*SMOKERS* Smoking Cessation drug Chantix. What was your experience?

[Lil Missy]

I was recently approved for a program to quit smoking, and received a 3 month supply of Chantix. I've heard a lot of good things about it and a lot of success stories. Like it is the Cadillac of smoking cessation drugs. However, I have been taking it for a week now, and I'm not feeling any less of an urge to smoke yet.

But they did tell me it might take 10 to 14 days to take effect, so I have not lost hope yet. I have set my target date to quit smoking later this week.

If you are or were a smoker and tried Chantix to quit, I would like to hear your experience. For the record, I have been smoking most of the last 35 years, if that makes a difference. I did quit cold turkey for a couple years about 20 years ago, but unfortunately took it up again.

I'd like to get this monkey off my back now. I am not asking for medical advice either, I already have plenty of that. I am only asking for experiences from those that have been in a similar situation.

[robinlynne]

1. haven't tried it but would like to hear about your experience with it.

[greenbriar]

2. it seemed to work for me, but it made me really shakey and disoriented

so I had to stop taking it

[Sugar Smack]

3. BTW, congrats on your decision.

:-) I'm going to do that in the future, sometime near.

[Lil Missy]

11. Thank you. n/t

[karlrschneider]

4. Never heard of that product but I now know it is possible to quit without it.

I quit last summer after smoking for 48 years...3 packs most days. I just decided to stop and did; it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Good luck either way!
edit: by the way I chewed a LOT of gum and still do! :D (not nicotine gum just regular sugarless kind)

[DesertFlower]

5. i stopped 25 years ago with hypnosis.

however, my hairdresser used chantix. she stopped 5/1/07 and has been smoke-free since. she did feel weird and had very weird dreams. she took it for 3 months.

good luck to you. i was under hypnosis in a trance and wanted a cigarette. it was tough, but i had a lot of support from husband (who was still smoking) and friends. i drove the hypnotist crazy. called him several times a day. at one point i was crying. said "i lost my best friend". he said "that best friend was going to kill you".

hang in there and let us know how it goes. you can PM me if you want.


on edit: i've heard that drinking orange juice helps with the cravings.

[Lil Missy]

9. I was warned about having very vivid dreams that I would remember the next day.

And was even told they could come in Technicolor! I have not experienced that yet.

I am going to give it another week before I set a target date. I have a 3 month supply, and I am not in a rush as long as the end results are positive.

[DesertFlower]

15. that's what my hairdresser did.

she started taking the drug -- then set a date.

[LanternWaste]

60. When I was on the patch, I experienced the most life-like dreams I've ever had

When I was on the patch, I experienced the most life-like dreams I've ever had. None of them were dramatically good or bad mind you-- they were just small 'slice-of-life' dreams. Incredibly real though. At the time of the dreams, if approached I would have bet money that I were living in real life than than having a dream sequence.

But again, none of them were exciting or action packed. Just mundane events like driving to work, or watching the local weather report.

[liberalnurse]

6. I heard some nurses at the hospital talking about

the drug being placed on "hold"...........suicide rates are up with those who are taking this. I wanted to research this the other day and forgot until the post came up here. I just heard it at lunch so that means it's rumor at this point.:shrug:

[lisainmilo]

50. I love that cartoon!!! and BTW Chantix

Very funny!


BTW: One of my husbands co-workers had a bad experience, extremely hyper, felt "crazy"

[liberalnurse]

58. Thank you for the compliment.

The cartoon actually reflects my inner self, frustrated with health care cost, lack of supplies,staffing cuts, unmanageable patient loads and everyone wants you to be a concierge or waitress "now", wages are not equal to work produced...."I'll get-r-done with what I have to use"

[LaStrega]

7. I know of four people who've used it ...

and all are still not smoking.

[Ichingcarpenter]

8. FDA requests Pfizer elevate prominence of warnings for Chantix use

The FDA said that 'serious neuropshychiatric symptoms' have occurred in patients taking Chantix, including changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal ideation and attempted and completed suicide.

