intecel

I read an article on fark today about a new drug called Chantix. Apparantly it has a great effect on quitting smoking... How would one go about finding out how to get a prescription for a medicine like this? Do you call or visit a regular doctor to find out?

Here's a link from webmd: http://www.webmd.com/content/article/122/114531.htm

SofaKingA

Yeah, ask your doc about it. The hurdle to this drug is you have to hurdle the 6 month mark. After you are smoke free for 6 month there is an 80% chance that you will be smoke free. But you need a little more will power in the beginning. I also heard its kinda expensive but its probably worth it to save your life.

intecel

A follow-up to my original question:

I was just at the doc a couple days ago due to migranes that I have been getting. While I was there, I asked if they had prescribed Chantix to anyone and she told me that this drug is highly recommended because it works so well.

The 1 month prescription cost me $95, which is about the equivalent of my 1 month smoking habit.

I am desperate to quit smoking. I have tried the gum, patch, etc, but these never worked well for me. I could always feel when the patch would wear off, and would crave a smoke soon after. The gum was a little better, but it didn't last long before i gave it up and went back to cigs.

I started on the Chantix yesterday and set my quit date for Jan 17th. We'll see how it goes.

pan6467

Ah so you're still on the .5mg 1 a day right now.

I am on Chantix, have been for 3 weeks 3 days, I refill soon.

I also use the nicotrol inhaler, no true need for it though.

I must say I have gone from a pack - pack and a half a day to maybe 5. I have no cravings, no true physical desire to smoke.

The mental aspect is what is killing me though. The inhaler helps, but I still jones to see the smoke and play with the pack and lighter, mostly in the car. Thus the 5/day.

The benefits: I taste food again, my sense of smell came back almost immediately, my sinuses are not always clogged and I can sit through movies, 8 hours of work, you name it and not physically be jonesing in anyway....... but the fucking mental man... you really have to deal with it.

I set a total quit date on refill day and to overcome the hand to mouth, mental aspect use the inhaler..... and hold firm.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

thingstodo

If you want to be effective long-term you really should see a therapist. It's amazing how much they can help. Smoking is an addiction and all the same rules apply for recovery, just like heroin or alcohol or anything else.

I quit in '89 after years of practicing quitting. In fact, I had quit one time for nearly two years and was running five miles/day. But I fell off the wagon. Therapy helped me understand why.

__________________
If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

intecel

I definitely know of the mental addiction to smoking. When I was on the patch, I would constantly notice myself reaching in my pocket, or to the seat next to me if i was in the car as to reach for my cigs.

Yeah, I just started the 1 a day tab yesterday. Nobody around me ever smokes, so as long as I don't give in and buy a pack, I should be good.

pan6467

Scary part of all this..... I'm an addictions counselor. I am great with helping others, but I have a hard time putting into practice what I teach. Of course there's some HUGE differences between cigarettes and herion/crack/alcohol/etc.

The best way for me will be to just not buy that first pack and stop the bs that "I can smoke a couple today".... I have to live what I preach and make it none or just stop fooling myself and playing the "I'm trying my best" game... because in all honesty as long as I keep buying the pack and smoking no matter how many I'm lieing to myself and everyone about my trying to quit.

Change is new, change is hard and change is difficult and uncomfortable.... but change only happens when you allow it 100%.... irrational fear is preventing me from giving 100%..... but I need to give it.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

hunnychile

Kudos to all of you who are trying to quit smoking cigs! It's really tough and I found after I quit that I will still crave a smoke esp. in certain situations, i.e. when everyone around me is smoking. I only cave about 3 times a year (usually at parties.... like on New Years Eve, Reunions and so forth when I've drank more than I should - am nervous and am just weak!) Luckily the law changed here in Ohio so bars are now smoke free. That's good in the long run. Some friends are pretty unhappy with this change - but they know it's for everyone's health, not just theirs.

My hub is trying to quit smoking now and he's having a very very hard time with it. He smokes weed though. I find that the busier he is, the happier he is. He's SO grouchy though!!! Geesh! I can't believe how angry he gets at small things!

Any tips other than the one where you chew the gum or toothpicks?

__________________
"I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB

thingstodo

It's kind of hard to stop smoking when you still smoke weed. Stop smoking means just that! And you know weed and cigs go together like ice and water. Smoking also helps with the munchies.

__________________
If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

SirLance

I quit cold turkey 8 years ago. Didn't use anything, just put 'em down. What you have to be careful of, more than anything, is habitual associations. Pour a glass of wine... light a cigarette. Pour a cup of coffee, light a cigarette.

What you might want to do is stop the associated activities for a month or so.

The other thing to be careful of is your weight. I had a hell of a time. If you don't exercise, start now, and keep it up, it'll make you less likely to smoke.

