Enter At Your Own Risk

Did my 30 minutes this morning; fine. I turned the speed up to max (7mph) just to see how it responded while running. I was actually a little impressed because it didn't bounce around, rattle, etc. The machine was fine, I lasted about 7 seconds, lol.
 

GoodEnuff said:
Quit Day 22:

I downsized the nicotine patch from 21mg to 14mg. I could tell the difference but it was manageable. Yesterday, I removed it and tried no patch. Went to town, found myself standing in WalMart wondering why I was there. Went back to the brain fog, light-headedness, etc. Came home to tough it out, thinking I shouldn't even be driving, made it home but later in the day put the 7mg patch on. Better. Will do this lowest dose patch for a few days, then try no patch again, but NOT on a day when I have to drive or use heavy equipment (joke) or power tools.

I have read a lot on smoking/nicotine withdrawal and everybody calls this "brain fog". Brain fog my A**. Have you ever seen somebody who is really high on something and is just sitting in a corner, staring into nothing? Basically Unresponsive? That is what brain fog is like, for me. I had gone to Wmt for a few items, with a list, and there I was standing in the women's clothing department just staring at nothing. Thinking of nothing, except I felt a little dizzy. Thought, "Am I going to pass out?" Shook my head and realized what was happening, headed to the checkout and got out of there. This part of the whole process is actually frightening. Some articles say this can go on for months! This can be dangerous!

Giving up is not a choice. Hopefully, I will survive the months-long withdrawal.
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It's okay, you need the patches. CONGRATS ON QUIT-DAY 22!

Taichi is a great tool for focus
 
Quit Day 23:

Whether it's the lower dose patch or just normal for this time in the process, more cravings but hanging in there. Dr. said any nicotine is bad for PVD, just that the patch is not AS bad as cigarettes. The lowest dose feels better than none; at least I can sorta think a little bit. Sometimes it seems I'm not making sense to myself. Which doesn't make sense.

I thought about selling this place and just going back to living in an RV. Or an apartment. Just sit in a chair all day and do nothing but rot. Have let the place go, not cleaning as usual, not as tidy. I don't really care. Today I am going to try to force myself to at least clean the floors and pick things up. This is not the usual thing. I am not sure who I even am anymore. And for how long is this going to be? Maybe I should just go cold turkey with the nicotine and tough it out? Get it over with?

Or go back to bed.
 
GoodEnuff said:
Quit Day 23:

Whether it's the lower dose patch or just normal for this time in the process, more cravings but hanging in there. Dr. said any nicotine is bad for PVD, just that the patch is not AS bad as cigarettes. The lowest dose feels better than none; at least I can sorta think a little bit. Sometimes it seems I'm not making sense to myself. Which doesn't make sense.

I thought about selling this place and just going back to living in an RV. Or an apartment. Just sit in a chair all day and do nothing but rot. Have let the place go, not cleaning as usual, not as tidy. I don't really care. Today I am going to try to force myself to at least clean the floors and pick things up. This is not the usual thing. I am not sure who I even am anymore. And for how long is this going to be? Maybe I should just go cold turkey with the nicotine and tough it out? Get it over with?

Or go back to bed.
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Bless your heart.
I feel your pain, having quit in 2013.
Never thought it would happen but somehow pulled it off.
Sounds like you’re gonna pull it off too.
Hang in there!🐾
 
GoodEnuff said:
If I were told I had cancer or some other terminal disease, on the way home from the doctor's office I would stop and get an extra large pizza with everything on it (except anchovies and pineapple), candy bars, cookies, soda, McDonald's fries (super size it, twice), a cherry pie, ice cream, hot fudge, caramel sauce, two family size bags of salt and vinegar potato chips, and a carton of cigarettes. Have I forgotten anything? Oh! A loaded baked potato! And a pound of bacon.
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I sometimes think you're me in a different time zone, you're five years younger but thinking the same thoughts. Slight differences, like I gained 80 pounds instead of 75 when I quit and I'm still yoyo-ing the weight. I guess it gives me a sort of hobby. One thing I never did was get down to 117 pounds, I think I've arrived when I get to 130. You are absolutely awesome to have achieved 117 and kept it there.

I'm in the middle of a week long binge right now and have eaten almost everything on your list. I keep thinking I'll get back on the diet tomorrow after I've finished off all the contraband I have in the house. Don't be like me. You are wise not to let that dog off the leash.
 
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GoodEnuff said:
Quit Day 23:

Whether it's the lower dose patch or just normal for this time in the process, more cravings but hanging in there. Dr. said any nicotine is bad for PVD, just that the patch is not AS bad as cigarettes. The lowest dose feels better than none; at least I can sorta think a little bit. Sometimes it seems I'm not making sense to myself. Which doesn't make sense.

I thought about selling this place and just going back to living in an RV. Or an apartment. Just sit in a chair all day and do nothing but rot. Have let the place go, not cleaning as usual, not as tidy. I don't really care. Today I am going to try to force myself to at least clean the floors and pick things up. This is not the usual thing. I am not sure who I even am anymore. And for how long is this going to be? Maybe I should just go cold turkey with the nicotine and tough it out? Get it over with?

Or go back to bed.
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Clean your place up. You are not a slob. Get dressed and walk the dogs.

