Chantix: How Does This New Quit Smoking Medicine Work?

125 Comments:

• At Tue May 01, 09:49:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I am on Chantix, have been for 3 weeks and have not quit smoking. What am I doing wrong? Have been having very weird dreams more like nightmares. Have smoked for 29 yrs since I was 17, and have tried Zyban (allergic had to go to the E.R.)the gum, lozenges, Commit, cold turkey, cutting back, the patch and hypnosis.I am on Paxil for mild depression, could Paxil be hurting my efforts? Thanks Good luck to all who are quitting

   

• At Mon May 07, 08:51:00 AM 2007,  Meg said…

  Dear anonymous: I take Zoloft and have had side effect trouble with Chantix too. It did dramatically decrease my desire to smoke, but I had severe insomnia that sleeping pills did not even relieve. I was very frustrated because I had to quit taking Chantix in order to function I was so sleep deprived. I then went back to smoking. I have since found that a tranquilizer at night helps with the sleep problem. So, I have begun Chantix again. Someone needs to do research on the interaction of Chantix and antidepressants! They both effect brain neurotransmitters, so there is something going on here. Good Luck to you.

   

• At Fri May 11, 03:39:00 AM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I smoked from the age of 17 and stopped at 49, and have remained a non smoker since - I am now 58. I smoked at least 20-25 a day sometimes as many as 30, dependant on if I went out or not. I tried many, many, many times to stop. From not inhaling it all, to patches, to cold turkey, to only having one after my dinner in the evening and failed each and every time. I know how difficult it is to stop - it was the most hardest thing I think I have ever done. How I did it in the end was to stop slowly - I did not allow myself to smoke more than I had the day before, and slowly but surely it came down. I praised myself on how many I had NOT smoked and didn't look at how many I HAD smoked really until I was down to 1/2 a cigerette a day, and then it was a case of how pathetic I had become to even want that 1/2. The advice I can only give to you all is Never Stop Trying cos one day you WILL SUCCEED. I will never, never start smoking again cos I know that I will want to stop and I Don't know if I could go through what I went through to stop. I Wish You All Good Luck

   

• At Thu May 17, 12:54:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I am on topamax, risperdal and loranzepam for bi-polar. I had bizarre dreams from day 1 of taking Chantix and I took it for 15 days but today I decided no more. I'm noticing mood changes and problems getting to sleep for a few nights lately plus a surge in eating and food cravings! I have cut my smoking down to half. I'm not sure if it's withdrawl symptoms I'm going through or drug interactions because my meds have had me stabilized for some years now and I put my mental health above this... I think Chantix has given me the power to see that I can go without cigarettes and I am thankful for that along with the support group the Chantix support and my research too. Good luck to us,I know we can do it!

   

• At Sat May 19, 06:14:00 PM 2007,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  You make interesting points about potential interactions between psychotropic medications and Chantix. People taking these meds are typically excluded from initial trials of a new drug and so there hasn't yet been alot of experience of combining Chantix with some other drugs. Having said that, my experience is that alot of unpleasant experiences/symptoms are attributed to a new med. like Chantix when there are other plausible explanations that are worth exploring with your doctor. For example, insomnia is a recognized nicotine withdrawal symptom that can occur on stopping smoking regardless of which smoking cessation medication is being used. Also when people stop smoking, their metabolism of some drugs then slows down (again not related to taking Chantix). One such drug is caffeine. So if you drink 5 cups of caffeinated coffee per day, and then quit smoking, you may feel as if you have consumed 7 or 8 cups - and that could prevent you from getting to sleep. These symptoms should be discussed with your doctor. I agree with the comment,"Never stop trying because you will succeed."

   

• At Thu Jul 05, 06:48:00 AM 2007,  Cindy said…

  I have been on Chantix 20 weeks and doing great, feeling a little scared about stopping at 24 weeks. Why does the meds have to be stopped and research on taking longer? Any problems taking longer?

   

• At Sat Jul 07, 09:26:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  Smoked for 45 yrs. April 8th started taking Chantix .I have not had a cigarette since April 15th .I pray I can continue with the Chantix. I too take other meds. so the nauesa is horrible.

   

• At Tue Jul 17, 12:33:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I am taking carbamezapine 3x a day, lexapro and trazadone at night, along with nexium and chantix.
  I have been taking chantix for a week now, just began the 2 a day part a few days back.
  The freaky nonsense dreams have been for several days,some have even been continuation dreams, last night was the first one that was not an actual nightmare but still very surreal and uncomfortable.
  This weekened I worked 17 hours on a playset for my son, 14 straight and 3 more the next day, I figured I was so dogtired on the 14 hour day that I wouldnt need the Trazadone to sleep, but once I was in bed, my head was racing with things that were really irrelavent, and I broke down and had to take the trazadone.
  Interesting side note is that befor I began the chantix, every morning after I took trazadone the night befor, I was completely foggy and blown out, but siince I have been on chantix, I wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed, so I will continue to stay on the chantix. It wasnt until today that I noticed I couldnt "get off" when I smoked, meaning I didnt feel any satisfaction while smoking, and began to feel sick after chain smoking to get that feeling.
  Anyone felt buzzed through the day?

   

• At Fri Jul 20, 08:03:00 PM 2007,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  I'm glad to hear that many of you are succeeding with Chantix. This is consistent with my experience and with the published evidence.
  
  Cindy asked about taking Chantix for longer than 24 weeks. Thats something that would need to be discussed with your doctor. FYI a study was recently published by Williams and colleagues (in Current Medical Research and Opinion) which concluded that, "Varenicline [Chantix]1 mg BID can be safely administered for up to 1 year. Varenicline was also a more effective smoking cessation aid than placebo throughout the study, supporting both its short- (12-week) and long-term (52-week) efficacy." So that study suggests that its safe to take Chantix longer than 24 weeks. That decision should be made in consultation with your prescribing doctor.
  Some of the anonymous posts reporting side effects have been from people taking multiple other medications. Again my advice would be to keep in close contact with your healthcare provider while quitting smoking, while using any newly approved medication (like Chantix) and particularly if you have a complex medical situation which may be unlike any of the patients in the initial trial of the new drug. Your doctor who knows your history and the other meds you are taking will be in the best position to interpret symptoms and advise you.
  
  The only thing I'd like to add is a word of caution about taking the medicine as prescribed by your doctor, and being careful to inform/remind your prescriber if you have any other factors that may make you at greater risk of having a seizure. For example, carbamazapine can be prescribed for many reasons, but one of the most common is to control seizures. People with seizure disorders were excluded from the trials of Chantix but the labelling mentions a potential increased seizure risk. If I had previously had a seizure I'd be careful to make sure my doctor remebered that fact when advising me on my Chantix dose, I'd think it important to take my seizure control medication while taking Chantix, and I'd want to avoid other factors that could affect my seizure risk (e.g. alcohol, sleep deprivation etc). Quitting smoking will do great things for your health, but its important to look after yourself in other ways while you are quitting.
  Best of luck, and keep the comments coming.

   

• At Sat Jul 21, 06:04:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I was probably one of the first to take Chantix, I read aboout it in 2005 a year before it was released. I started taking it in August 2006, after 2 weeks of chatix I got down to 10 cigarettes, than 2 weeks later I got down to 5, than 2 weeks later I got down to 2 than I got stuck. I went back to my doctor in November and he said to contact chantix support which I did and it did help, by talking with people going thruthe same thing I was. I joined a Gym in November and started working out 3 times a week, the day I joined the Gyn I quit. I feel Great, I havent smoked since then. I stayed on the pills until April, because every time I tried to get off I had the urge. After April the urges were under control. I am only 45 years old and have smoked since I was 18, I KNOW if I can do it anyone can. I tried everything before Chantix. This was the only thing that worked for me. I hope my story helps everyone that is tryng to quit. I know it was one of the hardest things that I had ever done. Good Luck.

   

• At Tue Jul 24, 06:05:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  This site or form has really done a lot for me. So if you would bear with me, I’d like to tell you my story to help me further and maybe help someone else.
  I have seen the same doctor now for 15 years. At no time during this 15 years has he told me to stop smoking. I went to him about 3 months having some chest pains, (by the way I’m 36), he did the normal things, ran an EKG, took X-rays, gave me a breathing test, all of which came out normal. He tells me it is probably just some inflammation in my chest and told me to take it easy for a few days and to take some Advil or Morton. Then he tells me this, “I have never told you , you need to stop smoking, or given you a hard time about smoking, but it is now time for you to stop, lung dease is not going to look good on you. “ I have smoked since I was 10 and have seen many doctors over the years in which all of them have demanded I stop smoking. Granted I have tried to in the past but was to weak minded to do so….. I asked my doc to give me something to help me break this addiction I had, so he gave me CHANTIX.
  This is where things really get going, I took the Chantix like I was suppose to and by the 5th day I really did not care to smoke, so I laid them down forever. I continued to take Chantix like I was suppose to and about the middle of week 2 I really started having some major pain in my left shoulder and chest. Started having shortness of breath. I thought is was all part of stopping smoking. This went on for several weeks. I only took Chantix for a month. I have now been off of it for about a week. I have seen my doc more in the last 3 weeks than I have in the last 3 years, due to pains and aches., all on my left side. I now have a MRI and CAT scheduled. I am scheduled to see a heart doctor on the 31st. But the thing that bothers me the most is the depression. I have never been depressed before in my life. I don’t think I have slept one full night since I stopped taking Chantix, granted the crazy dreams I was having all stopped…lol. Just reading a lot of the forms I realize I’m not alone in this and that it will pass in time.
  As much as I’m glad I have stopped smoking, there is no way I would recommend anyone to use this drug., unless the FDA and Pfizer tells the whole story of the side effects. That way everyone is completely informed about what they may go through.

   

• At Thu Aug 02, 09:05:00 PM 2007,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Anonymous of July 24th,
  Like some of the earlier comments, you clearly have a complex recent medical history and your own doctors are best placed to suggest the best course of action. I noticed that it was chest pain that prompted the doctor visit that prompted your quit attempt (i.e. chest pains prior to taking Chantix). This makes me wonder if the symptoms you experienced after trying to quit smoking may have had the same cause as your initial pains, and may therefore not be related to your quit attempt or the Chantix. Similarly, it sounds like your insomnia really kicked in after you stopped taking Chantix. Insomnia is a recognized nicotine withdrawal symptom and therefore may have been caused by nicotine withdrawal rather than the medicine. However, your experience underlines the need for placebo controlled trials of Chantix in patients who are not perfectly healthy. Its only in such studies that we can our understanding of what side effects may be attributable to the drug. Fortunately my colleague, Dr Michael Steinberg, is conducting just such a trial of Chantix in hospital patients in New Brunswick (NJ). To see a news item including Dr Steinberg commenting on smoking and health, click on:
  www.tobaccoprogram.org

   

• At Tue Aug 07, 10:04:00 AM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I am currently taking 20 mg of Lexapro. I've attempted smoke stops, once made it to five month, but am smoking a few now. I'd heard of Chantix and called Pfizer yesterday and talked to their pharmacist. I cannot believe they have not run case studies for possible interactions between Chaniix and anti-depressents. Oh, they've run one with Wellbutrin, but Welbutrin is not in the Lexapro family. Does anyone understand why a huge pharmaceutical company would not run every test possible to educate the public as to whether or not it would be harmful? I will not take Chantix until I know all the answers.

   

• At Mon Aug 13, 03:45:00 PM 2007,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Hi,
  For further coment on use of Chantix in people with a current mental health problem, check out:
  http://www.healthline.com/blogs/smoking_cessation/2007/08/chantix-and-mental-illness.html

   

• At Sat Aug 18, 07:52:00 AM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  Started taking chantix on June 27...today is August 18, 2007. It took a couple weeks to naturally cut down from 20 to 40 cigs/day, to 4 to 6.
  
  From the very begining, insomnia and weird dreams were evident. But at first I didn't care.
  
  Then I asked my healthcare professional for a something to help me with anxiety, so I might make the next step. We tried a week of atavan/lorizapam, and that seemed to help, but not enough to quite make it, so she gave me clonipan for two weeks...which helped me to finally let them go.
  
  I relapsed smoking twice, in the past five weeks, but got no satisfaction and put them out after a few drags--the Chantix really does block the pleasure response from nicotine..
  
  Anyway...even with the drugs, this has been among the most difficult times in my life. I never feel like my "normal" self, can't sleep normal hours, can't concentrate for work, and now feel more anxiety than ever.
  
