Gin,
I did the patch from start to finish...I think it was over about 8-10 weeks, but different courses are slightly different.
Now regardless of whether you are using a patch or not, you are withdrawing from nicotene addiction. As you rightly note, the patch takes a bit of the edge off it, but you are still receiving a much lower dose than when you were smoking.
There is no magic bullet, but the first 10 days or so are definitely the worst....and look you are already at Day 9. I would just urge you to hang on and do everything you can to just get through 1 day, or 1 hour at a time. Don't think too far ahead, just concentrate on 1 day and how the hours break down. I don't care what you have to do to distract yourself (I did washing walls and decorating!, and lots of sleeping, and lots of baths with nice smelly stuff).
MOST importantly, make sure you have something to look forward to for each day or week, whether it is a bunch of flowers, a bar of chocolate, an expensive sandwich that you would not normally choose. Whatever!
You are doing so great with those 9 days!
Lizzie :)
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B]4/23/2003
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 1682
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 25,230
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] �6,307.50
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 168 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 29 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37
-
Quit Meter
$9,454.50
Amount Saved
-
Quit Meter
Days: 847
Hours: 4
Minutes: 23
Seconds: 0
Life Gained
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Quit Meter
6303
Smoke Free Days
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Quit Meter
37,818
Cigarettes Not Smoked