Sazerac

Congratulations Fluffy One ! I have the Nicotine Free Tardis parked right next to you should you want an excursion around the Universe.

This is exactly the path, Jo. Embrace the suck and make it work for you. I sew also and would hate for something as arbitrary as my nicotine addiction to gangster my sewing machine. It is MY sewing machine, a beautiful tool to create lovely things to wear or admire. Go get your machine oil out and clean up your machine, meticulously. Get all the fluff and chaff out of the workings. Oil her up. Check her tension. Run her at top speed to exorcise all those demons out of her. Vroom Vroom Vroom. Sew a few miles of bliss for yourself, a veritable crazy quilt of love and kindness and FREEDOM, bebe. FREEDOM. I am so proud of you for pulling yourself back from the edge. I know it was scary close but, YOU WON ! Ha ! Go celebrate.

Congratulations on your luscious freedom, Claire. Thanks for checking in , you are an inspiration.

I thought I was skating through the worst during the first couple days, then the big shit hit. It was real pain, head and belly cramps. no energy, angry. Prepare yourself with soothing tonics for your belly. Tonic, Chamomile. A heating pad. OTC intestinal tract stuff. Headache meds. Crawl under a rock, lock up your weapons. Be really really KIND to your sweet self, PorkChop. You can get to the other side...if I did....you can. I know this. Love you like a pork belly, baby. S p.s. I am still more than a little bitchy but, the head/belly pain is gone or very very vague.

Intense, intelligent, informative. All these links, like the Big Tobacco movies, gets you really riled up and solidify your quit.

I know we have Joel's video library here but, here is his YouTube channel. He has helped countless people to quit smoking Joel Spitzer YouTube Channel and his introduction p.s. I know sometimes posting Joel's vids is controversial because he never smoked but PLEASE , y'all ! Your psychiatrist doesn't necessarily have to be insane to help you, right ? Take what you need and leave the rest ! He has informed and taught and helped countless people. Myself included. Don't shoot the messenger.

Hey 'Just no gonnae do that' Jackie ! I've always loved that phrase of yours. Now you can live it. Just no donnae do that, Jackie. Just NO.

Hey Nikki, Congratulations on your first day of freedom. We are all cheering you on. I am glad you had a really good day. Do not be surprised or afraid of bad days, they are bound to crop up. Post your own response to any possible sos's you may encounter Here This helps us to know how to respond to any crisis and helps you articulate why you are quitting, what is important to you. I look forward to hearing about how day 2 goes for you. Welcome to your freedom, Nikki. S

You are a wise one Jo. One day at a time, one issue at a time...well that would be nice....ONE issue at a time. Ha Ha HA...on what planet would that be on ? Hang in there Jo, you have a splendid quit going. Stewie ? Calling S T E W I E ! I tell you, if I didn't have the BP cray to inspire me (force me) to quit caffeine I wouldn't have done it....certainly not cold turkey. It is gruesome. Tapering off seems a much kinder remedy.

Hi nikiki, glad you are with us. This post, 10 ways to Effectively Use This Forum may be helpful with navigating around the site. Congratulations on your quit !

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Day 10. Feeling Good. I think the gruesome part is over. Now, minor adjustments for innards and ignoring triggers (triggers are NOTHING as intense as nicotine, not even close). Truthfully, the first few days were v painful, headaches and belly cramps hit me at day 2/3 lasting a few days. Heating pads and Ibuprofen, very simple diet. OTC constipation/stool softener. I was a full on biotch (even had fun with that) I would have had to take time off from work (fetal position with heating pad). Thank you for all your support. Morning and teatime bevs now include: Herbal teas, Fresh Ginger slices in water (hot or cold) YUM. A squeeze of half lemon, teasp of honey, hot or cold water YUM Water Water Water Water Water Water I had to take immediate action due to Blood Pressure incident but, my recommendation would be to ease off caffeine (like Jo is planning) if you can. I copied this below from caffeine informer.com (bs site, charging you for de-tox kits but, had some good info) "Practical Examples: Coffee should be reduced by a 1/4 of a cup every two to three days. (This is difficult if you don’t make coffee at home.) Energy Drinks can be reduced by about 1/4 a can every two to three days. Soda can be reduced by cutting back a 1/2 a can every two to three days or by a 1/4 a bottle if drinking a 16 fl.oz. size. Tea can be reduced by cutting back 1/2 cup every two to three days. Pros: Withdrawal symptoms are much less severe or can be completely avoided. Most people can continue to function and be productive. Mild to no caffeine headache to deal with. Less shocking to the system. Cons: Can take longer to detox depending on the beginning daily dose amount. Requires tracking caffeine and being intentional about what’s being consumed and how much. 2. The Cold Turkey Method With this method, a person simply ceases to consume caffeine. While this can be the fastest way to detox, it does come with a price and a huge shock to your system. Pros: The fastest way to detox from caffeine. A realization of caffeine’s influence on body functioning. Cons: Can produce severe caffeine withdrawal symptoms. A person may be out of commission for 1 to 3 days or even weeks if the addiction was severe. Can lead to a loss of productivity. Prepare in advance for the cold turkey method! If you choose the cold turkey method it’s important that you know what to expect and to prepare in advance for the debilitating withdrawal symptoms that can follow. Plan ahead so that the first couple days of detox fall on a weekend or work holiday. Have pain relievers on hand and avoid driving. Have plenty of food on hand to avoid the need to drive anywhere for food. Prepare some meals in advance like soup or other easy to digest foods. Talk with family members about what you are about to do, what they can expect, and how they can help. Inform your co-workers and/or your boss about your caffeine detox.

