Strike 2

24 Sep 2012

Quote by neilinleeds
Best of luck Steve. If I can stop drinking, which is without doubt the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, and I've done some pretty difficult things, I dare say you can stop smoking. Funnily enough I hit exactly two months sober just today. I'll do the counting-the-days thing with you if you want? Good luck again Steve, stick with it fella. ;)

Well done Neil kiss

24 Sep 2012

Quote by neilinleeds
Best of luck Steve. If I can stop drinking, which is without doubt the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, and I've done some pretty difficult things, I dare say you can stop smoking. Funnily enough I hit exactly two months sober just today. I'll do the counting-the-days thing with you if you want? Good luck again Steve, stick with it fella. ;)

Neil well done........ probably the best post I've read in ages.....
Paddy x

24 Sep 2012

Aw, cheers guys. Thanks. smile

Don't really wanna hijack Steve's thread with it though and not there yet. Did 2 days short of 3 months earlier in the year, fell off the wagon quite spectacularly, so that's the next target. On it though, I'm on it this time.
Now back on topic . . . . . ;)

25 Sep 2012

well done Neil every bit as much of a demon and just as destructive as smoking :thumbup:

25 Sep 2012

Great news for you Neil :thumbup:
Well done fella....
Start my tablets today and with my advisor have chosen October 1st as my quit day (have a social function to attend on Sunday which may prove tempting at this early stage) ...
Method is to keep smoking until your quit day and take the meds along side...
I have drastically reduced the amount I smoke already from 30 a day to around 10 so I've made some progress....
Lets see if we can both keep it up then Neil :thumbup:
Oh and finally....
Dawnie :rascal:

25 Sep 2012

Quote by neilinleeds
Did 2 days short of 3 months earlier in the year, fell off the wagon quite spectacularly

If giving it up were easy, then it wouldn't be something to be so proud of... And you should be very proud of yourself for climbing back on - not easy when you've fallen off. You can do it this time. :-) kiss

25 Sep 2012

Rob, Steve, thanks for the encouraging words. Really appreciated. smile

Lilith, yes, I'm feeling rather pleased with myself, and quite rightly so, even if I do say so myself! ;) Thanks again.
Oh, and Steve, you're on fella. I'll keep updating as long as is useful then.

25 Sep 2012

Quote by Steve
I have drastically reduced the amount I smoke already from 30 a day to around 10 so I've made some progress....

Brilliant start kiss

Quote by Steve
Lets see if we can both keep it up then Neil :thumbup:

If both of you 'can keep it up' it will provide me with thoughts for the wank back redface

:giggle:

25 Sep 2012

Quote by neilinleeds
Oh, and Steve, you're on fella. I'll keep updating as long as is useful then.

Looks like it might prove helpful to us both :-)

Quote by Dawnie
Lets see if we can both keep it up then Neil :thumbup:

If both of you 'can keep it up' it will provide me with thoughts for the wank back redface

:giggle:
Glad to be of assistance :rascal:

25 Sep 2012

I think both Neil and Steve have inspired me in their posts, to that end I've made an appointment with my GP tomorrow to obtain another presciption of " Champix"
I'll try again - Interesting thought though - a months supply of " Champix " costs €198 ( No NHS in Ireland)!
Ciggies cost a pack and as I'm currently smoking 30 a day innocent

and the sale of packs of 10 is illegal in Ireland I buy 2 packs which eqautes to €515 a month or €6182 per annum!
Crazy huh! banghead

Inspired I am, well done to you both and thanks.
Paddy

25 Sep 2012

That's fantastic Paddy. I'm really pleased about that. I very nearly suggested the thread might prove useful for anyone else thinking about quitting anything at all really but not my thread to do that with. Bit of a mutual encouragement and support type thread on another site I'm on has been enormously useful for me over the months so that's made my day! smile

Best of luck! :thumbup:

25 Sep 2012

Quote by Paddy
I think both Neil and Steve have inspired me in their posts, to that end I've made an appointment with my GP tomorrow to obtain another presciption of " Champix"
I'll try again - Interesting thought though - a months supply of " Champix " costs €198 ( No NHS in Ireland)!
Ciggies cost a pack and as I'm currently smoking 30 a day and the sale of packs of 10 is illegal in Ireland I buy 2 packs which eqautes to €515 a month or €6182 per annum!
Crazy huh!
Inspired I am, well done to you both and thanks.
Paddy

well done paddy
a giving up thread is a good idea and encouragement is everthing :thumbup:

26 Sep 2012

Could well be worth creating a sticky along the giving up/quitting lines dunno

Oh.....Welcome to the quitters club Paddy :lol2:
Anyone else ?

