[paralleltangent]

This is my first post at Pelican...

I've been lurking for a bit and felt compelled to chime in on this thread. I've been off the cigs for 7 days, and it's nice to see others going through the same thing. Before I quit I was at almost a pack a day (much more when out for drinks), having smoked for most of the last 12 years (I'm 34). For the first week I used the 21mg patch, which I think was too much. I am now using the 14mg, and think that I'll exhaust the 2-week supply then just go cold turkey. Not sure if I really need the patch at this point, but I have them already so why not. I'm also chewing a lot of Wrigley's Spearmint gum.

Aside from sore jaw muscles from all the gum chewing, I'm doing OK so far. I still think I'd really like a cigarrette at times but I'm managing. What I've noticed so far as a result of stopping is that I don't feel it in my chest so much anymore when I take a deep breath (it used to feel 'heavy'), I don't have that lousy taste in my mouth any longer, I feel better in the mornings, and after a couple of days second hand smoke smelled bad to me as well. On the down side, I haven't been sleeping quite as well for the last week, but last night was an improvement, so I'm hopeful.

Good luck to all the others. I think it's great that you guys are supporting each other.