Hello folks
Well its day 30 on champix the wonder drug and a whopping 3 weeks off the smokes. Yes folks thats right I am 21 days clean today.
When I first started this, bearing in mind that this is my first and last attempt to quit smoking, I thought it would be like a light switch. I would notice a difference straight away about how I feel and I how I behave. Its not like that at all. You only notice little changes when you stop paying attention. Like when you realise at the end of a day that you havent had a craving.
Poet and Kath are sailing through through their first week and in my book the hardest week. You are surviving and it does get easier!! Trust me. One of the reasons I havent updated my blog this week is that I simply havent been thinking of smoking. Its not completly over at week 3 but its nothing near the pain you feel on day 3. So keep your eye on the ball!!
All for now, enjoy the long weekend
Friday, April 30, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Day 25
Day 25, 16 days off the smokes
This is starting to sound a bit like Big Brother, queue narrator in geordie accent "Its day 25 in the big anti smoking house and Zoe drags her blood soaked knuckles along the floor with drool dripping everywhere!"
Hah hah its not all that bad but having a rough few days of cravings. I think a combination of pre exam stress and cravings making things seem worse than they actually are.
Im not entirely sure what Champix is doing for me. Im too afraid to test out this theory just incase it gets proven wrong but I dont think it helps to block my cravings. I think it may do that for some people as it makes them so ill they cant possibly smoke, but for me I feel nothing. However I think it does plant a psychological trigger, a switch if you will allowing the desires to quit flood into an active part of the brain. Could I have come this far without the aid of champix? Probably, if I was in the right frame of mind. Champix is just that, the right frame of mind.
Poet and Kath goodluck with tomorrow, cant wait to see how you get on. Whatever you do dont start using any of the NRTs. There is no point adding nicotene to your system everyday but not allowing yourself to smoke! I read an article recently about Richard and Judy's (english chatshow stars) daughter who quit smoking through the gum, then got addicted to the gum for a further 10 years! I dont see any savings to be had there!
Anyway enough ramblings for one day
Until next time, keep popping!
This is starting to sound a bit like Big Brother, queue narrator in geordie accent "Its day 25 in the big anti smoking house and Zoe drags her blood soaked knuckles along the floor with drool dripping everywhere!"
Hah hah its not all that bad but having a rough few days of cravings. I think a combination of pre exam stress and cravings making things seem worse than they actually are.
Im not entirely sure what Champix is doing for me. Im too afraid to test out this theory just incase it gets proven wrong but I dont think it helps to block my cravings. I think it may do that for some people as it makes them so ill they cant possibly smoke, but for me I feel nothing. However I think it does plant a psychological trigger, a switch if you will allowing the desires to quit flood into an active part of the brain. Could I have come this far without the aid of champix? Probably, if I was in the right frame of mind. Champix is just that, the right frame of mind.
Poet and Kath goodluck with tomorrow, cant wait to see how you get on. Whatever you do dont start using any of the NRTs. There is no point adding nicotene to your system everyday but not allowing yourself to smoke! I read an article recently about Richard and Judy's (english chatshow stars) daughter who quit smoking through the gum, then got addicted to the gum for a further 10 years! I dont see any savings to be had there!
Anyway enough ramblings for one day
Until next time, keep popping!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Day 24
24 days, 15 days off the smokes
In the last 15 days I have seen a few firsts. My first day off the smokes, my first week off the smokes, my first drive from Mullingar to Dublin without smoking, my first revision day without smoking. Monday will see yet another first, my first exam without smoking.
Exams start on Monday, I usually get through them by psyching up with a few last minute cigs but not this time. This time Im on my own! Although I am not the only one that will be tested this Monday as Poet and Kath go for broke and become non smokers.
Goodluck!!
In the last 15 days I have seen a few firsts. My first day off the smokes, my first week off the smokes, my first drive from Mullingar to Dublin without smoking, my first revision day without smoking. Monday will see yet another first, my first exam without smoking.
Exams start on Monday, I usually get through them by psyching up with a few last minute cigs but not this time. This time Im on my own! Although I am not the only one that will be tested this Monday as Poet and Kath go for broke and become non smokers.
Goodluck!!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Day 23
Day 23, 14 days off the smokes (or as I like to call it, 2 weeks hell yeah!)
I reach my two week mark and my day is filled with lots of lovely cravings after a few days rest. Oh to feel like a non smoker, oblivious of the torchers of a smokers life.
I read that it actually takes something like 3 weeks for nicotene to leave the system. So no wonder I am still feeling physical cravings. At week 2 it feels like its trying to have one last attempt to get our love re-united. Well nic all I have to say is f**k you nic, f**k you!
A little dramatic maybe, but I feel dramatic today!
Deep breathing and the internet got me through today without smoking.
Roll on week 3 and no more craving (heres hoping!)
I reach my two week mark and my day is filled with lots of lovely cravings after a few days rest. Oh to feel like a non smoker, oblivious of the torchers of a smokers life.
I read that it actually takes something like 3 weeks for nicotene to leave the system. So no wonder I am still feeling physical cravings. At week 2 it feels like its trying to have one last attempt to get our love re-united. Well nic all I have to say is f**k you nic, f**k you!
A little dramatic maybe, but I feel dramatic today!
Deep breathing and the internet got me through today without smoking.
Roll on week 3 and no more craving (heres hoping!)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Day 22
Day 22, 13 days smoke free
Ill be honest, I have nothing to talk about!!
No dramas today, Its very rare that I think about smoking. I remember last night in bed I was a bit pissed off about something, then I wanted a smoke. But five minutes later I forgot about it and it wasnt like that all consuming urge we all know too well. Physically speaking I am a non smoker, I just need to sort my brain out now!
Next challange I think is a night on the town, surviving the social circle of smokers.
Poet and Kath have a few days before they kick off their non smoking journey. Wishing them all the best but at this stage my advice is this. Dont over think it guys!! Its good that you are psyching yourselves up but you dont want to end up in a situation where, on day 1, all you think about is smoking or not smoking as the case may be. I think thats probably where you fell down last time. Its only a few days before your body accepts the fact that smoking isnt an option, after that its all about the mind. Two weeks is all it took for me to be in a comfortable place. Think about the best sleeps you will ever have and smelling things and being able to breathe!! Check out that site Tquit recommended, it has some very good suggestions on distracting yourself during those first few days. I put a link on my page also. Stay strong!
Ill have to think of some things to talk about now!
Until next time, keep popping!
Ill be honest, I have nothing to talk about!!
No dramas today, Its very rare that I think about smoking. I remember last night in bed I was a bit pissed off about something, then I wanted a smoke. But five minutes later I forgot about it and it wasnt like that all consuming urge we all know too well. Physically speaking I am a non smoker, I just need to sort my brain out now!
Next challange I think is a night on the town, surviving the social circle of smokers.
