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1210 opinions for Chantix

• Rebecca
  May 1, 2007 at 11:16 am

  At the risk of sounding really cheesy, good luck, and you can do it!!!

• John
  May 1, 2007 at 7:40 pm

  See my website when the Chantix fails.

• Tracee
  May 1, 2007 at 8:05 pm

  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.

• Ricky
  May 2, 2007 at 7:54 am

  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 !

• Tracy
  May 7, 2007 at 1:01 pm

  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!

• Tracee
  May 7, 2007 at 2:52 pm

  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?

• Gerald
  May 7, 2007 at 9:36 pm

  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

• Amanda
  May 11, 2007 at 11:22 am

  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.

• Dave
  May 11, 2007 at 12:58 pm

  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.

• Michelle
  May 18, 2007 at 12:01 am

  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.

• ted
  May 19, 2007 at 6:36 pm

  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!

• Tracee
  May 20, 2007 at 6:56 am

  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.

• Brian Welsch
  May 20, 2007 at 11:59 pm

  I have found this website, besides Chantix it has many great tips, some are really funny for me :)) Check it. http://www.chantixsite.com

• Connie
  May 21, 2007 at 9:06 pm

  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.

• Tracee
  May 22, 2007 at 5:28 am

  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

• Jeff
  May 22, 2007 at 10:41 am

  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

• celia
  May 29, 2007 at 6:56 pm

  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?

• Tracee
  May 30, 2007 at 7:40 am

  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

• graham
  May 30, 2007 at 12:35 pm

  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

• TCOLLINS
  May 30, 2007 at 2:43 pm

  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.

• Connie
  May 30, 2007 at 8:23 pm

  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???

• Tracee
  May 31, 2007 at 6:42 am

  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

• Tracee
  May 31, 2007 at 6:43 am

  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

• graham
  May 31, 2007 at 6:53 am

  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

• Tracee
  May 31, 2007 at 8:23 am

  It’s not so back Graham. Find distractions to break the psychological addiction. Go see a movie or something. Tracee

• Matt
  May 31, 2007 at 8:41 pm

  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

• Tracee
  Jun 1, 2007 at 6:35 am

  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

• graham
  Jun 1, 2007 at 6:35 am

  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

• Gerald
  Jun 1, 2007 at 6:55 pm

  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!!!!!!!!!!

• Gerald
  Jun 1, 2007 at 7:05 pm

  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)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Tracee
  Jun 2, 2007 at 5:42 am

  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

• Tracee
  Jun 2, 2007 at 5:46 am

  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

• Appleboyde
  Jun 3, 2007 at 6:57 am

  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!

• graham
  Jun 3, 2007 at 1:46 pm

  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

• Tracee
  Jun 3, 2007 at 5:21 pm

  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

• Tracee
  Jun 3, 2007 at 5:25 pm

  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

• Gerald
  Jun 3, 2007 at 8:58 pm

  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

• Gerald
  Jun 3, 2007 at 9:09 pm

  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 :-))

• saraybe
  Jun 4, 2007 at 1:20 pm

  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! >^.^

• graham
  Jun 5, 2007 at 5:49 am

  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

• graham
  Jun 5, 2007 at 5:51 am

  saraybe…congrats on the decision…you can do it….

• saraybe
  Jun 5, 2007 at 6:34 am

  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.

• JoAnna
  Jun 5, 2007 at 11:47 am

  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

• Tracee
  Jun 5, 2007 at 12:10 pm

  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

• graham
  Jun 6, 2007 at 6:43 am

  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

• Tracee
  Jun 6, 2007 at 7:24 am

  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

• Dave
  Jun 6, 2007 at 1:06 pm

  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

• saraybe
  Jun 6, 2007 at 3:17 pm

  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!

• therapydoc
  Jun 6, 2007 at 8:29 pm

  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.

• Kim
  Jun 7, 2007 at 5:51 am

  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!!

• graham
  Jun 7, 2007 at 7:52 am

  One more 24…woohoo..
  To anyone who smokes and ‘enjoys’ smoking - (that would be almost everyone who smokes) - I loved smoking, I loved how it made me feel, I loved the first drag in the am and the one after meals and the one before bed and the 27 others in between.
  You will not believe this until you experience it for yourself-but until then– if you think you might want to quit, but are afraid of trying to quit, I will tell you that my experience of quitting with Chantix is the best, easiest, most enjoyable-piece of cake experience. Like Kim, I too went 3 days past the 7 days and then it ‘took’. No cravings, no withdrawls, only a few 10 second thoughts in 24 hours. I DON’T SMOKE ANYMORE! No more stops to buy packs, no more making sure the ash went out the car window and not on my dress shirt burning a small hole, no more brushing ashes off the back seat of car so kids won’t say-”What’s that white stuff daddy”. No more having to walk out of room every 15 minutes for a ‘hit’. No more “I need a mint’ before having a conversation with someone.
  No more hoping that the people in the locker room of my gym can’t smell the cigs on my clothes. ( of course the could). No more people walking by me while I’m smoking and faking a cough (jerks-lol).No more of my children turning their heads to kiss me on the cheek instead of on the lips because I stink like cigarettes.

  OK, that’s enough of my soap box. I’m just thrilled to be a non smoker today.
  Thanks for listening.
  graham

• JoAnna
  Jun 7, 2007 at 10:50 am

  Okay, I did it. I went to my doc and he did in fact prescribe Chantix. I knew he would. That’s why I wanted to get the real scoop and googled this board. Well, I start taking mine tomorrow. Better news is that my insurance covers it!!!! Yippee! Now my hubby/son’s won’t yell for spending money on yet another quit smoking program! Wish me luck! I’ll be checking in with ya all from time to time.
  Thanks for posting all your experiences.

