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1. tinalee

   

   26 posts
   Registered:
   24 Jan 2022
   02 Mar 2022

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   I have to try to tell myself I've made some progress since joining. I had a good streak of 7 smoke free days then another smoke free day. In between I relapsed.  I notice the days I don't smoke my chest pain goes away i don't need to nap as often and i have so much more time for my hobbies. The patch is my choice of nrt. 
   I live with bipolar with psychosis and generalized anxiety. In the past I self medicated but I am finding my mind clears right up when I am smoke free and I live in the present and am so much happier and calmer. My anxiety goes down. Otherwise I sit smoke and think too much.
   I just had a follow up with my dr. I have to see a heart specialist because I had an abnormal ekg .I also have periodontal disease. The stakes and reasons for quitting are high. I haven't been able to set a quit date and go without slipping or relapsing but I do enjoy the days I don't smoke more. To me this is progress in the right direction. I also care more about my hygiene and go walking on the days I don't smoke. I hope to keep plugging away at this. I may make another response in a week or so on this thread to update progress. Quit date is shaky still but I'm talking to a coach tonight.
2. dublinguy

   

   379 posts
   Registered:
   09 Dec 2021
   02 Mar 2022 in reply to tinalee

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   Well done Tinalee... keep trying your best and don't get bogged down by the slips. Everyone here knows what its like when we try to quit. The terrible 3's curse.. 3 days, 3 weeks and 3 months - always hard to get through.
   I had anxiety and psychosis too and I really think smoking was keeping me in those states for years. It certainly didn't help. Everything became a trigger to smoke and it was a pack a day habit, draining my energy, my health and my bank account.
   Talking to a coach is a great idea. And keep reading up on threads on here.. its so educational.
3. tinalee

   

   26 posts
   Registered:
   24 Jan 2022
   02 Mar 2022

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   Thanks . Yes I agree the smoking can keep us in those states of poor mental health. Thanks for all your advice so far. I am reading threads and learning a lot. 
4. tinalee

   

   26 posts
   Registered:
   24 Jan 2022
   06 Mar 2022

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   So far I have made it over the first 3 days. I had such a rough time on my relapse smoking 40 cigarettes approximately that day and walking around with a bandaid on to cover the stain that i just kind of switched my mind set. 
   I had to come to terms with the fact I'm an addict and kind of stop fighting it or as some people call it surrender 
   Not easy. I'm feeling emotions ranging from sadness to joy to anger but I have faith and hope. What I need is trust.
   The other posters on this site give me hope faith and trust that these urges will go away and life is better on the other side. Just need to keep trusting that despite what my urges may want me to believe otherwise!
   
   I feel healthier cleaner and I'm enjoying my extra time. Have to be cautious I don't spend too much time thinking or ill be driven to smoke as emotions are big triggers to me
   I'm thankful for learning not one puff ever on here
   Good luck to all quitting or thinking of quitting
5. emily, quit coach

   

   255 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   06 Mar 2022

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   Hi Tinalee, 
   
   Congratulations on 3 days smoke free! 
   
   It's not always easy, but I can hear how much your mind set has changed around quitting when reading your post. Keep staying focused on what you're enjoying about being smoke free. Those benefits can really help to keep you motivated. 
   
   All the best,
   Emily