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Elite Veteran
Posts: 831
  
| I was thinking about trying Chantix to quit smoking. But before I go to the dr and spend the money was just wondering what others have experienced!! I've heard it can make u moody, depressed and have bad dreams. How serious or common?? But also did it really help u to quit and did u stay smoke free??
Thanks!!!! |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | I seldom prescribe it, mainly because of the vivid dreams it can cause, along with the other problems you mentioned. It seems to work well in people who tolerate it, but like all other aspects of smoke cessation, it all boils down to how bad you really want to quit. If you try something like patches, nicotine gum, or zyban, they all can work......if you don't cheat.
My experience with Zyban (Wellbutryn) has been the best of all the modalities. Gum is a decent option, but a lot of people find that nicorette gum goes well with cigarettes!!!
Bottom line - never give up trying. |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | My husband has tried using it two different times (several years apart) to quit chewing. It worked for a short period of time. But only while he was using it. Unfortunately, the only reason it worked was because it made him terribly sick. He was vomiting several times a day. The dreams were awful. He would wake up in a panic. He would yell in his sleep. It was very hard on him. So he gave up on it. I can't say that I blame him. |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4553
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | My honey went cold turkey ... he had a terrible time. I told him to spend just as much on mint gum as he would on cigarettes. When that was getting old I told him to use Jolly ranchers as they stayed a little bit longer. A smoker is always going to the mouth out of habit so replacing with not fattening products such as gum and hard candy just changes your habit and slows them down even doodling will help you kick the habit. Good luck be strong. I know a guy who used E cigarettes, he was tickled pink it was working. |
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 The One
Posts: 7997
Location: South Georgia | My mom tried Chantix and it gave her horrible nightmares and suicidal thoughts so she quit taking it. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| ~BINGO~ - 2013-11-04 10:21 AM My husband has tried using it two different times (several years apart) to quit chewing. It worked for a short period of time. But only while he was using it. Unfortunately, the only reason it worked was because it made him terribly sick. He was vomiting several times a day. The dreams were awful. He would wake up in a panic. He would yell in his sleep. It was very hard on him. So he gave up on it. I can't say that I blame him.
My boyfriend tried it for chewing also and the SAME thing with him - he would barf every single morning! |
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 Texas Taco
Posts: 7499
Location: Bandera, TX | After smoking for almost 20 years, I did quit three years ago. I am now at a point where I do not miss it anymore, and find the smell of it rather disgusting (yes, I became one of THOSE people  ). I quit by chewing Big Red gum. It tastes terrible but for some reason helped with the cigarette cravings. Now I can't even chew that gum anymore.
I have heard terrible stories about Chantix.
Goood luck!!!! |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Our friends wife took Chantix. She said it was to quit smoking, but we are 99% sure there were heavier drugs involved.
She ended up in the hospital with DTs amongst other things. Of course the husband said it was a reaction to the Chantix.
All I know was that after she got out of the hospital, she didn't want anything, even coffee. |
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 Color Coordinator
Posts: 19200
Location: Oklahoma | I quit using Chantix. I did have weird, bizare dreams.
They did make my stomach hurt, and my Dr said I could take half the pill instead and that helped me.
I was also in a brain fog, had headaches too. I wonder if that was the withdrawal from the nicotine?
I did quit taking it right after I smoked my last one. I think I was on the Chantix for about two weeks? I never refilled my script and am still smokefree 4 years later.
I did try quitting without anything and did try the patch, this worked for me.
I have heard great success stories and horror stories as well. Do your research, talk to you Dr and choose the route that is best for you! 