Poet and Kath have a few days before they kick off their non smoking journey. Wishing them all the best but at this stage my advice is this. Dont over think it guys!! Its good that you are psyching yourselves up but you dont want to end up in a situation where, on day 1, all you think about is smoking or not smoking as the case may be. I think thats probably where you fell down last time. Its only a few days before your body accepts the fact that smoking isnt an option, after that its all about the mind. Two weeks is all it took for me to be in a comfortable place. Think about the best sleeps you will ever have and smelling things and being able to breathe!! Check out that site Tquit recommended, it has some very good suggestions on distracting yourself during those first few days. I put a link on my page also. Stay strong!
Ill have to think of some things to talk about now!
Until next time, keep popping!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Day 21
Day 21, 12 day smoke free
OOOhhhhhhhhh nearly 2 weeks off the smokes. Bad days are getting less.
I decided to have a few drinks with my dinner last night. The drink would normally intensify any cravings. But it didnt bother me last night, well not that much anyway. This is good progress, although I was hoovering through food instead!
Today I learned they always get you in the end! This champix is very expensive at €120 per month. I rang my doctors office and was delighted to hear that I did not need to see my doctor to get a new prescription. Happy days!! So I go down to the clinic today to pick up my magic piece of paper which I am told will cost me €15. €15 for a prescription all I have to say is wow. Now I know why I ignore doctor visits for long periods of time! But on the upside I got my refill filled with the pharmacy just in time to qualify for my monthly drug prescription scheme so I got them for free!
I think I am only really completely focusing on or missing smoking when I am writing this blog now so something must be working. Still have the dull pain, buts its very dull. I do worry however when its time to stop the champix will or I fall back into line or is this just a placebo to begin with?
What do you think?
OOOhhhhhhhhh nearly 2 weeks off the smokes. Bad days are getting less.
I decided to have a few drinks with my dinner last night. The drink would normally intensify any cravings. But it didnt bother me last night, well not that much anyway. This is good progress, although I was hoovering through food instead!
Today I learned they always get you in the end! This champix is very expensive at €120 per month. I rang my doctors office and was delighted to hear that I did not need to see my doctor to get a new prescription. Happy days!! So I go down to the clinic today to pick up my magic piece of paper which I am told will cost me €15. €15 for a prescription all I have to say is wow. Now I know why I ignore doctor visits for long periods of time! But on the upside I got my refill filled with the pharmacy just in time to qualify for my monthly drug prescription scheme so I got them for free!
I think I am only really completely focusing on or missing smoking when I am writing this blog now so something must be working. Still have the dull pain, buts its very dull. I do worry however when its time to stop the champix will or I fall back into line or is this just a placebo to begin with?
What do you think?
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Day 20
Day 20, 11 days smoke free
Quitzits sounds horrible!! Im getting all paranoid about my skin now!
Another day almost gone, I still think about it constantly but its getting easier to cope with. Its kind of like a constant dull pain. No more big panic attacks since the cloud of doom a few days ago.
Poet and Kath move forward with their Quit Day on April 26th and I wish them all the best. Work hard this week on reducing your smoke count from 10 to 4 or 5. It will make your quit day easier!
Today I celebrate a whole 100 hits on my visit counter, wahoo! I can even find my blog on google if I type the exact words.. Myabe one day Ill beable to find it as a general search who knows!
Maybe a little more later but for now, keep popping!
Quitzits sounds horrible!! Im getting all paranoid about my skin now!
Another day almost gone, I still think about it constantly but its getting easier to cope with. Its kind of like a constant dull pain. No more big panic attacks since the cloud of doom a few days ago.
Poet and Kath move forward with their Quit Day on April 26th and I wish them all the best. Work hard this week on reducing your smoke count from 10 to 4 or 5. It will make your quit day easier!
Today I celebrate a whole 100 hits on my visit counter, wahoo! I can even find my blog on google if I type the exact words.. Myabe one day Ill beable to find it as a general search who knows!
Maybe a little more later but for now, keep popping!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Day 19
Day 19, 10 days smoke free
I havent smoked in 10 days, it hasnt been easy even with the aid of our little blue friend. But 10 days, thats pretty cool to me and I am quite pleased with myself!
It is a Monday, the start of a new week, start of a new season and life is good.
Tquit had returned from the start of his "season", seaming in good spirits and sounding like a non smoker. I often go back to his old posts to see what he was rabbiting on about at my stage and we are roughly at the same pace. There is hope for me yet!
I loved how T described watching a sunset of a beautiful evening filling the sky with redness. I have been lucky enough to see some of the best sunsets in the world and the addition of a cigerette made it all that bit more special. I too could give back many many cigerettes, literally thousands of them. But there are a few that will be missed like T's sunset smoke or my ponder smoke. If I have ever had a problem that I cannot get around, I would go outside, consider all the options pacing up and down whilst pulling at a cigerette. By the time I am finished my cig, a decision will be made. Those are the cigerettes I will miss.
Kath and Poet have reduced their smoke intake which is great but I agree with Tquit, its time to eat the bear. Cut out those important smokes like the morning and post meal ones and the rest will follow suit. Do what I did, pick a quit day, tell everyone, get ridiculously drunk the night before so that you are so ill on your quit day that the meer mention of a cig would make you vomit and thats half your withdrawel done!! As you know from my daily rants the rest is still hard but its all in my head. We are all here to support each other!
I was going to go on a coffee rant next but I might save that for later .. dont want to alienate everyone in one swift post!
Nice relaxed day today
Until next time, keep popping
I havent smoked in 10 days, it hasnt been easy even with the aid of our little blue friend. But 10 days, thats pretty cool to me and I am quite pleased with myself!
It is a Monday, the start of a new week, start of a new season and life is good.
Tquit had returned from the start of his "season", seaming in good spirits and sounding like a non smoker. I often go back to his old posts to see what he was rabbiting on about at my stage and we are roughly at the same pace. There is hope for me yet!
I loved how T described watching a sunset of a beautiful evening filling the sky with redness. I have been lucky enough to see some of the best sunsets in the world and the addition of a cigerette made it all that bit more special. I too could give back many many cigerettes, literally thousands of them. But there are a few that will be missed like T's sunset smoke or my ponder smoke. If I have ever had a problem that I cannot get around, I would go outside, consider all the options pacing up and down whilst pulling at a cigerette. By the time I am finished my cig, a decision will be made. Those are the cigerettes I will miss.
Kath and Poet have reduced their smoke intake which is great but I agree with Tquit, its time to eat the bear. Cut out those important smokes like the morning and post meal ones and the rest will follow suit. Do what I did, pick a quit day, tell everyone, get ridiculously drunk the night before so that you are so ill on your quit day that the meer mention of a cig would make you vomit and thats half your withdrawel done!! As you know from my daily rants the rest is still hard but its all in my head. We are all here to support each other!
I was going to go on a coffee rant next but I might save that for later .. dont want to alienate everyone in one swift post!
