chantix - problems after quitting or weaning

[heidi]

I tried chantix last March 2008 and after 3 weeks or so, I was able to wuit after 30 some years. I quit for about 7 & 1/2 months & then stupidly had a few smokes while camping and BINGO!!! I started smoking again. I had horrible vicious mood swings and severe depression after being on chantix that has continued even after stopping the chantix and smoking again. Then I tried chantix again but this time it had almost no effect as far as stopping the cravings. Has anyone tried using or quitting with chantix more than once? I seriously want to stop smoking but am afraid of the depression and mood swings with trying chantix again but the first time it worked great as far as the urges to smoke.

[Do not end up in jail]

heidi wrote:

I tried chantix last March 2008 and after 3 weeks or so, I was able to wuit after 30 some years. I quit for about 7 & 1/2 months & then stupidly had a few smokes while camping and BINGO!!! I started smoking again. I had horrible vicious mood swings and severe depression after being on chantix that has continued even after stopping the chantix and smoking again. Then I tried chantix again but this time it had almost no effect as far as stopping the cravings. Has anyone tried using or quitting with chantix more than once? I seriously want to stop smoking but am afraid of the depression and mood swings with trying chantix again but the first time it worked great as far as the urges to smoke.

Like some of the others ...
http://www.ismp.org/QuarterWatch/2008Q3.pdf

[You are not ALONE]

michael in indiana wrote:

I toke Chantix about 2 years ago and while taking it yes i quote smoking for that period of time. I had to go 20 weeks instead of the 12. I had almost all of the common side effects the dreams almost got to the point i could not handle them. My biggest problem is that i can trace back that When i started taking Chantix my sex drive complete left. I have talked to 3 doctors about this and now of them really take me seriously. Before Chantix i had the sex drive of a 20 year old man now i have one of a 90 year old man. And when youare trying to have kids that is not good. I have been totally checked out for any other reason the sex drive could be and i am fine. Until my wife saw some chats today see did not believe me. I will be making some Phone calls soon to try and get some answers. I would not recommend anyone take this drug.

Me either, chantix sucks! It effects serotonin which is very important to maintain a healthy sex drive not to mention eating, sleeping and in general enjoying life. I bet you took chantix to quit smoking not to quit wanting sex. Sorry Michael, I sure hope you find something to restore you former level of happiness or the pursuit of whatever makes you happy.

[MsT]

I started taking Chantix about three weeks ago and I can't say that my experience has been a good one. After the 3rd day of taking the pill I began to have terrible nightmares to the point where my husband had to wake me up because I was fighting him in my sleep. I'm also experiencing difficulty concentrating especially while while driving. Now I'm at a crossroad, I don't know if I should stop taking the pill because I'm doing so good. But at the same time my nightmares are really scaring me, I'm afraid of what I might do.

[Amber]

glorygal wrote:

I gained a lot of weight over the past months of no smoking. Does anyone know of a good diet pill? Wouldn't it be nice if there was a diet pill that was as good as Chantix???

Hey there GloryGal!
My doctor put me on phenetermine after I stopped smoking.(I had smoked for 3 years, and quit cold turkey one day... amazingly.) I am not writing this to brag, I just am not sure of how the phentermine would work from coming off of chantix.
The phentermine worked amazingly for me, and my doctor agrees. The way that phentermine works is that it's an appetite suppressant, that also gives you tons of energy. I do not find the pills to be addictive, however my doctor said that some may feel like they need to stay on the phentermine. The awesome thing to me about this medication is that phentermine will only get you so far as far as weight loss goals, and then it will no longer propel your weight loss. Your body will eventually "over-ride" the pill in a sense.
Honestly, I love this medication, and I feel that it has helped me gained control of my hunger as well as my diet in such a positive way. As always, please consult your doctor as they know your history and they know what medications will be best for you.:)
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

[What ever it takes]

Thanks for all your posts. It has certainly helped to know that I'm not alone. The side effects are no fun, but I can assume dying of emphysemia or lung cancer are far worse. I'm at week 4 on Chantix and finally my second week of no smoking. I really enjoyed smoking and quitting is like killing an old friend. But I must remember that it is but a fair-weather friend, one who will ultimately be my demise, unless I say goodbye, for good. What ever it takes!

