My Quit Day on the Champix Journey...
I started my Champix journey on Thursday, 24 January, 2019.
The reason I chose to stop smoking is because I have had Pneumonia and a very bad chest infection in the last 3 months. At the age of 40 and after being a smoker for 27 years, 30 cigarettes a day (more if I go out drinking with friends) I realise that my health is deteriorating and decided to start living a healthier life. I have have cut down my alcohol intake by more that 75%, which will aid in my quit journey.
Today is day 10 on Champix and also my quit day. I chose to have my last cigarette, last evening (Friday, 1 February, 2019).
My experience leading up to my quit date on Champix:-
The first 5 days I felt nothing, but did notice that I had strange and vivid dreams. It seems that what ever is locked away in your subconscious mind, comes out in your dreams.
I also noticed that I was starving when I got home from work and needed to have a nap!
From day 6 after every cigarette I got that "smoked too much" taste after every cigarette. Again, starving when I got home and had a nap again!
From day 7 the nausea set in. Especially after smoking. Again, starving when I got home and had a nap again!
From day 8 I couldn't finish an entire cigarette and found myself extinguishing anywhere from half way to three quarters. Again, starving when I got home and had a nap again!
Dreams continue.....
Not as irritable as I thought I would be and have been in the past.
Cravings aren't too hectic.. Don't even think about smoking until someone brings it up!
Day 9, my final day of smoking! Rather excited to stop! Still cannot finish an entire cigarette.. Not that hungry today but did have to have a nap. Had my final cigarette then went to bed at 11pm.
Day 10, MY QUIT DAY! Woke up at 7am, had a cup of coffee, didn't think of having a cigarette until I saw the pack lying there! Although I must admit, it was strangely easier to walk away! My partner (who is a smoker and wanted to quit cold turkey with me today), couldn't fight the urge and went outside to have a cigarette. When he came back inside, I immediately smelled the cigarette stench and became VERY nauseous! It did not give me the urge to smoke myself, at all.
So....
So far, so good!
Thank you for your 10 day account!
After numerous Quit attempts lately, I am on a similar path as yours. I am on day 3 on Champix and by day 10 or eleven I hope that my desire to smoke is gone, Like you have described as the "smoked too much feeling" Because the Nicotine Replacement Patch/lozenge/gum and inhalers probably kept my nicotine receptors in my brain alive and the urges kept coming. It has been a major effort in determination and will power to abstain and it wore me down and i'd give in every time. I'm a $35 a day smoker like you and I like a drink (daily & too much)
I'm hoping this time I can become a non-smoker with Champix together with my willpower and determination!
I have to add that I have taken Champix well over 12 years ago and I was a happy non-smoker for 2 years until I stupidly took up the habit again
Thanks for posting, especially so early on your quit and think that your lungs will be thanking you already, not to mention your purse/wallet lol
Hi Quit2Live. That's a great outline for people to know what to expect on Champix. I wish more were so detailed , or even mention what method they use.
Champix seems to be working well for you. Hope you have been changing your routine and habits regarding smoking triggers. This change helps to keep you from relapsing later on. We have a relationship with smoking that needs to be not only changed, but accepted. The psycological part can only be done by you, not any quit smoking aid.
I am sure you know all of this if you have been here for some time, or researched about nicotine and quitting. It is still surprising however, how many are not aware of it. Just a reminder , that it takes your personal effort and determination to change things and remain a non-smoker.
Again congratulations Quit2Live, and please keep sharing!
Hey PuffNoMore and Others . I have a challenge for you.
Some of you spend over $1000 a month, up in smoke. I am retired on less....
Why not make 30 tubes of $35 and lay put them in a jar in front of your ashtray. Every day that you don't smoke you get to put $15 back in your pocket and put the other $20 in an envelope. If at the end of the month there is $600 you get to keep it, if not i will send you my address!
Winner Winner chicken Dinner... I love the idea. What do you think?
Hi Happiness,
Its no to your challenge (very funny)
I need the cash saved to pay off my $17,000 credit card debt! This debt was created over the past few years buying smokes to feed my habit. But I am banking on myself to do away with the habit this time!
Hi Quit2live,
I'm hoping your urges to smoke are just a fleeting thought now.
Or better still, you may not have any desire to smoke!
Stay strong & determined:)
lmao puffnomore.... maybe someone else is up to the challenge????
Glad you got a laugh and some more motivation. That is what i do....!!!
LMFHO, Go find someone else for that challenge Happiness
Quit2Live. How are you feeling today. Any chance of an update, since you brilliantly described to us what its like to be Quitting on Champix. Its ok if you dont want to, I respect and can understand if you need your own time to respond
Thanks for your original story, it is great.
@Happiness - Interesting challenge, but I will need to decline :)
@PuffNoMore - Here is the update you asked for
Day 10 - Quit Day!
It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be... I wasn't climbing the walls or trying to rip my face off at the thought of a cigarette. The urges came, but I think it was more habit than craving. You know what I mean? Like after a meal or with a cup of coffee, I usually had a cigarette. Now I just finish my meal or drink my coffee and feel odd because it's like something is missing! So, I decided to use my e-cigarette to assist with this. The liquid that I use had 0mg of nicotine, so its basically just flavoured vapor. It really helped because I do believe that it is all psychological now. Needed an afternoon nap again, dreams are still vivid, but not bad at all. My appetite has calmed down a bit too although I did have an upset stomach! Didn't smoke a cigarette at all!
Day 11 - WOW, I can breathe!!
If you're a smoker you know what I am talking about. That feeling you get when you try to take in oxygen but its difficult then you splutter with coughing... None of that! Yes, I have a residual cough from my chest infection but nothing compared to when I smoked!
Surprisingly easy.. not what I expected at all! I am calm and when the urge comes, it passes quickly. Or I just use my e-cigarette to make myself a bit more comfortable. Had a nap again and vivid dreams continue, but like I said before, nothing too hectic. Appetite seems to be back to normal. Again, didn't smoke a cigarette at all!
Day 12 - Working from home!
Well, I didn't need to go in to the office which means I worked from hom and didn't have to deal with an hour hectic traffic to work and an hour hectic traffic home! So I had a relaxed day without any stress. A bit of nausea in the morning and evening (after taking the Champix) but it passed quickly. Stomach is back to normal. Still using the e-cigarette when I absolutely need to, to aid with slight urges. Had to have an afternoon nap (45 minutes), no aggravated mood at all, everything is normal! I seem to be a lot calmer on Champix. It really is keeping me grounded, although dreams continue... I don't feel exhausted when I wake up though.. I get enough rest!
Again, didn't smoke a cigarette at all!
Day 13 - Back to work - (Day 4 without smoking)
Well... today I was up really early - like 4:30am after only going to bed at 11pm last evening. My mind was racing with all sorts of things that were bothering me. Unresolved issues if you like! Remember my comment in my original post about subconscious thoughts?
I also had to deal with traffic for the first time since I quit, as well as additional work stress, yet I managed to take it all in my stride. Without Champix, someone would have lost their head (LOL)!
I must admit, I am battling to concentrate and focus... like I used to, but I am a lot calmer than I would have been if I had not used Champix.
Stomach was upset again this morning and I also had quite bad nausea - didn't pass quickly and I had to take something for it. But feeling good nonetheless. Used my e-cigarette in the traffic to aid with urges. Usually, during my 1 hour drive to work, I would have 3-5 cigarettes!
Smoke breaks at work were a challenge, I used to have smoke breaks at 10am, 12pm and 2pm - the urges came, but then I remind myself that I no longer smoke and had a cup of coffee instead. No napping today because I am at the office, but will see what happens when I get home later!
And that's the update so far!
And NO... I have not slipped up once! 4 days without smoking at all!
@Happiness - Interesting challenge, but I will need to decline :)
@PuffNoMore - Here is the update you asked for
Day 10 - Quit Day!
It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be... I wasn't climbing the walls or trying to rip my face off at the thought of a cigarette. The urges came, but I think it was more habit than craving. You know what I mean? Like after a meal or with a cup of coffee, I usually had a cigarette. Now I just finish my meal or drink my coffee and feel odd because it's like something is missing! So, I decided to use my e-cigarette to assist with this. The liquid that I use had 0mg of nicotine, so its basically just flavoured vapor. It really helped because I do believe that it is all psychological now. Needed an afternoon nap again, dreams are still vivid, but not bad at all. My appetite has calmed down a bit too although I did have an upset stomach! Didn't smoke a cigarette at all!
Day 11 - WOW, I can breathe!!
