My advice is to coop yourself up for a good three days with a nice long game and play the hell out of it. I used Jolly Ranchers to help the occasional oral fixation but I'm sure gum would help as well. Best of luck.
 
[quote name='javeryh']You can do it. My best friend smoked 2 packs a day for about 15 years (since high school) and quit cold turkey. It's been over a year now. He did have one cigarette a while back in a drunken stupor and it made him sick. He can't believe he used to smoke 2 packs a day.

The first few months are probably going to be tough (I can't speak from experience) but if you really want to quit you will. You have to want it.[/QUOTE]
All true. I had a puff a couple months ago (I quit 3 1/2 years ago), and all I could taste was the butt. Yuck!

It took me a good 6 to 9 months to go a day (24 hours) and say "Wow, I didn't think about smoking once today."

It was hard as hell. Many a night after work I came home, ate dinner, and went to bed just so I wouldn't smoke. No matter how bad it sucked, I did it cold turkey, and I'd never go back.

Stick with it!

Edit: And if you falter once or twice down the line, don't see it as complete failure. Try as hard as you can to smoke nothing, but if you do give in to temptation, just know that the average quitter fails like 7 to 10 times before they quit for good. Just treat your addiction like it is your bitch.
 
Good luck!

Might want to pick up a box of toothpicks, or a pack of gum, so you have something to do with your mouth and hands. Chewing on a pen works too.

Just try to keep busy, because the more idle time you have, the more you'll probably think about it.
 
Day one is almost over. By about 6 o'clock or so I wanted to hop in my truck and get a pack of smokes at the Li'l Cricket, but I fought through it. How? By napping. I didn't do doodly squat today except play Lego Star Wars II and watch a movie, but I was completely drained by early evening. Thanks, addiction!

Anyway, I'm sure Day 2 will be a little easier. Especially if I can snag a cheap copy of Call of Duty 2 at the CC when they open.
 
Addiction can suck really bad and it varies from person to person. Willpower and a strong desire to live can overcome this:

My grandfather was a two pack a day smoker (and farmer) most of his life. When he was in his late 40's he started having heart problems (this was 1976). He went to the doctor, had a stress test that nearly killed him and they found four blockages in his heart. Open heart surgery was still pretty new at the time and had a lot of risk. He had a quadruple bypass (the first time).

The point of the story is the day he had the stress test and nearly died, the doctor told him to quit. He handed the doctor the pack in his pocket and never touched one again. I was 2 at the time and I never even knew he was a smoker until many years later.

Moral of the story, addiction sucks, but if you WANT to quit for YOU, then you can do it. It will be tough, but hang in there.

TBW

PS My grandfather was the toughest person that I ever knew. He had three open heart bypass surgeries, protate cancer, drug induced lupus and bone cancer twice (the second time he didn't make it at the age of 78). He had cataracts so bad that he could hardly see and he didn't let it slow him down too much.
 
SMOKE.gif
 
My girlfriend just recently quit smoking. So far so good as she's just bitchy a little bit more than usual. Has not smoked for over 3 weeks now. The physical addiction only last a few days, after that, it's all mental.
 
good job, i've been trying to get my mom to stop smoking since forever and she's been smoking since I was little :(. I applaud you in your endeavors.
 
Good luck. I got my gf to quit before I started going out with her. She was smoking for about 6 years and quit cold turkey. She is so happy that she quit. Now she can't stand the smell of the smoke.

Good luck and don't give up. Cigarettes are so bad for you but they are still sold. Its a joke.
 
Quitting takes a lot; I've never done it myself (never touched a cigarette) but both of my parents used to smoke quite a bit; while my dad was able to quit cold turkey years ago, my mother didn't have it so well. She's been on the gum for almost four years now, and it's finally working. I think just quitting like you did is the best way (and cheapest) and I know there's nothing to regret. Good work, and good luck!
 