  So, I stopped with the ativan and tried stopping the chantix and felt bad, so i stopped the chantix, and am spliting my last five half mg ativan tablets so help with the weaning from that.
  
  I want the insomnia, the frequent urination, and the anxiety to go away. It feels like I am getting diabetes symptoms along with everything else (tingling extremeties like my feet and outer fingers fall asleep if i rest my arms or legs the wrong way, frequent urination--even small amounts, and a generally weak and unhealthy feeling)...plus i gained 10 pounds in four weeks, which I have never done.....my healthcare professional thinks I may have an anxiety disorder--but I have been a healthy non-smoker, non-drug consumer during several long periods in my adult life--and know life doesn't have to be that way--requiring medication for anything.
  
  Also, I happen to be a vegi-pescitarian (I do not eat mammals or birds) in case that is relavant.
  
  I just want to be drug free, healthy, and know what "healthy" and a normal state will be for me...in the present and the future.
  
  This time I'd smoked for about five years...after quitting for three...after smoking for five...after quitting for six...after smoking for six years from age 13. Yes, I am 39 now.
  
  Anyway, Chantix helped me quit in a way my own will power didn't, but I needed something more, and despite anything I was given to relax me...it's just been difficult and painful, and instead of getting easier, it's gotten harder...not the not smoking...just the getting sleep and feeling ok.
  
  So I'm quitting Chantix "ahead" of schedule. I won't relapse with cigs this time. Can't afford the cost and pain and smell etc. Now I go through Chantix and Atavan withdrawel...who knows how long that will take?
  
  I try stretching and yoga and breathing and walking and sometimes i can run...before I began the quitting process, I couldn't even pace myself to run 7 minutes without stopping...now I can run over a half an hour...I smell better...and smell more things...
  
  Anyway it's almost 7 am, and I have yet to sleep...but i am exhausted.

   

• At Mon Aug 20, 11:57:00 AM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I have smoked for 50 years and have been taking Chantix for 5 weeks now. I have not smoked in the last 3 weeks. I do not crave the smoking. My problem is impulse, to automatically reach for a cigarette according to what I am doing. So I do not give myself time in the am to watch the news have coffee and smoke. I get much more done in the home. If I sit down for a long period of time I want a cigarette. I have read the longer you take Chantix the more likely you will stay quit. Its awfully expendsive but worth it. I plan on taking it for amother 3 weeks and then try it without smoking.

   

• At Fri Aug 24, 09:48:00 AM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I just started Chantix and am looking forward to being smoke free much easier than in my previous attempts to quit. I have heard nothing but wonderful things from most people I know who have used it successfully. But, I do have a few questions:
  
  - Since Chantix blocks the nicotine receptors, do those receptors every "close off" or go away?
  
  - Are we getting constant doses of the dopamine and other things the nicotine used to release?
  
  - Is this why some people seem to have a hard time coming off Chantix? Delayed withdrawal? Withdrawal from Chantix as opposed to nicotine?
  
  Thanks!

   

• At Fri Aug 24, 03:32:00 PM 2007,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Hi anon of Aug 24,
  1. I've not seen any clear evidence that these receptors go away as a result of Chantix use. Rather it seems that Chantix simply prevents nicotine from activating the receptor while it is occupied by the Chantix molecule.
  2. The available evidence suggests that Chantix provides a smoother level of dopamine, compared with peaks (after a cigarette) and troughs (during non-smoking periods) while smoking.
  3. I've not heard of people becoming addicted to Chantix at all. Its claimed non-addictive potential is consistent with its relatively slow action (taking hours to have an effect, whereas with a cigarette its seconds) and long half-life (from memory I think its 20 hours, whereas with a cigarette its 2 hours).
  If you want to learn more see the paper:
  Foulds J. The neurobiological basis for partial agonist treatment of nicotine dependence: varenicline. International Journal of Clinical Practice. 2006; 60 (5) 571-576.
  at www.tobaccoprogram.org under research.

   

• At Tue Sep 04, 12:38:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I do not take any other medications. I got my first round of Chantix through a Canadian Pharmacy because I did not think they prescribed it in the US. I started taking Chanitx on 7/22/07.
  
  The crazy dreams started immediately but I rather enjoyed them even if they were scary at times. I fell into a deep depression within days of taking Chantix. My wife told me it was the nicotine withdraws but I had not stopped smoking yet. I did stop smoking after 2 weeks and the depression continued to get deeper. I ran out of my first months supply on aug 22nd and I was still very depressed. A few days after the Chantix ran out I my depression lifted. I must say that I have never been depressed like that in my life. I lost my motivation to work and felt any little problem was hopeless. I felt great and like my normal self without any depression! I started to get some slight cravings so I asked my doctor for a prescription to Chantix which he gave me. I started taking Chantix again on the 30th of August and my deep depression came back! I now believe it is the Chantix that is causing the depression so I'm going to stop as of today. I have a feeling the depression will lift again in a couple of days. I'm confident I will not smoke again. I read a great book along with taking the Chantix and I think it gave me the knowledge to I needed to quit. The little nicotine monster is dead in me now since I've been a non smoker for over a three weeks now. My sister is taking Chantix now to quit. I've made her aware of the side effects I experienced.
  
  On another side note during the time I was taking Chantix I experienced blood in my urin. My doctor said he had not heard of that side effect. It only happened once and seemed to clear up.
  
  Anyway I will keep you informed on my sisters progress and when I depression clears up. I will also let you know if it comes back later. I doubt it will though! I really believe it was the Chantix that caused it. But hey I did quit smoking after a pack a day for 20 years.
  
  William

   

• At Thu Sep 06, 02:04:00 PM 2007,  tracy said…

  i have been on chantix for 2 weeks today i have all the side effects but they are not to bad, i sleep so hard at night and i can say i do like the crazy dreams, i have smoked for 18 years never had i tried to stop i was smoking 23 to 25 ciggs a day now on my second week i am down 4 a day i am going to stay on chantix for 3 more months so far i have no withdraws just the need to hold them between my fingers i am praying that this will work

   

• At Thu Sep 06, 07:54:00 PM 2007,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  These last 2 posts just show how differently different people react to a medicine. Of course this is not unique to Chantix. Its one of the things that makes the practice of medicine part art and part science. It sounds like Tracy (Sept 4) still has a few cigarettes handy. I'd dtrongly advise getting thouroughly rid of all cigarettes (from home, car, work, coats, bags, everywhere). Keeping them often stimulates cravings. Here's a question..if you were about to go on a strict diet, would it seem like a good idea to buy a big chocolate cake and put it in the fridge?
  Same goes for having cigarettes handy when you are trying to quit smoking.

   

• At Mon Sep 17, 12:53:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  Why no trials that included the most widely prescribed non-nicotine anti-smoking drug, bupropion (Zyban, AKA Wellbutrin)? I had a very bad manic break with this combination, but there seems to be no information out there. I experienced weird dreams, nightmares, dissociation, aggression, irritabilty, and dry mouth. I have heard from other people who tried Chantix that it caused dissociation and irratility.

   

• At Thu Sep 27, 07:59:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I've been on Chantrix for almost a month and must say that I'm absolutely horrified of this pill. I have every side effect that the pill box says you'll have. My doctor told me the only side effect was nausea. HA. The dreams keep getting worse...I dream I'm in a wreck and my back hurts for days after the dream. Is this drug so powerful that it triggers my brain into making my back hurt? It's to the point I dont' want to go to sleep because of the dreaming. I don't feel like myself and can't explain it when I try. I find it interesting that this pill was approved after only 5 or 6 months of trials because it worked so well...when most FDA approved pills/medications take at least 10 months. What are the long term side effects? Does anyone know if there are any long terms effects? No because it's only been on the market for a year. Will all users be told in 5 years that we will have the early onset of Alzheimers or Brain Tumors from this pill? Forget about lung cancer for a minute....what is this doing to our brains? I'd sure like someone to ease my mind about this crazy pill. I'd really like to hear from a Neurologist about what he thinks about these dreams. Yes, it is working for me but it's frightening what the side effects are and how the dreams keeps getting worse. And what about the fella in Texas who was taking it and started hallucinating? Now he is dead. Scared to death but nicotine free.....

   

• At Fri Sep 28, 05:48:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  First, let me say that I am on day 2 with chantix. I'm ready to stop smoking. I just hope that the damage I've done to my lungs can be reversed. I'm scared, REALLY scared. I'm 47 and have been a chain smoker for years. (started at 14 or 15). I have so much shortness of breath. I went for the spiro test and an xray the other day and am waiting on the results. Can anyone tell me if you were at the point where you were SO short of breath and felt SO fatigued yet were able to turn your health around after you stopped smoking? I'm really down and could use some encouragement. I'm in tears as I'm writing this. I realize everyone's health and body is different...I just think I may be at a place where my lungs have severe damage and I'm terrified.
  
  Thanks so much for this site.
  
  kim

   

• At Fri Sep 28, 09:42:00 PM 2007,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Dear anonymous of 9/28,
  You may be interested in my post on this topic on 9/20 at:
  http://www.healthline.com/blogs/smoking_cessation/2007/09/does-chantix-cause-mental-health.html .
  If you are very concerned about the effects of this medicine on you, the best person to discuss this with is your prescriber/family doctor. If the person in Texas you were referring to was the young musician, lets be clear about what happened to him. He died because he was shot by a neighbour, not because he was "scared to death".

   

• At Mon Oct 01, 06:25:00 PM 2007,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Kim,
  Hopefully you'll get some reassurance from your tests. But regardless of those results, quitting smoking now is the single best thing you can do for your health. You should also know that even people with early signs of emphysema can improve their lung function during the years immediately after quitting smoking.
  You are certainly doing the right thing, so stick with it.

   

• At Tue Oct 02, 04:59:00 AM 2007,  jay said…

  I have completed the first four weeks on chantix and I am smoke free. I set my date and have not smoked again. I smoked for about 15 years and I truely think you have to want to stop smoking in orger for any thing to work. I don't think I'm going to do the next four weeks. As far as side effects I have not experienced any, I guess I'm so excited about being smoke free I didn't pay attention to them.

   

• At Fri Oct 05, 10:45:00 AM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I have been taking CHANTIX for 10 days now, after trying to quit several times in 20 years, smoking 15 cigs/day. It has dramatically reduced my physical need for cigs. I do have the mental need, but it passes quickly. I smoked as usual the first week. On day 7 I was so "afraid" of the end-all be-all of not being able to smoke, I only smoked 5. On day 8 - 4. On day 9 - 3. It is now 1:30pm and I have had one. I am hoping to continue this less and less progression to the point of zero...which seems to be in reach.
  
  As far as the side-effects: I started having VERY odd, vivid dreams within the second night. They have stayed the same, no nightmares, but as the dose increased to the two blue pills a day, I wake up several times during the night and lay there staring at the ceiling, eventually going back to sleep, although I do not feel sleep-deprived. Maybe I am only dreaming I am awake? Also, I have had to get up to pee 4-5 times during the night. I have had no nausea (I think drinking a lot of water and eating just prior to dosing helps) and no "mental" problems.
  
  A small price to pay in comparision to being completely controlled by cigs ("do I have enough cigs to get me through the day? Oh God, where is my lighter?)! I want to be FREE!
  
  J.

   

• At Sat Oct 06, 12:35:00 PM 2007,  Dutchess said…

  I started taking Chantrix 10 days ago. I stopped smoking 2 days ago. The day before I only smoked 15 cigarettes vs. my normal 2-3 packs. I didn't know whether to continue to smoke until the urge just went away, or go ahead and pick a date, so I chose to pick a date, for fear of adapting to the medication and being unable to quit by waiting longer. I have had some stressful moments, and continue to, but it has been manageable, so far. I have smoked for over 35 years,heavily, and have never went even this long without smoking. I am really excited about Chantix. I have not had bad or weird dreams, no problem sleeping, just a few light headaches and some nausea, but not too bad. Even though I am having to work hard on the moods, and cravings, this is the best opportunity to quit I have ever been afforded, and I am so very thankful for Chantix.

   

• At Wed Oct 10, 10:03:00 AM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I am on day 6 of Chantix and tomorrow is my stop date. I have already found that my desire to smoke has diminished greatly. I have had some strange dreams, but that does not bother me at all. My doctor put me on Wellbutrin at the same time because she felt it would enhance the goal to quit smokeing. I have found for the past two days I will light up a cigarette but only take one of two puffs from it. It seems that I have the desire to hold the cigarette more than smoke it. Is there a medication to stop the desire to hold the butt (just kidding).

