Chantix Success?

[VaNurse]

I'm sure this has been discussed previously but I can't remember the result. Are there any personal, long-term Chantix success stories out there?

I've been laying low but I have a 37 year habit that I've not fed for the last eight days. I still have the desire to smoke but I'm not jonesing bad enough to go and buy any. I can go out in the smoke pit at work to take a break and stand there with the smokers without bumming one.

I understand that it's recommended that you continue on the Chantix for a few months but, at $164/month, I'm afraid I'll decide I'm cured too soon then slide back into the old habit. I haven't really had any side effects except occasional weird dreams and, if not for the expense, feel like I could take it longterm.

Any advice or personal encouragement is welcomed.:em71:

 

[MadJack]

i tried it and it worked great. for 3 weeks i never even had an urge to smoke and never even thought about it except every once in awhile i would be thinking how easy it is to quit and how great that pill was.

then i started getting aches and pains in my joints. then the pains got pretty severe. i had a stiff neck so bad i couldn't even move my neck. i had severe problems in my ankles and shoulders.

one day i thought maybe it IS the side effects that i have been hearing about and i googled chantix problems, complaints, etc.

i read for about an hour and that was enough to throw the damn things away and quit using them. you will be surprised what happens to some people. i've never had side effects from anything before but i am certain chantix was giving me some.

the very next day i was back to smoking just like i never quit and that's what will happen when you quit using the drug.

after you read about it you'll understand why it works. basically it fuks with your brain and your brain doesn't get that urge to smoke but when you quit the drug, you get the urge back.

there's a lot of info out there so google up and make your choice.

the only way to quit is without drugs, imo.

now i'm going back to rolling my own to save some money :SIB

 

[VaNurse]

I quit once before for 20 months then, like an idiot, I told myself I could have "just one". Of course, that led me right back to the 2ppd habit within a week or so. I've been on the fence about quitting for the last year or so and now, with Mom and all, I can't bear to do it with her knowledge. She hasn't asked for much but basically begged me to quit, then said she wouldn't mention it again. It was heartbreaking and I decided I'd do whatever I could to try.

She's going through Hell and still doesn't have a diagnosis. She bled into her lungs from the bronchoscopy and she's feeling worse than ever. Pet scan shows hot spots in lungs, lymph and colon but bronch/biopsy didn't yield any cancer cells. The docs say that doesn't mean she doesn't have malignancy, only that they don't know what type of cells make up the tumors. She's severely anemic and down to 85 or so pounds. It just plain sucks and I don't want to end up feeling like a fish out of water.

I'm hoping that using the Chantix for a couple of months will be as successful as it was using the patch before. I just can't be so stupid to try to fool myself again. Addiction is addiction and you just can't have just one!

As far as the brain altering effects of Chantix, it wouldn't be the first time I've used chemicals that affected my brain. At least this time it's for a better reason than wanting to get high. :142smilie

 

[MadJack]

it's worth a try. some people don't get any side effects :shrug:

i'm thinking it was in the neighborhood of 40 bucks i paid. i definitely would have remembered $164 :scared

 

[MadJack]

Chantix Patients Report Dangerous Side-Effects

Chantix, chemical name varenicline, is a drug sold by Pfizer to patients who wish to quit smoking. The drug works by affecting dopamine, nicotinic and other chemical transmitters in the brain. The rationale of Chanitx is that by activating these transmitters, a smoker's craving for nicotine, and the pleasure a smoker perceives from nicotine, will be reduced.[1]

Patients taking Chantix have suffered dangerous and serious adverse side-effects. These side effects include agitation, depression, onset of psychiatric illness such as psychosis, mania, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and hallucinations.[2] Chantix may lead to the recurrence of old psychiatric illness.[3] Some patients have attempted or committed suicide.[4]Chantix patients have reported serious accidents, including car accidents, while on the drug. In early 2008 and mid 2008, FDA issued an alerts about some of these serious adverse side-effects. [5] While the rate at which these side-effects occur is not yet known, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices has reported that, by the end of 2007, Chantix accounted for more reports of serious drug adverse events in the United States than any other drug.[6]

Pfizer has been slowly admitting that these Chantix side effects occur. In November 2007, the Chantix label was updated to mention in a "post-marketing experience" section that Pfizer had received reports of depression, agitation, changes in behavior and suicide in patients taking Chantix. In January 2008, Pfizer added more information to the label about potential risks of suicidal behavior, depression and other side effects. [7]

Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P. is investigating potential claims on behalf of Chantix patients. If you wish to speak to us about a potential claim or an injury caused by Chantix, please call Kathy Neuman, R.N., B.S.N. at 1-800-553-9910 or contact her via email at contact us.

 

[chickenman]

http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/1862


This story was pretty well covered in the D/FW area. I don't know if they ever decided what the reason was but it was sad no matter what caused it. Apparently those that knew him said he didn't have a mean bone in his body.

:shrug:

CM

 

[dogface]

My sister was on it for 3 months, and after smoking for 23 years she is no completely smoke free. She does try to avoid certain situations where a lot of smoking is going on, but she has not had an urge and has been off the drug for about 6 weeks.

Her new husband also a smoker for that amount of time, just quit cold turkey at same time, use each other for support, be he doesn't believe in taking drugs to stop. (My own opinion is skewed on that, don't take drugs to stop, but you take a drug you are addicted to on a daily basis. Simply because of the addiction... but I digress as I have never smoked and don't have the allure to it. Being asthmatic and an athlete in my younger days probably added to that opinion.)

