Checking in...

[Leelee60]

Just checking in, doing good! Still on highest dose patch, joint pain has passed, and sleeping better (thanks to the posting of smoking/caffeine link! So good, can't find it now but very informative! Jillygirl posted it. I think I was just overdosing on coffee! Going to tea in pm. 😝😝

A couple of things I am planning on doing that is different from my MULTIPLE attempts before are:

1. Following my physicians recommendation for the patches, he recommends 5,5,5: which is 5 wks highest nicotine dosage, mid dose 5 wks, low dose 5 wks. In fact he said he wouldn't even mind if I stayed on patches for 6 months. His reasoning is patches are always better than smoking.

Before, in my previous attempts, after a few weeks, I got tired of buying the patches, and thought I could just skip the lowering of nictotine. Failure!😜😜

2. I plan on drinking tons of water this time and not be quite as concerned with weight gain (I ate constantly) and put on alot of weight fairly quick!

3. More exercise, I have been walking every morning before work.

4. Reading everything on this site! The helpful stories and feedback are great!! I was just "winging it" before. No support. On my previous attempts after 3-4 weeks I would be feeling depressed and i started this crazy thinking/rationalizing that smoking really wasn't THAT bad....but the posts on here keep me grounded.

Anyway, on a good note.....my constant "throat clearing" has went away. That was so annoying in meetings at work , I love having a nice clean car and not having to secretly trying to air myself out after smoking (i've always tried to hide my smoking from coworkers and friends. I'm sure they knew anyway...

Sorry to ramble on...thanks to everyone for your support

PS love the N.O.P.E. , its my mantra😀😀😀

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Leelee, great to hear your doing well with your quit. Its amazing how we think people wont notice we smoke. They must smell stale smoke on us. I never noticed until I quit , how strong stale smoke smells. Well done on your first 3 weeks. xxxx

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Leelee, I think this is the link you referred to.

8.Caffeine/Nicotine Interaction - Amazingly, nicotine somehow doubles the rate by which the body depletes caffeine. Yes, your blood-serum caffeine level will double if no caffeine intake reduction is made when quitting. Although not a problem for most light to moderate caffeine users, consider cutting caffeine intake by roughly half if troubled by anxieties or experiencing difficulty relaxing or sleeping.

[Modes LONG TERM WINNER]

You have some sound planning there Leelee. I think a lot of folk fall fowl by racing to get off NRT to quickly . Best to do what's best for you as an individual, all about the long term gain, little steps but in the right direction. Keep it up you are doing great xx

[alwaysseek 11 Month Winner]

Leelee I could have written what you have written - can relate to all apart from the patches, I used gum.

Congratulations on 3 weeks x

[Briarwood Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

Congrats Lee on your 3 weeks smokefree, terrific 👏🏼👏🏼

Glad you’re feeling the benefits of your hard work and sounds like you’re planning well which is a great idea. Keep doing what you’re doing coz you’re doing great🚭👍🏼😊x

[Newbeginninhs 7 MONTH WINNER]

Well done Lee on your 3 weeks, I also find this group is a real tower of strength, the joint pain I got also during early quit I’m pretty sure it’s the circulation improving, I’m so pleased that it’s no longer painful, drink plenty water and also ginger tea is really good, you can do this, little steps to a new you 😊