The Giving Up Smoking Thread!! Part 2

Neenie_o

I used to be on this board all the time when I quit last year.... then I went and started again last August, like a fool! All I can say was it was the usual thing of getting drunk and having the odd cig, then feeling bad for cadging them off people so buying a pack of ten and smoking five, having five left in the morning and thinking "I'll just smoke these and then stop again" etc etc....

I renewed my effort late last year by trying to get the NHS into work again to start our "Quit Club" but nobody else would come with me until after Christmas\New Year so that's why it's taken me so long to get back on the wagon

Anyway, I've been given Champix this time instead of the inhalator - and it's like magic! I stopped Friday just gone, went out for a huge Chinese buffet and many many drinks for a close friend's 30th birthday and I didn't smoke (not even a drag!) and I was with a couple of smokers (including my lovely OH). I was also drinking on Saturday night (just a couple of glasses of wine) and it didn't even cross my mind to smoke!

I've been a bit tetchy these last few days with people close to me but I can only assume that that's the nicotine leaving my body - this is my first quit attempt where I've completely weaned myself of the nicotine straight away. In fact when I last quit I don't think I was totally weaned off the nicotine, ever!

Good luck everyone, I hope you're all on track - wish me luck too! I know I'll need it

tattycath

Hi. Just checking in to say it's been 2 yrs and 2 months (as of yesterday) since I quit smoking!!!!
Well done everyone so far-continued good luck!!!

choille

Started the Chapix this morning - so here's hoping in a couple of weeks I'll be fag free.

choille

Phoned up help-line number to be told there is no services in this area apart from going into boots the chemist in Ullapool.
I have tried for a week & went a bit loopy at the woman who I spoke to & told her it's pathetic - they shouldn't have a web site with numbers on if there is no service available. I have left my details with two places & no one has bothered to get back to me.
Sorry for the rant I just think it's shoody & said so to the woman on the end of the phone.

Neenie_o

Choille - Sorry, I'm on catch-up. Are you stuck without a counsellor in your area? Doesn't your doctors do a cessation clinic? I don't know how things work in Scotland so I'm not really in a position to advise, but don't panic, someone on here will know

choille

Apparently there's nothing in this area at all. I was a bit gobsmacked about that.
You have to go into Boot's the chemist if you want advise I was told.
Just as well there's this forum.

Neenie_o

Wow! That's pretty appalling! Try not to worry though - you'll be fine. I have found Champix has worked wonders for me. I try not to think about how it's messing up my brain chemistry though, and focus on the fact that after 14 years I have gone 5 days with no nicotine. I don't think I've ever done that before!

I imagine you feel pretty isolated but there are loads of people to talk to on here, so try not to worry!

xxxx

choille

Great stuff neenie - I'm really glad of this forum as it doesn't appear that there is anything at all here.
Does the Chapix muck about with your brain?
I only started this morning & have to take just one tablet these next couple of days & then onto two a day. I think it's so your body adjusts?
All the best
Determined to kick myself into touch!

Neenie_o

Yeah, it modifies the way your brain gets its hit from smoking - it blocks the receptors from nicotine and (I think) causes you to have a managed release of dopamine (the pleasure hormone that would be kicked out when your nicotine receptors are given their fix). It must all be linked but you'll go right off the taste and smell of cigarettes and you'll naturally cut down even in the days when you're told you should smoke normally - I went from a 20 a day habit down to 5 or 6 down to 0.

There is a huge list of possible side effects ranging from suicidal ideation to flatulence! I think that some of the depression that's listed in the side effects must be linked to stopping smoking regardless of method - I think everyone gets a bit of depression when they give up; well peaks and troughs at least.

The main two side effects I've had pretty much since day one are nausea (within 30 minutes of taking my first tablet, and gone within another 30) but that's alleviated if you eat breakfast (I don't ) and vivid dreams - last night about giant cigarettes, but about all sorts of random, scary stuff. But I can live with those if it helps me kick the habit.

I hope you're ok with it, after 12 days it seems like the best thing I've ever done

choille

I did feel a little queasy this morning but it didn't last.

Will watch out for the farting & the dreams - lol!