Author Topic: Chantix Anyone (Read 198334 times)

BT65 · « **Reply #250 on:** November 20, 2007, 06:09:02 am »

It's day #2 of being smoke-free. Wish me luck that I can make it through today without stopping at the nearest 7-11 to buy "just one more pack." I could never do "just one more" anything.

Gary85741 · « **Reply #251 on:** November 20, 2007, 08:22:31 am »

Don't know if any of you use the Chantix daily e-mail support in tandem with your medication...I do.

It gets fairly repetitive. Naturally, it asks if you've taken your Chantix and if you have smoked any cigarettes. I've slipped a few times and had a cigarette. When I answered 'yes' I wondered if a fist would emerge from my computer screen and bop me in the head or something

Otherwise, the email support program just keeps using the same phrases day after day if you've taken your pills and not smoked..."way to go," "terrific," "wow," "keep up the good work." It's kind of silly but perhaps it does help on some level.

Gary

Dan J. · « **Reply #252 on:** November 20, 2007, 08:23:52 am »

Since I have been in the hospital I have tred to smoke a cig 3 times and each time I throw my guts up. I don't even want one anymore .

J.R.E. · « **Reply #253 on:** November 20, 2007, 07:02:08 pm »

Received this in my Email box a little while ago regarding Chantix :

FDA informed healthcare professionals of reports of suicidal thoughts and aggressive and erratic behavior in patient who have taken Chantix, a smoking cessation product. There are also reports of patients experiencing drowsiness that affected their ability to drive or operate machinery. FDA is currently reviewing these cases, along with other recent reports. A preliminary assessment reveals that many of the cases reflect new-onset of depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and changes in emotion and behavior within days to weeks of initiating Chantix treatment.

The role of Chantix in these cases is not clear because smoking cessation, with or without treatment, is associated with nicotine withdrawal symptoms and has also been associated with the exacerbation of underlying psychiatric illness. However, not all patients described in the cases had preexisting psychiatric illness and not all had discontinued smoking.

Healthcare professionals should monitor patients taking Chantix for behavior and mood changes. Patients taking this product should report behavior or mood changes to their doctor and use caution when driving or operating machinery until they know how quitting smoking with Chantix may affect them.

Read the complete 2007 MedWatch safety summary including a link to the FDA Early Communication Sheet about an Ongoing Safety Review regarding this issue at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Chantix

leatherman · « **Reply #254 on:** November 21, 2007, 12:56:12 am »

Quote from: J.R.E. on November 20, 2007, 07:02:08 pm

Received this in my Email box a little while ago regarding Chantix

I have a polite question JRE. According to your earlier post in this thread, it sounds like you quit smoking yrs ago, before this med was on the market. Am I correct then in assuming that means that you have not taken Chantix?

Quote from: J.R.E. on October 08, 2007, 07:01:51 pm

The first time I saw a person doing that was enough to convice me to quit smoking...That was years ago.

I'm trying not to make this post sound bitchy towards you JRE, but I wanted to use this an example to ask if anyone seemed to be having the same problem that I have been lately. Recently, I have been assailed with this "warning" about Chantix from all sorts of people - from an ASO worker, my mom, the doctor's secretary, a nurse taking blood, and now JRE.

First, I always read up about any medication I'm taking. (Personally I think you would be a fool to take any medication without having learned about it.) All the info about Chantix clearly stated up front that "mental" issues may occur with usage. Having already gone off Sustiva because of "mental" issues, I figured I knew what to look for. Second, my HIV meds are so much more harmful to my system than this one little pill. Most of the other side effects from Chantix (The most common adverse events associated with CHANTIX (>5% and twice the rate seen in placebo-treated patients) were nausea, sleep disturbance, constipation, flatulence, and vomiting.), I already suffer with everyday from the HIV meds.

So I took the pills for a week; then quit smoking, continueing with the pills as prescribed. I haven't smoked in almost 25 days now. (WooHoo!) Matter of fact, I haven't even taken the Chantix for the last three days.

While I was taking it, I did notice more "vivid" dreams; but nothing else happened to me that I would consider a side effect of the Chantix - although the bitchy attitude I had during days 15-20, I attributed to classic nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

Then all these people started warning me about the medication. The problem I have with their warning is that, as far as I know, most of these people have never smoked, and none of them have even taken the drug. What's up with that?

Too be honest, this is not the only issue about meds/warnings that gets me worked up. My mom has learned to quit sending me newspaper clippings everytime the word HIV or AIDS appears in an article - especially articles with the word "cure" in them . I've already told her that me and my doctor keep an eye out on that sort of thing. I promised her that the day the cure is available, I'll take it and call her first thing before anyone else.

