Introducing pat

[Funktronic42]

I am however now in this bit of a dark phase.  I think that I may be just generally unhealthy anyway but there is this current cloud of depression hanging on me lately.  Is this just another symptom of brain re-wiring?

Hey Pat!

Very normal man, the initial fog can last a month or so, yes it's your brain adjusting to all the new oxygen it's receiving!!

Your doing great, coming up on 2 weeks of freedom. Every victory makes your quit stronger. Stay the course, post early and keep your word. Trust everyone when they tell you it keeps getting better!

Depression, funks, dark days . . . they're par for the course in the early days. I spent days 20-29 looking like someone stole my ice cream and my dog. Unusual fits of melancholy popped up from time to time again after that, but never as bad as the 20's, for me at least. It took time, but those re-wiring induced funks slowly become less intense, last a shorter time, and come less frequently. Remember that your brain has been used to nicotine binding to a certain set of neurotransmitters (the ones that bind to acetylcholine) for a long time. That has caused some physical and functional changes that take time to undo, but your brain is adjusting (back to normal) right now. Just hang in there.

I'm no doctor though. If you're having really dark thoughts, or depression that lasts a long time, consider seeing an MD. But what you're describing sounds like normal quitter funk. If that's what it is, I assure you that it gets better.

Yes. Very normal and unfortunately very shitty.

Grind, get small. Day by day, hour by hour, even minute by minute if you have to. Things will get better.

Hang tough, bro.

That is good to hear. It has not been permanent the whole time but I have been prone to depression before. I might want to see a doc. Nothing super dark, though. I have not had any desires to hurt myself or anybody else. I will see how it goes for a couple days and think about seeing a doctor.

[srans]

I am however now in this bit of a dark phase. I think that I may be just generally unhealthy anyway but there is this current cloud of depression hanging on me lately. Is this just another symptom of brain re-wiring?

Ok,,, We have yoda who's screen name is FUNKtronic talking about the dark phase. Am I the only one seeying all this,, LOL..

Your doing great my friend. These were the worst part of the quit for me. I'm not one to get depressed, but yet I got really depressed, felt like the world was going to end as I Knew it.

These funks last a few days. Exercise and eating helps. I had a hard time exercising, but no problem eating. I good milk shake does wonders right after a medium well steak. Get yourself busy doing something. Sitting around is the worst thing you can do. Keep your mind busy doing something, anything. Glad to be quit with you.

[Mike from AB]

Yes, depression, and worse for me was anxiety, are both normal. But like OIB said, if it gets to be too much, get off to a doc  see what he says. I have meds now, which should be fairly temporary,  have wound up more at the doc  dentist over the last weeks than I have in the last decade. Don't be afraid to go use those guys to help put your mind at ease, because the mental game now is the toughest!

[Diesel2112]

I am however now in this bit of a dark phase.  I think that I may be just generally unhealthy anyway but there is this current cloud of depression hanging on me lately.  Is this just another symptom of brain re-wiring?

Hey Pat!

Very normal man, the initial fog can last a month or so, yes it's your brain adjusting to all the new oxygen it's receiving!!

Your doing great, coming up on 2 weeks of freedom. Every victory makes your quit stronger. Stay the course, post early and keep your word. Trust everyone when they tell you it keeps getting better!

Depression, funks, dark days . . . they're par for the course in the early days. I spent days 20-29 looking like someone stole my ice cream and my dog. Unusual fits of melancholy popped up from time to time again after that, but never as bad as the 20's, for me at least. It took time, but those re-wiring induced funks slowly become less intense, last a shorter time, and come less frequently. Remember that your brain has been used to nicotine binding to a certain set of neurotransmitters (the ones that bind to acetylcholine) for a long time. That has caused some physical and functional changes that take time to undo, but your brain is adjusting (back to normal) right now. Just hang in there.

I'm no doctor though. If you're having really dark thoughts, or depression that lasts a long time, consider seeing an MD. But what you're describing sounds like normal quitter funk. If that's what it is, I assure you that it gets better.

Yes. Very normal and unfortunately very shitty.

Grind, get small. Day by day, hour by hour, even minute by minute if you have to. Things will get better.

Hang tough, bro.

[OneImpressiveBall]

I am however now in this bit of a dark phase.  I think that I may be just generally unhealthy anyway but there is this current cloud of depression hanging on me lately.  Is this just another symptom of brain re-wiring?

