My manager threatened to fire me unless I stopped taking Chantix

[Digit]

I work for a large corporation, and my direct manager said this.

I have high blood pressure already, and had already tried the patch, which did not help. I just continued smoking while using the patch.

I did pretty well on Chantix before, but quit because of the nausea. I was down to about 3 ciggies a day, but I began to get dry heaves when my dose was increased.

This time, I wanted to just keep on the lower dose and figured I could quit by just taking it alittle longer.

I had warned my manager that I was going to be taking Chantix and if I became loopy, it was due to that.
By loopy, I mean forgetful.

Well, I read my work schedule incorrectly and came in a half hour late two days in a row. On the dot. I had never been late or missed a day of work. He did not mention it to me the first day, and I had no idea I had done anything wrong. I did it again the second day, and he said I had to quit the Chantix or be fired. I thought he was joking and I rechecked the schedule and he was correct. I don't know how in the world I read it wrong, but by not pointing my lateness out the first day, I had no clue I was doing something wrong.

Of course Chantix is only by doctor's prescription and my health insurance is through my employer.
Do I go back on it on the Q-T and not say anything or risk going to HR?

[The Straight Story]

1. Go to HR and let them know the situation

It does not always help but it is probably your best bet, and make sure you document it all.

I once went to HR (about 10 years ago) about the sexual harassment of my wife and they blew us off. But that was Enron :) Laws have gotten better since that time.

HR has a respect for the law and lawsuits that most managers don't. Let them know you know how much they have to keep up with and that you just want to be your best for the company, what you are taking, and why. If they don't listen then don't worry too much as you will have built a case for later ;)

[LeftyMom]

2. He can follow policy for dealing with tardiness, but has no control over your medical care

unless there's some concern that your medication can create a dangerous situation at work (he could tell you that you can't run a forklift if you come in flying high on vicodin, for example.)

In the future, keep your medical issues under your hat, unless you absolutely have to reveal them.

[Lil Missy]

3. A little off topic, but Chantix made me sick too.

I was a bit nauseous the first week, but the second week when the dose was doubled, it was clearly making me sick and nauseous constantly. Sure, I couldn't smoke after I took it, but without fail, I puked for a couple hours every time I took it.

I only took it for about 3 weeks, but lost about 10 pounds during that time. I just couldn't stand the thought of being that sick for 3 to 6 months, so I quit taking it.

Perhaps I'm just a pussy, but I cannot stand the thought of puking up my guts for 3 months, much less 6 months.

[harmonicon]

4. it sounds like he just didn't say what he meant in the best way

I'm assuming that he knows that he has no business in saying, or even knowing, what medications you're on. I'm assuming he just meant that you should stop being late or forgetful, and said it in the way he did, because he knew that it was out of character for you to be late otherwise. I wouldn't think being only 1/2 hour late for days was that big of a deal, but I don't know what your job is, and maybe it is.

[crispini]

5. He was out of line, but you should get off that nasty Chantix

It makes people psycho. Seriously. I'd try some other smoking cessation drug first.

[seaglass]

6. A little off topic - I am planning to try Chantix next week and

am wondering if you ever tried Zyban and what your experiences were? I was on my 3rd day of Zyban and experienced overwhelming suicidal feelings and my doctor made me stop taking it immediately.

I am really looking forward to Chantix/quitting smoking but am scared that I will get the same feelings. I don't take any other medications and don't really know what Chantix is like - will it make me feel high? The Zyban did but not in a good way.

And on topic - I agree with those above. Speak to HR - I don't think your boss can tell you not to take medication but s/he does have the right to not accept it as an excuse if your work suffers because of it.

[TZ]

8. everyone is different my stepfather took Chantix with no problem

except for some crazy dreams. And he has no successfully quit what was a 2-3 pack a day habit of almost 40 years.

[seaglass]

9. Thanks. I'm trying to figure out if Zyban and Chantix are different

versions of the same drug. I hate to bring up my experiences with Zyban with my doctor if it will prevent her from prescribing Chantix though I'm also nervous about side effects that will negatively impact my thought processes.

My mom also had success with Chantix while she didn't on Zyban but she also didn't have the same side effects I did on Zyban.

[Flying Dream Blues]

12. Zyban is Wellbutrin, packaged for smoking cessation. Don't know what Chantix is exactly, but

I'm pretty sure it's a completely different drug that was developed just for smoking cessation.

[Dogtown]

14. Link

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/chantix.htm

CHANTIX is supplied for oral administration in two strengths: a 0.5 mg capsular biconvex, white to off-white, film-coated tablet debossed with "Pfizer" on one side and "CHX 0.5" on the other side and a 1 mg capsular biconvex, light blue film-coated tablet debossed with "Pfizer" on one side and "CHX 1.0" on the other side. Each 0.5 mg CHANTIX tablet contains 0.85 mg of varenicline tartrate equivalent to 0.5 mg of varenicline free base; each 1mg CHANTIX tablet contains 1.71 mg of tartrate equivalent to 1 mg of varenicline free base. The following inactive ingredients are included in the tablets: microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, Opadry® White (for 0.5 mg), Opadry® Blue (for 1 mg), and Opadry® Clear.



