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Please note that any comments expressed in these forum posts do not reflect the opinions of Medical News Today in any way at all. Opinions posted in this forum do not constitute medical
advice, which should be sought from qualified medical advisers. Disclaimer.
No Medical Will Cover Chantix
posted by Susan W. on 13 Dec 2006 at 8:21 pm
(From USA) I was so happy to read about Chantix on the brochure from Silver Script. I had lung cancer and one lung removed in 2003 and having a horrible time quitting smoking for a very long time. I have tried EVERYTHING.!!
I got a script from my Pulminary Doc and Brooks Pharmacy tells me it costs $140.00 to fill the script. I am on disability and get $700.00 per month and have nothing left to even buy a pack of gum at the end of the month. I think Silver Script should be ashamed of themselves in giving the assumption that this medication is cover by their advertisement on the front of their newsletter.
Docs have no samples, so I can thank Mass. Health, Silver Script Medical Insurances for another round of misled ideas. Well, the $140.00 they refuse to pay will eventually come back to haunt them because people like me will end up costing thousands of dollars in hospital bills when we have any lung problems, just a I've had and back in the hospial for weeks at a time. Now we Begin our search in trying to get Chantix on EBay or from friend in Canada.!!
Read the news article that this opinion was posted about:
Pfizer's CHANTIX(TM) (Varenicline) Now Available To Help Smokers Quit
Chantix Not In Canada Yeat
posted by Emil on 12 Jan 2007 at 9:37 am
Hi Susan!
I must inform you that Chantix is not yeat in Canada. I try to find if that medication is in here but first one came on in April 2007. I have dificulty to stop smoking for long time. I did try all in market but it doesn't work. I hope that chartix will help. If you know how to get chantax in canada let me know please.
Emil
Hi:
posted by ann on 21 Jan 2007 at 7:43 pm
I've been on chantix for 40 days now and it's been wonderfull. I've tried the hypnotism, smoking cessation classes, cold turkey, zyban, patches, gum, etc. , etc, etc.. I don't have any urge to smoke and the e-mail support system daily is essential.
This time I feel like I've really licked it and certainly haven't missed the foul smell that I and my clothes emitted. I know it's expensive when not covered by insurance, but it's still cheaper than the amount of cigarettes that I personally was smoking a week. I'm fortunate enough to be on Mass Health also and they covered it until this month when I'm now on Medicare/blue cross prescription d and it will no longer be covered but I'm going to get it anyway because it's been so helpful to me and I don't want to backslide. Good luck to everyone who has has this terribly addictive habit.
Ann
Please Can You Describe How It Works?
posted by Emil on 24 Jan 2007 at 5:55 am
Hi Ann
Can you please describe how medication works? I mean Chantix, and how much it costs? I am from Canada and Chantix is not yet here. So, I am willing to purchase from US. I am just afraid of that I will forgot not just smoking but maybe relatives etc.
Chantix In Sweden (named Champix )
posted by Jamie on 31 Jan 2007 at 5:50 am
I don't think it will be cheaper to buy in Canada. Here in Sweden almost everything are covered by health insurance, but not Chantix. For 12 weeks it will cost me 320 USD, so 140 in US is cheap.
Remember, 10 of these 12 weeks you don't have to pay for cigarettes, which for me is 420 USD. That's a saving not only in health but also in money, 100 USD...
Chantix works
posted by steff on 09 Feb 2007 at 11:21 am
I smoked a pack a day for 6 years and tried everything on the market to quit. I thought I was doomed.. After being on chantix for 10 days I quit without a withdrawl pain. It is a miracle drug.. You still have to want to quit and if you have had health issues and not quit, I'm not sure you are really wanting to quit.. I now know 11 people that have quit with Chantix. Just think that you could spend a $150 on smoking for the month or spend it to quit!!!!! I would have paid way more knowing that it works!!!!!!!
$Assistance May Be Available?
posted by Ed on 01 Mar 2007 at 4:15 pm
The http://www.Chantix.com web site says assistance is available (see the following) and worth a try. Has anyone contacted them & will they in fact help?
The Chantix.com site states ...
