Tomorrow I'm taking the challenge. I'm going on "the patch."

[Scout1071]

I'm enjoying my last drags now. I've cleaned my car and apartment. I'll probably try to avoid my daily cup of coffee in the morn. That triggers it straight away.

Wish me luck! I'm determined this time.

[supernova]

1. Good luck from a non-smoker

:thumbsup: Although I do admit to the occasional cigar.

It's well worth it to quit the cigs.

[Scout1071]

4. I know it's the right thing.

Don't know why I haven't been able to quit yet.

[chickenscratching]

2. "Much determination cause great fire"

Confucius sez so anyway.

[HeeBGBz]

3. The patch gives you vivid dreams

Enjoy. It was the only good part about the process of quitting smoking.

If I can do it, so can you.

[Scout1071]

5. Thanks! Did you take the patch off at night?

[HeeBGBz]

6. Nope

Although, it is recommended if the dreams bother you or if you have sleep troubles.

[Scout1071]

7. I used the patch once before, years ago, and it totally

messed up my sleep. I didn't sleep well on it, even taking it off before bed. I'm hoping I don't have the same problem. The gum has worked well for me, but irritates my stomach to the point I can no longer chew it.

[HeeBGBz]

32. The gum always made me way nauseous.

Even half a stick.

[DrGonzoLives]

29. It itches like hell too

At least for the first hour or so.

But the dreams...yeah, it's been four months and I still remember a couple. One was about zombie android-like things controlled by a secret military organization hidden in a cave under Capitol Hill. No shit. Rob Lowe even starred. I think I'll write it into a screenplay.

[radwriter0555]

8. The patch works GREAT. I used it successfully. Just don't wear it at night

or else it gives you nasty dreams.

Acknowledge the cravings and recognize that the cravings will only last for a few moments, and they're just that; CRAVINGS.

You'll do great! BTW the store brands work just as good as the name brands and are cheaper.

[Scout1071]

11. Thanks for the encouragement!

And I did buy the store brand. I'll check in tomorrow and let you guys know how I'm surviving.

[radwriter0555]

26. 4 days is a real tough hurdle, and 2 weeks in is real tough too.

But, it's just a craving. If you're with someone and you want a cigarette, SAY IT OUT LOUD.

Say it to yourself if you're alone.

"GOD, I really want a cigarette! Oh well!" and the craving leaves in 5 minutes. Replace the conscientious thought and desire for a cigarette with another positive, mind consuming thought, about someone you love, what meal you're planning, something you have to do, etc. It's a technique called 'reframing'.

GO FOR IT!

[caty]

9. I quit smoking four weeks ago--

the hard way. I had surgery for a ruptured appendix and when I came out of surgery my oxygen level wouldn't stay up. I was a 2 pack a day smoker for years. Anyway, I was in a special care unit for 3 days hooked up to oxygen. Between the pain from the surgery and the constant struggle to breath, the desire to smoke just vanished. I didn't miss it during the 5 days I was in the hospital. I was too busy trying to breath. I haven't smoked in 4 weeks and I know I never will again. I am actually afraid to smoke again. I don't want to go through the hell I went through in the hospital again. So, don't quit the hard way. Quit because you want to. Not because you can't breath without a struggle.:scared:

[Nite Owl]

13. Hope you are feeling better.

Thanks for sharing that too. Hearing things like that do provide an incentive.

[Scout1071]

15. Yes, hope you are recovering nicely.

And that is encouragement.

[Nite Owl]

10. Good luck

Hope to be joining you in the non smoker ranks sometime soon. My son keeps telling me how it's just giving $ to red companies besides the health issues so I feel like a real hypocrit for not stopping.

[Scout1071]

14. Agreed. Time to stop giving so much of our paycheck to The Man!

Come on, you can do it with me.

[Nite Owl]

20. After the 4th

we are planning a real big party and things are going to be a little frantic.

I know, I know, always an excuse.

[Nite Owl]

21. Did you know that DU

has a Smoking Cessation group?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=326

This is good, real good!

[Scout1071]

35. Hello again DU. It's been 24 hours smoke free.

I've definitely had my moments today. It hasn't been easy, but I have survived. In 10 minutes I will have made my first 24 hours smoke free in more years than I care to admit.

I'm going to check out the smoking cessation group tonight. I seem to have a harder time at night.

Thanks to everyone for your encouragement. It's going to be rough, especially with the upcoming holiday, but I'm giving it my all.

Thanks again!

[LynneSin]

31. Sounds like your son is a really smart kid

and he's right - Bush & McConnell are the biggest recipient of money from tobacco industries.

[ole_evil_eye]

12. patchers are for quitters

:9

[madeline_con]

16. What HeeBGBz said...

In some cases, the words "vivid dreams" are another way to say nightmares.