   

• At Thu Oct 11, 09:03:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I smoked from 1970 until 1999 - whereby I found myself in a hospital because I couldn't breath. I thought it was my usual case of chronic bronchitus and they would give me antibiotics and send me home. To my shock - they kept me for 5 days and diagnosed me with COPD. I was 44 years old. The doctor on staff told me to quit smoking or die. I had heard that the nicotine was pretty much out of one's system within 72 hours. So my first 3 days in the hospital took care of that for me. I was released from the hospital with 02 24/7 for 6 mos. Almost 6 years later - I started smoking again!!!! I had been through an unexpected divorce and the anniversary of it - was more earth shattering for me than the divorce itself. I had been through a bout of pneumonia (Dec 2005) and a few bouts of bronchitus - and I still smoked! I knew better! It was frustrating and I hated the fact that I had returned to it. All I wanted to do - was quit again!!! In Aug 2007 I asked my dr about CHANTIX. He did his job with my insurance to get it taken care of - with my diagnosis of COPD - I knew I would qualify immediately. My sister, two years younger than me, went to the hospital over labor day weekend - and was also diagnosed COPD. It brought back alot of memories!!! Plus I was on night time O2 since my pneumonia bout. I started the CHANTIX Sept 9, 2007 and smoked 32 cigarettes that day. I was so terrified I would not be able to quit again. I logged every cigarette - every day. I did not quit the 8th day as recommended. I did not quit the first day I wanted to - which was Sept 19th (the anniversary of my original quit date) my first smoke-free day was October 4th - my daughters 32nd birthday. I called her the day after to tell her that I gave her a very special birthday present - that I was smokefree! She told my grandson to ask me what I gave her and I told him and he said "Oh grandma that is so COOL". While the CHANTIX helped alot, I recommend it highly, I also had to work hard at breaking the habit. I started making places around me smoke free, my home, my car, my place of work. I would always strive to do SOMETHING instead of smoking while on the phone or relaxing. When I get the urge to smoke - I remind myself that 5 year olds don't smoke, am I smarter than a 5 year old - you bet! For the record - I am epileptic and on dilantin as well as a host of respiratory meds and protonix - so I was really nervous about taking the Chantix - I am thrilled it that it partnered well with me so that I could have a successful outcome. Having quit before, I was able to get back into the mental dialog easily and regain the habits of a non smoker. For the first time - my mom's six adult children are all smoke free. Three of them in the last three months. Best of Success to all on their journey to a liberating smoke free lifestyle :-)

   

• At Mon Oct 22, 07:05:00 AM 2007,  kycheeks said…

  I am on my 3rd week of taking Chantix and am on my 2nd week being smoke free. I have smoked 1 - 1 1/2 packs a day for the past 30 years, never thought I could quit. It is normal to have the fear of failure, but it is worth the try. I agree that everyone is going to have different side effects from the drug. I started with the insomnia and dreams right away. My doctor suggested Melatonin for sleep. It does help. I felt a difference the 2nd day, cigaretts tasted different, not as satisfying. I would only smoke if I wanted one, not out of habit. Eventually I was smoking 2 -3 a day. At the beginning of the 2nd week I decided to quit. I might get the urge (mostly at night) but it passes. Stick to it and tough it out, that's what I tell myself. Good Luck to everyone who tries!

   

• At Tue Oct 23, 06:41:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  Has anyone noticed their temper being shorter? I have the vivid and long dreams (not nightmares, the mild nausea after taking the pill (which a big glass of water does work for me), but my temper is very uncharacteristic of me since I have been on it. I am pretty mild mannered but for the past 2 weeks my fuse goes off more quickly than normal. It's not the "I want a cig" temper either. Any thoughts?

   

• At Sun Oct 28, 08:01:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  Chantix- I posted a couple months ago when I had been taking Chantix. I wanted to up date everyone. At the time I was experiencing sever depression, nightmares, short temper, and dark urine. Since I stopped, the depression has left and has not returned, my temper is normal, no more nightmares but my urine is still dark. I did quit smoking though! I took Chantix for 5 weeks and have not smoked since the end of the 3rd week. Looking back it is a small price to pay for quitting but at the time the depression was debilitating!

   

• At Mon Oct 29, 08:40:00 AM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I have the same problem. I have been taking Chantix for two months now and I'm not smoking anymore. I still fight the cravings all the time because I found that taking two pills is too strong for me. I only take one a day. I noticed my fuse very short and bouts of depression and anger come more easily. I'm a newly wed and we have started fighting sence i started taking chantix. I'm hoping this goes away and my cravings go away as well. It's so frustrating to have something so harmful be the center of my thoughts all the time. It's the first thing I think about when I wake up, so i drink water. I did not quit smoking for the first month and 1/2 so all the people out there that arent quitting yet, just keep taking it, it will work. I have a very stubborn mind and it finally works. I'm not smoking but my fuse is short and Ihope that goes away.

   

• At Sat Nov 03, 03:29:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I am on day 5 of the Chantix regimen. The day I began, I also began taking a higher dose of my antidepressant, Lexapro, as directed by my doctor. In addition, I am on a low-level of Wellbutrin intended to counteract side effects of Lexapro.
  
  I write because I'm concerned about the interactions of all this medication. Today I feel weird, kind of high (chills, muscle tension, inability to concentrate, loss of appetite, etc.), and I'm wondering if it might be that my drug cocktail, as it were, has begun to "kick in." I've been reading all the posts and articles I can find on this site and others hoping to get some relevent information, but I haven't seen anything that matches up to my situation close enough to put my mind at ease. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

   

• At Tue Nov 06, 02:28:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I have been taking Chantrix for seven weeks. I stopped smoking after the first seven days. My concern is that because of the side-effects (nausea/gas/dreams)I would like to discontinue the drug after eight weeks. Should I take a smaller dose during the last week? I have no desire to smoke at all.....after being a smoker for 51 years. Will the desire return when the medication is stopped?

   

• At Tue Nov 06, 07:28:00 PM 2007,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Hi,
  The internet and health websites are great sources of information on health and medicines. However, I know from my own experience of looking up symptoms I've had or a family-member has had, that its really easy to find some weird and wonderful explanations for symtoms that match our own. Its also very easy to attribute symptoms to the medicines we are taking (particularly as each one is a required to have a very long list of potetial side effect - sometimes based on only a very small proportion of people reporting those symptoms in the initial FDA-approval trials). Medical students in training are often told that, "when you hear hooves, think horses not zebras". What this means is that one should look for the most common/likely explanation for a symptom rather than a more exotic (but unlikely explanation). So when this basic strategy is applied to people quitting smoking who report symptoms like irritability, poor concentration, depression and restlessness, the most likely explanation for this is that these are nicotine withdrawal symptoms. These very symptoms are listed as such in the major diagnostic manuals currently used (DSM-4 and ICD-9). The other thing we know about the time scale of nicotine withdrawal symptoms is that they typically peak in the first week after markedly reducing nicotine intake, and have largely resolved in about 3-4 weeks. (note this is 3-4 weeks after quitting smoking, not 3-4 weeks after starting Chantix). For those people quitting smoking while taking a complex coctail of medicines for a variety of other medical problems, it is undoubtably a little harder to interpret emergent symptoms. Again, where the symptoms mark those of nicotine withdrawal that would be my first choice as a likely explanation. Where any symptom becomes serious than you and your doctor should discuss this and together come up with a plan. I strongly recommend keeping in close contact with your doctor (e.g. weekly) during the first month or so after quitting smoking - especially if you have a more complex medical history or are experiencing more serious or worrying symptoms. This is a life-saving change you are making and you needn't feel guilty about taking your doctor's time if it may help save your life by helping you to quit smoking. Thats what they are there for.

   

• At Fri Nov 16, 07:31:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  My father has bipolar disorder. He quit smoking after 40 years using Chantix. He is also on Lithium and Zoloft. The past three weeks he started having seizures. Are seizures a side effect of one or all of these drugs? He had a CAT scan today which was negative and is going to have an EEG as well as a MRI with neurology consult.

   

• At Tue Nov 20, 08:01:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  Am looking for additional information ~ DH is considering Chantix to quit after 20 years. No current meds, but a history of insomnia (can't fall asleep, but okay once he's out) and is definitely an 'alpha' personality. Have seen comments about sleeplessness and aggressiveness. Any further details?

   

• At Wed Nov 21, 08:01:00 AM 2007,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Hi,
  Seizures are listed as a "rare" adverse event while taking Chantix.
  Similarly seizures are a rare effect while taking Zoloft and can be triggered by (more commonly a high dose of) lithium.
  
  Smoking cessation can also affect levels of some drugs by slowing their metabolism, but I am not aware of that effect with sertraline (Zoloft) of Lithium:
  (see: http://www.healthline.com/blogs/smoking_cessation/2007/09/stopping-smoking-effects-on-drug.html ).
  His neurologists will try to figure this out and he should follow their advice.

   

• At Tue Nov 27, 08:29:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  I began taking Chantix Oct. 16. I was a pack a day smoker for 32 years and have tried everything on the market to quit. I too have nausea, headaches, weird dreams and have to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. These side effects are mild/moderate and I can live with them. Chantix has been the easiest struggle to quit smoking. HOWEVER, I am still smoking occassionally. Probably 3 to 4 cigs a week. I have bought a few packs when the cravings were very strong, smoked a couple and threw the pack away. Everytime I am around a smoker friend, I bumb one. My fear is I will not be able to quit completely. Has this large reduction/delayed "never take another puff" happen to others? Is it true "just stay on track" and eventually you will be completely free from smoking? Chantix is definately a big help in dealing with all the hardships of breaking this terrible addiction. I truly believe it will help alot of people quit smoking. Thanks.

   

• At Wed Nov 28, 11:56:00 AM 2007,  Leigh said…

  Hello all. I have read every single comment on this page, trying to get an idea of what it is going to be like when I get my chantix prescription. I am not on any other meds other than birth control. So I guess I don't have to worry about going "nuts" I am a little concerned about the dreams and the other minor side effects. I am very suceptible to anxiety attacks so I mean if I am gonna be waking up with my heart laying next to me in the bed I kinda want to know. Can anyone really elaborate? As far as that guy that died I think that was coming....If he was depressed and drunk 3x the legal limit...yeah it wasn't the chantix.

   

• At Wed Nov 28, 03:52:00 PM 2007,  Jen said…

  I have been on Chantix for 18 days. I did not stop on the 7th but rather 10 days into it. Happy to say I am 8 days smoke free. Although the urges are still there it is managable. I find I really do miss "my friend" but am thrilled at how much money I am saving. My dreams have been interesting. Not upsetting at all but extremely vivid. I am seeing people in my dreams I haven't seen in over 20 years! I feel very rested. I have to say the worst side effect is the gas. I was also wondering if anyone is having trouble breathing? I am finding it annoying that I quit smoking and now I can't breathe!!!
  
  Chantix is a great drug for me. Every person needs to figure out if it will help them. Of course, you need to be ready and want to quit. Good luck everyone!

   

• At Thu Nov 29, 12:51:00 PM 2007,  tracy said…

  well okay yall i am back, well dec the 7 is three months with out a smoke i took chantix for 3 and a half weeks had all the side effects, but the gas was awful for real!i stopped taking the pills after it had been 2 weeks without a smoke right now i am running on pure will power i knew if i could stop smoking just for a week i would be okay i smoked everyday a pack a day for 18 years never stopped before chantix helped me i was sick but it had to be the withdraws i got better and started working out my energy level is amazing compared to before i feel so good!for me using the pills as a stepping stone just to get through the withdraws is all i needed i dont hang around friends that smoke if i do they have to go outside i have been tempted and some bad things have happened and i have had a few panic attacks but i told myself i will never buy another pack of damn smokes again dont worry about everything u hear if u smoke chances are u are dying slowly anyway, its worth saving yourself, my skin has even changed its looking better i feel like i am coming back to life thank u chantix for saving me from the poison!

   

• At Sat Dec 01, 03:58:00 AM 2007,  Penny said…

  My husband is awaiting bypass surgery in a couple of days. He had a cancerous melanoma removed a month ago and all the doctors he had seen strongly advised him to quit smoking. He's 57 years old and has smoked since age 7 - that's 50 years, a heavy smoker. He was prescribed Chantix and started it over 3 weeks ago. He has been faithful to the product and it's recommendations. He has not had a cigarette for 2 weeks now and has no cravings whatsoever! He has tried other methods to quit and they have been unsuccessful. He is becoming a true believer in Chantix and even wants a T-Shirt to spread the word to others. He suffered a slight heart attack the Friday after Thanksgiving and will be having surgery soon - but he is convinced he is going to be just fine after this is over and he has a whole new world to look forward to. Thank you.

