Here I go, Again!

[teko]

Yep, I quit cold turkey, a few times matter of fact. Not a problem! Easy as pie! Yep! Then the anxiety gets to me and the anger and I go running to lite up just to feel normal again! So here I am again! Monday I will apply the nicotine patch! I have ordered one of those electronic cigarette thingees with no nicotine. The patch plan is 8-10 weeks I think. I am hoping by cutting slowly, I will avoid the panic and anger this time.  If not, I plan to become an alcoholic instead!
KathyJo, Dakota!  I am back and needing your support again! :D   Happy Easter Everyone!

[singlemom888]

Hello there. I came across this site and I really felt the need to respond to you. I have been a smoker for about 12 years. I enjoyed smoking and didn't WANT to quit. I am also an asthmatic, so therefore along with the smoking my breathing was horrible. Anyway........ 2 weeks ago I started taking Chantix. I started taking the pill and continued smoking reguarly just as I normally would. I am telling you it is now 2 weeks later and I have not touched a butt in 4 days. Haven't even had the urge really!!!! The Chantix is a miracle drug for me!

I wish you all the best with quitting! :)

[Dakotawinks]

Well, how's it going Teko?? I'm telling ya, even after 8 months I still want one, but I know I won't. I love my electronic cigeratte, it really helps me out. Remember it is not real, so it "smokes" differently, but it still helps a bunch. I started out on the patch, don't know if you remember this, but I was allergic to them and I had like burn marks all over me (wherever I put a patch) and each day it was a new place. Didn't show up on me for about 2 weeks and then I had little square burn marks on me that hurt like hell. Then I moved on to the gum, which I hated. Taste like poison. So I broke down and got me the electronic cigeratte, which basically got me to quit. Like I said I still use it, but I get the one with just the "mist" now. There was another guy on here that bought one too. I think it helped him too. You can ask, he is on my "friends" list and his name is Michael, you'll see him if you'd like his advise on it all. Anyway Teko hang tight and good luck to you. Like I said my dad has had so many lung problems and he didn't smoke, so I think my gosh "why would I want to smoke and cause my lung problems?" My poor dad, lived a healthy life and now is laying in a hospital bed in so much pain, and he is sure he'll die (I'm hoping he won't) but he didn't do it to himself, like we do....know what I mean?? Hey, I love Florida, I'll have to come visit you and we can "not smoke" together. Are the price of smokes out of this world there?? They have gone way up here.
Anyway, good luck, if ya need to talk I'm here. I so understand what you're going through. I feel like I will always want one, it's just a matter of "not going there"
TTYL
Sandy

[teko]

Gotcha!  I think I would wait till after vacation, when you are not feeling so stressed. You know even your experience of how your feeling before you slipped and even after, will help others learn what to possibles could be when they attempt it.  Everything happens for a reason.  I am just too embarrassed to tell you how many times I have tried. I guess that is why it is called an addiction.  They say heroin is easier to get off of then nicotine. That is how big that monster is, and he be sneaky coming in the back door and catching us off gaurd too. Hugs, hang in, you will do it when you are ready.

[Cheerleadermom]

Thats the way your supposed to do it, I should be on the 21mg for 3 more weeks The problem is I was a closet smoker. My daughter and I are going on vacation May 13th. Since I dont smoke in front of her, smoking in Jamacia will be very difficult. This was my reason to quit. There are a few other reassons but that one is first and for most right now. Im hoping the welbutrin will help me as well. I know quittig will the best thing I can do. Im just really new at this. The first time I tryed to quit was 6 years ago, that didnt go well at all and the reason was cost. Back then I was freakin out because they were 6.00 a pack. Now they are 8.81! I think I quit for a week, not sure if it was even that long, then hid it from my kids they are (adults now) My very first post explains it all

[teko]

You can swim and shower with the patches, according to the instructions anyway! Thx kathyjo, I just do not know what I would do without ya woman!  Off to bed with me, I am taking off the patch and takin a melatonin. Will report back wit ya all in the am. Nite

[Cheerleadermom]

I hear ya maybe I can get some water proof bandaids to keep the patches on while im in the water thats why I wanted to be patch free.

[kathyjo]

Teko, you know, whatever works for you and keeps you of the smokes, well it can't be bad for you. Worry about the weight when and if you have to : )
I remember the days when I asked myself why I was toturing myself, why had I decided to quit in the first place? I am so happy to be beyond it : )

Mass., as for cutting down on the patches schedule, that's a NoNo. So not jeopardize your quit. You can put the patch nearly anywhere, so it's easily hidden. There is just to much temptation when your brain is in vacation mode. Talk to the doctor, but don't cut out or hasten any steps.
You will be smoke free by May 12, but you don't have to be patch free ; ) Even with the pills you run a risk, but with both, the chances are great : )

Hang in there friends. We all deserve a healthier life.

