Champix??
 

Ok I've got a dilemma.

I spoke to 2 members on here other night that have given up smoking with Champix.

The 2 members said that it is wonderful, and that they have given up easily with them.

I have a doctors appointment tomoz for these Champix pills.
Now, the dilemma is, I have been reading another forum about these pills and, believe me the feed back doesn't sound good.

A lot of people are reporting that they get very very bad pains in hands, feet, arms, legs chest etc....
Some have said they were so lethargic, they couldn't get out of bed for 2 days.
Some have even said that they got very very depressed and they even had suicide thoughts!! :eek: ( apparently, the EU have added the warning of this for Bipolar sufferers not to take Champix, because of said reaction ). Severe nauseous feelings.

Now some of these symptoms have stopped once they have finished the course. BUT some have never gotten over the symptoms.

Now whats a girl to do?? :confused: very confused.

Yes I want to stop FOREVER .... but I think going cold turkey would be better than having to put up with " wanting to kill myself "

I know this drug is still under testing! BUT do they really know about any long term implications of this drug??

very confused now.:(

hmmmmmm what do you lot think??

Re: Champix??
 

Oh forgot to mention the visual disturbances.... night sweats....bad dream/vivid dreams. Actually there was loads, but the main thing people are getting is the lethargy, severe pain in limbs and stomach, bad dreams and depression and nausea.

Re: Champix??
 

I'm taking them at the moment Slinky, started at New Year. I haven't had a cigarette for over 3 weeks, and don't even want one.

The only side effect I've had is that the tablet in the morning makes me feel nauseous if I take it on an empty stomach. I was expecting it to be worse as I have lots of allergies and reactions to food & medication.

I asked the counsellor about the suicide & depression reports in the press and she said that this is only a concern for the mentally ill and they keep an eye on you regularly throughout the course of the tablets to manage any side-effects. The tablets start on a low dose and you gradually build up over 2 weeks.

Definitely give them a try, the clinic will give you really good advice and help you manage your dosage. Good Luck!

Re: Champix??
 

its a bit much to try and give up smoking isnt it?:(, wouldnt it be safer to carry on smoking?...lol.

in the end its willpower, iv given up for 8 yrs this year and not had one single fag....how did I do it??.......pregnancy!!...yep my little boy wouldnt allow it:rolleyes:, i threw up everytime i lit one up when the little sod was inside me, but after the pregnancy i was determined not to have one again, and i did it....with willpower;)

Re: Champix??
 

So Slinky the effects of the 'Easy Way to Stop Smoking' book wore off then :(
I have downloaded (free) his latest book from his website, but not read it yet.
That 'self hypnosis' method did help you for a while - so perhaps - read again

Re: Champix??
 

give em a miss based on that statement slinks.:D, seriously ive tried many things but not those,all failed.so if ya want advice from a complete failure WILLPOWER. good luck.

Re: Champix??
 

I gave up smoking on Champix.
Gave up in September 07
Was only on the tablets for 4 weeks, but had no problems while I was on them

Re: Champix??
 

His latest book?? he died years ago lol.

Re: Champix??
 

I didn't know that - should have said his last book :D

Re: Champix??
 

Well I didn't go to the doctors, mainly because I want to know what I am pumping into my body before I start. I am not one of these people that hang on every word my doctor says.

Ginger went, the doctor said that he has given at least 300 prescriptions out last year for champix and he hasn't had any complaints. As I said, I don't just hang on their word.
The doctor told ginger that he would have to go to meetings at the hospital for a while before they will issue him with a prescription.

As for me, I will use willpower. After I read the Alan Carr book, I gave up quite easily for a week. And even though I failed after this time, I am still only smoking about 5-7 cigs a day. I still cannot smoke a full one either.... so I am getting there on my own really.

Re: Champix??
 

Yes he died some time ago...... you know what from??



Lung cancer.... Ironic really isn't it.

Re: Champix??
 

I am not going to ask for Champix for 2 reasons
I had a bad reaction to Zyban when I tried it a few years ago.
I don't think the doc would give it me because I have had spells of depression (not without good cause :rolleyes: men :rolleyes:)

Re: Champix??
 

Well I don't have depression ( just the occasional PMT ) :D But I still feel they don't know enough about this drug and its long term effects. So its a no no from me.

Just imagine if in 20 years time people are walking round with a tail.... we'll all be like " oh look their goes someone that took champix again " :D

Re: Champix??
 

When I was pregnant I put up with morning sickness - others took thalidomide :eek:

Re: Champix??
 

That's exactly what I mean!! And no doubt all doctors were claiming " oh no dear, go a head, its safe as houses "

I like to weigh up pro's and con's, and thankfully we have the wonderful internet to help us make INFORMED choices about risk factors, that doctors sometimes don't want us to know.

Re: Champix??
 

You are doing well to smoke only 5-7 a day
I have cut down from 35 to 20 by smoking rollups
saving loadsamoney:D

Re: Champix??
 

Yeah, I never really started smoking loads again. that was in october!!

The thing that helped me cut down the most, is that I didn't tell the kids I had started again, so that meant I could only have a crafty when they were out, which in winter is not very often. Since then I only smoke half a cig, then dock it out, so I think if I read that book again! it might work again and if I get the cravings again after a week, I will just keep reading it and reading it lol.

