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Global Patient Feedback for Chantix (Varenicline) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
chantix helped me stop smoking for 9 months.i started back up again smoking much less than before for about 2 months.I restarted the chantix and am on week 4 and am doing great.It does work It is the only thing that worked for me.I just have to learn to say No once I am done this time .Anyone else go thru this?
55 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-25 09:42:14
Answer/Reply:
I have quit by using chantix 3 times. It does work, but my Dr told me to stay on it for 6 months, and I quit taking it too soon. This time I will keep taking it like the Dr prescribed. The mental craving is the hard part. I don't even like the taste, but get antsy and think I want one.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2008-12-30 11:51:14
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I started Chantix last Feb. Was smoke free for about 12-14 weeks. Started a new job, was planning a wedding, and lost my pet due to death. All within a 4 week period. Unfortunatly, I started smoking again at this time. Not as much but it happened. Still smoking, but ready to start the Chantix again. Just picked up my pills. Happy to say so is my husband. This will be his first and hopefully last time to try the chantix. We will be doing this together. Good luck to us and good luck to you on this try. If it doesn't stick this time, try again. Not smoking for periods at a time is better than smoking constantly.
40 year old female in PA
Posted: 2009-03-10 10:08:29
Question/Comment:
IS IT POSSSIBLE THAT A COMBINATION OF CHANTIX AND PLAVIX CAN CAUSE BLOOD IN THE URINE? I ALSO TAKE ZOCOR. I AM 58 YRS OLD. HAVE HAD LUNG CANCER 3 YRS AGO.
59 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-24 16:30:32
Answer/Reply:
Honey you need to go see the doctor right away !
25 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-16 11:06:01
Question/Comment:
IS IT POSSSIBLE THAT A COMBINATION OF CHANTIX AND PLAVIX CAN CAUSE BLOOD IN THE URINE? I ALSO TAKE ZOCOR.
59 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-24 16:26:53
Question/Comment:
I did quite well on Chantix. From reading the posts, it looks like I'm one of the lucky ones. No noticable side effects. My problem is finding a better way to deal with stress than to smoke. I had stopped smoking, had stopped craving a cigarette, and then I got stressed because life happens and started smoking. I was still doing pretty good, only smoking 4 or 5 cigarettes a day compared to the 2 packs I had been doing. Then my prescription ran out. I'm back up to a pack a day and have an appointment with my doctor this afternoon to see if there is any medical reason why I shouldn't take Chantix for longer than 3 months. After all, 20+ years of smoking at least 2 packs a day equals a pretty strong nictotine addiction. I'm still working on finding a better method of stress management.
44 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-24 12:10:21
Question/Comment:
if your thinking of takein chantix you should check the fda website and other sites not sponserd by drug company's to learn of th dangers and if you start it know the signs of the bad side affects that are more common than the drug company lets on there has been a lot of suicide and depression with this drug mood swings nightmares !!!!!!!
40 year old Male
Posted: 2008-11-22 18:24:31
Answer/Reply:
This is my second time taking Chantix. The only side affects I have had is upset stomach and constipation. I think the benefits outweigh the side affects. They say that most people who smoke are medicating their depression with nicotine. Maybe other users of this medication should consult with their doctor about taking an anti-depressant along with Chantix. Let us not complain about medicine that helps us stop smoking with minimal effort.
49 year old Male
Posted: 2008-11-24 09:26:46
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
AMEN. Please don't take this drug. I am an RN who successfully quit smoking on it but began having new onset, severe and so far, untreatable, anxiety and depression which began one week after quitting. NO PRIOR history of these problems. It obviously does serious things to some peoples brain chemistry.
Posted: 2008-11-24 13:57:54
Question/Comment:
I took chantix for 8 days and all I felt was sick to my stomach not to mention having crazy dreams. So I quit taking it. For me not worth the money or side effects.
