The Giving Up Smoking Thread!! Part 2

Jamie88_2

Yes, Shimmershelly, I'm not sure about the higher dose already,I took my tab about 11 hours ago and still feel dizzy, starting a new job on Monday too. If I still feel queezy tomorrow I'll nip into the doctors and see if I can get some more 0.5mg tabs as it's important for me to stop but also important for me to have a job after the 1st day too!

kate2510

What is this Champix? It sounds vile!:eek:
We gave up 02.02.2007 using Zyban - I was up to almost 60 a day if I'm honest about it! The optician spotted signs of high blood pressure during a routine eye test and this was confirmed by the doc.
As I didn't have time to eat much as a smoker now I have stopped smoking I have gained 11 kg:mad:
Even this hasn't made me want to go back to the cigarettes although I would welcome some advice on losing the pounds.
NRT did nothing for me but Zyban seems to have switched off something in my brain and I only ever think about smoking if I pass some poor slave lighting up in the street. Not tempted even then.

Sue-UU

Jamie88 wrote: »

I've been an avid user of this site for a while now but never got round to registering, however, I desperately want to pack up smoking. I've been smoking for about 20 years (oh the money I've wasted!). Yesterday I took the plunge and went to my GP and today I have started a course of Champix to help me stop, no luck with the patches. I will find the time to scour this thread for inspiration but I wish my fellow quitters all the best.

A very warm welcome to the thread and to MSE Jamie! You've made a marvellous decision, one which will affect the rest of your life in so many terrific ways. In no time you'll feel a cleanliness that you've not felt for all the years you've smoked and it's a great feeling.:j Whatever you do, once you've quit keep looking straight ahead of you, never look back to the bad old days, they will have gone. Keep your eye on the goal ahead, it's so sensational when you reach it!!!

Like Graeme says; never, ever be tempted into trying one to "prove to yourself that you've beaten it", it's NEVER worth the risk of setting yourself back to square one as you'll hate yourself the moment you give in!

All the very best for quitting Jamie, we're here for you whenever you need help or if you just wish to vent your feelings, please do so.

Many congratulations on having quit for life kate2510!! :T You've come a very long way and done marvellously. Champix is a similar drug to Zyban, though with seemingly more side-effects, I don't know a lot about it personally, but some speak wonderfully of it's success for them while others just can't stick it. Worth a try I guess if you just can't give it up any other way.

Another day passed everyone, so another day's success to chalk up. You're all doing so very, very well. Keep viewing all the great things you're noticing since having quit, but mostly think of your health and your pockets!

Have a great Friday all.

Sue

mazza111

I am actually wondering if they still prescribe zyban for this. Might be worth while having a chat with smoking cessation nurse about this. The cravings for me this week have been terrible, it's been a very stressful week, so maybe that's what's doing it. Jamie, do u feel the nausea all day or .... a certain time after taking it? It might be a good idea to change the time of day you take it if it makes you feel so bad.

Jamie88_2

It was my 1st dose yesterday and I've decided to stop taking it already. I just feel that the increase is far too quick, after a weel you're on 4x the original dose. I also read up on it properly and the severe side effects are happenning and people have no recollection of them, that's not for me. My partner read too and also doesn't want me to take it, so back to the patches and severe will power!

SandC

I think for those of you who have stopped using champix or whatever it might be useful to do some reading to help with the cravings. The nicotine will not be in your body any more so unless you are using NRT you are not suffering from withdrawal. Your mind needs to be trained.

I found this site helpful:

http://whyquit.com/

Or you might want to buy the Alan Carr book.

It just seems that a lot of you are struggling with this aspect and whilst I still don't know how the Alan Carr clinic worked for me I have not had problems with withdrawal and cravings. It was actually an enjoyable experience to stop.

joop

Hi Jamie, I'm sorry you're not having a good experience with Champix. I gave up with Champix and must have been very lucky as I didn't have any severe side affects. It did seem to affect my sleeping patterns and I used to wake up very early and also have quite vivid dreams.

Personally it was a wonder drug for me. When I started taking it while still smoking it took all the neediness of have a cig away and by the time I was supposed to stop smoking (after 12 days), I was down from 20 to 2 a day and only smoking those because I was 'allowed'.

I have missed cigs, but in 5 months have only had 1 drag (from a butt that was left in an ashtray - eww!) when I was a bit drunk and angry about something else.

So many benefits in getting rid of those nasty smelly fags. Good luck everyone x

mazza111

Aww Jamie, that's a shame your not sticking with it. If you read the side effects to any medication you will be shocked. Remember not everyone gets all the side effects. I too have had to stop them, and had no recollection of what I did, but with proper supervision and being aware of your own moods can work, but good luck with the patches, I found apples and iced water work wonders when you have cravings on the patches.

I have to admit, I am missing the social aspect of smoking. Think that's doing me in more than anything. All my other colleagues are nipping out for a smoke, whilst muggins is doing all the work.

but anyhoo, another day...

Dreamingalound

Hi all,

Day 51 for me! i can't quite believe it! It feels like such a long time ago that i last smoked and it also feels like i've never smoked! very wierd feeling. I am starting to lose the weight i put on too which is great. My other half stopped smoking four weeks ago and is doing really well. Its nice that we are both now happy non smokers.
We booked an amazing holiday with the money we plan to save over the year, we can't actually afford to start smoking again and its a good incentive/bonus.

I hope you are all going well, keep going and keep being strong!

shimmershelly

Jamie, see if you can try Zyban instead. I quit successfully for a while on Zyban a couple of years ago, once again I had no cravings at all on them but also no side effects. Unfortunately I started again that time (hubby kept tempting me), but I would recommend them.