New to becoming an Ex.

[Rocks_JS]

Hello folks, I have been a nicotine addict for around 40 years. I grew up in a smoker household so realistically, I am a 54+ years smoker. I have recently moved into a non-smoking environment and purchased a vehicle from a non-smoker. After a recent visit with my new Primary care doctor. We decided to try Chantix. I had tried patches in the past with little to no success. Anyway, I started on the Chantix and a week later I had to fly to see my daughter. I had purchased patches (24mg) for the flight. I noticed when I was with her using the combination of Chantix and patches that I really had no cravings at all and nearly the whole day had passed before I even thought about having a smoke. This gave me hope that I could possibly be able to conquer this addiction.

When I got home a started doing some research and found that it takes up to 11 days for the chemicals from smoking out of your system and 3 days for the nicotine. I have read in the past that on average it takes 21 days to break a habit. So, with this information I set up my dates. I stopped smoking on Feb 8^th. I dropped the patches 11 days later. So far so good - everything was going exactly as planned. I had no cravings that could not be adjusted for. On day 22 I stopped taking the Chantix. This is when the plan came to a flawed conclusion. I managed to get through the first days cravings, but on day two I gave in (makes me sick to write this) I immediately went back on the Chantix and only had given into one cigarette - thankfully, it was a stale nasty one. I stopped Chantix again after 30 days and had the same result. How do I know when it is safe to stop taking the Chantix? I am not understanding the mental or physical challenges of this addiction. I have stopped other things in the past and have been clean and sober over 24 years. This one, cigarettes - however, seem to be my nemesis.

John

[Rocks_JS]

I think and I say this humorously - if it is a law, I will defy it. No, I am not that naive... I have the misfortune of having already quit a number of addicting and some lesser addicting things. Prescription pain meds, alcohol, and a number of highly addictive illicit drugs in my lifetime and all cold turkey. I agree, I am lucky it did not sabotage my quit. I will quit this also and I take nothing in life for granted.

[YoungAtHeart]

[amiray39]

Welcome

[Barbscloud]

Welcome to the Ex.  It's always great to have new quitter on board. 

The directions for Chantix state "you should take CHANTIX for the full 12 or 24 weeks (3 or 6 months), depending on the quit approach you and your healthcare provider decide is right for you. Always take CHANTIX as prescribed.:"   So, of course, always check with your doctor about medical questions.

Have you established a quit date here on the Ex?  That's the first step.  No matter what aid you choose , it's still important to educate yourself about nicotine addiction and have a plan in place for each step of this journey.  There's such great information and support here.  We want you to be successful.  If you need help, reach out.  We're here for you.

[anaussiemom]

rocks_js !! You can continue chantix safely thru your doctor for a long time.  The longer the better they are discovering, for long time smokers.   Seek medical advise on this!   You can do this with help.  And medical guidance.
Medication Therapy Can Increase Long-Term Success For Smokers Who Cut Back First – Mayo Clinic News ... 

You got this keep moving onward.

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/community/expert-advice/blog/2019/01/30/mindfulness-and-craving 

[maryfreecig]

You've found some products that work for you in quitting. So why not follow the recommended treatment, but add to it with Ex. We're here 365. And what you'll find here if you stick around is a route to smobriety one day at a time. We're here to listen and offer a lot of experience (always take what you need, leave the rest).

In my opinion it takes more than 21 days to change a smoking addiction. Stick with what works. But learn the rules of smobriety as you go.

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/newbie-quitters/blog/2019/01/27/one-of-the-greatest-tools-...  by Jackie 

[elvan]

Congratulations on your quit and welcome to EX.  You have gotten wonderful advice here and you will continue to get wonderful advice and support if you stay close to the site. I smoked for 47 years but I have been free now for over five...I could not have done it without this site.  I did not use NRT's or anything...I got sick and that did it for me.  When you cannot breathe, it puts things into a whole different perspective.  I think you should take the Chantix as directed by your physician and use the patches as directed as well.  You have to commit...no one can do that FOR you.  We can offer you education about this addiction and support to get through the beginning of your quit, we can listen if you need to vent, we can and we will, willingly, help you in any way possible but YOU have to decide no smoking, no matter what.

Again, welcome.

Ellen

[Rocks_JS]

 Thanks elvan, while the direction from my physician on Chantix was not very defined. The addition of adding the patch was my inclusion after realizing after almost a full day had passed without me even thinking about having a smoke. I stumbled across this correlation because I had to take a flight to see my daughter. Each on their own only mildly suppressed the cravings in me for nicotine.It was once I found how these two worked in a concerted effort did I think that this would be a possibility for me - the end my nicotine addiction.

 On my doctors defense for perhaps not being super clear on this.I am a diabetic and have been off my meds since July '18 until my first visit with her in Jan '19. I know her focus has been on stabilizing my blood sugars and getting my A1C back under control. I have had regular visits with her and am in between right now. I just had diabetic eye exam and heart stress test last week.

 My main reasoning for coming here, besides curiosity, was my search in finding additional information about Chantix as I did not find the label to be really informative and in very small print. In particular, what withdrawal symptoms, if any, should I expect when coming off of it. I guess to make what is becoming a long story short - is what I was experiencing a reaction of Chantix withdrawal or the nicotine and why. Also what is typical length of Chantix use as what I found was wide ranging. My research found the answer is supporting that it really is wide ranging as we are all different, but 12 weeks seems to be a base minimum.

[Mdye]

Welcome to the ex community and congratulations on quitting. I am on chantix also. My Dr has had me on chantix for 4 months now. I requested the latest month. I wanted to be sure the medication was cemented in. I had to reset my stop date from February 1st and have not smoked since the 1st of March. You don't have to be on it as long as me, but the medication does take time to work, to work correctly the first time around. Continue using the community, read the information that is here, information is the key. Give chantix a chance to work. Good luck to you.