slightlymad

First left just before the Bullfinch pub - you can't miss it. JAlbum looks interesting - some nice skins there (I particularly liked TiltViewer). I might have a play with that. I don't use web-building software *sniff*. I hand-code my sites lovingly and painstakingly in TopStyle, which is like a posh NotePad with lots of webby bells and whistles. You get chocolate fudge cake if you've come all the way from Sheffield.

PC Advisor recently gave this free photo-editing programme a rave review: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/photofiltre.html Marie

PC Advisor recently gave this free photo-editing programme a rave review: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/photofiltre.html I have Photoshop so I haven't tried it out, but I'd like to see what others think about it. Marie Oops! Meant to respond to Jo2310, not to my own thread!

My daughter lives in Sheffield, and lives on this forum. So did I for a bit, when I joined in what must be the longest thread on the forum - Jabberwocky's Quit Smoking thread. So you see, it's my second home. BTW, your website is just beautiful. (Your photos, too!)

To blatantly plug my website? I would really love to make a website for a photographer or an artist. I would give a huge discount as it would be a project that I would really enjoy, as opposed to the unexciting business sites that I so frequently design. (Not that my designs are unexciting, mind.) I can also register a domain name and provide hosting. Even if there are no takers I would appreciate some feedback for the site. (Not for the photos, though - they're all free stock photography.) Marie

Reality check: Here I am, exactly two weeks smoke-free, which for me is unbelievable. I couldn't have done it without Champix. Thinking back to those first three days, I remember rating my cravings at 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. It was from day 4 of my quit (in reality day 14 of Champix) onward that I began to get a little concerned... what started as mild fatigue and irritability gradually developed into exhaustion and full-blown rage. Looking at the dosage label on my bottle, it says "Take one with water twice a day increasing to 4 daily if tolerated as directed by your doctor". Now, since this stuff is so new how can the doctors know the optimum dosage per person? I reckon it must vary, and that the "IF TOLERATED" bit is important. Jabbers, think about it: have your mood changes increased? Is it possible that the longer you take Champix on full dose the stronger the side effects become? I'm putting this theory to the test, and I've now halved my evening dose for two days running. The occasional urge hasn't got any stronger, and I do believe that I'm a tad calmer today, though it's a bit soon to tell. Having said that, there was an eeny weeny pavement rage incident this morning... hardly worth mentioning, really...

Ah now, your healthier diet and lifestyle would account for much of your changed appearance, and a beard would certainly help a lot! And wrinkles show up more when you've lost weight, as they're not being "plumped up". So yes, you would look dramatically different, and it's no wonder that your OH's sister did a double take. So I'm discounting all that, but the jumpy and aggressive bit IS cause for concern. What's your plan, Jabbers? Are you going to start weaning off Champix? And have you bought some herbal ciggies? Also, as homebird mentioned, liquorice bark (again, from a health shop) is supposed to help with cravings.

Good for you, homebird. Gently does it - don't quit Champix "cold turkey"! You could even try a very slow wean, say ONE tab in the morning, then HALF in the evening for 3-4 days, then half in the morning and half in the evening for three days, then half in the morning and none in the evening for three days... Whatever you decide to do, do keep us in the loop, and GOOD LUCK! I'm going to start weaning off tomorrow evening, when I'll be 14 days smoke-free.

I think we should all adjust the dosage to suit our needs. I don't believe that there can be a universal dose that's right for everyone. My theory is that if .5mg a day did the trick for you, then why double, or even quadruple the dose? And for those whose side effects are getting worse - did this happen when you increased the dosage? If so, why not try reducing it? If the cravings become more frequent or stronger, you can always go back to a higher dose. In other words, try self-administering, and settle on whichever evil is the more tolerable - cravings or side-effects. Me, I'm convinced that the less Champix I ingest the easier it will be to come off it. Incidentally, Jabbers, I'm exactly the same with sudden loud noises - a dog barking, a car horn or whatever will make me jump out of my skin and feel immediate RAGE.

I really don't know if it will work - these are just suggestions (and what I plan to do). The outcome is pure conjecture, but I'm guessing that it will take a while for your body to rid itself completely of Champix even when you've weaned off. Remember when you were taking just one .5mg tablet each day? You said that you felt the benefits even then. So I'd suggest weaning yourself off the way you weaned yourself on. Just work backwards. Oh, and you're playing with fire holding a lighted fag! Ever tried herbal cigarettes? They're foul (and they STINK), but they're a good substitute. You should be able to get them from a health shop.