Does anyone else get "accosted" with warnings like this? Does it bother anyone else? I ask these questions rhetorically, because now that I have vented I feel a lot better about the issue. LOL

Before I close, I do have to mention one more time that it's been 23 days now that I haven't smoked.

I've done two things to get me through the experience so far. First, I refuse to buy another pack of cigs. It's so much easier to quit when you don't have any around to light up. Second, I've used a trick my GrandFather used to kick the habit 50 yrs ago. Everytime I've been tempted, felt the urge, or just been bored enough to smoke, I've grabbed a mint (my fav are LifeSavers Wint-O-Ments, instead of the peppermints that my GrandFather used). I'm not certain how many calories I've picked up gobbling up three big bags of mints (at 135 lbs I can afford a little more weight as we more into the Winter cold); but I've got great smelling breath now.

mikie
(who is tired of listening to in-experienced and un-experienced people talking about stuff they don't know anything about)

DanielMark · « **Reply #255 on:** November 21, 2007, 03:35:22 am »

Quote

A preliminary assessment reveals that many of the cases reflect new-onset of depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and changes in emotion and behavior within days to weeks of initiating Chantix treatment.

That's exactly how it affected me, the third week into taking Champix, profound depression with suicidal thinking. Up until then it seemed to be working well. As with any new drug, not every possible side effect can be known from the start.

Daniel

J.R.E. · « **Reply #256 on:** November 21, 2007, 07:47:45 am »

Quote from: leatherman on November 21, 2007, 12:56:12 am

I have a polite question JRE. According to your earlier post in this thread, it sounds like you quit smoking yrs ago, before this med was on the market. Am I correct then in assuming that means that you have not taken Chantix?
I'm trying not to make this post sound bitchy towards you JRE, but I wanted to use this an example to ask if anyone seemed to be having the same problem that I have been lately. Recently, I have been assailed with this "warning" about Chantix from all sorts of people - from an ASO worker, my mom, the doctor's secretary, a nurse taking blood, and now JRE.

Hello,

The quote you referred to, from me"The first time I saw a person doing that was enough to convice me to quit smoking...That was years ago."
, was not about Chantix. It was about a time years ago, when I was in the VA hospital and patients were smoking cigarettes through their tracheotomy (SP)--( hole in the throat ), before Chantix.

No, I quit smoking many years ago. Before Chantix was on the market. The post that I had put up yesterday, was from an email that I had received from the FDA,( On Tuesday of this week) regarding Chantix.

One paragraph in that warning states ;

The role of Chantix in these cases is not clear because smoking cessation, with or without treatment, is associated with nicotine withdrawal symptoms and has also been associated with the exacerbation of underlying psychiatric illness. However, not all patients described in the cases had preexisting psychiatric illness and not all had discontinued smoking.

So, it would seem quite possible that Chantix, may not have that effect on all people. but warnings are out there for a purpose. If a person was having problems with smoking cessation, using Chantix. it's something that should be monitored by your doctor.

I hope this clarifies a little bit--------Ray

Personally, if Chantix was around years ago , when I was attempting to quit smoking, I probably would have given it a try. Instead I opted for wellbutrin and Hypnosis, both of which failed. It took several attempts to quit smoking, until I succeeded.

By the way, congratulations on 25 days of no smoking !! You feeling that rush of energy yet ?

leatherman · « **Reply #257 on:** November 21, 2007, 10:45:02 am »

Quote from: J.R.E. on November 21, 2007, 07:47:45 am

I hope this clarifies a little bit

Not really; but that's okay.

Any more explanation would just augment the point I was making. I just find it interesting - and disturbing - that some people voice their opinions about subjects in which they have no involvement, experience or knowledge.

Quote from: J.R.E. on November 21, 2007, 07:47:45 am

You feeling that rush of energy yet ?

Now you're sounding like one of those obnoxious ex-smokers that I know. LOL They all keep touting about how things will taste better, I'll breathe better, have more energy, leap buildings in a single bound, and save the world. ROFL

Except for problems with HIV and the meds, I've always been a pretty healthy guy. So, no, there's been no change in my health. I'm biking 20 miles or more a week; been the same weight of only 135 lbs that I've been since I graduated from high school in 1980; and everything still tastes and smells the same.

I actually quit for three reasons; but the most important one was the money. Although my physical health may not have had any visible improvement, I will say that my wallet's health sure has improved! It's nice to still have a few dollars in my pocket this late in the month.

