Trying Champix

[nsd_user663_4017]

Hi all, my first post. Been a smoker for 30 years and on 30+ a day now. I'm on my first day of Champix and aiming towards next Sunday for a final quit date. Read a lot about champix, good and bad, and would appreciate any experience/tips about it. Feeling really positive about giving up and hope I can carry it through!

Katy

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hello Katy

First well done on your decision to quit and a big welcome to the forum

I also quit with the help of Champix am currently at end of week 11 I would recommend champix to anyone I had no problems with it just a little nausea with the one I took first thing in morning so changed to mid morning problem solved

You will find that eveyone oh here will help and support you through bad patches and cheer the good

All the best

Margaret

[nsd_user663_4017]

Hi Margaret and thanks for the reply! I am so reassured to hear of your success with it. I have read so many horror stories :eek: I have to go back to see the nurse next week so will monitor any side effects. Thats a useful tip re the nausea, she did mention some folk found problems with that.

I plan to cut down as much as I can this week, work on avoiding triggers and getting my positive thinking into action by reading as much as I can on here!

Did you find you cut down naturally in the first days and which day did you choose for your final quit?

Best wishes

Katy

[nsd_user663_3911]

Couple of guys at work recently quit with Champix and they were hardened rolly smokers (talking 40yr+ smokers).

Some minor side effects but both still off them and not temped to go back

[nsd_user663_4017]

Thanks Tim, thats so good to hear!

[nsd_user663_3738]

hi kat and wellcometo the fourm,,lots of help on for you,i went c/t and am on 87 days,,if you focus your mind on why you smoked in the first place,,was it the joy of smoking,,did it help you when you were stressed out,,i dont think so,,all in the mind my dear,,,read all you can,,post on here when you feel a bit down,,we will help,,congrats on starting your quit next sunday,,you post on here every day and let us know how you are getting on ...as i say you just keep the faith tony,,

keep :D:D kat

[nsd_user663_4017]

Hi Tony and thanks for the welcome! Wow, 87 days is fantastic! That seems like such a long way off! If I really try to think about why I smoke, I dont know at all! Habit may be the bottom line, as you say it is all in the mind and I'm reading loads of useful stuff here to help. Just downloaded the cessation tips from whyquit.com and thats really informative.

Thanks again

[nsd_user663_3617]

Hi Kat

Welcome.

I am quit 5 months today with the help of Champix. It certainly worked for me, I had smoked for 34 years, 20+ a day.

There are some side effects but nothing that isn't manageable.

You will find that you will not need to consciously(sp?) cut down on your cigarette intake, it will happen naturally. By day 6 or 7 you will start to lose the desire to smoke so that you quit day will be " a piece of cake"

Also, read about your addiction, this will certainly help you to stay quit. Some of the member have links in their signatures

Well done on your decision to quit.

Regards

Bernie

[nsd_user663_3728]

Hello Katy

You will probavly find that you won't want to smoke so much once you start taking them I stopped smoking completely after 10 days which just happened to be a Monday

all the best

Margaret

[nsd_user663_1744]

Hello Katy

I tried EVERYTHING going to quit - patches,gum,hypnotherapy even zyban. Nothing seemd to work . Then my dr suggested Champix. It was an absolute godsend! I have been off the cigs now for just over 16months. You will quit too!

good luck!!!

Karen:)

[nsd_user663_4017]

Bernie, Margaret, Kazza, thanks! More positive feedback re Champix! I'd love to do it CT, but just feel I need a helping hand to start. Been doing a lot of reading today and just hoping there wont be probs coming off the Champix, but hey, I've a way to go before that!! I'm looking forward to getting this week over and really getting going.

Thanks again for the feedback! :D

[nsd_user663_3633]

I was terrified of coming off Champix (I did it myself after 6 weeks on the tablets - 5 weeks quit). I found them wonderful, but decided to go it alone.

I honestly didn't notice stopping them as far as craves go...

Another 5 days and I will be celebrating 5 months.... so another Champix success story

[nsd_user663_4017]

Thanks for that Stuart. Did you reduce the amount gradually or just stop? Congratulations on nearly 5 months, thats a great achievement! :cool:

[nsd_user663_3996]

you can do it

Hi Katy,

This forum is brilliant, you will get lots of advice on here.

I choose not to smoke............. You can too.

Mint flavoured lozengers are helping me with my 3min nightmare cravings.

If I may offer you some advice.....

Change your habits NOW!!!!!!

Stop smoking in your home and car. ( standing outside in the cold and rain is'nt much fun ).

keep busy, do those horrid tasks that you've been putting off for ages, ( my ironing pile is cleared every day ).

