chantix - problems after quitting or weaning

[Jim]

I'm really glad I found this site! My stop date was Jan. 15. I have had absolutely no problems so far with the Chantix, but I have heard some rumors about getting off the drug. I feel a lot better reading that doing a slow wean seems to work best. Can't believe I'm not smoking after 25 years of nicotine addiction! Looking forward to getting off the Chantix, too.

[Deb proud nonsmoker]

Jim wrote:

I'm really glad I found this site! My stop date was Jan. 15. I have had absolutely no problems so far with the Chantix, but I have heard some rumors about getting off the drug. I feel a lot better reading that doing a slow wean seems to work best. Can't believe I'm not smoking after 25 years of nicotine addiction! Looking forward to getting off the Chantix, too.

Hey Jim,
Isn't it great to wake up each day and not smoke ? I smoked for 22 years, But with the help of friends and family and Chantix I did it , I've been quit for a year and 4 months . I too looked to these forums for support and found out about the slow wean and was able to get off Chantix with no trouble. The support you can get from alot of these people on these forums is really wonderful too !! If you see any posts from LadyMac, or mememarg there is this link to a thing called the quitkeeper , I would give it to you but I am not very good with computers and do not know how Youcould ask them for the link. You are doing really good so stay a non smoker. KTQ CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!

[mememarg]

Hi Jim - CONGRATULATIONS on your quit!! I quit 1/20/08 & it's the BEST thing I've ever done for myself. I loved smoking but it's the only life "I" knew since I was young since I started as a teenager. NOW I love being smoke free!! Such FREEDOM!

There are some wonderful people here who all leaned on each other during their quits & are here for support to anyone who is also on the quit journey. We are the success stories with on going quits!! If you'd like support keep posting & someone will be here with positive support.

Deb proud nonsmoker is one a good example of the successful quits & the support! Here is the quit meter that most of us use - it's fun to see the time add up!

http://www.dedicateddesigns.com/qk/

[mememarg]

Oops....I was young as a teenager...LOL

[Deb proud nonsmoker]

Hey mememarg,
Glad Glad Glad to hear from you !!!!!The other thread said you were going to be banned, I couldn't figure it out. I even read through old posts.... nothing. I'm GLAD you are still here!! I think you should be a motivational speaker you seem to always have just the right thing to say at the right time. Thanks to you for all you do .

[mememarg]

Deb proud nonsmoker wrote:

Hey mememarg,
Glad Glad Glad to hear from you !!!!!The other thread said you were going to be banned, I couldn't figure it out. I even read through old posts.... nothing. I'm GLAD you are still here!! I think you should be a motivational speaker you seem to always have just the right thing to say at the right time. Thanks to you for all you do .

LOL - I really have no idea why but there are a couple of the negative posters who have insisted on saying nasty things to & about me for a long time. I think they can't stand that I've always reached out to new posters.. The other day I said something crude back but it wasn't nearly as nasty as lots of them say. All someone has to do is do the "Send us your feedback" to get something deleted by topix.

I'm just a mom & grandma who is tickled to death that I'm NOW smoke free!!! I'm trying to pay forward to others. The positive posters before us gave us a hand up & helped us with our quits, I'd like to do the same for others. I don't think I would have made it without the words of encouragement!!

I'm really glad you & others are here to help keep these threads positive.

[AZQuitter]

Spelling Bea wrote:

<quoted text>
Here's the bottom line:
You should want my help. You and the other millions of people, who can't read or write, should be begging for help. If millions of illiterates had taken the time to read the mortgage papers they signed in the last few years, when they couldn't afford those mortgage payments, the economy wouldn't be in such terrible shape at the present time.
The banks are now stuck with owning millions of foreclosed homes, which has forced them to drastically reduce the number of loans they can make to those people who DO know how to read and write. This problem has trickled down to thousands of companies, which have been forced to lay off millions of employees.
This trickle-down problem has forced the appointed one into spending billions of dollars (which will turn into trillions of dollars after interest is added) in order to stimulate the economy. This extremely excessive spending will result in extreme inflation in the coming years.
This "crisis" occurred because millions of people didn't take the time to read the fine print and didn't take the time to realize they wouldn't be able to make the interest-only payments on their new mortgage loans for the extremely overpriced homes.
I don't expect any of this to make sense to you, but perhaps someone will benefit from my help. If so, it'll be worth the time I've spent to help others learn how to write.

I took the time to read the small print on my mortgage documents (and understood it)- I must have picked up some smarts during my life. We do not have a mortgage (paid it off in eight years), we own our house free and clear, and we do not have any installment debt. Can you say the same?

[Don Boyer]

I quit smoking on April 14, 2008, using the one-month starter pack of Chantix. I have not had a cigarette since, nor did I cheat while quitting. I did get what felt like the worst case of flu in the world the week after quitting and it lasted about a week and a half before I was back to "normal." I only took Chantix for a month.

