The Giving Up Smoking Thread!! Part 2

splishsplash

I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone on this thread, I've read it from start to finish and it prompted me to consider Champix, having failed to stop with everything from willpower (have none), hypnosis, acupuncture, AC (both editions of the book, clinic and follow-up clinics twice), patches, chewing gum, inhalators etc.

I started Champix and stopped smoking when I went onto the blue tablets on Day 8.

I cannot believe how easy it's been so far. If I think about cigarettes at all, I read some of this thread or some WhyQuit stories. I think it's only natural to think about them sometimes after smoking 25-30/day for 30 years, so it doesn't worry me, and now I find I'm thinking of them in a very distant way, with no feeling of 'wanting' one. In fact, I'm thinking of them so little over the past few days that I'm forgetting the evening tablet.

My Silkquit meter is running all the time, and gives me immense satisfaction, especially when I see the money saved. I've already booked a holiday for all of us in October, and will use cigarette money to fund a large part of it! I've also had the novel experience of booking a 'non-smoking' apartment for the first time ever!

So again, thanks sooo much for this thread, without it, I would have smoked 485 cigarettes and spent €209 over the past 16 days:eek::eek:.

frugalpam

Well done splissplash! :j:j:j It's great hearing people's success stories and it all goes to encourage the newly quit and those who are about to take that final step and give up the ciggies!
The freedom from this horrible addiction to nicotine is worth everything!
Keep coming back and posting your stats - it really does help everyone :T

Pam x

splishsplash wrote: »

I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone on this thread, I've read it from start to finish and it prompted me to consider Champix, having failed to stop with everything from willpower (have none), hypnosis, acupuncture, AC (both editions of the book, clinic and follow-up clinics twice), patches, chewing gum, inhalators etc.

I started Champix and stopped smoking when I went onto the blue tablets on Day 8.

I cannot believe how easy it's been so far. If I think about cigarettes at all, I read some of this thread or some WhyQuit stories. I think it's only natural to think about them sometimes after smoking 25-30/day for 30 years, so it doesn't worry me, and now I find I'm thinking of them in a very distant way, with no feeling of 'wanting' one. In fact, I'm thinking of them so little over the past few days that I'm forgetting the evening tablet.

My Silkquit meter is running all the time, and gives me immense satisfaction, especially when I see the money saved. I've already booked a holiday for all of us in October, and will use cigarette money to fund a large part of it! I've also had the novel experience of booking a 'non-smoking' apartment for the first time ever!

So again, thanks sooo much for this thread, without it, I would have smoked 485 cigarettes and spent €209 over the past 16 days:eek::eek:.

Sue-UU

Very MANY congratulations for persevering so well until you found the right way for YOU, splishsplash!!! :T It is such a great joy when someone like yourself, who just won't give up searching, comes here and says they've finally found what suits them best! You sound ecstatic at your accomplishment and we here all are too, as you can tell by the "thank yous" you've earned.

Welcome to the thread splishsplash, good to hear we were all so influential in helping you along, especially as it was enough to urge you to finally stop! We're here most times so if you want help or to just talk, just sing out.

I've never used one, but it sounds to me as if the Silkquit meters really do give folk the incentive to keep them going and it's so good to see. Keep your eyes on it and think of all your freeing yourself from with every passing day! Enjoy looking ahead to your holiday SS...you'll have deserved it.

Thank you so much for coming and telling us all about your success, keep it up and know we ALL wish you well!!

Sue x

It's so good to see you hear again Pam! Thanks so much.

