medication

Hi hibiscus - Champix worked well for me but it also seemed to cause a depressive episode so I just thought I'd warn you. I have depression anyway so it may just have been me. Anyway, good luck!

Hi Hibiscus;

Have you heard of or read Alan Carr's "Easy way to stop smoking"? I highly recommend reading or listening to the audio version if you haven't already done so. It makes you challenge all the reasons you believe you want a cigarette. After understanding each and every possible reason you think you want a cigarette is a product of having been brainwashed you will no longer want and therefor no longer crave for a cigarette.

It may seem with all the methods of quoting smoking that reading a book would be the least effective, but for me, it was like magic. It took me 3 or 4 times reading it and really grasping what the Alan was saying. I used the willpower method of quitting cold turkey and made it through a year being kind of depressed and miserable and continueing to have cravings. I refer to the state I was in as being an "ex smoker". Someone who has quit smoking but still believes they are being deprived. Once you stop believing you are being deprived of something, you no longer crave.

Finally, the last time I read and really absorbed the concept of the book, it sank in and allowed me to no longer want or crave a cigarette. This is a key concept that makes the difference between a smoker, an ex smoker and a non smoker. Make yourself think like someone that has never smoked before, someone that hasn't been brainwashed by the nicodemon that cigarettes "make you relax", or "help you concentrate" .

Hi hibiscus ,well done on getting a script . I had smoked for 35 years ,heavy and constant from 25- 35 per day. I am a shift worker so some days my days start at 5am and I am up until 9 am the next day and I smoked to keep me awake. The Champix has worked for me I have not really tried to stop before except 18 years ago for a couple of months but never had an abstinent day.

The Champix will stop you feeling enjoyment in smoking ,they will taste revolting.

You do still need to fight the craving/ brain tricks that the habit has left you with.

You have to think you are now a person who once smoked but not in your new life choice.

Don't beat yourself up if you slip ,stop again as soon as possible.Keep trying.

Be prepared the Champix will probably makes you feel upset in the stomach make sure you always eat before you have it(cancer would make you feel worse).Sleep problems like dreaming happen ,but all people who stop smoking report dreams and sleep disturbance. Mood can be low but when you lose an emotional crutch and a "friend" who has been with you it's normal to morn the loss. The upside is the Champix fills the dopamine receptors that cigarettes effect and

Lessens the cravings while you get new routines happening as a non smoker . Getting used to a life without smokes is big and exciting and scary when I come out from my cloud of smoke. I am weaning off 4 months of Champix now they have held my hand and feel I can go it alone now . Good luck and hang in there ,just remember to eat first👍

Don't do it! It will make you quit about as much as patches do - without the horrible side effects. The reports are no joke! Its a very dangerous drug. It resulted in me getting cancer 4-5mths after taking it. And the same for many others but the link isn't noticed. There are some reports from 2010 of aggressive cancers following use of champix. The depression, utter fatigue and suicidal ideation persists 6 yrs later. You need to work out WHY your are smoking beyond the addiction -ie. Energy levels, thyroid, stress, hormones - and address THE ACTUAL ISSUE causing your addiction. Natural is better and Allen Carr's book works - it will take you just as far on your quit journey as will patches and you won't sit there by yourself later regretting taking some drug that makes these money hungry pharmaceutical companies billions of $. DONT DO IT!

The drug causes permanent damage and changes to vital processes in the brain. It can't be undone like you can take a patch off. It takes up to 7-9years for your body to recover and replace all cells etc. Even then the damage can already be done. The TGA has received several documents questioning why there are not warning labels on the Australian version and it continues to be ignored and covered up.

Money talks. Don't be another regretful statstistic. These reports are REAL. Its extremely dangerous.