Sazerac

Yay ! Congratulations on your Six Years of Freedom, Bat. Hope you celebrate wildly !

I am so sorry you are feeling such anxiety, @Old Man Coffee Nicotine often hides other medical issues we have so, do not hesitate to consult a health professional with your concerns. Also, caffeine is known to stimulate anxiety and here is a post from our friend, Joel Spitzer, about Possible Changes In Caffeine Tolerance Due to BP issues, I decided to quit caffeine too a year, or so, ago. The withdrawals were physically difficult and I don't recommend cold turkey but, I am really glad to be rid of that addiction too. If you ever think about quitting caffeine, you may find this thread helpful. Caffeine Withdrawal On the bright side, I am so glad you are appreciating and enjoying your Freedom. You will see many more benefits manifesting as the months/years pass. Thank you for sharing your quit with all of us. Your experiences and successes are sure to inspire.

Congratulations on your 32 days, Joe. Your exuberance is contagious. Please stay vigilant and continue to reward yourself as you solidify your marvelous quit.

Saving The Dinosaur Trees

-6 hello darling nicotine free creatures

It is good to hear about your plan to ditch the gum after your studies. Excellent news. I think you will feel a whole lot better when you do. Try breathing deep, something that is always available to replace the crutch.

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

and from our friend, Joel, Resources Related to Facing or Avoiding Triggers

Congratulations, Old Man Coffee on your Three Months of Freedom ! How are you feeling ? How have the adjustments been going ? and Pedro ! Congratulations on your Three Years of Freedom ! Hope everything is going great for you.

I'm well also, Abby. V. good to see you. -6

-2 Hey, Abby ! Nice to see ya.

I am glad to hear that gum is not a regular thing anymore, S, and really happy that you have quit smoking. I know it hasn't been easy for you. Be mindful that every time you take a gum you are re-igniting nicotine addiction and you won't be experiencing the full health benefits that come with being free. I know you worry about your health, you may want to consider the effects of nicotine gum. You have been using for a while now. Harmful Effects of Nicotine and here is a list of the side effects of nicotine gum. Your 'bad moods' could well be caused by this. Increased blood pressure Fast heart rate Dizziness Insomnia Irritability Loss of appetite Indigestion / heartburn Hiccups Increased salivation Indigestion Nausea Vomiting Cough Gas Sore throat Oral irritation Dental

I think it is great how you are strengthening your quit by facing your triggers this way. You are outsmarting the addiction and giving yourself power. Remember to reward yourself for these actions, that will re-enforce the pleasure of your freedom. My whole lifestyle was one big smoking trigger. I smoked everywhere in the house and anywhere else I could. It was impossible for me to avoid a where and a when I smoked. Certain patterns emerged like waking up in the morning and lighting up. Another smoke making coffee. Another one drinking it. Many many many instances that I couldn't avoid. I had to change. I had to face my addiction, like all of us do. Facing my last trigger at 10 months was the biggest. I write about it here My Life As One Big Smoke Trigger

-1 having fun on the Big O, D'not ? How was the spanking ?

As an update, now at over Six years of Freedom, I haven't had a crave in years and years and years...haven't faced a trigger either. NOPE is permanently etched into my consciousness by using it as part of my wake up greeting of the day and I am grateful before sleep for my smoke free life.

Bemoaning odious xylophone

It is so good to see your NOPE ! NOPE-ly yours, S

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

are you calling on the chicks to get back here in the game ? no prob. -1

Congratulations on your 4 months quitting smoking this is a huge accomplishment. Are you still using nicotine gum ? How is that going ? How are you feeling ?

I encourage all our newbies to post a pre- response to their own potential SOS. This has been v. helpful when in crisis.

Found a song for our @jillar

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

-1

I was in complete denial over all health issues, thinking that I was bulletproof. Once I quit smoking, I was able to address the danger I put myself in and make roads to better health all around. This is why the Truth is so important to me now. Raw and unvarnished, Truth is not a judgement call just a collection of facts that deserve complete attention. Heart and Circulatory Diseases When we think quitting is tough, the alternatives can be devastatingly gruesome. The Real Cigarette Induced Roller Coaster Ride