POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: aztecan on January 25, 2007, 09:48:45 am
-
I knew I shouldn't have said it.
I knew the very moment after I had uttered those fateful words I would regret it.
UGH! :-[
I was visiting with the doctor yesterday, going over the litany of people needing this or that and I was trying to find out when a person now on a trach tube would be able to speak to me.
In the middle of all this, I had a bit of a coughing jag. Not unusual. But, before I could stop myself, those fateful words spilled forth from my lips.
"I have to quit smoking."
EEP! :o
My doc pounced on those words like a cat on a mouse. He has been after me for four or five years to quit.
Oh lordy, what have my words wrought? :'(
The next thing I knew, I had a prescription in my hand for Chantix.
http://www.prescriptiondrug-info.com/drug_information_online.asp?title=Chantix&page=1007652&ad=true
I guess it is a good idea. The COPD issues are getting worse, which isn't a good sign. I am already useing Advair inhalation therapy.
Also, I am approaching the age my father had his first heart attack.
Smoking also lowers a person's HDL cholesterol, which I have had trouble raising to minimal levels.
Smoking probably isn't good for keeping my HIV at bay and probably opens the door for other problems, although I don't know of any direct correlation.
All of these things tell me I should not continue smoking.
But I fear I will miss it, nonetheless.
Worse, the panic is already setting in. Just the thought of being without my smokes causes me to panic.
Those who have never smoked may not understand this. Actually, even smokers may not understand this.
But, it happens.
Maybe this script will help. I hope so.
Patches didn't work. I used to smoke while wearing a 21 mg nicotine patch. Not a good idea, so I'm told.
Some may remember I tried quitting last year. It wasn't pretty. I started eating everything I could get my hands on. People started running the other way when they saw me coming. (I said I tried to eat everything I could get my hands on.)
I also became a compulsive cleaner. I scrubbed until my hands bled.
Now, what have I gotten myself into?
SIGH! :'(
Mark
(Who now must find a rabid anti-smoker just so he can blow smoke in his/her face before he quits, just to say he did it.)
-
Good luck Mark! Maybe you should move to Aspen, and you and Eric can both have aching jaws from, er, sucking too many lozenges. ;D Hope it works out this time. And if the going gets tough, aw shucks, you have this space to rant. (Maybe we should have a "Ranting and Raving Thread" specifically for people trying to quit smoking.)
As for me, I'm recently down to 3 to 4 cigarettes a day, a pretty big deal for me.
Another quitter -- hurray!
Jay
-
Hey Mark
I know how hard it is to quit an addiction. Smoking seems to be one of the hardest things to quit because it is more socially acceptable but those television commercials airing here on every single network channel in New York are pretty blunt and cruel. You are giving up something that you enjoy and has become part of your life but you are also gaining peace of mind that you are doing something good to your body by quitting or even minimizing the amount of cigs you smoke. You can do it Mark!
-
Well, good luck. I need to quit too but I've decreased to about 8/day so whatever.
If you're having all of these panic issues why not help yourself to a benzo prescription to calm yourself down? Just do it for a month and I bet it will help.
-
Hi Mark -
I hope the new prescription helps. Definately give it a chance. From what I just read about COPD, it's a very serious matter. I've had my own fixes over the years and can somewhat relate to what you're saying but I also know that time eventually heals. Nothing is forever.
Best wishes on this one!
Jason
-
Mark,
Hahaha.....that's what i said to myself yesterday when i was celebrating my 27th birthday!!! i hope you ca n do it.......and let me know if it works!! ok? been trying to quit for years, but just can't do it right~~~i wish you can with my birthday wish power!!!
jing hua ;D
-
::looks up COPD because I'm dumb::
Wow... you had THAT and still smoked? What a trooper!
-
I stopped smoking tobacco on the day of my diagnosis, my doc convinced me and I was ready and willing to follow her advice. Now or never, I told myself, and I'm proud to say that I managed to stay nicotine-free for the last six months. No plasters, no chewing gums, nothing but my free will. The only stuff I smoke now are some pure dutch herbs for relaxing purposes. On an occasional basis, not regularly. Doc says go ahead, no harm will come from that.
