Chantix... have you heard the latest on the side effects?
By lightningd
@lightningd (1039)
United States
February 2, 2008 9:20pm CST
I saw on the news yesterday that they are finding that the new stop smoking medication, Chantix is being tied to suicidal thoughts. I was on this medication in December, but after one week, I was throwing up everything, including water. I also just didn't quite feel like myself on it. I'm curious if anyone else has tried it, did they do well on it, or did it make you sick? Did it change your personality?
I tried Welbutrin to stop smoking a few years ago and it made me extremely irritable. I'm not talking just in a bad mood, I'm talking don't look at me, don't talk to me, just stay out of my way or I'll bite your head off. Needless to say, I had to stop taking that as well.
I've also tried the patch and developed an allergy to the adhesive.. so... guess I'll be smoking awhile longer, until I can find a hypnotherapist and I can give that a go.
I know smoking isn't good for my health, but I've been smoking for 22 years and it's harder to quit than people realize.
Anyone else tried these meds to quit smoking.. what are your stories?
2 people like this
5 responses
@dlkuku (1935)
• United States
3 Feb 08
I was going to try Chantix, I've been thinking about it since my doctor suggested it. I do have a friend who quit with it, and she didn't take it the whole time she was supposed to. But ever since I saw the news on it I am more hesitent than ever to try it. I don't like taking meds the way it is, especially since I often have adverse effects, my body is weird and rejects a lot of meds.
I did try the patch years ago when it was only available by prescription, but it just seemed to prolong the withdrawel. Apparently it didn't work for me.
1 person likes this
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
3 Feb 08
Well, I have heard it works great for alot of people, but some people do have bad reactions to it. I have also had wierd reactions to some medications. Like codine makes me hyper instead of making me drowsy.
Good luck to you when you try to quit again!!
Thanks for the post.
@jhl930 (3601)
• United States
3 Feb 08
My mom tried several things to quiet smoking(I dont think she ever tried meds)but she finally found something that really works to take the urge away...I had a warhead(sour candy)laying around one night and picked it up and ate it and it killed the taste buds in her mouth therefore leading her to not want to smoke as much...and then she started trying to buy boxes of warheads and now she only smokes 5-6 cigs a day where as a few months ago it was like a pack or so a day...now shes addicted to warheads lol I hope this helps you!
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
3 Feb 08
Oh man, I can't handle war heads. I have cut back from 2 packs a day to less than a pack with the pepomint lifesavers. I buy the big blue bag of individual wrapped ones. They help a bunch. Funny thing, if I keep busy, I don't want a smoke. Problem is, this time a year, it's hard to be outside doing anything, because it's so cold.
I'll be working with horses and in the barn most of spring summer and fall, so maybe I'll be able to kick the habit then!!
Thanks for the post and words of encouragement!!
@GardenGerty (160626)
• United States
3 Feb 08
My older sister is taking Chantix, and since she is always depressed, maybe it just had an opposite effect. She is doing really well. Do not give up, something will come along if you are really determined. I have never smoked, but my parents did, and Mom quit for a year and then started again. My dad finally had good results with Wellbutrin, but that is not for everyone. My first husband had to be terminally ill and unable to smoke, physically before he could quit. The patch did help him. Good luck.
1 person likes this
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
3 Feb 08
Thanks for the encouragement GG! I'm sure I will find a way to quit. Life has been rather stressfull the last couple years so I'm sure that has had something to do with it as well.
@luvstochat (6907)
• United States
3 Feb 08
My aunt has been taken Chantix but she is thinking about stopping taking it after the side effect info come out. I do know it says it can cause sucicidal thoughts and very bad strange dreams. It can also effect your metabolism.
@Kerenhap (63)
• United States
3 Feb 08
My daughter tried the Chantix and was also sick to her stomach. She talked with others who said they were also, but it eventually became better for them. Both she and the people she talked with also experienced restless sleep and nightmarish dreams. Again, the other folks said those stopped after a few weeks, but my daughter went off it before the nightmares stopped because of the nightmares and the sick to stomach problems.
It was starting to reduce her smoking, but the cost of it, and the thought of feeling this ill for a few months to get there did not make it worth it to her.
1 person likes this
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
3 Feb 08
mine was covered under insurance so I didn't have to worry about the cost, but I couldn't even keep water down. That is when I said, to heck with it, I have to survive and not being able to keep anything in my stomach, it wasn't worth it.
Thanks for the post!! and welcome to Mylot!!!