[Joe]

I thought I would weigh in with my experience with Chantix. I had smoked for over 15 years, a pack a day. About a year ago, after getting some very stressful news, went to two packs a day. Last October I ended up in the emergency room with chest pains which turned out to be lung problems. I had the perscripition for Chantix for about 4 months before I decided to try it. After two weeks I lost most of my interest in smoking. I stopped buying them and am smoke free over five weeks now. I finished the first months supply of Chantix and am no longer taking that. Do I want a cigarette, sure but it's nothing I can't handle. The side effects wierd dreams but not nightmares, just wierd. thoughts of suicide, been having those since I found out my wife was having an affair, so no big deal there. All the side effects have stopped and I thought I would never quit smoking. I'm happy.

[mememarg]

Joe wrote:

I thought I would weigh in with my experience with Chantix. I had smoked for over 15 years, a pack a day. About a year ago, after getting some very stressful news, went to two packs a day. Last October I ended up in the emergency room with chest pains which turned out to be lung problems. I had the perscripition for Chantix for about 4 months before I decided to try it. After two weeks I lost most of my interest in smoking. I stopped buying them and am smoke free over five weeks now. I finished the first months supply of Chantix and am no longer taking that. Do I want a cigarette, sure but it's nothing I can't handle. The side effects wierd dreams but not nightmares, just wierd. thoughts of suicide, been having those since I found out my wife was having an affair, so no big deal there. All the side effects have stopped and I thought I would never quit smoking. I'm happy.

CONGRATULATIONS Joe!!! Just never turn back...If you're like me you never want to have to quit again.

Now that you're smoke free just ALWAYS remember when stresses come up that a smoke won't change anything.

The quitting keeps getting better & better. Such freedom!!

[Steve]

I took Chantix for 2 weeks and I want to kill myself and I don't want to go to work. Also, I have this feeling that the world is going to end and I can't sleep.

[mememarg]

Steve wrote:

I took Chantix for 2 weeks and I want to kill myself and I don't want to go to work. Also, I have this feeling that the world is going to end and I can't sleep.

Hi Steve, Please go the closest emergency room NOW if you cannot get in to see your doctor TODAY. When you call the doctors office tell them exactly what you have told us here. You are having some of the worst side effects. This is very important!!!!

Check back in & let us know how you're doing.

[Ginny]

Steve wrote:

I took Chantix for 2 weeks and I want to kill myself and I don't want to go to work. Also, I have this feeling that the world is going to end and I can't sleep.

Steve it is the pill making you feel that way.

I am not sure if you really need to be locked up in the psych ward as the aabove advice would surely land you. Well maybe not, Brandon went to the doctor saying those types of things and they only gave him more pills and denied the role of chantix. He lives further inland then you in NC.

You are not alone! I sure hope you got some sleep and stopped taking that poison making you want to kill yourself. It is the effects on the adrenal system that makes you feel the tension of alarm and keeps you up so you cant sleep. I am really sorry this happened to you. It really sucks feeling that way. Hope you are feeling better today and not being terrorized by some pysch ward nurse getting her jollies.

[Scrowe]

I smoked for 30 years and was up to 2 packs of Marlboro Lights a day. 2 years ago with the help of Chantix, I actually was able to quit the sticks! To this day, I am still surprised I was able to kick the stinking habit. The Chantix worked immediately. My side affects were wild dreams and after 10 weeks I started to lose interest in activities I typically enjoyed. I stopped the Chantix after sixteen weeks, fearing I was doomed once I was off the drug? I did not experience any side affects from stopping the Chantix, accept I probably gained 10LBS. I only know one thing.......if I have pick up a cigarette and smoke it, my next butt won't be my last. 2 years smoke free and counting! I was a lucky one I think?

