Hi All,
I've been lurking here for quite a while but haven't posted since my first quit attempt back in 2009. That first attempt lasted only 12 days. Patches seemed to prolong the agony of withdrawal, ruined my sleep and didn't agree with my sensitive skin. I figured like I had plenty of time left to quit anyway (I was only 22) so rather than put up with the effects of the patches I started smoking again.
It didn't take long for me to regret that decision but it was about a year before I worked up the courage for another go. My second quit attempt was in the Summer of 2010. That time I used Champix. I didn't like the side effects (lack of sleep, feeling uncharacteristically low/snappy, headaches) but they worked a treat and I stopped smoking with little difficulty. After a few weeks, I decided that I was strong enough to go it alone. I soon forgot how tough the first few days were and started to get complacent. I'd have a puff or two of my boyfriend's cigarettes, just to see if I really had beaten it. I had, so I decided I could just be a 'social smoker' (now there's an oxymoron if ever I saw one!). Cigarettes always tasted deliciious with a pint so I bought a packet of 10 for a trip to the pub one night. I was back up to 20 a day within a week.
I'm now on my third and final quit. I started off on Champix, figuring that knowing what to expect, I stood a much better chance of seeing through the 12 week course. Most of side effects were much the same this time round but the changes in mood were much more difficult to handle. Despite my best efforts I felt I had to stop taking the Champix after about 4 weeks. This sounds like history repeating itself but this time I've got an insurance policy - I'm educated.
Since I started on the Champix in January, I've spent every spare minute reading about nicotine addiction, the effects of smoking, the joys of quitting and people's experiences dealing with whole quitting process. I've also read a lot about people who chose not to go through the quitting process and had to deal with the consequences later. I've never felt more prepared for my smoke free future and I know I've made the right choice. No matter what life throws at me, no matter how tough this gets, I'll never take another puff. I know what will happen if I do and I'm just not willing to put my life on the line for the privilege of inhaling toxic, cancerous smoke into my lungs.
I feel better, stronger, healthier and more confident that I ever have before. And all of this is because I no longer smoke! I never knew that the light at the end of the tunnel would be this bright! Even on my worst days (just yesterday I felt like I would have pulled out my own teeth for a smoke) I know that the pain is a small price to pay for my freedom. And if I doubt it, even for a second, I come here, or visit one of the recommended quit information sites and learn a little more.
Sorry about the really long post. I thought it might help some of those that have had their confidence knocked by previous failed attempts or those that are still struggling along without the massive boost that education can give to a quit. In my opinion, knowledge is the best weapon we have against the nicodemon so I'm never going to stop learning.
I hope that all of you are doing well with your quits.
Angie.
xxx
x
you are right. anytime i really feel like i want one reading is a big help to make me come back to my senses and continue on being and upstanding non smoker:D
