"I would’ve gave up if I was doing it on my own"

I wish I’d known about this service sooner. I’ve had COPD for around 8years and only found out this service existed when a GP at Clydebank Health Centre asked me to make an appointment with the practice nurse for a respiratory review after recurrent chest infections over a 4 year period. This was the first time I had been seen by the practice nurse for a review in 4 years who advised my they had stopped doing routine COPD reviews which I found slightly baffling.

At this appt she made me aware of the Quit Your Way and I asked to be referred. I didn’t have a long wait til I was seen by Louise. Louise was very supportive and non judgemental which made the process alot easier and she was so easy to talk to. She took me through all my options and the different smoking aids the NHS offered. I chose to use patches and gum.

We spoke about ways to make quitting easier such as changing habits, ways to keep myself busy and occupy my mind. We discussed things to monitor my progress and I found a couple of apps on my phone Louise had recommended. These helped immensely and being able to see my progress in black and white was great, knowing I was making a difference to my health and my purse. There were times it was difficult and I couldn’t have done it without the weekly chats with Louise and her encouragement.

I was a 20+ a day smoker for over 30 years and didn’t think I could ever stop. During the 12 week period I seen Louise there were times I’d had a cigarette and not once did I feel judged by Louise. I also have MS and there were days I couldn’t make it to the face to face appts so she would phone me instead. I managed to reduce the strength of the patches and gum over the period of the programme. The gradual reduction helped massively.

The last week or so I was on holiday and couldn’t pick up my smoking aids from the pharmacy so at that point I chose to use the 2mg nicotine gum alongside a refillable vape. I know vaping isn’t promoted by the NHS but it helped prevent me picking up a cigarette. I’ve now finished the 12 week programm and haven’t picked up a single cigarette for around 4 or 5 weeks. I am still using 2mg gum. I still use the vape on occasion but not a lot and I’ve reduced the strength of oil and will cut it out completely over the next month or so when I feel I’m able to do so. I will do same with the gum.

With Louise’s guidance and support I’ve changed a lot of my habits and can’t thank her enough. I couldn’t have done it without this service or Louise’s general attitude and non judgement. My breathing is so much better as is my cough. I honestly didn’t think I’d see a difference in my health, but it has, so I’m glad I persevered with it. I would’ve gave up if I was doing it on my own. I can’t recommend the service enough and thanks again to Louise.

Louise also told me if I ever wanted to use the service again I could. Hopefully I won’t but it’s good to know I can. Giving up smoking isn’t easy but definitely worth it.

This is a great service which should definitely be promoted more. I’ve spoken to friends in my area and my health centre who are smokers and none of them knew about this service.