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Posts created by Shevie

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 97

4 Years for Eve_CARE

Yep, that's right. 4 years ago today a mighty fine quitter snuffed out her last cigarette with her whole being and has never looked back.

Most of you have probably never heard of her (or me), but she was here at the SSC for the first few months of her quit. During that time she wrote some mighty fine articles about the truth and illusion of smoking. I can tell you that she has been slip-free for the entire 48 months and smoking is so far behind her now that it ain't even on the radar screen.

Overcoming nicotine addiction can be done. She's one of many proofs of that. One day at a time, or one moment at a time. Whatever it takes. Just don't smoke.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 97

My smoke-free life

HEY! Congratulations, BFS. This is amazing. I drop in out of curiosity and find you are getting engaged to a non-smoker. That is so wonderful. I remember the days of your lamenting the loss of friends and all. Coming here out of the blue and finding this has done my old heart a world of good. Blessings to you both and big hugs to you.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 97

Old home week

I just dropped in to see what was up and to download the SSC quit meter, which appears to have become integrated with the forums. There have been some serious changes! The place is really looking good. And so many of the folks from my early days, too; Duffis, Lolly, Butterfly Swimmer, Riverdale Man, and those are the ones I've spotted right off.

So how do I get my meter to show in the posts? That is something I thought would be a good thing way back when.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 97

I am plotting my most wonderful reward!

Sorry to hear you broke your leg, Brenda. Hope it's all better now.

Seriously, it's good to see you, RD. Been a long time. Good to hear you are still swimming and breathing. Both are great for your health. OK, I'm getting silly again. Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary, my friend.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 97

Just a thought

"Paths are not meant to be followed. Paths are meant to be blazed."

Good to see you and your words of wisdom once again.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 97

Something Aloha Said

Time is the only way to get past the psychological part. It takes time for the brain to rebuild itself, to recover from the physical damage done by tobacco, and to extinguish the memory associations with smoking.

During that time there were various levels of wanting to smoke; none that I could actually call craves, but more like warm memories and nudges. Those, I believe, were the results of the memory associations. Their frequency and urgency diminished over the years. They still arise weakly from time to time, especially if I'm in violation of any aspect of H.A.L.T.

The technique I used is the knowing that it was all in my head. I maintained awareness that what I was feeling was, in fact, good; that I was not being harmed; and the fact that I was feeling them indicated I was doing the right things. I literally embraced them as the signs of healing that they truly were.

Your conscious brain is far more intelligent than your lizard brain (the limbic system). Let it run your life.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 97

Anybody ever have this problem

DJ, have you spoken to a doctor about this? Nicotine is a stimulant and quitting smoking disturbs the hormonal balances in the body and brain.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 97

A question for the veteran quitters...

I'll be quit 6 years come May and I had a smoking dream last month. I was sitting on a bench in a park (something I do in nice weather) and realized I was smoking. I was taken aback because, as I thought to myself in the dream, "I don't smoke." Then I realized it was a dream, so I kept smoking and enjoyed it. That has happened before in a few smoking dreams. When I wake up I realize it was just a dream and don't worry about it. Interestingly, though, the smoking dreams are the few that I remember details of for more than a minute when I wake.

Just keep in mind that dreams and craves have no more power over you than you give them. Don't consider them to be "my burden to bear". If you do that, then they will be a burden. Instead, just consider the dream as a way your brain can get its fix without your having to smoke. Win, win.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 97

Anybody ever have this problem

I experience something similar when I don't sleep well the night before. The past few years have been like that. I've actually fallen asleep while soldering under a microscope with the soldering iron in my hand. Luckily, nothing has been burned that was of any importance. I've also fallen asleep while sitting at traffic lights. Again, luckily nothing bad has happened, but I understand the scary aspect of it. Keep in mind that this started about three years after I quit, so the two are unrelated for me.

What I experience is feeling a bit tired, but not really "drop off sleepy". Then I open my eyes and realize I was asleep, but have no idea for how long. I suspect it was usually for just a few seconds.

My problem, I believe, is that my bed needs to be elevated at the head, but for various reasons I have not been able to do that. With a flat bed, I wake up several times during the night, often not enough to be aware of it. My recent SO has commented that she has been aware of me coming out of sleep, then going back because I would stir or make a sound that woke her up, too. Together we were able to draw a loose and very unscientific correlation to her disturbed sleep (because of me) and my daily tendency toward "naps".

Perhaps your falling asleep is the result of several minor sleep disturbances due to nicotine deprivation. If that is the case, it should pass in a few weeks as your body adjusts to life without nicotine.

Are you using NRT or any medications?

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 97

Old home week

Hi, Samantha. You're new here, at least to me.

I did as you suggested and Yes is already selected on show freedometer on posts. I also see "Hide freedometer" on the same line as "Reply to this Discussion". I also see that I have been prematurely aged, LOL. I won't be 60 until August, but I do have my birth date right in my profile.

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