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Coping with Craving - My Way

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 598

Hi, Day 36: still going strong ... However, in the last few days, I had problems of craving for something after dinner! It's not craving for cigarette, but craving for something ... I felt like missing something, a feeling of uncomfort, something unsettled ... Deep breathing wouldn't help much! 2 or 3 puffs from the NRT inhaler were not sufficient! I walked outside, sit down in the backyard, enjoyed fresh air, a cat at my feet, ... and let a small piece of an NRT lozenge slowly dissolved in my mouth ... Then, after about 10 minutes, everything became OK ... I felt calmer and more composed! That's how I dealt with this funny craving ... I really admire those who quit cold turkey! Without the NRT inhaler and lozenges, I don't think I can fight against this nicodemon in my mind! No matter what, I'm determined to win the battle, this time! :) Cheers, nmc [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 36 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 363 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $180 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 8 [B]Seconds:[/B] 28

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 598

Thanks for the feed back, Danielle, Ericon, Free! Much appreciated! This is my fifth "major" attempt to quit in my 35 yrs of smoking! In between, there were also several other "minor" attempts (ranging from few hours to few days ... :) ). I'm realistic, and I know my limitations and weakness. I also read many articles on the pros and the cons of using NRTs! :) This time, I'm determined to succeed, and I am dealing with my own cravings in a more gentle (but resolute) way. Yes, at the present stage, the NRTs I'm using, to me, is an effective way to cope with all those nasty feelings and cravings ... When I'm ready, I will give them up, but not now, not too soon! As I wrote before, it's only a first step of the long journey to freedom from that nasty nicodemon! :) Cheers, nmc [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 36 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 368 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $180 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 19 [B]Seconds:[/B] 18

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 49

I know the feeling you mean NMC. Its been 3 weeks since my quit and i have been using the patch. It seams to control most cravings and i still at times would like to have one, i can understand what you are going through like most people (if not all people hear) Like others said if what you are using to help your quit helps dont stop using them, and just remember we are hear for you. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/9/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 21 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 547 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $210 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 25 [B]Seconds:[/B] 11

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 515

I quit cold turkey & I certainly don't think I should be admired for it. I had to quit that way simply because NRTs & cutting back were methods that didn't work for me. NMC, we both are still kinda fragile in our quits - - in my opinion, if the inhaler or lozenge takes the edge off so that the chance of snapping & going to buy/smoke cigarettes doesn't happen, by all means do it! And please don't feel it isn't truly quitting. You are quit as far as I'm concerned. In my case I notice the 'hand to mouth' habit is so obsessively strong that I continue to "need" something. After the initial straws/toothpicks/gum/hard candy phase in the first weeks, I now find myself constantly chewing sugarless gum. But I also "know" for myself anyway, that as time goes on, as I gain much more time as a non-smoker that I will eventually cut down and stop chewing gum. And that day can't come soon enough as I swear I look like a chipmonk with these over-developed jaw muscles - LOL! It may helpful to you, if you decide to believe for yourself that the same will be true of your NRT use. And I do think that Free has given excellent advice from her experience that it is wise to be diligent in watching the amount of use. Hang in there my fellow Augustine . . . I think you're doing great coping with those 'odd' cravings that come up. You didn't smoke! The fact that you didn't smoke is a huge accomplishment in healing from this addiction. Ericon [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/18/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 43 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,525 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $311.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 35 [B]Seconds:[/B] 21

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 202

NMC, whatever it takes! :) Glad to hear you're going strong! Best, Livadia [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 6/18/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 106 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,134 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $530 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 12 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 54 [B]Seconds:[/B] 31

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$45,844.56

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Days: 771 Hours: 6

Minutes: 23 Seconds: 51

Life Gained
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6212

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248,480

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18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2838

I agree, NMC, hats off to the cold turkey's!!! I don't know how they do it either! You just HAVE to be a stubborn SOB to go that route!!! :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 22 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,148 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $176 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 46

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2838

NMC-I know what you mean...the last few days have been a struggle for me!!! I cannot pinpoint any one thing, but I have thought more about smoking the last two days...(?) Let's blame the weather! Yeah, good idea!!!

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 3368

Good Morning NMC. Glad to see you sticking with it. Fondly, Free [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/12/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 142 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,273 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $568 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 34 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25

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$54,957.60

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Days: 6059 Hours: 0

Minutes: 13 Seconds: 7

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45798

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137,394

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18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 3368

NRT's are great for helping people quit the act of smoking. At the same time NRT's continue to put the drug into our bodies that cause us to be addicted. So, imo, as long as we continue to lessen the amount of the drug with the NRT and make sure we do not cross addict by becoming addicted to the NRT ... NRT's have been a great aid to many. They helped me overcome my fear. Once the fear was gone, I found them to be more of a hindrance. I wanted the addictive drug out of my body. Congrats to you for getting through your crave and remaining smoke free no more cig. Keep it up! Fondly, Free [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/12/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 141 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 4,245 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $564 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 41 [B]Seconds:[/B] 14

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$54,957.60

Amount Saved
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Days: 6059 Hours: 0

Minutes: 13 Seconds: 8

Life Gained
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45798

Smoke Free Days
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137,394

Cigarettes Not Smoked

18 years ago 0 +0 / -0 8760

NMC, It's okay to use your lozenge, that's what it's there for. Don't be hard on yourself, it's helping you stay smoke free. If you feel ready to give them up, do so slowly. Start trying to substitute the NRT for something else; gum, candy, mint, a distraction, cup of tea... Whatever you choose, if it helps, great, if not reach for the NRT and try again tommorrow. It's just a process of finding what works best for you. Danielle __________________________ The SSC Support Team

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Coping with Craving - My Way