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
Vicki,
As long as we’re wishing, I’m wishing for a housekeeper. And maybe a nanny.
Tracee
Tracee, nice to see you are back, since you started it all. Are you still smoke free? I haven’t smoked for close to 7 months and am a few weeks off of Chantix after taking it for SIX months. Even now, I have moments when I think how nice it would be…yep, nice to do something that will KILL me. I shake it off and move on. I also got the results of my chest x-ray in the mail today. ALthough I have not smoked in that long, I still cough. The x-ray was clean. Phew. All I can say is stay on the chantix, be strong and move past that stupid nicotine addication that made everything SMELL bad. I have to take one day at a time. It gets easier but it is never gone. One slip is all it would take……I am not going to let it get me ever again. No slips. Tobacco to me is like alcohol to an alcoholic.
7 months smoke free after 30 some years of smoking. I was a smoker and now I am not.
I won’t tell you what you can do. I just know what I was finally able to do after all those years…thanks to a little pill I took twice a day – I am free.
Chris,
I am smoke free and I have to admit, it’s not even hard at this point. I took the Chantix for 2 months (I didn’t take the 3rd month because of the nausea and I had no more cravings).
I think Chantix effects different people differently. For me, I had already been in hell for about 2 years of “quitting.” I just kept cheating during times of stress. (I get stressed every day at some point.)
This means I had already broken the hand to mouth motion addiction. I had already broken the habitual smoke after eating, when waking, before sleeping, after fininshing a project, etc. I had already struggled for 2 years to figure out why I kept going back to it and what I was getting out of it and trying to let go of that. I has already confronted my identity as a smoker and tried to let go of it.
For me, Chantix was the LAST thing I needed to finally feel like the addiction didn’t have a hold of me anymore. Chantix was what made me quit cheating. Though I admit I’ve cheated here and there at dinners with smoker while drinking. The huge thing Chantix did for me, I think, is allow me to redirect my thoughts, where they were getting hung up on needing a cigarrette.
If you were still smoking a pack a day then I think Chantix would be really helpful, but it wouldn’t be as easy as it was for me. Easy being a relative term. It was only easy because I had already spent the last 2 years doing the hard stuff – psychological addiction and habitual smoking and redefining my identity as a non-smoker.
I read your comments every day and am extremely proud of every single one of you for quitting smoking. It’s such a shackle on your life, but I know first hand how hard it is.
I salute every one of you for quitting smoking and I know your lives will be more productive and healthier for it.
Tracee
Just went on a late afternoon bike ride (road bike); not quite 20 miles. As with all the other rides post-quit date, it’s still amazing and a little bit surreal taking bigger breaths than I have in the last 20 years and realizing how much being a non-smoker is going to help my 2nd favorite fitness and stress-relief pursuit of cycling. I don’t have any good data to back me up, but subjectively, I am getting a few more MPH for LESS perceived effort. This is the same thing that Graham mentioned many posts ago; no carbon monoxide competing for oxygen, blood vessels more relaxed, lungs starting to heal, and other good things mean that body work output should require less input after quitting smoking than when we were smoking. I hate to give free publicity to a drug company, but I have to say that this stuff is giving me a fighting chance to never have to smoke (or use tobacco in any other way) again. I’m very grateful for this chance and I hope my Dr. will let me stay on it for the maximum allowable time – I’m hoping this will buy me enough time to get so much into using my suddenly useful lungs that it will be a huge built-in incentive to stay quit once I come off the drug. Temptations will come and it will really help to have something IMMEDIATE to lose, not just fearing cancer or heart attack 10-20 years from now. This whole experience is a bit surreal, but in a great way. I’m so happy that I have this good of a weapon to help me in the fight against smoking. Hope everyone is staying smoke-free or is headed in that direction. Enjoy the remainder of the weekend; Jerry
Minor correction to last post; the part about carbon monoxide should say that it’s competing AGAINST oxygen.
Less than a month ago, I was a smoker who wanted to quit but had no idea how in the hell I was going to do it. Frankly, I figured that I would keep trying things but that I would never be able to quit completely. That’s why the last 24 days are so surreal; I went from being and feeling like a smoker condemned to smoke for eternity and die from something related to it to being a non-smoker with an honest-to-God feeling that I think I can do this permanently, one day at a time. Once I asked my Dr. for help, everything since has happened so fast!
