Chantix

[JMckay]

Well some of my worst days were 3 to 4 weeks quit. And after 100 days I had some really shitty times. For me the head games wernt as intense as the first couple days quit but almost and it wore on me after being quit so long. I thought I should just be better cause i had been quit months and for me that wasn't the case. It was more like a roller coaster every day was not better than the next. I think some people have an easier time with the head games maybe that will be you. Using chew to help cope with shit is the root of the problem with how crap it is after months I think. That's my opinion on it I'm at over 9 months quit and over all its way better but still have shitty days.

[laxdaddy27]

....before I know it...day 100 will be here.

Welcome. I'm glad you found this site, and are doing what it takes to keep quit.

I cut out that one piece of your post about day 100. Obviously, 100 days is a milestone that is celebrated here at KTC. And, it is a milestone that should be celebrated 100 days is a big deal. I remember when I was on day 3 or 4, I thought I had a better chance of beating Michael Phelps in the 100 meter butterfly than making it 100 days dip free.

But, I want to caution you - 100 days isn't the end of anything. In fact it's just the beginning. That's why I'm still here on Day 735, posting roll first thing every morning. At 100 days, you have all the tools to stay quit. But cravings still happen. There are times, well after 100 days, I've wanted to throw in the towel, but I remember my promise, and wait for the crave to pass.

My best advice, and the same advice you'd get from most everybody else here, is to take it one day at a time (ODAAT). Focus on today, and the days will start to stack up. Hell, I used for about 9,000 days. I've only been quit for a bit more than 8% of the time I used. I'm not safe yet by a long shot, so I'll keep posting every damn day (EDD). At least that's the way I think about it.

Good advice, thanks! I never thought about the number of days that I used - but looking at the numbers, I have used for 12,775 days....shit this is going to be tough! I hear you about 100 days, and that is why I am excited to be part of this group. I have "quit" -definitely in quotes since I obviously always came back...but I have "quit" probably 200 - 300 times in the past! I have managed to quit for 30 days, 2 months, and even up to 9 months. I have always gone back and I think the main culprit is complacency and a feeling of being overly confident. After being "off" nicotine - I would be traveling for work, stress of travel, boredom or stress of work makes me think - well I don't really "need" chew and I am not addicted to it anymore so one can won't hurt and I can stop right away. So I take that one can - and I am able to make it last for 4 days (usually I am a 1 can a day person). After that 1 can, I am convinced since I could stretch it out to 4 days - I don't have a problem and can moderate my usage. So I buy a 2nd can - this can will last me 2 days...after the 2nd can I buy a 3rd which is then only good for 1 day....quit and go through the cycle. What I am getting at is that I think in those times - even though the craving was relatively easy for me to get through - I did not make a promise every day so there was no accountability. This time - I don't care if it is at 30 days, or 3000 days - I plan to make the pledge every day! I am of course worried about my health - but I just as importantly don't want to be a slave to the bear!

Dont want to be a downer but 12 days ago i quit cause I was scared for my life. CANCER, the word none of us want to talk about. I haven't been diagnosed but have to be knocking on the door. 31 years of playing Russian roulette. I read recently that mouth cancer has a ten year incubation period. that means my numbers are 11,315 day habit, 12 day quit, 3638 days left of praying my stupid addiction didn't give me a death sentence.

Stay quit - if you need contact numbers PM me and we can help each other along this journey.

[hkdman_35]

....before I know it...day 100 will be here.

Welcome. I'm glad you found this site, and are doing what it takes to keep quit.

I cut out that one piece of your post about day 100. Obviously, 100 days is a milestone that is celebrated here at KTC. And, it is a milestone that should be celebrated 100 days is a big deal. I remember when I was on day 3 or 4, I thought I had a better chance of beating Michael Phelps in the 100 meter butterfly than making it 100 days dip free.

But, I want to caution you - 100 days isn't the end of anything. In fact it's just the beginning. That's why I'm still here on Day 735, posting roll first thing every morning. At 100 days, you have all the tools to stay quit. But cravings still happen. There are times, well after 100 days, I've wanted to throw in the towel, but I remember my promise, and wait for the crave to pass.

