I have been smoke free 5 1/2 months and I used the Chantix the full 3 months. Some people here stop using the Chantix before the 3 months and do quite well. There are also some on DS that have taken it 6 months. I think it just depends on the person. If you want to try getting off, just taper off. You can always start your meds again if you feel you need it.
When I go off, I just started taking 1 a day for 2 weeks and when I took my last dose, that was it. I did have a few issues - the cigarette cravings hit me with full force, I started eating like there was no tomorrow, and I got really depressed. Please don't think these will also happen to you - I was a very heavy smoker for 36 years and I probably should have taken meds for 6 months instead of 3.

Hey there. So I only used chantix for one month. I would like to do another month but it is so expensive I can afford it. So it looks like that my quit from now on will be without chantix. I have not had any withdrawal symptoms comming off chantix and I have been off of it for about a week or so. I am still smoke free. I think it is now just a mental game for me.

Thanks for answering and being supportive.
It sounds like I will try a taper with the last packet next week. I too smoked since age 14 almost 40 years. I had two quits of nine months and one of two years and went back. This time I want it to stick, I am not as young as I used to be and have seen a few people go thru cancer and heart disease. I am determined to make this stick with your help. Thanks

Pozfem,
I hope that you will keep us updated. I am a little nervous about quitting Chantix and would really like to hear how it went for others. Maybe we need to start a Chantix quit community...

Hi
I am on my 10th week of taking Chantix. My sister is a nurse and she told me that the Chantix rep and come and given a talk at her hospital. He said that the success rate was greater with people who took the drug for 6 mos. vs. those who took it for 3. I plan to take it for a full 6 mos. as I don't want to ever smoke again. Taking the Chantix I have absolutely no desire to smoke. Just being around it makes me sick. Food is beginning to taste good again which is really good. My ins. will only pay for 3 mos. of smoking cessation medication so I will have to pay the, $130/mo I think it is, out of pocket, but that is till cheaper than buying a pack of cigarettes everyday. I had cut way back on smoking when I started taking the chantix. I smoke 3 cigarettes a day for the first 5 days and then when I went to taking 2 pills a day I quit completely. I am so proud of myself. I wish you the best with it. I don't think it's as tough as people say it is but maybe that's the chantix working. God Bless

I TOOK CHANTIX FOR 7 MONTHS AND TAPERED OFF. I HAD NO WITHDRAWL. AND NO DESIRE TO SMOKE AFTER STOPPING THE CHANTIX. I WOULD SUGGEST TAKING THE FULL 6 MONTH SUPPLY. IT IS STILL CHEAPER THAN GOING BACK TO SMOKING. AND WITH THE SUPPORT HERE ON DS YOU CAN STAY SMOKE FREE. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS. SANDY

Yes, I am very interested in the responses to life after chantix. My insurance co. pays for 3 months, but my smoking cessation counselor says the success rate is better those who take it for 6 months, and that is what she's recommending for me. I do know that I'm not as hungry with this quit as I was with cold turkey, so I'm certainly interested in everyone's "aftereffects" when the chantix is out of their systems.

I took Chantix for 3 months, tried to stop, but all of my cravings came back full force. I just wasn't ready. I didn't panic, I talked to my doctor who wrote another script for 3 more months and said if I needed more to let him know. There are so many more health risks with smoking than this pill. I only took a morning dose for the second 3 months then just stopped. I was ready this time. I have 250 days in and $1,500.00 that I haven't spent to kill myself in that time. I am so proud of myself!

I would suggest talking with your doctor, explain your concerns about relapse and ask for options. If you have a script for more and never use it, it won't cost you a thing. Maybe just having the security of knowing you have access to it if you need it will be enough. If not, then just accept that you are not ready to ride solo just yet. You will be ready in your own time, not in the timeframe dictated by your prescription running out!

A big part of facing an addiction is taking charge of your life again. This is just another part of that. Make sure you have everything you need to succeed at this. Have a plan B for times that may be more difficult than you realized. Most of all, don't feel like staying on it is a failure! Every day you don't light up is a success! Accept that doing this "in your own time" is what is important here. Honoring your needs without judgement. You are fighting and addiction!!! Take all the help you can get!! You won't always need it, but you will for a while. And during that "while" there are soooo many people here for you! STAY STRONG!! Good luck!!

I too, am interested in stories on life after Chantix. I've been on Chantix for 5 weeks, I quit smoking 2 1/2 weeks in and haven't touch one in 17 days. I really haven't had any severe cravings and was think maybe not to refill my 3rd month prescription. I was a heavy smoker for 40 years, but did quit once for 5 years from 1995-2000, then started again after getting divorced and started dating someone who smoked. I am now married to him and he's still smoking but is getting a prescription for Chantix next week. I want this to our the final battle with this nasty habit. Do you'll think I should do another month or maybe more?

Thank you all for responding to this post and I hope the replies continue, and that we continue to help each other. I went to my doc the other day, who preferred me to take another three months of the Chantrix because I was a chain smoker for so long, 40 years, and he thought the six month program would make me more prone to
long term success. I am going to take that suggestion. The pills cost way less than the cigs ever did. Thanks Folks and please feel free to add me to your friends list or write me privately. I am here for you as you have been for me.