Has anyone heard of Pfizer's Chantix

JESSICA wrote:

I HAVE BEEN TAKING CHANTIX FOR 9 DAYS AND HAVE WENT FROM SMOKING A PACK A DAY TO ABOUT A 1/2 PACK. I HAVE BEEN VERY TIRED ALL DAY AFTER MY FIRST PILL BUT AFTER MY SECOND ONE AT NIGHT I FALL ASLEEP AND WAKE UP NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT..........ANY SUGGESTIONS???

Some people have moved their second pill earlier in the day, or reduced their dosage. I'm sure you'll hear details from them pretty quickly.
Good luck and congrats on deciding to quit!

DEBRA wrote:

Danvers, I tried quitting 3 years ago, got so depressed i went on a antidepressant, it worked so good i could not believe it. unfortunately after 2 weeks i got so sick, i felt like i was pregnant (my youngest is 39) the doctor said no problem, we will try another, same thing happen and them we tried another, same thing, i then gave up and went back to smoking. because of that experience i know to stay away from them, I have friends that have been on them and they have had great success. one friend went on them after she gave up smoking and never had another bad day, so i know it works, i hope you give it a try, i just wish i could join you, I KNOW IT IS THE ANSWER. let me know how you make out. My second day on the patch and feel much better, i know this is not the way to go. good luck

Glad you are feeling better and good for you for keeping with your quit! you will do this, I know you will, because you really want to. Did you talk to your doctor about the patch after chantix? Ya know, as long as it works and supports your quit, more power to ya! Sorry you can't shake the blues... have you tried the Holy Basil? I think i remember from your other post you tried St Johns Wort - i tried that too and it did nothing for me either. maybe if you try another doctor they might have someother ideas re you depression - This might sound wacky: a macrobiotic diet might help? I was on a macrobiotic diet for several months and I never felt better -- gave it up because it is so hard to do livin in NYC, busy life, long hours at wrk etc... excuses, all escuses - anyhow, just throwing out some ideas. i will let you know what happens re the drugs and doctor - btw: we are all over on the new thread, listed below, September 2007 part 1, if you want to come over...

I have been on chantix 7 days. I am smoke free for 3 full days....wow. Only complaint is I CAN"T SLEEP. I should be sleeping now.. but I have learned lots surfing the WEB all night for the last 2 nights. I was dog tired during the first day smoke free...withdrawl I guess. I knew it had to work since my mother who smoked for 40 years (has COPD because of it) has been smoke free for 9...yes 9 months! Wish me luck! Hang in there all of you, your worth it!

I am totally amazed with Chantix! I was a heavy smoker for over 30 years and had no interest in quitting. Because of dental work I was forced to quit.At which point I panicked.With Chantix it was extremely easy. I could not believe that I had no desire to smoke. It worked for me,and I didn't even want to quit,so I can only imagine it's a blessing for those actually motived to do so.As for the cost, it's cheaper than smoking.
Side effects for me have been mild nausea(when on an empty stomach)tired earlier on in the day.
Nothing major. Good luck to all!

nickalbe80 wrote:

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! IF YOU HAVE ANY CRAVINGS OR DOUBTS, WATCH THE YOU-TUBE VIDEO THAT DEB POSTED, MAN ITS SCARY!!!!!

Do you have there a link to get there?

Good evening.
I was a smokeless tobacco user for about 30yrs. I tried several methods to stop from cold turkey to the patch, all without success. My doctor suggested Chantix and gave the the documentation for it. After discussion with my wife(who has been trying to get me to quit) and research on the Internet, it seemed like the real deal.
First week of July I started with the starter pack. I took me approx 2 weeks until I had my last "dip" but after that, I felt fine and have been tobacco free since(a big milestone for a can a day chewer!).
So approximately two weeks ago, feeling really good, I stopped taking Chantix. I was on the 1mg in the morning and 1mg at night.
About 3 days ago, it hit me like a train. I suddenly felt anxious and every muscle in my body started to ache. I know these symptoms, withdrawl, I had them when I went cold turkey off tobacco and it scared me. Since then, I felt stange and actually have been feeling depressed.
This is not me. Ask anybody. This medic with 25years on the job is rock solid. Now I kind of feel like a flake.
Until I found this forum.
When I asked my doctor about how to stop Chantix, the reply was, "oh you just stop". Having a medical background, I wondered what the effect on suddenly stopping something that effects a neurotransmitter site would be, guess I found out.
I feel better knowing that others have gone through and are going through this.
This evening I started taking Chantix again(wow does the nausea suck. Guess the media's little wonder drug needs a little more research.
I will be discussing this with my doctor, and directing him to this forum so he can see what's actually going on with this med.He's very down to earth and open to discussion.
Don't get me wrong, Chantix broke my tobacco addticiont(my wife also promised me NHL Center Ice if I quit), now I just hope I can get away from Chantix.

