Pill one done. So today (Friday Nov. 26) I start Champix, if you don't know what Champix is, it is a stop smoking aid. Last night I went and got a prescription for it to help me stop smoking, I think my time to quit has come and I am ready. In the past I have tried many different stop smoking aid's, with no avail. This may have been because I was not ready to quit or just not liking the methods. I have heard of much success from Champix from many different people and I will document my journey here for the duration of taking the pill.

I have many different reasons to quit smoking. I will not get into all of them, but some of the obvious ones include: My Health and money. I have also decided to start taking the stairs at work. This should help in the fight to quit, since its a pain in the ass to walk up and down five flights of stairs, only to stand in the frigid Ottawa weather for a smoke.

For the first three days on Champix I have to take one 0.5mg pill in the morning. After then I will begin to take two 1mg pills a day, 1 in the morning and one in the evening. This is done so your body gets used to the drug. Champix has to be taken with food and plenty of water to limit the side affects. You continue to smoke for the first 8 - 14 days while taking the drug. I have picked Monday, December 6, 2010 for my complete stop smoking date.

I will continue to update this page for the first month or more while on Champix. From what I have read about quitting, it makes it much easer if you make a journal of progress. I have also opened a separate bank account and have setup an automatic deposit that is made there each day for $10 to see what I can save, and buy in the year ahead, maybe our hot tub. :-)

Day 1 - Friday Nov. 26, 2010:

08:16 hrs: I have just taken my first pill with breakfast and lots of water. Not sure what to think, this is a big change and I want to do it, I am just worried about the upcoming holiday season and the temptations that may present themselves to me.

13:01 hrs: Its odd, I went out to lunch and usually I have a smoke in the car once I am out of work, but this time was odd, I did still had a smoke but after 10 mins in the car (small steps), and it seemed different. Maybe its my mind playing tricks on me maybe not, who knows.

17:51 hrs: In the garage cleaning, listing to Simani and having a beer. Usually this is a time to go par for par or beer to smoke (1:1). But for once I have take out my smokes, while having my beer, to have one and something clicked, not to have one. Placed them down and forgot. This may not be the pill, it could just be my desire to quit. Who knows. I hope I keep feeling this way.

Day 2 - Saturday Nov. 27, 2010:

09:47 hrs: First pill taken for today. Don't really have a urge to have a smoke, its like the smell is bothersome. Last night after having some beer and playing darts in the garage with some friends, I didn't want to be smoking that much and the smell was very strong. I hope I don't become one of those reformed smokers that hates smokers after.

16:17 hrs: The urge to smoke is still very minimal. I have only 3 so far today, but some side effects of the drug has started such as a upset stomach and being sleepy.

Day 3 - Sunday Nov. 28, 2010:

18:59 hrs: Busy day today and I haven't had time to post an update. Lat night was hard again being around friends, but in total yesterday I only smoked a half of a pack, which is a far cry from a pack. It seems like today I will be near a half of a pack again, but it is still far from a pack and I still have 8 days to go before my total quit day.  Tomorrow I begin to take two 0.5 mg pills a day, one in the morning and one at night.

Day 4 - Monday Nov. 29, 2010:

07:25 hrs: Today I begin the two 0.5 mg pill routine for the next four days than it goes to two 1 mg pills a day. Yesterday was again a half a pack day, but still better than a pack a day. I haven't taken the first one for today yet, gotta wait till I have some breakfast.I found it hard this morning skipping my usual morning smoke but done it, by remembering why I am doing this and chewing some gum.

14:11 hrs: Three smokes today so far. I think that is good, only a few twitches. I does seem to be getting easier not to have one even when thinking about having one. Looking forward to taking my second pill later today. Humm, sounds like I am some druggie addicted, don't worry, I'm not, just curious if the cravings will subside further.
 

Day 5 - Tuesday Nov. 30, 2010:

08:37 hrs: Yesterday I think was a success, I had only 6 cigarettes all day. A quarter of what I usually have.

14:12 hrs: Wow, doing good today only 2 smokes all day, thinking about alot but I am able to resest the craving. Really sleepy, with a sick stomach though, ah well its worth it.

Day 8 - Friday Dec. 3, 2010:

06:41 hrs: Though I have missed an update for the last couple of days, I am still on track. I have been quite busy and I have not had time to post an update. Today I will start the 1 mg twice a day and I am interested to see how it goes. Since starting on Champix, a few people have asked me about the dreams, I have had a few but nothing compares to the patch dreams. Last night though, I had the most vivid and odd dream, the type these people were talking about. I was on a cruse ship with many different people and some odd ones. These people included; My wife, supervisor, friend and her family, the cookie monster, Grover, Spike from the gremlins, 2 dinosaurs, a couple of Wookies and a few other friends. What an odd group of people to be in a dream. Grover did not last long since he tried to do his near and far routine and fell off of the ship doing the far part. My supervisor, Cookie Monster, my wife and I played poker with dinosaurs serving us (Much like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), in the casino until the Cookie Monster ate all of the chips. My friend was the comedian / entertainment on the ship with her family, the Wookies just wondered around and Spike just kept popping up in random places. This had to be the most random dream I have ever had and remembered in my life and I think its what those people were talking about. These dreams are awesome compared to the patch dreams.

Day 9 - Saturday Dec. 4, 2010:

10:47 hrs: Just took the morning pill with food and water, it lasted in my puddick a total of about 5 minuets before it all came up. But its the side effects I must put up with if I want to quit.

Day 11 - Monday Dec. 6, 2010:

08:15 hrs: Day one of the total quit. It was a good weekend, I did not smoke much and the cravings on the pill are easy to control. Today is TQ-Day, total quit day. Now just to see how today and the following days will go.

13:34 hrs: So far so good, its been over 19 hours since my last one and about 8 hours I've been up today with out one. 

17:57 hrs: Over 24 hours now since my last one.
 
 

Stay tuned, I will be updating this page with my progress....