Just When I Thought My Smoking Problems Went Away....

Its funny, no matter how long I am off cigarettes, I can get a problem with them REALLY QUICKLY if I am not willing to deal with the issues that make me want to smoke. For those wondering, Fortunately the answer is "NO," I did not pick up a cigarette today but I did take half a Chantix. Could it be psychological? Probably. For those of you who have been following my journey, I have been off cigarettes for almost 8.5 months. On August 11th, it will be nine months with no nicotine replacement whatsoever. I did pick up those free SNUS packages for my sister who is trying to quit and thought about trying one but I did not. I gave them to her as I had planned. Do I think that made me want to smoke, probably not.

One of the big issues I deal with is anxiety. I don't know if I have ever mentioned it before but when I get really stressed out I get serious anxiety/asthma attacks. Most people don't know about it and I rarely discuss it. I had asthma since I was a little kid-- all that second-hand smoke from my mom's cigarettes didn't help me any. Anyway, when I started getting high and drinking, my asthma and anxiety disappeared for like ten years! When I got sober, I ended up in the ER room at about a year and a half clean. I really believe that asthma is partly triggered by people's emotional status and/or stress levels--(especially mine) and as crazy as it sounds, smoking cigarettes helped me deal with stress so I got way less asthma attacks even as a smoker.

The big question of the day is, how do you guys deal with stress and emotional upheavals now that you have quit? I am forcing myself to get dressed and go do a productive activity. Pay some bills, take a walk and then I will see how I am feeling later tonite. Thanks for listening as always.
Peace,
Diva

TAPERING off Chantix and other stuff...

Hi all:
Just thought I would post a quick blog to let you know how my tapering is going. Some days its really ok and other days when I get stressed I notice additional anxiety. I don't know if its because I am not taking the second pill or because I am going through a lot of life changes. I expected to have anxiety when I completely went off Chantix because I am a person who has naturally high levels of anxiety or can be on the high strung side when I am stressed! I am really chill for the most part and I think I brainwashed my self into thinking that smoking really helped me cope with stressful situations so how bad could it be for me? That was one of the big excuses I clung to so I could justify not quitting! The way I see it, I just need to incorporate something natural into my life to help me deal with stress in a more productive manner. Exercise is supposed to be really helpful in dealing with stress and keeping people on a more even keel without the use of chemicals. Just to let you all know, I am gearing up for next weeks trim down Tuesday. I will definetly have a slower start than I thought because I threw out my back and could not get an appointment with my chiropractor until Monday. Hope all is well with everyone! Send me some messages peeps!
Peace,
Diva