Day 42

Hi Folks

Pleased to see that someone has left a comment that's thinking about giving up and is looking into Champix as a possible method. The problem is, had it not been for the fact that I came in to contact with someone who had smoked heavily and was giving up with Champix, the sort of information that I found online would have meant that I'd never have even considered Champix. Even now when I read the experiences of some of the folk on this site like Jo, Kerry B and Alison I wonder if it's a safe drug.

Because I worked quite closely with someone for three weeks that had been taking Champix for about three weeks before I met them I was able to set my mind at rest. This guy just didn't seem to be affected by the fact that he was giving up a 60 a day habit. What's more he only did it as a notion because he knew it had worked for others. I don't think he'd be too upset at me saying that he didn't expect it to work. The only side effect he had was that the pills made him feel sick for about twenty minutes after taking them. He said it wasn't as bad if he ate before taking the pills but like most smokers he wasn't big on breakfast. If you read my story from day 1-14 you'll see that I wasn't that much more committed than him and I'm coming up for four weeks off smoking. (Not counting my slip up in week 2)

I don't know your circumstances but the only thing I would advise is having someone, family member or partner, keep an eye and let you know if there's any change in your behaviour. Friends and workmates aren't really any good because they'll blame every twitch on the fact that you've given up or not tell you when your an arse because they don't want tot ruin your attempt. It needs to be someone who properly knows you.

As for getting physcologically (hope the spell check knows how to spell it) ready. You take Champix for up to two weeks before you give up. I think this is to let it take hold of your system however the real benefit is that it gives you a chance to get used to the idea and also to see if the Champix is going to have any reaction good or bad. Forget waiting for a good time. It will be a good time in two weeks time (sun will be out and everything)so start taking the pills now so your ready. Hope you'll come back and let us know how you get on.

As to my continuing saga... Well I kind of hinted at this yesterday but didn't really tell the full story. Since Sunday I've felt that I'm over the worst of the cravings and, whilst I do still seem to spend every waking moment thinking about cigarettes, I don't actually want to have a smoke. So on Monday I had precisely eight tablets which was exactly what I needed to take me up to the prescription that the Doc gave me tonight. Thing is there's still four of those tablets left. What I've done since Monday is cut myself down to one tablet per day. My plan is that the remaining four take me to the start of next week and, provided I still feel OK, I may try going without. I have the prescription so I know that if it is even slightly tough I can go back on the pills.

Why am I doing this? I took Champix to help me give up smoking and that is precisely what it has done. I don't want to feel that I'm only not smoking because of Champix. I want to feel that I'm not smoking because I don't smoke anymore. If it's just down to Champix then it's only a matter of time till I start again. I am however very aware that I'm doing well and have no notion of jeopardising that. I know where I am with cravings right now and if there's any shift then I'll be back on the Champix because you've got to remember that they don't take hold immediately. The worst that can happen is that I have a couple of bad days but I genuinely don't think that will happen.

As experiments go, this is the one to watch.