Smoking

[dontdisstheteens]

I wondered if anyone would like to join me on what is going to be my LAST attempt to stop smoking? I have started champix today and pay to quit in a week or so. Anyone up for some virtual hand holding? I am desperate to quit successfully this time.

[scurryfunge]

Well done for making the decision.

Good luck. It will be difficult but totally achievable.

[KittyFoyle]

Good luck - I did it 7 years ago and LOVE being a non smoker. Now can't believe I ever smoked.

Put all the ex-fag money in a big pot and spend it on yourself when you get to Christmas. If you do it you will have deserved a big big treat.

Really admire you already.

[SmellsLikeTeenSweat]

I've recently started work in a Newsagents where I sell cigarettes. Most people buy papers/magazines but I've found that I can predict the customers who will ask for fags before they open their mouths - it's their skin that gives it away.

I'm an ex-smoker and I gave up 17 years ago. It's hard, but SO worth it. The first time I went to a party and, half-way through the evening, realised that no-one was smoking and also I hadn't even thought about smoking myself felt so liberating. I gave up, BTW, just by cutting down. Going from one a day to one every two days was the hardest bit!

Good luck, and take each day five minutes as it comes.

[AnakisT]

Good luck

I'm currently on Champix and although i haven't stopped i have cut down significantly.

The only advice i have is take the tablets with loads of water and don't be surprised if you have crazy crazy dreams!!

I really do want to stop and feel that Champix are helping just a bit slower than i thought.

[dontdisstheteens]

How long have you been taking them AnakisT? I have taken them before and it is almost the full two weeks before all the nicotine receptors are blocked. Then it is just the emotional dependence to deal with! Just she says as a frequent failure. I am going to do it this time though. Come on do it with me. My stop day will be next Monday unless I get strong enough to stop before. I am really quite scared which is ridiculous.

[desiretochange]

Best of luck with giving up smoking, I was on Champix last year and found all desire to smoke soon went away. However I suffered terrible nausea and mood swings on the tablets and had to quit them.
Really want to kick the habit but I think the only way I can do that realistically is by cutting down and hopefully cutting them out eventually.

[desiretochange]

Hope I didn't kill the thread:(
Managed to hold of on first cigarette of the day till 10 o'clock and am not exaggerating when I say that usually by that time I would have smoked a minimum of 6

[AnakisT]

I'm definatly up for quitting! I'm in my 4th week with Champix and i although i haven't stopped i feel i am losing the urge to smoke.

I had to work last night and i had a fag at 5, then didn't smoke till i got back at 9.30 which probably doesn't sound much but for me is huge!!

It is emotional smoking for me though i feel like i need to smoke and also my husband doesn't smoke which means he is a righteous twat not very helpful.

I'm a bit scared too, it sounds really stupid but other than when i was preg i've always smoked and it feels like part of me and i'm convinced it keeps me calm!

Monday is a good quit day!!!!

[desiretochange]

I understand completely what you mean AnakisT, smoking becomes such a part of you and your day to day routine, the urge to smoke will definitely pass on Champix.

[dontdisstheteens]

Ok Monday. Oh bugger. I have smoked for thirty years. I love it when people are shocked that a respectable mum smokes! You are right it is such a large part of my identity. My husband does not and never has smoke so again not much help! I really need to do it this time for lots of reasons. All help, hand holding and advice very gratefully accepted. I can't cope with telling people in real life!

[desiretochange]

When you say it in RL people nod their heads as if to say "yeah right", would love if they noticed I wasn't smoking and then be able to honestly tell them I haven't smoked in .... Priceless:)

[dontdisstheteens]

That is exactly it!!!!

I wonder how long it will take my man to notice? I bet it is ages despite all his grumbling!

[dontdisstheteens]

Feel lousy. Did not sleep and hot flushes almost continuous. I wonder if champix affects the hot flush thing - has anyone else found this? Oh well off to change the bed!

[desiretochange]

Did you have night sweats before you started the champix dontdisstheteens?

[dontdisstheteens]

Yes but las night has to have been at least five times as bad as ever before. It was the first time I took Champix in the evening. Hence why I thought there might be a connection.

[ilovehens]

I managed to stop by having an acupressure stitch put into my ear.....don't laugh, it worked, I'd been trying to give up for years. Had it done in Feb and haven't smoked since.

There's a chap in Hebden Bridge, near Halifax who does it. I think he's the only one in the uk who does this technique, but I might be wrong. It cost me £110.

[BleachedWhale]

I will.

I feel ready. I don't smoke much, just a few at the end of the day. But I don't want to be that person anymore, I see it as a bit repellent that I do it. I am putting money in a box every time I go to the shop where I would have bough cigarettes, and buying myself and expensive Calvin Klein bikini for next summer with the (evantual) proceeds. A financial incentive works for me.

I didn't smoke last night, and felt spiritually lighter, somehow.

[dontdisstheteens]

That is excellent Bleached, I bet you are pleased. It makes you feel strong and in control doesn't it?.

Today I am beginning to not enjoy the cigarettes as a result of the Champix. It is making me quite cross because I still want them but do not get the hit!

Thanks hens, have got your pm and will take a look.

[Aminata100]

Interesting thread! I am a smoker and the doctor gave me a prescription for Champix, (I wasn't there for that) but reading up on it on Wiki, I was horrified about the side affects! Including psychosis and suicidal thoughts I haven't even been to fill the prescription!

Being a single mum with aging parents to take care of there is no way I can "lose it" IYSWIM.

So, would love to hear people's experiences on it (some already mentioned on here), I am such a natural health type I might have to go to Hebden Bridge! or find my own acupuncturist here.

[dontdisstheteens]

Champix is horrid. I feel pretty lousy. But cigarettes are doing less and less for me each day. I have not felt depressed although very high risk as i am a depressive and on medication. The main thing that affects life fir me is a headache and definite worsening of menopausal symptoms.

Only individuals can weigh it up. I have to say I know three hardened (like me) smokers who gave up using Champix. Two of these reported nothing other than the weird dreams. I have to stop smoking. I have to give Champix a go. I have to make it work.

Yes, I need to keep convincing myself! How are the rest of you doing?

[desiretochange]

Champix did affect my moods, was really ratty with everyone, and had absolutely no patience, but I do agree that it's different for everyone because I also know people who took them and had no side effects at all. (and they are still off cigarettes 2 years down the line).

[desiretochange]

Meant to say this was definitely a side effect from the Champix not the expected withdrawal symptoms from stopping smoking as I had absolutely no desire to smoke when I was on the Champix!

[dontdisstheteens]

Desire. How is it going today?

[desiretochange]

Not too bad today, have found that with not drinking (Day 5 for me) the desire for smoking has lessened a bit as if I'm not drinking then I'm not sitting on my arse IYSWIM:)

[dontdisstheteens]

Oh dear! I am sitting here with huge glass of wine and sniggering at your comment! I have not done well with cigs today. Have been decorating, sanding yuck, and many cigarette breaks seemed a necessity! Oh well, quit day Monday.