Consumer Health Forums

Hi All

Don't know how useful this will be. Been smoking about 15 years. Had 2 in bed before I got up and would drive to supermarket at 2am if I ran out. Have tried to quit more times than I'd admit.

Was paying for cigs on my Visa. Decided to try Champix, didn't want to quit but thought it would get people off my back.

If you get them, take during food (feel ok) or you might feel as sick as hell for 20 mins (I did). My dreams were really vivid too, but I enjoyed them! It was nice dreams.

You are meant to stop on the 2nd week of treatment. I kept going but felt better that I was smoking less.

I was acting daft on nights out, always wanting a cig while drunk even though I had no craving.

After a week or so, I was speaking to a woman in work who said that the reason she couldn't quit was because that she did not want to face the fact that she might not smoke again.

That really hit home. I had no craving and no 'hit' from cigs because of my medication, but was still smoking.

I realised that when my prescription ended in 10 weeks that I would end up smoking again from dabbling, which was ok at present because the tablets made it so. I realised that I either smoked and came off the tablets or seized the opportunity.

I went to the car, where I had 10 cigs hidden and brought them into the house and cut them to pieces stating I was done with it.

I haven't smoked since. I stayed on the Champix for another 2 weeks after 'proper' quitting and then gave them up. Maybe not the best idea but it made me feel in control.

I have been totally pissed on nights out and not smoked. Yes I still want a cigarette sometimes, but I don't crave or need it. I sometimes want to tell my boss to f@@k off too, but I don't do it and that's how I think of it. The hold seems to have been broken - I haven't smoked since I destroyed the 10 cigs.

Over one month has passed cig free and I was able to bank £400 (which I will need to spend later in the month!) but I haven't been able to save any money in my life! This is purely from stopping smoking. I haven't used my Visa and I can actually see that I can pay it off.

I can't believe I was spending £400+ on fags.

I don't feel any better health wise and I still go and stand with work pals for a cig outside but I feel glad I quit.

It showed me I could make decisions about my life and follow through with them. It also showed me I have almost £5000 in a year I can spend instead of running up debt on cigs.

I wasn't motivated to stop but found the space to try using Champix.

I'd say give them a go.


If anyone wants to ask a question or some advice, please do. I know giving up is hard - I still have to guard against temptation, I just feel positive about it just now.

If you want a pep talk or a listening ear, then post aswell.

Or perhaps you want to chat about your mad dreams on Champix (I found this a useful diversion) - tell me about them!

Good Luck

saru.

Well done on quitting and saving
- maybe a new thread on your dreams and those of others would be interesting reading