Champix

[Owensamleon03]

I have COPD and through lockdown started smoking again ..I am addicted so am now taking Champix. I am now 4 weeks into my 3 month course. I failed to stop smoking on said day and was advised to carry on taking Champix until I could stop having a ciggie. From 15 a day now down to 3 a day but still craving ciggie. They don't taste nasty at all, I am having waves of nausea, today I was tearful and depressed because I can't stop the cigs?? Can anyone please advise me what I am doing wrong please. I know I have to stop but I am still finding it so hard and feeling constantly unwell isn't helping at all.

[Sparkle11 2 Years Smoke Free]

Hi there. I’m sure you have nausea because the drug is kicking in. I was nauseous tearful horrible dreams, everything. Just give it time. It will work. Complete the course and maybe do an additional month. I’ve been smoke free almost 4 years. I only managed this by taking Champix. Please stay busy. Go for walks go to the gym, whatever you can. You will stop. Stay strong. X

[Owensamleon03 in reply to Sparkle11]

Thank you for your reply. Doing good today, no nausea at all and first day (so far...) that I have not had a cigarette! I want one, but am determined to stop TODAY is the first of hopefully many many more xx Thanks again for your reply, it is very much appreciated. x

[Sparkle11 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Owensamleon03]

You’re welcome. I had nausea for a long time especially in the morning. Cranberry juice also helped and ‘smoking a straw’with a glass of wine. It was the hand to mouth action that I missed. I looked an idiot but didn’t care. I used to associate cig and wine but with champix that didn’t happen. For the record I’m certainly not giving up my aperolspritz and wine. Lol 😂 Congratulations. So far you’ve done so well. Push through to tomorrow. Once I’d done 1 day without I knew I could beat this. Going to bed early also helped. X

[Owensamleon03 in reply to Sparkle11]

Yay!! I got through day one without a ciggie. Still craving though, hopefully that will ease the more days I am free of smoking. Nausea isn't so bad now but still comes and goes, I find that if I suck a boiled sweet it does ease (next goal is slimming reducing the fat I put on through eating sweets!...) lol. Thanks again for your advice. x

[Sparkle11 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Owensamleon03]

Bloody marvellous. You should feel so proud. Just remember smoking is now NOT an option (as they all told me on here) Boiled sweets, cranberry juice, wine whatever it takes. Maybe start long walks breathing the FRESH air. Soon cigs will smell sooo disgusting. Very well done. Keep us posted x

[Owensamleon03 in reply to Sparkle11]

Hi...You'll be pleased to know that I am now on day 6 and despite still craving have not touched a cigarette! Feeling very good about myself, it is still a daily struggle but I am determined to never have another ever. Already my chest feels much easier and cough has eased, nausea has settled too, main problem now is with sleeping through the night, vivid dreams and if course craving which doesn't appear to be easing off at all. I get through by deep breathing....lol x

[Sparkle11 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Owensamleon03]

Hi there. That’s great news. Very well done.👍🏼👍🏼 That’s the thing I noticed too which was better chest and easier to breathe. The dreams for me were awful but eventually they stop too. However I didn’t get the cravings so much. Maybe due to nausea in the beginning. Just give it a bit more time for Champix to do it’s thing. The cravings should definitely subside.

Remember it’s good to be focused on other things and maybe consider doing some gym classes (even online) Smoking and fitness are no way compatible so that’s another good reason to never smoke.

You’re doing brilliantly 🔝🔝Remember the mantra: Smoking is NOT an option.

[JustFrustrated]

I get bad nausea too when I take Champix. I think that's a common side effect unfortunately. I think you have to make up your mind to put up with the nausea until you quit and just take the Champix for a few weeks after quitting. Good luck, it will be worth it!

[Owensamleon03 in reply to JustFrustrated]

Day 2 without a ciggie (so pleased with myself). Thanks for your advice x

[bbossert1 9 Months Smoke Free]

Hello nice to see I am not the only one.... i am on week 7 of apo-varenicline and yes nausea, dreams, off and on depressed sometimes one cig a day sometimes 4 but holding in there.I read even if you slow it down eventually we can get rid of this so just trying to hang on.

so please let me know how things go.

😀😥😀👍

[Owensamleon03 in reply to bbossert1]

Hi! 2nd day today without a ciggie! Nausea has eased too. I find eating first then taking Champix does ease the nausea (not the other way round which was what I was doing). Am so pleased with myself...NO WAY, now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...and dare I say my COPD is feeling easier too which is great. Thanks for your advice xx

[Owensamleon03 in reply to bbossert1]

Day 6 cigarette free now! Very proud of myself!

[2217 100 Days Smoke Free]

Please don’t be so hard on yourself giving up is not easy otherwise no one would smoke. On being diagnosed with COPD and Asthma I continued to smoke for another three years. After that tried everything available at the Non Smoking NHS. Eventually tried Champix and found it quite easy with hardly any problems, but 6 months in I had one puff and back I was. A few months later tried Champix again. This time, like you, I couldn’t stick with the chosen date and eventually found myself at the end of the 3 month course still smoking away. Now my health is getting worse and anyone smoking with COPD is asking for all they will get. I asked myself, do I want to smoke or do I want to die?

Champix is not a magic pill and you are wasting your time if your not ready.

Only you will know when that is and then pick your give up date and stick with it.

I’m now 10 months without a cigarette and I can’t believe how much my breathing has improved. I have even cut out one of my inhalers. Exercise and good food is the only thing that will slow down this disease.

Good luck on your journey, not easy, but so worth it.

[Owensamleon03 in reply to 2217]

Hi, congratulations on finally kicking the filthy habit!! 2 days free at the moment and really positive I can now continue my journey. Thanks for your advice. x

[Owensamleon03 in reply to 2217]

6 days today smoke free. No way am I going back now....so pleased with myself already my chest feels better. x

[2217 100 Days Smoke Free]

Well don you, just keep going. x

[Owensamleon03 in reply to 2217]

6 days smoke free now!

[Anncarson 4 Years Smoke Free]

I have been smoke free for nearly 2 years but that is due to Champix. Smoked for 50 years so feel I have made a big achievement. However, the journey of Champix is not easy. I did not suffer nausea but sleeping was a problem. I found that drinking at least 2 litres of water a day helped & in the latter weeks of the course only took a half at night time. Everyone is different but you have to be ready & really want to quit. I also went swimming & gym 5 days a week which helped me a lot. Wish you the very best of luck in your quest.

[reader2019 3 Years Smoke Free]

Almost two years for me and I quit with champix. I smoked for over 40 years. Good luck with your quit.

[nikki2001]

HiI did not stop completely until I was on week 8. I really did think they were not working then one day came and I realised I Had not had a cig at all that day and it took off from there. I am 2 years in now smoke free. Good luck

[Owensamleon03 in reply to nikki2001]

6 days smoke free now!! Onward and upwards x

[Craggyislandcopd]

Stay strong dude.🙏😷❤

[Owensamleon03]

6 days cigarette free now!

[bbossert1 9 Months Smoke Free]

Hi there how are you doing now? I am 2 weeks without yahoo! I bought a bunch of fruit I am on a smoothie kick now

[JustFrustrated]

The first time I tried Chantix, I quit very easily after only a few days. I started smoking again so I tried Chantix again but find I feel extremely nausious when taking it now so had to stop taking it. Anyone have any advice how to relieve the nausious symptoms?