day 18 smoke free
I decided to have another attempt at stopping smoking for the new year. I didn't aim for the date of Jan 1 as its always the same for me, try and fail so I left it a few days. I have had several quit attempts in the past. Stopping for as long as 9 months and as little as 1 year.
I tried patches and whilst they do take of the edge, I found i was still very cranky and the feeling of not being able to smoke and still wanting to left me feeling like there was a void in my life as crazy as that is!! I'm 31 and smoked since I was 16.
So finally on to the good part. I visited my doctor and discussed options and she prescribed Champix for me, I was a little dubious as I have heard all the same horror stories as everyone else, but I decided to give it a try. Week 1 of the tablets I had terrible insomnia and vivid dreams and nausea when taking the tablets. nausea disappears if you eat some food right before taking the pills.
As the days progressed I set day 12 as my quit date, by day 9 I didn't want to smoke anymore at all. I feel very lucky as since then no nausea, no insomnia and I have no desire whatsoever to smoke. I have no cravings I am not at all cranky and am generally a much happier person. I am also much fitter.. I am one of those craxy smokers who exercises 7 days a week and yet smokes (well used to!).
The 2 things besides Champix which i feel have helped me get this far are, not drinking alcohol (sucks at first but gets easier!) and the fact my best friend quit at the same time which is both an inspiration and also a challenge to keep me on the straight and narrow, furthermore we both sit inside away from smokers when out. I will drink again at some point I am sure but right now i feel so much healthier and happier (not to mention richer!) that I am going to roll with it for a while.
18 days smoke free and no intention of gouing back, my advixce stick with the pills for the full course, don't get complacemnt and think after a few weeks you are ok. Learn from previous attempts what your downfalls were and just avoid them for a while, exercise (it makes you feel great) and don't talk about it too much just get on and do it!
Good luck everyone!!!
Hi siempre1981, I am also on Champix. Today is Day 8 and my quit day is 8 days away. What made you not want to smoke? DId it not taste nice? Or, did it make you feel sick? Or - you just didn't want to, brain-wise? My concern is how you get used to idle hands..... I have zero energy for exercise now but am hoping WHEN I stop I will have more energy and wills tart again. Well Done!!!
Hi Leighdo, I got to day 9 and smoking just didn't give me the same satisfation and tasted differently, I was almost disappointed believe it or not when I had a cigarette i was willing it to give me the same hit!
That didn't happen so I thought to myself well, may as well just not smoke now. I had a full pack almost and just threw it away. I guarantee that if i had not thrown them i would have smoked them anyway. My advice dont have any ciggies on hand.
I didn't even get cravings after that and I feel so good not having my life controlled. I smell better, breathe better and been told i look better!
Good luck, you can do it. As fro the hands its easier than you think, use a stress ball, drink lots of water, chew chewing gum and eat fruit! I must admit I have developed a bit of a sweet tooth but it hasnt increased my weight as the empty calories from not drinking are now gone!