Is it ok for Champix AND an inhalator?

[MsKateD]

I (stupidly) didn't quit when I should while using the champix. I'm now on day 18 of the pack, quit at 5pm yesterday, but using the inhalator when I feel desperate. Is it ok to use both together? Or should I knock one of them on the head?

[EmJay Partner]

Hi MsKateD,

Welcome to Quit Support, a place where you'll see that others are going through similar to yourself

It really would be best for you to not use the inhalator.

With Champix, the sooner you stop, the better it will work for you. Most (but not all) people find that they 'naturally' just don't feel like smoking anymore. However, everyone is different and this isn't always the case.

Usually, when taking Champix the smoker will set a quit date within the first three weeks of taking it. It did used to be within the first two weeks. So by quitting on day 18, you are still in the right time-scale

Champix (or Chantix in USA) acts on the same receptors in the brain as nicotine and results in a moderate amount of release of the 'reward chemical' Dopamine.

Champix also binds to nicotine receptors in the brain, blocking the ability of nicotine to stimulate the mesolimbic dopamine system - believed to be the mechanism underlying reinforcement and reward experienced upon smoking. This is why many smokers using this therapy do not feel 'satisfied' if they had a cigarette.

Because of the above, it doesn't make sense to start adding nicotine into your system through other ways. So I would suggest that you just use the Champix and not use an NRT product at the same time.

I hope I've explained it well enough for you

I'll pop your name and quit date up on our Wall of Winners - the place where every quitter is a winner

The main thing is to stay positive, believe that you can do this, and to pop on here and let us know how you are getting on

[MsKateD 9 MONTH WINNER in reply to EmJay]

Thank you for that, I'll stop the inhalator. Any tips for stopping feeling stabby?

[EmJay Partner]

Let me know what you mean by 'stabby' and I'll try and advise I'm guessing that you may mean like grouchy or tetchy but don't want to wrongfully assume and then go off on one

[MsKateD 9 MONTH WINNER in reply to EmJay]

Lol, yes! Feeling really irritable and by god I want a smoke!

[EmJay Partner]

Okay, so let just have a look at exactly how it is you are feeling then...

Where is this feeling? Is it in your tummy, is it in your mouth, is your mouth watering, does it feel like your head is fuzzy? Let us know how it is for you and we'll help you through it

When you next feel a craving coming on, see it as a positive sign that your body is recovering. It's starting to recognise that you are no longer feeding it with all those poisonous chemicals that you have been over the past however many years. Your mind and body is just kicking up a bit of a fuss. Keep in your mind that this feeling won't last forever, usually only for minutes at a time - although those minutes seem to be very long minutes indeed

Notice the time that the feeling starts, check the time and make a mental note of it each time it happens. See if you can think about what you were doing beforehand. Was it anything that might have triggered these feelings off? Common triggers are things like putting the kettle on, seeing somebody else smoke, having something to eat, having a drink, feeling a bit stressed - although feeling stressed is not to be confused with feelings of nicotine withdrawal.

These feeling can be quite real to us. Sometimes, they can just be a passing thought which we can allow to pass or we can let them escalate.

The main thing is to stay as positive as possible ad ride the moment through.

Whether you have a cigarette or not, the feeling will go away. I can promise you that.

You are doing so well, just keep focused

[MsKateD 9 MONTH WINNER in reply to EmJay]

It's in my tummy, and seems to have lasted since I woke up this morning! no, it comes in about 15 minute waves unless I can distract myself. I'm thinking far more about smoking today than I did yesterday. Why the hell do we start this stupid habit? I've been smoking 25 years, my go-to action after doing anything - drink, eat, drive somewhere, visit someone, make a phonecall, do housework - is to have a smoke. This feeling sucks!

[EmJay Partner]

Oh bless you, I have to say though that all this is pretty (or not so pretty) normal It will pass.

Have you had a look at our breathing exercises? We have 3 main ones that really do help for different things. I'll bump up the breathing exercise post for you in a mo

A positive is that you say 'unless you distract' yourself, this shows that you still have an element of control over the whole situation and can send those pesky cravings packing as and when you get them. They are probably only brought on by your mind set and again, this is something that you can control too.

Remember, it is what you say when you talk to yourself that counts

You can do this, just take a little half an hour at a time