Champix aka Chantix/Varenicline

Poutbutton · 13-01-2009 6:08pm

Those were some tests! It'll be good to have your cousin on board, someone else to compare notes with. I think my friend might try it if I have success, he's afraid of the side affects, especially the ones which say you can sink very low if you're so inclined. I think some people sink low when off the smokes anyway, he certainly did when he tried using the patches. I think you need a positive outlook to start with. Well, I had a mild headache all day yesterday and again today but I think it may be this flu that I have, it and a little disturbed sleep, like waking every so often but again, I'm out of my normal routine being off work so that could be the reason I woke a lot.
I'm going back to work tomorrow regardless so as the days go on & the virus leaves me hopefully the headache will too unless it's down to the champix.
so, roll on Monday when I can test myself! You mention beaches in your post....I've got California weather envy now!

DonnieL · 13-01-2009 6:16pm

Yes it was unseasonably hot here yesterday. 88 degrees.

I honestly think what you're feeling is from your case of flu. I haven't felt any side effects from the Chantix/Champix so far. I had a bad night last night but it from this bloody bronchitis cough.:(

Hang tough my friend. Did you take you second pill this morning?

Poutbutton · 13-01-2009 6:23pm

Yes I agree it's probably the flu, a few more days & I should feel normal again. Yes I took my 2nd tablet my halo shineth. Our weather has warmed up a little the past 2 days from mainly frost the last 2 weeks to now just cold! The sun did peep out today though. Best of luck on your 2nd smoke free day

DonnieL · 13-01-2009 6:45pm

Good, now take care of that flu. Are you staying down pretty much with lots of fluids? Will you listen to me, sound like a nursemaid. Anyway take care of yourself and keep it up.. I'll keep you posted.:P

DonnieL · 14-01-2009 7:36am

Hi,
well today was an interesting day. I live in a townhome not to far from Disneyland. There are about 4 sycamore trees around my place that drop these barbed balls when the wind blows and of course we've been having the Santa Ana Winds(that's why it's been so hot)
I saw the mailman coming with his cart so I got a broom to run out and clear the sidewalk but was to late. He'd already capsized his mail cart.
When I finished clearing the sidewalk I went to come the house and found I'd locked myself out!! I had to wait until I spotted a neighbor coming home from work then he called a locksmith which took nearly an hour.
I was screaming for a SMOKE!! When It was all over, I decided to keep busy and try and forget the smoke. I MADE IT! I'm still clean. Even though I'm out $80.00 for a Locksmith. Well I'm off to bed while I'm "clean". Nite..

Poutbutton · 15-01-2009 4:17pm

What a disaster and to think you were doing a good deed while all this happened. Plus the €80 dollars on top ouch. I need to call a locksmith myself have a broken key in my patio door a few weeks now.
I can only imagine the temperatures you are experiencing, it's cold and miserable here so I can only dream of thoses san an winds.
4th day on champix & it's beginning to kick in, I am acutely aware of the smell of the smoke now and they are beginning to taste like cheap imported cigs. The sensation reminds me of when I first began trying smokes out they tasted awful (why I started I'll never Know) so thats a good thing. Tonight I take the first of the double dosage per day so it'll be interesting to see how I go over the next few days.
Well, if you did'nt give in after yesterdays bad luck I assume you are feeling proud of yourself! Has your cousin started yet? I'm getting closer to quit day...the nerves are there in the background but I cant wait to test myself.

DonnieL · 15-01-2009 5:59pm

Well, I'm still hanging in there. Last night was strange. I had two separate "vivid" dreams that I was smoking they were so real I actually woke up thinking "what the hell am I doing"!! Wierd. I'll be honest and let you know if I "slip up". But so far so good and actually get some stuff done around the house to keep busy. Keep up the good work! I guess you're back to work now. Hope it's going ok.

Poutbutton · 15-01-2009 7:36pm

You're doing good. I tried to post yesterday but for some reason it kept logging me out when I posted. Yep I'm back to work since yesterday, a full on day with meetings & an afternoon of driving - working then driving back again, I think i was 3 hours driving in total not including the commute! No stress though everything fine & I'm glad to be busy again. I'm dsliking the taste more and more. I've sensed some nausea when I smoke but not enough to make me stop yet.
Wow you had vivid dreams, thats what my friend was talking about. I used to get night terrors, usually quite horrific with snakes or rats in my bed (AGH! :eek:) I have'nt had one for a long time, 2 years since I had one. I think they were stress related mostly. I hope they dont come back!
When you think about it, giving up smoking after such a long time doing it must be like cuttng off your arm. Roll on Monday and keep up the good work.

DonnieL · 15-01-2009 7:47pm

The dreams aren't bad just vivid. When I was working I experienced a lot of what you refer to as "night Terrors". I've been retired over a year now and still have occaisional "nightmares" about the old job. I've seen on other threads where people described their dreams as "vivid" also. It was funny because I actually woke thinking I'd been smoking.
You seem to be getting more effects in your first week than I did. The only thing that I noticed was toward the end of the week I didn't feel the force to go out and have a smoke. I quit smoking in the house several years ago after I went through and washed all the walls and curtains and what a job that was. Been smoking in the patio ever since.
Well keep up the good work. You have an advantage because you have work to distract you from the smoking urge.