My best advice, and the same advice you'd get from most everybody else here, is to take it one day at a time (ODAAT). Focus on today, and the days will start to stack up. Hell, I used for about 9,000 days. I've only been quit for a bit more than 8% of the time I used. I'm not safe yet by a long shot, so I'll keep posting every damn day (EDD). At least that's the way I think about it.

Good advice, thanks! I never thought about the number of days that I used - but looking at the numbers, I have used for 12,775 days....shit this is going to be tough! I hear you about 100 days, and that is why I am excited to be part of this group. I have "quit" -definitely in quotes since I obviously always came back...but I have "quit" probably 200 - 300 times in the past! I have managed to quit for 30 days, 2 months, and even up to 9 months. I have always gone back and I think the main culprit is complacency and a feeling of being overly confident. After being "off" nicotine - I would be traveling for work, stress of travel, boredom or stress of work makes me think - well I don't really "need" chew and I am not addicted to it anymore so one can won't hurt and I can stop right away. So I take that one can - and I am able to make it last for 4 days (usually I am a 1 can a day person). After that 1 can, I am convinced since I could stretch it out to 4 days - I don't have a problem and can moderate my usage. So I buy a 2nd can - this can will last me 2 days...after the 2nd can I buy a 3rd which is then only good for 1 day....quit and go through the cycle. What I am getting at is that I think in those times - even though the craving was relatively easy for me to get through - I did not make a promise every day so there was no accountability. This time - I don't care if it is at 30 days, or 3000 days - I plan to make the pledge every day! I am of course worried about my health - but I just as importantly don't want to be a slave to the bear!

[RDB]

....before I know it...day 100 will be here.

Welcome. I'm glad you found this site, and are doing what it takes to keep quit.

I cut out that one piece of your post about day 100. Obviously, 100 days is a milestone that is celebrated here at KTC. And, it is a milestone that should be celebrated 100 days is a big deal. I remember when I was on day 3 or 4, I thought I had a better chance of beating Michael Phelps in the 100 meter butterfly than making it 100 days dip free.

But, I want to caution you - 100 days isn't the end of anything. In fact it's just the beginning. That's why I'm still here on Day 735, posting roll first thing every morning. At 100 days, you have all the tools to stay quit. But cravings still happen. There are times, well after 100 days, I've wanted to throw in the towel, but I remember my promise, and wait for the crave to pass.

My best advice, and the same advice you'd get from most everybody else here, is to take it one day at a time (ODAAT). Focus on today, and the days will start to stack up. Hell, I used for about 9,000 days. I've only been quit for a bit more than 8% of the time I used. I'm not safe yet by a long shot, so I'll keep posting every damn day (EDD). At least that's the way I think about it.

[hkdman_35]

Day 3 Here we GO!!!! So, day 3 has started. Started the day by taking the morning Chantix, putting in a piece of gum, and then posting my promise. Last night, I was exhausted and fell asleep at around 8PM. Not sure if I was exhausted because I quit chewing and my body is still adjusting or if I was just really tired - either way fell asleep early and of course ended up waking up around 4AM. Like many of you, I usually put in a dip first thing in the morning. You could even say that my hand is reaching for my can before I am even out of the bed! What I was happy about is that I was out of bed, and the first 10 minutes were spent doing the items noted above - and it really wasn't until afterwards that my brain said "give me dip" Small success, but I'll take it! So far, I haven't really noticed any side effects from taking the medicine. I do feel a little more irritable than usual which is a side effect but also a reality of when you quit. Although - I do believe Chantix has helped curb this a lot. In times past, when I quit, I was a downright asshole. Now, I am perhaps a little blunt, but I have managed to keep my emotions in check.

Benefits of Day 3 -

-Blood Pressure seems to be dropping a little!
-My car smells so much better because there isn't a soda can with disgusting spit/chew in it!
-My hands and fingers don't smell of chew.
-I am not sneaking into the bathroom at work so I can put in a chew, only to go back to my desk with a chew in and act like no one knows what I was doing!