The public was first informed about the possibility of serious neuropsychiatric symptoms in November. 'As FDA's review of the issue has progressed, it appears increasingly likely that there is an association between Chantix and serious neuropsychiatric symptoms,' the FDA said on its website.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/newstex/AFX-0013-22719658.htm

[Lil Missy]

10. A friend of mine did tell me about that news report, because she knows I'm very prone to depression

and I take antidepressants. So I did discuss that with the Dr who got me on this program, and she said that was a very rare side effect. This program includes free 2 week follow ups, and she said we could monitor that as we go along. But that the benefits for me outweigh the rare possibility of side effects right now.

[liberalnurse]

61. Here is another link/thread I just started.

I finally got around to looking this up.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2815036

[liberalmuse]

12. It must depend on your body chemistry.

I used to be a chain smoker, and sometimes I would get up to almost 3 packs a day. I was very addicted and had tried numerous times to quite but ended up smoking again. A friend gave me her Zyban prescription (she had been bulimec and could not take it). I was going to go the full 14 days once I started the Zyban, but quit after 10 and have never picked up a cigarette since. That was almost 10 years ago. Something in the drug messed with the part of my brain that signalled pleasure from smoking. I hate when people say, "If it worked for me, it will work for anyone." That's so not true. In the end, it depends on the effect a drug has on the person taking it.

[halobeam]

39. any side effects from Zyban?

Wellbutrin was terrible for me personally. The patch works but I wind up going back after six months. Three years in a row.

[WillowTree]

47. Zybn = Wellbutrin....Same drug

I found that I could either take it twice a day as prescribed OR sleep once in awhile, but not both. Can't say that I've heard of anyone else who had that experience, but I had to quit taking it because of the lack of sleep thing.

[MadAnne]

13. I used Wellbutrin and it was a miracle for

me. I loved to smoke and smoked a lot for 20+ years. If this doesn't work for you, try Wellbutrin.

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

28. My mom tried it, and never smoked while she was on it,

but she said once she stopped she always had the urge to smoke again.

[stimbox]

29. Wellbutrin worked for me too.

i used it the 3rd time i tried to quit and it worked like a charm.
have been smoke-free for over 2 years now.

[Wizard777]

53. Wellbutrin gave me a chemical imballance. I had severe reactions to it.

They almost had to hospitalize me for it. But I quit taking the wellbutrin and the nasty effects quickly disappeared.

[thecrow]

14. I used it

It upset my stomach at first. I found that by eating something before taking it and then right after taking it would stop the nausea. At first I had the dreams but they went away after awhile.
I took it for several months and was thinking of setting a quit date, but then went on a trip where I absolutely
couldn't smoke (I was down to just a few per day anyway) and when I came back I just didn't have the inclination to smoke. It's been 9 days now and the urges are still there, but I just don't seem to care to indulge myself.
I'm 9 days smoke free and loving it!
I also ran out of chantix this week, so have ben taking only 1mg per day.
I don't know what will happen when I stop the chantix altogether.
All I know is chantix helped me SO MUCH MORE than anything else.
Chantix does make me crave carbs a lot.
Those nicotine patches were worthless!

Good luck to you on your journey.

[Lil Missy]

19. Congratulations on your 9 days! And good luck!

You are one of several people who have mentioned nausea, but I have not experienced that. I have also been warned about the vivid dreams, but I haven't had that yet either.

I have had problems sleeping lately, but if it is temporary I can deal with that.

Thank you, and good luck! Keep me posted!

[thecrow]

77. Now it's two weeks!!

Yay me, no smoking!

[Dark]

16. You're supposed to smoke for the first week, right?

I'll tell you my experience.

For the first week I smoked and didn't notice a difference -- either in feeling or the amount I smoked.

Second week, I tried going without it. I managed 2-3 days at a time, before the cravings won. I was feeling a little stronger against the cravings though.

Third week, I began to be able to overcome the cravings for longer. It took a lot, but I did it for a few days at a time.

Fourth week I finally started and kept free from smoking. I'd have cravings, but I'd remind myself of what I'm trying to do.

Now, it's been almost two months since my last cigarette.

Chantix really is amazing.

[Lil Missy]

22. That just tells me I have to be patient and allow more time.

I've only been taking it for a week, and I have a 3 month supply. I need not be in a rush.

[Dark]

27. Exactly. nt

[leeroysphitz]

66. It took almost 2 weeks for me. n/t

[Mnemosyne]

17. I took it for four months.

The nausea was horrible, it has persisted, though not as severely, since Feb 2006.

