Chantix and other stop smoking pills

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SassySarijane -> Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/13/2009 7:07:27 AM)
For those who've used pill methods to stop smoking, is there an average time one needs to take it such as 3 months, 6 months, etc. to get past the craving stage, to not have cravings when you go off of it? I am curious because I have a family member who has to quit or die basically and his insurance will not cover the pill, nor can he afford the $130 it costs for a month's supply so family is going to pay to fill the prescription each month until he doesn't need it anymore. I'd like to get an idea of how long it may be necessary.

sirsholly -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/13/2009 7:36:10 AM)
when i looked into it i read the average time is 12 weeks...but i would imagine it differs from person to person. You may want to go on-line...the drug manufacturer offers discount coupons.[:)]

angelikaJ -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/13/2009 7:42:46 AM)
I think generic Wellbutrin is available. It is the same drug as Zyban. The other thing you might try is fighting with the insurance co given that the over all costs of them providing care to him will statistically go down. edit spelling

sirsholly -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/13/2009 7:52:03 AM)
quote: I think generic Wellbutrin is available. It is the same drug as Zyban. The other thing you might try is fighting with the insurance co given that the over all costs of them providing care to him will statistically go down. Most insurance companies will pay for Wellbutrin (as it is an antidepressant and they can hardly refuse), but if the doctor writes the rx as Zyban the insurance company can, and will, refuse to pay for it. Stupid, i know...

LaTigresse -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/13/2009 8:13:56 AM)
It is stupid and seems to defeat their purpose.

Mercnbeth -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/13/2009 9:36:22 AM)
this slave has tried, under MD supervision: the gum + Xanax in 1985 for 8 weeks the patch + Welbutrin in 2003 for 8 weeks Chantix + Ativan in 2007 for 12 weeks Chantix + Ativan in 2008 for 8 weeks none have been effective.[&o]

lusciouslips19 -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/13/2009 9:47:17 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth this slave has tried, under MD supervision: the gum + Xanax in 1985 for 8 weeks the patch + Welbutrin in 2003 for 8 weeks Chantix + Ativan in 2007 for 12 weeks Chantix + Ativan in 2008 for 8 weeks none have been effective.[&o] Although I have had relapses. The last one being in may. They have lasted for about a month. But the quiting is still hard. But I have sucesfully quit many times. So if you have quit for 8 weeks or 12 weeks you were sucessful for that long. I had an easier time quiting when it wasnt around. So that can be a challenge to many having other smokers around. I was able to have an occasional cigarette when out with friends for many years, But last summer was the first pack I had bought in 15 years. With all this being said its been 4 weeks since my last quit. I used lozenges for about a week as needed. The first 4 days are the hardest. The second was the worse. The thing that has kept me from grabbing a cigarette, other than liking breathing without asthmatic symptoms and constant headaches and taste and smell is, I would rather go through the pain of withdrawal ONCE than dealing with withdrawal symptoms and anxiety every 20 minutes. I dont like having symptoms and needing a cigarette and the panic that goes with. That is the worse for me. Guess I am not willing to be a slave to eveything. Some things a person is best free of and freedom in this case is really good.[:)] Dont give up. Keep trying.

Mercnbeth -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/13/2009 10:10:39 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19 quote: ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth this slave has tried, under MD supervision: the gum + Xanax in 1985 for 8 weeks the patch + Welbutrin in 2003 for 8 weeks Chantix + Ativan in 2007 for 12 weeks Chantix + Ativan in 2008 for 8 weeks none have been effective.[&o] Although I have had relapses. The last one being in may. They have lasted for about a month. But the quiting is still hard. But I have sucesfully quit many times. So if you have quit for 8 weeks or 12 weeks you were sucessful for that long. I had an easier time quiting when it wasnt around. So that can be a challenge to many having other smokers around. I was able to have an occasional cigarette when out with friends for many years, But last summer was the first pack I had bought in 15 years. With all this being said its been 4 weeks since my last quit. I used lozenges for about a week as needed. The first 4 days are the hardest. The second was the worse. The thing that has kept me from grabbing a cigarette, other than liking breathing without asthmatic symptoms and constant headaches and taste and smell is, I would rather go through the pain of withdrawal ONCE than dealing with withdrawal symptoms and anxiety every 20 minutes. I dont like having symptoms and needing a cigarette and the panic that goes with. That is the worse for me. Guess I am not willing to be a slave to eveything. Some things a person is best free of and freedom in this case is really good.[:)] Dont give up. Keep trying. thanks for the support![:)] this slave didn't actually quit SMOKING for those long periods of time, though. those are the things she obtained from the MD and took as prescribed to aid in the quitting, not as a substitute for going cold turkey with nothing. the longest stretch she has been able to manage without a cigarette...at least one during the day...during all those attempts at quitting...was 4 days. none of the things the MD prescribed helped her to take it past the point of the withdrawal. she could scale it down to 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 cigarettes per day, but when the withdrawal got to be too much, she couldn't take enough Xanax or Ativan to combat it. the Welbutrin crap jacked this slave up so bad she couldn't eat ( lost 15 pounds in 6 weeks) and wanted to smoke 5 times as much as NOT taking it. the Chantix was nauseating...this slave struggles enough with nausea issues already. it'll happen someday...by choice or by force...and this slave will give it another try, but not with Chantix or Welbutrin.

