You can do it, B! On the Chantix, you're supposed to quit at the 7-day point, but I'm going to smoke, (actually FORCE myself) until I'm out of 'em. I've got one pack left. I thought I had two, but no... Only one.

The only side effects I've had with the Chantix is a little gas, but hell, that's just a bonus.
Had pretty vivid dreams, the third, fourth, and fifth night, but those are cool, too. The only other side effect has been some very mild nausea.

Take it with food, drink plenty of water, no problem.

Now, on Day 8, my cigs taste like crap and my craves are nearly gone. At this point, this is totally do-able.

GJCARVING wrote:Hang in there Frank!!!! I did it cold turkey and I'm almost 3 months in. Lately I have really craved them, and it's been really hard a few times. I guess like life itself just take it moment by moment! I'm right there with you!

GJ....good job man! I had wondered if you'd quit but didn't want to pry.

Frank, stick with it. You'll enjoy the extra O2 in every breath and extra $$ for R* goodies.

MS07

I was lucky; when I went in for drug treatment 38 years ago they made me quit everything, including smoking. Just about anything will work, but in my opinion, as a chemical dependency counselor, get all the support you can, friends, family, counseling, etc. Tell them what you are doing, tell them you are serious, ask them to help you, give them guidelines, e.g. "If you see me trying to smoke you have my permission to kick my ass, shout rape, pour water on my head, etc." The more support you get the better your chances. Likewise, you will need to find healthy replacements for the pleasures you got from smoking. You can kick a demon out of the house, clean it up all you want, but if you don't fill the space with something positive, the demon moves back in with more bad company. Remember the smoking has a lot of triggers; these are the everyday reminders that you are about to smoke, e.g., eating, waiting in line, sex, driving, etc. The deal is this, you brain starts to get high, even before you use a drug as it is reminded that you are about to use. This happens when any sensory input that normally proceeds using a drug is present. For example, a recovery drug addict walks down the street were he used to score his drugs and he sees the houses, trees, people, and signs that he always saw just before getting high, the brain starts a chemical response to those triggers (think "conditioned response" and you experience "compulsion". This is very difficult for those addicted to nicotine because you smoked just about everywhere and all the time so the triggers are overwhelming. Make a plan to not use and stick to the plan. This is more than saying, "I just won't smoke." Make a plan for specific and concrete actions, like call a friend first (not to bum a smoke, OK?)

Good luck.

Thanks, JMayton, I'm over the 36 hour point now and I feel great considering i'm battling this sinus and allergy stuff, I feel like I've hacked up a lung already but I can already tell a huge difference just getting up this morning, I walk out on my back porch and breathed in really deep and just felt great! I havn't breathed that well in the mornings in over 12 years........Frank, I still have a pack in my shop, a half pack on the bike, and probably a couple of packs in my work truck at the office,,,I'm going to throw them away! I know it's like throwing away money, but the wife just left the house to pick up my chantix! I would rather throw away the old cigs than waste money on the chantix and keep smoking. I didn't reallize how expensive this darn meds were, but if it will just help out the slightest little bit on blocking the cravings then I know I can break the habit!!!!....
Thanks guys for the support on this forum,,,,,who would have thought of it,,,"Roadstar Clinic/Quit Smoking Support Group"

I have the occasional cigar, cigaretts I quit many years ago cold turkey and I dont miss them. Never acquired the fancy for the illegal stuff.

Frank, as you already know, when you put your mind to it, you can do anything. You have to have the desire. When the urge hits you, keep logging posts here, you will be the top poster in a couple weeks.

To aid myself in quitting, I used to tell myself that I just put one out and dont need one right now.

My last cigarette was at 7:00, yesterday evening. Fifteen hours ago. Thus far, no craves. Mild urges, maybe...

Keep it up Frank!!! Glad to hear the cravings are minimal. My First day was hard, but always found the 2-4 day really hard. Just stay strong and if you need to vent just use this post!

Yeah... Doing it through willpower alone, the 72-hour mark was always the killer, for me.

I feel good, so far. No mood swings, no irritability, no feeling of "depriving myself" of something.

Quitting smoking is something nice that I'm doing for myself. When I romanticize having a cigarette, I remember two acronyms:

NOPE: Not One Puff. Ever. and SAD: Sickarettes Are Disgusting. (or Death.)

Gradually, without making a big deal of it, I'm cleaning things up. Old cigarette packages, ashtrays, lighters, cigarette butts... Just little by little, as I come across them.

Proud of ya Frank! I'm at 66.5 hours right now and I'm doing great! I right along with you Frank! I had a good test last night, The wife and I were invited to a crawfish boil at a friends house. half the people were smoking, and once I popped my first BudLight the wife just knew I was going to fall off the wagon, but I stayed strong, only had a few beers and NO SMOKES! ..I can already tell a difference in how much better food actually taste! I rode about 80 miles today on the motorcycle and just noticed I was breathing alot better! It don't matter how much I crave a smoke now I cannot and will not smoke another!!!.....I'm only on my second day of Chantix and I guess it works well....
Frank, something to help you out also would be go to your doc and ask about getting some Lexipro,,,It is mood swing medicine, but it works brother. And the doc may be able to get you some samples, doesn't hurt to ask anyhow,,,my doc was thrilled to know that I wanted to quit, this has been a huge help for me!!!

Excellent!! Congratulations!!

I haven't noticed any mood swings, but I'm sleeping more than I ever have in my entire life, except for when I was a baby, perhaps. Holy cow!

Now, at 7:30 p.m., I am at 24.5 hours. I've passed the first day! w00t!!