Life after NRT
I was planning on waiting till after New Year to post my experiences on coming off NRT, however Happiness convinced me to post this earlier.
In my last two posts I described how 12 weeks on NRT has worked for me to give up the smoking habit and also my concerns about giving up NRT and finally being nicotine free.
7 days, 20 hours and 49 mins without NRT and counting, well at least my phone app is counting. The thing I would like to say is that stopping NRT was easier than I expected. On day 1 and 2 I may have experienced some minor cravings or just thoughts about smoking. The fact that I can't even 100% describe these thoughts as cravings suggests that they weren't a problem.
I still need to be on my guard but will post again when I reach three figures, this will be early in 2019.
Happy new year to everyone and especially those who join this site with their new years resolutions.
Community Guru
That is terrific John, Congratulations and thanks for posting. I am glad that you had minimum urges or cravings, indescribable almost as they were not near what one has been led to expect. How we have been mislead all these years! If only we had the knowledge we do today many years ago.
I was wondering if you ever did cut down gradually on the final week? And if so how did it go? Would you do that again, or simply end it all with the cold turkey jump? I am sure others would like to know the answers.
Good question, I intended to cut down drastically over the last week, however the truth is I only cut down a little as I had the thought in my head that I still needed the nicotine. I did what you would call the cold turkey jump in the end, I posted that I would quit in 12 hours time on my post then after posting this I just said bugger it why wait and just threw my nicorette inhaler in the bin and haven't looked back.
I guess the point to take away from this is that no matter what method you choose to help you quit the time comes when you just have to say no to nicotine and accept you are a non smoker and no matter the temptation you will never be a smoker again.
Community Guru
Thanks for your reply. We will call it a Smart Turkey jump in the end, as you are well aware of the mindset and tools needed to do this. Good for you. Like me, you found it easier to bump up the date and just "GO" rather than dread the thought. Dive In rather than wade in.
Your are definitely right that in whatever way you quit, it is indeed a quit.l Also would like to correct the phrasing, as the correct way or looking at in in a positive way is to CHOOSE BE FREE. May you are be an inspiration to new ones joining. Post your stories!!!
Thanks for your post John 100. Essentially you have given up smoking for 3 months. Did you find that you had any physical withdrawal symptoms after ditching the NRT, or have they been negligible? My theory is that the great escape is 99.9% psychological and the physical withdrawals are imperceptable
Community Guru
I believe you to be right in that assumption weewillem. If you have made steps in behavior and attitude the positive changes should definitely yield positive results. The final nicotine withdrawal should be no worse than what you have already experienced, and knowing there is an end in just 72 hours is terrific incentive to see this journey through.
Weewillem,
Physical withdrawal symptoms after 12 Weeks on NRT have been negligible. Agree with you that the NRT has dealt with the physical addiction and the last part is just psychological. Will add though, don't underestimate the psychological element to smoking, how many people have been drawn back to smoking under stress or in a single moment of weakness.
Congratulations John100 good on you, you've done really well. You should feel very proud of yourself. You are correct, you need to keep your guard up at all times.
Community Guru
Great quit John. I did leave you a comment about Allan Carr. I do believe his method works. I did not read it before i quit. I was just in the right mindset. Used enough common sense, cutting out cigarettes by being mindful, using the urge to put off to my advantage and seeing how it would go. Joining a site like this (unfortunately they were closed minded to mindset and would rather promote nicotine to fight nicotine. Using the 4 D;s. The biggest factor still remains in believing you yourself can do it. I just try to relay Allan Carrs theories, and how a lot of them were used in my quit unbeknowst to me at the time. My husband quit twice with the book for long periods of time. Those who forget history are doomed to relive it, or something like that.
The hard part is quitting. If someone forgets how lucky they are to becoming a non-smoker again and wants to tempt fate, i hardly think the method of quit is at fault.
Community Guru
Thank you for your kind reply. Can we agree then to agree to disagree? lol I think we both put our best intentions out there. My telling someone to start by smoking and reading is intentional. I read their stories from first post to last and understand as much as i can, before advising what seems irrational. I would rather hold someone off of from a blind jump on first day (and broken esteem) to a successful landing a few days later. Belief in one's self is key here.
I think you understand my reasoning, i write this for the benefit of others.
While on truths, what were your cravings like? What is your thought on them? Are they physical. Do you think they can be physical or caused by other health issues, diet, etc?
I will look forward to your candid reply here. Like i said i don't call anyone a liar, least of all a lady i admire who had a rough time physically it seems. In respect for her i adjust my language.