But there is good and bad with pharmaceuticals, once you read the study design, and how the information is tracked you get a different opinion of side effects. Some for sure are directly related to the drug, some definitely are not... but they need to be reported because it happened during the study. I for one had an adverse reaction to a drug that made me want to drive into on-coming traffic... talk about a side effect! Went to a meeting same day, and not once could my attention be focused for more than 20 seconds at a time. WOWZA!! That was a definite side-effect. Same drug taken by millions with no such effects... so go figure!

I wish you the best, if you look at the alternative of what could happen if you don't stop.... that may help with your decision to maintain course. I wish you the best!


dogface

 

[cavy1]

I had to quit because of heart problems. I took the pills and hoped they wouldn't work. After the first week I didn't want any smokes at all,
It works.

 

[bubbas1]

Used it for 1 month and went smoke free for a year. Cut the last weeks pills in half to wean myself off them. Only side effects were dreams and having a blah feeling (not happy or sad just blah). Nothing extreme.
Weight gain after quitting was huge for me. Started smoking again to get weight down below where I feel comfortable and will then go back on Chantix for a month. I figure it will be around the end of the year.

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Interesting as I have 2 months supply next to me. Bought last week but haven't started yet.Believe cost was $240 for 2months.
Have heard several stories from users I know similiar to above (dreams etc) but bout 80% of those I spoke with have quit--some long term smokers I thought would never quit included.

Will update later on progess.

 

[MadJack]

Interesting as I have 2 months supply next to me. Bought last week but haven't started yet.Believe cost was $240 for 2months.
Have heard several stories from users I know similiar to above (dreams etc) but bout 80% of those I spoke with have quit--some long term smokers I thought would never quit included.

Will update later on progess.

works like a charm. hopefully you don't get the SE. hell, i might try again because i do have to quit and am ashamed of myself that i haven't been able to.

my experience is, after you come off, you get that huge craving that you get now and chances are you will go right back to smoking.

 

[theGibber1]

Weight gain after quitting was huge for me. Started smoking again to get weight down below where I feel comfortable and will then go back on Chantix for a month. I figure it will be around the end of the year.

So you started smoking again to get healthier??:shrug:

This is the worst diet plan I have ever heard of.:mj07: They are cancer sticks not diet pills..

Ever try diet and exercise? Maybe I would give that a shot before I started smoking to lose weight..

Just a thought

 

[znine_7]

Please see this thread as well. Some helpful info there too.

"hope this helps".


http://www.madjacksports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=361654

 

[RAYMOND]

I'm sure this has been discussed previously but I can't remember the result. Are there any personal, long-term Chantix success stories out there?

I've been laying low but I have a 37 year habit that I've not fed for the last eight days. I still have the desire to smoke but I'm not jonesing bad enough to go and buy any. I can go out in the smoke pit at work to take a break and stand there with the smokers without bumming one.

I understand that it's recommended that you continue on the Chantix for a few months but, at $164/month, I'm afraid I'll decide I'm cured too soon then slide back into the old habit. I haven't really had any side effects except occasional weird dreams and, if not for the expense, feel like I could take it longterm.

Any advice or personal encouragement is welcomed.:em71:

WORK FOR ME SMOKE FOR 36 YEARS. TRY IT AND HAVE NOT SMOKE FOR 6 MONTH:00hour

 

[bear]

FYI

FYI

Any drug that alters your brain is not a good thing.
Cocaine supplies more dopamine (pleasure neurotransmitter) so does Adderal and other addictive amphetamines.......Don't know about Chantix but for good reason... I do not TRUST FDA research funded by the companies who profit from it. (billions)
Yes, anger oftentimes accompanies withdrawel especially when the dopamine a/o nicotine are lessened. Brain does not like that. Sometimes the anger can be real bad. Many eat to replace the good feelings (pleasure neurotransmitter Serotonin) thus weight gain..............
VaNurse...Its hard BUT VERY DOABLE....THEN ITS OVER!!!!!!! I smoked for 40 years then I made it!!
with the help and support of my friends at Madjacks...that was about 7 or 8 years ago and I will NEVER look back. I was STUPID to wait that long. Actually, I did the same as you the year before I quit for good...Quit for a year and thought I could have just 1. My brain loved it and I was back where I started.
Jack....Rolling your own????? I understand that BUT I would still STRONGLY suggest making up your mind and doing it!!!! lotta support here!!

GL to all!
bear

 

[bubbas1]

So you started smoking again to get healthier??:shrug:

This is the worst diet plan I have ever heard of.:mj07: They are cancer sticks not diet pills..

Ever try diet and exercise? Maybe I would give that a shot before I started smoking to lose weight..

Just a thought

Damn...thats a good thought. I sure wish I would have thought of that before I started smoking again.

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Update--
Just completed 2nd week.
The white 1/2 doses 1st week and blue full dose 2nd week.

Have had no change in smoking habits and no change in urge whatsoever.

Have had very minimal side effects if any.

Maybe just a tad sore joints and maybe a tad sluggish--but might also be due to excess golf praticing.

Will continue until last 2 weeks runs out.
If no progress--can't see using 2nd month supply.

 

[VaNurse]

DTB, you missed the part about setting a quit date and trying to stop. You're supposed to do that at the end of Week 1. It doesn't take away the psychological urge to smoke as much as making it not such a pressing need. Try not buying any cigarettes and see if the "need" isn't improved. I'll still smoke a cigarette if one is offered but it's not important enough for me to fork up the $4 bucks to do it.

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Gotcha--Will try for 6-1 date
Thank you

 

[The Sponge]

What kind of weird dreams :shrug: