Gus

Sure you can call me bud, Gene! Also, I am counting on a lot of my anxiety lifting once I get the rest of this nicotine out of my system. Next Tuesday, I think that I will call myself nicotine free and celebrate HUGELY!!! I’m really excited about it too! I don’t know much about CBT. I’m not really that big into the psych stuff. I know quite a few that got help from it, but most of those are on some type of treatment medication now. And I do not want that. I smoked like a freight train and yet I’ve always been leery about what kind of medications I take!!! BaHaHaHa I just realized how much of a hypocrite I am.

Thanks @Dianne! I believe that I can do this! I know that y’all have my back, I need only ask! STAY BUSY. STAY CLOSE. Thanks @Ascension3030! I absolutely know that it’s going to be a rough few days. I’ve already gone through it on my initial quit and when I stepped down from the 14mg patch to the 7mg. But yeah, this is with NO nicotine in my system at all. It’s frightening. Anxiety and depression sucks. But I think that one of my end goals of having quit smoking is to deal with my bouts of anxiety and depression head on. I was still hiding behind the nicotine before, so the issues were never fully dealt with and the grip they have on my mind never lessened. I hope to change that. I have not allowed myself to replace smoking with another addiction because I eventually want to deal with and get rid of the mental baggage I’ve been dragging around my whole life. Oh and I don’t know if you realize that I’m a ‘girl Gus’. HaHa My dad had some fascination with Caesars in general and decided to give me the middle name Augustus. The feminine Gussie never stuck, so I’m Gus.

Ahhh..I remember the initial improved breathing. And how much sweeter the air seemed. As far as circulation goes, all I can tell is that I don’t get as cold as I used to. I’m glad that your quit is going so well! Oh and can I start calling you Gene? LOL Every time I see your profile picture I see Gene Simmons and think of KISS!

Thanks Linda! I think that you are awesome too!

Thanks! @Doreensfree I just want to return the favor! I would not have survived without you guys!! Yes! @PeachFuzz longing for the day I have no thought for a cigarette. Consciously or subconsciously.

Thank you @Robbie! I have a few of the patches left, in case that happens. But I’m going to have to go through it now or later, so I may as well get it out of the way.

I inadvertently quit the nicotine patches before schedule y’all. In the middle of the night Monday I had some 24 hour stomach bug hit me. I absolutely thought of nothing but sleep and how miserable I was. Late Tuesday it dawned on me that I hadn’t put on a new patch, so I figured that if I had gone 10 hours without one—I was done. I have a touch of anxiety knowing it’s not there. My body and mind knows it’s not there. I’ve purposely reached for cigarettes that are not there once already today. I’m going to need to stay busy, busy today and the next few days, but I’m anxious because my energy levels are non-existent after having been so ill. But I will survive. I have to.

Yams

Seven empty seats

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I’m sorry that you had such a distressing day today, Kat. Glad that you held it together and did not smoke. Awesome! And may tomorrow be a hundred times better.

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Excellent thread! Thanks for bumping Doreen! Nothing to add really. Taking every word of it to heart.

Thanks for sharing Sirius. Thought provoking. I think I’ll wait on the deep dive into that dark place for a little while longer though.

Salmon Fried Rice

Mow the lawn

Okra

-8

LOL Take care Opah! Over and out!

Wow! I get the anxiety. I’ve had it almost my whole life. And I cried, I shook, my mind mind was a mess, I stayed curled under blankets in my dark bedroom for days and I thought that I was going to die or end up in an asylum somewhere. Even after I came out of that I would just start crying for no reason or every reason for days. I think going through that has made me stronger. That blood pressure thing you went through was CRAZY! I hope that does not happen this time! But you stick close to us and use that SOS forum if you need us. Anxiety sucks almost as much as nicotine.

Yeah, I skipped the 21mg patches. Wish that I hadn’t. But I survived. I’m ready to be done with the patches. I don’t want to prolong it and thankfully, the worst of the withdrawal will happen over the weekend. So, everything looks like a go. I know you’ve been through this before and know what works for you. I’m winging it but have learned a lot of preps and what to do ifs from reading most of the posts made on this forum. That anxiety is a beast though!!! But so am I!! LOL