Champix

Hi all,

Just wondering if you or anyone you know has been on Champix to quit smoking?

This is my second time. The first time I stopped taking it as I was constantly sick even being woken at night to vomit and then the pains in the stomach started.

I spoke to my doctor before the new year and he decided to give Champix another go, Im very nervous about it (I have a history of Panic Disorder) but he has given me some things to help combat the nausea problem.

The reason I ask is because it occurred to me while taking my tablet this morning that it was almost exactly 2 years ago that I started Champix. It was then that I started feeling quite ill most afternoons, by ill I mean 'out of it', dizzy and depersonalized. Even when I stopped in March this continued, getting progressively worse. Then in May I was hospitalized for Anxiety for 2 months. Firstly in the psych ward (which I requested - scared I had completely lost my mind) then onto the MBU.

I wonder if the Champix contributed to this...... I am sure it was something I was already prone to get I just wonder......

Ive tried to stay positive about it this time and not look at the bad side effects.... telling myself if I can just last until Feb I will have stopped long enough to stay away from smokes with some willpower. However when I try cold turkey I have NO willpower at all. Generally by 6pm I HAVE to buy those smokes. But I have to say that that year when the Panic started was horrendous and I would not wish it on anybody!! I missed DD's first bday because I panicked which still to this day breaks my heart, for over a year I felt like I wasnt living but fighting to live and never getting anywhere. Many times wanting to give up.

I wonder if it was Champix as well because no one has ever been able to pinpoint what bought it on. Tay was 10 months and I couldnt wait to get home from work to see her. No one died, we didnt move, things with DH were fine. My appointment with my psych isnt until Feb although I would like to talk to her about it.

TIA

um, i think you need to address some serious ****-up with your dr, champix is NOT supposed to be prescribed for anyone with a mental illness, or has ever had a mental illness.

think you need to look at some other ways to help with quitting babe, and if you find one that works, let me know!
good luck, and DON'T TOUCH THE CHAMPIX!!!

DH went on Zyban a month ago and because he suffers from depression and anxiety his GP said that Champix was not an option for him. Unfortunately he had to stop taking Zyban because he was not coping without his Zoloft and had a few bad episodes. He has been using patches now for 2wks and hasn't had a smoke.

Regards,
Dianne

I am not on AD's anymore and have been doing great without them, I asked my doc about trying Zyban rather than Champix this time and he said he preferred to use Champix.........

Unfortunately for me I am allergic to NRT's.... not sure why, the patches give me a rash and the lozenges/chewing gum have me in coughing fits and burn my mouth.

I have two doctors I see.... weird I know but one is 5 minutes away and very easy to get into and the other is half an hour away and very HARD to get into. But I try and see her for all the really important things coz she is great (albeit a bit nasty but she knows what she is on about). Maybe ill try making an appointment with her and see what she thinks.

My partner is currently on Champix and you do need to be very careful especially if you have any history of depression, mental heath issues. The first few days whe he started he was an emotional mess, and the only reason he continued was that he was on holidays and didnt have to go to work.. he decided to give it a few more days and he came good. They have also given him some very crazy dreams. To be honest they scare me, but he wanted to continue.

They are now working for him fine, but I would say they are not for everyone! I think and I could be wrong that initailly they were an anti-depressant, and they noticed an added side effect was the high number of patients that stopped smoking while taking them..

Mummy: You are right in the antidepressant thing, but it wasnt champix it was Zyban :)

I cant get hold of my doc, maybe she is on holidays :(

Yeah, it's Zyban that works also as an anti-depressant which is why DH needed to stop taking Zoloft.

Regards,
Dianne

Dianne, did he find that it worked for the time he was on it??

Champix is wonderful at what it is meant to do. You dont even think about having a smoke at all. Its just unfortunate about all the other side effects and problems it has.

They didn't help one little bit, he was still smoking while taking them and his anxiety was through the roof.

Regards,
Dianne

I just wanted to let everyone know I have just started my third week on champix. Despite my worries I've been keeping a close eye on changes, diarizing moods etc. I found for a few days I was quite short tempered even with dd which is very unusual but as a whole I've been really good. I've stopped smoking...... I had a few days where I had 2..... Dh issues...... No excuse though.

I find I think about having one but have the strength to say no. Surprisingly around 6pm is the worst!!

I'm expecting some moodiness for at least 2 weeks, possibly some tears and sadness that I won't attribute to champix but to quitting itself.

The only problem I'm having are sine stomach aches that last maybe half an hour to an hour.

I know it wasn't recommended for people with histories of mental illness but I think monitoring it as closely as I am I feel a bit safer and really..... I want to quit, I never want to pick one up again! I just needed a little help with the lack of willpower I have!!

Yay fingers crossed I can keep it up