ceceliamurphy
07-06-2005, 12:05 AM
I'm 20, a pack a day smoker more or less, and I'm trying to quit smoking because i think my years-long problem with anxiety has much to do with smoking; because i'll be in Sweden next year where cigarettes are SOOO EXPENSIVE; and because my parents really want me to.
This is my first attempt; I'm using 4mg Commit lozenges to quit
Today's my first day, so far so good. When I have a lozenge, my cravings cease for a good couple of hours. These are my only worries for the day:
1. fatigue) my only real complaint is that i feel pretty devoid of energy. Strangely enough, my cardiovascular workout (a 5x/wk habit, even throughout my smoking days) PALED in comparison to my normal smoker's workouts. I just read a post talkiing about the fatigue associated with quitting smoking.But since I'm still consuming the stimulant via the lozenges, it may simply be something else than quitting.
2. food) i was struck by a strong sugar craving and a very strong hunger pang mid-afternoon, more intense than I'm used to. But this is when my blood sugar normally spikes anyway, so it's not surprising. It's probably a combination of quitting smoking and reducing my caffeine intake (caffeine ALWAYS makes cigarettes effectually irresistible for me)
3. too high dosage?) I'm not sure whether this is typical for nicotine gum/lozenges, but I start to feel very nauseous, sometimes my head hurts, (signs of nicotine overdose, actually, right?) when I'm dissolving one in my mouth. I CANNOT dissolve NINE a day like the package says; that's way more nicotine that I consumed to start with. I've had about four or five. And I CANNOT finish a lozenge, the most I've dissolved one was about 75%. Mostly I spit it out halfway.
My body and brain realized that my cheek is now the source of the pleasure it's missed so much, and so I get a genuine sense of satisfaction for the first few tingly moments of absorption. I guess that's good, although I'm truly afraid I'll become one of those people who stays stuck on NRT way after the smoking is through with.
I was sort of disheartened when I read a post today that the real withdrawal symptoms wouldn't come for people on NRT until they gave up the patch/gum/lozenge. Cause I must say, I'm really really struggling with this already...now I'm overwhelmed, thinking that this isn't even the real struggle. . .
This is my first attempt; I'm using 4mg Commit lozenges to quit
Today's my first day, so far so good. When I have a lozenge, my cravings cease for a good couple of hours. These are my only worries for the day:
1. fatigue) my only real complaint is that i feel pretty devoid of energy. Strangely enough, my cardiovascular workout (a 5x/wk habit, even throughout my smoking days) PALED in comparison to my normal smoker's workouts. I just read a post talkiing about the fatigue associated with quitting smoking.But since I'm still consuming the stimulant via the lozenges, it may simply be something else than quitting.
2. food) i was struck by a strong sugar craving and a very strong hunger pang mid-afternoon, more intense than I'm used to. But this is when my blood sugar normally spikes anyway, so it's not surprising. It's probably a combination of quitting smoking and reducing my caffeine intake (caffeine ALWAYS makes cigarettes effectually irresistible for me)
3. too high dosage?) I'm not sure whether this is typical for nicotine gum/lozenges, but I start to feel very nauseous, sometimes my head hurts, (signs of nicotine overdose, actually, right?) when I'm dissolving one in my mouth. I CANNOT dissolve NINE a day like the package says; that's way more nicotine that I consumed to start with. I've had about four or five. And I CANNOT finish a lozenge, the most I've dissolved one was about 75%. Mostly I spit it out halfway.
My body and brain realized that my cheek is now the source of the pleasure it's missed so much, and so I get a genuine sense of satisfaction for the first few tingly moments of absorption. I guess that's good, although I'm truly afraid I'll become one of those people who stays stuck on NRT way after the smoking is through with.
I was sort of disheartened when I read a post today that the real withdrawal symptoms wouldn't come for people on NRT until they gave up the patch/gum/lozenge. Cause I must say, I'm really really struggling with this already...now I'm overwhelmed, thinking that this isn't even the real struggle. . .
