Chantix- a tale of trying to quit

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

ok folks, I'm on board.

I had quit smoking back in the skiing days,....3 yrs.  Picked it up again about a year after returning home.  I hate the habit for all the obvious reasons but mostly because it owns me.  It's nasty, dirty, ugly and dangerous.

With that, I got some Chantix the other day and have begun the cycle.  The way it works, you pick a quit date and start 1 week before it.  They tell you to keep smoking.  Before the quit date comes, they say I won't "want" one.  We'll see.  It starts with low doses and doubles as it goes along.  I'm on day 3, the last day of the smallest dose, tomorrow it doubles.  So far, no change in the regularity of my habit.

I'm going to report here each day, like a diary, for a few reasons.

1. So y'all can help- hold me accountable.  I know this is all me, noone else can do it but, I've seen what BR support can do.....

2.  So others can watch and maybe I can be an example.  Trust me, I'm a heavy smoker, both in numbers and habit.  If I can quit, anyone can.  I am relying greatly on the drug at first and hoping I can surprise myself and grow some strength from that.

So,....here goes,....paperwork says I will be "extremely irritable",....if you get the urge to post something that's not really political but has nowhere to go BUT being political,...you're bummin'.  (Got that Avid? )

Just a shot across the bow,lol.

[Glenn]

paperwork says I will be "extremely irritable.

Is this new?   ;D

J/K

That's great news Russ.  Quitting is the hardest thing you'll do, but you'll do it.  I know it.  Congrats on taking the first step.  You'll feel better, breath better, and food will taste better.

In the mean time, just step away from the computer when something irritates you.  

[cart7t]

Good luck Russ.  I'd also love to quit. I had a friend use that stuff and he's on about year 2 or 3 smoke free.

I'm very interested in the side effects.  There's just something scary about messing with receptors in the brain.  I know my wife tried quitting with Chantrix and the side effects weren't acceptable.

Keep us posted.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

They say the main 2 effects are #1-Nausea and #2-intense dreams

The dreams are fine as long as they don't go sour, for most.  Eric actually liked this side effect,lol

The nausea is resolved by making sure to take with a meal, not a snack, a meal

The 3rd biggee is irritability but I think this is to be expected no matter which process you choose to help you quit.

So far, day 3 and I've had zero side effects

cart- also hoping this will help with the clusters too.  On that note, they have me set up for a sleep study.  You know how I get mine at night now and it's usually to far into it for the oxygen?  Well, they are going to set me up with a c-pap? (continuous oxygen flow machine) when I go into my next cluster.  Feed me the oxy all night in hopes that it aborts the attack w/o even waking me up.  Kinda simple solution, I wish 1 of the 7 neurologists on my team could have thought of that!  :

Off topic, but not, smoking is directly related to my migraine condition

[=Matt 5.0=]

Good luck my friend. If I see you with a smoke I'll be sure to slap it out of your mouth!  ;D I made both of my parents quit when I was about 5.

Seriously tho, I wish you success.

[R520dvx]

Russ

I used Chantix a few years ago ... worked like a charm. Just like they promise, you will just not want one.

It is a nasty habit .... hope you can kick it. On top the obvious reasons to quit, it saves a bunch of $$$$$$$$$$$

GOODLUCK !!!!

Greg

[avid]

Good luck russ.

I too picked up the habit again.

I tried nicorette gum.  Now I chew nicorette between cigs.

Somehow I don't think that was the intent.

Hope your luck is better.  Thanks for keeping us in the loop.

The nausea and irritability, i could definitely live without.  The intense dreams could be interesting.  Let us know if you have any.

[senko_77]

We're here for you Russ.  Wish you the best of luck and you know the digits if you need to talk to get your mind of it.

[Grey Wolf]

Good luck Russ. I quit last Nov. I was a 2 pack a day junkie.

[mattm]

I tried quitting with the patch once.  Side effects were also wierd dreams.  They recommended removing the patch at night to avoid them.  I rarely dream so I left the patch on and actually enjoyed the dreams.

Good luck.  I have no doubt you will make it, and be an inspiration to a lot of folks.

