For Those Reluctant to Take Chantix
I have been wanting to try this Chantix for some time now and finally have the opportunity to try it out. I have heard mixed feelings about the popular quit smoking product. I was reluctant to try it after hearing some of the stories of people who experienced the worst side effects.
So here I am...
I took .5mg tab at around 8 am and by noon I was already feeling a little anxious. By 2 pm I noticed that I hadn't smoked as much as I would on a normal day. By 6 pm I started to notice that the 1 pill was fading out and smoked after dinner 2 times before now at midnight...So far so good.
Day 2...
Day 2 was not much different than the 1st... I did notice that if I didn't have any cigarettes, I didn't feel the need. As the day went on, I noticed I had smoked much less. However, I did use Snus. But I was already a fan before this.
I think the weird dreams are about to start. I woke up for day 3 and I think I dreamed of Smurfs but I wont get into that right now.
Side note: I am noticing that I have felt nauseated right after taking the morning pill. But that goes away after a short time. Tomorrow I start the morning/afternoon combination.
Day 3...
I noticed for the first time today that these things stink bad! A friend came over today and lit a smoke and that is when I noticed how bad they smell.
I have only smoked 2 cigarettes so far today and I still feel like smoking. But the Chantix seems (even at the lowest dose) to be doing its job and so far with minimal side effects.
I will be on the .5mg x 2 a day starting tomorrow morning.
Day 5...
Not really noticing any side effects other than being tired a lot and the weird dreams. I am still smoking but only about 2 or 3 a day.
Week 2 (day 8)...
I still feel like throwing up when I first take the pill but that always goes away. I managed to go all day with out smoking even though I still want to smoke. This pill does what it is supposed to I guess. I would not be able to do it on my own I don't think.
Week 3 Day 19...
Well, it has been a few weeks since I started taking Chantix. I am proud to say that I have NOT slipped up at all. I am smoke free and snus free for 2 weeks.
I have had minimal side effects and for that I am grateful. Especially after reading so many horror stories from people who have used it. I do feel that I should mention that the side effects that I am getting are bearable but they do tend to intensify the longer you have been on it. Not that this changes anything for me though. I am not even interested in smoking a cigarette.
So far:
I have had a few strange dreams.
Upset stomach about 5 minutes after taking pill (goes away quickly).
Gas.
Minor fatigue.
In my opinion, the benefits of taking Chantix outweighs the side effects (or risks as some may see it) and I am glad I decided to start taking it. Only time will tell if that opinion will change.
Week 4
I feel like I haven't smoked in 6 months but every now and then I do get the urge to apply the habit lighting up a smoke. I don't think it is anything more than just being used to doing it at certain times.
I have considered stopping my use of Chantix as it seems like I don't really need it but I am going to remain on the drug at the very least until the second continuing pack is up (which will be in 3 weeks). I am on the 12 week regiment. I have one more continuing pack to pick up yet.
Week 9
I am proud to say that I am still 100% tobacco free! I have not had a better experience in quitting - ever. I have 4 more weeks to go on the Chantix pill and I am as happy to get off of them as I was to start taking them.
I am still happy to report that the side effects have not changed one way or the other. That's good and bad but they never were that bad to begin with. It's just time (in my mind) to move on. But I do want to do this right. So I am going to finish the last month out.
I managed to score an extra box from the pharm the other day. Luckily it was a starting pack (which I don't need because of the continuing packs) so I was able to pass that along to one of my closest friends. I really don't recommend taking prescriptions that are not yours however this, like most other 'stop smoking aids', will probably do more good, and will soon be on the shelf.
So with not much else left to say on the matter, I will most likely check back in 2 weeks. After the month is out (December) I will recap and clean up the review a bit and have a new seamless report for you.
Finally
Technically, I am supposed to be done with this stuff on Dec. 29th. However, despite my previous denial of the fact, I have decided to discontinue the Chantix. I have been clean of the pills for the last week and a half.
I wasn't going to quit taking them early because I wanted to make sure that I did this right. I wanted to leave little chance to the gods. I guess I just felt confident in the fact that I am done with cigarettes for good and I just didn't need this pill anymore.
So to wrap it up...I am officially a non-smoker!!! I had great results with the Chantix and despite all the negativity surrounding this stuff, I had a successful run. It may not be for everyone but it is at least worth a try for the optimistic person who is really willing to give quitting a shot.
P.S. As of 2/12/11...Never slipped up once!