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Johnsternow
07-06-2005, 01:09 AM
Cecelia,
I’m not going to lie to you. It is rough at times. Be strong! I did the patch thing for 7 and a half days and had to take it off on that 8th because I started tasting it in my mouth and smelling it so it grossed me out so much. I went the rough route afterwards. I promise you it gets easier every day though. For me it did. Depending on most people I would guess 4 to 6 weeks with no cheating you would be downhill from there. Gets so easy afterwards you may even laugh at it. Cheating just prolongs or can change your craving end date.
Look you can do it!!!! Just GO, GO, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! :bouncing: :bouncing: :bouncing:
I hope this helps a bit. You can come back any time and we will support you in any way possible. Good luck and keep us informed. :D :D :D
JohnD
I’m not going to lie to you. It is rough at times. Be strong! I did the patch thing for 7 and a half days and had to take it off on that 8th because I started tasting it in my mouth and smelling it so it grossed me out so much. I went the rough route afterwards. I promise you it gets easier every day though. For me it did. Depending on most people I would guess 4 to 6 weeks with no cheating you would be downhill from there. Gets so easy afterwards you may even laugh at it. Cheating just prolongs or can change your craving end date.
Look you can do it!!!! Just GO, GO, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! :bouncing: :bouncing: :bouncing:
I hope this helps a bit. You can come back any time and we will support you in any way possible. Good luck and keep us informed. :D :D :D
JohnD
Deda
07-06-2005, 08:54 PM
cecilia...welcome, and congratulations! You will never regret quitting smoking, and you will someday come to a point where your cravings are minimal, and you will hardly ever get them. That's where I'm at now after 22 months w/o smoking. (with patches and sometimes gum) You'll even grow to hate smoking, and hate the fact that you ever did it!
Hang in there, it DOES get easier, as John says above. I'm breezing through it now...and I was a very heavy smoker! :)
And concerning the real withdrawls not coming until AFTER you wean off the NRT...well, don't even worry about it until you get there, okay?! The thing is, before you go off completely, you will wean down g-r-a-d-u-a-l-l-y...that's why they make them in different strengths. You will use the weakest strength before you give em up for good, and then try to gradually ease out of that one, and then quit. You'll be on so little nicotene before you quit the lozenge, that when you DO stop them, your body will hardly notice the withdrawl. Please don't worry about it anyway...not right now. Take it one step at a time, and right now just concentrate on staying quit, and working on that, as that is the main objective. We are more prone to relapsing in the beginning, so be on guard for that, and don't sweat the small stuff. Take up a new hobby, or exercise, meditate, music therapy, whatever!
There's a lady I'm good friends with on this board, named Cindy_in_FL, who quit with the commit lonzeges. I will try to get her to come here and give you some advice. She and her hubby are doing GREAT, and both use the lonzeges too.
God bless you...
Deda :)
Hang in there, it DOES get easier, as John says above. I'm breezing through it now...and I was a very heavy smoker! :)
And concerning the real withdrawls not coming until AFTER you wean off the NRT...well, don't even worry about it until you get there, okay?! The thing is, before you go off completely, you will wean down g-r-a-d-u-a-l-l-y...that's why they make them in different strengths. You will use the weakest strength before you give em up for good, and then try to gradually ease out of that one, and then quit. You'll be on so little nicotene before you quit the lozenge, that when you DO stop them, your body will hardly notice the withdrawl. Please don't worry about it anyway...not right now. Take it one step at a time, and right now just concentrate on staying quit, and working on that, as that is the main objective. We are more prone to relapsing in the beginning, so be on guard for that, and don't sweat the small stuff. Take up a new hobby, or exercise, meditate, music therapy, whatever!
There's a lady I'm good friends with on this board, named Cindy_in_FL, who quit with the commit lonzeges. I will try to get her to come here and give you some advice. She and her hubby are doing GREAT, and both use the lonzeges too.
God bless you...
