Chantix

[froglegs]

Anyone use Chantix to quit smoking? I am ready, but know I will need some help. I have quit during my pregnancies, but always go back.
I know several people who were a pack a day plus smokers who used this medication and have successfully quit smoking. Just wondering about side effects and all that good stuff.
I am the type of person who does not take prescribed medication or anything I don't know due to the fear of nasty side effects, I take Tylenol, thats it...so I am hoping that Chantix isn't too hard to handle.

I am going to the Dr. today and was going to inquire about it.

Please post your experience with Chantix...thanks

[iuchewie]

froglegs - i don't have any personal experience, but on the site that i run dedicated to quitting dip/chew (killthecan.org) we've got many members that have used it with success. it hasn't been around long enough to get any long term success figures (at least that i've seen) but i'd have to say that so far the results look very positive.

i haven't seen any side effects reported (other than the typical dry mouth and headaches that seem to accompany ANY script drug). as for what it's really doing, it's blocking the nerve receptors in your brain that cause nic withdrawal. i'm a big proponent of cold turkey cessation (rip of the band aid quick and get it over with) but like i said i've seen quite a few quitters have success.

chewie

[Afraid2Succeed]

"fear of nasty side effects" like lung cancer, esophageal cancer, etc... lol jk didn't mean to rain on your parade. I quit cold turkey 2 weeks ago, and aside from being 'sensitive' (think grouchy) I feel great.

Good luck with quitting and increasing your life span!
Dave

[karrotop]

hi frog legs....i have been on Chantix for two weeks now,and i haven't had a smoke in 7 days now...It's really strange how good this stuff seems to work.I still think about smoking(that's the HABIT part)...but the thoughts don't last long.
As with anything,You have to want to stop.....for me,i am having chest pains now,and i have all the risk factors for heart disease...So,it was time to let them go...i just hope i can stick with it this time,but i am hopeful...my insurance didn't cover the Rx,and the med.is alittle expensive,but not as expensive as the smokes...
I recommend the Chantix.....i hope you try it too,and good luck with it..KT

[Lizrox]

I have mixed feelings about Chantix..

I quit cold turkey on Aug31st and am doing fine. I have a script for Chantix but don't take it..

My doctor said the problem with Chantix is getting the person OFF of it..

[barb dwyer]

My doc is looking into trying to get me a script hrough my 'plan' (whcih is basically - NO plan)


I was hoping for more info than this. LOL

right now - i wouldn't care if FOAM came out my ears - (side effects) if it worked - i'd take it.

LOL

[Echo454]

Hi Everyone, I am in the middle of day 9 of Chantix. So, far, my smoking is significantly cut back from about a pack a day to 1-2 per day and it seems to be only in the morning when I used to crave them most. The real problem I am having is the exhaustion. I can deal with nausea, but it seems to be every other day, I cant get out of bed. I just started the blue pills, please someone tell me this will subside??? Is this normal? I know that your life changes drastically and I am sticking Chantix out no matter what, but I cant find any energy to do anything. My somewhat bubbly personality has changed a bit,. I am alittle more foggy than usual, but I am willing to live with that too.. anyone have any insight or any tricks to beat the fatigue??

[xjunkie4u]

Echo, how are you today? I started chantix yesterday and don't feel anything yet. How long did it take to notice anything? I didn't have the half mg. so I am taking 1mg. am. all the best

[Echo454]

hey xjunk-
i must say i am doing better today, still tired, but pushing through. Chantix takes awhile to build up in your system, like an anti-depressant, It was my bday this weekend and had some drinks, i def thought i was going to fall off the wagon, I ended up making it all day, through red sox/yankee game, and tried to smoke after the game, ended up taking 2 puffs and almost got sick. Even with the drinks, i was still ok. You should start feeling something around 7 days, that's when cigarettes started to taste awful... and my desire diminished. It seems to work differently for different people. If you start to have side effects, i would cut the 1 mg in half and start it that way.

Im very happy for you to make the first step.. this DOES really work. Trust me, I keep TRYING to smoke, I dont believe that I dont want them, so I keep attempting and it just makes me sicker and sicker...even with all the side effects, Im sticking with it, I thought I was a hopeless case, destined for and accepting of short life accompanied by an oxygen tank and a painful death...not anymore

[karrotop]

hi all.....i am in week #3 of chantix,and haven't had a smoke in 2 weeks....my BP has gone down 20 points already....I am so happy with my,"little blue pill"...the only side effect i have is GREAT dreams.....and a cleaner house,a cleaner car,more $$$ in my wallet,and i don't stink anymore like stale smoke.....I can put cologne on in the morning,and still smell it in the afternoon...
My doc says i can stay on the med.for up to 6 months,if necessary....And.....this time...i don't feel the need to chew gum,or suck on lollipops.....and i have lost a few pounds since i quit!!!!!!!(unheard of!!!!)
i would highly recommend chantrix to anyone....and,like i said...it is expensive....but cigarettes are MORE expensive.....and we always have the money for THEM,don't we????
good luck to all...KT

[froglegs]

Thakns for the replies! I have decided to start taking the pill on Monday. I appreciate all of you sharing your experiences with me.

