Hi Duer's. My name is debm55. and I have not had a cigarette since March2. I smoked 1 and a half pack a day. As I sit

[beaglelover]

137. Congratulations, Deb! I plan to quit on Saturday.

I have been smoking since junior year of college in 1985. I've never been a super heavy smoker, about 1/2 a pack a day, but after all these years it adds up. I turned 60 last year and have exercised regulary for decades and I started to really feel the impact of smoking during my workouts. I then had a health scare at the end of last year and when I got the clean bill of health in January, I said to myself, it's time to seriously consider quitting smoking.

I have quit once before for about 2 years using Welbutrin.

So, this time I'm using the generic drug for Chantix. I just know I won't be able to quit by doing NRT, and quitting using a drug worked so well before.

I've been taking the pills since last Friday. They are quite amazing to say the least. The drug basically blocks the pleasure you get from smoking. Beginning as quickly as Saturday, I was not smoking entire cigarettes any more. I would take a few drags and put it out.

I'm now 5 days on the drugs and there's times I just forget to have a cigarette. And then I realize it's been 5 hours since I last had one and I don't even feel like having one. So, I'm optimistic that when Saturday comes I will be able to be smoke free. I will stay on the drug for 12 weeks total and then ween myself off of it. So far, no nasty side affects, but I'm sure I'll have some as the drug builds up in my system.

I'm SO looking forward to being a non smoker after all these years. I'm actually embarassed to still be a smoker. I just tell people I grew up in the 80s when everybody smoked! I keep reminding myself how much better I will feel when I no longer smoke.

Anyway, good luck to you and good luck to me. We are both going to be non smokers soon!