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11 years and counting

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2024-10-31 6:49 AM

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Feels like hell week all over!!

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Roller Coaster Withdrawal

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Smile....and don't shoot the messenger

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I'm off Champix.


16 years ago 0 31 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thank you for all the caring and advise. I'm getting back to normal with the mood swings. The thoughts of smoking are less and I'm feeling more like I did when I was taking the Champix. Thanks again guys you really are the greatest. 
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 5/13/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 87
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 1,740
Amount Saved: $577.68
Life Gained:
Days: 17 Hrs: 16 Mins: 39 Seconds: 6

16 years ago 0 1890 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I kept a week's worth of Champix in reserve when I stopped taking them. I really thought that I'd have the heeby-jeebys for a few days and that I'd have to take one tablet to soften the jitters but it just never happened. 
 
  I wonder how you're doing without the Champix now that it's more than a week off them??!
 
Patrick


My Milage:

My Quit Date: 1/18/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 203
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 5,075
Amount Saved: $2,283.75
Life Gained:
Days: 37 Hrs: 17 Mins: 38 Seconds: 14

16 years ago 0 2778 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Bill,
 
  There are a few threads that have the same subject!  Do a search here on it!  I'll try to find them and bump them up for you!
 
  A lot of people have had the same problems and it has been mentioned that a weening process off the chantix is often helpful, but if you have already used up your perscription, you probably wouldn't want to buy another months worth to get off of them!  I too would suggest talking w/ your physician!!!   Personally, I too, had pretty bad heartburn when I was taking it, so I got off from the chantix after about 3 1/2 weeks, so I didn't get as dependant on it.  It has been said in some these forums that it is possible to become a bit dependant on the chantix after long usage.  Some people need to start taking like half a pill once a day and then the whole pill for like a few  days and then a half a pill twice a day and then half a pill once a day for a few days before they really get off the stuff!!!
   I think that I read that chantix does cause the brain to release a bit of dopamine while you are taking it to compensate for cutting off the nicotine receptors from  releasing the dopamine!  So, you may be going through a dopamine reduction in your brain, thus the cravings, etc!!  (I hope that our health care moderators will correct me if I am wrong about this!)
 
   Anyways, try some great rewards to help your brain release the dopamine and maybe that will help, too!!!
 
      Good luck!!!
 
         Jim

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 3/5/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 155
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 3,875
Amount Saved: $639.38
Life Gained:
Days: 25 Hrs: 9 Mins: 5 Seconds: 44

  • Quit Meter

    $45,825.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 1096 Hours: 18

    Minutes: 26 Seconds: 5

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    6110

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    183,300

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

16 years ago 0 744 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Bill,
  I'm not sure about the Champix, as I am a cold turkey. (That didn't sound right) But I do know that alot of the things you are feeling are normal at this point into your quit and you're doing great! Hang in there.   It gets easier and easier, remember to take it one day at a time.
 
 
 
 

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 7/17/2006
Smoke-Free Days: 752
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 6,016
Amount Saved: $2,820.00
Life Gained:
Days: 84 Hrs: 12 Mins: 55 Seconds: 8

16 years ago 0 31 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thankyou all for your replies. As always, very helpful advice and it's nice to know someone else has "been there" 
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 5/13/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 86
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 1,720
Amount Saved: $571.04
Life Gained:
Days: 17 Hrs: 7 Mins: 53 Seconds: 54

16 years ago 0 130 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I didn't do the 12 week program of Chantix.  I had a gastro problem the second week or so, went off it, then back on at a reduced dosage.  After a couple of weeks, I forgot to take it and did just fine.  The craves kicked in at about 100 days or so, I think, but I was able to handle it by doing other things and not think about smoking.  Had a bad time at six months and again just recently.  I've been using the coping skills I have developed for myself to get over them.  They're not gone as yet but are less frequent.  But I emphasize that I consulted with my doctor every step of the way.  Taking meds of any kind, IMO, should be monitored.  If you seem to be having problems, don't quit the quit, talk with your doctor.
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 11/22/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 258
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 5,160
Amount Saved: $1,599.60
Life Gained:
Days: 33 Hrs: 3 Mins: 19 Seconds: 46

16 years ago 0 1209 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
 I am on an anti-depressant, but have been since the stroke, to help with sleeping issues .. and chemical imbalance..
 
 I am also on Cymbalta ... but there are many out there especially to help get you thru this period.
 
   Nicotine turns off the dopamine receptors in our brains and turns on nicotine receptors. so it takes around 6 months.. or ?? to get the dopamine receptors to start working again.
 
    Bonnie

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 2/10/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 178
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 3,026
Amount Saved: $605.20
Life Gained:
Days: 25 Hrs: 13 Mins: 29 Seconds: 11

16 years ago 0 967 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Bill, I experienced the same thing as you.  The depression started before I was off a little, but got worse after I was off it and the cravings kicked back in.  I guess the cravings got better after a month or so, but the depession was to much to handle so I went to a doctor and was put on Cymbalta.  That has really made the biggest difference for me.  I know that it is a fact that most people suffer the depression from quitting, it is part of the process.  Its when it doesn't improve that it isn't normal.  hang in there, I know you can do it.  Sorry that this isn't very good advise, but I am able to relate to your feelings.
 
Kelly

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 12/6/2007
Smoke-Free Days: 244
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 7,320
Amount Saved: $915.00
Life Gained:
Days: 19 Hrs: 21 Mins: 38 Seconds: 15

16 years ago 0 855 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
 Hi Bill, sadness and anger sometimes come with the quit even without  medication, congrats on the 11 weeks and if you know you tend to loose your quits at this point, kick in just a little more wilpower at this time to stay quit, if you havent smoked in 11 weeks you dont need to now, stay with it , YOU ARE WORTH IT :)  Tresa
My Milage:

My Quit Date: 8/8/2002
Smoke-Free Days: 2190
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 52,560
Amount Saved: $9,198.00
Life Gained:
Days: 313 Hrs: 1 Mins: 35 Seconds: 46

16 years ago 0 1080 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey Bill- I can't give Champix advice either as I didn't do my quit that way- but I just wanted to support you by saying 12 weeks is awesome, and I would guess its pretty normal to feel something different after coming off the Champix.
I wonder if you're feeling just a little more vulnerable now you're going it alone so to speak? and if so then thats what we are here for. I am sure there will be other members who have felt exactly the same as you and will be here for you with support and reassurance.
Keep going Bill, 3 months is a terrific achievement.

My Milage:

My Quit Date: 5/10/2008
Smoke-Free Days: 88
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,200
Amount Saved: $1,320.00
Life Gained:
Days: 10 Hrs: 8 Mins: 56 Seconds: 3


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