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26 and don't want to start over Cancel The title field is required!

1. nerak47

   

   48 posts
   Registered:
   23 Jan 2018
   04 Mar 2018

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   Good day folks,  
   
   1 of my favourite sayings is - everything I ever let go of has claw marks all over!  <<<< so me.  And staying quit is so damn hard,  and the cravings can be insidious... 
   I feel like a cheater sometimes being on champix.. oh yes,  there have been difficult times where I craved so hard (wore myself out not smoking just as much as work stress,  of not more).. but for the most part,  staying quit has been relatively easy.  I feel like I'm coasting while those who have chosen other methods that for me,  have not worked,  and here yous are,  making it work!  
   I have 4 weeks left of Champix, and then?  I'm feeling panicky about what happens after and how hard will I have to stay non smoker!  And because of feeling panicked,  I know that smoke will help - and I guess,  I'll have to start my days all over again. . I've got 26 days in,  longer than ever before,  and I don't want to start the count over again.  
   Today I will have to live in the NOW.. and take my day minute by minute!  But grrrrrr 
   
   Nerak
   
   
   
2. marianne, quit coach

   

   278 posts
   Registered:
   30 Nov 2017
   04 Mar 2018 in reply to nerak47

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   Hello Nerak47,
   
   Your doing terrific, kudos to you!  It is natural to think about what coming off of Champix will be like for you.  If you don't feel ready, you can ask your doctor to stay on longer.  
   
   The last 26 days you have been living a new lifestyle so the mind is being re-programmed.  You have done it with the skills you have acquired.  The nicotine is out of your system so no physical pull at this time.  Keep doing what you are doing and you will see things will flow.  Having thoughts to smoke will happen yet not as intense as you recall when you first quit.  We can talk about that if feelings resurface especially as Spring approaches as we can have connections to outdoor activities and such.  
   
   Feel free to talk to us about your next steps.  Minute by minute is the way to go!  
   
   Marianne
   

   Last modified on 04 Mar 2018 21:02 by marianne, quit coach
3. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   04 Mar 2018

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   Hi Nerak47,
   
   A big congratulations on making it 26 days!  Way to go!
   
   You should not feel like a cheater because you are taking Champix.  That's what Champix is for, to help people quit smoking.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with using NRTs.  In fact, it is the smart thing to do, because you are more likely both to quit, and to keep your quit.  As you said yourself, you have experienced major cravings even though you are on Champix.  You still had to fight your way through them.  Things like Champix help, but they don't make every problem magically disappear.  It still requires a lot of work on your part.  So you should be really proud of yourself for making it this far.
   
   Try not to worry about the future.  Just take it one step at a time, and do what you need to do to stay smoke free.  If ultimately, you have to stay on Champix for a longer period of time, so be it.  That is nothing compared to the damage you would be doing to yourself if you were still smoking.
   
   We all have different experiences, but I can tell you that I seemed to have a major breakthrough after making it through my first month.  The cravings really eased off, I started sleeping through the night again, and I felt a lot stronger.  So you might be surprised by the changes you will start to experience.  Try not to be afraid.  Get excited instead.  Soon you are going to start really appreciating all of the benefits of living life as a non-smoker.
   
   Keep the quit, Nerak47.  It is so worth it.
4. maher91

   

   5 posts
   Registered:
   06 Mar 2018
   06 Mar 2018 in reply to treepeo

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   26 days is amazing, champion on my friend, im still on my 2nd day !!! good luck to you