1 week and 4 days now. So from your experience how long before you started to get an increase in lung function? In other words how long until you weren't experiencing shortness of breath after exercising etc? Do you ever feel like you can breath deeply again (like before you ever smoked)? BTW thank you, you have really helped me thus far. Can't thank you enough.
@BackStageCowboy I could tell a difference after a few days. I had a problems with wheezing (asthma) early in the morning - one of the reasons I quit. If you haven't exercised regularly it always takes time to "build up your wind" - serious lung damage from years and years of smoking usually doesn't get better but light damage gets better after a few months. My lungs feel good now but still aren't what they were when I was younger. I'm glad ! could help. Keep up the good work!!
By the way. Any thoughts on some of the crazy side effects people write about all over the internet? Because so far I have not experienced any bad side effects at all besides mild constipation and some gas (remedied with some $2 gas ex and fiber). So far my experience has been pretty much identical to yours in every way just curious why there are so many people saying they are suicidal after 1 week and things like that. Maybe just unstable to begin with or something? Anyway thanks.
@BackStageCowboy I heard from a few people that they did have some fairly dramatic psychological symptoms. Some people are paranoid about it before they start and might be making things worse from anxiety. Some people ignore the side effects and keep taking the drug and it gets bad for them. Everyone is different - especially if they are taking other prescription medications. The constipation was the worse thing for me personally.
Tomorrow morning will be my first week without smoking since I was 16 (8 years ago). Very happy. Now I wanted to ask you how long you continued to take chantix after you quit? I have only purchased the starter pack which is only one month worth, and I will have used half of it tomorrow. I am hoping that I wont have to buy more because my health insurance doesn't cover any of the costs so I had to foot the $150. Any advice? Think I will be ok with just 1 month? Thanks.
@BackStageCowboy I only took it for about 6-7 weeks - plus i only took a 1/2 dose so I had plenty left - but it all depends on your cravings. I would recommend that you take it for at least one month. Cut the last few pills you have in half so you can taper the dose down slowly and stretch it out instead of going off the pill cold turkey. Starting some aerobic exercise will help you want to stay quit afterwards. You will also probably gain some weight so be prepared for that
@dsg82 Good luck. Send me a comment on day 4 or 5 and let me know how your urge to smoke feels. I'm always curious to see how different people react to the medication.
@MessingWithIt I took it a little over 6 weeks. I remember that I missed a couple of doses by accident and decided to try going without the drug and I did ok.
Now day 2. Didn't smoke at all yeaterday and so far not today. I don't have any cigs either and don't plan on getting any. Was much easier to stop than I had anticipated and only see it getting better from here. Just setting short term goals right now, want friday to come and not to have smoked. Then by week and then by month. Ill let you know how things go. I jumped the gun earlier not realizing how much this drug has changed my thoughts towards smoking.
@BackStageCowboy Good Job!! Glad to hear it. It really is something about how the drug is able to change your phyical desires about smoking. Keep wary of stress or situations that might make you feel anxious and want to smoke. Keep an eye out for any weird feelings or emotions but don't worry about them - just enjoy the fact that you've made a major step. Let me know how you're doing in another couple of days. Congratulations!!
@damrak1969 yeah it's like you want to smoke for a second put it passes so much faster than it ever would when I have tried to quit in the past. Not only that but I went hours on end without even thinking about smoking yesterday. So far very pleased.
@damrak1969 also I should add. My biggest friend so far has been WATER. I swear every time I felt myself going towards my old habit I drank some water. Amazing because while I did use the bathroom more often I felt like every time I did it I was cleaning my body. Probably all in my head but god did help me. Every urge I got I drank some water. Might be useful for other people.
@BackStageCowboy Substituting one behavior for another is helpful. I ate candy to help with my quitting. My favorite part of the first few weeks was my sense of smell got much better. I remember I smelled a girl's perfume through a closed door after she walked down the hall. I couldn't believe how much my smell and taste was dulled by the cigs.
btw I don't double my dose until monday. I am taking the last of the starting pack tomorrow and the continuing pack on monday. So 1mg in the morning and 1 at night. Hopefully that changes something.
