weight gain/chantix/quit

[jennyfer976]

Anyone experience weight gain w/chantix before, during, after quit smoking? Is it true you have strange dreams while on chantix? Can you take chantix while pregnant, planning to become pregnant, taking clomid? Anyone know?

[kathyjo]

Keep trying Kathy and keep reading here and at whyquit.com. It is probably the most difficult thing you will ever do, but also the most rewarding : )

Just this morning I was talking with a 43 y.o. lady at the gym that I belong to. She knew about my quit and saw me at my worst so she showed me that she was wearing a nicotine patch. She also told me that she spent Thur.-Sat. in the hospital after fainting at home. The doctor told her that her carotid artery was 60% blocked and that if she didn't quit smoking, then she would most certainly have a heart attack soon. I have to admit that it scared me as much as it scared her! I am almost 10 years her senior so I can't imagine what my artery looks like! In any case, she was told that quitting and better diet would disolve most of the plaque within 6 months.
How often do we get a second chance like that : )
Kathy, keep us posted.....we are all here for you : )
Kathy Jo

[kakieann]

WOW 5 months that's great, I am going to keep trying. I am still taking the Chantix I don't want to give up. Thank you for the website I will check it out.
Kathy

[kathyjo]

The reason for the weight gain is that cigarettes speed up your metabolism. After you quit, the metabolism is sluggish. It takes a few months but you will level out so don't give up. I personally put on 20 lbs. and it was depressing to say the least but now I add aerobics to my exercise and try to eat healthier and I seem to be losing the excess : )
I want you to read some of the articles on whyquit.com, especially "My cigarette my friend" and hopefully you will gain some insight as to what your body and mind are going through. That website has helped me tremendously!
You mention bad dreams.....are you still taking Chantix? If so, then the bad dreams are just one of the side effects.....sick tummy also. I too quit with Chantix and like you, I could handle the upset stomach because the end justified the means : )
I have been smoke free for 5 months & 1 week. More then the physical aspect, the emotional/mental withdrawals were more difficult and that is why I always recommend whyquit.com
Please keep us posted and good luck, hang in there!
Kathy Jo

[kakieann]

I started taking chantix in Jan. two weeks later I had my last cig. I was feeling sick but nothing I couldn't handle, then the weight gain started, I wasn't eating anymore than I did when I was smoking. I've gained like 20 pounds, I dream every night most of them aren't good ones, so I don't get much sleep at night. I feel depressed alot of the times. Unfortanetly I'm not smoke free right now. I have maybe 4 cigs a day. I know that smoking isn't good for you but at this point I think I'd feel better.

[jennyfer976]

wow I think thats amazing and I am proud of you! I am sure the weight can be lost. Suppose your right worry over weight is senseless. Thanks for your response i appreciate your feedback! Good luck in continuing to not smoke! I admire people on here who quit!

[noguano]

I've gained about 10 pounds in the 3 1/2 months since I've quit smoking.  I'm starting to exercise more to try to lose the weight.  I think cigs sped up my metabolism.  Don't use weight gain as an excuse not to quit.  You'll be so much healthier once you quit.  I didn't experience any unusual dreams on Chantix.  I took it for 2 months and then stopped.  I didn't need it anymore.

[kathyjo]

Great job Mr. Lucky. I certainly know the feeling of staying warm inside, remembering all of those lonely cigarettes outside in the cold or the heat, always alone and always berating myself for not being strong enough to quit. Keep up the good work and make sure you write here often. It really does help : )
Kathy Jo

[jennyfer976]

I am proud of you and have great admiration for those who are doing what I can't muster the courage to do---quit! Congrats! Thanks for your response too, maybe one of these days I am going to be brave and try!

[mr.lucky66]

It's great being a non-smoker especially in the winter. I haven't gained any weight and am not hyaving any side effects from chantix. I now take 1 pill a day.

[kathyjo]

Believe it or not, my journey is going well : )
I hope you keep trying, even if you give in to that first smoke. You can always try with the second one. There is no reason to begin your quit in the morning though it is probably easier.
Try reading some of the articles at whyquit.com. I like to read under the "education" column because it helps me to stay "quit."
Keep us posted and keep trying : )

Kathy Jo

[jennyfer976]

You are so right about that. I am just trying to muster up the courage to say no in the morning tomorrow to that 1st smoke...its gonna be cold in New England! I heard 9 degrees friday. burrrrr. Ok wish me luck! Hows your journey through the world as a non smoker going?

[kathyjo]

I used to be thin also until I hit about 40. I still believe that being a tad overweight is healthier then smoking : )
Whatever your choice, just remember tht what you  are doing is so much more important than a few pounds : )
We are heading for some really cold weather here in the east so a little extra weight can only make it more bearable...lol
Keep us posted.
KathyJo

[mr.lucky66]

No weight gain for me on chanix. I just don't smoke!

[jennyfer976]

thanks again!! I think lollypops are an excellent idea, but if you recommend the carrots perhaps I should stick to that. Its just that I've been a size 2 110lbs for ever!!! And I really don't want to gain any weight, scares me. I don't have an eating disorder or anything like that, but hey I know cigs keep me thinner than I would be so I guess its natural to worry, however i'd rather be a little heavier and healthy so looks like I am gonna have to work off the extra weight lol. Today I went 8 hours w/out a cig and thought I was gonna die! Its not easy at all. I read this book by Allen Carr called "The easy Way to stop Smoking" I was all pumped up and motivated and then afterwards I caved. Urghh better luck next time. I am just gonna keep trying. I've gotten it down to like 5 per day. But I am still miserable about it. Its like that inbetween am i a smoker or not phase. You know? I can't commit either way! All right enough rambling for me, thanks again.

[kathyjo]

Quitting was made easy thanks to Chantix jennyfer976. Staying "quit" is up to us : )  Thank you for the kudos, I appreciate it. I sure wish I did it long ago, pre children, but it is what it is.
It truly is do-able, be patient with yourself and try very hard. I used lolipops to get me through it and that is probably what added to my weight gain.....that's why I reccomended carrots and celery for you : )
Keep me posted and good luck with all things : )
Kathy Jo

[jennyfer976]

Thanks so much your story is inspiring and I really appreciate you looking that up for me! I will hopefully be smoke free soon too! Congrats on not smoking that is an amazing accomplishment and I give you so much credit!

[kathyjo]

I googled "Chantix" and found their official website. Here is what they say on the subject:
"What should I tell my doctor before starting CHANTIX?

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions including if you:

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. CHANTIX has not been studied in pregnant women. It is not known if CHANTIX will harm your unborn baby. It is best to stop smoking before you get pregnant".

I quit using chantix and didn't have any strange dreams that I can remember, but that's just me.
As for weight gain.......it comes with the quit not with chantix. Get yourself some carrot and celery sticks and chomp away. I gained 15 but I also gained my freedom from smoking and a sense of pride which is far better than the weight gain in my opinion : ) I had smoked for about 38 years so perhaps that is why I stuffed my face? I got a treadmill for Christmas and I use it daily. I am almost down to my pre-quit weight so it didn't take long.
Good luck to you!
Kathy Jo

3m 4d 15:23 smoke-free, 2,122 cigs not smoked, $509.28 saved, 1w 8:50 life saved