Chantix? ( Archived) (17)

Um that would be drink lots and lots of WATER.

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.

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!!!!

Thank you for this thread. Very interesting.

I think I am quitting soon - like say, after St. Louis.