-
Mark
You know you have tons of support from me!!! And lots of sympathy...yikes...its not easy.
-
Mark,
I feel your pain. I am on day 10 of not smoking. I'm talking a 20 year habit here. I am on Wellbutrin and will power. I am not using any nicotine replacement methods. I bought the lozenges, but never really used them because they taste like shit. Just take the medication the doctor gave you and continue smoking (try to cut back during this time if you can). After 2 weeks, stop smoking altogether. Get yourself ready. Change the times that you smoke to break habits..Throw away lighters and ashtrays. And then smoke your last cigarette. Here's the key that worked for me: Don't make a big deal about smoking that last cigarette. Just smoke it like you smoke any other one. And then just don't buy any more. If you are absolutely dying for one, bum one from somebody. DO NOT BUY A PACK! This is the best advice I can offer. The medication will ease the withdraw symptoms. After 3 days, you are home free from the physical addiction....then it's just the psychological part that you have to deal with. The urge to smoke will pass! Just take control. Don't panic. If you are ready to do this, you will do it. If this process takes longer than 2 weeks, so be it. I was on Wellbutrin for a month before I quit altogether.
I joined a gym....I know I needed the exercise to take better care of myself anyway. And the thought of lighting up after a workout seems so ridiculous. So the way I see it...by quitting smoking and starting exercise, I am no longer killing CD4 cells with carbon monoxide and hopefully producing more CD4 cells with the exercise.
I am actually on a mission to see if I can improve my numbers without HAART.
Plus, if I do end up living a long life, I don't want to spend my final years hauling around an oxygen tank.....
GOOD LUCK MARK....YOU CAN DO IT!!! ;D
-
I am actually on a mission to see if I can improve my numbers without HAART.
I think this is a good goal; however, don't let yourself get into a trap of dispair if this does not improve the numbers. Sometimes they are out of our control regardless of the good we do. I speak from personal experience on this one. When I realized what I was doing didn't stop the declines I broke down for a bit.
-
Sending lots of support your way. It is going to be hard, but you can do it!
Christine
-
GOOD LUCK Mark, you can do it :-X
J.
-
Mark,
Big mouth is fine, especially for the simple reason that it is going to be a lot better for you eventually.
I say eventually, because having been on both side of the fence, to stop smoking is a very hard thing to achieve.
You can do it my friend, I know because if I was able to do it, so can you.
Best of luck and keep us posted.
-
Mark,
He is right; you do need to quit. For me, it wasn't all that hard. I smoked over 2 packs per day and randomly picked a day to quit. For 2-3 weeks prior to that date, I cut out all caffeine and any other stimulants. The night before I quit, I smoked almost 3 packs in addition to the almost 2 I'd smoked during the day. It made me physically sick. The next day, I had a big, strong cup of coffee and thought about a cigarette and just the thought almost made me barf. I had lots of caffeinated drinks for a couple weeks, thenwent back to drinking my usual amount. For several months, the thought of a cigarette would make my stomach queasy and I'd quickly think of something else. It's been over 16 years since I've smoked a cigarette (never cheated or slipped up) and I've never regretted it. I did start walking a lot in the evenings which seemed to help. I stayed busy with work, projects, and exercise and didn't allow myself to think about it.
The other thing is to QUIT thinking about quitting. When I was having those damned Bicillin shots, just thinking about them would almost bring me to tears. After I just resigned myself to the fact that I had to have 'em, that there was no option, it wasn't nearly as bad. Also, don't give yourself the option to start back when you quit.
Good luck and I KNOW you'll succeed, if YOU really want to.
David
-
The Chantix has made it very easy for me to quit smoking. I'm not eating more, sleeping less, or anything. Its effective and very subtle. You take it for a week and continue to smoke. During this week, the Chantix builds up in your system. Day 8 was quit day for me and I'm now starting Week #3 without smoking. As I said, the Chantix is very subtle - nothing made me quit, other than having the desire to quit. Although it seems, the Chantix makes it easier by blocking nicotine's effect on your brain.