Uninsured? Need help paying for medicine? Pfizer has programs that can help, no matter your age or income. You may even qualify for free Pfizer medicines. Call 1-866-706-2400. Or go here for more info: http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com
Chantix REALLY Works Well!
posted by Jim on 11 Mar 2007 at 5:56 pm
I am 51 and was HEAVILY addicted to nicotine. I quit for extended periods of time four different times over the past two years and tried MANY other times with very short term sucess. The withdrawal symptoms would hit after about four hours and would get steadily worse. At times it was physically intolerable. I never got the headaches people talk about but I would be dizzy, confused, scatterbrained, VERY irritable, and physically sick. I had chest pains and my nervous system felt like it was short circuited. Sometimes I would literally shake. These symptoms were so bad that I was hospitalized for dizzyness and chest pains. My doctors actually told me in 1998, after a barage of tests and four days in the hospital, that "they really couldn't advocate smoking" but they weren't convinced that NOT smoking was in my best interest. They said my physiology was prone to SEVERE addiction and withdrawal.......to anything addictive. I say all this only to give others who may have the same hopeless feelings that I did.....HOPE. I requested Chantix from my doctor in early February. I was VERY sceptical. You are supposed to take the medicine for one week while you continue to smoke but I found my cravings for a smoke were RAPIDLY leaving and were nearly gone in just four days.....so I quit on the forth day at 12:00 noon. It has been five weeks and I have completely stopped......WITH NO WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS!! I had a few urges the first week and was just a bit irritable for a day or so.....but that was it. MY insurance covered it and I DIDN"T NEED TO TAKE MORE THAN TWO WEEKS WORTH!!! I truly believe that this drug will change the lives of MILLIONS of those who wish to quit. I'm not going to call it a miricle drug but I will say, for me.................................it was pretty darn close!! Thanks for letting me rant......I hope this will lend some encouragement!
The Lesser Evil
posted by Lorraine on 20 Mar 2007 at 8:39 am
I started taking Chantix 22 days ago. I have been a pack a day smoker for about 27 years and have tried the patch, hypnotism, cold turkey, the gum, etc. and none have worked. Then my friend told me about Chantix so I got a prescription and took it for 12 days before my "quit date" which was last Saturday.
Of the 20 days I took Chantix, I was nauseated for 17 of them. The nausea ranged from mild to severe. It was so bad last weekend that I almost went to the emergency room and decided to quit taking Chantix last Sunday. I used a patch on Saturday (in addition to the Chantix) and Sunday wore only the patch.
While taking Chantix (from day 1), in addition to the severe nausea, I had stomach cramps, I was extremely tired, irritable, and noticed a difference in taste and smells.
I got sick within 15 minutes to 1 half hour after taking the pill (on a full stomach with a full glass of water) and would just start to feel better when it was time to take another pill. Last Sunday, I never felt better and still don't feel "right" today .
I decided that I will let myself smoke but ONLY if I take another pill. The thought of taking another pill and feeling that sick again is what is keeping me from smoking.
After being so sick, I read the small print that accompanies the prescription where they talk about side affects. I have never seen a prescription with as many potentially serious side affects - frequent, infrequent and rare. However, smoking will kill you too so what's the lesser evil?
One last note. I just heard from the girlfriend (yesterday) that told me about Chantix. I knew she was nauseated on and off from the Chantix but we both expected it to pass. This Wednesday, her doctor has scheduled an emergency endoscopy for stomach problems she started having since taking the Chantix.
Side Effects
posted by Bindy on 22 Mar 2007 at 10:44 am
I received Chantix at no cost through a program at my place of employment. They provided us with 12 weeks worth but before i even finished the 5th week I felt that i no longer needed the medication. I took my last dose 8 weeks ago and have actually struggled with a strong craving maybe three times, and even then this was a craving for the PHYSICAL action of smoking, socializing, NOT for the nicotine, but I did not give in. I had smoked 1/2 to 2/3 pack per day for about 6 years, and tried to quit approximately 4 SERIOUS times. I honestly dont know if i would have ever quit without Chantix. I didnt even DESIRE to stop smoking, i enjoyed it. I enjoyed the social aspect, i related it to relaxation, i know it gave me more opportunities to take breaks from work and school than my peers who were non-smokers. Maybe it was just "my time" to quit, but none of these issues even seem relevant to me anymore. If i need a break i can take a short walk outside or just STAND there, enjoy the fact that i can SMELL again :) I never thought i'd be able to say this honestly, but i can take "smoke breaks" with my friends, not smoke, and (i know it's hard to believe) but not even be tempted. Maybe it was divine intervention :) but all the times i previously tried to quit were HELL. This was too easy...i know it's supposed to be harder than this. :) The only side effect i experienced were some WILD dreams the first 5 or 6 nights after i began taking the med. They were too funny to complain about though :) and have since stopped. No nausea, no change in mood (i'm feeling angellic compared to times i've tried to quit in the past). I have, and will ABSOLUTELY continue to recommend this medicine to anyone who can get their hands on it. I know that the $198 is NOTHING to laugh at, but if at all possible make sacrifices in other areas, do what you have to do to get it because it is so, SO worth it.
Smoking
posted by diane on 05 May 2007 at 5:03 am
Hi, I quit cold turkey, I did every thing on the market, I am to afraid to try this chantix, they are going to be putting out a shot soon for quitting smoking. I just think a person needs to go thru the withdrawals and drink lots and lots of water. If a person wants to quit they will ask God - he is are healer!! Blessings
Vomiting
posted by ltlber33 on 12 May 2007 at 10:02 pm
Every morning I would take my Chantix as directed and whether I ate or not I continued to vomit so I stopped taking it. Has anyone else had this problem?
A Blessing
posted by Kimbery on 19 May 2007 at 8:34 pm
Chantix has been nothing but a blessing to me. I have been taking Chantix for almost 4 weeks and have been SMOKE FREE for 19 days now. Yes, the first few days were tough. But taking Chantix as directed, has made my goal much easier. The only side effects I have experienced are the vivid dreams and some constipation. I will deal with that just so I don't relapse. I recommend this drug to anyone who is ready to break the nasty habit.
Chantix Side Effects
posted by Becky on 27 May 2007 at 8:02 am
I've been taking chantix for 10 weeks now, and I am smoke free, but the side effects have become worse, I have gone from only nausea and vivid dreams; to lower back aches, chest pain, weight gain, extreme swelling, acne, leaking breasts(I am not pregnant or breast feeding.), and possible thyroid issues.
Chantix Is A Life Changer!!
posted by Debbie on 28 May 2007 at 7:53 pm
AWESOME DRUG!!! 30 yr pack a day smoker now smoke free 8 weeks plus a few days! Buy stock in this one!!! ALSO- very important*** Call insurance provider- mine would not pay if I took it to local pharmacy, but does pay for mail order perscriptions. 3 months for 15 dollars!! Medco thru United health care! Check it out! Good luck! I love Chantix! No unwanted side effects, pretty safe drug, safer than smoking for sure!
Wondering how stopping Chantix is going to feel? Anyone done that yet after a successful quit?
USA
Still Quit?
posted by Terre on 30 May 2007 at 5:18 am
It's now the end of May and I'm curious to know if you are still a non-smoker. If so, are you stil on Chantix? if you no longer smoke, congratulations
So Far So Good
posted by Maria on 09 July 2007 at 7:00 am
I was a pack a day smoker for 15 years. I quit smoking for the last year using the patch - but the problem was, I was on the step one of the patch for the whole year and terrified to even go down to step 2 after trying it at one point with bad results. I'm on day 3 of Chantix now. Can't say I've had any vivid dreams yet, as I'm only taking it in the morning right now. I start the morning AND night regime tomorrow, but I can't say I've experienced sickening nausea.
Two days ago a went to a friend's fourth of July party an hour and a half and two drinks later, barely able to stand up. My boyfriend had to carry me down the street to my car. Very embarrassing for a 31 year old female who would usually only get a little tipsy after 2 drinks. In addition to that fiasco, I threw up all over myself in the car - I was sleeping when it happened. Not even able to get two feet to the car window. Terrible experience. I would suggest you don't drink AT ALL while taking Chantix.
I got my wisdom teeth taken out 8 years ago and had a few drinks a day or two later while on Percocet with not nearly these results. Chantix is just "different." Other than that - Chantix has already made me feel as though I don't need to smoke or put a patch on. The cravings are gone...and putting a patch on actually makes the nausea worse. Based on my short-term personal experience, I would recommend Chantix. I paid $40 dollars for 12 weeks. Harvard Pilgrim - through work.
