Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms

Since I'm currently experiencing several of these, let me list the mental and physical symptoms I've experienced when quitting nicotine:

• Irritability
• Oversensitive hearing and skin
• Inability to concentrate
• Nervousness
• Depression
• Muscle tension

Sounds milder than the side-effects of some of the more heavily advertised anti-depressants.

Also, the nicotine seemed to hinder my RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). It's coming back, but hasn't gotten too sever yet (severe for me is having to get out of bed and walk around for several minutes).

Day 8 Feels Better

Almost forgot I was still addicted for a while this morning. That's a good sign. Slept in and blew off exercising this morning. That felt good too. Neck is still stiff, maybe a day of rest will let me get up and try again tomorrow. Weight is down a couple of pounds - surprised at that. Sailing tonight - will try to keep the number of beers below five.

Day 7 - Depressed

Day 7 not going so well. Spent Saturday and Sunday drinking. Monday was recovery, but could feel a lot of tension in my shoulders. Woke up this morning and decided I needed to go for a run. Somehow pulled a muscle in my neck doing pushups, but went for the run (more like a shuffle). First time running in several months. Body wasn't too happy with me, but I did a mile and half. Took some ibuprofen and extra-strength acetaminophen for the pulled muscle but it still hurts like hell and I still have a lot of tension in my shoulders.

Angry and depressed. But this is a sign the part of my brain thats addicted to the nicotine is realizing its not getting anymore. And its fighting back.

Past experience tells me it will be like this on and off for the next couple of weeks. Just have to take it day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.

I know I can do this, because I've done it before.