Giving Up Smoking.

[Atheist]

After 55 years of B & H, Consulate, Silk Cut, Golden Virginia and Old Holborn (and a year or two of Black Cavendish pipe tobacco, not to mention years of home-grown cannabis) I stopped smoking mid-December. My smoker's cough and my wheezing and my gasping for breath whenever I manage to turn over in bed have all disappeared. I have started using Nordic Spirit nicotine pouches (non-tobacco sachets tucked up inside my upper gums) and they seem to be keeping me off the inhalation. Anybody else managed to stop smoking without strong will-power?

[Bobbisox1]

Atheist , keep telling yourself it’s a filthy dirty habit that makes a person stink to high heaven

[Atheist]

Thanks, bobbi. We're not on the same wavelength. I don't need to be encouraged to despise myself. I'm lacking in self-love, not yearning to be flagellated.
I appreciate your well-meaning concern. :-)

[Bobbisox1]

When you loathe that smell, you’ll love yourself, just saying

[Atheist]

Thanks, bobbi. My senses of smell and taste are both returning and making life more pleasant. I understand your point.

[Bobbisox1]

That’s good, the very thought of a cig makes me want to retch both then I’ve been off them for years, my first ever one was in the Maternity Unit, you were allowed a cig after a meal, I got fed up with watching for the Sister coming for the ones that lit up between times that I accepted a Players No 6 and joined them, haha , I was almost 22

[sandyRoe]

I stopped smoking using Nicotinell, 2mg, tablets.
This doesn't deal with the nicotine addiction but does mean I'm not inhaling all the poisons that come in the smoke.

[Atheist]

Sandy; I'm currently on 3mg nicotine pouches (mini tea-bags you tuck into your cheek). Two a day keeps me going. Are you now completely off tobacco? I want to reduce my alcohol now. I don't drink spirits, but I love two cans of strong beer (on top of my half-bottle of red wine with my evening meal). I suppose I should reduce to one can, and then take it from there. Any words of encouragement would be appreciated. Best wishes.

[Atheist]

I'm still off the fags. I'm on 2 x 3mg nicotine pouches a day and intending to reduce to one on Monday. Feeling good due to increased oxygen take-up and the fact that, by some amazing coincidence, red wine has lately become even more delicious.

[Khandro]

Atheist; Who knows? you might even become devout next! :0)

[Atheist]

Khandro; I do take a little wine as advocated by Jesus. I'm not a big fan of fish though, especially fresh-water fish.

[Atheist]

I'm still off the fags, but I have had some dreams recently where I find an old fag packet and when I look inside there is a long dog-end (almost a whole cigarette!) but just as I raise it to my lips Mrs A hoves into sight and I wake up. I've also had dreams recently where attractive young women make unwelcome advances, flaunting their attractions, but just as I raise them to my lips Mrs A hoves into sight and I wake up. It's good that life still has interesting surprises - maybe soon I'll dream the plot resolution of my little story.

[10ClarionSt]

My dad used to say it was easy giving up smoking - he'd done it loads of times!

[Patsy33]

Keep going.. Well done! :-)

[gness]

MrsA seems to know you well, Atheist if she's scuppering your dreams. ;-)

[Atheist]

sandyRoe; Are you still on the nicotinell? I'm presuming that I'll stay on Nordic for a while, hoping that the physical addiction will diminish and that I'll soonish be able to stop all nicotine. Best wishes.

[Atheist]

Patsy; Thank you.
gness; Thank you, too. I think it's not Mrs A scuppering me, it's my own conscience. I do hate conscience; it stops me having harmless fun!
May the universe bless you both (if only it had consciousness). :-)