[teko]

The inner child is throwing a tantrum! That is what I think of when I go thru those urges! lol....  Or I picture a little devil on one shoulder telling me how much I WANT it and an Angel on the other telling me how much I am loved and the body is the house for the soul while I am here and it is a sin to kill it! Things like that! Oh I could make a comedy and get rich offf what goes thru my head!!! Remember the urge to smoke will go away wether you smoke or you dont. Take deep cleansing breaths, go for a walk, take a shower, do not allow yourself to sit and think about it. It sounds like you are getting to the phase of feeling deprived. Now is the time to remember why you started this process. Brush your teeth, reward yourself with something, or put yourself among people who do not smoke. If you have been on the patches for 6 days, how long are you on the high dose? I think I am on the hi dose for 4 weeks, then go to the next lowest for two weeks, then drop to lowest for two more. I have eaten raw veggies and jelly beans all day! Like I got room to talk right?

[Cheerleadermom]

Ok so what do you think about this..................... I have to be smoke free and "patch" free by May 12th. The Nicoderm CQ is supposed to be 8 to 10 weeks, didnt know that! Do you think Im wasting my time and effort here by cutting in half what they tell you to do? I only have 4 more weeks till I leave? I planned to do the 21mg for 1 week 14mg for 1 week and 7 for 1 week, then BINGO nothing for 1 week, then off to Jamacia! Well so much for well layed plans!!!! I guess Im hoping the pills will help I guess????? I really shouldnt be rushing this I know "1 day at a time" "Hi my name is Mass and Im a smoker" lol I shouldnt poke fun and Im not, I just want this over with. Put me in a coma for a month that should do the trick!   Oh God Im sick............ American Idol is on, see ya

[kathyjo]

Keep your sense of humor : ) Focus on the positives and keep up the great work! Mass., you are doing great!

[Cheerleadermom]

I feel like a kid in a candy shop! I want a cigrette but I cant have one! UGH! LOL

[Cheerleadermom]

I think your right about the chantix, 120.00???? OMG! No thanks. I hope he just gives me the welbutrin.
Day 6
Not as bad as yesterday, a few kinda serious urges, but not too bad.

[kathyjo]

Mass., I don't think you need the Chantix, but rather the Welbutrin which would be a better choice. You have already reduced your nicotine, which is what Chantix does, and when you step down, your body will adjust to the lower dose, probably better then you expect. The Welbutrin which was given to patients who were quitting long before Chantix, will have a calming effect. Ask your doctor to take the time and explain the difference and the side effects of both meds. Also, Chantix costs roughly $120. and is not covered by most insurances. Better still, do the research beforehand so you know what to ask your doctor. To often they want to rush you out of their office with being thorough.
Also, following Teko's journal is an excellent idea. She has been active on this board for a long while and was very instrumental in my quit. She talked me down many times and pulled me back from the cliff more times then I want to remember : )
Support is so very important, so keep talking.

[teko]

Hey! I did cold turkey the last time I quit. Anxiety and panic attacks were my problem. The nicotine was already out of my system, but unfortunately the reason I started smoking in the first place years and years ago was in response to a terrible situation. So, in my head the cigarette is my buddy for comfort when I am most vulnerable.  I had quit having urges for nicotine so to speak but just wanted to feel normal which I had not in 6 months. Hopefully, by doing the patch, I can tackle and find other ways to handle that stress factor.  I too, have urges even tho on the patch, and to be quite honest with you, going cold turkey was no worse, just completely out of the system sooner. I ordered a e-cigarette with blanks.  In the meantime I went to Spencers in the mall and got me a fake cigarette.  It helps with the hand and mouth habit. lol  I do feel a bit stupid tho!  Hang with me and we along with kathyjo, dakota and others here, we will make it, together. You should be starting to feel better in the next few days. You might think about getting something for anxiety to get ya over the rough spots. When you feel like you are going to smoke remember me.  I have emphysema, been smoking for 40 yrs. If I do not succeed, I will die a premature horrible death. I like to breathe more than I like to smoke. Besides, we smokers are outcasts except around other smokers, we stink, our cars stink and they control us instead of us controlling them. You help me and I will help you.  I have started a journal to log how I feel on a daily basis for myself and others who wonder how hard it is. Think about posting there with me and share your feelings good, bad, everything no matter how silly it may sound. We can and will do this. I remember how much of a failure I felt like when I smoked that cigarette.  I do not want to do that again. I think the key is remembering what we are going thru now, later, when it fades. Hugs....