However, I did have one negative side effect from stopping - I had a sinus infection for two weeks! It's finally cleared up, thank goodness. Being out in all that fresh air, exercising, without the protection from the cigarette smoke, let all sorts of new germs/irritants into my system. ROFL

mikie

BT65 · « **Reply #258 on:** November 22, 2007, 06:24:44 am »

Well, it's day #4 for me without cigarettes. I use Chantix and have on a couple other occasions without the suicidal ideation. I also have more vivid dreams, but I knew that was going to happen. It's in the med insert that comes with Chantix. Like Daniel said, when meds are first on the market, we don't really know "all" of their possible side effects. And the way they push meds through nowadays, I think it's next to impossible to know.

I do have a psychiatric issue (major depression) but that's being treated. And the two other times I quit smoking while on Chantix, I really don't recall the depression being exacerbated by the Chantix. Thanks for posting that though, Ray. I do appreciate it when people, however inexperienced with a certain treatment, pass on info.

I hope everyone has a good turkey-day. I, myself, plan on gourging!

PRMike · « **Reply #259 on:** November 22, 2007, 10:16:24 am »

Hi everyone I just want to wish everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING and let you know that I'm still going strong with my quit and I hope that you all are doing the same ok bye for now always PRMike<a href="http://www.myhotcomments.com/graphics.php?index=best"><img src="http://lc.fdots.com/cc/lc/08/080c11a473bdf90a9faf340a4cf75d50.gif" border="0" alt="MyHotComments.com"></a><br><a href="http://www.myhotcomments.com/graphics.php?id=23854">MyHotComments</a><br>

PRMike · « **Reply #260 on:** November 28, 2007, 04:29:13 pm »

Hi everyone just an update I am still smoke free on day 82 and it feels great, I hope everyone else is doing just as good and if not well just keep on trying, ok bye for now always PRMike

leatherman · « **Reply #261 on:** November 28, 2007, 04:44:46 pm »

Today is day 31 - that guarantees that I've gone a FULL month with no cigs now.

kellyspoppi · « **Reply #262 on:** November 28, 2007, 05:03:32 pm »

hi everyone.

65 days and counting.

chantix feels like it is wearing off though, even while i am still taking 1 pill a day.

trying hard to stay the course. at least my plan is allot smarter than georges!

kellyspoppi

BT65 · « **Reply #263 on:** November 29, 2007, 07:48:28 am »

Hi everyone:

I'm still smoke-free.

My best friend smokes and I notice that when I'm around her, sometimes I would like to light up. But then I quickly think of the shortness of breath, stinking like cig smoke etc. that comes along with smoking cigs. And I know that I can't smoke just one. That would be a joke. Hope everyone is doing alright.

Basquo · « **Reply #264 on:** November 29, 2007, 10:52:13 am »

Well I've had my ups and downs but today is Day 6 without a smoke for me, and I can't tell if my head cold is lingering and going down into my chest or if my lungs are starting to clear themselves out but I was coughing up lung biscuits all night! However my sense of smell is sharpening in a freakish way, I feel like Francine Fishpaw.

I did stop the Chantix for two days but am back on it now. I almost feel like I could stop it completely but I'm going to keep it up for at least two months. As far as side effects, I will testify that it turned me into a raving drama queen bitch for the first couple of weeks, but I also had some pretty tough situations happening at the same time. Now I'm just having vivid dreams, but they're not really interferring with my rest like I thought they would.

I think I can make it. I miss smoking, but I'm really digging the extra money!

pozattitude · « **Reply #265 on:** November 29, 2007, 01:01:53 pm »

congratulations to all of you!!!!

leatherman · « **Reply #266 on:** November 29, 2007, 01:12:32 pm »

Quote from: Basquo on November 29, 2007, 10:52:13 am

I can't tell if my head cold is lingering and going down into my chest or if my lungs are starting to clear themselves out but I was coughing up lung biscuits all night!

As far as side effects, I will testify that it turned me into a raving drama queen bitch for the first couple of weeks

Ah, both of those are side effects of nicotine withdrawal, not the Chantix. Unfortunately, you have to suffer some when kicking a habit.

Quote from: Basquo on November 29, 2007, 10:52:13 am

I did stop the Chantix for two days but am back on it now. I almost feel like I could stop it completely but I'm going to keep it up for at least two months.

Wait till about a month on the med and reconsider. I know of 8 people now (including myself) who took the Chantix for only 4-6 weeks before stopping it and staying off the cigs. Just don't stop too soon - you don't want to end up without enough of the drug in you and going back to smoking.