28 Sep 2012

Looks like the inspiring things works both ways. Finally got round to ringing the stop-smoking helpline to find my local clinic day after your last post Paddy. Made an appointment weds teatime but got stuck in work with a systems failure so had to scratch that, had to pass on the drop-in this lunch time cos of the back-log caused by problems earlier in the week. Bloody does my head in. Finally decide to get up off my arse and finally do something about things and work and real-life get in the way. On it though for next week.
Did get a referral from my doc earlier in the year, but turned up at the appointment only to be told they wouldn't treat me. 'Can't try and stop smoking and quit drinking at the same time. You'll never do it.'. I'm loike, look, I'm a walking mass of bloody withdrawal symptoms as it is, how much harder can it be. Apparently I didn't fully understand the realities of the situation so could not be allowed to make adult decisions all by myself. Raaaaargh, just give me the blooody Champix FFS, let me see how I get on with it. If I can't do both I'll drop the smoking cos the other issue is the more pressing one at the minute, not gonna let it jeopardise that, honest, but no. rolleyes

Anyways, rant over. Anyone used the nicotine nasal sprays? Wouldn't give me it before cos I almost unconsciously played down how much I was smoking, might have to exaggerate a little to get it, but seems ideal for me. It's the fast hit to the brain I'm after, same as with a fag, so slow-release patches don't really do it for me. They help a lot, but don't completely cut the craving not being able to deliver the peak I want.

28 Sep 2012

Well I've had my Zyban taken off me :shock:
Went for a new patient check-up at my new Doctors and Nurse turned roght round and said I shouldn't be taking either Zyban or Champix until at least 4 weeks have passed since the last heart attack...
My previous Doctor shouldn't have given them to me rolleyes

So.....
They badger you about quitting as you leave hospital then someone else takes away the medication to help you do it....
It's enough t make you wanna give it all up....

28 Sep 2012

Ah. Bugger! Just reading up on it Steve cos I wasn't aware they'd be contraindicated for you. 2011 study for Champix shows an almost imperceptible increased risk of cardio-vascular complications for anyone with such a history, 2% of population up from 1% with placebo. How that compares to what the increased risk if you just keep smoking the next few weeks is of course, not stated! ;) Zyban contraindicated with beta-blockers and some anti-antiarrythmics.
Pretty full list of all contraindications among other things in a prescribers guide to and if anyone's interested.

28 Sep 2012

Well done Neil, really well done kiss

Steve, you have still cut down on your own so dont give up yet :kiss:

28 Sep 2012

You guys have picked a great time to try giving up:

;)

10 Oct 2012

Quote by On the Xmas Wishlist tread Lizaleanrob
id settle to see Steve and Neil overcome their demons

Damn, this just really caught me by surprise. Just had to step out the office a minute, was welling up FFS! Soft bugger. Must be a bit tired and emotional this morning, but not in that way. lol

Cheers Rob, really appreciate that man. Best put an update up now eh?
Day 79 by my reckoning. The sober days are just piling up behind me at a ferocious pace at the minute, another 13 days and I'm calling that 3 months. Need to be careful I don't get too complacent with how plain sailing the thing is at the minute, keep some guard up for the day the cravings fire up out of nowhere to try and bite me on the arse. I'm ready for 'em though, they can just bring it on if they think they got game enough! Imma put them cravings down, you watch! :mrgreen:

10 Oct 2012

So pleased your still doing well Neil...
My own efforts seem to have stagnated a little after having cut down from 30 a day to 15 a day...
2 weeks until I can ask the Doc to prescribe me something to help me further...
Time on my hands is my biggest enemy I think and to that end I've just returned from B&Q with a load of paint and brushes etc and I'm gonna set about the bedroom :-)

10 Oct 2012

Well done both of you - your doing great! Good idea on finding something to do Steve - give ya summut to focus on. Time on my hands is what I find hard. I started messing around with copper wire - trying to make a bracelet last night. After a few hours I got a bit frustrated with it an gave up and had a ciggie confused

