Chantix anyone?

[yasmina27]

Has anyone here used Chantix for quitting?

I went to my PCP today for several non-smoking related issues. On the way (it's a 45 min. drive), I decided to ask her about quitting smoking. I've tried Welbutrin (really messed with my head) and the gum (makes my throat burn) and the patch (also makes me feel sick).

I NEED to quit - for myself, for my daughters (who are both asthmatic), and for my dad - who died last year of esophogeal cancer, related, I'm sure, to the 3+ packs he smoked a day for more years than I can count.

In the waiting room, I saw a pamphlet for Chantix. I've seen commercials for it, but couldn't remember it's name. I picked up the brochure and asked the dr. about it. She said that she has had several patients quit successfully using it and gave me a script for it. She also said that my insurance may not cover it - that it costs is about $100/mo. I said no problem, as that is what smokes cost me (at least).

Lo and behold, my insurance did cover it - with a $20 co-pay. Hot diggity! Took my first pill just a few minutes ago. You are supposed to continue to smoke during the first week, so my first day smoke-free will be Feb. 13 - National Smoke Out day!

I swear this is meant to be. Please don't wish me good luck, as I believe in positive affirmations. Please, instead, if you are so inclined, congratulate me in advance on being a non-smoker.

Thank you!

[swimboy]

1. Congratulations on taking this step!

I haven't heard of Chantix but I have a friend who has tried everything else and now seems to be succeeding. I need to find out what he is using and buy stock in it!

[Lowell]

2. Congratulations and good luck

I tried it all and found out perserverance is the only cure. After about ten tries and ten different ways I finally freed myself four months ago. Just do what ever it takes.

[yellerpup]

3. Yay, yasmina27!

Your head is in the right place! You are no longer a smoker. You may crave cigarettes again, but now that you are no longer a smoker you won't give in to the cravings. I kicked after 40 years last year (my birthday present to myself after uncountable "tries") and although I've had my MOMENTS, I have not been tempted to smoke. All I had to do was remind myself that I am no longer a smoker. You've made the leap. Congratulations! :hug:

[shaniqua6392]

4. Today is my fourth day of Chantix.

Day one made me a little queasy and then I had the weirdest dreams all night. Days two and three I did not have any side effects other than I am a little dizzy. I tried Welbutrin too and it gave me heart palpations like crazy and I had to stop. I am hoping this works. My doctor also said he had a lot of people quit taking this medication. My quit day is this Saturday. I do notice my cigs taste kind of funny already. Today is the day the dose goes to .5mg twice a day. I have a very weak stomach, so I make sure I have a very full stomach and so far that has worked. Congratulations in advance. Keep us posted and I will do the same.

[leftyclimber]

5. I'm in Week 2.

It makes me a bit randomly weepy, but I've decided I can ride it out for a couple of months.

Definite second on the weird dreams. And vivid.

Mind you, I'm only on Day 2 of not smoking, and would like to chew my arm off. Chewing my arm off is a massive improvement over going cold turkey, though. That's homicidal maniac territory.

Anyone combined Chantix with nicotine replacement therapy? I can't decide whether to try to suffer through the physical withdrawal or get me some gum.

[jeanarrett]

6. Just got my prescription today.

I will start taking it tomorrow. My friend quit smoking for 14 years and started again for another 10 years. Has now been smoke free for two months on Chantix and claims not to have had any cravings--just the habits of smoking hard to break--i.e., going out for a break at work, etc.

My doctor and pharmacist are both extremely excited about Chantix. My doc claims it's the best thing that has ever come about for people trying to quit. I've talked to others who are on it. Most common complaints are diarrhea and nausea and weird dreams as a couple of you have mentioned.

I'll start tomorrow. I'm really excited about this!!!!!

[jojo54]

7. I'm on day 2 of NOT smoking....I'm wishing myself good luck!

Hi yasmina27. I hope that you were successful on Chantix - I'd love for you to post again and let us know how your doing. I too tried many things, Wellbutrin (rash), patch (unsuccessful), Smoke Away (didn't work AT ALL), etc. I guess my will power just has to be a lot stronger this time.

[yasmina27]

8. Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since I posted this

Unfortunately, when I got the prescription from my Dr., my appointment had actually been for severe back pain. The Chantix was an afterthought, after reading a brochure in the waiting room - although I had seen the commercials on TV.

Anyway, the pain in my back has become so severe - shooting down the leg into the foot along with feelings of pins and needles after sitting - that I couldn't deal with 2 health stresses at once. So I haven't taken the Chantix for awhile and am still smoking. :(

The only side effect I had from it was nausea for about an hour after I took it. I am not normally a person with gastric problems, so this really bothered me. I was really hoping for the weird dreams :).