If you're a smoker you know what I am talking about. That feeling you get when you try to take in oxygen but its difficult then you splutter with coughing... None of that! Yes, I have a residual cough from my chest infection but nothing compared to when I smoked!
Surprisingly easy.. not what I expected at all! I am calm and when the urge comes, it passes quickly. Or I just use my e-cigarette to make myself a bit more comfortable. Had a nap again and vivid dreams continue, but like I said before, nothing too hectic. Appetite seems to be back to normal. Again, didn't smoke a cigarette at all!
Day 12 - Working from home!
Well, I didn't need to go in to the office which means I worked from hom and didn't have to deal with an hour hectic traffic to work and an hour hectic traffic home! So I had a relaxed day without any stress. A bit of nausea in the morning and evening (after taking the Champix) but it passed quickly. Stomach is back to normal. Still using the e-cigarette when I absolutely need to, to aid with slight urges. Had to have an afternoon nap (45 minutes), no aggravated mood at all, everything is normal! I seem to be a lot calmer on Champix. It really is keeping me grounded, although dreams continue... I don't feel exhausted when I wake up though.. I get enough rest!
Again, didn't smoke a cigarette at all!
Day 13 - Back to work - (Day 4 without smoking)
Well... today I was up really early - like 4:30am after only going to bed at 11pm last evening. My mind was racing with all sorts of things that were bothering me. Unresolved issues if you like! Remember my comment in my original post about subconscious thoughts?
I also had to deal with traffic for the first time since I quit, as well as additional work stress, yet I managed to take it all in my stride. Without Champix, someone would have lost their head (LOL)!
I must admit, I am battling to concentrate and focus... like I used to, but I am a lot calmer than I would have been if I had not used Champix.
Stomach was upset again this morning and I also had quite bad nausea - didn't pass quickly and I had to take something for it. But feeling good nonetheless. Used my e-cigarette in the traffic to aid with urges. Usually, during my 1 hour drive to work, I would have 3-5 cigarettes!
Smoke breaks at work were a challenge, I used to have smoke breaks at 10am, 12pm and 2pm - the urges came, but then I remind myself that I no longer smoke and had a cup of coffee instead. No napping today because I am at the office, but will see what happens when I get home later!
And that's the update so far!
And NO... I have not slipped up once! 4 days without smoking at all!
@Happiness - Interesting challenge, but I will need to decline :)
@PuffNoMore - Here is the update you asked for
Day 10 - Quit Day!
It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be... I wasn't climbing the walls or trying to rip my face off at the thought of a cigarette. The urges came, but I think it was more habit than craving. You know what I mean? Like after a meal or with a cup of coffee, I usually had a cigarette. Now I just finish my meal or drink my coffee and feel odd because it's like something is missing! So, I decided to use my e-cigarette to assist with this. The liquid that I use had 0mg of nicotine, so its basically just flavoured vapor. It really helped because I do believe that it is all psychological now. Needed an afternoon nap again, dreams are still vivid, but not bad at all. My appetite has calmed down a bit too although I did have an upset stomach! Didn't smoke a cigarette at all!
Day 11 - WOW, I can breathe!!
If you're a smoker you know what I am talking about. That feeling you get when you try to take in oxygen but its difficult then you splutter with coughing... None of that! Yes, I have a residual cough from my chest infection but nothing compared to when I smoked!
Surprisingly easy.. not what I expected at all! I am calm and when the urge comes, it passes quickly. Or I just use my e-cigarette to make myself a bit more comfortable. Had a nap again and vivid dreams continue, but like I said before, nothing too hectic. Appetite seems to be back to normal. Again, didn't smoke a cigarette at all!
Day 12 - Working from home!
Well, I didn't need to go in to the office which means I worked from hom and didn't have to deal with an hour hectic traffic to work and an hour hectic traffic home! So I had a relaxed day without any stress. A bit of nausea in the morning and evening (after taking the Champix) but it passed quickly. Stomach is back to normal. Still using the e-cigarette when I absolutely need to, to aid with slight urges. Had to have an afternoon nap (45 minutes), no aggravated mood at all, everything is normal! I seem to be a lot calmer on Champix. It really is keeping me grounded, although dreams continue... I don't feel exhausted when I wake up though.. I get enough rest!
Again, didn't smoke a cigarette at all!
Day 13 - Back to work - (Day 4 without smoking)
Well... today I was up really early - like 4:30am after only going to bed at 11pm last evening. My mind was racing with all sorts of things that were bothering me. Unresolved issues if you like! Remember my comment in my original post about subconscious thoughts?