Good luck and hang in there!

PRMike · « **Reply #267 on:** December 04, 2007, 09:21:51 am »

Hi everyone I am closing in on the 3 digits mark and I'm feeling good except that I found out yesterday that I will not be reimbursed for the $120.oo dollars that I dished out for my starter pack and they say it is because I paid it before I got a prior Authorization request which to me does not make sence but I guess it's still better than me smoking??? ok I hope everyone is doing good with their quit may you all have a great day bye for now always PRMike

leatherman · « **Reply #268 on:** December 07, 2007, 10:23:34 am »

yesterday was day #40 and I smoked 1 cig. It tasted terrible; but I loved every drag off of it. I don't feel bad about the cig though, I had just buried one of my dogs.

Quote from: leatherman on December 06, 2007, 03:53:14 pm

Thank you all (along with several who PMed me) for your very kind words and thoughts. I'm just heart-broken to tell you that Gabby has passed away.

I did know this trying situation was coming though -

Quote from: leatherman on November 27, 2007, 12:20:07 am

On day two of my first attempt to quit (several yrs ago), we had a house fire that did $45000 worth of damage...

I tried to quit again a few yrs after that and two days later I had to have, not one, but two of my cocker spaniels put to sleep at the same time...

Needless to say, I've always been a little leery of "trying to quit smoking". Even now a month into quitting, I sense the hurdle coming towards me again. I'm hoping I have the smoking thing licked enough to not fall back when that dreaded day comes up within the next week.

So I got through my third attempt to quit followed by a tragic incident, and only smoked the one cig. I should be able to stay off the smokes now (even if the doctor has bad news with my next lab results next week).

mikie

PRMike · « **Reply #269 on:** December 16, 2007, 05:38:39 am »

Hi everyone well I made it to 100 days wow what a miracle and the good part is that I do not have any urges to smoke and I did not have any trouble when I got off the pills too so that was great too..
my brother got his pills also and will be starting them in a couple of days and I am so glad because he is a 2 pack a day smoker and has had heart problems before so I really want him to quit also but of course he has to want to do it for him self... well I hope and pray that everyone are well and doing good with thier quit may you all have a great day bye for now and please stay strong always PRMike

BT65 · « **Reply #270 on:** December 16, 2007, 06:08:18 pm »

Hi PR:

I'm still not smoking (actually, I don't know how many days it's been, I'll have to check on the Chantix e-mail tomorrow morning). I feel better though I've gained 20 lbs. Yuck! Now I need to lose weight, which I will be working on after the holidays. I can't do it right now, because this just is the season for sweets!

Peace-
Betty

PRMike · « **Reply #271 on:** December 16, 2007, 07:48:14 pm »

Hi It is better to have gained the 20 pounds than to have lost the ability to beath and end up losing weight and looking really sick and end up dying from smoking which is what was going to happen to us if we kept on smoking... that is what I keep saying to myself when ever the thought comes into my mind if I would like to smoke again that not saying that I am getting any urges but every once in a while I do get a taught and I block it with that picture...
anyway Bettytacy I'm glad to hear that your alright and that your still going strong with your quit.
ok bye for now stay strong always PRMike

BT65 · « **Reply #272 on:** December 17, 2007, 08:29:59 am »

OK, it's been 38 days. I checked this morning, PR. I'm glad you're still sticking with not smoking also. I just think of my father, who can't make it through one sentence without hacking and choking, and still smokes. Oh, he's 79 yrs old, so I doubt it would really make any difference if he quit now, but still, he wouldn't be in this situation if he didn't smoke in the first place. He is on oxygen when he's not smoking; but last week, my sister was over there and told me that he had his oxygen on and lit up a cigarette. Egads! I hope he doesn't blow himself up! Anyway, glad you're hanging in there.

PRMike · « **Reply #273 on:** December 17, 2007, 09:22:06 am »

Hi Betty, I'm sorry to hear about your Dad but at that age they are ste in thier ways and there's nothing we can do to change it, well today is my 101 day of being smoke free and mt brother is now going to start on his starter pack which
I'm glad he got... oh I hope that you will have a great day bye for now always PRMike

kellyspoppi · « **Reply #274 on:** December 17, 2007, 01:00:09 pm »

xmas day marks 90 days without smoking, which does make me very happy. besides the benefits of; extra money in my pocket each week for other things, like christmas presents; my home,cloths, and breath smelling better; absence of hacking & coughing up crap continuously; etc,etc here is another thing i don't miss, while continuing to live up here in the great northeast (USA), where over the past weekend we were hit by a winter noreaster, dropping over a foot of snow, ice, and sleet. shoveling in cold weather, where the cold hits your lungs making them burn with each breath you take. your head starts to get fuzzy after a while and you need to stop........... to have another cigarette.............