Sue x

stephan1e_2

i am after some advice from other champix users/ex users had any side effects?
i am not one to read about the side effects unless something isn't right otherwise i imagine everything is up and i am the only person to have every single side effect so itds just best if i don't!!!
tostart with i got on with the drug perfectly all but a little eye pain well when the pain had me literally screaming in the middle of the night and taking countless painkillers i knew it was time to read up on the negative side of the tablet and sure enough eye pain was there now i had eye pain the day before i started the tablets but i do believe in was made 10x worse by chanpix and havingnot taken it for a few days today is the first day on not taking painkillers.
also itching my feet/ancles and bottom of my legs are red raw and still itchy, i cannot sleep because of the need to scratch-now nothing has changed from my normal routine washing powder is still the same and again the only thing i can think of is the champix now it may seem like i am blaming alot on this little tablet but since stopping the itchyness is becoming more manageable the eye pain has virtually gone away so do i put it all down to a coincidence or not? oh an itching is a side effect as well!!
so i haven't been taking the champix for a few days but on a positive note i have stayed smoke free!!!
so any words of wisdom from current or previous users of champix please speak up

stephan1e_2

for te newbies never watch mad men when you are thinking of quitting/have quit.
the only good thing about watching it when you no longer smoke is you a. disagree with all the smoking bull**** and b. you feel for the people supposedly coughing up their lungs not realising what is going to happen to them but then i guess it was the same for us

Sue-UU

Hi Steph, I'm glad you've come and asked about the problems rather than proceeded and risked your health. Firstly, I think you were very wuse in stopping the pills and waiting to see what happened. Now, I'm not a Champix user, but as you're on-line I thought I'd do my best to offer some advice. The problems most other users have are with nausea, as far as I can remember, none of them have ever described the kind of symptoms you're suffering. Coincidental or not?? Who honestly knows and there's no-one here tonight to answer that part.

To be certain of what's going on and whether the problems are related to Champix or not book an appointment with your Dr in the morning and IF the receptionist says he/she's busy - be sure and tell her it's urgent!!! IF you're not able to see him then go to the Cessation Nurse at the surgery and ask her opinion, but be sure to write down ALL the symptoms before you go so you don't forget any that might be VERY relevant.

IF, and I stress IF, you're unable to see either then please go to your local chemist and ask to speak with the Pharmacist.

One thing I have to remark on is that you seem to be coping remarkably well with quitting given all the circumstances! Praise yourself up Steph, be proud, and whatever happens with the pills, keep reassuring yourself that you're coping marvellously!! Try to get yourself some sleep now Steph and do try hard to see your Dr in the morning/afternoon or evening. Look after yourself and.....very well done indeed!!! Please let us know how things go.

By the way Steph, are you taking any other medication for your other health problems that might be conflicting with the Champix? Another one for your Dr if you are!

Love and best wishes for now, Sue x

stephan1e_2

hi sue thanks for the reply, other meds are propranolol for migranies, and asprin and persantin *to touch wood* stop me from having another stroke i know i should see my doc but i see enough of them but trust me will see my pharmasist, anyway i am off to bed really need a ciggerette tonight and i have had a drink so i guess that means i shouldn't drink until i am more cabable in my new smober life!!

choille

Hi Stephan - Good for you stopping smoking. That is wonderful.

I started on Champix & had to stop because of side effects. I couldn't sleep.

I contacted the smoking cessation clinic & was told to cut them down slowly as there is a withdrawal - yikes.

I, like you, was determined to suceed - & here I am over 6 months later smoke free.

All the best

larmy16

Hi Splishsplash and Stephan, all the best to you both, just take it day by day and before you know it you will be 1 year and 4 months down the line!

I only know 1 smoker now within my circle of people I mix with. I have never been a holier than thou, but I have to admit my heart sinks when I see her getting her fags out (even if it is her own house) as it means I will have to wash all my clothes.

I never go round there wearing any jackets nor do I take any bags or anything that is difficult to wash!

It really is worth the initial pain to be free of this horrible smelly murderous drug. I think some people still feel it is a vice ("Well you could get run over by a bus tomorrow") but really it is a drug which affects everything and everyone in your life.

Good luck to all you newbies.

LOUBOB

Thank goodness I have found this thread, although I do need to now sit and read it! I am a long term smoker for 25 years now (yikes thats horrible writing it down) I have stopped on many occasions with Alan Carr etc, but after recommendation I began Champix today, and I am determined to stop this filthy habit, especially as a nurse its pretty hard nursing people who constantly tell me they wish they had never started smoking. Anyway, cup of tea in hand best start at the beginning of this thread, and start planning how much money I will save! Good luck and well done to all those on this thread!