My Quitting Smoking Diary - yours too!

natthecat1989

I’ll just give you a brief overview to start with. I’ve been smoking since I was 14 (23 in Oct) and I started smoking 10 a day and then it crept up to 20 and I’ve tried to quit SO many times I have tried it all; hypnotherapy, Allan Carr, patches, gum, inhalator, lozenges, spray, cold turkey, champix. Now I quit for 9 months last year using champix and it was brilliant but I got cocky further down the line on a night out around xmas and thought I could handle just having one at the pub. Turns out it was just a slope back into smoking world.

After that I was on 10 a day, better than 20 but terrible after being quit for so long. I’ve tried patches and the inhalator since then to no avail. I’m back on champix and I’m still getting cravings (on my 4th week now) and I had a meal last night and bought fags afterwards. And pretty much every time I drink I’m smoking again. It’s really annoying as the last time I used champix I had no desire whatsoever but to quit so I’m not sure if it’s my antidepressants interfering with champix this second time around as the first time I wasn’t taking them.

Anyone had a similar situation?

smileytiger

natthecat1989 wrote: »

I’ll just give you a brief overview to start with. I’ve been smoking since I was 14 (23 in Oct) and I started smoking 10 a day and then it crept up to 20 and I’ve tried to quit SO many times I have tried it all; hypnotherapy, Allan Carr, patches, gum, inhalator, lozenges, spray, cold turkey, champix. Now I quit for 9 months last year using champix and it was brilliant but I got cocky further down the line on a night out around xmas and thought I could handle just having one at the pub. Turns out it was just a slope back into smoking world.

After that I was on 10 a day, better than 20 but terrible after being quit for so long. I’ve tried patches and the inhalator since then to no avail. I’m back on champix and I’m still getting cravings (on my 4th week now) and I had a meal last night and bought fags afterwards. And pretty much every time I drink I’m smoking again. It’s really annoying as the last time I used champix I had no desire whatsoever but to quit so I’m not sure if it’s my antidepressants interfering with champix this second time around as the first time I wasn’t taking them.

Anyone had a similar situation?

I did fine on Champix - but depending on what anti depressants you're on - you maybe shouldn't be taking them this time round. I would check with your doctor/nurse to see if they are conflicting meds.
Easy to say - but if drinking leads to smoking - time to slow down the drinking if you're serious about quitting the smokes - not a dig just an observation;)

Good luck .xx

jammy_dodger

good afternoon

making most of DS holidays and just back from a few days camping .no desire to smoke what so ever but why do coffee shops have such fine baking to sample.
must get back on track with healthier eating before i explode..
good to hear you are doing so well Jinty over 2 weeks passes already am so pleased for you :T:T
a warm welcome to those starting their journey

natthecat have you set your quit date yet using champix ? maybe if struggling i would seek advice or set a quit date further down the line maybe for 8 weeks time so you are not stressing about stopping too soon and try and avoid those triggers when your stop date arrives

good luck

JD xx

Sue-UU

natthecat1989 wrote: »

And pretty much every time I drink I’m smoking again. It’s really annoying as the last time I used champix I had no desire whatsoever but to quit so I’m not sure if it’s my antidepressants interfering with champix this second time around as the first time I wasn’t taking them.

Hi natthecat and welcome. What a terrible shame you gave in to thoughts of "it would be ok having just one" as it seldom works. Some folk might be strong-willed enough to keep it at that, but for the majority that just doesn't happen and they're back on the same path as you!

I agree with Chrissie, keep away from alcohol at such vulnerable times and - never risk trying having just one again - you know it won't work!

Make an appointment with your GP and get the pills sorted out as Chrissie's right, it could well be the combination of pills that's stopping the Champix from working.

All the very best with stopping once again...and staying that way!

Sue x

Hi there girls!

I hope everything's going well with the houses, Chrissie, if not, that it will do.

Sue x

Oh JD, I do envy you having been camping, there's nothing holiday wise that quite compares so make the most of it as often as you're able. We're hoping to go next month for a few days if the weather's fairly reasonable.

With regard to the coffee shops and their cakes - turn the other way and knock that particular devil off your shoulder as it's not you that's after cakes - it's HIM!!!!! :mad:

I don't much care for chewing gum, but I do find that a piece of EXTRA 25 piece sugarfree gum (at the tills in supermarkets) works wonders. I can't chew it for long as I suffer from gerd, but I can get away with nibbling it with the front teeth for a bit at hunger times and it's so refreshing. Get a 25 piece handy box to keep in your pocket.

Failing that, keep water handy and fill yourself with that!!

Sue x

motivated

I have been a lurker on this site for a while and have just stumbled across this post. I have smoked for 30 years between 10-20 a day and absolutely detest it now and only continue to smoke because I am badly addicted. I am desperate to stop and have tried everything.
I am so pleased (and envious) of the others on here who have managed to stop. (what I would give) Considering both my parents died at 62 and 64 years old both from cancer you would think that would be enough Please someone give me a kick up the backside.

