If you have any doubts at all about Chantix, make sure you have a Psychiatrist, not a regular MD, monitoring you. If you don't have problems with side effects, it's probably the most powerful quit smoking tool available today. Hard to believe, but for some people, the side effects of Chantix can be worse than smoking.
I was in love with Chantix last summer because I actually made it for 5 weeks without cigarettes for the first time in 30 years. The nausea/vomiting/gastroentestinal effects were pretty bad, and I had to leave work several times. The nightmares were disturbing. However, I was so thrilled to be off cigarettes that I persevered.
When I went past simply having bad dreams and actually got up in the middle of the night to participate in them without being aware of what I was doing, my family and I recognized that it had gone too far. Chantix also pitched me into a really nasty clinical depression. Even with medical intervention, it took months to unwind from that depression so that I could gear up for my next attempt to quit.
I've been online (on and off) since 1980 (no that isn't a typo), so I know the power of the on-line community. That's why I'm here...because I need fellow ex-smokers to talk to. However, I've also learned the limitations. When it comes to Chantix, the board is a great place to discuss whether the nite sweats are meds or menopause. Anything more serious requires a doctor's interpretation. Please, please, please, if you have any doubts at all, find a psychiatrist!
About me: I'm mostly not smoking, and hope to be a confirmed ex-smoker soon. I'm working with a combination of yoga, meditation, exercise, diet, talk therapy, nicotine patch and some form of anti-depressant. (Haven't quite got the right med/dose down yet...but I think I'm close.) And people call nicotine a "habit" (ARG!)
Take care,
Susan
(who is using the ID Suzan to avoid confusion)
