A Chantix Success Story

A good friend of mine who smoked for over 30 years quit recently with the help of Chantix, a prescription medicine. I was quite impressed with with her 180 and decided to ask my doctor for a prescription also.

I didn't have it filled right away. When I finally did the instructions were to take a pill in the morning and another pill in the afternoon. At first I didn't notice any change at all. Around the fourth day I was drastically cutting down on my smokes without any effort; they just weren't on my mind. The recommendation was to quit on day 8 but I was still having a few smokes.

I told this to my friend who recommended the Chantix in the first place. She said she also didn't quit on day 8. She said "I let the date pick me." Genius! I felt like a failure before she said that! Before I knew it, day 12 picked me. It was at the end of the day when I realized I hadn't had a smoke all day and didn't even realize it until bedtime. A miracle!

I continued taking the pills with the only side effect being some really whacky, crazy dreams. But I could deal with that. I planned on taking the Chantix for two months but forgot the pills a few days in a row after 6 weeks. So I decided to stop at that point and if I needed it again I still had some I could take. But it's been two weeks since then and I'm not even tempted.

I do have to admit that I fell off the Chantix wagon twice. I bummed a cigarette off someone and it turned out to be a Virginia Slim Ultra Light (hardly a cigarette for a Marlboro woman) and I coughed and hacked on my first drag! The second incident was nearly the same so when the old "triggers" (for me they were driving the car, long telephone conversations, watching tv in the evening, etc.) I just reminded myself of that hacking and that unpleasant shock when I thought it was going to be so good. And to be honest, those triggers (car, telephone, etc.) rarely triggered the urge in the first place.

My doctor actually did a little happy dance when I told her I didn't smoke anymore. People have asked if it's okay to light up around me and I don't hesitate to say, "go ahead, it doesn't bother me at all!" I never could have imagined this a year ago! Never!

Since I started back to work after a six week break I've told me co-workers about it. Many of them have family, friends or neighbors that have recently had success with it also. Two of my relatives are going to try it soon and I really wish for them the same success I've had. There really is no up-side to smoking.

I thought I'd share my story here. I'm not trying to get down on the smokers...I've been there. I just want to say that it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. You might be surprised. Best wishes.

Congratulations on your success! How expensive is it?

For the cost of a copay (which for me is $20.00) you get a one month supply. I started the second month and quit taking them halfway through the second month's supply. So basically I have $40 invested in this! My doctor told me that if I feel the need to get back on it, no problem, she would write me another prescription.

BTW, a carton of Marlboros where I live goes for about $40.00, not that money was the motivator. A carton would hold me for a month.

Congratulations!! Several friends of mine have used Chantix to successfully quit smoking. I quit ten years ago by using the patches. It's not easy but certainly worth it.

quote:

Originally posted by Neesie

............. A carton would hold me for a month.

I wonder if this stuff would work as well for someone who smokes a carton in less than a week. pb

You don't have anything to lose by trying.

quote:

Originally posted by porkbeaks

quote:

Originally posted by Neesie

............. A carton would hold me for a month.

I wonder if this stuff would work as well for someone who smokes a carton in less than a week. pb

That would describe two of my friends who recently quit using Chantix. Both smoked a least a carton a week.

quote:

Originally posted by Neesie

I continued taking the pills with the only side effect being some really whacky, crazy dreams.

Say, if you happen to have some unused pills you want to get rid of...

But seriously, good for you.

Brad

Just be careful please.
http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=eb699dc5-785e-4173-87c4-bc2529811cff

Here is something else on it.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/02/2152880.htm?section=justin

quote:

Originally posted by brickie

Just be careful please.
http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=eb699dc5-785e-4173-87c4-bc2529811cff

Personally, I believe that anyone who commited suicide while taking this drug probably had some depression issues to start with. And it only takes ONE for this type of warning to surface given the litigious society we live in. I hope it won't deter anyone (not depressed of course!) from trying something that can help them kick the habit.

I am resurrecting a thread I started back in February, just as I am about to celebrate one year of not smoking (11 months technically).

My BIL was taken to the emergency room almost four weeks ago with a collapsed lung. He is only 44 but a chain smoker. So was his wife and another couple we hang out with. BIL was released from the hospital after three weeks, the lung collapsed 4 more times. He had surgery to remove half of one of his lungs. He joked about all these years he said if he ever quit smoking it would have to be in-patient. Well it was. They gave him the same Chantix prescription I used and also a nicotine patch. His wife took the Chantix and quit smoking in 5 days, shattering my record. Of course, when you're in the hospital almost day and night it is probably quite the incentive. Especially when you see the tubes, the machines, the oxygen mask and the scars.

The other couple we hang with (chain smokers) has been taking the Chantix. I haven't asked them to their face how it's going because they might take it as preaching or something from me. But I did see them smoking in the parking lot on the way to their car. I know it's hard, I'm not trying to be boastful. But I'm so glad I got the monkey off my back. I just wanted anyone who reads this to know I never thought I could quit and it turns out that it was easier than I thought and truly one of the best things I ever did, not just for myself but for my family.

Take care!

Way to go Neesie!!!!! It is definitely a monkey off your back.

I lost both my grandfathers to smoking diseases, my father went early at 53, and watching my brother chain smoke his way to emphysema. It's amazing this plant makes a slave of nearly everyone it touches.

Congrats on a very positive life change! Keep it up!!

Thanks for the positive re-inforcement. I just watched two of my co-workers bundle up so they can go smoke outside. THAT I do not miss!

