sharonsiff

I can see now why I still am getting racing heart and palpitations. If the gentleman is correct and it can take up to two years for your physical body be back to pre smoking mode then that is fabulous! I can of course live with the two things, small price to be free of cigarettes, but at the same time is it wonderful to think that come June it could well stop.

I'm not sure on your question Evelyn. Do you mean you are suffering anxiety and is that part of the emotional withdrawal? This is helpful to as it helps folk sort the emotional from the physical Emotional Symptoms Anxiety Restlessness Irritability Insomnia Headaches Poor concentration Depression Social isolation Physical Withdrawal Symptoms Sweating Racing heart Palpitations Muscle tension Tightness in the chest Difficulty breathing Tremor Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Another piece I found that might be very helpful. http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/post-acute-withdrawal.htm Post-Acute Withdrawal (PAWS) There are two stages of withdrawal. The first stage is the acute stage, which usually lasts at most a few weeks. During this stage, you may experience physical withdrawal symptoms. But every drug is different, and every person is different. The second stage of withdrawal is called the Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS). During this stage you'll have fewer physical symptoms, but more emotional and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Post-acute withdrawal occurs because your brain chemistry is gradually returning to normal. As your brain improves the levels of your brain chemicals fluctuate as they approach the new equilibrium causing post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Most people experience some post-acute withdrawal symptoms. Whereas in the acute stage of withdrawal every person is different, in post-acute withdrawal most people have the same symptoms. The Symptoms of Post-Acute Withdrawal The most common post-acute withdrawal symptoms are: Mood swings Anxiety Irritability Tiredness Variable energy Low enthusiasm Variable concentration Disturbed sleep Post-acute withdrawal feels like a rollercoaster of symptoms. In the beginning, your symptoms will change minute to minute and hour to hour. Later as you recover further they will disappear for a few weeks or months only to return again. As you continue to recover the good stretches will get longer and longer. But the bad periods of post-acute withdrawal can be just as intense and last just as long. Each post-acute withdrawal episode usually last for a few days. Once you've been in recovery for a while, you will find that each post-acute withdrawal episode usually lasts for a few days. There is no obvious trigger for most episodes. You will wake up one day feeling irritable and have low energy. If you hang on for just a few days, it will lift just as quickly as it started. After a while you'll develop confidence that you can get through post-acute withdrawal, because you'll know that each episode is time limited. Post-acute withdrawal usually lasts for 2 years. This is one of the most important things you need to remember. If you're up for the challenge you can get though this. But if you think that post-acute withdrawal will only last for a few months, then you'll get caught off guard, and when you're disappointed you're more likely to relapse. (Reference: www.AddictionsAndRecovery.org) How to Survive Post-Acute Withdrawal Be patient. You can't hurry recovery. But you can get through it one day at a time. If you resent post-acute withdrawal, or try to bulldoze your way through it, you will become exhausted. And when you're exhausted you will think of using to escape. Post-acute withdrawal symptoms are a sign that your brain is recovering. Therefore don't resent them. But remember, even after one year, you are still only half way there. Go with the flow. Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable. But the more you resent them the worse they'll seem. You'll have lots of good days over the next two years. Enjoy them. You'll also have lots of bad days. On those days, don't try to do too much. Take care of yourself, focus on your recovery, and you'll get through this. Practice self-care. Give yourself lots of little breaks over the next two years. Tell yourself "what I am doing is enough." Be good to yourself. That is what most addicts can't do, and that's what you must learn in recovery. Recovery is the opposite of addiction. Sometimes you'll have little energy or enthusiasm for anything. Understand this and don't over book your life. Give yourself permission to focus on your recovery. Post-acute withdrawal can be a trigger for relapse. You'll go for weeks without any withdrawal symptoms, and then one day you'll wake up and your withdrawal will hit you like a ton of bricks. You'll have slept badly. You'll be in a bad mood. Your energy will be low. And if you're not prepared for it, if you think that post-acute withdrawal only lasts for a few months, or if you think that you'll be different and it won't be as bad for you, then you'll get caught off guard. But if you know what to expect you can do this. Being able to relax will help you through post-acute withdrawal. When you're tense you tend to dwell on your symptoms and make them worse. When you're relaxed it's easier to not get caught up in them. You aren't as triggered by your symptoms which means you're less likely to relapse. Remember, every relapse, no matter how small undoes the gains your brain has made during recovery. Without abstinence everything will fall apart. With abstinence everything is possible. (Reference: www.AddictionsAndRecovery.org) Recovery and Relapse Prevention Strategies For more techniques on how to get through withdrawal and post-acute withdrawal look at the pages on recovery skills and relapse prevention strategies. You can recover from addiction.

