the incredibly horrible really awful very bad day

[roxybisquaint]

Okay that might be a bit of an exaggeration in hindsight, but it's how I felt yesterday. I didn't expect the euphoria I'd experienced after 24 hours or so of not smoking to continue, but I was completely unprepared for the downturn that followed to be as brutal as it was. That was fucking rough. I still didn't smoke, though. go me

The e-cig seems to be a good enough nicotine delivery system to keep me from having strong cravings and to keep me from reaching for a real cigarette. It's damn impressive. Certainly better than the Nicorette lozenges I've tried before. The bad day I had yesterday wasn't because I was jonesing for a cigarette, it was mainly from dealing with anxiety. That's been an issue every day so far, but yesterday was the worst and for a few hours there, I didn't think I'd make it. I'm hoping this is a temporary thing while my brain chemistry rearranges itself. Since I've had anxiety problems all my life, I have no reason to believe it'll be substantially better or worse from quitting smoking. So I think it's just the adjustment period that's difficult.

I've been drinking LOTS of water (I've never peed so much in my life!). Partly it's to help the detox by flushing out my system and partly it's just to stay hydrated. I'd read that these e-cigs dry you out. Yeah, that's an understatement. For about two days, my mouth and throat were very dry despite the water guzzling. That's gotten better, but now my skin feels incredibly dry. So dry, in fact, that my thermal face wash burned my skin yesterday. Everything was fine until I went to put moisturizer on afterwards. AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!! My whole face started stinging and I had this big pink patch on my cheek. Weird. I hope that's temporary.

Today was a much better day and I'm hoping for more. I don't ever want to smoke again; I'm finished with that life.

Comments

[spectralbovine.livejournal.com]

Yay!! I mean, not that it's been terrible, but that you're determined to be resolute.

[roxybisquaint.livejournal.com]

Determined, I am.

[indiefic.livejournal.com]

You are fucking AWESOME!!

My best friend quit smoking last years after having smoked since she was about 15 (and more than 15 years of being a smoker). I know it's one of the hardest things a person can do.

[roxybisquaint.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

it's one of the hardest things a person can do

I always hear that and just assumed it was from fighting off cigarette cravings. Heh. Now I know what it really means. I'm in for the long haul, though. No looking back.

[gega-cai.livejournal.com]

It's awesome that you're hanging in there and beating this addiction!

[roxybisquaint.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I truly appreciate all the little words of encouragement.

[tackdriver56.livejournal.com]

Hang in there Baby!
With so much going on, you're just amazing to stay with it.

[roxybisquaint.livejournal.com]

Maybe things would've gone smoother so far if I'd had a kitty poster on the wall for daily inspiration ;)

I intend to stick with it, though. There's no going back.