I am happy to say I am 2 days smoke free! It feels fantastic. I can hardly believe that I’ve gone two days without a cigarette! That is a huge accomplish for me to achieve.
The only thing that doesn’t feel so fantastic are the withdrawals and symptoms. At this point, its hard for me to tell what is withdrawals and what is symptoms from the Chantix, but either way its been pretty rough. {Caution from here on out…I am going to be blatantly honest about my symptoms. Know that I’m only doing this because I want to help other people using Chantix or thinking about quitting know what’s coming. Sorry for the TMI, but if you don’t want to read it, skip down to the next paragraph.} The first few days on Chantix, I had virtually no symptoms. After day 3 of being on it (when my prescription increased to two pills a day) I notice I had trouble with falling asleep and also I had more vivid dreams (no nightmares though). I also noticed some constipation. On my quit day (when my prescription increased again) I noticed headache, gas, diarrhea, trouble staying asleep, & light headedness. I talked to my Doctor and her recommendation was take something for the headache and take it a bit easy. I know the first 3 days are the worst in terms of withdrawal symptoms, so I didn’t expect it to be a walk in the park. But I didn’t think about the symptoms from the medication increase being added to those. I want everyone to know, I’m NOT quitting Chantix, and only have good things to say about it. I have only craved a cigarette after I eat! Thats 3 times a day! I expected to be craving way more than that, but luckily the medication is doing its job.
I wanted to share a very inspiring video with you today. We should be telling ourselves theses truths each day. Like I mentioned in my post yesterday, positive thinking can go a very very long way. So let me share this video with you.
This video comes from the movie The Secret. I know a lot of people have criticized this film because it is so “new agey” But the truth is, it is truth. The same concepts from this movie lie in our Word of God. So I encourage you to watch the video, share it with friends, and (just like I am doing) watching this when I may feel discouraged.
Today is one of those days that I am struggling just to get through. I have this huge to-do list in front of me and I am checking this off the list, but at the same time overwhelmed by it. Let me remind you and myself, that not only are ALL things possible with God and all of the wisdom, self-control, motivation, and success we need lies inside every since one of us because the Holy Spirit is resting inside us.
Hope your enjoy the video! And after your finished reading, ready this to yourself:
The Optimist Creed
I promise myself to be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.
I promise myself to talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person I meet.
I promise myself to make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.
I promise myself to look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.
I promise myself to think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
I promise myself to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.
I promise to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
I promise myself to wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature I meet a smile.
I promise to give so much time to the improvement of myself that I have no time to criticize others.
I promise to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
I promise myself to think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.
I promise myself to live in the faith that the world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.
I’m praying for you. I know this isn’t easy. I’m proud of where you are focusing.
Look at your feet
God is with you …
(http://snipurl.com/lookatyourfeet )
I love the emphasis on gratitude in the Secret video. When going through hard things, gratitude is crucial.
Psalm 68
19 Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation!
Psalm 92
1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night
Psalm 136
1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever
1 Thess 5
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus for you.
And remember what Dad says, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
LOVE YOU!
All blessings to you little sister! Another great post full of honesty and determination. I love the optimist creed!
2 days… sister- you have quit! Now its just the matter of staying with it and never even considering smoking again. I promise there is freedom a point maybe months, maybe years away, when you will no longer desire to smoke. Even after meals! It’s really good to change the habits that were part of smoking. So say you finish your meal and very quickly begin the dishes or take a quick walk. Always take some DEEP BREATHS when you want to smoke.. let these DEEP BREATHS be your praise to God. Every day the breaths become deeper. It is such a good and cleansing feeling.
I’m so proud of you. I’ll keep praying and also for any side effects you are dealing with.
I didn’t have chantex… but did have the weird dreams and gas LOTS of gas when quitting. I just figured my body was cleansing itself of the toxins I’d been inhaling for decades.
Also I thought of one more thing that helped me.
A sister who works for an inner city youth ministry. Ask the kids to pray for her friend who had quit smoking. They did. But she told me that they were going to ask her regularly if I had remained smoke free. And they did. I would think of the fact that these little ones would be so sad if their serious prayers on my behalf didn’t help me. I was so thankful to always give a good report of praise back to my friend for them.
Because I never smoked, I can’t relate to what you’re going through. However, my husband quit after he came to the Lord in his mid-thirties, and he shared with me what the Lord quickened him to do in order to quit. Whenever he felt the craving for a cigarette, he looked up–he looked at God. That simple action was all it took for him to never smoke again. We’re all different, and God will meet each of us where we are at! Again, be strong and of good cheer!
Congrats on day 2! Love the Optimist Creed. Going to copy and put in my planner and share with some friends as well. Continued prayers!
Marissa, HANG IN THERE girl. I have been smoke free for 26 years. I remember those horrible first days — but the DO pass. I promise!!!!!! Not only do they pass but the pay off is WONDERFUL. Again, I promise!!!!!!!!
Praying for you. Praying for you. Praying for you.
Debbie
Marissa I’m so proud of you,,hang in there it will get better. It does help to change the habit of like ‘smoking after eating’, go for a walk, call a friend for a chat anything to just break that pattern. You are strong & I know you can do it,,,,I will continue to pray for you. I love you very much,
Hang in there, you have been given some awesome advice and support. Of course there will be times when your brain will battle with your body. It’ll take awhile to control the brain, but you will and the battles will get weaker and soon they will fade.
The brain has controlled your body for so long now, it simply wants the nicotine you’ve been feeding it and is used to always winning. But, the body is getting stronger and is now refusing the toxins.
Brain: Hey, Body, gimme that nicotine. You know I can control you. I “always” win.
Body: No way, Brain, that is harmful. I don’t do that anymore.
Brain: Hey, what did I tell you about who’s in charge–the boss?
Body: *Goes and finds another and different activity*
Okay, Marissa, I know that was lame, but you get the idea.
8 weeks here. And, I, too, am having side effects from my replacement; the patch. I’m one big itchy ugly whelp–allergic to the adhesive. S’ok, cause I’m flea-dog happy, knowing I’m getting healthier — stronger with each passing day. ; )
The Secret was a great movie. My mom gave it to me for Christmas and I’ve shared it with at least a dozen friends.