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 Veteran
Posts: 133
Location: IN | I smoked for 20 odd years and finally decided to quit, it was becoming more and more a hassle. Couldn't smoke at home (husband has asthma), couldn't at work, or meetings, or resturants, or around grand kids. I got kinda lonley all by myself outside! I did use Chantix for about 10 days. Don't remember any bad dreams but I did get a terrible stomach ache when I went on it full strength. By then I hadn't smoked for 3 days, so I quit taking it and just toughed it out. Been smoke free for 4 years now. |
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| No experience with Chantix but Nicorette (when it was still prescription), did the trick for me. I did,however, have to quit the Nicorette cold turkey as I was a bit addicted to it for a little over a year and it became a bit too expensive to continue. 25 years smoke-free! I feel better and smell better because I had the good sense to kick a very nasty habit.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 831
| Thanks for all the posts. The only thing I'm really worried about is the dreams, I have a tendency to sleep walk on rare occasions. As far as everything else I'm pretty level except for occasional anxiety. But I really do want to quit, but Havnt had any luck this far. And I have tried everything, except chantix and hypnosis. |
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 Always Off Topic
Posts: 6382
Location: ND | those that want to quit will and those that aren't serious won't......doesn't matter what method you use....the only thing that matters is if your head is ready or not.... |
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Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | dhdqhllc - 2013-11-04 10:52 AM those that want to quit will and those that aren't serious won't......doesn't matter what method you use....the only thing that matters is if your head is ready or not....
I highly agree with this. Even aside from the experience with Chantix, my husband also tried patches, gum and lozenges. Nothing worked. But I think it was because I was requesting him to quit, and not because he wanted to. |
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| I posted that I used Nicorette. I should of posted that I used Nicorette and PRAYER...everyday, all day. I prayed against the nicorette urge. I would pray for strength to get through just that ONE day without giving into my addiction. The next day I would do the same thing. It's true, if you want to quit bad enough you'll find a way and if you are looking for an excuse not to quit, you'll find that too!
If you really want to quit, pray about it and, remember, Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". |
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 Chicken Chick
Posts: 3562
Location: Texas | My mom used Chantix and quit for a couple of years with no problems. In-law drama at my wedding had her light up again and she has smoked since.
My uncle's brother in law just committed suicide a month or so ago, and they are blaming it on Chantix. I didn't really know him so I don't know if that is just their excuse because they missed all the signs or if Chantix really brought it all on. |
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 Keep those crap slapping tails away!
Posts: 8871
Location: Around here somewhere... | I had a long response all typed up & lost it... ugh.
My dad tried to quit smoking for 20+yrs, and Chantix is the only thing that worked for him. He has been on it since April, and I don't think he has smoked at all. He still has the desire to smoke, and it made him moody for the first month or so, and it made everything taste BAD, but he got used to it & is SO happy to not be smoking! :)
Edited by Blaundee 2013-11-04 1:14 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1066
| I had smoked for 7 years when I quit the first time... I took Champix (I think that's the Canadian version of Chantix?) for 2 weeks and had some pretty messed up dreams, so I went off of it, but I do think it made the initial days without smoking a bit easier. After that I ate Jolly Rancher candies... lots of them.... like 3 bags a week. lol. Quitting the first time was really hard and was a total test of my marriage... I was a bit of a psycho for about 6 months.
I started smoking again this spring after a year and a half of going without (yes, stupid, I know). I found out I was pregnant in August and quit cold turkey over the course of a week and it was much easier. I think I just had my mind made up that I wasn't going to do that to my baby and I mentally beat the crap out of myself everytime I had a smoke.... morning sickness may have helped a bit too. lol. Honestly, its been so much easier this time... I dont feel crazy, and my coworkers and hubby have all commented on how sane I've been!
Good luck- its definitely not easy, but you'll feel sooo much better, and you'll feel rich at the end of every month when you realize how much money you're saving! |
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Keep those crap slapping tails away!
Posts: 8871
Location: Around here somewhere... | dhdqhllc - 2013-11-04 11:52 AM
those that want to quit will and those that aren't serious won't......doesn't matter what method you use....the only thing that matters is if your head is ready or not....
