SMOKERS... LETS KICK the HABIT!!

[Starbuck]

I've relapsed in a big way. I've at least switched to lightes from regulars...not much but it's a start. I knew better than to take the offer of just "two" at the bar...that turned into half a pack! Ugh...now I'm in high gear.

I've talked to my doctor about getting onto Wellbutrin and Chantix, but he doesnt want want to switch me from my current antidepressant. I'm thinking, "well shit! What does he want me to do, keep smoking??"

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Starbuck

I've relapsed in a big way. I've at least switched to lightes from regulars...not much but it's a start. I knew better than to take the offer of just "two" at the bar...that turned into half a pack! Ugh...now I'm in high gear.

I've talked to my doctor about getting onto Wellbutrin and Chantix, but he doesnt want want to switch me from my current antidepressant. I'm thinking, "well shit! What does he want me to do, keep smoking??"

Chantix isn't a psychotropic medication.

[*Anya*]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Chantix isn't a psychotropic medication.

I have had several patients that did have to stop Chantix due to worsening mental health issues. The Chantix.com website includes this safety information on how it can affect anyone that already may underlying depression, anxiety, etc.

That said, I did have patients with no mental health issues be able to stop smoking while on Chantix. One smoked for 40-years.

Your doctor is always the best person to help figure out what is most appropriate-working with you-that is. I have also had a few that had success with a good hypnotist.

My mom quit after smoking for over 50 years and has not touched one in almost 10 years now.

Smoking is one of the most difficult of all to stop but not impossible.

Hugs to you all on your journey.

[Scuba]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

I have had several patients that did have to stop Chantix due to worsening mental health issues. The Chantix.com website includes this safety information on how it can affect anyone that already may underlying depression, anxiety, etc.

That said, I did have patients with no mental health issues be able to stop smoking while on Chantix. One smoked for 40-years.

Your doctor is always the best person to help figure out what is most appropriate-working with you-that is. I have also had a few that had success with a good hypnotist.

My mom quit after smoking for over 50 years and has not touched one in almost 10 years now.

Smoking is one of the most difficult of all to stop but not impossible.

Hugs to you all on your journey.

I smoked for over 20 years. My decision to quit was after a visit to my doctor and walking out with a blood pressure level of 150/90. I had to make some changes to my life. I was a prime candidate for a heart attack...soon! I was already experiencing light-headedness, fatigue and overall just feeling sluggish. I am lucky, let me reiterate, VERY lucky to have an amazing, supportive doctor who worked with me on a weekly basis for 6 months to get me on an exercise routine, good blood pressure meds and help me put the cigarettes down. It's been 15 months since my last cigarette. I am off of the blood pressure meds and I go to the gym on a regular basis.

I used Chantix. I did have side effects but it was all about it be tough on my stomache. For me it was just getting me on the right dose and keeping me there despite the path recommended by the makers of Chantix. I didn't experience any pyschological issues. It basically cut the craving for cigarettes. I just quit craving them after some time and it was easy to not pick them back up. As stated though, this is something you and your doctor need to talk about. There are other methods that may work just as well.

For me, I think I probably could have put the smokes down without the Chantix just because I had gotten to such a terrifying place physically. Terrifying places provide excellent motivation for making changes.
I know how difficult this process can be. Cigarettes were my best friend and always there in moments of crisis and stress to calm me down so that I could keep going. I also now know how rewarding it can be as well. I go to bed and I can breathe, I wake up and I can breathe. I don't have panic moments anymore or nicotine fits. Nicotine doesn't drive my schedule anymore. No more sneaking out of long meetings, family functions etc...My energy levels are back to normal. Things smell and taste differently. My teeth are back to being white. I don't have to hide my smokers breath under gum and mints. I have stamina. These are just a few of the benefits. There are many more.

For some of you, like me, it make take something extreme to get you going. For others, I hope you take this story and do something before bad things begin to happen. In any case, I wish you ALL the best in your attempts. I quit 5 times and finally made it happen. Roll with relapses, they happen but don't give up and be too hard on yourself. One day without a smoke is better than none!!!!

Cheers,

Scoobs

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

I have had several patients that did have to stop Chantix due to worsening mental health issues. The Chantix.com website includes this safety information on how it can affect anyone that already may underlying depression, anxiety, etc.

Yes, that is true. I was responding to her describing it as an anti-depressant, not to the research regarding side effects, which does include depression.

[DapperButch]

Hey, Scoobs, thanks for sharing your story. This thread used to be busy and the people who are struggling to quit have said that they appreciate hearing our stories of quitting and having us quitters here as cheerleaders (two years and two months for me). I hope you stick around!

[JoSchmooze]

I am trying to handle it with
Wellbutrin and nicorette gum...
I tried the Chantrix and could not get
over the side effects....

So today, it's almost hour by hour and
sometimes minute by minute....
I can't say that I have completely quit yet...
but have cut down from 2 packs a day for 30+
years to less than a pack a day.....
It will just take time, I am sure.....

