Anyone Else Using Chantix to Quit Smoking?

[TigerKat]

Are you still feeling bad? I honestly don't think it's the Chantix, sounds more like a virus.

 

[phamton]

I feel fine this morning but I haven't taken my pill yet. I'm just on day 2 so I know the dosage is very low. After I eat some breakfast, I'll take it.

Nicotine patches and gum always made me sick. I think it is because I smoke less than a pack a day. Maybe I just need smaller doses. I'll see how it goes the next few days. I won't stop taking it though.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Way to go, Phamton, for taking the plunge

I definitely had joint pain from Chantix. It is listed as a side effect in the literature you get with the med -- actually, now that I think about it, it might actually be in the literature that's available for physicians off Pfizer's website.

Anyway, I started the med on a Monday, and on Tuesday, my left knee was sore. I'd just returned from a week at WDW/USO, so I figured I'd must have hurt my knee from all the walking. I didn't give it much more thought, other than being aggravated I couldn't sit Indian-style

A couple weeks later, my right elbow started aching. Nothing severe, but noticeable. When the base of my toes on my left leg started hurting a week or two after that, I started wondering what the heck was wrong with me and started research. I'd found a website that was totally dedicated to folks on Chantix who developed the joint/muscle pain. With as many people who claim to have this, I'm surprised Pfizer lists this as an infrequent side effect!

FWIW, I'd never had any kind of arthritis or chronic joint/muscle pain in my life. I'm 35.

I was on the med just under two months total, and the joint pain was never severe enough for me to consider going off. That's not to say it wasn't severe for others. Just my experience. Also, within about a month of going off, my pain in my elbow and toes disappeared. The knee pain didn't disappear, but I started a rather intense exercise program about three months after my smoking quit, and the exercise made the knee pain go away.

Can't help with the diarrhea. My hubby, my mother and I all dealt with the opposite effect while we took it.

I sure hope you're able to tolerate the med.

Please keep us posted and congrats again!!!!!

 

[tiki23]

I'm still quit and feelin' great!

I'm on my 7th week of Chantix but have been weaning off of it for the last 3. Right now I'm down to 1/2 of the blue pill twice a day.

Anyone have problems when they quit taking the Chantix?

phamtom - congrats on making a great decision for life!

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Tiki, way to go!!!!!!!!!!!

Isn't it just amazing how quickly the time flies quitting this way? I swear, with other quit attempts, it was like just stood still until I just gave up and had a smoke. Chantix really seems to help with enjoying life and all the benefits of not smoking without having time stand still.

I noticed a slight increase in my craves every time I'd reduce a half milligram during my wean. It would last a few days. I also found myself a bit anxious coming off the Chantix. This was a totally new feeling I'd never experienced in my life. My belief is it probably had more to do with learning to live life as a nonsmoker and getting a little panicky at times than something associated with the med.

Awesome on your quit. Congrats!!!!!

 

[phamton]

The diarrhea went away but still have a little stomach cramping and an achy neck and shoulder but it is bareable. I am now a non-smoker ( I tell myself that everyday) and so far everything is fine. I'm headed to visit family out of state and will be gone for a little over a week. None of them smoke so the temptation won't be there. The first two days that I stopped smoking were a little difficult but I just stayed busy. My husband is a smoker and I couldn't throw all cigarettes away and put away the ashtrays. I think that made it more of a temptation the first couple of days but I resisted and it is pretty smooth sailing right now.

I'll update when I get back in 9 days but I am quite confident I will still be smoke-free.

 

[phamton]

Just an update--still smoke free. I feel good and have started cutting back on the medication. I'm down to one half a pill twice a day. Then the next 3 days, I will be on 1/2 pill once a day.

Is this a bad idea? Do I absolutely need to take the RX for 3 months? I've been doing fine with the cut back on medication. I haven't cheated at all and have been smoke free for 3 weeks.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Way to go, Phamton!!!! That's just awesome

I think the dosing varies depending on the individual. Two milligrams a day was much too much for me, and I felt so much better on a half pill twice a day. I know others who had tough cravings when they reduced their dosage.

I think the best bet is to let your body be the judge. And cut back slowly. Once I cut back too much, too soon, and, boy, could I feel it. I wanted a cigarette something fierce and I just felt really "off." I took a half pill and felt better -- and I also realized I had to wean off a bit slower.

