Hi, my name is Pat, and I started my stop smoking journey at Pontefract Health Centre. On my first appointment I was nervous - I have always wanted to stop smoking but the thought of it made me feel anxious
I never believed for a minute I would stop. I could not have done it without the help of the stop smoking service. My medication was the tablet Varenicline. Marie kept me motivated to keep going and I managed to quit right on the cuff of day 14 and have never looked back since!
What I like most about being a non-smoker is the smell of fresh coffee – I can even smell it now from upstairs – it feels like I am in a coffee shop!
I did, however, find I was having such strange vivid dreams which were often that I was still a smoker. I would wake up the following morning feeling so thankful that it was only a dream and had to pinch myself!
What helped me the most to stay quit was the face-to-face appointments that kept me on track. I loved to in to have my Carbon Monoxide readings.
I have been quit over 12 weeks now I would recommend this service to anyone - “If I can do it, you can”.
I Will never touch another cigarette again. My breathing is much better, I no longer cough, or wheeze and I am hoping after my knee operation I will be able to walk properly again and walk much further.
I feel like I am so much more productive now not having to break off every 5 minutes for that cigarette!
*stock photography has been used for this success story
