docs and pharmacists - chantix?
 

Need to quit smoking, want to quit smoking. Just came from a physical, doc gave me a script for chantix. I asked about side effects, and she says w/o some underlying depression, etc. then it would be a non-issue.

On the other hand, I've read/heard of people that *do* have issues with it.

So... issues, or no? Anything special you'd recommend I look out for? Anything I should tell the wife/coworkers to watch out for?

Thanks

good luck...
but stop if you get like this..

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1371738393.jpg

I am not a doctor, but...

I used Chantix, works pretty good. Rikao4 is right though, you should let the people that are around you know that you are stopping smoking and may be irritable, VERY irritable.
I would look for a local ( online) support group as well.

My wife was having bad nitemares while taking Chantix. She stopped it after about a week and a half.

Depending on your coverage, it may cost you $500 to fill that Rx.

Buddy of mine also had bad nightmares, he pulled the plug on chantix

Had fantastic detailed dreams. Quit smoking too.

At least a pack a day of Marlboro Reds, (Camel unfiltered in HS) for 30+ years.

Tried it all.

Chantix, no thanks. Crap made me roid rage angry 24/7 and I experienced severe shortness of breath. Could not complete a sentence.

Your going to get the "just go cold turkey" comments and will be made to feel less of a man if you can't just quit. Ignore those people. Quitting is different for everyone.

I have not touched a cigarette since Dec 2011.

I'm using the e-cigs. Not the stupid plastic ones that look like cigarettes but a real vaporizer.

Made the switch from smoking to vaping in 3 days.

Google vaping in your area.

Find a retail location that you can go into and get a real set up.

You are still getting your nicotine but eliminate all the other crap that comes with smoking.

You don't stink, you can do it anywhere, it's cheaper, the juice comes in over 100 flavors and varying nicotine levels so you can step down over time similar to the patch.

PM me if you want more info.

Although I don´t have any doctors experience with it, as my patients typically are non smokers, I would go for it. What ever side effects you may or may not experience they will not be dangerous and if it can make you stop the most hazardous habit known to man its well worth it.

Looks to be at least 2 possibly 3 vaping shops in Gainesville.

Yeah, but they aren't for tobacco :D


Thanks all, I was able to do it cold turkey 8 years ago but massive stress at work 5 years ago brought it back instantly. Was able to get down to "just" two or three smokes a day until a few months ago, major stress at work again.

Online support group? That's y'all :)

Will warn co-workers...

No it's not tobacco.

It's poly or vegetable glycol with nicotine.

it's the nicotine that you are addicted to, and to some degree the habit.

With vaping you get to keep both.

And the 2 places in Gainesville are not head shops.

I am not a doctor, but I did take Chantix 6 years ago. It worked for me. I haven't smoked since. That was the first and only time I attempted to quit. It was also the first time that I really wanted to quit.

Wanting to quit plays a big part in your success.

The only side effect that I had were very vivid and surreal dreams. No nightmares. I wasn't all that miserable either. I attribute that to my being happy for every day that I was smoke free.

My insurance did not cover the prescription but it worked out to be less than a pack a day smoking habit.

You can quit. Find a method that works best for you. A lot of ex smokers here for advice, etc.

Good luck!

I know two women who used it without success.
After getting off the drug, one was unaffected and the other lost most of her memory and because manic/depressive with severe psychotic episodes(threatening to kill her husband). It's probably best to gradually taper on-off from full dosage.

There are other solutions:
Nicorette,
Electronic cigs,
Switch to really nasty ones,
Or healthier without the addicition additives(american spirit),
Allow only X# per day and get a reward if under that,
No cigs allowed X hours after waking up or getting in a car,
Have a timer and wait 1-5 minutes after each major urge ,
Identify the mental triggers, and deal with them seperately (i.e. need to use bathroom, need to chew on something, unpleasant thoughts, tired, pain, etc)
Drink more water and more excercize.

Visualize your new image and try not to hang around smokers while smoking.
Break the pattern and change the game.

The one method that honestly worked for my wife was hypnonsis.

I had a friend at work that had the same experience with it. HOWEVER, I used it and my dreams were fantastic! It had the opposite effect and it worked like a champ, for me. My doctor explained that some folks cannot use it.

Exactly my experience. I have been off the damn things since the Day before RRIV at Laguna Seca.

I also quit by using Chantix over five years ago. The dreams weren't "bad" but they weren't good either. The worst part for me was that it was hard on my stomach when I didn't eat anything while taking it.

That being said, I know some other people who have tried it and had mood altering side effects or couldn't handle the dreams. I tried bupropion/wellbutrin previously and it turned me into a raging lunatic. I didn't even recognize myself. I was very moody and aggressive while taking it. That only lasted for a couple days before I pulled the plug.

I didnt try Chantix because the other stuff, Welbutrin, gave me the shakes after 3 days...

I quit about 4.5 months ago using the ecig at first, switched to the lozenges after 2 weeks.

Still going!

Good luck!!!

In their commercials, I always wonder if they count the people who committed suicide as "no longer smoking."

YMMV, I can't say if it'll have the same affect on you as it had on me.


I experienced minor mood changes, not that big of a deal. More vivid dreams, most of the time it wasn't that big of a deal. Couple of dreams scared the crap out of me (no not litterally).
is it all puppies and rainbows? No. Is it worth it to quit smoking? absolutely.

But the bottom line is this: chantix works. Quitting smoking is important and putting up with the side effects for me was well worth it.

If you can quit without chantix, go for it.


EDIT
Oh, one other thing: in the morning do not take it on an empty stomach.
One time i got the gags and heaves, one time I puked in my truck a little on the way to work.
It only messed with my stomach twice but it weren't cool.