Jeepers! You definitely need to take action. Can you start by halving your dosage? Incidentally, it's a medical fact that cravings don't last longer than three minutes. Time 'em and see! They just seem to last for much longer. My feeling is that you will be able to cope with the occasional craving a helluva lot easier than others with your manic outbursts... Think of a crave strategy that works for you - running round the block, downing a glass of water, whatever. Decide what you're going to do next time you get the urge to smoke (for that's what it really is, an urge not a crave - cravings disappear once your body is ridded of nicotine). If you're prepared for them, even welcome them, then show 'em who's boss, they'll get weaker and weaker. Easy for me to talk. Always has been...

Mojo1, you're a star, that's what you are. What you say is SO encouraging. And you're absolutely right - sharing our experiences here makes a big difference. I'm rooting for your success - keep telling us how you're doing. Am I right in thinking that you haven't had a ciggie since Sunday? If so, that's TERRIFIC! Oh, and I love your new sig!

Scary, innit?! I must say that I'm surprised. I've always taken what you said about snappiness with a large pinch of salt, because you come across as so good-humoured (if a touch psychotic - in the nicest possible way, of course). In fact, I thought that quitting with Champix has been pretty much a breeze for you. Right, that settles it. You, me and homebird and anyone else who doesn't like what Champix is doing to us, let's plan a quit Champix strategy.

This is great. That's three of us who are worried about the personality changes. It's good to know that I'm not alone! Now, whether it's the Champix or nicotine withdrawal I don't know, but I do know that it's not getting any easier. Which makes me suspect that it's the Champix... I halved my dosage a week ago (now .5mg mornings and evenings) but it hasn't helped and I'm now thinking of weaning myself off. I think it's a bad idea to stop suddenly. This is DAY TWELVE of me not smoking. I'll give it until Thursday, which makes a safe-ish sounding two weeks, then I'll skip the evening pills for a week. Then maybe cut down to half a .5mg tab per day, then every other day... I should mention that my tablets don't come in packs, like yours. I have a bottle of .5mg (white) tablets that I doubled up in the second week.

Phone me anytime you like, sweetie, but keep the phone at arm's length. I have to go and apologise to the Chemist in Riverhead today. I went to pick up my repeat prescription on Friday, only to hear the words that were certain death to anyone who didn't know better than to mess with a half-crazed quitter: "I NEED TO SEND THIS OFF". I tell you, the shop cleared in 10 seconds flat, and I will never forget the sheer terror in the Chemist's eyes as I let rip.

I'm back... I've been keeping quiet as I've had nothing good to report, much in the same way that I rarely call my friends when I'm in a bad mood. The good news is that I haven't had a cigarette for ELEVEN DAYS, and the bad is that there's been a price... It's as if my body has twigged that I'm serious about quitting, and is pulling out all the stops to make me light up. I feel exhausted and bad-tempered and angry about anything and everything. If I drop something, for instance, instead of uttering a mild expletive I'm using language that I didn't know I knew. I'm finding it difficult to concentrate on tasks, and keep putting them off until I have more energy - but I'm just as tired the next day. I could happily sleep at any given time of the day, wake up, then go back to sleep again. So you're not the only one, homebird. I've never felt nauseous, though, so at least there's that to be thankful for. Taking the tablet with a large glass of water is supposed to help with nausea, incidentally. I'm finding this lethargy/rage difficult to deal with. I'll stick with the course for another week or so but if there's no change in my mood/energy levels then I may think about weaning myself off. After all, I'm no longer addicted, right?!

I can top that, sick-wise. But I'd be deleted.

Me too, now 3 days smoke-free! Apparently after 72 hours, you're no longer a nicotine addict, since all traces of nicotine have been expelled from your body. Cravings are replaced by "urges", the by-product of years of ingrained habit. These cravings/urges were intolerable with my previous quit attempts, but with Champix they're... well, tolerable! I'm going about my daily routine as normal, chatting on the phone WITHOUT A FAG, and the occasional desire for a ciggie soon passes. I'm getting better at arming myself against these moments - I've got a bloody great mental bazooka which zaps 'em unconscious (not quite dead, the blighters will keep getting up again) but a few more zaps should finish them off. I'm having the weirdest dreams - anyone else experiencing this?