Nice relaxed day today
Until next time, keep popping
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Day 18
Day 18, Day 9 smoke free
Well as suspected today was shite. Very hard day I woke up feeling fine infact got through half the day happy as larry. Then I noticed IT ...
I live in a quiet little apartment block and alot of people smoke in their individual units as I myself used to. This causes the hallways to house a bit of second hand smoke and smell. Im coping fine with that, I dont exactly hang out in the hallways all day long. Today there was something bothering, something niggling at my nose. I realised smoke from the halls had snaked its way into my living space. Only a tiny amount, not enough to bother a normal human being but my smell is so sensitive at the moment I could pick it. A huge cloud of doom came over me, almost like day 1 withdrawels of shaking and headaches. I actually did think of smoking today which has never crossed my mind before. Thankgod I threw away all my tobacco otherwise I would be back to square one. It was a bit of a kick in the guts considering Im 9 days off the smokes now but I got through it in the end. I wish I knew when thi would stop. Day 20, Day 50?
To make myself feel better I decided to make some home made prawn tempura. A nice little distraction with a treat at the end of it. It was yum and slowly the cloud lifted. Little blue pill popped and I start to relax again. I wondered how I can make good tempura where as every chinese takeaway in the vicinity of these lands manages to F it up .. interesting point!
Calming down as I write this blog. Thankgod for this blog!! I look forward to a good day tomorrow!!
Things I have noticed happening:
1. smell, I can smell the air freshener in my car for the first time ever. I thought it never worked!
2. my teeth feel cleaner
Moan over
Until next time, keep popping!
Well as suspected today was shite. Very hard day I woke up feeling fine infact got through half the day happy as larry. Then I noticed IT ...
I live in a quiet little apartment block and alot of people smoke in their individual units as I myself used to. This causes the hallways to house a bit of second hand smoke and smell. Im coping fine with that, I dont exactly hang out in the hallways all day long. Today there was something bothering, something niggling at my nose. I realised smoke from the halls had snaked its way into my living space. Only a tiny amount, not enough to bother a normal human being but my smell is so sensitive at the moment I could pick it. A huge cloud of doom came over me, almost like day 1 withdrawels of shaking and headaches. I actually did think of smoking today which has never crossed my mind before. Thankgod I threw away all my tobacco otherwise I would be back to square one. It was a bit of a kick in the guts considering Im 9 days off the smokes now but I got through it in the end. I wish I knew when thi would stop. Day 20, Day 50?
To make myself feel better I decided to make some home made prawn tempura. A nice little distraction with a treat at the end of it. It was yum and slowly the cloud lifted. Little blue pill popped and I start to relax again. I wondered how I can make good tempura where as every chinese takeaway in the vicinity of these lands manages to F it up .. interesting point!
Calming down as I write this blog. Thankgod for this blog!! I look forward to a good day tomorrow!!
Things I have noticed happening:
1. smell, I can smell the air freshener in my car for the first time ever. I thought it never worked!
2. my teeth feel cleaner
Moan over
Until next time, keep popping!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Day 17
Day 17, 8 days smoke free
Evening folks, 8 days down now ... better run down to the doctor and refill my champix, lord knows what it would be like off this stuff!!
Firstly I would like to apologise to my sister. You are not silly for suggesting that I start drinking coffee even though it has been know to cause death if you drink 80 - 100 cups very quickly! I would also like to say that you dont live on a motor way, you live in the lush countryside of westmeath that just happens to have a dual carriage way literally at your front. So IM SORRY!!
Im sure Ill hear about this tomorrow, but you can always come on here to defend yourself!
Anyways moving swiftly along, hope Poet and Kath are coping with the way of the champix. We all wanna hear about those bears!
Now on to little old me. Im grand. Every second day seems to be up and every other day seems to be down. Today for example I felt fine, didnt have too many thoughts of the lovely weed and the ones I had were pretty painless. A step forward almost except I recognise the pattern now. Yesterday was shite and I know tomorrow will be just as good. It might be something to do with anti-biotics I am taking, they do make me feel a bit yuckie. Hopefully once I stop taking those things will calm down. Only time will tell ...
Tonight was weird I was on my home and popped into the petrol station for some c.c.c.c.c.....................................................................
cereal and I noticed that everybody around me was buying loads of redbull. Some strange party going on in the midlands of Ireland tonight? I will have to investigate.
Until next time, keep popping
Evening folks, 8 days down now ... better run down to the doctor and refill my champix, lord knows what it would be like off this stuff!!
Firstly I would like to apologise to my sister. You are not silly for suggesting that I start drinking coffee even though it has been know to cause death if you drink 80 - 100 cups very quickly! I would also like to say that you dont live on a motor way, you live in the lush countryside of westmeath that just happens to have a dual carriage way literally at your front. So IM SORRY!!
Im sure Ill hear about this tomorrow, but you can always come on here to defend yourself!
Anyways moving swiftly along, hope Poet and Kath are coping with the way of the champix. We all wanna hear about those bears!
Now on to little old me. Im grand. Every second day seems to be up and every other day seems to be down. Today for example I felt fine, didnt have too many thoughts of the lovely weed and the ones I had were pretty painless. A step forward almost except I recognise the pattern now. Yesterday was shite and I know tomorrow will be just as good. It might be something to do with anti-biotics I am taking, they do make me feel a bit yuckie. Hopefully once I stop taking those things will calm down. Only time will tell ...
Tonight was weird I was on my home and popped into the petrol station for some c.c.c.c.c.....................................................................
cereal and I noticed that everybody around me was buying loads of redbull. Some strange party going on in the midlands of Ireland tonight? I will have to investigate.
Until next time, keep popping
Friday, April 16, 2010
Day 16
Its Day 16, 1 week off the smokes today
I should be dancing from the rooftops, this is a real achievement but today I feel lethargic.
I went on my walk around the canal and literally had to drag my ass all the way. My body is saying ok jokes over now Zoe, get down to the shop and get some fags. But my mind is saying not a chance. Today is a battle of mind and body.
Do not fret readers I have no intention of going back on the smokes. I just feel yuck today. When does the good stuff start?
By the way Im kinda impatient about seeing results incase you havent noticed ;)
I should be dancing from the rooftops, this is a real achievement but today I feel lethargic.
I went on my walk around the canal and literally had to drag my ass all the way. My body is saying ok jokes over now Zoe, get down to the shop and get some fags. But my mind is saying not a chance. Today is a battle of mind and body.
Do not fret readers I have no intention of going back on the smokes. I just feel yuck today. When does the good stuff start?
By the way Im kinda impatient about seeing results incase you havent noticed ;)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Day 15
Day 15 on champix, Day 6 off the smokes (six days??!!! All I can say is WTF!)
Firstly to Poet and K, had a sneaky peak at your blog again today. You seem to be making great progress today and sounds like champix is doing its thing. Id love to know where you live, bears at night time ???
