Smoking...Chantix...help!!

Hi A.,

I know that there are a lot of responses already, but I came across this article and thought that you might be interested to read it. http://www.emofree.com/Press-Releases/smoking-real-reason... It's an article about smoking and using EFT (emotional freedom technique)to get relief from the emotion that is driving the craving. People seem to have much better success quiting when both the physical and psychological reasons for smoking are addressed. Hope this helps and good luck!!

A.

A.,

You need some support with this issue. There are free smoking cessasion classes offered at several locations around the valley. The Arizona Heart Hospital near downtown Phoenix has one. Try calling them and finding out if that will work for you. If not, they should have a list of other locations. The Maricopa County website should also have info for their programs. Good luck and best wishes!!!!

-Jen

You are probably not imagining the side effects. I know two people who used it both with great success if you can get through the side effects. My sister didn't have any side effects. My friend who used had severe side effects, it seriously gave her blankness and by that I mean you could be carrying on a conversation with her and you would think "The lights were on but nobody was home"! How did you get Chantix if you didn't get the script from a doctor? Go talk to the pharmacist.

www.DrNadiaDelshad.com

A.
If you are having side effects maybe you should stop and try the patch they worked for me. I have been smoke free now for 1yr 1/2 and I feel its the best thing I could have done for my self and everyone around me. Or If you can't afford they have free stop smoking programs in each state. I know here in Phoenix, Arizona they do. Good Luck.

Hi A.-
I was in the same shoes as you. Chantix does work, but you can't quit smoking unless you truly WANT to. I was close to 2 packs a day for 24 years- I LOVE to smoke. I'd tried to quit tons of times, chantix made it easier, but I would eventually start again. Then, 16 months ago, I quit cold turkey (no chantix this time) and haven't smoked since. I finally wanted to quit badly enough to actually do it. Only the first week was tough. Food and exercise replaced the cig cravings somehow. I must have walked 100 miles the first 2 weeks or so. I just walked and walked and walked...
When you want it bad enough you will be able to do the same, with or without the chantix. Good luck!!
p.s. 1 carton a week is $35x4=$140 a month extra money:)

Hi A.:

I feel your pain and frustration! I know 3 lifetime smokers (25+ years) who were able to quit using Chantix.
I too have tried Chantix and was almost completely quit when a sudden family death threw me for a loop and I started smoking again. While I was taking Chantix, the only side effect I noticed was having some very vivid and wild dreams. Even though they were strange, somehow I was able to still get good sleep and feel rested in the morning. I know 2 other people who were using Chantix at the same time. One of them had wierd dreams and nothing else. The other one couldn't take Chantix because it made her feel really strange...? The one who felt strange had a variety of other ailments and has been taking a variety of other prescribed drugs for various reasons. That lady has never been a "happy" person, her whole life is always a mess. I don't know where I'm going with this, except to maybe say that Chantix may affect different people in different ways. My doctor who prescribed my Chantix wholey believes in it and says it is completely safe to use. I guess the decision is totally up to you...if you can tolerate the side effects for a few weeks and it helps you quit, then I would say "go for it"....quitting smoking is very difficult, but being smoke free would be so beneficial to your health and finances. All the best and Good Luck!
Let us know what you decide and hopefully we can celebrate your success!

Hi A.! I can't really say yes or not to take it but i will give you my imput. My sister took chantix and quit smoking she had been smoking for over 15 years! You have to remember that smoking is an addiction and that You could just be having withdrawls from the cigs. ANd try and find other things like sunflower seeds, corn nuts, jerky...i saw you had a few up there...but try the sunflower seeds that really seemed to help my sister! I hope i have helped atleast a little! Good luck on stopping...If you try hard enough you can do it!

S.

Hi A.,
I feel for you - it's so hard! I quit 18 years ago, and when I get really really stressed there's this little switch in my head that flips on and says "wow, just a couple drags would really settle me down right now". I haven't given in, I worked too hard to be smoke free!

My husband quit on Chantix, and he had a few side effects from the pills. Vivid dreams, upset stomach if he didn't eat with it. Some of what you experienced is the nicotine withdrawal, so you will get that no matter how you quit.

