Kicking the Smoking habit

I am a smoker... :smokin: love to smoke, never wanted to quit! But alas, quitting is a pre-requisite to WLS. In August 2006, I began taking a new smoking cessation drug, CHANTIX, that just hit the market. This is the best stuff...how it works is that, (and remember nicotine is more addictive than cocaine studies have shown) the drug Chantix binds to the same receptors in your brain as nicotine does, thus blocking the nicotine. Chantix also releases dopamine, one of the brain's hormones linked to pleasure, just as nicotine does. The overall effect is that you have absolutely NO physical withdrawal symptoms from cigarettes. Side effects from Chantix include nausea, ( I have a bit about 20 min. after taking it), flatulance (gas--have not experienced this side effect) and very surreal/vivid dreams (OMG- love to dream, and they are all good dreams, no nightmares). Chantix does not contain nicotine and is not habit forming. Chantix must be prescribed by your doctor, and your insurance may/may not cover it, (I have Federal Employees BC/BS and it is covered with a $10.00 co-pay) Price without insurance runs between $98-$135 monthly. Chantix takes away your craving for nicotine, changes the taste of the cigarette, (you might as well smoke a straw for all the good it does to smoke a cigarette!) WARNING: Be sure to take the entire course of treatment, about 6 months worth...I quit taking it the end of September 2006 and did not smoke until those happy stressful holidays rolled around...guess the drug had worn off my receptors, cause smokingfelt good again. However, I am back on the medicine and am again SMOKE FREE!!

White Doe, I am also kicking the smoking habit. I was put on the Chantix too, went 3 weeks smoke free then depression set in, I quit takin meds now I am back to square one. However, I start back on the Chantix Wed. and I will accomplish this habit, I was also referred to a tobacco cessation support group.