When do cravings reduce?

[Happyfeet24]

Hi,

I'm quitting using will power only.

I've managed 35 hours now, which have consisted of cravings every 1-2 hours lasting about 3/5 mins. When the cravings hit I go through every excuse in my mind as to why I should give in, 'It's my Birthday in March, I'll quit then' 'I'll just cut down instead' ect ect.

I've smoked for 8 years. Hand rolled tabacco. I've resisted so far. But could anyone please tell me when the cravings start to reduce? I should have seen a GP really and maybe got patches. If the cravings continue at this consistant strong rate then I may have to reconsider.

[Trilby274]

Got bad news for you Happy - they don't go. I gave up smoking for a year and then started again. A friend hasn't smoked for 15 years but still admits to the odd craving. Get the patches quick otherwise you will just find excuses to start again.

[davidg007]

Originally Posted by Happyfeet24

Hi,

I'm quitting using will power only.

I've managed 35 hours now, which have consisted of cravings every 1-2 hours lasting about 3/5 mins. When the cravings hit I go through every excuse in my mind as to why I should give in, 'It's my Birthday in March, I'll quit then' 'I'll just cut down instead' ect ect.

I've smoked for 8 years. Hand rolled tabacco. I've resisted so far. But could anyone please tell me when the cravings start to reduce? I should have seen a GP really and maybe got patches. If the cravings continue at this consistant strong rate then I may have to reconsider.

May i start with well done happyfeet, its tough isn't it...
but dont worry the cravings do go away, its just harder for some, just depends on how much you want to quit, stick at it, avoid things you did with a ciggie in your mouth, i stopped feb 2003 on willpower alone and never looked back, but its different for everyone, just dont have a sneaky ciggie, you will never quit having a sneaky, so learn how to ignore them demons in your head..lol and you will get through.....My mate used NHS smoking advisers they helped him quit for good, their number is 0800 169 0 169...

So good luck and keep us informed on your progress

[Happyfeet24]

Thanks everyone,

I'm still holding out. I don't want to smoke, so far I've not missed the smoking as an action but I just keep getting these damn cravings. They have been a little less today, but not much, yesterday they were terrible! so hopefully I'll be one of the luckier ones and I'll escape.

It's been nearly 40 hours now and when the cravings pass I feel better already, so the early benefits are showing.

Hopefully I'll feel better as each day passes to keep me going. I've taken down the NHS number from your post. 2 days doesn't seem long but I don't want to ruin it now so if things don't start to ease a little bit I'll give them a ring. One thing I do want to ask them is if the inhalator is available on prescription so I may ring them now anyway (would ask the GP but don't trust a word they say about anything anyway)

[Trilby274]

Despite my gloomy post above, most people I know who have successfully given up reckon that the eighth day is when it starts to get much easier.
Might be worth seeing your GP - there is a drug called Zyban which is a slow release capsule (apparently it is quite expensive, so you may not have much luck). It is a 6 week course.

[atwozee]

Try the fake drag – it really helped me. All you do is bring your fingers up to your mouth (as if you were holding a cigarette) take a long hard drag for about 3 seconds – then inhale through your mouth for about 10 seconds – then exhale through your mouth for about 10 seconds.

What you’re actually doing is deep breathing – which helps to calm you down. Once you are calm you can pat yourself on the back for not giving in to the craving.

One of the excuses we use to have a fag is to calm down – once you realize that you can calm down without inhaling all them nasty chemicals it starts to get a bit easier – one less reason to smoke.

[Mr lex]

I found this again and found it useful. I had it printed out and posted by my 'puter, just to 'remind me', I hope it helps.



Within 20 minutes - Blood pressure and pulse rate start to return to normal

Within 8 Hours - Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half. Oxygen levels return to normal.

Within 24 Hours - Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris. You won't believe the gunge that comes up at first as your body begins to re-grow cilia, the tiny hairs that line your airways and help push up impurities from your lungs - your smoking destroyed these.

Within 48 Hours - There is no nicotine left in the body. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved

Within 72 Hours - Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase

Within 2-12 weeks - Circulation rapidly improves

Within 3-9 months - Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung functions are increased by up to 10%. Personally, my smokers cough actually disappeared after 4-5 days!

Within 5 years - Risk of heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker

Within 10 years - Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker. Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked

[davidg007]

Nice one Mr Lex... But if its a money thing.......

Mon...................... ....................... £5.50
Tues..................... .......................£1 1.00
Wed...................... .......................£1 6.50
Thurs…. ......................... ..............£22.00
Fri……………………………….......... ...........£27.50
Sat……………………………….......... ..........£33.00
Sun……………………………….......... ..........£38.50

Mon…........It's Getting Much Easier....£44.00
Tues………………………………......... ......... £49.50
Wed……………………………….......... ..........£55.00
Thurs………………………………........ ..........£60.50
Fri……………………………….......... ............£66.00
Sat……………………………….......... ...........£71.50
Sun….God why did I ever smoke………….£77.00

Mon…..................... ....................... £82.50 Saving
Tues….................... ........................£ 88.00 Based on 20 a day
Wed……………………………….......... ...........£93.50 1 Year
Thurs………………………………........ ...........£99.00 Save....£2002
Fri……………………………….......... .............£104.50
Sat……………………………….......... ............£110.00
Sun……………………………….......... ............£115.50

Mon……………………………….......... ...........£121.00
Tues………………………………......... ....... ...£126.50
Wed Bet you feel better ............……....£132.00
Thurs………………………………........ ...........£137.50
Fri……………………………….......... .............£143.00
Sat……………………………….......... ............£148.50
Sun……………………………….......... ............£154.00

Good luck again........

