I've prescribed it once. The patient was then, 3 weeks later, admitted to my service for an AECOPD. She was then spotted smoking in the bathroom (while using her oxygen, of course).
I have been on Chantix now for 5 weeks and have successfully quit smoking. The first week taking the pills you realize that you are not getting the same high (which I never even knew existed before)that you did while smoking. This makes it much easier to quit. I actually quit 2 days before my due date. After the third week it becomes easier and easier. I still have cravings but do not act. I have smoked a pack a day (sometimes more) for over 20 years.
I have been on it for four weeks now and have all but quit. I have smoked two or three in the past week but only a couple of puffs. The key is that there is no payoff to the inhalation - so it gets easier and easier to avoid. And the longer you are away from them the more disgusting they become further supporting avoidance. I will have to say there are side effects to be endured - nausea at first and then somewhat mild, persistent headache. And I am usually pretty tolerant of most medicines. Staying on the medicine in spite of the side-effects I think will be the bigger challenge for most folks. Your mind will try to trick you into thinking you can't put up with the side effects. I also took Zyban in the past and was successful for about 3 years. I think the Varenicline is a better therapy for longer term results and psychological behavioral change. Also, because of the way the Varenicline works there is no inclination to replace the smoking with food - therefore no weight gain which is a worry for a lot of folks when considering stopping smoking - right or wrong. Hope this was helpful.
I did a standard Chantix course in 2008. My insurance paid for it. I experienced mild nausea and headaches at first but they subsided after the first week. While taking Chantix I experienced frequent lucid dreams as well as extremely vivid, memorable, and "out-there" non-lucid dreams.
I quit on my quit date, and cheated once or twice the following week, but didn't touch a cigarette from week 3 onwards. Sadly I returned to smoking a few weeks after I stopped taking Chantix, and I was too ashamed to ask my doctor for an extended course. Then about 6 months later I got very sick and quit cold-turkey with no gum, patches, Chantix, or other aids. That was April 13, 2009 and I'm still nicotine-free.
I believe Chantix is an effective smoking-cessation aid but it needs to be backed up with a strong will once the Chantix is removed.
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I've prescribed it once. The patient was then, 3 weeks later, admitted to my service for an AECOPD. She was then spotted smoking in the bathroom (while using her oxygen, of course).
She was discharged without any more Chantix.
I also have prescribed it but too early to see follow-up. Interestingly, one of the insurance companies actually paid for it.
I have been on Chantix now for 5 weeks and have successfully quit smoking. The first week taking the pills you realize that you are not getting the same high (which I never even knew existed before)that you did while smoking. This makes it much easier to quit. I actually quit 2 days before my due date. After the third week it becomes easier and easier. I still have cravings but do not act.
I have smoked a pack a day (sometimes more) for over 20 years.
I have been on it for four weeks now and have all but quit. I have smoked two or three in the past week but only a couple of puffs. The key is that there is no payoff to the inhalation - so it gets easier and easier to avoid. And the longer you are away from them the more disgusting they become further supporting avoidance. I will have to say there are side effects to be endured - nausea at first and then somewhat mild, persistent headache. And I am usually pretty tolerant of most medicines. Staying on the medicine in spite of the side-effects I think will be the bigger challenge for most folks. Your mind will try to trick you into thinking you can't put up with the side effects. I also took Zyban in the past and was successful for about 3 years. I think the Varenicline is a better therapy for longer term results and psychological behavioral change. Also, because of the way the Varenicline works there is no inclination to replace the smoking with food - therefore no weight gain which is a worry for a lot of folks when considering stopping smoking - right or wrong.
Hope this was helpful.
I did a standard Chantix course in 2008. My insurance paid for it. I experienced mild nausea and headaches at first but they subsided after the first week. While taking Chantix I experienced frequent lucid dreams as well as extremely vivid, memorable, and "out-there" non-lucid dreams.
I quit on my quit date, and cheated once or twice the following week, but didn't touch a cigarette from week 3 onwards. Sadly I returned to smoking a few weeks after I stopped taking Chantix, and I was too ashamed to ask my doctor for an extended course. Then about 6 months later I got very sick and quit cold-turkey with no gum, patches, Chantix, or other aids. That was April 13, 2009 and I'm still nicotine-free.
I believe Chantix is an effective smoking-cessation aid but it needs to be backed up with a strong will once the Chantix is removed.
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