KillTheCan.org Accountability Forum
Community => Introductions => Topic started by: Newcal on March 04, 2011, 08:26:00 AM
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Hello all. I took my last chew 14 days ago. I am so lucky I found this site. I was a chewer for 14 years. I gave a cowards effort to quit last year. Figured I would go with the committ nicotine lozenges. I was a fool. That turned into using lozenges at work and then dipping in the morning, lunch, after work. Ended up getting hooked on lozenges and kodiak.
Anyways. 14 days ago I decided to quit cold turkey. Woke up in the morning and just wanted to quit cold turkey. No dip no lozenges ..... nothing. I just want to get better. I am quitting for myself and look at every pain and moment of suffering as a step closer to feeling normal.
I am still in the fog. Is it normal to still be foggy after 14 days? I am constantly lightheaded when I stand up and I get spells of cold hands and the shakes. I am hoping this is all part of the process!
I look forward to providing as much support as you will give me.
I know I will not chew today!
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Welcome and well done so far. Is it normal...yes, no, is there a normal? Some of us will find our heads swimming longer and will covet that fix longer than it seems we should and others just brush the dust off and walk away from our killer friend.
My fist 2-3 weeks were rougher on me emotionally and mentally then I'd have imagined and yet physically not a problem at all. It's like my body realized this quit was real so it wasn't gonna ask but the mental and emotional side of me that used to control when and how much we were dipping have been in mutiny at times because other parts of me are making those decisions.
The quit decisions you've made in the last 2 weeks were the hardest and most important you'll make but they are done. They've made future decisions easier regardless of life's stresses you'll face at the time. Don't put artificial landmarks on your quit just know that you're able because you've chosen this path. Just enjoy the quit ride!
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Jaygib
Thank you so much for the reply. Really helps me. My fog is clearing. More only physical effect left is a constant shaking for the past 2 days. My body doesn't physically tremor, I just feel a shake inside me. Almost like a spasm throughout my body. Hoping this too will pass.
I have no desire to take a dip which is nice. Just want the shaking to go away!
Thank you again.
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We're glad you made the decision to quit the nic and grab control back into your life. Keep us posted on the shakes...I hope they get gone.
Keep up the quit!
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Welcome !!
Like you I found the site on my 14th day quit. I thought I was losing my mind. Turns out it is all pretty normal stuff. I am going to send you some information that will help. Check your inbox (1 ).
That should keep you busy for awhile. When you finish reading that wander around the site and read all you can.
Great Decision !!!
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Welcome newcal and great decision. You'll find this site to be instrumental on helping you stay quit. There are a lot of great folks around these parts.
Glad to be quit with you!
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Thanks to all who took the time to read my post and the time to reply. Very much appreciated! Cant wait to get all the bouts with Lightheadedness, tingling fingers and feet, occasional shakes and anxiety OVER WITH!!! All I have to do is not dip today, and life will be great! Thanks again guys!
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Thanks to all who took the time to read my post and the time to reply. Very much appreciated! Cant wait to get all the bouts with Lightheadedness, tingling fingers and feet, occasional shakes and anxiety OVER WITH!!! All I have to do is not dip today, and life will be great! Thanks again guys!
You're doing great, and it does get better. After these first few days of physical discomfort, the real battle begins: the one that doesn't end - the battle with your own mind.
Keep posting roll. Stay accountable. Don't let up.
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Fellow quitters. I am a proud member of the May quit group. I am currently on Day 44 of my quit. My craves are much fewer and I can honestly say, I am solid in my resolve to quit. WIth that said, I am not letting my guard down.
I am looking for words of wisdom from you all. I had the typical symptoms of quitting. I then had about a week where I began to feel better. This week, it seems that My ears have the full sensation again, Slight dizziness is back, the general fog is back. Fatigue is also back and I am feeling all around kind of depressed. Slight tingling in my hands at time.
During these times, it seems that many of us tend to think the worst about our condition. Something truly is wrong, etc. I would just like to know how you guys are feeling or felt during this time frame. My desire to want to feel better will continue to fuel my quit! I guess i am just in need of a little friendly support from some guys who have gone through or are going through this. I have no desire to begin dipping again, just want some support with these symptoms to put my mind at rest a little!
Words of wisdom are greatly appreciated!!
