DJ -
I think you should call your OB today and find out a healthy taper for your smoking. How much were you smoking?
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 134
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $32.5
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 55 [B]Seconds:[/B] 12
I also have a history of anxiety & panic attacks.
I also used smoking to self-medicate whenever I felt anxious. So, when I feel anxious, I crave a smoke, but I'm a non-smoker now!
Anyway, the truth is, the smokes were not helping/soothing our anxiety. In fact, nicotine is a stimulant, so it was actually making our anxiety worse! We just convinced ourselves that it was necessary & helpful.
One reason (or maybe excuse) why I had put off quitting smoking for so long was fear of a resurgence of anxiety, as I know that anxiety is a symptom of withdrawal. But, then I realized that in the long run, my anxiety will be reduced as it will no longer be fed by nicotine.
My advice for all of us anxiety people - remember that it gets better every day, use our coping skills to manage the anxiety when it flares, and if it feels debilitating or overwhelming - see our doctors for medication options.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 134
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $32.5
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 51 [B]Seconds:[/B] 35
Susie - I've got enough gas for the both of us! ;p
Congratulations on your 30 days - that's incredible!
Keep it up!
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 133
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $32.5
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 47 [B]Seconds:[/B] 55
Clara -
Don't debate, just do it! Never thought I could do it, but now I'm on Day 6 which is a huge accomplishment for me.
Make a committment and start your new healthy smoke-free life today! Drink gallons & gallons of water, chew sugar-free gum, suck on candies, eat crunchy veggies, keep busy/distracted, stay glued to this site, and before you know it you'll be on Day 2!
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 133
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $32.5
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 49 [B]Seconds:[/B] 30
One more thing Clara -
I honestly think that the apprehension/anxiety about quitting is worse than the actual quit.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 133
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $32.5
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 49 [B]Seconds:[/B] 38
NS -
I think the one adjective that best describes my first day as a non-smoker is "more". I found that I had more of everything.... I had more:
*Time (so much time was wasted smoking/going somewhere to smoke/going somewhere to buy smokes, etc.)
*Air in my lungs
*Emotions
*Cravings
*Money (smokes are sooo expensive where I live)
*Thoughts (so much mind space was used figuring out when/where to have my next smoke, and once I was smoking, it seemed to dull/shield my thoughts in general)
*Life (every minute I don't smoke is adding time to my life span)
*Febreeze (I use to go through a bottle every few days trying to get the stink of smoke out of my coat, sofa, etc)
You get the point! So, the bottom line is - quitting is hard - it feels terrible for a while both physically & emotionally. But, it's bearable and it gets better every day.
I'm on Day #6 - this is the greatest accomplishment of my life.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 136
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $32.5
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 3 [B]Seconds:[/B] 29
Frank,
Would you consider trying a med that's not nicotine replacement. I'm on Chantix...it blocks the nicotine effect so that you'd be able to take off the patch. And, since it's not N-R, you won't get hooked on it.
Just an idea!
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 4
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 118
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $26
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 32 [B]Seconds:[/B] 11
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