[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Any experience with Chantix? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 3/3/2009 7:34:14 AM EDT
| Hey gang. Well, I'm lookin' to kick the habit. Tired of being a slave to smoking, tired of not being able to breath, and I'm tired of the smell. Have any of you used CHANTIX to help you quit? If so, would you recommend it? Draw backs? Thanks. |
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I was ready to use it, but then I started searching for "reviews" on it. Some of the side effects are extremely dangerous and I'm surprised the stuff is still on the market. I would recommend a thorough discussion with your doctor AFTER you have read some of the horror stories FIRST. I think there is actually a dedicated forum set up to warn people about it. Obviously I have no direct experience, but you may find the risk is worth the reward. Apparently for those who had no side effects, the drug does a good job of stopping cravings for nicotine (how it does that is the problem). |
Everyone's reaction to medications is different. You need to be aware and have your family members look out for the increased depression/anxiety/etc. and talk with your doctor honestly. If Chantix doesn't work or there is a reaction there are others you can try.
 Good luck!
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What a coincidence. I JUST got back from Walgreens to get my first starter pack of Chantix.
By the way, you more than likely will have to pay for it out of pocket (140 bucks) as most ins won't cover the scrip, which is really stupid. I have major reservations about taking it, but I gotta do something. I am killing myself each and every day as a "user". I have heard that nausea and severe lucid dreams are going to happen. We'll see. I start my first dose tomorrow morning. ETA: I will check back and post here every day or two to relay how the drug is affecting, or not affecting me. Great way to compare notes on this stuff. |
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I just started the program 2 weeks ago, so far so good.
As other have stated, do some research and talk to your doctor first. The more research I have done the more I'm worried about taking it (but I still am). I know it is hard to believe that our government (FDA) is in bed with Pfizer. So far the only side effects are insomnia and drowsiness (probably related to the insomnia). I'm going to take it for less time then the recommend 12 weeks. and go cold turkey after that (from my informal survey it is the only thing that really works after 1 year, everything else is 7%). good luck in your quest to give up nicotine. ETA, the nausea seems to go away after a few weeks, drink plenty of water (1/2 gallon a day more then you use to). |
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Fuck That. Try this - www.puresmoker.com
I'd rather take my chances with e-cigs than with pharmaceutical drugs. 
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I've heard good stuff about it but there is a high risk of suicide/depression I hear Quitting smoking has a high risk of all sorts of problems, I've used Chantix and I didn't natice any side effects whatsoever except the usual withdrawal symptoms, might be others will have a different experience, but they've got to warn for anything that correlates and people are always looking for an excuse for that sort of thing. It makes it a lot easier to quit. I didn't smoke while I was on it. Didn't stick for me once I stopped taking it, if you really want to quit smoking, don't want to take the pills, and you can't seem to kick the nicotine habit try Swedish snus, no spitting, extremely low levels of carcinogens (like 2% of what US smokeless has), cheap and fewer side effects than gum or patches, which I can't take for some reason, give me heartburn and stomach cramps. Read up on the health studies that've been done on snus, it's a crime we and the EU have rejected harm reduction. I would imagine E-cigs are in the same category. General Onyx portion. You and your lungs will be happy. |
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It can be done. I paid $400 for the starter pack and the follow-up pack. I took it for 16 days and stopped taking it because I didnt like the way it made me sleep. I've been totally quit now for a month. That's something that I thought would never happen, but it did. Chantix helped.
The Chantix helped me get the initial space between myself and the cigarettes, and I wanted it bad enough that I maintained it. I would still love to have a smoke, but I know that if I ever give in and have one I'll be right back where I started. F that, I'm moving forward. |
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Only thing that made me actually quit smoking cigarettes. Downside? Might make you go crazy. -X I smoked for 15 years. Had been trying to quit the last 5. I tried the patch, the gum, Welbutrin and cold turkey. None of those worked until I took Chantix. I took it for 2 weeks until I started having very vivid dreams that were crazy and scary. It didn't really change my personality, just made my dreams really REALLY weird. I can't explain them to you as I don't remember them other than that they were odd. Just be careful if you do go that route. There are a lot of horror stories out there. |
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I tried it.
