Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Chantix, Turn and Face The Strain...

Today...I got my script of Chantix filled.
Sweet Holy Mother of Dean Martin, what have I done?
I love my cigarettes so much...why, why would I do this to my one and only truest, dearest, friend? This is the longest relationship I've ever had, me and my cigs.

Twenty-six-year-old love affair.
26. That's an accurate figure, I'm not just being my overly dramatic Greek self.
26, wow.
That's an incredibly long time to smoke 2 pks a day.
I'm currently spending over $300 a month on this addiction.

I recall when the media first started talking about smokes getting ready to hit a buck a pack, how I swore I'd quit before I paid one entire dollar for a pack of cigarettes.
I was into Cher back then, and Bette Midler had just released "The Rose"...so how serious could my young consumerist threats have been?
That's how I know who Dean Martin is...I'm old. Anyway...

I still love my cigs, but the consequences are out weighing the love, if you will.
I seriously tried to quit one time. One time in 26 years. Crazy. I was in the hospital for a week, and the Dr. put me on the patch. But when I got out and bought a box, (it was the middle of summer) they wouldn't stay on. The nicotine patches kept falling off because of the heat, (sweating) so I taped them on, but they still fell off.

Then I used some special medical supply tape, then packing tape, duct tape, a hot glue gun, a staple gun, nail gun, and finally I used a blow torch...to light a cigarette.

Hang on...
I'm back.
I have to log every cigarette I smoke for the next 24 hours, per daily assignment on the "GETQUIT" support plan. I'll have writer's cramp by noon tomorrow.
Officially, I don't start until tomorrow morning, when I take the first pill.

The instructions say keep on smoking like normal, but set a quit day seven days after the first pill.

Hang on...
I'm back.

They send you daily email support, tapering off to once a month near the end of the year-long-plan.

I'd love some feedback. If you know anyone who's taken Chantix, successfully or otherwise, let me know. Hang on...

I'm back.

Of course I want to quit for more than the financial aspects, more than just for Al, there's a mile long list of reasons to quit, the problems been the physical cravings, and spiritual malady. i.e. why I do it, the feelings it numbs, what will take it's place?

It's unavoidable step work, if I want to feel the sunlight of the spirit once again.

Comments

[Lakasha]

I just started my Chantix on Thursday... thus far I really think it is gonna help.

Good luck on your quit :)

[Stef]

I wish you much luck in your efforts to quit smoking. I wish my mom would quit, but at nearly 78 years old (and smoking for 60+ years!), I don't think that's going to happen.

I was in my friendly neighborhood WalMart yesterday and there was this table set up in the pharmacy area with coupons for the Commit lozenge. The gal manning the table asked if I wanted one, and I said no, that I've never smoked, and really didn't know anyone who could use it. In reality, I know lots of people, but no one is going to quit smoking because I asked them to, including my mom! LOL

[Maggie]

Wishing you the best of luck! I'm doing the Chantix thing, too. Day 17 on Chantix and Day 5 not smoking (yep, you do the math, it wasn't the 8th day that I quit), and so far, this really is easier than previous attempts, but it's still definitely not quite a cake walk. I hope you'll post more about your experience. I'd love to hear how it's going.

The picture cracked me up! The good news is that I'm just starting to be able to laugh without it ending in a coughing fit - and I've missed really, really laughing these past 20+ years without worrying about that.

Funny, my first pack was $1. But that was back when you could get a gallon of gas at the same price while you were there. Times have changed a wee bit since.

Anyway, I don't know you from Adam's housecat, but I do know that you CAN do this, and Chantix will hopefully make the journey to happy destiny that you trudge just a tad bit less hellish.