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Original poster

Champix the pill to help u give up smoking

187 replies

MCDL · 11/02/2011 17:19

Hi, anybody try this or know anybody who has.

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Original poster
MCDL · 23/02/2011 13:21

Hi on 13 of pills 1 week I think off fags ( not too sure tbh ) I have stopped counting so that in itself a good sign.. Feel great been a non smoker. Finished first 2 weeks of pills tomorrow so am going to get 2 weeks more .. 54 Euro so not cheap. Would like to stop taking them so could feel the real affects of been a non smoker but will continu for another while.

The freedom is the best.. not hiding, not rushing, not always checking if lighter and cigs are with u. Breathing again, phelgm all gone some not so nice stuff coming up which will really deter me from smoking again. Dont seem to be gaining weight and not craving for food really, think the pills supress your appetite a little so you snack more .... Maybe might gain weight from this so need to try and eat the dinners..

I take 1 pill in the morning and another bout 6, have some nausea afterwards but fizzy water n some fruit seem to help, the vivid dreams I have been having are causing broken sleep but tbh honest they are very interesting dreams. Some raunchy ones and dp not in them !, an old boyfriend and about people I have not seen in a long time, so they must be buried in my sub consience somewhere. Probably also very sensitive at the moment but that no harm either as allowing me to keep well in touch with myself and my feelings ....

Think concentration goes a little, not affecting me at work or driving but struggling to jigsaws with dd nearly 5 ...

Looking forward to hearing how u getting on ..

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flyby10 · 23/02/2011 14:39

Well....you are doing fantastic...I am totally spured on!
I have just taken my 2nd pill. I have had no side effects yet and I don't think an effects yet! Although my first fag today tested abit weak but I expect that's because I have trawled the next reading all the forums!!
I haven't told my husband that I have started as I wanted to hopefully give him some positive feedback. So I will be so so thrilled if over the weekend 'the effects' kick in and start going off fags!

can you keep letting me know how you are doing because I'm loving your positive story so far.
It must be lovely not sneaking around from DD.Have you had any booze on it. I may have couple of glasses of vino at the weekend...what do you think?

Original poster
MCDL · 23/02/2011 14:50

Went out last satuday night had 4 drinks, they didnt alter my mood but felt very hungover and more vulnerable the next day .. The pills seem to de hydrate you a little so alcohol on top doesnt really work. Tbh loved a few bevs with the cigs now that the cigs are gone not that interested in the bevs ..

DP and I might have glass of wine during the week with dinner have not wanted it just the fizzy water.. Your body will tell you what you do ...

If you look at the pack of pills you will see that the dose increases on day 4, again on day 8. You will probably notice over the next few days you will be smoking out of habit and not want them ...

Good luck and keep me posted..

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flyby10 · 24/02/2011 14:34

hi again...well felt bit anxious last night. Think I am reading into it abit to much. But I went to meet a friend and normally would have two fags on the bounce on the way there.. cos I was out on own and again and on the way back had none. I did have one while I was there but just felt like I was dragging the life out of it.

Took 3rd tab just now and felt really sick dispite being mid sandwich. It passed as quickly as it came but sure did put me off smoking!! LOL

So I feel like somethings happened but not quite sure...maybe it's taking the buzz out of smoking..perhaps that's what it is?

Original poster
MCDL · 24/02/2011 16:15

Well done this is fantastic news sounds like they are kicking in. Over next few days you will probably be thinking bout how ridiculous it was to be smoking but still having a few.... Are you getting any side affects.. How are u feeling .. ?

Decided to stop taking pills today, on day 13 and off cigs a week ... Wanted to feel the real affects of been a non smoker.. Feel great but a little nervous bout getting rid of the crutch .. Will see how I go.

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flyby10 · 25/02/2011 09:59

well on day 4 and just started the two a day....Just taken first one with banana and am stuffing food in because I am not a sicky person but god I feel sick within 5 minutes and headache.

hopefully it will pass as quickly as it came like yesterday. very unpleasant!

Definietly not getting the same buzz of the fags. Although I am smoking only a few less and it sort of makes you feel like a non smoker...if that sounds right.

UHHHH....feel so sick! Just want to be non smoker! will ride the storm...no other side effects YET!

Well done you as well...let me know how you go on no tablets.

Original poster
MCDL · 25/02/2011 12:38

Hi on day 2 off the tablets feel really great. Went for few bevs last night with DP, was not tempted to smoke. Think I have kicked the habit but early days yet and dont want to get too confident .... The sick feeling is not nice, reminded me of when I was pregnant 9 months of it ... but stick with it .. U are doing great .... How ur husband doing , did he start them yet ....

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Original poster
MCDL · 26/02/2011 09:47

Hi flyby, wondering how u getting on ....

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MrsFlittersnoop · 26/02/2011 15:32

Hi everyone, can I join in? Smile

Am on also day 2 of champix. Noticed an almost immediate decrease in desire to smoke. Fags taste nasty now (have metallic taste in mouth) and the smell is really off-putting.

Have been feeling slightly sick, and can't stop belching (v. embarrassing.) Had a few glasses of wine last night and woke up feeling awful - MUCH worse than the alcohol consumed actually warranted, so I think I'll stay on the wagon for a while Hmm.

DH took champix last year and suffered from severe side-effects at first . He was very hyper and insomniac, as well as paranoid and argumentative. Quite unbearable. Side-effects did seem to wear off after a couple of weeks though, and he managed to quit smoking completely for several months. He's due to start champix again next week after lapsing.

I'm really hoping I don't get similar mood-swings when I increase the dosage.