I wanted to quit so I thought this would be a helpful aid. I was wrong, at least for me. Not a week into it I was down to a few cigarettes a day vs 1 pack a day so I felt it was working. Problem was that my head felt like it was going to explode and I was very irritable. Then the dreams. Not saying I was scared because I had nightmares, I mean I can't really explain how it felt. I was waking up three to four times a night in some cases sweating and wondering if my dreams were real. I rarely remember my dreams to begin with. So I was stressed out from all of this and wanted my natural crutch which was smoking, except that when I smoked I felt worse so it was a horrible cycle. I went cold turkey and that worked very well for me. Sure there were cravings but it wasn't as bad as Chantix. My doctor took me off of Chanitx about three weeks in because of what I was experiencing. I know a lot of other people who have taken it with great success. YMMV. |
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Only thing that made me actually quit smoking cigarettes. Downside? Might make you go crazy. -X I smoked for 15 years. Had been trying to quit the last 5. I tried the patch, the gum, Welbutrin and cold turkey. None of those worked until I took Chantix. I took it for 2 weeks until I started having very vivid dreams that were crazy and scary. It didn't really change my personality, just made my dreams really REALLY weird. I can't explain them to you as I don't remember them other than that they were odd. Just be careful if you do go that route. There are a lot of horror stories out there. Geez guys, I am seriously now scared to death of taking it now. Serious question given some of the scary links I have seen: Would it be a good idea to give the keys to the gun safe to the spouse or close friend for safe keeping until you can assess if you are in the clear with this stuff? The way people make this stuff sound, you shouldn't have any firearms or kitchen knives in the house while taking this. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Only thing that made me actually quit smoking cigarettes. Downside? Might make you go crazy. -X Shit, I'm already there.  How long did you smoke, and how long have you been off the heaters?I smoked for roughly 9 years and have quit for 2. I started enjoying a cigar once every week or two and fortunately it isn't a problem what-so-ever. I'm just glad to be away from the freaking nicotine cravings that come with cigarettes. You don't know how much cigarettes control you until you quit. -X |
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Only thing that made me actually quit smoking cigarettes. Downside? Might make you go crazy. -X Shit, I'm already there. How long did you smoke, and how long have you been off the heaters?I smoked for roughly 9 years and have quit for 2. I started enjoying a cigar once every week or two and fortunately it isn't a problem what-so-ever. I'm just glad to be away from the freaking nicotine cravings that come with cigarettes. You don't know how much cigarettes control you until you quit. -X By the way, I love your avatar. Very original. 
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I started yesterday...... Insurance covered it ($25 copay). I haven't quit smoking. I'm gonn try to follow the 8 day thing they recomend.... Wish me luck!  Good luck! I found myself wanting to smoke more during that first week, it fills up your nicotine receptors so smoking doesn't really do it for you anymore, I found it easier than I thought it would be to cut back and then quit when I actually tried. |
| The health effects of smoking are probably far worse then the temporary side effects of Chantix. However, it is a very new drug for aiding in smoking cessation so a lot is unknown of its long term side effects. Personally, I would wait a little while longer to see it it causes heart damage or penis shrinkage in others first. |
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I started yesterday...... Insurance covered it ($25 copay). I haven't quit smoking. I'm gonn try to follow the 8 day thing they recomend.... Wish me luck! Good luck! I found myself wanting to smoke more during that first week, it fills up your nicotine receptors so smoking doesn't really do it for you anymore, I found it easier than I thought it would be to cut back and then quit when I actually tried. I've smoked for 13 yrs, so I'm guessing I have plenty of heart damage. As for the other thing, well, I'm Norwegian, so... Let's just say...IT'S COLD IN NORWAY!!!! I blame my great-great grandfather. |
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Oh boy, I took it and I have to admit it will help you stop smoking better than anything else out there(that I've tried anyway) BUT, I stopped taking it as the side effects were so bad. I had terrible dreams that woke me up continually throughout the night causing extreme exhaustion. It also made me very, VERY irritable so I was basically an exhausted pissed off zombie. I finally ended up getting arrested and put in jail for kicking the living shit out of some 24 yr old hippy libtard for ramming my new truck with his little Camry. I took it to court and was found Not Guilty and that I acted in self defense but it was still a pain in the ass. If it wasn't for the side effects that stuff would rock!
