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Quitting NRT Cancel

1. zachary

   

   5 posts
   Registered:
   22 Nov 2018
   21 Nov 2018

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   Hi: I quit smoking about seven or eight months ago now, and when I did smoke, it was only four or five smokes in the pack and then I'd throw it out. I'm on the spray from Nicorette, and I think it's affecting my blood pressure, which is quite high. I want to quit the NRT. I wonder about my chances for relapse, now that I can't smoke in my apartment (it's a new thing), but I'm still clinging onto the spray NRT. What is the best method to completely quit the NRT, which I love now more than smoking, without going into cranky withdrawal? I feel that I've gotten over the hump of being able to go into the convenience store wanting to buy smokes, but I want to stay quit and not relapse. I've been told that some poeple need to be on NRT for years just to make sure they stay quit, but, again, I worry about my blood pressure and wonder if cold turkey is the best method or not. If you have help or suggestions, let me know. This is unusual in that I've quit smoking, but I want to make sure I don't go back there. Zachary.
2. efreeman75

   

   296 posts
   Registered:
   02 Apr 2018
   22 Nov 2018 in reply to zachary

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   Hi Zach
   
   It's a tough conundrum.  I can only offer my personal thoughts and experience.  I quit cold turkey.  While having a major nic-fit one night, my dear and understanding wife suggested that I should maybe try the Nicorette spray.  Off we go to purchase.  Instant relief.  Within a couple of days I craved the spray more than cigarettes ever.  Re-considered things, chatted with coaches here, and threw away the spray.  Couple days of hell, but kept myself distracted.  Didn't want to trade one addiction for another - I figured ultimately to be truly quit, you must be nicotine free. 
   
   Zach, you can wean yourself so far, but eventually you have to quit to be quit.  The fact that you're thinking such, likely confirms that it is time to suffer a little 'cranky withdrawal' to gain the ultimate freedom of beating this terrible addiction.
   
   Some people need the NRT for varying durations to ensure their quit.  If you're ready to take the plunge, we're all here to help and support you.
   
   E
   
3. emily, quit coach

   

   255 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   22 Nov 2018

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   Hi Zachary,
   
   First, congratulations on your quit! Seven or eight months smoke free is a huge accomplishment.
   
   For some people using NRT for an extended period of time is helpful to aid them in their quits. However, it is recommended to speak with your doctor if you have been using it for longer than 6 months. This may be especially helpful as you are concerned about your blood pressure.
   
   If you are feeling ready to come off of the spray it may be useful to track how many sprays you are taking a day. Knowing this can help you to get started on reducing the amount you use. If you slowly reduce you may experience less nicotine withdrawal. Or as efreeman75 mentioned there is the option of stopping all together.
   
   If you would like any support working out a plan or if you have any questions please feel free to call into Smokers' Helpline at 1-877-513-5333.
   
   Emily
   

   Last modified on 23 Nov 2018 09:18 by emily, quit coach
4. zachary

   

   5 posts
   Registered:
   22 Nov 2018
   28 Nov 2018 in reply to emily, quit coach

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   Thanks Emily. I agree with the above poster -- the spray was better than smoking for me. So I decided to quit it cold turkey on Saturday. I've had some insomnia and constipation since then, and this morning is being particularly rough for cravings, but I've gone four days now without the NRT, so I assume the physical addiction component is over with? Anyhow, thanks for your replies guys.
5. linda, quit coach

   

   146 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   28 Nov 2018

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   Hi Zachary,
   
   Congratulations on your quit! You are now seven or eight months smoke-free, it’s awesome! It’s a huge success! We are so happy for you.
   
   You have stopped using the spray four days now and you were wondering if the physical addiction component is over. We know that symptoms are usually strongest for the first few days and then dissipate over time. It seems like the worst is behind you. You have done a wonderful job! Keep moving forward in this way.
   
   The important thing to remember is that from the moment you stop smoking or using an NRT, your body will begin adjusting to the change and you might experience some symptoms as the nicotine is leaving your body. As your body works hard, be patient with it and remember that it is a temporary situation. Most symptoms will go away with time and they can lessen in just a few days or weeks. In the end, you will enjoy the benefits and freedom of being completely smoke-free and nicotine free.
   
   Zachary, you are doing something remarkable! You are smoke-free for several months and now, you are nicotine free, it is something to be really proud of – Way to go!
   
