Chantix
May 1, 2007 by Tracee Sioux
Filed under Parenting
A week ago I started taking a new smoking cessation pill called Chantix. I had heard of quite a few people who have actually quit smoking by using this new wonder drug. I had also heard it causes night terrors, but that seems a small price to pay considering that if I do not stop my life might end with the nightmarish reality of dragging an oxygen tank around everywhere I go.
My true motivation is that someone told my daughter that I will die if I smoke. While true, I think this was totally inappropriate and I feel a little bit of anger and resentment about it. Of course, what I’m really angry about is that I HAVE to quit smoking and I love smoking and don’t really want to stop doing it.
In my perfect world, smoking would not only not kill me, but it would be healthy like exercise or my daily vitamin.
But, in reality my five-year-old daughter bursts into tears and with true pain begs me to stop smoking so that I don’t die because then who will be with her and take care of her.
Who can smoke in the face of that? Apparently, I can. Not only have I expected two pregnancies to cure me of my life-long habit, but I’ve quit at least once a week for the last year since my son was born. I’ve quit so many times and tried so many methods, I’ve come to the realization that smoking is like shackles on my life and I can’t seem to find the key to get them off.
At my recent OB/GYN visit I asked about the new miracle pill and he gave me a prescription. I thought, I don’t care what it costs I’ve got to get rid of these shackles once and for all. I hated that it controlled me. Turns out it was covered by my insurance. Even better.
I nearly wept with unadulterated joy when the pharmacist told me to take off the nicotine patch and smoke during the first week of taking Chantix for the best effect. Permission to smoke for another week! YES! Without guilt or harrassment from my five-year-old conscience. Could it get any better?
I’m currently into my second week. I stopped smoking a few days early while I went on my retreat because there was no smoking allowed on the grounds. It’s going okay. I think I’ve grieved enough for my lost right to smoke, surrendered my precious identity as a smoker, broken the physical habit and addiction. Hopefully, taking this pill will help me get over my urges to cheat and have just one, just this once.
I’ll let you know how it goes. And really, you should stop smoking. If you think you’ve got it bad, you can read just how much I loved my cigarettes at So Sioux Me.
Try the Chantix. Couldn’t hurt. I haven’t had any night terrors, by the way. Thank God for that.
AMENDMENT on Sept. 27, 2007:
This is Tracee Sioux from Blog Fabulous/ Chantix, where you’ve been hanging out and getting support. Because readers are finding it difficult to navigate 700 comments, I have built a new website called Quit Coping.
Quit Coping will be using the same tone and texture you enjoy here on Blog Fabulous, but it will allow more interactivity and connection with other quitters. It won’t take so long to load up and I’ll be better able to encourage everyone personally.
Please continue our wonderful discussion at Quit Coping,com.
I am greatly honored to be part of your transformation from smoker to non-smoker.
Sincerely,
Tracee Sioux
http://www.quitcoping.com
At the risk of sounding really cheesy, good luck, and you can do it!!!
See my website when the Chantix fails.
John’s website, referred to above is concerning hypnosis. http://akualani.com/SFI/ols/index.html
I’ve tried acupuncture, Wellbutrin, self-loathing, gum chewing, nicotine patch, sun flower seeds, pregnancy, lent vows, prayers and snapping my wrists with a rubber band.
If the Chantix doesn’t work (knock on wood)- why not hypnosis?
But, so far I’m a non-smoker.
Its good to have another pharmaceutical option to quit smoking. However according to Chantix package incert it only works on 1 out of 5 patients. Laser acupuncture is a drug free alternative that is safe and effective in helping to finally kick the habit. FDA approval is pending and the success rate submitted to the FDA is 52% much better than anything currently available. Its worth a try !
First off, congrats. I just quit off that wonderful drug as well. I didn’t want to quit.. loved to smoke. Not the feeling, but for the cure of boredom. It wasn’t until finding out this drug exists that I thought, maybe I could do it and save so much money.
After the first pill, I didn’t even feel I needed to smoke anymore. I have smoked for 17 years.. even thru my pregnancies. Just could not quit.
