Anyone Try Chantix?

[flyfshn]

Any of my fellow OAF's ever try Chantix or know anyone that has? I am a smokeless tobacco user and have been for approx 24 years and I am tired of Niccotine affecting/controlling my life....in fact, of the 17 hours I am awake every day, I probably have a dip in for all but approx 2-3 hours. My doctor gave me a prescription for it, but I have read about some side effects on the internet (blogs) that concern me, so I was wondering if anyone else has tried it and if so, did you have any side effects/did it work? I have tried other things, gum, patch and cold turkey, but started up again. Any help would be appreciated!

[Danoinark]

It works my friend. Its cheaper than tobacco...and both my wife and I are using it. Only side effect I have noticed is a bit of an upset stomach after taking it, but once I ate something with the pill that went away. Go for it. There is also an online support group and a support system by phone.

Dano

[flyfshn]

Thanks Dano! Appreciate the feedback.

[Flysmallie]

I haven't heard of it but if it works I'm all for it. My wife works for a group of oral sugeons and I'm always catching grief from them about my addiction to Skoal. They used to give me samples of "fake" Skoal but it's hard to find. I can quit, as long as I'm not fishing. That's when the biggest urge starts. Seems like I can focus more when I have a dip in. I know it's all in my mind but I just can't seem to quit.

[Leonard]

the wife wants me to start on it too...

here..

www.chantix.com

http://www.chantix.com/content/Chantix_Bra...ed_Homepage.jsp

SIDE EFFECTS:

1. nausea

2. changes in dreams

3. constipation

4. gas

5. vomiting

the way I see it.. after drinking a few (some/alot) beers..

most of us will have nausa.. gas.. and more then like end up vomiting..

and if we drink enough.. then the change of dreams could happen (until we wake up and it becomes real!!)

SO...If these are the side effects.. I think most of us could survive....

Leonard

[Trav]

I smoke a pack a day and the way I see it, I know already how I am going to die and cancer/emphysema is the least of my problems.

My Gramps smoked 2 packs a day until he was 45. Quit when they raised the price over 50 cents a pack. He lived until he was 84. Its all about will power. Trading one drug for another seems wrong to me. I have had my issues with substance abuse and no quick fix drug, 12 step program, or higher power can beat old fashion cold turkey.

Gramps survived lymphoma, bypass surgery,and had half his intestines removed, but in the end suffered from emphysema and was on oxygen the last 10 years of his life. I seen first hand what smoking does and it isnt pretty.

My Gram is always preaching to me about my smoking. I made a pact with her. The minute they can cure my condition I will stop smoking. But I know from looking at my Gramps in his final days that the damage is already done. I have the luxury/misfortune of knowing my fate and my mortality is something I have already accepted.

In my opinion, tobacco is more of a habit than it is an addiction. I have heard the senarios that put nicotine as more addictive than heroin. I think that is bunk. You dont get sick by quitting tobacco. If you really are motivated then it is a rather simple hurdle to jump. That is what its all about. Motivation.

I quit jamming needles in my arm 16 years ago. My motivation was all based on my children and economics. Not a single relapse either. No support groups, no substitute drugs, no higher power, just cold turkey. Me versus the beast. I might have won the battle but in the end I will lose the war. And if you have smoked for 20+ years, your war is predestined. The outcome is gloomy at best. All you can do is quit, hope that your heart goes before your attached to a bottle, and except your fate, for fighting the inevitable is a waste of your already shortened life.

Sorry if that all sounds a bit too real, but I am too close to knocking that door to bullshit myself or anyone else.

[flyfshn]

Flysmallie, I agree with you about being able to focus more when you put a dip in.

Leonard, I'm not sure you should try it if it gives you gas.....don't know that we can handle more!

Trav, I agree with you........it is all about will power, but I also think it is an addiction when you have been doing it for 24 yrs.

[Rusty]

Trav, I agree with you........it is all about will power, but I also think it is an addiction when you have been doing it for 24 yrs.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Addiction was a term used to describe a devotion, attachment, dedication, inclination, etc. Nowadays, however, the term addiction is used to describe a recurring compulsion by an individual to engage in some specific activity, despite harmful consequences to the individual's health, mental state or social life. The term is often reserved for drug addictions but it is sometimes applied to other compulsions, such as problem gambling, and compulsive overeating. Factors that have been suggested as causes of addiction include genetic, biological/pharmacological and social factors.

[hfdhoosier]

I also got a prescription for Chantix the other day. I think I am going to try it. I also have been using smokrlrss tobacco for 27 years. I think Trav is right that damage is already done and you cant fix that but everything I have read states that the body can start to repair itself over time. I am a paramedic and I see the damage cigarettes and tobacco do to people when they get older. If you quit now. no further damage will occur that hasn't already been done. Good luck to all that try to quit.

[WebFreeman]

I think the side effects on most meds are overrated. If you dig down, a lot of times it's only 1 or 2%. And just about anything you take can upset your stomach, even aspirin or ibuprofen. Good luck guys. I hope it works out for you all.