Now I am getting worried. Tomorrow is supposed to be my last day of smoking. Yet I don't think it will be. I am on day 6 and have not noticed anything different since I started. Cigs still taste the same, I still have the same desire to smoke, and I am not smoking any less. I also haven't noticed anything different aside from the dreams. Getting worried that I may have wasted my money and time on this. Maybe I will have to smoke after the quit day and quit later on into the treatment...
@BackStageCowboy That is unusual. You might feel something on quit day when you double your dose. Are you feeling truely motivated to quit smoking? If you aren't really motivated and you are just wanting the Chantix to do all the work you probably won't be successful. I still had some mild cravings even with the pills that required a little effort. Give it a good effort on quit day and see if you can make it at least 2 days without smoking and write back.
@damrak1969 I want to quit more than anything and don't expect the chantix to do all the work, except it doesn't seem to be doing any work. I expected it to at least be a little easier. This is no different than cold turkey then, and I have tried and failed cold turkey before. Ill try your suggestions. I am just floored by the fact that smoking tastes no different. I was told by everybody it would change how I perceived the pleasure of smoking. I'm stunned that nothing has happened.
@BackStageCowboy (2nd reply) Get a bag of hard candy, chocolates or nuts and keep them with you and eat them - that should help some with the cravings. Of course avoid stress if you can and get plenty of sleep - don't overeat at meals and avoid alcohol - anything that might make you want to smoke more. Write down 10 reasons why you want to quit and look at the list frequently - you have to stay motivated.
Chantix is a Antidepresent known as Paxil relabeled to be a pill to help smokers quit. Its a very dangerous psychotropic medication witch means its in the same class as LSD and psychotropic Mushrooms, Witch when you take Shrooms you dont feel like smoking while your baking either. these pills also contain legal meth in them as well... People dont do there home work these days. there just so lame and trusting. Sheeple are people who dont use there heads. Thats why sheeple are ppl who r easly led
Hey Steve, I just wanted to tell you that on Jan. 16th, 2011, I celebrated 2 years quit. It doesn't get any better than this. Thanks for all your videos.
Thanks for the diary!! I'm on my 2nd day of Chantix and was going through your Diary Videos for some reassurance! Awesome job quitting. It sure will be nice to say that I am an EX SMOKER!!!
@matolba My cravings were very minimal on my quit day but I had too much medication in my system. Give it another day to let your blood level of the drug reach it's peak and see how you feel. I still had some mild cravings for weeks after quitting but I could push them from my mind very easily. Get some sugarless gum or hard candy and use that if you get strong cravings and try to stay busy to distract yourself. Good luck!!
Thank you for the videos! I was terrified to quit, I wasn't sure about the side affects. But here I am 3 months smoke free!!! woohoo! I quit Chantix after 2 weeks which was a mistake. It made the cravings harder. Not really any side affects for me. Little weight gain but I just cut out the fast food. I was 2 packs plus per day and wanting but not wanting to quit. lol If your reading and considering....QUIT! YOU CAN DO IT! I fell like a million buck and even work out now.
my dr. just gave me Chantix, but im really scared about the nightmares! Are they really that bad? If so i dont know if i will be able to do it, i HATE nightmares!!!! Some of the side effects are scaring me too much to even start taking this.
@iamashleynicole2010 - Try not to go into it expecting bad things because you are more likely to have a bad experience. I think Chantix is the best thing ever to happen to smokers - it 's the tops - especially if you have ever tried to quit cold turkey or with gum or patches. I wish it had been around 10 or 15 years ago.
@iamashleynicole2010 Remember that the dose seems to be the most important thing - if you notice some side effects try a smaller dose like I did. I had a few sort of weird dreams but nothing severe. Don't let all the bad press scare you off the medication - go into it with an open mind. 35 seconds ago
@iamashleynicole2010 If you need motivation consider all the bad things tobacco is doing to your body or try to find some videos on youtube made by cnacer patients taking about smoking and what it did to them. Smoking is much worse than a few side effects from a medication if it helps you stop smoking. Good luck and let me know how you do!
Hello, I have been quit for 2 1/2 months now from using chantix. Because i was affraid of the side affect i quit taking the meds after three weeks, but im still quit and its getting very easy.,.i gained about 15lbs though, but i also lost it already so if you want to quit i recommend CHANTIX all day. GOOD LUCK!!!
