Chantix: Good Or Bad?

I just got home from a doctor’s appointment. My doctor gave me a Chantix booklet. He told me I should do some research on it and seriously consider using it. I have asthma and had pneumonia in the past, so I always tend to have trouble breathing. I want to quit smoking, but after reading about this drug online, I don’t think I’ll be taking it. People are saying it causes psychiatric problems, violent behavior, blackouts and hallucinations. I also remember seeing a commercial for a law firm a few months back about it causing suicides. I’m surprised it’s still being given out to patients. I suffer from severe anxiety and depression as it is, so if it is anything like people say, I would most likely lose my mind taking it. I’m surprised my doctor would even suggest this for me as he knows my mental state. He said he’s gotten some really good feedback from patients who are on it, but after all that I have read, I’m not sure what to believe.
I was wondering if anyone has opinions on this drug. Have you or someone you know taken it? Did any of these things happen to you while you were on it?

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Chantix? Just Started Taking It, And I Need To Know Some More Info!!?

This is my first week, I am on day three but my doc did not really explain it to me because my so was screaming and there were a million people to see him that day.
What are the side affects while you are taking chantix, do you have to ween yourself from it, and what are the side affects after you are off of it?
I am an insomniac to begin with so I just called my doc to see if he could prescribe me some ambien so I can sleep.
Other then that how did it make you feel? And did anyone find any ways to lessen the blows from the meds? Like wanting to smoke?
Im only 21 and Ive smoked since I was 13, and now i have a little baby boy so I know its my time to quit!!!
Thanks all!!!!

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I Am Trying To Quit Smoking. Can I Mix Chantix And Commit Lozenges??

I was a die-hard smoker for 20+ years…. I quit smoking nearly a year ago (last October) and here is what I did. When I chose to quit- I just plain ancient quit. No having a puff or one on a terrible day…. I ongoing out by the patch and it was too heavy for me. So after that I did it on my own. I tell ya- I bitched and moaned…. I talked about it and complained…. I whined and whined…. but I just didn’t smoke. I allowed myself to openly nag. In fact i talked about it for days and days… I just DIDN’T smoke. Since i allowed myself to nag, I let that be the outlet for my desire. It is also a proven fact that a name who has tried to quit in the past has a higher chance of quitting every time they try to quit. So, if this is your first time trying to quit, chances are you will start up again. If this is your 50th time trying to quit, you may be thriving this time….
Just be simple on physically. It’s hard to quit. Just be strong and make it happen for physically. Quitting smoking is one of the best things i ever did for myself. Honestly, I NEVER reckon about it anymore. No more- GOD I NEED A CIGARETTE! The thought never ever crosses my mind anymore. It is hard but SOOOOOOOOO worth it. You’ll feel so proud of physically. Just know that once you really quit smoking and place it behind you – you can then accomplish anything you set your mind to.

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Has Anyone Tried Acupuncture To Quit Smoking? Results? How About Chantix??? Side Effects???

I took Chantix for about 3 months (October 06-December 06). It worked fantastic for me. Main side effects I had included upset stomach (during week 1 when I took the medicine and when I smoked and only for about 30 minutes after taking the medicine in all the other weeks), problems sleeping (week 1) and really weird, vivid dreams (entire time). Other than that, it worked fantastic.
I highly recommend it. If you choose to take it find out if your indemnity will cover it. If not, call around to various pharmacies and price shop. My indemnity covered it so I just got it at the local Walgreens but one person I know said it was cheaper at Costco (no membership required to use their pharmacy).

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Has Anyone Tried The New Stop Smoking Pill Chantix?

I have been taking it and stopped smoking about a month after starting it. You have to want to quit or its not going to work and after about a month of taking it, it loses its potency, so it probably wont work if you havent quit within the first month. The best thing to do is just throw the cigarettes away sometime during the second week of treatment. Good Luck.

We have had good success with Chantix. It must be used in conjunction with a stop smoking program however. Simply giving you a medication and wishing you good luck in quitting smoking is rarely successful. Pfizer pharmaceuticals offers a free program that I would encourage you to take advantage of if you decide to use Chantix. The key is, you have to be ready to quit. These medications “help you over the hump, “but they do not keep you from doing something stupid like lighting up a cigarette six weeks, six months, or six years down the road.
Sincerely,
Kirk G. Voelker MD
Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Founder Quit Doc Smoking Treatment Network
http://www.QuitDoc.com
Please Note: This note was dictated using Dragon Naturally Speaking v8.0 while exercising on an eliptical trainer, so excuse any transcription errors.

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How Can I Quit Smoking?

I’ve been smoking for 6 yrs now and want to quit. Right now I can’t go 30 minutes without smoking. I smoke about a pack a day and it’s expensive habit. Anyone got any tips about how I can quit?