It did change my thinking about cigs. Never feel panicked when I run out anymore, hell, never would run out before.

The dreams were vivid and strange for me.

If you've ever suffered from depression, be careful to watch for signs of it returning. It set me into a downward spin.

If you smoke weed it affects that also. Seriously.

I know several people that did quit and are just fine. I just couldn't continue with the depression and severe nausea.

Just personal experiences with it.

:hi:

[seabeyond]

23. nausea with me too. also true about running out and not panicking.

i would let myself run out and i would be ok. would go hours without getting any. or i would wait until the next morning to get it. that was cool because i had never experienced that.

[Mnemosyne]

24. I still have the no panic mindset. It is

very cool! Agreed!

Wish I could have continued. :(

But I will quit one of these days, all at once. :)

[OhioChick]

18. Be Careful...

FDA Warns Of Anti-Smoking Drug Risks
Agency Sees Link Between Chantix, Serious Psychiatric Problems

POSTED: 9:19 pm EST February 1, 2008


WASHINGTON -- Government regulators said Friday the connection between Pfizer's anti-smoking drug Chantix and serious psychiatric problems is "increasingly likely."

The Food and Drug Administration said it has received reports of 37 suicides and more than 400 of suicidal behavior in connection with the drug. In November, the agency began investigating reports of depression, agitation and suicidal behavior among patients taking the popular twice-daily pill.

The agency's announcement comes two weeks after Pfizer added stronger warnings to the drug. In doing so, the company stressed that a direct link between Chantix and the reported psychiatric problems has not been established, but could not be ruled out.

Pfizer suggested that since nicotine withdrawal alone can cause mood swings and agitation, it may be impossible to determine if Chantix aggravates those behaviors.

But FDA said it found evidence of Chantix patients who experienced psychiatric problems even though they were still smoking.

"There are a number of compelling cases that look like they are the result of exposure to the drug itself and not other causes," said Bob Rappaport, a director at FDA's drug evaluation center. Some patients experienced the same psychiatric problems after they stopped using Chantix, he said, suggesting a negative reaction to withdrawal.

http://www.newsnet5.com/health/15200342/detail.html

[seabeyond]

21. no suicide thought, but flash of anger. taking for a couple weeks

i started seeing i was getting explosive angers at my children. really anyone. lol lol. then i started working on it a bet in recognizing it and this last month i havent had that problem nearly as much or as strong.

[seabeyond]

20. took drug for two months then stopped smoking. taking for another month

i started taking it about a week before thanksgiving. i knew i wouldnt quit during the holiday season so was taking drug and letting myself reduce smoking. i about half my smoking. i would take three, four puffs and put cig out. i didnt even try to quit during that time. but still i went longer periods without smoking and not smoke a whole cig when i did. i set the date almost two months into taking the drug. i have not had a cig for 15 days.

it upsets my stomach. i dont always take two a day. kinda weaning myself off the drug now. will take a pill. will take twice if i start really craving a cig

i still want cig
i dont feel like a non smoker
i feel like a smoker not smoking.
i dont have the physical pain though of not having a cig

give yourself time without forcing a stop date.
tell yourself as you are puffing, do i really need to keep smoking this cig. if no.... if it really isnt doing anything, put it out. even if you go back to it.

good luck to you

[Lil Missy]

26. I am feeling so much more encouraged with people telling me the time frame that works for them.

From what I gathered from the Dr and pharmacist, I thought I should be able to feel a difference in a week. So I thought there was something wrong with me because I have not felt a difference yet.

But what I am hearing from real life experiences here is that it takes a couple months, but is still successful in the end. That is still encouraging, and I am not in a rush.

I have a 3 month supply, and will keep plugging away.

Thank you.

[seabeyond]

32. sometimes i would forget and take just one

was ok.... another day i would forget again and was like a free day. just kept plugging along making sure drug stayed in my system and MOST days i took two.

now i am taking one as much as two as i work toward the end of my third month BUT..... having stopped smoking for 15 day, if in another couple weeks having gone thru all the drugs, i feel i need one more month, i am sure my doctor will get it for me.

i am glad you asked.... and wow to all the people that have used it, are using it now. but that is what made me stick with it, i was hearing of so many that were successful with it.

