Help need some info

[nsd_user663_61320]

Afternoon folks,

I've got a little niggly worry that's starting to get bigger. I'm on day 49 and feeling very positive. I'm starting to feel like I can do it this time but I've done a couple of months before but never managed to stay quit.

I am using nicotinell lozenges and I'm concerned that because I'm getting nicotine I've not really quit if you know what I mean. I totally understand that I'm addicted to nicotine, not smoking and I think i'm worried that I'll always be addicted to nicotine and end up smoking again.

I've also read that you've more chance of being successful if you quit cold turkey rather than with nrt.

I know how impotrant having the right mental outlook is and I suppose I need a bit of reassurance from people who've quit with nrt. Is it a difficult day when you finally have to stop with the nrt or is it more like a natural progression?

Not even thinking of smoking by the way but I've failed in the past through lack of awareness so trying to stay one jump ahead of the demon this time.

[nsd_user663_54332]

Hiya Sue

Really don't stress it - you've definitely really quit smoking and you're doing fab!!

What I'd do is to gradually ease down on the nicotine lozenges, drop the strength perhaps, and buy some similar mints to suck to trick your mind if you get edgy, and one day soon you'll be off the nicotine too!!

Because smoking delivers a jolt of nicotine into your lungs rather than releasing relatively slowly through your mouth smoking is vastly more addictive than sucking NRT lozenges, so coming off them should be a lot easier than quitting the fags!!

You'll be fine, no probs

[nsd_user663_61320]

Thanks Gemma that makes sense.

I dropped down from 4mg to 2mg a couple of weeks ago and the mints is a good idea. I always have mints in work due to being paranoid about smokers bad breath anyway so that should work.

Week 1 was awful and I was starting to think I'd have to do another week 1 when I was coming off the lozenges.

Maybe it was just another nicodemon trick to put doubt in my mind.

[nsd_user663_54332]

Thanks Gemma that makes sense.

I dropped down from 4mg to 2mg a couple of weeks ago and the mints is a good idea. I always have mints in work due to being paranoid about smokers bad breath anyway so that should work.

Week 1 was awful and I was starting to think I'd have to do another week 1 when I was coming off the lozenges.

Maybe it was just another nicodemon trick to put doubt in my mind.

One of the things that sticks in my head from Allen Carr is:

"The only thing that keeps us smoking is fear"

and it's true!!

We're afraid how we'll ever be happy without a cigarette, cope with stress without smoking, and so on and so on - but we don't have any real *need* for smoking or nicotine, we were fine for years before we started after all!! You will be just fine and it definitely won't be another week 1!!

[nsd_user663_60964]

If it is any help, I found that coming off the lozenges was nowhere near as difficult as I feared it might be. I reduced down to one of the 1.5mg lozenges per day fairly easily but it was getting shot of that last one that was the hardest thing. In view of the very low dose of nicotine I was getting I am certain it was a psychological thing rather than a physical withdrawal. In the event, I felt slightly twitchy the first time I managed it but no worse than that and after that had no problems at all.

Good luck with it. I think the main thing is to do it only when you feel ready. There's no right or wrong time of course, because it's such an individual thing.

Day 49 though- how fantastic is that? Really well done Sue.

[nsd_user663_51052]

Worst case if you really struggle, is you go back on a low dose of NRT, not fags!

[nsd_user663_61320]

Thanks everybody for the support, yes very proud of myself. Starting week 8 today.

@ buttercup, I think you're right if we're sensible about it and manage it properly we'l be fine. I think our worry ties in with what Gemma quoted from Easyway.

"The only thing that keeps us smoking is fear"

and it's true!!

Are you restricting yourself to a number as well or just taking them as needed.

@Skiddaw, thankyou that really did help. I will take my time definitely, and not endanger the quit, you've reassured me.

@Ets Yeah you're right why not and takes the pressure off as well.

[nsd_user663_61320]

Yeah I've not been counting up until now, just taken them when I need them. Moving down to 1mg when I've finished this box and I think that's when I'll start counting, not to restrict myself just to monitor.

Then I'll start thinking about cutting them down but slowly. I was having doubts as well because I've had a few very easy days, how ridiculous is that!!! Easy days make you worry.

I think you're right it's good to have a plan, that way you're always making progress as well as ticking the days off.