I quit with Chantix (Varenciline) same as Champix. Believe what you want and of course consult with your doc but here is my outlook on it. You DO realize that you should have quit many many years ago right? Vareclinine is not a wonder drug, you have to really want to quit or it just won�t work. If you have been on it for two weeks you should NOT be smoking at this point. You were supposed to stop the day you went to two pills/day. Depending on the person, you will have either good luck or bad with it. I know one person that only took it for 2 weeks in order to quit. What they wont tell you is that it is a very dangerous med since it is a mind altering drug. Search the web for more info... Very much an anti-depressant. Have your spouse watch for signs of depression when taking this med. Always take with food I am not so sure it will work a second time. You have to really want to quit and do it on the first try. There is no going back. I would absolutely not go over 12 weeks on this stuff but that is up to you. Save a pill or two when done for emergency cravings. Verenciline is not Welbutrin. Cigarettes will not taste bad like with Welbutrin but will more or less be just a pain in the rear to go and have a smoke. -- I have been quit now for quite a while and can honestly say after two weeks most of the pain is over and things go up and down for another couple months. First you feel great then you fell lousy. Then when you go off the drug you will have a week of cravings again. At around 160 days quit you will be feeling great every day. I am now at the point where I hate the smell of someone that had a cigarette, hate the smell of a smoky bar but do like the smell of a freshly lit cigarette off in the distance but have absolutely NO DESIRE AT ALL TO HAVE ONE!! I have tried to quit in the past a few times over. Never seemed to get past one month. I attribute most of my success on this quit to the people and moderators of this website. This is the one place where people are willing to help you with no hidden agenda. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]5/3/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 314 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 7,850 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,099.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 49 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 25 [B]Seconds:[/B] 51

Lily, try it by dropping one of the two pills for one day only and watch to see if your cravings are any worse. You'll know by the afternoon if it's okay or not... take you own sweet time anyway... It's your quit and you've done tremendous work on it right up to now..... Keep it up, and thanks for your concern. Patrick [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/18/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 54 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,350 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $607.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 10 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 38 [B]Seconds:[/B] 36

Patrick, It was always clear from reading your posts that your lungs where in serious trouble, I am delight to hear that things are improving for you hopefully this will continue. You should be very proud of yourself you are doing so well you have achieved so much and now you say you have given up the Champix and you are doing well. I think you are an inspiration you are giving me room for thought I would love to stop the Champix but I am just a tiny bit scared. I'll let you know if I give it a shot. Thank you for all the support and kindness you have shown you are a great asset to this site always enjoy your posts Take care N.O.P.E. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/2/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 70 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,100 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �766.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 9 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 49 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37

I used Champix as prescribed for the first week before the quit and then I took it as directed for the next 30 days. Then I tapered off to one tab every other day for a few days and then stopped about two weeks ago altogether and I feel great... few cravings ... many thoughts; some are deliberate reflection on the stupidity of the addiction and the rest are "pop-ups" and I get rid of them easily enough now. My less than brilliant lung capacity is a constant reminder that I can never smoke again ... but I have recovered to the point where I was when I was 55!! Patrick [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/18/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 54 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,350 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $607.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 10 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 28 [B]Seconds:[/B] 19

Champix is a prescription medication, which is used to help adults quit smoking. It does not contain nicotine. It is available in tablet form in 2 dosage levels: 0.5 mg (white) and 1 mg (light blue). <strong>How it works:</strong> Champix can help to relieve the craving and withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking. It is believed to work by stimulating the same areas of the brain that nicotine does. It acts like a weaker version of nicotine and also blocks nicotine from getting to the nicotine receptor. You start taking it before you quit smoking as it takes a while to build up in your system. People usually start on one 0.5 mg pill a day (days 1 - 3), then move to one 0.5 mg pill twice daily (days 4 - 7), and then two 1 mg tablets a day for days 8 to the end of treatment. When two pills are taken daily, one is taken in the morning and the other in the evening. It's important to set a quit date before you start taking Champix. The quit date should be during the second week of treatment (between day 8 and day 14). You can keep smoking prior to your quit date, however continuing to smoke, after your quit date, will reduce your chances of successfully quitting smoking. You stay on it for 12 weeks usually. However, your doctor may recommend that you stay on it longer. It costs about $5/day. Don't take if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Not recommended for use in children under 18 years of age. Taking Champix in combination with other smoking-cessation therapies (e.g. patch, gum or inhaler) has not been studied and is therefore <strong>not</strong> recommended. <strong>The most common side effects are:</strong> Nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, headache, abnormal dreams, constipation and gas. If you have any problems, it's best to talk to your Doctor who may reduce your dose temporarily or make other recommendations. In case of an allergic reaction or unexpected effects, stop taking Champix and call your doctor or pharmacist. Brenna, Bilingual Health Educator

