Anyone used this? My mom is thinking about it and I am just a bit worried about it being so new. I have read a lot and am hearing different things, of course.

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

I have not used it. I have authorized for a couple of my work comp claimants. It didn't work for them. I think, like anything else it depends on how dedicated the person is to quitting.

as a side note, one of the claimants developed rosescea (sp??)/skin rash on her face because of the Chantix. So again, as with all drugs there are side effects.

I don't know what I would recommend if it were my mom. I think hypnotherapy.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Thanks. The possible side effects I am worried about are depression and vivid/disturbing dreams. I read one case where the dreams were really bad. She really does want to quit, but just can't seem to do it alone. I would love to see it happen and have read many success stories. I just hate for her to be one of the not so good stories.,

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

I was able to quit with the patches and some type of anti anxiety meds. To me that was the way to go. The patches keep some of the cravings down and the meds do the obvious......keep away the anxiety. I've heard bad things about chantix too and no success stories. I know several ppl who've tried it too.

The gum is another good choice.

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Melissa

I had vivid, but not bad dreams. Same thing happened when I was on the patch.

My mom quit about a year before I did. I was really worried because she suffers from severe depression and anxiety, has been hospitalized for it in the past and is a recovering alcoholic. I didn't know if the medicine would "push her over the edge." She lives alone, so I went to see her, or at least called her each day to see how she was doing. She did great and still doesn't smoke (more than I can say for me) She did have vivid dreams like I did. Neither of us had disturbing dreams, but it was a bit strange for me because I rarely remember my dreams. While I was on it I could remember minute details from my dreams.

My MIL and a few others I know have also quit with it.

I've heard some bad stories though (not personally but on the net) and I think anyone on it should be closely monitored by those around them. I'm not sure that the person taking it can always identify when there's a problem.

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Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.

OMG, I don't know if its just me or this dang site going nuts again, but every time i have this typed out it will not post . this is the 3rd time I've tried to reply to you GG. this makes the 2nd on this thread and I tried on the other thread. Urgggggggggggghhhhhhhhh

Ok I have tried it and that was last year, but I had horrible nightmares and also stomach aches out of this world. I didn't stop smoking last year not even for 1 day.

Now back in Aug of 09 I started timing myself to see just how long I was able to go without smoking, The longest time was 45 mins. However, If I was out with my cub scouts or somewhere that I couldn't run off and sneak one I was able to go for an hour some times up to 2 hrs but that was really pushing my limits.So by the end of Aug I was able to make it to 70 mins on my own before caving in and smoking.. By Sept I had made my mind up I was going to stop smoking if it killed me inside to do it. I went back to the chant ix but I had the same side effects as the year before. I then started using the patches ( Wal-mart brand )But the glue broke me out really bad ( band aids do the same thing ).I did use them for about 2 weeks and it really helped. I was able to start cutting back by the end of Sept I was down to 10 maybe 12 cigarettes aday. HUGE HUGE Step for me as I was smoking 2 packs at times even 3 packs aday. By Oct I wasn't using anything but sure will power. At times I did go over the limit but for the most part I stayed under the 12 aday. By Oct 26 I knew that night I wouldn't smoke any more and I haven't touched them since. I can't really say I have a craving for them, To be honest the smell makes me sick as in feeling the need to throw up. The best thing that has helped me is I have NO ONE around me that smokes, None of my friends smoke, I don't' have any family here that smokes, my oldest DD and her husband are non smokers as all their friends. I also removed all the carpet ( only my bedroom and hallway ) and washed every single wall in my home. I repainted 3 rooms and replaced the front room curtains. I also washed the rest of the curtains thru out my home.I threw all the ashtrays away the night of the 26th of Oct. When my Mother came to visit me Thanksgiving I was so torn between allowing her to smoke during her visit or just putting my foot down and offering a nice sunny spot out side with a lawn chair for her to sit in. I offered the sunny spot and chair for her. She didn't mind or if she did she didn't say anything about it nor anything now.The success of me quiting was largely due to sure will power tho. I kept telling myself all the things I would be able to do with the kids, example camping and being able to breathe when it's 100* outside, or go bike riding or even a simple trail walk all these things I was never able to do since we live in the deep south and it's always warm or very hot year around.So between the will power and jsut staying away from anyone for a little while that did smoke I have been able to over come the withdraws and smoke free since Oct 26 2009.

