Finally made up my mind
Hi! I have been inspired by posts for a while now, and I finally decided to tell my own experience so far. I am 28 years old and have smoked for at least ten years. I have set so many quit dates I can't even keep track. I would hide that I smoked because I was embarrassed. (I work in the medical field) I would make up my mind to quit, and then procrastinate from there. I would look at my son and wonder if I would be here for him in the future. Cancer is a big thing in my family, and I have already had my first scare. So I went to my doctor and asked for help. I started taking Chantix and I cut down at first for a while. I no longer felt the effects of smoking, but had a hard time with the habit. I cut down to two a day, and then Friday, April 21st, I decided I was done. I am now on day twelve without smoking. I really feel this was one of the hardest things I've done, but best. I now know that I can do it!
Thank you!! I'm hoping to stop increasing my chances of cancer/other risks. I know I can never completely undo the potential harm I've introduced to my body, but by not smoking anymore I won't be adding to it. I feel I really only want one when my emotions are up. Angry/sad/mad. Emotions and talking on my phone. I just make sure I stay away from my front door when I'm on the phone. It's definitely helped. So glad I found this site. Seems that there is a lot of free encouragement here.
Hey Brandy,
You can do it and your making the right decision for your boy. That's my main reason for quitting is my son. It gets better day by day and week by week. I'm rooting for you. Best of luck.
Hi Brandy28. You mention cutting down to very few a day. After 704 days there is no way I can ever relax and have just one... In no time at all that would lead to a carton a week. I had tried to wean myself off the cigarettes but was kidding myself. After having "suffered" for a few days I would reward myself and straight away was back where I started. Hope you get inspiration from those on this site. Always comforting to know there are others who are on the same journey and posting here is rewarded And is an amazing safety net. You weren't born with a cigarette in your mouth. There are no excuses, though as smokers, many of us were experts in the past.
Thank you both! Lia the only way I was able to cut done was with the help of the medication. Anytime previously I tried to just cut down, something would happen and I would use it as an excuse to smoke more. I know if I ever pick up another one I'll be back to square one! It is definitely nice to hear from others that have stood where I stood.
Hi there Brandy and welcome.
Congratulations on deciding to quit. I completely understand what you mean about being in the (medical field) but then again, you're not on your own there. I used to be an inpatient mental health nurse for children and young people 12 to 24 years and I always felt so guilty when I came back inside but even then it didn't
Good luck with the medication. I know it as Champix over here. Haven't tried it because some of my daily medication interacts with it but I do know here in Australia, it has quite a high success rate.
Take care
Sorry meant to say that even then it didn't make me quit.
That teaches me for walking and typing at the same time lol
Hey Kim! Yes even knowing exactly what cigarettes were doing to my body didn't make me quit. I wanted to quit cold turkey, but my will power with nicotine was so low. It was very hard for me to ask for Chantix/Champix because I was scared of the side effects, but then I finally decided the risks of smoking were higher. I had some that doubted I could ever stop, and they are shocked now :) I send out a snapshot of how many days/hours every few days to let all my siblings know that I'm still going strong!
Hey Brandy,
Just checking in to see how your going with the Champix? Hope all is well.