Sue-UU

Hello there, motivated and a very warm welcome. Have you ever tried, seriously, to stop? If so by what means? If you've, as I think is the case, never really tried yet, then give it a go and see just what you're capable of. Reading through all the posts on this thread will help to inspire you, keeping as busy as possible is what helps most of us when we start to stop. Read through the very first post (mine) it tells exactly how I finally quit, yet I'd always believed I'd never be able to - how wrong I was!

We CAN all do it if we are determined at the beginning and if we stay that way. Many MSE members have given up by the different threads we've had on this site - YOU can too!

Why not ring your Dr to get an appointment with the Cessation Nurse, they can be a great help to sort out a quitting plan, also you have the bonus of going back to her at set times; she will talk and listen to you and advise you. We all will on here too! So come on here and vent your anger...or let us know how thrilled you are as each day passes.

I'll send you a PM of useful tips, read through all of it and, when you're ready, use it every day to help you. It doesn't take long to get the nicotine out of our systems (3 days) and from then on you start to feel you've already conquered one beast. Then you bring the willpower and determination into play. Keep as active as you possibly can, as much exercise as you can handle, no matter what your age, will benefit you enormously! As soon as you feel a craving, go on out for a walk; even if you only shift yourself from one room to another it's a real advantage!

Try to alter your daily routine around, if you used to have one straight after getting up in the morning..go and clean your teeth straight away..have a shower or go straight downstairs and have breakfast. Whenever your 'fag times' are now have a plan to do something at those times. Start a new hobby and plunge yourself into that, or restart an old hobby.

Another way to help yourself is by starting 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.

Talk to us and let us know what you think now. We will give you a kick up the backside, in a nice way, but YOU are the one who can help yourself most. You'll also have you parents shining down on you, willing you to NOT end up as they did!!!!!

Best wishes, motivated, you CAN DO THIS!

Sue xx

motivated

Thank you so much for your reply
I have had champix in the past but made me very nausious. I have had patches and an electronic cigarette. I so want to stop without using anything as I want to save the money every day and see the results.

I am seriously going to start again and mean it this time. I work in a school and cannot bear the thought of the kids saying 'miss you stink' lol

I think I find it hard because my husband and son are both smokers so I tend to give in too easily.
I still have 3 weeks off work due to school holidays so this should be an ideal time for me to do it.
HERE GOES I am going to buy myself a money box today and start filling it up every day with my fag money. I have been swimming regularly lately so I will throw myself into that.

Thankyou again and I will keep you updated on progress.

motivated

Thanks again Sue for your PM I will refer back to it when I struggle.
Am feeling so much more positive already.
xx

Sue-UU

motivated wrote: »

I so want to stop without using anything as I want to save the money every day and see the results. :T:j:T

I still have 3 weeks off work due to school holidays so this should be an ideal time for me to do it.
HERE GOES I am going to buy myself a money box today and start filling it up every day with my fag money. I have been swimming regularly lately so I will throw myself into that.

A wonderful reaction, motivated!!!! :grinheart A great idea with the swimming as it will be amazing for your lungs and you'll soon be feeling like a new woman.

Do try and stick with it this time, regardless of your hubby & Son, though I sincerely hope they smoke outside?!!!!! Ask them to if they don't already. If you can keep clear of those nasty, horrible little killers your hubby & Son may even be drawn to stopping too! Whatever they do YOU have your life to live, don't allow them or evil fags to deny you of that!!

Here's the link to Silk Quit meter, I know you're saving the cash (great idea), but this will also motivate you by letting you know the amount not smoked and life saved etc http://www.silkquit.org/sqmmiv/meter.aspx

Treat yourself after so many days or a week, you will have deserved it. As extra incentive - if you get tempted - picture those kiddies watching as you go to get one...they'd be so upset, especially if they knew your background!

It'll be great to hear from you, we all love a winner here! IF you're having problems - LET US KNOW immediately! We will drag you through.

If I can help more then do please PM if you feel the need, anything's better than going back to the weed.

The very, very best,

Sue x

jammy_dodger

hiya motivated

we are right behind you 100%
saving the fag money is a great motivator keep it sealed so you cant dip into it and dont forget to reward yourself with each step you make staying fag free and who knows your family may follow too

Ive not spent £1,158 and not smoked 3089:eek: thats in 10 months and financially and physically i feel the benefit there is nothing to loose just a wim win when you quit

been lovely whilst away with my ids not ducking away to have my fags and boy o boy you know when someone passing has had one they really do smell disgusting

YOU CAN DO THIS best of luck

JD xx

thanks sue-uu I Love camping and at my happiest in a tent ( maybe a beduoin in a previous life ha ha ) getting some gum is a good idea, have also started to "run" too which will help keep be fitter and give me a lift

xx