I don't miss it at all!

i took my last chantix last saturday and what i will miss were the dreams, which were quite vivid and enjoyable in content. i will also miss the crutch the pill represented............ will my cravings continue to subside without it?

saturday night we went out to dinner with folks (2 were smokers) and after a few glasses of wine, those cigs looked quite inviting. but both my wife and i held our ground and didn't give in to those cravings. right now the smell of a smoker turns me off, but i wonder if that turn off will remain now that i am no longer taking the pill?

most of the days go by without missing them, but certain times i go to reach for one (the ole habits) and i have substituted a bottle of water or some snack food in place of the pack.

it is a intense mission giving up this habit, but the quest contnues for now to remain smoke free for the rest of my life............. one day at a time..........

kellyspoppi

leatherman · « **Reply #275 on:** December 17, 2007, 01:20:18 pm »

Quote from: kellyspoppi on December 17, 2007, 01:00:09 pm

most of the days go by without missing them, but certain times i go to reach for one (the ole habits) and i have substituted a bottle of water or some snack food in place of the pack.

Good to hear that you are doing so well!

Christmas will be day 58 of not smoking for me. (I only took Chantix for 4 weeks.)

I do use a crutch too - LifeSaver Wint-o-Mints. I've been going thru a big bag of mints a weeks, but at about 300 calories a bag, they sure aren't fattening, and they leave my breath smelling great.

Jerry71 · « **Reply #276 on:** December 17, 2007, 01:39:26 pm »

Well today will be day 3 for me and have not had a smoke since friday night. My dad was on Chantix for three days until he died. Seems he was trying to quit but at least he was trying.

kellyspoppi · « **Reply #277 on:** December 17, 2007, 02:06:44 pm »

hey jerry,

honor your dad by completing his mission. maybe that was his final sign for you knowing he had little time left.

it's funny, but a few folks i have talked who have quit smoking say that if they were given a fatal diagnosis, they would think nothing of starting to smoke again
believing there was no sense to quiting anymore.

but in your dads case, he was still looking to quit that close to his death. to me, thats a pretty strong message he was sending you.

now i have been a smoker for over 37 years, and tried quitting a number of times, so i'm not trying to preach here. i think we all know deep down inside that it is not the best thing for our compromised immune system. and winter time up here only compounds the troubles, especially now that most places have gone smoke free. standing out in todays wind gusts of over 25 mph, making the wind chill temp 0 degrees, is just plain insane. but i used to stand there with all the other lunatic's, cursing the shit out of all those non-smokers who helped to pass that legislation.

so listen to your dad and finish what he started. and enjoy the warmth you share with others inside, no matter where you are, this holiday season.

kellyspoppi

PRMike · « **Reply #278 on:** December 17, 2007, 02:39:08 pm »

Hi Jerry71 I'm glad to see you back and I'm sorry to hear about your Dad and I agree with Kellyspoppi about that your trying to send you a sign.. so please keep on trying with your quit ok.. bye for now please stay strong always PRMike

BT65 · « **Reply #279 on:** December 18, 2007, 06:45:15 am »

Congratulations to everyone who's quitting! Kellyspoppi, it's been 39 days for me and some days I only take one Chantix, and I don't miss the cigarettes. I'm sure you will be fine. And sometimes docs prescribe it for as long as you think you need it; though with the nasty things that have been publicized about it lately (people becoming suicidal) I don't know if I would take it longer than three months. Jerry, you just hang in there, sweetie. Your dad was trying. You carry on the legacy.

PRMike · « **Reply #280 on:** January 06, 2008, 08:10:30 am »

Hi Everyone well Today is my 121 day of being a non-smoker and I feel great,,, I went to Georgia to visit a female friend for the holidays which went really well and she was kind enough to get a room that was a non-smoking room which I told her it would not bother me and it did not. my brother is now on his 11 th day of his quit and he is doing good thank God... I hope you all are doing well I have not heard anything from anyone lately ok bye for now please stay strong always PRMike

BT65 · « **Reply #281 on:** January 06, 2008, 09:00:10 am »

Hi PRMike:

I'm still not smoking. Just waiting for the heaviness in my chest to go away. A friend of mine who quit years ago told me that takes about a year, but it gets less and less all the time. Glad you're still staying quit. Hope everyone else is doing well.
Peace-
Betty

PRMike · « **Reply #282 on:** January 06, 2008, 02:58:20 pm »

Hi Betty I'm glad to hear that your still not smoking and I hope that heaviness in your chest will go away..
now I must ask you is that you in the Picture because if it is your a Hottie and I hope you dont mind me saying so??? ok bye for now always PRmike

Carolann · « **Reply #283 on:** January 06, 2008, 03:26:47 pm »

Chantix worked for me and several friends. Not perfect, but beneficial nonetheless.

