jlh...
I have been quit for a long time now. I struggled through about a year and a half of my quit. I would get so depressed, have all kinds of doubts about everything, and every time I felt that way I wanted to smoke. Finally, my doctor diagnosed me with depression. This wasn't easy for me to accept. As a matter of fact, the fact that he said I was depressed made things so much worse for me. I totaly withdrew from everyone in my life except a couple of really special quit buddies.
The doctor put me on medication, had to change the medication and I began counseling to help me get through the blahs and the horrible feelings I was going through. It has been quite a journey and it has been very difficult. I still have days that I want to hide behind the cigarette. You see, when we smoke, we use that as an escape or a way of feeling numb to reality. Once we quit, reality is right there waiting on us. Our addictive minds tell us that if we just smoke, we wont feel that way anymore. I don't believe that. I believe that I have come too far to turn back and go back to smoking.
Check with your doctor. Don't be stubborn like I was. If I had sought help sooner, I would probably be a lot farther ahead than I am now. I am getting there with help. Some of us need that help. At first I was embarrassed and ashamed. Not anymore because I am becoming a more complete person. The first step to a better me was quitting smoking. The second step was medication and therapy. It is quite a journey but we only have one life. Make the most of it. I hope this somehow helps you.
Lady
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/1/2005
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 586
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 11,738
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2051
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 52 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 39 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50
