Nine days - no smokes

[KatNL]

Hey day nine of no smokes. I'm using the lowest patch even though I smoked a lot and for a very long time. The higher dose patches make me shake. I had a pretty horrible week. Drank horrible amounts of coffee. Better now. But I think the patch makes me feel a bit sick. Wondering how long people usually stay on the patch?

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Welcome KatNL , congratulations on 9 days smoke free, well done!

I stopped cold turkey and don't have much experience on the patches but your pharmacy should be able to advise as everyone is different in their smoke free journeys.

I would strongly recommend cutting out the coffee as it is a huge craving trigger (and alcohol and sugary foods). Drink plenty of water and lots of fruit and vegetables.

Have a read of our pinned posts. We look forward to reading your progress

[KatNL 6 Months Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Thanks I'm working on the coffee - but honestly the caffeine really helped with the nicotine cravings. My triggers are just about everything, even talking about the fact that I quit. But this quit feels different than my other quits. I just prepared myself to feel really crappy and am not trying to fight it or hide from it.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to KatNL]

Hey KatNL - great mindset, keep it up especially for when you come off the patches.

Bear in mind though, you haven't started experiencing the nicotine withdrawals or cravings yet as your body is still getting nicotine from the patches so that is probably why you can tolerate the coffee. They say it takes 3 days for the nicotine to leave your system then the mental battle begins as your body and mind gradually rewire, repair and recover. Below is a link to some pinned posts worth a read if not already done so as knowledge is power!

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...

[Jared01 Valued Contributor in reply to KatNL]

Welcome KatNL and well done on now 10 days quit. Yeah, you are not experiencing the nicotine withdrawals/cravings and Roisin is spot on with her reply to you. Keep fighting, you are doing amazing!!

[KatNL 6 Months Smoke Free in reply to Jared01]

Geesh, I figured I was getting way less nicotine- I was using a pack a day ( of smokes) about and started with the lowest patch instead of the first one. What can be the point of the patch if you still have to go through total withdrawl when you stop using it? I figured I'd wear the patch for shorter times each week. Is the gum a better option?

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to KatNL]

Nicotine is just part of the make up of a cigarette, there are 7,000 other poisonous chemicals in just 1 cigarette. Unfortunately, it is the nicotine that is the addictive chemical

It is great that you are no longer smoking and that you are only getting a small amount of nicotine from the patches but your brain is still getting that fix no matter how small it is.

Please don't be discouraged by this KatNL as you are10 days free from that hand to mouth habit which is half the battle. When you do come off the patches, you will be prepared for the mental battle, it is a fight that can be won, I promise

[KatNL 6 Months Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Thanks , I can't believe I didn't realize or think of that myself....I did not look past putting on the darned patch. Better to be prepared. I went back to run club last night and took off the patch from 5pm until this morning so I could run. That was my whole plan. I read a bunch of your articles. They are good and helpful. I guess I can't avoid it. I'm going to really cut back on the coffee too. And get going changing my routine. This just gets crappier and crappier - however, I'm accepting it and trying not to hide from it. Thanks again.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to KatNL]

No problem KatNL - I was the exact same when I stopped (cold turkey over 3 years ago) and thought I was going mad until I joined here and read up as much as I could, smoking is a such a powerful addiction and say worse than heroin addiction so it is an amazing achievement to stop

PS Thats great you have started a new healthier lifestyle to getting fit too, well done👏

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Congratulations quitting is the best for you !!!!plz read the pinned posts at the bottom or top of each page .

First if all try to quit caffeine or lower it as much as you can for the first 3 months .

Caffeine will make your quitting more difficult same with alcohol not just those are triggers but in the absence of nicotine caffeine and alcohol remains longer in your body affecting your nervous system ,at this point you want to stay calm . Herbal tea and lots of water are your best treats .

Sugar from natural sources such as fruit and honey are great for you .

Keep it up! 💪👏🎉

[BillPNH 100 Days Smoke Free]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AWESOME JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!