Good Morning everybody, well I did it I made an appointment for monday to see my Doctor.. Hopfully my insurance will cover the cost of Chantix. If everything works out I will be starting on monday first thing!!
I am sooo excited!! The good thing is that I will be going to Maine for my camping trip in 2 weeks and it will be really relaxing and it will help me to cut down on my consumption. (alot of hiking).. I also stumbeled onto a youtube clip, OMG I could not stop the tears from flowing!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_8BerrJg0M
Caution not for the faint of heart…
Hugs Carolyn
Hello Everyone,
I have to say the past week I have been reading all your stories and just start chantix this morning. I’m very scared that it won’t work. I have been smoking for 21 years and I have to stop. It controls my life! I’m a school teacher and I have to leave while my students are in PE and music just so I can have one. My own children are so tired of my hacking and always having to go outside to smoke! I just want to say thanks for sharing your stories! Will see what the futures holds for me!
Hi Carolyn,
Did you start today? I saw the video on youtube. That really gives you the will power to stop. Let me know how your doing seeing I started monday also.
Heather
Hi Everybody,
I’ve been reading this for the past few days and am REALLY proud of all of you and really excited for myself. This is day 8 of Chantix and day 1 (1/2 day so far) smoke-free for me. Kind of scared here for some reason! I’ve smoked for 28 years and that shocks me, I’m only 43. I want this so bad, I don’t remember what it’s like to not smoke. The Chantix doesn’t seem to have affected me very much like it has most of you – I still get something out of smoking, as of yesterday anyway. Well, wish me luck good luck to all of you!
Hi Heather, I am glad to see another “SOON TO BE QUITER” starting the same time with me!! Yes I had my doctors appointment at 11:00 this morning and started it as soon as I got home..Now I am waiting to see what happens( a little scary isn’t it? lol) We could hold each others hand through this.. I will be checking in every day with my progress.and to see how you are doing with it. Sofar so good no nausea for me yet. I have mentally already prepared myself since last week. Watching that horrible you tube video really helps, every time I want to light up I think of that poor woman and her loving son and put the cig back. Do you have a plan of action yet? if someone has any advice on this please let us know..
Day1
I just wanted to touch base and say WHOO HOO to everyone that has make the big choice to stop smoking! You can do it, it is going to be hard at times. You are going to want to give in, just don’t do it. Think happy thoughts of growning older and not having to carry that rather large oxygen tank with you to special occasions. Think of how nice family pictures will look without that thing behind ya! So yes-you can do this, you want to do this, you need to do this.
I am almost 2 months smoke free and it is super.
I have had an urge here and there. I tell myself that if I don’t do it I can go to Ben and Jerry’s and get that shake I’ve been thinking about. I treat myself for not smoking at this point to help with the urges. Soon I will not have to do that, and I can go on with life.
So good luck and may the force be with you…
o.k. I’m on day 3 of Chantix I know you are supposed to go a week before actually quitting but I just went for it and only smoked the first day. So far the cravings have been much better and more controlable than when I quit cold turkey in the past. My only concern now is when I go out socially and drink, that has been my downfall in the past when I had quit. I quit for 6 months and one night of going out with the girls killed that. I have vowed not to drink for at least the next month or two but what about after that. Has anyone had a stronger urge when drinking and did you get past it?
Lisa,
I wasn’t ready on Day 8 either. In fact, my posts at that time were very bitter. All I can say is that by the time I got to Days 8 and 9, I couldn’t get any withdrawal relief by having a cigarette, so I knew it was doing part of what it was supposed to. It took me until Day 15 for the craving relief to fully kick in. Since then, it’s made a HUGE difference in my ability to stay cigarette free. I’m at 15 days cigarette free and I honestly feel like I’m done fighting smoking and that I won’t do it again. (I smoked for 22 years) Just for insurance, I’m going to ask my Dr. to let me stay on it for as long as is safe and use the time until then to get as far as possible into my cycling and some other aerobic activity. I’m hoping that having something I enjoy be at risk if I smoke will be one of the things that carries me through temptations.