I started feeling it on around day 3 as I remember and smoked fewer than my usual number of cigs. Days 4 and 5 I really felt the effects. Watch out for when you double your dose on day 7. I started feeling weird after I increased the dose and had to cut back on the dosage but it worked for me. I hope you do well. Let me know how you do!
I will! I'm not smoking as much as was, I think I had about 3 or 4 yesterday. Compared to a 3/4 of a pack, that's good. I'm on the 5th day. I'm excited!
I've been quit over 10 months now. I have nothing but good things to say about Chantix as long as it is used responsibly. My belief is that most people can use it but the dosage must be tailored to the individual. The standard doses may be way to0 much for some people. If you start to have problems, don;t be afraid to cut your dose in 1/2 or call your doctor. Good Luck!!
well I started yesterday and felt a little strange and slightly odd again this morning but nothing too unusual.
I've been reading a lot about Champix this morning and it seems that a lot of people have problems when moving upto the higher dosage and decide do only take half the pill.
I guess I'll see what happens and how I feel when I get to that point but may well do the same.
I went from smoking 20 a day down to 1 a day by the time I got to my quit date. Got a terrible cold in the first week, and sore throat after that, then mouth ulcers which lasted a couple of days. But that was all due to quitting rather than chantix.
Anyway, I'm on day 21 of my quit now and all is going well.
Thanks for the video, I'm on my fisrst day of taking Chantix, and I smoked a lot today, I'm worried they aren't gonna work for me but I guess that's just nerves.
Don't sweat it - you probably won't really feel it until the medication level start to build in your body. Write back in a couple of days to tell me if you feel a difference. Also, I'd recommend signing up for the website support and doing the activities too.
Thanks Steve-your video is helpful. I am on day 4 but have titrated up slowly. How much were you smoking a day? and how soon did you have your first cigarette when you get up? I have to have one within minutes. What was your motivation to quit?
I usually smoked one pack of cigarettes a day, a few more on the weekends, and would have the first one about 30 minutes after getting out of bed. I guess my motivation is knowing how bad they are for me. I used to be a nurse and watched many people slowly die while being on ventilators in the hospital. My cousin's co-worker got diagnosed with lung cancer recently and that is what really got me thinking hard about quitting. Plus I realize how much they stink and how they are a waste of money.
Thanks for the comment. I hope you will have success as good as I have had with it. Good luck and let me know how you are doing and feeling after you have been taking it for 3 or 4 days. I'm curious about other people's experiences.
Sat down and watched your videos today. Glad to hear everything is going well. I got my prescription two days ago and have been down to fill it yet but, I very interested in getting started. I'm a little nervous about it but I hope it will go smoothly. I look forward to watching your progress. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos.
1 week and 4 days now. So from your experience how long before you started to get an increase in lung function? In other words how long until you weren't experiencing shortness of breath after exercising etc? Do you ever feel like you can breath deeply again (like before you ever smoked)? BTW thank you, you have really helped me thus far. Can't thank you enough.
BackStageCowboy 1 week ago
@BackStageCowboy I could tell a difference after a few days. I had a problems with wheezing (asthma) early in the morning - one of the reasons I quit. If you haven't exercised regularly it always takes time to "build up your wind" - serious lung damage from years and years of smoking usually doesn't get better but light damage gets better after a few months. My lungs feel good now but still aren't what they were when I was younger. I'm glad ! could help. Keep up the good work!!
damrak1969 1 week ago
By the way. Any thoughts on some of the crazy side effects people write about all over the internet? Because so far I have not experienced any bad side effects at all besides mild constipation and some gas (remedied with some $2 gas ex and fiber). So far my experience has been pretty much identical to yours in every way just curious why there are so many people saying they are suicidal after 1 week and things like that. Maybe just unstable to begin with or something? Anyway thanks.
