Quit Smoking with Chantix
I have tried to quit smoking cigarettes several times over the years and have never been able to make it stick. The longest I ever made it smoke-free was eighteen months and the only reason I went back to smoking was because I thought “one cigarette won’t hurt”. I was wrong.
In the last year or so, I’ve tried to quit smoking two times. The first time, I used the nicotine patch and the second time, I used the Commit lozenges. Neither of these nicotine replacement therapies work very well for me long-term because I am a heavy smoker and they don’t keep my cravings at bay.
Three friends of mine recently quit smoking using the new prescription drug Chantix. They raved about how easy it was to quit and didn’t report any major side effects.
Chantix works by blocking nicotine’s action in the brain and reduces the urge to smoke. Here’s a really cool flash presentation that tells you how Chantix works.
I went to the doctor last week and picked up my prescription yesterday.
My official quit date is June 7th.
Why so far in advance?
According to the directions, you should start taking Chantix one week prior to your quit date to minimize the side effects. You can still smoke during this time. The side effects listed are: Nausea, headache, vomiting, gas, constipation, trouble sleeping, unusual dreams, or change in taste
I’ll be posting my progress to help motivate myself to finally become a non-smoker. I’m also signing-up for the sponsored GetQuit program.
Do you want to quit smoking with me?
Wish me luck!
If you need more help to quit smoking, check out these quit smoking books and quit smoking programs.
Good luck on quitting smoking again. I had been smoking for several years, and decided one day that I was going to quit. Cold turkey, no medication. The withdrawal from the nicotine really sucked, but I did it….for about 3 years. After almost 3 years, the cravings were still there, especially after a big meal, or when I was driving. We had some family problems to deal with, and one of my uncles was at our house smoking. I bummed a cigarette from him, and it was all over. I am still smoking, but I am thinking about quitting again. I just bought 3 packs this morning though…I hate to waste them..lol. I will be out by next Thursday (June 7th), and I may just have to quit with you. I am willing to do it cold turkey again.
I wouldn’t mind trying Chantix just for the experience of “unusual dreams”, but I don’t want the headache, vomiting, and gas part.
Thanks Bucky. I appreciate your support.
Wow, I’m surprised you had cravings even after 3 years. When I quit for my year and a half, a craving would sneak-up on me every once in a while, but there were weeks that went by that I didn’t even think about smoking.
I want to get back to that feeling.
Good luck to you, if you do decide to quit. I’ll be here posting my progress starting on June 7th if you need some support.
Thanks again!
…by the way, I’m not really looking forward to the headache, vomiting, and gas either.
I will post my honest reactions to Chantix even if it’s not very pleasant.
Donovan,
Good luck in quitting smoking, you can do it!
Thank you!
Luck! I know quitting smoking is hard work and I commend your efforts. I hope you’ll be able to 100% quit this round. I wish the whole world would follow your lead so we would be a healthier population.
Thanks Angie! I’m 100% committed to quitting this time.
Let’s get the word out! We can do it!
Congratulations on your decision! I’m living with a still-smoking cancer patient right now, and that life is not one you even want to risk living. I wish you the best of luck on your efforts!
Thanks, Jeremy! I appreciate your support.
I’m sorry to hear about your cancer patient. I wish them the best of luck.
You’re right though, I don’t want to risk getting cancer or any of the other affilictions that come with smoking. As I get closer to 40 I start thinking about this more and more. It was finally time to quit for good.
Donnovan thanks lot for suggesting Chantix, I’m gonna recommend it to my friend in the UK who’s trying her best to quit smoking. I’ll refer her to your experiences here as well.
All the best.
Cheers,
Mani