Hey DJ.
You really are doing great so far. Just want to make sure that you are rotating that patch to a different spot every day - or else it will do that. What works the first 2 days that doesn't work the third day in your past quits. Keeping busy is a good try - I mean very busy. Sticking something in your mouth is another. I recommend doing whatever you have to do to get through the crave. Think out of the box, expecially out of your routine box. Because you're routine (especially the smoking part) no longer applies. You are breaking free. Break out.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/29/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 61
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 614
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $305
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 58 [B]Seconds:[/B] 10
Talk to your pharmacist or DR re: patch dosage. If I remember correctly a pack a day would call for the 21 patch. Watch for other symptoms of too hi of a patch. I think perhaps just moving the patch might help.
and I challenge you to change your drive in routine. I think you can come up with something. Do a hand exercise thingy with springs or a ball, listen to a different radio station, try a book on tape,get an (or a different) air freshener, get a tape recorder and record thoughts for projects or something.
See? I came up with these ideas in 2 seconds - what can you do? Whatever you don - don't say "can't".
Sending thoughts of strength your way today.
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/29/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 61
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 615
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $305
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 34
Hi DJ,
I am using the patch as well. When I first started the patch I used 21 mg. I also smoked a pack a day. I ended up getting sick to my stomach. I lowered it to the next level and am doing much better. Maybe that will help. Stay with it. Judy
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/30/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 29
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 473
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $124.7
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 55 [B]Seconds:[/B] 3
Hope you are getting on ok with day 2, DJ! These first couple of days are the most difficult, yes - so, keep yourself really distracted. Protect yourself from any situation that might make you want to smoke. Shut down the smoking side of the brain!!!
Deli
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/1/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 211
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,173
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] �633
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 17 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 1 [B]Seconds:[/B] 56
Absolutley REFUSE to think about smoking when the thoughts come. If you are like me, that was constant the first few days. But distract yourself. And completely changing my morning routine helped too - - even things like sitting in a different chair at the breakfast table!
Keep the quit at all costs as it gets better - - - and deciding that it won't be "that bad" might help.
Ericon
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/18/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 194
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,805
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1406.5
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 21 [B]Hrs:[/B] 21 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 59
DJ - What is your morning routine? I use to:
get up
take a shower
watch t.v. & have a smoke
get dressed
leave for work.
Now, I:
get up
take a shower
get dressed
watch t.v. & have breakfast (and my Chantix)
leave for work
The simple act of switching up my normal routine has helped me endure the morning cravings.
One other thing that has helped me in the morning when I'm craving is to tell myself "I'm having a craving thought, but I don't smoke so move on". [i]Text[/i]
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/24/2007
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 4
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 110
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $26
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 59 [B]Seconds:[/B] 15
DJ,
Do change up your routine and get rid of those triggers that tempt you. Always have coping mechanisms ready and take a hot shower first thing in the morning to start your day fresh :)
Josie
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The SSC Support Team.