AND my hubby told me i could have a housekeeper when i quit smoking, wink. quite an incentive. actually i told him that is my reward and he said o.k.

[JanMichael]

25. I stopped two years ago no drugs needed.

Steph still smokes and only once in the last two years have I been tempted to re-light.

Good luck but maybe just consider a stronger will power play instead of drugs.

[Lil Missy]

36. Yeah, will power. Thanks.

I know you mean well, and perhaps it worked for you.

But to me, it is like making someone drink a bottle of laxative, and then telling them they are not allowed to take a shit.

Congratulations on 2 years of not smoking! :toast:

[seabeyond]

37. drink a bottle of laxative, .....not allowed to take a shit. you funny, lol lol n/t

[efilon]

30. Two of my children quit with Chantix

Very vivid dreams is a side effect for my daughter but my son hasn't mentioned that. I've been on Wellbutrin for depression for a couple of years and I quit the first of September. The best advice I ever got was from my sister "The urge for a cig will go away whether you have one or not." I've read that the the urge lasts about 10 seconds. So, if you can just get through the 10 seconds you will smoke one less.

Here is a site with some quit smoking meters.

http://www.quitsmokingpro.com/2006/02/smoking-cessation-quit-meters-track.html

Good Luck!!! I was a 2-3 pack a day smoker for 35 years. I've saved around $850 and added a whole 3 weeks to my life. :)

[seabeyond]

33. it is about that long with the urge. tell me.... how long before those urges

stop hitting me all the time. or when do i feel like a non smoker. i feel like a smoker not smoking. i want to feel like a non smoker

[Hoof Hearted]

31. Congrats on your decision to quit. I used Tic-Tacs. By the case.

But it worked. I smoked my last cig on June 3, 2000. I felt better within a matter of weeks. If you can make it through, the actual quitting will likely become a distant memory and you'll find yourself incredulous that you ever did something as gross as smoking.

[Bluebear]

34. Chantix is being investigated for suicidal thoughts and erratic behavior

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=2320972

Then again, who isn't erratic when quitting smoking?

[seabeyond]

35. lol lol isnt that the truth n/t

[Lil Missy]

38. Or homicidal! LOL! n/t

[halobeam]

40. but I would think

the risk of suicide makes the quitting part almost moot, no?

Imagine dying from the drug that you take in order to live longer? That would be my f**ing luck.

"How'd it happen?" "She finally quit smoking"



My tombstone would read: "This time it's for good"



edited to change tombstone.

[seabeyond]

43. your post is funny

and clever.

[otohara]

41. Worked Real Well For A Friend

of ours. Never thought he'd quit, hasn't had a ciggy since ending 3 month.

[Lindsey]

42. Can't say enough about this medication. It worked like I never would have

believed. Go for it!

[Lil Missy]

44. Thanks for the input and encouragement.

I have only been taking it for a week and now I know I just need to be more patient and give it some time.

Perhaps one of the side effects is getting really tired, cuz I am exhausted gotta go to bed now.

Nite

[Papillon]

45. I started taking Chantix

in November and quit on Nov 13. I have smoked one cigarette in all this time and that was the next day when I got home from work and turned on my computer. Being on the computer was a big trigger for me. One of the things that got me through the first two weeks was sucking on a plastic straw I cut to the length of a cigarette. The hand to mouth movement and drawing on the straw really made a difference for me. I had very vivid dreams for a while, but I usually do so that wasn't much of a change. The only bothersome symptom I have is very bad leg cramps. Usually in the middle of the night. My doctor said to take more calcium, which does help. I am only taking one pill a day now and am worried when I stop taking it I will start smoking again. But, when I think of the money I've saved and how much better I feel, my urge to smoke goes away. Good luck.

[Alexander]

46. I quit smoking but my dad used it. He's back to smoking.

It probably depends on your body chemistry and mentality.

[Mojorabbit]

48. I became suicidal

after two weeks on it. I also had tremendous migraines while taking it. My doctor pulled me off it and I was totally back to normal within three days. My neurologist says she has heard so many horror stories she would not be surprised if it gets pulled from the market. That being said, my hubby who is a family physician had a 50 percent success rate with the people he prescribed it to. He does not prescribe it anymore though. So please be aware of how you are feeling. I just noticed gradually that I was feeling a bit blue at first but that changed fast.. If that happens it may be the Chantix. I hope it works for you! I am going to try again the first of March and do cold turkey.

