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chantix

I started on Chantix today...I only smoke about a half a pack a day, but can't seem to break the habit on my own and have heard good things about chantix.  I am concerned about how long I need to take the med since I am a light smoker, any chantix users or doctors comments?
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Avatar universal
today is the start of the second week that i am on chantix and i am trying so hard to fight the urge to light up!!! I have been a pack a day guy for over 15 yrs and this is the hardest thing i have ever done! I actually smoked one this morning at around 4:30 and just had one at 8:40 :-( I hope the chantix really kicks in soon! I hate smoking and want to get done with this!!! I am having a bit of an upset stomach after a smoke!
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Avatar universal
Hi, 10 days is great!  Keep on going Fletch.  I am going to pray for you that the throat cancer will go into remission and stay there.  

Take care

Been Quit 1m, 7w, 4d
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228936 tn?1249094248
So sorry to hear about that Fletch. I hope you can stay stopped allthough you may be think "why?" it will make a difference. all the best
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Avatar universal
Just got the word I have stage 4 throat cancer and still want a cig after all this. Been about 10 days and still grinding it out!!
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228936 tn?1249094248
No trouble sleeping on chantix. The only side effect I get is a little constipation. It works well for me.
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Avatar universal
I'm still smoke free :-) the husband on the other hand hasn't been able to sleep very well since he started the Chantix. Anyone else have trouble sleeping?
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228936 tn?1249094248
good! Yes it helps me, especially when I have to be around smokers. I don't think I go do that without chantix. Just don't drink for a few months or so.
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Avatar universal
drinking is not that important to me, like I mentioned, I think it was an excuse to smoke, even though I know that's a little backwards.  I have not smoked for three days, feeling good about that.  I did drink the other night and had no urges.  I appreciate your advice...I think the Chantix is really helping.
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228936 tn?1249094248
all luck to you and if you really don't want to smoke, it's imperitive that you don't drink! how important is the drink for you? and maybe that needs to be looked at. Remember the drink bone's connected to the smoke bone. all the best
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Avatar universal
thanks for all your comments, the thing is pretty much the only time I would smoke is when I would drink...sometimes would drink for an excuse to smoke..I know it sounds crazy! i have been smoking for 20 yrs, the last 15 only when drink...but still can't completely kick it, which is why I wanted to give Chantix a try. I did have a couple of drinks last night and no desire to smoke, so feeling good about that!  My first week on Chantix only had pack and a half all week, starting second week, going to focus on working out and not smoking...wish me luck!
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228936 tn?1249094248
Still smoke free here. I can now drink coffee with dying for a smoke. I don't think however, it's wise for people to drink after recently stopping smoking. It's caused many good people to slip up.
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Avatar universal
Today is my 1 week with no smokes. Actually it's ok I don't even want one MOST of the time. Mornings are hard. What is coffee with no smokes? The husband is still working on it and it doesn't even bother me when he smokes around me. Here's hoping this time ity sticks. After 32 years look at all the money we have spend on cigaretts!!!!
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228936 tn?1249094248
I now a week smoke free after a short time I was off chantix in the hospital. People can't drink and expect not to smoke. It rarely works. The drink bone is connected to the smoke bone. all the best!
Helpful - 0
242912 tn?1660619837
Those triggers can really get you huh!  I was smoke free for 11wks when I got one of my headaches that require me to take Fiorinal tablets.  They have a lot of caffeine plus a barbituate and that stuff really makes me want to chain smoke so that was MY trigger.  I've decided to handle my headaches with just plain asperin for now so that doesn't happen again.  I'm not a drinker, thank God, because I'm not sure I could even quit smoking if I was.  I have had a few drinks in my younger days and a cig just "goes" with the alchohol doesn't it.  Any way you can give up alchohol temporarily to get you through those first rough months?   I used the losenge myself (gave me heartburn) I quit that after 5 days and just went cold turkey and got it over with.  That was the best way for ME, everyone is different.  Good luck cs, you can do it!!!  I'll be checking on you.  Happy Thanksgiving!

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Avatar universal
Well, I did great for 2 days, and smoked about a half a pack of cigarettes last night!  My biggest challenge is to not smoke when I have a few drinks...I turn into a chain smoker when alcohol is involved.   I am hoping the Chantix will start kicking in more and give me the strength to avoid the temptation to smoke.  I have only been on Chantix for 4 days...was hoping to not be on it long since it makes me dizzy and nauseous...seems I really need it!
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228936 tn?1249094248
I was smoke free for over a month with the help of chantix, but had to start again. I went into the hospital for gall bladder surgery and they wouldn't give it to me. A few days after I got out I smoked again and for several days. I started taking chantix again right away and now have about 4 days smoke free and am so glad to be back. all the best
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Avatar universal
thanks for the responses and words of encouragement!  I am on day two now...no cigs and no desire, I will keep up the Chantix...not sure if I want to go to a double dose, as I feel sort of dizzy and queezy on the single dose.  
Congrats on your sucesses!!!
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Avatar universal
I started Chantix a week ago and did smoke ( about 7 a day) for the first week . Today is my first day with no smokes! So far so good. I think the Chantix helps a lot. I wasn't going to go the whole 3 months but I'm thinking I should just to make sure I'm done here. I have smoked a pack a day for 32 years.So if I can do this ...anyone can!! Good Luck
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Avatar universal
I stopped taking Chatix 5 days after my last puff of a cig and am 1m 2w 1d smoke-free.  I wanted to remove the Chantix asap because I take chemo and other heavy meds for RA.

I smoked 4 to 10 cigs a day and smoked for 35 yrs so if I can do it you can too!

Good luck

Helpful - 0
326505 tn?1304169225
most prescriptions are for 3 months so I would do it for the full 3 months. I did it for a month and a half and I had a real tough time. I stopped because I had developed an upset stomach for about a week although I had no symptoms before this. Also, it wasn't covered by my health insurance so I hated going for that 3rd month, boy was I foolish.
Good luck CS! You can do it : )

p.s. I smoked a pack a day
---
1m 1w 4d 8:44 smoke-free, 926 cigs not smoked, $222.24 saved, 3d 5:10 life saved
Helpful - 0
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