Trying to quit on Chantix
posted by shir on 15 July 2007 at 7:33 am
I have just started chantix, been on it since 6-10-07. I’m finding I don’t crave - it is just a habit. I sure hope this works for me. My last cig will be on wed. no matter what, I am quitting. I know I would be so much better
Price For Chantix
posted by anon on 17 Aug 2007 at 6:40 am
This my come a little late but i just been prescribe chantix and i know it is expensive but if you contact Pfizer.com the maker of chantix they have different programs to get it for free or discounted depending on you income.. Hope this help .. Good luck
Wonder Drug
posted by Dave on 12 Sept 2007 at 7:50 pm
I have been pack/day for 7 years now, and after a few attempts cold turkey, I decided to have a script for Chantix filled. My insurance covered it, with a 20 dollar copay. During the first week, I felt my need and desire for cigs fading, and the pack/day slowly diminished. By my chosen quit day I was ready, and I haven't looked back. No cravings, and the one time I had one while with some friends, I didn't feel the effects of the nicotine at all. That is how the drug works, it binds with the same receptors as nicotine, and releases the dopamine you have relied on the cig to do. The dreams are terrific, although they wake me up several times a night, and slight stomach discomfort for about an hour after taking the pill are the only setbacks. I got stinking drunk while taking it, with absolutely no downfalls there, so I am not sure what the above lady is talking about. I highly recommend this medication to any trying to quit. Follow the directions, and good luck!
Severe Abdominal Pain
posted by Dennis Minix on 19 Sept 2007 at 6:48 am
Ater taking Chantix for a month I experienced severe abdominal pain. All I could do was lay around and suffer. I went to the Doctor who is running tests. No results yet. I started to feel a little better and started to resume taking Chantix. I took one pill and the stomach pain was excruciating. Chantix did seem to help by eliminating the nicotine craving. But the nausea and abdominal pain was so severe I fnally gave up on it.
A Shot For Smoking?
posted by Donna on 22 Sept 2007 at 11:14 pm
Question: Tells us more about this stop smoking "shot" you've heard about ?
Chantix
posted by Donna on 22 Sept 2007 at 11:25 pm
Warning to those with IBS with constipation - this drug exascerbates IBS.
It made me so sick I had to stop taking it and was really disappointed about that. I quite smoking in just 8 days, without really trying. On day 8 I just had no desire to smoke. Amazing!
Unfortunately, as soon as I stopped taking Chantix on day 9, a couple of days later, I was smoking again. Very sad about that.
Chantix is a miracle drug ! However, the side effects are troublesome
I understand chantix was originally created as a diet drug in one of the scandinavian countries.
My experience has been an enormous increase in appetite when discontinuing the use of diet pills. I ate like a pig for one solid week after discontinuing Chantix.
Help Ith Filling Prescription
posted by shiela blake on 28 Feb 2008 at 7:04 am
i got a prescription from my Dr for chantix but can't afford to fill all of it can you assist me with this situation?
Insurance Rip-off
posted by Elma McBroom on 09 May 2008 at 10:57 am
I recently spoke with a friend at work about Chantix. She said she quit smoking in November using the drug. She said she hasn't wanted a cig at all. She also said she loves Chantix. I really want to try it.
Here's my beef...My insurance company is charging me $600 extra because I smoke. Yet, they won't cover Chantix. The health costs they have to pay now and in the future far, far outweigh their cost of covering Chantix. I absolutely cannot understand the thinking.
At any rate, I hope to get some soon. I really, really want to quit smoking.
Chantix Is A Miracle
posted by Anonymous on 02 July 2008 at 6:23 pm
Like a previous person said, I was skeptical and figured I had nothing to lose (except $123). After a few days, I had little to no desire for cigarettes. Sometimes I'd light one and put if out after only a few puffs. I've been on it now for 9 weeks and only slipped a few times - it's the breathing/smoking part I miss sometimes, NOT the nicotine. I've had no withdrawal symptoms. More vivid dreams,for sure. I already had sleep problems, so have been on Ambien for over a year. The only problem I seem to have now is bloating/gas and IBS symptoms. Going to gastro doctor tomorrow. I think I've had IBS for awhile, but the Chantix has made it worse. I understand the person who said they just want to lay around - I feel like a balloon and I'm a size 4 with a waistline that is constantly distended. I'm a 51-year old female who has smoked almost continually since age 18. Being a non-smoker has given me more time in the day -- besides just the smoking "breaks", it seems like I was always starting over on things 'cause I was interrupted by smoking. Chantix truly works and made quitting smoking almost effortless. Hopefully the IBS will subside after stopping Chantix. I'm glad I finally tried Chantix and highly recommend it. You don't even have to really want to quit that badly .... Chantix makes you not want to smoke and not think about smoking. Please pass the word to everyone!
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