Chantix really helped me quit, and I've been a smoker since 1965. While taking Chantix, other than the "flu" I experienced severely altered sleep patterns -- two hours of sleep, wake up, two hours, wake up, etc. which lasted the full time I took Chantix and for a short period after.

In June of 2008 I developed a DVT (blood clot) in lower right leg.(Medical checks shows no lung or heart problems, despite the smoking, other than the obvious damage that smoking did to lungs over that period.) That was cleared up by the usual medical procedures.

Over the past ten months I have developed sometimes severe joint and muscle pains, focused on knees and hips, with some overflow in the neck area, probably compensating for the pains in legs and knees that make work difficult.

I have had some mild alterations in moods. Have to watch out for quick flashes of anger, but nothing that would put one in jail or the nuthouse.

That's my Chantix experience. I am convinced the drug is responsible for the sudden onset of medical conditions I didn't have before, particularly the joint and muscle pains which are sometimes debilitating. There seems to be a lot of truth in the Chantix stories we read online.

[Virginia Lee]

Don Boyer wrote:

I quit smoking on April 14, 2008, using the one-month starter pack of Chantix. I have not had a cigarette since, nor did I cheat while quitting. I did get what felt like the worst case of flu in the world the week after quitting and it lasted about a week and a half before I was back to "normal." I only took Chantix for a month.
Chantix really helped me quit, and I've been a smoker since 1965. While taking Chantix, other than the "flu" I experienced severely altered sleep patterns -- two hours of sleep, wake up, two hours, wake up, etc. which lasted the full time I took Chantix and for a short period after.
In June of 2008 I developed a DVT (blood clot) in lower right leg.(Medical checks shows no lung or heart problems, despite the smoking, other than the obvious damage that smoking did to lungs over that period.) That was cleared up by the usual medical procedures.
Over the past ten months I have developed sometimes severe joint and muscle pains, focused on knees and hips, with some overflow in the neck area, probably compensating for the pains in legs and knees that make work difficult.
I have had some mild alterations in moods. Have to watch out for quick flashes of anger, but nothing that would put one in jail or the nuthouse.
That's my Chantix experience. I am convinced the drug is responsible for the sudden onset of medical conditions I didn't have before, particularly the joint and muscle pains which are sometimes debilitating. There seems to be a lot of truth in the Chantix stories we read online.

Well put Don and I am glad you were lucky. I have spoken to others who were not so lucky that did end up in jail or like me the "nuthouse" as you so delicately put it. I am sorry I didn't SCARE you from even ingesting the poison chantix.

You issues are most likely the result of the way both chantix and cytisine work on a body. There is little known history about varenicline but tons on nicotine and a good deal on cytisine. Both of these poisons dilate blood vessels. The receptors chantix "selectively targets" (snide laugh, yeah right you idiots at Pfizer) are located in every part of your CNS and are linked to conective tissues.

You will need to retrain your brain ina new way now Don. "No pain no gain" tempered with "don't over do it". Only you will be able to determine the best balance to fit your style of life. "Work it cuz it's worth it," is a good one too.

Last thing be careful with any prescription drugs you take and take the listed side effects more seriusly from now on. I sure do. Those side effects are not listed because they were imagined symptoms from those who took a placebo so the "placebo effect" has already been ruled out.

"The use of placebos puts doctors and researchers in ethical dilemmas in regard to their honesty with patients when using sham and inert control treatments in clinical research trials."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placebo

[Deb proud nonsmoker]

Good Morning All Of you super quitters,
Curlycheesehead 50 DAYS WOW!!!!!!!!!
LadyMac 500 DAYS CONGRATULATIONS YIPPEE,YEAH,WAY TO GO,EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!
Harley girl 4 DAYS THAT"S SUPER KTQ!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch ...

[Curly cheesehead]

Deb proud nonsmoker wrote:

Good Morning All Of you super quitters,
Curlycheesehead 50 DAYS WOW!!!!!!!!!
LadyMac 500 DAYS CONGRATULATIONS YIPPEE,YEAH,WAY TO GO,EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!
Harley girl 4 DAYS THAT"S SUPER KTQ!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch ...

Thanks Deb. I'm plugging along here.

[alexanth3]

I just called my doctor for a prescription for Chantix, and now after reading these posts I am scared to take it! any advice? I do not want to have anxiety from taking it.

[mememarg]

alexanth3 wrote:

I just called my doctor for a prescription for Chantix, and now after reading these posts I am scared to take it! any advice? I do not want to have anxiety from taking it.