And to Peter thanks for the note yesterday. I do find I have more time, no emergency cigs just in case I cant smoke somewhere. I am also sleeping so much better. I just feel my lungs arent wonderful but hey you cant expect miracles after being good for 6 days. But all in all I feel good. Think I was just having one of those days the other day! My cravings are becoming less and less as the days fly by and are easier to ignore. So at this stage I dont feel any danger of going back on them which is the biggest triumph for me. Its also good to hear that you are feeling good affects at day 20. Something to look forward to!
I just want to return to cravings there for a moment. I have noticed I am doing something, is it just me or do all of us unwilling quitters do it? I am trying to complete a task and at some point I would normally reach for a fag. So I sit up to grab the ashtray that is no longer there before I realise I dont smoke anymore. I wouldnt necessarily call it a craving but more old habbits knocking on the door. Am I going crazy?
My lovely sister atually suggested that I start drinking coffee, to have something to give a kick start to the day! Thanks sis but in terms of advice thats a big fat FAIL. Back to the drawing board for you! Funny all the same.
Which reminds me there was one point during the day yesterday which I actually really wanted a cigarette. I was babysitting my lovely niece and nephew which are very well behaved 99% of the time but were testing me a bit yesterday. I got a bit stressed and just thought somebody please give me a cigarette. Thankfully I was in a house in the middle of a motorway and short of throwing the kids in the car and heading to the nearest town there was no way I was getting my hands on any tobacco. Have to find a way to deal with stress other than smoking although my fuse is very short at the moment. Hopefully that will pass too!
In general as the days fly by things seem to be getting easier, will need to think of something new to talk about on this blog asides from how I'm feeling .. Im sure its getting old!
Tomorrow will be a milestone, One week smoke free
Join me in the celebration!!
Champagne available at the door
Firstly to Poet and K, had a sneaky peak at your blog again today. You seem to be making great progress today and sounds like champix is doing its thing. Id love to know where you live, bears at night time ???
And to Peter thanks for the note yesterday. I do find I have more time, no emergency cigs just in case I cant smoke somewhere. I am also sleeping so much better. I just feel my lungs arent wonderful but hey you cant expect miracles after being good for 6 days. But all in all I feel good. Think I was just having one of those days the other day! My cravings are becoming less and less as the days fly by and are easier to ignore. So at this stage I dont feel any danger of going back on them which is the biggest triumph for me. Its also good to hear that you are feeling good affects at day 20. Something to look forward to!
I just want to return to cravings there for a moment. I have noticed I am doing something, is it just me or do all of us unwilling quitters do it? I am trying to complete a task and at some point I would normally reach for a fag. So I sit up to grab the ashtray that is no longer there before I realise I dont smoke anymore. I wouldnt necessarily call it a craving but more old habbits knocking on the door. Am I going crazy?
My lovely sister atually suggested that I start drinking coffee, to have something to give a kick start to the day! Thanks sis but in terms of advice thats a big fat FAIL. Back to the drawing board for you! Funny all the same.
Which reminds me there was one point during the day yesterday which I actually really wanted a cigarette. I was babysitting my lovely niece and nephew which are very well behaved 99% of the time but were testing me a bit yesterday. I got a bit stressed and just thought somebody please give me a cigarette. Thankfully I was in a house in the middle of a motorway and short of throwing the kids in the car and heading to the nearest town there was no way I was getting my hands on any tobacco. Have to find a way to deal with stress other than smoking although my fuse is very short at the moment. Hopefully that will pass too!
In general as the days fly by things seem to be getting easier, will need to think of something new to talk about on this blog asides from how I'm feeling .. Im sure its getting old!
Tomorrow will be a milestone, One week smoke free
Join me in the celebration!!
Champagne available at the door
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
oopsie, I am only after seeing Poets post now after my big lecture! Im delighted you are not giving up at the firt hurdle. Smoking is very much like alcoholism or any other substance abuse(im possibly being a bit dramatic but you get the picture!), Im not suggesting that we all do the 12 steps but I do think that it is something that can only be dealt with one day at a time.
Now take a look at yourselves and think 2 weeks ago how much you were smoking and did you think you would get this far? I know I didnt. That in itself is a huge achievement so give yourselves a pat on the back!
Now take a look at yourselves and think 2 weeks ago how much you were smoking and did you think you would get this far? I know I didnt. That in itself is a huge achievement so give yourselves a pat on the back!
Day 14
Day 14 on champix and 5 days smoke free. 5 days! I have not been 5 days smoke free since puberty!
It kind of feels like I am on a break, my body is expecting me to stop by the local newsagent any moment now for a nice pack of camels or something and spark up. But no I will not give in, firstly because I really dont want to and secondly smoking as I know it no longer exists.
I think about that initial drag as you light up your cig, the relief that comes over your body ... its all gone, champix has made sure of that. Now its just pointless tobacco so the only way from is to continue quit.
Im sure at this stage the physical withdrawel has completed and I can go all day with pretty much no major hickups. Night time is hard though, sitting on the sofa watching the tv. It feels like something is missing! I notice I am going to bed alot earlier though which has got to be a good thing!! Perhaps the good effects will slowly start to creep in!
I suddenly had a thought this morning, I wondered how my new friends were doing. Peets I hope you are keeping with it still, Poet and K I know you had your first no smoke day so I popped over to your blog to see how you got on. A little stunmble but not to worry stick with it my friends!! The only way I did it was by taking the first 2 weeks to reduce my daily intake from about 20 a day to just 2 a day working on taking away those important cigs like morning, post meal and bed time. In my first week I was all about the techniques thinking to myself why do I want a smoke? oh Im just hungry! Distracting myself with bits and pieces. Doing quitting trial runs, see how long I can last. I know it sounds stupid but it really really worked for me, find your own happy medium and stay with us!! We can all do this together!
Preaching session over for today next lesson begins as week 3 approaches....
It kind of feels like I am on a break, my body is expecting me to stop by the local newsagent any moment now for a nice pack of camels or something and spark up. But no I will not give in, firstly because I really dont want to and secondly smoking as I know it no longer exists.
I think about that initial drag as you light up your cig, the relief that comes over your body ... its all gone, champix has made sure of that. Now its just pointless tobacco so the only way from is to continue quit.
Im sure at this stage the physical withdrawel has completed and I can go all day with pretty much no major hickups. Night time is hard though, sitting on the sofa watching the tv. It feels like something is missing! I notice I am going to bed alot earlier though which has got to be a good thing!! Perhaps the good effects will slowly start to creep in!