Depending on how your mind treats you when you're unconscious, vivid dreams can be wonderful, or you can wake up and run and check to if your kids really WERE tractor-beamed by Martians!

This is from a user who got freaked out sometimes. :hide:

[Scout1071]

17. I got freaked out the last night I used the patch years ago

because of the nightmares and sleep issues.

It's weird though because I've been having really clear or "vivid" dreams lately.

Speaking of dreams, I'm off to bed.

Tomorrow I wake up a non-smoker.

Farewell DU.

[Corey_Baker08]

18. I thought you were talking about birth controle

[BlondieK143]

19. Good luck!

I know you can do it! :)

[SheilaT]

22. Another good luck wish from a nonsmoker.

While you're at it, save the money you normally spend on cigarettes and treat yourself to something special at the end of the week, and then at the end of the month. It should be an added incentive, I hope.

I wonder why the patch gives "vivid dreams" at night? Could it because you're getting an on-going dose of nicotine, which normally wouldn't be happening?

[BeTheChange]

23. Good luck..

The patch doesnt agree with me. I have a sort of allergic reaction and the gum aggravates my stomach as well.

Im doing hypnosis on Saturday. I really need something to control my oral fixation. It's not even the nicotine so much for me. I can smoke tobaccoless (various natural herbs)cigs with no withdrawl or craving. I just dont want to be smoking anything anymore so Im hoping to have luck with this. Ive have several friends that have been smoke free for years that swear by it.

[Pale Blue Dot]

24. Cool! Good luck!

If you ask me, I think you're going to win the challenge.

:thumbsup:

[deadparrot]

25. Good luck! Here's something to encourage you (I hope):

http://www.no-smoking.org/april00/04-12-00-4.html

[Telly Savalas]

27. Congrats on being a non-smoker!

Remember: you're not quitting smoking, you've quit.

To deal with a terrible craving, if you're a positive thinker just picture your friends and family and think of the gift you're giving them by adding years to your life and the gift you're receiving by being able to spend more time with them. If you're a negative thinker, visualize an evil CEO of a tobacco company. Buy another pack of smokes and you're helping that creep market death to children.

Also, consider using your newfound lung capacity to take up a new hobby.

You can do it! :applause:

[Shell Beau]

28. Good Luck!!!!!

[DrGonzoLives]

30. Good luck, I only needed a week

For me, it was just getting myself used to not smoking. You may find that after a couple of weeks, you don't need it anymore.

[bigwillq]

33. Good luck!

Let me know how it works for you. Been looking to quit for awhile now but haven't been able to muster the motivation and will power to do it.

Best of luck.

[Bullwinkle925]

34. Best thing you can ever do for yourself. Good on you!

I quit over 20 years ago. Thank God. Certainly couldn't afford it today - plus the cost of hospitalization.
If you want support - vist your local cancer wards and just walk around a bit.

[Lilyhoney]

36. Hey, me too.

I started out on the 21mg patch and it was too strong for me so I have purchased the 7mg and we will see how that goes. Good luck.

[Scout1071]

37. Good luck to you too Lilyhoney and Welcome to DU!

As posted above, there is a smoking cessation group on DU. Check it out.

Welcome!

[Lilyhoney]

38. Thanks for the welcome and the invite. n/t

[Scout1071]

39. Good morning DU. Having a rough go at it this morning.

Really craving smoking. I think it's compounded because I haven't allowed myself a cup of coffee in 2 days. Coffee is an automatic trigger.

The thing is that I feel like I really need a cup o' Joe.

Thoughts? Advice? I'm kind of struggling this morning, even with the patch.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

40. It really does get easier as you go along.

I kept basically doubling my goals. When I made through the first day, I shot for two more days. When I go through the third day, I shot for a full week. Two weeks. A month. Etc.
Watch out for around the end of the 3rd month and and of the 6th month.

[Scout1071]

41. I'm thinking I picked a poor week to do it.

Here's the thing...it's 4th of July weekend. I have tons of friends coming into town and I'm throwing a pool party on friday. Then on saturday I'm going out for a girl's night. I feel like I'm setting myself up for a relapse this weekend and/or failure.

I really want to quit and haven't had a smoke since 9pm on sunday night, but should I "table" this until next week?

I know there will always be some temptation, but I'm thinking that I could be in big trouble this weekend.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

42. Stay with it.

I tried quitting several times and always started on a long weekend, figuring it would be less stressful. By Monday morning I figured, nice try, but I'd never make it through a Monday at work and I started up again. Two years ago I decided to quit on a Tuesday morning and plow head first into the stress of the workplace (though I did warn a couple people). It worked. In short, and as Lloyd Bridges once taught us, there is NEVER a "good" time. My best advice is tell your friends and visitors you're X-number of days into quitting and you need a little support (you'll get it) and try to program a few timeouts for yourself.