My Quitting Smoking Diary - yours too!

iamashoppingaddict

Hi!

I hope no-one minds me bumping this thread. I want to give up smoking. Trouble is I quite like smoking! Does that make sense?

I went to the nurse on Monday evening and she gave me a prescription for Champix. However I went home Monday evening and googled it and have now scared myself witless at the side effects! I do not cope well with nausea! I said that I wouldn't start taking the Champix until 25 Feb (monday) anyway as I've currently got a cold and want to get over that first before I start making myself ill again with drugs!

However (and as I'm writing this my stomach is clenching!) I've only got one ciggy left in my pack and what I'd normally do is pop up the shop and get another pack. Well I'm thinking that this lunchtime I'll smoke the last night and purchase some NRT like the inhalers and see how I get on with them over the next few days, so then I won't need to take the Champix does that make sense?

Opinions greatfully received!!

Sue-UU

Hello there, iamashoppingaddict, and a very warm welcome to the thread (always good to have a bumper!

Your 1st sentence to all those of us who have smoked, and whether the last bit's completely true or not, we convince ourselves we like it.

The latter part of your post also makes complete sense, I just wish with all my heart I'd been here at that time to have spoken to you. :mad:
If you have a cold and no fags it's the ideal time to say tata to the nasty things, but what's happened since then? Did you stock up on another packet or..........?!

If you did get more and are still puffing then please, don't worry yourself sick about the Champix! It doesn't affect everyone in a bad way, I promise you! We've had many successful quitters who have had no side effects from them whatsoever.

However, we've obviously had some who have felt quite rough and had to stop taking them. Still, you can always start taking them and see how they react on you, if they make you feel rough then bin them and either use an inhalator or go cold turkey!

One thing's for sure - this is the best time of year to stop smoking as you've the spring and summer to look forward to - fag-free!! :grinheart

I'll send you a PM with lots of tips in, that'll help you.

Also, when you're ready to stop, you can start each day with the Quitters Pledge.

Quitters Pledge

"Today I promise not to smoke any cigarettes, tomorrow - if I wish - I may do."

Renew the pledge every morning on waking. This helps in not making quitting feel as though you're planning something lifelong, it helps trick the mind in taking it all one day at a time. The lifelong part you determine for yourself when you're ready.

Have a read through the PM and a read through the posts on the thread, it's amazing how they can inspire us. Never think of it as giving up because you're not giving up anything...the fact is thet you start gaining straight away, especially in health, life and money!

Save all the cash you would normally spend and after a week or two, treat yourself to something, you'll have deserved it!

Link to Silk Quit meter to keep check on your savings, amount not smoked and life saved etc http://www.silkquit.org/sqmmiv/meter.aspx

Get yourselves an elastic band to pop on your wrist to give yourself a wake-up call.....whenever it's needed. Found and recommended by warez22!

Below is a wonderfully inspiring way of viewing stopping fags is also from warez22.

****"I view it as like swimming across a lake, when you have got to a certain point, it is much easier to keep swimming forward to the other side, than to turn around and swim back. And the reward for one is so much greater than the other, even though you have swum much the same distance. Bizarre analogy, I know, but it works for me."*****

Keep chatting to us here on the thread, this is the place where folk rant if they need to, it's also the place where people come to tell us how well they've done!

YOU CAN DO IT, give it a go, for a day, then 2 and see how you go; if it's not too bad - keep on going - you've nothing to lose, but soooooo much to gain!!

Hugs, Sue xx

iamashoppingaddict

Hi Sue

Thanks for your PM. I've had a brief read through and it's really helpful. I'll print it off and have a proper read later however.

Yesterday... well I bought some inhalaters and manaaged to use a whole cartridge within a couple of hours...... Was sat in the car climbing the walls (well you know what I mean) so I stopped off at the shop and bought some ciggy's.

My focus really isn't on it at the moment as I feel quite rough, so I'm going to start taking the champix from Monday like I told the nurse and see how I get on. I really really hope I don't feel sick. I've got a really long day on Monday and I don't think I'll be able to cope if I feel sick. But I'll see how I get on. Take it step by step.

Sue-UU

Ok, IAASA, though I don't think you'll find the nausea part will kick in on the 1st day.

All the best to you for whenever you do start.

Sue x

sunshinesquirrel

Hi iamashoppingaddict

Don't take Champix on an empty stomach. Try taking it about ten mins after you have eaten. You are less likely to feel nauseous.

x

iamashoppingaddict

sunshinesquirrel wrote: »

Hi iamashoppingaddict

Don't take Champix on an empty stomach. Try taking it about ten mins after you have eaten. You are less likely to feel nauseous.

x

Thanks that's helpful. I was planning to take it after I've eaten breakfast and then after dinner in the second week. Really nervous but I've got my goal in mind and I'm really positive about this!

warez22

Hi All - new and old

Well done everybody! You are doing so so well.

I feel ace, so glad I made the journey. It was tough, and might be in the future, but there is no going back now.

No euphoria for me either anablle - but I feel so much fitter, look so much better - so I will settle for that!

Good luck everybody.

xx

babes21

Hello everyone,

I had a little set back but I am well and truly back on the No Smoking route, I will keep on going, mind over matter and all that Jazz. I'm determined this time around, I will not allow the cravings to win, I know that these will disappear in a matter of minutes!!!

Well done eveyone and keep up the good work.

Sue-UU

warez22 wrote: »

I feel ace, so glad I made the journey. It was tough, and might be in the future, but there is no going back now.

No euphoria for me either anablle - but I feel so much fitter, look so much better - so I will settle for that!

Hi again warez! I'm so thrilled you've stopped by as I was wondering about you, anablle too! Good to know you're sticking with it and determined to carry on with your journey!

A month and 3 weeks is just fantastic, I'm so delighted for you, the family too who must feel so relieved. Stay strong!

Sue xx

babes21 wrote: »

I'm determined this time around, I will not allow the cravings to win, I know that these will disappear in a matter of minutes!!!

Such a rotten shame, babes, but at least you're honest and still determined to give them the heave-ho for good.

What you've said about the cravings is so very true; stick with them each time they come..ride the wave so to speak and you will get through them. If possible, try to come on the thread and post your feelings when the temptations to start again kick in.

Stay focuses and strong and never stop stopping!

Hugs, Sue xx

Sue-UU

Hi iamashoppingaddict, how are things going for you, have you stopped smoking yet?

If so, how have the effects of Champix been? Any problems with that then please either chat to your CN, also let us know how you're feeling here and lets see if we can help.

All best wishes for a smoke-free future.

Sue x