Hi Lisa, just curious as to how many cigs you smoked per day before chantix and now at day 8 how many ??
good for you Tammy stopping after day one. There is no way I could do that (being I just finished day one). I’m worried I won’t be able to stop on day 8. Carolyn I so proud of you! I glad we can all do this together. I do agree with you about the youtube clip. I think everyone should see it (Carolyn posted the site above) I have no plan on what I’m going to do on day 8. Just have some healthy treats and play with my kids more. I’ll check in with all of you everyday! I’m glad you are all out there!
Well, Chantix wins again. Or maybe it was me. Us? Who knows. All I know is that after an awful stressful situation, when before what I would have done would have been go outside and chain smoke until I ran out of cigarettes or couldn’t breathe, all I did this time was think about it…and decide I didn’t need to. Now granted, I had to make that same decision about a dozen times inside 3 hours. But I did it. 12 days smoke free and counting.
Tammy,
I can drink, get a nice buzz, sit next to my husband who has not quit yet….and have No urge to smoke. The drinking bone that used to be connected to the smoking bone is gone. Yabba dabba do! You can do it too!
Way to go Gwen!!!! You are my role model!!!!
Day 9 on Chantix, end of my second day as a non smoker. Started smoking at 20. Smoked for 2 packs a day for 30 years and LOVED it. I can’t believe I’m sitting at the computer typing without smoking like a fiend. I really felt bent the 1st week. Probably smoked more than usual right up till my quit date. The worse some of the side effects got, the more intrigued I became with Chantix and the process itself. If I’m feeling this bent, well…this stuff IS gonna work isn’t it! And it does! I have a few cravings, but they are very managable and I am not going stark raving lunicidel mad. I am very thankfull for the all the posts I’ve read, especially the information about cutting back on the dosage for a week or 3 at the end of the program rather than just stopping this wonder drug cold turkey after 12 or 24 weeks. It may not work for everyone but, man , I’m impressed. Very impressed. Talk to you soon! Thanks!
Chris,
Thanks for your input I sure hope that is the case for me the next time I drink. Lucky the boyfriend doesn’t smoke but my roommate does so these days I try to spend as much time away from home as possible, less temptation.
I just saw the u-tube video everyone is talking about definitly worth watching. I think the next craving I get I will just open that video & I’m sure that will kill it. That and keep my mind as busy as possible or blog this site is definitly supportive. Thanks all.
Good Morning All! First off, Thank You! Thank You! Thank You Tracee for this site and also to all on here who I just know will help me through this journey to becoming smoke-free! I am now on Day #5 of Chantix. I am 55 years old and been smoking for 40 years! I smoke 30 cigs a day or more. Mostly in the early morning with coffee. Wow! Scary to even admit that! I am like quite a few others on here that are or were afraid of failer once again. I have tried just about everything over the past 5 years…Welbutrin, inhaler, both together, hypnosis, gum, patch! Nothing has worked so far. I am a little concerned too when I take those blue pills, how am I going to feel. I haven’t had any “dreams” yet so wonder if you get them once you have a higher dose? Does anyone else have a hard time eating in the morning? My usual ritual of course being get the coffee and get the smokes in the early morning…my stomach doesn’t want anything else!! Not hungry so I have to force myself to eat some yogurt and half a banana, take the pill with a lot of water, and then finish up the yogurt. I was so worried about getting sick to my stomach but have not found that to be a problem. Do I have to eat that much in order not to be sick or would just drinking it with a lot of water and lots of coffee be okay too? I am hoping to quit on my 8th day but I am NOT going to stress about it and just go with the flow! Thank God for all of you being here ‘cuz I really need the help!
Carolyn, Enjoy your trip to Maine! I have been in NH for 2 months but soon to go back home to Florida. I hope your weather is as wonderful as it has been for me. I have to go back to work as school starts up soon.
Tammie, I have found that when I drink, I don’t really enjoy it at all! Just isn’t tasting the same? And that’s with still smoking too.
Will let you all know of my progress! Thanks again!
