Chantix? For quitting smoking?

[BigSis]

Anyone heard of this drug for getting off nicotine?

Partial excerpt, below... link to article here:
http://www.theolympian.com/101/story/50438.html

Ex-smokers give credit to new drug

by keri brenner
.............

The Eidsons, who are still off cigarettes three months later, are part of the first wave of South Sound residents to try a new prescription stop-smoking drug called Chantix. The Pfizer Pharmaceuticals product, approved in May by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is said to be the first major prescription drug advance in the field in 10 years.

"The pill takes care of the cravings," said Harris, a guest lecturer on the subject this month at Capital Medical Center in Olympia. "That gives you a chance to work on getting out of the habit of having a cigarette when you're driving, after a meal or while talking on the phone."

Two studies in medical journals this year indicate that Chantix was about three times more effective than a placebo in helping people quit smoking. It also worked better than Zyban, the last major stop-smoking drug. ............

Anyone here tried it, yet? I have 2 smoking kids who are talking about quitting (yay!). I would love to see them find a tool that can help.

[Cynay]

I have not heard of it myself.

I have not smoked in 7 days and Im using the patch. I dont seem to have cravings that much but I can tell you my attitude stinks at times...

My doctor also has had me on Welbuton for awhile ... It is also supose to help with the moodyness associated with stoping.

[mooselips]

Hi Sis,
I just received this Chantix in the mail today...
From what I hear it works very well, so therefore I thought I'd give it a go.
(all I have to do is pick a quit date...Grrrrr....)
You smoke for 7 days, per instructions, then quit on your quit day!
Hmmm, sounds easy as pie!

From what I understand, most health plans will not pay for it, it's a 3 month program, I was lucky mine did. So you might want to call and check first!

Good luck to your kiddo's

[historyteach]

Moose, BigSis and anyone else;
I only say, do whatever it takes to quit!

I've not heard of it. But, when I quit, I used everything available. Patches, pills, gum, counseling...everything that was there to use. If Chantilly ... oppps ... Chantix was there to use, I'm sure I'd have done that too!
Do whatever works is the message from me.

Shalom!

[mooselips]

Yeah Teach,
I agree use anything that gets ya quit.
The only problem is right now my head's not into quitting, isn't that awful? I just can't get my head on straight this time.
I will though, I will...
I'm working on it....

[nurseBetty]

Hi Everyone,

I just stumbled across this chat room this morning. My husband and I just started Chantix yesterday. I have been smoking for 25 years and he 30. As a nursing student I feel like a hippocrit taking care of people dying of lung cancer and I still smoke. I am supposed to educate people on healthy living and I do everything else pretty good AND smoke.

Like others I enjoy smoking, but I am not liking hacking up every morning and even in the middle of the night. Also I hate being a slave to cigs. I am recovery for alcohol for 13 1/2 years and that was much easier to quit. I know it won't be easy but I am willing to try.

Back to Chantix. We were lucky our insurance covered most of it. The side effects are flu like symptoms and some transient dizziness and nausea. yippee. On my first day I felt fine and the 2 hours later I became really dizzy and queasy. Like I was car sick. Then it went away. I also didn't have any appetite. I am hoping the nausea and dizziness doesn't last because I really want this to work. I am going to call my sis-in-law to ask if the pills can be cut in half, she is a pharmacist. I seem to be super sensitive to all medications since I stopped drinking. I figured when I first started smoking, I didn't feel too good either it took me awhile to like it. Of course, it is my favorite thing to do now.

If anyone else has tried or currently using Chantix, I would like to know your experiences. I will try to keep up with posting here to get feedback.

Thank you,

nurseBetty

[mooselips]

I'm going to start the Chantix on Tuesday the 22nd, then stop smoking on the 29th, (our wedding anniversary)
Somehow, I always need a good date to stop, silly, me.
I also agree, I am a retired Nurse and I know better than to smoke. Duh.
Updates coming soon.