[BigBearJohn]

52. I quit 45 times. Then I made it. Off for 20 yearss now. How did I do it?

The hardest part of quitting smoking is the DECISION.
Before quitting smoking I earnestly asked myself if
life was worth living without cigarettes.

Then I said to myself, "did you really ask yourself if
life is worth living without cigarettes?" I then
realized that if life is not worth living without
cigarettes, then life is worth shit.

I couldn't believe that life was not worth living
without cigarettes. Then I remembered my youth.
Remembered playing in the backyard. Remembered long
bike rides along the river -- happy as could be ---
and I did not smoke then and life was happy.

So, I decided, life COULD be worth living without
cigarettes.

I then became very angry. I wanted more than anything
to finally be free of the monkey on my back.

I started VISUALIZING cigarettes as being my WORST ENEMY.
I pictured licking the bottom of ashtrays. I pictured
drinking quarts of tar. I imagined putting my lips
around the tailpipe of my car and taking a huge drag.
I imagined the 75 year old lady down the street who smokes.
Her hands and fingernails stained with the rusty color of
nicotine from years of smoking. I found a picture of an
old toothless bum with a cigarette hanging from his mouth,
with the caption reading "Isn't smoking fun?" Finally,
everytime I had a desire for a cigarette, I imagined
a cigarette in the form of a hypodermic needle, seeing
myself just like a heroin addict. Finally, I would focus
on the desperate SUCKING sounds that fellow smokers would
make sucking up their drug, sucking out the life from their
bodies.

To sum up -- I envisioned cigarettes as my worst, foul enemy.
Disgusting, loathesome. Everyday I would envision more
ugly pictures in my mind and associate them with the habit.

Why? Because I found that we had so many pleasure moments
associated with smoking that the only way we could truly
"abandon our best friend" was to reverse the process and
start envisioning it as the filthy disgusting habit it really is.

During the first month I quit, I allowed myself any excess I wanted.
If I wanted to sleep for a week to avoid the pain, I slept.
If I wanted to go to the movies 4 times in one day, I would do it.
If wanted to live on twinkies and hostess cupcakes all day long,
I could do it. Would not allow myself alcohol, because that would
lower my resolve. I would then write a diary of all the clever
reasons my mind would come up with for going back to cigarettes.

Well, it worked. It's been over 20 years now and I have not had
a single puff. The keys are 1) make the decision final; 2) realize
that suffering is FINITE; and 3) start visualizing daily that
it is your worst enemy. Not your friend. We don't give up on
friends. We turn to them in times of need. If you really start
conjuring up mental images of smoking as your worst enemy and
really start believing it -- you CAN do it.

Personally, I think the only reason people go back to smoking is
because they CAN. If you were in a prison and a guard told you
"either you quit, or I will shoot you dead." You would quit
instantly.

The decision is the hard part. The rest passes with time.
Trust me. It gets better. Then you will be mad that you wasted
so many years of your beautiful life with such a filthy habit.
However, people will feel better to the touch, things will smell
better (and worse); you will be more relaxed; you will have more
time (Buddhists say that smokers have no time -- they are either
waiting for a cigarette, looking for a cigarette, smoking, looking
for a lighter, etc.). Your emotions will be brighter. Smoking
turns down the volume on all your senses. After you have been
off for 6 months, the difference in how your body feels will be
amazing.

Ok, I'm stepping off my soap box.

Submitted with love,
BBJ

[Lil Missy]

56. Thank you for that very thorough and informative response.

I know it is a nasty habit and ruins you taste buds. And I agree that it is the motivation, or DECISION that makes the big difference.

And congrats on 20 years of non-smoking!

[Lil Missy]

55. I am aware of the side effects for depression and suicidal feelings.

This program includes free follow ups every 2 weeks and that is something we will monitor, since I am prone to depression anyway.

I thank you for sharing your experience because that is something I have to watch very closely. My Dr told me that was a rare side effect and didn't surface in the clinical trials.

I had a bad headache the first day, but none since. And now I am up to 2 doses per day.

