SMOKERS... LETS KICK the HABIT!!

[Words]

Champix.

It's a pill, available here, the UK, on the NHS and available elsewhere, I believe, online. B. and I are now finally off the dreaded cigarettes having been smokers for most of O/our lives and I can honestly say that weaning O/ourselves off them was much, much easier than W/we expected, thanks to the pills. Warning though, if you do decide to go this way, you need to do it under professional supervision, especially if you're prone to depression.

Good luck everyone.

Words

Originally Posted by Words

Champix.

It's a pill, available here, the UK, on the NHS and available elsewhere, I believe, online. B. and I are now finally off the dreaded cigarettes having been smokers for most of O/our lives and I can honestly say that weaning O/ourselves off them was much, much easier than W/we expected, thanks to the pills. Warning though, if you do decide to go this way, you need to do it under professional supervision, especially if you're prone to depression.

Good luck everyone.

Words

Hey Words glad to hear that you've both stopped. I used Champix too and have extolled it's benefits in this thread before, I'm glad you can back me up in that. I was/am prone to depression and thought the potential benefits worth the risk. I didn't have a problem thank goodness......I did enjoy the vivid dreams though

MrSunshine, that's amazing! That old adage, one day at a time is useful and if a day is too much break it down into half days, or even hours at a time if things get really tough. Keep at it!!

[gaea]

Sunday was not my quit date yet yesterday 04/11/11 is my last and final quit.

Night one ugh heartburn, ive done this before i know what to expect....mind over matter..

Morning one i realize the only cigarette i ever craved was the morning one the rest were, well habit and i don't want that habit any longer.

im done with it all..

Here to support here to share.

[scootebaby]

May 13th will be my 3 yr anniversary. its been up and down,and i still get a craving here and there depending on situation,but for most part it just makes me sick to smell the smoke. I,too, used chantix(which im assuming is the same asChampix)...was the ONLY thing that worked--and i spent tons of money on everything out there


so good luck to you Gaea..i hope you can accomplish quitting.

Brilliant gaea, there's plenty of folks behind you. Like you said, you know the drill and it's all about riding it out, with gritted teeth if necessary. It does get easier....but you know that.

I'm certainly rooting for ya and will always be here to encourage if you need.

Yup Scoote Champix must be Chantix, too much of a co-incidence in the names. They were the *only* thing that worked for me too ....but then I think because I'd feared for my life just before I gave up I had the added 'benefit' of the fear factor, which I have to say was huge!

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Words

Champix.

It's a pill, available here, the UK, on the NHS and available elsewhere, I believe, online. B. and I are now finally off the dreaded cigarettes having been smokers for most of O/our lives and I can honestly say that weaning O/ourselves off them was much, much easier than W/we expected, thanks to the pills. Warning though, if you do decide to go this way, you need to do it under professional supervision, especially if you're prone to depression.

Good luck everyone.

Words

In the U.S. it is called Chantix. And yep, worked for me. I was a complete nut job when I tried to quit the first time. The second time, with Chantix...MUCH EASIER. And I was a 1 3/4 - 2 pack a day smoker.

It made me nauseous every morning (with or without food), but it only lasted 20 minutes, so it was worth it.

I have heard some folks have terribly vivid dreams. I had more dreams, but they weren't vivid per se. Regardless, I would have hung in there anyway (if at all possible), b/c it made SUCH a difference. I CAN'T say enough good things about this drug!

[Glenn]

Did the electronic cigarettes really work for anyone here? How long did you have to take these pills Folks? I need a prescription right? Did you gain ALOT of weight? Can you breathe better? Etc..

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by popcorninthesofa

Did the electronic cigarettes really work for anyone here? How long did you have to take these pills Folks? I need a prescription right? Did you gain ALOT of weight? Can you breathe better? Etc..

Yes, it is a prescription. Check and make sure that your state does not have a program where they will pay for it, if your insurance won't pay for it.

My insurance did not pay for it, but my work did after I paid for one month, which was over $136.00 or something. So, it is a big commitment if your insurance won't pay for it (like mine).

It is prescribed for 3 months, however, there was at least one study that showed people stayed quit longer if they used it for 6 months.

I talked my provider into giving it to me for 6 months based on the above and I really feel that made a difference for me.

I gained about 7 lbs.

[Guy]

I quit cold turkey 9 years ago but I have friends and neighbors that have quit smoking through this method.

Lifeline Stop Smoking Clinics - Tampa, Fl. Home Page

This clinic is in Tampa Florida, not sure if there are other clinics , but it's worth looking into.

[gaea]

Originally Posted by popcorninthesofa

Did the electronic cigarettes really work for anyone here? How long did you have to take these pills Folks? I need a prescription right? Did you gain ALOT of weight? Can you breathe better? Etc..

Im already feeling better day 2, mind you this is my third round. Have some faith.

Whats different this time is my mindset i am not fearful of being a non smoker in fact im embracing it. I had a few moments yesterday where i looked for my "cigarettes" and when i realized what i was doing i stopped the thought in its track as well as the action.

[gaea]

This time around is a whole lot easier.

I think it is mindset and the wanting to be a non smoker. I am a non smoker today.

I had someone come into my work and tell me i needed to be 30 days smoke free to be considered a non smoker, my response was why do i need to live on your time frame ? I don't and i am a non smoker.

Why do people need to impose their rules and time periods on others?

I have great people in my life that are incredibly supportive.

Its a good day today.

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by gaea

This time around is a whole lot easier.

I think it is mindset and the wanting to be a non smoker. I am a non smoker today.