Oops! I hope my success is not dependent on me being able to spell “failure” correctly!
Thanks Jerry, that helps to know that you weren’t quite ready either at day 8. I made it through almost the entire day yesterday but found myself completely unprepared when I got home from work and had no kids at home and nothing to do. So Carolyn, to answer your question – I smoked 4 cigarettes last night and before that about 1 1/2 packs a day before Chantix. So today is day 9 and I’m trying to work with it but am at loose ends. I’m not as focused as I need to be and I keep thinking “don’t do it!!” I read your earlier posts Jerry, and I totally understand the frustration especially about a crave that lasts forever. I’m just going to be patient and hang in there, like the rest of you who are helping so much with your stories!
o.k. here I am day 3 of no ciggeretts and it’s starting. My lungs are trying to get rid of the build up they have built up over the years. The nasty hacking cough and the nasty stuff that comes up with it. EEWW I’ve quit a few times before and I remeber this stage not very pretty. I feel bad for my office rommie who will have to listen to me for the next few days. It’s also strange, sometime I feel as if my chest is tighting up and it is harder to breath it’s like I need a cig to breath..when eventually if I keep smoking I won’t be able to breath. Ironic. o.k. well I’m just going to drink my water and concentrate on work and just get through today. Tomorrow is another day. Good Luck all.
I’m one of those that did not quit on the 8th day of Chantix. Not that this is recommended, but it’s just what I did. From the get go I’d allowed myself until the 15th day because I know how I am and had a friend who told me about his experience (he’s 5 months quit now), so when I was finally ready and actually noticing the Chantix working on the 13th day, that was the day I quit. I do think Chantix works more quickly in some than in others because some are ready before the 8th day (like one of my fellow bloggers I’ve linked to on my blog – amazing), and some like me just haven’t quite started feeling the full effect of Chantix at that point. I had a realistic deadline for myself, and I met it, so it worked out. I just passed 6 weeks without even a single puff, and it really and very truly is getting to the point of almost easy most days – there are tough moments sometimes, but they are getting less tough and also fewer and further between. Anyone who is ready and willing to do their part to cooperate with Chantix can quit smoking – I smoked 20+ years. As great as Chantix is, it doesn’t actually quit for you – there will be some work involved, but having been down the cold turkey, patch and other methods roads, this has been by far the least excruciating for me.
Good luck to all on this journey!
Hi everyone,
back again, at day 2 of chantix and I really don’t know what to think I am still smoking but I think much less.. I still am obsessing with those nasty cigs and have had a couple of stressfull events happen today.. Heather how are you doing on day 2? I am rooting for you and for everybody that is going through this hell.. Thank God for this board it really is a place of comfort…
Hugs Carolyn
So proud of all of you for quitting smoking. I know it’s hard. From the other side of about a month of no Chantix OR Cigs I have to say – the air over here is GREAT! So is the liberation from the shackles of smoking!
You can do this newbies. If I, a person whose entire identity was mixed up with being a smoker, can rid myself of it – so can you!
Tracee
Hi everybody!
Day 2 for me and I think I’m smoking more these days because I know it will soon be over. No side affects yet! thanks to everybody and Tracee for starting this whole thing! I’m very proud of you!
This has been a pretty smooth ride. A few more hours and I will have made it thru the 72 hour nicotine detox. NEVER been able to do that before! Only 1 bad moment today. Would have killed for a cigarette the moment I woke up this morning. After that the days been very managable. PLUS all the Chantix side effects but one seem to have gone away. I’m still dreaming wildly, but no more extreme mental fog, headaches, nausea or fatigue. Pretty darn amazing. Keep the faith everyone!
Hey Heather, I am Glad everything is going smoothly for you.. It has been over 4 hours since my last cancer stick and i can’t believe how calm I still am.. Gonna have dinner now and probably have 1 after dinner then to bed early… that helps to not smoke lol..
See you all tomorrow ..Day 2 of chantix
wow Carolyn-i can’t believe you are slowing down that fast! That is awesome! I think I’m smoking more because Monday will be here soon. Is it hard for you to only have a few cigs? I don’t think I’m ready for that! I’m proud of you!