I was fine, then after about 30 days got very tense and irritable for about a week. Then it went away. It's hard to do this, but if I can anyone can, just don't light up no matter what you do.

I have no desire for a cigarette and actually abhor the smell. As for the weed, don't smoke it. Mix it with peanut butter, spread it on ritz crackers, and nuke it. Yum! Be careful though, the peanut oil makes a great delivery agent for the thc, so use about half what you'd put in a joint.

Not that I'd know... strictly theoretical, you understand...

__________________
DEMOCRACY is where your vote counts, FEUDALISM is where your count votes.

thingstodo

That is sooo funny and I had no idea about the peanut oil thing!!

By the way, one of the things I did was buy a Nordic Track ski machine. The cost at the time was about the same as smoking for a year. I had to amortize this investment by not smoking and using it help from a lot of directions, including weight management and just feeling better. Plus, it was a good measure of my health progress.

__________________
If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

SirLance

That is an excellent idea. One of my buddies has a nordic track, and he gets on the thing while he watches his favorite shows on TV. Keeps the belly down. Bastard.

__________________
DEMOCRACY is where your vote counts, FEUDALISM is where your count votes.

intecel

I have a gym membership that I haven't used strictly in about a year. I'll be starting back on my diet and exercise program tomorrow.

So far I'm 23 hours into not smoking... It's been probably 10 years since I've gone this long without adding nicotine in my system. It's not half bad. I'm eating the hell out of sunflower seeds though and they're cutting my tongue up a bit, but seem to be working ok for something to fidget with.

meems

Hi all, I've been googling around looking for information on chantix..from real users, not from the drug companies, I have to say I'm terribly impressed by what I've read as far as success rate goes! Anyway..that search is what led me here..I have an appt. to get a script for Chantix on Tues., currently I am using an inhaler & have cut back from 1- 1 1/2 packs to half a pack. 29 years hooked, I hope I can join the ranks of non smokers pretty soon!

P.S. hunnychile, I'm in Ohio too, although most of our bars aren't enforcing the smoking ban yet..I have vowed not to give the Indians (or any of the arenas) a penny of my money any longer since smokers PAID for the arenas & can't smoke anywhere near them! Admittedly, I have purchased my cigs out of state for a year & a half now, HALF the price of Ohio..so I guess technically I haven't paid for so much of that stupid crap like Arts & Culture!

While I'm venting peeves, can you explain why many insurance companies will pay for viagra but not smoking cessation products?

intecel

Actually when I went to pickup my perscription, they asked if I had insurance (which I don't). I told my Dad about this pill and he just got his yesterday for $20 per monthly pack with insurance. He's been smoking for about 40 years with no luck on patches, gum, zyban, etc...

I just finished my 3rd week of tablets, so it's been 2 weeks, and I've had 1 cigarette in that time.

The first day was a little tough, but that's just because I didn't know what else to do with my time. A few days later, a friend was smoking, and I just wanted one, didn't "need" one, so had one and HATED it. I felt sick, got nothing out of it, and tasted tar on my tongue which made me even sicker. Since then, I haven't even thought of having another cig.

I went from 2+ packs a day of camel lights to 0. I couldn't have asked for better results than these pills are giving me. I have recommended them to just about everyone I know that wants to quit...

I also loved smoking. Or thought I did... I didn't realize that I really got nothing out of it until just the past week or so..

meems

I've always thought we had good insurance coverage, but it turns out this one isn't covered!

I'm happy to hear you are doing well on it, please keep me posted as it goes! Where did you find it for $95? I'm being quoted much higher..

pan6467

Could be your ins. company is still considering it an "experimental" drug since it just came out in August.

I'm a month and a half into it and I still am having a hard time surrendering 100%.

I also wonder what the side effects of stopping the Chantix will be.

As for price, I paid my 50% ($48) at Wal*Mart, it's $96 there.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

meems

I have read at several forums, going off chantix does not seem to be a problem at all. Obviously you aren't ready to go there since you're not 100% free. I did read somewhere that your triple A card can get you a discount too.

intecel

I paid the 95$ at walgreens.

I need to get a refill... I have 6 days of tablets left. I have no urges to smoke at all anymore, but I'm going to take them for another month just to be safe.

meems

Got my script from the Dr. today...going to wait to start it until I get finished with this horrific sinus infection that is giving me a non stop headache..hate to add another drug while my head is hurting so bad!

intecel

I started taking them while I was getting severe migranes on a daily basis for almost a month. My headaches actually finally started going away once I quit smoking and haven't returned...

Elphaba

Wow. My doc gave me an Rx a few days ago and I figured it wouldn't be any better than my other attempts to quit. Then I stumble onto this thread. Just maybe...

thingstodo

It still takes therapy. Pills aren't the magic quick fix everyone thinks they are. they're just a pill. Getting past the withdrawal symptoms is the easy part of quitting smoking. Staying quit years later is the challenge, as is any addiction.

