Amy, at 5 days you're probably through the worst part of the physical withdrawal! Way to go!!
Just keep doing what you're doing and keep your eyes on the prize. Be patient and string the days together until they add up to freedom from this addiction... and a new life!
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 12
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 311
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $111
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 51 [B]Seconds:[/B] 53
To be honest... I'd have to say that right at this moment I think of myself as an ex-smoker.
I'll see myself as a non-smoker when I spend as little time thinking about smoking as people who have never smoked do. :)
But, no matter what I call myself, the main thing is that I don't smoke, and don't intend to.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 12
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 316
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $111
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 40
I'm about at the same place you are, Pin4apple.... and I do identify!
I thought it was funny when you said that you hadn't put a patch on all morning, but that you would have one on now, just in case. Funny because that's exactly what I've done today. I didn't bother putting a patch on because I feel just fine without it, but I will put one on shortly... "just in case" :)
I'm still having cravings, but they haven't been as strong the last few days... or as frequent. I can also go several hours at a time without even thinking about a cigarette. The cravings intrude on my enjoyment of life once in a while, but it doesn't last long. It's like that part of my brain has actually started to grasp and accept the reality... I ain't goin' back! I think my addicted self sees the writing on the wall, and knows there's a new life in store for me... and that the addict has no say in that.
Maybe I can now take a big breath and anticipate a better week ahead.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 11
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 290
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $101.75
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 21 [B]Seconds:[/B] 45
Gonnadoit and Windy, it seems to me as well that more than 3% of those who come to SSC are successful in their quits (long-term). And if that's true I'm sure it's due to the 'fellowship' aspect. There's a great deal to be said for the support of groups like this one. Even online.
Thanks, Martha. And maybe that's partly because my back is to the wall. There's really nowhere for me but forward as a non-smoker. I've let this go as long as I possibly can. Hopefully not too long.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 13
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 325
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $120.25
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 50 [B]Seconds:[/B] 58
Interesting. I'm glad that I decided to think about this and investigate it more fully, today.
I've had "extrasystoles" (Premature ventricular contraction in the heart) in the past and was put on a mild beta-blocker to prevent them from continuing. They've been under control for years, but I noticed that they've been acting up for the last few weeks... and when I was looking into nicotine patches on the net today... I read that the manufactures warn you to discontinue their use and to notify a physician if the wearer suffers "irregular heart beats" while using the patch.
Which may be happening in my case.
So, I've just removed the patch... and I'll be contacting a doctor as soon as I'm able to for further direction.
It looks like the decision, for the time being, has been made for me.
There seems to be a whole long list of common maladies that, if present, make it crucial to contact a doctor before deciding to go on the patch, such as:
* irregular heart beat (arrhythmia).
* angina (heart pain).
* high blood pressure.
* heart failure.
* overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
* stomach ulcers.
* kidney or liver disease.
* diabetes requiring insulin.
* treatment for poor circulation.
* stroke, or treatment for circulation disorders of the brain (cerebral ischemia).
* allergies to drugs.
* rashes from adhesive tape or bandages.
Well, even if I don't go back on the patch, I'm confident that any physical withdrawal I experience at this point will be considerably milder than the physical withdrawal I've already experienced. My initial "step down" was far greater than this one will be.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 12
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 317
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $111
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 40 [B]Seconds:[/B] 16
Welcome, Rainey!
You and I are probably at a very similiar place, as I quit March 6th. I used the patch though, which was also helpful.
I also smoked for over 30 years. About 35 actually, and a pack a day at that.
I'm glad you made it here, Rainey. I think our chances for long-term recovery go up when we have a support group such as this one. It's so easy to lose perspective and become discouraged when you're on your own, but to come here every day and to see that people are actually beating this addiction, and to hear how they're doing it... is encouraging, and empowering.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 13
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 333
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $120.25
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 18 [B]Seconds:[/B] 13
It's a struggle, David. Certainly it is at times. But there are other times when the struggle receeds and we experience real peace about why we're doing this, and we're so glad we made the decision.
We've done this a long time, and it can't be undone overnight. We just have to accept that and take it a day at a time. BUT... it will get better!
I've smoked a pack a day or more for 35 years. I've also used unhalers from time to time, though so far I still haven't been diagnosed with anything too dire. I hope that by quitting now I'll be around to see my grandchildren one day... but regardless, I don't want to leave this world enslaved to nicotine. When I go, I want to go as a free man.
Phil, 50 years? I wish you'd wright a post in another area and say what your physical recovery has been like. Might give guys like me some hope.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 13
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 333
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $120.25
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 15 [B]Seconds:[/B] 23
Nice. OK... I'm 49 yrs old, single father of one son and two daughters, ages 17, 15 and 12. My Son is the oldest.
I work as a teacher in a community school in Western Canada. Saskatchewan, to be more precise.
I've smoked ever since I was about 14 yrs old. I've tried quitting one time a couple of years ago... got four months in... and I went back to smoking. Long story and maybe I'll tell it here sometime, but it really doesn't matter. All that matter's is that I'm smoke-free today.
Like Dupe, quitting is also kind of a Birthday present to myself. I'm 50 this Friday... and I wanted to do this before I hit that particular milestone. I wanted to do this for countless reasons, but that was one small part of it.
My life is about my kids and my work. I don't have a lot of ambition aside from that. I just want a simple and meaningful life. And I want to have that as a free man, rather than an addict. I've been addicted to something or other all my life. The cigarettes are my last addiction, and as of this moment... that addiction is not calling the shots. I am.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 8
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 221
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $74
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 37 [B]Seconds:[/B] 28
I had a tough day, and I by the time I walked in the door tonight... I really wanted a smoke. I came in here, and after reading your posts... I feel much better. You've all helped me find some badly needed perspective.
Some days it's just a real challenge to make what I know in my head mesh with what I experience in my gut. Today has been one of those days.
So thanks. This evening will be better for me because you all took the time to express your thoughts and feelings.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 8
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 220
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $74
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 32 [B]Seconds:[/B] 16
OK, Bobbi, but I think that most of the changes happen in the short term to thwart cravings. I'm sure that over the long-run my life will be quite similiar to what it is now.
I'm definately going to be adding some exercise and fresh-air. For one thing I've probably put 5 lbs on in the last week, and that has to come off again.
But first things first. The weight can be dealt with later.
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