BackStageCowboy 2 weeks ago
@BackStageCowboy I heard from a few people that they did have some fairly dramatic psychological symptoms. Some people are paranoid about it before they start and might be making things worse from anxiety. Some people ignore the side effects and keep taking the drug and it gets bad for them. Everyone is different - especially if they are taking other prescription medications. The constipation was the worse thing for me personally.
damrak1969 2 weeks ago
@damrak1969 Thanks for the response. Could you please respond to my comment just before this one? That is the one that is really nagging me. Thanks
BackStageCowboy 2 weeks ago
Tomorrow morning will be my first week without smoking since I was 16 (8 years ago). Very happy. Now I wanted to ask you how long you continued to take chantix after you quit? I have only purchased the starter pack which is only one month worth, and I will have used half of it tomorrow. I am hoping that I wont have to buy more because my health insurance doesn't cover any of the costs so I had to foot the $150. Any advice? Think I will be ok with just 1 month? Thanks.
BackStageCowboy 2 weeks ago
@BackStageCowboy I only took it for about 6-7 weeks - plus i only took a 1/2 dose so I had plenty left - but it all depends on your cravings. I would recommend that you take it for at least one month. Cut the last few pills you have in half so you can taper the dose down slowly and stretch it out instead of going off the pill cold turkey. Starting some aerobic exercise will help you want to stay quit afterwards. You will also probably gain some weight so be prepared for that
damrak1969 2 weeks ago
I enjoy your videos. I'm starting on Chantix next week and you're making me feel confident!
dsg82 2 weeks ago
@dsg82 Good luck. Send me a comment on day 4 or 5 and let me know how your urge to smoke feels. I'm always curious to see how different people react to the medication.
damrak1969 2 weeks ago
Curios how many weeks before you quit taking chantix?
MessingWithIt 2 weeks ago
@MessingWithIt I took it a little over 6 weeks. I remember that I missed a couple of doses by accident and decided to try going without the drug and I did ok.
damrak1969 2 weeks ago
Now day 2. Didn't smoke at all yeaterday and so far not today. I don't have any cigs either and don't plan on getting any. Was much easier to stop than I had anticipated and only see it getting better from here. Just setting short term goals right now, want friday to come and not to have smoked. Then by week and then by month. Ill let you know how things go. I jumped the gun earlier not realizing how much this drug has changed my thoughts towards smoking.
BackStageCowboy 3 weeks ago
@BackStageCowboy Good Job!! Glad to hear it. It really is something about how the drug is able to change your phyical desires about smoking. Keep wary of stress or situations that might make you feel anxious and want to smoke. Keep an eye out for any weird feelings or emotions but don't worry about them - just enjoy the fact that you've made a major step. Let me know how you're doing in another couple of days. Congratulations!!
damrak1969 3 weeks ago
@damrak1969 yeah it's like you want to smoke for a second put it passes so much faster than it ever would when I have tried to quit in the past. Not only that but I went hours on end without even thinking about smoking yesterday. So far very pleased.
BackStageCowboy 3 weeks ago
@damrak1969 also I should add. My biggest friend so far has been WATER. I swear every time I felt myself going towards my old habit I drank some water. Amazing because while I did use the bathroom more often I felt like every time I did it I was cleaning my body. Probably all in my head but god did help me. Every urge I got I drank some water. Might be useful for other people.
BackStageCowboy 2 weeks ago
@BackStageCowboy Substituting one behavior for another is helpful. I ate candy to help with my quitting. My favorite part of the first few weeks was my sense of smell got much better. I remember I smelled a girl's perfume through a closed door after she walked down the hall. I couldn't believe how much my smell and taste was dulled by the cigs.
damrak1969 2 weeks ago
btw I don't double my dose until monday. I am taking the last of the starting pack tomorrow and the continuing pack on monday. So 1mg in the morning and 1 at night. Hopefully that changes something.
BackStageCowboy 3 weeks ago
Now I am getting worried. Tomorrow is supposed to be my last day of smoking. Yet I don't think it will be. I am on day 6 and have not noticed anything different since I started. Cigs still taste the same, I still have the same desire to smoke, and I am not smoking any less. I also haven't noticed anything different aside from the dreams. Getting worried that I may have wasted my money and time on this. Maybe I will have to smoke after the quit day and quit later on into the treatment...
