Firstly I would like to say hi to everyone and thanks for all the information, inspiration and advice. I've been reading many many posts as a guest for a while now but decided to register today.
Like many others on the forum, I have tried quitting many times with no success. I have been smoking approximately 30 a day for the last 10 years. I really want to quit smoking for my health reasons more than anything and to save money. I suppose the things that have let me down the last time is really my willpower - I thought I could have just that one - How wrong I was! Also weight gain - I suppose I am worried about putting lots of weight on, particularly as I tried hard and lost a lot of weight - any tips here would be really helpful?
Last Wednesday I was prescribed Champix and started them last Thursday. Tomorrow (29.10.09) will be my 8th day of Champix and MY QUIT DATE! I know from reading many posts that the Champix have different side effects with many people and some have none at all. To date, I have experienced the feeling of sickness but it soon goes, very vivid dreams (but not nightmares) and tiredness. I do not start the 1mg tablets until tomorrow. The only thing that is really bothering me at the moment about the champix is the tiredness. Can anyone advise me if this passes?
At first I didn't think the champix would do anything to help but yesterday the cigarettes started tasting funny and I couldn't finish them. Also the smell, I could smell smoke on other people. When I was smoking the cigarette it seemed pointless. Can anyone else who has been on champix tell me if this is normal or if they have experienced similar things?
Today, I really haven't smoke much at all - not because I'm trying not to but because I don't feel like it. The only time I really wanted on and had one was after lunch and this is what I think I'm going to find hard - after meals and first thing in the morning. Can anyone give any advise?
So sorry for rambling everyone - I'm just trying to give as much information as possible and suppose I'm really nervous about tomorrow - sounds daft I know!
Thanks for reading!
Tigger
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I can't give any advice on Champix, however loads of people around did use it and will be along shortly to help.
I would just like to say you have made the right choice in stopping, never doubt that and remember Not One Puff Ever (NOPE). One day at a time, there will be good days and not so good, however we will all be here to help.
As you have already had a good look around, I don't need to tell you that if you just need to rant or rave feel free.
Post often and let us all know how you are getting on.
I was really excited when I first started using Champix as like you it seemed to kick in very fast and limit my smoking, however the day before I quit I was a nervous wreck but the funny thing was the actual quit day was OK.
Good luck for tomorrow, day 2 and 3 may be hard but it really does get easier. Buy some lollies to keep you going.
Hi, Welcome aboard and good luck. Your post could have been written by me six weeks ago. I've been on Champix and off cigarettes for a month. I didn't set myself a quit date just went with the flow. Gradually, after about 13 days, I felt that I was forcing myself to have a cigarette out of habit, so just stopped. I told myself that if I really really really wanted one, I could have one, but on every occasion I thought about it, I realised I didn't really want one.
My approach to Champix was that I was only going to smoke those cigarettes that I actually wanted, and not just have one our of habit. Even though Champix is a great help, you still have to have the will power not to put one in you mouth and light it.
Your side effects are similar to mine, slight nausea, vivid dreams and tiredness. I put the tiredness down to the vivid dreams waking me up half the night. It's a nuisance but it's a small price to pay and I think you'll find that once you stop smoking you'll have more energy anyway. Watch out for the nausea when you go on to two a day. I just 'felt' sick with the lower dose whereas the first time I went on to the 'big' dose, I actually did throw up. That was cured by eating first.
However, I also had concerns about weight gain. I had lost 6 stone in weight over a period of 18 months. I got down to the right BMI range I am not into weightwatchers or any pre-programmed weight loss stuff ( probably as I am a bloke), and I lost all my weight by just cutting out all the bad stuff, and ate low fat content foods.
Since I quit 9 weeks ago, I have put on a bit of weight. That's because I have been treating myself. Suddenly chocolate and biscuits have started creeping back into my house!
I am going to keep going though, as I think I need to give it at least 3 months before I start watching my food intake again.
Quit the fags first and worry about a bit of weight later!:cool:
Goodluck tomorrow just dont sweat it. Like you I set day 8 as my quit date but then wanted a cig that morning and had one. Thought I had failed before I started bt then by day 10 I went a whole day without smoking without realising it, and that was nearly 3 weeks ago.
We all get up and down dys but this forum for keeping you on track. Keep posting and lots of luck.
Lorna x
PS I cant stand other peoples smoke now...have turned into one of those awful ex smokers...:eek:
Hi Tigger....I never experienced the tiredness with champix....or maybe it was just the fact that the triggers for smoking like after meals or talking on the phone made me move.....I had to keep myself busy to avoid these triggers....and we all know the more we move the more we want too
The food side of it .....I am a lifetime member of weightwatchers and was very worried about putting weight on but.....I have only put on 1 kilo in 12 weeks and that was in this last week (chocolate)....there are lots of sugar free snacks around ....just eat healthily and drink lots of water and you will be ok....hope this helps and good luck....Cheers Kez.
Mornings and after meals were the worst for me. Your are just going to have to reinvent yourself. A new morning ritual. A new after meal ritual. You can do it. I would say to you the heck with weight gain. Worry about that later. Reward yourself. But you cannot have an entire cheesecake each day either.
Well done on the decision to stop smoking I also used Champix the sickness doesn't normally last for long the tiredness and dreams are normal for most of us not just Champix users but ut to will pass
Below is my standard welcome and advice post which I try and give all new members
Welcome to the forum and well done on the decision to quit possibly one of the
most important you will ever make and you will be losing nothing but you will
regain control of your life and that has to be good
You will find all the help and support you need on here as we all help each other
just like a family we are here for you every step of the way cheering the good
days and sympathiseing with the bad but the good far outweigh the bad
Read the posts on here you will find a lot of tips and advice and in the
signatures of a lot you will find links to other sites just click on them Here
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