• Jeff
  Jun 7, 2007 at 11:10 am

  Chantix day whatever, quit counting, seems like if I would contuine, it would be like I was counting to the day that I would smoke again. I do know that I am coming close to the end of my prescription, well within a couple of weeks. I am actually looking forward to quit taking Chantix. The drug allows you to quit smoking. It has its side effects, that at least with me have come and gone. Going to start missing a pill here or there, and wean myself off of it.

  I don’t have the physcial addition of nicotine anymore, just have the old feelings of my “special” friend that used to sit on my back. Don’t want a chantix monkey either……

  LOL!

  Jeff

• Tracee
  Jun 7, 2007 at 1:04 pm

  Jeff,

  I know one woman who has chewed nicotine gum for 25 years. She actually recommended this as a solution! Moron.

  Since I’m getting no rush or buzz from the Chantix I don’t think there will be a Chantix addiction. But, I’m with you - I shall wean. I’m actually missing pills here and there on accident already. I just forget and the cravings aren’t coming back.

  Yes, we do have to mourn our friend. But, that guy was an asshole bound to kill us and make us stink, so you’d think it would be easier to ban him from our lives wouldn’t you?

  Tracee

• Tracee
  Jun 7, 2007 at 1:05 pm

  Seriously JoAnna,

  I know you’re going to have raving success. In about a month and a half you’ll be looking at smokers and thinking, “God, how rude. What kind of trailer trash would smoke around children for heaven’s sake!” (confession: this kind of addict did.)

• Tracee
  Jun 7, 2007 at 1:18 pm

  Saraybe,

  You are doing GREAT! Keep it up. Eat Dark Chocolate and nuts rather than crap to keep the weight down. Also you absolutely must drink it with a large glass of water or you will feel sick. It’s also best to take the Chantix with a meal.

  I know you miss your lovely friend - but that guy’s been mistreating you for 25 years and it’s tiem to ditch him!

  Tracee

• Kim
  Jun 7, 2007 at 1:42 pm

  Just keep thinking of all the postives from not smoking…I was actually walking into my office this morning and thought” Wow, so this is what all my friends mean when they say they “smell the rain” moving in” what a wonderful smell! I must say too, that I had some pretty stressful moments today (one right after another I might add) and I just took a deep breath and my “mental cravings” went away. You have to be ready to quit, this drug is just something that helps. I tried everything you could imagine EVERYTHING and nothing has even come close to Chantix. I have some side effects but not bad enough for me to throw in the towel and give up. :)

• JoAnna
  Jun 7, 2007 at 1:59 pm

  Tracee,
  Thank you so much for your kind words. I just told a co-worker of mine that our insurance covers it 100% and now she is thinking about taking the leap. Even the Pharmacist’s assist was astonished to see that an insurance company covered it. It was the first time she’s ever encountered that. Where I work, you would think that they would publicize this fact since so many of my coworkers have serious health problems due to the high pressure. We are all reaching for an outlet, whether it is tobacco, alcohol, food, etc. I just don’t understand how everybody else (that smokes) hasn’t discovered that treatment is available and covered 100%!!! It astounds me! I am (by physical appearance only) a healthy, slim, attractive, female who looks 10 yrs younger than I actually am. Please don’t think I am being conceited or bragging. I have a point to make. THAT IS MY OUTSIDE/PHYSICAL APPEARANCE!! I have high blood pressure, a rapid heartbeat, and I am a good candidate for stroke, heart attack, and diabetes. NO ONE, I MEAN NO ONE, would ever suspect I was a smoker (unless I told them), and many folks were very surprised and a little disappointed to find out that I did. I have always been a control freak and being unable to “make” myself stop smoking just by my sheer will, flabbergasted me!! How weak and pathetic I must be if I can’t even control my own behaviour! I disgusted myself. I am ashamed that I smoke. I let myself down and I disappointed myself. But I have learned that an addiction is an addiction. Some addictions are more obvious than others. This SUCKS!!!!
  I am supposed to be able to handle anything/everything!!! I am a competitor, a top producer! I am disciplined, focused and concise!!! I CANNOT ADMIT OR ACCEPT DEFEAT! THAT’S NOT AN OPTION! I raise athletes! Yada- Yada- Yada.
  If anybody is still reading at this point, can any of you relate? The hardest thing in the world, is saying “I can’t.” Dear God, at least for me it is.
  I am always the person that says “Bring it on.”
  Anyway, sorry to ramble on and on, I just find it so hard to admit that I need help, or that I can’t do something! It pisses me off to no end.
  Thanks for listening. You guys are awesome!
  Tracee, Thanks a bunch again.

• Tracee
  Jun 7, 2007 at 2:00 pm

  Rock On Kim! Good For You!

  People tell me I smell good way more than they used to now.

  Tracee

• saraybe
  Jun 7, 2007 at 2:40 pm

  i’m smoking a tad bit less today and that is good! and i am not as tired, but i did take a nap! i try not to eat too much crap, but some fresh pizza just sounded so great at the moment yesterday! i’ve been taking the pill while eating breakfast, and that seems to help. i don’t do dark chocolate, but a few regular hersey kisses here and there will not hurt anything! :) so now i can look back on the past 12 years of smoking and wave it goodbye!

