Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Support Group

Cold Turkey and the patch put me in a hospital with stomach bleeding. I was wondering if anyone tried Chantix with having RSD. My primary Doc is scared and so am I. My fiancee also smokes and he will be taking the chantix after the holidays. He is insisting I quit too. well I really don't want to make a bad situation worse with the RSD especially since I have 40% relief with a specialized TENS unit. Whcih was not cheap. My stomach doc said that if I get the bleeding stomach again from the patch or cold Turkey- he will have to do a stomach resectioning. Of course that will definitely make everything worse if that happens.

I am not on any of the normal drugs like Neurontin or Lyrica. I am just on Zoloft whcih has no contraindications with Chantix.

Anyone have any thoughts of what I should do? Apparantly if I don't quit- our money situation will be worse than it is now and i have been ordered to quit. I would if I didn't think that all of the progress I made may be in Jeopardy.

I just don't know what to do at all. All the docs I talked to say it can potentially harm either way.

I am between the rock and a hard place.

HELP!!!!

I'm not familiar with the use of Chantix with RSD, but there is another medication that can be used to help you quit smoking. It's also used for depression and has been used with some RSD patients including myself. It's called Wellbutrin. It's not like Chantix which I believe blocks the craving receptors in the brain. It's more of a support medication, but in time can help you.

I was placed on Wellbutrin for depression as a result of my CRPS and it assisted with the crave to smoke, too.

I hope this helps!

Warm wishes,

~Twinkle

<3 Ya and thanks for the fast reply!

Welcome to our group, a group noone wants to join but that has given me good friends, lots of good advice and good information and generally been my support for the last 8 months. I have had RSD/CRPS for almost 10 years and don't know how I survived the 9 years 4 months before I found this group. Please feel free to read past topics, ask questions, give coments. If you want to message privately with a member you can use the PM's (personal messaged). All the leaders and many members will talk with you on PM's. I will answer any PM though I am not always fast to answer them. Please fill out your profile if you haven't done so and you might introduce yourself on the into topic if you want. It will help us get to know you faster.

Again you are welcome here, we hope you will feel at home and feel supported.

Sending a pain-free hug your way,

Rev. Maryanne

I know that Okie has tried Chantix, too. Maybe whe will comment later.

Oh, Good luck and welcome to the group.

Post edited by: Lazy1, at: 12/04/2009 01:26 PM

I tried quitting before and my stomach bled. So when I called my stomach doc today he said anything that will irritate the stomach could end in a stomach resectioning or the very least in the hospital on IV drugs fro chemo patients. Talk about the double edged sword. My primary doc says hypnosis and my current dose of Zolof 100mg 2x daily may be my only option. I am definitely a mutant in this case.

Thanks for the warm welcome!!!

There is a smoking cessation group here at MDJ. The link is:http://www.mdjunction.com/smoking-nicotine-addiction

You could also try looking at some online support sites to find coping strategies.

I have quit 2 times. Once for FIVE YEARS ... & thought I could just have one ... NOT!!! Anyway, I did that w/ Wellbutrin worked WONDERS!!! The second time I did it cold turkey ... I won't do that again. WAY too hard. Best of luck to you. I plan on quitting when it hits me! It's always like that. The desire to quit builds & builds and finaly I do it (w/ Gods help) However with Wellbutrin you cut down slowly after creating a quit date. Also, there is a great site called:

http://www.silkquit.org/stop-smoking/Default.aspx

It has a time table telling you how many days you've quit, how much life you've added to your life... etc. I LOVE that site. Hope this helps!

WE CAN DO IT! All of us!

gentle hugs,

Alisa