31 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-20 20:05:47
Answer/Reply:
i agree with you i was on it for awhile i was haveing strange and scary dreams some nights i would wake up scared to go back to sleep and look around the house to see if i could find what was chasing me not realizing it was just a dream i noticed things bothered me alot and didn't realize this was a form of depr. i went on like this for months until i told my mother about the dreams and moods and she asked if i was takeing something to help me quite smoking and i told her about the chantix she told me my brother was taking it until his wife found him sitting in there room crying with a shotgun and found out it was caused by the chantix i called my doctor and told him what was going on and he took me off it i never knowed there was legal drugs on the market that would alter your moods and dreams like this after learning of this i checked on chantix and i have found the fda has investigated it and knows there's problems with it i don't know why its still on the market
40 year old Male
Posted: 2008-11-22 14:24:41
Answer/Reply:
Sick stomach and crazy dreams, how about cigarette side affects, lung cancer, heart attack, C.O.P, throat cancer, tongue cancer, wow the list is endless. I used Chantix and I am nicotine free now. Just really think about what is worse.
49 year old Male
Posted: 2008-11-24 09:32:31
Answer/Reply:
For some people it is much more than an upset stomach & crazy dreams. Major & severe depression, with suicidal, and homicidal thoughts are not in cards to quit smoking. I am glad it worked for you. You need to understand that medications do not work the same for everyone, and the reason for this forum is to understand the dangers, along with the good that comes from medication.
53 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-04 01:56:00
Question/Comment:
I am at the end of my third month on Chantix and smoke free, but I did call my doctor and ask him to refill it again. I am afraid to get off of it. It also seems to diminish any desire to drink alcohol. I wonder if they could use this drugs for a lot of addictions. To me it is a flat out miracle. Sharon
62 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-20 14:46:30
Question/Comment:
I was taking Zoloft and Chantix together and all I did was cry all the time for no reason. So I stopped taking the Chantix and I am doing fine. I would like to stop smoking also but I cannot take the 2 together.
47 year old Female
Posted: 2008-11-19 23:07:05
Answer/Reply:
You reaally have to have a strong desire to quit. Even if you've used the patch in the past, and failed. Possibly try it again.
53 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-04 01:58:48
Question/Comment:
I actually had altered thought processes I didn't notice for a few months. After two months I was gambling on my lunch hour, thinking of cheating on my spouse and all kinds of weird thoughts with little depression type symptoms more self destructive. After I quit the chantix it took months for it to be less noticeable. I still have weird thoughts that I can't explain. Oh yeah I was sick to mu stomach after three weeks and after I haven't taken it now for almost a year, my stomach has never been the same! This is a weird drug.
45 year old Female
Posted: 2008-10-31 12:59:46
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
This is definitely a strange drug. I have never had any type of severe anxiety/depression. I am a strong, educated professional that wanted some help about a year ago kicking the habit. Long story short - One day I had to leave work early and drive myself to the ER because I couldn't catch my breath at work. My heart was racing and I thought it was from caffeine or something. I was diagnosed with possible pneumonia at the ER after a cat scan...They literally stated they weren't sure, but that they saw something. My doctor (same who perscribed chantix) put me on a steriod that is commonally utilized to deal with pneumonia. After that, I had about 4 panic attacks (the psychatrist stated) in the course of 2 months. I was extremely anxious all the time and was not able to participate in normal daily activities like work, etc. I thought it was an adverse reaction to the steriod I was on, but after doing more reasearch I really think it could have been the chantix that threw me for a loop. I have now been on a low zoloft dose for about a year. I am able to cope much better, but it was the worse experience of my life to date. I had to seek psychatric treatment, learn relaxation therapy, and take a few months off of work. I also stayed with a family member because I was so afraid and had no idea what was happening. For a strong person to all of the sudden feel terrified and very anxious about life is very scary in itself. I would highly recommend that no one takes this drug. Figure out another way to stop smoking. I feel better now, but have had to change a lot of my habits. I do not drink hardly any caffeine, I still utilize relaxation therapy, and am still on zoloft to reduce anxiety. I plan to wean off of the zoloft soon. What an ordeal - trust me...It is not worth it. Find another aid to assist you in quitting your nicotine addiction.
Posted: 2008-10-31 14:19:30
Question/Comment:
I am bilpolar and was being treated successfully when I took Chantix. Into the 5th week I became severely depressed, had suicidal thoughts and actually tried to commit suicide by overdose. I had 17 ECT treatment and am on medication management. I went through this experience for 1 1/2 years. I am finally almost back to my old self again.
61 year old Female
Posted: 2008-10-27 21:29:12
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
How long did you take Chantix, and is your bipolar really stable again?
