Champix, quitting and life

[Sollana]

Hey folks

So apart from the odd post when the lovely Roisin reminds me of a milestone, I’ve been pretty absent here.

I thought I would just update you all on my progress in the hopes it helps someone on their journey.

So this time I quit on the Champix. While I was taking it I experienced breathlessness. Because of that I did not renew my Champix prescription after December.

It looks as though this symptom may be down to muscular issues rather than the Champix.

So as I mentioned previously life has been particularly hard the last several weeks... and it’s ongoing. I will admit I’ve considered just giving in and buying a pack, or ‘borrowing’ one off a friend... now when I say life’s been difficult we are talking a life/death situation here, not something trivial and there still isn’t an end to it yet.

But if I’m honest with myself, and I am! I know that that lure is momentary, I also understand that the taste and smell would be completely revolting.. but then that’s what our tricky little brains do with everything (especially memories).. they glamourize it, give us a impression of how great, wonderful and fabulous something was (note WAS). Just keep ripping off those rose tinted spectacles and plough on...

focusing on the positive is an absolute must! I don’t miss the stinky clothes and every time I smell a smoker walk past it’s a good solid reminder of why I never want to go back..

The aforementioned life/death situation requires large amounts of money (vets bills) I couldn’t have afforded those (still can’t but in a better position than I would have been)... at least now I can eat and stay warm at the moment.

I love how I don’t have the urge (addiction) to have to go outside or whatever because I ‘needed’ a smoke. or have to get home before I had one.

I really cannot think of a single downside to it all.

Wishing everyone a steady, successful journey! Remember to focus on what you gain, to what you lost.. you didn’t lose anything - remove the rose tinted specs and throw away the discord and look! 🙂🙂🙂🙂

[Mummymonster 100 Days Smoke Free]

Hi Sollana

Sorry life is tough for you. You are right, a cigarette wouldn’t help, and a return to a full time habit would use up cash you have a greater need for elsewhere.

I’m about at the same stage, also with a lot going on, but I am doing better with those challenges, because I don’t just throw up a smokescreen. I sort it out.

And there just are so many pluses aren’t there?

Mmx

[dugahole 5 Years Smoke Free]

Hi Sollana,

Glad you are keeping warm and sorry about your vet bills. Vets are expensive. As Mummymonster said, you certainly are in a better position not smoking and using the money on your animal. I can't comment too much on that as I have not been a great user of vets. Most of my animals started off as pets but sad to say I actually ate a lot of them. Well I best mention that it was Calves, sheep, pigs, ducks and chooks. Definitely not dogs or cats. So hang in there and remember we don't need the fags even though our brain tells us we do

[Sollana 9 Months Smoke Free]

@Mummymonster @dugahole

Thank you for your replies. 😊

Mummymonster, it really helps dealing with issues as they arise, definitely better not to let them build up! Wise words. And yes the plusses are brilliant I just focus on those every time!

Lol dugahole I get that! I grew up around farms. I’m

Not past eating a chicken or cow or whatever haha

This isn’t a dog or cat it’s a horse 🐴 and he’s been fighting for his life since December.. it’s been a really long slog.. he was in icu over new year, both I and the vet don’t know how he made it.. he did and during his recovery he developed secondary problems, after being scoped (endoscopy) they found a stricture in his oesophageal tract just before the stomach. They have treated it, if the scar tissue doesn’t return then he can eat and live, if it returns then there’s nothing else that can be done.. he can’t eat without choking with the stricture.. (this is scar tissue).. we are on day 10 today, it takes approx 30 days for it to heal and then another 1-2 months probably to see if it has stayed away. If at any time he begins to choke again.. then he will be euthanised.

This isn’t any ordinary horse.. I’m disabled and he is my therapy horse.. he’s the size of a large dog like a Great Dane and no matter how much pain I’m in always always makes me smile. I actually don’t know if I would want to continue without him.. I don’t mean suicide.. I just mean I think I would just give up trying.. he’s irreplaceable.. my heart has broken over and over and over the last several weeks.. and I’m going to have to wait and pray a lot longer yet... and pray he never ever choked again..

Anyway sorry for dumping my pain in here it’s not a therapy forum lol

[louloubelll]

Dear Sollana, im happy to hear things are looking up a bit for you and your able to be warm and eat. Im also hoping your pet or pets are well🌼 with all that going on, you should be very proud of yourself for not smoking. You still have a positive attitude and are willing to help people with your story. Thank you so much for sharing, and please take care of yourself🌹. You are doing awesome 👍. Keep up the great quit and stay strong😇💪

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to louloubelll]

Welcome to our community louloubelll - have you stopped smoking, if so, how are you getting on?

[louloubelll in reply to RoisinO1]

Hello Roison, 🍄 I have been here for quite awhile. I'm almost at 10 and a half months quit😊not sure why my badge is not showing.....

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to louloubelll]

Hey louloubelll , I have no record of you here in our community, can you let me know your stop date and I will update my records and assign your badge. Perhaps you are a member of another stop smoking community here in HU (Quit Support) ?

[Mummymonster 100 Days Smoke Free]

Oh my dear, that is so very difficult, definitely no ordinary pet and so very very expensive. We had a dreadful situation 2 years ago with our standard poodle, who seesawed from one life threatening condition to the next. It was awful, and we wondered sometimes if it wouldn’t be kinder to let him go. And it cost thousands of pounds. Then somehow after 6 months he started getting better and he is fine, , still needs regular vetting but so happy and healthy.

So I will keep everything crossed for you and your buddy. And of course he is irreplaceable, but if he doesn’t make it, his greatest legacy could be you doing for some other creature what he did for you.

Mmxxx

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Hey Sollana, great to hear from you and thanks for sharing such a heartfelt post.

I am so sorry to read of the illness of your dear horse, really wishing him a full recovery and yourself continued strength which shows so much. You are really doing amazing with all you have going on.

Please keep us posted on how things are when you can

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Hey Sollana - over 6 months smoke free now!! Hope you are keeping well and your dear horse is recovering well?