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This is a repost. I posted this only two days ago and it has received quite a few comments. I’m reposting it today because every early morning TV program that I have clicked on this morning is talking about “the importance of not smoking and how to quit”. Most of them are saying that you need to install some kind of support system. Whether it is family support or a support “hot line”.
The following is my repost originally posted on December 26, 2009 (two days ago).
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I used to smoke many years ago. When I decided to quit smoking I just quit. It wasn’t easy, but I quit. I ate lots of saltine crackers to fill the “what do I do with my hands now” habit. It’s been over 35 years since I quit smoking and the craving never goes away because the body remembers but now I don’t “have” to smoke so I don’t.
I’ve been watching and listening to the Chantix ads on TV for aid in stopping smoking for those who can not just quit. Listening to the disclaimers and side effects of this product would turn me off without even considering it. In my opinion, you might live longer and be healthier if you just kept right on smoking. Now this is only my opinion. I copied the following from an internet ad for this product and it sure doesn’t make me want to run out and buy it. What do you think?
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CHANTIX is a prescription medicine to help adults 18 and over stop smoking. You may benefit from quit-smoking support programs and/or counseling during your quit attempt. It’s possible that you might slip-up and smoke while taking CHANTIX. If you do, you can stay on CHANTIX and keep trying to quit.
Important Safety Information
Some people have had changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or actions while using CHANTIX to help them quit smoking. Some people had these symptoms when they began taking CHANTIX, and others developed them after several weeks of treatment or after stopping CHANTIX. If you, your family, or caregiver notice agitation, hostility, depression, or changes in behavior, thinking, or mood that are not typical for you, or you develop suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia, or confusion, stop taking CHANTIX and call your doctor right away. Also tell your doctor about any history of depression or other mental health problems before taking CHANTIX, as these symptoms may worsen while taking CHANTIX.
Some people can have serious skin reactions while taking CHANTIX, some of which can become life-threatening. These can include rash, swelling, redness, and peeling of the skin. Some people can have allergic reactions to CHANTIX, some of which can be life-threatening and include: swelling of the face, mouth, and throat that can cause trouble breathing. If you have these symptoms or have a rash with peeling skin or blisters in your mouth, stop taking CHANTIX and get medical attention right away.
The most common side effects include nausea (30%), sleep problems, constipation, gas, and/or vomiting. If you have side effects that bother you or don’t go away, tell your doctor.
You may have trouble sleeping, vivid, unusual, or strange dreams while taking CHANTIX. Use caution driving or operating machinery until you know how CHANTIX may affect you.
CHANTIX should not be taken with other quit-smoking products. You may need a lower dose of CHANTIX if you have kidney problems or get dialysis.
Before starting CHANTIX, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if you take insulin, asthma medicines, or blood thinners. Medicines like these may work differently when you quit smoking
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Comments: 19
Thank you for your advice last night!!
I smoke. Going to a doctor oh ten years ago, maybe more now? Asking him to help me quit.
No, he said with my problems that quitting would put more stress on my body. Of course telling me I should have never started, but telling a pre teen not to do something is a waste of breath (I started self medicating with tobacco young).
I used to be able to run and that helped. Now I fall a lot.
I went back to the doctor since then. Help me! So the doctor gave me a drug that the side effects were seizures. HELLO, I already have seizures why would I want to take a drug with the side effects of seizures??
Tobacco is a drug. To get off one drug (for some of us) we need another drug, with other side effects. Which side effects can our bodies put up with??
My body can not handle stress. So instead of taking a pill, I smoke. So, one demon for another.....
The worst people there is are those who quit smoking and preach. I do not hear you doing this and I appreciate this!! I will go to church if I want to hear preaching lol!
i do smoke, but i do NOT want to quiet (as of now), but i am sure if i really want to i could do it.
when i was in the hospital (blood poisening) years ago, i did (could) not smoke for 8 weeks, and i had no cravings for a smoke, but then someone brought some smokes while they visited ... and i smoked again...
crazy huh?
I didn't read the comments to this one, and I see you have posted this before. I agree with you that "(one) would be better off to continue smoking" rather than to take this product, Chantix. That's because I believe that if it is coming from "Big Pharma," they aren't here to do any of us any favors. They are only interested in whatever overpriced price they can get from their medication until the patent runs out. And when the patent runs out, they are going to have "Chantic SR (slow release)." I just don't believe that name brand drugs have our interests at heart, when there are so many "old time drugs" (ones that fell out of patent in the 1960s or 1970s) that work just as well or better.
I am not recommending any specific drug when I give this to you as an example: When I was a pre-teen, my mother started having panic attacks where she would hyperventilate. I was talking to mom the other day (and she is 86 years old now!) and we were talking about those panic attacks she used to have. She mentioned the name of a drug, and now I am drawing a blank about it, but it wasn't liquid Valium. It was a very popular and effective drug that was good not only for people who had panic attacks but epilepsy. But it has fallen out of favor. Why? Because is it CHEAP!
I do smoke, and I have no intention of stopping because it relaxes me. I can get a script for Valium to relax me, but I'd rather not take any pills. I'm just sorry that the "quitting smoking" thing has caused so much controversy and disagreement between people. It's good to hear that even if you were a "quitter," you still have an open mind about this issue!