Chantix upset my tummy now and then, just dont eat food that will make it worse, lol. It has been weeks since I have stopped the medicine and I am around smokers all the time… NOT ONE URGE! I even went to a wine festival where I was pretty hammered and still didn’t break down. I have stopped taking the pills after one month. I knew they were there if the urge came back. I realized I didn’t need the extended pack after I had missed several pills here and there and didnt get the urge to have that either. It is breaking the habit of lighting it. Going outside and having one. Being in the car and what do I do with myself. If you can not have “that one”, you will be fine! Dont give yourself a reason to justify having just one more. Seriously, This is a miracle drug. Be steady… Get brave, new habits will form and there is nothing you can do. For the first few months, surround yourself around NON smokers, dont talk on the phone so much. Just think of all the money you can put into a jar each day and have your daughter make a list of the things you should do with the money. That will motivate you so more.
Good luck!
Tracy,
That is so awesome to hear. I have to say – so far it’s been a miracle. It’s a miracle that I’m not mentally obsessed with smoking. Even when I have gone weeks without smoking – or during my pregnancies – I have thought constantly about smoking. So far, I’ve wasted almost no mental energy at all on wanting a cigarette. I’ve not been tempted and had only a few urges to smoke when I forgot to take my pill.
This is definately the miracle I’ve been looking for! I couldn’t be happier with it. However, I still haven’t gone out for a girls night and drank. I don’t know if I could do that without smoking. We shall see. Is that required to be a non-smoker?
Ive done it all i had it so bad i could eat a pack started chantix went the 7 days then had half pack still put a note in it that read i Quit and tape it with clear tape ,The first week i was sick but it was my fault allways eat and drink 12 0z. water first thing in morning THEN take but i did’nt want a cig at all been close to 7 weeks and no problen the dreams i think we all have but u can recall them with Chantix!! This IS THE REAL DEAL SMOKE FROM 15 TO 43 ILL NEVER GO BACK.PS U STILL HAVE TO WANT TO STOP I JUST WANT TO SEE MY SON 13 GROW UP AND PLAY WITH HIS KIDS
DO THIS IT WORKS
Im going to take it 3 or 4 mor weeks then ill see how i do but first bad sighn and ill start back on CHANTIX IF can cope then im free at last.
PS IWANT TO LIVE NEED ME MY E-MAILIS grouse1011@ yahoo.com
I’d have to agree. I’ve been a heavy smoker for 21 years (from age 16) and Chantix is the miracle I’ve been looking for. It’s almost like I have NO physical withdrawel. It’s only mental at this point and that’s nothing someone with average will power can’t conquer. This stuff is the real deal.
All of you keep on keepin’ on. I started Chantix almost 3 weeks ago and after trying literally everything else there is, I am finally SMOKE FREE!! Yep, this is a great drug. I have not experienced any negative side effects at all. The only thing is those wild dreams, but I kinda like those–they’re fun and crazy. Keep breathing easy.
I started taking chantix 39 days ago. I have been smoke free for 33 days. It was the best thing I ever did. It hit me when my I saw my grandmother in the hospital bed with a bloody nose from the oxygen tubes. I didn’t want to end up like that… hardly able to breathe on my own. So I did it and it worked. I had a few puffs of a cig a week into it and thought I totally blew it but now I think about how disgusting I felt after that drag and remembered the nasty smell and horrible taste so vividly, it makes me want to puke. So I just stumbled apon this page looking for answers to my “smoking dreams” and I guess they are very common to have. All I know is that the dreams are a small price to pay for my good health back. So words of advice from a ex-smoker that smoked for 12 years (ps. I’m just turning 23…. thats like half my life!!)– Chantix works! Don’t be stupid- kick the habit before it kicks you…into a hospital bed with oxygen tubes coming out your nose. Sorry so graphic but sometimes people need tough love to be inspired.