Well - that should do it for Day 3. I truly believe (and please tell me if you disagree) that each day will get progressively easier. The first day was by far the hardest, 2nd day just a small amount easier, and today I would expect the same small improvement. How long does it take before you aren't constantly thinking about chew? 30 days, 90 days, the magical 100 days?

[hkdman_35]

IMO people who don't want to post roll are people who don't really want accountability. Accountability is one of the pillars that keep us quit. The beauty of KTC is that we don't quit by ourselves. We build a network of support and we make sure that when we need help we can reach out for that help via PM, email, text, phone call, or even meeting someone in person.

Hope the Chantix makes it easier for you!

I quit with you today. Stranger999 day 873.

That's a very interesting comment. I never thought of it that way, but I do get your point. I joined KTC for support (because my 1000 other ties of quitting didn't exactly pan out). Thanks for the insight!

[hkdman_35]

Hk

I was the one that made the comments about the side effects and I think itÂ’s awesome you are keeping this log. I am very much looking forward to your findings.

Do me a favor. I donÂ’t know how long you are supposed to take Chantix but, I am interested in everyday up to the stop date and then even more so, the first 7 days (or so) after you stop taking it.

Please post in here frequently. I do look forward to it.

Will do!!! Thanks!

[Stranger999]

IMO people who don't want to post roll are people who don't really want accountability. Accountability is one of the pillars that keep us quit. The beauty of KTC is that we don't quit by ourselves. We build a network of support and we make sure that when we need help we can reach out for that help via PM, email, text, phone call, or even meeting someone in person.

Hope the Chantix makes it easier for you!

I quit with you today. Stranger999 day 873.

[redtrain14]

Hk

I was the one that made the comments about the side effects and I think itÂ’s awesome you are keeping this log. I am very much looking forward to your findings.

Do me a favor. I donÂ’t know how long you are supposed to take Chantix but, I am interested in everyday up to the stop date and then even more so, the first 7 days (or so) after you stop taking it.

Please post in here frequently. I do look forward to it.

[hkdman_35]

Ok - Chantix Day 2!

Well, first of all, I made it past day 1. Perhaps I am naive, but I personally think the first day will be the hardest and each day after will be just slightly easier than the day before! Like I said, probably a bunch of BS - but it certainly helps when I think that way.

So this morning started off by taking my morning Chantix pill. I read some comments on this board that the side effects of Chantix is the same as the side effects of quitting so why would I want to double up? Let's talk about that for a second. The truth of the matter is that ALL medicine has potential side effects. But like most medicine, most people don't experience the side effects, or maybe only initially. Now - if you take Chantix and you feel like absolute shit - then I would say...don't take any more and ride it out. For me - here is the biggest advantage. First of all, after every meal, watching TV, etc. - I absolutely crave and subconsciously I am reaching for my can of chew. It is going to do nothing for me in this regard. I find the biggest benefit is that the "fog" is really quite manageable. I would say yesterday was a 5/10, and today the fog is perhaps a 2/10. I have quite plenty of times before and the fog was more like a 9/10. Also - I dont seem to miss the nicotine quite as much. Subconsciously I will reach for a can - but I actually go a few hours before thinking...hey where's my dip?!? I think Chantix has helped with that part. Last night - I did have a tough time sleeping and not sure if that is front quitting chew or chantix as both of those are possible.

So far, between Chantix and gum, I am happy with where I am at. Oh - I read a few posts about people not wanting to post roll. I'll admit, I don't look forward to doing it...but I am. And here is why, to be honest whether or not people on this board criticize or praise me - let's face it - we quit by ourselves. However, by post rolling and making the promise - I feel like for me to break my promise is to be a liar. So each day, I am making another promise that only lasts till the next morning, and then repeat. The way I look at it, anyone can keep a promise for 1 day and taking it day by day is the way to go....before I know it...day 100 will be here.

[laxdaddy27]

Welcome!

Looks like you're trying to find your way around the site. That's good!

You're going to be in the "May" quit group, and that's where you'll want to post roll (you can follow that as a link to the May page). KTC is pretty straightforward:

1) Wake up
2) Piss
3) Post roll (your promise)
4) KEEP IT
5) Repeat

If you can do that you'll be successful. Trust me, if I can do it you can too!!!

