What's In A Cigarette?

[This Ends Now]

Thanks for the warning about Chantix! I had similar concerns so I never tried it even though it did help a friend of mine. How long did it take before the Chantix wore off? Were you able to return to normal after taking it?

 

[James B.]

It looks like Nighthawlk had good luck with Chanitx. (?) If so, that's great.

Guess I'm just sensitive to certain meds and stuff. Anyway, it felt like getting off it was no big deal. Went swimming and started taking 5-htp and stuff. I feel like (maybe) two weeks and back to normal? But was only on it about 1 month. Want to try addressing my nicotine problem with a combination of natural methods and also (learning) EFT. My problem has a lot to do with negative thinking that surfaces without nicotine. It's a battle, but I keep trying. In the meantime, eat healthy, get exercise and do the best I can. Hopefully I can get the monkey off my back. Good luck everyone.

 

[Nighthawk]

I had a really bad reaction to the Chantix. I still have a lot of garbage lingering form the use of it. My brain and I went stir crazy. I was only on the pill for 4 weeks and dropped the dosage to half at three weeks. I have been put on 2 additional medications to calm me down. Wow I could talk about this all day and how it has messed me up. I have been smoke free for 5 weeks. I have been off Chantix for just over a week. I feel completely broken by the effects this drug had on me. I would not recommend it to my worst enemy. I will let you know if I return what I would call normal. I still feel like smoking and am working very hard at not lighting up.

Good luck , I hope this helps you.
Nighthawlk

 

[James B.]

Thanks for the clarification Nighthawlk. Sorry about my misunderstanding. I didn't do well on Chantix either, and am hoping you feel better and more your old self soon. Good luck with everything.

 

[Nighthawk]

James B,

No need to be sorry. I guess I am angry at myself for taking a drug that caused so much back peddling. I wish I had better words of advice. I hope you achieve the goal as well. If you need to vent my ears are open.

Nighthawlk

 

[catjudo]

I'm not a smoker so forgive my intrusion into this thread. Reading it, I'm wondering something. It has truly created a question in my mind and I ask merely out of curiosity. But earlier in this thread there were a couple of posts about the effects that nicotine reduction can have on your body. So I'm wondering, if you've used Chantix to stop smoking and had a negative reaction...how do you know if your negative reaction is to the medication or to the nicotine withdrawal?

 

[James B.]

So I'm wondering, if you've used Chantix to stop smoking and had a negative reaction...how do you know if your negative reaction is to the medication or to the nicotine withdrawal?

Hi catjudo. Good question.

Have been struggling with nicotine for something like 15 years. Been off for months, relapsed. And so on. Knowing the withdrawal and long-term withdrawal from nicotine, how it effects me, the Chanitx thing is very different. Hard to describe, at least for me. Chantix has a mixed (controversial) reputation I believe. Did my web research, but thought it worth trying anyway.

On Chantix, the need to smoke and the "reward" are greatly diminished, but you're on this med. My doc described it as kinda similar to an SSRI, and don't do well on those, either. To elaborate a little, have done really well on the patch. As This Ends Now describes. But cost is an issue. The whole thing's a big time roller-coater, big time PITA. Am working it from different angles to try and get the monkey off my back - for good.

 

[goingonhope]

I'm enjoying reading alot of great discussion here.

And even while doing so, every so often, I badly bite the inner most sensitive part of my lower lip. Well, it's only for the time being ..(I tell myself).. that I'm using nicotine gum, and all of a sudden ....I can be brought to tears and anger as I miss the gum and bite my lip. (lol)

 

[AdamAnt]

I quit several months ago. I had spent a year getting up the momentum, had the patch the lozenge, the smoke away system all ready to go. Then I found a book called "the Easy Way to Quit Smoking" and didn't need any of it. It was a truly unique approach that really worked for me. (Yeah, I laughed at the title too!)

 

[James B.]

Putting in the foundation for the next phase of nicotine cessation.

Think my internal chemistry and EFT skill level will be there pretty soon. I'm not going to post on it, write about it or mention it. To anyone. It always seems to backfire. Or jinx the effort. Even a year from now, not going to say anything. Have learned my lesson. Giving the thing power just doesn't seem right, and this addiction has proven its self powerful enough to warrant my full attention, and every strategy I can think of.

Wishing everyone who suffers from a nicotine dependency much strength and good luck on their path to being clean.

 

[James B.]

Found some real-world information on nicotine cessation. Think this guy is exactly right. Not sure about his food comparisons but, hey he's the doctor. :-)

Also been using a nice tasting herb tea. It's certainly doing it's job and helping me breath better. Thought I'd include this (available in many supermarkets) for those who are struggling, or who may have decided to not attempt quitting. Honest, from a trauma survivor standpoint, it's pretty understandable.
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Wishing everyone the best with their health.