For all of you thinking about Chantix, I can tell you that it will work for you if you follow a few simple steps. First, make sure you take the minimum of 12 weeks. I know a lot of insurance plans aren’t covering it, however, the 300$ you spend on chantix, pales in comparison to what you spend on cigarettes. the reason to take the full 12 weeks is that Chantix works directly on the nicotinic receptors in your brain. These receptors are “up-regulated” to receive your individual dose of nicotine are else you start to experience withdrawl. that’s why some people smoke a pak a day, and others two. It takes a while for these receptors to down regulate so that they don’t crave nicotine. Second, always take it with food and water. It will definitely keep the nausea in check. Third, the best success with chantix comes with a behavior health program. Smoke stoppers, your local hospital’s smoking cessation program, or the getquit program that comes with chantix. If you follow these steps you are much more likely to be successful with chantix. I also quit after smoking for 17 years. I have also helped dozens of patients quit in the clinic where I work using the above steps. You can do it!
Thanks for the great advice Ted. I agree, with my history of quitting, then justifying cheating I am going to continue to take it for the full three months. I definately want to be free of smoking entirely.
I have found this website, besides Chantix it has many great tips, some are really funny for me
) Check it. http://www.chantixsite.com
I took Chantix and have been smoke free since January 1st. I think it is great, but one BIG word of caution. When I finished my 12 weeks, two days after my last pill I got cravings like I never had before. I really thought I was going to start smoking again. So I got another 30 day prescription of Chantix. Almost immediately the cravings stopped. So after the first week of starting back, I then tapered off slowly. Started taking 3/4 dose for a week, then 1/2 for a week, then 1/4 for a week. It worked! After tapering off I had no cravings at all. Just thought I’d suggest this in case someone else has the same thing happen.
Connie,
Thank you so much for sharing that! I will definately taper off now that I know there is a risk of cravings like I’ve never had before. Who needs that? Especially after being so grateful for the lack of cravings for three months! Thanks for mentioning it. Tracee
I have been taking Chantix since the first week in April of 2007. I have been smoke free since April 7th. I have another month to go being on Chantix. I plan to do what Connie did when she came off of the drug, is to slowly taper myself. I have talked to others who have done it this way, and it worked for them.
I love being a non-smoker now!
Jeff
I am taking Chantix..now for 10 days. Still smoking. At first my cravings were gone. I think it is more of a mental habit now. I do not even think about it when I am at work for 8 hours. I find myself putting a cig out after a few puffs cause it just doesn’t do anything for me anymore. One day at a time I guess….also….I am eating like a horse, Anyone else experiencing cravings for sweets?
Celia,
Dr. Oz says there are 4 cravings you can replace the cigarette smoking mental habit with – drinking water, having sex, eating or sleeping. When you’re craving cigarettes your trying to quell the craving with food. Next time you feel the craving get a big glass of water and gulp it down. In less than five minutes the craving feeling will have been gone and you don’t have to feel guilty because water is healthy.
Much of smoking is about when you normally smoke. After meals, when a big job is complete, it’s habitual. Switch things around. Go for a walk after meals. Chew gum in the car with a pen in your hand. Go to the movies to distract yourself. Doing something different will make you feel slightly off kilter, but it will break the psychological addiction too.
Or find someone and have a quickie. Ha ha ha.
Good luck.
Tracee
I started Chantix on May 24th. It’s 3:23 pm on my last day and I have two cigs left in my pack.
I am 49 and started smoking at 16. 1 and 1/2 packs a day. I have a wonderful wife and four wonderful children. I can’t breath well and want to stop.
So far, Chantix makes smoking taste like ‘eating dirt’ . (anyone else think that?).
Tomorrow morning, (7th day of Chantix)I will no longer be a smoker.
I’ve tried Zyban and Wellbutrin but both times, my wife told me to either smoke or leave the house—hello Zyban, instant a..hole…that was me. So I kept smoking.
I’ve read ‘Quit Smoking – the easy way’..3 or 4 times. think i’ll read it again tomorrow.
I’ll let you know…
Graham
Great story that really hits home. I quit on 12/25/06 using Chantix. I can’t stop recommending it.