Happy to be quit with you all!
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I don't know if it's the support you're looking for newcal, but the sensation of my ears being full, a slight dizziness, fatigue and tingling pretty much describes what's been going on with me at day 47. Since day one I've had a kind of pressure on my temples and forehead and slight feeling of unreality. I could go on, I suppose, but thinking about these symptoms seems to make them worse. You have company, I guess is all I meant to say.
We're getting better; I'm sure of that - although it doesn't always feel like it.. Congratulations on the big 44. Quitting is becoming a habit.
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Fellow quitters. I am a proud member of the May quit group. I am currently on Day 44 of my quit. My craves are much fewer and I can honestly say, I am solid in my resolve to quit. WIth that said, I am not letting my guard down.Â
I am looking for words of wisdom from you all. I had the typical symptoms of quitting. I then had about a week where I began to feel better. This week, it seems that My ears have the full sensation again, Slight dizziness is back, the general fog is back. Fatigue is also back and I am feeling all around kind of depressed. Slight tingling in my hands at time. Â
During these times, it seems that many of us tend to think the worst about our condition. Something truly is wrong, etc. I would just like to know how you guys are feeling or felt during this time frame. My desire to want to feel better will continue to fuel my quit! I guess i am just in need of a little friendly support from some guys who have gone through or are going through this. I have no desire to begin dipping again, just want some support with these symptoms to put my mind at rest a little!
Words of wisdom are greatly appreciated!!Â
Happy to be quit with you all!
Hey May brother,
Though I won't claim to have any real words of wisdom for someone only two days behind myself I will say that my day 15-35 were a breeze.
I am still cruising along quite well but my excitement for the quit is certainly not as much; however, my resolve to quit is greater than it has been before. I don't want tobacco in my life, it has no place in my life. I have other things I could use the money on, most important is feeding and clothing my children.
The last 11 days have been quite interesting because I feel like I may have hit a solid "funk" a little early. I was never one that got intense craves rather bursts of mild ones that were debilitating. I am again experiencing this.
This time I have a greater understanding of what is going on. The nic bitch is no longer present, this is myself saying one would be OK. The thing is here, I notice that this is going to happen and I have to draw a line for myself. To much reveling in the "benefit" I would get from just one is the moment of planning a cave.
The second that those moments hit I stop what I am doing and think. During day 15-35 I would just keep moving and it would pass. Now I need to consciously stop and explain to myself what the hell I am doing..."I am the one that brought the thought in to my head, I am the one that must control how far this goes. One is not OK and will never be OK. Do you want to be a slave again or not?"
This has been vital to me because I kept thinking "I don't care if I think about Nic Bitch all day long because I now have control over her". So I would find myself thinking about it for extended periods of time because I was proud that I could. It's not her anymore, it's me alone.
Now I must control myself rather than the Nic Bitch. Which means I battle myself exclusively and I have unlimited control... I like it that way.
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Welcome to recovery.
Your body is healing.
This will pass.
Carry on.
BTW, that's a nice quit you guys got going on in May.
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Ahh the 40 day funk....this is the funk that was the worse for me and it really tried to sink my quit....so I called a vet (T-COPE) and it really saved me...it grounded me and allowed me to forge on in my quit. What you are experiencing is totally normal...if you need an extra number feel free to PM me.
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First off, I wanted to thank you guys for taking time to respond. I am always amazed at how guys on this site rally around a "guy in need". You all are busting butt on your quit, yet still have the time to help!
All of your words are appreciated and help. It is nice to hear from a couple of the May Quitters. We do have a great group.
I guess I just am having a moment of being a puss! It brings me comfort to know that this is a normal process. I am a guy who has had very good health, and now that I experience daily dizzyness etc... it worries me and i do not do well with worrying. This was the reason I quit in the first place. Wanted to quit worrying about the ramifications of dipping. The good news is that not once have I been tempted to go back to the can no matter how terrible and uneasy I have been feeling. This I am thankful for. This withdrawal will be my last!
Again, I appreciate hearing from members of the sight. You can read about withdrawal symptoms on websites all you want, but it is nice to hear actual people giving details. Especially comforting to me, since I have been in a 44 day fog, when "experts" say 3 days and you have it kicked! :)
Still would welcome any other quitters sharing symptoms!
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In the 40's I had some weird dip dreams. they still pop up every now and again. 40-60's were not bad for me. 70-80's were a little rough, and the fog came back for almost two whole days, it was terrible. It comes and goes, the main thing to remember is that today you are quit. You stated that in roll call, there's no way around that, you have to quit today, you gave your word.
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the funks definitely come and go. i still have days where i feel like i just quit yesterday and i'm nearly at 100 days quit.
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Newcal, I really had issues around the 50 day time frame, It was just a funk and it did pass but man was it rough to grind though. I even had some issues around the 80 day time fram but I can tell you at 100+ now I don't have bad days anymore I have a few moments a few times a week. This will pass, stay strong everytime you beat it back it comes back less intense. Feel free to PM me if you need anything.
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I'm having a rough go of it too man. Like Magnum said, the first 15-35 were a breeze. Now that the momentum is starting to wear off I feel the struggle starting to kick in full gear. The last couple of days seem to be pileing up and keeping quit with my May group is helping quite a bit.
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This is when the mental toughness kicks in. It is more important than ever to post-roll. Remember your motivation and why you're here.
Now that the fog has lifted, it is very tempting to think ahead...DON'T. Just focus on living nic free one day at a time.
You're probably having thoughts like "what if I had just one?" Fuck that...thoughts like that are the Nic Bitch's attempt to get back in your life. Never let your guard down...it could cost you your life.
Stay quit, brother.
- Bean
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Hello
I am a member of the may 2011 quit group. I have been kicking the NB for 142 days. During the entire quit I have had lightheadedness, fatigue, and ear ringing. I know I was poisoning myself for over 15 years and it is going to take time My doctor seems to think these could be symptoms of anxiety. Just curious if any of you have had to battle anxiety during your quit? Especially curious if this is common at the 140 plus day mark.
I have no craves and my quit is strong. Just having a tough time with anxiety I guess. Any words would be appreciated.
Glad being quit with you all!
Newal
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Hello
I am a member of the may 2011 quit group. I have been kicking the NB for 142 days. During the entire quit I have had lightheadedness, fatigue, and ear ringing. I know I was poisoning myself for over 15 years and it is going to take time My doctor seems to think these could be symptoms of anxiety. Just curious if any of you have had to battle anxiety during your quit? Especially curious if this is common at the 140 plus day mark.
I have no craves and my quit is strong. Just having a tough time with anxiety I guess. Any words would be appreciated.
Glad being quit with you all!
Newal
Yessir, I do consider myself to be one of the kings of anxiety. Since I've quit, there are times it's so bad I can't even sit down, I have to pace, and sometimes that isn't enough. I got prescribed Zoloft after my quit to help with the anxiety/depression, and it seems to help a ton. I HATE using medication, but it's the lowest does, and it really does help. I would suggest going to your doctor and telling him what is wrong, even if like me, you hate taking meds. That's probably not the answer you were looking for, but it's the best one I got brother. If you need anything, PM me!
Jeff
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Newcal when was the last time you had your blood pressure checked? Lightheaded and fatigue are signs of low BP. Also if you are getting cardio exercise (which i will continue to push on everyone) are you getting enough calories? wrt anxiety i pretty much wound tighter than MedStudent's poop shoot before an exam and can't say the nic had anything to do with it.
And way to kick nic bitch ass bro. Nice quitting.
I have ear ringing too. Funny to hear someone else with it. I have had my ears checked and they were fine. I have had my head scanned and never anything pressing on nerves. I have not found a reason.
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Souliman's advice is sound: get your blood pressure checked, eat right, and get plenty of exercise.
I was on Celexa for three months at the beginning of my quit. I was hit mostly with depression and insomnia. What you're describing could very well be related to your quit. Many quitters have struggled with anxiety.
It's not too difficult to understand why many of us get hit this way. While we were on nicotine, we were fooled by our addiction into thinking that nic was actually helping us through those difficult, anxious or stressful times. In reality, all we were doing was feeding our addiction. Unfortunately, that meant that we never really dealt with the issues that were causing the anxiety or stress.
When we quit, we are finally forced to deal with those issues and we are definitely out of practice. In short, we need to learn to deal with life's issues all over again rather than avoiding them by pumping our systems full of nicotine.