   

• At Wed Dec 12, 11:11:00 AM 2007,  Lalabeth said…

  I am on day 3 of not smoking with the help of Chantix. I feel wonderful, except for the need to yawn to catch a full breath. I'm short of breath, is this normal nicotine withdrawal???

   

• At Thu Dec 13, 03:45:00 PM 2007,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  lalabeth,
  I don't recall hearing the yawning part before -except in people who have associated sleep disturbance.
  The shortness of breath could possibly related to the scilia in your airways starting to regrow. These are millions of tiny hair that function to bring up mucus. However cigarette smoke burns the scilia so they don't function efficiently. When you quit they may regrow and start to perform that function again, but that process may initially cause some different sensations in your airways that could feel like shortness of breath. Some people also start bringing up more mucus for the same reason. These things normally pass. But as with any unexplained symptom that concerns you - best thing may be to get it checked out by your doctor.

   

• At Sat Dec 22, 04:56:00 PM 2007,  Anonymous said…

  Thanks for the info on increased shortness of breath. I have been on Chantix about 1 1/2 months with 6 days smoke free. The first day of being smoke free I felt increased shortness of breath (or at least perceived). I felt shortness of breath with dressing, eating etc which resolves quickly. I am able to walk on a treadmill for 10 minutes without increased respirations and with the same level of perceived shortness of breath. My breath is not labored and is at 16-20 per minute. Maybe I'm paying too much attention to this. I'm sure I have been short of breath but not this noticable to me, others wouldnt know that I am short of breath. I have no cough what so ever and have never had. I do have GERD and about 20 more pounds than I should have.
  I am considering going to 1 pill a day. I have minor other side effects. I have smoked for 40 years and tried other products with side effects where I discontinued them.
  I am too a little concerned that I have lung imparement or worse, although no cough is somewhat reassuring? I havent stopped any usual activities but do feel more short of breath with these activities. I would think that I would have less. When do you think the increased shortness of breath should resolve?
  Thanks

   

• At Thu Jan 03, 08:24:00 PM 2008,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Hi,
  If a shortness of breath persists and is concerning you then the only sensible thing to do is discuss it with your doctor. I think it unlikely that its an effect of Chantix, and so it is important that your doctor check it out.

   

• At Fri Jan 04, 09:13:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I just got released from the hospital went in on New Years '08 for the second time since 05 for pneumonia, and have bouts of bronchitis on a yearly basis. also suffer from high blood pressure, GERD, asthma and panic / anxiety attacks. I have read and studied everything about Chantix I can find, and was considering getting a prescription for it, But after reading about, insomnia,nausea, bloating, weight gain, wild vivid dreams, and depression (God knows I have enough of that)and I think my cigarette addiction has become a crutch for me. I can't stand to be in another room without them. They go with me everywhere. Yes even to bed. But once my light goes out and I lay down I don't light a cigarette until I am up and at my desk the next morning.Fear of fire is more urgent than my nicotine desire.... Thankful for that. But I have tried to quit many many times and have failed many many times... But now I have a healthy fear of Chantix... Guess I have to try it and see what it does to me... Thanks for all the informative & interesting comment sharing... They have been very convincing... I would hate to wake up thinking my heart is going to jump out of my throat in a panic attack one night.. I have my panic attacks mostly under control by doing relaxing , breathing and medatative exercise methods. I do, however, take a low dosage of Vistril each night..along with Blood Pressure meds, a dirutic for water retention, inhaler for asthma, and Prilosec for Gerd....going to do some more serious research on these amazing pills before commiting to them. I am a borderline hypochondriac anyway... and a lot of imsomnia bouts/with enough hot flashes to light the whole empire state building... so I need that insomnia bit, about as much as a puppy needs two tails....Wish me luck but I am about ready to take the leap of faith. Although 50 is not young. I am not ready to throw in the towel just yet....either...

   

• At Sat Jan 05, 04:26:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I took Chantix for three months and am still smoke free. I never experienced the sleep disturbances or bad dreams. I did experience the terrible gas and bloating for the first month and had the intense nausea for 30 minutes the entire time. From the very beginning, I never felt quite "myself" but thought all of the side effects were worth quitting smoking. Almost immediately, I noticed an improvement in my skin and my chronic sinus infections and bronchitis were gone!
  
  However, as time went on, I experienced more and more of a "funk" and difficulties coping with very minor issues. The smallest incident would create anxiety and make me feel as if I had no hope. Initially, I thought it was a normal part of withdrawal. As I neared the three month mark and the depression and anxiety became worse, I knew it wasn't right and I needed to get off Chantix. As I weaned off, my anxiety intensified. Three days after being completely off, I went into such a deep depression that I thought I would need to be hospitalized to protect myself. I have started taking antidepressants to counteract these effects and it is too soon to feel myself again. I am grateful that I am no longer smoking but I also know I will NEVER do this again. I have NEVER felt such a terrible depression in my life. I did not have mental health issues prior to taking Chantix or a history of depression or anxiety. I did not take any medications and was about as normal and healthy as one can be.
  
  Please, if you are considering taking Chantix, do so under careful observation of your doctor with a plan in place to deal with the depression if you happen to be one of the unlucky ones who experiences this side effect.

   

• At Mon Jan 07, 02:01:00 PM 2008,  mwe104 said…

  After I stipped Chantix I had mood
  swings (male) age 42 with no other
  side affect seems to be better.

   

• At Mon Jan 07, 02:04:00 PM 2008,  mwe104 said…

  I have been off Chantix for about 5 weeks. I now have been having crazy mood swings (male)42.
  
  This is the only side affect I've had

   

• At Tue Jan 08, 08:20:00 PM 2008,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Thanks to those who have shared their experiences so that others may learn from them. The more the better. One thing to bare in mind for those concerned about the side effects is that Chantix is far from the only option as a medication to help you quit smoking. For heavy addicted smokers a combination of the patch plus at least one other NRT (e.g. 4mg gum) is probably just as effective without the any serious side effects (as you are only taking the same drug, nicotine, you have been taking for years).

   

• At Wed Jan 16, 11:55:00 AM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I have been on Champix for 13 days and quit smoking on day 11. I have been fortunate it seems since I have experienced so far, very little of the side effects that some people seem to have quite a problem with. Is Champix better in that you wean off the nicotine much sooner than with patches or lozengers? I was considering from what I have read here that at the end of the 12 week program it might be better to stop Champix and use lozengers for example to control the odd urge. I am hoping this won't be necessary and do encourage everyone to stay the course, stay positive and stay strong.

   

• At Thu Jan 17, 04:36:00 PM 2008,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Hi anonymous,
  I'm glad to hear you are doing well. Some people like the fact that with Chantix you cease taking nicotine sooner than with NRT. I don't think of it as "better" - just a different option.
  
  Many (probably most) people feel that 12 weeks on the medicine is enough for them to feel confident that they will not go back to smoking. If, at 12 weeks, you still feel vulnerable to relapse then another 12 weeks on Chantix is an option to discuss with your doctor.

   

• At Wed Jan 23, 06:55:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I take 60 mg of Cymbalta each day.... has anybody had any experience with Chantix and this anidepressant? I really want to quit smoking, but I don't want any weird drug reactions.

   

• At Fri Feb 08, 04:23:00 AM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I started Chantix in the beginning of January. I did quit smoking which is great but the side effects have been awful. I had nausea, I hardly slept because I would dream but be awake thinking about what I was dreaming, and my body ached so bad, mostly my hips, knees, and ankles. So I took it for seven days, and then two days but only in the morning thinking maybe then I could sleep at night.
  Well I was feeling so bad I just quit taking them. It's been a month now with no Chantix and I hardly sleep and my legs still ache. I feel so unhappy, yet I'm happy that I don't smoke. Anyway, what have I done to my body now?

   

• At Fri Feb 08, 04:32:00 PM 2008,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Dear anonymous of Jan 23,
  The best way to assess the risks of adverse reactions to Chantix is to discuss it with your family doctor or the person who prescribes your Cymbalta. They should not only know about potential interactions but also have a sense of your risks for depression. That clinician will also be able to discuss alternatives as well, so you know all your options.

   

• At Wed Feb 13, 04:58:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I took chantix to quit smoking and it worked for me. I smoked for 36 years and now I am smoke free for a little over four months. I only had bloating during the time I took it. I had the silly dreams, but I think everyone who goes through withdrawal has weird dreams. If in some later years people say chantix damaged their brains it really won't matter as cigarettes damage your brain everytime you smoke one. Learn everything you can about the damage we are doing to our body. Our brain use 20% of all oxygen going into our bodys and smoking cuts off the oxygen and causes bleeding in our brains which finally leads to strokes. I hope everyone quits smoking and chantix is the way to go if you are not strong enough to do it on your own. My legs hurt all the time now they quit hurting within a week of quitting. I do think of a cigarette sometimes but it is not worth the price I would have to pay for it. I also thought that I was having trouble breathing after I quit because my lungs hurt. My lungs were healing and they are better now. I have coughed up the gunk and still do some. I appreciate whoever invented chantix. Thank you

   

• At Wed Feb 27, 05:06:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I have now quit 32 days (smoked 30 years), having stopped on the 7th day of Chantix. I highly suggest to do it this way if you can, I tried last year but was not seriou about a quit day so kept delaying the quit-did not work out.
  Also have changed my morning routine of 3 cups coffee ,on email before leaving for work. Now I don't allow myself to have coffee until I get to work, so it motivates me to shower and get moving/ not on email much lately. Not so interested in a lot of coffee anymore.
  Have quit many times, once for 6 years, my own fault for taking that one puff each time!
  Chantix has by far been the easiest. The real like dreams,sometimes scary are very similar to when I used the patch but not as bad a when on the patch. While on the patch I had to start taking off at night to ease my sleep.
  It's hard to know if gas and stomach problems are from this med or because have been on anti-biotics for 3 weeks due to chronic sinusitus and bronchitus. Also took Prednisone with this , inhalers, nebulizer , and I do take 75 mg of Effexor (an antidepressant). I will say my breathing is 99% better, my sinuses are getting there, but no affect on my personality- just a bit more laissez-faire. Less opinionated and listening more. In past quits, I would become depressed, angry, short tempered.... I do think this is normal when quitting smoking; therefore I find Chantix wonderful because these signs have not happened.
  I tend to graze sleep, meaning I am up and down- perhaps because of my age being 50, but before I would smoke when I got up- so another benefit.
  I found this sight while looking about stopping Chantix, I am really afraid to stop when the twelve weeks end, I may continue as it is ok...need to think about it more.
  Hope this input helps someone! Good luck!

   

• At Mon Mar 10, 09:02:00 AM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I have been on Chantix for a week now. I was smoking a pack and a half a day. I havent had a cigarette since day 4 with Chantix. I am having horrible nightmares and getting very little sleep, but my desire to smoke is almost completely gone. Chantix is definately worth the cost. Anyone know if the nightmares are cause by the Chantix, or the sudden lack of nicotine?

   

• At Wed Mar 12, 09:36:00 PM 2008,  TraceySLP said…

  Ive read this entire page, and like many others, have insomnia after being on chantix for 3 weeks. I quit on day 8, and havent smoked in 9 days now. The insomnia is really starting to affect me, im averaging about 3 hours of not-so-great sleep a night for the last few nights. Im also on Lexapro 10mg for depression...but have been on that for a year. Here's my question: right now, i feel strong enough to be able to resist the urges i still get to smoke. if i stop taking the chantix now, will i suddenly change my mind about smoking and actually do it? i figure the nicotine's left my body, the cravings are just habit now, not from physical addiction. i guess im just scared i'll suddenly become weak, when i feel really strong now. any advice? PLEASE??

   

• At Fri Mar 14, 08:26:00 PM 2008,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Whenever you are taking a medicine that seems to help, but has potential side effects that are hard to handle, the thing to do is to go and talk to your dictor about the best course of action.
  One option with Chantix is to reduce the dose. Pharmacies should have a supply of 0.5mg tablets in bottles, and the evidence suggests that these are almost as effective at reducing cravings as the full dose (1mg twice a day), but produce less severe side effects. But always talk to your doctor before changing the dose of prescribed medication.