Re: Champix??
 

Slinks go down to the smoking cessation clinic. They will give you the nicotine replacement therapy patches, inhalator etc. They will also tell you more about champix i cant remember all she said about it. I got the patches and inhalator, you also have the choice of lozenges and chewing gum. If you get free prescriptions you get them free as well. At the clinic they'll be able to advise you what is best for you.

Re: Champix??
 

the gum is ok but it tastes like pepper if you have it in your mouth too long, i always forgot it wasnt actually chewing gum and i used to chew it lol your only supposed to chew it a bit then let it sit at the side of your gum...the patches are ok but they always burnt me

Re: Champix??
 

the thing that is "never" spoken about is the backhanders the GPs get for promoting certain drugs from the companies, so its good too weigh the pro's n con's n collate all yer info ya can get, the net is ace for that.;)an informed descision is always preferable to taking "as gospel" what yer quack tell you.

Re: Champix??
 

Oh believe me, the problems we are having with Ginger and the doctors, is enough for me never to believe any of them ever again!! :(

I am quite clued up about medicines and symptoms etc.... thanks to having to research a hell of a lot on my own over the past 2 years. And yes, you're right about Dr's getting their little perks, that's why I will always look into things myself ;)

Even when my doctor prescribes my family tablet's, I look in my little magic medicine book and search the web for hours, just checking :D

Re: Champix??
 

It sounds like your GP hasn't quite got it right - he cannot prescribe Champix without permission from the smoking cessation clinic, he will not monitor you or see you through your treatment. The clinic writes you a letter of consent to give to your GP to issue a prescription each time you need one. I got it the first time I went, I didn't have to attend for weeks in advance.

You can go to the open clinic at Accy Vic or ring the NHS Smokefree line on 01254 358095/359183 to refer yourself and see an advisor one-to-one.

If you're only smoking 5-7 a day I don't think they would recommend Champix as you have to cut down to 10-a-day just before you start taking it. There's nothing lost in going to see them just to see if they can offer you some help or support.

You are right to be cautious about medications - I was at first after reading some forums on the internet and previous experience with allergic reactions to tablets. I decided to take a risk & try it - I'm only taking half the recommended dose and it's working for me, whereas patches, gum, inhalators & Paul McKenna didn't have any effect. Everyone is different but no matter which way you decide to quit you always need willpower to avoid those 'habit' cigarettes.

PS - If you want to try the Paul McKenna Stop Smoking CD PM me and you can have it!

Re: Champix??
 

Awwwww Slinky, you were so confident after reading the Allan Carr book. What happened? :confused:

Re Champix, my husband has been taking them for a few weeks now and apart from a little queasiness after the morning tablet (because he will insist on taking it on an empty stomach as he doesn't do breakfast) he has had no side effects and is managing very well.

He didn't have to go to any classes or clinics. He just went and saw the nurse at our doctor's surgery and she gave him a prescription. He has to go back every 3 weeks to let her know how he's going on and he will be on Champix for 3 months altogether.

They're worth a try. If you do get any unpleasant side effects you can always stop taking them.

Re: Champix??
 

It's the long term effects that bother me. Until this drug has been completely tested, I am not going to be anyones guinea pig.

I do not fully trust doctors as it is, so I cannot take their word for it. :o

Re: Champix??
 

It has been tested on 4000 people slinks - the only thing was none of them had epilepsy and even though the woman at the no smoking clinic said she had some people on it i aint risking it ive only just hit 4 months without a fit aint going to risk bringing em back. She also told me that they are asking people to fill the forms in as well and will be doing for the next 2 years as a follow up seeing as some people might have different reactions.

Re: Champix??
 

Chav says it works great it was just that he was stupid enough to start again after an argument

Re: Champix??
 

Read this weeks Observer, see front page :eek:

On-line HERE

Re: Champix??
 

I read the observer this afternoon!! Told ya :D

I'm glad that this has been brought to light. It seems that the " powers that be" are playing down the side affects of this drug! people need to be aware of what they are taking on :(

Re: Champix??
 

what load of tosh ,you never see the good things in the papers about champix but one person suffers and the drug is dangerous

the guy probably either lied when asked if he had any psycological problems in his past or currently had any or was extremely unlucky

the packet comes with a list of possible side effects and its a long list but most people only suffer from mild insomnia or slight sickley feeling shortly after taking the tablet which goes away if you eat a biscuit or somthing

if i had listened to what i read on the internet about a treatment i was going to have i would be dead long ago

you are asked plenty of questions about your health and you are monitored and if you want to you can get your blood pressure monitored for free at superdug as champix can raise it a little

i would say go for the champix , a few weeks of POSSIBLE side effects to get rid of what fags do to you is well worth the trade if you ask me

remember the internet and papers are full of scaremongers and hypocondriacts

my 2 cents worth

Re: Champix??
 

Safer just having a whiskey every time you fancy a fag :)

Re: Champix??
 

Some people are more sensitive to drugs than others.
I have had bad side effects to many drugs in the past so am very wary of them all.