The incessant interruptions of needing a smoke, the permeable stench, the constant mind-bending negotiations of when/where to smoke, NO ! NOPE ! Not for NOPEster, never more ! Life is grand with the slavery of nicotine addiction well behind you. Congratulations. Have a bite of rakfisk and slog of Glögi to celebrate, NOPEster.

No sky water for Sazerac but, a few blocks away were lucky. Thunder and lightening was a big fat tease and left me dry, baby. Left me dry.

Hello Nikki ! Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking, it is one you will never regret. Never/Ever. Please read Everything you can about nicotine addiction, it will help your resolve. I quit cold turkey too. Quit any way you can. Let us know how you are feeling, what helps you cope. Anyone reading will greatly appreciate your experience. Drink water. Feed yourself. Breathe intently. Commit to yourself and your quit. scream cry and stomp your feet. Do everything but smoke. You will succeed.

Hey, Sorry I missed all the fun with farting unicorns and the razor blades. Damn.... Thinking about you and looking under rocks. I may have left some innocents bleeding after my coffee detox this week. The one's maimed and killed during my nicotine free frenzy are compost by now. Forgive me for being a bossy britches but, go into town and reward yourself with tangerines and something special for you with all the ducats you have saved. Read this The Significance of Rewards Primal screaming helped me and may be your cuppa tea too..

Yay ! Congratulations on your eight months of freedom, Jo. Celebrate wildly.

I feel GREAT. Sometimes a vague slight headache and minor intestinal re-adjustments. Nothing to write home about. It was horribly rugged the first 4/5 ? days and I would recommend crawling under a rock for the de-tox but, damn....everything feels so much better and clearer, I am amazed. I am also taking my vitamins and getting added boosts. How are you PorkChop ? Really cranky, I would guess and maybe in a fetal position with a hot water bottle. Hang in there. Take your vitamins. Take walks to get innards moving. Remember this discomfort (ahem) is temporary. I'm sorry if you are hurting, it isn't a picnic, I know. It is worth it. S

Hey Give, You are learning new techniques in dealing with these situations. Techniques that will last a lifetime and be ever ready to assist you in any situation. I am so glad you are thinking ahead and protecting your beautiful, beautiful quit. Remember to take breaks from the mayhem. Walk away and clear your head. Breathe deep and slow. Stay hydrated and fed. If you have an urge remember HALT, pay attention to what your body needs. You know it isn't a smoke anymore. You don't smoke anymore ! Have a happy move. No doubt it will have it's stressful moments but, at the end of the day it will be a great accomplishment. Extra points for having a sos box of immediate essentials in sight at all times. Corkscrew, wine, water, band-aids, anti-b cream, peroxide, knife, extra keys, change of clothes, important papers, special treats ? You will know what to have in the sos box.

What splendid epiphanies, FarmGirl ! You don't smoke anymore. Ain't life grand !

I am on day 6 or 7. My innards have started to regulate themselves. Headache GONE. I feel markedly GOOD. I like this very very much. Also nice not friggin' stroking out. That would ruin anyone's day. Stewie ! There is light, lovely light at the end of the tunnel and it won't take too long, bebe. Hang in there my little pumpkin. My darling Pork Chop. My beloved Lad. Stay focused and be kind to yourself. S

I am grateful to all my teachers. Everyone I meet or see and every single person here has lessons for me. I need to pay attention and not miss anything. Thank you everybody. Sally

bump and a hello to Mel and Beacon too.

I am not shy about telling people they smell awful with cigarettes. I don't go up to strangers but, people I know I will certainly tell. Why should the truth be withheld ? To save someone's feelings while their obnoxious odor invades my nose ? Truth is just truth, it is not a judgement. pfffttttt.

Thinking of you, Pork Chop. Hope your belly and head are OK. I think this is my fifth day and the headache/cramps are subsiding with time and walks and heating pads. Yesterday, I had a Celebrex and was druggy happy nothing hurt at all. la la la la la la la. Today, nothing is hurting, poo-ing is getting better. I took laxatives and stool softener. Digestive tract issues and headache and IRRITABILITY are my main issues. I am relying on PeaceTrain's experience that everything is better without Caffeine. She does not lie. Hey Pork Chop ! You don't need no stinking caffeine anymore. Why just think of the beautiful temple, no SHRINE, your body is going to be clear of nicotine/caffeine/alcohol. Hang in there, bebe.