Deda :)
Barrie
07-06-2005, 10:48 PM
well you have to want to stop to stop.
ive been stoped just over 3 weeks and ill tell ya after just over 30 yrs off smoking i truly feel born again.. for crist sakes give em up now and live longer
barrie
x smoker
ive been stoped just over 3 weeks and ill tell ya after just over 30 yrs off smoking i truly feel born again.. for crist sakes give em up now and live longer
barrie
x smoker
ceceliamurphy
07-07-2005, 12:00 AM
wow! thanks for all the enthusiasm and support for a stranger!
I feel good today, I'm getting used to the lozenges. They make me a little less nauseous now and they didn't give me a headache today. They really quell cravings!
Unfortunately, my mouth feels a bit sore from all the lozenges, and my tongue is kind of swollen. That's listed as a side effect though, and I think it's normal and okay.
I don't think the fatigue I felt yesterday was quitting-related after all.
Well, good things:
1. I like going to bed smelling like soap and shampoo, not cigarettes.
2. I like not having to roll my window down in 100+ degree weather when I'm driving
3. I feel like I can focus better on the things in front on me, instead of needing to break up every activity into twenty minutes intervals so I can have a cigarette "break"
4. I feel less anxious by far, which really is my goal.
I'm so worried about the drinking thing, though. . . the fact is, I don't want to stop smoking when I'm drinking, damn it!
ps. my first thirty-six hours without a cigarette in six years.
At twenty-four and twelve hours it was probably a record, too. I used to even smoke when I was sick as a dog, in bed for days on end.. I still would have at least one cigarette. That should sound gross, but I'm not far enough away yet from the addiction to be surprised by my own insanity.
I feel good today, I'm getting used to the lozenges. They make me a little less nauseous now and they didn't give me a headache today. They really quell cravings!
Unfortunately, my mouth feels a bit sore from all the lozenges, and my tongue is kind of swollen. That's listed as a side effect though, and I think it's normal and okay.
I don't think the fatigue I felt yesterday was quitting-related after all.
Well, good things:
1. I like going to bed smelling like soap and shampoo, not cigarettes.
2. I like not having to roll my window down in 100+ degree weather when I'm driving
3. I feel like I can focus better on the things in front on me, instead of needing to break up every activity into twenty minutes intervals so I can have a cigarette "break"
4. I feel less anxious by far, which really is my goal.
I'm so worried about the drinking thing, though. . . the fact is, I don't want to stop smoking when I'm drinking, damn it!
ps. my first thirty-six hours without a cigarette in six years.
At twenty-four and twelve hours it was probably a record, too. I used to even smoke when I was sick as a dog, in bed for days on end.. I still would have at least one cigarette. That should sound gross, but I'm not far enough away yet from the addiction to be surprised by my own insanity.
Deda
07-07-2005, 12:29 AM
I'm so worried about the drinking thing, though. . . the fact is, I don't want to stop smoking when I'm drinking, damn it!
Congratulations Cecelia, on managing your quit thus far! That's great...but I'm a little concerned about what you said up there. If you really don't want to stop the smoking with the drinking, AND you really want to STAY SMOKE FREE, well, I think maybe you shouldn't drink...for a while anyway. Wait a few months, (it won't kill ya) till you feel strong enough to conquer any cravings that WILL arise when your first go out drinking with your friends. Because that will happen. I broke a 1 year quit once, going out drinking with my friends. (back in '79) Ruined all of that time built up...quit about 10 x total, before I learned what I was doing wrong all of those quits. :nono: I simply wasn't trying hard enough. This time I did...and it worked. (Like Barrie, I smoked for 30 years also :rolleyes: )
Good luck!
Deda :D
Congratulations Cecelia, on managing your quit thus far! That's great...but I'm a little concerned about what you said up there. If you really don't want to stop the smoking with the drinking, AND you really want to STAY SMOKE FREE, well, I think maybe you shouldn't drink...for a while anyway. Wait a few months, (it won't kill ya) till you feel strong enough to conquer any cravings that WILL arise when your first go out drinking with your friends. Because that will happen. I broke a 1 year quit once, going out drinking with my friends. (back in '79) Ruined all of that time built up...quit about 10 x total, before I learned what I was doing wrong all of those quits. :nono: I simply wasn't trying hard enough. This time I did...and it worked. (Like Barrie, I smoked for 30 years also :rolleyes: )
Good luck!
