Hello, everyone! It is good to see that you are all doing well, and it is so nice to have Bingo's expertise and experience right here in our group! I'm just checking in so that you know I'm still here and still smoke free. I had three difficult days in a row this week, but yesterday things returned to what I now consider normal. I knew things were better when we went to a dinner party yesterday and the after-dinner smoke didn't even tempt me. Made me feel clean and strong and powerful.
I am finding that the more time I spend reading postings here, the more time I spend thinking about smoking, and the stronger the cravings. It seems to work better for me to just try to stay busy and not even think about smoking. I think I have convinced myself that the grieving is over and that it is time to move on and get over being a former smoker. Instead of mentally whining about how much I miss smoking, I am trying to embrace the benefits of not smoking. There are many, and if I add those benefits to my list of blessings and work on counting them, I can get by for quite a while without craves.
Keep up the good work everyone, and congratulations on your progress to date!
Ki
:)
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 13
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 533
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $78
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 50 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25
Hello, all, and welcome Banana, Unpacked, Stubz and Grandma! I'm still hanging in there with minimal problems.
I started this journey using Wellbutrin and patches. By Day 4 my hands, arms, and head were shaking uncontrollably, and my doctor reduced the Wellbutrin to a half dose. At the same time I decided to stop using the patch. If my math is correct, the 21mg patch is the equivalent of about 11 cigarettes at 1.8mg each. Since I was smoking 40 cigarettes a day, I decided the step down to 21mg was so big that I might as well go all the way down to 0mg. The change worked out fine, and I can't say there was any difference in craves or withdrawal symptons.
Yesterday I decided to stop taking the Wellbutrin because I don't like the way it makes me feel and I am frightened by the many warnings and cautions the drug carries. I will finish this job cold turkey. I figure I am through the worst of withdrawal by now, and I quit cold turkey the last time for a whole year. (Still kicking myself for the relapse.) Meanwhile, I will see my doctor next week to review progress and health.
It feels wonderful to be clean again, and for right now that seems to be the most important motivator for me. I see the difference in the mirror, and I hear the difference in my voice. My house smells clean and fresh, and I have more energy and stamina. Focusing on these changes gives me strength to fight this nasty, dangerous, and ugly old habit.
Good luck you fabulous ashkickers, and congratulations on your excellent progress!
Karen
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 18
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 733
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $108
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 30 [B]Seconds:[/B] 40
Hello and congratulations, April Ashkickers! Please count me in! After 40 years of 2 packs a day (except for one year smoke free in 2000), it is a remarkable delight to know my body is healing. There won't be a lapse this time, and I am already enjoying a clear voice, waking refreshed and alert and smoke-free each morning, and spending time with smoke-free friends. I look forward to sharing my quit with you, and I appreciate all the openness and sincerity in the discussions. Keep up the excellent work!
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 9
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 375
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $54
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 27 [B]Seconds:[/B] 15
Welcome back, Grandma, from yet another repeater! After quitting for one year exactly, I foolishly retrieved the pack I had hidden, too. Unfortunately, I was back up to a 2-pack a day habit in no time, and it took me six years to be able to face quitting again.
A lesson learned to share with all--don't save even one cigarette for any reason! That one stashed cigarette will beckon constantly. When you feel strong enough to think just one for old time sake and to remind youself how awful it was, that one cigarette knocks you for a loop and sets you right back where you were.
Good luck to you Grandma and everyone!
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 11
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 460
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $66
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 2 [B]Seconds:[/B] 31
Here's to the April Ashkickers! We are no longer the newbies, and just look at our stats growing! Keep up the great job everyone.
Karen
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 25
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,018
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $150
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 46 [B]Seconds:[/B] 52
Thank you so much, everyone! Being a non-smoker for three weeks is a reward in itself, but I never pass by an opportunity for an additional reward. Treated my husband and myself to an outing this morning to our wonderful farmers' market, butcher shop, and fish monger for some special goodies, and we will continue the celebration this evening with a fabulous dinner of fried perch, collard greens, and hush puppies. Cooking and baking are favorite pastimes of mine, so I am always happy to take time out to make something delicious!
Thanks again for noticing my little milestone, and congratulations to all of you as well!
Karen
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/6/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 21
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 863
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $126
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 35 [B]Seconds:[/B] 46
It’s been a while since you were active on this site. Please extend your session below
You have been logged out due to inactivity.
Please sign back in.
We use cookies to help us learn about how our platform is used and how we can improve your experience. To
learn more please see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