Hi alexanth3 - If I had only read this thread I probably wouldn't have used Chantix but without Chantix I would not be SMOKE FREE today... A few people have the more severe side effects but on the topix site I'm posting below there are MANY people who have successful long term quits. I'm going to send you to Nov 07 (page 250)so you can see the normal kinds of side effects like: eat before taking chantix...always...gas from the quit or chantix...some jokingly called it the Chantix wind.

Post on that thread there are lots of positive helpful people who will be there for you in your quit!!

http://www.topix.com/forum/law/healthcare/TBP...

ANY medication you take have LOTS of side effects listed...including tylenol..FEW people have the side effects.

[mememarg]

alexanth3 - Here are my stats....If I can do it you can do it also! Chantix won't make you quit but with work on your part also it makes it possible & from people who have quit before without it but who relapased then took Chantix to quit they say the quit was better....
**********
The weekend is coming so I hope new quitters will have time to read here & know how possible it is for them to have a successful quit!! Read & post here...The support I received here was the most important part of my quit!!!
This is my first quit, I stumbled across this site when I was looking up information on Chantix at the beginning of my quit!! Because of my beliefs, God lead me here!! After smoking for over for years!!!!
I have been quit for 1 Year, 1 Month, 3 Weeks, 3 Days.(418 days). I have saved $2,194.67 by not smoking 12,540 cigarettes. I have saved 1 Month, 2 Weeks and 13 hours of my life. My Quit Date: 1/20/2008
Chantix free since 3/14/09
The other thing I learned here, thanks to Viki!! Was to do a very slow wean from Chantix when you are ready to quit taking it. I believe for me it made the urges much more manageable at each step.. I loved smoking - I love being SMOKE FREE even more!!

[alexanth3]

Thanks Mememarg! I bought my last pack yesterday. The price was $7.69! Plus, in Massachusetts the tax on cigs is going up 61 cents April 1st! I am going to do this for my health, but also my wallet! Wish me luck!

[mememarg]

alexanth3 wrote:

Thanks Mememarg! I bought my last pack yesterday. The price was $7.69! Plus, in Massachusetts the tax on cigs is going up 61 cents April 1st! I am going to do this for my health, but also my wallet! Wish me luck!

I'm with you I was tired of spending about $35 per week on smokes & I knew that the taxes were going to go higher.

When we go to the casinos in Kansas City I would see the little old people pulling their oxygen tanks & I don't want to be one of them.

I'm so glad I quit...I can't believe I've done it & plan to stay quit forever...

Keep posting - we'll be here for you.

[Shey8]

Deb wrote:

<quoted text>
Not only is there a federal tax increase of 61 cents, Philip Morris raised their price per pack by 71 cents.$13.20 more per carton of Merits. I think it's almost time to dig out the Chantix.

Hey! If you're ready, we're here to support!

[mememarg]

Deb wrote:

<quoted text>
Not only is there a federal tax increase of 61 cents, Philip Morris raised their price per pack by 71 cents.$13.20 more per carton of Merits. I think it's almost time to dig out the Chantix.

Hi Deb - I would love to see you quit!! The price in money & health just isn't worth the cost!! No matter HOW you decided to quit, we will be ready to help you along the way!! You've just got to do it - no excuses along the way!!

Deb, I really loved to smoke & now I love not smoking even more. You might want to think of switching from Pepsi to caffeine free Pepsi. I used to drink it all the time but I switched to caffeine free Coke when we moved to the Kansas City area. The Pepsi tasted different since it was bottled at a different facility than the Pepsi that I drank in S. MO & I didn't like that:)

Just let us know when you're ready - we'll hold both your hands if necessary!!! As you know quitting here can be more fun than quitting alone!

I've worried about you...

[La La La]

Deb wrote:

I wish I was ready now, but I can't walk around in la-la land during the next 4.5 weeks. Maybe after I pay $73.25 per carton (every ten days) for the next month, I'll be ready.
Congrats to you, Shey!

That is a great reason if I ever heard one.

[Bronco96]

Deb wrote:

<quoted text>
Thank you, Margaret. I know I've "got" to do it, but excuses keep getting in the way. I may switch to Pepsi-Free again. I drank it a few years ago, with cherry juice added, and I liked it better than regular Pepsi with cherry juice. But I had to quit the cherry juice, so I went back to Pepsi. Lately, I've been adding cherry juice again and drinking too much Pepsi.:)
Why have you worried about me? Was it because of those times you told me off last November, after the election, when I was just kidding around?

Deb,
As you KNOW.......Meme is just a nice person who cares about many people. You haven't been around as Deb, so I am sure she was just thinking about you. She is considerate that way.
Funny that you bring up that she told you off after the election. I think that was me and everyone else. AND I don't remember that you were kidding. If I remember correctly, you thought that McCain and Lil Sarah was the only answer to all our problems. Didn't you have Sarah as your avatar?
..........whatever.....good luck on quitting.