One month on Chantix and twenty days smoke free. I had to open a new box with the four weekly packs this morning and thought "Do I really want to keep taking this for two more months?" Really, at this point why can't I do this on my own? But relapse is unacceptable and the drug is so effective I guess I'll stick with it at least for a while.
Has anyone stopped taking Chantix before the twelve week prescription and stayed smoke free?
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I've read it all ways. I've heard of people quitting after a couple of weeks, and I've heard of some taking it for 6 months. I'm planning on taking my 12 wk supply, but not past that. My 12 wk supply will last a little longer than that though because some days I only take 1 pill.
I have read though that the success rate is higher in those who take it longer.
I know exactly how you feel, I felt the same way last Saturday when I opened my second month's box. I don't like taking meds unless absolutely necessary and I really think I could get by without it now, but I don't want to get too cocky, so I'm still taking it.
I've heard of some people who stopped taking it after the first few weeks...I guess after it helped them get over the hump, they were ok without it. But, as Sue says, I've also heard of people taking it for 6 months. Guess, it just depends on the individual.
For me, I think it's best that I stick to my prescribed plan and do the entire 12 weeks, but after that, I will do it on my own!
Chris, that is a tough one. Like Sue and MsTek said, there are stories out there with varying results. For myself, 12 weeks seemed just about right. I hate taking meds of any kind, but I hated the thought of becoming a smoker again even more, and statistically I'd heard my chances were best if I kept going on Chantix. Of course, I didn't have bad side effects, and my insurance covered it at all but a co-pay, so those were factors as well. I'd chat with your doctor, too.
You are doing great, though, so just keep going, however you do it!
Here is my experience. I've started the chantix presciption on the last Friday of August. Took the loading dose while slowly cutting down on smoking. I've smoked my last cigarette two days before I've started with the maintainance dose. Instead of taking 1 mg twice a day, I decided to take only one pill per day, because the insomnia was killing me. I did that for about a week and half and completely stopped taking chantix. This was about a week ago on Friday. I haven't had any urge to smoke and better yet I finally sleep again more than 4 hours a night. Well I guess the key is that chantix will help to get you started and to commit, but eventually you have to get off the drug anyways. I don't know if there are any problems getting off it, because I took it for a short time only. Most studies show that the effects of nicotine withdrawal slowly wear off after two weeks ... so I guess, making it through week two is the key to success. Well it worked for me. Good luck everybody....
I took Chantix for about one month. I took it like it said until I got down to my last 10 pills. Instead of taking 2 a day, I would only take one in the morning. I have been cigarette free for 7 weeks now. No after effects except I do get some headaches now and then and am wondering if its still a little nicotine withdrawl? Crazy dreams while on the pill were the only side effects I had. No nausea or anything like that. Hope this helps.
Tim
Congrats Tim and keep up the good work!
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