Anyone tried Zyban or Chantix to aid smoking cessation?

My mother quit with Chantix and it was very successful for her.  I went to the doctor while in the US to look into getting the same, and he said he advised against it... apparently it's been causing people a lot of 'mental problems.'  I am still looking for something to work for me as well, good luck!!!

My mother quit with Chantix and it was very successful for her.  I went to the doctor while in the US to look into getting the same, and he said he advised against it... apparently it's been causing people a lot of 'mental problems.'  I am still looking for something to work for me as well, good luck!!!

Well, they asked if I had a history of depression, and I haven't really (other than event-related stuff), so I think I should be ok! Fingers crossed! So far, its not been a problem at all. I felt a wee bit sickly the first night, but last night was fine.  We will be increasing the dosage tomorrow, so hopefully that won't cause any trouble. It hasn't had the desired effect yet of making me not want to smoke, but I guess maybe it takes time to build up in the system. Regardless, I plan on quitting on the quit date we set and hopefully the meds will at least control the cravings a bit.

Good luck, Jewlz! 

What exactly is Chantix? A patch? A tablet? 

Good luck, Jewlz! 

What exactly is Chantix? A patch? A tablet? 

Its a tablet. It blocks dopamine levels in the brain (which tell you smoking feels good). So the theory (and most people seem to think it works) is that smoking starts grossing you out and making you feel kind of sick after about a week of taking the pills. We are on day 3 and no effects yet (positive or negative, other than a slight bit of nausea for me the first night) but we are doubling the dosage tomorrow and I think it takes a while to build up in your system, like an antidepressant. So I expect that soon I will want to smoke less and less leading up to our quit date next Monday, or at least, that's what I am hoping for. I have noticed that I feel more disgusting in the morning - like more sinus-y and worse sore throat than usual, which makes me wanna quit smoking a bit more, so I guess that is some kind of sign. 

Its a tablet. It blocks dopamine levels in the brain (which tell you smoking feels good). So the theory (and most people seem to think it works) is that smoking starts grossing you out and making you feel kind of sick after about a week of taking the pills. We are on day 3 and no effects yet (positive or negative, other than a slight bit of nausea for me the first night) but we are doubling the dosage tomorrow and I think it takes a while to build up in your system, like an antidepressant. So I expect that soon I will want to smoke less and less leading up to our quit date next Monday, or at least, that's what I am hoping for. I have noticed that I feel more disgusting in the morning - like more sinus-y and worse sore throat than usual, which makes me wanna quit smoking a bit more, so I guess that is some kind of sign. 

Ah, OK. I can see why blocking dopamine might affect some people's feeling of wellbeing.

I hope it does the trick for you, Jewlz! 

Ah, OK. I can see why blocking dopamine might affect some people's feeling of wellbeing.

I hope it does the trick for you, Jewlz! 

Thanks. I started the double dose today, and no ill effects so far, so things are going well, though I haven't yet completely lost my desire to smoke. I am still committed to quitting, though, which will give me the satisfaction of overcoming a huge obstacle and accomplishing something tremendous for my health and well-being. I agree with what you said on the other thread - its far more important to focus on just being healthy than focusing on my weight, so I have stopped counting calories and started focusing on some of my other accomplishments, which are more beneficial overall. 

Congrats Jewlz!! Dont worry about still smoking. It took me about 3 weeks to quit once I started. Do it when you are ready not when they say because you have to make the choice. Im going back on it soon and cant wait!

Thanks. I started the double dose today, and no ill effects so far, so things are going well, though I haven't yet completely lost my desire to smoke. I am still committed to quitting, though, which will give me the satisfaction of overcoming a huge obstacle and accomplishing something tremendous for my health and well-being. I agree with what you said on the other thread - its far more important to focus on just being healthy than focusing on my weight, so I have stopped counting calories and started focusing on some of my other accomplishments, which are more beneficial overall. 

Yay for trying to focus on the positives and even if you fall off the positive 'wagon' of quitting smoking, eating healthier and exercise, remind yourself that you can do it because you have been!  And it's OK to be the imperfect human beings we are. 

Good luck vibes to you!   

Just wondering....how did the Chantix go???  I worked in a military pharmacy when this med came out and we were one of the first to have it.  I'm still wondering if it's getting the same incredible results as it did when it came out in the US.  My fiance wants to try it soon.

Just wondering....how did the Chantix go???  I worked in a military pharmacy when this med came out and we were one of the first to have it.  I'm still wondering if it's getting the same incredible results as it did when it came out in the US.  My fiance wants to try it soon.

It's been nearly 4 months and the hubs and I are both still nicotine free!  It really worked for us and made it so much easier to quit. We were supposed to do a 12 week course, but only took it for about 8 weeks due to the side effects, but that was fine for us. It made us both really tired all of the time and occasionally nauseous, but it was completely worth enduring it since we have both quit smoking. There was still some effort required in the first week of quitting, but it makes it a lot easier to quit and makes you feel more like you want to quit, instead of talking yourself out of it, if you know what I mean. I have quit several times before with the patch and other methods, but even since I have stopped the Champix, I don't really get cravings anymore and cigarette smoke (and smokers) smell horrible to both me and my husband and the smell still makes us feel a bit nauseous, which is a real deterrent to stay off the smokes. I'd highly recommend it, but be careful about the serious mental side effects it can have on some people. We were fine, but its not suitable for people with a history of depression, etc. Good luck!

Way to go Jewlz!!!  So happy for you and your hubby!  I used to see numerous patients come in and just tell me their stories about how they just didn't crave it anymore.  It's a wonderful drug, but it does have very SERIOUS side effects.  Unfortunately one of our early patients actually became diabetic after taking this med.  Sounds crazy right??  But it's true...  So it's not just the depression people have to be aware of..

May I ask, did it make you feel depressed at all??  I'm wondering if it makes regular people feel a bit down?

Glad you made a fantastic choice!!

May I ask, did it make you feel depressed at all??  I'm wondering if it makes regular people feel a bit down?

Glad you made a fantastic choice!!

Yeah, it made both of us feel a bit tired and depressed and lethargic, but nothing too serious. We started cutting the dosage back again a few weeks after quitting and then just stopped altogether once we felt ready. Like I said, it was worth it, even though it made us feel kind of crappy sometimes. I'm sure if you could quit another way, that would be advisable, but I tried the patch and nicotine replacement stuff, plus cold turkey once, and I always went back to smoking. It was time for me to try something different and this seems to have worked for me.