Quitting Smoking....Again

Aghh Smoking my nemesis.
I'd hate to know what it feels like to try and get off crack! Whilst I have never even tried or seen crack I swear giving up smoking is harder.

This filthy habit has controlled my life since I was 15, now 31 I have been smoking for more than half of my life!

So here we go again, another attempt to give up this horrid habit that has had a hold of me for 16 years! Cost me thousands of dollars. Since my last official attempt it has been stop, start, stop, start. So here's my next big attempt and after 1 week in I'm still going strong.

I have been to see my Doctor and have started on Champix. This time I'm not going to do it alone and it's ok to get some help.

So here's a little info about Champix....

It can help reduce craving and withdrawal symptoms and smoking while taking Champix will also reduce your enjoyment of cigarettes.

It works by blocking the effects of nicotine in your body. There are receptors for nicotine in the brain. Nicotine attaches to these receptors which sends a message to another part of the brain telling it to release dopamine which gives you a feeling of pleasure which only lasts a short time so the body wanting more of this good feeling makes a person want to keep smoking. Based on research Champix stops nicotine attaching to these receptors.

There are some side effects some of which are very common with anyone quitting smoking whether they are using Champix or not.

Changes in Mood, Behavior and Thinking including depression, anxiety, agitation, feelings of aggression, mood swings, seeing, hearing or sensing things that are not there, thoughts of self-harm or self harm. Worsening of these symptoms have been reported in people who already had mental health problems. These symptoms are not know if they are associated with Champix. These symptoms can appear as a result of stopping smoking with or without treatment.

Other symptoms may include nausea, stomach or bowel problems, headache, dizziness, sleep problems (difficulty sleeping, sleepiness, abnormal dreams), fatigue, increased appetite, changes in taste.  These are the most common side effects of Champix. They are usually mild,

Anything more serious seek medical attention immediately.

Breaking Free from the Chains of Smoking

So that's a little about Champix and your Doctor can tell you what's best for you.

Anyone else thinking about kicking this filthy habit?

Bec xx 

PS Wish me Luck!!