BT65 · « **Reply #284 on:** January 06, 2008, 07:38:36 pm »

Yes Mike, that's me in the avatar pic. Thanks, by the way.

leatherman · « **Reply #285 on:** January 06, 2008, 11:19:09 pm »

today is day 70 without cigs for me

(I only smoked that one I talked about in post #268)

Last year began and ended with the exact same bloodwork [cd4 245; vl <75] for me, so I can't say that I'm any healthier yet

; but I did still have some pocket change at the end of the month for the last couple of months.

PRMike · « **Reply #286 on:** January 07, 2008, 06:30:00 am »

Hi that's great keep up the good work, who know's with you stopping smoking your health may improve some, I really feel that mine has since I have quit, I do not cough as much, I do not have chest pains, my legs do not hurt that much anymore, well anyway I hope that you will be alright and that you will continue to stay quit. bye for now as always PRMike

BT65 · « **Reply #287 on:** January 07, 2008, 08:31:33 am »

Well, I'm still short of breath and I still have a heavy feeling in my chest. But a friend of mine who quit a long time ago said that would happen for about a year after quitting. But he said it's so worth it; and I know it is. I'm not going to start again. I know what you mean about having some pocket change at the end of the month Mikie. It's really nice, isn't it. I'm not searching for change everywhere in a panicked state anymore either. Yay for us! I never thought I would be an ex-smoker. I was one of those who was going to "smoke until I croaked." But I'm so glad I decided to quit.

kellyspoppi · « **Reply #288 on:** January 07, 2008, 10:51:45 am »

103 days and counting for my wife and i. right now the crap in my lungs is begining to break up so in the morning i feel like someone with a bad chest cold. so hang in there betty, as i'm sure the same will begin to happen for you, as well, the longer you go without smoking.

i do miss those visual dreams i was having on the chantix, but i don't miss the cost of that habit. i, like everyone else, am loving the extra money i am finding exists the longer i am not paying for them. i would like to start setting aside the amount i feel i would have spent each month so i could plan a celebratory trip somewhere with my wife. unfortunately, it seems that the cost of living (heat, gas/groceries, etc) has risen so much of late ( thanks mr bush) that putting that money aside has been difficult. the flip side of that, of course, is that if we were still paying for our cigs we'd be going further into debt. the mere thought of that is enough incentive to stay off those little buggers, as i am having a hard time now wondering how the hell i afforded them these last few years.

it was great over the holidays, at my home or at other parties, not having to go outside or in a garage to have a cigarette every now and then, especially up here in the great northeast, where outside winter time smoking can be hazardous to your health. standing in freezing temps with wind chill factors below zero was a past contributor to bacterial pneumonia, chest colds, bronchitus, ..... you name it. my winter time trips to the doctor for those annoyances, and the costly co-pays that came with them, are not being missed at all.

just as an example, the friday before christmas my grandaughters arrived at our home pretty sick (their ditsy blonde mom doesn't understand the concept of compromised immune system). usually the 5 & 9 yr old sleep in the king size waterbed with grandma (who wouldn't have it any other way) while i sleep on the couch out in the living room.

in past years anytime the kids are sick, whatever they had when they came was picked up by us by the time they left. however, with both of us not smoking for over 90 days, we avoided catching what they had. and we were all able to enjoy some sleighriding on new years day before they left. believe me when i say, i really doubt we would have been able to enjoy that with them had we still both been smoking.

so call it what you will. i tend to look at what just transpired as a bonus over the holidays........... but like all feel good stories, there is a downside to everything. both my wife and i got injured sleighriding and will be visiting our doc's for results of xrays for bruised or cracked ribs, courtesy of "devils hill"

............

somebody forgot to remind us were not as young as we feel!

kellyspoppi

leatherman · « **Reply #289 on:** January 07, 2008, 12:16:58 pm »

Quote from: kellyspoppi on January 07, 2008, 10:51:45 am

...not having to go outside or in a garage to have a cigarette every now and then, especially up here in the great northeast, where outside winter time smoking can be hazardous to your health. standing in freezing temps with wind chill factors below zero...

a big hearty AMEN to that brother!