Wheezer, I just read what you said about May being your quit date. I would like to just relay my experience with prolonging this deal. I was cutting back and not quitting for about 3 weeks and I was miserable because I was keeping myself in withdrawl. As far as the Chantix goes I took it for 1 week and had a quit date set and then quit. It took away so much of the anxiety of not having one for me. I am down from 2mg a day to 1/2mg a day and I'm on day 25 of my quit. If you are ready to get healthy, I would recommend doing this now instead of leaving yourself in a limbo of cutting down for so long and dealing with that misery for so long. The chantix won't make you quit but it will take the anxiety away for the most part. I wish you luck and hope you keep posting. Terry [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]2/17/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 24 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 240 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $36.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 29 [B]Seconds:[/B] 41

Yes I also read not to use with other nictoine withdrawal aids. I was prepared to smoke for the 7 days, as directed, after 4 days I didn't get the buzz as much. and that effect increased.. it was like sucking a straw, but my mouth felt hot, kind of burning and yucky after a cigarette. I think on the 5th day I had maybe 3 cigarettes... on the 6th day I quit.. I am on my refill I am taking one 1 mg tablet in the morning. I am having a few craves, I spoke with the nurse and she said I could do one or 2 a day or one on one day and 2 on the next.. or one and if I was having a rough day to go ahead and take the 2nd one. Dr said to used the 12 weeks, He would be happy to prescribe an additional 12 weeks if I needed it. I don't think I will need the additional 12.. but it is nice to know.. it's there if I need it. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]2/10/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 30 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 510 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $102.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 4 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 40

Hi Wheezer, I don't know how your doctor told you to do the Chantix, but mine said smoke for the 1st 4 days and quit on the 5th, and having had many quit attempts before, I decided to follow directions (this time). The Chantix did nothing to the taste of smoking as far as I could tell, but the withdrawals have been near to nothing and I am not a Tasmanian devil, even 2 months in, which believe me was not an understatement before. And I have not gained 40 pounds for every 2 weeks quit, either, which also is no understatement! I also am concerned for you taking the med so much longer before your quit. I have not seen that technique in any of the research I've done, but I have seen warnings NOT to use any other quit smoking aids WITH Chantix, so you might want to double or triple check with your doctor before starting that regimen. [IMG]http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p300/DeeKaySss/helloparrot.gif[/IMG] Hugs, N2 Psych [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/9/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 62 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,240 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $310.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 8 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 41 [B]Seconds:[/B] 8

Hi Wheezer, My experience was similar to Boxerfan's. Butts started tasting weak and dry and they weren't giving me my normal "buzz". The Chantix does keep a smaller level of dopamine supplied to the brain to ease the craving and withdrawal symptoms. It's done the trick for me! The cravings I used to get when I tried to quit were like my guts were wrenching. I've quit for 5 days now and the withdrawal cravings have been very mild!!! I really don't think that you are supposed to feel anything from the chantix other than milder withdrawal symptoms. I do have one concern about taking the Chantix for like 16 weeks before your actual quit date. The normal program is for 12 weeks and in some cases the doctor will perscribe an additional 12 weeks. You might check with your physician to see if what you are doing will not cause any problems. Chantix IS a pretty powerful drug and I wouldn't think that you would want to be on it any longer than you have to!! I know that I am going to try to get off it when my first 4 weeks are done!!! I hate taking drugs! I hope that this helps! Hope to see you join the ranks real soon!!! Jim [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/5/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 125 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $20.63 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 22 [B]Seconds:[/B] 17

Wheezer, Hubby and I used Chantix. We took them for the recommended seven days and then stopped smoking on the eighth day. After taking the medication for about three or four days, the cigs seemed not as satisfying. They didn't taste bad, they just didn't give the usual feeling. It felt like I was smoking air. My cousin tried Chantix and she had the same complaint that you stated. She felt like she couldn't tell a difference and that the medication wasn't working. She later quit taking the medication and went back to smoking. Then, she told me that she thought the medicine really was working, but that she didn't know how it should feel. Have faith in yourself Wheezer. You CAN do this! Boxerfan [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/28/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 322 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,440 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,610.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 28 [B]Hrs:[/B] 19 [B]Mins:[/B] 16 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50