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So does it help to give yourself permission to have one smoke per day for four more days, or something like that?
When I was tapering off methadone, strict rules were very important to me. It gave me structure and I knew if I was cheating and when I was not, but the rules had to be something I could tolerate. Don't know if this will help.
Another thought. I STILL have methadone and fentanyl left from three years ago, or whenever. A friend pressured me to throw them away, thinking I'd be tempted. For me, it's a measure of myself control to have them in my sock drawer... I am not tempted. Everybody's different though.
Yes,exactly, which is why I am mentioning it,I think others need to see that in addiction,even being treated on medications(patch,etc) there are still 'old behaviors' associated with our pasts,in addiction I am not cured, I am a process in progress.Quote:
Originally Posted by simoneaugie
Today I smoked 3 more, I am now down to 1 in the pack, hmm, do I buy another and allow the addiction to continue? or do I do the next right thing, stick to the decision I made to quit.
I know I will stay on the patch, even though I think it's too strong at 21 mg,(might be the added smoking along with the dosage), I'll find out soon, IF I can make it through tomorrow(maybe I can throw out that last one, just to say I can do it!)
I have tapered down from the 8 to 5 to 3 for 2 days, maybe now I can make the decision stick..
My support has all but abandoned me(offline support) and online there hasn't been too many piping in besides you 2... of which I am VERY grateful.I am awaiting Dr.Bill100's input as well.
Thanks again,
Ken
Good luck, Ken!
I just met a deadline and am going to go have pizza and watch last night's Daily Show with my two teens. Wanted to check in and cheer you on. I know these first few days/weeks are the hardest. This seems like a good time of year to do it. Maybe you can get outdoors and get your mind in other tracks at least some of the time. Not sure what the weather is like there, but here you could plant some flowers; rent a canoe and go row on a lake. :)
Take care.
The weather played a small roll as the roads were posted and the trucks couldn't get in to deliver the stone and top-soil for the project here at home,I cut out,leveled and installed a drive to the workshop,around it and behind it, the weather was terrific, it rained just once while I was doing the whole project,as of yesterdays rain(which was very brief) the seed was down and is now bedded.Quote:
Originally Posted by asking
Now is the real test... Wednesday I begin a project with a friend who smokes like a chimney,he knows I am trying to quit, but around the exposure, I guess it'll be the real test for me,the real world is going to continue to do what it does,I am just going to have to live with it:(
Rent a canoe,go row in a lake, sounds like you're sending me down the river... :eek:
My Psyche doc suggested I move to Phoenix year round(and perhaps when I am without the responsibilities I have here,I just might do it).My response to him,"Just write the scrip and I'll be there", well, here I am:(
As any good addict,I smoked the last one last night, rationalized that I was too excited over the Penguins(hockey) win and needed a smoke, imagine that!
Today I am going for broke, smoke free,no trips to the store for a new pack,no weakness,no excuses.This has to stick.I know I can,I know I can... Fierce determination and the 'rewards' from no longer smoking(many health issues I have from it,and I just might recover from the next surgery faster if I am not a smoker!
Here I go,down the happy road of destiny,without a crutch.
Wow! Sounds like a great project--the drive to the workshop and flower beds.
Down the river, no. Just suggesting an outing that takes you out of your usual haunts and at least temporarily away from a store. :)
Congrats on the Penguins win. Penguins were my Junior High school mascot.
(Sharks won out here, but I don't follow it.)
Wednesday will be tough but first things first.
Just today...
Yes,just today(wow,that trip to the store is looking like a necessity,, but food only,, only,, ooonnlllyyy,, mmmmmmmmmm... I can do it!:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by asking
Shop somewhere where you can avoid that aisle?
A health food store?
Good luck!
A sponsor I had once said that she could be around her husband's drinking by remembering that it was his booze, not hers.
With cigarettes it's something about the smell. Hopefully when your friend visits, the smell of his smoking will be a reminder to you that it's the smell of death.
Stick by your decision. Even if you need to re-decide every 5 minutes.
Keep us posted.
[QUOTE=;]My support has all but abandoned me(offline support) and online there hasn't been too many piping in besides you 2... of which I am VERY grateful.I am awaiting Dr.Bill100's input as well./QUOTE]
KBC, I didn't abandon you in your pursuit I've been taking a non-intervention position as you had already decided on a method. Waiting to see how that is working for you. Bring me up to speed: what is your current status.
In particular, have you had any noticeable depression or any type of extreme (exaggerated) physical response to reduction in your smoking?
[QUOTE=DrBill100;2337068]Current status,perhaps tired often, if I am not keeping busy,I am sleepy.Quote:
Originally Posted by ;
I have had NO cigarettes today, this is the first day of none.And for me, that's a great big step.It's 4:30 my time, I've been up for 12 hours and no serious cravings.. I believe that I can get through this, it'll just take time.