If your determined and ready it does wonders. It’s awesome not to think about it anymore. Good luck and stick with it.
I was just wondering, how did everyone find out about Chantix? I found out from my Doctor. I find it very odd that I have never seen an advertisement for Chantix. Not on TV, Magazines, Radio, etc.. And it’s been out for a year already. Has anyone else seen it advertised???
Graham,
I know what you mean about the “supportive” spouse not being able to take the irritability that previously resulted from quitting smoking. I’ve tried to quit tons of times before, but half the time my husband would direct me to go smoke because he couldn’t stand me.
The Chantix however causes no pain. I am not so hyper-stressed that I’m thinking “I have to have a cigarrette or I’m going to flip my lid.” When I get a little normal stressed I just deal – I don’t revert to old addict smokers thinking. I am not on the verge of losing it at all.
Good luck to you.
Tracee
Connie,
My brother-in-law told me about it. He said some guys he golfs with just stopped smoking and he was going to try it. My annual exam was coming up so I asked my doctor for it. He had never even prescribed it before. It is a little odd that there’s not a bigger advertising push. But, then they have me right? Just kidding.
Tracee
Well, day 8 of Chantix, day 1 of not smoking 9:50am..It’s OK.. (I promise not to do this all day every few hours..lol).
Connie, a friend of mine who smoked 2 packs a day of non-filtered Camels for 40 years ..now has 32 days smoke free with Chantix..He’s thrilled.
Tracee and T Collins, thanks for your encouragement.
Graham
It’s not so back Graham. Find distractions to break the psychological addiction. Go see a movie or something. Tracee
25 years at a pack a day. No more. Quit on the 25 of April O7. I celebrated my 40th in Las Vegas for four days in May, no smokes! Taking two small pills a day? Much better than saying “can I have two packs of Marlboro Ultra Lights”. 6 Pack, bottle of wine, shot of Jager No problem. Cup of coffee, hop in the car, eat some dinner, or wake up no problem.
Try It
Matt
I hung out with people smoking at my table last weekend as well. It was no problem to say “no thanks.” I did try one, but it tasted like vomit and I was not tempted again.
Good for you Matt!
Tracee
Day 2…I haven’t died yet.(amazing parallel)…A few strong urges but they passed…Not smoking could be a good thing…imagine that..lol.
Tracee, wasn’t able to make it to a movie but did take one of your other suggestions….modified slightly..(is 45 min. a quickie?)lol
It’s nice to have a place to discuss this -my wife is choosing to continue to smoke…which is ok-staying quit with another smoker in the house (on the porch) should make my commitment even stronger. Thanks for all of the feedback and encouragement. Go Chantix.
Graham
Its Gerald agin off chantix and still dont smoke, been off chantix 45 days!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S, jhon at the top that says when chantix fails your a loose nut behind the keybord,ive got every one i know taking it and we have all stop smoking 17 in all, suck up and try agin it works!! Hope u do because well your going 6 feet under if u dont, For the rest of you my wifes dad started at 13 hes 67 and smoked 3 packs a day four last 15 years it took 13 days but he has stoped and for5 weeks now(”)!
IF u have smoked a year or 30 years GET CHANTIX
IT WORKS AND BEST WE ALL CAN TELL EVERY TIME
IF I CAN HELP E-MAIL ME groue1011@yahoo.com
ALSO DONT QUIT CHANTIX TO QUICK 4 MONTHS AT THE LEAST IF U SMOKED FOR YEARS:::AND ITS CHEAPER THAN THE CIGS I WANT TO SEE MY SON GROWN SO IM DONE!!!!!!!!!!
ALSO I SEEN WERE SOME ARE PAYING 300 BUCKS FOR CHANTIX “WRONG” YOU CAN GET IT FOR 100.00,BUCKS A MONTH CALL AROUND I USE WALLGREENS BUT SOME MOM AND POP STORES ARE
LOWER~~~~~~WAY CHEAPER THAN SMOKES FOR 30 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUY BUY BUY (IT)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey mother of the bride,
I have been in the middle of losing baby fat while taking chantix. I’ve still been losing the weight I was losing before, maybe not as quickly though.
