Hi. Newbie here on day 7

[nsd_user663_3633]

Hi, What a great set of forums. I think I shall be spending a bit of time here!

I'm a long time smoker of 25 or so a day, but have been trying to quit since my son was conceieved about 3 years ago. I lost my dad at age 13 and don't want my son to go through a similar experience.

Anyway, several feeble attempts with NRT that I didn't really put my heart into and lasted no more than a couple of days I finally decided to do it properly.

I went to see an NHS advisor about 2 weeks ago, who suggested I try Champix. last Saturday was my first day without so I am now on day 7 of not smoking. Champix is a wonder drug!!!! No serious craving, the only side affect was a little nausea and that soon passed.

I can't beleive how much better I feel and can't understand why I didn't do this before.

My partner and workmates have been great through the short periods of struggle and I probably would have succumbed on day 5 without their help - that was the only day when I actually wanted a smoke so far.

Anyway - I hope everyone else in the process of quitting is feeling as positive as me today, and good luck to all of you!

[nsd_user663_3356]

Well done so far Stuart

there are a few people on here who have found Champix to be a major help with their quit.

keep posting to let us know how you are doing and if you need any help there is usually someone who can help.

Good Luck.

[nsd_user663_3629]

Hi Stuart and welcome - now I'm not the only newbie on here!!

Sounds like it's going well for you so far, hope you keep it up.

[NicFirth 10 Years Smoke Free]

Welcome to the form.

Great that you are already feeling the benefits.

Well done and keep up the good work!

Cheers

Nic

[nsd_user663_3633]

Thanks everyone, I have been having a good nosy around - it's really great to see so many people doing this one thing to improve their lives so much.

Also helps to see that I'm not the only one who has had "wobbles"... Day 5 seems a popular wobble point!

I don't know if I can help others much, but as time goes by and I have more experience of the benefits and problems of quitting I hope to stick my oar in a bit.

Anyone reading this who is finding it hard in the first couple of days might like to know that I already have more energy, no ashtray smell about me (according to the Mrs), I am calmer (again according to the Mrs), I have no yellow fingers, can taste food better, don't get out of breath after 5 minutes football with the littlun, and generally feel a lot better than I did a week ago which means I feel more confident... a huge improvement in a very short time.

Edit: NicFirth - I apologise for stealing your signature idea, but I couldn't come up with anything original at this time of day!

[NicFirth 10 Years Smoke Free]

Edit: NicFirth - I apologise for stealing your signature idea, but I couldn't come up with anything original at this time of day!

No Probs

I pinched it from somewhere myself!

[nsd_user663_2743]

welcome

i also quit with the champix..................and almost 8month later im still quit so i think its a wonder drug too!!!!!!

you wont get day 3..5...7...9 wobbles with the champix so relax

[nsd_user663_3633]

With Champix, whats the normal dose?

Some people seem to be using anything from 2.5mg to 10mg tablets!

I am only using 1mg twice a day, and it seems to be plenty. I have had a few mild side effects, and find myself thinking that if they are taking 10mg - no wonder the side effects are bad in some cases.

[nsd_user663_2743]

the dosage is very clear in your pack (i cant remember it now) i was taking one twice a day then after 2 month or so i started to wean myself off them by lowering the dose to one a day

but no way was it 10mg!! i have not heard of anyone doing that...................thats just plain stupid!!!!

stick with what your pack says.................

[nsd_user663_3633]

stick with what your pack says.................

Abso-bleedin-lutely!!

No way would I take any drug at an unrecommended dose, but I have seen posts on here about higher doses and just wondered if it varies for different people or when prescribed by different Doctors.

[nsd_user663_3614]

Well done on your quit so far stuart,keep it up you are doing great

Tracey x

tracey - Free and kicking the demons butt for Eighteen Days, 4 Hours and 48 Minutes, while extending my life expectancy 2 Days and 12 Hours, by avoiding the use of 728 Stinky Fags that would have cost me £181.41.

[nsd_user663_2892]

Hi Stuart, welcome

I too stopped with Champix. I can't remember the dosage either. Was it not 0.5 mg morning to start off with, working up to 1mg morning and night?

Like Jude, I weaned myself back down after a few weeks, but agree it is great as a "kickstart".

However, I attribute my success (sounds like I'm accepting an oscar lol) not only to Champix and this forum, but also to educating myself on the absolute evils of nictotine and its manufacturers. Alan Carr makes a lot of sense, and the links in my signature are well worth reading

You CAN do this!

[nsd_user663_3633]

Hi Stuart, welcome

I too stopped with Champix. I can't remember the dosage either. Was it not 0.5 mg morning to start off with, working up to 1mg morning and night?

That's what I was prescribed, and what I took.

You CAN do this!

I know I can. And I will!

Thanks for the welcomes and the kind words everyone.

[nsd_user663_3615]

keep going it gets easier well done

[nickywalton]

another one of the "Champix is a wonder drug" brigade

smoked for 20/day for 40 yrs, tried every other method several times, never managed more than a few days til I tried Champix..now heading for 6 months...

I spoke to my GP bout coming off it early and she was dead against it so may be worth sticking out full 12 wk course...especially if you're ok with side effects.

I only took 0.5mg as I'm only little - and I did have side effects!!

So pleased too that you are feeling the benefits so soon - sadly I think I left my quit a little late in life and the outward benefits aren't great - though I'm sure my lungs and heart are very happy!! only my opinion but I feel the younger you are when you quit the greater the benefits...

stay strong...

nicky

[nsd_user663_3633]

I think that the earlier you quit, the more chance your body has to heal - although from what I read the benefits of quitting at any age are huge.

One thing I read while researching to make sure that this quit is "the one" that really stuck in my head was...

Quit before the age of 35 and your life expectancy is the same as someone who has never smoked.

I am 34. If that piece of info is right, and I have seen it on several well respected sites, and if I pull this quit off - sorry, WHEN I pull this quit off completely - I have the same chance of living a long life as someone who has never smoked. I will have properly beaten the "nicomonster" - he will have had no long term effect on my health. I will be able to consider myself lucky that I got out early enough. That is a really good thought for bad moments.

[NicFirth 10 Years Smoke Free]

Quit before the age of 35 and your life expectancy is the same as someone who has never smoked.

I know it gives some comfort to people in their 30's (like me :rolleyes but.....

[RANT]Arrrrrrrh! I hate statistics like that, its the kind of statement that I used to justify that it was OK for me to continue smoking through my 20's and early 30's![/RANT]

if I pull this quit off - sorry, WHEN I pull this quit off completely

I Like your attitude!!

All the best

Nic

[nsd_user663_3633]

I know what you mean, I used to say to myself that I would quit if I got ill. That was in my teens/early twenties. It took a middle aged member of my family (mid 40's) being diagnosed with terminal smoking related lung cancer to make me smell the coffee.

She had never had a days illness in her life, and all of a sudden she had a few months to live. Because she smoked.

It's too late to quit if you already have the nastiest of the smoking related illnesses. It's taken me years to get to the point I am at now, ready to quit - for good.

I just thank heavens that I'm not too late!