Heather (day 2)
Good Morning everybody,
so I woke up this morning and guess what?, my first thought was not a ciggarette, usually I can’t wait to have my coffee so that I can smoke. So I ended up just staying in bed for a bit longer (very interesting) until I could not take it any longer..
Heather, I did smoke alot yesterday in the morning but I had a couple of stressfull situations and by afternoon my urges were very diminished and like Maggie stated in her earlier post that the chantix works faster in some than others it all depends on your unique chemistry.. Heather YOU will feel the effect soon.. So heads up!! (I am here with you)
Hugs Carolyn Day 3 of Chantix
Hey there fellow quitters,
I don’t know about some of you but for me when I’m obessing about smoking a cigarette I try to think of how much better my body is without it and I found on website some of the changes our bodies go through when we quit. Yes we have done something stupid to our bodies but the good news is if we quit before any of it’s terriable sickeness get to us first we can reverse a lot of the damage… see below
When smokers quit, within twenty minutes of smoking that last cigarette the body begins a series of changes.
At 20 minutes after quitting:
blood pressure decreases
pulse rate drops
body temperature of hands and feet increases
At 8 hours:
carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
oxygen level in blood increases to normal
At 24 hours:
chance of a heart attack decreases
At 48 hours:
nerve endings start regrowing
ability to smell and taste is enhanced
The first year after quitting:
At 2 weeks to 3 months:
circulation improves
walking becomes easier
lung function increases
1 to 9 months:
coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decreases
1 year:
excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker
Long-term Benefits of Quitting
At 5 years:
from 5 to 15 years after quitting, stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked.
At 10 years:
risk of lung cancer drops to as little as one-half that of continuing smokers
risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases
risk of ulcer decreases
At 15 years:
risk of coronary heart disease is now similar to that of people who have never smoked
risk of death returns to nearly the level of people who have never smoked
After 33 years today I started taking Chantix. Already I notice my cigs taste diffrent. I am So hopeful about this. My hubby goes in next week to get his starter pack. We have been looking at all the different options for awhile now. I can’t take wellbutrin it makes me extremley depressed. the patch and the gum are ental hya waste of money. Chantix is actually cheapest thing going $30 with my insurance. I heard about this from dental hygenist and several other people.
Here’s to being a non smoker!!!
Amazing. Day 11 on Chantix, day 4 as a non smoker!! Sour stomach returned today. And again, REALLY missed the cigarette that I use to stuff in my mouth 5 seconds after my alarm went off every morning. This one particular smoke is obviously the one that will haunt me for awhile. Went through the rest of the day without a hitch!! Just gonna have to jump out of bed every morning and keep real busy for 15-30 minutes. Do the dishes from the night before ,feed the cats, take out the trash, start breakfast…Oh man, Caryns gonna get use to this real quick… Hang in there!
Guys, The beauty of Chantix is it turns OFF your nicotine receptors. That first week when you are not feeling so good….is because that is when you actually quit smoking. Nicotine is no longer doing anything to your brain. That first week is when you deal with the true physical withdrawal and you are Still smoking, silly you!. Aftet that week, you can smoke after not smoking for days and no buzz…no dizziness, no air head thing going on….no nothing. Nicotine has no impact on you…but you still get the dopamines…..they make us happy. I love the dopamines. When I went off Chantix, (after 6 months) I jonesed a bit…but I had no idea what for…I didn’t want a cigarette…but I wanted something. So I had a frappacino. Then I went for a really long walk. Keep the faith, you too can become a non-smoker but don’t rush it. Let the medicine do its magic. There were times I hated it because of the upset stomache. Eat, drink water, take the pill and breath deep. I cannot tell you how great I feel every day I don’t smoke.
I never thought I would be a non-smoker and now I can’t ever imagine allowing myself to smoke. It really SMELLS.
Mike, that morning cigarette ain’t gonna kick your butt. You got the dopamines.
There’s a whole lot of quitting goin’ on around here! You are all looking and sounding good.