Congratulations!

My Wife's dad, aunt & uncle were smokers who all died from lung cancer - she's the only one of 5 siblings who still smokes, and sadly, the only way she'll quit smoking is when I screw the lid on the urn containing her ashes. I've told her that I'm thinking of just using an ashtray for them so she'll be in her special place.

After 40 plus years of smoking and several feeble attempts to quit, I was up to almost 3 packs a day ( most of those cigarettes were left burning on various pieces of furniture and in ashtrays, so it's not sure just how many cigarettes a day I was actually smoking - but I was lighting up that many).

On January 1st, 1968 I woke up with a terrible hangover and was suffering feelings of guilt and disgust with myself over how i was ruining my health. I got thru that day without even wanting a cigarette. The next day i went to work - I was on the road all over upstate New York that winter- and really wanted a cigarette. Luckily, I had none n my person, nor in the car. When I, at last, came upon a place that looked like it sold smokes I pulled in and, again luckily, the place had no cigarettes, but it did have a big bin of freshly roasted peanuts. I bought a bag of the nuts and went back on the road in search of a cigarette - shelling and eating peanuts as I drove. Pretty soon I didn't need a cigarette and got thru the rest of the day eating peanuts, avoiding coffee, and, best of all, already starting to notice how much better any kind of food tasted. This pattern continued for about a month, the back seat of my car about a foot deep in peanut shells, and me, becoming increasingly irascible.

My dear wife, seeing what I was going thru, never said a word about my not smoking until one evening, having dinner with my Mother-in-law, the dear old lady said something like, "I haven't seen you smoking a cigarette in quite a while,did you quit?". With that innocent and well-meaning remark I flew into a rage and ,cursing and screaming ,ran out of the room. The event was cathartic - it was out. I'd successfully quit with no help from any one
( I thought) and without any props more than about 50 pounds of roasted peanuts.

I was not completely cured for years afterwards. After about 6 months I never had any strong urge to have a cigarette, but, under even mld stress I'd reach for my shirt pocket where I'd always carried my cigarettes, and worst of all, I'd have terrible nightmares in which I had taken up smoking again. I knew i was cured when , about 20 years later, at my youngest son's bachelor party someone handed me a cigar and I happily puffed on it - without inhaling - and have never since had any desire for another smoke

Thanks for indulging me, I've never before sat down and written out this story - I guess that makes this the final closure on my beating the cigarette habit.

Cheers, John

John, that's an amazing story and I thank you for sharing it!

I've had instances, I think out of habit, where I go to reach for a cigarette. Then I remind myself, you don't do that anymore!

I found that you can take a break without one. I was throwing a large party this summer and before the guests arrived I wanted to sit down and have a smoke. It worked just as well to sit down and have a snack. It doesn't define my breaks anymore. It's gotten to the point where I can sit around with a bunch of smokers and not even be tempted. It's really a good feeling.

Congratulations on getting the monkey off YOUR back! You're proof that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! Attaboy!

What it really came down to is; I decided I'd rather die of "Whiskey and Wild Wild Women" than cigarettes...

Cheers, John

Thanks for the Chantix info. I tried Zyban and was calling long lost friends, i was so depressed! I've been considering Chantix. Glad you kicked the habit,it's a hassle.

Chantix is one of those FDA approved drugs which can be used to get over smoking habit. It works on body by giving you the same feel good effect like smoking and hence reduces the craving for nicotine. You can have all the information on chantix here http://www.chantixhome.com/ This medicine should only be used in accordance with the instructions of a physician as there are various side effects which may vary from person to person and it includes change of taste, sleeplessness and many more. I have smoked for more than 10 yrs, but now I am spending a smoke free life from last 2 months. Thanks to chantix. Along with having this medicine, you should also have will power and feeling that you want to get over this habit.

My wife used Chantix almost two years ago.  She was a moderate smoker who went through about a carton every two weeks.  Her job was very stressful.  She had always been pretty well set in her ways and had tried a couple of other things to help her to stop smoking, but nothing ever helped.

She used Chantix about six days and hasn't had a cigarette since.  She did pick up a little weight since she stopped smoking.  She's 5'6" and before stopping smoking she weighed about 115 lbs.  Other than when she was pregnant, that's was her weight for most of her adult life.  She now weighs about 125 lbs.  She's happy with the weight gain.

I'm always happy to hear of anyone that can give it up - it's just that the hardest part for most is staying quit.  There are alot of people that use everything available and it works for a while but they start back.

The spouse smoked two to three packs a day and eight years ago after a heart scare, gave them up.  Three days later I finished my last pack and since then we've never looked back.

The majority of the people I know that have been successful - whether it be with quitting smoking, losing weight or whatever - have just made their minds up to do it and be done with it. 

I am the OP and I just wanted to come back and congradulate everyone that shared their success stories and comments.  My BIL who had half of his lung removed is smoking again.  So is his wife, although they claim they cut way down.  :( 

The other couple that we all hung with, that are chain smokers, also started up again.  I'm not sure they ever quit, anyways.  :(

I am still smoke-free and rarely think about it anymore.  I had a horrible month in February, too many gory details to go into at my 14 month mark.  A few months later I was telling a friend some of the bad things that I went through in February and she asked me if I smoked.  I said, no, I didn't even think of it!  It made me really happy because the people I know who went back to smoking always had an excuse....I got laid off, had a fight with the teenage son, stress at work (anything).  So by golly, life is good.  I am still a good 10 pounds over what I used to be but even my doctor says that is preferable to smoking.