That's exactly what happened to me, rach73. The first time I asked a doctor (not my own) at my local medical practice was when Champix had just been approved for prescription, and he said "only in certain areas, and we're not one of them". I thought that was that, and about a month later, asked a friend who was going to the US to get some for me - you can buy it over the counter there, where it's known as "Chantix". I don't know what made me phone up my doctor the day before my friend left for his holiday, but I did, and I asked if there was any chance of being prescribed Chantix. Once she'd ascertained that I'd tried and failed at NRT methods - gum and patches, she sent a prescription to the Chemists that very afternoon.

LOL! Being told you're nasty and irritable is one thing (they'd be exaggerating, wouldn't they?!), but feeling it is another! I do know those inhalators that you mean. But I don't want to ingest nicotine. Besides, I really don't think I'm craving it. I'm just... ANGRY! I'm even growling at the dog.

Today is my quit day, and oh, I'm not finding it easy... For 30 years virtually the first thing I've done as soon as I've woken up is stuff a fag into my mouth. And now I've been a whole EIGHT HOURS without one. And that's not counting last night (does it count when you're asleep?!) Anyway, my experience has been very different from Jabbers. Cigarettes never lost their appeal for me, and I didn't cut down at all for days 1-8 of the Champix course. But latterly I DID have the feeling that I was smoking them out of habit rather than to satisfy a craving, and today seems to bear that out. On a crave-scale of 1-10, I'd say I'm around 3. Now that's a ton better than any other quit method I've used in the past. But I'm also snappy and irritable and unfocused, and that's what I'm finding difficult. But I'm MANAGING, and that's what counts. If this is as bad as it gets I really feel that I can do this. It can get a little worse, if it likes, I can take it. What I'm going through is nothing in comparison to previous quit attempts, when I wanted to tear people's heads off, couldn't concentrate on anything, couldn't make a phone call, and had physical withdrawal symptoms. And I'd never have been able to write this post - I'd have lost concentration after the first few words. I'm even managing to work on my new website, which I'd like someone to please admire because it will make me smile for the first time today.

Don't go, Jabbers - we'll miss you! Well, at least promise to keep an eye on us and put us straight if we stray. Your experience of Champix has been wonderfully encouraging and very entertaining - thanks for sharing it, and good luck to you. Marie

Update... Today is day 8, and I've just upped the dosage to 1mg. Up until now I've had nothing much to report - I've been smoking as much as usual, with no difference in the taste of cigarettes. I want them to taste horrible! But I think what you suggest is true, Jabbers. I'm smoking because that's what I do, not because I crave a cigarette. Now, I could put this to the test by going for several hours without lighting up (unheard of), but no, I want to set my quit date somewhere between days 9 and 14, when I'm all Champixed up. Dilly: I'm heartened by your progress, and pleased for you. Keep us up to date, will you? Six hours without a fag is a LONG TIME! Oh, and I like your new website, but a few some more hairdressy pictures wouldn't go amiss - right now doesn't have a very hairdressy feel. Oddly enough I'm working on a new website, too - I'll show you when it's ready. Jabbers: Your updates are really helpful (as well as entertaining!). I'll try and be prepared for those weak moments that you describe, knowing that it's a normal part of the quit/Champix process.

Yesterday and today were the same, but then I have only taken two pills so far - I’ll pop my third in a mo. Cigarettes are just as appealing, and I’ve smoked my usual amount today. The pills make me feel pleasantly woozy, which is no problem as I’m taking them late at night. I’m wondering what it will be like when I up the dosage to morning and evenings - wooziness won’t be quite so welcome in the mornings, but a small price to pay if the ciggies begin to lose their appeal. Thanks for the advance warning, Jabbers - I've heard this before, that just when you're feeling complacent, you get a real humdinger of a craving. Now, am I right in thinking that it took about two weeks for your cravings to subside? You didn't have an easy time of it, when I trawl back through this thread. I'm scared, you know.. I honestly can't imagine the day when I say "this is my last cigarette". They've been a part of my life for so long now, I can't imagine coping without them. I've started a blog about my Champix progress, if only as a motivator (although there's so little on Champix users' experience, that it might be helpful to others). Which means I've got to see this through!

DILLY! THAT'S FANTASTIC! YES, I'M SHOUTING! I'M SO PLEASED FOR YOU! Is it that you just don't fancy a ciggie, or do they taste awful? Are you still feeling sick, or has that passed?