Stories and experiences by: Solo

I'm so excited that today is one year since I quit, with the help of a wonderfully supportive GP, Champix and, especially the iCanQuit community. After 40+ years of heavy smoking, its amazing to be wheeze free, smoke free (both internally and externally), able to walk briskly, and being able to taste and smell.  Not to mention the money saved ($7,000!). Its taken a lot of willpower (I have...

Hi Everyone I'm now over 300 days smoke free, I can't believe it after 40+ years of smoking.  I see people smoking in the street and there is no rapport at all.  Not interested. My biggest battle is just starting  Last month I had surgery for bowel cancer and in a fortnight I'm starting chemo.  Today i saw the oncologist and learned what will be involved.  Its not a rea...

Hi Michelle, in 2 weeks time I will be nine months smoke free - after 40+ years of 20 or more per day.  I can't say I don't miss the smokes but that's just because its a habit, I don't crave them either and rarely think about smoking. Except, I'm scheduled for surgery in ten days for bowel cancer and have been stunned by the number of times the thought that a cigarette would be good ha...

I'm now 238 days smoke free, i.e. almost eight  months.  And its great, admittedly its taken a number of attempts but now I'm on track for my new life and have not been tempted at all (thank you Champix).  Except, there is a  non-smoking related health issue at the moment which will require surgery.  Hopefully not major, but hey, who knows with surgery?  Anyway, just...

So, here I am, 100 days smoke free, and most of the time its not an issue, don't think about it at all.  So why tonight do I wish I had a pack sitting on the coffee table?  Okay, so its been wet and rainy for a week, which is depressing as there is no outside time, but why this yearning for a cigarette - not a craving, more I really could enjoy one right now.  But at the same time...

Hi Fellow Quitters I'm thrilled to tell you all that as of today I am three months smoke-free!  I can't believe it, and am so proud to have got this far after 40yrs of heavy smoking.  For those of you just starting, please persist, hold strong to the thought you don't want to smoke, and, above all make sure by your quit date there are no cigs/lighters/ashtrays at home.  The first ...

Oh Gosh, Today I went to my GP for a routine appt, and to check in with her regarding further Champix.  She has left it to me whether to continue, but has urged me to do so as based on statistics there is a strong chance of relapse at this point.  But the really scary thing was she did a spirometry test (breathing test to measure your lung capacity) now that its almost three months off ...

Hello All Well, here I am, 72 days smoke free, and five days since I stopped Champix.  So far its not been a problem,  side effects (abdominal pains, numbness in hands) have gone and no cravings.   Then tonight, curled on the lounge, watching TV, thought "I really would like a cigarette"...where did that come from?  Wasn't thinking about smoking, wasn't drinking, just a ...

Hi Guys Did you read my earlier post re all the new energy...?  Well, its 8.20pm and after all that washing, soup making and gardening, I'm absolutely knackered. So my smoke-free self is off to a (hopefully) dreamless sleep ... Night all, sweet, cig-free dreams.

Hi Everyone I've been on Champix and am now 70 days smoke free, with no slip-ups - I'm amazed.  This week would have been the last week on Champix, but on Monday, with 5 days to go decided to cease it.  For the last 2-3 weeks have been getting periods of sharp abdominal pain and gas, and then last week both hands started becoming numb at night, badly enough to wake me from sleep.&...