As I understand it, the active ingredient "varenicline" blocks a nicotine receptor site. This is definitely not Zyban.

[seaglass]

16. Thanks. Hopefully I'll be able to take it then. n/t

[Dogtown]

17. Check the literature

I believe there are warnings against driving etc.

Since the news about Ambien, I take those warnings very seriously.

[nuxvomica]

11. I know lots of people who have been on Chantix...

Because of several smoking cessation course I took last year. The standard story was that the ones who were careful to take it with a meal, usually breakfast, didn't have the nausea reaction. The ones who took it without a full meal invariably had the nausea.

[Digit]

13. I tried taking it afer a meal. The first time worked like a charm.

The following time, it did not. It ended up not seeming to matter.

It got to the point where I would dry heave at the "thought" of taking it.
Then again, that is the dbl strength pill you take later (the blue one).

[BlueIris]

7. Holy shit; what an asshole.

I agree with those who say go to HR stat. With as many witnesses as possible.

[nuxvomica]

10. Ideally, your boss would be helping you

He or someone else he assigns should help you with the schedule. That's the real problem and it's temporary. I quit last year and was hauled off into a conference room for throwing a piece of paper across my desk during a stressful time. People say they want you to quit but they don't want to cut you any slack.
Regarding Chantix, you must take it with a meal to avoid the nausea. People I know who have done that have been okay.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

15. This is blatant discrimination. Contact HR first, and then a lawyer.

Or for that matter, contact a lawyer, who will tell you to contact HR, and you can tell HR you have a lawyer if the situation is not properly addressed.

[yellowdogintexas]

18. talk to the doc. discuss possibility of taking the drug at a different time of day

like in the evening w/supper so you have all night to sleep off the side effects

talk to HR and get the straight scoop on the corporate rules regarding tardies and how they can make you fireable; they may have one of those 3 tardies in 30 days and you are out of here sort of things and he is giving you a warning. He was WRONG to not call your attention to it the first day though. HR should be made aware of that! Of course the "trigger" in company policy may be the 2nd tardy in a 30 day period. as to when the first warning has to be given.

boss would not have brought up the meds if you had not told him about them so that was bad choice of threat on boss's part

print copies of the schedule in LARGE font and post them everywhere, In your car, on the bathroom mirror at home on the refrigerator etc.

ask if you can get a consistent schedule for a while until this transition works out. Oh and your employer isn't being given a report on your claims so boss won't find out you are still taking the meds through the back door so to speak.

[NJmaverick]

19. A few points

I did a quck good check of Chantix, and it doesn't seem to have the side affects (loopy) that you describe. So why do you think the drug would cause forgetfulness?

Frankly, I don't think it was a good idea warn your manager that you were going to take a drug, "that would make you loopy". That sort of just put a bull's eye on your back, as they would be then looking for signs of loopiness.


Still, this does seem to be a medical issue (or at least it appears be). Pretty sure you can't be fired from most jobs, for having medical issues.

[MrsBrady]

20. like i have told my husband...

don't go around telling your personal business to your boss, or frankly...anyone at a company because they can tell management, even if it's innocent conversation and they tell your business.

anything you tell your boss can get to management...or can be used against you.
even if it's not "legal" to do so....you can't keep people from being ass holes by nature.

my husband told his boss something personal...and ever since, he has been getting a hard time.
I have told him over and over again, to not talk about illness, politics, family problems, legal issues...etc...so that they can't pop you for anything. I think he's finally starting to see what I mean.

And for another example...I am taking next Thursday and Friday off because I am going to the Texas Democratic State convention as an alternate delegate.
When they asked me why I needed off, I just said I had to take care of some things out of town.
They've probably figured out I'm a democrat with the big "texas democrat" sticker on my car, but they sure as hell don't need to know I'm going to the convention... are you kidding me?

Besides, I personally would go talk to your boss in private...as to not make a scene or put him or yourself in an awkward position to be embarrassed.
I would say..."were you serious about what you said or were you joking?"
He'll probably back off and say he was joking.
If not, and he's going to be an ass hole...most people being bullies and if you press them they usually back off.
If he goes into ass hole mode, I would just say well...You legally can't tell me what medication to take and if you are going to be this way perhaps I should go to HR and/or get a lawyer and see what HR has to say about that. ---some people would balk at being so bold, but I wouldn't have a hard time saying that. People in general don't want problems.

[Rabrrrrrr]

21. Wow - you could be up for some major bucks after the lawsuit after he fires you.

He should work with you, not against you; find some way to work around the potential for forgetfulness.

Definitely speak to HR and tell them what he said - I'm sure they're smart enough to realize that it will cost them way less to have you show up late once in a while then to pay your lawsuit.