badbackdavid

Hey everyone,

Well, it's day 19 and I'm doing well. I had a rough day (I think it was #17) and honestly think that I had a bad patch because I would have sworn that I was patchless. I had pretty bad withdrawals on this day. Actually, it was an eye opening experience and a cold "slap in the face reminder" of how much I need these patches at this point in the game. If I would have been smart, I would have took this patch off and put on a fresh one. Oh well, live and learn.

I am still undecided on whether to go 6 weeks @ 21 mg. or 4 weeks. (?) I think what I'll do is to go ahead and wear a 14'er on the 29th day to see how I tolerate it. If I do good, then I'll continue at this dosage. If I don't fare well, I'll simply go back to the 21'er for a couple more weeks. I think by doing this it will give me the answer.

Man, I'll be so happy to be "flying without a net" one day soon and be patchless and 100% nicotine-free and feeling good. It does me good to look back to what all I've been through thus far and to anticipate the road that lies ahead. I can honestly say that once I've achieved the quit and everything is doing well, I will need my head examined if I ever use tobacco again. Someone please just shoot me!

I have a friend that's a neurologist. He told me the other day to beware of the "honeymoon" period which is typically between month 1 and 2 after you've been completely nicotine free. He said that during this time is when all the physical and mental associations (cravings/impulses/etc.) that you may have w/ tobacco will completely and 100% go away and you'll feel super great. He went on to say that this time is really a very dangerous time for relapses - statistically speaking. You feel like "just one will do no harm." And of course this re-opens the whole can of worms again.

OK - I'm rambling. I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend,

Dave