SassySarijane -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/13/2009 10:52:54 AM)
Thanks for the feedback everyone. The Chantix is almost a last ditch effort to help him quit. Other methods like patches, gum and lozenges haven't done anything to help him quit and he is desperate to do so. Doctors said his lungs could give out in a year if he doesn't get off the smokes. Last week he went into the hospital with a collapsed lung and had been just fine the day before. It was a total shocker. He is fighting smoking but just can't do it on his own or by the methods he's tried before. I really hope this works for him. I've already lost one brother. I don't want to lose my stepbrother too. I really don't.

JstAnotherSub -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/13/2009 12:54:49 PM)
ask the dr if the manufactuer offers assistance. i got the chantix and after 10 days i quit it cause i had "jumpin outta the bed screaming" nitemares. i do know 4 folks who have quit using chantix and their ranges were from 4 weeks to 12 weeks. the newest one to quit has now been smoke free for about 5 months. im now on my 2nd week of wellbutrin, and i think the cravings are lessening, but who knows. ill know when i have to go back to work in 2 weeks-thats when im gonna try to quit again.

lusciouslips19 -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/13/2009 3:35:44 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth quote: ORIGINAL: lusciouslips19 quote: ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth this slave has tried, under MD supervision: the gum + Xanax in 1985 for 8 weeks the patch + Welbutrin in 2003 for 8 weeks Chantix + Ativan in 2007 for 12 weeks Chantix + Ativan in 2008 for 8 weeks none have been effective.[&o] Although I have had relapses. The last one being in may. They have lasted for about a month. But the quiting is still hard. But I have sucesfully quit many times. So if you have quit for 8 weeks or 12 weeks you were sucessful for that long. I had an easier time quiting when it wasnt around. So that can be a challenge to many having other smokers around. I was able to have an occasional cigarette when out with friends for many years, But last summer was the first pack I had bought in 15 years. With all this being said its been 4 weeks since my last quit. I used lozenges for about a week as needed. The first 4 days are the hardest. The second was the worse. The thing that has kept me from grabbing a cigarette, other than liking breathing without asthmatic symptoms and constant headaches and taste and smell is, I would rather go through the pain of withdrawal ONCE than dealing with withdrawal symptoms and anxiety every 20 minutes. I dont like having symptoms and needing a cigarette and the panic that goes with. That is the worse for me. Guess I am not willing to be a slave to eveything. Some things a person is best free of and freedom in this case is really good.[:)] Dont give up. Keep trying. thanks for the support![:)] this slave didn't actually quit SMOKING for those long periods of time, though. those are the things she obtained from the MD and took as prescribed to aid in the quitting, not as a substitute for going cold turkey with nothing. the longest stretch she has been able to manage without a cigarette...at least one during the day...during all those attempts at quitting...was 4 days. none of the things the MD prescribed helped her to take it past the point of the withdrawal. she could scale it down to 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 cigarettes per day, but when the withdrawal got to be too much, she couldn't take enough Xanax or Ativan to combat it. the Welbutrin crap jacked this slave up so bad she couldn't eat ( lost 15 pounds in 6 weeks) and wanted to smoke 5 times as much as NOT taking it. the Chantix was nauseating...this slave struggles enough with nausea issues already. it'll happen someday...by choice or by force...and this slave will give it another try, but not with Chantix or Welbutrin. Unfortunately a person has to make up their mind to go crazy and jones and do all those things without assitance. ok the lozenges took the edge off. They say quitting cigarettes is harder than quiting heroin. For me, needing a cigarette every 20 minutes....when I smoke, I smoke alot. No 3 a day type user. But being free from cavings is my motivation. So when you try again , think of that. A life free from that anxiety. SO yes, the anxiety will be increased temporarily but once you break free....well, you will see. You are strong. This I know.[:)]

lusciouslips19 -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/14/2009 4:42:40 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: SassySarijane Thanks for the feedback everyone. The Chantix is almost a last ditch effort to help him quit. Other methods like patches, gum and lozenges haven't done anything to help him quit and he is desperate to do so. Doctors said his lungs could give out in a year if he doesn't get off the smokes. Last week he went into the hospital with a collapsed lung and had been just fine the day before. It was a total shocker. He is fighting smoking but just can't do it on his own or by the methods he's tried before. I really hope this works for him. I've already lost one brother. I don't want to lose my stepbrother too. I really don't. If the prospect of death does not get him to quit cold turkey and a collapsed lung still puffs a cig. I dont know what else to say. There is a certain amount of willpower that needs to be mustered regardless of the method. No, there is no withdrawal free method of quiting. I usually have to sleep alot and take a few days off work. But its worth it.

sirsholly -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/14/2009 5:43:05 AM)
i have often wondered if snowing yourself with a medication such as Xanax for 3-4 days would help...