Poutbutton · 15-01-2009 8:01pm

Yes I would smoke less in the working day persay but believe me there are plenty of opportunites when I'm going from palce to place, thankfully I'm not stuck behind a desk all day. The trend to smoke outside is normal for me too, it does ruin houses and fabrics etc.
I had night terrors from my early to mid 20's mainly if I had a high temp or was particularly worried about something but I think I've learned to deal with stress better these days. I wrk in social services with children so it can be challenging at times but for the most part I enjoy my work & the kids are great.
If I do get night terrors everyone will know about it cos I scream blue murder & have no recollection of it the next day, the only way I know I've had one is if I remember the dream itself or my throat would hurt! Ah the mind is a very strange thing!

DonnieL · 15-01-2009 8:07pm

Ah, Congratulations. You have a very rewarding Job working with Children and not being stuck inside behind a desk. I retired from a Large Space and Defense Firm where I was a Procurement Specialist. Lot's of stress and pressures.
Hang tough my friend. Today I'm supposed to be "Carbon Monoxide" free! =^)

Poutbutton · 15-01-2009 8:15pm

Interesting. well, here's a thumbs up to clean oxygen running through your veins!

DonnieL · 15-01-2009 8:18pm

This time next week, you'll be there too! I pray to the Holy Father and Blessed Mother ever night to give me strength to see this through!

Poutbutton · 15-01-2009 8:20pm

I'll remember you in my prayers too!

DonnieL · 15-01-2009 8:22pm

Oh by the way, someone sent me this link and I found it a very timely inspiration.
http://www.maniacworld.com/are-you-going-to-finish-strong.html

Poutbutton · 15-01-2009 8:30pm

wow that guy is amazing! Very moving piece of film. Here's a piece I like, not inspiring just nice!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z2ljWwIaHs

DonnieL · 15-01-2009 8:39pm

That was beautiful. It brought a tear to my eye! My Dad and all his brothers were in World War II. Plus I love Piano although I never learned to play.

Poutbutton · 15-01-2009 8:45pm

Yes it's beautiful, it's by Yan Tiersen, from the film Amelie he has many beautiful works using piano and accordian, which most people think they dont like but when you hear him play it is amazing! I like to play it when I'm pottering about the house or in the bakground while surfing the net. Well, I have some baking to do for my nieces for tomorrow, gonna let them ice their own cup cakes tomorrow evening, they love getting messy & eating the results! so stick with the champix & I'll check in tomorrow. Hope your cough is getting better.

Terry · 16-01-2009 2:15am

Just popping in to say fair play to both of you.
You both seem to be doing really well.

I'm wary of champix myself due to the other medication I'm on, but am seriously considering taking it.
You both seem to be coping quite well with it.

DonnieL · 16-01-2009 7:07pm

Thank you 3Being, today is day #5 without cigs. I think about it then occupy my self with something else. Day four you supposed to have the carbon monoxide out of you system. I have notice the cough from my bronchitis has subsided considerably the last few days where I'm actually able to sleep at night.

DonnieL · 16-01-2009 7:10pm

Good morning. Well it's day 5 and I'm still going. Yes my cough has subsided considerably the couple of day where I can actually sleep at night. Still having dreams though. Actually some of them are pretty nice. =^)

Terry · 16-01-2009 8:15pm

5 days is the longest I have ever lasted and that was 17 years ago.
Kudos to you.

Also, call me Terry.
The current name was done as a joke.

DonnieL · 16-01-2009 8:19pm

Hi Terry, Thanks for the support. I've heard many success stories about Chantix/Champix. My kid sister is a nurse and some of her staff has used it and quit and they recommend it highly. That's why I decided to try it. I have two separate Doctors who insisted that I quit smoking and both recommended the Chantix/Champix program.

Poutbutton · 16-01-2009 10:48pm

Congrats on your 5th day Donnie great to hear your chest is clearing.
Thanks Terry, I'm still at the smoking stage, my quit day is Monday, all going well. I too am very wary of side effects so I'm taking it one day at a time. You should do some net research on champix, see what you think & then speak to your doctor to see if you are a suitable candidate. Luckily I'm on no other medication so it's only what it does to me that will make me decide to either stop taking it or continue. I'm allergic to pennicillan and most of those over the counter cold/flu remedies & am prone to migraine so I'm hoping I dont react to it badly & I can continue the course. So far no ill effects other than what it's meant to do which is make cigarettes seem pointless, I am still smoking though so the habit is most definately still there! :cool:

Pocono Joe · 16-01-2009 11:09pm

Chantix worked pretty good for me. Even after 4 months I still get cravings, but the craving passes fairly quickly. The vivid dreams were great... Flatulence sucked.

Poutbutton · 16-01-2009 11:13pm

Hi PoconoJoe.
Did you get the dreams when you were off the fags or before while you were taking the drug and still smoking? I've no other symtoms yet....;)

Pocono Joe · 16-01-2009 11:19pm

The week on, and the first two weeks off were the best for dreams.

Poutbutton · 16-01-2009 11:21pm

Hmm, I will wait and see. It's brilliant that you're still off them 4 months later, do you feel great?

Nevaeh · 16-01-2009 11:27pm

just wanted to say i used Chantix last feb, i was smoking 40 to 50 a day, dont think i could of quit with out them, ye can do it guys

well done.

DonnieL · 16-01-2009 11:31pm

Just want to thank you all for input and support. It looks like Poutbuttom and myself are novices compared to you. Your support is most welcome! Thanks again.

Champix aka Chantix/Varenicline

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