:? :? Todays a new day though :-)
I had my first ciggie of the day at 3pm today :smug:

10 Oct 2012

Well done Neil, I am really impressed passionkiss

Steve, a reduction is a brilliant start! Try cutting an inch off the end so they aren't so big :lol2: kiss

anais, thats brilliant, well done :kiss:
There is another site member that I know has given up and I am so proud of him too :kiss:

10 Oct 2012

Quote by Dawnie
Well done Neil, I am really impressed
Steve, a reduction is a brilliant start! Try cutting an inch off the end so they aren't so big :lol2:
anais, thats brilliant, well done :kiss:
There is another site member that I know has given up and I am so proud of him too :kiss:

Is that me giving up sex ? Tried, lasted a day and had to jump on Shi. But not had a smoke for 11 days now and feel alot better for it.

10 Oct 2012

Quote by Meeko
But not had a smoke for 11 days now and feel alot better for it.

Yes you

10 Oct 2012

Quote by Dawnie
Try cutting an inch off the end so they aren't so big :lol2:

Bollox to that....
I could do with inches adding not removing...
:doh:
Your on about the fags aint ya....
;-)

10 Oct 2012

Quote by Meeko
But not had a smoke for 11 days now and feel alot better for it.

Well done fella :thumbup:

10 Oct 2012

Quote by Steve
But not had a smoke for 11 days now and feel alot better for it.

Well done fella :thumbup:
Cheers Steve, you're doing well just by cutting down you'll get there mate.

10 Oct 2012

Quote by Steve
So pleased your still doing well Neil...
My own efforts seem to have stagnated a little after having cut down from 30 a day to 15 a day...
2 weeks until I can ask the Doc to prescribe me something to help me further...
Time on my hands is my biggest enemy I think and to that end I've just returned from B&Q with a load of paint and brushes etc and I'm gonna set about the bedroom :-)

I congratulate you both, well done! Inspired by you both, I've cut down too immensely and I'm getting there, I've got my appetite back and taste, smoking muffles that!
I stopped taking Champix, One week after starting ( although I do
did have a ciggy on cam earlier!)
I've now re-discovered " Fruit Pastelles" and I reckon giving up smoking will bare a heavy burden on my next Dentist's bill!
I do find the craving for a smoke lasts only minutes ( every fucking hour ) That's when I go get a glass of water, I do find walking ( not wanking lol) and fresh "air" helps also, but then each to our own.
At this present time:
Am I happy - NO
Do I feel Better - NO
Do I crave or make excuses - yes
Have I fallen foul - Yes
Have I read the book : - Yes and it's a load of bollix
Will I stay positive and strive to reach my goal - a resounding yes.
I've also promised myself something that I'm aiming towards, a new car in January, the savings I'm going make by not smoking will contribute nearly €3,000 between now and then based on the fact that I "WAS" a very heavy smoker.
I'm not there yet, but who is?
Lads, I wish you well and once again thanks for the inspiration.
Paddy x

10 Oct 2012

Quote by Meeko
Well done Neil, I am really impressed
Steve, a reduction is a brilliant start! Try cutting an inch off the end so they aren't so big :lol2:
anais, thats brilliant, well done :kiss:
There is another site member that I know has given up and I am so proud of him too :kiss:

Is that me giving up sex ? Tried, lasted a day and had to jump on Shi. But not had a smoke for 11 days now and feel alot better for it.
Well done thats brill!!
Im happy cutting down - not sure Im in the right frame of mind to try an give up completely, too much stressy stuff for me at the moment.
Paddy I wish ya well - we need a pic of ya new car when ya get it :-)

11 Oct 2012

Morning all just reading all this and yes takes me back a few years to when I was there, The doctor saying well it could be cancer( lucky it wasnt) Well that hits you like a ton of bricks so off to my gp I went and asked for help he said when do you want to stop smoking I said yesturday, and like you Steve I have other stuff going on as well so only help had was patches from the doc but he also put me in touch with fresh start which was great , You went every week got your free patches and a chat also had to blow in a tube to check I not had a ciggie and thats almost 4 years ago now so yes you need the support and help so go get it to anyone whos trying to give up never give up and you will feel so much better, good luck all x x