I can smell tobacco smoke on others now and while it still has a certain intoxicating effect on me, the greater effect is one of "Yuck, did I smell like that?" The urge hits now and then, but passes quickly, if you distract yourself. Suddenly, it seems like I have 3 extra hours a day to do something now that I'm not smoking. Cough is gone, voice is in excellent form.
There is life after smoking! Good luck to you!
-
Hey Mark
If it helps to hear others' stories I'll add mine. This coming August will be 20 years off of cigarettes. I had smoked 17 years prior to quitting and quit at two packs plus per day cold turkey. Like RacingMind I threw away every accessory related to the habit--ashtrays, lighters, leather cases, etc. Where he and I differ...I had four cigs left and chain-smoked them fast and inhaled hard so each would hurt as much as possible. Within several days went through the withdrawal which I'd experienced a couple times before, gained 23 lbs (had gained 30 previously) which I eventually lost just by walking and being re-energized. During the initial weeks, if I experienced an urge, I took a deep breath as I was told by others the urge passes within a short period of time. Knowing I would gain weight---I looked at it as two problems 1. quit smoking 2. lose weight. In subsequent years, both smoking siblings also quit multi-pack per day habits. We are all grateful to have conquered this addiction. My father's death was hastened by emphysema and he'd smoked a number of years of his life on and off.
Like many things, much of this is played out in the mind. You are quite capable of doing this and the freedom is incredible. Food tastes better. You smell better. The world smells better. After a while, the hacking up in the morning will cease and you will find that over time, you'll be hanging out with non-smokers. It is a natural migration someone had alerted me to and by golly, it's true! From another angle, I found cold turkey was simpler for me to handle than coordinating patches, lozenges, etc. and less expensive, too.
You'll be so glad you dumped this habit and start thinking of how you can fund your trip to AMG with all the dough you'll save and savory goodies long after that!
Em
I
-
Good Luck. Quitting smoking was very difficult for me. I am sure I quit 50 times, the last being for almost ten years. The three years prior to quitting I would only buy one pack a day at lunch time, and smoke one or two and throw the rest away. I got up every morning for years telling myself they would kill me cause they have killed every person over 50 in my family who smoked. The best time to quit is when you are sick,which seemed to be alot when I smoked. I must of had 100 ties with cigarrete holes in them. I would have smoking dreams the first 5 years I quit,waking up in a cold sweat knowing I had smoked only to find out it was a dream. You have to convince yourself they are killing you and that you are just committing a slow suicide. Thats what I did to quit.
How can weed be illegal and this shit be legal?
-
Mark,
The smoking addiction is an amazingly powerful thing. Just reading this thread makes me want to smoke one, and I quit years ago. Anyway, good luck buddy - and if you ever need a non-smoker to blow smoke at I'll volunteer if it helps !
Ernie
-
Hey Mark,
We like you.
We care about you.
It's good that you're giving up smoking.
That's hard to do.
You can do hard things. Not all of them are bad to do. You know that.
So stick with it.
Rock on, buddy!
-
Good luck Mark! I pray that you can find the strength to quit, and stay that way!
hugs,
Alan
-
Mark
Know how you feel two weeks smoke free for me.It is not easy but you can do it.Drinks lots of water that seems to be helping me and like Eric finding something to suck on helps.
Maybe we should start a quit smoking group here.
Blue
-
January does seem to be the month, doesn't it. Sore jaws. Sucking. Big mouth. Like something drifting over from the I love p. thread :)
I wish you much success on this project, Mark, whether it's a direct flight or has some detours on route. I can only feel for you and the others imagining if I were asked to stop drinking coffee.
I would second, third or fourth having at least a thread here in which everyone working on quitting smoking can jointly post updates and offer each other support, as only people going through the process can (hence the living with hiv forum, right?). Best, Win
-
It's been a little over a year since I quit and the only reason I quit was that I had to have my tonsils out and I never started again. If this is at all encouraging once I got over the "hump" I stop missing it. I smoked for about 15 years (I started VERY VERY young ;)) so I know what you are going through. Just stick with it and soon you are going to realize that it's easier then you thought.
Good Luck!!