I also have 2 friends at work that took Chantix, one successfully quit and one did not. Funny thing is, the woman that quit was a lifetime heavy smoker (smoker's cough and all) and she's in her 50's. The guy that didn't quit is young, maybe 26? Anyway, they both had the weird dreams too, and I think she also said she had emotional swings between being weepy then angry. But, again, she smoked forever to deal with stress, so she thought maybe it was her way of learning to deal with stress on her own without cigarettes? She's so happy she stuck with it, and recommends it to everyone she talks to.

In the end you have to use what works for you. I think you just have to weigh your options - for example, take the pills with side effects short term vs. the numerous health risks of smoking long term...

Hang in there and know that you CAN do this!
Good luck to you!

Hi A....it's hard, I know. I quit with Zyban and even with that help, it was very, very hard. I got a lot of inspiration when the cravings hit really badly at quitnet.com. You can set up a login for a free quit smoking support plan and look at the community boards. If you do a "shout out" on the boards, you will be amazed at how many people will immediately help "talk" you through that craving.

Please check webmd.com and make sure you don't have any of the dangerous side effects. If not, I think I'd start the Chantix again if you are really ready to quit.

If the Chantix helps control the craving and you are determined that now is your "quit day", you should get support somewhere....not from anyone whose going to give you a pack of cigarettes, either.

For me, my quit day was the last day I have ever smoked. I've not had one puff...not even once...because I know I'd become a smoker again. I worked too hard to be a non-smoker to ever, ever go back again.

Be prepared for your mind to really mess with you for the first 2 weeks or so, but recognize that the little voice saying "just one cigarette" or "I'll try again next week" really is a chemical brain thing trying to get some nicotine!!!

Good luck, A....I know you can DO IT!

A.,
I've never smoked before, but I have two brothers who do and have tried and tried to quit,
I believe smoking release a bit of dopamine and norepinephrine into your body. These are your happy hormones.
If you were to stop smoking, you would have a lack of these (especially if you were on a pack a day) I believe it was the depression associated with stopping that my brother couldn't handle and therefor started smoking again.
Maybe you could combat the panic/depression with antidpressents until you're weaned off cigs.'
I know you don't have insurance, but have you considered AHCCSS?
Good Luck, Chantix can be dangerous I've heard so be careful, you should probably be under a doctors supervision.

Don't give up. Keep trying to quit. I don't know anything about Chantix but I am an ex-smoker who tried many times before successfully quitting. Like you, I started as a young teenager.

I don't know if depression and anxiety are side effects for Chantix but I do know they were part of the normal withdrawal from cigarettes for me. After trying a couple of smoking cessation aids, I finally just quit cold turkey. The most helpful information I got was from another ex-smoker. She said it takes a year to get over smoking addiction. With that information, I was able to accept that I would not feel good for a while and tolerate the discomfort.

One thing I can tell you is that it's worth it to be free of something that had control over me, not to mention the health benefits. It will also be good for your kids to see you quit. Mine always worried about my health.

My dad's girlfriend took Chantix to stop smoking and she also noticed similar side effects. But her doctor told her to stick with it, because the effects do subside. She almost stopped taking it, but it did get better. Think of it this way - you are losing a "friend and companion" of 12 years. Not only is your body going to have side effects, your mind is going to have to adjust also.

I know that several people here at my work have used it and they all had different "issues". Some got flu like symptoms etc. and it all seemed to get worse before it got better but all of them are thrill that they did it and for some it's been almost a year since they quit. I would say give it a try and hang in there!

