Day 5 - No Cigarettes

Another day, another challenge to stay Quit.
I find that I think about going outside for a smoke first thing in the morning but the though quickly dissipates to the reality that I no longer smoke. Although I feel good about my success this far, I also realize that I will always be an addict, that I will always be just one cigarette away from that pack a day habit.
Sleep was just okay last night, I don't sleep like I used to but it's better than nothing. I think my sleep will improve when I'm able to exercise some.
Thanks again to those of you that continue to encourage me both through your words and through your own strength to quit and stay quit regardless of the challenges.

Day 4 - No Cigarettes

This is the farthest I have ever gone without smoking and I am proud of myself!
I'm not thinking bout smoking as much today but those habit triggers are still rearing their ugly heads - go away, you aren't welcome here anymore.
I continue to feel stronger everyday and my COPD isn't bothering me so much - at least I have the lung power to do simple stuff that I didn't have 10 days ago - this alone is worth quitting.
I have always been a person that loved coffee, that was until I quit smoking - now it doesn't taste the same and I certainly don't get the enjoyment of sitting outside with a fresh cup of coffee and cigarettes while watching the wildlife. Doing without the caffeine is also good so I'm making some positive changes in my life.
I do feel like I'm beginning to gain weight. Yes I've been snacking more and on foods that just aren't good for me - it isn't that I'm hungry, just need to fill that oral fixation I guess. Beginning today that ends too.

I want to thank those few people that are posting comments, knowing someone else, strangers in fact, care, just amazes me - Thank You.

Day 3 - No Cigarettes

Here I am again, Day 3. One day at a time.
I still want a cigarette but I find it somewhat easier to handle not having one as the days pass by (although I still want one).
I have learned that smoking was mostly habit for me because even now there are times throughout the day when I finish something and I think to myself "I am going outside for a cigarette", I have to stop myself and say "you do not smoke anymore". Strange feeling.
I still have not experienced bad nausea on the Chantix but I still have some problems sleeping even with taking tylenol pm, still dreaming but they are not dreams that are terrorizing or bad.

Day 2 - No Cigarettes

Its 9:45am and its another day without cigarettes. I hope today is at least a little easier than yesterday but I made it through yesterday without giving in so I can do the same today.
The side effects from the Chantix are not too bad - insomnia, dreams (not bad), constipation (very uncomfortable in the beginning), and this fuzzy head feeling. I just wish the Chantix worked for me like I have read its worked for other people - that they just do not want a cigarette, that they do not even think about smoking or cigarettes - this is not me and I wish it were.
I have found that playing computer games helps. I am not a game player but I had to find something to do with my hands and mind during this first week.
My son told me I should reward myself and I have to admit that I was not going to do that but after hearing him give me reasons why (he is a doctor) I have decided to do just that - reward myself for not smoking - I will do it weekly - take the amount of money I would have used on cigarettes and buy myself something or put it towards something more expensive.

First Day - No Cigarettes

Here I am at a day I thought would never arrive. I have been smoke free for 24 hours now (it's 10pm now).
It's been a tough day though even on the double dose of 1mg Chantix. I have wanted a cigarette all day and have felt like I was on speed (uppers), couldn't believe the amount of energy I had. I also noticed today that I have alot of free time now, time I'm not outside having a cigarette - I would have never imagined.
I feel proud of myself - yes it's only been one day but it's the best I've ever done. Tomorrow is another new day and I will face it like I did today - No Cigarettes.

LAST DAY SMOKING

The time has arrived, today is my last day smoking. I started on the 1mg tabs of Chantix (2x per day). Later this afternoon I will empty and clean my ashtrays for the last time and put the ashtrays away. I am excited and at the same time frightened of my decision. I am still smoking only a few cigarettes a day so I hope the higher dose of the Chantix will take care of the urges.
Wish me luck, tomorrow is a day I thought would never come!!!

Day 6

It day 6 on Chantix and it's 9:00am. No cigarettes in the house - I can still smoke if I want to, I can smoke until my 5mg tabs begin on Tuesday but I sure would like to go without them today. So far I don't think the Chantix has done anything for me, I'm in great hopes that the higher milligram dosage will work the trick. I'm still crabby and wanting to spend time by myself reading or crocheting. Actually today I'm doing laundry so I'll be busy today which is a good thing.
It's 11:05am and after a disagreement with my husband, I want a cigarette but I have none.
I bought a computer game online this morning thinking it would help keep my hands occupied. It is 3:30pm and still have not had a cigarette today! I did go to the store and pick up a pack though because I still have today and tomorrow that I can smoke if I need to. As I type this I realize how ridicules this sounds, I do not need a cigarette, it is ruining my health.

Last Weekend

It's Saturday (9am) and the start of my last weekend with cigarettes. I've tried to cut back as much as possible but I still think this QUIT is going to be difficult.
I went out to eat with friends last night and instead of going outside for a cigarette, I reached into my purse for a piece of nicotine gum and it starved off the craving.
I'm sitting here this morning with my coffee wanting a cigarette and doing my best to say no. I must admit saying no is easier now than it was just a week ago and I'm sure hoping that it will keep improving. One of my friends is a Psychiatrist that specializes in addictions, we haven't seen or talked in awhile and she was very pleased I was quitting and said she has prescribed Chantix many times to patients and it has worked in all but one case in which the nausea was too bad for this woman to continue. I guess I'm fortunate, I haven't had any nausea yet but I also try to take my medication with food in my stomach.
I'm wondering if the help for the cravings is better with the 2mg tablets.
Although I'm able to smoke at this point, I'm really trying to space them out long enough to have no more than 7-8 a day, there are times when I really want to smoke. If I can get myself occupied with something then it seems easier to just continue doing what I'm doing instead of stopping for a smoke.

Day 4 on Chantix

To give you some background - I'm 52 and have been smoking for 36 years. I smoked between 1 and 1 & quarter packs a day.
I've tried to seriously quit one other time.
This time, I'M GOING TO QUIT SMOKING!
I've had a prescription for Chantix since March, it's been tagged on my refrigerator since then. This past Sunday morning I woke up and said "I'm going to quit smoking", I had 10 cigarettes that day. On Monday I had 8 cigarettes and decided to take my prescription in to be filled and on Tuesday I picked up the Chantix and took my first dose, Tuesday I had 5 cigarettes. On Wednesday I had 6 cigarettes, Thursday 8.
TODAY is my first double dose day.

Side effects - no nausea (yet), but hard time sleeping last night (unusual for me).

I still want to smoke but not as often.
My sense of smell is getting better.