-
Hello Mark,
As a former smoker, I know how difficult, giving up the cigs will be. I have got all the confidence in you, that you will succeed.
http://www.healthgoods.com/education/Health_Information/How_To_Quit_Smoking/after_you_quit.htm
http://www.ash.org.uk/html/factsheets/html/fact11.html
Time since quitting
Beneficial health changes that take place :
20 minutes
Blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.
8 hours
Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half, oxygen levels return to normal.
24 hours
Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body.
Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.
48 hours
There is no nicotine left in the body.
Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved.
72 hours
Breathing becomes easier.
Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
2 - 12 weeks
Circulation improves.
3 - 9 months
Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function is increased by up to 10%.
1 year
Risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
10 years
Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.
15 years
Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked
Good luck- you can do it !!---------Ray
-
Mark,
I am pulling for you and please keep us updated on how you are doing. I think one thing you might want to do is every time you have an urge pull up this thread and look at the info Ray above me has posted. Ray, thanks by the way. I know my time is coming. It has been on my mind more and more. I saw something while at the clinic today about second hand smoke and I don't want to put my kids through this. They have become innocent victims to my nasty habit.
Like I said, please keep us updated on your progress. I am interested to know how the prescription aids you in quitting, because it maybe something I have to look into also. I quit for a year and a half about 4 years ago and instead of gum and candy would keep a toothpick in my mouth. It helps with that oral fixation us smokers have. I wish you the best of luck.
Thomas
-
Hi Mark,
I am glad you opened your mouth to your doctor. I support you not putting any cigarettes in there as well.
Wishin' u the best,
Drew
-
Hey Mark, I wish you the best~
I've been taking Chantix for just over a month, I guess. I passed my quit date. But as time goes by I can really see the effect the drug has on my physical desire to smoke. I'm no longer enjoying the hell out of the cigarette. Many times I think about lighting one, I find myself saying, nah, don't feel like it. There is no physical craving at this point, pure habit. I had 7 cigarettes one day last week, and a day earlier this week, I had 3. All depends on what I'm doing during that day, and whether I forgot to take the evening dose :-[. I know I'll be done soon enough.
Good luck!!
Paul
-
Hi Mark, I knew about your big smile but now you got me confused with your big mouth !
Oh, stopping smoking, blimey! Good Luck, I kicked it 4 years ago after a lot of trying, so it's possible
although v. difficult. But I feel ,well ,fresher and more oxygenised.
-
Mark, You can do this if you want it really bad. If you do not have the will to quit, all the scripts in the world will do you little good.
I quit smoking last May. Because I was ready to, pure and simple. I had an AM smoke outside in my patio, got dizzy and barley made it to the couch in the living room. That was it for me. I thought how stupid it would look if I died of Lung cancer after having survived HIV for 23 years!
The will to quit, along with a few bottles of Commit Lo-zingers did the trick. I know you Can do it. The only question is....ARE YOU READY?
Good luck my dear friend.
I'm pulling for you in a big way.
Love,
Jeff
-
Thanks all of you for the encouragement. I have been wanting to quit for some time and have thought about it a great deal.
My doc said he has four or five people on it and all are doing pretty well with the Chantix.
I also spoke with my pharmacist about it. He said he was simply amazed at the results people have had with it.
Boy am I glad I switched from mail order to my local pharmacy. It is hard to have a discussion like this with an automated telephone system.
Today I pick up the starter box of Chantix. It isn't cheap and, naturally, my insurance doesn't cover it, but if it works, it will be worth it.
If it can keep me from becoming manic when I finally stop and avoid doing things like drop-kicking small children and running over soccer moms who get in the way, I will be happy.
And, I think I can lick it.
Again, thank you all for the support.
HUGS,
Mark
-
Good luck to you Mark!
I know a couple of people who had great success with Chantix
Keep us posted
(((hugs)))
-
Mark,
I have a question, is Chantix teh same as Zyban?
I've used it twice, and it does eliminate the desire to smoke. It just kicks in one day. The habit, and my lack of self respect, though got me both times. Constantly remind yourself, you are not giving anything up, you are starting a life free of the dirty weed. You never needed them before you smoked, and you will not need them again. Use as much positive reinforcement and support as you need to make you truly believe that this is a gain, not a loss. Gain back control of your life, your health and your money. Try to make it a positive life event.