I agree that you have to WANT to quit, but once you want to, Chantix can be a great tool to help you quit. It will NOT make you quit, it only helps you be able to quit. |
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Always Off Topic
Posts: 6382
Location: ND | Blaundee - 2013-11-04 1:27 PM dhdqhllc - 2013-11-04 11:52 AM those that want to quit will and those that aren't serious won't......doesn't matter what method you use....the only thing that matters is if your head is ready or not.... I agree that you have to WANT to quit, but once you want to, Chantix can be a great tool to help you quit. It will NOT make you quit, it only helps you be able to quit.
agreed |
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 Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | My dad took it for about six weeks to quit, he did great on it no weird side effects and it helped him quit and stay off smoking |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10794
Location: Kansas | The girls here at work have used it. Just go right back to smoking. They seem to have better luck with the e-Cigs.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 437
| Never tried Chantix heard many bad stories, in August I bought one of those e-cigs and started using it. I never thought of it as quitting just changing. I have not had a real cigarette since and I am now down to .06 mg liquid, next is zero. I have always enjoyed the physical part of smoking, so now I have it with no side effects! |
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Member
Posts: 17
| OMG! It was horrible for me! Don't get me wrong, cigarettes tasted awful, but I bated my husband, family, job, and myself. Heck, I'm pretty sure I would be in prison by now if I'd stayed on it! Lol! Tried it TWICE with the sane results! !!
Worth a try but be aware of the side effects! Many people do really well on it....just not for me.
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 Toy Story Fanatic
Posts: 4148
Location: Oregon | Tried Wellbutrin and could not sleep for 3 days. I did forget to smoke but lack of sleep made it hard to function at work. So i quit taking it. Think I will just go with an e-cig after reading this post. Thanks! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | I used it and loved it. It will be 2 years this December since I quit. Had no issues with it other than quitting the Chantix cold turkey. I suggest weaning yourself off of it the last 2 weeks. I suggest it to everyone. I believe it is like everything else. It will work for some, it will not work for others. Just have to try it and see for yourself. |
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boon
Posts: 1
| It works!!! I smoked for 20+ years and on Dec 17, 2013 will be 1 year without 1 drag. I was buying 2 packs a day for the final 6-7 years. Around $12 a day and about $4400 a year with a total in the last 5 years $22,000. That makes me crazy. The addiction is real. I don't know if I could of stopped without Chantix, but I know I did stop because of it. It made the taste become disgusting like no other. The urge slowly left my head. After 3 weeks and the "WANT" to really quit. I DID IT! The withdrawals were in the form of severe muscle aches about a month after. That lasted also 1 month. Bring cigarette free is truly being free. My wife kisses me again. I tried literally every method to quit before Chantix. Nothing worked. Chantix does.
Here is a Chantix coupon site I've had success with:
http://www.manufacturerdrugcoupons.com/chantix-coupon/ |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| ~BINGO~ - 2013-11-04 10:21 AM My husband has tried using it two different times (several years apart) to quit chewing. It worked for a short period of time. But only while he was using it. Unfortunately, the only reason it worked was because it made him terribly sick. He was vomiting several times a day. The dreams were awful. He would wake up in a panic. He would yell in his sleep. It was very hard on him. So he gave up on it. I can't say that I blame him.
Yep - boyfriend tried it to try to quit chewing - he BARFED ALL THE TIME! |
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 Water Weight Barbie
Posts: 6829
Location: Oz, Kansas | My brother took it & had horrible nightmares, suicidal thoughts & night terrors. The last straw was when he woke up to his wife screaming & he was sitting on her with his hands around her throat. Needless to say, after that, he kept smoking. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| My roommate in college took it and ended up in the psych ward. Be very careful. She literally had delusions that people were after her, that our water was poisoned, and that her fiance was out to kill all of us. We involved her fiance and parents when she didn't shower for 2 days and was huddled under the kitchen sink babbling that people were coming for all of us. This was after two weeks of her taking it as directed by her doctor. She was and is not a drug person, doesn't really drink alcohol, and her only real vice was smoking.