(NOT looking forward to that flu side effect.)

[historyteach]

Never heard of the stuff.
What's it's method of working? On the nicotine, like NRT or on the brain, like Zyban? Or something else?

I know, dates can be important, Moose. But, it's important that we just do it, too. I have my year coming up on the 29th, and there's no reason for that date. It was just one more day I woke up, finished the pack I had and didn't buy another. Yes, I had been planning to quit for a while. That particular morning was just a fluke. :andy:

I'm wishing you all well. Hope you'll stop in on the daily report thread. It helps to be accountable -- well,it did for me, anyway!

Eleven months, three weeks, 10 hours, 48 minutes and 36 seconds. 14218 cigarettes not smoked, saving $3,909.95. Life saved: 7 weeks, 8 hours, 50 minutes.

Shalom!

[jlo34]

So many health care providers!!! Excellent.

I'm a paramedic..so it didn't look so hot when we'd try to resuscitate someone, drop them off at the hospital and go out and smoke. Seen many die from lung disease...some slowly and some quickly.

I made smoking important by using it as my stress relief. I have found that there are many other stress relief strategies. I'm also a recovering alcoholic and have applied the 12 steps to stopping smoking. I particularly did step 1 and 3.

I've always had a hard time with finding the "unmanagability" with smoking. The problems always "seemed" so far off...really, I think it was just my denial. I've had so many people encourage me to stop smoking...so much support. Some of them gave up before I did...thankfully...by the grace of God, tomorrow I will be celebrating 8 months smoke free. What a miracle.

So glad to have you here Mooselips and also you, NurseBetty!!! Welcome, both of you to SR. Please continue to post and let us know how your quit is going.

Like HistoryTeach, I had been thinking about quiting for a long time. I didn't choose an important date...because for me, it never worked. It was sabatoged before I ever started. I decided on the "best day of the week". Fridays were always my high smoke day...so I decided on a Saturday. Well, I did well on Saturday...smoked 2 Sunday night. Began again Monday. Smoked my last 2 Monday night (kept 4 cigarettes from Friday). So my smoke free date is (Monday) March 20, 2006 at 2330. I extinguished my last cigarette moments before this.

Coming up with a quit list was helpful. Really honestly looking at how my smoking affected others (and myself) was helpful. My kids, especially my eldest, did it in for me. I really looked at her face...that really hurt to see how much my smoking hurt her.

I wish you all the luck. I have no idea how this Chantix works..I've heard good things about it..nothing first or second hand...but what I've heard from others has been positive.

For my quit, I used Wellbutrin (began a few months before stopping). I used IceBreaker Sours (calorie and sugar free). I changed my entire routine and how I did things prior to stopping smoking...so it wouldn't be as hard when I quit. I exercised a lot prior to quiting smoking too. I got a "non-smoking sponsor" which has been helpful. I've got a lot of support and people cheering for me. Most importantly, I really had to do it FOR ME. I was never able to stay quit when I did it for others. Sure, Serena was a big reason, but I'm doing it overall for me. She gets a huge benefit from it though too!!!

Take care...glad you both have joined us!!! We really like to support each other here and cheer for each other. Keep us up to date and let us know how it's going. We learn from each other...just like AA.

Blessings,
Jen

[mooselips]

Okay, this is what I found:

How Does Chantix Work?
Basically, it takes any "fun" and pleasure out of smoking. Smokers often feel a sense of calm and relief when they light up. With chantix, they don't feel these sensations. Chantix also lessens the withdrawal symptoms, which often are very severe for some.

I am not having FUN smoking, (I don't think I am...no, I'm not)
So, I'll give it a go, starting Wednesday, then quit completely the next Wednesday.
I did quit last year for 8 months, then...well, you know, had a huge slip.
WILL NOT HAPPEN THIS TIME!!!!

Hugs, and happy breath to all,

[mooselips]

Okay, first pill taken.
As things are right now, I should quit in 7 days.


