I have almost no motivation since starting Chantix about 5 weeks ago and it seems to be getting worse. (Yesterday I spent 10 hours on the internet while at work rather than doing things I should have been doing) I am considering stopping the Chantix today to try to get my motivation back but worried I may start smoking again. I have always been a hard worker, good role model and got things done without even pushing myself but lately I have trouble staying focused on anything and my motivation to do anything has gone right out the door. So today’s mission is to find out if I can just stop taking the medication or maybe they make a lesser dose. While I have had good success with the stop smoking part by using Chantix I am wondering if the side effects I am experiencing are worth it. I think I would have been better off quitting CT rather than having to deal with the nicotine withdrawal and now medication side effects or maybe they are withdrawal symptoms that I am going through. Not sure but whatever it is needs to stop.
The other thing that is not to good is I feel like I never had a proper last cigarette and would love to have just one more and we all know how that goes so that isn’t happening either.
I'm sure somebody here must have had these problems during their quit so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks everyone
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Im sorry I dont know much about champix but sure someone will tell you if what you feel is normal! Do you think it is wise to stop the champix so soon? Maybe get advice first!
Dont put yourself down, you are still a hard worker and a good role model, just trying to cope with ending an addiction, everything will be ok, promise!
Dont have another cigarette, im sure it would make you sick and ruin the good work you have put in already!
Dont worry about the motivation, it will come back soon, keep reading and posting.
Sorry to hear you feel lik that - it struck a chord with me, I too seemed to not do a lot while on Champix/Chantix, felt a bit kind of "spaced out and couldn't be bothered" is the best way describe how i feel.
I too was worried about stopping the medication as i had done so well, so just took one tablet a day rather than two.
The motivation does return, like Shelley says, you have done so well up to now and you are coping with an addiction and you are doing brilliantly to get so far, so please don't give up now. It does sound like you are suffering a bit so maybe go and see your doctor - do you have a Stop Smoking nurse like we have in England, or is it different over there?
I wish you well, please repost and let us know how you get on - i hope these feelings pass soon
Sorry to hear your feeling like that, you will be pleased to know thought that I am exactly the same as you, I have spent the last two weeks at work trying to motivate myself to make a call(I work in telesales sort of), I am going CT so I dont think it is down to the champix, its just something we are all having to go through to beat the nicotine.
I actually went to the chemist today and asked them if there was anything I could take while I was quitting to give me more energy, they were useless and tried to offer me something for depression, I am not depressed just really really really tired.
If anyone knows of anything I can take as a supplement could you please let me know.
I quit 5 months ago, using patches and gum and the first few weeks I had bags of energy and was somewhat on a high for a few weeks.
At about the beginning of month 4 I had this overwhelming feeling of tiredness and lacked any motivation whatsoever. I have to say that this has improved slightly, but I am still tired and definitely still lacking in any motivation - so I think it is just a side effect of quitting the fags...however you choose to do it...
Some people on here say things get better at the 6 month mark...so here's hoping...and keep plugging away at that quit...it's a long road x
Here is how the rest of the day played out just in case you were wondering
I decided to not take my Chanitx this morning since I can't take another day of feeling spaced out. My wife called the doctor and explained how I was feeling (It’s a guy thing) and the doctor said to stop taking the Chantix immediately for fear that it may be or soon turn into depression.
Here’s the deal the way I see it.....
I am 100% sure that I am not depressed and I am 100% sure that I can't concentrate on anything for more than 2 minutes and I am 100% sure that it has only been for the last 5 weeks while on Chantix.
All that being said I'm not sure what to do next and the doctor won't be much help since he took the safe answer of "stop taking it". I like the solution that BeccyBoo used and try one a day and think I am going to try it for a couple days if taking none doesn’t work out.
I wish I could stay focused long enough to come up with an answer (only kidding I have an answer only I am not motivated enough to search around in my head to find it)
Well for today I didn’t take any, let’s see what tomorrow brings
I almost forgot to mention I didn’t smoke today so I’m glad I didn’t let anybody down
I am now 25 days smoke free and 36 hours past the last time I took Chantix due to side affects I wasn’t comfortable with. Yesterday afternoon about 20 hours after taking chantix I was getting extremely dizzy (like from the first drag of a smoke type of dizzy) and it lasted for about 4 hours (I must say it was great). Today I've had a couple work stress related things come up and rather than get mad and stress about them I did what I would normally do (pre chantix) which is laugh about them and come up with a solution. I hope this lasts. Also when I got home last night I had enough energy to spend 1/2 hour on an elliptical machine (got an additional 2.6 pounds to loose now) which I haven't done in a long time and my kids were runnig around looking for a video camera because they said they have never seen me with so much energy and they were really excited.
I expect that today’s ups will be followed by tomorrows downs but in the long term it will all be worth it.
.......that you didn't smoke. Sorry to hear the champix didn't work in your favour. Are you going to carry on Cold Turkey now - i sincerely hope so? Just think all this energy will be great and keep improving as your lungs de-clog.
Hopefully now the dark cloud has lifted you can see how great it is being a non-smoker and continue your journey......
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