I saw my doctor today and he is greatly concerned about a possible problem with one of my heart valves. My BP was 160/120. I go in for an electrocardiogram next week.
He highly advised me to quit smoking. Now, I just saw him under 2 months ago and we discussed weight loss and quitting smoking. (I don't feel I can do both at once.) He said then to pick one to work on. So I chose weight loss.
Well, this time when I go in, he says "Weight can wait. No more strenuous activity or heart rate elevating exercise anyway. It's imperative we address the smoking issue immediately." When a doctor says imperative and immediately in the same sentence, I get scared.
He prescribed me Chantix. I plan to talk to the pharmacist when I pick up the prescription, but I know some others on here have used it. Did you find it helpful? Did it do anything toward success of quitting? How long did you take it? How much? Is it just another nicotine replacement? Etc...
As far as I know Chantix is not just another nicotine replacement, but targets nicotinic acetylcholine receptors - sites of the brain affected by nicotine. My father used it and quit completely w/in a month of taking it, but he's just badass like that
I have heard really good reports about this stuff - about four people I know have quit quite effortlessly and I have heard tell of friends of friends etc - some have the side effects and some dont but I reckon they will be worth it to preserve your health - Good Luck
My girlfriend tried it this past summer, she quit... but felt sick and lethargic and a bit depressed while she was taking it. She started smoking again after 3 months. I just changed to rollups, I've gone from 40 a day to about 12 per day. It's not nearly as enjoyable, you have to take the time to roll it, it's not convenient driving and when you're doing stuff. I don't have enough activity in my life until I go back to work in May, but I think this is a huge step in the right direction and I plan to quit in the summer.
I have tried Chantix and sorry to say I smoked I took it for like three months I had all the side effects spoke of in this thread I just couldn't quit I tried and didn't make it on day. I know lots of folks that did stop but most are back smoking once you stop its like an alcoholic you can't take one puff or you might as well throw in the towel and start all over. I think as everything its how bad you want it. If you truley want to stop it will help.
angel4sure: I have tried Chantix and sorry to say I smoked I took it for like three months I had all the side effects spoke of in this thread I just couldn't quit I tried and didn't make it on day. I know lots of folks that did stop but most are back smoking once you stop its like an alcoholic you can't take one puff or you might as well throw in the towel and start all over. I think as everything its how bad you want it. If you truley want to stop it will help.
I appreciate the honesty. I'm not big on pills, so I'm looking at all sides of this medicine before deciding to take it or not.
I'm also going to implement some other things like smoking cessation classes.
girlnextdormouse: I appreciate the honesty. I'm not big on pills, so I'm looking at all sides of this medicine before deciding to take it or not.
I'm also going to implement some other things like smoking cessation classes.
I've been on it about a month. It's not a desire for nicotine that bothers me. It's the "habit" portion. Just the idea of waking up in the morning and not having a cig at hand. I've cut down substantially, but certainly haven't quit. I'm going to stick w/it for the 3 months. May ask for a rx renewal if I've not quit by then.
If nothing else, the co-pay is $50. I'm saving that much on my cig reduction.
Oh...I sleep like a baby on it. No negative side effects whatsoever.
girlnextdormouse: I saw my doctor today and he is greatly concerned about a possible problem with one of my heart valves. My BP was 160/120. I go in for an electrocardiogram next week.
He highly advised me to quit smoking. Now, I just saw him under 2 months ago and we discussed weight loss and quitting smoking. (I don't feel I can do both at once.) He said then to pick one to work on. So I chose weight loss.
Well, this time when I go in, he says "Weight can wait. No more strenuous activity or heart rate elevating exercise anyway. It's imperative we address the smoking issue immediately." When a doctor says imperative and immediately in the same sentence, I get scared.
He prescribed me Chantix. I plan to talk to the pharmacist when I pick up the prescription, but I know some others on here have used it. Did you find it helpful? Did it do anything toward success of quitting? How long did you take it? How much? Is it just another nicotine replacement? Etc...
drinking liquorice tea makes the smokes taste --- really yukky- perhaps try it and not coffee
take the chantix 20-30 min after you eat. You need food already in your system before you take it. I know several people who have taken it for the 3 months and a year later they're still not smoking.
Thank you all for all the helpful quitting smoking tips. (Keep 'em coming!) I'm making a note of each new idea & suggestion that comes up. (meal times, sleep, water, tea, acupuncture...)
I went and picked up my prescription. I sat down and talked to the pharmacist about all the possible side effects. I had some substantial concerns about the mood swings and depression that seemed quite prevalent on both the internet and the package. Most of the people I've talked to thus far who have experience with it, haven't mentioned these symptoms. I have a rather flat emotional tone though, so I think I'd be a bit more at risk for this than someone who is bubbly and cheerful.
I start smoking cessation classes Monday night. The woman who runs the class also happens to be a therapist. The classes are designed to not only educate, but also set up as like a support group/buddy system. Monday night we pick our quit date, which should be anywhere from a week to a month I guess.
Indy - that is my biggest concern - the habit itself. I'm quite sure I'm addicted to the nicotine, but when I reach for a cigarette, I'm never thinking "Oh I want nicotine." I just grab them out of habit after meals, upon waking, etc... Hopefully these classes can offer a bit of help in this area.
This is going to be a challenge.
Keep up the suggestions everyone. Maybe someone else struggling to quit smoking might be reading too. :)
There are new cases of people that have taken chantix that have committed suicide. Nicotine works as a neurotransmitter in the brain and stimulates dopamine production. Dopamine is the happy drug our brains produce. Chantix blocks the brains ability to use the nicotine and thusly lowers the levels of dopamine production. This can lead to depression and mood swings. If you are prone to depression I would discuss this with your doctor. It may benefit you to take an anti-depressant that stimulates dopamine. I too am not a big fan of taking drugs and started chantix recently. Here is how I rationalized it. I KNOW I could end up with lung cancer or emphysema. I would rather take a chance with the chantix. Good luck with it and remember to take things one day at a time. Any progress is still progress!!!!
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He highly advised me to quit smoking.
Now, I just saw him under 2 months ago and we discussed weight loss and quitting smoking. (I don't feel I can do both at once.) He said then to pick one to work on. So I chose weight loss.
Well, this time when I go in, he says "Weight can wait. No more strenuous activity or heart rate elevating exercise anyway. It's imperative we address the smoking issue immediately."
When a doctor says imperative and immediately in the same sentence, I get scared.
He prescribed me Chantix. I plan to talk to the pharmacist when I pick up the prescription, but I know some others on here have used it. Did you find it helpful? Did it do anything toward success of quitting? How long did you take it? How much? Is it just another nicotine replacement? Etc...