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Champix - did it help you? Cancel

1. erinkm1126

   

   3 posts
   Registered:
   05 Aug 2019
   05 Aug 2019

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   Hi there, new to this forum - looking for support as I am 100% ready to quit my 20 year addiction with smoking up to a pack a day. 
   I have tried cold turkey in the past & it just didn’t work for me. I plan to see my doctor this week to discuss some options - one option I have heard of is Champix. Have any of you tried this quit smoking aid medication?  My concern with this medication is some of the side effects I have read about...I have suffered with anxiety & depression on & off for the last 10 years - to know this medication could potentially flare my anxiety & depression scares the crap out of me...to be honest, quitting smoking scares me in general - but I really do not want to smoke anymore...I’m so done with it. Any help/input with Champix is appreciated - and any advice/help with quitting smoking in general is appreciated. 
   Thanks
2. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   05 Aug 2019 in reply to erinkm1126

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   Erinkm, 
   
   The key thing I got from your post was that you are 'so done with smoking'. That is really the key to success!!!! You need to want to really want to quit.
   
   All the smoking aids are just that - aids. In the end it is your determination to quit that will make the difference. 
   
   The best thing you can do is educate yourself about the stages of quitting smoking, and the benefits of quitting. I made it into a positive - "yay, 3 days and all nicotine is out of my system!" or "wow, I've saved $100.00 already!". I also washed all my jackets, cleaned out my car and tossed all smoking related stuff. It helped to make things feel like a fresh start. 
   
   Talk out loud to yourself when you get cravings. It is amazing how some self talk can help beat down the addict in your head......
   
3. erinkm1126

   

   3 posts
   Registered:
   05 Aug 2019
   05 Aug 2019 in reply to atp

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   Atp - thank you for your reply & I completely agree with everything you are saying. I think at this time I just need to buckle down & say enough is enough. I really do not want to smoke anymore - it has ruled my life for too long & I just need to kick the “habit” 
4. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   05 Aug 2019 in reply to erinkm1126

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   Hopefully you find your drive and push through to quitting. 
   
   Before I quit I never really appreciated how much smoking robbed me of my health, finances and mental well being. I really was a slave to the addiction. I'm not trying to preach, just letting you know that there are real benefits to quitting. Make it a positive thing, rather than feeling like you are giving something up. 
   
   The Quit Plan on this site, and this forum really helped me too. 
5. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   05 Aug 2019 in reply to erinkm1126

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   And call the Smokers Helpline - they have some fantastic people ready to offer suggestions, support, etc. And I think you can get some free NRT samples too. 
   
   1 877 513-5333
6. erinkm1126

   

   3 posts
   Registered:
   05 Aug 2019
   05 Aug 2019 in reply to atp

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   Thank you - you offer great advice & you are speaking from experience - I need to get my mindset right - I know the positive benefits quitting smoking will have - I just need to get over my fear & do it
7. grace, quit coach

   

   22 posts
   Registered:
   13 Jun 2019
   05 Aug 2019 in reply to erinkm1126

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   Hi erinkm1126,
   
   Great that you're doing your research and looking into what will be the best fit for you. Champix is a great tool that the research shows makes it 3 times more likely you'll succeed in the long run... that said, we do recommend people stay in touch with their healthcare provider just in case some of those potential side effects come up. 
   
   Our phone line is closed today for the Civic Holiday, but I would definitely encourage you to give us a call (tomorrow we're in 8:00 am- 9:00 pm at 1-877-513-5333) and we can talk through the different options with you.
   
   We also have an offer right now where you can get a sample of nicotine replacement therapy (patches and gum) sent to you in the mail at this link: https://smokershelpline.ca/trial-pack/trial-offer
   
   Grace

   Last modified on 05 Aug 2019 10:21 by grace, quit coach
8. tiny2018

   

   55 posts
   Registered:
   23 Mar 2019
   05 Sep 2019

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   I went to my pharmacist and talked to him as i had tried every nrt and had no success. the cravings were my downfall. i also talked to my NP about it a few weeks ago and she suggested trying the nrt first then if nothing will try champix. i talked to the pharmacist and he prescribed the champix and started that day. the pharmacist helped with setting a quit date and i havent had any side effects or anything and i myself suffer from depression and have bouts of anxiety. i felt confident with the pharmacist as he entered everything into a  program and crossed checked everything as makes sure there are no contradictions or reactions with medication your on. it has been day 5 on the champix and today my quit date and havent smoked or vaped since last night and cravings are minimal to none. that has been my experience with champix.