Now for the Cons

I have never felt so bad in my life once I stopped smoking. I felt like crap for the 1st 6 weeks. I just knew my lungs were going to fail me as I slept at night, I felt as if a 200lb weight was sitting on my chest that cause me to have panic attacks at night. I couldn't sleep from fearing and feeling as if I would stop breathing in my sleep.Every single joint and bone in my WHOLE body hurt. My muscles were all hurting the more I stretched the more I needed too. it felt like my muscles were all shrinking and I had to stretch to be able to walk.I had stomach trouble and my sinuses are still all messed up. I have nose bleeds a few times every single day since I've stopped smoking. I have been assured all this will go away with in 18 months , So I deal with it the best I can.
I can honesty say I feel-felt worse after stopping than I ever did smoking, I'm sure its was lack of oxygen that kept me from feeling like Shi* all these years.

GG I wish your mom the very best, But I do have to say will power is going to be her best smoking aid in quitting. Remember she is going to need the best support group/family around also. Good luck to her keep us updated.

Having never smoked a single cigarette in my life its hard for me to understand the addiction but I so aware of the dangers of smoking. For me personally my entire family smoked at this point my mom who smoked since she was 11 so she says quit 22 years ago for 11 years cold turkey. Fast forward to 1999 when she broke her leg very bad and had to have surgery and then 5 weeks later my mother in law passed away of a sudden heart attack , my mom decided this was all too much and asked one of my brothers for a cigarette. Then fast forward from 2001 to 2006 between the death of my brother Sonny and all her 4 sisters she is now smoking more then ever like 4 packs a day. She tried the patches the gum and chantix all very very bad side effects. She is a diabetic and has been battling bladder cancer and also her heart beats fast, she does take so much medication to begin with. So in the end from so many stories cold turkey seems the best. Again no personal knowledge only from what other family members and my mom have said. Btw my dad quit Cigarettes and Cigars and Beer over 30 years ago cold turkey, I guess in the end its up to the person. Best wishes and hope it will do your mom good as I have lost so many family members to the addiction of smoking. Peace. Catherine

wow! Thanks for the info. She is not the type to deal with such discomfort and not cave(I don't think anyway). One of her worries is that ever morning she heads straight to the fridge for a coke and sits outside on the porch, drinks her coke and smokes......she does not smoke a bunch the rest of the day. She goes the entire work day with none and then has a few after she gets home. She LOVES that morning coke and smokes and is afraid to give it up.

I can't imagine the night time troubles you describe. Wow!

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

oh, one more thing sunset......she hears different things about when to quit....she says she always says after this carton, but buys another. Did you quit when you finished the last one you owned, or throw them away and quit on the spot? She says she can't bring herself to throw any out.

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

I've done that every time I've quit. I always have to finish all the cigs in the house. I know It's stupid. By far the hardest time of the day is with that first cup of tea or coffee in the morning, driving is a close second. Well I guess alcohol too, since that's when I started smoking again, but I only drink a few times a year.

So far I've quit cold turkey a few times - lasted about a day or two each time. That's how my best friend quit and she's done great.

Cut down slowly with my pregnancies but started back up after having the kids.

Patches - lasted 2.5 weeks

Combo wellbutrin and gum - lasted about 6-8 weeks (wellbutrin made me go a bit crazy, but I didn't smoke during the time I was on it)

I tried the lozenges but to me they were just gross, I couldn't handle them.

Chantix - lasted a year.


Hope she finds a method that works.

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Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.