Here’s the trick, if you need to put something in your mouth make it a fruit or vegetable. Sugarless gum. Also, walking 30 minutes will take away any cravings you might have at first. If you MUST have sweets make it dark chocolate because that’s a healthy antioxidant. So, I would say jsut make sure you have healthy snacks around like nuts and dark chocolate and baked chips – then whatever eating you do will be balanced out.
You should do it now, you can always have the dress altered if you have to take it out an inch – which I doubt.
Tracee
John at the top was probably selling something that competes with Chantix. So was the hypnotherapist I think.
Also, I got my refill pack for $30 because my insurance is covering it, the first one was $50. At Sams they are retailing it for $97 I think. No one should have to pay $300 for it. The $97 is less than smoking for one month and you get to live longer.
And my 5 year old daughter tells me all the time how proud of me she is. That’s worth it.
And who smells better? You, Me – US!
Yea, Chantix!
Tracee
Hey Tracee,
I have been smoke free now for almost 5 days using Chantix. This stuff is so amazing! I think finally for once I can quit this nasty habit! I know I feel better and can smell better. I also don’t smell like smoke! Thanks for blogging your experience!
Sunday, day 4. Have dissapointedly given in to urge starting Friday evening and have smoked six cigs in the last 48 hours. I’m not having the craving but I am having the mental obsession due to familiar situations. My wife ( who smokes) and I have started each morning with coffee and cigs-for the last 18 years, 365 days a year. We have ended the work day with coffee and cigs and ending the day before bed with a cig. It’s our ‘marriage maintenence moment”. I find that by not going on the porch with her, it’s much easier to not smoke.
I know, ‘don’t go on the porch’. Ok. She said she doesn’t mind if I don’t and said we can continue our ‘times’ together at different settings. That’s what I’ve got to do because I really really don’t want to continue smoking.
I’ll try again tomorrow..not giving up on this.
Thanks for listening. Feedback and support welcome.
Graham
Graham,
Some other addicts once told me the secret to quitting an addiction is to never stop trying to quit. Just say, “ok, I smoked.” Then start over, “but I don’t smoke anymore.”
The pyschological addiction is at least as big as the physical addiction, I think bigger myself. You have to change up the routine.
You have to mourn the loss. Yes, it’s the loss of a friend and you have to mourn it.
But, other rituals take the place of the smoking ones. Not that you can make your wife quit, but why doesn’t she want to take this journey with you?
Tracee
Appleboyde,
Congratulations fellow nonsmoker! Can you image if they had a pill like this for alcoholism and drug addiction?
I’m starting to think crazy thoughts like,”smokers are so rude.” If it’s this easy to quit now then why not outlaw cigarettes all together and hand out free Chantix to the masses of shackled smokers.
Tracee
graham
The mental part is bad,But replace it with the M.D. telling u u have the c wordEEEEEEEEKS use the Mental pic in stead of kids and freinds at your wake not trying to be mean,these are real things that will come true we all know,we chose to lie to our selfs like counting cigs,while i smoked it was less than a pack but it was 2 packs,The urge to smoke makes u lie even to your self,stop now and Quit this works and you can do it !!!!!!!!!!!!!! need support grouse1011@yahoo.com,only the truth so be shure u are ready,like yes in some way cigs are going to be the way you die! stop NOW!! you can do this
Also i came off slow went from two a day to 1 at 11 am at the last,this was after the 2nd run so the 3rd will last 60 days no problems, No more somke
)
i just took my first chantix pill 3 minutes ago. i’m keeping my fingers crossed. i have had 2 friends stop smoking with chantix. it was nice to read what everyone had to say on here to back up my feelings on this. wish me luck! >^.^
No cigs for 36 hours..Thanks Chantix. It’s almost like the meds ‘kicked-in’ after the 10th day. Very few urges, and those are weak, no anxiety at all.