Let's see a few of friends quitby doing other things. One guy whenever he wanted a smoke, went and chopped firewood outside his house or ran, anything to take his mind off it. Another friend took up eating Tootsie Pops instead, yes sugar is bad, but hey it's better then smoking. My biggest advice, get away from tempation, stay away from places filled with smoke, like bars or the bowling alley. But hey you can do it and we are here to support you.
 
[quote name='Dkellar']My girlfriend just recently quit smoking. So far so good as she's just bitchy a little bit more than usual. Has not smoked for over 3 weeks now. The physical addiction only last a few days, after that, it's all mental.[/QUOTE]

Girls smoking is just so damn sexy...

Anyway, I will smoke a cigarette for you tonight, my friend.
 
My mom quit smoking (a long time ago) from my sister and I consistently bitching at her about it.

Then she started again, a few years back, but kept it a secret from us. For that, she lost my respect.
 
One of my smoker friends was telling me about a pill that helps quite smoking. How it stops nicotine from reaching the brains receptors or some of that medical science stuff...

I dunno the name but I am sure a barely extensive google search would suffice. I would help but I am not a smoker and am also lazy...
 
I'm in week 4 of quitting.. and I fucking miss it. I've been taking Chavix to stop. It's done a fairly good job of curbing cravings, and doesn't scramble the brain like Welbutrin. After another three weeks or so, I'll stop taking the Chavix and fly solo.

Stay away from the bars and shitfacing... it'll help things.

Here are two points on quitting smoking:

1.) Dealing with ex smokers who think their cocks are now a foot long and egos are a mile high due to quitting smoking 5 years ago or something are twats. I mean.. I'm quitting, and my gf smokes.. doesn't mean that I'm going to look down on her and pressure her into quitting as well. Ex-smokers should give support, not prove supremacy.

2.) Think of it like this: you're freeing yourself from a corporate mechanism. You smoke 'em, they hook you. Then, government profits from it with high taxation. Cigarettes (such as many other commodities and/or products, like gasoline) are nothing more than a vehicle for ill-appropriated tax revenue. Think of it as freeing yourself from a vicious chain of leeches.

Good luck with it man.. if you smoke a few on the way to quitting, just don't go out and buy a pack. As for me, I've lost stories to post in my $2 carton thread... plus, going without that after-sex smoke kinda sucks.
 
I smoked from when I was 15 till I was 25, then I quit, did the patch, stopped then started up again last June, after 7 years of being "smoke free".

I like it, I missed it like an old friend, it's not that bad but it can get outta control. I'm gonna stop again in June. I just hate when it gets to the point where I have been drinkin and smokin all night and I cough up a big black hunk of my lung. That part sucks but I smoke less now than I did then.
 
i quit almost 2 years ago and i still haven't forgotten why:
GUILT

it was strange, my roommate and i were smoking out on the porch of our modular house enjoying Marlboro Lights 100. Not long after we lit up the kids from next door (like 6 or more youngins) start walking past us and they look at us and go: "No Smoking" (in very broken engrish)

They reminded both of us of our old D.A.R.E lessons, and having those tiny kids see us smoke like a couple of wanna-be Camel Joe's made me disgusted with myself. The hardest part of quitting was parting with my kick-ass Playboy Zippo lighter. Which i probably still have somewhere, just don't use it anymore.

Believe me, i know the pain of being a quitter and i wish you the very best OP.
 
I just quit two weeks ago. I've been an off and off smoker since I was 17. My record was 8 cigarettes a day. I'm now 21, and realized that

1. Pretty expensive habit.
2. Smelly clothes are smelly.
3. Chicks really don't dig the cigarette taste.

Keep it up. My cravings are coming harder and harder, but I just find something to preoccupy myself. I'll keep this thread bookmarked to keep tabs on your progress :D
 
Good things about you not smoking anymore:

1. Your breathing will improve over time because of your lungs healing themselves from the smoking.
2. You will have more money to spend on cheapass video games.
3. You can save the money and put it toward a vacation.
4. You can put the money toward retirement.
5. You can go to the movies or rent movies that you haven't seen yet.

There are many more but these are just some of the things that I hope you do with your new wealth from not smoking.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top