• Tracee
  Jun 7, 2007 at 3:08 pm

  bye! bye! Saraybe’s nasty little habit. Hello freedom!

• Gerald
  Jun 7, 2007 at 9:30 pm

  Hi all” Thought id let u all in on this Take chantix a long time if u can because my mouth still waters every once and a while “bad” but will ever give in but if u dont have very strong will power then take it
  at least 16 or 20 weeks cause the erge is bad still at times so dont take a chane!!!!!!

• Gerald
  Jun 7, 2007 at 9:32 pm

  ps keyborad bouht dead spelling is real bd lol

• graham
  Jun 8, 2007 at 6:19 am

  Jeff..re:”quit counting, seems like if I would contuine, it would be like I was counting to the day that I would smoke again. ”
  Sounds like it may not be good for you to count your days.
  For myself-I smoked for 34 years and often attempted to invision myself not smoking for just one day..So–for me to Not smoke for just one day or two or three or four days…is beyond what I ever believed was possible…and the overwhelming emotion felt with each 24 hours is pure gratitude. Therefore…for me…counting is an anchor.
  And yes, another 24 with no cigarette-5 days now and 15 since starting Chantix.
  Graham

• Kim
  Jun 8, 2007 at 6:50 am

  I agree with Graham…I went from counting the hours to counting the days….starting tomorrow I can start counting the weeks!!!! I still have an “urge” now and then but NOTHING compared to the WANT that I used to have with other methods (patch, laser,gum, cold turkey etc…) STICK WITH IT!!! I can not stop bragging about this drug…:)

• Tracee
  Jun 9, 2007 at 3:53 pm

  JoAnna,

  It sounds exhausting to be you. Cut yourself some slack. You started smoking for whatever reason. Myself, I was a child when I started, that’s my excuse. Then I kept doing it to prove that I could if I wanted to. My rebellious stage just keeps lingering and lingering.

  You couldn’t quit for the same reason a junkie keeps shooting up - it’s an addiction. The tobacco companies planned it that way to make more money.

  The reason more people didn’t know there was help is because there really WASN’T any. Patches, gum, losenge, will, loathing, prayer - none of it worked for millions of us.

  And who wants to go to a 12-step meeting for smoking? Are there any?

  The first step of freedom of any kind, I think, is Step 1 - admit that you have a problem!

  You have a flaw! Oh my Gosh! What are you going to do? A flaw?!?! No not that?!?!?

  So, what? The world will stop turning? You will die? Others might relate to you? A very wise friend always says this in my head, “Everybody has their flaws. And thank God for that!”

  Glad you are on the Chantix Mobile!

  Oh, and try to cut yourself some inner slack. You deserve it!

  Tracee

• Know Any Addicts?
  Jun 11, 2007 at 5:00 am

  […] substance abuse. Also, our little Chantix support group is getting some play! All aboard on the Chantix […]

• graham
  Jun 11, 2007 at 7:25 am

  Eight maahvelous smoke free days-after 34 years of smoking…I can work in the yard for 3 hours and not be winded vs. 10 min., winded, have a cig, work for 10 more min…… all in one week of not smoking,- it’s amazing.
  Plus, I figure 30 cigs a day, 3 min. per cig.- that’s 90 minutes added of free time every single 24 hours. Now I can’t use the ‘I don’t have time today’ excuse to not work out..lol.
  Almost had one this weekend-after everyone was asleep-at the beach-used to be one of my triggers-figured no one would know. Then I remembered, I was doing this for me first, them second. So, sleep sounded like a great idea and the craving passed–just like it does now.
  Hope this helps someone who can identify.
  BTW- I have help from CHANTIX. Great stuff.
  Graham

• Tracee
  Jun 11, 2007 at 7:54 am

  Go Graham Go,

  I’ve had that “no on would know” thought too. Then I realize that I would know and I’m quitting for ME and the kids. Good call on no cheating.

  I actually found it hard when having a few beers. But, not as hard as it would have been pre-Chantix.

  Tracee

• DR
  Jun 11, 2007 at 8:35 am

  Hi all… I started on Chantix March 31…smoked for 9 days then it “kicked in” and I brought the two packs of cigs I had to work and gave them away. Haven’t had one since and never thought it would be possible for me to quit…I smoked for 50 years and FINALLY got scared when I had to rest after wheeling the trash can up the drive way on trash day (one of many signs that I had a breathing problem). I also was inspired by my best friend of 25 years (who quit 5 years ago) who said she couldn’t stand the thought of not having me around especially if I destroyed my health by continuing to smoke without ever trying to quit. Yes, Chantix is a miracle pill for me, but I also keep telling myself a lot of this is up to me and how wonderful I can feel about myself for having positive thoughts and resisting my EX-friend the cig. Keep it going everyone and spread the word. I would love to see the tobacco companies fold!!!

• saraybe
  Jun 11, 2007 at 10:13 am

  today is day 8 of the chantix. i have noticed that i smoke most when i play my 360, most of all when i play gears of war. so i’m trying to figure out what to do with that. maybe i’ll cut back on the gaming. but i feel fine now, i have had some breakouts on my face. i can take care of that easy. i have not had crazy dreams but some funny ones. i did smoke lots during the final Soprano’s last night. so i guess i will post again when the chantix kicks in. keep up the great work everyone!

• Kim
  Jun 11, 2007 at 10:30 am

  One full week under my belt…wowowowoweeee!!!! Feeling great, have LOTS of crazy dreams (mostly about people I havent seen in years) the cravings still come and go, but nothing that cant be dealt with…keep’n a close eye on my food intake, dont want to gain extra pounds which was always one of my big fears about quitting…any one gain any weight or have changes in thier diets???

