Scarred,

I smoked for 35 years -- told myself a bazillion times that I had to quit, but couldn't find the willpower.

In June, I had pain in my chest/rib area that I convinced myself was probably cancer. In July, after all the test results were in and I found out I DIDN'T have cancer, I asked immediately for a prescription for Zyban. The doctor told me that Champix was better (I think it's called Champax or Chantax in the US?) so he gave me a prescription.

I started taking the pills that day, and set my target quit date for July 22nd. I am incredibly proud to say that almost four months later, I still haven't lit a cigarette (though there were days when the stress was so bad that I sure felt like it).

The first day was absolutely the worst for me -- I ended up going to bed at 8pm just so I could go to sleep and get day one over with. Day two was better. Day three was hard, but after getting two successful days under my belt, I decided I didn't want to have to go through them again!

It has been the smartest health move I've ever made. I no longer wake up with a smoker's cough. My house smells nicer.

To try and ensure I didn't go back to smoking, I bought myself a new car. The monthly payments cost just a little bit more than I was spending on cigarettes every month. And I have something to show for it besides a hacking cough and shortness of breath! (And I know I can't afford both the car payment and the cigarette habit, so it was a good incentive for me.)

Chew gum and drink lots of water -- it helps.

Wishing you much determination (and luck!) to ditch this habit...

MHH