Hey Pat!

Very normal man, the initial fog can last a month or so, yes it's your brain adjusting to all the new oxygen it's receiving!!

Your doing great, coming up on 2 weeks of freedom. Every victory makes your quit stronger. Stay the course, post early and keep your word. Trust everyone when they tell you it keeps getting better!

Depression, funks, dark days . . . they're par for the course in the early days. I spent days 20-29 looking like someone stole my ice cream and my dog. Unusual fits of melancholy popped up from time to time again after that, but never as bad as the 20's, for me at least. It took time, but those re-wiring induced funks slowly become less intense, last a shorter time, and come less frequently. Remember that your brain has been used to nicotine binding to a certain set of neurotransmitters (the ones that bind to acetylcholine) for a long time. That has caused some physical and functional changes that take time to undo, but your brain is adjusting (back to normal) right now. Just hang in there.

I'm no doctor though. If you're having really dark thoughts, or depression that lasts a long time, consider seeing an MD. But what you're describing sounds like normal quitter funk. If that's what it is, I assure you that it gets better.

[Jlud007]

I am however now in this bit of a dark phase. I think that I may be just generally unhealthy anyway but there is this current cloud of depression hanging on me lately. Is this just another symptom of brain re-wiring?

Hey Pat!

Very normal man, the initial fog can last a month or so, yes it's your brain adjusting to all the new oxygen it's receiving!!

Your doing great, coming up on 2 weeks of freedom. Every victory makes your quit stronger. Stay the course, post early and keep your word. Trust everyone when they tell you it keeps getting better!

[Funktronic42]

I am however now in this bit of a dark phase. I think that I may be just generally unhealthy anyway but there is this current cloud of depression hanging on me lately. Is this just another symptom of brain re-wiring?

[Mike from AB]

Good to hear it! I'm starting to see the butterfly effects I think too.

[Funktronic42]

Thanks Diesel, I'm gonna hold you to that promise because I believe it! Not just for being nic free, but I'm a big proponent of when you try to improve your life in one area it has great unintended consequences in more areas than just that one.

Yeah,

That is true. Already I have been experiencing butterfly effects waving out across the universe.

[Mike from AB]

Thanks Diesel, I'm gonna hold you to that promise because I believe it! Not just for being nic free, but I'm a big proponent of when you try to improve your life in one area it has great unintended consequences in more areas than just that one.

[Diesel2112]

I too have started to notice little moments when I can cut through the anxiety  stress  illness  notice that everything is just a little brighter, a little sweeter. I believe these guys when they say this only gets better! Congrats in walking into the smoke shop to buy the fake stuff. Thats where I know I can get it here too, nothing like starting out your quit  walking straight into the smoke shop, looking at everything,  asking for the fake stuff. That's the level of your decision  control you have over this. Quit with you today.

Of course it gets better, you jagaloons.

I was the biggest skeptic on this topic. In my early days when someone would assure me it would get better I would think to myself, "fuck you. It sure as hell better get better or I will hunt you down and reighn blows upon your face".

They were right. And I am too.

Keep up the good work. There's some beautiful shit coming up. I promise.

[Mike from AB]

I too have started to notice little moments when I can cut through the anxiety  stress  illness  notice that everything is just a little brighter, a little sweeter. I believe these guys when they say this only gets better! Congrats in walking into the smoke shop to buy the fake stuff. Thats where I know I can get it here too, nothing like starting out your quit  walking straight into the smoke shop, looking at everything,  asking for the fake stuff. That's the level of your decision  control you have over this. Quit with you today.

[Funktronic42]

The way I see it your on day 4. There is some quitting going on here.

Here is what you need to do. Buy you a ticket and jump on the next plain out to the Himalayas. There is a mountain there called Mount Everest. You've heard of this right?

Climb that mountain brother. All the way to to the top!! You might need a couple oxygen tanks, the air is quite thin up there I hear. I've personally never made this journey, but this is not about me. When you get to the top breathe in that freedom friend. Take a good look at the world without nicotine running through your blood, desensitizing your feelings and blurring your vision. You are now nicotine free. Freedom,, feel it, taste it and smell it.

Now,,, I understand that Mount Everest may be a little out of the question. If you can't make the trip just walk outside your front door,, it will do. The point is start noticing life without the poison. We weren't meant to be lead around by a can of dirt. Never again for any reason. I'm quit with you today.

