Starfish, We were all scared at the beginning. It's a whole new learning process to live without the habit and the addiction, but you can do it! Just believe.... Chantix was the wonder drug for me. No side effects except for the dreams...which I welcomed and looked forward to as free entertainment. I actually miss them now. Let the Chantix do what it is supposed to, and you do what you are supposed to (quit smoking after a week)...and everything will work out just like it is supposed to! You'll be smoke free and loving it sooner than you think! Good luck! Nance [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]2/14/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 223 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,690 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,081.55 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 31 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 39 [B]Seconds:[/B] 53

Great to know that your journey begins today. You can do this and will be so glad you did. I'm still very much a "newbie" but am starting day four as a non-smoker. It seems like a miracle. Will follow your progress with support and interest. Go Starfish! Margo :p [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]9/21/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 3 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 75 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $18.75 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 48 [B]Seconds:[/B] 57

Thanks to all - this seems like such a good place to come for advise and general questions and encouragement. Today is the day I go and pick up the prescription and will start taking the pills tomorrow. One day at a time. Scared, but I can do this. I keep telling myself and my husband that we can do this and succeed.

Hi Starfish, I'm glad you found us. I have read some negative things about chantix, too, but for many of us it has been extremely helpful. Yes, very vivid dreams at times, but from what I've seen many people who stop smoking have more intense dreams for a while. I think Martha had some good advice - take the evening dose earlier. And be sure to eat first and drink plenty of water. Also, Danielle is right, too. This site has some very useful tools to help you prepare - the glove box, the workbook. Preparation, determination, and excitement are the keys to a successful quit. The chantix just makes it easier. This is one of the most wonderful gifts you can give yourself. One word of caution, tho. You have to look at your quit as your quit, and your husband's as his. No matter what he does, own your own quit. You can encourage each other, but if he slips you don't have to. You might want to talk with John and Sue from NC, or Duffis and Pete or Penitent (if you can find them) - they are all successful couple quitters. Some of us have quit with other smokers in the house - Lainey and myself to name two. And I know there are some whose spouses slipped and they kept on. Anyways, welcome, and I look forward to sharing this journey with you. Good for you for looking forward to this and planning ahead. Any questions you have, don't be afraid to ask. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/22/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 185 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 7,400 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,258.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 25 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 53 [B]Seconds:[/B] 17

Starfish, Margo gave you some great advice. I just want to add that although many here have found success with Chantix, we recommend you work through the online quit program. You'll still have some work to do to keep your quit. Danielle, Bilingual Support Specialist

You are most welcome Starfish. The most important thing you say in your note is " I want to quit so much" - that is your key to success. YOU want to do this - it's not about other people telling you to do it (though if you are like me, lots of folks do). If you have reached this point in your own mind then you WILL succeed. The Chantix is a tool (and a darned good one in my opinion) but the biggest tool is your vision of yourself as a NON smoker. Elsewhere on this site, I found reference to Allen Carr's writing. Had never heard of him before but read through a lot of his stuff on my day one - it really helped me to switch my thinking around a bit. I am not "giving up" anything - I am gaining freedom! Isn't that absolutely wonderful and worth it? Here's a link in case you want some added inspiration in your life too. http://www.easywayscotland.co.uk/Scandal_by_Allen_Carr.pdf Best of luck to you - please post back often on your progress. I'm rooting for you!! Margo [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]9/21/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 2 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 50 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $12.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 39 [B]Seconds:[/B] 36

Thanks Margo. I feel better when I read that people are having good results, there are some things that I read, not here, that have made this scary for me, I want to quit so much that I am trying not to let any of that get to me. I would start immediately, however, the pharmacy won't have my prescription until Monday afternoon. Good luck to you also.

Hi Starfish - I am using Chantix with wonderful results. I am starting day three as a non smoker (yeah!!!) and each day is easier. Having tried to quit many times before and never making it beyond day one, this time is a miracle for me. I am quite sure the Chantix has made all the difference. Here are a few things I have learned about using the Chantix: Pfizer recommends you stop smoking on day eight. I wasn't ready yet so went to day 18. By then, without a lot of thought, my number of smokes per day was at about half. Then I stopped. The first day was tough but not impossible. By that evening, much better. Day two not bad at all. Now it's day three and I'm feeling pretty good. The side effects, when I have had them, are not a big deal. I did have occaisional very mild nausea - primarily with the morning dose. It really does help to have food or milk with the medication. I have not had nausea since I became a non smoker. My hunch is that the chantix and smoking combined are what can send your stomach a little over the edge. Another incentive, right?! I have had the "vivid" dreams. They haven't been nightmares but have been memorable. In fact, that's maybe the best way to describe them - it isn't the content of the dream so much as the fact that you remember a lot of detail from your dream when you wake up. Usually, the memory of a dream is fleeting at best. These memories stay with you for a while. Actually kind of entertaining. Other people have recommended on other boards that you take the Chantix earlier in the evening (not right before bed) to lessen the intensity or occurrence of dreams. I am now taking my Chantix about 7 am and 7pm - I do think it has helped me sleep better to follow this schedule. I have found this board to be very, very helpful along with the Chantix. Do a search for Chantix on this site and you will find lots of other helpful info and support from others who have successfully used it to go smoke free. Best of luck to you and your husband. YOU CAN DO IT!!! Margo [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]9/21/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 2 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 50 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $12.50 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 31 [B]Seconds:[/B] 17

Hi all. Both my husand and I are about to start taking Chantix on Monday and have been reading everything I can about the pills. Someone recommended that this is the best way to quit and I really want to quit, husband not so much, but he has agreed to try this. I have concerns about the side effects and what I have seen about the vivid dreams. My doctor said that was one of the side effects but couldn't really explain what she meant by vivid dreams. Could someone explain this to me. I just want to be as prepared as possible and not "freaked out". Any information would help.

I been on chantix for one week now. Still smoking but getting some headaches when i smoke. Noticing my cigarettes are different then before. Its less pleasureable. And when i do smoke its out of habit Wich i now can notice how to change my ways. but i have little accomplishments when i normally would smoke. I am setting my goal for the 2 week date but i am so hoping it be before then. I will not buy another pack of cigarettes after this pack just get some off my husband. But i noticed i am sleeping more heavier than before (maybe its all the dreams i been having) I didnt know i hit the snooze button that many times yesterday. So far i have high hopes for chantix so far so good [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]9/12/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] -6 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] -240 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $-39.60 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] -34668