Champix day 1

[G3mmLou]

After smoking for 15 years, today I’ve taken my first champix. I don’t feel sick, which I was warned about but I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus! My upper body, mainly my shoulders and arms feel heavy and bruised. Is this normal?

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Welcome G3mmLou - congratulations on the best decision of your life to stop smoking. The body aches could be a side effect from the champix - see below pinned post worth a read if not already done so:

healthunlocked.com/nosmokin...

If it gets worse, check with your doctor immediately.....

We look forward to seeing your day 1 post very soon

[G3mmLou in reply to RoisinO1]

It soon eased off and I’m about to Take day 2. I’m determined to kick this nasty habit.

[gggg123 7 Years Smoke Free in reply to G3mmLou]

Good luck, but I'd say if you can do it cold turkey do it. I think it's the hardest but the only way that does actually work, I did it cold turkey. Champix stops you craving while you take it but when you stop champix the cravings come back, but with cold turkey your cravings get less and less, it's just the initial part that is hard.

But good luck anyway......and remember. You decide not nicotine.

[Citrinesun]

Firstly, Well done for taking the steps towards quitting, it really is quite empowering.

Everybody is different & champix is a funny drug that again people experience differently.

I am about 3 days off champix & already I can feel my spirits lifting, I took them up until week 9 & did get my last pack this week but decided not take anymore as I weened myself off by not being able to handle the full 2mg dose for more than a few weeks so I took 1 x 1mg then some evenings I took half of that - some nights not even that half as I suffer insomnia as it is & they were keeping me up till daylight lol,

then around week 7/8 I just took half the 1mg pill & decided to tell the nurse I don't feel I need another month.

I quit on day 13 of champix - had a couple of drags a week later but more out of curiosity it didnt make me feel like I failed it did nothing for me.

Anyway side effects I actually found the first week 0.5mg to make me feel a bit merry rather than in pain that u got.

Then I moved up dose & well.. brain fog, extreme drowsyness, constipation to the max 🤣 serious wind which was awful but so childishly funny.

mood swings, literaly if anyone annoyed me I felt no way about putting em in their place. Lol. Suppose that wasnt a bad thing.

Mainly I couldnt cope with feeling so low & knackered. It was more than my usual depression/insomnia etc.

But I never had nausea like most do..

Still, stick them out dont worry about what others say, there is a lot of scare monging out there but I dont regret taking them,

I am 1 month 18 days smoke free & I am amazed that they do help.

just pay attention to how u feel as time goes on,

if anything u will defo cut down the cigs until you decide no more & only you will know if you can't tolerate them.

Today I spent a few hours around a chainsmoking friend, which was a test since I'm testing not using the champix. & it did not make me tempted at all 😊

I do use a vape with 0 nicotine juice for occasional social triggers, it helped just to be able to blow clean vape but now my initial 'pang' has gone when around smokers I just use it when I want too.

Best of luck..

sorry for a long winded post but I think with champix its best to have honest feedback rather than google it & put urself off like I almost did. X

[G3mmLou in reply to Citrinesun]

Thank you and please do not apologise! I needed to see this today! I’m on day 3 and while sat with a brew and a smoke earlier thought.... hmm do I really want to stop this but I do.

No horrible side affects for the past two days so I think Monday might of just been an off day. I’ve got a banging headache this afternoon but I’m sure that’s curtesy of my 13 year old boy.

I’ve been sleeping really well so fingers crossed that continues.

Did your tastes change at all?

[Citrinesun in reply to G3mmLou]

Aww man, I can imagine trying to quit with a teenager around is a challenge.. I hope some painkilers & peace knocks the headache off..

Yes taste did change, after about 5 days champix, once I started upping the dose - the cigs just tasted like rank chemicals & quite pointless to enjoy, I basically found myself pecking it out halfway.

I smoked menthol so I think if I would have forced smoking after 2 weeks I probably could have pretended I didn't notice as I never got the sick feeling.

I tried a roll up & that was unbearable.

Oh I did find that I really went off my morning coffee aswel.

I went to tea for a while I think it helped dis-associate the morning fag if that makes sense.

Back on the coffee now though😂 but I have my real taste buds back now, its great I can taste pizza like never before.. lol.

Really glad you are sleeping fine aswel,

just take the whole journey day by day.

here if you need me.. 😊

[G3mmLou in reply to Citrinesun]

Well I’m on day 4. Still smoking as normal and I smoke menthols too!

Today I start taking my evening tablet. Do I take this with my evening meal or later at night. I take my morning one at about 8.30 and my evening meal is at around 6pm. But could take it later. I can’t for the life of me remember what my smoking nurse said.

I’m the most forgetful person ever at times

[Citrinesun in reply to G3mmLou]

I know what you mean with memory, im starting to think I should take notes when I visit the docs lol.

Anyway its up to you it doesnt matter much unless it upsets your tummy,

maybe take it after your meal has settled.. but not too close to bedtime.

I used to take mine anytime between 6 & 9pm.

Its going to start building up in your system now so I wouldn't worry about perfect time doses.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Citrinesun]

Welcome Citrinesun - congratulations on over 50 days smoke free now, well done!

Excellent advice given there to G3mmLou - looking forward to you sharing your advice and journey with us when you can

[Citrinesun in reply to RoisinO1]

Hi Roisin01

Aww bless

Thanks a lot for the acknowledgement that is lovely 😊 just when the novelty starts to wear off & you think so yeah I am an non smoker now,

somebody comes along & reminds me what a huge achievement it really is so I am proud all over again with my little badge up there, cheers 👍

Well I hope the O P is doing ok..

For me - I have been feeling the champix leave my system, over a week off them, so the odd thought of a smoke but not enough to win or even consider going back to it,

I feel I am over the worse now & have my brain & energy back,

I've started to do little routine things again, like a proper autumn clean up, where I would normally go have a break with a cig while I change my water - not now, It just is out of my life now I have a sweet instead 😂

It's good to feel I have shown myself that bad habits can really be broken if you really want too.. & I never did see myself quitting but yes I am now free & I smell nicer too 😊 x