[seeker1950]

Has anyone tried this? My doctor just gave me a prescription for it, but said it only blocks the brain's reaction to nicotine, and that one can still smoke, but will just not get the same effect.
I would like to hear from anyone who has tried this drug.
Thanks,
Patty

[jenniferever]

YES. I did and it works like a charm. You have to want to quit though, its not completely magic, it helps a great deal though!!!! I quit after 9 years of smoking. I promote it whenever I can. I had no side effects. I didn't even gain weight.

[kimmydawn]

OH wow! I didn't know about this.

I want to find out more!

thank you for posting.

KD

[__zh]

could you give some more info about the med?

is it expensive? who rxd it? (pdoc, primary care doc, etc)
how long did you have to take it?
were there side effects? if so did they lessen in time? or become more tolerable?
and what else did you do to assist yourself in quitting smoking?

awesome job on quitting! good for you for taking that step!

brother is smoker of 20+ yrs and mentioned something( back in fall '06) about possibly asking his doc for this med when it was released. anything the family can do in support of his quitting we're all for so thank you for the firsthand info.

so glad to hear such a positive review for Chantix.

[sunrise]

I've heard lots of people having good results with Chantix. It blocks you from feeling the pleasurable (and reinforcing) effects of nicotine. Without that positive reinforcement, you lose your desire to smoke. What hasn't been shown, is longterm, how effective is this medicine? For example, after 1 year, how many people are back to smoking again? You don't take the drug forever, and once done with it, if you go back to smoking, it will be pleasurable again, addicting, etc. So once you've quit, you need to watch yourself like an eagle to not even have one cigarette again. (That is no different than any other cessation method, I guess.)

Best of luck!!! Nicotine is one of the most potent addictive drugs out there.

[seeker1950]

Thanks, all of you, and Jenniferever, it is good to hear from someone who has experienced the effectiveness of the drug.
Yes, it is a very tough addiction. I have given up caffeine and alcohol, but the smoking is going to be the toughest.
The physical act of smoking itself is an addiction, plus the effects of the nicotine.
As you say, one must really WANT to quit, so I'll have to work on the mindset before filling the prescription.
Patty

my gf was a 2 pack a day smoker for ages. now she is down to 2 cigs a day. this is great stuff!!

campy

[jbug]

I just started Chantix. The literature that came with it said to pick a stop date and then start the med about a week before so my stop date is on Friday. I already see a difference the cigarettes just don't taste the same as they used to. I was up to 2 packs a day and am already down to about 1 pack. I'm excited and hope this works.

Jbug

[momto2]

My mom and three sisters have all quit smoking this year with the help of Chantix. My mom smoked for 40 years and my youngest sister 20 and the other two somewhere in between. (I am proud to say I never smoked) It really works! I am so proud of all of them. The only side affects I heard them complain of was it made mom nauseous (but if she ate first it was tolerable) and my one sister was constipated. But each only needed the med approximately 3 months. So maybe you can live with the side affects for that length of time. Oh yeah.....no weight gain!

[darkeyes]

Similar post already exists, that may offer you additional info.
If anyone can offer more/replies of info for either post will be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

((((((( everyone here trying to break the habit )))))))

[seeker1950]

Well, I went ahead and filled my prescription for Chantix today, though I haven't started taking it yet. It cost me $125 out of pocket, though the pharmacist said I could have it turned in on my insurance by calling my doctor and having him contact my insurance company. I know my insurance company is intolerant of smokers, and I didn't want to experience repurcussions from them, as smoking cessation is stressful enough.
Before filling this prescription I read a lot of blogs and feedback on Chantix experiences, and, though there are some side effects, like nausea and wild dreams, the ultimate results are all good, and labeled a "miracle drug" for those of us who have struggled with other stopping techniques like patches, cold turkey, and gum (none of which have worked for me).
I plan to start taking Chantix tomorrow, and from what I've read, it takes a few days with the drug to start feeling the effects, after which time, smoking becomes less and less gratifying.
I'll keep you all posted on my progress.
Patty