Thank you for your time and your ear.

Mike

Poppy 1946 wrote:

<quoted text>
Hi there Carole with an e--I'm Poppy and have just posted on the Sept.Chantix board. saw you over here and thought we could be buddies/partners because I'll be taking my first pill today. Hope I get results as fast as you.LOL I've been smoking much longer than you but so far no asthma just constant sinus problems. Don't know if I'll be able to keep up on two boards but will try to drop in from time to time. GOOD LUCK TO US.:)

Poppy, sorry i haven't responded sooner...life and yadda yadda LOL

Today is my first day of using Chantix full strength -- 1 mg in the am, 1 mg in the pm. I have still been smoking on the Chantix and cut down my smoking to half...which is still a pack a day..I KNOW, awful, isn't it? I decided that today would be my quit day and smoked even more than i wanted last night, to make sure all my cigs were gone (couldn't throw them out, yanno, just HAD to smoke them).

Well, can't say i was completely smoke free today...had a total of 5 cigs..bummed them from people. Didn't like them because they were menthol and i didn't smoke menthol..but i smoked them anyway. And i'm not gonna beat myself up over it because 5 cigs is still better than a pack or more!

I smoked during my mormal 'trigger' times -- once was after a meal, another was on the phone -- so now i know to watch those things tomorrow, because yes tomorrow i WILL do better!

The only effect i'm having from Chantix is ..i'm tired ALL the time, and today even moreso, but then again, i took double the dosage that i'm used to. So i suspect it may take a few days for my body to adjust to this.

I'm also having vivid dreams at night, but that's not unusual for me, i like dreaming :) What's unusual is that i'm dreaming every night with the Chantix, whereas before, i'd have these dreams once a week or even less -- so this side effect i'm liking :)

I had an appt yesterday with the pulmonary specialist, new dr for me, i liked her :) When i told her about the Chantix and she asked me about it, i told her that it's not really the tobacco i'm craving, but...what to do. Those that haven't smoked may not understand this..but smoking has been with me my whole adult life. It's not only what i do inbetween activities (wash a load of laundry, have a cig break, wash the kitchen floor, have a cig break), but also how i sometimes time things...like..when hardboiling eggs, they boil for the length of a cig LOL Now, that may be funny to a non-smoker, but yes you smokers and ex-smokers know exactly what i'm saying :) She suggested and gave me a script for ..i guess it's a nicotine inhaler. She said i can use it with the Chantix. She said it looks and feels like a cig, but it's smokeless, and i can hold it and take my breaks with it..i haven't yet filled it..not sure if i will.

So, there's the update on me...some good, some bad...but..i'm sticking with it!

I am about to begin the program. I am extremely concerned about anxiety attacks. I suffer from anxiety and panic attack. Currently taking Xanax XR and Lexapro. I am really scared about taking the pill. Can anyone out there give me some advice?
Thank you
Toni

Best read these articles:

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/20...
http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm...

Make sure your doctor goes over all the possible side effects with your medicines!

jazzy wrote:

Best read these articles:
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/20...
http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm...
Make sure your doctor goes over all the possible side effects with your medicines!