I suddenly had a thought this morning, I wondered how my new friends were doing. Peets I hope you are keeping with it still, Poet and K I know you had your first no smoke day so I popped over to your blog to see how you got on. A little stunmble but not to worry stick with it my friends!! The only way I did it was by taking the first 2 weeks to reduce my daily intake from about 20 a day to just 2 a day working on taking away those important cigs like morning, post meal and bed time. In my first week I was all about the techniques thinking to myself why do I want a smoke? oh Im just hungry! Distracting myself with bits and pieces. Doing quitting trial runs, see how long I can last. I know it sounds stupid but it really really worked for me, find your own happy medium and stay with us!! We can all do this together!
Preaching session over for today next lesson begins as week 3 approaches....
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Day 13
Well I have been on Champix for 13 days now, smoke free for 4 days. How do I feel?
Not that different to tell you the truth. When I started this experiment I had an analytical and physchological aproach to it. Nearly two weeks later, I am not smoking which is great but I don't feel the better for it. Dont get me wrong, Champix has done an incredible job that I never could have but I dont feel healthier, my chest feels heavy and clogged up, I still have cravings even though I know I dont want any cigarettes and I appear to be smelling smoke EVERYWHERE!
I do however have alot of extra time and seem to be getting things done and Im not killing myself with the cravings, I dont miss smoking.
I hope to christ I am not becoming one of those anti-smokers that I love to hate! Its only a phase Tquit I swear!!
All in all day 13 dull and boring! My apartment does smell lovely now though, a good auld traditional recipe of vinegar and oils has irradicated all bad odours and I now can relax in my home after a days scrubbing :)
Not that different to tell you the truth. When I started this experiment I had an analytical and physchological aproach to it. Nearly two weeks later, I am not smoking which is great but I don't feel the better for it. Dont get me wrong, Champix has done an incredible job that I never could have but I dont feel healthier, my chest feels heavy and clogged up, I still have cravings even though I know I dont want any cigarettes and I appear to be smelling smoke EVERYWHERE!
I do however have alot of extra time and seem to be getting things done and Im not killing myself with the cravings, I dont miss smoking.
I hope to christ I am not becoming one of those anti-smokers that I love to hate! Its only a phase Tquit I swear!!
All in all day 13 dull and boring! My apartment does smell lovely now though, a good auld traditional recipe of vinegar and oils has irradicated all bad odours and I now can relax in my home after a days scrubbing :)
Day 12
So Day 12 was very uneventful just another day to tick off the list!
Peter welcome to the blog, you sound like you have an interesting life! I believe you are a few days ahead of me so well done yourself. I still get urges when I am not busy but I am hoping that will fade.
And to my new followers (YAY!) Kath and Poet good the look with D day, you will be fine, just keep busy and its a doddle. Champix has done the hard work already.
I find I am fine once I am not in my apartment. The apartment was where I would smoke the majority of the time and now its the place where I eat and sleep and watch telly. I associate smoking with my apartment so its hard to get that out of my head. The main problem is that the apartment is very smelly now, I have only been off the smokes for 3 days but my sense of smell has increased dramatically and I can really notice that stale smoke but cannot get rid of it!! Any ideas how to clear away the stale smell please post back!
Finally getting some whacky dreams .. atlast I have a side effect!!! or maybe I was just mental anyway! lol
Onwards to day 13 and day 4 smoke free
Peter welcome to the blog, you sound like you have an interesting life! I believe you are a few days ahead of me so well done yourself. I still get urges when I am not busy but I am hoping that will fade.
And to my new followers (YAY!) Kath and Poet good the look with D day, you will be fine, just keep busy and its a doddle. Champix has done the hard work already.
I find I am fine once I am not in my apartment. The apartment was where I would smoke the majority of the time and now its the place where I eat and sleep and watch telly. I associate smoking with my apartment so its hard to get that out of my head. The main problem is that the apartment is very smelly now, I have only been off the smokes for 3 days but my sense of smell has increased dramatically and I can really notice that stale smoke but cannot get rid of it!! Any ideas how to clear away the stale smell please post back!
Finally getting some whacky dreams .. atlast I have a side effect!!! or maybe I was just mental anyway! lol
Onwards to day 13 and day 4 smoke free
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Day 11
Hey folks I'm alive!!
Wow cannot believe I havent updated since Day 7!! The last few days have been crazy with parties and what not but I have alot to get through so lets kik off with a bit of housekeeping.
First off Id like to say hello to my friend a Ann, Ann is one of my non-smoker friends who has been facebook and blogger stalking me. Im delighted that shes reading and giving me support. Lovely to see you today Ann aswell!!
Hello to poet and k who are also on the champix, sorry to hear about the rotten side effects K is getting but tell her to keep with it!! I am in love with this miracle drug! Although I am starting to think that I have been very lucky with no side effects. Mind you I am a bit gutted I didnt get any funky dreams yet :) Keep it up you too and good luck with the final stop date.
Finally to Tquit, another great blog last night. The man is doing very well and starting to tackle some other vices now. Well done T congrats on Day 71. I think my next vice to tackle will be Mafia Wars ... the booze is staying ... that would just be un-irish of me ha ha!
So let talk about me now! On Day 1 I said I had set my quit date for Day 11 which is today!! This is where things get complicated so bare with me while I try to run through the course of events over the last week.
I think I mentioned on Day 7 about food poisioning which had me on the big white telephone for a while. Well because I was so ill I couldnt smoke, not even if my life depended on it! The next day I was a little better, I could have had a cig at a push but I decided no lets stay off of them. Day 8 came around and I was still happy to stay away from them. However, I was at my sister's wedding reception (congrats sis!!) so a few smokes were had that night (maybe 4 half cigs). They were horrible, didnt get anything from them at all! Day 9 comes around and I'm as happy as larry to stay off the smokes again all day long until late that night again (big party part 2) where I had a few more half cigs still not enjoying them just out of social habit more than anything and the fact that I was HAMMERED! Day 10 comes around and I am so hungover I cannot move, I am so ill (old age kicking in i think, whats the cure for that??) that I decide Im gonna do the quit day today a day early and thats what I did. No cigs on Day 10 at all and it was very painless.
Day 11 arrives with the foggie hangover finally lifted. Had a few pangs around lunch time but as an old friend of mine used to say "just walk it off!". It was really helpful to have those sneaky fags at the parties because it showed me that they are not something I enjoy anymore, there is no buzz. no delight, just smelly dirty cigs. So now when I do get a pang I tell my brain to shut up beause I already know I wont enjoy it if I give in! As you can see from the clock I am now smoke free for nearly 2 full days and I have no itention on going back.
I have noticed a few things happening.
I am thirsty ALL the time, I have been downing water like there is no tomorrow! Years of not listenig to my body I think!
I really notice it when others smoke, I can smell it a mile off and it stinks. I never realised or maybe just forgot/ignored how powerful the stench is and I think, jesus I have smelled like that for nearly 15 years damnnnnn!!
I'm talking about my little journey with EVERYBODY, I think I have pretty much bored the crap out of everyone I have talked to in the last week dribbling on about how amazing the drug is and blah blah blah. But hey what can they say? Please start smoking for the love of God? Na I dont think so!