Walking in circles around yourself happens and not only to those who quit smoking. Are you keeping a diary?
 
GoodEnuff said:
Quit NRT cold turkey. It's very awful but glad to be doing it now and not prolonging it. This is actually worse than quitting cigarettes in the beginning. I just want to get this part over with. Done.
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It will be done! One step at a time. How are you and your new buddy the walk thing doing? SO put a stationary bike in my old office. This is not going to happen! No! Oh well, maybe???
 
Quit Day 25 (cigarettes):
Quit Day 3 (nicotine):

There is much more to this than we are told. I quit the nicotine patch altogether. Within an hour or two, I was shaking, dizzy, confused, weak, headache, hurt all over, sudden onset vomiting. Replaced the patch and within thirty minutes, felt much much better. Removed it again and it all came back. This time, I kept it off. Have been in bed for almost two days. Still symptomatic but not quite as bad. Supposedly, withdrawal symptoms peak at about day three and fade over three to four weeks.

Interesting: Wear the nicotine patch, crave cigarettes. Remove patch, feel so sick, don't even want a cig. Also, don't want to eat.

If you want the real info, look up "nicotine withdrawal". The symptoms of withdrawal are very similar to carbon monoxide poisoning. The vaping has brought forth much more information on nicotine and withdrawal. Now you see all kinds of YT videos of people's journeys to quit vaping nicotine. You never saw much at all for smoking cessation. I believe there will be new drugs, etc., for nico withdrawal treatments due to vaping. Just wait and see.

I am sorry this is not a well oganized post, still suffering withdrawal.
 
That meal sounds great.

I forget if I mentioned using Lifesavers when you have a craving. They’re only 15 calories. I use them instead of dessert once a day.
 
Jules said:
That meal sounds great.

I forget if I mentioned using Lifesavers when you have a craving. They’re only 15 calories. I use them instead of dessert once a day.
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I have sugar-free gum; that helps.

Meals are funny. I usually shop once a week for fresh produce. This week was squash, zucchini, cucumber, mushrooms, onions, spinach and carrots, and red/yellow/green bell peppers. So every dinner consists of some combination of those vegs. Getting a bit tired of them, lol. Snow predicted later this week so maybe tomorrow I will make a run for anything but those veggies! Acorn squash, yams/sweet taters, and whatever else they have that looks good.
 
You are awesome! You should be very, very proud of yourself.

Tomorrow will be your 28th day and I've always heard that it takes 28 days to make or break a habit. That, plus the big push you did to rid your body of nicotine, should mean you're home free.

My brother once told me something that helped me stay off them once I'd quit. He said that about three years after quitting, he went skiing and caught himself reaching for a cig while waiting for the lift. He realized that whenever he did something for the first time without a cigarette, he would get a small urge. Just knowing to expect that helped me through some moments.
 
GoodEnuff said:
I have sugar-free gum; that helps.

Meals are funny. I usually shop once a week for fresh produce. This week was squash, zucchini, cucumber, mushrooms, onions, spinach and carrots, and red/yellow/green bell peppers. So every dinner consists of some combination of those vegs. Getting a bit tired of them, lol. Snow predicted later this week so maybe tomorrow I will make a run for anything but those veggies! Acorn squash, yams/sweet taters, and whatever else they have that looks good.
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Cube sweet taters, toss with a bit of olive, salt, chili powder or any heat you have. I survey them for ease. Oven will do just fine. do just fine
 
Quit Day 27 (Cigarettes):
Quit Day 5 (Nicotine):

Yesterday was an interesting day. Went to town for a haircut appointment. When I pulled into the parking lot of the building, it looked different, one of those "what's different here" moments. I asked the owner and he said, "Nothing new". When I told him I must be confused due to quitting smoking, he said he had quit two months ago and understood exactly what I meant. His GF was there, too; she backed up his stories.

I stopped at the local pot shop for something to treat the crazy anxiety attacks, which possibly are over; I always wait till things get waaayy bad before going for a fix. I explained that opiates, etc., usually make me sick (and smoking weed does, too). Anyway, ended up with a mild THC/CBD gummy. Broke one into four pieces, taking a little at a time. I didn't have any cig cravings but OMG did I have the munchies big time! It was very subtly the same feeling that opiates produce, which will have me hugging porcelain if I am not careful. Will save using those for the really bad times, IF they reoccur.

On the way back home, I started noticing things I had never noticed before. (I have lived here for seven years.) A fence around a property (obviously not new), a driveway entrance to a store, the color of a sign, stuff like that. Details. And on top of that, I have also noticed my dogs' behaviors are changing, again subtle changes but there. The older male is more playful, more interactive with the younger female, who has decided she will no longer tolerate being bossed around by the older one. Is she becoming a diehard feminist???

As for food, people say food tastes "better" after quitting tobacco. It does taste different. Last night I made the same cod recipe I have always made, nothing different, and I was surprised at how it didn't taste as good as usual. This is my "go to" meal when I want something tasty. I buy the bag of individually frozen portions; same bag of fish, same spices, nothing different. This was the first time I did not eat everything on my plate. It was also before taking the gummy, lol.

I have maintained weight at an acceptable level. It seems the food cravings are now worse than the cigarette cravings. That's okay because I have dealt with food cravings for years and caving into a food isn't the same as caving into a cigarette. So far, so good.
 

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