Hi Tanya, Cold laser therapy is about the easiest thing yet, and so far its working for me. The laser takes away your urges to smoke and your withdrawal symptoms, for the most part by working on your endorphins. They place the laser light on various accupressure points on your body, mainly your ears, nose, forehead, wrists and knees. The following is from their web page. It describes it more accurately than I ever could. I've had 4 treatments and no really BAD withdrawals to speak of. In the office I use, you can get "boosters" every few days if you feel you need them. Believe me, I don't know if I could do this any other way. I've been totally off nicotine now for 10 days and not smoked for 3 weeks. This is from their page: I'll post their web address at the bottom. This one is in Fla, where I live but they are popping up all over the country lately. Check your area if you're interested. How does it Work? Under normal circumstances the body produces natural �feel good� substances called endorphins in response to a wide variety of factors such as physical activity. Nicotine also stimulates the brain to produce this substance but has the undesirable effect of reducing the body�s own natural ability to produce them. Thus when a smoker stops the intake of nicotine, the body, having lost its ability to produce the opiates goes into a state of withdrawal. Soon the intense craving and preoccupation develops for a �smoke� to combat �coming down� from the �high�. Many smoking cessation programs rely on a gradual reduction of nicotine, which produces a mild state of withdrawal over a prolonged period of time. However, during this time the temptation to smoke again is high and many return to smoking. The American Laser Therapy program utilizes low power laser to stimulate sympathetic and sensory afferent nerves at selected points in the body. When stimulated, these points send specific information to the brain. This causes the brain to naturally produce opiate-like substances, which tremendously help eliminate the symptoms of withdrawal. http://americanlasertherapy.net I hope this will be of some help. Its been like a Godsend for me. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/23/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 10 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked

Thanks Shevie. The itching has gotten really bad, more like a rash on my ankles. On my lower arms, I've got spots where I've scratched it so much. Have put cortisone on it but hasn't helped much. Its really wicked at night, might be one reason I'm having a hard time sleeping. It drives me nuts. But I'm determined to keep on keepin' on!! Just need lots of encouragement and appreciate all your guys!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/23/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 10 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 193 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $35 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 14 [B]Seconds:[/B] 30

I also did that with my gum and inhalers. I had a severe bout of bronchitis the 9th-10th of Jan., and switched right then to the NRT, haven't smoked one since then. Then on the 23rd I decided I wasn't getting anywhere, I was still hooked, and checked into the cold laser therapy. I've been having that since then, (23rd) and have been nicotine free since then. I've had a few "iffy" days, but mainly the withdrawals are not bad at all with the laser therapy. I'm 10 days off nicotine as of today. Still get short of breath at times, but I guess my body still has to adjust and my lungs clear out. I've had a few days of my skin itching, but I'm chalking that up to nerves or something, and not sleeping well some nights. Does it ever get easier??????

Hang in there Shadoww! It does get better. You might want to have your doctor or dermatologist take a look at the rash just to be on the safe side. What is "cold laser therapy"? and How does it work? Tanya [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/29/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 35 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 824 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $175 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 49 [B]Seconds:[/B] 22

Thanks for the info Shadoww. It looks like something that I'd like to recommend to my father-in-law who attempted to quit on the same day as I did but didn't last very long. I haven't given up on him and if the laser therapy really works for you, it might be just what he needs. Thanks again, Tanya [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/29/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 35 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 827 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $175 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 5 [B]Seconds:[/B] 22

That's awesome StuBow! Don't forget that it gets easier with each passing day as long as you never again put that awful nicotine into your system. Congatulations and Cheers to your 20 days!! (Crazy and Sexier without a cig hanging out of my mouth!)Tanya [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/29/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 35 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 817 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $175 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 53

I stopped using the patch on 01/20/06 after having heard about the website whyquit.com and reading what they had to say about the use of OTC NRT. What they had to say made alot of sense, and after 3 weeks of not smoking but still getting the nicotine with the patch, I felt like I was in a constant state of withdrawal. I just felt like it should have been getting easier by now since it had been 3 weeks already. So, I removed the patch and I have to say that the first couple of days were a little bit rough but after 72 hours I started to feel better and better with each passing day. Now I am almost 2 weeks without nicotine and I feel so great. I have to say that I think that cold turkey is the way to go! I really feel great now. I expect it to only get easier with every passing day that I stay off of nicotine and as long as I never take another puff! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/29/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 35 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 817 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $175 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 9 [B]Seconds:[/B] 2

Not only Nekkid, but crazy and sexy too. I am now Nic free to and it feels good. I dropped the gum about 3 days ago. Not too bad withdrawals. Fortunately too busy at work to notice them mostly. Still chewin Extra sugar free gum. Allot cheaper than Nicorette at $53 a box. Congrats and good luck crazysexytanya. [img] http://stubow.com/ssc/ka.jpg [img] Kickin Ash in 06 StuBow [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/13/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 20 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 514 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $80 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 1 [B]Mins:[/B] 14 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

My blood pressure won't handle it! A nekkid crazysexytanya! Well done! Watch out for the junky thoughts still, and don't get smug! Brent [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/8/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 56 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 396 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �280 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 9 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 25 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33

It gets easier, shadoww. Try drinking more water. That may help the itchy skin and it may also speed up clearing your lungs. Sleep disturbances for the first few weeks are also normal. Some sleep more, some less. Shevie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/23/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 255 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,113 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $969 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 47 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 5 [B]Seconds:[/B] 4