• Maggie
  Jun 11, 2007 at 12:23 pm

  I’m halfway through Day Six on Chantix. I’m starting to notice the desire to smoke diminishing little by little now, and the side effects (which were minor at best) are actually getting better, too. How cool to see this working for others. I’ve given myself a 2 week window maximum instead of just the 7 days to quit.

• graham
  Jun 12, 2007 at 5:55 am

  Tracee,

  Well, I’d love to offer advice about the ‘beer’ thing but…well, I think everyone is alocated ‘x’ amount of alcohol during their life and I used my alocation up 8 years, 10 mths, 28 days ago…
  However, I do remember years ago at a ’stop smoking clinic’ that we were told about alcohol being somehow linked to the same ‘nicotine receptor’ in the brain. It could be bs but that is what we were told. I was hypnotized to stop smoking at this clinic and stopped for three weeks, until late one night while I was drinking..Maybe it’s the alcohol imparing the judgement..you know, ‘rational’ thinking.

  Kim, yea, where’s lunch today, I’m hungry.
  My understanding is that smoking triggers the digestive system (somebody correct me if i’m wrong) and when we don’t smoke, the body doesn’t process food as quick. I have gained three or four pounds since quitting smoking but that is due to what foods I’ve been eating. Tried to offset the other day and ate a whole bag of lettuce for lunch. It did satisfy the hunger. lol
  Here’ to day 9 of not smoking.
  Graham

• Tracee
  Jun 12, 2007 at 8:40 am

  Graham,

  My theory is that the Chantix is working on the “addiction receptor” in our brain. This would explain why the nicotine addiction feels like it got “turned off.” It would also explain why I really don’t feel like drinking alcohol at all, a potentially addictive substance.

  But, when I did drink alcohol I felt like it triggered my need to smoke. But, drinking has always been when I smoked the most. I would totally chain smoke when drinking so it’s like a “trigger” for me.

  Kim, I find drinking a giant 16 oz glass of water to be the most effective thing to do when “urging” for a cigarette or replacing that “urging” feeling with eating crap. Water is good for you and it fills the “craving” void your feeling. I just graduated from “obese” to “normal” on the BMI body fat ratio scale and I’m not about to move backwards cause I quit smoking. Finally!

  Tracee

• Kim
  Jun 12, 2007 at 8:49 am

  WOW Tracee….seems like you could be a poster child for almost all addictions! Good for you! Actually, I probably need to be more aware of what I am eatting, I am in the restaurant buisness so food has always been an important part of my life, I am far from “over weight” but more on the “need to tone” side (or stop sampling everything my chef makes) Thanks for all the support everyone, I actually went to the dentist yesterday and we had a half hour conversation about chantix and he was very proud to hear me say I am going into my second week strong and ready!!!

• saraybe
  Jun 13, 2007 at 7:16 am

  day 10 of chantix and i am still smoking like i was before i started taking it, for the most part. i hope the chantix will kick in soon. i’ll keep my fingers crossed…

• Kim
  Jun 13, 2007 at 7:22 am

  Sarabe…One very important thing you have to remember…YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH IT!!! Meaning you can not just take the pills and think you are going to stop smoking. They really only help the “cravings” you have to work with it as far as the “habit” part of smoking…which trust me it isnt nearly as hard as it sounds. I am going into my second week not smoking and the “habit” part of it is slowely but surely going away…You have to want to quit and you have to WORK with it. Do you feel any difference as far as craving nicotine??

• Tracee
  Jun 13, 2007 at 7:24 am

  Kim,

  I’m not sure I want to be the poster child for addictions. I’m currently (thanks to Chantix) not addicted to anything. But, unfortunately I have tended to pick addicts as significant others (co-dependant) and have even been dependant on prescription anti-anxiety medication after post-partum depression. Therefore I know my fair share of addiction psychology. When quitting one addiction, it’s important to be aware of NOT replacing it with another.

  Like, did you see that Oprah where all those women got the by-pass surgery and got thin? Well, eating was their addiction and thousands of them quickly became alcoholics because they couldn’t eat anymore. They picked up another addiction because they never dealt with the original reason for the eating.

  I probably should say something now about smoking. While waving good-bye to your ex-best friend the cigarrette. It’s probably a good idea to identify why you smoked in the first place and deal with that original issue. For me it was a major emotional crutch. I wrote all about it on So Sioux Me in an article titled I Suck: You can read it here, http://traceesioux.blogspot.com/2007/04/i-suck.html . It might help you identify some reasons you chose to smoke that you hadn’t realized.

  I think you have to acknowledge it and conscienciously let it go to really be free of an addiction.

  Let’s face it - we ALL got something out of smoking, otherwise we wouldn’t have done it for literally decades of our adult lives.

  Tracee

• saraybe
  Jun 13, 2007 at 10:53 am

  question?!?
  i took my morning chantix at about 9:45, it did not make me sick or anything. i have noticed that when i have smoked since taking the chantix this morning i feel sick a little. i have had 2 smokes in the past 3 hours, i am trying to cut back to see if that helps any. so my question is, does this mean that the chantix is working? i have heard diffrent people say it started to make them sick when the chantix started working. thanks for your time!