Fingers crossed for us all! Smile

Original poster
MCDL · 26/02/2011 16:25

Welcome MrsFlittersnoop, hope your day going well and sickness not too unbearable .... Day 9 for me a non smoker, only stayed on pills 13 days but tbh feeling like having one today .. The pills to definately work ....

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MrsFlittersnoop · 26/02/2011 16:57

Hi MCDL, congratulations on quitting! That's fantastic!

I was interested to read Stephen Fry say in his recent autobiography that he'd managed to quit easily with champix after 35 years of heavy smoking, and he has a very addictive personality.

Nausea very mild TBH, just a bit queasy after I've taken a tablet. Am worried about possible depression, I take high dose of St. John's Wort because I'm prone to this. Will just have to see how things go.

Original poster
MCDL · 27/02/2011 17:09

Weekend very tough .... thinking bout cigs all the time .... Keeping busy, if longing for cig continues will go back get another two weeks of champix .... Reading Allen Car book, it is helping ...

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DeepThoughts · 27/02/2011 23:02

Hi, I am also taking champix to stop smoking. I have been a 20 a day smoker for the past 20 years. I am now on day 11 of champix (plan to quit on day 14) and have had the best day so far as I have only smoked 3 cigarettes today. The last few days I smoked 8, 7 and then 8 again. Then for some reason today I am beginning to realise that I don't enjoy smoking as much. I was putting them out soon after lighting them which is now making me 'not bother' lighting up at all. I only smoke outside and believe this is helping me stop now as I can't be bothered going out in the cold lol. I know it sounds strange but the cigarettes leave a nasty after taste like raw mushrooms?
I am now confident that I will indeed quit on Wednesday...if not before.
I honestly didn't have much faith beforehand.

Oh and I am loving the dreams lol!

flyby10 · 27/02/2011 23:04

Hi all, on day 6.
Yes defo not as interested. Went to Friends at weekend and would normally do two on bounce with glass of vino in hand...just not getting a buzz out of it! Feel disappointed cos am sucking life out of fag...but on a weekend would normally go through 2-2.5 pkts.... This weekend not even 1pkt!!,!!!!
Am feeling bit sick after tabs, does go within 20min though. Dreams/sleep ok... So far. .....
Interested in next bit, 2 tabs twice a day.That starts tomorrow
Mcdl... Get back on tabs before you go back to it... You have done so well.. What's a few tablets when it gets this habit gone. You were ok with side effects so just go back on them. I am assuming it takes us a while to get our heads round being a non smoker?If I manage my give up day I will stay on course for duration. its lifestyle change so will take time.
Come on girls.. We can do this!!!!

Original poster
MCDL · 28/02/2011 12:02

Yes flyby u are so right ... It is a life change and takes time ... Have not smoked this weekend but found it very very very tough .... will seriously consider going back on the pills ....

Welcome to our thread DeepThoughts, sounds like you are doing really well ....

How you doing Mrs Flittersnoop ...

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bettyboo83 · 28/02/2011 12:06

I used it in October 2009 and have been fag-free ever since Grin The only side effect I had was very vivid dreams which stopped as soon as I completed the course. Good luck!

Original poster
MCDL · 28/02/2011 15:09

Hi Bettyboo 83, how long did u take the pills for ..

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bettyboo83 · 28/02/2011 15:42

I only took them for about a month and then just had no desire to smoke at all so stopped the pills. I think you can smoke for at least the first week of taking the pills but I found that I didn't want a cigarette after about 3 days. Unlike patches that I'd tried before I found that I just didn't think about smoking when I was taking the pills which was astounding after having smoked for about 10 years xxx

Original poster
MCDL · 28/02/2011 19:50

Took last of the two week pack of pills today after 4 days no pills no cigs ... Am gone back to no desire for smoking... Will get another 2 week pack tomorrow .. What price are they in the UK, they are 54 euro for 2 weeks in Ireland ..

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MrsFlittersnoop · 28/02/2011 21:19

Hi everyone, first day taking 2 tablets (1 mg) today. Am hoping no side affects appear now I've increased the dose. Will be starting on 2mg per day of Friday which is supposed to be quitting day! Shock

Am only smoking about 5-7 fags per day and actually have very little desire to smoke at all, but am lighting up out of habit after meals etc. Does the craving disappear when you are taking the full dosage?

DH has started on Champix again as well. We says he only experienced mood-swings when taking the full dose Hmm - oh boy am I looking forward to this week-end!

MrsFlittersnoop · 28/02/2011 21:23

MCDL, I know the pills are expensive, but 2 weeks really isn't long enough for Champix to work properly. We get them free on the NHS and the 2 week pack is just a starter pack - my DH was on them for 3 MONTHS last year! I believe the recommended time period is up to 12-14 weeks to really be effective.

Original poster
MCDL · 28/02/2011 22:31

Hi Mrs Flittersnoop, yes was foolish of me to go off the tablets but great to know they really do work and I did not fall off the wagon .. so off to get them in the morning .... Vivid dreams have stopped but not to worry if they return ....

Yes the cravings will go totally, they really do work ... It is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good not to be smoking .... {smile}

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Original poster
MCDL · 28/02/2011 22:31
Smile
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DeepThoughts · 28/02/2011 22:59

I have decided to stop today (2 days ahead of my quit date)
I put out my last barely smoked cigarette at 3pm. I have thought about smoking quite a bit tonight, after a bar of chocolate ( definate trigger for me) and before I came up to bed I was very tempted...but did not cave.
So heres to my smoke free future :)
I still do get smoking urges, but I know that it is purly from habit...nothing like tring to quit cold turkey.

Original poster
MCDL · 28/02/2011 23:21

Thats fantastic news ,, Keep us posted ....

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