No Smoking
After my father passed away in 2005, I took up the smoking habit out of depression. I thought I could quit at any time, and did quit for a few short months using the “cold turkey” method. However, I began smoking again early in 2006, after receiving more bad news. This time quitting was not so easy. And the occasional cigarette became more frequent until I was smoking close to a pack a day.
After many failed attempts, someone informed me of a medication called Chantix. It is used to help people stop smoking. It took me a while – and more failed attempts – before I decided to give it a try.
On Using Chantix
In my case, the results were amazing. From the first minute dose I could tell a change. Cigarettes would not give me a nicotine buzz anymore. Three days later, cigarettes began to taste awful. And the cravings disappeared. I would no longer panic when the pack would run short. By the fifth day, I had my one and only cigarette – my last one.
Over a month later, I am still going strong. I still miss the actual ritual of smoking – opening up a fresh pack, lighting up, the social aspect of smoking with others – but I don’t miss smoking in and of itself.
Warnings
But would I recommend this medication to anyone? Surprisingly, my answer would be “no.” There have been substantial reports of people developing suicidal ideation while taking the drug. In some news reports, there have been over 600 cases of attempted suicide while on Chantix. So if you decide to start a Chantix program, you should be monitored by a doctor and stay alert to your thoughts and emotions.
Personal Side-Effects
The only major side-effect I have – and it’s a common one – is extremely vivid and complex dreams. They aren’t necessarily nightmares, and a few have been rather entertaining. (I will leave this for another post in the future.) But the dreams can disrupt sleep and leave me feeling rather groggy in the morning.
Save Your Lungs and Your Wallet
If you smoke, I hope you can find the right program for you to quit. Speaking from experience, quitting smoking has greatly improved my breathing and energy level, not to mention saved me money. Chantix is one option to consider – one that has been beneficial to me.
If this post helps one person to quit smoking, then I have achieved my goal. However you decide to quit, I wish you good luck and the strength to succeed.
If you have any questions about my experiences with Chantix, please feel free to contact me, and I will do my best to answer you.
UPDATE: Please read the sequel to this article here.
Filed under: Drugs, Health | Tagged: cessation, Chantix, cigarette, smoking |
Shannon McDowell - One More Voice in Cyberspace 
Your success with Chantix is not at all unusual. I’ve seen it be very effective quickly for heavy, heavy smokers. Keep it up. Your heart will thank you.
I’m currently on Chantix. I have smoked nearly two packs a day for six years; I picked up the habit after undergoing weight loss surgery – I needed something to do with my hands! So far, not so bad. I’ve definitely cut back, spending my first day at work in all these years without jonesing for a smoke. Not one the entire evening . . .
It’s a daily thing . . .
Way to go, man.
Tysdaddy,
That’s great! Chantix seems to do what it is described to do.
Hope your success continues!
Shannon
Today is my 135 day of not smoking. Keep it up–you can do it too!! This was my second time quitting w/ chantix the first time was real easy like you described (I was smoke free for 9 months that time) but this time was definately harder at the beginning. I started smoking again to deal with the stress of starting a new job last fall. Boy was that a big mistake –one cigarette and I was right back to being a pack a day smoker. I know what it’s like to try to deal with stress and to stay quit–it’s so hard!! My Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer a few weeks ago and that has been so hard. I cant even begin to tell you how much I wanted a cigarette after I first got the news. Thankfully I didnt give in and was able to get through it. It was so hard but eventually it got better and I havent had a craving in quite sometime!–
Keep it up and Good Luck to you!! Ann.