• Kim
  Jun 13, 2007 at 11:07 am

  I think it depends on the person…somedays when I take my pills it makes me sick, but I have noticed that it more noticable when I take my evening pill. You have to remember and this I heard from my own dr…”chantix, does not work for everyone and most of all you have to work with it” meaning this…take a moment before you light a cigarette and think about it, see if you can get through the craving without lighting up. My biggest problem when I started chantix is that I was lighting up out of “habit” not “want” once I got that under control and was able to deal with the “habit” part of smoking I bearly think about it now…actually I think more about how I havent thought of smoking…Sarabe, TRY REALLY HARD…it’s tough the first couple of days but I smoked almost 2 packs a day for almost 25 years and I can’t even imagine doing it again, which with any other method I tried I always went back to smoking within 2 days….Just focus on something that makes you happy and try to ignore the urge to light up

• JoAnna
  Jun 13, 2007 at 2:26 pm

  Kim, I agree with you. I believe that now, after 5 days of being on Chantix, that I am smoking out of habit. It is a habit that everytime I get into my car, I light up. I think I will buy some sunflower seeds and get in the habit of popping one of those in my mouth when I get in the car, instead of lighting up.

  As for side effects, I don’t think I have any. But then again, it is only day 5.

• graham
  Jun 14, 2007 at 6:31 am

  Interesting moment…spent 14 hours at Disney yesterday with wife and children. Forgot to bring my second Chantix with me which I normally take around 4:00pm everyday. I’m not sure if it was that or that my defenses were weak due to being tired, but on the drive home, I asked my wife (who still smokes) for the last drag of her cig before she threw it out.
  That one drag was absolutely by far worse tasting and most repulsive drag of a cigarette that I have ever tasted. Worse than the first one at 16 years old. If anything, it validated my reasons for not smoking and anchored the fact that, “When I think I want a smoke, I really don’t, It’s a lie”.
  Now, this is only day 11 and I’m not going to start over my counting ( no, we don’t need to debate this one..lol) because of this one drag.
  However, I am looking forward already to the day of weaning off of Chantix and just not smoking because I’m a non-smoker. Think I’ll follow the directions of doctor and stick to it for 90 days.
  and as they say at Disney in Pooh land.
  ttfn.
  Graham

• deb
  Jun 16, 2007 at 5:57 pm

  8 weeks today of smoke-free living!!!
  Chantix works!

• Jeff
  Jun 17, 2007 at 12:56 am

  Day One
  No Chantix…..All is well
  Never have I had a friend for such a short time that has done so much for me, that I want to ditch.
  That is you Chantix, and of course thanks.

  I’m the Non Smoker now, and I have to forget about you!

  P.S. I guess I really won’t forget you, I will tell others

  Peace

• graham
  Jun 18, 2007 at 7:48 am

  Jeff..excellent description of Chantix…they should use that in a commercial for it.

  Check back in few days with additional comments please…looking forward to the same day myself.

  smoke free day 15 for me.

  graham

• Tracee
  Jun 18, 2007 at 12:20 pm

  Jeff - Congratulations! Hurray for you!

  Tracee

• graham
  Jun 21, 2007 at 11:20 am

  Funny story–the pharmacist, where I filled my presciption for Chantix, smokes. We chatted the other day about Chantix , the side affects (none) and the rewards of being a non-smoker.
  I told him..”Look, get a prescription, take the first box as directed but don’t try to quit smoking-If you feel the desire leave you, then quit smoking, if you find that smoking is more enjoyable than not smoking-(which is virtually impossible unless one has a craving to eat dirt by the mouthful), then keep smoking. He says it might be time.
  Hey, 34 years of a pack an a half a day, 18 days of no cigarettes - It’s wonderful..the urges have dimished to about 2 per day and last approx 5 seconds each. There is -0- craving for a cig.
  This info is for anyone who might find it useful.
  Later,
  Graham

• Tiffany
  Jun 22, 2007 at 10:46 am

  Hello! I started my Chantix yesterday. I am 32 and have smoked since I was 14 years old (19 years). I did quit while I was pregnant (4years ago) but started again right after my son was born. My insurance did NOT cover Chantix and I paid 122.99 yesterday. I was disappointed at the price but I also realize that you cannot put a price tag on your health. Also, I would like to see my son children of his own one day and smoking could deny me of that. Wish me luck. I keep reading about this miracle drug and it really seems to work if you are ready. I have not had tummy problems yet but my dreams were intense last night. Congrats to everyone that is now smoke free. I will let you know my progress. Thanks to all for posting.

• Tracee
  Jun 22, 2007 at 11:29 am

  All aboard Tiffany! Good for you. I’m like you, I’ve been smoking since early teens so though I’m only in my 30s I’ve been smoking for nearly 2 decades. Puts my mortality in perspective when I look at it like that.

  I have had intense dreams and some of them have been disturbing, but some have provided some clarity about things I subconsciously worry about.

  The stomach sickness has never really gone away for me. I get a little sick after every pill. I think it’s very dependent on exactly when I drink a large glass of water. But, come on, that’s way better than cancer or emphasema. (Or stinking for the next 40 years).

  Tracee

• My Thoughts » Bloggers unite for quitting
  Jun 22, 2007 at 1:16 pm

  […] MindMy Chantix QuitAm I Really Gonna Quit??? Of Course I AM!!!BlogfabulousJane’s Fact & Fiction Come on, tell your friends about this: These icons link to social […]

• Gerald
  Jun 24, 2007 at 9:14 pm

  well all this is the real thing no cigs quit 4/9/07and
  still dont,i had to pay for it so i quit taking chantix after 8 weeks,dang the erge to smoke came back after 2 weeks off but i made it,IM DONE NEVER WILL I SMOKE AGIN!! started at 15 or so and im 43 weeee
  im free!!!! just hope i quit in time ill pray that we all did need anything that i can help with e-mail me grouse1011@yahoo.com. It works if u have any will power at all to stop!!!!

