Quit Smoking

[sooz07]

I have tried many times to quit smoking but always fail. I have tried patches, gum, cold turkey, support groups, Champix - everything. I asked my doctor for another dose of Champix - she wasn't happy about giving it to me but within 5 mins of taking the first tablet I was sick. The time before that I felt sick but this time round it was worse. I lasted 7 weeks the time before but ended up smoking again because of stress. What else can I do to help me quit? I am really struggling and my doctor doesn't seem to want to help me.

[Ethel]

As a very heavy smoker of over 40 years I too found it very difficult to quit, and tried many times before finally stopping in 94.

One of the things that really helped me stop was the realisation that smoking didn't calm me, or ease stress or tension.

It was the need for nicotine that made me tense and stressed, and if I could break the addiction the stress and tension would stop.

I finally did it with patches. It wasn't easy, but I really wanted to stop. I can now fly long haul, sit in a restaurant or cinema without the desperate need for a fag. Hurrah!

[mrs.chappie]

Hi Ethel, I once saw a post mortem on the television, it was gruesome but very interesting. A smoker's lungs were shown against the lungs of a non-smoker. I've never smoked, but if I was a smoker, I think that image would have frightened me into stopping!

Anyway, I was just wondering if you have ever watched a post mortem? As a funeral director, I mean.

(Sorry to interrupt, sooz.).

[Ethel]

Yes

[Oneeyedvic]

I went to a hypnotherapist 4 years ago and have never smoked since.

My business partner also went, and he smoked for a bit afterwards and still occasionally smokes when he has had a few drinks.

[mrs.chappie]

Ethel, our local mortuary has a "black museum" of things found inside bodies at pm.

I don't think it's viewable to the public, but as a lass I knew a mortuary technician and he invited me in (sounds like a strange way of putting it, but you know what I mean) to have a look.

I am going back many years, I was 23 at the time. The most vivid recollection for me, was a circular saw which apparently only cuts through hard tissue - I needed to see it to believe it. He ran it up my arm and nearly frightened me to death! I can also remember a huge liver, much bigger than normal, he popped it on the scales to weigh it, it played a part in the death of the man it came from.

Ethel, was you in undertaking all your working life, or did you have another job?

[bednobs]

you say your gp dosent seem to want to help you but what else do you expect her to do? the pills didnt work for you before, yet she still prescribed them for you again because you asked he to. At around a cost of 57 pounds for a months treatment, dont forget you only pay around 8 pounds of that cost. Have you tried your local nhs stop smoking service?

[sooz07]

Well Bednobs I would think she would have given me some other suggestions about help and support, find other ways of helping me quit rather than "we have given it to you before, it didn't work - that's it". People bang on about smokers how disgusting it is, how bad it is for your health etc but when people like myself want to quit but finding it hard no one wants to know. It can take more than one go to be successful. I pay my taxes I am sure along with the cost of prescription I am paying for the medication. In the long run quitting smoking will help cut costs of deaths,costing the NHS with smoke related diseases etc. Thanks for your "advice"

[bednobs]

so i take it you havent tried your loal nhs stop smoking service then.
your gp sonds quite sensible to me - the tablets clearly dont agree with you which is why she is cagey about prescribing a treatment that akes you feel worse

[sooz07]

I thought she would have given me alternatives to try. I have been to support groups etc before. Giving up is a lot harder than people think.

[Ethel]

When I stopped with patches, in 1994, nothing was available from the GP - I had to pay full price over the counter.

It was as dear as smoking, but worked for me.

[bednobs]

if as you have stated you have tried "everything" before i dont really get what you expect your gp to recommend now - sorry but gp's are just human, like me and you!

[sooz07]

I know GPs are human. Would like to think they care, give support rather than brushing it aside. Thank you for your advice.

[tigwig]

what about zyban or is that the same as Champix? my hubby used this and it worked.

[sooz07]

I asked the doctor about Zyban but I think they are a bit wary about giving it to me because of the side effects you can get. Champix was offered to me instead. I will find a way and hopefully it works, thanks.