Betrayal

[Pinched]

Why is craving like a roller coaster? Somedays feels like a teetotaler (again), but some days are nasty. Today is not nasty, am talking about those bad days in between. Can someone explain?

It's like a roller coaster now, because you already went through the constant 24/7 onslaught of withdrawal that comes in the first few days. The craves should start becoming more predictable - certainly more manageable in terms of duration. I'm guessing that if you compared your average craves now to the ones you had back on days 2-5, they would be much lighter now. But, you've been running this marathon for a while. Even the short, quick hills are going to be tiring. This is fairly common around the 1 month mark. I tend to think of it as the first real post-quit funk. It's aggravating that after a long, grueling month of being quit, it feels like you should have "earned" your freedom from craves by now. Unfortunately, that's not how it works. It's just another tool that the nic bitch has at her disposal to try to lure you back to humping a can. She gets in a few quick body blows, hoping to soften you up, and then she goes back on defense. This dance goes on for a while, but it does get better bit by bit, day by day.

I have ways to nip her in the bud when she crops up. Wife's trust, daughter, my health, and two dreaded questions (which I don't choose to share here, but are like camera enforced red light signals for my self-esteem and conscience), and the list goes on... Thanks for the words of encouragement.

^^This is when you really start to understand the addiction. Knowing that there are tools there to help you through a craving is great, continuing to utilize those tools is critical. Early in my quit I got tired of hearing "it gets better", mainly because I was a raging addicted ass that just wanted the better to be now. In time it really did change, today I get cravings only when other triggers go off, then I either freebase some cinnamon candies or exercise.

Keep this kind of attitude and I will quit with you Every Blessed Day.

[wantmylifeback]

Why is craving like a roller coaster? Somedays feels like a teetotaler (again), but some days are nasty. Today is not nasty, am talking about those bad days in between. Can someone explain?

It's like a roller coaster now, because you already went through the constant 24/7 onslaught of withdrawal that comes in the first few days. The craves should start becoming more predictable - certainly more manageable in terms of duration. I'm guessing that if you compared your average craves now to the ones you had back on days 2-5, they would be much lighter now. But, you've been running this marathon for a while. Even the short, quick hills are going to be tiring. This is fairly common around the 1 month mark. I tend to think of it as the first real post-quit funk. It's aggravating that after a long, grueling month of being quit, it feels like you should have "earned" your freedom from craves by now. Unfortunately, that's not how it works. It's just another tool that the nic bitch has at her disposal to try to lure you back to humping a can. She gets in a few quick body blows, hoping to soften you up, and then she goes back on defense. This dance goes on for a while, but it does get better bit by bit, day by day.

I have ways to nip her in the bud when she crops up. Wife's trust, daughter, my health, and two dreaded questions (which I don't choose to share here, but are like camera enforced red light signals for my self-esteem and conscience), and the list goes on... Thanks for the words of encouragement.

[wantmylifeback]

Day 17 - had my dentist (cleaning appointment). She cleaned up all the stains (nic, coffee, cabs, fats - and all that crap that builds up as plaq). Confirmed my ENT's conclusion that I am not marching towards the wall of cancer yet. Relieved, but again this is not a ticket for letting temptation win over me this time around. No turning back.

So after being here for 17 days (badass and well done) have you figured out yet who holds the key to getting your life back?

Obviously you don't get it............

What don't I get? Obviously I hold the key to getting myself back and therefore (over a period of time, my wife's trust) my life back.

[RAZD611]

Day 17 - had my dentist (cleaning appointment). She cleaned up all the stains (nic, coffee, cabs, fats - and all that crap that builds up as plaq). Confirmed my ENT's conclusion that I am not marching towards the wall of cancer yet. Relieved, but again this is not a ticket for letting temptation win over me this time around. No turning back.

So after being here for 17 days (badass and well done) have you figured out yet who holds the key to getting your life back?

Obviously you don't get it............

[Tuco]

Why is craving like a roller coaster? Somedays feels like a teetotaler (again), but some days are nasty. Today is not nasty, am talking about those bad days in between. Can someone explain?

It's like a roller coaster now, because you already went through the constant 24/7 onslaught of withdrawal that comes in the first few days. The craves should start becoming more predictable - certainly more manageable in terms of duration. I'm guessing that if you compared your average craves now to the ones you had back on days 2-5, they would be much lighter now. But, you've been running this marathon for a while. Even the short, quick hills are going to be tiring. This is fairly common around the 1 month mark. I tend to think of it as the first real post-quit funk. It's aggravating that after a long, grueling month of being quit, it feels like you should have "earned" your freedom from craves by now. Unfortunately, that's not how it works. It's just another tool that the nic bitch has at her disposal to try to lure you back to humping a can. She gets in a few quick body blows, hoping to soften you up, and then she goes back on defense. This dance goes on for a while, but it does get better bit by bit, day by day.

