Chantix

[DoulaSue]

I just picked up a prescription for Chantix to help quit smoking. I smoked for 10 years, then quit cold turkey the day I found out I was pregnant with my first child, never had a minute of withdrawl symptoms, probably due to the pregnancy. I quit for 11 years, then one night I was out, had a couple of drinks, and started again. HUGE MISTAKE. I've now been smoking for two years, again. I know how horrible smoking is, I work for our county's health department. I hide it from everyone, no one hardly knows that I smoke, I'm so embarrassed. My bladder issues haven't been diagnosed yet, I am actively working with a Uro and hope to have an answer next week, and I'm terrified that it's bladder cancer. I could just kick myself for smoking again.

I got the scrip for Chantix, a new med that is showing awesome results to help people quit. It's $122 and not covered by insurance, however, that's about what I'd spend on nicotine for the month! I haven't filled the scrip yet, as it says "don't take if you have kidney issues", so I'm waiting to get answers from my Uro that it's safe for me to take.

It's a type of antidepressant that fills and blocks the nicotine receptors in your brain. The urge to smoke is severely diminished, and the "rush" you get when you do smoke doesn't make it to your brain. It seems to make sense to me, and my Dr. said that people are having great results with this new medication. Check it out!! It's 4 times more effective than Zyban!

[ICNDonna]

I'm always very happy to see someone quit smoking. If you're afraid of the new prescription, you might consider one of the over the counter aids. When I quit smoking 22 years ago, I used nicotine gum and it helped me a lot.

I'm betting that most people know you smoke. It's usually pretty obvious when a smoker walks into a room.

Good luck! I'll cross my fingers for you.

Huuuugs,
Donna

[Angelhrt]

No one knows that I smoke at work either. I have been here for two years. I usually go to the bathroom afterwards and wash my hands and apply lotion to hide the stench. I feel it is better if people dont know, then you dont buddy up with anyone for constant smoke breaks and you find yourself taking less breaks because your alone and not chatting and your hiding. It helps if trying to slow down or quit. I dont want to get bladder cancer one day and the chances are increased in IC patients that smoke.