Stop Smoking!!

You mean Champix? Don`t take the pills! My brother tried them and he said he was hallucinating and felt like crap for the 3 days he was on them...

I stopped smoking 3 months ago and my only advice is this: If you REALLY want to stop you will find the willpower to do so. The 3 first days are the hardest, then it`s really in your head.

OR
Start gradually... one cigarette at a time. Just try to cut a cigarette per day for a week, then two cigarettes per day, etc...


Good luck

I can vouch for Champix definately. True, it does make you feel a bit nauseous for the first few weeks you take it, but the positive is I was down from 30 a day to 3 on the day before I set a quit date. The doc should set you up with the *mytimetoquit.com* website which is all kinds of awesome in support, and information, statistics and a general pep up for what ur going through.

BUT, it is a 3 month course, and you have to see it through until the end to really maximise your chance of staying quit.

I have friends who are still off the smokes 2 years after the program.

Myself on the other hand, felt invincible after the first month and didnt complete the course. I found myself back on the cigs 3 months later. I currently finished day 3 of my cold turkey attempt. Pray for me

you can quit smoking and do it on your own...YOU just have to the one to do it... i quit 2 years ago. and i was a serious heavy smoker for 30 years(im 42) i know i was a bad kid. you have to WANT to really quit . the stress will be there regardless if you smoke or not~~~its the way YOU deal with it cigarettes dictate your life and what ,where, when you do things, take back your life and try and enjoy life and knowing you can get healthier.

good luck'
lori~ add me as a friend if you would like

Hello there,

I gave up smoking on 11th December cold turkey. I found that sucking mints helped me as it helped to keep my breath smelling fresh and I didnt want to ruin it by stinking of smoke..
I can honestly say that the 1st two weeks were hell. I have 5 children and I am a third year student studying a Bsc Honours in Midwifery so my life is pretty stressful at times!
My partner still smokes but outside and if anything it now motivates me more as it smells bloody awful!
Willpower & persistence will get you through, my motto is that if you really want to beat it you will because usually the people that dont who make excuses and re-start..

If it is what you really want go for it. Good luck xxx

Hi Michele,

Do you REALLY want to quit?

If so read on...
I quit almost 15 years ago. Sadly, there is nothing out there that will help you "not" feel the desire to smoke. It may make the "need" less, but not the desire. Smoking is a physical and mental habit. Smoking actually hits a "pleasing" center in your brain, making it a comfort. Also, it is a ritual habit too... For instance, I got in the car, reached down for my pack, rolled down the window... all those things gave comfort since they were a ritual... a pattern that's been rewarded for years culminating in a feeling of comfort.... the smoking itself.

It's tough when you have the same smoking friends and go out for a glass of wine and they light up too! Anyway, your best bet is to print out the reasons you want to quit... print it in multiples and post the notes everywhere you find the old habits sneaking that little hint of desire. A note on your dashboard, a note in your pocketbook. If you have children or loved ones... add their photo to the copies. They NEED you. Maybe you can't quit for yourself, but your loved ones... can you quit for them? Perhaps buy a locket necklace with your loved ones photo in it. Squeeze the locket when you have the desire and know the reason to quit is more important than the desire to keep smoking.

My mantra was, "I am willing to deny myself the relief of a smoke, because I know that desire will become less and less each day." It did become less and less, very slowly though, it took a few years before the desire was completely gone. It's a long journey. If you screw up, know that you are still making progress. Less and less each day, then each month, each year, etc... is progress.

Looking back I highly suggest meditation. Even if you only have a few seconds to spare. I didn't do it then, but since I ended up stuffing my mouth with food when I wanted a cigarette, I know I wouldn't do it the same way again. Relax, take a deep breath, ask yourself , "What do I really want?", do not answer that question... just pause for a bit of silence until you are noticeably relaxed, deep breath again, "What is my purpose?" I know that sounds SUPER corny... but it works. You will lower your blood pressure and start making good decisions.

You and your loved ones deserve a healthier you! Good luck and let us know how else we may be able to help. You are not alone! You can do this! I wish you well!

I was on Chantix for two months. I can honestly say, it's the greatest drug on earth!! I had no side effects except for nausea. But I discovered that eating first, then waiting a half hour or so before taking my daily dose helped to alleviate the "sick to my stomach" feeling. Other than that, I had no cravings and didn't even think about smoking when I was taking it. Unfortunately, I have started up again but plan to quit for good after I have reached my weight loss goal :-) I can't do both at once!

Hello,

Yes I've gave up smoking using champix, it was wonderful! I know of lots of people who have given up using it without a problem but if you have a history of mental problems, depression etc it may affect you adversely.

It was the easiest means of giving up I've ever used and it's nearly been a year now for me. I was a very heavy smoker, a packet a day, if I woke up during the night I'd get up and smoke, that's how addicted I was.

I'm very confident that I'll never smoke again, you don't realise how controlled you were as a smoker until you give up, I'm free now.

CHAMPIX great u feel a bit sick alright for the first few days but nothing major hardly any cravings serious it is great... Poo to cold turkey when u can have this i say...

I have been smoke free for 3 weeks. I used the patch for a couple of weeks, and it was ok. I really found that support from other non smokers (here), was what it took. Check out this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/194113-needing-help-with-another-issue-smoking.
This is the thread I have been using and has been WONDERFUL! Please come check us out. We are here for you!
Good Luck, no matter how you decide to do it.

yes i am a closet smoker 4-5 smokes a day. but i just recently got as a gift the electronic cigarette. Is pretty neat, one filter will last you as if smoking 2 paks a day. , the tip lights up red, and when you blow in, you actually exhale smoke- or vapor, taste like menthol. I'm hoping it works, good luck

In 2009 my husband and I tried Chantix and it did help coupled with the smoking cessation class(had to take it for the free prescription), we were quit for 2 months. We really didn't have any negative side effects and I thought the weird dreams were cool. We unfortunately went back to smoking when we were preparing for a huge cross country move.

Today marks the 2 week smoke free mark for us. We used gum and straws to help with the first few days. My biggest motivator is the fact that my friend's uncle just died of esophageal cancer from 30 years of smoking last week. :frown:

HELP!?! I have a HUGE problem with the quit smoking thing. I am in the medical field and am fully aware of all the bad stuff. However, I don't have the greatest desire to quit. I've been praying for the "want to", because I know that's the only way I'll stop. I rationalize it because I've only been smoking since April 2007 and never more than a 3/4 pack per day. Tried the e-cigs..not as enjoyable as a cigarette. I switched to 100% tobacco cigarettes several months ago. It totally cut the nicotine "fits" / cravings. They are really strong and take longer to smoke. Now I only have 1 w/ my morning coffee (because I like to) while I read paper (again, the habit / ritual thing). I don't have any during the day. I have 1 after work during commute. And then 1-3 more in evening, depending on how much my 6 yr old son is annoying me. Of course, I smoke more the 2-3 times a month I drink. But, basically, I don't have the feeling that I HAVE to have a smoke. I smoke when I WANT to. I know I need to quit. My kids beg me, but it is a stress release. Also-hubby has been smoking since age 5 (no joke) and he's 37. When he lights up, it makes me want one. I know if I can't quit for me, I should quit for my loved ones. He'd be more likely to quit if I did, I think. I like the locket idea..might have to find one!
Basically-try the 100% "natural" tobacco cigarettes. It allows you to cut out nicotine cravings and really cut back on # of cigs per day. You can also "social smoke" with them and not want to go out and buy a pack the next day!