[Alpster]

Russ,

I quit a 4 pack a day habit that lasted 22 years (16 years ago). There's a long story that goes with it, but suffice it to repeat what you said "if I could quit, anyone can". I will be praying for your success. As mattm said above, you will be an inspiration to a lot of people who struggle with it. No pressure here though, LOL.

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Ronnie

[daviscw]

Russ, my dad actually works for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. where he literally works around tobacco daily. He has been smoke free for 4 months after using Chantix. Keep in mind he has smoked the whole 35 years he has worked at RJR. If working in a cigarette factory doesn't tempt a quitting smoker, I don't know what will. If he can do it, you can do it! Keep it up!

[burleytog]

1. The stuff works. The smokes will start tasting like a cat's *** warmed over.

2. The dreams are terrific. YMMV

3. I've never slept so good in my life.

4. I still miss a smoke after a meal.

5. Did I mention the dreams?

[Muddy]

Hey Mook: If you want your next cigarette call someone before you smoke it, make sure the person in a non smoker, so he can tell you how not to smoke.

 I have had a hanerking to stop , when I do it's gonna be cold turkey. Truth is I am not ready or willing to give them up yet :-/

[Tokyo Tony]

Good luck Russ!

I've tried to quit, half-assedly, a few times. Avid, I also tried Nicorette, and then I became addicted to Nicorette and cigarettes. I just kicked my Nicorette habit, fortunately...those new flavors are awesome though.

Chantix sounds good though.

[CRFisher]

Good luck.  Quitting is not easy, took me five years to finally not want one again breaking down occassionally with a smoke or with dip, used Nicorette as well.   One thing that helped me quit is having a drink at all times with me, especially in the car.  Short sips of water or a coke fills that nervous habit while driving and keeps you occupied.  Found that worked better than chewing gum, etc., basically sipping a drink as you would take a drag.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I tried nicorette gum.  Now I chew nicorette between cigs.

Somehow I don't think that was the intent.

;D ;D Oh man,. that had me rolling, sounds exactly like me.....

Thanks for the support everyone, tomorrow we go to double dose, can't wait.  I smoked less overall today but I think it was because I was bait building.  I usually don't smoke much when I'm into a project like that, the mind goes elsewhere.  It's  when I'm driving,...surfing,...etc. that I tend to keep lighting them.

we'll see what tomorrow brings

[5bass]

I have a buddy at work that used the Chantix and it worked for him..... until he got divorced and started smoking again. I think it would've lasted if it had not been for the divorce situation popping up.

Definitely keep us posted, I need to quit.

[slomoe]

Good luck. I stopped smoking with the patch. If the dreams are anything like they were when I would fall asleep with the patch on, your in for a wild ride.  ;D

[burleytog]

The bottom line is, unless you want to quit, you won't quit.

I've quit twice in the last six years.  Both times were pretty easy, but I wanted to quit.

I've been cheating a bit on Thursday nights when I work with a guy who smokes like a freight train and is bad to leave his smokes out where I can get at them.  I've got the same nagging craving that I had when I started smoking again in 05.

[burleytog]

How goes it Russell?

[Top]

Russ you can do it... with the will and something to help... its NOT EASY by any means... it was the hardest thing I ever did... but it will be 3 years this coming year... I got a LOT of support from this board when I was quitting... just like you will... come on BROTHER YOU CANNNNNNNNNNN DO ITTTTT!!!!!

oh and get a stress ball and drink LOTS of water... and every time you get a craving... do something weird like push ups or something ... because the craving WILL only last about 5 minutes if you do something else to keep your mind off it.

AL

[5bass]

How goes it Russell?

I was wondering about this too.

[Bassn Blvd]

Russell, are you still with us?  It's ok if you are throwing dishes against the wall, kicking the dog/cat or shouting obscenities at your neighbors for no apparent reason.  Just don't go breaking your rods.  

[fish-fighting-illini]

 On a side note I knew of 2 or 3 people who tried Chantix. It worked well but they had some side effects that could have been considerd borderline dangerous.

  Just keep your eyes open for problems. Have someone keep an eye on you as well.

 Let me know if you need more info.

Continued well wishes to you.