Champix - Wk 2, Day 11

[nsd_user663_2808]

Hi everyone

Newbie here and my first post. I quit on 15 Jan with Champix. Was a 30 a day smoker, and have smoked since my early teens (ouch). This is the longest Ive done and I feel quite motivated to stay smoke free...

Im just worried about stopping the Champix early - will I want to smoke if I do this? I feel the side effects are too much... I'm depressed, heartburn, waking, nuts dreams, dizziness and irritibility and have become very mouthy :eek: Are these also side effects of nitcotine withdrawal?

I'm booked in to see the nurse early next week - gonna continue till then.

Anyone have any answers/suggestions?

Best of luck everyone

x

[nsd_user663_2710]

scaddo

Hi, Im on champix too and day 10 of no smoking took them for 7 days then stopped smoking on day 8.Side effects not bad though I have weird dreams everynight and keep waking up all the time:eek:.When the alarm goes off I really have to drag myself out of bed:mad:.Alright after a couple of hours or so.I know some people on this site have had trouble with champix and have found cutting it down by half has helped but see what the nurse has to say first.I am one of the lucky ones re side effects and if its only sleepless nights for 12wks and I quit the smoking I will hang in there. Good Luck and I hope you manage to sort it out. Chrissie xxx

[nsd_user663_1704]

I am not a champix user,

I suffer waking early, on nights i fall asleep

or

can't sleep for sometime.

heartburn,

I am irratable and have a far lower tolerence than before (albeit this may not be such a bad thing!)

Maybe the champix heightens these but these are my symptoms,

I used patches and now nrt free

[nsd_user663_2808]

thanks for the replies so far.. im just about to go into week 4 of the champix. Has anyway stopped it around a similar time and if so did the side effects disappear/did the cravings re-emerge?

[nsd_user663_2808]

p.s.

Chrissie & Buffy - well done!

[nsd_user663_2253]

thanks for the replies so far.. im just about to go into week 4 of the champix. Has anyway stopped it around a similar time and if so did the side effects disappear/did the cravings re-emerge?

Scaddoo, it's best to try to stick with the champix for the recommended time, but if side effects too much try cutting down on the dose. I did nearly 5 months on champix before I HAD to cut down as was like a zombie etc. No champix now for about 6 weeks and am ok, no cravings just thoughts and memories.

[nsd_user663_2664]

thanks for the replies so far.. im just about to go into week 4 of the champix. Has anyway stopped it around a similar time and if so did the side effects disappear/did the cravings re-emerge?

I know of 2 people who stopped it after 4-5 weeks, then smoked as the cravings came back with a vengeance!! My advice would be to take half a tablet 4 times a day, makining sure you take the last by 6pm. Seems to alleviate the sickness and headches (for me anyway)

Grouchiness, insomnia, weird dreams are all common side effects of quitting whatever the method. In a a strange way you are going through a period of 'grieving', no longer having something that has been such a huge part of you life is very difficult.

Good luck with your quit, I hope you find a way of staying free and living with/ getting over the side effects

[nsd_user663_2764]

I agree with you been down the champix road myself was off cigs for 6 weeks got a bit too cocky and was haphazard about taking the tabs ended up back smoking. Went cold turkey this time got a few days off and lapsed now taking the champix again but know they won't stop me smoking you HAVE to want to stop yourself otherwise forget it the champix just make it a bit easier for the first few days - and another thing the side effects of champix for me last time were far worse than pure nictotine withdrawal this time round just taking one in the evening so not too bad.

Anyway good luck guys whatever you decide.

RoseB

[nsd_user663_2817]

how exactly does champix work? It was just approved in Canada

[nsd_user663_2826]

how exactly does champix work? It was just approved in Canada

Here is some info for you Kris

[nsd_user663_1733]

welcome polog

noot taken champix myself but there are a lot here on them and I am sure they will help. Congrats on your quit you will have tons of support here keep posting. Linda xxx

[nsd_user663_2808]

well done polog and everyone...

well in the end i did quit the champix about 2 weeks ago because the side effects were too much for me and i bad, sad, and so far away from being my normal self.. what is strange is that when on the tabs, the thought of physically smoking made me feel sick. after a couple of days the 'normal' pleasurable thoughts of smoking came back and i was gagging to taste and inhale a ciggy (I was a 20+ smokers a day who enjoyed it)... Anyway to keep a long story short, i have been finding myself thinking about smoking since stopping champix - i tell myself that this is the psychological addiction and that on starting week 5 tomorrow, i have cleaed the physical withdrawals. I am aware of the addiction and how it will creep up but i'm proud of myself for quitting and what especially motivates me is my 9 year old telling me he is proud. this is the longest i have been without a cigarette since i began smoking at 13 and didnt even manage to stop during pregnancy so i am holding on and determined that i will remain fag free

[nsd_user663_2764]

Do stick with it - although the physical withdrawal may have eased for you - the emotional loss can be overwhelming at times - stick with it tough it really does get easier when you feel like giving up just think tomorrow's another day and I will feel better.

RoseB