• Stan
  Jun 25, 2007 at 10:44 am

  I heard a lot of people fail to stay quit because they quit for their daughters…their husbands..other people. You have to quit for yourself if you want to be successful.

• Tracee
  Jun 25, 2007 at 11:12 am

  Stan,

  I think that’s comment addiction psychology. You won’t stay clean if YOU don’t want to. But, I think there are a lot of people who are seeing how their actions effect others and using that as a motivator to make a change for themselves.

  My daughter was upset that I might die. I have compassion for her. But, in a lot of ways that’s compassion for me. For instance, I realize that if I do die she will feel angry and betrayed by me. Selfishly, as in quitting for me, I don’t want to leave that as my life’s legacy. I realize that I could choose to keep smoking and instead, using her reaction to my smoking as a motivator, choose to stop. Not “for” her, like as a favor, but for me as a parent. To be a good example and a positive influence in her life. To not wound her intentionally and without compassion. I think ultimately that is quitting for me.

  Also, I think a lot of people have spoken about quitting so they can see children or grandchildren. That is quitting for themselves, for the pleasure of seeing their grandchildren grow up and not ultimately rob themselves of that gift by continuing to smoke.

  Tracee

• Stan
  Jun 25, 2007 at 11:49 am

  Honey, you won’t go through the same hell of quitting Chantix. a) you’re no longer addicted to nicotine, b) if you wean off of Chantix slowly (best results from what I heard achieved if spread out over 2 months or so), you won’t feel a thing.

• Tracee
  Jun 25, 2007 at 12:27 pm

  I hope not. I’m going to Utah to see the family and didn’t want to spend the extra $$ so I thought about not filling my prescription. What am I some kind of self-defeatist? Surely, filling my prescrition before a visit to the parents is required to prevent smoking. Wait, didn’t starting smoking have something to do with them? Or was it all me?

  Tracee

• Maggie
  Jun 25, 2007 at 12:48 pm

  Tracee, I say whatever it takes, for whatever reason. I have “public” reasons for quitting that I share, and a few “private” reasons for quitting that I don’t share publicly :) - some reasons are more for me, some are more for others - all are excellent reasons if they get the job done in the end. If I sat around waiting until I really, really, really wanted to quit just for me alone, it would never have happened because I *loved* smoking. That’s just my could be wrong grain of salt because I do a lot of things not the way it’s recommended (with varying results).

  On the refill - this is the end of your second month, isn’t it? That’s a tough call. If it was me, I’d probably refill, but since mine’s covered by insurance, I can’t honestly put myself in your shoes having to actually shell out the money (can’t be much more than smoking, though, right?).

• saraybe
  Jun 25, 2007 at 3:38 pm

  yesterday at 6:05ish was 1 week smoke free. on father’s day we took out my father in law, and we ate had fun and we took him out for a drink and cigar. i smoked while we were there, i ran out of smokes and oh well. out of habbit i went to the store and bought 2 packs of camel menthol lights in a box. i never opened them. i made myself quit with the help of chantix. if not for the chantix i would be on the front page of the local paper for going “nukin futs”. food taste better, my clothes smell better, thanks to not smoking i knew that my cats were smelly and gave them a bath. i’m saving money that i can waste on cds, video games, whatever i want! hell, maybe my husband will want to make out with me more?!? and that is always a good thing. so thank you chantix, you are the chemical that i will always brag about.

• Maggie
  Jun 25, 2007 at 4:08 pm

  Saraybe, I love what you had to say about Chantix and am at right about the same spot. But I have no idea how you got your cats to let you give them a bath (I tried that… once).

• saraybe
  Jun 25, 2007 at 5:02 pm

  okay i’m the crazy cat lady, exept that i am married and i only have 3 cats. i have had them since they were kittens and give them baths as often as possible. it is not that hard, but the chantix does help when it comes to bathing the siamese.
  >^.^

• brandi
  Jun 25, 2007 at 7:37 pm

  Hello all. I’ve been reading all of your thoughts and your own expierences with our mutual foe. I am a 33yr old mommy that has chronic asthama and was diagnosed with COPD today. I was told infront of my son that I would be dead by the age of 40 if I don’t quit. The look on my son’s face killed me, as his father passed in July of last year. I can’t phathom what was going on in his 7yr old head, I don’t think I want to. My pulmonologist gave me the perscription for Chantix along with ALL of my other med’s I must take. The only one I have yet to fill is Chantix. I’m scared of failing, I’m scared of disappointing my son and my family. I know that I don’t have a choice in the matter, my son need’s me, as much as I need him! Thanks for letting me vent, wish me luck(I’ll need it). I’m off to do another breathing treatment now. Tomorrow is the day I will get it filled.

• graham
  Jun 26, 2007 at 6:13 am

  saraybe…thanks for your honesty..
  tiffany…welcome….stay with it and let us know -give us your feedback..whether you smoke or not…(with Chantix, you probably won’t).
  For me..day 23 with no cigs…very nice feeling.
  graham

• graham
  Jun 26, 2007 at 11:01 am

  brandi…failing is nothing to fear, not trying at all is something to fear. you can do it.
  graham

• Kim
  Jun 26, 2007 at 11:13 am

  WOW Brandi, I actually got a tear in my eye reading your story…Dont be afraid that you will fail! I have been on Chantix for 4 weeks now and last week my partner and I hit a rough spot in our 4 year relationship, I am not going to lie, I smoked after being smoke free for almost a month…then when things settled down I started back on the “non-smoking road” with Chantix…it is unreal how this stuff works it kicked in right away and I am now smoke free again. You can do it…do it for you first then your son who NEEDS you! Keep coming here and sharing your thoughts, it helps!!! Good luck, Kim

• Tracee
  Jun 26, 2007 at 11:27 am

  Oh Brandi,

  You are so young. You’re as young as me. So young. You really can’t do this to your kid or your self. You HAVE to stop smoking.