Am proud of you for giving it a try. Freedom awaits.
-
This will be the 3rd time I've tried to post in this topic, Mark. Let's see if it takes.
I agree with Steve. You have to be in control. All of those chemically enhanced pacifers won't do much if you don't really want to do it yourself.
I quit last June. I got through the summer. I got through Montreal. I got through the holidays. Now I'll get through the winter.
You can do it. Just take it one day at a time.
robert
-
I have a question, is Chantix teh same as Zyban?
New drug!
-
I'm wishing you all the luck in the world, Mark. I want to quit smoking but when I try not to smoke, I go raid the fridge. I don't want to quit but then gain like 30 pounds. I'm going to have to talk to my doc about this Chantix but am not sure if my insurance will cover it. But then I'm switching insurance next week too. Keep us posted on how it's working for you.
-
Most health insurance doesn't cover Chantix - surprisingly, Chantix costs about $125.00 per month. About the same price as a daily pack of cigarettes.
-
Thanks again all of you. You're great!
Steve, I don't know the chemical make-up of Zyban, but from what I understand, this is a bit different.
It blocks or incapacitates the nicotine receptors in the brain. The way it is supposed to work, it reduces or removes the cravings caused by the nicotine addiction.
Is that how Zyban works?
I start tomorrow. You start with on 1/2 mlligram tablet in the morning for three days, then, on the fourth day, you take a half-milligram in the morning and another in the evening. You do this for a week, while still smoking.
At the end of a week, you are supposed to start on a full milligram in the morning and another in the evening, oh, and give up the ciggies.
Akasha, I'll let you know how it goes. I am cautiously hopeful. It is costly though. A month's supply cost me $118 today.
But, like I said, if it works, it will be worth it.
HUGS,
Mark
-
Mark,
GO! GO! GO! GO! GO! GO! GO! GO! GO!
I'm still struggling with this. Sigh...I've come so close.
Brian (who's going to step out for a smoke, with shame)
-
My doctor brow beats me too....and YES I smoke.
so throw the damn things and get it over with... :P
Good luck Mark.....You're a better man than I :o
-
.
-
You could simply move here to Arizona. They're really starting to tax the hell out of cigs and if cost isn't a strong incentive, I dunno what is? ???
Seriously though, I can empathize with you. I knew it was coming for me as well and so as I am writing this I am actually staying here at a friends house for the next week as she has asked me to watch over her house and her diabetic cat for her while she is back East visiting her sister. I chose to stop the cigs slowly (tapered off the last couple of weeks anyway), and completely quit two days ago. So far, the urge has been mild enough and I seem to be doing ok!
Good riddance to them and good luck to us all I say! We can do it. If not this time, try another time as I find it insulting to believe that the tobacco industry could get the best of me with their lies.
Btw, here's a sobering thought..., Be glad when you opened your big mouth, your doctor didn't say it was full of cancer.
-
Mark, best of luck buddy.
Just wanted to add... I was shocked as hell when I went to pick up my Chantix, and found that my insurance covered it with a $30 co-pay!!
-
Hello Mark,
Now if you had "brain damage" it may be easier to quit...Got to read this :
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/01/25/smoking.braindamage.ap/index.html
Maybe that is why it was relatively easy for me to quit... I've got "brain damage" :P
Ray
-
How is everyone doing with their quit from smoking?
So far so good here. I only had minor pangs for one the whole weekend. It's been four days and now I am off to my next milestone which is the "two-week" checkpoint.
Marc
-
I started the Chantix Saturday, so I haven't officially packed off yet.
But I will. I feel strongly about this.
Besides, I want to be smoke-free for my 50th birthday. It isn't for a while yet, but I'm planning ahead.
HUGS,
Mark
-
Good for you on that Mark. For financial reasons I am doing the "white-knuckle/cold turkey" thing yet again. For some people I know this has worked and for others they have done better with chemical support in the form of the patch or gum. I just reached the conclusion that I am going to be here for 50 (that's also a while yet) so I decided I was over hacking up loogies every morning and having crappy breath that no amount of mouthwash/toothbrusing would mask. Not to mention the cost here in AZ now!
