Chantix: Days 6, 7 and 8: Definitely Ewwww
By Saintless. Filed in Not Smoking |
The last few days have been a wild ride for me. Day 6 (Wednesday) was a day of mental exhaustion, and I couldn’t bring myself to do anything once I got home. All I wanted to do was go to bed, but I kept myself awake until after 10. I think I managed to put some laundry in the wash that night, but I don’t think I even made it as far as drying said laundry. Those are the times I really appreciate my roomie, Jill.
Day 7 (Thursday) was an intense day at work, followed by intense cleaning at home, in preparation for Preston’s birthday party. I accidentally fell asleep earlier than intended – about 9:45, I think. I did wake for a phone call that I expected around 11, but then promptly fell back asleep. That was the only good night of sleep I’ve had in weeks, if not longer. Sleep has been an issue for me since December, and I was extremely grateful to have been able to get a good night, without waking to disturbing dreams, or just to being awake for no reason.
Day 8 (Today – Friday) was yet another intense (but good!) day at work. That ended at 3:30 with mad dashes to do things like pick up a birthday cake (can you believe I forgot to order a cake for my son’s birthday?!?) and get the kids and get back home, where a whole lot of people were waiting to surprise him. The surprise went well – he’s never had a surprise party, and was not expecting it at all. He thought his party was tomorrow. I had a lot of anxiety, but it all passed within about 10 minutes of getting home, so I was pretty thrilled. Eventually, the adults all left, and I found myself the only grown up with 8 kids at a birthday party. Somehow I came out of that with my sanity semi-intact, and I’m down to just 4 kids for the sleepover portion of the party. Today was the first day of 1 mg Chantix twice a day. Though, since I messed up earlier in the week, and traded a .5 mg for a 1 mg, my first pill today was just the .5 mg. I’m now back on track, however.
The birthday boy was definitely surprised, even though there was at least one dead giveaway as we arrived home.
So, you’re probably wondering how the (not) smoking is coming? Well, I’ve smoked less than half a pack each of these 3 days. Normally, having this many kids would make me retreat to my back porch for a cigarette every chance I get. I’ve only had a few this evening, and those were because my friend and neighbor came over a few times, and we smoked together. But, I put all of them out early because they just weren’t what I wanted.
I’m not pushing myself to not smoke, yet. I figure that I’m just now to the full dosing of Chantix, plus I had my son’s party tonight, and I’m hosting a SuperBowl party on Sunday. It would be silly to add anything to my stress levels when the Chantix is so obviously doing its thing, and getting me to smoke less.
I also noticed tonight that the last 2 – 3 cigarettes I had were just kind of icky. I normally feel that way the next day when I’ve smoked too much the night before, but I’m not anywhere near that point, so I think it’s the Chantix. Also, most of the cigarettes I have are just half. Even when I’m driving, which is a time I habitually always smoke, I don’t want more than half.
One other thing I have to wonder about – does Chantix make me drink less, too? Usually, when I’m stressed this much, and have this much noise and excitement in my house from the kids, I have to be careful not to drink too much. That hasn’t been a problem all week (even the night I had an anxiety attack), and I’m still on my 2nd (3.2/Utah) beer of this crazy evening.
It’s time to start finding the good things about not smoking, and making my lists.
Tags: Chantix