Well, she does not smoke in her car and does not drink, but she says that morning coke will be very missed. I hate to hear that you started back so many times. Why after a year would you start again? Did something cause it or did you just decide on day to start again? I though after your system got cleaned out, it was just the habit you had to worry about and not the addiction.

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

GG,
My aches and pains maybe not be the same for your Mom, She may get Thu her post quiting ache and pain free.So please don't go on what my problems are/were as she may not have any at all.

Well, After I finished off my carton I stopped by the gas station picked 1 pack up. I smoked the very last one from that pack on the 26th. I told my husband NOT to bring me any more after that night ( Men ! he didn't listen and got me a carton the next day). But when he saw I wasn't smoking the next day nor the next or the following week he gave it to his boss-man and his wife as we all smoked Ma*****o light 100's. So they were pretty happy about saving 52.00 LOL.. Hubby on the other hand was out that money. serves him right for not listening to me . I really didn't have any craving for a cigarette to speak of Honesty. I did find myself with a feeling of wanting to reach over and grab the pack when I was doing something while I smoked. Example surfing the web, after eating or driving in the van. That really didn't last a long time maybe a week or little more. I do know after 3 weeks I was around someone that was smoking I got the sickest feeling. I thought I would throw up the smell was horrible.. But any hoot, GG your mom will have to keep her hands busy. her morning coke and smoke will have to be replace with a coke and writing, drawing, typing or just simply getting up from that chair and walking outside. In a few weeks or so she won't even remember having a cigarette when she has a coke to drink. Oh BTW since your mom is already use to NOT smoking this may prove to be her BEST aid in stopping. Again keep us updated I wish her the best.

I can't believe he bought you a carton! You must have really been ready if you knew it was there and did not smoke any. Maybe she will have to not have her morning coke. Maybe orange juice instead because I think that coke will trigger the smoke craving for her. She has this smoke and coke fest outside (she does not smoke in her house), so she can't walk out to get away!! lol I hope she does this, but she is already saying things that make me think she won't. She seems to think she can't do it without the med.

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

Jenn I've done pretty much the same as you have.

Slowed down during pregnancies

Stopped while in the hospital from the birth of the kids only to go back to smoking once home.

Took wellbutrin also a few years back Holy Crap the side effects that stuff had on me. I had nightmares, would break out in a cold sweat for NO reasons at all ,Couldn't keep anything down I would get sick from just drinking water. I took that crap for 2 weeks. I will NEVER take that ever again it was like a living hell !.


I forgot I did try the lozenges (Wal mart ) I'm not for sure what the name brand taste like, but I can and will promise you Dog Poop couldn't taste any nastier than what Wal mart's lozenges tasted. Thank God they have a 100% money back guarantee !. That was the 1 and ONLY time trying the lozenges for me.

Jenh ,
When you get to the point you want and it does have to be a for sure want you will be able to quit. It wasn't easy for me at all. I took it slowly built up to the point the withdraws wouldn't be so bad. You too can do it. Start off slow, test your limits, use the limits as a starting point to move to the next step in quiting . Before you know it you too will be smoke free. Good Luck Dear.

If in her mind she believes she needs the meds then you should tell her to try them. The side effects are not a given for each and everyone. Most people don't have any and heck who's to say that the ones that do it's not phantom side effects.. All kidding aside tho, She really should give them a try if she honesty believes thats the ONLY way she can stop it may be the only way for her to quit. If she does have the side effects then move to the patches, lozenges or a combo of them both. But to be honest with you GG we both know it's really going to be will power that gets her to stop. You will have your work cut out thats for sure. You are going to have to tell her Good Job even when you KNOW it's not her best and you will have to be the leader for her . With the will power and a good support group she can do it.

I never had any pain or lung pain when I quit... That is different for everyone. I had depression because there was nothing for me to do with my hands anymore..

HOWEVER... I quit chantix because I was CONTSTANTLY nauseous...

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Be careful what you wish for.....

I read that a lot. It seems to be the most common side effect. I think ever person had it. How did you finally quit?

