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Share your quitting journey

I'm Still Standing

Diannnnn
Member
1 22 151
‎08-25-2017 02:46 PM

So I stopped using the patch Tuesday and today is Friday. I am glad I got the final withdrawal out of the way instead of through 2 mini withdrawals. That's what it was like to me when you "step" down the dosage of the patch. In hindsight, I would still use the patch, but I wish I would have realized what would happen when I decreased the dosages. Of course, since I've never quit before, how would I have been able to predict my reaction? So, for anyone who is considering quitting using the patch....you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you decrease your daily dose, i.e.; 21mg>14mg. I felt lethargic, foggy, irritable, depressed, sleepy, had the munchies and pretty much generally lousy. The cravings were no more or no less for me and this past week every time I even thought about smoking I immediately remembered the experience of a couple of weeks ago. Nope, not me, not anymore!!

Each day I feel a little better. I don't want to smoke and I don't feel the need to use an NRT to get nicotine. I am not sure, but I think finally getting off the nicotine will allow me to have some consistency to my moods. I have a low tolerance for the roller coaster ride my brain likes to take me on sometimes. I really hope that the last few rides have been withdrawal related.

Road trip this weekend, so I won't be on as much, but I will be checking in. Thanks again for all the support gang!!

22 Comments
About the Author
Hello. My name is Dian and my quit date is 7/2/2017. I am 54 years old and live with my brother and sister-in-law. My current occupation is caregiver to my 3 nephews ages 5-10. I work 40-50 hours per week in my "Nauntie" role. I have smoked for 33 years and alcohol has been a daily part of my life for approximately 13 years. In addition, I have dealt with depression and anxiety for 30+ years. I am pretty hard-headed and determined. I tend to believe I can treat myself medically because I was a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy, earned an associate’s degree in Health Information Technology and have an affinity for medicine. Six weeks ago I was smoking 20-30 cigarettes per day and drinking an average of 4-6 beers per night for at least the last 9 months. Then I caught what I thought was a normal cold on May 14th. After treating it myself unsuccessfully for a week and coughing so hard as to cause one of the most severe headaches I have ever had, I went to a Take Care clinic to have my lungs listened to and possibly get some steroids. The Nurse Practioner recommended I go to the ER. ER gave me IV steroids and 2 hour long breathing treatments. Left with a whole host of prescriptions. I followed up with my primary care Dr the following Tuesday and he continued the treatment plan. That night and the following morning I had hour-long, incapacitating coughing fits. I could not do anything but cough. My sister in law rearranged her entire day to work from home because she was not comfortable leaving me alone with a 5 year old. I called my Dr. The next morning his nurse called me to let me know about a steroid extension, and then I coughed. She told me I needed to go to Immediate Care as soon as possible. So off I go to the dr. again. He put me in the hospital because outpatient treatment was failing. Two days in the hospital and here we are today. I will be taking a pulmonary function test this Tuesday to confirm or rule out COPD. I have been actively trying to find relief from my depression, this round, through professionals for the last 3 years. I started Lexapro in December and I think it was starting to finally work just before "the cold", despite the amount of alcohol I was drinking. I have not only decided to quit smoking, but I have changed the way I was “living” life. Better nutrition, exercise, quit smoking and quit hiding behind alcohol. If I think about it too much it seems daunting, but it feels right for me at this time so I’m going with for it. I am being very gentle with myself while still holding myself accountable. I know I can do this.