[Cheerleadermom]

Hi Im "Mass" (cheerleadermom) anyway im on day 6 of my quit. I too am doing the patch. I take it off about 10:00 at night and try to go to sleep, I do take something to help me............ I have found the patch works ok but I still sometimes have an out of control urge. Thats when I post most of the time. Today hasnt been too bad "knock on wood" The urges are less intence but still there. I called my doctors office today I have to see him on Thursday, to get medication Chantix most likley. Im so nervous to go down to the 14mg, Im just not that strong. Im afraid if I get a really bad urge I'll go back to smoking. We will try and keep each other going

[teko]

YOU are my rock! Thanks :D

[kathyjo]

Glad you kept to your schedule but am wondering if sleeping with the patch is advised?

A journal sounds wonderful and will give others an insight into a day in the life : ) I think the important thing is to check in on a (near) daily basis. This is what works for me and I find that it reinforces my quit. I am looking forward to going through it with you teko and I don't blush ; )

[teko]

OK, lets kick butt! I did the patch thing as scheduled on Monday. I cannot say it was hard but is was uncomfortable. I tried to chew gum to keep my mouth busy and stay on the move.  I threw out the ashtrays, lighters and put a no smoking sign on my door with the remove your shoes one! Went to bed early and sleep eluded me.  I tossed all night so finally about 4 am, removed the patch! Tonite I will take melatonin so I can sleep. From my experience, this is a normal reaction to quitting and the patch probably played a part as well.  I will try to log my feelings on a day by day basis, so if anyone else wants to quit and chime in, or just watch from afar, you can get a day by day account.  Warning: I plan to tell it exactly as it is, so some days I may not sound real nice! I apologize a head of time.  I figure by doing this, it will help me and maybe even you guys too! Feel free to join in!

[kathyjo]

Hey, so glad to see you are trying again : )
We have got to figure out where and when you go bad and work on it. You mention stress as a trigger and I sure know about that ; ) What helps me is to rationalize that my stress will be there with or without the smoke, and then I ask myself if it's worth risking my health and at this point, my sanity!

This is excerpted from Joel's reinforcement library titled:
"Can we motivate a smoker to quit if he thinks he doesn't want to quit"? The excerpt deviates from the title, but is pertinent:

"Understanding why he or she smokes helps the smoker see that all the magical qualities associated with smoking were based upon false beliefs and feelings. While most smokers think they smoke because they want to, the real reason they smoke is because they have to. They are addicted to nicotine and their bodies are demanding that they smoke. They are drug addicts, plain and simple, and understanding this premise is the crucial first step. As with any other addiction or 12-step program, the premise of being powerless over the drug is the first step in recovery.

I try to help them to see that while they thought smoking was keeping them calm, it was actually increasing their stress levels, or more accurately, their reactions to stress. While they thought smoking made them energetic, in fact, it was robbing them of endurance and energy. While smokers often felt that smoking allowed them to have fun and lead more socially active lifestyles, it was actually impairing and limiting their ability to engage in many activities and to develop new relationships. As opposed to enhancing their ability to be vibrant and active members of society, it was in fact causing them to resort to many antisocial behaviors. It led them to smoke in lieu of human contact, often leaving gatherings or refusing to attend functions where smoking was no longer permitted.

Why a person should quit smoking is probably the least surprising type of information, as most smokers already know that smoking is bad for them. The problem is that most people don't recognize how bad it is. Many attending are overwhelmed when they fully realize the true magnitude of the dangers from smoking. While I don't spend a great quantity of time on the issue, maybe only an hour and a half out of ten hours of presentation time, it is still one of the areas that many people refer back to years later as a major motivating factor in staying off nicotine. The recognition that quitting smoking is in fact a fight for survival is often of paramount importance in long-term success. This information is often critical for dealing with the occasional thoughts that are still triggered by circumstances and situations faced throughout the ex-smoker's life".

Teko, lets do it together......you have all my support so lets kick some butts!

[Cheerleadermom]

Good luck this time, I too am in the quitting process. I started last Tuesday cutting down on smoking from 1 pack a day to a half then only 7 on Wednesday and put the patch on Thusday morning. So far so good. I can not go cold turkey! Today is day 4 for me smoke free. The patches really do help, but there will be times when you will crave a butt. Im still having a hard time with that. But today I seemed to handle it better than I did yesterday. So give it your best shot and keep remembering why your quitting, that will help. Hope you had a nice Easter.