   

• At Thu Apr 10, 05:10:00 AM 2008,  brattylime said…

  I started taking Chantix/Champix as it's called in Canada, on March 19/08. I completely quit smoking March 20/08. It took 2 pills and I couldn't smoke anymore. They tasted awful and they made me nauseated. I have been smoking for 38 years and never tried to quit before. Didn't think I could do it. Then I was told about this drug. WOW I have had some side affects. I couldn't sleep very well. Especially when I increased my dose to 1 mg twice a day. Plus, I felt neauseaous all day and I was getting depressed. I am not a depressed person. I have a support system through a Local Hospital. They keep tabs on me. I explained my symptoms to the Nurse and she told me to cut back to one 1mg pill a day. Also, drink one full glass of water with the pill and one right after taking it. And make sure I have taken it on a full stomach. These suggestions helped me. I no longer have the previous listed side effects. I also checked with my Doctor before decreasing my dosage. I have not had a cigarette for 3 weeks today. I can't believe how much better I feel. I actually know when I'm taking a deep breath. Never did that while I was smoking. The only thing that has happened to me is that my legs feel heavy when I'm walking. Is this normal? I've always been a walker and I find I can't do it to often. But I will put up with it for the next few weeks until I have finished taking the pills. Also, do you have wean yourself off the meds or can you just stop. I could ask my support nurse this but I won't be taking to her for a few more weeks. I love the fact that I can now say I am a non smoker. Kudos to whoever invented that drug. It's just to bad it wasn't around years earlier.

   

• At Wed Jun 25, 09:17:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  i take lamicatal (lamotrigine) and celexa (citaliphram HBr) for 8 years. i smoke for 14 years. i am 28 years old. my issue with smoking has always been coping with withdrawals, so the patch and gum never worked for me. id light up once the nicotine was taken away.
  
  chantic side effects i experienced: headaches, insomnia, unusual dream patterns, decrease in appetite, mood swing relapse. thing is whenever i tried to quit on my own i experienced very similar symptoms so i just told myself it is tolerable. the symptoms persisted for 3 weeks. finished the 12 weeks 2 weeks ago and things are better and worse. i am so used to the nicotine being there for certain triggers- stress, drinking, waiting... but with time it has to get better. the addiction is a disease i inflicted upon myself for 14 years. i feel better after coughing up opaque phlegm with dark dots for ten days. im eating less which is unusual but it think it's because im more continuous with myself throughout the day. im not pausing to smoke- although at first iw as pausing bc i subconsciously WANTED to smoke. once i got it through my head (i see a therapist regularly so he helped me pinpoint this) that there is no reason to pause - the battle got better. bc the impulse feeling is there without the action. pausing is a gateway for needless reflection- and too much reflection triggers my depression.
  
  good luck to you all- dont expect miracles. a few months or a few years of coping is the price to pay for the self inflicted disease. either you suffer temporarily is better than having your family coping with you having a heart attack or cancer- which is years of scarring of many lives

   

• At Mon Jul 07, 09:24:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  This blog is *very* informative not only about Chantix, but about how others have been dealing with their nicotine addiction.
  
  My story - I have smoked for 30 years, about 20/day. I have quit only twice before, once for 10 days and once for 10 months. Both times it all started again with "just one puff"...
  
  I stopped smoking on Day 8 with Chantix, and am now on Day 11. I am sure that I have smoked my last cigarette. I am also a devotee of Allen Carr (that's how I quit for 10 months before), visit his web site and get his book if you are still smoking.
  
  I have had some nausea, and insomnia nearly every night, with Chantix. I take no other meds except OTC stuff like Melatonin, Prilosec, & fish oil. Mentally, I am amazed that I have very, very little craving for nicotine. Other times I have tried to quit without Chantix I am completely spaced out for a week, can't function. I have crashed 2 cars while experiencing nicotine withdrawal! Not this time.
  
  My advice is DO NOT be scared off Chantix by some peoples' experiences. Everyone reacts differently. As the doc keeps repeating, talk to your own doctor about mixing meds and how Chantix might fit into that mix.

   

• At Tue Jul 15, 04:40:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I have been taking champix for a month and my desire to smoke has stopped after having a few 'pointless drags over the past couple of weeks.
  I am dreaming but am actually enjoying the dreams, i feel slightly sick for half an hour after taking champix but the thing that has amazed me most is that my cravings for chocolate (which was as bad if not worse than smoking)have stopped. Ive not eaten chocolate for 10 days!!! Does champix stop all sorts of cravings?
  
  Has anyone else suddenly stopped wanting chocolate or some other thing they craved??

   

• At Thu Jul 17, 06:10:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I took Chantix after smoking for 35-40 years, I am 56 and have quit without success several times previously. After 5 days of Chantix I had no desire to smoke and found Chantix made not smoking simple. I had all of the side affects, weird dreams, inability to sleep, anxiety, depression, gas and bloating, weight gain, but they were all short lived. They all lasted briefly (except the weight gain). I am a nonsmoker for seven months (quit around New Years - give or take a few days). I only needed the Chantix 4 or 5 weeks but continued the full two months just because I had the pills. I have no desire to smoke again but I am having alot of trouble with the weight gain - I continue to gain after 7 months and have gained 16 or 17 lbs. total and am hoping to lose it. Whenever I quit smoking I can hardly eat anything without gaining and wish I could overcome the weight problem as I never had a weight problem when I smoked, I could eat almost anything - but as far as smoking I plan to never smoke again.

   

• At Sat Jul 19, 06:53:00 AM 2008,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Thanks to all those who have made comments or described their experiences of trying to quit smoking using Chantix (Champix outside US). The variety of experiences goes to show that we are all different and respond differently to medicines. It was interesting that one of the recent comments was that "I eat everything" whereas another commented that she had lost all interest in eating chocolate. As always, on an individual case its hard to tell which are effects of the drug, effects of quitting smoking or something unrelated. In the case of weight gain thats a recognized effect of smoking cessation. Increase in excercize and reduced calorie intake are the answer.

   

• At Mon Jul 21, 01:00:00 PM 2008,  Diane said…

  I had tried quitting many times and never could do it. This past year, I knew I had to do something. I was short of breath after a walking a small staircase, had horrible sinus problems and coughed all the time. I started taking Chantix three weeks ago after smoking 1-2 packs of cigs for 30+ years. I have not smoked a whole cig for the past 5 days. I have taken small puffs of my husbands but for the most part have given it up. Although it has been hard, my motivation is the way I feel. I can now do steps, my sinus problems have gone, I have more energy than ever and my joint pain has disappeared! I have awesome dreams, very vivid, no nightmares. Some nausea for about 15-20 minutes after taking it. The depression and anxiety after the first week was bad so I called my Dr. and he prescribed lexapro, 10mg and that did the trick. I thank the makers of Chantix!

   

• At Mon Jul 28, 12:28:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  Congrats to all quitters! I have been on Chantix for two weeks and have had a few side effects, but so far it is worth it.
  
  A few things that helped me to quit:
  1. Read "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking" by Allen Carr, definately helped me to change my thinking about smoking!
  
  2. stay busy, I decided to teach myself how to knit, I am half way through a beautiful new chenille scarf. I am also working out for an hour every day.
  
  I still think about having a cig every now and then, but it is more out of habit (coffee and cig) then need.
  
  If you fall off the wagon, don't worry, get back on! The benefits of not smoking far out weigh the pleasure and side effects from smoking!
  
  Good luck to all!

   

• At Tue Jul 29, 09:02:00 AM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I started taking the Chantix and I was doing great the first week. I could tell I wasn't getting any nicotine satisfaction from the smokes and I was very chatty and full of energy (ahhh nicotine withdrawl). The second week I started to get real sour. I had horrible dreams, dreams that even 8 months later if I describe them I start to cry. One saturday I started searching for funeral videos on the web and that's when I was like "THIS IS NOT NORMAL!"
  I was psychotic and very depressed and crazy. After a month on chantix I quit taking it.
  
  In all this I did quit smoking. I had to smoke 2 weeks (the last week being 1 whole pack that I never finished) to get rid of my psychological addiction. I won't go back ever to smoking because I know I can't survive Chantix again. Such a great drug but it made me way too crazy to ever use again.

   

• At Thu Jul 31, 02:09:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I haven't smoked cigs in 3 years and I owe my success to nicotine gum. However, I was never able to get off the gum. Each time I tried to stop, I wanted to smoke and I refused to ever smoke again. I finally went to my doctor about this embarrassment and he stated this is not that unusual (I think he was being nice). He prescribed chantix. I have been on it for a week and have noticed I still reach for the gum. I hope this lessons over time. I have the weird dreams but they are not so bad. I am so excited about being nicotine free but am concerned I will yet have another battle (addiction) to beat. At least my doctor can cut me off! Is anyone else battleling the gum and taking chantix for it?

   

• At Mon Aug 04, 07:09:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I have been on Chantix for about 2 weeks now. I actually failed the first time, so this time I started with week 2 set of pills first. The nausea is terrible, but I am doing great so far. I have been a smoker since that age of 15. I am now 43. I have lost both parents to cancer, and my last visit to the doctor was an eye opener. I have COPD. I feel that this may be my last chance. Hopefully I am completely successful.

   

• At Fri Aug 08, 05:55:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I had been smoking since I was 13 basically. Gave it up a few times and started again like us all. However 2 months ago when I suffered from chronic bronchitus and the antibiotics didn't work, from the sheer effort from coughing and not able to clear my lungs I ended up with angina and in hospital for a couple of days. On the 5th August, Tuesday this week, had just started a new job, suffering from chronic bronchitus to the point where I could not breath at all without coughing, logged into my computer and within 10 minutes had a heart attack and was raced to the hospital. My last cigarette was that morning. I never thought I would see my Dad or Daughter again. I was in so much pain I couldn't say a thing. It appears that my lungs got to a point where they couldn't stand cigarette smoke at all and reacted to the point of me suffering from asthma and bronchitus every few weeks. I am fortunate to be alive. I will never smoke again. Don't muck around with your life and your health. A few days of withdrawal symptons is worth the pain cause continuing smoking is not worth suffering a heart attack over. I have just turned 50.

   

• At Wed Aug 27, 07:44:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  being on chantix for 18 days i quit the first 7 days because cigerettes tasted nasty i would make faces when i smoked that's what i do when i drink a beer that's why i don't drink.i slipped only once pne cigerettes then felt bad .only had that one though i haven't smoked since i just suck on fat free candy and chew sugar free gum and drink lots of water for the last three days i didn't have any withdrawls not one . i just have the feelings of wanting a cigarette i tell my self you don't smoke no more then it's gone until next time i know one time it will be really gone for good like the withdrawls are

   

• At Sun Sep 14, 08:02:00 AM 2008,  Linda said…

  I just started my 4th and final month of Chantix and have absolutely no desire to start smoking again. Yes I have extremely vivid dreams on Chantix, which I will actually miss when I stop taking it. My dreams which used to be like short trailers are now like feature length movies. I've been on Bupropion the whole time, which I started taking for depression about 3 years ago. The Bupropion helped me go from a pack a day to about 10, but I never quit completely until Chantix. The thing I'm concerned about and was not able to find any discussions on is....what happens when I stop taking Chantix next month? I want to prepare myself in case the cravings come back. I still get cravings now, but they are very easy to ignore. I guess I an afraid that they will come back with a vengence. This is probably the 10th time I've tried to quit in as many years. I really don't want to start smoking again, but I know how powerful and intense the cravings can be. Can anyone tell me what to expect when I go off the Chantix?

   

• At Sat Oct 04, 06:04:00 AM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I am on my 3rd week with Chantix and have not had a cig. in 8 days. Chantix works! I will not ever smoke another cig. in my life. I smoked for 37 years and that was enough. Glad they came out with Chantix.

   

• At Sun Oct 05, 04:12:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I took 5 weeks of the Chantix this winter before I had to stop due to the severe nausea, vomiting and agitation. After stopping I suddenly started having chest pains, irregular heart beats, increased blood pressure spikes muscular spasms, etc, all described as panic attacks. I have never had a history of any problems with this and am a healthy 44 yr old female. Everything keyed into the dates of my Chantix use and within 2 weeks of stopping it. It seems the Chantix has changed my chemical makeup and my life. I can no longer go without having to use anti-anxiety drugs to keep my heart in check. The agitation still exists and I cannot get thru a day without various parts of my body just jerking and spasming uncontrollably. I urge anyone who will take this drug to monitor themselves and have someone help you keep check. Do your research and weigh the odds. I can't believe what I go thru now was worth it. My doctor has seriously quit offering it to patients, they must request it, then he montitors them every 2 weeks. I have been his patient for 20 years and he apologizes everytime he sees me for what this drug has done to me. My recourse - isn't one. Everyone I have talked to says the symptoms can all be played off to some other health issue related to smoking. Big drug company wins, little girl loses. I get to jerk for the rest of my life and grab my chest till I die.

   

• At Tue Oct 07, 02:05:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I have been taking chantix for almost 2 weeks. I quit the cigs after 4 days on chantix. I have now been smoke free for the 8 days and it's been alot easier than I thought. I know I'm not out the woods yet but feel confident that I'll never smike again.

   

• At Fri Oct 10, 06:40:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I took my first dose of Chantix Mon Oct. 6, on Tue right away, cigs tasted awful. I have gone from a pack a day to six cigarettes today. My quit day is on Tue. Oct 21. I have had interesting dreams, and a little dry mouth. I have been smoking on and off for about 8 years. I am 33 yrs old and only had good experience with cold turkey when I was pregnant (twice) and stayed quit while I nursed (so basically I would go about two years quit) and that was the longest. I now already can tell that I really dont feel like smoking. It is hard to explain, I am just "not feeling' that drag or puff. We will see...keep you all posted, Tiara
  PS great blog/posts

   

• At Tue Oct 14, 09:58:00 AM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  In May of this year (2008) I was on Chantix and quit smoking. I was very pleased at how well it worked: however, I had very severe horrifying night mares. I was having some heart related problems and was in and out of the hospital too at this time. I had a heart monitor connected 24/7 and the dreams were so bad tha it set off the monitor. The nurse came into my room to wake me up. I quit the chantix and went back to smoking again. I am very un happy about that and still want to quit, but not so sure I want to go on Chantix again. Perhaps if I didn't have heart problems I might do it and put up with the dreams, but with heart problems I am just afraid to.

   

• At Mon Nov 24, 07:20:00 AM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I am now 10 months smoke-free since I started taking chantix last February; however, I stopped taking 2 pills a day and started one pill day after 4 months. The studies showed one group had only taken a pill a day (instead of two), and I didn't want to be addicted to Chantix. I am now going to start taking one pill every other day until my year anniversary on February 3, 2009. The reason primarily is that the depression has gotten considerably more and is impacting quality of life, and I will start taking wellbutrin every other day when I'm not taking the chantix. I am prone to depression, so I don't want to become more depressed. Also there has been more constipation and frequent urination with the prolonged use now of chantix for 10 months, which there wasn't to begin with.
  
  My will was behind it when I stopped smoking using chantix, and that helps me when I have an occasional urge to smoke since at age 62 my pattern has been to smoke 7 years, stop, a few years later, smoke again. This time I used more educational materials since smoking always was in conflict with a basically holistic pattern of diet and health, but I think it was a 'substitute' for some form of nurturing I didn't receive as a child, perhaps, and so finally decided it wasn't the best substitute for me since I finally realized that as age advanced my chances of avoiding emphysema and lung cancer were slim; what the body can withstand at a younger age, it cannot as the immune system weakens as one grows older. I also told myself "smoking is not an option"; so as I prepare to stop chantix entirely on my year anniversary, I will hope that the year habit of not smoking will prevail.
  
  I do advise anyone who takes chantix to have close support in the form of a healthcare provider, relative or friend because I do think the depressive states can intensify and there should be someone who will help to show that exaggerated states of feeling are abnormal and should not be acted upon.

   

• At Tue Dec 09, 08:08:00 AM 2008,  Sheila said…

  I'm 37 and started smoking at 18. I quit cold turkey when I became pregnant because it made me sick - that's actually how I knew I was pregnant 3 of the 4 times! I quit for 1-2 years each time, but always started again "because of stress". I was up to 1-2 packs/day depending on circumstances. So total smoking duration is about 12 years.
  
  I took Bupropion for several months last summer which had absolutely NO effect, then I started Chantix 3 weeks ago because I wanted to stop smoking as a Christmas present to myself and family.
  
  My dr. said to take it for at least 3 weeks BEFORE my quit date, and continue taking it for as long as needed even after I quit.
  
  Chantix has worked amazingly well for me! I am now down to about 5 cigs/day and my boyfriend noticed that I'm only taking 4-5 puffs off each one vs. fast-smoking like I used to. So my progress has been way better than I realistically expected! Woohoo!
  
  I had moderate nausea the first week or two, however I've taken Trazadone for sleep before the Chantix so insomnia wasn't an issue.
  
  I DO agree with the poster who said the dreams are more like feature-length films rather than trailers which is an effect I like LOL. I've also noticed that while I'm dreaming everything is totally plausible (rarely scary) yet when I wake up and try to relay it to someone it's so nonsensical that there's not even words. I joke that Dr. Suess lives on in my dreams lol. I wonder if this is a drug that could be used in dream studies? It would be interesting!
  
  The other thing I noticed is I got EXTREMELY sick after smoking excessively in social situations on my birthday and Thanksgiving. It was HORRIBLE - worse than the flu - and I will never do that again! I didn't put 2 and 2 together the first time but I know now. Has anyone else "jumped off the wagon" for a day and had the same thing happen?
  
  I have every confidence that I will be QUIT by Christmas! Thanks for all the interesting info/experiences I've read here. Best of luck to all trying to quit and stay quit. :)

   

• At Sun Dec 21, 02:09:00 PM 2008,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Thanks again for the fascinating comments made by readers. You have also provided some excellent pieces of advice for others. Among these are:
  - keep in touch with your doctor and have a family member or friend monitor your mood/behavior for increased depression, agitation or lapses in attention.
  - if you experiences marked increases in these, discuss it with your doctor immediately
  - if you go through a rough patch, keep on trying to quit
  - don't settle for reduced smoking, the long term health benefits are much greater if you quit completely

   

• At Sun Dec 21, 04:46:00 PM 2008,  Anonymous said…

  I started Chantix on Dec 8 and quit smoking Dec 16-08 so havent been smoking for just 5 days. Seems almost impossible as I have been a smoker since 1973.
  
  My daughter quit with this and recommended it to me and my Dr. was thrilled that I wanted to try this. He as well as my daughter really underplayed the various side-effects that people are reporting.
  
  Thankfully I have had none of the ones being reported, but i've been taking them less than two weeks. I have noticed that I've had far fewer headaches and take much less aspirin which is weird since headaches seems to be a side effect and my usual frequent ones are diminishing.
  
  One thing I'm concerned about is driving. I've only driven short distances since starting but will be making a thirty mile fwy trip on Christmas Eve and I've read elsewhere that traffic accidents were linked to Chantix. Has anyone experienced trouble driving.
  
  I take no other medication than this one and I do have a fairly comprehensive multi-vitamin regimen and decent eating habits. I don't drink but it;s hard to know what factors trigger reactions. The studies seem to be pretty vague.

   

• At Wed Dec 31, 10:34:00 AM 2008,  Michelle said…

  I am 63 yrs old and have smoked for about 50 yrs. The Chantix has worked for me & my husband. I was down to 2 a day after about 2 weeks of taking this med and smoke free after 5 weeks. It is now 55 days. I am doing great as far a smoking or desire to smoke. My big problem issleeping. I have always been a great sleeper and this insomnia is driving me crazy. I cut down to 1 pill a day and then went to 1/2 a day. I have not taken any meds in about 2 weeks, but I am still not able to sleep. Has anyone forund a way to overcome this or is it permanent?

   

• At Thu Jan 01, 05:59:00 PM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  I am on my 5th week of Chantix and on my 4th week of not smoking. I have read through most of the comments and wanted to make sure that people know that while there are side effects that we all have had...there are far worse side effects from smoking.
  
  I myself have rather enjoyed my dreams since before chantix I never remembered them...of course I haven't had nightmares just strange dreams. Another thing i have struggled with is I have to really work at taking a deep breath and my chest feels tight. After many hours of research I determined that this is not related to the meds but more your lungs cleaning out the tar..there is also coughing that comes after the first few weeks of not smoking at all. Nausea we all have had however, after the first few weeks of playing around with when I take the pill I found that taking it about 30 minutes before I eat with some water pretty much got rid of all that. In my 5th week I all of a sudden have extremely bad headaches after my morning pill. Since I don't have cravings anymore I considered stopping it all together but I think I'll try just taking the night time pill and not taking it in the morning and see how that works.
  
  I have talked to a lot of people about this medicine that were scared of the side effects but I gotta tell ya that I smoked for 20+ years and have tried everything to quit. With Chantix I had none of the mood swings or killer cravings as I did before. Everytime I thought of smoking I just realized that i didn't smoke and the craving passed after a few minutes. YOU HAVE TO WANNA QUIT!! I wanted to quit so bad for so long and I think that has helped me in my quest to quit.
  
  Good luck to all of you!!!

   

• At Tue Jan 13, 04:59:00 PM 2009,  Mrs. Robinson said…

  I thought maybe an encouraging comment would be nice. I use Chantix in combination with Yaz (birth control), a daily multi-vitamin and fish oil Omega-3 caps. I take Ambien occasionaly for sleeplessness. I find that if I space out the pills just a bit, I really reduce the nausea. I make sure that I not only eat before the Chantix, but eat something with HEALTHY CARBS (I favor a whole wheat english muffin.) Just in personal experimentation, I've found that if I eat only protein (meat/veggies/protein shake) before the Chantix, I'm nauseaus for an hour or three after, but if I consume carbs before, I feel fine. I have a history of bi-polar tendancy, so I have been watchful for symptoms of depression. All I have experienced is a slightly shorter temper, but that is experienced with quitting smoking without nicotene substitutes anyway - cut off the nicotene, get cranky!
  
  I've experienced some pretty extreme sleep disturbance, but I'm feeling like that might be more related to the lack of smoking than the Chantix. My husband is quitting smoking "cold turkey" and he is experiencing identical sleep deprivation. We always used to have a smoke before bed, and it IS a depressant after all, in higher dosages. Again, I have a history of insomnia, and it seems to affect the Ambien, i.e. where previously I would drop right off to sleep when going to bed, my mind still runs things around when I'm under the effects of the Ambien. I have always had vivid and occasionally disturbing dreams, so having those may or may not be attributed to the Chantix. I prefer not to jump to conclusions and say it's another side effect. I'm very frequently extremely cold or extremely hot, which is new to me, but I can't say it's specifically the Chantix. I have a hideous cough that is accompanied by large quantities of mucus. I feel that is a sign my lungs are enjoying the ability to recover. I have had chronic breathing troubles while a smoker, and felt that I could never fully get over any sort of respiratory problem. I recently suffered an acute upper respiratory infection and was put on five different meds for it. I continued to smoke while recovering and don't feel that I ever fully did recover. I take Mucinex to loosen the mucus, and find the cough much more productive and therefore less hacking and painful. My throat is consistently sore from the coughing and the mucus, but it reminds me of WHY I'm quitting. 27 years old with 14 years of smoking is too much, and I'm too young to suffer the respiratory issues I do. Knowing what I do about my lack of recovery, I've always wondered how young I'd be when I got Emphasema (sp?)
  
  On the POSITIVE side! I set my quit date seven days after I started the Chantix, and I completely blew it. I was encouraged by the fact that I felt like I was smoking more for the feeling - cigarettes had begun to taste disgusting. Into my second week, I noticed that if I didn't think about the fact that "ordinarily I'd be smoking" when encountering triggers like driving, post-meal, desire for a break at work, etc I could easily overcome the desire. I also found that smoking 1/2 a cigarette was too much, and triggered a cough, weak feeling, etc. Today I went out with co-workers on three different smoke breaks, and discovered I can stand in direct vicinity with them and have NO desire to light up! It makes me feel terrific, both mentally and physically, that while it's NOT been easy, it's worth the effort and Chantix really can help!
  
  The point of all of that? The side effects MAY be rough. But if you've talked to your doctor and determined that they pose no threat to you by staying on the pills, you may well find that the benefits greatly outweight the slight bit of nausea, insomnia, vivid dreams, etc.
  
  Best of luck to all who are battling this demon that is smoking. We can ALL overcome!

   

• At Sun Jan 25, 09:34:00 AM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  I have been searching the web and have wondered if anyone knows if you can take both wellbutrin and Chantix at the same time. I have tried Chantix before and I had many of the crazy adverse side effects. It was the one way that I actually stopped for more than a week. I relapsed after 1 year of being smoke free. I have to quit this stuff it is killing me! I am hoping that I can take both of the medications to offset the moodiness I experienced last time. Thanks for your help!