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smoked for almost 15 years. i'm just starting my 2nd week of chantix. (this is my second round with it, the first i was off the pill 3 months before i started again) smokes taste like shit, and aren't satisfying anymore. i'm starting to get irratable. and the wacky dreams are just starting (but some of those are pretty cool) I'll update in a couple days. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Only thing that made me actually quit smoking cigarettes. Downside? Might make you go crazy. -X Shit, I'm already there. How long did you smoke, and how long have you been off the heaters?I smoked for roughly 9 years and have quit for 2. I started enjoying a cigar once every week or two and fortunately it isn't a problem what-so-ever. I'm just glad to be away from the freaking nicotine cravings that come with cigarettes. You don't know how much cigarettes control you until you quit. -X By the way, I love your avatar. Very original. Thanks! Another member commented a while back that my dog sniff butts to within 1moa.  -X |
| I used it for 28 days!!! and the time I was trying to quit I was in the middle of my divorce! I have been smoke free now well this september will be 2 years. I smoked for 19 years and tried a number of times with the patch and cold turkey. the chantix works and I never had anything go wrong. I am a firmly support this product. |
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i've been on Chantix now for almost 3 weeks. i quit smoking after 8 days. i feel bad because i don't have any crazy, horror stories to share. only that it's worked wonders for me. the cravings are gone but the lighting one up out of habit at certain times still pops up now and then. but as stated by someone else, you have to be in the right frame of mind. either SO DISGUSTED with yourself you don't even want to look in a mirror or so down on your knees pleading for help! |
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.I gave it a shot. I was able to cut down to 1 a day, after smoking a pack a day for 8 years.
It totally killed the enjoyment of smoking, but not the feeling of wanting to. I wanted to but did not need to. I work with a mentally ill population, and my residents get this stuff easily (and regularly) if they tell their doc they want to quit (seen maybe 5 guys go on it). All of them who stuck with it for the long run have been able to dramatically reduce or quit. With that said, it is the same with any addiction, once your off of the drug (nicotine), don’t ever touch it again, ever. When my guys have gotten off of it without completely quitting first, they all went back. You need to maintain your dedication. Now for the bad.... Personally I think it made me depressed. I was going through a lot of other things at the time, so am not sure I can blame it on the Chantix. I was unable to enjoy anything. I would limit having sex while you are on it, I definitely noticed a change in my enjoyment and drive even for awhile after stopping. I experienced some irritability, but it was much different than I have ever experienced. I was enraged, but at nothing inparticular, and not overtly. At the time I attributed this to the pissyness one would expect from quitting. In retrospect, it seems more likely to me that it was the Chantix. With that said, at the time it was manageable, writing all of this down it seems a lot worse than it was. I am smoking again, I did not completely quit when I was on it. Due to the mental illness of my residents, I can not really say anything past what they told me, but it seemed like they had better reactions to it than I did |
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Try zyban (which is actually just wellbutrin). Actually no it is not. I am allergic to zyban (break out in hives badly) but wellbutrin is just fine. Zyban actually works for making you not want to smoke, my doctor told me to smoke away while taking it but after a couple of days I just did not want/need to smoke any more, of course this is about when the hives started. Wellbutrin did nothing for me and actually made me want to smoke more. BTW.... at least for me the sexual side effects they tell you about are that you are a walking hormone while you are on the stuff, the wife was less than amused. |
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Try zyban (which is actually just wellbutrin). Actually no it is not. I am allergic to zyban (break out in hives badly) but wellbutrin is just fine. Zyban actually works for making you not want to smoke, my doctor told me to smoke away while taking it but after a couple of days I just did not want/need to smoke any more, of course this is about when the hives started. Wellbutrin did nothing for me and actually made me want to smoke more. BTW.... at least for me the sexual side effects they tell you about are that you are a walking hormone while you are on the stuff, the wife was less than amused. I tried wellbutrin, turned me into a space cadet, couldn't take it. I've had four family members quit with acupuncture within the last couple of years. Walked in smoking, walked out smoke free for the last couple of years. ( I'm a believer ) That's my next step when I can afford it.. Never was big on taking pills for anything. |
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I used Chantix about a year ago. I only took the prescribed dose the first week. After that i only took one pill a day instead of two. I had some of the side affects, vivid dreams upset stomach and sleeping problems. I also only took the pills for 30 days not 90 or 120. This is not a magic pill you still have to want to quit and you must have the MINDSET not to start again when things get tough or stressful. If you don't then you are just throwing your money away. If your doctor tells you to do then give it a try.
On a side not my gums bled and I had a very bad taste in my mouth for 6 months or so. I have no idea if it was the Chantix or just the fact I wasn't smoking? The best news is I am still alive and SMOKE FREE for one year now. I also have an extra $35.00 a week in my pocket. Brian |
Day 3. Still smoking. Just on the 1 pill a day stage. The cigs are tasting a bit different. I noticed slightly odd dreams last night. Nothing bad, just a bit more detailed stuff in there. Dreamed about things that never happened, but in places from childhood (Grandmas).... I'll keep track as best I can as I really get on this stuff.
