Quitting smoking on Chantix. :/

[redhen]

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Thanks!!!

 

[debilorrah]

I am bumping this for a friend. Her hubby brought home Chantix last night, and he needs to read this thread.

 

[DAS]

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Glad the e-cig worked for you also. After 33yrs(3 1/2 PAD)I also quit using the e-cig(or PV as some folks call it). It has been almost 7mos. for me, symptom free also. I have gone down from 24mg to 9mg nicotine in that time. I would like to eventually cut down to 0, but not going to rush it. I use the Go-Go with Vermillion River Juices. I'm also a member over at ECF.

Congrats and Good luck to anyone who can quit with any particular way that works for them! I tried the pills, patches, etc, nothing even came close to suppressing symptoms and cravings that the e-cig did for me. Truly a miracle product. My doctor is tickled and asked me for a demonstration and more information to help other patients quit also.

ETA: The wife and oldest daughter also quit at the same time I did. I bought kits for all of us and they worked.

I quit last March by using the e-cigs. I smoked for 30 years and haven't had a regular cigarette since I started with the e-cigs. Have no desire to light one up. The doctor was very happy with me also

 

[quercus21]

I haven't smoked for over 3 years after using chantix. Just keep telling yourself it was the drug that was making you a bit ......... grumpy/odd. I never had a problem with the dreams etc. I smoked for over 30 years, a pack a day habit. It was a continues topic with the better half and my doctor.

Good luck

 

[BarkerChickens]

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Debi, I'm posting this attached to yours since you know my husband personally.

Chantix affects some people immediately...others it can affect as soon as you quit. In January 2010, my husband started Chantix. Everything was fine and he stopped it at the end of March. Within a week, he was going into severe depression, angry outbursts, crying a lot, etc. Far from his normal behavior! It was horrible. It kept getting worse, then, to add icing to the cake, his brother died unexpectedly. I don't know that his depression got worse after his brother died since he was in a horrible place already, but it sure didn't make it better. My husband would lay in bed most days (before and after his brother's death), cry 8 out of 10 days (his estimate), when he wasn't crying, he was angry. When I asked what was upsetting him...he had no clue. After several months, he said he was having suicidal thoughts, which is NOT him at all. His family got increasing worried about him to the point that they would ask me if I thought he would kill himself. He went to the doctor, who of course, said it wasn't Chantix, even though evidence was reporting that people who have depression in their family (or a personal history of it...hubby had it ~20 yrs ago, but fine until this Chantix ordeal) should never take the drug since it can cause severe depression, suicidal thoughts, angry or violent outbursts, etc. He is not a violent person, but he got so mad one day, that he punched the heavy door to the garage. This door is solid wood and meant to prevent garage fires from entering the house. The door was fine, but his had swelled up bad and he had to the go the doctors (no brakes, thankfully...just a sprain). In December, he asked the Dr for counseling or anything that would help. After consultations with the psychiatrists, he was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. They prescribed him Wellbutrin, which treats depression, but not anxiety (the ones that include anxiety have a side effect, which causes a decreased...lets say...drive, which he refused to give up! haha!). By February 2011, he was off Wellbutrin, but not 100% back to normal. It was just enough to kick him into his normal routine again. He is more of a house hermit than before...I think he still has some anxiety, but nothing as bad as before. That was BY FAR the worst year that we had to go through! He said he would never recommend Chantix to anyone! On a positive note, it worked and he doesn't smoke anymore.

 

[202roosterlane]

Well I did try chantix for about a month. It was not a good time to try chantix but I did not know of the side effects when I started. That year I had buried 30 soldiers. I smoked for 3 years. I know crazy to start smoking at the age of 42 but it just alllllllllll weighed down on me. Smoking was a crutch, a release. If it was not for cigarettes I would have committed myself after every burial. BUT THE CHANTIX MADE IT WORSE. I actually was talking to my dead solders at night. They actually woke me up to talk to me. It was a dream that was SOOOOO REAL. A VERY REAL CONVERSATION. They were mad, confused and some did not truely understand they were dead. The questions, visits and conversations were endless. This lasted two or more months. I was living without sleep. If I slept, I did not realize it and it could not have amounted to much. I choose to think it was the chantix. So I stopped and slowly everything else stopped but has and will stay with me forever. I did not stop smoking then but as of Oct 1st 2011 I did quit cold turkey and pat myself on the back everyday. I quit for me....no one else. I refuse to be a slave to cigarettes. I am in charge of my life and my body and refuse to let anything take control but the occasional bite size chocolate

I think that we all have more painful things that have happen in our lives that we have managed to get over and cigarettes are so low on the bottom of the totem pole. Don't tell people you are doing it. Keep it private. You don't need to do it to impress others. You do it for you. WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU DID SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF? And I don't mean new shoes or yoga. Impress yourself, love yourself, encourage yourself, reward yourself. Cigarettes and Chantix suck.

 

[BarkerChickens]

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Congrats on quiting!! I am sorry that you had to suffer through Chantix.

 

[202roosterlane]

Thank you

I have had several friends who tried chantix at the same time I did. For the most part they complained of vivid dreams, suicidal dreams, loud dreams, lack of sleep. They slept but woke up tired because of the dreams. All of them quit taking it within 2 months of starting it. They did not ever quit smoking but they smoked longer than I did. I understand some people have had success with Chantix but not as many that have had problems with it.

 

[TrystInn]

Hubby and I used meditation to quit cold turkey. Worked brilliantly for us. If I had it to do over again, I'd try the e-cigarettes just for the oral fix - I chewed up straws instead.

Unfortunately, Chantix is prescribed to folks its specifically contra-indicated for - i.e. those who suffer from mood disorders, depression, bi-polar, BPD, etc. I've warned quite a few folks with mental illness NOT to take it, then watched them have break downs on it. The Navy passes it out like candy to our sailors, I'm sure its similar in the other branches. Please talk to your therapist, if you have one, before starting Chantix and be honest about your mental health with your doctor before asking for it.

Also, if you are borderline or already a Diabetic, PLEASE TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR specifically about your glucose levels before starting Chantix and if you haven't already, check your BG often while on it!

Good luck to everyone!