All in all feeling really good, still a long slog ahead but I am delighted with myself so far. Who would have thought fag ash lil (my parents favourite nickname for me) would be smoke free!! I shall remember April 10th 2010 for the rest of my life.
--more exciting installments to come when Day 3 pangs kick in :)
Wow cannot believe I havent updated since Day 7!! The last few days have been crazy with parties and what not but I have alot to get through so lets kik off with a bit of housekeeping.
First off Id like to say hello to my friend a Ann, Ann is one of my non-smoker friends who has been facebook and blogger stalking me. Im delighted that shes reading and giving me support. Lovely to see you today Ann aswell!!
Hello to poet and k who are also on the champix, sorry to hear about the rotten side effects K is getting but tell her to keep with it!! I am in love with this miracle drug! Although I am starting to think that I have been very lucky with no side effects. Mind you I am a bit gutted I didnt get any funky dreams yet :) Keep it up you too and good luck with the final stop date.
Finally to Tquit, another great blog last night. The man is doing very well and starting to tackle some other vices now. Well done T congrats on Day 71. I think my next vice to tackle will be Mafia Wars ... the booze is staying ... that would just be un-irish of me ha ha!
So let talk about me now! On Day 1 I said I had set my quit date for Day 11 which is today!! This is where things get complicated so bare with me while I try to run through the course of events over the last week.
I think I mentioned on Day 7 about food poisioning which had me on the big white telephone for a while. Well because I was so ill I couldnt smoke, not even if my life depended on it! The next day I was a little better, I could have had a cig at a push but I decided no lets stay off of them. Day 8 came around and I was still happy to stay away from them. However, I was at my sister's wedding reception (congrats sis!!) so a few smokes were had that night (maybe 4 half cigs). They were horrible, didnt get anything from them at all! Day 9 comes around and I'm as happy as larry to stay off the smokes again all day long until late that night again (big party part 2) where I had a few more half cigs still not enjoying them just out of social habit more than anything and the fact that I was HAMMERED! Day 10 comes around and I am so hungover I cannot move, I am so ill (old age kicking in i think, whats the cure for that??) that I decide Im gonna do the quit day today a day early and thats what I did. No cigs on Day 10 at all and it was very painless.
Day 11 arrives with the foggie hangover finally lifted. Had a few pangs around lunch time but as an old friend of mine used to say "just walk it off!". It was really helpful to have those sneaky fags at the parties because it showed me that they are not something I enjoy anymore, there is no buzz. no delight, just smelly dirty cigs. So now when I do get a pang I tell my brain to shut up beause I already know I wont enjoy it if I give in! As you can see from the clock I am now smoke free for nearly 2 full days and I have no itention on going back.
I have noticed a few things happening.
I am thirsty ALL the time, I have been downing water like there is no tomorrow! Years of not listenig to my body I think!
I really notice it when others smoke, I can smell it a mile off and it stinks. I never realised or maybe just forgot/ignored how powerful the stench is and I think, jesus I have smelled like that for nearly 15 years damnnnnn!!
I'm talking about my little journey with EVERYBODY, I think I have pretty much bored the crap out of everyone I have talked to in the last week dribbling on about how amazing the drug is and blah blah blah. But hey what can they say? Please start smoking for the love of God? Na I dont think so!
All in all feeling really good, still a long slog ahead but I am delighted with myself so far. Who would have thought fag ash lil (my parents favourite nickname for me) would be smoke free!! I shall remember April 10th 2010 for the rest of my life.
--more exciting installments to come when Day 3 pangs kick in :)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Day 7
Well its day 7 and we come to close week one. Day 6 was successful in one way in that I did not smoke at all. This is more than likely due to the fact that my head was down a toilet for the majority of the day. I have come to the conclusion that food poisoning was at play here. But 24 hours later all infection has been removed from system all be it in a harsh way and we are back on track.
So far no smokes today if only a few small pangs, may as well keep going considering I had non yesterday. Am I a non smoker yet? I doubht it, have 3 days of partying to get through, I am bound to slip up. But I am getting there.
So far no smokes today if only a few small pangs, may as well keep going considering I had non yesterday. Am I a non smoker yet? I doubht it, have 3 days of partying to get through, I am bound to slip up. But I am getting there.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Day 6
Firstly, I haven't said this yet but well done to Tquitt for being off the smokes for 2 months. You are an inspiration to all us unwilling quiters.
Secondly, urrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I wake up clutching my stomach, uh oh Im being attacked from both ends. This is either Champix and those rotten side effects or a dodgy dinner. The remainder of the fish cakes go in the bin and Zoe hopes this is only a 24 hr thing! Either way I definately DO NOT want to smoke right now!!
Secondly, urrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I wake up clutching my stomach, uh oh Im being attacked from both ends. This is either Champix and those rotten side effects or a dodgy dinner. The remainder of the fish cakes go in the bin and Zoe hopes this is only a 24 hr thing! Either way I definately DO NOT want to smoke right now!!
wow
Just a quick one
Im astonished, I have ... a follower!! Who would have thunk it!
Tquitt thanks for lovely and helpful comments. If anyone wants to check out T's brilliant blog check out http://tquittinwithchampix.blogspot.com/
This guy is a legend!
Im astonished, I have ... a follower!! Who would have thunk it!
Tquitt thanks for lovely and helpful comments. If anyone wants to check out T's brilliant blog check out http://tquittinwithchampix.blogspot.com/
This guy is a legend!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Day 5
Today I feel different.
I lasted up until late last night without a smoke ... almost a whole smoke free day .. almost!
Then the hot flushes and panic set in, it honestly felt like I was withdrawing from crack cocaine not little old cigs! I gave in and smoked three not all at once of course but still! Not quite sure if I enjoyed them or not but I smoked them all the way through.
All in all smoke count for Day 4 was 3, another 50% decrease.
I return to my opening statement. I woke up this morning, not having taken my pill yet but I'm not reaching for the tobacco. Even though I only smoked 3 times yesterday I feel like I smoked 50. Very strange!! I guess champix is kicking in. I am feeling a little non smokerish, maybe im just experiencing dillusions, a side effect from the drug! Hey its better than feeling sick all the time like most people.
Very nervous about next week now, the withdrawel was very uncomfortable and I wont have a backout clause this time. Maybe I can get some morphine and knock myself out for a good month till its all over!
If I continue with my 50% daily decrease today I should have smoked 1.5 cigs ... yeah right
Thankyou to Richard who gave a simple suggestion to yesterday's challenge at first I laughed at such a simple idea but its not that bad. I might just give it a try!
If I have more than one reader, especially smokers or ex-smokers, Id love to hear your stories and that you do actually exist! I hope my friends are reading this and think about joining in, you know who you are (Ritchie) cough cough.
Come on people this is the world wide web and Im feeling so alone in my efforts to free myself from the demon grip of nic.