BackStageCowboy 3 weeks ago
@BackStageCowboy That is unusual. You might feel something on quit day when you double your dose. Are you feeling truely motivated to quit smoking? If you aren't really motivated and you are just wanting the Chantix to do all the work you probably won't be successful. I still had some mild cravings even with the pills that required a little effort. Give it a good effort on quit day and see if you can make it at least 2 days without smoking and write back.
damrak1969 3 weeks ago
@damrak1969 I want to quit more than anything and don't expect the chantix to do all the work, except it doesn't seem to be doing any work. I expected it to at least be a little easier. This is no different than cold turkey then, and I have tried and failed cold turkey before. Ill try your suggestions. I am just floored by the fact that smoking tastes no different. I was told by everybody it would change how I perceived the pleasure of smoking. I'm stunned that nothing has happened.
BackStageCowboy 3 weeks ago
@BackStageCowboy (2nd reply) Get a bag of hard candy, chocolates or nuts and keep them with you and eat them - that should help some with the cravings. Of course avoid stress if you can and get plenty of sleep - don't overeat at meals and avoid alcohol - anything that might make you want to smoke more. Write down 10 reasons why you want to quit and look at the list frequently - you have to stay motivated.
damrak1969 3 weeks ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Chantix is a Antidepresent known as Paxil relabeled to be a pill to help smokers quit. Its a very dangerous psychotropic medication witch means its in the same class as LSD and psychotropic Mushrooms, Witch when you take Shrooms you dont feel like smoking while your baking either. these pills also contain legal meth in them as well... People dont do there home work these days. there just so lame and trusting. Sheeple are people who dont use there heads. Thats why sheeple are ppl who r easly led
dragonkeeperjoe81 11 months ago
Hey Steve, I just wanted to tell you that on Jan. 16th, 2011, I celebrated 2 years quit. It doesn't get any better than this. Thanks for all your videos.
boopsie13 1 year ago
@boopsie13 I also recently celebrated my 2 years anniversary! Thanks for watching!
damrak1969 1 year ago
@damrak1969 Congrats mate!
3zib 8 months ago
Thanks for the diary!! I'm on my 2nd day of Chantix and was going through your Diary Videos for some reassurance! Awesome job quitting. It sure will be nice to say that I am an EX SMOKER!!!
dcfreeman25 1 year ago
Its my 8th day on the drug and my quitting day. I am on diet and exercise to avoid weight gaining.
Problem is I am now getting some craves will that be over anytime soon???
matolba 1 year ago
@matolba My cravings were very minimal on my quit day but I had too much medication in my system. Give it another day to let your blood level of the drug reach it's peak and see how you feel. I still had some mild cravings for weeks after quitting but I could push them from my mind very easily. Get some sugarless gum or hard candy and use that if you get strong cravings and try to stay busy to distract yourself. Good luck!!
damrak1969 1 year ago
Thank you for the videos! I was terrified to quit, I wasn't sure about the side affects. But here I am 3 months smoke free!!! woohoo! I quit Chantix after 2 weeks which was a mistake. It made the cravings harder. Not really any side affects for me. Little weight gain but I just cut out the fast food. I was 2 packs plus per day and wanting but not wanting to quit. lol If your reading and considering....QUIT! YOU CAN DO IT! I fell like a million buck and even work out now.
ricktheman95 1 year ago
my dr. just gave me Chantix, but im really scared about the nightmares! Are they really that bad? If so i dont know if i will be able to do it, i HATE nightmares!!!! Some of the side effects are scaring me too much to even start taking this.
iamashleynicole2010 1 year ago
@iamashleynicole2010 - Try not to go into it expecting bad things because you are more likely to have a bad experience. I think Chantix is the best thing ever to happen to smokers - it 's the tops - especially if you have ever tried to quit cold turkey or with gum or patches. I wish it had been around 10 or 15 years ago.
damrak1969 1 year ago
@iamashleynicole2010 Remember that the dose seems to be the most important thing - if you notice some side effects try a smaller dose like I did. I had a few sort of weird dreams but nothing severe. Don't let all the bad press scare you off the medication - go into it with an open mind. 35 seconds ago
damrak1969 1 year ago
@iamashleynicole2010 If you need motivation consider all the bad things tobacco is doing to your body or try to find some videos on youtube made by cnacer patients taking about smoking and what it did to them. Smoking is much worse than a few side effects from a medication if it helps you stop smoking. Good luck and let me know how you do!
damrak1969 1 year ago
i started chantix yesterday and i went from a pack a day to only having 3 cigs yesterday. gonna try to go all day today without smoking
skillz03784 1 year ago
Hello, I have been quit for 2 1/2 months now from using chantix. Because i was affraid of the side affect i quit taking the meds after three weeks, but im still quit and its getting very easy.,.i gained about 15lbs though, but i also lost it already so if you want to quit i recommend CHANTIX all day. GOOD LUCK!!!