I only took Chantix for a total of six weeks. My hubby only took it for about two weeks. My mother took it for three months. We all responded differently to it, but we listened to our bodies when deciding to reduce or come off the med. A good sign that you're ready to start reducing the med (or reducing it further in your case) is if you're forgetting to take a pill or a half pill, and you feel real good. My experience and from what I've read is when you reduce too quickly and you're not ready, you know it's too soon or you've gone through a wean phase too quickly.

I'm so happy for you!!!

Time to think of a new New Year's resolution!

 

[phamton]

Thanks for the personal experiences. I seem to be doing OK with the cutbacks on the RX, I noticed a little craving but nothing I couldn't get through fine. If the craving gets worse, I'll take that as a sign that I'm not ready to stop the Chantix.

 

[Misty89]

hello

glad to have found this thread. I started chantix to stop smoking 4 days ago. I am doing good on it, even trying not to smoke ( my most was 4 all day yesterday) I am only having effects that i think are not related to Chantix, but a cold - heavy chest, sore back and very raw sore throat....i am sure i am coming down with something.
I have been smoking for 15 years, in the last 3 years i smoked a pack a day. My body and mind helped me to decide it was time to quit....i feel horrible all the time. And i smell.
I have been talking myself out of smoking, and have Gum to chew if things get really bad..

When do things get really bad? What week of the pills? I am hoping that i will not get nausea on top of what i am felling already when i start the next level of dose next week

Tina

 

[TigerKat]

hello

glad to have found this thread. I started chantix to stop smoking 4 days ago. I am doing good on it, even trying not to smoke ( my most was 4 all day yesterday) I am only having effects that i think are not related to Chantix, but a cold - heavy chest, sore back and very raw sore throat....i am sure i am coming down with something.
I have been smoking for 15 years, in the last 3 years i smoked a pack a day. My body and mind helped me to decide it was time to quit....i feel horrible all the time. And i smell.
I have been talking myself out of smoking, and have Gum to chew if things get really bad..

When do things get really bad? What week of the pills? I am hoping that i will not get nausea on top of what i am felling already when i start the next level of dose next week

Tina

Tina,

Sorry you're sick WHILE taking the plunge to quit. Sounds like you've made your mind up to quit, which IMO is the biggest hurdle.

I am currently weaning off of the Chantix, I've been on it for 9 weeks. I had NO side effects at all. I find it's different with everyone. Can your stomach tolerate other meds well? If so, you may not feel the difference when you go up to the full dose.

Good luck to you and please feel free to ask any questions, we're here for you.

 

[Misty89]

I have never had a problem with any medications......but i have only ever had pain killers before a long time ago. I hope i will ok once i get to the higher dose.

I am ready to throw out the last 1/2 pack i have..... i even thought about throwing them out the car window on the way home tonight LOL but the $500.00 fine made me think again

 

[C.Ann]

OK, I'm feeling like a hypochodriac. I hadn't read this thread and knew nothing of any side effects. My doctor just said it might make for vivid dreams and that was all.

I took my first pill today at 10:00 AM. By 4:00 PM, my neck, shoulders, and biceps were aching and then diarrrhea hit. I thought it was really strange as most dopamine or mood stabilyzers-type medication takes several days to build up in the system. Could this possibly have anything to do with the medication? (Even if it is, I'm still going to take it.)

----------------------

Don't kill the messenger (LOL) - but yes - it could be the Chantix and contrary to the belief that it needs to "build up in your system" before you suffer any side effects, it can (and does) happen as quickly as shortly after taking the very first pill.. (Usually severe nausea and/or vomiting..)

It's a very difficult medication for people to take who are extremely sensitive to meds - and can cause significant problems for some people who are being treated for depression.. Most people can take it with few - or no - problems.. For others it is a challenge to manage the side effects and in some cases must be stopped completely..

I would speak to your doctor about it if you continue to feel ill - or suffer other side effects (although many doctors really know very little about the side effects themselves because this medication hasn't been around all that long)..

Still the best show in town - if it agrees with you..

Congrats to all! Good work!!!!

 

[Misty89]

----------------------

Don't kill the messenger (LOL) - but yes - it could be the Chantix and contrary to the belief that it needs to "build up in your system" before you suffer any side effects, it can (and does) happen as quickly as shortly after taking the very first pill.. (Usually severe nausea and/or vomiting..)

