I didn't use the gum but patches. Stepping down each level, 21 to 14 to 7 to none, all equally difficult but it was over in a couple days. I used the 21 only for two weeks to avoid prolonging the inevitable. I really wanted to quit so I just got on with it.
Please don't use the gum as a 'security blanket'! If you're ready to go, don't give yourself a 'fall back' but hold your head up and take that step. When I stepped down from 14 to 7, I wanted to time the final withdrawal to happen mostly over the weekend, so I could sleep, eat, pamper myself and be angry in private if need be. This left me with one extra 14 mg patch that I actually threw away to prevent the security blanket thing. But I was totally ready. Have a soul search to see if you are, then steel yourself and get on with it!
If you still need a break on the gum times, have a cup of hot chocolate in the sun. Take a walk around the block and eat a rice cake. Whatever it takes. I know you can do it!
x T
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/1/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 103
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,377
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] �566.5
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 8 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 39 [B]Seconds:[/B] 4