Quote from: Bettytacy on January 07, 2008, 08:31:33 am

I was one of those who was going to "smoke until I croaked."

That was my mindset too. As I told my doctor many times (and as I still believe), teh aids is going to kill me before any sort of lung cancer gets me. Of course, I read that other thread about the downside of living longer on these meds (heck i've been living that for the last decade. lol). That's what my doctor has been harping about. (if you had asked me at 36 when I was in hospital with pnuemonia, I would have never imagined that I would still be here 10 yrs later!) Now that I'm almost 46, I have to worry that IF I do make it to 50, I might end up with some crappy heart- or lung-related problems. Hopefully by quitting smoking I've taken the right steps to avoid those problems in my future.

Since the snow has melted, the temp is back up to 60 and the sun is shining today, I'm going to ignore the PN symptoms as much as possible, take the bicycle out of the garage and go biking for a while to get some fresh air into my clean lungs. (Heaven knows I better do it today! We have a saying here in Ohio, if you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes; it'll change. LOL)

have a good day and keep on NOT smoking everyone!

Jerry71 · « **Reply #290 on:** January 07, 2008, 12:55:37 pm »

Well I am not on the Chantix anymore have not had a smoke in over 12 days.

PRMike · « **Reply #291 on:** January 07, 2008, 04:34:44 pm »

Hi Betty I hope that feeling goes away, Kellspoppi I loved your story but I do hope that you and your wife are alright,,, WTG Jerry71 keep going you'll make it.. ok bye for now as always much love always PRMike

BT65 · « **Reply #292 on:** January 07, 2008, 06:31:45 pm »

Quote from: leatherman on January 07, 2008, 12:16:58 pm

We have a saying here in Ohio, if you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes; it'll change. LOL)

We have that same saying here in Indiana, Mikie and I think they do in Michigan also.

Yes, very strange weather. Today it got up to 64; tonight it's only supposed to get to 55, tomorrow 63. Then they're saying in a few days highs in the 30's and snow. OK, I know, it's still winter time. Anyway, still not smoking, but man, do I have a headache. I didn't have one outside; I got one when I came in here. I keep smelling something, not sure what. I do have a carbon monoxide detector in my apartment, so I don't think it's anything to do with that. But every time in here lately, I get a headache and I smell something that's like gasoline. Oh, I know what it probably is. I can smell the people in the next apartment's cigarette smoke, because the apartments here all run off the same furnace. That's probably what it is. Another downside to smoking. Thank goodness we quit! Yay for us!

WorriedWife · « **Reply #293 on:** January 07, 2008, 09:52:29 pm »

My husband and I both just stopped smoking on Chantix. We had tried everything. Chantix really works!!! I have been smoke free for a month now. Just as a warning on day 4 or 5 you will chain smoke but during week 2 you will not even think about smoking!!! Best of luck to you

PRMike · « **Reply #294 on:** January 25, 2008, 08:46:46 am »

Hi everyone I hope everyone are doing welll it has been awhile since I have seen anyone post anything so I figured I give you guy's an update, I am up to 140 on my quit and feeling great plus I got my brother to join us with the Chantix and he is doing good also which makes me happy because he was a 2 pack a day smoker and has had heart problems before.. well I hope and pray everyone are well bye for now with much love for all always PRMike

BT65 · « **Reply #295 on:** January 25, 2008, 09:27:45 am »

Hi Mike, glad you're doing so well. I'm getting ready to quit (again). I had a really stressful situation happen, and since I don't drink or do drugs anymore, buying a pack of cigarettes seemed like the answer. Anyway, I am going to quit again, though, because cigarettes are going up to $7/pack here in northcentral Hoosierville. So, really I'm quitting because I won't be able to afford to smoke, not really because of my health. Anyway, hope everyone who quit or is quitting is doing good.

kellyspoppi · « **Reply #296 on:** January 25, 2008, 09:45:12 am »

it has now been 120 days for me and counting. it seems to be getting easier, however i will say it has been necessary for my wife and i to find allot more healthier snack foods, as something has to replace those evening urges while watching tv/movies.

one thing i know for sure. with the run my giants made to get into the super bowl, quitting before the end of the season saved me at least 3 packs a playoff game and the super bowl. i would have been so nervous and keyed up for each of those games, yes unfortunately, i would have smoked nearly 3 packs each GAME DAY!