It's a very difficult medication for people to take who are extremely sensitive to meds - and can cause significant problems for some people who are being treated for depression.. Most people can take it with few - or no - problems.. For others it is a challenge to manage the side effects and in some cases must be stopped completely..

I would speak to your doctor about it if you continue to feel ill - or suffer other side effects (although many doctors really know very little about the side effects themselves because this medication hasn't been around all that long)..

Still the best show in town - if it agrees with you..

Congrats to all! Good work!!!!

So.......if i did not get nausea in the 5 days, i most likely will not at all? - that would be super!!!

 

[C.Ann]

So.......if i did not get nausea in the 5 days, i most likely will not at all? - that would be super!!!

-----------------

I can't really say for sure - it depends on your particular system.. You may never have side effects.. You may have side effects further on down the road.. Side effects could occur with each dosage increase.. It's really a very "individualized" reaction..

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you continue to do well..

 

[nana2tots]

I did Chantix, Quit for over 3 months, DD's Brain Tumor came back, and it upset me so bad, i started again, trying again, but can't seem to do it. HELP!!!!!!!!!

 

[momsal]

I have a Drs appt. wed. and I am going to ask about chantix. If I get it I will start them on Christmas eve day.
I hope to be close to cigerette free by the new year!!!

I am glad this thread is here This is a great support group!

Thanks and Good luck to all "quitters"
















1

 

[PlutoLuvr]

----------------------

Don't kill the messenger (LOL) - but yes - it could be the Chantix and contrary to the belief that it needs to "build up in your system" before you suffer any side effects, it can (and does) happen as quickly as shortly after taking the very first pill.. (Usually severe nausea and/or vomiting..)

It's a very difficult medication for people to take who are extremely sensitive to meds - and can cause significant problems for some people who are being treated for depression.. Most people can take it with few - or no - problems.. For others it is a challenge to manage the side effects and in some cases must be stopped completely..

I would speak to your doctor about it if you continue to feel ill - or suffer other side effects (although many doctors really know very little about the side effects themselves because this medication hasn't been around all that long)..

Still the best show in town - if it agrees with you..

Congrats to all! Good work!!!!

Excellent post, C. Ann! I did great on Chantix, as did my mom and best friend, but my hubby did not. And he knew almost immediately the med was not right for him. He's not sensitive to meds, has no history of depression or takes anything other than a daily vitamin, and he had a very, very bad reaction to Chantix. He only stayed on the med two weeks. He got that rage/anger/thoughts of hurting others and himself with it. This was back in May -- not since it's been on the news.

It is so important that people really listen to their bodies on this med! It just hasn't been here in the US for very long, and most doctors and pharmacists are clueless about important signs of side effects to look for. I think most folks can tolerate some mild nausea or constipation for a couple months if it means they'll quit smoking, but some do get really severe side effects on the med. And sometimes these effects appear after stopping the med. A lot of folks have had to wean off the med instead of stopping it cold turkey.

Knowledge is power!

 

[PlutoLuvr]

To you folks starting the med (for the first time or a subsequent time) or contemplating it, GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!! You are truly doing such a wonderful thing. I never, ever thought in a million years I'd be able to kick this disgusting habit and huge addiction. Ever. I also liked smoking. I didn't really want to quit. I felt I had to. I was up to almost three packs a day

I don't mean to scare anyone with my post above. Chantix works extremely well for most who use it. I belong to several Chantix message boards/support groups, and most do exceptionally well with it. Like any med, if it messes with you, you adjust or go off it. I couldn't handle the dreams with the patch; I took them off when I slept. Wellbutrin/Zyban made me feel like I should be in a padded room after one pill. I knew I couldn't take it. Not the end of the world.

The only negative side effects I had with Chantix were severe nausea (remedied by splitting the pills in half and taking them four times a day with big meals), bloat and moderate tummy upset throughout the day. I referred to this as, um, Chantix methane. There were times I had to remind myself of the side effects of smoking. But the effects I had with Chantix were really mild, IMO, and went away when I stopped the med. Like I said, my hubby had much worse effects, so I don't fault anyone who can't tolerate the med.

Don't hesitate to come here for support or questions! I'd be happy to provide links to other support groups, too. PM me if you're interested

 

[TigerKat]

I'd be happy to provide links to other support groups, too. PM me if you're interested

I can testify for support group - an amazing group!!