John’s Blog

So today is the my first day taking Chantix, and so far so good. I’m not feeling any effects yet, but then again at this point I’m not supposed to. I’m following the directions closely, registered on the “Get Quit” website this morning, and am trying to cut down on the amount I smoke before my “quit day” arrives. My only concern is to whether I will suffer from any of the side effects I have been warned/told about. Guess I’ll just have to wait and see how it goes.

The surprising part is how much I am actually looking forward to kicking the habit. It’s something I have been doing for over 26 years, and getting this monkey off my back will be more than welcome.

I want to thank all of you who left a comment or sent me an email of encouragement. I really do appreciate it and it does help. And after talking to a friend, they suggested video blogging my experience. I admit that I like this idea, but I’m not sure if I could really do it. It’s not a matter of having the knowledge or equipment (both of those I have in great supply). My issue is that I doubt I would be able to make daily updates. So I may end up doing it with updates whenever I can. I’ll let everyone know when I decide.

Ok, so I admit it, I’m a smoker. I started smoking when I was 11 years old. I have tried to quit before with no luck, but starting today I am going to try again. But this time with some prescription help.

After a few people I know have had a lot of success quiting using a drug called Chantix I have decided to give it a try. I will be picking up my prescription this afternoon and starting on it right away. I have a lot of motivation in my life right now to quit. Not only the fact that smoking is getting just way too expensive, and not only the risks to my own health. But with some changes going on in my life and family, now is the time I have to quit. Now I know it won’t be easy, I surely don’t expect it to be. And I know that Chantix is not a miracle drug either. But given the options and the information I have looked over, I really think that this will give me my best shot at actually being able to quit this time.

I am really looking forward to not smoking anymore and being healthier. I am not however, looking forward to the actual quiting part, with regards to the withdrawals, and other issues associated with it. I have been through those before and they are not fun. This time I am hoping things will be different, especially with the new motivation I have in my life.

So wish me luck, I start the pills today. They advise to keep smoking for the first week to give the drug a chance to build up in your system, then quit on the date you choose at the end of that week. Look for more posts on this, my progress, etc.. over the coming weeks and months.