[bebop]

I started chantix for stop smoking. Saturday I did really well on it. Same Sunday. today though not so good but I did start on my 2 a day today so maybe just maybe it will get better. errrrrrrrrrr

[sabby]

Awwww (((((((( bebop )))))))))) I'm so proud of you for working to quit that nasty habit. You are an inspiration!!

Hang on tight......I know you can do it......don't forget to breathe!!

Sending you positive thoughts and strength to see this through.


sabby

[gimmeice]

((((((((((( bebop )))))))))))))))

I tried chantix, I think it would have worked except my doctor lost patience with me so I guess we will never know. It seems like when I started taking that my dr said to take it a week before I even tried to cut down on the smoking.

[bebop]

sabby thanks hon. I am normally a 3 pk a day. well I guess it has done some good. from friday til today only 3 pks!

gimmie I did find a website for stop smoking support and found many many chantix users. they all said the same thing basically is they smoked the first week then had a quit date set. if you want it I can pm it to you.

[hurtingintn]

i have the Rx also..havent taken it yet because i dont have it in my mind that i want to actually quit just yet..however, it does say for the first 2 weeks you can smoke while taking the med..i think it is to set a "quit day" and to have that as a goal..i have 3 friends that took the med and 2 have still not smoked and it has been almost a year..the other one the med made him sick and he started back smoking after 3 months of being smoke free..best of luck to you on your goal to quit

[bebop]

thanks hurting. I do want to quit and I am going to try to have surgery in the next few months and you have to be smoke free. I need to for my health as well. again thanks

[bebop]

ok gang I could really use some support! it has been 13 hours since my last smoke! I am going nuts right now. help!!

[notz]

Get busy! Do things that you never smoked while doing:

1. take a shower
2. brush your teeth
3. gas up the car
4. go to the mall
5. go see a movie
6. ride a bike
7. take a walk
8. sign up for yoga or aerobics
9. take a nap
10. cut a straw to size and smoke it!!!

These are things I did and January 20 at 1:45 AM will be 11 years! I'm cheering for you...
notz

[bebop]

well hmmmm thanks for all those suggestions! but it is raining today so can't go outside lol. no car so can't go to mall or movies. I did think about taking something to make me sleep for 3 days til the nicotine is out of my body lol

[daggy]

Bebop - just out of curiosity . How many smokes to a pack ?
will be pulling for you not to give up the battle

[daggy]

Hi again El aine did some real quick looking for you and came up with http://ezinearticles.com/?Stop-Smoki...ing?&id=392650 hope it might help

[bebop]

thanks daggy. I am on chantix for it right now.

[notz]

So, how are you doing?

notz

[bebop]

made it 48 hrs! then smoked part of one but still doing ok. I think my med increases tomorrow so the anxiety should start easing up I think. last night it got really bad. I caved in to just part of one. that is pretty good for me! I have saved a ton of money this week on them lol.

[notz]

Yep, lots of money. Wonder how long it would take for you to buy something (car, house, boat, furniture, etc.) with what you're not going to spend on them?

I'm glad you're hanging in there!

notz

[bebop]

my plan is to pay for my surgery.

[PleaseHelp]

I just found this post. Sorry, I'm a bit late.

Pulling for you, Be. I am proud of you for taking the leap.

[bebop]

thanks PH! I need all I can get honey!

[ECHOES]

bebop! You're doing great! This is hard, but remember hard is not impossible, it's just hard

Other suggestions:

Time the cravings so you'll know when the next one comes it is likely to last X number of minutes... that there is a beginning and an end.

Drink lots and lots of water! It will help clean out the nicotine, etc. Plus it will keep you busy...

Do you have a hobby that you do with your hands? I found it so hard to replace the activity of my hands... what do I do with my hands?! When I was on work break, I stood outside and talked with my co-workers and chewed gum and folded my arms across my chest so I my hands were "occupied" and I wouldn't feel a need to do something with them.

My anxiety really shot up and my doc prescribed Xanax, with the understanding that if I abused it I would not get more. I didn't and now use it very rarely. It's a tricky thing because taken too often it made me feel depressed.

I napped a lot too. Nothing at all wrong with that. You're healing, recovering, and rest is very important for getting well.

Keep up the good work!

[bebop]

thank you echoes! yesterday was my offical quit date. I had like 3 cigarettes from Tuesday until friday night! I smoked my last one at 12:33 am. I took 2 xanax when I went to bed though lol. anyway I started week 2 of my chantix which went up to 1 mg 2x a day. wow! it really helped. I went to a ladies party last night for our church and the normal smokers would go outside to smoke and it didn't even bother me. once most of the people left they started smoking in the house again but that didn't bother me either. today I only wanted one during a bad pain flare but I resisted. I think as little as I smoked this past week that most of the nicotine is out of my system now. I am doing good I think! continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers! btw I already can't stand the smell lol

[ECHOES]

Congrats! You're really doing very well

I now can't stand to be near the smell! ugh! That was a major reason I wanted to quit.

One more thing I would suggest is an alternative for stressful or anxious times. Since smoking is an anti-anxiety behavior we can easily revert back to it when a crisis arises. Since crises will always arise, such is life, a plan or two for what to do when that happens is really really helpful. Sometimes I just breathed through it using breathing exercises, sometimes I took Xanax, sometimes it was enough just knowing I had the Xanax with me if needed.

Doing relaxation techniques with some CD's I had also helped.

Keep going!

[PleaseHelp]

Congratulations on getting this far, Be. Keep up the good work!

[bebop]

thanks guys! I do need the encouragement and I am sure I will need it for awhile. today has been a good one as far as the cravings go and desire. I was in alot of pain this morning with my back issues and wanted one for comfort but I overcame it quite easily! woo hoo!

[BlueFaith]

Woo Hoo, Be!! You keep on keepin' on!! You can do this!! I know you can. I quit not too long ago, and it was HARD. So, I know how it feels. But, we're all here to help keep you on the right track!! You're doing great! Keep it up! YAY!

[bebop]

oh thanks hon! it isn't as hard since I am using the chantix! this stuff is amazing! I could never have done this without it. and encouragement from my friends here at pc!