Posted: 2008-11-10 08:06:02
Answer/Reply:
The insert plainly states the side effects, suicide, depression, ect. Why would you take Chantix when you already had issues? Makes no sense.
50 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-22 17:47:00
Answer/Reply:
Well, how about the Dr. who prescribed it to this woman? No matter what the insert says, most people feel their Dr knows best, and who are they to question? Doc's are not what they are cracked up to be these days. All this is for money. Why in the world are cigarettes even being manufactured in the first place? Everyone knows they make you sick over time, it costs us a ton of money in health care annually.. Quit making them, and then everyone will quit.. EZ solution. Then we won't have psychotic drugs to cure an addiction. I smoked from the time I was 6 yrs old, until a month ago. Chantix nearly killed me a year ago.. Pneumonia almost did it a month ago.. You have to want to quit, no matter what method you choose to help you get over the addiction/withdrawals.. I say we all get after the cig companies, and make them quit making cigs! Problem solved. But, I think the medical community, and the drug companies want the cig companies to thrive. Think of the money they would lose if cigarettes went away!
Think about it!!
53 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-04 02:10:27
Answer/Reply:
Because most docs just ignore that and say take this if you truly want to quit.
45 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-01 19:57:55
Question/Comment:
Is it normal for Chantix to RAISE your blood pressure? I want to quit smoking, but I have high HP already. I am also tachycardic, so Chantix scares me. What should I do?
42 year old Female
Posted: 2008-10-06 21:43:36
Question/Comment:
I have smoked for about 15 years. Chantix is the best out there if you want to quit. However I went from 2 packs a day to 2 cigarettes a day really quick The sick feeling helped. The problem is, I'm at the end of my perscription. and I have a problem quitting completely. And soon as I'm off the meds I end up rapidly smoking more. My dr gave me an extra month, and I'm back down to about 2 cigs a day again, but I took my last pill yesterday. I'm scared I'm gonna go back again. Does anyone know what the max amount of time you can take chantix? Or if there is another medication just like chantix only stronger? The hardest part is that I have to quit because I need to have majory surgery. So The stress level is up there!
31 year old Male
Posted: 2008-09-30 18:52:12
Answer/Reply:
I AM EXPERIENCING EXACTLY SAME ISSUES YOU HAVE AND CANNOT DO THE FINAL QUIT. DR ALSO EXTENDED MY RX.aM ALSO CONTEMPLATING MAJOR SURGERY AND AT AGE 64 KNOW THAT SMOKING RETARDS AND INHIBITS RECOVERY.
I'M PRETTY DESPERATE AT THIS POINT AS WELL.
HOPE YOU CAN WORK IT OUIT AND FINALLY QUIT.
DON'T ADD TO PROBLEM BY BEING STRESSED- I AM SEING A HYPNOTHERAPIST ABOUT ANOTHER CONDITION AND WILL SWITCH TO SMOKING ISSUE TO FINALLY QUIT.
66 year old Male
Posted: 2008-10-07 13:02:52
Question/Comment:
OK, here's something interesting that I would like to share with people who already have depression and suicidal thoughts and are considering taking Chantix: after about a month on Chantix, I started to notice that I was less depressed, having fewer mood swings and not suicidal at all. When I brought this up to my health care provider she suggested that perhaps my depression had been caused by nicotine use since I had been smoking for about 4 or 5years before I developed depression. However, I would be interested to hear about anyone else who experiences this same result. I think it's possible that Chantix could work as an anti-depressant.
33 year old Female
Posted: 2008-09-03 03:40:54
Answer/Reply:
Actually I in a way agree. However I was depressed long before I started smoking. I have noticed I'm not as depressed when I take it.
31 year old Male
Posted: 2008-09-30 18:35:28
Question/Comment:
I started taking Chantix in April. Had taken it for 3 weeks and was doing fine on the no smoking part...after 49 years of smoking...but went to the blood bank to give blood and my blood pressure was 195/97.....he thought it was the cuff so got a different one but it was me. I stopped taking the Chantix and bp is now back to normal. But I'm not smoking either. Still times when I want one but had already decided I was going to quit.