Chantix made me so tired, I jear others say it made them gain weight etc.. My husband used comitt - cherry
There are always coupons and sales on them.
That will be my next try as well.
He went to the citys smoke stoppers and they get you a coupon for a large supply thats costs basically nothing.
Sams and I am sure Costco have deals on them, CVS and Walgreens run specials as well I have noticed, as well as the patch
Take lots of walks and physical exercise
I know yoga and palaties are good programs but you need more physical exercise for this or at least I did years ago.
I plan on stopping and am working up an exercise program to help me along with the committ or the patch

Let me know how it is going

Hi. Who wrote you the prescription for Chantix? I would recommend asking the pharmacist (where you picked up the chantix) to fax your doctor to get a new rx for chantix faxed to the pharmacy to fill. You don't have to pay for a doctor and this way you can start again with a fresh pack. Otherwise you can finish the pack by starting with the schedule you maintained for the first week (ie: 1 a day for 3 days and then 1 in am and 1 in pm.). I hope this helps!

A., One of my dearest friends used it to quit smoking. She's in her 50's and had smoked all her adult years. She is now cigarette free for over a year. She had started having problems with her health and the Dr said she needed to quit. I'm grateful she found Chantix! Now my hubby on the other hand has the pamphlet and hasn't tried it yet. He has smoked most his life and I've seen him try hypnosis, the patch, etc. As a matter of fact he quit the day he proposed to me 20 plus years ago and only one of them lasted. So I have seen personally how hard it is to quit. I wish you the best! Now I only hope my son believes me how most who smoke wish they can quit. He turns 18 next month and told me he plans to start smoking then.

Hi A., I am also taking Chantix. I have found I need to eat a good breakfast before I take it in the morning and I take it right as I go to bed at night. I have been a smoker for 20 years, quit while I was pregnant, then started again. This is my 2nd time on Chantix the 1st time I quit for 10 mos then got around my whole family, who smokes and I am not a casual smoker if I smoke, like you, I want the whole pack or carton. Anyways the Chantix does work and it works very well. For me the first couple of weeks is the hardest. If you need a support buddy just email me ____@____.com. I will be there to listen or help if I can.

i know people who have successfully quit using some common items. mouthwash and unsweetened grapefruit juice. both of them make cigarettes taste horrible. use them before common times you would smoke: after each meal, before you get in the car, bring grapefruit juice to work, etc. also, take vitamin c when you decide to quit, it clears the nictotine out of your system quicker. plus, you HAVE TO have a support group, someone or a group of people to report back to. good luck!

I wish I could give you advice on how to quit and make it easier on you. Fact is (sorry) you can't quit unless you REALLY want to... just 'cause "you should" quit doesn't mean you "want" to! I WILL tell you to NOT take the rest of that Chantix !!!! DO NOT, okay? The side-effects were very real and I am surprised you didn't have any other medical problems other than the depression...that drug is NO GOOD. I am highly against that.
With that I am a smoker and I quit once...it was the worst 16 hours of my life. I started when I was 7 years old and by the time I was 12 I was on a pack a day. I CAN and DO watch my smoking but, I am a pack a day smoker and I don't try to quit and can't help you there... just wanted to make sure you do NOT take the rest of them bad Chantix pills!

Hi A.,

I was a smoker for over 20 years. My children kept asking my husband and I to quit. I would tell them it is to hard to quit, because I was addicted to it. I knew I really wanted to quit, but how was I going to do it. One day I told myself if I ever start getting that (I call it smokers cough)I am done. Well one morning when I woke up I wasn't feeling well and I started coughing. I thought to myself that is it. I had three ciggarettes in my pack and I decided to smoke them to make sure this was really what I was going to do. Well I did it smoked the last one and now it is almost three years later since I have had a ciggarette. My husband quit six months later. I read a book about how to stop smoking and one thing that stuck in my mind is that when you stop smoking and get that urge to smoke it is that nicotine monster saying feed the monster, so if you stop feeding the monster with a ciggarette he will go away, and it does get easier. When I got the craving I would just pretened to smoke a ciggarette and do the motion and my kids would laugh and say I would rather you do that then smoke. So my heart goes out to you, but remember how bad do you really want it. Only you can decide that. All I can say is it does get easier, you can do it! Believe in yourself.

P.

