Elaine.
I did the whole course, 21mg, 14mg, 7 mg. I felt most uncomfortable on the 21mg because it affected my sleeping. Also I was scared about the step down from 21 to 14 mg, and it took around 3 or 4 days to adjust, and as Faith says, the junkie thoughts are really active during that time. The next step down from 14mg to 7mg was much easier - again the 3 or 4 day adjustment period, but easer. From 7 mg to 0 was the easiest of all.
So the main reason for being on a whole course of patches, is that you break the psychological and emotional triggers. If your method is working for you, then keep going. So long as you don't smoke, then you are putting more and more distance between yourself and the addiction. Keep going for whatever time you need - another few weeks on NRT makes no odds at all health wise. The long term prize is more important.
It might be worth thinking about what went wrong last time - did you put yourself under too much pressure? did you expose yourself to temptation too early? did you have a bad day and panic? You want to come up with a plan - what you are going to do when you hit one of these crisis points again? Your plan might be that 1) you leave the party 2) you go to the ladies and drink some water + count to 50 3) that you come here and post 4) eat doughnuts (well it works for Homer).
It will take a number of weeks for you to start feeling more confident about not smoking. You might feel a bit miserable at times too. There will be good days and bad days. Be nice to yourself - you are in "recovery". Your body is recovering like crazy from all the toxins. The work you are doing now is an investment for the many years ahead when you will be free.
You must be into Day 59 now. Fantastic going.
Lizzie :)
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]4/23/2003
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1776
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 26,640
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] �6,660.00
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 182 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 31 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50
-
Quit Meter
$9,535.50
Amount Saved
-
Quit Meter
Days: 854
Hours: 9
Minutes: 9
Seconds: 55
Life Gained
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Quit Meter
6357
Smoke Free Days
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Quit Meter
38,142
Cigarettes Not Smoked
