Have any of you experienced withdrawal symptoms when you go off of Chantix? I've tried it several times now, and although I feel great and it's easy to quit when I'm on the drug, I get sooo depressed and down whenever I go off. This is really tough!
I was wondering about that myself, and I figured that might be the case, so I've come up with a plan....just in case. I think I'll "wing" myself off of them when I get close to that time. You think that might work?
Probably the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor. I took Chantix for 31 days and quit taking it because I felt very anxious. Proud to say....I've been SMOKE FREE for 8 months, 3 weeks and 4 days today! I talked with my doctor before quitting and he thought I should continue for another month but he said to give it a try. It worked for me! Good Luck!
Thanks for your help! Yeah, I've talked to my doctors and I suffer from depression anyway. This time I weaned myself slowly off Chantix, and earlier than the recommended 3 months, but I went from feeling pretty calm and serene while I was on the drug to feeling very down when I went completely off. I read today that Chantix affects dopamine levels, which makes sense with how crappy I felt after going off. Unfortunately, I've started smoking again, but my doc recommended trying Nicorette instead. I think I'm just too sensitive to drugs and chemicals to handle the withdrawal from Chantix. It's different for everyone, but I think it's great that you're preparing for how the withdrawal might affect you, and have a plan ready. I think I was overly confident because I was feeling so good on Chantix. But I will never quit trying to quit! :)
I am afraid of not taking the stuff because before when I have tried to quit I have been through anxiety and sleeplessness but I haven't had that at all with Chantix. I feel like if it makes that much difference to me while quitting, what will happen when I stop taking it? I am about half way through my 12 weeks now, and I thought I might try to lower the dose or something when I get closer to the end - I was hoping it would not cause 'withdrawal symptoms' but I guess that was wishful thinking!
The withdrawal isn't from nicotine, because after the first 3-4 days on Chantix (which doesn't contain nicotine) your body has cleared pretty much all of that toxin. The withdrawal I've suffered has come from the drop in dopamine - Chantix raises it and acts like Xanax. Sooner or later you have to wean from Chantix, and that's what has made me feel so down, anxious and depressed afterwards. It's a great drug for quitting smoking (at least in the short-term) but their success rate after 3 months is only 44%. So at least one in two smokers start again. From my experiences, I've learned that it's essential to have a post-Chantix plan in place that will work for the individual.
Lynda, I am on my 3rd quit with Chantix. I still believe it is the best drug I've used to quit smoking. I think I smoked again in the past after going off the Chantix because I was overconfident and thought I had it kicked, but I did feel like I wanted to smoke when I went off. You shouldn't have any nicotine withdrawal because, unlike the gum and patches, there is no nicotine in Chantix. I think it's all in the head, the brain acts in strange ways. Anyway, I am also nearing the end of my Chantix soon and I've also been concerned about whether or not I will want to smoke. I think, like you, I will taper off, maybe take one a day instead of two during my last week. I just wish the day would come that we don't have to think about smoking anymore. Good Luck!
Wow, that's pretty depressing! I am planning on staying on the stuff as long as I can so I can forget my 35 years of ingrained smoking habits, then maybe try to wean off gradually. I have been taking it for six weeks now and don't even really think much about smoking any more. It would sure suck if all that goes down the drain when I come off Chantix!
I am going to do the same thing. When I get to that last pack I will take only one per day, like after 10am. Quitting is a process that we have to really apply ourselves to. Chantix has made it easy for us to overcome the rough patches that going cold turkey causes. When I got to 50 days I almost didn't buy my last box but decided to complete the entire 12 week program and I know that I will extended it a little longer by taking one per day, but as long as I don't smoke I don't care. Quitting is the most important thing right now. ON PROBATION FOR LIFE.
Yeah, someone on the Chantix group site said they would like to hear from people who had been done with the Chantix for a while to see how they are doing. I would like to know as well! I just started my last box and my doc gave me 2 extra prescriptions so I think I will finish the 12 weeks full strength and then do the next box at 1 a day or something. I'm afraid to sound like an addict (again!) but I worry about not giving myself the full benefit of this since I have gotten so far. let me know how it goes! You are so right that we are on probation for life! :)
Lynda, I've been off for 2 days and haven't wanted to smoke yet. I think it might hit me during social situation, so I will be on my guard at those times. I've come too far now to go back to day 1. I haven't counted my days because I had a couple of slip ups but it's been around 4 months for me. I would stick with the Chantix as long as you can. I did cut down to one a day during my last week's pack which dragged it out for 2 weeks.
I think I'll "wing" myself off of them when I get close to that time. You think that might work?