Hi A.,
I think remember hearing that Chantix can cause depression and those symptoms that you were experiencing. I remember I was even worried when my brother started to take it because he has a history of depression. I did a brief search on the internet and there is a lot of information linking Chantix to the feelings you were having (don't know how reliable the info is though). I wouldn't take them without consulting a doctor first and try another method. You could also call a pharmacist at Walgreens or CVS and ask them. They should know and will give you free advice. Although they will probably tell you to call your doctor too. Anyway, my Mom quit successfully with hypnotism. She hasn't smoked in years. She only went once. May be worth a shot and probably cheaper than cigarettes. Good luck!

For support in quitting, including free quit coaching, a free quit plan, free educational materials, and referrals to local resources, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669); TTY 1-800-332-8615.

Hi A.!

I consider myself to be an ex-smoker after smoking for more than 20 years, a pack a day. Last June I started on the Chantix and it worked for me. I never had any side effects as far as I know, and it worked. I was always really stressed and that was a big reason why I smoked. I had signed up with with the AZ Smoker's Helpline (which was how I got the drugs. When I signed up they were offering it for free at the time) and they offer all kinds of literature and stuff. Even the website had some good info about triggers and stuff to help you.

Some people did/do have a reaction to the meds and there's warnings on the package. What you experienced, was it similar to what they describe on the package? If so, it might not be the drug for you. If the side effects were mild, I'd say give it a chance. You'd only taken it a couple weeks. If you paid for it, then you're only throwing away $120 for a month. I'd say it's worth another try?

If you want to give it another shot and you want some support, email me. I'm not a holier than thou anti-smoking ex-smoker, trust me, but I do understand what you're going through, as I had been there MANY times. The hardest for me was in the car and/or whenever I was really pi##ed off, I'd go take a break at work and go smoke. The other thing that helped me was to join a gym. I quit smoking and then joined the gym and that really helped with the stress and stuff. (And they offer yoga classes too!) Maybe you just need to find another "thing" to do?

I never really smoked around my son, always going outside and not smoking in the car when he was in there, but when i would go outside, he'd follow me. It was always called "the bad thing" in our house and I didn't want to set that example for him.

Send me a message if you want to "chat" and hang in there. Every day you don't do it, is a day you're a step healthier!

~A.

If you are in Albuquerque, you can call UNM to make an appointment for "UNM cares". It is a healthcare program based on income for people who don't have insurance. You go in for an appointment with the UNM cares financial advisor and they decide whether they can give you nearly free healthcare. Also, UNM has a quit smoking program and the doctors can provide help and prescriptions if necessary. If you live elsewhere, call your local hospitals (especially university hospitals) to see if they have financial aid or free stop smoking programs.
ps I'm a smoker. Haven't tried to quit yet, but was grateful to read the advice. Glad you asked the question.

if you can't talk to a doctor, try the pharmacist where you got the prescription. Also if you need to talk to a doctor, try planned parenthood. They have nurse practitioners and doctors and charge based on need. They will talk to you about any health issues not just women's issues. Give up the cigarettes. I stopped about 12 years ago and it makes such a difference in your life. Good luck

I thought this was an interesting tactic...but when we were in Canada last summer, I purchased some behind the counter product and noticed that's where the cigs were sold. In Canada, the cigarattes are sold with very vivid, very real, very gross photos of cancers caused by smoking. It was horrifying. I've never smoked, but came from a family of heavy smokers. So I could have easily lit up and started, but I was continually grossed out as a child, b/c I had to clean the mirrors and picture frames. All I can say, if it left that kind of black filth on glass, imagine what it's doing to your lungs, your life line? Remember, with out food, you can live a couple of weeks. Without water, you can survive only a few days. Without air/oxygen you die within minutes. Imagine what you are killing off? Imagine losing everything...because you smoked.

If visual stimulus helps, then maybe you could post real pics of lung cancer around your house.

I am sorry the Chantix did not work for you. Really. Did you feel better after stopping the med? If you like, give me a call and we can chat about your experience and I'll share mine with some suggestions. I will send you a private email with contact information.
K.

Check with your doctor about being OCD. OUr good friend had a drinking problem as well as obsessing over buying starwars toys got meds and has been sober for a year and no longer goes and buys 10 of every starwars toy.

Running everyday helped me to want to quit smoking because it made the run more difficult.