Aswad -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/15/2009 6:31:43 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: SassySarijane Doctors said his lungs could give out in a year if he doesn't get off the smokes. Here's the solution: *snus. It's a Swedish product that has zero* risk of lung damage, a low risk of oral cancer, and a moderate risk of worsening preexisting cancer of one of the digestive organs (can't recall which; gall bladder, I think). Over the course of years, it will cause discoloration of the teeth if he's not careful to use a suitable toothpaste (e.g. Clinomyn is a brand up here, not sure what it's called over in the US). It will also, again over the course of years, cause the gums to retract in the incisor region, and raise the roof of the cavity between the front upper teeth and the upper lip. It comes in small "tea bags" that are placed between the upper lip and the front upper teeth, typically over the incisors or canines, on one side. In short, it solves the lung problem, and the drawbacks are preventable cosmetic issues. If he is not taking additional medication, or if he has a competent doctor that can oversee the interaction potential, he can benefit from taking four to six standard 10mg tablets of l-deprenyl (Selegiline, Eldepryl) *once* some four hours after his last cigarette. That will allow the monoamine oxidase levels to return to normal at a slower pace than would be the case for cold turkey (he must not combine snus and smokes, or he'll worsen the addiction). Side effects are really quite benign, but he must adhere to dietary restrictions for a week, and any medications (including OTC) must be screened for interactions by a qualified doctor for two weeks. He'll crave chocolate. Don't give him any. That's a minor comfort thing, though, nothing that makes a major difference. Note that this is harm reduction. He has an acute lung problem. I am suggesting a way to save his lungs at the expense of leaving the addiction untouched. In fact, the addiction itself *may* be worsened. But he will no longer be damaging his lungs. At all. Unlike common substitution therapies, *snus* can and will successfully substitute for smokes. Permanently. I've yet to meet anyone for whom it didn't. And at his age, the harmful effects are unlikely to be relevant in a normal life expectancy, anyway. Mind you, it might still be worth trying to simply tie him down for 72 hours, until the worst of the cravings pass. Otherwise, snus is the way to go. I hate the stuff, but it solves the immediate problem. Health, al-Aswad.

Aswad -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (7/15/2009 6:33:40 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: sirsholly i have often wondered if snowing yourself with a medication such as Xanax for 3-4 days would help... It doesn't, IME. 3-4 days in a barbiturate coma will, though. But that's hardly going to be covered by the insurance company, now, is it? Health, al-Aswad.

LookieNoNookie -> Stop smoking pills (7/15/2009 6:35:27 PM)
Smoking pills is a pain in the ass. (Too short, and you can't keep 'em lit).

SassySarijane -> RE: Stop smoking pills (7/15/2009 7:58:21 PM)
grinning at Lookie Thanks, I needed the smile. Lushy, he is very scared and desparate to quit, but cold turkey with no other help hasn't worked for him ever. He has will power, but not enough to do this without help and he admits it. He has started the Chantix and is hoping it will be the help he needs to stay off them for good. He calls me every day and we talk and I give him encouragement and bluntness and I listen and offer tips and advice. Aswad, thank you for the info on another possibility to help him. I will do some checking on it and see if it is something we can do for him if the Chantix fails and tying him down for 72 hours might work if someone volunteers to tend the garden and feed the chickens and collect the eggs...I will keep that in mind ~grin~. beth, I have tried several different things to quit myself and have not succeeded as yet. I am planning to try again this year to quit. Geeting off drugs was way easier for me than getting off the cigs....sigh. Holly, I wish something like that would help. JstAnotherSub, he did get a coupon for a little savings on the cost of it. My thanks again to everyone for all the feedback you've given on this. I very much appreciate it.

billyInAustin -> RE: Chantix and other stop smoking pills (9/14/2009 7:33:06 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: SassySarijane For those who've used pill methods to stop smoking, is there an average time one needs to take it such as 3 months, 6 months, etc. to get past the craving stage, to not have cravings when you go off of it? I am curious because I have a family member who has to quit or die basically and his insurance will not cover the pill, nor can he afford the $130 it costs for a month's supply so family is going to pay to fill the prescription each month until he doesn't need it anymore. I'd like to get an idea of how long it may be necessary. I just saw this but I am on Chantix so maybe it will help someone. It is amazing how fast the craving stops. You start taking it and right away you start smoking less. In fact a heavy smoker will pay for the chatix just from cigs you don't smoke since they are now 5 to 6 a pack. I am on the last day of week 5 and have not had a cig in 24 hours.

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