[paulwlton]

I recomend a pinch of snuff and nicotine chewing gum when the cravings get intense...i quit ten years ago, still have the odd pinch now and again.

Paul

[Conniff]

If you think back on the time you have stopped, you will realise that the only time you had a craving was when you were doing nothing ie; sat in from of the tv.
When you are busy, there is no craving, so the one answer is to keep busy.
Things like if you have a ciggy after dinner, don't sit around, as soon as you have finishe the meal, get up and wash the dishes.
It's little things like that that keep it from your mind.

You probably have realised that the craving is heaviest when you are alone and the mind can wander.

[Happyfeet24]

Wow, thanks everyone

Mr lex that chart really helps, to see the good things that happen is a big boost.

atwozee, you're quite right, it does work. I pretend I'm smoking when I do it and it does stop the craving, thank you so much.

davidg007, my tobacco cost 2.60 a day, it did once cost 2.10 (and that wasn't so long ago!) so I've written out a forumla with my costs using the base that you've given me and I'm already saving money. Spare cash is easier to find now

Paul, what is snuff? I'm sorry, I just haven't heard of it before?

Conniff, as always you are right and my house is now cleaner! infact, I'm running out of bits to clean

Trilby, I was going to ask about Zyban as I've seen it mentioned quite alot but I wasn't sure what it was, so thank you for the post, you've saved me from asking

Thanks everyone,
all scales tipped for all your help and support (Don't stop yet though)

[Mr lex]

I was going to ask about Zyban as I've seen it mentioned quite alot but I wasn't sure what it was, so thank you for the post, you've saved me from asking

I did Zyban and NRT before I found out about 'Champix' (other wise known as 'dog food'). Zyban had a bad effect on me, bad dreams, turned me nasty, (thats just not me) Champix is an expensive drug, but has little in the way of side effects, If you want to give it a go, you may have to tell the powers that be you have tried everything else.

I don't agree with NRT, I know it's the NHS favorite method, but to me it's like telling an alcoholic he can't have his Vodka, so drink some Gin until you get used to the idea.

Lex

[Conniff]

Just reading Davids post reminds me of many years ago when our son was around 6 or 7. They must have been talking about smoking in school because he came home one day and said "If you and mum stopped smoking, we could buy a caravan".
Nice to see the school put it into an object that the kids could relate to.
He, by the way, has never smoked, so early learning can make a difference.

[saintly_1]

I am also using the 'dog food' method ..... in my case I have tried everything apart from Zyban (Lex my NHS support seems to favour the dog food over the NRT) Will power alone has never worked for me , patches what can I say apart from the fact that I ended up smoking while wearing the patches , Hypnotherapy was the the one that worked longest for me 12 months nicotine free (that was 14yrs ago ) I tried the Inhalator when they first came out as well but that dosent break the 'hand to mouth' habit.

Champix seems to be working over 2 weeks nicotine free with minimal cravings I find having a coffee helps with that (that hand to mouth habit im sure )

Keep up the good work and I'm sure that we will beat nicotine together

[Conniff]

There are two words that can be tied together here, craving and want.

You have to be honest with yourself, you have to 'want' to give up and not just 'like' to.

Big difference. There is no bigger liar than a smoker telling himself he wants to give up.

[atwozee]

I think most smokers want to give up – most just don’t know how to go about it though and that’s why NRT has gotten so big and I think the makers of NRT want you to believe it’s harder to quit than it actually is.

Keep going happyfeet – remember, 2 fingers to the lips and you’re actually telling the cigarette to Foxtrot Oscar.

Before you know it the nasty smell of cigarettes will put you off for good – try smelling the breath of a smoker who has just finished a cigarette – yak.

[Conniff]

Agree with all that atwozee, but it does ultimately come down to willpower. No amount of nocotine substitutes can helkp with the willpower, that is all up to you.

That's not a problem for happyfeet, we know she will do it. The want is definately there or she wouldn't have started this thread.

[davidg007]

happyfeet, how are you doing??? any nails left?

[Happyfeet24]

Hi everyone,

Thank you again for your replies

I'm doing well so far. It's now become routine not to smoke, if that makes any sense. So whereas when I first quit the routine was to smoke in certain situations, now it's become routine not too.

My head feels clearer aswell.

The one thing I have really noticed is other peoples smoke. Just walking down the street I can smell the smoke well before I see the person doing it. I'd never realised it was that strong before

The cravings are so much easier to deal with now and if I do start to struggle then I go on the interent and remind myself of the damage it can do and consider myself lucky. I know it's not a very nice thing to be doing but now that I'm a non smoker I'm not hiding from the dangers of it now. So it's shock tactics that I'm using on myself, and they work very very well.

and of course everyones support here is a huge help!

[Trilby274]

Well done Happy - fantastic achievement. Keep it up.

Me next I hope