Good luck on your next try!

[BrotherBuzz]

49. I smoked for over forty years and Chantix is helping me kick the butts.

I've been smoke-free since the first of November and it hasn't been easy. I finished my three month program yet I just knew I was going to lapse, so I started a second three month program to help assure myself that I stay off the butts permanently. I still crave that first drag of smoke, but the thought passes quickly, and once I get engrossed in work the thought rarely arises.

A forty year habit is hard to kick, but I'm determined to quit because I know my cancer will return in spades if I start again, and the though of fighting that beast is a huge incentive to stay smoke-free.

I think you will notice Chantix will start helping about a week after you quit smoking. Good luck and stay busy.

[Lil Missy]

57. My program came with a 3 month supply of Chantix.

And free follow up visits every two weeks to monitor progress.

But if I had to, paying for another 3 month supply would be cheaper than smoking, wouldn't it.

I've been taking it for a week, and will give it another week or two before I set my target date. I have COPD, and frequent bouts with pneumonia, bronchitis, and laryngitis, so I HAVE TO quit too.

Actually, I've had laryngitis since October, and this is ridiculous.

[El Pinko]

51. I quit 16 years ago, so I don't know about Chantix, but I used Cigarrest...

...and it worked great. It uses CDs to help mentally condition you for the transition to being a non-smoker, then it has some herbal pills that are supposed to ease the withdrawal symptoms.

I thought it was best because it does NOT contain nicotine.

16 years and going strong, and it's MUCH cheaper than Chantix.

www.cigarrest.com

[shadowknows69]

54. My sister has had good results from it

There was a recent study linking it to increased depression though so be careful.

[Lil Missy]

59. I'm glad to hear of the positive results for your sister.

I am also aware of the possible side effects with depression, and we are monitoring that since I am prone to depression anyway. She said that was a rare side effect anyway.

No problems so far after a week of taking it. But I did have a bad headache the first day.

I'm going to give it another week or so and then quit.

[Lil Missy]

62. kick, cause I want to hear more success stories. I'm still smoking like a chimney today. n/t

[scarletwoman]

63. My sister and her SO had terrible reactions to Chantix. Serious, psychologically debilitating

reactions -- like uncontrollable rage, suicidal thoughts, irrational and erratic reactions to ordinary events. My sister described it as being constantly tilted sideways to reality -- she finally couldn't bear it and quit using it after 2 months.

It's definitely not for everybody, imho. I got a prescription for it shortly after my sister did, but kept putting off starting it. After seeing what my sister went through, I'm honestly too scared to try it. I've already had a bad past history with anti-depressants, I'm just not up for messing with my brain chemistry again.

sw

[QC]

64. I have not had a cigarette in a month,

and I smoked heavily more than half my life. Chantix really helped a lot and for me the side effects were not so bad--psychedelic dreams, which I kinda liked anyway.

Don't give up.

[Lil Missy]

68. Thanks. I've only been on it for a week and I'll give it another week or two.

And I really have not had the side effects like bad dreams or suicidal thoughts. My Dr told me that was rare anyway.

[leeroysphitz]

65. It's working very well for me.

I'm nearly 3 months clean. No cravings. I haven't noticed any side effects. I'm happy with the results so far.

[dflprincess]

67. I took it for a month before I quit

and I realized I was down to smoking the cigarettes that were strictly a habit sort of thing (phone rings/light up; walk in the door from work/light up). I did have a little withdrawal, but nothing like it was when I tried cold turkey. It really was a magic bullet.

I had some problems with nausea/vomiting and insomina so I cut back to one pill in the morning after about 6 weeks. The nausea had reached a point that I was really afraid I'd have to give the drug up and I didn't want to. Once I went to one pill a day I felt better. I've also had some depression, but I'm a little prone to seasonal affective disorder and so it's hard to say what was causing the problem - it also dawned on me that as I haven't been going outside to smoke during the day I'm not getting any sun, however weak it might be right now.

I stayed on the drug for 4 months after I quit, the last 3 weeks I cut back to 1/2 a pill a day. I've been off the drug for 5 or 6 weeks and off cigarettes for 5 months as of yesterday. I occassionaly get the urge to smoke, but it's getting easier to fight off and it comes less often. I think sometimes it's the habit I'm still missing. I also gained some weight and I'm at an age where it's not coming off.