Ive started exercising on my sons wii fitness board, and walking to the shop instead of driving................ Spring is on its way, thats the time to get out on your bike ( if you have one ). just think you can nibble little and often and burn the calories off at the same time.

Welcome to this site Katy.

Lets us know your progress.

Iam happy with myself today.................. DAY 10

[nsd_user663_2216]

champix help

hiya

on my nearly 3rd month of quit and i spent the first month on champix.

i find its best to eat something small like toast as you take the pill to stop the nausua.

its not a miracle drug ... you will still need willpower and the motivation to quit.

but it does take the cravings away and can be a big help in the first few weeks of giving up.

but this forum will always give you a truthfull responce to any question and that is it biggest help to you.

i caved in a week ago and smoked 3 ciggies through dumb stupidy but managed to come through the problem i had and not smoked since.

i still get the cravings to smoke but time does make the cravings easier to manage as you go day to day without smoking.

i had a look at the 6 month quit forum and some people still gets the cravings but as they say just be on your guard.

the no smoking part of you will get stronger and yep there will be moments when you feel like a smoke but thats the beauty its just passing MOMENTS.

i caved in a year ago after hitting 107 days as a non smoker and to this day i had no good excuse to smoke but i did anyway.

so i am rolling on about middle of march when i will go beyound my 107 days.

read plenty and stay in touch friend.

quit date 11/11/08

[nsd_user663_3633]

Thanks for that Stuart. Did you reduce the amount gradually or just stop?

I dropped from 2 x 1mg to 1 a day and then I stopped because I forgot to take the 1.

Remembered next day when I saw the day before tablet still there.... so didn't bother anymore.

Never felt any problem at all, so you will be fine. However, there can be occasionally bad side effects so if you notice anything stop taking them and see your Doctor!

I never had worse than nausea that was very mild and I have never spoken to anyone that had bad effects.... but they can happen and anyone on Champix should be alert to them.

[nsd_user663_4017]

Catwoman - Thanks for that link, I will study that. I am going to the docs fortnightly so will report anything odd!

Jan - Yes, I think changing habits in this week running up to quit day is a great idea. My son told me he is looking forward to living in a smoke free house (one of the things on my why list) Congratulations on day 10, double figures!!

Timothy - I am trying hard not to rely on champix as some sort of magic bullet, I am reading as much as I can about what to expect when i stop re crqavings etc. I plan to continue to educate myself this week. Well done getting back on the horse after the 3 cigs, that takes strength

Stuart - I'm going to look out for side effects. The nurse will only issue a 2 week script at a time and I have to see her to get the next, so i expect she will advise if there are any strange goings on!

thanks for all the input folks, everyone is really helpful!

[nsd_user663_1733]

Kat Welcome

Cant help with the champix done CT myself but you will have great advice here. Good luck look forward to getting to know you. linda xxxxxx

[nsd_user663_3248]

Hi Kat,

I quit with the help of Champix and the positive help from like minded members on this forum.

I found that as the dose of champix increased, my desire to smoke decreased, to a point where i just didn't want to smoke the bloody thing at all and would flick the filthy, foul smelling rolly up the garden:eek:

My quit day (after about day 10 I think) couldn't come quick enough.

The first day was easy, second OK and the third was tough, but trust me on this. It does get easer every day you don't smoke. I seem to remember that the sleep deprivation was a bit tedious but as i was so chuffed that i had quit i put up with it. I came off the Champix after about 6 weeks without any problems, against the advice from my Nurse, i think She wanted me to continue for another 6 weeks.

and here i am, nearly 11 months in and feeling great

I wish you all the best with your quit.

Just take it one day at a time and listen to the wonderful people on this site who can really help you get through any dodgy moments

Good Luck

Mark

[nsd_user663_4017]

Linda - Hi and thanks for the welcome, its seems like a really supportive bunch here!

Mark - Thanks for your experiences. 11 months is fantastic! Did you pick a day when you started or did you just see how you felt as the week went on and your desire to smoke dropped? I'd planned to stop on Sunday next week (day 8), but wondered if waiting till a day or two into the full 1mg twice a day would be better. I might just see how the week goes! I've been reading and am prepared for the day 3 difficulties, Champix or not, I'm really looking forward to getting over that hurdle!

[nsd_user663_3728]

Good Morning Katy

I stopped like Stuart as kepy forgetting to take them but I was on week 7/8

with no problems at all you will always find plenty of help on here as we all help each other

Best Wishes

Margaret

[nsd_user663_4017]

Thanks Margaret!

I'd felt a bit nauseous after the tab yesterday so tried the toast with it today and it worked! :D

Thanks Katy