__________________
If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

Elphaba

The physical addiction is one that I know I can conquer. It's the psychological coupling of cigs + you name it that has always been my big failure.

Therapy isn't an option in BFE. Are there online directed support groups that anyone would recommend?

intecel

With a prescription to Chantix, I believe you automatically receive free web / phone counceling of sorts... It's part of the whole package.

Elphaba

Thank you, intecel. I have more reason than most to quit, yet I continue to smoke. I have got to do this, no excuses.

meems

I picked up my prescription tonight...I'll keep you all posted!

HeAtHeN

I, too, quit cold turkey two years ago. I only really smoked in the car during the day so instead of smoking I sing.... still do actually which makes people look at me strange

__________________

sydneyisone

Hello. I am on Chantix and it has been 18 days. My quit date was 2 weeks after I started it. It is wonderful. I have tried it all. Even this shot. This works and I have no desire. Just go to your Dr. and tell them you want to quit smoking with Chantix not Wellbutrin. Not as good. My dr just started me on the starter pack and that was it.

intecel

I stopped taking the Chantix over a week ago. I had 4 days of pills left in my first month starter pack, which I don't even care to finish off.

After 10 years and 1 month smoking up to 2.5 packs a day, I now have no desires to smoke another cigarette again.

I just hit the 1 month point without a smoke

pan6467

Does anyone else taking Chantix crave chocolate?

I saw the Doctor yesterday and told him I have massive chocolate cravings and he implied that it may be a side effect of the Chantix.

Yeah, I quit smoking but have gained close to 30 lbs in doing so.

From what do I want the massive coronary? Being overweight or smoking?????

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

thingstodo

Work out more. Use that to help you with the smoking. I quit years ago partly by using a Nordic Track. Still have it 18 years later. It will take you up to two years to develop new habits that don't include smoking so please, don't make one of those eating more or eating poorly!!

__________________
If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves.

Stangers have the best candy.

intecel

I am off the Chantix now, but I have craved things like ice cream and pie, which I really haven't craved in 10 years.

I have definitely been craving more food though. It seems like I feel hungry every 4 hours of so. I think i've gained about 5 pounds or so since I quit. I'm starting back at the gym this week... I've been saying it too long, but I need to do it.

meems

Today was day 10 (11?) of chantix..and day one of being smoke free! Can't say I have had no desire, because I have/DO! Actually, I didn't really set a quit date, I couldn't have told you last night that today was going to be my quit date. I'm combining the chantix with nicotrol inhaler, I'm feeling the effects of the inhaler so the chantix is obviously still building up in my system.

Pan, I'm reading your Walmart quotes...I'm not far from you, just outside of Cleveland & our prices are quite a bit higher than yours! Cheapest near me is Marc's for $107 & change.

intecel

When I quit, I told myself the exact date i was going to quit. I then left myself 1 cigarette on the counter incase i woke up in the middle of the night (which I did). The first 2 days were semi-tough... the Chantix seemed to keep my mind off it most of the time, but there were still the cravings. On the 4th day, I had a cigarette and hated everything about it, and that was the last cigarette I've had.

pan6467

I just refilled with 2 months supply Friday, Wal*Mart's total was $206, with insurance I paid an even $80.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

meems

Another day I can add to my not smoking list!

intecel

Congrats!

Angel6s

First off, congratulations to all of you who have quit smoking!!!

I just started the Chantix yesterday and so far I don't feel any different. I'm not experiencing any side effects yet either, so maybe it will just take more time and the higher doses for anything to happen. My doctor told me not to quit smoking until I was on the Chantix for a week. From everything I've read here, I'm really hopeful that this is the aid that will help me to stay quit. I've tried everything else... patch, gum, hypnosis, self-will, etc... and nothing worked. I do have a caffeine addiction as well and I drink at least twice a week, so I'm sure that doesn't help. I'm a musician, so I don't have the option of avoiding bars. I really, really want to quit, I just don't want it to be so darned hard. I'll keep you all posted on how I progress.

meems

It took longer than a week for me to get the effects, just wait it out & enjoy the last of what you have..you WILL feel the effects..IN-FREAKING- CREDIBLE drug! I quit probably 2 days prior to it being the easiest time for me. I have 3 opened packs in various parts of my house & a carton in the freezer..not a single desire to touch them!

Day 5 for me..YAY!

The side effects I have experienced are..I had 2 sep days that I was just plain exhausted, otherwise I was up & running with lots of energy. Constipation is an issue, so treat that accordingly. I had a headache maybe one day. Lots of vivid dreams..but those I don't mind a bit!