She has since quit smoking with big red gum, daily workouts, and prayer. Please be careful. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| lindseylou2290 - 2014-02-27 11:01 AM My roommate in college took it and ended up in the psych ward. Be very careful. She literally had delusions that people were after her, that our water was poisoned, and that her fiance was out to kill all of us. We involved her fiance and parents when she didn't shower for 2 days and was huddled under the kitchen sink babbling that people were coming for all of us. This was after two weeks of her taking it as directed by her doctor. She was and is not a drug person, doesn't really drink alcohol, and her only real vice was smoking. She has since quit smoking with big red gum, daily workouts, and prayer. Please be careful.
WOW - you know, with almost EVERYONE having negative side effects, I'm sort of amazed they even prescribe it! |
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 Scorpions R Us
Posts: 9586
Location: So. Cali. | Both my parents used it to quit after years of smoking. My dad did it first, he did have very vivid nightmarish dreams, but stuck it out and he has never gone back. My mom did it about a year after my dad had quit, was able to quit without following thru the full prescripion (sp?). I think she admitted to sneaking a cigarette once after her fathers passing, but that was it. Otherwise both have been clean for acouple years now! 
Edited by Three*C*Champs 2014-02-27 11:13 AM
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Expert
Posts: 2457
| Griz - 2014-02-27 11:07 AM
lindseylou2290 - 2014-02-27 11:01 AM My roommate in college took it and ended up in the psych ward. Be very careful. She literally had delusions that people were after her, that our water was poisoned, and that her fiance was out to kill all of us. We involved her fiance and parents when she didn't shower for 2 days and was huddled under the kitchen sink babbling that people were coming for all of us. This was after two weeks of her taking it as directed by her doctor. She was and is not a drug person, doesn't really drink alcohol, and her only real vice was smoking. She has since quit smoking with big red gum, daily workouts, and prayer. Please be careful.
WOW - you know, with almost EVERYONE having negative side effects, I'm sort of amazed they even prescribe it!
Right?!? I agree. Mind you this was a solid 6 years ago, but looking through these comments there really are alot of people with bad side effects - Makes you wonder if the company is giving kick backs to doctors who prescribe it instead of another alternative. I'm just glad that we were able to help her and that she is fine now. |
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 Dr. Ruth
Posts: 9891
Location: Blissfully happy Giants fan!!! | My husband was a smoker for at least 10 years. He has a ton of his family members that smoke and that included both of his parents. I think he toyed with the idea of quitting a while ago. Him and his mom tried the e-cigarette thing. Said it was stupid.
He tried the patches and actually used them when he was traveling but it didn't really help.
He finally went to the doctor and they prescried him Chantix. I completely agree that you have to be mentally ready to just quit. He was there. I don't know the reasons-this was a personal choice for him and I only wanted to be supportive but let him do this on his own. We were scared of the side effects and actually had the guns removed just in case. He has never been a dreamer when he goes to sleep so that was never an issue for him
He said it definitely helped but it wasn't what really drove it. They had a game plan of how to decrease how much he smoked and he just got to a point where he decided he wasnt going to smoke again. He spent another 2 weeks slowly removing himself from chantix and then that was it. He has been smoke free for about 6 months now and hasn't really had any cravings-not even when he is around other smokers.
I am super proud of him. Oh, he really didn't have any crazy side effects either. His stomach has been messed up from acid refulx for a lot longer than this but it didn't make it worse. And no craziness either which was good. |
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 I Love My Mares!
Posts: 1613
Location: Moved to Montana | My husband is using it now.. The recomended dose was to high for him and he had some depression and anxiety, although that could have also been from the withdrawl. It did make him sick if hetook it with out food, but we are at 6 weeks with out smoking and he has had a few days it was touch and go if he was going to light up again but so far he hasnt. He is on a quarter dose now taken As needed to deal with the really bad days and it is working... But he has had to work closly with his Dr to adjust the dose and when it was to high his head was not right... Not violent more anxety attack, it is not foreveryone but I dont think hecould have made it this far with out the drug. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 668
Location: Oklahoma | I am on it right now...I started taking it in late November 2013, so I'm about done with my course. I decided to stop smoking on my sons birthday...about a week after I had started taking the Chantix. Although I've had a couple set backs, I am now totally smoke free!!! I did have some vivid dreams, but not nightmarish like. I actually had some pretty GOOD dreams! lol I had a hard time sleeping the first 2 or 3 nights, but once my body got used to it, I slept like a baby! All in all, I'm happy I tried it becuase it really does help with the cravings, and it helped me quit! |
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 Super PIckle
Location: Where ever | HotbearLVR - 2013-11-04 10:13 AM I seldom prescribe it, mainly because of the vivid dreams it can cause, along with the other problems you mentioned. It seems to work well in people who tolerate it, but like all other aspects of smoke cessation, it all boils down to how bad you really want to quit. If you try something like patches, nicotine gum, or zyban, they all can work......if you don't cheat.
