Tapering off the nicotine gum is hard

[Evelyn]

I keep crying. Many say just  throw it outta window but I'm here for an SOS to prevent me from smoking and thrpwing my gum away is FOR ME right now the dumbest thing to do.
i keep going round and round in my head that once I'm without gum, I can't do it anymore... I'm so scared.

[Tink]

Evelyn don't be scared take it a step at a time if that works for you, but accept each step and try and be positive about it even if you don't feel it at the time

 

Say To yourself over and over again ok I am at this next step, there are going to be times I am sad but I can do this and accept this as the next step soon that step will be the new normal

 

You are tappering off a very powerful addictive drug and are in withdraw, that's why people say to go cold turkey as these withdraws will only happen once, but on the tampering you will go through it at each stage, but for some people they mentally need that safety net and for you it's the gum

 

These feelings you have will get easier in a few days, try and handle it the best way you can, keep busy, keep posting, drink lots of water or herbal tea and juice, do breathing exercises

 

Nope

 

How about you write today's NOPE pledge

 

Xxx

[action]

Stay strong Evelyn! I know it's hard, but you've got past harder stuff recently... I know you can do this! Just do whatever it is that you've for to do to NOT smoke right now.

[El Bandito]

Morning Evelyn!

 

This is your mind scaring you! Make a sensible plan about tapering. Don't rush it. As you make the plan, do as T suggests. Get your mind used to it before you start the gradual reduction.

 

You are in control.

 

You can do this.

[action]

Evelyn, please pay a visit to the daily NOPE pledge this morning!

[Doreensfree]

His sweetheart....taper down very slowly....don't rush.....take it nice and steady.....

It'll ok at it positively...your ridding yourself of nicotine ....no matter how you do it....

Try not to over think......or look to far ahead.....one day remember....or even one hour....

You can do it....I know you can....

Hugs xxx

[Mastergardener]

Hi Evelyn,

I tapered off the nicotine lozenges, so I think that is a similar experience. It was not easy and I felt the way you do at times. I finally got fed up with the withdrawal and just quit the lozenges. And guess what, the withdrawal didn't get worse! Not to say it was, or is, easy but it didn't get WORSE.

 

You can do it, I know you can. One day at a time.

Karen

[Chrysalis]

Evelyln, have you considered switching from the gum to the patches for a while? In some ways, the gum is very similar to cigarettes. You remain addicted to the nicotine, of course. But when you finish chewing a piece of gum and throw it away, you start to build build up a craving for nicotine just like when you finished a smoke. The craving continues to intensify and you are "jonesing" for a fix until you chew another piece of gum. When you do, you get a "hit" of nicotine and the a-a-a-a-h of relief. All of this reinforces a dependence on nicotine gum just the way it did for cigarettes.

 

With the patches, on the other hand, you get a slow steady stream of nicotine. It's enough to minimize the withdrawal symptoms but not the periodic "hit" of the gum. Also, you eliminate the stimulus-response behaviors associated with gum.

 

If you are very sensitive to nicotine and really worried about withdrawal symptoms, I suggest that you switch to the patches for a few weeks or a month and then taper off them.  

 

[by the way, if you find yourself having "amazing technicolor dreams" while on the patches, remove them at bed time and put a new one on in the morning. I got some amazing dreams when wearing the patches at night and that disturbed my sleep.]

[bakon]

Weaning off is going to suck. Can't avoid it. That's why cold turkey is recommended. If it's going to suck then make it for shorter period of time. But if you want to do it slow. Embrace the suck. Learn to like the feeling.

Mind over matter. You know this already. We have been here 20 times before. Put Your big girl pants on and move!

[Sazerac]

I keep crying. Many say just  throw it outta window but I'm here for an SOS to prevent me from smoking and thrpwing my gum away is FOR ME right now the dumbest thing to do.

i keep going round and round in my head that once I'm without gum, I can't do it anymore... I'm so scared.

 

Evelyn- this is the point isn't it ? To Not do nicotine anymore ?

You will be free !

 You can replace gum with God.

Every time you have a crave,  turn it into a prayer, a praise, a joyful noise.

[action]

How ya doing Evelyn?

[Evelyn]

Still smokefree. I'm doing good!

[Sazerac]

Still smokefree. I'm doing good!

 

THIS is important...SMOKE FREE !

You are doing great.

You are doing REALLY GREAT !

(crowd cheers wildly for Evelyn)

 

Do you have a plan for getting off gum ?

It really is tortuous to be constantly in withdrawal.

You, Evelyn, do not need torture.

If Three Days can get you clean, maybe it is something to consider.

In Three Days

you can read a lot of Scripture !

 

I know nothing about Nicotine gum.

Do they make gum in lower doses ?  How does quitting with gum work ?

[Evelyn]

I'm thinking I can get off gum in 10 days maybe?

[Sazerac]

Is this by reducing the number of pieces you chew ?  A few less each day ?

[Kristin]

I can't offer much advice Evelyn, but wanted to let you know that I am cheering for you!! You can do this!!

[Evelyn]

Is this by reducing the number of pieces you chew ?  A few less each day ?

 

And minutes per gum I chew

[bakon]

too much math, make it easy 1 more day then 0

[jess]

I agree with Bakon..you have 72 hrs to get the nicotine out of your system..at some point you have to take the leap there will always be excuses justifications.. whatever..pick a date sooner rather than later. You can do this E!!

Jess. "Mess" :-)

[Sazerac]

Still smokefree. I'm doing good!

I'm liking this statement, Evelyn.

Whatever you do and however you do...this is the most important.  "Still Smokefree."

Hello to The Pigs.

Love,

S

[beacon]

I tapered off the patch. I was scared too and delayed for a month. Then I did it, took off the patch. After four months of quitting smoking. For two weeks or possibly three I had some light withdrawals. However, I had the skills and the contacts here to help me. Then I was done. No more nicotine, no more physical addictin, no more expensive patches. Freedom.,

 

I did chew alot of regular gum snd eat alot. But so what, no more patches. Now I know you can do this. Make a sensible plan, and see how it goes.

[Fay]

I was on the patch for 2 weeks and had gradually lessened the time I had it on in the day time (didn't wear one at night after 2 days as I didn't like the way it made me feel).  One morning after 2 weeks I decided to see how long I could go without putting one on and the rest is history.  I really think it gave me the push I needed to quit but after 2 weeks I was brave enough to go without one.  Evelyn, I know you can do this.  Yes, you will do lots of crying and getting angry but just work through each one.  Before you know it, all will be well and you will have freedom!

[Devil Doll]

Are you tapering them down Evelyn? Are you replacing the one that you took away with something else? Maybe a piece of regular gum our a piece of hard candy. 

[action]

Keep keeping us updated Evelyn, we like to know that you are OK :) And remember to NOPE :)

[Sazerac]

You are in my prayers, Evelyn.  NOPE hard, and concentrate on Freedom.