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

I quit 26 years ago, cold turkey, the day I took my last birth control pill because we were going to get pregnant. I had a headache from the nicotine withdrawl that lasted 3 days. I had smoked in my car, in my house, in the mall......everywhere since this was in 1984! My sisters and mom all smoked and I was with them almost everyday - oh, and I did have a pack of ciggs sitting in a drawer at home. I had to get used to driving without smoking, having my after-dinner soda without a ciggarette.............

DH quit on his 25th birthday - he woke up that day and decided he was done and that was it. He roomed with a smoker and was around smokers at work, in bars, everywhere.

Obviously, there seem to be a lot of folks who have extreme difficulties with quitting. Although my dad quit his 3 pack a day habit, cold turkey, after his heart attack and my mom quit cold turkey after her first run in with cancer my BIL still smokes after his heart attack and I know a woman who didn't begin to smoke until *after* she had been diagnosed with cancer (death wish?)

For everyone who is quitting smoking (remember you aren't *trying* to do it, you're *doing* it!) I wish you all the best as you make your way into a healthier, smoke-free life. And no matter what you use to help you along, meds, patches, gum, etc, remember that in the end , when you are finally smoke-free, that YOU are the one who did it!

In March it will be two years since I quit with Chantix. I had fairly memorable dreams for a couple weeks, BUT they weren't nightmares or bad dreams--just ones I could easily remember. I followed the directions for the Chantix to the letter and didn't have any side effects from it at all. I must say at the time I used it, I don't remember hearing a lot about side effects at all. I think a lot more is being said about it now.

I miss smoking and have gained weight, which I hate, but I've saved a lot of money! I can't honestly say I feel any different physically. Food does not taste better either, which I always heard would happen. I just eat more because I don't end the meal with a cigarette now,so it's more food--UGH!

Well.....I really don't know what to think any more. I am sure she is going to probably try the med.s at some point. She says next time she happens to be at the doctors office, so who knows when that could be. I was just wanting to get an idea of what to look out for. I sure wish she could just stop like some of you have, but I just don't see it.

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

Cold turkey... Mind over matter... (that and the place that I work at refused to hire smokers anymore and threatened to get rid of those who did...)

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Be careful what you wish for.....

Dang....like on George Lopez...I didn't realize jobs really could do that. Wow!

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

I stopped smoking 8/2/09 on Chantix after smoking 30+ years. It did cause vivid dreams but not BAD dreams...just very real. I was careful to do as the Dr. said and only take Chantix with food, then drink at least 8 oz. water. That way I didn't have any nausea. I am still taking it but only once daily now and will soon start taking only every other day as I'm weaning myself off of it. Everyone's different of course and what works for me may not for anyone else.....

I can relate to a lot of what the other posters said! I don't feel any better but I am breathing better. I definitely got my sense of smell back, not sure if that's good or bad! There are a lot of things I was better off not smelling!!! LOL I was depressed but my doctor said nicotine withdrawal alone can cause depression. Things are much better now and most of the time I don't miss smoking and am very glad I quit. Then there are times i could smoke a whole pack....but not because of my usual triggers. That's the odd part...I don't miss it when on the phone or computer or driving. My worst craves come when I'm shopping...I just want to leave the store and smoke. ;-) I have gained about 20 lbs. in the 5 months I haven't smoked which I hate but will give a little time to get better before I cave and start back for weight control. J/K

Good luck to your Mom...the main thing is she has to WANT to quit or nothing will work for her.
HTH a little.

Smoke-Free Workplace

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Be careful what you wish for.....

Oh......they are saying you can't smoke there, which is common, but they can't tell you what to do at home......right?

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

Right BUT they will not hire you if you smoke... and they WANT you to quit

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Be careful what you wish for.....

What I wonder is.....how would they know unless you told them?

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon

They do a test on your cheek to check for nicotine on the new hires...

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Be careful what you wish for.....

OMG! That is crazy!

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"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."

John Lennon