Maybe it took longer because of 34 years of smoking. Who knows- I do know that the five or six cigs that I smoked between day 8 and 10 are no longer burning and it feels good today to be smoke free. Think i’ll try it another 24. Thkx for feedback.
Graham
saraybe…congrats on the decision…you can do it….
well i’m 26 and have been smoking for 12 years. crazy huh? i hope that will soon stop! i did however sleep for 11 hours last night and that was strange for me. but i feel well rested. i have support from my husband and friends, so that is really nice! even my friends over xboxlive are rooting for me. i can’t wait to see how today will go and so on. i can’t wait to hit the 36 hour mark graham, that is so great! i hope it all works out for you, all of you.
I am a little hesitant about taking Chantix. My cardiologists assistant said she had really horrible dreams and her breathing dropped down to nothing while she was sleeping one night until her hubby woke her up because he thought she was dead. Also, I did the ear stapling thing and it worked for 4 months. No side effects,nothing. However, they closed up shop and now there isn’t another one around here.
Here’s my tip for everyone: If you come up with a great idea for making yourself accountable, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT promise the kids you will do their chores for one entire day for EACH cigarrette you smoke!! Bad Idea!!! I think I spelled cigarette wrong above. I guess if you can’t spell it, you definately shouldn’t smoke it! LOL
JoAnna,
My dreams are more vivid but they lessened after a few weeks.
As for the cardiologists assistant, she of all people, should know that if she continues to smoke then her breathing really will become labored and eventually actually kill her.
I tried the stapling and accupuncture too – stupid crap that did not take away a single craving for me.
Accountable smountable, I’ve tried that and self loathing and a sobbing five year old who thinks I’m going to drop dead any second.
I’m an addict and Chantix, no matter the side effects, is worth curing me of the terrible addiction!
Tracee
Another 24 has passed with no nicotine or cigs.
Maybe others have experienced this type of moment..driving on the way to work this a.m., the thought crossed my mind-”I can’t believe that I was ever a smoker”. Almost as if ‘myself as a smoker was someone else’.
It is truly a pleasure to not feel the need to smoke.
Tracee, regarding the ‘wife taking the journey with you’—the answer to that question lies in the first half of your sentence. That, along with, she’s not ready to quit. Sure, I would love her to quit, but my 22,21,11 and 9 year olds wanted me to quit for 22,21,11 and 9 years each..lol. I’m sure you understand.
Think i’ll try another 24.
graham
Graham,
So proud of you. Perhaps once she sees how free of the smoking shackles you are and how painless it is with Chantix she will become ready to quit.
Tracee
Well, here it is–37 days smoke free!! Don’t miss it a bit. In my humble opinion, if you can’t quit, using Chantix, you don’t really WANT to quit and will continue to rationalize your way into smoking again. I’m still having those fun and crazy dreams, but absolutely no other side effects. Each day I eat 2 slices of toast with peanut butter before taking Chantix, and drink a full glass of water, and have never experienced a bit of nausea. A friend of mine is a pharm. rep for Pfizer and he is following both myself AND all of you on this blog very closely–so let’s try not to kill his buzz about how well this stuff works. I’ll write again at 60 days. Keep breathin’ easy. Dave
today is my 3rd day and i had a small bit of nausea. after a small nap it was gone and i feel fine. chantix seems to make me really hungry. i had a really big salad and 3 large slices of pizza for lunch and i could go back for more already!
So glad you quit for the kid. She’d miss you.Thanks for submitting this to the Carnival of All Substances. Should be fun. Stop by on June 10.
First let me say thank you to everyone for thier stories..I read them everyday and they give me TONS of hope. I started taking Chantix about 3 weeks ago, althought I continued to smoke for almost two weeks(but not smoking as nearly as much) instead of the one week like my dr. said, I am finally waking up to my 5th day of being a non-smoker
After being a smoker for 25 years, I am almost to the point were I dont even think about it now! I CAN NOT begin to express how much Chantix is a “mircale” drug. I plan on sticking with the full 12 week plan and hopefully I will continue down the smoke free road!!