My experience with Zyban (Wellbutryn) has been the best of all the modalities. Gum is a decent option, but a lot of people find that nicorette gum goes well with cigarettes!!!
Bottom line - never give up trying.
Everytime I try to get the Zyban they give me the CHantix :(
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 Transplant Okie
Posts: 1206
Location: Always on call..... | lindseylou2290 - 2014-02-27 12:20 PM
Griz - 2014-02-27 11:07 AM
lindseylou2290 - 2014-02-27 11:01 AM My roommate in college took it and ended up in the psych ward. Be very careful. She literally had delusions that people were after her, that our water was poisoned, and that her fiance was out to kill all of us. We involved her fiance and parents when she didn't shower for 2 days and was huddled under the kitchen sink babbling that people were coming for all of us. This was after two weeks of her taking it as directed by her doctor. She was and is not a drug person, doesn't really drink alcohol, and her only real vice was smoking. She has since quit smoking with big red gum, daily workouts, and prayer. Please be careful.
WOW - you know, with almost EVERYONE having negative side effects, I'm sort of amazed they even prescribe it!
Right?!? I agree. Mind you this was a solid 6 years ago, but looking through these comments there really are alot of people with bad side effects - Makes you wonder if the company is giving kick backs to doctors who prescribe it instead of another alternative. I'm just glad that we were able to help her and that she is fine now.
Not EVERYONE has bad side effects. People who have bad side effects to a medication are the always the ones most vocal about how horrible it is. (ie all the IUD threads on here) I prescribe Chantix quite a bit and have good success with it. About 30% of patients don't tolerate it well and stop the medication. About 30% admit it helped them cut back smoking but that they weren't really ready to quit smoking. The rest quit. I counsel my patients extensively on the side effects, what to watch out for and to stop the medication if they experience any of them.
The biggest thing is to have your mind ready to quit or nothing will be successful. Talk to your dr, there are many options out there to help people quit. Chantix, Wellbutrin, nicotine inhalers, patches, helplines, etc. Discuss your options and see what is the best for you.
I promise you doctors aren't getting kickbacks for trying to help people quit smoking. It's the single worst thing you can do for your health. Spend a few days in a hospital and see the devastating effects of smoking on people. The horrible quality of life they have - oxygen dependent, on ventilators, recurrent infections, heart attacks, disabled from strokes, cancers. It's awful and tragic that one thing can cause so much damage to the body. Even more tragic that these out ones could be prevented.
So no. No doctor in their right mind would prescribe something that could potentially spare a patient all of this just for a "kickback". |
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 Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | For anyone wanting to try Chantix or any kind of medicine just make yourself aware of the side affects and discuss them with the people around you in case you don't recognize any side affects.
If you don't have side affects and it works, awesome!!
Personal experience, as much as I am desperate for my husband to quit dipping, I absolutely forbid him from taking Chantix. He became so mean on it and literally had moments that he can't remember doing anything at all. I could seriously imagine him snapping on it. He didn't recognize it though. I did and talked to him about it, and we went together to talk to the doctor about it. He had to quit taking it. |
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Regular
Posts: 57
| I used Chantix to kick a long term smoking habit - never had any bad side effects and it completely helped me -- I did not feel the urge to smoke when I was on it. I am very grateful that I tried it and I tried numerous other things so I don't think I could have done it without Chantix. But I do also believe that you have to be "ready to quit"!!! |
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