Chantix- a tale of trying to quit

[toolpush]

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.

What were the side effects? Because I am considering chantix myself. I work long hours in a dangerous business around heavy machinery, and need to be at my best. anyway thanks for any addtn'l info.  I hope this isn't why we haven't heard from Russ.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

ok, here's the scoop

The side effects of the drug (for me) do not exist.  zero nasuea, zero dreams.  I have been stringent on taking it with a meal.

I am still smoking but nowhere near as much.

I was a bit unclear about what to expect with the drug.  I was under the impression that cigs would become unappealling and taste different.  Nope.

The drug does not quit for you.  It surpresses the urge, quite a bit, but the habitual part, etc, still needs to be tackled by you.  

Monday, I am trying to go cold turkey.  The good thing about the drug is that if cold turkey doesnt work, you don't give up, all is not lost,...it's a process, like the commercial says, it's for the tortoise, not the hare.

So,...tough going but I'm not giving up.

Thanks for the support everyone

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

oh, 1 side effect I forgot to mention,.....don't cross anyone on Chantix,lol,...holy cow, it makes you very irritable.  I tried making nachos the other night,...burned them.  Made another plate,...burned them. Plate turned into a projectile,lol.  I did not eat.

so, if you go on this drug, explain this side effect to your friends and family first, stress that it will be VERY noticeable.  I am trying to stay conscious about it now, making sure to tell myself,...it's not your boss,...it's the drug,....swinging at him will only get you fired,...lol

[Muddy]

Hey buddy, you know , starting Monday if you feel like a smoke get a few of the fellas together , that you can call first before you smoke. The support can help you sit thriough the uge. I voulenteer my time if needed.

[Redlinerobert]

You can do it pal.  I have faith.  

[Fisher of Men]

Just read the thread today.  You can do this, Russ!!  I'll keep you in my prayers.

-Fisher

[daviscw]

oh, 1 side effect I forgot to mention,.....don't cross anyone on Chantix,lol,...holy cow, it makes you very irritable. I tried making nachos the other night,...burned them. Made another plate,...burned them. Plate turned into a projectile,lol. I did not eat.

so, if you go on this drug, explain this side effect to your friends and family first, stress that it will be VERY noticeable. I am trying to stay conscious about it now, making sure to tell myself,...it's not your boss,...it's the drug,....swinging at him will only get you fired,...lol

This is the only side effect my dad has, and he knows it. I think the doctor even put him on another medication to help that.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

oh, 1 side effect I forgot to mention,.....don't cross anyone on Chantix,lol,...holy cow, it makes you very irritable. I tried making nachos the other night,...burned them. Made another plate,...burned them. Plate turned into a projectile,lol. I did not eat.

so, if you go on this drug, explain this side effect to your friends and family first, stress that it will be VERY noticeable. I am trying to stay conscious about it now, making sure to tell myself,...it's not your boss,...it's the drug,....swinging at him will only get you fired,...lol

This is the only side effect my dad has, and he knows it. I think the doctor even put him on another medication to help that.

medications to help with the effects of your medication,....welcome to American health care,lol

[roadwarrior]

For most people weight gain is a huge issue, but not for you!

Have something to munch on whenever you need a smoke:

Red or black licorice, M&Ms, Hershey Bars, cashews, etc. when

you are out and about. At home Eskimo Pies, popsicles, crackers

with meat or cheese. Mix it up so you don't get bored and drink

a lot of water!

Another idea that worked for me many years ago was being

hypnotised. I stopped cold turkey and went back a week later

for reinforcement. I didn't have another puff for more than five

years!

Good luck!

8-)

[Tom H.]

I haven't heard about people eating a lot of chocolate or sweets when the quit smoking , but I can tell you I know several guys that run to them after they quit drinking . Something about the sugar that is in beer .

Anyway if this chantix works , I might have to give it a try . Especially if it will give me a bigger appetite (need to add a few pounds).

Thoughts and Prayers with you man -

Tom

[Gone_Phishin]

One thing that has worked for me in the past, is to go out to the bars with my buddies. I would then get stinking drunk, and smoke about a pack and a half of non-filters in the few hours out. I would be so sick for the next few days, I wouldn't want to look at another cig.

Good luck Russ. You should get a reward jar going, you know, one of those things where you save the $ you would've spent on cigs. After awhile, you can reward yourself and go nuts at a tackle shop. You'll be crankin' with Steez rods before you know it. After a few months of saving, you may have to change your handle to First_Class_Hooker.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Report back-

Had last cig around 11am yesterday.  UGH!!!

