Optimistic 4 (or is it 3 now)

[nsd_user663_3200]

Well, here we are at the start of week 4. I hope everyone's still doing ok.

Well done team

[nsd_user663_3463]

well done

it shoudl strat gettin easier now for you all well done.

[NicFirth 10 Years Smoke Free]

Well done you lot, how ever many there are of you.

[nsd_user663_3554]

Well done you all............ok wheres Mojo

[nsd_user663_2019]

Hello guys, I'm still around AND I'm still clean, God only knows how I survived this weekend, there was simply soooo many people smoking around me and so much temptation... lots of people naughtily offering me smokes grrrr!

I have to say I wasn't even slightly tempted, I'd like to think it was because I'm doing so well but I think had more to do with having food poisening LOL, every time I smelt smoke I just wanted to throw up! (quite a good mental memory for future discouragement!) The worst part was trying to enjoy my concert in the Millennium Stadium with people blatantly smoking in the Gold Circle and security doing nothing about it (the roof was sealed so it was technically an indoor event) ....ooooh I'm starting to rant now heheheh, I just wanted to let you know I'm still part of the team, I hope you are all doing fine too! I can't believe a month has passed already, its been hard-ish, but looking back now it was really quick!

[nsd_user663_3554]

Hi team, looks like we are the opt 3 now

I'm still here, still going strong, had a few moments this weekend, with it being the bank holiday weekend but managed to keep focused and remember what garbage smoking really is, although there have a been a few instances of intense cravings, but Im hoping now things will settle down a bit with it being week 4, nearly a month!

Keep going guys, and I do hope Juney surfaces, it would be nice to keep the team numbers high.

Glad you did not crumble Rick.........Keep it up your doing great......

[nsd_user663_1733]

Well done you lot hope juney shows up soon. 4 weeks is great going.xxxxxxxxxx

[nickywalton]

well done everyone..two..three..or four...

keep up the good work...sooner than you realise, another month will have gone:D...

good luck

nicky

[nsd_user663_3463]

anyone

does anyone know how many of u r left optimistic 3/4

dynamic trio do not worry if u dont hear from me for a few days i promise i will not cave and we will still be the dynamic trio its after 2moz u may not hear from me for a few days

[NicFirth 10 Years Smoke Free]

dynamic trio do not worry if u dont hear from me for a few days i promise i will not cave

You better not!

err, I mean I have every faith in you, seriously though, knowing your reasons I know that you will succeed in this.

Cheers

Nic

[nsd_user663_3200]

No sign of Juney!!!

I'm doing ok I think. Had my weekly smoking cessation group today and ended up REALLY pi$$ed off! The nurse went round the table as usual and we all told her how we were doing etc. She asked me and I said I had been really stroppy, but wasn't craving for a fag. She told me that I was craving for a fag and it was my fault for not using much NRT! She reckoned that cos I wasn't using much I had put myself in permanent withdrawl and was jeopardising my quit. I was FURIOUS with her. I could feel myself getting more and more angry with her and was ready to tell her to f off and just walk out.

I haven't been using much NRT for a couple of weeks now because I haven't felt the need to. I hadn't had any at all today until I left that meeting. The only reason I am still using it is cos I'm worried that I will cave if stop using it completely. I have no thoughts about smoking at all, and never feel like I want a fag. Up until I left that bloody meeting that is!!! I had to stop for petrol and when I pulled into the petrol station I decided that I would buy some fags. I out the petrol in, went in and paid, and as I was walking out, I realised that I hadn't bought any fags because I DO NOT SMOKE, and it was so natural for me not to buy any. I was really really proud of myself and walked back to the car with a big grin. I am still p'd off at that bloody stupid nurse though!

Maybe she has a point about me being in permanent withdrawl but I'm not going to use the NRT just because someone thinks I should. I know my own body and mind and if I don't feel the need to use something then why should I? She also refused to give me any 'step down' lozenges until next week. Isn't it about time these stop smoking 'helpers' learnt to support people in their quits instead of telling them how they should try and quit? Because of the way she made me feel today I could well have lost this quit. I was even thinking about not going back next week, but I'm enjoying going to the group and giving/receiving support from other people at work.

I was thinking about resurrecting the 'Rant all you want' thread, but decided to rant here instead.

Ok, rant over!

So, is another name change on the cards???

[nickywalton]

your nurse sounds a right pain in the a**e:mad:

brilliant that you didn't succomb to temptation in the garage...I remember first time I realised I'd left the supermarket without thinking about buying my usual supple...great feeling

why don't you buy yourself a small pack of lower dose NRT to tide you over til the little lady feels able to give you some? I know its expensive, but better than fags...

keep up the good work don't let the jobs-worth destroy your resolve...

nicky

[nsd_user663_3200]

why don't you buy yourself a small pack of lower dose NRT to tide you over til the little lady feels able to give you some? I know its expensive, but better than fags...

I actually have almost a full pack left over from a previous quit. So far today I've had my last inhalator cartridge and one of those. I'm just about to go to bed and won't be having any more tonight. I feel absolutely fine, and if anything, feeling a lil bit overdosed on the nicotine. I absolutely refuse to use the NRT she reckons I should be using just cos it's how she thinks I should do this. (Does that make sense??)

Anyway, I feel like I've passed another test today and I'm feeling geet pleased with myself!

[nickywalton]

good for you Dave...certainly don't want to be taking any more NRT than you need to keep the craves at bay...

keep up the good work, it DOES get easier remarkably quickly...

sleep well...

nicky

[nsd_user663_3200]

Aye, I'm much better today. I'm just ignoring that stupid nurse cos she really is clueless, especially for a supposed ex-smoker.

I saw Juney was online this morning but no post as yet. It's not looking good

[nsd_user663_2019]

I'm here and I'm still behaving myself !

[NicFirth 10 Years Smoke Free]

Interesting about the nurse, when I 1st read your post my reaction was stupid cow, but I wonder if it can be viewed differently, with a bit of devils advocate mixed in for good measure.

I think the fact that she managed to upset you says more about her communication skills rather than what she was trying to do.

She has, I'm sure, been trained to offer a structured method of quitting which has been proven to be more effective than other ways, albeit a one size fits all method.

You are choosing not to follow her advice, which is fine, but are upset when she won't assist you in doing it in a way that differs from how she has told to be offering it.

If you went to the doctor for something else and wanted to suggest the level of medication I'm sure you would receive the same kind of response.

The point is that she should be quite clear from the beginning that if you want their support you either do it their way or you don't get the support.

As opposed to here, where we will support you unconditionally

My wife, who is being a bit more supportive than she was, has also made the point to me, as I've scaled down my NRT that there has been plenty of research done on the best way to quit with NRT, and it suggests a 12 week program then reduce until quit.

Now either we take the view that the NRT companies are just out to make a quick buck and have managed to persuade the NHS that their way is best or we have to accept that they know what they are talking about.

In the past I have quit with NRT and stopped at 1 month or 6 weeks but failed in the long run. As such (and despite my original intentions to come off the NRT quickly) I will follow the program through as designed. After all it doesn't matter if I have nicotine in my body for a couple of months more if I end up quitting for good.

As I said her problem is that she failed to communicate with you in such a way that she got her point across without pi$$ing you off, but that’s women for you! [Nic runs for cover]

Good luck with it however you do it,

Cheers

Nic

[nsd_user663_3554]

Its good she pissed you off Dave,think of it that way.You dealt with and did not smoke........You are stronger now.....keep it up your doing great.

[nsd_user663_2019]

Well done Rick!! Me signing in for the day too!!