Thank you so much for your input

Using Chantix I have been smoke free for 6 weeks now. I followed the directions to the letter and got my refill pack after the starter pack was complete. My physician did not want me to do this, but he provided the script for the continuation pack and only one. He never told me why he felt that I should quit the Chantix after the initial starter pack. Now I know. After completing week 4 of the two 1 mg a day, I had had it. The dreams were great, but I felt like a flake and couldn't concentrate on my job or anything else. I had been following the forums and decided to cut down to 1 pill a day, which I did for a week. I took it only at night...wanted the dreams, but wanted to be more sane in the daytime. After 5 days, I went to 1/2 pill a day, which I still take in the evening. I do notice that I have a few cravings for cigs, which I did not have before and which is the regular addition withdrawal. I know that to quit smoking you have to want to quit smoking and be willing to suffer a little bit. I plan to take the 1/2 pill a day until next Wednesday and then take none. I still have a complete week of 14 pills unopened in case of a major problem, but I want off this med. I am convinced that the longer you stay on it the harder it will be to get off. I think will power is the most important thing to have when quitting smoking and that the Chantix helps in the initial stages. I think more research and information needs to be provided to those who are planning to use Chantix as it's side effects are numerous and concerning to me.

Marti wrote:

Using Chantix I have been smoke free for 6 weeks now. I followed the directions to the letter and got my refill pack after the starter pack was complete. My physician did not want me to do this, but he provided the script for the continuation pack and only one. He never told me why he felt that I should quit the Chantix after the initial starter pack. Now I know. After completing week 4 of the two 1 mg a day, I had had it. The dreams were great, but I felt like a flake and couldn't concentrate on my job or anything else. I had been following the forums and decided to cut down to 1 pill a day, which I did for a week. I took it only at night...wanted the dreams, but wanted to be more sane in the daytime. After 5 days, I went to 1/2 pill a day, which I still take in the evening. I do notice that I have a few cravings for cigs, which I did not have before and which is the regular addition withdrawal. I know that to quit smoking you have to want to quit smoking and be willing to suffer a little bit. I plan to take the 1/2 pill a day until next Wednesday and then take none. I still have a complete week of 14 pills unopened in case of a major problem, but I want off this med. I am convinced that the longer you stay on it the harder it will be to get off. I think will power is the most important thing to have when quitting smoking and that the Chantix helps in the initial stages. I think more research and information needs to be provided to those who are planning to use Chantix as it's side effects are numerous and concerning to me.

I agree with you to get off chantix ASAP.
I took it as directed up until QUIT day. Took it full dosage for THREE days, then immediately ramped back down and quit the chantix completely.
It worked for me.

BEST WISHES TO YOU ALL QUITTERS! ;)

Hi, everyone! Just started Chantix this morning.

My husband used it one month and has been smoke-free for 9 months! I figured it was time for me to try it. After 33 years of smoking, I'm going to try to quit. My hardest obstacle will be that I really, really like smoking. But I know I should quit.

After 1 pill, I've had some nausea, not severe, just enough to let you know it's there and kind of a general weird feeling. So far, cigarettes still taste good and no reduction of desire. It's been very interesting reading everyone's posts and experiences with this.

Best of luck to all of us!:)

Farmgal wrote:

Hi, everyone! Just started Chantix this morning.
My husband used it one month and has been smoke-free for 9 months! I figured it was time for me to try it. After 33 years of smoking, I'm going to try to quit. My hardest obstacle will be that I really, really like smoking. But I know I should quit.
After 1 pill, I've had some nausea, not severe, just enough to let you know it's there and kind of a general weird feeling. So far, cigarettes still taste good and no reduction of desire. It's been very interesting reading everyone's posts and experiences with this.
Best of luck to all of us!:)

yep, i really like it too...so i know how hard it is to dig up the willpower to quit.

I started the full dose of Chantix yesterday, and smoked 5 cigs...i'm a former 2-pack-daily smoker. I have smoked all of my adult life..and i have realized i am losing a friend. However, this friend is also making it difficult to breathe, and could cause me to get cancer or other deadly diseases...not a very good friend, yanno?

Today i plan on not smoking even ONE!:)

Carole wrote:

<quoted text>
yep, i really like it too...so i know how hard it is to dig up the willpower to quit.
I started the full dose of Chantix yesterday, and smoked 5 cigs...i'm a former 2-pack-daily smoker. I have smoked all of my adult life..and i have realized i am losing a friend. However, this friend is also making it difficult to breathe, and could cause me to get cancer or other deadly diseases...not a very good friend, yanno?
Today i plan on not smoking even ONE!:)

Carole, You are not losing a friend! Like you said what kind of friend would want to hurt you! Many of us here have been long time smokers, so welcome CAROLE!!!