[xjunkie4u]

Thanks Echo, legs and all for the great replys! I'm really looking forward to some of what you have. Thanks for answering my question about the drug building up etc. I'm only on my 5th day and haven't noticed but thanks to you I know what to expect. I don't have the half mg. (was given boxes from a friend), so I take 1 mg. per day until it's time to take 2 blue pills per day. It's interesting that it makes you feel ill and as unplesant as that seems, I bet it's effective. Welbutrin just didn't quite work but it could have. Thanks for the info. and stay positive and stay posting.

[Echo454]

Keep us all posted on your progress.. i really enjoy reading about everyone's experiences, most especially success stories. None of my friends or parents smoked, so it's virtually impossible to find people who can actually UNDERSTAND what we're going through. I have all the support, but I still need to know I have people understanding
Thanks Legs for starting this..

[Echo454]

oh and karrot-
im with you on the dreams, i have luckily not had the nightmares, just kickin dreams, some of them i dont want to wake up from.. i actually had a dream i was dating nicholas cage (i was watching him on tv before i fell asleep) and I was really annoyed when i woke up and he was gone

[karrotop]

Pleasant dreams Echo........beat ya to the pillows.....hahahaha good stuff.....nicholas cage,hugh?

[barb dwyer]

thank you karrotop -
I started yesterday. I was told to take it for a week before my quit date.

good, good. I"m so glad to hear that.

xjunkie - we'll keep uo woth ech other since we startd almost on the same day, hugh?


but - my pills are white. I haven't opened the other packs to see what color they are. Typical alcoholic. Gotta be different, huh?

[Echo454]

good luck barb!
we're behind you. I am on day 13 of chantix and have been OFFICIALLY smoke free for 2 days (i dont count any day i took a puff here and there as smoke free)... so, give the drug time to work and build up strength within the next week or so and you'll be just fine.. soon you'll be a veteran ex-smoker!

[barb dwyer]

man I hope so. thanks!

[xjunkie4u]

I on day 6 (1mg. per day) and don't notice much yet, maybe less urge yes. I will follow the direction and move to 2 mg. per day. I am smoking only about 8-9 a day as opposed to a pack. Does anyone notice any mental side effects? all the best

[barb dwyer]

hi x - nothing yet but WAIT TILL THE DREAM KICK IN ... wowsers.

hooly gooten nigt.

I had my first Chantix dream this morning ... it was FAB!!!

[Echo454]

hey x
no, thats about what happened to me. i smoked a pack, then i smoked 6 for a few days, then it moved to 3 and eventually one puff, just to make sure i didnt like it...
now, im on day five on none, but i must admit, this morning i REALLY missed my morning cigarette...

[SoberKev]

Good Saturday afternoon to everyone!

I am on day 6 of Chantix. Last weekend I smoked 5-6 packs of full "flavor" buttz as I have been a 2 pack a day person for over 35 years.

When I started Chantix this past Monday morning, I turned my routine up-side-down. I did that for 2 reasons, first to insure I ate something right after taking my pill, and to start changing my "habits". By the 3rd day I was ready to increase the dosage as during the evening, my desire to smoke would increase and they started tasting good! The 1/2 mg twice a day is better, Monday is my quit date and I start the full dose, 1mg twice a day.

I have had no side effects! One of the things I have been doing is drinking at least 6 pints of water everyday. I go to the bathroom alot! I also take my pill just before eating.

Do I feel different? Yes! Cigs have been a part of my life for so long and to not mindlessly light one up right after another feels strange. I noticed today after going about 3-4 hours without a smoke, I could actually taste my lunch. I did not realize that for all these years I have been putting too much pepper on my food!

Today so far, I have only had 4-5 smokes. Will I be smoke free on Monday? That is my goal, so I just gotta stay away from that first smoke. Chantix will help, but like my alcoholism it is up to me and the help I can get to stay away from the first one, whether it is a cig or a drink.

[barb dwyer]

I hear ya SoberKev -

I'm slammin' water. I *hate* water. But I'm waking up, shuffling to the fridge and just .. slamming it.

[Echo454]

Right on SoberKev! Isnt it amazing. People keep saying it's not a magic pill, but it certainly as performed as a magic pill for me. I smoked only a pack a day, but I didnt even really want to quit... I am five days smoke free.. well thats without a puff.. I have been pretty much smoke free for about 8 days. Keep us posted on your progress...
I noticed that I changed my habits too, my breakfast was usually black coffee and 4 smokes. I dont even drink coffee anymore, it tastes gross.

And I was not an alcoholic, more a binge drinker. I wouldnt drink about once a week, but when I did, I would black out everytime. I noticed since I committed to quitting smoking, that I do want to drink anymore, in fear of lack of judgment and relapse. And I feel so much healthier, why put more toxins in my body when I am trying to get rid of them.

This is very exciting for you, and i'll be thinking about you on your quit date!
Behind you all the way

[xjunkie4u]

Today is day 7 of chantix. I am smoking about 7 a day and will increase the dose to 1 mg. twice a day and hope to stop then around tues? Has anyone gotten the gas side effect? So far so good but I want this lifelong addiction to end. I have a feeling that quitting smoking can open up a lot of "spiritual doors" as I seem to remember from my past short experience. Echo, be very carefull drinking. Someone once said "the drink bone's connected to the tabacco bone" or something like that. all the best