Having some nasty side effects with the Chantix, need some feedback here

[REDRUM]

The first week is in the books, and its going really good so far. Im down to 4-6 a day from the 20-30 per day I was sucking down. It started about 2 days ago, after I started taking 2 pills a day, the 1mg dose. Tomorrow, the dose doules again, so I'm a lil concerned

I sleepwalk to begin with, but these dreams Im having lately are so violent in nature that I had thrown myself out bed several times and was tossing things around with some force as I was told. That is a very rare thing, usually sleepwalking for me, is just that maybe some incoherent babbling or eaing but nothing like that.

The other thing, Im waking up in the morning and in less 10min if not as I open my eyes Im hit with severe migranes. Head feeling like its in a vice, sensitive to light, smell and sound. To the pont where I want vomit.

Has this happened to anyone, and not just these sides. I mean as the dose has gone up, gotten any thing nasty like this? And does anyone have any suggestions on how I can avoid these sides. These migranes are lasting 3hrs or better, and I cant be getting up at 3am for work everyday.

Thanks guys/gals

[noname]

I heard some people had nightmares with it the first week or so. I'll check with my friend tomorrow and see if they lasted more than that. I know that he had them, but he was also detoxing from heroin at the same time, and that added to the intensity of them. I'll get the skinny on the duration.

Maybe ask your doctor for some Trazadone. They seem to really keep me down.

I have had no nightmares, tho me remembering my dreams almost never happens. But I did have chronic insomnia for awhile (on the interferon was the worst) and I had none of it one the Chantix - which I'm still taking (nearing the end of the third month).

If you're concerned, don't up the dose. Stay at one milligram, break the tabs in half and see if your body adjusts to it. My insurance doesn't cover it, so I've only been taking the dose in the morning and that does it for me through the day. Maybe you should try that - just take 1mg in the morning and nothing before bed. Can't hurt, right? Ultimately, it doesn't matter if you quit smoking, but can't fuck'n sleep. That will kill you much faster, the no sleeping and nightmares, so address that first.

As for the migranes, I've had those for years, too. But the Chantix didn't make them worse. I use Maxalt for mine (as I'm sure you're probably aware at this point, narcotics don't do shit for a true migraine). But my doc's got me taking this stuff called Nortriptalyne (sp?), it's an anti-histamine (it also makes you tired), for some people if taken nightly before bed, it decreases the incidence of migraines. For me it has worked wonders. I haven't need a Maxalt in 3 months.

I hope something in there helps. Keep the faith.

[ShadeofPink]

I get nightmares with noctine patches alone. I have a friend that got depressed and a little nuts, so I won't be trying chantrx

[Titan]

Yes the Chantix does cause you to have some very strange dreams, and emotions for the 1st 2 weeks. It is a wonder drug to me though. I had been smoking a pack a day for 10 years, and quit them in four weeks. I have not touched one or wanted one in 4 months now.

Now I would tell you to keep on the single dose for the first two weeks. The pills made me nuasious when I took them in the morning, and had some scary and crazy dreams for the first few weeks. I did notice that alcohol no matter what the amount caused the sides to be amplified more. With the migranes I cannot say as I didn't exprience that. You may need to talk to your Dr. about those. The others sides will subside in a few weeks of use, and again drop the dose back to the starting dose to see if that helps drop the sides. My 2 cents.


Titan

[REDRUM]

Thanks for the feedback guys/gal. I'll stay at the 1mg dose and see how it goes from there. I'll keep you posted.

noname, trazadone is a no no for me. I get the one fucked up side effect that you can get from it, priapism

let me just say for anyone that has never expeirenced this miserable event, (which is a very painful very long lasting erection for anyone that didnt know) I honestly dont think Ive ever seen my dick that big or hard before in my life, while it would have been great if I had been having sex with someone for the first time, teh fact that I was home in bed with half of the blood in my body circulating to my penis and keeping an eye on the clock, cause it was damn near 4 hrs before he decided to go back to sleep...hurts just thinking about it

[Blindsight]

Damn, I've never actually met anyone that got priapism from trazodone... they always warn us about the risk, but I usually just blow it off (umm... don't take that statement for more than face value).

As you've apparently already decided to do, I think it is a good idea to stick with the dose you were on. As was mentioned the nightmares go away for most people after 2 weeks or so. You can attempt to increase the dose at that point. If the migraines don't go away, you can use a tricyclic antidepressant like nortriptyline or amitriptyline for prophylaxis if necessary.

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, so if the drug continues to work for you, I would recommend sticking with it, and trying to mitigate the side effects as much as possible.