I hope that your plan on not smoking went well, we will all want to know! I am also glad that you are helping others, this is so great! When a few of us came on board a long time ago, there was only one original Chantix thread, now there are many and many wonderful folks too. During that time it was possible to correspond with pretty much everyone, now it is impossible and still manage to work. So to see you new folks helping each other warms me!! Keep up the good work and CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Carole wrote:

<quoted text>
I had an appt yesterday with the pulmonary specialist, new dr for me, i liked her :) When i told her about the Chantix and she asked me about it, i told her that it's not really the tobacco i'm craving, but...what to do. Those that haven't smoked may not understand this..but smoking has been with me my whole adult life. It's not only what i do inbetween activities (wash a load of laundry, have a cig break, wash the kitchen floor, have a cig break), but also how i sometimes time things...like..when hardboiling eggs, they boil for the length of a cig LOL Now, that may be funny to a non-smoker, but yes you smokers and ex-smokers know exactly what i'm saying :) Post #2403

CAROLE WROTE:

"Those that haven't smoked may not understand this..but smoking has been with me my whole adult life. It's not only what i do inbetween activities (wash a load of laundry, have a cig break, wash the kitchen floor, have a cig break), but also how i sometimes time things...like..when hardboiling eggs, they boil for the length of a cig LOL Now, that may be funny to a non-smoker, but yes you smokers and ex-smokers know exactly what i'm saying :) She suggested and gave me a script for ..i guess it's a nicotine inhaler. She said i can use it with the Chantix. She said it looks and feels like a cig, but it's smokeless, and i can hold it and take my breaks with it..i haven't yet filled it..not sure if i will."

Yes this is the REAL ADDICTION, THE BEHAVIOR AND MENTAL! Carole, try "pretend" smoking with the little red straws. It worked for me, and I know some of the old timers who still have them "hanging around!" so to speak!

Also read this post that another person posted earlier.......

Chantix and Nicotinic Receptors
Chantix works by partially activating a specific type of nicotinic receptor called alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptors. The effect of this on the user is similar to a low to medium dose of nicotine. In this way, Chantix helps to relieve symptoms of nicotine withdrawal that people experience when they quit smoking.
Nicotine and Dopamine
Nicotine activates the same reward system as do other drugs of abuse such as cocaine or amphetamine, although to a lesser degree. Research has shown that nicotine increases the level of the neurotransmitter dopamine, a chemical in the brain responsible for feelings of pleasure and well-being. The acute effects of nicotine wear off within minutes, so people continue dosing themselves frequently throughout the day to maintain the pleasurable effects of nicotine and to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Chantix and Dopamine
Once in place, Chantix blocks nicotine from activating alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptors, which in turn prevents dopamine stimulation in the brain. This gives the person quitting a critical advantage. Should he/she decide to smoke while using this drug, there is no nicotine "feel good" rush, and the smoking experience is flat; dull. Smoking then becomes unfulfilling, and quitting

Good luck Carole!

Viki

How did you all get your profile and pictures entered? I've been looking around at other Chantix web sites and can't find a place to enter name and city/state.

PegMO wrote:

How did you all get your profile and pictures entered? I've been looking around at other Chantix web sites and can't find a place to enter name and city/state.

Scroll to the top of the page and look in the upper right hand corner for a place to register/sign in. It's free and easy...

Carole wrote:

<quoted text>
yep, i really like it too...so i know how hard it is to dig up the willpower to quit.
I started the full dose of Chantix yesterday, and smoked 5 cigs...i'm a former 2-pack-daily smoker. I have smoked all of my adult life..and i have realized i am losing a friend. However, this friend is also making it difficult to breathe, and could cause me to get cancer or other deadly diseases...not a very good friend, yanno?
Today i plan on not smoking even ONE!:)

Yes, my biggest worry is what I will replace cigarettes with, they've been with me a long time. They have been my buddy through thick and thin, so maybe there's a grief process to go through?

Jane in Arizona wrote:

<quoted text>
Scroll to the top of the page and look in the upper right hand corner for a place to register/sign in. It's free and easy...

Hey, Jane! I think I like your skull better than mine! LOL