Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

[Brook]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

Tulsa..sorry to say, but your doctor is talking out of her Don't do Chantix and Atkins at the same time, but it's okay to scarf down Snickers Bars, Twinkies, McDonalds and soda after soda and somehow THAT's safer?

Pardon me while I roll my eyes so hard it hurts. LOL

Add me as another Chantix user. 6 days on Chantix and quit day was today. I haven't suffered in the slightest. I haven't talked about it for a few reasons..mostly cuz I don't want it in my journal at all (long story). Anyway....you DO have a buddy and you DO have support. Here I am.

[tulsanurse1]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

Brook my friend, it really dont matter what the doc said. Im smart enough to do my research and I may call the maker of chantix tomorrow but im freaking out cuz its not working this time. I want it so bad, i remember that feeling of "dang these things taste llike s***". Please oh please God, if you just make it start working again, Ill quit and never pick up another freaking cigarette. Kudos to you my friend, Im so proud of you.

[*Wendy*]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

Tulsa, I'm on day 15 now. I'm using Chantix to stop the nicotine lozenges. I didn't honestly feel a huge difference until about day 9 or 10. I did notice my usage started dropping off "naturally" about day 6/7, but the real drop happened around day 9 or 10. So I've been lozenge free since then. And the actual "day" wasn't a planned decision for me - it just sort of happened when it happened.

HOWEVER, yesterday I had a heck of a day - lots of stress what with cleaning the house, running a bunch of errands, etc. all with an extra 5 year old in tow (my daughter's best friend, who is very boisterous and who goes to a different school this year) and I have to be honest I had a major urge for the lozenges, and I did grab one. It didn't completey taste awful & I kept it in my mouth until it was all gone! Haven't had one since though - no desire for one either. Pretty sure that it was just a reaction to all the craziness in the house that day.

If I were you I'd keep on with the Chantix and see if the urges drop off. It's got to be working - it just takes time to build up to therapeutic levels, right? I remember reading in the literature something about for some people it's better to wait until after the second week to quit. Did you read that too?

You've got lots of buddies here that are going through it right there with you - so hang in there!

[tulsanurse1]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

Thank you Wendy for your response here. I really needed to hear that. Maybe its okay that "it" hasnt happened yet. Brooks stop day was today so I dont feel like Im battling this alone. My daughter said "just start cutting back" but for anyone who has smoked, it didnt do anything but frustrate me. I want to feel like I have control. Im doing so good on Atkins, why cant I do this good with smoking. I just want to wake up and "eewwww". Im gonna get there, I know I will. Maybe the Chantix will kick in tomorrow.

[higgies]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

That's what I thought too, that just cutting back was a bad idea, but I didn't feel a lot of effects until about day 9 or 10 either. By that time, cutting back was easy because it really does make you not want it and makes it taste nasty.

[tulsanurse1]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

Im impatient, I am so ready for that to start happening.

[tulsanurse1]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

Ok I just got off the phone with a physician who works for the company that makes Chantix. She stated the maximum dose recommended was 1mg twice daily. She also stated that although several people take Chantix and start feeling the effects by say day 3, other people may not feel the effects until into their third or fourth week. I have only been on it for 11 full days. As far as the statement made by my doctors physican assistant about not taking Chantix while doing Atkins, the physician at Pfizer said this-"There is no evidence to suggest that taking Chantix while doing a low carb diet is harmful UNLESS you have a pre-existing renal insufficiency (kidney problems). So there you have it, straight from the horses mouth. She says she has no doubt that I will start to feel the Chantix working, just give it time. I feel so much better after talking to her. Im hopeful and really pleased that soon I will be a non-smoker.

[*Wendy*]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

Excellent! I'm so glad you got through to someone there that could give you the facts. You are going to do this!

[tulsanurse1]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

I get alot of people asking me why in the world I started Chantix to quit smoking, on the same day I started Atkins. My answer is simply that on September 20 i was reborn. I know it sounds cliche but Im very serious. went to bed the previous nite knowing my life was no longer going to be about fear, and self doubt, and self pity. I am strong, and I am beautiful and I am proud of all the things that I am. I never thought about trying to conquer one goal before adding on another one. Should I done it differently? Maybe. But I am gonna do this, all of it. It may take me a little longer. Before Sept 20, I was totally fat (physical and mentally), I couldnt breathe, and I was so sad I never went anywhere or did anything outside the house. I spent my days off of work smoking cigarettes, one right after the other, avoiding anything that created conflict, ate and slept countless hours. Do you know that since I started Induction twelve days ago, Ive only napped once. Damn I cant even believe that. Today, Im still smoker but I breathe so much better than 12 days ago just from the 18 pound weight loss. I walk, I went to a movie Sunday with my daughter, I have fun finding new healthy things to cook, I dont eat at Taco Bueno 3 times a week, I try and think of places to go to get out of the house, and I laugh, laugh, laugh. Mya Angelo says that to love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance. Now I actually know what the heck she was talking about. Im not totally fixed. Im a work in progress and yes Im so frustrated that Chantix kicked in for everyone else on day 3 or 4, except me. But so what, I will never forget this period in my life and wanting something so bad. When I finally get there, you can bet your sweet I wont be picking up just one cigarette ever again. Thanks you guys for letting me talk about this and being supportive.

[higgies]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

That's a great response! You have a great mindset and the determination to do this! Be patient iwth the Chantix. It will work if you use it the way you're supposed to! It may take a conscious effort on your behalf though to cut down but you already have the desire to quit!! Keep up the good work!!

[Suga_Britchess]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

Wow, it's nice to see there are others here "crazy" enough to start Chantix and Atkins at the same time. Today was my 4th day of Chantix and Im starting my Induction the 16th. I've been thinking "I must be out of my mind" and "why put so much pressure on myself all at once" Just like you Tulsa, I have had no reduction in my cravings for cigarettes and have been starting to worry maybe it wont work, but after hearing everyone say it took into the second week and some even a bit longer Im feeling a renewed sense of hope. And Im so happy that Im gonna be around MANY more years now to spend with my hubby since Ive made the choice to get healthy.

Cheers To Us!

[*Emma*]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

I'm on my 21st day of Champix, the UK equivalent to Chantix,

Great work on giving up while on this WOE suga

By day 8 or 9 i'm sure you'll find your cravings have gone, but more so the satisfaction a cigarette will give you.

[higgies]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

Hey Emma! Way to go! IU'm glad you decided to join the club. How's it been going for ya??

[*Emma*]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

Pretty good...

Hard work when i'm with friends as theyre all smokers, even harder when theres alcohol involved, but getting there

[*Wendy*]

Re: Quitting Smoking - Atkins & Chantix

Good luck Suga_Britchess - you'll notice the difference gradually. I used Chantix to give up the nicotine lozenges that I used to quit smoking the year before. I think the first thing I noticed was that having the lozenge in my mouth didn't thrill me whatsoever - I could take it or leave it. That's when I KNEW that Chantix was going to work. After that the cravings sort of just dried up. Amazing.

Emma! I am so PROUD of you!!! And being around the drinks and smoking friends is tough, isn't it? I do actually enjoy the smell of the smoke sometimes now - I let one of my friends smoke in my car when we drive to lunch just so I can smell it a little!