   

• At Mon Jan 26, 07:55:00 PM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  I smoked for 25 years. I began when I was 15. I began Chantix on 8/18/08, my 40th b-day present to me! Chantix takes away the desire to smoke! Even though there are side effects to Chantix, I don't believe they're worse than the effects of smoking!! I am on my last week of Chantix (I'm going to miss the great dreams)and I don't even worry about going back to smoking! I feel and look better and I smell better.

   

• At Sat Jan 31, 03:04:00 PM 2009,  sara said…

  I take zoloft,and recently found out thats why cigarettes are makeing me sick,i can only take 4 drags off a cigarette at a time,i first thought i was dieing or something,until i heard zolof is the cause,i've been takeing zoloft since november 2008,rite after i had my baby,so its been almost 3 months,and i started getting sick from smokeing 2 weeks and 2 days ago.good luck

   

• At Thu Feb 05, 08:17:00 AM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  I am as well on Chantix for about one week now. I am experiencing strange dreams myself. Really strange in fact, like nightmares but they don't make much sense. However I'm starting to feel the effect of the pill as I am still smoking but not as frequently. I can go longer without a cigarette. But when I have one I don't feel the satisfaction of one. This is good and bad, because I feel like I need another right after I finish one. I hope in time this pill will decrease my cravings.

   

• At Thu Mar 05, 01:53:00 PM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  I have a question I hope I can get answered. I have been on Chantix for 3 weeks now. I've been progressively getting SOB (short of breath,) and now my blood pressure is high (yesterday 128/101.) I'm wondering if I should be going to the ER, dropping the Chantix, or what. Please answer as soon as you can.

   

• At Tue Mar 10, 03:32:00 PM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  I smoked for 38 years. I tried to quit for 20 of those years. Twice unsuccessfully on Chantix. Finally on the third try I succeeded, how? I quit listening to everyone. I knew I needed to quit but the anxiety of a quit date was devastating for me. so I didn't set one. I simply fought the urges to smoke daily. My goal was to smoke at least one less cigarette today than I did yesterday. After five weeks I was down to one cigarette a day and after four days I realized the only reason I smoked the one was because I allowed myself to do so. So I finally quit. I smoked my last cigarette Nov 14, 2008. I still fought the desire every day and quit using the Chantix December 15, 2008. I still have desires to smoke but they usually last a few seconds and then gone. Now approaching the four month mark I know I am done but still fighting to stay that way. My only suggestion is that it takes different things for different people. Don't quit quitting, keep your doctor in the loop, and find your own path and tools to freedom.---Robert

   

• At Sun Mar 15, 11:04:00 AM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  Anesthesia related ability to quit smoking cold turkey? My dad had surgery in 1985, and had anesthesia. He recovered from surgery, went home, and had no desire to smoke ever again. He said it was like he had never smoked; no desire, no withdrawal. He had smoked for 45 years or so. I smoked for 30 years, and tried to quit on and off without success (cold turkey). In 2000 I had my appendix removed, also had anesthesia, and returned home with no desire/no withdrawal, as well. A co-worker's wife had surgery, again with anesthesia in 2007, and after having smoked for 35 years, came home with no desire/no withdrawal. Anyone else out there heard of anything like this? I'm curious about what might have been in the anesthesia that left each of us with no desire - and no withdrawal. Comments/help? Thank you. DH

   

• At Thu Apr 09, 07:54:00 AM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  i used chantix to quit smoking about 2 years ago and did fine. i stopped smoking for a year and then went back to smoking. in january i started taking chantix again. i took it for 3 days before calling my doc. i had less than 3 hrs of sleep each of those days. i stopped taking chantix immediately. for the last 4 months, nothing has cured my insomnia. i took ambien and then ambien cr. now i am taking ambien cr along with a sedative night time sinus medicine. (allergy season hit and im afraid to take my allegra cause it could make it worse) i am doing a sleep study tonight. i have days that i feel absolutely insane and my body shuts down on me and i cry and stutter and cant concentrate and my head hurts so bad.... i just go crazy. every night is different. sometimes i get 5 hours, sometimes 3. one night i got 2 hrs and one night i got 9! but... usually it is around 4 or 5. i cant take it anymore. i just want this to be over. i want to be myself again, i want my life back. i feel alienated and i have been so mean to everyone. i am just so angry all the time. when i am not mad i am sad or delirious. i feel completely helpless over my body and my emotions and my life. my husband doesnt know what to do. he watches me like he is waiting for me to colapse and now he is getting little sleep because he constantly wakes up frantic to check on me. im of course often awake at the time and i am careful not to move or make noise. but he still wakes up. he woke 5 times last night to check on me. its bad enough that i have to suffer but everyone i know and love is suffering along with me. my teenage son asked me why i have been so mean to him lately. i cant stop apologizing to everyone but no matter how many times i apologize or how hard i fight it... i just keep dragging them down with me. last wednesday is the night i got 9 hours of sleep. that thursday, by the end of the day my face hurt so bad from smiling and laughing. i didnt realize i had gone so long without laughing. (i used to be the person with a permanent smile and a constant loud appreciative laugh) i actually had a pretty good day. i wasnt tired until after lunch time. i didnt get my hopes up that time, because too many times over the lst 4 months i have been excited due to a couple consecutive days of decent sleep... i would get optomistic and think things were turning around. then they didnt. im too tired for optomism. im not giving up, i just cant fight anymore. im usually a perfectionist and i could care less if this is full of typos and mispelled words. i just dont care. im too tired to care anymore. i want to get better. i want to sleep. i just dont have the strength to try anything else. ive tried so much. im done.

   

• At Sat Apr 11, 07:44:00 AM 2009,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Dear Anon. of March 5th,
  Sorry for delay in responding. Recently there has been an unusual delay between comments being submitted and posted...hopefully sorted now.
  
  In your situation (worsening shortness of breath and high BP) the advice would always be to go and see your doctor immediately.
  
  On the shortness of breath issue, there are a number of potential causes. One is that the cilia in your airways are regrowing (ie recovering) and in doing so they are now doing their job of bringing up phlegm etc and that recovery process may give sensations that feel like a worsening. But best to discuss with your doctor so they can advize.

   

• At Mon Apr 13, 08:36:00 PM 2009,  Suzanne said…

  Wow what a great site you all have going here! Ok, so i tried Chantix in the past and failed. I dont think I was really ready to quit. You have to want to do it in order for it to work. But I recently started taking it again. I have been on it for probobly close to a month. I took the first pack as directed but when i moved on to the second past i only took 1 blue pill a day instead of the directed 2. But now im taking the 2 a day, im on the third pack and on day 5. I have been smoke free for 7 days! It feed great! I have been having very very very vivid dreams and recently started getting the gas....I think i migh try some gas-x because its pretty bad and gets uncomfortable at times. Thank goodness I love alone..lol. Alot of people have said that they have a hard time sleeping, but i have noticed that I sleep more now. I use to get up at 830 a.m. no problem, not its like i finally wake up at 10 a.m. when its time to get in the shower and head off to work. I fall into a very deep sleep and enjoy most all of my dreams. I sometimes cant wait to see what ill dream next. I have had 1 problem with that though, and it was just lastnight. I think i was in such a deep sleep and had to go potty at the same time, so like a child i kinda wet the bed a little. But in my dream i was on the toilet, and i think becasue it was so clear it semed like i was awake. I really hope that doesnt happen again. Im 27 years old and cant be doing that. Ha ha!! I have not noticed any depression as of yet and hope that i dont get any. I started a diet last week so that way it would keep my weight under control. I have also been going to the gym. I sometimes get the nausia but i try to eat when i take the pill. Has anybody noticed hot flashes? Well everybody, keep up the good work and good luck!! --Suzanne

   

• At Fri Apr 24, 10:17:00 AM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  I just started taking Chantix. It's been three days, and I was wondering how long it takes on average for the lack of wanting one kicks in. I feel no different, no strange taste when I light one. Only slightly nauseous. I feel like I swallowed a placebo??? Nobody I know has taken this med so and advise would be great!

   

• At Fri May 01, 05:32:00 PM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  I take Omega3 and St Johns Wort to alleviate depression and have found it helped tremendously when quitting before.
  
  I'm assuming it's okay to take these with Chantix? (I haven't started the Chantix yet).
  
  I'm afraid the Chantix won't work ... nothing else has so far, but, I'm going to die soon if I don't quit. This is surely worth trying.
  
  Thanks everyone for the great posts.

   

• At Mon May 04, 04:17:00 PM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  i stopped smoking after 2 months on chantix

   

• At Sun May 10, 06:22:00 PM 2009,  Heather said…

  I started Chantix Monday April 27th, 2009. I did not quit until Wednesday May 6th, 2009 yes 4 days ago. I am feeling great and it is truly an amzing drug. I smoked fo 10 years almost since I was 16 and I am now 25. I did not slow down at all, just stopped. I started reading reviews and realized Chantix would not throw the cigarettes away for me, I had to do something to help. I realalized I did not even have cravings, it is strange to say I know but if you start thing I could use a cigarette, your brian says NO! My mother in law is still smoking and I promised her I would not be one those people who preah about non smoking or gag, but truly those things STINK!! You will see it is amazing how gross they are. Good luck everyone, it will work, just help yourself do it, throw them away!

   

• At Tue May 12, 04:58:00 AM 2009,  Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…

  Dear anonymous of April 24th
  It sounds like after 3 days on Chantix you are waiting for the miraculous loss of interest in smoking to occur. Although people occasional comment on that effect, usually people dont get a sudden loss of interest in smoking....from any of the smoking cessation medicines. So its important to go into quitting not waiting for a magic bullet, but rather focusing on the things you can do to reduce and cope with the desire to smoke.....because it probably won't just disappear on its own or as the result of taking any medicine. Let us know how you get on.

   

• At Sun May 31, 10:14:00 AM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  Okay i have tryed everything such as all the nicarate quiting ones, And I got a new doctor who i went to for my first time in april around the 10th in april.
  
  And she told me "i have to quit". I asked herwhy i have to quit cuz i smoked for a stress relif. she told me my throat had a cut in it from the cigerette brand i was smoking.
  She said go on chantix i am going to give you the whole Chantix 3 month supply so you start of with the begnier on and i herd good things cuz my neightbor to it.
  
  She had the lil stomach problem. So i started Chantix a week after i went the doctors i tryed to smoke myself down to nothing but had to stop cuz i got extremley constabated. I had to go on meds for me to go to the bathroom. Went all better didn't touch a cigerette after tht.
  
  Now here it my catch i wa already lowering my self down to three cigs a day, 1 moroning, 2 after dinner, 3 before i go to bed. So i knew a month ahead i was going to the doctors about my throat and i knew it was smoking realated cuz it happened before.
  
  So i stopped and went and tryed to lower myself down i havn't had a cigerette since april 10th. and i am on my frist month and had to stop cuz i started vomitting every time i took the pill.
  
  I havn't talking the last 8 in the frist month supply. I have missed 4from the frist month and i want to my cousins baby shower today and my aunt was smoking it and i jus looked at her and she grabbed me and said i know that your trying to quit i am sorry. I said don't be i am not even thinking of it.
  
  I just wanna know how i could hav ever started.
  
  started when i was 10 and i am on my 20th year of living and i am very proud of my self went from being a change smoker to a 3 a day to 2 to 1 to known in jus the 1wk.
  
  I hav a enough will power now to keep my self off and i thank chantix.SO remember if your taking this and you feel like you can't take it anymore cuz the side effets are to hard to bare jus try stopping with will power. That is all you need really and to do or drink something that will help you quit well taking chantix.
  
  My was chewing gum and drinking ariziona rasberry ice tea. Wen i craved to well taking the chantix i would pop gum in my mouth. And when i din't have gum i went to the store and but one of my favorite drinks.
  
  Good luck everyone. I am very happy about how this product really works.

   

• At Mon Jun 08, 02:03:00 AM 2009,  liz said…

  This is my 2nd time on chantix. I quit last summer for 4mths (was on chantix for 3) but when I went back to school I picked up again...I have been on chantix for the last mnth and have stayed quit for 2wks. Problem is, I keep waking up out of a dead sleep every nite...wide awake at 3am and can't get back to sleep. It's starting to take it's toll mentally. I'm currently on 50mg sertraline and 25mg seroquel at night. But even doubling the seroquel isn't working to keep me asleep. Is this normal? Should I get another sleep aid?