I’ve just passed the one month no smoking mark and feel good, but this afternoon I hit an expected trigger point. I had attended an all-day workshop before school begins next week, and I was driving home. Of course, this is the usual time to reach for a cigarette, and I had the strongest urge. Although it was totally anticipated, it lasted through many deep breaths and many diversions I’d planned for myself including a new CD. I WAS surprised at how incredibly powerful this urge was. Smoking as REWARD was a biggie for me.
Carolyn and Lisa, I remember finding this blog during my first week on Chantix. It’s great that you’ve found each other and all on the blog. Good luck and happy nonsmoking. My trigger passed, and may I say it was the worst (by far) I’ve had since I’ve been taking C. Also, it didn’t even occur to me to quit the first week on Chantix, although circumstances caused the end of the first week to be so full of events (not so happy) that I had to cut down on smoking not out of choice, and it actually came easily — much to my surprise!
Jerry, you remain an inspiration!
I’m grateful to all of you for posting here and for your struggles and successes.
Hi all
Of course love this blog and the topic.
Been quit off of cigs for over 4 months now. Been off of Chantix for 6 weeks now.
Good luck to all of you who are just quitting using Chantix. Good luck in letting the Chantix go too.
Quite glad that I was able to quit smoking using Chantix, and their support emails, and I still use the support.
Don’t care what anyone says, I still miss my bastard ex–friend, just can’t go there anymore. My inspiration now is a few people that I work with and their coughs. Like the one I used to have.
Just remember that Chantix is to help you develop new habits instead of smoking. Don’t fool yourself, you still will want a cig down the road, just don’t do it.
Jeff
Just started the 2nd month of the prescription yesterday; still smoke-free since July 15. For the most part, it’s been easy since the initial withdrawal. However, today has been weird in that I’ve had a low-grade craving for a smoke most of the day. The main thing that’s helped is staying busy at work or here at home. Gonna find something aerobic that I enjoy in addition to my road cycling to try and “bunker in” in preparation for the day when I no longer use Chantix. I think it will help to have one more thing to lose if I smoke; if I find a new exercise that I like, it’s one more bullet for protection against a relapse. Gotten great support from my wife, my dad, my co-workers, and all of you who continue to post on here telling of your trials and tribulations.
P.S. Does anyone else feel like choking the “Chantix Man”? Wonder who he really is? Wonder if he actually is a former smoker? If anyone knows, I’m all ears.
Take care and breathe deep!
Chantix works great I am 55 days smokefree partly because of chantix and partly because of http://www.besochemps.org winning combo congrats to everyone who quits smoking.
On day 7 of Chantix 5 days since I have had a cigarette and yesterday by far has been the worst. I was having a craving bitting the nails and tapping the leg but trying not think about it. Eventually I got into a tiff with my boyfriend and I thought all I want is a ciggarette not only will it make me feel better but it will piss him off which at that point is what I wanted, and than I thought this is just an excuse and even though it might upset him it’s killing me. Who is the dumb ass here? I’m happy to say though I got through the day with no cigarrette, although I have been feeling sick the last two days and I don’t know if it is withdrawl or the chantix. Does anyone else feel sick, back ache upset stomach and fatigue?
Hi I just completed a day & a half without smoking. I have been on chantix for 9 days. I have to admit, I do miss smoking, but not the taste, that’s wierd. I think it’s the habit, like smoking when bored, tired, angry, hungry etc. I hope this works, so far so good. My husband is also doing this with me & I am so scared he is going to slip & then I will.