I did that this evening. While at my girls soccer practice, the wind was blowing and there was a rain storm dancing around the valley and it just smelled better. Even through the fog the world seemed a little clearer.

It could have been all the caffeine I had... But I like to think that it was good old fashioned clarity peeking through the fog.

Everest may be a stretch but I do have Mt Rainier an hour and a half drive away. Three days of hiking can have me at the summit and back too. You may have an idea going there srans. Cheers to you.

[Funktronic42]

[

Read and re-read what Diesel said and point your head in the direction of that way of thinking. Post roll every morning, no nic for any reason, repeat.

"Then I fell off the wagon. I'm not totally sure how or why. I just did it cause I wanted to I guess."

Breaking free of addiction is all about exerting free will. Choosing to not cave in to your addiction is hardly different than choosing not to drink a cup of antifreeze, except that your addicted brain loves nicotine and will do its f'n damndest to try and rationalize "just one chew". Be on the lookout for the head games, and make the choice to win.

PS Eat all the damn chocolate you want and definitely pat yourself on the back. This shit is simple, but it sure isn't easy.

The energy I felt from the verbal bitch slap diesel gave was invigorating. A reminder that anything short of fanatic devotion to the quit will keep you quit. I'm looking on the forum today and seeing a lot of what I was doing (bemoaning my predicament) being met with less than a bitch slap. Then someone slapped. IT was great. That's what we all need from time to time.

Yesterday no matter where I looked in town I was not able to find the fake stuff. Any kind whatsoever. I knew they sold it in the smoke shop but wanted to avoid going there. Finally with diesels words ringing in my ears went into the poison factory and left with nothing but mint leaves in a can. I felt powerful. It was a risky move, borderline stupid. Maybe just stupid. but I took it and was rewarded not with fake chew but with the knowledge of knowing how much will power I have and how to control this bad boy. Once again. Thanks diesel.

Strong move walking in to a tobacco shop and coming out with no tobacco.

Just proof that you have the balls and "want" to do this.

Keep vigilant and keep struttin.

You feel a little wobbly and your strut feels off...come here and reach out. We will help you. Won't always be a bitch slap either. [/QUOTE]
The slap is only necessary when I truly seem to be acting like a punk. There are parts that are genuinely hard and genuine support is needed. It's just matter learning to know the difference in each other and in ourselves. It felt good to leave there and not buy anything but mint leaves in a can. And it made me mad that the smoke shop even sold it there.

I have seen it in other places since then but it is always next to the chew and it pisses me off. The temptation is strong sometimes and it makes me wonder how many people it has claimed. Makes me want to start a tobacco free chew store. and find a way make it profitable... Damn addiction... making people money. Assholes.

[Diesel2112]

[

Read and re-read what Diesel said and point your head in the direction of that way of thinking. Post roll every morning, no nic for any reason, repeat.

"Then I fell off the wagon. I'm not totally sure how or why. I just did it cause I wanted to I guess."

Breaking free of addiction is all about exerting free will. Choosing to not cave in to your addiction is hardly different than choosing not to drink a cup of antifreeze, except that your addicted brain loves nicotine and will do its f'n damndest to try and rationalize "just one chew". Be on the lookout for the head games, and make the choice to win.

PS Eat all the damn chocolate you want and definitely pat yourself on the back. This shit is simple, but it sure isn't easy.

The energy I felt from the verbal bitch slap diesel gave was invigorating. A reminder that anything short of fanatic devotion to the quit will keep you quit. I'm looking on the forum today and seeing a lot of what I was doing (bemoaning my predicament) being met with less than a bitch slap. Then someone slapped. IT was great. That's what we all need from time to time.

Yesterday no matter where I looked in town I was not able to find the fake stuff. Any kind whatsoever. I knew they sold it in the smoke shop but wanted to avoid going there. Finally with diesels words ringing in my ears went into the poison factory and left with nothing but mint leaves in a can. I felt powerful. It was a risky move, borderline stupid. Maybe just stupid. but I took it and was rewarded not with fake chew but with the knowledge of knowing how much will power I have and how to control this bad boy. Once again. Thanks diesel. [/QUOTE]
Strong move walking in to a tobacco shop and coming out with no tobacco.

Just proof that you have the balls and "want" to do this.

Keep vigilant and keep struttin.

You feel a little wobbly and your strut feels off...come here and reach out. We will help you. Won't always be a bitch slap either.