I wasn't saying you abandoned me DrBill, there are a few friends who aren't responding at all to my posts, they were a large part of my past here at AMHD,perhaps they have other things going on in their lives, I really don't know(and the world doesn't revolve around me all the time, but,, I really could use their kindness right now:(.
Your help and advice, all of your's,is most appreciated.
Rule one of any process is success. If it's working don't change it. Are you doing anything to relax, relieve stress, craving etc.
For the past few weeks I have been concentrating on a large project here at home, it has occupied my time/thinking,etc until yesterday afternoon.Now the project is completed.From the extreme of constant to the other of nil,this isn't really different from my past.Insanity aside,doing the same thing over and over expecting different results, I don't have the expectations I used to have,I am without a plan if things get,well,rough.Quote:
Originally Posted by DrBill100
As long as I don't set myself up for failure, sabotage my life in some way,allow things to occur without projecting an outcome, I am pretty sure I can accept life on life's terms.
I have cut back on 'some' of my caffeine intake,more water instead of mountain dew.walking from our place to next door(even over the road this can be a good walk.) and I haven't returned to those places I used to frequent for smoking, except the vehicle,which used to be a real issue.I am still up in the air about what to do there.
Cravings, well,if I think hard about one,I remember WHY I want to quit, believe me,it might be personal,but it is VERY powerful.This type of decision has backbone,keeps me grounded,doesn't allow for much wandering.My mind is hazy but I think it is the patch,nothing more.
I was going to mention caffeine. Active smokers metabolize caffeine at almost twice the rate of non-smokers. That usually means you drink more caffeine and if so, after reducing smoke, you would experience greater anxiety and agitation from the caffeine intake.
Here is a website that gives some tips on breathing, contacts etc. Quit smoking -- the classic boilerplate points
In addition, monitor your mood as tobacco smoke (not nicotine) has an antidepressant effect, influencing MAO in your brain. We know this antidepressant effect exists but don't understand the mechanism.
Ken, This sounds very positive. Do you have plans for another project? Maybe something not too demanding or stressful, but distracting and fun?
I agree with Dr. Bill about reducing stress. When you start to taper off the patch you'll need something in place. The walks sound nice. I watched the golden eagle attacking the deer. Amazing!
As for the caffeine, I personally would cut out one drug at a time. Cutting back is different and fine if it isn't stressing you. In other words, one major challenge at a time.
I hope I didn't mislead with my previous message. Asking is absolutely right. One at a time. My point on the caffeine is that you are accustomed to overuse due to the rapid metabolism created by smoking. If you continue at the same rate you will be consuming much more than you need, due to habit. Too much caffeine would in turn create nervousness, agitation etc that most people associate with tobacco withdrawal, and making things more difficult than they need be. Just keep that in mind. But, once again, don't look to cease consumption.Quote:
Originally Posted by asking
A very interesting post, thank you!Quote:
Originally Posted by DrBill100
As both of you have said, no I won't completely remove the caffeine from my system, been there, wow,those withdraws are worse than too cold ice cream in a hot mouth, OUCH!!Quote:
Originally Posted by DrBill100
I have also a large supply of Ativan for any real high anxiety,and I can only hope that I can stay somewhat level with the moods, I know they will swing, same with any change in chemicals being introduced/reduced/removed from a system.
Thanks again for the posts, I really do need this!
Hope you are doing well this morning, Ken.
I'll be checking in again later to see if you posted.
I have been fine thus far,no cravings,slept much of the day, but also had some shop time, finishing a new table top.
I am having a difficult time believing how easy this is,I really thought it would be much worse.
Soooo, so far so good:)
Yay! That's great. :)
It shouldn't be too bad since you are still getting a regular dose of the nicotine from the patch. Are you still taking it off at night?
My teenage son and I went for what we thought would be a short hike with cameras. But decide to explore a side trail that took us back into town and through an industrial area before we found our way back to the car. Lonnng walk. We are hot, foot sore and tired. But it was fun.
LOL,it fell off last night,so I didn't even know till in the AM(like 2 AM:( ),but I'll be keeping aware of it at night, I really don't want to awaken to a craving, that would make the entire day a test.
What's the temp out your way? Must be warm, ours hasn't been too high at all,what with the storms going through.. and being up in the wind zone.
My walk today was just around the new driveway,noting areas I want to work on after things dry up,I would normally have had at least 2-3 smokes while doing this,much less while working on a project in the shop, it was kind of nice ,but well, kind of miss it too.
69- 70. Greenery everywhere. It finally stopped raining.
