It almost feels like I'm depriving myself of something good. I know, sounds weird!
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It almost feels like I'm depriving myself of something good. I know, sounds weird!
You need to talk to the Doctor who prescribed you the Chantix. Yes you should choose another quit date...because you aren’t quit until you stop smoking. Make sure you read at My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX and plan for that quit date. Come here to get help and support and to encourage others on this journey. Trust me, we all felt like we were depriving ourselves in the beginning, but you have to start somewhere in order to quit. You can do this, and we are here to help you...~ Colleen 397 DOF
Welcome to our community!
Absolutely set a new quit date - SOON! You are supposed to keep smoking while you start the Chantix, and it might just be the reason you have been able to cut down successfully.
The important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This easy and entertaining read provided a world of good information about nicotine addiction, most of which I was not aware. I credit it in large part with my success at quitting. You can search for it online or at your local library.
You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmoking.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance. Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.
It will be informative if you do the tracking and separation exercises recommended here on the site. As you track each cigarette smoked, note its importance, and what you might do instead. Put each one off just a little to prove that you don't NEED a cigarette just because you think you do.
The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced. Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit. If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different. Buy your gas at a different station. Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.
You need to distract yourself through any craves. You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game. Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time. You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits. Get busy! Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:
https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoke
The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?" Then DO it. You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.
Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!
Nancy
Congratulations on making the decision to quit smoking. Chantix is a quit smoking tool to help you wean from smoking. It will cause you to taper off if you continue to use it. I would focus on not smoking and then you can set a date. NOPE no matter what day it is. Commit to quitting.
How do I navigate this website to change my quit date?
On Sat, Jan 4, 2020, 6:06 PM JACKIE1-25-15 <communityadmin@becomeanex.org>
How long have you been taking the Chantix? You're supposed to take it for awhile while you're still smoking. Of course pick another and spend the time planning your quit.
Barb
I keep feeling like I'm depriving myself instead of doing something good
for me! Help me change my mindset!
On Sun, Jan 5, 2020, 9:10 AM Barbscloud <communityadmin@becomeanex.org>
How have you been using the Chantix?
I've been taking 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening. They are,
unfortunately, making me very I don't know how much longer I'll be able to
take them.
On Mon, Jan 6, 2020, 6:48 AM Barbscloud <communityadmin@becomeanex.org>
Sorry, my question is did your take the Chantix for the recommended time while you're still smoking. You're supposed to smoke at first when you start taking it.
Well, smoking is killing you. Why would you consider sucking in 4,000 toxins something you’re depriving yourself of? Cigarettes stole your ability to be happy without poison. Your brain needs time to start producing the happy molecules in your brain that nicotine rob you of. Chantix is helping to produce those molecules. Quit now so the Chantix can do it’s thing.
Dear Mysticat,
I know you're a 100% correct. I've struggled with Chantix in the past. The
first time I used it in 2007, I quit for 6 years. I started smoking again
in late 2013, (while in rehab for alcohol addiction). The last 2 times I've
used Chantix, I've experienced unusual mood changes, and this time it's
made me very ill. Still, I've continued taking it. I might have to just do
it on my own. I appreciate any support, with or without Chantix though! It
helps more than you know just explaining these things to you! Thank you so
very much!
Have a lovely day,
Rebecca
On Sun, Jan 5, 2020, 10:35 PM Mysticcat <communityadmin@becomeanex.org>
I took Chantix for 6 months. I took as directly. I quit on the 14 day. You gotta take that leap. I’d it gonna be easy probably not. But what I did was cleared my schedule for 5 days. I did nothing but take care of my quit. I slept, ate, watched tv, took walks, showers and practiced deep breathing. It was all about me. Even my husband was warned. I know everyone can’t do this but have plan and stick you it. Eat something about 1/2 hour before taking pill. If it bothers your sleep take earlier or cut in half (eith dr approval of course)
best wishes I kniw you can do this.
Checking in with you. Have you quit? Is anything I can do to help?
Thank you for your concern! My next quit date is Sunday. I bought a pack of
cigarettes a few days ago. They're horrible! I didn't buy my regular kind.
When I do smoke, it isn't satisfying at all. I find I'm almost making
myself smoke just because it's "that time". My mental habits are far
stronger than the ones. I won't give up though. That's not an option.
On Fri, Jan 17, 2020, 2:27 AM Mysticcat <communityadmin@becomeanex.org>
Hardest day is day one in my experience. So stay strong and remember to reach out when craving.
cheering you on!!!
Stand tall and stay firm. Do much to distract yourself. The more things you have to occupy your mind - the better. The worst thing you can do is sit there and dwell on smoking thoughts. Get up and get out.
Rather than trying to force yourself against your will to quit, take time to get to know Exers and their quits. No one can change your mind for you, but it is not at all weird for smokers preparing to quit, to feel that smoking is special. It's an addiction. The nicotine has influenced your brain. Breaking the addiction is the job of quitting. It happens one day at a time. In making a quit date, it's also important to make a quit plan--especially a list of all the things you are willing to do other than smoke.
An impulse or crave to smoke is normal once you quit--first few days it is absolutely common. It's your work to craft a reasonable to do list now so that you have choices. If you want the crave to just go away, rather committing to working your smobriety one day at a time, then, keep facing your reluctance to quit. Keep questioning your resistance. And spend a lot of time at Ex. Read peoples stories, read blogs, check everything out. Emerge yourself.
The urges to smoke have to be dealt with. They grow weaker as you take responsibility for staying smober. Those thoughts that tell you that smoking is good, ignore them, spend more time with smober people. Ex is here for you 365, the long run. Give yourself a chance, rather than talking yourself out of quitting.
Its bound to take time to relearn life by Marilyn
One of the greatest tools you can use by Jackie
Give This The Time It Takes by Nancy
What is the Single Best Thing You Can Do to Quit Smoking? - YouTube
Quitting Cigarettes Journal my story--a google blog I started in 2014
You can do this one day at a time. A specific quit day is made at your say so, under your power and is meant to be meaningful--even if weird, unpleasant. It's all a part of a fabulous journey. You stick with this, you win something far bigger than hits of nicotine off cigarettes.
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my email! I appreciate all the
information!
On Sat, Jan 18, 2020, 2:44 PM maryfreecig <communityadmin@becomeanex.org>
Hi... keep on your chantix and do not TRY to set another quit date, just DO it, soon as you can. You don't have to think about it, you've already taken your preliminary steps and had a plan.
You ARE depriving yourself of something good... life without addiction and without cigarettes and smelling bad and coughing and missing time with friends/family who don't want to be around smokers and so many things I can't even list them. The price is a few short weeks of feeling crummy, for even with the Chantix there is work to be done on your part, but the rewards SO outweigh the difficulties. The difficulties are TEMPORARY.... the benefits/joys/advantages/good stuff are all PERMANENT and ever-growing. I quit 7 years ago and still find new things to appreciate about not smoking!!
So... get rid of all smoking materials in your work/living space, and get down to business. The only 100% guaranteed sure-fire way to quit smoking is to QUIT SMOKING. Period end of discussion .