Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 5

Day 5 - Yesterday seemed to go smooth.  I can say as each day passes, the urge for a cigarette seems to diminish.  I find that writing this blog helps me to concentrate on the main goal, quit smoking.  I do have to honestly say that, I don't think quitting without the patch would have worked.  The patch has been the only thing that has worked for me so far and I am thankful that I actually found something to help me quit smoking.  Last night I did take the patch off before I went to bed and I slept really good with no dreams, so from now on, I will not sleep with the patch on.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 4

Day 4 - I am a day late in this post, but yesterday was another milestone for me as I completed 4 days of not smoking.  I have found that I have a little more thoughts of having a cigarette as the days go on, but I remain strong and continue not to smoke.  Anyone considering using the patch, one thing to keep in mind is you really have to want to quit smoking.  The patch does curve the cravings, but it does not completely remove the feeling of needing a cigarette.  When I start thinking that I really need a cigarette, I start thinking of the benefits of not smoking and by the time I am done thinking about that, I no longer feel the need for a cigarette.  That state on the box that if you wear the patch to bed as I do, you may have weird dreams.  This is true, I haven't decided yet, but I may stop wearing the patch when sleeping.  The dreams are pretty intense and beyond weird that it just may cause loss of sleep and that is not worth it because it will put you in stress mode which may in turn make you start smoking again.

One thing I have taken up is walking every evening with my wife for a mile and a half each night to help not thinking about smoking.  This has helped a lot in providing me fresh air and keeping my mind off of smoking.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 3

Day 3 - I am finding it a little easier each day to not smoke.  I still have my urges, but they go away faster know and I go on with my day.  Last night I had another weird dream, but I forgot what it was about after 5 minutes of being awake.  I thought there would be no way that I would be able to make it this long, but when you want something bad enough, you work for it.  I want to be a non-smoker, I want to be healthier, and I want to be able to do more with my family without getting winded because I smoke.  So far so good and we are working closer to another non-smoking day.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 2

Day 2 - Last night was a stormy night and was the first night I wore the patch while sleeping.  I had a weird dream, but it wasn't to bad.  Today was kinda harder then day one because I had more times throughout the day that I had the urge for a cigarette.  I just set my mind to I don't need it and I began to focus on something else and it got me through.  My wife and I both started the patch yesterday, so it is good to have someone doing this with me.  We went for a walk this evening to pass time and I think this will become a regular nightly thing, to take a walk.  This will help to keep us in shape while we work on quitting and so we don't have an issue with weight gain.  I am proud of myself as this is the longest I have ever gone without a cigarette since I started smoking.  Each day is a new record for me.  I can't wait till I am counting weeks and not days of not smoking.  My motivation is health and my family.  I want to live to see grand kids and be healthy enough to be able to play with them, take them for walks, the zoo, ball games, etc..  If that isn't motivation enough I don't know what is.

Quit smoking with Nicoderm CQ - Day 1

Today is day one of me quitting smoking after smoking for 24 years.  I have tried Chantex, Nicotine Gum, and Cold Turkey and all have failed.  I finally decided to use Nicoderm CQ patch starting with Step 1 and I have made it through the day which I have never been able to do before.  Follow my blog and my journey to becoming a non-smoker.  I will add a new post on my journey to explain what the affects of quitting is having on me.

Day 1 - It started off great, I got up at 6AM and took my shower to get ready for work.  At 7AM I put on my first patch.  I can honestly say, even up to now, I have not had much of a cigarette craving, but at around 2PM I was getting antsy.  I decided to chew on some gum at 2PM and that help decrease my anxiety of physically wanting a cigarette.  I believe the patch is doing as intended, because the craving for a cigarette is not there, but the physical side I will need to work on.  I will work hard each day to change my routine as a smoker to a non-smoker.

Update:  I wanted to come back and add this so you realize this is normal.  Any one starting to use the patch, do realize that where you place the patch may itch or burn a little when you first apply it.  This itch and/or minor burn goes away after about 5 to 10 minutes.  This will happen everyday you put a new patch on.  Also, make sure to follow the instructions and apply the patch to a hairless area.