We also need to learn to relax. Nicotine had me fooled into thinking that I couldn't relax without a dip. It had me looking forward to the last dip of the day, when everyone else was in bed. I would fill my lip, sit back, and think to myself that now I could really prop my feet up. But, again, that was all a lie. All I was doing was satisfying the addiction. I certainly wasn't unwinding.
Finally, at your stage in your quit you are physically free from the contamination of nicotine in your body. However, it takes longer to recover from the psychological damage of the addiction. You are still facing issues, circumstances and triggers that once involved dip in your life, but now you are facing them without the dip. Generally speaking, I think it takes a full year of quit to get most of this behind us. Each season of the year brings with it new triggers.
Keep quit, brother. You will get through this and you will find life to be much better as you progress!!
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Watch your sugar levels as well
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Newcal when was the last time you had your blood pressure checked? Lightheaded and fatigue are signs of low BP. Also if you are getting cardio exercise (which i will continue to push on everyone) are you getting enough calories? wrt anxiety i pretty much wound tighter than MedStudent's poop shoot before an exam and can't say the nic had anything to do with it.
And way to kick nic bitch ass bro. Nice quitting.
I have ear ringing too. Funny to hear someone else with it. I have had my ears checked and they were fine. I have had my head scanned and never anything pressing on nerves. I have not found a reason.
Soulpatch hit it on the money. Same symptoms I experienced. Went and had my BP checked at it was 162 /110 (Yikes). You need to go ASAP and get this done.
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Hello
I am a member of the may 2011 quit group. I have been kicking the NB for 142 days. During the entire quit I have had lightheadedness, fatigue, and ear ringing. I know I was poisoning myself for over 15 years and it is going to take time My doctor seems to think these could be symptoms of anxiety. Just curious if any of you have had to battle anxiety during your quit? Especially curious if this is common at the 140 plus day mark.
I have no craves and my quit is strong. Just having a tough time with anxiety I guess. Any words would be appreciated.
Glad being quit with you all!
Newal
Newcal my anxiety levels are off the chart since I quit, but I found out that taking a 15 to 30 minute exercise session daily helps! Valerian supplementation for your nerves may also help , but do this after you retire for the night. Stay strong! I keep telling myself that it will pass, as my quit progresses. nico
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Hello
I am a member of the may 2011 quit group. I have been kicking the NB for 142 days. During the entire quit I have had lightheadedness, fatigue, and ear ringing. I know I was poisoning myself for over 15 years and it is going to take time My doctor seems to think these could be symptoms of anxiety. Just curious if any of you have had to battle anxiety during your quit? Especially curious if this is common at the 140 plus day mark.
I have no craves and my quit is strong. Just having a tough time with anxiety I guess. Any words would be appreciated.
Glad being quit with you all!
Newal
Newcal my anxiety levels are off the chart since I quit, but I found out that taking a 15 to 30 minute exercise session daily helps! Valerian supplementation for your nerves may also help , but do this after you retire for the night. Stay strong! I keep telling myself that it will pass, as my quit progresses. nico
This was a challenge for me, as well, and you don't hear much about it here. either we're 'special,' which is fine with me, or we're all tough guys with irreproachably sound minds. Either way, it's not helping you quit. I quit coffee and that helped alot. I excercised and that helped even more. Then, after about 4 weeks, I went to my doc and told him and he said 'Kid, This is pretty fuckin' important, this quit thing, so try these prescription meds.' i had a few and they helped a little. Keep it tight. It gets better.
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Thank you all for the responses. I checked my blood pressure. 126 / 86.
I have an appointment with my doctor to see what he has to say. I usually run for 45'minutes daily. I haven't run for past three weeks and I have had anxiety for these three weeks. Pretty sure they are related! I ran 3 miles this morning and will start firing it up daily.
Again, thank you all for the help. Sometimes it just is nice to know you aren't the only one going through something.
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Thank you all for the responses. I checked my blood pressure. 126 / 86.
I have an appointment with my doctor to see what he has to say. I usually run for 45'minutes daily. I haven't run for past three weeks and I have had anxiety for these three weeks. Pretty sure they are related! I ran 3 miles this morning and will start firing it up daily.
Again, thank you all for the help. Sometimes it just is nice to know you aren't the only one going through something.
Sounds like you're onto something here. Excellent quitting.