[wantmylifeback]

Why is craving like a roller coaster? Somedays feels like a teetotaler (again), but some days are nasty. Today is not nasty, am talking about those bad days in between. Can someone explain?

[wantmylifeback]

Day 19 - so far, so good. Trying to focus on work and other personal stuff. I see the craving dying out on some days. Is that a myth?

Do you mean that you will crave less and less? Absolutely!

I recognize a crave for what it is now, think of how far I have come, and what will happen if I succumb to that crave. If it's a bad crave I send a text to 5 quitters, usually a text mimicking Bobby Cumbubbles, and that will be the end of that crave! Mind over matter, and using the tool will get you that +1.

If its a bad crave, I remind myself sweating at my ENT's chair (it was a cold 68-70ish office) when she said the salivary gland looked little bigger and different, but later confirmed it wasn't anything pre-cancerous or cancerous. 'bang head'

[Thumblewort]

Day 19 - so far, so good. Trying to focus on work and other personal stuff. I see the craving dying out on some days. Is that a myth?

Do you mean that you will crave less and less? Absolutely!

I recognize a crave for what it is now, think of how far I have come, and what will happen if I succumb to that crave. If it's a bad crave I send a text to 5 quitters, usually a text mimicking Bobby Cumbubbles, and that will be the end of that crave! Mind over matter, and using the tool will get you that +1.

[wantmylifeback]

Day 19 - so far, so good. Trying to focus on work and other personal stuff. I see the craving dying out on some days. Is that a myth?

[wantmylifeback]

Of course razd611. True that. Fighting nic bitch is something and Day 18 was OK. Sometime very strong cravings for sure, hands tremble, I gasp, etc... but I'm hoping it will die out with tons of water that I'm drinking and distraction (rather focus on life) strategies.

But "holding the key back to getting my life back" is a totally different ball game altogether. I want my wife back, and I can only win her by honesty - consistent honesty (the very reason for my username).

Thanks for the support. This forum is great.

[RAZD611]

Day 17 - had my dentist (cleaning appointment). She cleaned up all the stains (nic, coffee, cabs, fats - and all that crap that builds up as plaq). Confirmed my ENT's conclusion that I am not marching towards the wall of cancer yet. Relieved, but again this is not a ticket for letting temptation win over me this time around. No turning back.

So after being here for 17 days (badass and well done) have you figured out yet who holds the key to getting your life back?

[wantmylifeback]

Day 17 - had my dentist (cleaning appointment). She cleaned up all the stains (nic, coffee, cabs, fats - and all that crap that builds up as plaq). Confirmed my ENT's conclusion that I am not marching towards the wall of cancer yet. Relieved, but again this is not a ticket for letting temptation win over me this time around. No turning back.

[wantmylifeback]

Day 16 - nasty day so far. Not because of nicotine, but some other factors.

Pinched: My ENT is pretty good. She said if it doesn't heal up itself in 4 months, we might have to investigate corrective measures then. Hearing is within normal range and its more irritation and feeling of my head is inside a water balloon rather than hearing loss. Occasional pricking in the right ear, but not a huge inconvenience.

I am drinking lots of water everyday since I quit. Yesterday in particular I had 8 x 32 oz bottles full of water.

Skoal Monster: I am a big coffee drinker (4 cups a day typical). Exercise - really not my cup of tea, have tried but cant really be consistent.

I am not a long term chewer (few weeks / months each time, three stops and this is the fourth and real quit). I have read that the longer you do it, or the multiple times you restart it, the more difficult it gets to quit.

Keeping mind strong to say NO to nic bitch. Lets see. ONE DAY AT A TIME !

[Pinched]

Hey bud I too have suffered several ear issues but I can state that mine were not caused by my tobacco usage. When I was very young I had ear problems that just went away with time, but about a year ago I was on a flight from St. Louis to Detroit and my left ear drum ruptured, a good ENT can help remedy the problem quickly and I recommend looking for one that specializes specifically in Ears because not all ENTs are created equal.

And to add to Skoal Monster's sage advice I recommend drinking lots of water and when an urge, craving or a lull hits you break into some push ups, lunges or jumping jacks until they go away. That small bit of exercising will help and it may lead you down a path to a healthier lifestyle and options for outlets.

P.S. I too am 37 and was a long time addict before I saw the light and decided to commit back to my life in lieu of giving in to temptation.

[Skoal Monster]

Around two weeks is a little hiccup called the two week weakness, just ride it out and you'll be back out in the sun in no time. Nicotine constricts your blood flow making healing slower for your body so while not causing your puncture, it certainly inhibits you from getting better as fast.

how is your caffeine intake? nic counteracts the effects of caffeine so cut back if you haven't already.

Exercise can help as well- Take short walks during the day if you can.

Keep your blood sugar up and steady- a crash will lead to craves.


Your doing the most important thing in the world today. Your saving your life. That's your priority.

You got this

sM