   We are thrilled for you and thank you for sharing your journey with us.
   
   Wishing you continued success!
6. zachary

   

   5 posts
   Registered:
   22 Nov 2018
   02 Dec 2018 in reply to linda, quit coach

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   Thanks for the encouragement and motivation. Eight days now. It's getting easier, I've noticed, though I still think about smoking when having coffee in the morning. However, I'm able to chase those thoughts away with "But I can't smoke in the apartment anymore, so what's the use in that." Anyhow, I hope I'm on the right track. I bought me some vinyl records with the money I save from the NRT and hope to increase my financial contributions to the church I go to with the money I would have spent on NRT which feels really great.
7. efreeman75

   

   296 posts
   Registered:
   02 Apr 2018
   03 Dec 2018

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   Hi Zachary
   
   I thought of you this weekend while I was cleaning my garage determined to fit a second car in there before the real snow comes.  I found a nicorette spray on a shelf that I had placed there 'just in case'.  It felt liberating to throw it in the garbage.  The only real regret was that it was that they are quite costly. 
   
   Speaking of money, I love your thought of increasing your church donations with the money you are no longer spending on NRT.
   
   Zachary - months without cigarettes and now more than a week without NRT, by golly, I do believe you've got this!
   
8. merline, quit coach

   

   129 posts
   Registered:
   12 Sep 2018
   03 Dec 2018 in reply to zachary

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   Hi Zachary,
   
   First of all congratulations !
   Eight days now and I’m glad to hear that it's getting easier.
   
   Remember to reward yourself for your progress. Rewarding is one of the most important things you can do to help yourself stay on track.
   
   If you have any questions or concerns about quitting, you can call Smokers’ Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 (toll-free).
   
   Keep us posted.
   Zachary you are on the right track !
   Merline
   
   
9. zachary

   

   5 posts
   Registered:
   22 Nov 2018
   10 Dec 2018

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   I am now 16 days without the NRT. The past few days have become really easy, don't miss nicotine a lick, and am really starting to truly feel like a non-smoker. Here's to hoping that I never go back to that crushing addiction! Hope to stay quit. 
10. efreeman75

    

    296 posts
    Registered:
    02 Apr 2018
    10 Dec 2018

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    Hi Zachary,
    
    So happy to hear that things are going well.  Isn't it enlightening to be a non-smoker? 
    
    The road ahead is so much brighter than what lies behind.
    
11. zachary

    

    5 posts
    Registered:
    22 Nov 2018
    28 Feb 2019

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    Just to update you all -- I'm now about a year since my last smoke and I'm now almost 100 days without any NRT whatsoever. It really feels as though I've licked this smoking thing for good. It doesn't even feel like I was a smoker in the first place. Any cravings I now have are pretty weak, and can be generally brushed off by delaying or going to get a glass of water. So I thought I'd follow-up and post this for lurkers to say, it's possible. If I can quit, you can quit because I once smoked four packs a day during my heaviest uses of nicotine / cigarettes. It's totally doable. It did take me about 15 attempts to quit, but the last attempt seems to have stuck for good. So, yeah, doable!

    Last modified on 28 Feb 2019 18:07 by zachary
12. atp

    

    501 posts
    Registered:
    31 Dec 2018
    28 Feb 2019 in reply to zachary

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    Zachary,
    
    Inspirational for all of us newer non-smokers. You must be so proud to be passing the one year mark. 
    
    I tried to quit many times before so fully understand the determination you speak of. I like how you mention you hardly feel like you used to be a smoker. That is something to look forward to. 
    
    BTW - Efreeman just posted a few days ago that he passed the one year mark as well! 
13. wandam

    

    241 posts
    Registered:
    05 Feb 2019
    28 Feb 2019

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    Congrats Zachary on how far u have come with your smoke free & nicotine free journey😀keep up the great work, you got this!
14. efreeman75

    

    296 posts
    Registered:
    02 Apr 2018
    01 Mar 2019

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    Hi Zachary.  Thanks for the update.  It is truly encouraging.
    
    The addiction can be beat!
    
15. nadia b, quit coach

    

    47 posts
    Registered:
    18 Jan 2019
    01 Mar 2019 in reply to zachary

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    Thanks so much for the update Zachary!! You are living proof of remembering to never to quit quitting!
    
    Nadia B.