Nordia7Dean 1 year ago
Im on my second day of it. I'm still smoking. I'm told that eventually I won't want it. lets hope so
hateforever 2 years ago
I started feeling it on around day 3 as I remember and smoked fewer than my usual number of cigs. Days 4 and 5 I really felt the effects. Watch out for when you double your dose on day 7. I started feeling weird after I increased the dose and had to cut back on the dosage but it worked for me. I hope you do well. Let me know how you do!
damrak1969 2 years ago
I will! I'm not smoking as much as was, I think I had about 3 or 4 yesterday. Compared to a 3/4 of a pack, that's good. I'm on the 5th day. I'm excited!
hateforever 2 years ago
starting campix (chanix in europe) tomorrow and have to say i'm a bit nervous about it. finding your videos very helpful.
hope your still doing well with the quit.
mikedukblah 2 years ago
I've been quit over 10 months now. I have nothing but good things to say about Chantix as long as it is used responsibly. My belief is that most people can use it but the dosage must be tailored to the individual. The standard doses may be way to0 much for some people. If you start to have problems, don;t be afraid to cut your dose in 1/2 or call your doctor. Good Luck!!
damrak1969 2 years ago
well I started yesterday and felt a little strange and slightly odd again this morning but nothing too unusual.
I've been reading a lot about Champix this morning and it seems that a lot of people have problems when moving upto the higher dosage and decide do only take half the pill.
I guess I'll see what happens and how I feel when I get to that point but may well do the same.
Thanks again for your videos.
mikedukblah 2 years ago
Been quit 6 months now. woop woop!! Yay me!!
toxicmusing 2 years ago
Congrats on your quitting! I'm on about 9 months so far and doing well.
damrak1969 2 years ago
Hi
I went from smoking 20 a day down to 1 a day by the time I got to my quit date. Got a terrible cold in the first week, and sore throat after that, then mouth ulcers which lasted a couple of days. But that was all due to quitting rather than chantix.
Anyway, I'm on day 21 of my quit now and all is going well.
Really found your video helpful.
Keep in touch, let me know how you're getting on.
Jo
toxicmusing 3 years ago
Thanks for the video, I'm on my fisrst day of taking Chantix, and I smoked a lot today, I'm worried they aren't gonna work for me but I guess that's just nerves.
Anyway, well done!
toxicmusing 3 years ago
Don't sweat it - you probably won't really feel it until the medication level start to build in your body. Write back in a couple of days to tell me if you feel a difference. Also, I'd recommend signing up for the website support and doing the activities too.
damrak1969 3 years ago
Thanks Steve-your video is helpful. I am on day 4 but have titrated up slowly. How much were you smoking a day? and how soon did you have your first cigarette when you get up? I have to have one within minutes. What was your motivation to quit?
GreerMahurin 3 years ago
I usually smoked one pack of cigarettes a day, a few more on the weekends, and would have the first one about 30 minutes after getting out of bed. I guess my motivation is knowing how bad they are for me. I used to be a nurse and watched many people slowly die while being on ventilators in the hospital. My cousin's co-worker got diagnosed with lung cancer recently and that is what really got me thinking hard about quitting. Plus I realize how much they stink and how they are a waste of money.
damrak1969 3 years ago
Thanks for the comment. I hope you will have success as good as I have had with it. Good luck and let me know how you are doing and feeling after you have been taking it for 3 or 4 days. I'm curious about other people's experiences.
damrak1969 3 years ago
Sat down and watched your videos today. Glad to hear everything is going well. I got my prescription two days ago and have been down to fill it yet but, I very interested in getting started. I'm a little nervous about it but I hope it will go smoothly. I look forward to watching your progress. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos.
NicoleMartin1 3 years ago
How are you doing now NicoleMartin1?
gjaxzon 1 year ago
@gjaxzon Almost 2 years quit and no problems!!!
damrak1969 1 year ago