Day 13 of Chantix, Day 6 as a non smoker. Does smoking make you retarded or are you just retarded if you smoke? I ask this because the last two days I have been remarkably clear headed. Made a couple of suggestions at work that stunned the boss AND myself. Looking at things like the home budget in a whole new light and had an epiphany while considering retirement in a few years..I never realized smoking had turned me into such a village idiot. This is your brain…This is your brain on tobacco…Is anyone else going thru this? I totally understand your posts Staci and Tammy. Even after my epiphanys I still want a smoke (See the retarded portion of this post). Yesterday was the worse. A slow day at work. Reflected on my 30 year habit for quite awhile and was disgusted and repulsed by it. That was it!!! I will never go down that road again. This is gonna be easy! This turned out to be more dillusional than clearheaded. Yes you guessed it. All this soon followed by the worst craving yet. The whole damn evening. I eventually found myself sitting on the pot with a cigarette dangling from my mouth. I FLUSHED WITHOUT LIGHTING IT!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!Though it did cross my mind to just shove it in my mouth and chew on it for awhile…This is your brain….This is your brain on tobacco….So yeah Chantix is not the miracle pill, but again, I have never been able to make it past the 72 detox before and I find myself knocking on the non smoker for an entire week mantle for the 1st time in 30 years.. This would not have happened without Chantix. I’ve had all the side effects, mine subsided after a week or so. But even if yours don’t , keep with it . Just stock up on some OTC’s. Pepto really helped with my stomach problems. The wife is now home. There are no cigarettes in the house. The doors are locked. It’s a friday night. I am now gonna get hammered for the 1st time in 30 years without smoking. Unless Chantix has also blocked my Bud receptors. Keep the faith! Mike
Good Luck to you and your hubby Staci
I just told my roomie that I would try quitting smoking cigs. Well I have quit for over 4 months now, used Chantix to start, and have used their email support system, and it is working for me.
As for slips, I have wanted to smoke a cigarette at times, but I know I can’t.
If you really want to quit smoking, or actually try to quit smoking. Chantix is the drug. Use their support, get off the drug as fast as you can, and not smoke.
It is up to you then, and the reason to use the support is learn how to be a non- smoker, in fact look at other help self sites.
Oh and exercise to extremes.
Jeff
48 days, 4 hours, 47 minutes and 14 seconds smoke free.
I have 3 workmates all of us sell flooring products. I quit smoking however my work buds including the boss all smoke. The crazy part is I got my 46 year old boss to get a prescription of chantix. He never quit and finally after a month of taking the pills he just gave up on them. I think his wife badgers him to quit but he doesn’t really want to or I’m sure he’d be able to do it on the chantix. It’s so bizarre I don’t really even remember how it felt to jones for nicotine but I still go through the mental gymnastics of how I miss the nasty things and sometimes wish I was much younger so I didn’t have to take health issues so seriously. I’m 55 and smoked for over 40 years. My wife and daughter quit with me on chantix. It really is amazing. All of us admit to the occasional mental distress. I drink pretty much every evening after work and that eventually has to go too. Just not yet. One battle at a time. Hope you all have a great and smoke free weekend.
Bob
Well tomorrow is my big Quit day!! I feel real confident about this whole quit I am down to 3 cigs and tomorrow I start my blue pills.. Heather ,Staci Gigi and Lisa how are you guys doing? I hope and pray all is well with you.. Let me know.. I think I am still going to miss that whole hand and mouth thing but I am gonna stock up on sunflower seeds to keep busy tommorow, So everyone wish me luck!!
Carolyn Day 7 of Chantix
August 6th is also my quit date!!!!! so we can do this together Carolyn!!! I hav e found it very heipful to read all of the success stories. Was starting to feel like maybe I couldnt do this but now I know that I can. Goodbye filthy habit.
Update :::: Guess what guys I had my last cig at 9:00 am this morning and THATS IT!!!! NO more for me. I still can’t believe how well this stuff worked for me..
I guess now the hard part is staying off them, that used to be my problem with previous quits but I am going to ask my Doc to prescribe this for as long as he can.. Taking it one day at a time.
Carolyn
Well, friday night was a smashing success! Day 15 of Chantix and Day 8 as a non smoker. No close calls over the past 2 days, but the mental part is still tough (on me and everyone else) . I’m either calling ‘em as I see ‘em or just being a jerk. More than likely both…..I hope this phase passes soon.
My thoughts are with you Carolyn. You can do it! Keep the faith everyone! Mike
Hey everyone,
I am on my 5th day as a non smoker, wow I’m a non smoker, never thought I would be. It’s been pretty easy, at times I still get the urge, but it goes away & I take 10 deep breaths, as told be the Chantix hot line help, & it works. It really is more of the mental thing for me. The though of smoking actually makes me sick, but the routine of smoking is hard. I have been trying to keep myself super busy. Good luck to everyone, this is really a hard thing but I feel this time I can do it.