Quiting Smoking

I think that I am going to quit smoking. I have done some research on this new drug called Chantix and I think I am going to give it a try. It is suppose to work by attaching to the parts of the brain that get pleasure from smoking and basically take away the good feeling. I really think that it will work for me. I still have to get approval from my shrink and get the prescription from my doctor. I called up the local Target and found out that it only costs $117 for the starter pack, which is a one month supply. That is so much cheaper then what I am spending on cigarettes these days. I am up to almost 3 packs a day. That really isn't good for me and I know it.

I have been a smoker since I was about 14. I have been at least a pack a day smoker since then and more recently I have been at least a 2 pack a day smoker. It just keeps getting worse with time.

My health is really bad too. I have a Thyroid problem, Arthritis, Lupus, Bi-Polar, Insomnia, bad lungs, coughing, high cholesterol and even trouble with my immune system. For myself and my family I need to quit. It's really the best thing that I can do for myself.

Why do I want to quit? Maybe I should make a list.

• I am sick of being sick all of the time
• I want to live longer
• I want to spend more time with my family
• I hate smelling like cigarettes
• My room and clothes smell like smoke no matter what I do
• I am coughing a lot, that would end
• My husband would quit again too and I wouldn't feel guilty about smoking while he quit
• I want to live longer
• Cancer runs in my family, and it would reduce my risk
• I could actually wear perfume and the like
• I would be able to breath better
• I would be able to taste food better
• I would overall be happier and proud of myself for doing it finally
• We would have more money (about$330 per month)
• We would be able to do more
• I would reduce the risk of having heart or lung diseases
• My kids would be less likely to start smoking
• I could have a nice fresh scent around my house and I can wash all of my clothes on my quit day and never have to worry about smelling bad again
• I think that I would make more friends if I could quit smoking
• I would really like to go swimming in the local indoor pool for health reasons and smoking has kept me from doing that
• I want to be able to go out to eat and not have to sneak out for a smoke, the same for movies.

The Reasons that I smoke:

• Because I have a lot of stress in my life and it seems that smoking helps me to cope with all the things that stress me out.
• I like the feeling of smoking, which is why I would smoke the nicotine free cigarettes if they still have them (at Rite Aid) while on Chantix, until I can handle dealing with the physical addiction
• Because the first cigarette that I smoked was on the day that my grandfather died and it makes me remember him, even though it is such a stupid thing to say
• It is relaxing in the morning, after I eat and especially after sex. Nothing else could ever compare to a cigarette after sex.
• I smoke a lot when I am alone. I hate being alone, so I will have to start venturing out of the house to do something each day
• Smoking is always there for me when I am depressed
• All of my friends smoke and I fit in with them
• I find it very hard to quit, I have tired about 4 times to quit and I haven't made it more then 4 days without going back to smoking
• It keeps me from gaining too much weight. Really...I would eat so much more if I didn't smoke

What is my plan?

• Get Okay from Shrink
• Get RX from my doctor
• Take the pills for a week before my quit date (October 2007)
• Smoke the Nicotine Free cigrettes for as long as I have too
• Continue with pills until 12 th week
• If I still have not quit, get another 12 week supply
• Finally quit
  
• Use the money that we would spend on smokes on a family vacation

I am on the right track I think. I have faith that I really can do it this time. I would also really like to blog about it while I am taking the pills because I think that would really help other people looking to quit. Just need to set up an appointment this week to go in and see my doctor. If you are interested in taking Chantix, come back and you will be able to hear the side effects and know whether or not it will work for you.