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I just started taking Chantix 8 days ago. The urge to smoke is dimishing.
I'm concerned about my depression and my aneurisms.
If I don't quit, my aneurisms will get bigger.
I was already depressed before I started Chantix.
I don't want to stay on this med longer than the starter pack.
Has anyone else had success with just the starter pack?
Thanks, I'm scared
Welcome to the community!
To begin, I recommend that you check with your doctor about the drugs you are taking for depression, if any, the Chantix and what might need to be adjusted as you quit. I only took Chantix for 10 days before I quit, and about a week after - but I landed in the hospital, they didn't continue it, by the time I got home I had no idea what amount to take, so I just stopped it. That being said, I was able to quit, stay quit and that was over 8 years ago! It worked for me~~~~!
The important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” This easy and entertaining read provided a world of good information about nicotine addiction, most of which I was not aware. I credit it in large part with my success at quitting. You can search for it online or at your local library.
You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmoking.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance. Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.
It will be informative if you do the tracking and separation exercises recommended here on the site. As you track each cigarette smoked, note its importance, and what you might do instead. Put each one off just a little to prove that you don't NEED a cigarette just because you think you do.
The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced. Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit. If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different. Buy your gas at a different station. Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.
You need to distract yourself through any craves. You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game. Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time. You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits. Get busy! Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:
https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoke
The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?" Then DO it. You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.
Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!
Nancy
Welcome to EX, please pay attention to all that Youngatheart.7.4.12 has shared with you as well as sweetplt. We are all here to support you on this quit journey.
Ellen
Welcome to the Ex and congrats on your decision to quit. I tried Chantix once, but it made too sick. Normally you should take it for the prescribed time for it to be effective. I would check with the prescribing doctor. Are you taking medication for your depression? I would also inquire about any interactions with the Chantix.
Happy you found us. Reach out anytime you need some encouragement and to share you experiences.
Barb
HI and Welcome to Ex’s skippy10854
I can’t help you with the chantix because I have never used it...someone here will answer you...that being said, I have two brain aneurysm’s , one I had surgery on and one I didn’t have surgery on...you are doing a good thing by quitting smoking. It is the number one reason an aneurysm will rupture...but take deep breaths...and know you can do this, one step at a time...be sure to read at My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX to get some knowledge and help on quitting. Also, we have others here that are bipolar that have quit smoking, you may want to talk to your Doctor about your fears, etc., due to the disease and quitting. (Doctors suggestions)...You already are having diminishing thoughts about smoking which is a good thing...Stay close to us...we are here to help you out...~ Colleen 667 DOF