Oh I hadn't Wendy but it looks fab! Will likely make a purchase so I can compare ;)

Lol... That made me laugh ;) Seriously though, if you are likely and have history of forgetting (I can relate!) maybe a post it note by the kettle? I do this a lot ;)

I think you've hit the nail on the head there... The difference between 'normal craves' and 'dangerous craves' I can remember, now I think back, that once the thought of nipping to the shop came to me my heart would sink! as I knew it was just a matter of time before I did. I would tell myself, on day one " Sharon, whatever you do DO NOT even let that go to the shop thought enter your head, it will jinx you!" After watching the video I can see now how I got to that stage, as I'd not put the brakes on and dealt with the emotional stage.

This is also taken from his page. It informs us that most nicotine withdrawal is done by about 3 months, so hopefully that might help readers see that thoughts are coming from an emotional place, so you can take action on your self care. Withdrawal Symptoms Last? Nicotine is out of your body 72 hours after you quit smoking. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms usually reach their peak 2 to 3 days after you quit, and are gone within 1 to 3 months.1 It takes at least 3 months for your brain chemistry to return to normal after you quit smoking.2 The last two symptoms to go usually are irritability and low energy. In summary, most people start to feel better after 1 week, and the symptoms are usually gone within 3 months.

Well done my lovely... And with such class too xx

I couldn't agree with you more Chrys! I have mentioned before that I still have some sectioning of the day breaks, and at times have a long deep breathing session or two. I consider that my self care, as with it I just feel. So much happier in myself. I'm glad you like this video and thought it would perfectly tie in with your thread, and seemed to match your observations perfectly. Self care people... Self care!

I have added this video I found to Chyrs relapse post but I'll put it out here too. Explains the 3 stages of a relapse Emotional, Mental and Physical. This would have been a fabulous video for me during my first months and hopefully will be of use to others who may need it now.

The written version of the above video is here http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/relapse-prevention.htm

This seems a very good place to post this video

Congratulations Pippa xx

Well done Jess xx

I'm glad you're hear too and will look forward to your updates, your journey.

That's it in a nutshell Laura... Stay positive and keeping busy. Day 3 already! Be day 33 before you know it, then day 333. And if somedays you don't feel positive just offload with us Laura, we have all been there so know what it's like. A big fat WELL DONE on your current 3 days xx

Wendy, I did the same when I used Zyban.. No date. I even went up to the 14 days and felt no different. So told my nurse, at The Quit Smoking Clinic, and she said not to worry and just keep taking the tabs. I did and about 4 days later (it was. Thursday) I woke up and genuinely felt no desire for a cig whatsoever,would have thrown up. As you know I cocked up by testing myself weeks later! But the point is I understand you not setting a date, pressure free.

Mmmm am now torn between new brushes or the Alpha H liquid gold product. I currently use the No7 Overnight Beauty Boost that claims to have fruit acids. I do find this product helps my skin as I went two months of not using it and noticed is began to look a little less glowing, drab even. So the mentioned product sounds like the fillet steak version compaired to a T bone steak, that I am currently using. The reviews are very good, it's within my monthly budget so has anyone tried this?

Wendy, you know what stopped me reaching for a cig in the first 6/7 months? It was doing this every single day. On crappy days, on feeling fabulous days, and on nearly crying days. It gave me (and four others who had similar journeys) a totally safe place to express our true, raw feelings on how we felt each day. We had a laugh too and it turned into a bit of a Bridget Jones diary... It got all of us through and we still keep in touch via email to this day. So glad you're doing this That's great that you are not feeling light headed today Wendy. As you say the feeling might be it going to work on your brain. At least now, via the Stop Smoking Clinic, you can ask her about that. Do you go every week to see her?

Wow...

I can tell your serious about this quit and I am going to look forward to you daily (hopefully) updates and to be part of this exciting experience with you. I don't meditate but do practice very deep breathing and find it a godsend. As you say not to be hijacked anymore, and to be totally in the 'real you' mode is simply heaven.

Good for you Rooster... Very sensible choice.

Congratulations to you, well done xx

I had exactly the same thing happen too.. My mind and lack of understanding of how to manage it caused me problems too. I turned to a book, The Chimp Paradox by Dr Steve Peters and my mind is simply my good friend and not my enemy anymore. I'm not saying the book will be your sort of thing but if you do get a spare five minutes check it out. It was a case of following the doctors advise and taking anti depressants or giving this book a damm good go... I went for the book and it has turned my life around.

I've finally cracked how to use the 3D mascara! Remember I said I have short, pale lashes? Check out how the mascara works it magic!