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Post by Dot on Nov 30, 2007 10:13:13 GMT -5
 Most of the members here are now "long-term" quitters, but how many of you haven't forgotton what it was like at this stage of quitting? My meter just turned over 1M, 1W, and 1 day.  , and I'm trying not to be TOO proud of what I've done. And of course I'm grateful for those who have supported me this far. I'll step down to the lowest patch tomorrow, and I'm sort of concerned how that's gonna work. Will I still have the guts to continue? I'm feeling ok now, but it's difficult to change years and years of habits and routines. It's so hard to stay busy when I'm very tired all the time. I know a lot of this is left over from medicines, as I'm taking anti-depressants, sleeping meds, and an occasional Xanex. Otherwise I'd be awake all night and probably sleeping all day instead of just dozing now and then. I've been taking vit.B and also walking a mile or more every day, but really have to force that. Can you remember when you felt energetic again? Heaven knows there's plenty to do around the house if I just had ambition! Dot
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Post by Bubb on Nov 30, 2007 14:05:45 GMT -5
Why don't you think it a good idea to be 'TOO proud' of what you've done? Seems to me you should be kicking your heels and jumping for joy.
If you're anxious about stepping down to the next level with the patch...then don't. Dot, as long as you are not puffing, it should little matter which patch you are using. There should be no rush to get off the patch. Where ya goin? What's the hurry?
I don't remember exactly when the energy mode thing kicked back in. I do remember though being tired and feeling like a pile of dirty laundry. I've read many articles about the metabolism and how it slows down when quitting nicotine. Cigarette smoking acts as an amphetamine and once the nicotine level drops, so does the metabolism. I think you should sleep when you are tired and do things around the house when the mood suits you. As long as you are retired, what does it matter when or how you do things? Quitting smoking is the priority here and if you are able, to hell with all the other stuff and concentrate on staying smokeless. We all know quitting cigarettes can be a full-time job.
You mention taking vitamin B....has someone recommended that? Do you talk to your doctor about your situation?
Though walking will help with your energy levels, you should participate in an activity that you can really enjoy....something that you really look forward to. Forcing an activity down your throat will not be a long-term endeavor. With time, you will begin to 'resent' it and will stop. You have to look at the big and long-term picture with this whole process. Remember the quitters adage....quitting smoking is a process, not an event.
As the days and weeks pass, your enthusiasm with your quit should become greater. No doubt about it, there are stills many obstacles to overcome, but your quit should begin to gain some momentum. Little threads of a non smoking life should begin to form. i.e., juice rather than coffee, getting up after meals (rather than sitting and having a smoke), breathing deeper rather than gagging on fresh air, walking rather than just sitting, feeling better about yourself (rather than beating yourself over the head because you struggle with your addiction). I would grab any all threads that would keep the quit and aid the motivation to remain on the straight and narrow.
It's been a good number of days since I've had a cigarette, but I still feel like a newbie. By that I mean I continue to really notice and appreciate how my life has changed since quitting. I still notice the fresh air, I still notice a different way of life, I still notice I have better control of myself, I still notice I've chosen to do different things rather than just hanging around and smoking my brains out. I've noticed there are better things to do than killing myself one cigarette at a time. I still notice when a smoker is standing next to me and wonder why he/she continues to puff their way into the abyss.
Quitting smoking is about change. Not just by quitting the butts, but also by making different decisions.....doing different things, acting differently, thinking differently. I wish I could better put into words how quitting has changed my life. I can only encourage you to take it one day at a time and if you stick with your quit....everything will take care of itself.
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Post by Dot on Nov 30, 2007 18:05:42 GMT -5
thanks, Bubb...
All in all, I'm really doing ok. When I said I force myself to walk, I could have worded that better. I feel good and can walk quite some distance without tiring...the hard part is getting off my butt! But if I don't move often, I hear it from the dog!!!
The B-complex was on the advice of my druggest....(a small town drugstore is great.) He knows all of us well and usually has good advice.
Yes, my doctor knows what I'm doing, and all about my life...warts and all! He willingly prescribes sleep meds, tranqulizers, etc, as he knows I have a lot of issues to deal with, and knows I won't abuse anything.
Being retired does make quite a difference...it don't matter if I stay up all night and sleep all day! Fortunately, Charlie never complains, feeds himself, and helps with the housework.
Dot, whose meter now reads 1 month, 1 week, and 1 day!
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Post by Ann on Nov 30, 2007 18:50:18 GMT -5
Dot, I can't say that I ever felt energetic even when I did smoke. I don't really remember feeling so tired all the time either. I do know that I really went into a deep depression for about the first year. Thank heaven I was already on meds and I could increase them as I saw fit.
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Post by countryblocks on Nov 30, 2007 20:35:45 GMT -5
Dot I'm not a long term quitter. It's been a little over 5 months. I, too am on antidepressants and Xanax occasionally. Some days are hard but I keep telling myself to hang in there. If I started again I know I won't quit cause I don't want to go thru withdrawls again. I think that's what keeps me going. I also try to stay busy as much as possible. I'm also retired so it doesn;t matter when I do housework or take time to just rest. I did gain alot of weight and am trying to lose it.
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Post by Dot on Nov 30, 2007 22:07:26 GMT -5
Hi country, I remember when you came onboard the first time you quit. So far, I haven't gained a whole lot of weight, which is a wonder as all I want to do is eat and sleep. I just want to sit and read or watch mindless tv. I could really stay busy if I could just get the brain as well as the body in gear! I am a weaver, and it takes lots of concentration to set up my looms....can't even get a crochet hook working! But I've probably read 25 books this past month! Oh well....this too shall pass.... Dot  |
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Post by ncpops on Dec 2, 2007 4:40:12 GMT -5
Hi Dot,
Sure I remember, and that's just one reason to stay quit. I remember the doubts, the fears, the empty feelings, the anexity. But with meds, focus & friends we find here, the quit has held up and will do so for both of us.
We, YOUR friends, wish to celebrate as much as you, your milestone. Tell everyone what you've done. The only "do-hahs" wll be jealous smokers.
And Country blocks, congrats on your accomplishment. All will get better & better as we go along. ktq.
My golf game hasn't improved though ... maybe that's because I have "NT" ... No Talent!
Jim "slice-em" pops
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, and I'm trying not to be TOO proud of what I've done. And of course I'm grateful for those who have supported me this far.
