Which side effects would you prefer?

[K9soul]

Just FYI, it's Chantix.

[Catty1]

k9 - interestingly, it's got different names in different countries:

Varenicline (trade name Chantix in the USA and Champix in Europe, Mexico and Canada, manufactured by Pfizer

[Karen]

Has she tried non-medical ways to quit smoking?

Just curious.

[Twisterdog]

I was getting ready to vote for #2, then I saw the "reveal" had already occurred.

For what it's worth, I have taken Chantix, and so have several of my friends. I had NO side effects whatsoever, and I literally forgot cigarettes existed. It was amazing, truly. My sister, who smoked 2-3 packs a day for 40 years, also quit smoking recently by taking Chantix. She said her only side effect was that she couldn't sleep. It was not a manic, restless, exhausted lack of sleep, though. She said she just wasn't sleepy, but felt rested and peaceful.

Obviously, side effects vary a lot from person to person, but I've never personally known anyone to have bad side effects from Chantix. I would say it is WELL worth a try.

[Cookiebaker]

Funny poll, Chatty! I was wondering where you were going with this.

Yea, ummm, all it took for me was to read the list of possible side effects from epidurals and decided that I was going the natural route...who wants a headache for 5 days after giving birth? Isn't it better just to live through a few hours of pain instead?

[Catty1]

Karen, no, she hasn't tried non-medical means. She's gone a day or two on her own without cigs, but is back at it in no time. She wishes there were treatment centres for smokers like there are for other addicts - but there aren't.

It's where she KNOWS she should...she knows she is hooked but can't admit it deep inside (you know, the hitting bottom part). But she said all that to me...she knows she HAS to but doesn't WANT to, you know?

She has peripheral artery disease(runs in family); has had two heart attacks, one abdominal arterial bypass with another coming up in the next month or so; and Type 2 diabetes.

She is 43 years old.

Addictions can go very deep.

Prayers please.

[Karen]

Tell her we will keep her in our prayers. Does she know that some people attend Narcotics Anonymous for help quitting cigarettes?

Tell her it is sooo important that she quit, and now, and that you are willing (if you are) to put up with rotten behavior for a time while she goes through withdrawal, and would rather put up with that for a few weeks than have to attend her funeral.