[Montanaa]

Ginny wrote:

<quoted text>
Steve it is the pill making you feel that way.
I am not sure if you really need to be locked up in the psych ward as the aabove advice would surely land you. Well maybe not, Brandon went to the doctor saying those types of things and they only gave him more pills and denied the role of chantix. He lives further inland then you in NC.
You are not alone! I sure hope you got some sleep and stopped taking that poison making you want to kill yourself. It is the effects on the adrenal system that makes you feel the tension of alarm and keeps you up so you cant sleep. I am really sorry this happened to you. It really sucks feeling that way. Hope you are feeling better today and not being terrorized by some pysch ward nurse getting her jollies.

Oh, so make him too afraid to go get help. That is a smart one!

[Winner]

Montanaa wrote:

<quoted text>
Oh, so make him too afraid to go get help. That is a smart one!

Perhaps you could offer him some advice

[Ginny]

Montanaa wrote:

<quoted text>
Oh, so make him too afraid to go get help. That is a smart one!

You just don't "GET IT" Lori! You have not been to NC or know how the law works around there. Brandon has gone to the hospital many times saying he was thinking of killing himself. He was not admitted either and he WANTED to get help. He has NOT GOTTEN HELP! It is not a matter of seeking help but GETTING HELP!!! Being dismissed because they lack imagination, information or passion to do their JOB hurts! I see you are not only ignorant but mean as well no wonder you offered Steve no help.

[missy]

This is an awful drug! I would rather kill myself slowly smoking a pack per day than have to be institutionalized because of the side effects or have someone tell my mother that i killed myself because i tried to quit. this, coming from a nurse who was "well informed." any physician can be paid enough to promote a product, don't be fooled by this product or the doctor that offers you a prescription.

[125 days]

post: from another chantix board

Hi All, not a very active board here compared to other chantix sites, maybe the moderator should step back a bit?
Anyway, my earlier post as Anonymous was on March 27th. Since then things have gone VERY well. I am 125 days smoke free!!!!
I did what I said in my earlier post and kept it to .5mg twice a day.(total of 1 mg./day) Someone posted about pill cutters and they do work great. Thanks.
After about 90 days I started tapering VERY slowly. Went to 3/4 mg per day for 1 week, then 1/2 mg for 2 weeks, now am still at 1/4 mg/day.
In the last 35 days while tapering I did try going cold turkey and noticed that I was having side effects such as dark moods and obsessive thoughts....like you think about just one thing over and over.....yuk.
Call me wierd but I think my brain has had it's dopamine fix for 30 years and a little tapering is a good thing. I will probably stay at 1/4 mg. for a few more weeks then go 1/4 mg every other day for a while. What is the rush to get of chantix when the results are soooooooo great, and I am at a very low dose?
Anyway good luck to all. That is my update and I should say I am tapering this way without consulting my doctor since I think it is no big deal. HOWEVER, I strongly suggest anyone reading this post check with their doctor. I am just an average joe and please do not do anything based on this post without checking with a qualified medical professional.

[way to go]

125 days is a long time. Nice job.

I am at 21 months and feeling better all the time. I ride 7.5 miles per day on the bike and work out 5 times a week. I feel as though i never smoked.

[Ginny]

missy wrote:

This is an awful drug! I would rather kill myself slowly smoking a pack per day than have to be institutionalized because of the side effects or have someone tell my mother that i killed myself because i tried to quit. this, coming from a nurse who was "well informed." any physician can be paid enough to promote a product, don't be fooled by this product or the doctor that offers you a prescription.

That is what I have been saying too but the ones who love their new drug just call me crazy. That really helps and the fact that most of those who do this are in the medical profession just goes to enforce the fact this is all about money not health. At least now it has a black box warning and many lawyers advertising to help those most seriously injured by this novel new toxin!

[cathy]

I was taking Champix for 3 months starting in December of 2008. I had quit smoking by January 2009 and was finishing my Rx and weaning off the drug. I started having symptoms of depression and by March I was admitted into hospital with a major depressive episode, so depressed I could not get out of bed. I recieved ECT 3 times a week for a month and was then discharged. I am going for weekly ECT and am not yet able to return to work. I believe the Champix caused this as there was nothing negative going on in my life at the time and no stress that would have caused it to happen. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this.