All in all I'm glad I used it - now if my doctor could just give me something to make it as easy to lose the weight I gained.

[Mugu]

69. I'm encouraged, but somewhat concerned about one of the possible side effects.

I have taken very few drugs during my life and have had virtually no side effects. But, because of hypertension I recently started taking prescription drugs. One drug worked quite well, but caused me to have nightmares. The dreams were so troubling and so frequent that to this day I'm less frightened by the possible effects of extremely high blood pressure than by the dreams. If you have never been there, you can't understand what I mean. Because of this thread I'm going to try the Chantix therapy. But believe me, there are dreams that are much worse than anything that you can imagine.

Regards, Mugu

[mvccd1000]

70. My roommate has been taking it for a month.

She quit smoking about a week into it, and seems to be doing pretty good. She complains about her dreams, but she's always been one to have vivid nightmares.

She also says she doesn't think she's pooping at all, but I would think she woulda exploded after a month of missing that. :)

Finally, she's had a shorter fuse on her temper since she started taking it. She acknowledges that that could also be due to the fact that she's quitting smoking, not just the drug.

I read about this book on another forum and ordered it for her, and she's read part of it. She said it REALLY helped curb her mental cravings for wanting a cigarette.

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Way-Stop-Smoking-Nonsmokers/dp/1402718616/

The Easy Way to Stop Smoking: Join the Millions Who Have Become Nonsmokers Using the Easyway Method (Hardcover)
by Allen Carr (Author)

Might be worth a look if the Chantix is not doing all you hoped for. She said it was amazing, and she wants me (who has never smoked) to read it when I come home so I can understand what the thought of quitting smoking is like for a smoker.

Perhaps the book would help some of the posters here who say they still feel like smokers who aren't smoking, rather than like non-smokers.

[seabeyond]

72. i think the shorter fuse is the drug. i was taking drug and still smoking and

after a couple weeks of drug i realized i was going into an explosive temper at the drop of the hat. so unlike me i could tell it was part of the drug and not something else causing it. just felt different. told all those i love and bear with it until i get off the drug. well worth not smoking

[JesterCS]

71. Chantix is bad =(

It blocks the same receptors in your brain that SSRI's use to help with depression and anxiety. So if you have any problems with those, Chantix will increase your suicidal thoughts and tendancies and/or anxiety attacks.

[SteppingRazor]

73. I know at least half a dozen people who have used it successfully and rave about it.

Once I decide to quit (again) I'll probably get on it myself.

[Ganja Ninja]

74. I'm not a smoker but one of the salesmen that calls on me at work

used it. He was a life long chain smoker. The type of guy that smoked so much he looked dirty from it and smelled like an ashtray. It worked for him. He's quit smoking.

[ileus]

75. Our hospital offered it to every employee that smoked...

I know several peeps that have stopped smoking, but they wanted to. Many others I know didn't want to and it hasn't helped them any...

[Z_I_Peevey]

76. 128 days without a cigarette for me,

although I still have cravings daily. I took the Chantix for about half of the prescribed course...I have about 5 1/2 weeks left on the prescription.

I did notice the intense, incredibly detailed dreams, but most were not troubling or emotional dreams--more like slices of real life, experienced in real time.

Prior to beginning the Chantix, I had about six months on an antidepressant, so I was very prepared for any changes in mood. (I deliberately prepared for the big push to quit.)

I also managed by giving myself permission to EAT...gained about 15 pounds, which I'm now losing slowly.

I'm now completely off any prescription medicine. So that's my experience.

[duhneece]

78. I smoked for 35 years

I'd quit once before for four years but started again and smoked for another 15 years before I quit for good.
I now teach smoking cessation classes. For nausea from the Chantix, I highly recommend ginger...either in capsules or crystallized ginger. It has really helped dozens of my students to quit.
I used patches, lozenges and Zyban. I had to quit the Zyban because it interfered majorly with my sleep, but then I discovered the lozenges and patches do, too.
Just don't quit quitting. For some of us, it takes many attempts. Eaach time we learn something new about ourselves, the need for another 'tool'.
I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to be free, like I've been released from a prison or set free from being a slave.
The urge DOES pass.