Withdrawal?

Discussion created by _c_ on Feb 26, 2009
Latest reply on Mar 11, 2009 by wil

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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!

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12 Replies

beth22 Feb 26, 2009 1:02 PM
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?
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janie5 Feb 26, 2009 3:35 PM
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!
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_c_ Feb 26, 2009 5:07 PM
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! :)
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lynda4 Feb 27, 2009 5:49 PM
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!
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_c_ Feb 27, 2009 7:36 PM
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.
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libby Feb 28, 2009 12:05 AM
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!
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lynda4 Mar 1, 2009 5:03 PM
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!
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jan__tx Mar 5, 2009 7:17 PM
have any of you developed the shakes since you quit using Chantix?
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wil Mar 11, 2009 6:16 AM
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.
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lynda4 Mar 16, 2009 5:55 PM
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! :)
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libby Mar 16, 2009 11:48 PM
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.
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jan__tx Mar 24, 2009 4:51 PM
I didn't have any problems getting off the meds but of course I take an antidepressant and that may have helped:)
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Withdrawal?

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