I also had to deal with traffic for the first time since I quit, as well as additional work stress, yet I managed to take it all in my stride. Without Champix, someone would have lost their head (LOL)!
I must admit, I am battling to concentrate and focus... like I used to, but I am a lot calmer than I would have been if I had not used Champix.
Stomach was upset again this morning and I also had quite bad nausea - didn't pass quickly and I had to take something for it. But feeling good nonetheless. Used my e-cigarette in the traffic to aid with urges. Usually, during my 1 hour drive to work, I would have 3-5 cigarettes!
Smoke breaks at work were a challenge, I used to have smoke breaks at 10am, 12pm and 2pm - the urges came, but then I remind myself that I no longer smoke and had a cup of coffee instead. No napping today because I am at the office, but will see what happens when I get home later!
And that's the update so far!
And NO... I have not slipped up once! 4 days without smoking at all!
@Happiness - Interesting challenge, but I will need to decline :)
@PuffNoMore - Here is the update you asked for
Day 10 - Quit Day!
It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be... I wasn't climbing the walls or trying to rip my face off at the thought of a cigarette. The urges came, but I think it was more habit than craving. You know what I mean? Like after a meal or with a cup of coffee, I usually had a cigarette. Now I just finish my meal or drink my coffee and feel odd because it's like something is missing! So, I decided to use my e-cigarette to assist with this. The liquid that I use had 0mg of nicotine, so its basically just flavoured vapor. It really helped because I do believe that it is all psychological now. Needed an afternoon nap again, dreams are still vivid, but not bad at all. My appetite has calmed down a bit too although I did have an upset stomach! Didn't smoke a cigarette at all!
Day 11 - WOW, I can breathe!!
If you're a smoker you know what I am talking about. That feeling you get when you try to take in oxygen but its difficult then you splutter with coughing... None of that! Yes, I have a residual cough from my chest infection but nothing compared to when I smoked!
Surprisingly easy.. not what I expected at all! I am calm and when the urge comes, it passes quickly. Or I just use my e-cigarette to make myself a bit more comfortable. Had a nap again and vivid dreams continue, but like I said before, nothing too hectic. Appetite seems to be back to normal. Again, didn't smoke a cigarette at all!
Day 12 - Working from home!
Well, I didn't need to go in to the office which means I worked from hom and didn't have to deal with an hour hectic traffic to work and an hour hectic traffic home! So I had a relaxed day without any stress. A bit of nausea in the morning and evening (after taking the Champix) but it passed quickly. Stomach is back to normal. Still using the e-cigarette when I absolutely need to, to aid with slight urges. Had to have an afternoon nap (45 minutes), no aggravated mood at all, everything is normal! I seem to be a lot calmer on Champix. It really is keeping me grounded, although dreams continue... I don't feel exhausted when I wake up though.. I get enough rest!
Again, didn't smoke a cigarette at all!
Day 13 - Back to work - (Day 4 without smoking)
Well... today I was up really early - like 4:30am after only going to bed at 11pm last evening. My mind was racing with all sorts of things that were bothering me. Unresolved issues if you like! Remember my comment in my original post about subconscious thoughts?
I also had to deal with traffic for the first time since I quit, as well as additional work stress, yet I managed to take it all in my stride. Without Champix, someone would have lost their head (LOL)!
I must admit, I am battling to concentrate and focus... like I used to, but I am a lot calmer than I would have been if I had not used Champix.
Stomach was upset again this morning and I also had quite bad nausea - didn't pass quickly and I had to take something for it. But feeling good nonetheless. Used my e-cigarette in the traffic to aid with urges. Usually, during my 1 hour drive to work, I would have 3-5 cigarettes!
Smoke breaks at work were a challenge, I used to have smoke breaks at 10am, 12pm and 2pm - the urges came, but then I remind myself that I no longer smoke and had a cup of coffee instead. No napping today because I am at the office, but will see what happens when I get home later!
And that's the update so far!
And NO... I have not slipped up once! 4 days without smoking at all!
Thank you for the info and your account of Quitting with champix. I trust your still going without the smokes? Ive ditched my champix and gone it alone. Too much stomach upsets for my liking.
Good luck over the weekend!
It wont help me now, but is there any chance of an update. It might help someone else on Champix , TAH