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Just started my first dosage this morning (the 0.5 mg dosage). So far so good. It didn't take long at all though for the farts to happen. Other than that I feel just like normal. Time will tell if I sense any changes when I step up to the full dosage soon.
The wife is monitoring my behavior closely in order to provide feedback if I start turning weird or depressed. |
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Just started my first dosage this morning (the 0.5 mg dosage). So far so good. It didn't take long at all though for the farts to happen. Other than that I feel just like normal. Time will tell if I sense any changes when I step up to the full dosage soon. The wife is monitoring my behavior closely in order to provide feedback if I start turning weird or depressed. I fart too often to attruibute it to the Chantix.
Lets keep this thread going for mutual support! |
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http://www.lungusa.org/site/c.dvLUK9O0E/b.38973/k.CD9F/Freedom_From_Smokingreg_Online/apps/kb/home/login.asp?membershipreq=83912&targetURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Elungusa%2Eorg%2Fsite%2Fpp%2Easpx%3Fc%3DdvLUK9O0E%26b%3D22933&sessionid=57035339DA1240C58729C37F38D902EA
ok- funky URL...but the American Lung Association's program is fantastic in my opinion. 21 day step down and learning new behaviors- and NO weird dreams/arrests/beeleding from your anus. Just remind yourself that smoking is a nasty. white trash habit that limits your overall effectiveness. 
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http://www.lungusa.org/site/c.dvLUK9O0E/b.38973/k.CD9F/Freedom_From_Smokingreg_Online/apps/kb/home/login.asp?membershipreq=83912&targetURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Elungusa%2Eorg%2Fsite%2Fpp%2Easpx%3Fc%3DdvLUK9O0E%26b%3D22933&sessionid=57035339DA1240C58729C37F38D902EA ok- funky URL...but the American Lung Association's program is fantastic in my opinion. 21 day step down and learning new behaviors- and NO weird dreams/arrests/beeleding from your anus. Just remind yourself that smoking is a nasty. white trash habit that limits your overall effectiveness. Made hot for you: HOT LINK TO American Lung Association Cessation Program |
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I used Chantix for 4 months to quit smoking, haven't had a cigarette in 2.5 years now. I got mine for free from my cardiologist, I was part of the last test group we tested the packaging to make sure it was understandable and convenient. I never had any wierd dreams or other side effects.
First off, do you really want to quit? Chantix will not make you want to quit. It will help you with the urges. No, "I'll just have one last smoke, or I'll just have one to get me through whatever".....quit means quit. Get rid of all the tobacco, throw out the ashtrays, find something to do with your hands and time, use hard candy, throw away your lighter, find new friends, and get some exercise starting from day 1. Like I said, Chantix will not make you quit smoking, you have to do that. All it will do is make it a bit easier to do, but you still have to do the work. Now, pick a date and quit. mm |
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What a coincidence. I JUST got back from Walgreens to get my first starter pack of Chantix. By the way, you more than likely will have to pay for it out of pocket (140 bucks) as most ins won't cover the scrip, which is really stupid. I have major reservations about taking it, but I gotta do something. I am killing myself each and every day as a "user". I have heard that nausea and severe lucid dreams are going to happen. We'll see. I start my first dose tomorrow morning. ETA: I will check back and post here every day or two to relay how the drug is affecting, or not affecting me. Great way to compare notes on this stuff. It will depend on the insurance company. I had to agree to join the "smoking cessation" program to get my insurance to cover it. That consisted of some lady calling me once a week (at first) and then every few weeks to every few months, to help me "cope" with quitting. Whatever, it only cost me $40/month out of pocket. I costs at least $140/month to smoke, so even if you have to pay, it's not that bad of a deal. 
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I started yesterday...... Insurance covered it ($25 copay). I haven't quit smoking. I'm gonn try to follow the 8 day thing they recomend.... Wish me luck! Here's what I did: I smoked until I didn't want to anymore. It took a few weeks before I realized I was getting no effect from the nicotine. I then realized that the cigs tasted horrible, I must have been over looking that all those years. lol Then, I just decided to not smoke anymore, and I haven't since. I took the recommended dose from the starter and then two replacement packs (3 months total) then I got one more months worth and took that, gradually reducing the amount. It took at least 2 months to use it, I think it was more like 2 and a half months. As I said, I only had the vivid dreams and yes they did seem real at times. Talk to your Dr, YMMV, etc, etc. |