As with any addiction, I suggest that you first try to find out what made you smoke in the first place.
Find the reason first on what got you into the habit.
This is the most important step on quitting. Once you find out the cause and deal with it, you will be able to quit for sure. This is actually the most overlooked step in quitting.
Then, I suggest that you start by lessening your cigarette consumption. Quitting it all at once is a bad choice, this will just make your brain want to smoke more as you did not get your fix for a long time. Doing it slowly and surely is much better than doing it all at once.
Give dates on how much you are going to lessen your fixes. Say on June 12, only 1 pack a day, July 12 only 8 cigarettes and so on.
Get someone to quit with you. Be determined with your partner to kick the habit out.
Get a quitting plan with your doctor or therapist and stick to it. Whether it’s nicotine patches, special pills or any other treatment, make a strong commitment to follow it.
Reduce your exposure to stressful situations. People enjoy smoking as a stress reliever when they are put in such a pressured situation. This goes the same when you experience a lot of hardships, such as deaths of your loved ones, being divorced or simply problematic.

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Has Anyone Tried The New Drug Chantix To Help Stop Smoking?

I was a smoker for over 25 years. with a 1.5 to 2 ppd habit.
I started chantix 6 weeks ago and I was able to stop smoking 1 week after I started using the drug. I have tried several times in the past to quit and this is the only thing that I have found that really works. The active ingredient in Chantix tricks the brain into thinking it has nicotine without being addictive.
FYI:
To the best of my understanding, Chantix (Varenicline) is derived from cytisine which is found in a variety of different plants that are common in Europe. It has been known for over forty years that cytisine is effective in treating nicotine addiction. I wonder why we are just finding this out? Could it be that this info has been suppressed in the USA because of Big Tobacco?

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Has Anyone Tried Chantix The Prescription Medicine To Help Adults Quit Smoking? Does It Work?

Does it really work? I’ve tried every other thing you could think of to quit smoking… The patches, gum… and none of it has really worked out. So has anyone had success with CHANTIX?

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Tonia says:

I personally don’t trust any quit smoking method that deals only with physical nicotine addiction. Chantix especially because it is potentially dangerous also. I personally wouldn’t go near the stuff.
Like you I tried several times to quit using patches, gums, herbs etc but none of these worked.
Smoking is more of a psychological addiction than a physical one. If you really want to quit you must discover the reasons why you smoke and then eliminate or change these thought processes. As soon as I dealt with my psychological reasons for smoking I quit, first time and more importantly for good.
Once you deal with the psychological side of smoking it makes the quitting process easy, no matter your level of addiction.
Quitting smoking does not require any patches, gums, herbs or drugs. These methods are expensive, time consuming, potentially harmful and simply do not work. All that is required is a bit of motivation, self belief and determination.
Visit our blog for more information and to download our free book.
Good Luck and Good Quitting

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Hetfield says:

I have been taking Champix for 3 weeks and am 13 days smoke free! I have found it quite easy to quit even though I have never really tried before, I am having stomach problems though. I have smoked for nearly 40 years and never thought I could give up.
I haven’t had any withdrawal symptoms, other than breaking the coffee and a cigarette routine it has been good, but my stomach is not happy! If you want to quit without the nasty withdrawal symptoms, this could work for you. Have to say I am worried by some of the comments and research I have done re: depression, I feel ok though.

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Question About The Pill Chantix?

I want to quit smoking really bad, I’ve been wanting to for a long time now and I was just wondering if anyone knows how I would go about getting chantix…Do I need a doctor to prescribe it to me? What type of insurance covers it?? All I have is Great lakes (medicaid) so for some reason I doubt it will cover the cost….. I don’t know though. Does anyone have any ideas how I can get it? My husband and I would really like to try it because we’ve heard it works.. At this point I’m willing to try anything..
Any help would be great.. thank you

I took Chantix and have not smoked since December 29, 2008. It was easy. I would actually forget to smoke most of the time. You will need a prescription, but I’m pretty sure your insurance will cover them. Your insurance would much rather you quit than them have to pay later for all the negative effects smoking will have on your health. They are expensive (like $285.00 to $300.00 for a month supply). Those pills are truly amazing. They have some mild side effects, but they are worth enduring when you think about the prize. To finally be rid of those filthy @$$ cigarettes. They will make you a little nauseous and you will have some wicked dreams. You just need to weather through these side effects, because quitting is so wonderful. Just make sure you take them for the 12 weeks they reccomend and you will be a proud ex-smoker! Goodluck!

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I Am Taking Chantix And The Second Pill Is Making Me Sick, But I Have Stopped Smoking So I Need To Continue I?

was hoping someone else could tell me if this has happen to them, and what they did to help.

Day 1 to Day 3 – White tablet (0.5 mg), 1 tablet each day
Day 4 to Day 7
- White tablet (0.5 mg), twice a day
- 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening
Day 8 to end of treatment
- Blue tablet (1 mg) twice a day
- 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening
- This dosing schedule may not be right for everyone. Talk to your doctor if you are having side effects such as nausea or sleep problems. Your doctor may want to reduce your dose.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time for your next dose, wait. Just take your next regular dose.

It’s not unusual for the second pill to make you sick. They recommend that you continue to take the pills as directed, however, some people get so sick that they stop. If you have enough will power to continue to NOT smoke, you’ll do fine. If you need the help from the Chantix, try to stay on course.

Good Luck

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