He he starting to lose it maybe .. I wonder what Zoe is like smoke free??
Anyway its 9pm popped morning and evening pills smoked one cig .. dunno if I liked that one either. The sensation I crave doesnt seem to be there but right now I still want another one! Not to worry I am still way ahead of my schedule with the program. In six days I will be climbing the walls and this blog should get interesting!
What next?
I lasted up until late last night without a smoke ... almost a whole smoke free day .. almost!
Then the hot flushes and panic set in, it honestly felt like I was withdrawing from crack cocaine not little old cigs! I gave in and smoked three not all at once of course but still! Not quite sure if I enjoyed them or not but I smoked them all the way through.
All in all smoke count for Day 4 was 3, another 50% decrease.
I return to my opening statement. I woke up this morning, not having taken my pill yet but I'm not reaching for the tobacco. Even though I only smoked 3 times yesterday I feel like I smoked 50. Very strange!! I guess champix is kicking in. I am feeling a little non smokerish, maybe im just experiencing dillusions, a side effect from the drug! Hey its better than feeling sick all the time like most people.
Very nervous about next week now, the withdrawel was very uncomfortable and I wont have a backout clause this time. Maybe I can get some morphine and knock myself out for a good month till its all over!
If I continue with my 50% daily decrease today I should have smoked 1.5 cigs ... yeah right
Thankyou to Richard who gave a simple suggestion to yesterday's challenge at first I laughed at such a simple idea but its not that bad. I might just give it a try!
If I have more than one reader, especially smokers or ex-smokers, Id love to hear your stories and that you do actually exist! I hope my friends are reading this and think about joining in, you know who you are (Ritchie) cough cough.
Come on people this is the world wide web and Im feeling so alone in my efforts to free myself from the demon grip of nic.
He he starting to lose it maybe .. I wonder what Zoe is like smoke free??
Anyway its 9pm popped morning and evening pills smoked one cig .. dunno if I liked that one either. The sensation I crave doesnt seem to be there but right now I still want another one! Not to worry I am still way ahead of my schedule with the program. In six days I will be climbing the walls and this blog should get interesting!
What next?
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Day 4 cntd....
Just had dinner and really really want that smoke now so I am blogging instead!
I havent had a cigerette today, I am not planning on bringing my start date forward but I do want to see how long I can hold out ... lets call this a dry run.
I think I have kicked the morning smoke habit but after dinner smoke and pre bed smoke were big rituals and are gonna be tough to get rid of. I need to come up with something that will replace those. If I have any readers please put forward your suggestions.
I havent had a cigerette today, I am not planning on bringing my start date forward but I do want to see how long I can hold out ... lets call this a dry run.
I think I have kicked the morning smoke habit but after dinner smoke and pre bed smoke were big rituals and are gonna be tough to get rid of. I need to come up with something that will replace those. If I have any readers please put forward your suggestions.
Day 4
So its day 4, today isnt too important but marks a few things:
-One week today and I WILL BE A NON SMOKER
-Today the dosage goes up to 0.5mg morning and evening
Fell back a little bit last night, after my last post I went to bed but could not sleep for love nor money. After about an hour of lying in bed I gave in and had another cigarette. I know very bold but atleast my final count was 6 for the whole day which is still a big drop!!
Bit disappointed by that but at the same time the difference in me in the space of 3 or 4 days is pretty good.
While I was sitting there wide awake, I started thinking about what I would talk about today. Alot of ideas were flying around my mind but the one thing that was at the forefront was my mouth.
What the bleep are you talking about I hear you say!
Smoking makes me very thirsty, its something that I have just accepted and ignored over the years. It would be a norm to down a bottle of wine to quench that thirst of a friday evening and be nibbling on junk food to soak up the alcohol and mask the smokey taste in my mouth. Last night I learned something. I was very content with two glasses of wine and didnt go for any snacks. Has smoking cultivated the way I drink and eat too? I am starting to that maybe it has. Most people gain the extra 6 pounds giving up the smokes, maybe I'll lose 6 pounds. Wouldnt that be a great double achievement!
Anyway, day 4 commences without any dramas. Still no side effects from the drugs, the hulk monster hasnt appeared quite yet, I think we shall leave him til next week when the real test begins. I pop my pill in the morning and skip that wake up smoke, new routines are building kicking the old ones to the curb.
Still full of optimism as the journey progresses.
More thoughts to come later as I push away those cravings ...
-One week today and I WILL BE A NON SMOKER
-Today the dosage goes up to 0.5mg morning and evening
Fell back a little bit last night, after my last post I went to bed but could not sleep for love nor money. After about an hour of lying in bed I gave in and had another cigarette. I know very bold but atleast my final count was 6 for the whole day which is still a big drop!!
Bit disappointed by that but at the same time the difference in me in the space of 3 or 4 days is pretty good.
While I was sitting there wide awake, I started thinking about what I would talk about today. Alot of ideas were flying around my mind but the one thing that was at the forefront was my mouth.
What the bleep are you talking about I hear you say!
Smoking makes me very thirsty, its something that I have just accepted and ignored over the years. It would be a norm to down a bottle of wine to quench that thirst of a friday evening and be nibbling on junk food to soak up the alcohol and mask the smokey taste in my mouth. Last night I learned something. I was very content with two glasses of wine and didnt go for any snacks. Has smoking cultivated the way I drink and eat too? I am starting to that maybe it has. Most people gain the extra 6 pounds giving up the smokes, maybe I'll lose 6 pounds. Wouldnt that be a great double achievement!
Anyway, day 4 commences without any dramas. Still no side effects from the drugs, the hulk monster hasnt appeared quite yet, I think we shall leave him til next week when the real test begins. I pop my pill in the morning and skip that wake up smoke, new routines are building kicking the old ones to the curb.
Still full of optimism as the journey progresses.
More thoughts to come later as I push away those cravings ...
Day 3 ... the end
Well wonders will never cease. I have had two glasses of wine, decided to drink them slowly and savour the taste. Turns out I didnt really crave cigarettes that badly on the booze. Just had one between glasses and that was it. Feel a bit tired earlier than usual so I am heading to bed. Final count for the day is 5 ... another 50% drop
GO ME!
GO ME!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Day 3 ctnd ...
Well its 10 pm, I have just finished my thrid smoke of the evening. I am happy with my progesse, 3 cigarettes in all day is great but I am concerned that I am enjoying them .. just putting off the inevitable. Lets hope this fades with my techniques.
I have decided to have a drink tonight so I have a feeling I might be giving in to tempation later!
I have decided to have a drink tonight so I have a feeling I might be giving in to tempation later!
Day 3
I went to bed last night having smoked a total of 10 cigerettes, thats a 50% drop in consumption. I am very pleased and hope it continues. I havent given champix enough time to work through my system yet but I am already seeing great things with a little will power (that I never knew I had!).
So today is day 3, I had a good nights sleep, no side affects so far. I take my pill straight away and skip my morning smoke ... I cant remember the last time I did this! I've kept my mind busy and still no cigarettes today by pushing away the cravings. Do I want a cigarette because they are there or do I want a cigarette because I NEED one? Im not quite sure yet.
So today is day 3, I had a good nights sleep, no side affects so far. I take my pill straight away and skip my morning smoke ... I cant remember the last time I did this! I've kept my mind busy and still no cigarettes today by pushing away the cravings. Do I want a cigarette because they are there or do I want a cigarette because I NEED one? Im not quite sure yet.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Day 2
I wake very early, refreshed, in good form and ready for the day! It is Good Friday and I am feeling good!
I wait a couple of hours to take my as I wanted to keep it in line with yesterday's time but this just gave me pangs so I wont be making the same mistake twice. Tomorrow will be pill before anything!!!
I got a buzz off of the pill day which was interesting. Legal highes wahooooooo!! Only lasted maybe 10 minutes then I was back to normal, asides from that no other side effects. Still smoking through the day but making a real conscious effort to delay the cravings by leaving it for five minutes etc... I have had 6 cigerettes all day which is amazing for me. I am at a minimum 20 a day smoker so I am very pleased and hope that this is the beginning of another sucessful story.
Before I started this blog I wanted to have a cigerette, I roled it up (no tailor mades for me!) and it is sitting beside me next to the lighter. But then I started writing and an hour later its still there. I think the key is keeping busy, take your mind off of it and the cravings will go away. For that reason I dont care if no one reads my blog, it is helping me achieve my goals (saying that, I secretly hope people do read it!).
I read an article today about quitting and it made the obvious point that us addicts use it as a way to deal with life.. If we are hungry, we smoke. If we are upset, we smoke. If we are bored, we smoke. If we are tired, we smoke. It suggested finding other ways to react to these situations. It mentioned the achronym HALT which stood for Hungry Angry Lonely Tired. It is important to know why we smoke, once we recognise that then hopefully we can find an alternative to smoking as a reaction to an event. If your hungry, eat (go for the healthy stuff). If your angry, just cool down. If your Lonely, ring a pal or write a blog! If your tired, go to bed and get some sleep! This is really good advise and I think something that I will remember and stick by. On to day 3 with more optimism!
I wait a couple of hours to take my as I wanted to keep it in line with yesterday's time but this just gave me pangs so I wont be making the same mistake twice. Tomorrow will be pill before anything!!!
I got a buzz off of the pill day which was interesting. Legal highes wahooooooo!! Only lasted maybe 10 minutes then I was back to normal, asides from that no other side effects. Still smoking through the day but making a real conscious effort to delay the cravings by leaving it for five minutes etc... I have had 6 cigerettes all day which is amazing for me. I am at a minimum 20 a day smoker so I am very pleased and hope that this is the beginning of another sucessful story.
Before I started this blog I wanted to have a cigerette, I roled it up (no tailor mades for me!) and it is sitting beside me next to the lighter. But then I started writing and an hour later its still there. I think the key is keeping busy, take your mind off of it and the cravings will go away. For that reason I dont care if no one reads my blog, it is helping me achieve my goals (saying that, I secretly hope people do read it!).
I read an article today about quitting and it made the obvious point that us addicts use it as a way to deal with life.. If we are hungry, we smoke. If we are upset, we smoke. If we are bored, we smoke. If we are tired, we smoke. It suggested finding other ways to react to these situations. It mentioned the achronym HALT which stood for Hungry Angry Lonely Tired. It is important to know why we smoke, once we recognise that then hopefully we can find an alternative to smoking as a reaction to an event. If your hungry, eat (go for the healthy stuff). If your angry, just cool down. If your Lonely, ring a pal or write a blog! If your tired, go to bed and get some sleep! This is really good advise and I think something that I will remember and stick by. On to day 3 with more optimism!
Day 1
So its week one!! Wish me luck!
I immediately went down to the nearest pharmacy I could find to get the wonder drug that will help me to stop smoking cancer sticks!
It comes in a lovely packaging, I wish all medication came in this format. You can clearly see where you are in your course at a glance.
For the first 4 days you take one 0.5mg pill while continuing to smoke. I like the idea of easing you into it.
First decision to make, what is my quiting day??
After much thought I have decided on April 11th 2010. It is my sister's wedding with various events on 8th to the 10th, so I thought I can afford to slip up without cheating and I should be too diseased with a hangover to even want to smoke on the 11th!! So this is my final date.
At 11am I pop the first pill .... Day 1 of my journey commences
Im a little scared, even though the successes are high the side effects can be brutal! Luckily I feel fine, my stomach was a feeling a little sick but apart from that happy days!!! Smoked a little less than usual, making a conscious effort to put off those cravings! Feeling very optimistic with a "I can do this" attitude ... very unlike me :)
Went to bed relaxed and happy.
I immediately went down to the nearest pharmacy I could find to get the wonder drug that will help me to stop smoking cancer sticks!
It comes in a lovely packaging, I wish all medication came in this format. You can clearly see where you are in your course at a glance.
For the first 4 days you take one 0.5mg pill while continuing to smoke. I like the idea of easing you into it.
First decision to make, what is my quiting day??
After much thought I have decided on April 11th 2010. It is my sister's wedding with various events on 8th to the 10th, so I thought I can afford to slip up without cheating and I should be too diseased with a hangover to even want to smoke on the 11th!! So this is my final date.
At 11am I pop the first pill .... Day 1 of my journey commences
Im a little scared, even though the successes are high the side effects can be brutal! Luckily I feel fine, my stomach was a feeling a little sick but apart from that happy days!!! Smoked a little less than usual, making a conscious effort to put off those cravings! Feeling very optimistic with a "I can do this" attitude ... very unlike me :)
Went to bed relaxed and happy.
The Beginning
What is this blog all about?
Hello I am a heavy heavy smoker and I need help!
I went to my doctor the other day for a full check up. After being poked and proded for over an hour he started having a go at me for being a smoker and said my lungs weren't in great shape. As it turns out I have been thinking of quiting for some time now but need a helping hand (afraid of failing mainly).
The lovely doctor gave me a prescription for Champix. I have heard of this before and its successes so I am excited to see how I do with it.
I decided that it might help to write the process down, get my thoughts and feelings out there. So this is my story, I hope you follow, enjoy and even join in!
Hello I am a heavy heavy smoker and I need help!
I went to my doctor the other day for a full check up. After being poked and proded for over an hour he started having a go at me for being a smoker and said my lungs weren't in great shape. As it turns out I have been thinking of quiting for some time now but need a helping hand (afraid of failing mainly).
The lovely doctor gave me a prescription for Champix. I have heard of this before and its successes so I am excited to see how I do with it.
I decided that it might help to write the process down, get my thoughts and feelings out there. So this is my story, I hope you follow, enjoy and even join in!
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