68 yr old female
70 year old Female
Posted: 2008-07-21 23:29:11
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
My BP was higher than usual too..normal for me used to be about 90/60 and just last week was 120/80 which they told me was fine.
I have been on Chantix for about 3 weeks now, still get urges but haven't cheated once! It only took me till the 4th day on it to quit but I had made up my mind that after 34 years of smoking and several times trying to quit that I was going to do it...that is a big part of it working is making up your mind to do it.
Posted: 2008-09-29 05:56:24
Question/Comment:
I started the program at the end of April, and think it is a great product. It has cut the desire for smoking to almost nothing. Of course when around others that are smoking, I don't stick around...mainly cause it stinks, and I don't want to put myself in the position to want to have one. I still have to tell myself this is it, no more smoking, and ask for help from the Man upstairs... I have the side effect of nausea, I try to take it about 5min after eating. I have "misplaced" the desire to have my morning coffee.. I guess about the only thing about not smoking is the "social" time! But that too is a condition of thought...I have more free time to get things done cause I'm not taking smoke breaks...I do feel much better, I don't pant going uphill like I used to !! Good luck, to all it does work, but you have to work at it and want to stop.
61 year old Female
Posted: 2008-07-01 06:02:09
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
I am 50 and I started taking this last November . I had been smoking for about 40 years. I still like the smell of cigarettes when I pass someone smoking.
Posted: 2008-09-27 01:17:42
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Same here...I couldn't figure out why I was getting so nauseated after the AM pill but not the PM...I'm not a breakfast eater...I started eating something with both. I have lots more energy even working my usual graveyard shift, no more being out of breath going upstairs, no more foul smell, etc....Been on it for about 3 wks and quit after the 4th day!
Posted: 2008-09-29 05:59:58
Question/Comment:
I have been taking it for 6 days and my cigarettes taste like yuk. Also makes me a little nauseated. so far so good.
50 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-10 14:12:16
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Always eat with it and the nausea goes away
Keep up the good work!
Posted: 2008-09-29 06:01:38
Question/Comment:
I have tried it before and it helped and then I stopped. I plan to begin again. After 27 years of smoking, am diabetic, high cholestrol and anxiety disorder, I am willing to try again.
44 year old Male
Posted: 2008-05-11 12:40:44
Answer/Reply:
I am a 52 years old and it's hard because I am under a lot of stress,that when I smoke the most . Any help would be helpful. I am on Chantix and stop ,but now I am trying again.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2008-06-08 21:05:38
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Add God to the mix of Chantix and you will make it thru this! I am 62 yrs old a 50 + years smoker and now have 92 smoke free days!! This was my 2nd try with the Chantix and my 1st at allowing God to see me thru rather than expecting an easy way out.
I don't know your name but God does and I'll be praying for you.
Also if you slip and smoke a cigarett -don't keep smoking -don't buy any cigaretts- bum one if you just can't get thru -but don't allow this frequently -set a time limit - like 6 days -then 20 days then 40 days and so on till you just don't care to have any cigaretts anymore.
Be Blessed!!
Posted: 2008-07-06 10:26:33
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Keep up the good work...You CAN do it!!
Posted: 2008-09-29 06:04:56
Question/Comment:
i used chantix to stop smoking a year ago and i would recommend it to everyone, i only used it for two months at the most and i was done with smoking of course the results vary with each person but it works and it saved my life
43 year old Female
Posted: 2008-04-27 10:38:19
Question/Comment:
I have been smoke free for 56 days now and I would recommend chantix to everyone who has the desire to quit smoking. Just be sure to set your quit date for 1 week from the day you start taking it and then stick to it. Good Luck to All!
45 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
i think it works well its just very expensive
47 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
make sure you don't take CHANTIX on an empty stomach. If on a painkiller your pain killer may not work as well as it should. If unsucessful keep trying
54 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
get well informed regarding side effects I've heard you can experience facial paralysis
47 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
I actually have gone long periods of time without thinking of a butt while on the treatment, which has meant much less smoking. But I wish something could be done about the negative sleeping effects. I am presently taking a prescription sleeping medication to try and help.
47 year old Male
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
It truely works just please stick with it, its a blessing!
46 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
Question/Comment:
it does work if you can over come the side effects.
53 year old Female
Posted: 2008-03-10 00:00:00
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