I still have most of the prescription left, & plan to use it to quit this summer when I'm not working (I'm a teacher). Hopefully by then my back problems will be resolved.

Many thanks for all the well-wishes and cheerleading. Give me some for my back if you can - I need my life back!

[lizerdbits]

9. I got a prescription today

And will pick it up tomorrow since they didn't have it in stock. I too was at the doctor for something unrelated and when she listened to my lungs asked if I smoked. She said she could tell is was starting to cause serious effects. I just bought a carton last week so it will probably be another 1 1/2-2 weeks before I start quitting. For some reason I can't throw them away and need time to prepare mentally. Or maybe I'm making excuses to postpone doing something difficult. :)

I do everything else right- exercise, eat pretty well, but the smoking I could never give up. I have noticed during exercise lately that my endurance seems to be going down a little but I'll be 33 tomorrow so it could also be age. I've tried welbutrin, patches, gum, and I always get so tired without the cigarette I always go back to be able to function. I asked her about the fatigue and she said it's just your body getting used to it and "you could become a starbucks junkie like me." I normally don't drink much caffeine (maybe some green tea once a day) and I don't like coffee. I will just try to pop some caffeine pills (cut in half) because I don't want to get a soda habit. Even diet soda, I have a history of depression and the dr that gave me antidepressants said to stay away from aspartame because in people with histories of depression it can make it worse.

As for the back pain, I had an MRI recently because an X ray showed 2 bulging discs and the orthopedic surgeon who ordered it said smokers are 500% more likely to have back problems. My dad smoked 3 packs a day in the 60's (when you smoked on the metro, on the bus, at your desk at work) and he had back problems too in the same spot (L4/L5/S1) but there could be some genetic factors there for me. Plus your back problems could be due to injury/accident. I don't have shooting pain, just lower back soreness and am no longer able to stand on one leg and pull the other foot over my head. (Maybe doing that is bad for your back, but it felt great when I could do it and I can still do plain old back bends.) I go to discuss the MRI tomorrow and since my pain isn't shooting or severe I'll probably get some PT. I'd like to avoid the surgeries my dad had!

Sorry, I rambled a bit off topic!

[caty]

10. I've been taking Chantix

for three weeks now. I completely quit a week ago. The Chantix does the same thing to your brain that smoking does. So when you smoke, you don't really get any satisfaction from the cigarette. The Chantix also makes me feel just a tiny bit nauseous. And smoking makes me feel more nauseous. So I actually started to dread smoking. As far as quitting---I haven't really missed the cigs at all. However, I do feel dragged out all day long and really have to push myself to get things done. But this should wear off after a while. I've been sleeping a lot better and longer. I've had some very vivid dreams, but none were bad. I would recommend Chantix to a hard core smoker like I was--2 packs a day for 20 years.

[Lindsey]

11. I quit smoking on 8/1 and I believe because of Chantix I have had NO

cravings at all. My case is a little different. I quit in '92 and then started in about May of this year so I was only back at it for a few months. Thank God I'm done.

[caty]

12. That's great.

:applause:

[flying_wahini]

13. so how is everyone doing that quit? still quit? or cheating......

I am gearing up for the BIG quit. Promised myself that I would
never start smoking again when I quit the last time.
I was 32 at the time; and I remained off cigs for 10 years....!
It took 6 months to get rid of all the nicotine in my body, I had
a real fight with cravings, but after 6 months I felt like a new
person.

anyway, when I turned 42 i started smoking "just one, just once in a
while".

now I am 52 years old, smoking anywhere from 1/2 to 1 ppd.
i am sick and disqusted with myself. my chest hurts and I cough
all the time. no fun.
hears the clincher. I never told my Dr. that I smoked.
Now I want a script for Chantix but fear having that on my
insurance record. hmmmmmmm
you know that the insurance companies will screw you if they get
the chance.
anyway, quess I will have to quit cold turkey and suffer through.
Chantix may be great- but my reality is; don't buy, don't bum.
when I am ready - I will quit.
my time is coming..... or else this is going to kill me....
sooner than later I fear.

[lizerdbits]

14. What do you mean having that on your insurance record?

Would you be denied treatment because of it (like lung cancer) or are you referring to life insurance?

I've been on it for 12 weeks, quit for 11. I couldn't take 1mg twice a day, I just couldn't sleep. I did 1mg/day (in the morning) for a while and still had trouble sleeping so now I'm breaking them in half for 0.5mg/day. I still crave sometimes but it's not very often and not that strong.

[Synnical]

15. Had my script filled this week

My insurance company wouldn't pay any of it. Local Walgreen's cost was $173. Purchased it online for about $120 - that's one month's worth, two .5 mg a day. Setting my quit date at November 5th, after Halloween. I so want to take one now, just to see how it affects me. Doc told it might make me nauseous.

Congrats in advance!

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale