Hi ML - I was thinking about you the other day so I am glad you checked in. This quitting can be emotionally tricky , can't it? Just know that you're not alone and I hope things level off soon for you. And you are right about not wanting to start over again. I think that thought alone keeps many people from relapsing. Sending good wishes your way Moss [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]11/19/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 130 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,950 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $438.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 58 [B]Seconds:[/B] 24

Thank you one and all for your advice and caring. Absolutely no craving this morning at all so I have to do something that will stop the evening craving as well. I haven't had any nicotine since the night before my quit date when I went on Chantix. I'm not much of a tv watcher but I was thinking last night that perhaps I ought to start watching programs again - forget the computer and become an evening couch potato. And visit the DC site next door. Patrick, I do knit but just afghans and scarves. I never quite mastered gloves or socks. I would be happy to knit for you or anyone else - as long as it's afghans and scarves.;) Or perhaps someone knows of a charity that can use my limited skills. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]11/22/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 127 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,540 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $787.40 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 16 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 4 [B]Seconds:[/B] 53

Of course you're having a very stressful time now, ML, because of your health battle; there's an awful amount of emotional stress in what you've been through and what you ARe still going through. You're taking more nicotine in since a week or so ago and I wonder are you getting sufficient doses to relieve that particular stress??? Just do not think about smoking a cigarette! That is your major success right now at 125 days and you need to enjoy that triumph and then to go out and reward yourself... I've been buying cds of music I loved in the 70s & 80s on the internet as rewards for keeping the quit.... How would you feel about starting a blog and using it as an evening journal rather than surfing and getting stressed at whatever it is you're researching on the 'puter. Otherwise, I'm not really a hobby person besides reading so I'd go with what Bonnie and the others have suggested to distract yourself in the evenings...what about something you can do in front of the TV like, embroidery or crochet or knitting me a pair of gloves, crossword puzzles, eating more fruit from that bowl that should be right beside you even as you're reading this!! I know that you're aware of the DC site next door and I can recommend it to you as a place to post about your blue feelings and stresses and anxiety; good place to swap communications with some very good people... Be strong, ML, and love yourself and cosset yourself - hot baths with bubbles, a choice piece of whatever meat you might like that you'd normally not pay $22 a kg for (!), Instead of three days of paying for smokes get a massage therapist to come by the house and give you a head to toe massage in the evenings only (8 to 9pm only), there are lots of young kids out there with new therapy qualifications who'd love to make $30 for an hour's worth of their expertise... do that once a week, say, and then for another evening at 9pm pretend that you're living in Spain or Mexico and only have your evening meal at 9pm. You're fighting for your health on a daily basis... please be good to yourself while this is going on. Patrick (many hugs) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/18/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 70 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,750 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $787.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 13 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 59 [B]Seconds:[/B] 8

just a thought... your 4 days away from 130 days . maybe it is like the 30 day crave....plan a big reward and give yourself a big pat on the back..126 days YEAH YOU!! you mentioned some "emotional hits" ... this can be hard too.. i've learned that i loved to wrap my broken heart in a smoky blanket....ML you can do this!!

Frozen juice bars.. or fat free fudgesicles. Some here uses Menthol cough drops. How about a glass of cold milk.. or a cup of cocoa? you could put a peppermint stick in the hot chocolate. Hang in there you are doing wonderful.... Hang on .. this too shall Pass. Can you move your computer a bit.. to another spot.. or something that is different from when you use to smoke there? I am a NON SMOKER NOPE [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]2/10/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 46 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 782 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $156.40 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 10 [B]Seconds:[/B] 43

ML, You are doing awesome. You have excellent coping skills in place and they are working. Going to bed and reading is a good strategy and itseems to be working well for you. Getting through the quit process isn't easy but you have come too far to give up now. Four months is awesome! You need to remember that we smoked for years and years. It takes a while for our bodies to get over that and to adjust to live without the cigarette. Emotions play a huge roll in this recovery process and are probably the number one reason people lose their quits. When we quit, we have to find other ways to deal with the stresses in our lives. That isn't easy but as you have seen, you are doing it. Don't forget to reward yourself for all you have accomplished! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]7/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1000 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 20,000 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $3,500.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 92 [B]Hrs:[/B] 14 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 7

Hey ML! Don't let that junkie in what so ever! You are the one in control! If it's the computer causing it, than do the reading thing, if it helps. If the water doesn't work at night try a peppermint. (they're great for an upset tummy too) Or gum, or chocolate (which is supposed to be the craving buster of choice, and good for you too) Whatever the cause is, ML, Know that it is temporary! Tell yourself this, if it is so bad that you can't stand it, you will allow yourself to smoke tomorrow at noon. (But you know it will really be better tomorrow, because it always is!) Hang in there my friend, keep posting and we'll be here! :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/5/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 388 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 9,700 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $4,093.40 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 51 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 9 [B]Seconds:[/B] 30

You're at 4 months, my friend. That's a alot of time under your belt. Congratulations on that. I know this isn't easy even a little bit. God, you REALLY DON'T want to start over again & go thru the hell & heck weeks!!!!! Got hobbies you can do with your hands? I don't know. I'm new at this & feeling the same way you do, but my motive is I'm tired of smelling like an ashtray. Bottom line that is why I quit. And then I look at all the money I have saved cuz cig's are very expensive in my state. Good luck & keep posting. I'm sure someone with more experience will be able to help you more. HUGS!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]2/12/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 44 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,540 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $379.61 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 26 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0

I don't know what it is, although I have taken some good emotional hits lately and could be those, but for the past few weeks, the craving has come back in full force. So far, I have been able to beat it back but the worst time seems to be when I am on my computer at this time of the evening, the others I seem to manage. Is it just the end of the day blues, thinking about what's going on, or not going on, in my life? The way I've been handling it is to shut down my computer and go to bed and read until I fall asleep. Any thoughts on this and how I can handle it? I'll drown if I drink any more water! :) I've been hanging in there and watching my quit days grow and am quite proud of myself. I don't want to start from Day 1 again. I'll never make it. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]11/22/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 126 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,520 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $781.20 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 16 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 48 [B]Seconds:[/B] 1