  Go get the Chantix. Really, you will be AMAZED at how easy the Chantix is.

  I’ll pray for your smooth transition into being a non-smoker. You can still live a long active life with COPD if you take care of yourself. Start exercising for your heart, taking yoga for stress, and using the sinus wash miracle cure I wrote about for your asthma. Stop smoking with Chantix and you will seriously wonder why you ever were chained to that terrible habit before.

  Thank you for sharing.
  Tracee

• Maggie
  Jun 26, 2007 at 11:29 am

  Brandi, you brought a tear to my eyes, too, just like Kim said. Here’s the thing: you *CAN* do this. Chantix will hopefully make it easier. Graham said it well not to fear failing. Fill that prescription and just start down the path - the rest will follow if you just cooperate a bit and let it and get right back up if you stumble. Today is my 9th day not smoking, and I’ve been on Chantix for 21 days. It’s still not easy, but the Chantix is really helping me a lot. Good luck to you. I’d love to hear updates.

• brandi
  Jun 27, 2007 at 5:40 am

  Graham, Kim, Tracee and Maggie,
  Thank you so much for your support, as I do and will need it. Today is my first day on Chantix(I took it at 730am). Time to start living again, I’m actually excited now, thanks to all of you!! I know I can do this, I have no choice but to kick it to the curb. Your words of encouragment are very uplifting, thank you all. I’ll be back tomorrow and fill ya’ll in on my progress.

• Kim
  Jun 27, 2007 at 6:01 am

  WWOWOWOWOWEEEE… Brandi GOOD FOR YOU!!!!
  Let us know how things are going and even if you have some side effects (nasuea which I still have) stay strong!!! :)

• Tracee
  Jun 27, 2007 at 6:50 am

  BRANDI-

  You’re a superstar! You’re a rockstar. You look fear in the face and say so what. You look at cigarettes and say, “So you think you’re bigger than me? You think you can do me in? Think Again! I’m taking my life back you rat bastards! You’ve never done me any favors, you’re not my friend anymore. I’ve got bigger and better things to do with my life, like raise a son and I’m not trading that gift for you stupid money wasters!”

  You tell em Brandi! You CAN do this if you decide to. Chantix can help. We can help cheer you on. Your son can help by motivating you to stay alive and live a healthier life.

  So Proud of You!
  Tracee

• Tracee
  Jun 27, 2007 at 6:55 am

  Hip Hip Hurray Brandi!

  You just look at those cigarrettes while you smoke for this last week and tell them, “You think you’re bigger than me? You think you can kill me? You think I’m just going to let you rob me of my health and my life and I’ll keep paying you to do it? You’re no friend of mine. All you’ve ever done is trick me and lie to me, you’ve never provided comfort to me. Well, I’m taking my life back. I have things, like a child, to live for. I won’t choose you over it, you’ve been secretly killing me this whole time you rat bastard! I’m dumping you, old friend. By this time next week I won’t look back, I’ll just move on with me life and count you as a mistake of youth!”

  You can do it Brandi. Grieve for the loss of your friend if you need to, but get angry too for all the deception about how you “love” to smoke. Cause that was just a lie. You don’t love to smoke, smoking is causing too much trauma in your life to love it anymore.

  So proud of you Brand!
  Tracee

• Maggie
  Jun 27, 2007 at 8:56 am

  Go Brandi! I look forward to your updates. The great resolve and excitement you have to get this thing going and start living is something to hang onto and remember during the tougher times because it can help pull you through until it eases up a bit again.

  This morning begins Day 10 smoke free here (22 days on Chantix), and I think I might live through this whole not smoking thing :)

• Hype-Jersey
  Jun 27, 2007 at 4:00 pm

  I took Chantix as prescribed for 6 weeks. After the first week, I didn’t even want a cigarette. I thought I’d finish my last pack of cigs and then quit. But after about a week, I didn’t even want them. I’m still carrying around that half pack of cigs. For the past 2 weeks, I have been working on tapering off the Chantix. It wasn’t so hard to go down to 3/4 of the dose. Going down to half the dose wasn’t too hard either. I ate more than I normally would for a few days and I felt a fleeting urge here or there. I’m still trying to do half a dose, but I honestly forget to take the pill. It’s just that effective. I’m going to take the pill anyway though. I don’t want to backslide, even though I seriously haven’t had the urge to smoke for weeks.

  I have to wonder why I don’t see more advertisement for this too. Sometimes I think that something fishy is going on - that Big Tobacco has such a stranglehold on congress that someone is getting paid to keep Chantix from being advertised or otherwise touted.

• Tracee
  Jun 27, 2007 at 4:38 pm

  Hype-Jersey,

  If I might armchair marketing hypothesize (how do you spell that) about the lack of hype. Remember how the tobacco companies were ordered to donate millions of dollars into medical research to cure the addiction to smoking? Well, maybe the cigarrette companies actually hold the patent to Chantix? Or somehow are getting a payoff from the makers of Chantix? Maybe they really did invent the recipe.