Took the pill at lunch, you're suppose to take it after meals, with a full 8 oz. glass of water.

Not feeling any ill effects.
(and hope it stays that way...)

[jlo34]

YEA MOOSELIPS!!!! Come join us - it smells SOOOOOO goood in here!!!!

We'll help you count your seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and of course, years!!! One day at a time!!! Keep us all up to date on how this medicine works. I'm sure there are plenty of people wondering about it...you may be their inspiration and hope!!!

Blessings,
Jen

[Cynay]

Welcome.... Im glad you could join us!

[mooselips]

Well, today will be day 3, and I seem to be not craving after taking just 2 pills, so far.
Psychological? Perhaps, but that works for me.

Hugs,

[Cynay]

Does not matter if it is Psychological...... all that matters is it works!!!!

[BigSis]

Go MOOSE!!!!

[jlo34]

GREAT JOB, MOOSE!!!! So, is your proposed quit day this coming Wednesday?

Do you just take the med for a week or do you continue taking it for awhile (like wellbutrin?).

Glad the craving is leaving. That's when I was able to really evaluate if I was smoking because I REALLY WANTED TO or just out of habit. Amazing, how much was just out of habit!!!

Blessings,
Jen

[mooselips]

You atke it for 3 months.
You start with .5 mg one every day X 3 days.
Then .5mg twice a day from day 4 to day 7.
Then 1mg. twice a day from day 8 to the end of the three months.

I am slowly changing some habits, while waiting for next Wednesday.
I no longer smoke in my car.
I never have my cigarettes sitting in front of me, I have to get up, and go get 1.
It's helping.

Also, Mr. Moose and I are celebrating our 37 anniversary starting next Wednesday in staying in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and the casino is NO smoking.
So my last cigarette will be Tuesday.

Hugs and happy breathing,

[jlo34]

That's great!!!! And...happy anniversary!!!! 37 years...wow...that's pretty rare, anymore!!! I hope some day to get there!!!!

Great job on changing the behaviors...sounds like you're doing a great job...awareness is HUGE!!!!

Blessings,
Jen

[Cynay]

37 years????

You know what is sad, have not done anything (except breath) for 37 years !

Amazing.....

You can pull it off Im sure of it!

[mooselips]

Hi all,
Okay, flunked my quit date, but will try again on Dec. 13th.
The pills seem to do nothing, as far as I see.
But instructions say, try the following week if you can't quit the first try.
IF that doesn't work, I will go buy the patch, and use them, as I quit before.

Hope, hope hope.

[jlo34]

Thanks for the update MooseLips...glad you're back with us...we missed you!!!

Keep trying, keep at it!!! Persistence pays off...sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly...we're all here for you!!!

Blessings,
Jen

[bbboop]

Nurse BettY: I'm going to start my Chantix tomorrow. I've been on a different forum and have learned from successful quitters serveral things about taking Chantix.

Eat a full meal before you take it and drink at least eigiht ounces of water with each pill.

Some of what you feel is related to detox but most people found that if they did the two simple steps above it would eliminate some of the side effects of the pill.

I wish you great success and myself. Tomorrow if my first day on Chantix but I believe the people who have done well on it and one lady is a 35 year smoker and she is doing it and feeling great. She said he thoughts of relaspe were minimal, just fleeting not long enough to act on them.

Much success to you and your husband on the quit, Boop

[Amanda930]

My girlfriends boss has started chantix and has been dong well.. She says every time she does smoke the cigarette tastes bad like one time she said he tastes like a poop wraped in burnt hair lol.... shes to crazy....anyways not sure if I'll try that or not....hoping to quit cold turkey has that worked for anyone here? I've only been smoking since I was 17 and I'll be 21 in September..... its not that long... also tho I've been out of work for four month and I start working on Monday at the same place my girlfriend works at. But sitting at home watching tv, and online I just get so bored and I smoke and smoke....its not good considering I've just been diagonsed with anxiety and panic attakcs