Hi Juliette -
You're experiencing pretty much the same things we all went through. I, too, have a close friend who is a heavy smoker, and I'm still avoiding her! We talk on the phone a lot.
Finding something else to do instead of taking that smoke break can be helpful. It's less than 10 minutes to fill, but that's 10 minutes of agony, isn't it? Don't worry. That feeling goes away eventually - especially since you're using Chantix.
I use it, too. After a couple of weeks, tobacco actually starts to taste bad if you should fall off the wagon. Then it starts to taste even worse. Hopefully you won't go down that road, but you might. That's okay as long as you get right back on the wagon and make your way.
I joined up with the EXers a year ago. Unfortunately, I failed big time. Looking back, I see I just wasn't ready. In October, I saw that I had an appointment with my pulmonologist coming up. (I have asthma). He really gave it to me last year; I didn't want to get scolded like that again. Within a month, I only smoked a couple of cigs a week. The pulmonologist was very happy with my progress.
Then I had the yard sale from Hell. I probably smoked 1/2 pack that day. I smoked another month or so after that. BOY DID I FEEL BAD!!! My chest hurt, I had trouble breathing, and I found myself needing that ol' rescue inhaler which I rarely use normally.
I went to my primary doctor for my yearly physical and told him what happened. He decided it was time for me to take Chantix, and here I am today.
I still feel like a recovering smoker and don't dare let my guard down. However, I do feel that I'll never smoke again. I reccomend looking to the future and don't look back. If I can quit, anybody can.