Deda :D
Cin4676
07-07-2005, 03:29 PM
Hi Cecelia,
I've used the lozenges and still enjoy a few each day. My husband and I have gone off of them for a few months and are using them again by choice. The addiction is not as bad as you're imaging. I think when you get off of the lozenges, it's alot like quitting coffee....a little uncomfortable but very do-able. It's nothing like trying to quit smoking. I wanted to go back on the lozenges because of my depression which I believe stems from menopause. My hubby just enjoys them. We don't have any urges to smoke (it's been 15 months) and are pretty disgusted with cigs now. As you have found out, the lozenges are easy to get used to. Hubby and I have bought the 4mg and split them in half to make them last longer. It saves money and cures our cravings. The 2mg and 4mg are the same price. When we first quit, we noticed that we still had a full lozenge in our mouths after almost 2 hours. It was such a waste of money to throw them away.
We have totally avoided drinking until our urges for cigs were completely gone. That time will come for you too. The best thing is to stay away from it until them. I hope you will take Deda's advice and find something else to keep you busy until this has passed.
Good Luck,
Cindy
I've used the lozenges and still enjoy a few each day. My husband and I have gone off of them for a few months and are using them again by choice. The addiction is not as bad as you're imaging. I think when you get off of the lozenges, it's alot like quitting coffee....a little uncomfortable but very do-able. It's nothing like trying to quit smoking. I wanted to go back on the lozenges because of my depression which I believe stems from menopause. My hubby just enjoys them. We don't have any urges to smoke (it's been 15 months) and are pretty disgusted with cigs now. As you have found out, the lozenges are easy to get used to. Hubby and I have bought the 4mg and split them in half to make them last longer. It saves money and cures our cravings. The 2mg and 4mg are the same price. When we first quit, we noticed that we still had a full lozenge in our mouths after almost 2 hours. It was such a waste of money to throw them away.
We have totally avoided drinking until our urges for cigs were completely gone. That time will come for you too. The best thing is to stay away from it until them. I hope you will take Deda's advice and find something else to keep you busy until this has passed.
Good Luck,
Cindy
Johnsternow
07-07-2005, 04:45 PM
Cecelia,
Yes this drinking thing happened to me too like these other friends of mine here said. I don’t know some say no problem around drinking but drinking and bars are rough most of the times. All I can say from experience is this. When we drink we all can do stupid things that aren’t even addictive so this is possible when your this vunerable. Be aware that you will hate yourself when you sober up because for some of us that one cig while drinking is like you never quit when you get up in the morning. Starting all over again is doable but so discouraging and difficult.
You can do it, just stay focused!!!! :bouncing: :bouncing: :bouncing:
Good luck and come as often as you need :D
JohnD
Yes this drinking thing happened to me too like these other friends of mine here said. I don’t know some say no problem around drinking but drinking and bars are rough most of the times. All I can say from experience is this. When we drink we all can do stupid things that aren’t even addictive so this is possible when your this vunerable. Be aware that you will hate yourself when you sober up because for some of us that one cig while drinking is like you never quit when you get up in the morning. Starting all over again is doable but so discouraging and difficult.
You can do it, just stay focused!!!! :bouncing: :bouncing: :bouncing:
Good luck and come as often as you need :D
JohnD
jjules
07-08-2005, 02:59 PM
Hi, I really think u can quit with commit. I unfortunately failed several times my cop out was stress & alcohol. My advice is to avoid drinking for awhile if you really I mean really want to quit you won't be around temptation. I plan to try again (believe me I've tried almost everything) with commit when life calms down for me. You have done great so far keep up the good work. Jules