Yesterday, I had a go at the vegetation growing along the edge of my driveway using a scythe I bought from somewhere back east. Quieter than a weed whacker and cuts more stuff faster and it's better exercise. I have to watch for little branches and stuff that could catch the blade and nick it.
Ken, you know I am here for you. I will never abandon you, but my time here now is very limited. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by KBC
I guess I am hurt by your time away,I am most likely taking it too personally.Quote:
Originally Posted by J_9
Our last PM didn't get finalized and I can only guess it wasn't an easy one for you to answer.:confused:
I sure would like to see more of you online, your advice has always been fluent and appreciated,at least by those I have ever read.
These patches do cause sleep situations,vivid dreams and now some voices as well, might be symptoms or side effects of the product,might be from my bi-polar, I just don't know.(and like normal,they all happen on the weekends when I would have no contact with my primary and don't exactly want to call the psyche, I am not committable for these)
I have been very compliant on all my other medications,the psyche doc doubled my Ativan to 2) .5mg daily,although all they have made me do is sleep.But under sleep,I don't have any thoughts of smoking, guess that's a fair trade-off.
Anyway,this week should bring things into perspective,work returns Wed.I might have 3 other contracts soon,and one to look at in the burbs as well, maybe:p
I'll post new pics soon showing the new yard layout,(after the grass begins to grow back),it took me 5 weeks to complete this.and for the most part 2 of those were on limited smoking or none.
Ken, please don't be hurt by my time away. You know that I have some issues I am working on and need to concentrate on that. I've also been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, which has kept me sleeping when I am not at work. The Synthroid is not working yet, or may not be at the right dosage yet.
I can't even remember our last PM as I have to erase them all as I get them now, due to an issue.
OK:D I can be good with this, my last one had a thought provoking comment in it and I thought,hmm, maybe I asked the wrong thing?, but I'll consider it a done deal,, thanks for responding, you know youmean a lot to me..Quote:
Originally Posted by J_9
Take care of that problem and GET YOUR BUTT BACK HERE SOON!! :p;)
I'm trying to take care of it Ken, but I don't think it's going to go away that easily.
Hey, Ken.
Sorry I've been away. Huge amount of work, friend with cancer... :(
How is your quit smoking plan going? You haven't posted here for a while, so I wondered if you got stuck. But then again, maybe you are doing great?
J_9, I don't know what is happening in your life, but sorry it is very hard. Best wishes,
asking
I reacted to the? Adhesive or to the actual nicotine in the patches, someone has suggested the shot(I don't know if I can get it or not), but I haven't lost the battle yet,, I still smoke,some,but not like I used to(at least on my days off:( )
My manic phase is in right now,has been for a little while, makes all things a little different.Therapy is a weekly thing anymore, the Med Doc is playing with a few changes, mostly the Ativan,I need to calm down,more so right now.
ANYWAY!!
With all this going on I did have a very good discussion with a few long term members, over illegal drugs... it was real entertaining:)
A friend and I went to visit KBC last Sunday afternoon.
Wow! You should see what than man can build! :)
J_9, I saw the chairs! They're really cool!
Too bad about the adhesive. But Fabulous! That you are smoking less. If you are up for it, you can continue to taper a little, a little even without an aid. That's what I did with the methadone. Tough but a doable grind. I can't believe it's been 18 months now. Glad at least you are not depressed and sounds like you are up to go things.Quote:
Originally Posted by KBC
Clough, I am not at all surprised that Ken makes amazing things!
I will check out the thread on illegal drugs.
Cheers,
asking
Yes, KBC a.k.a Ken, really has made some amazing things!
My friend and I were witness to what he's done when doing construction on a barn that's been converted to a residence - tables, chairs, walls, flooring, cabinetry...
His attitude and accomplishments are an inspiration!
He's my friend and I sure wish that he was my neighbor! :)
:o Aww,shucks Clough,, :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Clough
It ain't nothing anyone else couldn't do, with the right tools and willingness,anything is possible:)
I was given a really interesting article to read about smoking and major depressive disorders,the speculated research says that smoking might be an 'antidepressant' all by itself.. and for those with major depression histories may have symptoms increase when quitting, the use of SSRI's isn't suggested as much as the medications for SNRI's.
It's my brief summery of this, Researchers Explore Link Between Smoking, Depression ? Psychiatric News
Sometime, I'm going to start a thread about the projects that people have done. I would hope that you'd be willing to post images on it, KBC!
Sounds like a good idea to me,for those who make things, You know the artist is their own worst critic,but perhaps there will be some who'll enjoy sharing.
I was thinking also on the lines of people who also do construction type of work, like building of any kind, landscaping, remodeling, etc.
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