Who wants to be a quitter?

[Zetters]

Hello all

stumbled across you guys while searching for answers on not sleeping whilst on Champix and have popped by a couple of times to read others stories. Not wanting to be deemed some kind of voyeur, thought i would share my 'story'

Been smoking properly for about 31 years - was a p/t smoker for a couple before that. Inspired by a good friend who was doing very well not smoking i decided to try Champix

Day 2 and my face swelled up - seriously, i looked like a hamster prepping for hibernation'! Quick trip to A&E and all was fine

Now....,, being a touche on the stubborn side i was convinced the swelling was due to other meds or a combination of the two, so tried them again once all other things had ceased. Discussed it with the Doc, armed myselfnwith Piriton (just in case) and off I went

Helluva nagging off my best friend for endangering myself! :0/ But i survived.

The next problem was giving myslef a quit date. Oh! The pressure! ( and lets face it, who wants to be a quitter?) S o i didn't!!!!

However, the Champix had other ideas and after about five days i noticed i was smoking less, so i went with it and then started working on trying to change trigger points - small things like moving my morning coffee break - but the tabs seemed to have their own ideas about that as well, and, well, basically, before long i had more than halved my normal (c18) intake (to the point i bought 40 instead of 100 for the week) (and that was Easter Sat and there are still at least 9 left) and several days just had 1 or 2

But i was still not ready to label myself a quitter nor tell people i had stopped or i was trying too (although it has been noticed i was not zipping off as often as i used to) or give myself a stop date TOO MUCH PRESSURE!!!!

And then, on Sunday, i got into bed and realised i had not had a cigarette all day!!!! Not a one, and not missed them, nothing

And the same on Monday......

Conscious of this, on Tuesday i actually tried..........

Now the sleepless nights are getting to me i must admit - been going on a week now, and suddenly i seem to be perpetualy hungry - but i am trying to appease that with healthy snacks (not always succesfully) as i am sure that will pass too.

But i am not, NOT a Quitter - i just happen to be a smoker who has not had one for three days

And long may it continue

(Hopefully at least another 31 days to pay for my spanking new ipad!)

So, cut yourself some slack, take each day as comes and who knows........?

[jillygirl Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi Zetters , Well done on quitting. you seem to have the right attitude. The sleepless nights and hunger pangs are natural side effects. But they do go. I know when I quit just over a year ago it took me a while to think I DONT smoke. Even now I class myself as an ex-smoker. after 40 odd years of smoking all the rubbish inside me doesn't go overnight.

I have posted a breathing exercise what Emjay has put on (our advisor) it may help.

Keep up the good work.

Breathing Exercise (3)To help slow a busy mind down and help with a good nights rest

EmJay

Posted by EmJay Roy Castle

2 Aug 2012

5 comments

Report

Before you try going to sleep, think about your day, and try and clear your mind. Is anything worrying you? If so think about whether or not you can do anything about it. Focus on all the positive things that have gone well for you, how good you feel about them or the things that have happened during your day. Any negative thoughts you may have collect them all together and have them ready to leave your body.

Once you have done this, close your eyes and focus on your breathing.

Breathe in and out a few times, in your own time

Next, take in a nice, long, slow, deep breath through your nose

Breathe out a nice long sigh through your mouth

Repeat this 3 -4 times

As you feel yourself ready to relax, shrug your shoulders up towards your ears and then let them drop

Focus again on your breathing, now think of the number 10 as you breathe in

As you breathe out, see the number 10 leave your mind.

Feeling any tension leaving your body as you do this.

Next, breathe in nice and slowly as you think of number 9

As number 9 leaves your mind, breathe out slowly.

As you breathe in, see the number 8

Imagine every bit of worry within you being caught up in your breath and being pushed out

as you see the number 8 leaving your body,

taking everything that concerns you away.

Continue to focus on your breathing

Imagining with each breath in, you are gathering up every bit of tension from every part of your body.

Every breath out takes all this tension away.

As you see the number 7 enter your mind,

feel the activity within your head and thoughts starting to slow right down

breathing in and then out, feeling more and more relaxed each time as the numbers leave your mind.

Your breathing should now be nice and slow, your heart and pulse will be more relaxed and your mind will feel so at eased.

As you slowly count your way down the numbers, you should be feeling ever so relaxed and the days worries and stresses should be as far away from your mind as possible.

The more you practice this breathing exercise, the easier it should become everytime ?

[Hidden]

Hello Zetters,

Well, you've managed to find a brilliant website - well done.

Okay, so your not a quitter... so... just be a stopper instead!

I'm into my third week of being free of the Roll-ups. (after several attempts), but, I just don't want to smoke anymore that's all.

I've smoked for over 50 years - always said I enjoyed it - know what I mean? I've given myself some real bad advice over the years, but that's the daftest!

You've nothing to lose at all by losing the Fags, but a hell of a lot to gain... Go for it!

Jillygirl posted a smashing Quote the other day. I don't think she'll mind if I quote it here.

You're not a Smoker

It's the cigarette that smokes

You're just the Sucker

I thought - too right... That's been me all along!

Stick with it, and stick around here for help and a laugh, we all need that.

But, we're all completely serious...'cause it matters,

All the best,

Gill.

[Hidden]

Oh and by the way. You may find the iPad has some limitations along the way.

Apple doesn't support Adobe Flash, ( they had a falling out a while back). So, some pages don't load up. it can be a real pain if it's an Airline flight your trying to book!

Otherwise, they're not at all bad.

Cheers,

[Marion0151 1 YEAR WINNER]

Great story and well done, i've got some side effects of the champix too, my sleeping however is the absolute opposite of yours i am permantely tired and cannot get up! like you i am hoping this will go and keep pressing on. Sadly the medication was too strong for me on the blue tablets, so i have had to go back to half strengh since then struggling a little - its now been 15 days i really would like to quit this demon from my life and wish you all best of luck too, lets take one day at a time happy quitting!!

[Zetters 1 YEAR WINNER]

Oh my..... 10 mins typing a fab(?) reply and lost it :0(

Gilly i know......but, tried an android and that was 'orrid! Sooooooo, as i am surgically attached to my iPhone this seemed the obvious choice

Ok, can't afford a Windows one

YET!!!!

(Allegedly Adobe Flash is being phased out so hopefully it will all marry in the future - like me really! (Arf arf!))

Marion, thank you -may i have some of your sleep please? Doc assured me that the half dose works well and suits some people better. Soooooooo....... Given that i am (just) in week 5 it is still early days yet when you compare your 15 days with my 26! Stick with it, i am sure the magic will happen. Have you noticed any change to your 'routine' (no matter how small) thus far?

And, when you think about it, (theoretically (and marginally jokingly so don't nag me)) if you are on half a dose it could take twice as long to do the same job. Ergo, you are right on track (7-10 becomes 14-20) :0) x

Stay positive, and remember, NO PRESSURE! xx

Craving at the mo (wine=cig) so might go practice me some yoga ........

Or cuddle a cat........

Or have a cup of hot choc.....

The list is endless - as long as it does not include a cig.....!

(Fingers crossed)