Trying again!: Hi, Having smoked 20 a day... - No Smoking Day

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Trying again!

11 Replies

Hi,

Having smoked 20 a day for 30 years, I decided about 4 years ago to give up, so I went to the doctor and was put onto patches. I managed to go through the whole 12 week course without smoking and in total managed about 6 months smoke free. I then went on holiday and stupidly smoked whilst sitting on the beach. From then onwards I have had periods of success on patches (up to 8 months) and then succumbed and smoked for a couple of months before trying again. Most of the time since then I have been on patches, but having the odd period of smoking.

Yesterday, I went to see the nurse at my local surgery to get a repeat prescription for the patches and she suggested I try Chamix, so I have decided to give it a go. However, I am a little nervous about the side effect of nausea when taking this drug. Is it as bad as I have read?

I am hoping this time that I can stay off them. For the last few weeks, I have been having up to 3 cigarettes a day whilst still being on patches. The reason I seem to falter is due to the stress and worry caused by family illness of my Wife, M in L and Father.

Tomorrow, I will be starting my course of Chamix, so I am hoping for the best this time.

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11 Replies
nsd_user663_22999 profile image
nsd_user663_22999

Hi Woody

Welcome to the site.

i'm not on Champix myself, but there are loads of people on here who are. Some have had side effects like nausea, others have sailed through with no side effects whatsoever!

Those who have will give you all sorts opf useful tips to help make it easier.

Best of luck with the quit

nsd_user663_24042 profile image
nsd_user663_24042

Good luck Woody.

Not on any medication myself - COLD TURKEY!!!

You will find loads of people on here who are in the same boat as you tho'.

I have found this forum an immense help - come on here virtually every day. Everyone is very supportive and there are loads of links to information etc.

Good luck! :)

nsd_user663_1658 profile image
nsd_user663_1658

Hi woody..Good luck with today :) I too broke my quit last time round...on holiday last summer:( .................I know the feeling! too well!...dont look back :)

nsd_user663_23148 profile image
nsd_user663_23148

Good luck :)

austinlegro profile image
austinlegro11 Years Smoke Free

If it helps, and stress is your downfall then here's a little nugget.

Because we smoke predominantly when relaxed, on a break and not doing something else then we associate smoking with relaxation. We also know that the irritating niggle of a crave to smoke can be subdued obviously by smoking.

Consequently one of the oldest smoking myths is born, 'it relaxes me'

Because nicotine, a stimulant, constricts blood vessels, increases heart-rate and increases blood pressure it puts additional stress on our cardiovascular system.

At times of genuine stress smoking simply pushes the body nearer to a stroke or heart-attack. Subconsciously what we feel is the smoking is helping us to relax. What we don't feel, unless it's our unlucky day, is the nicotine pushing us over the edge.

If you truly want to lower your actual stress levels, trust us, quit the smokes.. :)

nsd_user663_22999 profile image
nsd_user663_22999

If it helps, and stress is your downfall then here's a little nugget.

Because we smoke predominantly when relaxed, on a break and not doing something else then we associate smoking with relaxation. We also know that the irritating niggle of a crave to smoke can be subdued obviously by smoking.

Consequently one of the oldest smoking myths is born, 'it relaxes me'

Hadn't made that connection, interesting thanks.

CamperPete profile image
CamperPete

If you truly want to lower your actual stress levels, trust us, quit the smokes.. :)

That is so true. My wife can't believe how calmer i am since quitting (ignoring the times of bad craves:mad:), i do seem to handle situations in a calmer manner (so far :rolleyes:) where as before i'd kick, spit and scream then go for a ciggie!!!

nsd_user663_24260 profile image
nsd_user663_24260

Hi Woody

My husband is also on Champix and he hasnt had any side effects apart from wind which he has anyway. I have had the nausea but am trying to control it by now taking the tablet in the middle of my meal and I then have some peppermint tea. Good luck they do help as they take the cravings away.

Last cigarette: 6/3/11

Started Champix 2/3/11

Thanks for all your replies.

I am picking the Champix up today from the pharmacy and have decided that I will start taking them next Monday. Today my father is having his heart valve replaced and will be travelling to see him in Birmingham this weekend, so I don't want to run the risk of feeling nausea during this time. I have a few patches left to tide me over. I am not making excuses to not take the pills or not quit, I feel I need a clear mind for the next few days without the worrying about the side effects.

Woody

I agree Austin. Little things used to really pee me off like someone driving at 50mph on a dual carriageway. Certain people would get on my tats just from looking at them. I was once described as fiery which translated means a nutter. Since giving up smoking I have noticed how serene I have become and nothing seems to set me off.

That is no coincidence, that tells me that cigarettes made me wound up all the time.

That's strange isn't it? I always felt quite calm when smoking, but every time I have tried to quit, there comes a time when problems present themself and I get very irritable and really crave for a cigarette. When I have broken and had one, I then became much more relaxed.

These damn things!!!!

austinlegro profile image
austinlegro11 Years Smoke Free

Woody,

I smoked for about 25 years and during that time had a good half dozen or so quit attempts, some 6 months+, one 2 years+.

During those 25 years I accepted everything that every other smoker, every subliminal advert, every doctor, or every interested party told me. I honestly thought I knew everything about smoking bar the molecular interaction of chemicals within the brain.

In reality that 'knowledge' I had is what kept me smoking, stopped me quitting and caused relapse if I did find the motivation to quit.

I turns out that everything I knew about smoking was plain wrong.

If I can be wrong for 25 years then the odds are there are a lot of others, both smokers, non-smokers, and yes, even doctors, who are just as wrong.

Even better, once you know why you smoke, what it does to you and, perhaps more importantly, doesn't do for you, then it becomes incredibly difficult to continue to smoke.

Imagine trying to design and construct a heavier than air flying machine and then your mate pops over in his helicopter to see how you're doing. You're not going to carry on afterwards are you? Bit pointless isn't it?

The cigarette doesn't ask to be smoked and, if you want to quit, your conscious mind doesn't want to smoke it.

Why do we light it up then?

If you think the answer is in the fag you may have a tough time ahead.

If you think the answer is in your head you're on the way to freedom.

Best wishes for your father. :)

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