Signing up for hypnosis today at the local looney bin.  They have a program where you get rewards for participation ($25 gift cards for super markets, target, etc)

[srv1990]

I once read somewhere "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're probably right". Oh wait, that's from the bottom of your signature ... Keep thinking you can, and you'll do it!

Tom

[BassinSoldier]

 Russ I'm working on quitting too man, with the patch tho.  I asked for the Chantix but the doc here said they won't issue it here because of the possibility of suicidal tendencies as a side effect and everyone here has a gun...so that was a no go.  I got the patch and some other kinda pills tho and I am doing fairly well.  Hang in there man, you can do it!

[BUCKEYEone]

Russ-

 Keep at it buddy.  Your about one week ahead of me.  I got the nicotrol inhaler to help with the urges and still fulfill the habit.  The doc thinks chantix would be a better route, but I told him I want to try this first.  I got the inhaler about two weeks ago, but we were in the middle of buying a house and moving, so that was my "good reason" to push my quit date back.  I have decided that this weekend will be my last time smelling like nasty cigarette butts!  Keep at it!

>>I am definitely going to put my $4 a day I save on not buying cigs into my bait monkey fund!

[BUCKEYEone]

I got the patch and some other kinda pills tho

haha, always good to hear that the military is still dosing out the unknown medications to troops!  I do miss always having about 6 to 10 of the 800mg Ibuprofin bottles sitting around though!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

3rd day,.....call me a "quitter"    

I feel like I just got released from prison.  Told mom yesterday that I was done, she cried,....no going back now.  

For those considering the Chantix, today was much easier than yesterday, hoping tomorrow is easier than today and so on.  In the words of Clay Dyer,..."If I can, YOU can".  I was a heavy smoker folks,...the stuff works.

[preach4bass]

WOOOO HOOOO!!!  Congratulations!!!

[BassinSoldier]

Way to go Russ!  I'm on day 2 and I actually ain't having any really bad cravings.  I am taking a generic form of Zyban...the anonymous military quit smoking drug.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

AWESOME NEWS Soldier!!!

LET'S DO THIS!!!  

[Alpster]

You quitters don't get cocky. It takes weeks to beat the physical addiction and the mental need can drag on for some time. If you let your guard down for a minute you will be smoking again. I had to keep telling myself "don't put one in your mouth". With the help of Chicken Pox, pneumonia, and a near death experience, I left a 4 pack a day habit about 16 years ago.

KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!!!

Ronnie

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I hear you Ronnie.  That's where the Chantix really comes in handy, my brain isn't addicted to nicotine anymore, the chemical addiction is gone, it's the habitual one now.  the positive reinforcement of doing something you never gave yourself credit enough to do is a big help in fighting that part also.  

And lots of snack, I'm surely going to gain 10-20 lbs from this (save the comment Burley,lol)

[Top]

just look at it like any addiction... you can't EVER have even ONE puff again... it would be too easy to slip back into the habit... some guys in Iraq would have cigar parties and have some VERY nice cigars... but I wouldn't ever want to try and then have to go thru quitting all over again... most rewarding thing I have ever done  keep it up

AL

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Tough day, very irritable.

Cool fact though, I have the SAME $16 in my pocket as I did Tuesday. If you're a non smoker, this may seem like no big deal but if you smoke, you know how odd that is.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Update--  I'm done, fini', the end.  

The last few days I've had maybe 4 or 5 "moments" where I even remembered that I used to smoke.  Cravings are basically GONE.  

I cannot believe how easy that was, I wish I had done it 20 yrs ago and wonder if it could have helped my migraines if I did.  The specific condition I have , 88% of the afflicted are male and 89% of the males are smokers.

Cart- No interaction with any meds, etc, everything was as smoooooth as can be.

Now, when I breathe in, there's no flem,....no nasty sound of CRAP in my lungs and throat.  NO WHEEZING

I have more energy and the circulation issue in my legs is already improving.  Amazing.

I really am blown away at how effective this drug is.  It seems the more people I talk to, it either works like it did for me,...a miracle,...or it sends people over the edge.  If you have some of the side effects, you have many, including suicidal thought.  I've also noticed though that it hasn't worked for maybe only 1 in 25 people

Nobody can tell you when to quit, but when you think you may be ready, you HAVE to look in Chantix.  I sent them an email.  It was a simple one, it read

THANK YOU