Another update: 63 days up now!

Hi All,

Yes!  63 days up! The cravings are virtually gone.  If I think cigarette I quickly think YUCK and SPEW.  I might think cigi time 3 or 4 times a day at worst.  When I wake up in the morning I think cup of tea time!  Other triggers such us after a meal go without thought of a cigi most times now.

My approach to this was cold turkey as I had failed with nicotine lollies, sprays and patches in the past.  When I stopped with those I returned to the cigi's so I went about it with the "It has to be cold turkey for me!".  So far so good.

The hardest was the first 72 hours.  If you choose cold turkey then I say to you, If you can just get yourself past the first 3 days then it only gets easier.  The next 11 days you will crave still but not so badly I found.  Then after 2 weeks it gets even easier.

Champix was not for me.  My doctor said "Too risky for a person like you who suffers mental illnesses".  I suffer from schizophrenia and depression too.  

My problem is I have put on weight.  About 8kg over weight.  This is because I have substituted with lollies and other sugary junk.  Now that I have the 2 months up I am just starting to address the situation.  It's simple enough, no junk and when hungry eat healthy.  I  have good fruit to eat for snacks and I'm cooking healthier meals.  The weight problem is an issue but it is better than smoking I'm quite sure!  And I know I need to go on long walks too!

My reason for quitting is health reasons number 1.  I have high blood pressure and was told simply "Smoking is suicide for you.  You must quit."  I want to live!!  If I do spend my last days in a hospital bed then please let me not be addicted.  How badly would it suck being in hospital hanging for a cigi?

I live in Australia and we have some of the heaviest tobacco taxes going on here.  We can pay upto $20 for a packet of fags.  If your from another country you must be thinking unbelievable but it's true!!  I have saved a fortune 

I started when I was 15 and I am now 44.  29 years smoking for most of it.  This can be done.  It really can be.  If I can do it then SO CAN YOU!

Good luck everyone.

Wade