I had someone come into my work and tell me i needed to be 30 days smoke free to be considered a non smoker, my response was why do i need to live on your time frame ? I don't and i am a non smoker.

Why do people need to impose their rules and time periods on others?

I have great people in my life that are incredibly supportive.

Its a good day today.

Congratulations on each day. Been around along a time at meetings where One Day at a Time is a big celebration. So again, CONGRATULATIONS.
Living in California I have the pleasure of being able to be at work, at a restaurant, and any public place and not be exposed to the second hand smoke. I'm not a ciggie basher, it is just so unpleasant to me, and I think it is due to being around a 2 pack a day partner and also my Mom, and then when not around it, I can breathe, taste, and smell things better.

I have been with people who quit drinking and doing drugs, but could not give up smoking. My Mom, for one. She went into an in-patient rehab program and quit those, but did not, could not give it up until it was too late.
She was diagnosed with oat cell, or smoker's cancer, and on that very day, told me it would still be hard to quit. She did quit during chemo and radiation, and by her own fighting will and the grace of God, lived almost 5 more years.

Mentioning Electronic Cig's , I know the FDA came down hard on them because of things Investigators found at their sites.
Electronic Cigarettes
Summary of Results: Laboratory Analysis of Electronic Cigarettes Conducted By FDA seen here
FDA announced that it had taken enforcement action against five electronic cigarette companies (seen here) for violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), including unsubstantiated claims and poor manufacturing practices.

[meridiantoo]

Originally Posted by Tommi

Congratulations on each day. Been around along a time at meetings where One Day at a Time is a big celebration. So again, CONGRATULATIONS.
Living in California I have the pleasure of being able to be at work, at a restaurant, and any public place and not be exposed to the second hand smoke. I'm not a ciggie basher, it is just so unpleasant to me, and I think it is due to being around a 2 pack a day partner and also my Mom, and then when not around it, I can breathe, taste, and smell things better.

I have been with people who quit drinking and doing drugs, but could not give up smoking. My Mom, for one. She went into an in-patient rehab program and quit those, but did not, could not give it up until it was too late.
She was diagnosed with oat cell, or smoker's cancer, and on that very day, told me it would still be hard to quit. She did quit during chemo and radiation, and by her own fighting will and the grace of God, lived almost 5 more years.

Mentioning Electronic Cig's , I know the FDA came down hard on them because of things Investigators found at their sites.
Electronic Cigarettes
Summary of Results: Laboratory Analysis of Electronic Cigarettes Conducted By FDA seen here
FDA announced that it had taken enforcement action against five electronic cigarette companies (seen here) for violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), including unsubstantiated claims and poor manufacturing practices.

Bumping up this post; it bears repeating for several reasons. Don't ignore the laboratory results and FDA enforcement actions...

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by gaea

This time around is a whole lot easier.

I think it is mindset and the wanting to be a non smoker. I am a non smoker today.

I had someone come into my work and tell me i needed to be 30 days smoke free to be considered a non smoker, my response was why do i need to live on your time frame ? I don't and i am a non smoker.

Why do people need to impose their rules and time periods on others?

I have great people in my life that are incredibly supportive.

Its a good day today.

F-'em. You ARE a non-smoker!

Keep it going, everyone. You CAN and WILL do it!

It is SO nice being on the other side. Not worrying if you have cigs. Not worrying about when you will get that next cig when you are going into a long meeting. Not worrying if you smell like smoke when you are in said meeting. Such freedom! Seriously, that is what it feels like. FREEDOM!

Do I still crave them? Absolutely. Yesterday wanted one so bad and it has been a year and a half. But, it passes. Just like the cravings any of you may be having right now. Just keep remembering that!

[Just_G]

After doing the stop/start thing while trying to quit, I kept making excuses and kept sayin, "oh just one or two a day" blah blah blah!

Enough.

I was reading a book and it said if you want a different outcome, change your response. Instead of responding to my stress by going out and smoking, I would go outside and walk up and down my drive way, then come back in and continue what I was doing. It sounds a bit odd, but it seems to have worked.

I am officially3 weeks cigarette free......cold turkey!

I plan on being able to run a mile by June 1st, 2 miles by July 1st, and plan on running a 5K by the end of August. I will run a 5K before I turn 40 in October. Bet on it. Cold turkey.

My shortness of breath is gone and I FEEL so much better!

[gaea]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

F-'em. You ARE a non-smoker!

Keep it going, everyone. You CAN and WILL do it!

It is SO nice being on the other side. Not worrying if you have cigs. Not worrying about when you will get that next cig when you are going into a long meeting. Not worrying if you smell like smoke when you are in said meeting. Such freedom! Seriously, that is what it feels like. FREEDOM!

Do I still crave them? Absolutely. Yesterday wanted one so bad and it has been a year and a half. But, it passes. Just like the cravings any of you may be having right now. Just keep remembering that!

those were my exact sentiments...this is my deal and I am the only one that matters in this at this moment making it day to day.

Ive been a non smoker for a week now loving it and food tastes so different hotwings i love them however i have suddenly found out they are a bit spicy for me, pepper jack one of my favorite cheeses um yea no thanks it burned my mouth wth? lol....

Spring time smells so good right now i cant seem to get enough.

Im not coughing cause im not smoking, i love that.

I love that when "negative nellie" comes knocking on my door she is turned around or when she sneaks in a window i quickly toss her out. I don't have to deal with the negativity and i don't have to feel like crap cause i quit. i actually feel so much better.

I quickly dismiss any cravings or thoughts of smoking this seems to be working for me.