Day two and a smile

[nsd_user663_6327]

So pleased with myself to be on day two - an achievement of gigantic proportions for me.

Started my quit yesterday with the help of hypnotherapy, today I've been to the stop smoking clinic at the surgery and was given max strength 24 hour patches - does anyone know how long the patches take to "kick in" please?

The smile came to me this morning, always a total addict for my early morning fags, I've been having these feelings of "I can't breathe" which is, I think a sort of panic attack type of thought and then my nico-monster, guess what he said to me? Maybe if you had a fag it would help you breathe more easily. I just laughed and said to myself, do you hear what you are saying? What utter bollix are you talking now?

I do feel a bit shaky, not that I will have a fag but in a purely physical sense and the Nurse said thats quite normal.

A friend rang me this morning to see how I'm getting on as she would like to quit too and she said, if you can do it anyone can - and I agreed.

Lovely to read your posts and well done to all of us, we are so great!

Lollipops, baby steps and now patches, how could I possibly fail?

[nsd_user663_5401]

Well done Viv, I'm loving your positive attitude. That's the spirit my love.

Oh join the Novo quitters club (user CP and social clubs) as I have found the support of others who are around the same quit date of you sooooo helpful.

Good luck.

[nsd_user663_6172]

Well done Vivienne, you are doing fantastically well

Print out the sheet about Health Benefits, I found this really helped me

Within:

20 minutes

Your blood pressure, pulse rate, and the temperature of your hands and feet will all return to normal.

8 hours

Remaining nicotine in your bloodstream will have fallen to 6.25% of normal peak daily levels, a 93.25% reduction.

12 hours

Your blood oxygen level will have increased to normal and carbon monoxide levels will have dropped to normal.

24 hours

Anxieties peak and within two weeks should return to near pre-cessation levels.

48 hours

Damaged nerve endings have started to regrow and your sense of smell and taste are beginning to return to normal. Cessation anger and irritability peaks.

72 hours

Your entire body will test 100% nicotine-free and over 90% of all nicotine metabolites (the chemicals it breaks down into) will now have passed from your body via your urine. Symptoms of chemical withdrawal have peaked in intensity, including restlessness. The number of cue induced crave episodes will peak for the "average" ex-user. Lung bronchial tubes leading to air sacs (alveoli) are beginning to relax in recovering smokers. Breathing is becoming easier and the lungs functional abilities are starting to increase.

5 - 8 days

The "average" ex-smoker will encounter an "average" of three cue induced crave episodes per day. Although we may not be "average" and although serious cessation time distortion can make minutes feel like hours, it is unlikely that any single episode will last longer than 3 minutes. Keep a clock handy and time them.

10 days

10 days - The "average ex-user is down to encountering less than two crave episodes per day, each less than 3 minutes.

10 days to 2 weeks

Recovery has likely progressed to the point where your addiction is no longer doing the talking. Blood circulation in our gums and teeth are now similar to that of a non-user.

2 to 4 weeks

Cessation related anger, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, impatience, insomnia, restlessness and depression have ended. If still experiencing any of these symptoms get seen and evaluated by your physician.

21 days

Brain acetylcholine receptor counts up-regulated in response to nicotine's presence have now down-regulated and receptor binding has returned to levels seen in the brains of non-smokers.

2 weeks to 3 months

Your heart attack risk has started to drop. Your lung function is beginning to improve.

3 weeks to 3 months

Your circulation has substantially improved. Walking has become easier. Your chronic cough, if any, has likely disappeared.

1 to 9 months

Any smoking related sinus congestion, fatigue or shortness of breath have decreased. Cilia have regrown in your lungs thereby increasing their ability to handle mucus, keep your lungs clean, and reduce infections. Your body's overall energy has increased.

1 year

Your excess risk of coronary heart disease has dropped to less than half that of a smoker.

5 to 15 years

Your risk of stroke has declined to that of a non-smoker.

10 years

Your risk of death from lung cancer has declined by almost half if you were an average smoker (one pack per day). Your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus has now decreased.

15 years

Your risk of coronary heart disease is now that of a person who has never smoked.

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hi Vivienne

Well done on day 2 you're doing just fine and feeling a little shaky is normal

Love

Marg xx