[beauflow]

Embarrassed but I need to ask to settle my curiosity (please be kind- I am going through much more than this but I am just wondering)

I have been taking the Lozenge since the 11th of this month, and horrible gas is a part of it and just tummy issues since taking it-It is almost like I am sick with a stomach bug or like "slight food poisoning" but not to that extreme of food poisoning-

I am not even taking the 8-16 lozenges a day as for the first 6 weeks as it says (1 lozenge every 1-2 hours it says)-- I have been taking 3 to 4 a day, when I really have the urge to smoke (not just the passing urge that I tell myself no, you don't need one- but the like I need a cig due to whatever).....

I can't use the patch due to it does something to my skin after wearing one for a day (I think I am allergic to the adhesive they use, skin will turn partially raw of where patch is) Plus I don't like the idea of trying to quit but having nicotine pumped in me all day at a low dose... And the gum I used one time for a short bit but it was upsetting my stomach, some what like what is going on with the lozenge-- But I did not stay on the gum that long either.... the gum was the worse for trying for me for some reason

I know it is only day 4 on this, and I have not smoked at all since being serious with this-- I am thinking of trying to tough it out with stopping the lozenges and just trying to tough it out.....

I almost had to come home from work, due to this current issue of tummy with lozenges... and it just started the day I took the lozenges and has continued- I don't think it is something else like food stuff or drink- nothing has changed in that, just the lozenges is new.

So -
Question1: anyone have gone through this = and did you find it manageable

Question2: Ideas on "cold turkey"?

Been trying hard, and been good- even been to the store a few times, and no purchasing of cigs been through a rough day Monday and at work, and no cigs! I know it is a short time,and I am not trying to pat myself on the back too hard--- but I really am determined this time around!

[Suki22]

that's awesome you've made it four days (five now?)! that's amazing. you're off to a very good start. I've never used the lozenges so I can't comment on that exactly. my question is, do you get a sense of relief when you take the lozenge? do you get the "ahh, yessss, that's better feeling!"? if so, then I would take them only when you really get edgy (you may already be doing that), if that's not too terribly uncomfortable.

I quit for nine years once going cold turkey--I pretty much scared myself into quitting. unfortunately I started up a year and a half ago. boo. I'm trying to get back to that place where I really, REALLY want to quit. sounds like you're already there and that's fantastic! congrats and keep up the good work--keep us posted!

[beauflow]

Yeah like the first few days when getting urges I popped a lozenge and it did seem to relieve a little but then I have to wonder if part of that was me focusing on keeping my spit accumulating (lol) but I am sure it was also the absorbing of nicotine from the lozenge too--

On a side note: I could not believe they want the first 6 weeks for a person to take 1 lozenge every 1-2 hours..... that means if you are up 16 hours in a day; you would be taking 8-16 of these things.... I know I smoked almost every hour but idk, just seemd a bit much, I want to get rid of nicotine in my body- not just supply it by a different means-
And I was doing as you had suggested just when I felt a real urge (not a passing, I want a cig but the one of I need a cig.. the bad urge of "need") so I was taking 3-5 a day (which sort of surprises me)...... Then On the night of the 14th into the 15th (I work nights so this can be confusing) but I did not take any lozenges- Mainly due to the tummy issues and I don't want to be farting all day - and today (15th into the 16th) I have not taken any either-- I was thinking maybe just go cold turkey and my tummy is a lot better now-- yeah it sucks but oh well... I need to quit

Yeah me too with scaring myself with it, the Doctor on the 7th scared me... I don't want to be on oxygen at 30. If my cough does not get better here soon, she wants x-rays,..... i don't like this at all... I am 25.. Too young to be worrying about cancer or stuff like this right-- but then again, I have been smoking 7-8 years with asthma..with other bad influences from the past as well.... blah...

IDK-- I was an addict to coke, meth, and weed at points of my life as well--Or just the simple fact of getting high off of any thing- I know this may be lying to myself in ways but I keep telling myself the Cigs will be like those-- I still have urges to go get messed up or high these days, but i don't.. I stay sober..... I keep telling myself with the urge to smoke is the same thing, and with the drugs I don't get them- so why with the cigs right .... maybe that is an odd mind set.. but lets see if it works.

I hope I stay on this no smoking path-- Cigs are so easy to get ahold of.... But I will try to remind myself why I am doing this-- I think i will do ok if they are not around me... (I have already had a mini-melt down at home, and some annoying things at work too--with not smoking, so I think I can do this (maybe?))

I wish I had strength for my boyfriend and I -- he has been smoking for 18 years, he has been trying to quit with me -- he has smoked 2 cigs since the 11th and I told him that even though that happened-- I am still proud of him- an 18 year pack a day smoker trying to quit and has done well

Suki22 I hope you well with stopping- I really do-- this is hard, but i am just trying to focus on the what I don't want and that smoking continuously will probably end up like that... IDK if that helps....

and yeah it has taken a lot of the wanting to quit smoking... I tried a few times before with stooping and did not make it close to a week for "I love to Smoke!", and this time around I am just tired... I am tired of being sick.. I am afraid of being put on oxygen.. I can't afford cigs plus a 235 inhaler with my regular inhaler... and cause-- smoking for the main part... solution- cut off the smokes

I have been reading more on cold turkey, and idk- make sense though, to take away the thing you are addictive to and stop- instead of feeding it to your body in a different form to "wing" off....... which for some makes with draws worse..

sigh---- lets see how I am in 4 months that is what I keep telling myself, but yet0-- just worry about today...

Thanks for the support by the way

sorry for the ramble... Cigs are like drugs-- i probably could talk for a long time on them