Champix

This is my 3rd or 4th attempt at quitting. First time i quit it was for a competition, i just stopped with no aides, because a friend said she was stopping and i joined her. The first three days were the hardest and then after that it got easier. I quit for four years that time, but always felt like a cigarette, the craving never really left me, i was a smoker who was not smoking.

I quit again on nicorettes and again on Champix, both times got a few years up but it was hard going. I did however, learn a few things.

I learnt that for me the nicotine replacement didnt work, i felt like i was still smoking, without the drawing in of tobacco, but still getting the nicotine and still needing the nicotine, still addicted. The champix, i had taken for around a month, and felt like a failure because it should have been for 3 months. I felt so seriously depressed when taking them i wanted to die. I then read more about them and how they stop the seratonine being uptaked and obviously resulted in depression. I already experienced depression, this made it very much worse; so i smoked.

This time, i had a plan. I planned to use the champix for one week only, to be on anti-depressants and to stay focused on feeling better (mood) as i went along. This time, i did not stop abruptly, i simply took the champix and cut back as i felt i could. I was down to 5 cigarettes per day at the end of week one, with no effort at all. I then just stopped those 5 and the champix. It was much easier than stopping 30 per day. I have never really had cravings this time, no desire to smoke, it has been so much easier. I continue to be smoke free, i dont feel like an ex smoker, i feel like someone who doesnt smoke. I have no desire to smoke at all. I can breathe easy, exercise (if i want), live on a small budget (i dont drink or smoke) my handbag doesnt have to carry cigarettes so smaller, i can smell and i smell better, i feel calmer, sleep better, life is better, my adult children can come close and are not revolted by my smell.

My grandchildren have never seen me smoke! I have had a lot of holidays because of the money i have saved. This year i went to Thailand and Cambodia on a volunteer tour, it was great.