now i just snack allot, but because i have tried to be healthy with my eating choices i have been able to stay pretty close to the same weight. it is hard up in the northeast getting a good walk in with such frigid temps these days, so my weight has been an issue since the holidays, but we're are expecting a slight warm spell over the weekend and i hope to get a few more walks in then.

good luck to all of you in keeping up the fight. especially this winter, i don't miss getting sick with bronchitus and chest colds from having to smoke outside in this weather........NOT IN THE LEAST!

kellyspoppi

bear60 · « **Reply #297 on:** January 25, 2008, 10:08:14 am »

Kellispoppi
You mean you were allowed to smoke in the HOUSE during SuperBowl?
I know what you mean about snacks...I'm still working on that.
But the one big thing that has helped me is that all the bars in the city of Philadelphia went NON smoking. See, used to be that during the winter I would pick a night and go out and smoke like there was no tomorrow INSIDE a bar. Now that cannot be done. It really helped.

PRMike · « **Reply #298 on:** January 25, 2008, 10:18:09 am »

Hi BettyTacy do not beat yourself up about smoking again, we all have our weak moments or times that we just say the heck with it and just do it so just jump back and the horse and get your ride on, oh I should of said jump on your bike and get your ride on if your a biker like me I do not know why I was thinking of horses LOL oh wow $7.oo bucks a pack yeah it's time to quit alright LOL

Hi Kellypoppi wow 120 days that's really great, doesn't it feel great??? and yes GO GIANTS I'm a Native New Yorker even though it has been over 29 years since I have been back in New york but someday I would like to go back and see my old New York.. anyway I hope that you guy's wil be well ok bye for now much love always PRMike

leatherman · « **Reply #299 on:** January 25, 2008, 11:19:11 am »

here in Ohio where they keep on taxing the cigs for everything from ball parks to art museums (remember they even tried funding s-chip with cig tax money?), I quit smoking. not for any health reason; but simply because I couldn't afford smoking anymore. Living on SSI, I'm broke by the middle of any month even without paying for cigs, and I was just too ashamed to bum the $$$ off my partner anymore to pay for my smoking habit.

Tomorrow (1/26) is the 90th day off cigs for me

instead of all those snacks y'all, why don't you try my method - mints. My mom told me my grandfather had quit cold turkey by changing his cig habit to sucking on peppermints. While I was trying to break all those smoking habits (lighting up in the car, in the front of the computer, when you're bored, etc), I figured I'd give it a try. Everytime I felt the urge to pick up a cig, I popped a life saver winto-mint. A bag cost about $1.50, and there's about 600 calories per bag of mints. So for a measly extra 200 calories a day (that you can burn off it you get off your butt and away from the computer LOL), I got great smelling breath and a chance to break all those smoking habits without worrying about a weight gain.

(oh, i have gained about 5-7 lbs but I blame that on Christmas cookies.

and living here in the north where it's cold, that's just my regular extra winter weight gain on my 130 lbs frame. It keeps me from freezing to death. LOL Soon as Spring hits and I can get back outside on the bicycle and doing yard work, I'll be back to my normal "too skinny" in no time. LOL So many people complain about their weight - always about being overweight. Not me. I weight the same as I did 25 yrs ago when I graduated from hi school and quite frankly I don't weight enough. Weighing close to 140 now, I don't look quite so anorexic like I usually do.

)

I have a story and a thought for you Betty, and anyone having a problem with quitting all together.

My partner tried stopping with me. Having gotten off Sustiva (for many reasons, not just the nightmares), I didn't mind the vivid dreams so much (they weren't nightmares, so they didn't bother me); but my partner was very bothered by the dreams, so he quit taking the Chantix after 3.5 weeks. Although he had not totally quit smoking all cigs, he was down to 4 a day. Here at 90 days later, he's still smoking only 4 a day. One on the ride to work, one at break, one at lunch, and one on the ride home. How can I complain about that? I'm not saying that you shouldn't try to quit smoking all together; but if you can at least try very hard to reduce the amount you smoke a day to a very low amount per day, not only will you save $$ but there are still health benefits.

Personally, I found it was easiest to completely quit my smoking by NEVER buying another pack. I had to totally avoid convenience stores for a couple weeks, and would quickly run in to buy gas and run out not giving myself time to buy a pack. Without any cigarettes lying around (Jim's are kept locked up in his glove compartment), and refusing to shamefully bum one off of someone else, it only took a few days to get over the serious craving and to start changing those old smoking habits into other activities.

It's good to hear so many are still doing so well.

Good for all of you!
And to those who are still struggling, you keep on fighting the good fight and just see if things don't work out for the best.

mikie

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