  Alternatively, I think Chantix is still in the early stages and we’re the companies guinea pigs.

  Maybe their advertising strategy is to get a buzz going and then use bloggers and sites like this to use as credibility - It really works. Totally free advertising for them.

  Congradulations on being a non-smoker. I too have forgotten to fill my prescription for about a week. I stil deal with the nausea when I take it, so if I don’t have urges or cravings why keep taking it? I think I’ll take it with me to Utah though. Family is a trigger for me and I don’t want to backslide either.

  Tracee

• husker2
  Jun 27, 2007 at 5:05 pm

  You are SO RIGHT about us being Guinea Pigs! My Doctor admits to knowing “very little” about Chantix and the side effects. He is diss-appointed with the answers he doesn’t get from Pfizer. After telling him about this site he actually feels Pfizer should have an employee moniter sites like this and they could learn what is really going on! Needless to say, my Doctor has a lot of people he prescribed Chantix to that are now suffering bad side effects. He also admits to taking people off Chantix, as their side effects were so bad.

• Mel
  Jun 27, 2007 at 11:03 pm

  Thank you to all who wrote on how well Chantix works. I have been on and off the patch for a couple weeks now and feel like hell…. I have heard about this new pill and hesitant to try it because of the “vomiting” side effect. I am a vomit a phobia…but after reading all your posts, I will start the pill tom. Grahm, your posts have been very promising…I have smoked for 25 years and have tried to quit and failed many times….maybe this one will stick!

• Tiffany
  Jun 28, 2007 at 8:43 am

  Hello All,
  I am on Day 7 of taking Chantix. I have not stopped smoking yet. Today is the day that my dosage increased (you know, the blue pill). I feel sick to my tummy, mild headache and a little dizzy. So far, my urges to smoke have not decreased. I’m hoping that they will. I also feel a little fowl today but not sure that it’s related to Chantix. Wish me luck and again, stay strong to all that have quit this nasty habit.

• Maggie
  Jun 28, 2007 at 9:09 am

  Tiffany, it was actually a few days into the full dose of blue pills before things really started to get different. I quit on the 13th day on Chantix for that reason. I still had to cooperate with it (meaning, I still actually *would* like to smoke if I could), but the strong cravings became more like little urges instead, if that makes sense. Anyway, I wasn’t ready right at that point either, but shortly after. Keep going!

• husker2
  Jun 28, 2007 at 9:17 am

  What does it mean on the bottom of my last post it says “YOUR COMMENT IS AWAITING MODERATION”?
  I don’t see that on any other posts, what does it mean?

• Kim
  Jun 28, 2007 at 9:20 am

  I had the same exper. as Maggie, I didnt stop smoking until well into my second week BUT you have to work with it…it helps the urger you just have to fight the habit part. As for not feeling well….well after 4 weeks on it and feeling ill everytime I took the pill, I am FINALLY taking it and not having an upset stomach (I now take it about 1/2 hr after I eat) I have a drs. appt on Monday and can not wait to brag about how this medication has helped me…I plan on taking it for the full 12 weeks “just in case”…STAY WITH IT TIFFANY….it’s like anything else it takes time and LOTTSA EFFORT but it works!

• graham
  Jun 28, 2007 at 10:03 am

  re: nausea…my experience….what I do..

  eat something: half banana,half apple,cracker and peanut butter, something–drink 6-8 oz of water–Take Chantix—-eat second half of banana,second half of apple, another cracker or two with peanut butter, drink another 6-8 oz of water. At night–take half way through dinner.
  No nausea. That’s just my experience for whomever it may help. day 25 of no smoking .

• Maggie
  Jun 28, 2007 at 10:09 am

  Awesome tip, Graham! I might have to adjust my strategy - too hungry or too full I have nausea, so I’ve been taking Chantix on a “medium stomach,” but your idea of a little before and a little after with even more water might be the way to go. And very many congrats on Day 25!!

• Tracee
  Jun 28, 2007 at 1:08 pm

  husker2,

  It means that your comment sat in my in-box while I went grocery shopping. I have to moderate the comments to keep the spam out.

  Mel,

  So proud of you for deciding to cope with nausea rather than keep smoking. I haven’t heard of anyone actually throwing up. Just feeling sick to their stomach. I still feel sick after 2 months of Chantix. It is making me wean off the Chantix faster, but it is not making me smoke. If I crave or am around someone smoking I take the pill, if not I usually forget or misplan my eating/drinking schedule.

  I do think they are using us as lab rats. But, I’m kind of willing. I mean, the side effects of taking an unknown pill for three months has to be less destructive than continuing to smoke. It just has to be. The FDA has approved it. So, that means there are no known major reprocussions.

  I feel like I should knock on wood, pray and spit “poo poo” over my shoulder to ward off any evil that might result from the pill.

  Right now though, I’m just so grateful to be free of the chains of smoking. They have controlled every aspect of my life for the last 2 decades. The feeling like crap while I was “trying to quit” has controlled my life for the last two years and it totally sucked! After taking the Chantix I want to laugh that I thought the nicotine patch was helping. Far cry from the relief I feel now.

  We can do this. I just know it. Thank you God for Chantix!

  Tracee

• brandi
  Jun 28, 2007 at 2:14 pm

  Hi guys!!
  Day two of Chantix…ummmm?? I’m not sure what to expect other than what I read from your posts. I have cut back a lot, but not as much as I would hope. I find myself smoking less during the day. Right around 4:00 my urges rear their freakin’ h