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by JoSchmooze

I am trying to handle it with
Wellbutrin and nicorette gum...
I tried the Chantrix and could not get
over the side effects....

So today, it's almost hour by hour and
sometimes minute by minute....
I can't say that I have completely quit yet...
but have cut down from 2 packs a day for 30+
years to less than a pack a day.....
It will just take time, I am sure.....

Jo that is a significant reduction! Congrats! I was a 2 pack a day smoker as well. You'll get there!

[Scuba]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Hey, Scoobs, thanks for sharing your story. This thread used to be busy and the people who are struggling to quit have said that they appreciate hearing our stories of quitting and having us quitters here as cheerleaders (two years and two months for me). I hope you stick around!

Excellent!!! It really does get easier the longer you go I rarely think about it anymore. I used to have smoking dreams...you know the ones...you wake up and freak out a bit. **laughing**

[Starbuck]

Dear fellow smoking thread readers,

I have fallen off the proverbial smoking wagon. It started about a week and a half ago when I went to a club and I said I'd allow myself just two cigarettes. Man did I lie to myself! I ended up smoking 3/4 of that pack and I've been smoking up a storm ever since.

But tonight I bought a new kind of cigarette that will hopefully help kick the habit. They are 100% additive free and they actually have more tobacco in them when compared to regular cigarettes. I'm thinking, fewer chemicals for me to be addicted to, easier to quit the tobacco. Wish me luck.

[Vlasta]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

I have had several patients that did have to stop Chantix due to worsening mental health issues. The Chantix.com website includes this safety information on how it can affect anyone that already may underlying depression, anxiety, etc.

That said, I did have patients with no mental health issues be able to stop smoking while on Chantix. One smoked for 40-years.

Your doctor is always the best person to help figure out what is most appropriate-working with you-that is. I have also had a few that had success with a good hypnotist.

My mom quit after smoking for over 50 years and has not touched one in almost 10 years now.

Smoking is one of the most difficult of all to stop but not impossible.

Hugs to you all on your journey.

Anya, I had a few patients that developed panic attacks while on Chantix . I am not sure if there was an underlying issue already or side effects from Chantix . I didn't due any research on it . did you ?

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Vlasta

Anya, I had a few patients that developed panic attacks while on Chantix . I am not sure if there was an underlying issue already or side effects from Chantix . I didn't due any research on it . did you ?

My understanding is that one does not have to have a history of depression or anxiety per se in order to have these side effects. I believe this is on their web site.

With that said, a side effect of quitting smoking is depression and anxiety, in and of itself (for physiological reasons, not psychological). That is the whole purpose of using Wellbutrin/Zyban. It has nothing to do with decreasing cravings, it is just to manage the subsequent depression/anxiety/irritability that people experience when quitting smoking.

Chantix helps with cravings, that is why it is so successful in the way that Zyban has not been.

In response to Scoobs- my side effect was stomach stuff, also. I had nausea every morning after taking it. Really felt like I was going to vomit. It last about 20 minutes and was worth it to me.

[Vlasta]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

My understanding is that one does not have to have a history of depression or anxiety per se in order to have these side effects. I believe this is on their web site.

With that said, a side effect of quitting smoking is depression and anxiety, in and of itself (for physiological reasons, not psychological). That is the whole purpose of using Wellbutrin/Zyban. It has nothing to do with decreasing cravings, it is just to manage the subsequent depression/anxiety/irritability that people experience when quitting smoking.

Chantix helps with cravings, that is why it is so successful in the way that Zyban has not been.

In response to Scoobs- my side effect was stomach stuff, also. I had nausea every morning after taking it. Really felt like I was going to vomit. It last about 20 minutes and was worth it to me.

I understand about depression and anxiety and what are you saying , I am a nurse clinician . I never done any research on Chantix . However, while I was working in ER, I had patients they came in they were frantic thinking they are having a heart attack at age 20-30 which is possible , but majority times it was a panic attack and just to find out they were on Chantix .

Many people refused to take Zyban due to the weight gain . My son was taking Chantix and he was still smoking . I was horrified and he is still smoking so do I . I feel as a biggest hypocrite when I am educating my patients not to smoke and then I go on my smoke break . I never done any illegal drugs and no I am not pill popper or alcoholic . Yet , my smoking addiction it's a biggest challenge for me . In ER while coding patient and loose him all of us went outside to smoke cigarette since was so stressful and emotional .

I was just curious if anybody done some research on Chantix , but now I will do it myself since I have an access to medical sites through my employer .

thanks for reply

Vlasta

[Starbuck]

I saw my Psychiatrist today and he declined to give me Chantix and switch me from my current anti-depressant and put me on Wellbutrin to work along with the Chantix. His reasoning? He said it would cause way too much depression in me to switch (it took a long time to find a med for my depression that worked) and he said the Chantix would re-escalate my urges to cut myself again and I do NOT need that crap going on again. I'll just deal with smoking my own way.