TGIF!

[janetlynn]

Hope everyone is enjoying their friday night....Mine is not all that exciting...curled up on the couch with the dog...reading blogs..2 more days til I hit 1 month..whoo its been a long damn month too...Still on the patch 21mgs but thinking of stepping down now...not sure. Last time I stopped the patch to early because I got over confident...yeah...see where that got me... I still don' t think my mentality is where it should be right now compared to what it was the first time I quit. i guess because I know all the stages this time...so there is nothing new and exciting about it this time. I did manage to go for a jog tonight and noticed I wasn't gasping for breath so that was a little exciting. 

Anyone else here using the patch and have any advice or imput on how your doing with them..I didn't go cold turkey because with my mom having cancer i am so stressed right now...that I didn't think i could do it...figured I needed a little help. Besides the longest I quit cold turkey was a week...ugh!

[Michwoman]

Sounds like a pretty great evening to me!!! One month is super!! You don't ever want to do it again right?  Just keep walking throught this. Don't go back. You can't get to the destination if you don't keep going. I am no expert - I am a happy 2 hundred something day quitter and I am truly happy about it!! You will be too. I PROMISE!!

[ShawnP]

I am going to be straight up on this. I was on the patch in the beginning too with my mom on her death bed. I am sorry your mom has to go through all this and i know its hard on you but this can't be used  as a crutch. (patches) What happens later on when some other circumstance arises? how are you going to handle it? You can do this! Stay close to site and put that armor on for battle!!

[ShawnP]

Just saw this on fb...

[janetlynn]

I quit before for 2 years by using the patch to get me started. I used them for only 3 weeks and went cold turkey...but I didnt have half the stress then as I do now.. I know they work fo me...my addiction is not so much the nicotene...but the habit. At least for me..so by getting the physical part taken care of...I can work on the part that is hardest for me..not holding one...or having them as a crutch. I let a 2 yr quit go because of one night of drinking, ( not a drinker)...they say all it takes is one...and yep, 1 while drinking brought it all back...by the next morning i smelled like a hangover and a cigarette.

Yes the nicotene is hard to break...but in the end its the habit that takes the longest and the hardest part to deal with...or people wouldn't still be here after a week or a month...nicotene leaves the body with in a week? The habit however reaks havoc on everything.....being in a car without one, going out with friends,sitting on the back porch, after meals...those to me are the things that I struggle with...I did the cessation classes also...and I am again. I think to keep me from going over the edge with things the patch has helped me enormously...nicotene is a evil thing....but all the other chemicals I am not breathing in anymore are worse. Baby steps this time for me...not trying to be a over achiever...or a failure..just trying to get thru a tough situation all the way around...from what happening to my mother, to my own physical health...to trying to even have the courage to quit with all that is happening around me. I still think about smoking...the patch does not take it all away. Everyday I still crave one..think about them...and have to chew gum or count to 10. I don't think I would have a chance in hell at getting thru this with out them. WIsh I could take chantix but I have tried it twice and it does not work for me..I get sick and hives. I want to be succsessful this time..its not a race for me anymore. I think the first time I tried so hard I became a over achiever and I set myself up for failure...because once all the glory died down...boredom set in...and a night of drinking and I thought I could do it since it was so easy to quit the first time...Its not easy...I know that this time...and I don't want to do this again. 

[joyeuxencore]

Hello dear friend...curled up with the dog is my favorite place to be!

This is definately one of the most stressful times you will ever have to go through and doing it drug-free will allow you to move authentically through your emotions...

Sometimes it feels like that isn't all it is 'cracked up' to be but it is...Otherwise feelings can just go 'underground' and come up all triggered by future circumstances ad infinitum!

I am holding you and your family in my thoughts and prayers Janetlynn...

I did not use the patch so I don't know but it seems after a month 'stepping down' should be ok...xo

[ShawnP]

yes only few days to rid out of body. I was always told to drink lots of water but i just recently read to drink juice. Back to the basics....when you get that crave, don't dwell on it.!!!!!

   6 D's (when you get a craving, urge, thought)

   DELAY

   DISTRACT

   DIAL A FRIEND

   DEEP BREATHE

   DO EXERCISE

   DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT

[janetlynn]

How long did you stay on the patch Shawn? And Joy...the package recommends 6 weeks with just the first patch strength. My smoking cessation teacher was like stay on them as long as they are allowed at giving me a better chance at staying quit...and to step down the dosage as the box recommends so that I don't get rebound affects...so I think I am at least gonna give it one more week then go to taking them off at night....I did that before and it helped...I forgot I was taking them off at night...i have not done that yet. My days and nights have been running together lately! Between a bathroom remodel, my son graduating this year and its killing my checkbook..plus he just got his license and started driving...and hubby took a huge paycut because of the gov't cutbacks, my mom has cancer...and I was just diagnosed with Osteoarthritis at the age of 42! SHoo I picked a hell of a time to quit....but I am doing this..slowly but surely!

[sarai]

I think I'm pretty damn proud of you for deciding to quit in spite of all that, and if you need something to help you get through it, I think that is better than smoking - honestly. The important thing right now is for you to do right now is start stepping down though - you don't have to do it rapidly - start using a lower strength patch or fewer patches (not sure which option is appropriate to you) and stay there until you get comfortable. This will make you feel more in control but not unable to cope. Clearly you already have a lot on your plate. WIshing you good luck, and of course, if in doubt, speak to a doctor or health professional if needs be (pharmacists probably give great advice too!)

[deb162]

Your doing this ! use the patch if you feel you need to, whatever works for you.

one day at a time, dont look back !

hugs xxoo