Thanks Jenny, thanks Lisa. I too, think I will get off the lozenges at some point in the future when I want to and when the desire is genuinely there!

Lisa, that smoking dream was a dream, and you did not let it detail you from your quit, which is now at 100 days. That is awesome. It truly is. It is difficult and it is challenging to fight through strong cravings and urges, even when you are at 2 or 3 months quit. Last year I had quit the lozenges for 9 weeks, and then I let myself crumble on one of those days where... It wasn't really a physical craving, but more of a romantic longing for an old and dear friend. Unfortunately, I see them as that still. It puzzles me because I know that nicotine is not my friend, but I almost treasure them still.

Jenny, that is a positive way to see your suffering... That you just bear with it while keeping a positive attitude. After all, that is all you can do.. Orr are there any exercises or medications you can take. I will definitely be praying for you! You are so full of light and good humour! May God bless and keep you both!!

Hi Jerthie,

I think reminiscing about smoking is similar to thinking fondly about an apartment that had peeling paint and broken plumbing. Or a relationship that was self-destructive. A lot of things seem better in memory. I haven't dreamt about smoking in a while (though rarely remember dreams) but when I did, I was younger. I was in college, HS, it was 1995; it wasn't 2023 

Good night all

Hey Paul... I know nicotine is not a dear friend, but I really don't know how to quit. I appreciate your response. Maybe I can continue to just cut down. You are doing amazing. Keep that up!

Jerthie,

I have some things I can do when the pain gets bad, so that helps sometimes. I think a positive attitude and humor helps whenever possible. It’s just not always easy and sometimes doesn’t feel possible. I’ve had to apologize so many times to my family for getting snappy when pain levels are high. That’s not fun for anyone.

I’m thankful I don’t have wanting a cigarette every hour to add to my anxiety and irritability anymore. 

Jenny

Jenny, yes... Carry that not needing a cigarette every hour ad a serious saving grace. That is so huge! Love that you are so positive. Night

I got some upsetting news tonight and I thought about smoking .  One of those tsunami craves hit.   I didn't smoke and I don't want to be a smoker. Trying to get my anxiety down tonight.   Smoking won't change the situation.  

                                              Lisa 

Lisa... Good for you. And you are absolutely right. Smoking will NOT change your circumstances... It only exasperates your mood and your feelings towards yourself, as soon as you butt out. Smoking makes you more anxious and brings about feelings of despondence! I hope your situation resolves itself in good time.... And KUDOS to you for surpassing the tsunami!

Hello everyone, I have to say that I am not doing well with the lozenges. No, I have not smoked, but I am up from 5 a day to 10 a day. I am not sure what has triggered the increase, but I am more anxious because of it. I feel hopeless at times. I have almost zero stress in my life. Outside of my full time job, my boyfriend and my parents, who are in their 70s but still mobile and strong! I think it has to do with that image again... The image of the perfect woman who has it all... A great job, a great body, who can sail through the days with a strong and disciplined work ethic. A woman who is sweet and hard working, and all of that. I know that staying close to the forum and checking in everyday has helped me a lot in the past to stick to a personal commitment of 4-6 a day. I work with smokers. They all smoke on their lunches and breaks, and at times I have thought of bumming a smoke to get me through my shift. I had that feeling hit yesterday when one of them left the store to smoke. When she came back inside I almost asked her if I could bum a smoke. Good news is I didn't but I wanted to. I know that my pharmacist and my doctor told me not to worry about it, so for a while I didn't. But now that awful feeling of being hopelessly hooked and dépendent on an outside substance has returned! It is 1:30pm in Toronto. I have already had 4 lozenges. I told myself just 2 minutes ago that it was okay to keep going and that it is not a cigarette and just an innocent vice, but I can't stand the feeling of enslavement. I hopped on to the forum, and after reading Lisa's most recent post, hope leaped into my spirit! I don't want to keep disappointing everyone with my failed attempts, if I can just manage to go back to 6 today, which means only 2 more, I will feel successful. It is going to take effort, and I often wonder, will I ever be truly over the use of nicotine. Good day all.

My smoking dreams were so real that I had to question myself when I woke up to confirm that it was just a dream.  I didn't smoke.  Bummer is that in my dream, I really enjoyed the smoke.  Yuk, euw, plah.  

What a joke that is.  Smoking is not enjoyable at all. 

I must have been watching to many old movies.  Yuk, euw, plah. 

Jerthie,

I haven’t been here much and just saw your message. You actually wrote on my birthday, lol. 
I hope you’re doing better than you were when you wrote. I can’t imagine working with people who smoke regularly. I think I’m fortunate to be in California where there’s so many restrictions on where people can smoke. I used to be annoyed by that!

It sounds like the temptation of smoking has really crept up on you. It might be best to not worry as much about 10 lozenges if that is what helps you to not smoke. Get to a place where you can drop those another time. You just have to be ready to. For now, focus on not smoking!

Jenny