I've been smoking 10 years. 20-25 a day. Deep down I really don't want to quit. I enjoy smoking.
My 3 year old out of no where came to me and said 'I don't want you to die mummy'
I know he doesn't understand smoking kills.
But it clicked to me. I have to stop.
I've been trying to conceive now for 2 years. Smoking doesn't help that either.
My husband quit 4 months ago on champix. And has been hassling me to try it.
My concern is I've heard bad reviews on it.
I've had serious depression since I was 13 and still suffer. I've heard champix can increase depression and mood swings.?
I guess my question is does anybody have any advice?
What have you tried, was it successful? How successful can you be when you don't really want to quit but know you have to?
I'm desperate for another baby and I want to be there for my kids!! I really do!! How do I stop smoking!
5 Replies
Actually your three year old might understand. There are enough ads around that he is going to have been exposed to it. Kids that age can understand way more than us grown ups generally think. Have you spoken to your GP or the Quitline about the best options for you. There are even some quit aps. Good luck
There is a book so many people recommend (I have it in my cupboard and going to try it) it's called easy way to stop smoking by Allen Carr. Of corse you can always talk to your gp to about concerns about champix or anything else you can think of. I quit for a week (lol not much but still a huge feet) with patches, they are cool to control mood swings and its just keeping busy I would wash up all the time and clean anything while I was trying to quit to keep my hands busy. Quitline can be a massive help to even if its just that you are craving. Good luck and great work acknowledging you have a problem my daughter to has told me she doesn't want me to die from smoking (I have made sure my kids know the dangers to it given I do it) and this is what kick started my first attempt now I'm just sick of it and want to.
I have quit using champix before- I was smoking over a pack of 50 a day and within a week was down to maybe 10, and within 2 weeks had stopped completely. I had no side effects except felt sick if I didnt eat before taking the tablet.
I also suffer severe depression and the dr warned me it could make things worse but it didnt.
I stupidly started again after almost 2 years. However I will be going on them again this week because my husband who isnt even 30 yet (also a smoker), has been diagnosed with early stage lung cancer. When they first told us the diagnosis, based on early tests they expected it to be terminal. Facing the real possibility we would lose him, and that our young children would be growing up without a dad was a hugr wake up call. Even though its nowhere near as advanced as first thought, its still opened our eyes and we are both quitting.
Its not easy. Ive watched my mum suffer through and pass away from smoking related cancer when I was 13. And knowing the pain and heartache it leaves behind is something I would never want for my kids. Which is why I hate myself for smoking in the first place.
The biggest thing is though you need to WANT to quit. You can try everything in the world but if you really dont want to quit, none of it will do anything.
Good luck.
I quit cold turkey. Kind of like you I enjoyed smoking, but knew the health risk, smell, cost, especially around children, i really didnt want to be a smoking parent. So I smoked a tonne in the lead up and then had my last pack, last one before bed & from the next morning it was non- smoking. Distract yourself, eat/ chew to get through the cravings each time & it gets easier over time, i found the 3's worked well as goals. The first 3 days are the hardest, the first three weeks are still hard, by 3 months you've made it!! But don't forget you will always go back if you have just one, then two, then just one pack, etc etc so keep aiming for 3 years. It will be helpful that your husbands quit, also change your environment, pack up your smoking area, dont sit there anymore & avoid or be ready for the times & places where you'd usually have one. If you're motivation is your kids, stick photos of them in those places to remind yourself. Also, reward yourself with a treat with the money you would have spent on smokes. Good luck! Its worth it for your kids!
I quit when I was smoking a pack a day. I quit for my baby although I still enjoyed smoking, and I've been a non-smoker for over 4 years now & fingers crossed never going back.
Do it & don't look back. It amazes me that people smoke at all these days. My father grew up in a time when everyone smoked & didn't know any better. We lost him suddenly at the age of 53. The only risk factors he had for early death was being male & previously smoking (he had eventually given up on his third attempt cold turkey). I would give anything to have him back, he was the most magnificent man & now my children will never know him. Do whatever you have to do to quit - use whatever works. You owe it to your partner & your children....