Chantix to quit smoking (cold, surgery, doctor, heart)

[Oobie119]

Any experiences? My hubby is interested.. did it work, how long has it been, any nasty side effects?

[Sgoldie]

There are several other discussions about Chantix on here if you do a search. Here is a link to a recent New York Magazine article One Man's Experience With the Stop-Smoking Drug Chantix -- New York Magazine recounting the authors experience.

[teebopop]

My brother and sister-in-law quit smoking. He, 7 weeks ago, she 9 weeks ago.

He did it cold turkey. She did it with Chantix. She's not had any side effects. And so far it seems to be working. Even though she just had a breast cancer scare and had a lump removed! She didn't even think about lighting up. I would have smoked at least a pack before and a pack after the surgery!

Good luck.

[Pikantari]

Our drs are using chantix quite a bit these days. I never think to ask them, however... is it them that are wanting the patients to quit lighting up, or are the patients wanting it.

They always try and have the patient stop.. it just seems like an awful lot of it is going on lately. I am wondering if peolpe are trying to be more healthy..

We have had a few patients on Wellbutrin to stop smoking as well...

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Effective immediately, all the doctors we insure have stopped using this drug. It's not only inducing suicide, but the other reports show that smokers start again at a rate of 80% when they quit using this drug. Here's one of many links:

Pfizer updates Chantix label in U.S. to include warning - MarketWatch

[vpcats]

I used it. Did it for 2 months + a week or so. Short of the recommended 3 months. I stopped smoking almost 5 months ago now, after smoking non-stop for 40 years, a pack a day.

Side effects were some nightmares now and then.

[Paperchick]

My mother, 78 years old, had been told they found a spot on one of her lungs. After being a smoker for 62 years, we assumed it was probably lung cancer. She decided that she would finally quit smoking. We went to the doctor and spoke with him about Chantix and other methods to help stop smoking. The doctor felt that Chantix was the correct option for my mother. It seemed to work for her at first - she was smoking less. Then, on the fourth day, she had a massive stroke, heart attack and several seizures. She survived for another 3 weeks but passed away from congestive heart failure. I can't prove that Chantix was or was not the cause of the stroke and heart attack. Maybe the doctor should have considered her age when prescribing the medication. I truly believe that the use of Chantix help end my mother's life.

[Suzet2262]

Originally Posted by Paperchick

My mother, 78 years old, had been told they found a spot on one of her lungs. After being a smoker for 62 years, we assumed it was probably lung cancer. She decided that she would finally quit smoking. We went to the doctor and spoke with him about Chantix and other methods to help stop smoking. The doctor felt that Chantix was the correct option for my mother. It seemed to work for her at first - she was smoking less. Then, on the fourth day, she had a massive stroke, heart attack and several seizures. She survived for another 3 weeks but passed away from congestive heart failure. I can't prove that Chantix was or was not the cause of the stroke and heart attack. Maybe the doctor should have considered her age when prescribing the medication. I truly believe that the use of Chantix help end my mother's life.

Paperchick, I am so sorry for your loss. That is awful. Doctors today are so quick to give meds out, and not worry about the 3 or 4 pages worth of warnings that go along with the meds. It is a tragic time we live in. Not everything should be "cured" with a pill.

I take 2 meds myself and hate it. But it is the only thing I can do for now. I am hoping that wont always be the case.