On a side note, does anyone else see the humor in AIDSMeds spell checker in the attached image? How could does Vietcong be cross-referenced as "white-knuckle"? ;D
[attachment deleted by admin]
-
Doing good here....no slip ups! I'm approaching the 2 week marker. I have to say that I'm kinda proud of myself. Good luck to everyone out there who as recently rose to the challenge...
Go buy yourself something frivolous with the money you normally would have spent on cigarettes!
;D
-
Well, its been 10 days since I started taking Chantix.
I've done pretty well. The cravings are not nearly so pronounced as they have been in earlier attempts.
The way Chantix works is quite subtle. You just don't get the cravings as often or as forcefully. So far, its working.
Interestingly, I think it also blocks the satisfaction of smoking. Even before graduating up to the full dose, I noticed I didn't get the feeling of relief or satisfaction when I had a ciggie.
It was like, "So why bother smoking with I don't feel any different from it?"
I have been eating a bit more, but nothing like the last time.
Anyway, just an update.
HUGS,
Mark
-
I was looking forward to the update Mark... Thanks!
Thomas
-
GREAT Mark!
Keep up the good work....tomorrow is the 3 week marker for me!
::)
-
Good Job, Mark. I wish I could afford the stuff, 118 a month, that's out of my range. I wonder why insurance won't cover quit smoking aids, it doesn't make sense to me. Can someone explain this?
-
Well, its been 10 days since I started taking Chantix.
I've done pretty well. The cravings are not nearly so pronounced as they have been in earlier attempts.
The way Chantix works is quite subtle. You just don't get the cravings as often or as forcefully. So far, its working.
Interestingly, I think it also blocks the satisfaction of smoking. Even before graduating up to the full dose, I noticed I didn't get the feeling of relief or satisfaction when I had a ciggie.
It was like, "So why bother smoking with I don't feel any different from it?"
I have been eating a bit more, but nothing like the last time.
Anyway, just an update.
HUGS,
Mark
Hey Mark,
I wish you all the luck. I know I tried those damn patches in the past and they didn't do anything but give me an extra boost ;)
My doctors hassle me about it all the time. I'd never even heard of Chantix until now, so maybe I'll give it a whirl. I was thinking if I could find those candy cigarettes I'd stock up on those just to help get me out of the habbit of it.
The physical addiction isn't my biggest hurtle though. It's that mental addiction. I hate to give up one of my hobbies and for all the negative things people say about smoking I have some rather fond memories and even met some of the best friends of my life because we shared the same bad hobby ; )
Well, now I'm wondering if perhaps Chantix is covered under my own insurance. I've got my apt. on the 9th so I guess I will ask my doctor bout it and maybe I'll join ya guys.
Just a question, the doctor I just left claimed that quiting smoking would boost up my CD4 count. I don't think it could hurt, but surely there are some studies that might be ought there that'd give us all some extra incentive?
Good luck Mark!
Wesley
-
Hey Akasha,
I don't know why either. There apparently are a few that do cover it, but most don't. Yep, its expensive all right.
Hey Thomas and Racing,
Thanks guys. I'm hanging in there.
One thing I forgot to mention, the Chantix gives you vivid and, more often than not, weird dreams. I guess its sorta like Sustive-light.
It is strange though. I dreamed someone was admiring my toenail fungus. WEIRD! ???
Anyway, its been interesting, to say the least.
Hey Wesley,
I have heard that quitting smoking can boost your CD4s, but I've never seen any science to back it up. I do know it can help improve your HDL levels (the good cholesterol), which is the one I have had the most trouble with.
Give it a whirl. I have to say, the Chantix really does help. I still get the urges, but, like I said, not nearly like I used to when I quit.
I also tried the patches. They didn't help me at all. I ended up smoking while wearing them, which isn't a good idea.
I'll keep y'all posted.