Reach out to as many people as you are comfortable with and exchange contact information. EVERYONE here is going through or has been through it and can help you. Feel free to contact me any time (I'm texting 45-50 people per day with my promise, I can definitely add one more)! I sent you a PM with my contact info.

SRains918 (Steve)
Proud Member of Jan '18 F.U.R.Y.
117 Days Quit (And Counting)

Welcome - Im excited to be quit with you today and look forward to hearing about the chantix way. Cold Turkey is tough but who am i telling. Dam near got fired today for snapping at the boss but screw him, Im 10 days quit.

reach out if you need anything. Be strong, make your promise every morning and stick to it. When the haze gets you thinking its time to go buy a can, get in here and reach out to us for help. None means None, Failure is not an option! Ice Breaker Mints are my new crutch, gotta keep the mouth busy!

[SRains918]

Welcome!

Looks like you're trying to find your way around the site. That's good!

You're going to be in the "May" quit group, and that's where you'll want to post roll (you can follow that as a link to the May page). KTC is pretty straightforward:

1) Wake up
2) Piss
3) Post roll (your promise)
4) KEEP IT
5) Repeat

If you can do that you'll be successful. Trust me, if I can do it you can too!!!

Reach out to as many people as you are comfortable with and exchange contact information. EVERYONE here is going through or has been through it and can help you. Feel free to contact me any time (I'm texting 45-50 people per day with my promise, I can definitely add one more)! I sent you a PM with my contact info.

SRains918 (Steve)
Proud Member of Jan '18 F.U.R.Y.
117 Days Quit (And Counting)

[hkdman_35]

Hello. Well, today is the first day of my quit. A little about me - I have been chewing for 35 years. My dip of choice is Kodiak. I pretty much had a dip in from the time that I woke up to the time that I went to bed. I few times I even fell asleep with one in my mouth! I go through a can per day. Anyway - It was time for me to quit. The smell, the brown fingerprints, the dirty looks from my family, the embarrassed dentist appointments, not to mention not wanting to get cancer all led to this decision.

I decided to use Chantix to help quit. For those that don't know - Chantix helps block the receptor in your brain that craves nicotine making it "theoretically" easier to quit. I had my doctor prescribe me Chantix. The first subscription is a starter pack that goes on for 1 month. After the starter pack, you switch to a maintenance and take that anywhere from 1-4 months or as long as needed. A cool benefit (and not sure if this is true of all insurance plans) but I didn't have a copay or anything when I picked it up.

I have quit many times before so I am familiar with the "fog" that comes to you, the prissiness, the sleepless nights, etc. I am hopeful that this forum will be a way for me to post my actual experience with Chantix so that others may choose to use or not use Chantix depending on their needs. So here it goes:

Their is a "pre-quit" phase with Chatnix. It can change to suit your needs, but I selected 1 week prior to my quit date. What this means is:
Pre day 1 - 3: Take 1 .5 mg Chantix each morning.
Pre day 4- 7: Take 1 .5 mg Chantix in the morning, and then again in the evening.
Day 1 - Take One 1mg tablet in the morning, and then in the evening.
-Ok so this is where I am at. During the pre days, you chew like normal while the medicine is building in your system. I did notice for the first 3 or 4 days, whenever I chewed, it tasted super salty and was less than satisfying. But in any case - today is Day 1. I took my Chantix in the morning. Don't feel any major side effects that I can think of. I am also chewing gum of course. Is it helping? I think so - it is not a miracle drug. In other words, when I do the stuff that I would naturally take a dip after (such as eating) the urge is still there and damn near overpowering. However, I do notice that I can go longer periods of time without thinking about a dip. Also - the brain fog that normally occurs when I quit is actually bearable. The last time I quit I was a walking zombie for 2-3 weeks. There were a few moments today that I felt like that, but for the most part, while the fog is still there - it is at like a 5 out of 10 and completely bearable. I don't feel like I am getting irritable - so I hope that continues.

Like I said - each day I will post my experiences. By the way, can someone let me know if I did the Roll Post correctly? I think I did - but where there is a will there is a way for me to f it up!