Day 5: My Throat Hurts and My Sinuses Hate Me

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

12 Nov 2006 06:59 AM

But I am doing moderately well in the cravings department. I saw someone having a cigarette last night and I didn't want it. That actually surprised me - and what surprised me even more was that I didn't feel the urge to light up and it never came the whole time I was standing there. Now I'll grant you, at one point yesterday, I looked at my husband and I said - "Well, I'm not dying for a cigarette."

And he said, "Nope, you're just dying."

He wasn't far wrong. I was so congested yesterday I felt like I had the flu. I'm still somewhat congested today, but it's getting better and my throat still hurts. I know many of the symptoms are due to the body detoxifying itself, but it doesn't make me feel much better. I drank a ton of water yesterday and that was a good thing, it helps to prevent dehydration and it also helps flush the system out.

Exercise Helps

But you can only exercise so much. The cravings are the worst first thing in the morning and I am using a nicotine patch, but I am waiting longer and longer each morning to put it on. So far so good this morning at being up over an hour with no cigarette and no patch. I've been the recipient of some wonderful encouragement here and that encouragement is definitely welcomed and appreciated.

Be prepared - if you make it past your first week smoke-free you're not out of the woods yet. That's because most other relapses occur in the first 3 months after quitting, when triggers such as stress can occur unexpectedly. Most successful ex-smokers quit for good only after several attempts. You may be one of those who can quit on your first try. But if you're not, don't give up. Try again.

My First Attempt

Several years ago, I managed to stop for 24 hellish hours, a few years later I cut back tremendously, still years after that with my daughter I cut it down to four a day and then about two years ago, I stopped for six weeks and it took one 7 hour nightmare of being trapped in a traffic jam on an interstate highway to get me smoking again. So while I am very proud to be on day 5, I've been down this road before I know some of the signposts.

You Have to Want to Quit

You have to want to quit, for yourself and for your health. You have to want it and I mean really want it, because despite all that I know about cigarettes and how bad they are for you - I like to smoke. I enjoy it. It's a bad habit and I recognize it, but I like to smoke. Now I look for things to like as a non-smoker - I do rather enjoy not smelling like an ashtray!

How are you doing in your quest to stop smoking or in thinking about stopping smoking?

Related Articles:

I Have a Confession to Make

Stop Smoking: Exercise Can Help

10 Reasons to Be Thankful About Stopping Smoking

Day 3: I'm Still Not Smoking

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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