HUGS,
Mark
-
Good Job, Mark. I wish I could afford the stuff, 118 a month, that's out of my range. I wonder why insurance won't cover quit smoking aids, it doesn't make sense to me. Can someone explain this?
Gee, whiz, smokes are $4-5 per pack here. So, I figured one month of Chantix is about the same cost?
-
Hey Akasha,
I don't know why either. There apparently are a few that do cover it, but most don't. Yep, its expensive all right.
Hey Thomas and Racing,
Thanks guys. I'm hanging in there.
One thing I forgot to mention, the Chantix gives you vivid and, more often than not, weird dreams. I guess its sorta like Sustive-light.
It is strange though. I dreamed someone was admiring my toenail fungus. WEIRD! ???
Anyway, its been interesting, to say the least.
During the premarketing development of CHANTIX, over 4500 individuals were exposed to CHANTIX, with over 450 treated for at least 24 weeks and approximately 100 for a year. Most study participants were treated for 12 weeks or less.
In Phase 2 and 3 placebo-controlled studies, the treatment discontinuation rate due to adverse events in patients dosed with 1 mg BID was 12% for CHANTIX compared to 10% for placebo in studies of three months’ treatment. In this group, the discontinuation rates for the most common adverse events in CHANTIX treated patients were as follows: nausea (3% vs. 0.5% for placebo), headache (0.6% vs. 0.9% for placebo), insomnia (1.2% vs. 1.1% for placebo), and abnormal dreams (0.3% vs. 0.2% for placebo)
Aren't you lucky to be in that .3% elite! I was so disappointed with Atripla because I was looking forward to vivid dreams. To find out now that I missed vivid dreams with Chantix, is just too much. Do they have prescription LSD?
-
Mark
I just want to congratulate you on your progress. Good going!!
-
Hubby went to the Dr yesterday for his checkup. The Dr. gave us some brochures on Chantix. We are using the patch and doing ok on it. She said if the patch didn't work to let her know and she prescribe us Chantix. She said she was impressed with it. So far the patch is working.
Keep up the not smoking Mark. I'm on day 3 and so far so good.
Hugs
Teresa
-
Having quit several times in my life... I feel for you. It's one of the best decisions you could ever make.
Just so I could stop people from thinking I was a complete asshole, I decided to quit while I was on the road for work for a week. then, only a really icky customer had to face my moodiness. I sat in my hotel room in the evenings and actively hated everything I could think of. It passed, but it's definitely amazing how much tobacco (and its absence) effects you.
-
Congratulations to all of you in this forum shared smokeout! Best, Win
-
I hadn't heard anything about Chantix and dreams. Now it makes sense. Last few weeks, my dreaming has been so clear and detailed, as if I'm watching a movie. Nothing scary or outrageous, and always stars people I know. :D
When will I get to the sex dreams of Chantix!!??
-
Well I never got the sex sustiva dreams, but then I never did go to bed wathin' porn like it is recommended. Aztecan, keep it up. Smoking, bad... I hope it keeps workin' for ya.
rob
-
Mark
Just wanted to echo the others and say keep up the good work on the smoking cessation. I'm proud of you my friend, you are an inspiration.
RAB
-
Heya Mark,
Well, your chain here got me a little more motivated to consider dropping the cancer sticks. Anyways, my doctor had pretty good things to say about Chantix and wrote out a 3 month prescription.
I wasn't gona buy it at first cause I was like hmm, I could smoke for a whole month for the cost of those pills. Anyways, I thought that was what was gona happen, but my pharmacist told me that shockingly my insurance covered it with a $20 copay.
He hadn't gotten em ready yet so I told him no problem cause I was gonna have a little smoke out tonite ;) Funny thing was the cashier gal who knows I'm always in there for my Marlboro lights quit 3 weeks ago and is still on Chantix. She claims it's the best deal so far in all of her attempts.
So, thank you for starting up your little smoke out thread. Looks like you've been an inspiration to more than a few. I guess I'll be starting on them tomorrow. I will have to see what I have in the way of porn from Rob's suggestion ;)
Hope you are doing well!
Wesley
-
Good luck there Wes... when I quit it was cold turkey. Boy, was I nice to be around.