   

• At Mon Jun 08, 07:22:00 PM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  chantix is the best thing around
  nothing else worked! dreams are great no weight gain..and i would take all those side effects over lung cancer! QUIT DAY WEDNES DAY! but will stop tomorrow love this stuff... oh all the posts are great! stay strong always remember side effects or lung cancer you choose!

   

• At Wed Jun 10, 10:56:00 AM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  This is my second time on Chantix as well. The first time(4/08-5/08) after a pack-a-day for 30yrs, I forgot them at home while on vacation. A few beers later there I was puffing again. I'm now 3 weeks in again (5/09) and 2 weeks smoke free!
  
  Thankfully I do have the vivid dreams but they are not bothersome at all. I also experience nausea for a few minutes after taking the morning dose. No big deal either. I actually got here looking for an answer to the yawn/short-breath symptoms I've had recently. Thanks to all for the answers. I'm convinced they are merely small anxiety episodes mixed with lung healing.
  
  I love this pill, it's so easy if you also realize that there is no need nor any real benefit to smoking and life indeed goes on just fine without them.

   

• At Thu Jun 11, 07:39:00 AM 2009,  Robin O said…

  I was on Chantix for 6 weeks and stopped smoking. I am coming off the meds now because I can't deal with the lack of quality sleep anymore. But the side effects were totally work it. I am on day 4 of not taking it and I have been a little depressed and evil, but, that is subsiding. I have no desire to smoke and I have 3 smokers in my house.

   

• At Mon Jun 15, 12:22:00 PM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  I am curious if I am hurting myself by only taking 1 1mg pill per day as opposed to the recommended 2 2mg pills per day. I have not been smoking and with the high cost of the medicine, I am saving money. Is there any setback from this that I am missing. I would ask my doctor if he didn't charge me hundreds of dollars per question. I don't have the money for that. Please advise if you can. Thanks!

   

• At Wed Jul 08, 03:46:00 PM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  i am on my 4th week of taking champix (as it's called here in canada), and I have been smoke free for 11 days. I am so glad I gave this a try since nothin else was working. At first I thought maybe it wasn't going to work, but I just gave it time and well it did work. The day I quit I woke up and thought I would try and see how long I could go without one. Just changed my rountine and now I don't even think about cigs and I still have 5 left in my pack that now just sits in the porch, lol. In the beginning when I felt the need to have a smoke I would just chew a piece of gum (my doctor said to chew a piece for 15 mins when I feel an urge). I thought I was going to have a new addiction with having to have gum, but now I don't even chew gum anymore.
  I have been enjoying my dreams so far, use to get nausea for a half hour to an hour after taking the pill and now I don't really get nausea, I use to have gas (not a problem anymore either). The only thing that I really am not liking is the lack of sleep, I always feel exhausted. Is there anything you can take to help with sleeping while on champix/chantix? Other than that I haven't experience anything else.
  Good luck to those of you trying to quit and way to go to those who have quit.

   

• At Wed Jul 15, 09:29:00 AM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  I found lots of great information from Chantix users, but I do find it interesting that everyone is so focused on what side effects are present in the pill and not really worried about what smoking is doing to the body. I think some side effects can be awful, I know I just finished puking after my morning 1/2 pill. But I think I will try to continue as long as I can just the same. Tomorrow is my stop date. I hope I can do it! My husband stopped after a 40 year habit. I have been smoking for 10, but just think I will miss the comfort they provide. My doctor would not prescribe Chantix for me d/t the recent black box warning regarding depression. I am on meds for that so I decided I would try anyway (using my husbands) and just monitor for increased depression. If I have any Depression sx. off of the Chantix I go. Good luck to everyone!

   

• At Sun Jul 26, 06:06:00 PM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  I am starting Chantix tomorrow and am somewhat terrified. However, reading the comments, have helped me to decide I have to quit. I'm thinking of only taking one pill a day. I don't sleep well as it is. I do take Trazadone at night and a prescription for restless legs (.25). With that pill (which also involves receptors in the brain), I've had some vivid dreams - that's the only side effect. Can't wait to see what happens by adding Chantix. Oh my. My quit date is 8/7. We'll see what happens.

   

• At Fri Jul 31, 03:49:00 PM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  Started Chantix 2 weeks ago and have been smoke free for the last week and I smoked for 40+ years. I've tried everything to quit, but this medication has worked better than anything else I've tried and I'm very hopeful. My question for the on-line Doctor is: what were the main reasons for relapse in the studies? Thanks.

   

• At Thu Aug 13, 07:27:00 AM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  I smoked for 37 years. During my most recent physical, I received an excellent report - no problems. However, I chose to tell my doctor that I wanted to quit smoking. He prescribed Chantix. I held on to the prescription for over a week before filling it - out of fear of failure. Finally, I filled the prescription and set a quit date for one week after beginning the prescription. I quit on my quit date and have not had a cigarette since (ten days ago). The only side effects are mild morning nausea after my first pill, and some sleeplessness. I have virtually no cravings, and my thoughts about smoking are almost nil - although daily habits, such as desk work, make me miss the physical feeling of having a cigarette in my hand.
  
  I think my success, so far, comes from being ready to quit, not so much from Chantix. I want to quit taking Chantix after the first box (1 month) runs out because I really oppose taking medications - but I am slightly afraid. Has anyone had luck with only one month of Chantix?

   

• At Wed Aug 26, 08:25:00 AM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  Whoa, sure glad Chantix doesn't "remove" those nicotine receptors (well, technically aren't they just ACh receptors?) Anyhow, my best friend took Chantix for only 4 weeks and has not smoked since then (this was over 2 years ago). I just started taking it this past Saturday and am already smoking less (by about 40%). I have only had one cigarette today (normally I would have had at least 3-4 by now).
  I am not eligible for health insurance through my employer (and I work for the federal government on a temporary appointment) so I had to self-diagnose/self-prescribe Chantix and order online from an overseas pharmacy. The moral to this story is I PAID for these pills and could only bring myself to buy a month's worth. 4 weeks was enough for my friends so here is hoping it works for me.
  I should also note that I have some online pharmacy Zyban coming my way in a few weeks so when I run out of Chantix I will switch to the Zyban, or take them both at once since it appears they do not interact harmfully.

   

• At Fri Aug 28, 10:15:00 AM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  I am on 10 mg Adderal for Adhd. I quit smoking with the the help of chantix 10 days ago. I have had a few funky dreams, but nothing that usual. I am so much happier! My mood is great. I smile more, I feel so much more relaxed. I am guess this could be from the adderal plus nicotine made me very anxious and I didn't even realize it. Who knows? I don't care really. I'm just happy I'm never smoking again thanks to Chantix!

   

• At Wed Sep 16, 08:24:00 PM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  i have no insurance but was given this med by a friend. i know thats wrong or whatever but i want to quit. i have no medical history that would add complications... i've only been on chantix for 3 days and am having shortness of breath, dizziness/not feeling like i'm about to faint but looking pale, slightly blurred vision. obviously these don't seem like good signs... i can't call my doc (don't have one), do i need to stop taking it or are these symptoms normal and will subside?

   

• At Thu Sep 24, 11:42:00 AM 2009,  welcome1 said…

  What about drinking alchol while taking Chantix? I like to watch football and drink beer on the weekends. Can anyone tell me if they had any bad side affects while drinking and taking this????

   

• At Mon Oct 05, 05:24:00 PM 2009,  Arlene said…

  Chantix does work. I smoked from the age of 13 to this past January at age 40. I have tried quitting a bunch of times and always failed miserably. Ex smokers would always say, one day you'll just wake up and saythat's it, and be done with it. Not true for me. It was my crutch big time. When i was on the computer or reading or after dinner, before i went to sleep, when i was bored, in the car, when i relaxed....I always had a cigarette in my hand. My husband quit on Chantix so i tried it. It took me a little longer than him to let go of that last cigarette, probably a month. But when i finally did, there was no impact. For those of you taking chantic, and still smoking thee weeks into it, it's okay, just keep trying to eliminate one more cigarette here and there til you get to none. Once you actually get to none, the rest is a pc of cake. Also, nightmares, nasuea, and edginess are normall. But the edginess is not 1/2 as bad as a regular nicotine withdrawal if you were not on chantix. Hang in there, if i could do it, believe me, you can to because i had no will power to quit.

   

• At Sat Oct 24, 08:39:00 PM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  I started Chantix and continued smoking as usual. Eventually, I found myself thinking, oh, I want a smoke and then... nah. So I got down to two a day after a couple of months and I realized I was only smoking about half of the cigarette and then putting it out before I even knew I was consciously putting it out. So finally, I smoked my last and didn't buy another pack. I should add that I was only taking one pill a day after the first month. It upset my stomach too bad, so I only took one each night and then raced it to bed.
  
  Chantix really does work. I didn't fully 100 percent want to quit, but smoking just became pointless and unsatisfing.

   

• At Tue Oct 27, 07:41:00 PM 2009,  Neil 29/male said…

  • October 16th: first day of Chantix
  
  • October 19th: weird dreams begin
  
  • October 20th: complaints of anxiety, “dopamine” surges. all day buzz, feeling of falling into REM sleep while still awake
  
  • October 21st: better than the previous day. Still having vivid dreams, “dopamine” constant feeling, no cravings, trouble sleeping-feeling tired during the day. Decrease in appetite, constipation (minimal bowel movements) *first double dose day*
  
  • October 22nd: better than previous day- starting to feel more “normal”.
  
  • October 26th: good day, “normal” feeling. Craving for cigarette. Slept bad- couldn’t get to sleep.
  
  • October 27th: little nauseous due to not eating w/ meds, feeling “good” today. Slept better last night. Still having slight constipation.
  
  
  Ok, so here is my journal so far. I intend to give this to my doctor the next time I make a visit. As of right now I'm having some trouble sleeping, but that's pretty much it. I have been smoking maybe 5 years and was up to half a pack a day. I have my first child on the way and wanted to quite before they get the idea that since daddy smokes.. it's ok for them to. I have to say that Chantix was pretty intense for the first week, but after the double dose things have seemed to come back to normal. I believe it has even slowed down my drinking(anyone else?).
  
  This drug has played with my emotions and general mood particularly the day before I started my double dose.
  I kind of freaked out at the thought of "upping my dose" but went ahead with it anyway. I feel better than I did my first week and feel like things are returning to normal. I had a great talk with my wife about the feelings I was having and it seems to have helped alot. She has even helped me fill out my journal. I feel lucky to have someone to talk about my feelings and know that it really helped that particular off day. I plan to continue on with my month and possibly stop there.
  
  Chantix makes quitting so very easy, it almost seems like cheating. I would advise everyone to make sure they document how they feel (physically and emotionally) and have someone around that you can express these things to even if that means telling your doctor, wife or just writing it down somewhere. Good Luck.

   

• At Fri Nov 06, 09:37:00 AM 2009,  Anonymous said…

  Hello. My name is Erin and I live in the Phoenix, AZ area. I just started Chantix and am on day 4 of using it. Granted, I haven't had any decreased urge yet, but the dosage is still increasing and everyone experiences different sensitivity thresholds. I also take Paxil (not CR) every night before bed, regular habit. I take the Chantix ONLY after a very full meal and haven't had any issues with nausea at all. I really haven't had bad/ vivid dreams. I've had silly dreams, but then again, I've always been quite the dreamer and able to recall them well. My desire to quit was because of a recent auto-immunue issue diagnosis. My immune system is attaching my thyroid and digestive system.. hence the Paxil. Prior to the diagnosis I didn't really want to quit smoking... I liked it (even though many others didn't.) The diagnosis was what changed my mind. I'm only 36 and I want to be around for a long time.
  
  I had a 30 minute conversation with my doctor, and I specifically scheduled that kind of an apppointment because I wanted REAL face-to-face time with her. We discussed Chantix in great depth. I presented my concerns to her about the medication and how it cna increase underlying anxiety in some patients(I'm rather Typa A). She gave me a lot of warning signs to look for and I told my friends to let me know if any red flags go up. She said I'm a "use with caution" patient. Having had the conversation with my doctor, I feel much better and well informed. I'm scheduled to do a follow up with her every 3 weeks to check on how I'm doing. A lot of the side effects I've read about can also be due to nicotine withdraw. I sincerly hope I don't get the insomnia becuase I like my sleep! But, I probabaly will at some point. :o)

   

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