Varenicline and Vivid Dreams: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Spi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Stopped smoking on day 8 as instructed and haven’t smoked since. When first starting the treatment, I noticed vivid dreams, aggression, and feelings of panic. These became more controllable as I progressed through the treatment. The day I stopped taking Champix cold turkey, I felt extremely agitated, panicked, and awful. That was today! I know I’ll never buy cigarettes again, which is amazing. I couldn’t even last 4 hours without buying cigarettes before. I think people taking it should be offered advice and support in dealing with the side effects, as they are powerful and really can put you in tricky situations. But I think I’m through that now and have gone from smoking up to 40 a day to nothing. Hopefully, the withdrawal symptoms from Champix itself don’t last too long..."

• Reg...
• August 26, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Guys, I was on this forum a few days back when I was desperate for answers. I loved reading everyone's varied stories about Champix and their experiences. I will try to make this as short as possible. I quit smoking 30 cigs a day 5/6 years ago but felt comfortable staying on the nicotine gum 2mg as a substitute. The thing is, I was going through 500+ a month. Ok, so I'm now taking Champix to get off the nicotine gum. Trust me, the first few days I felt anxious as anything and was chewing on the nicotine gum like a cow chewing the cud. I went through them even more quickly in a week than usual. Vivid dreams and nausea on and off. By day 7, my stomach was bloated like a balloon. Day 8, I was now on 1mg in the morning and 1mg in the evening, feeling ok. Day 9, sweet Lord, the tiredness. I felt so flat. I went to the doctor for a review, he said it would pass, and it did. I've now finished day 13 and feeling almost back to myself. Every now and then, I chew regular sugar-free gum because that in itself was another habit."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I'm on day 7 on Champix and feel fine. I eat with every tablet, drink a big glass of water, and I've had no nausea. I can feel the cravings subsiding, I'm not enjoying smoking as much and have already cut back to about 3 per day. I had nightmares the first night, but that has eased, and I just have vivid dreams that aren't frightening. Other than that, I'm waking up earlier than usual and not experiencing any more fatigue than I usually would. So far, so good! The dosage gets upped tomorrow into week 2, so we will see how that goes!"

• bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I smoked for 35 years. I was a pack and a half a day smoker. I was on the patch and chewing the gum, I even tried e-cigs. Nothing was working for me. Waste of money. Then a friend of my husband's told him about a new pill called Chantix that he was taking to try to quit smoking. I asked my doctor for a script for Chantix. I set my quit date for January 13, 2011. I have not had a cigarette since. I was not able to take a whole pill because it was too strong for me, so I cut them in half to see if that would help. Still too strong, so I cut the pill in thirds, and that was the right amount. I did have to eat before taking the Chantix, and I did have vivid dreams, but nothing I couldn't handle. January 13, 2016, will be my five-year anniversary. Go Chantix."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Quit day was yesterday. Day 16 on Champix. Side effects of nausea and vivid dreams have been a struggle, but weighed up with how I have sailed the last 2 days, it's worth it. With willpower mixed and support of my physician, I recommend Champix if you truly want to stop. Early days, but 35 years of 20 a day, I knew my addiction had to be helped."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "I started taking Champix 2 weeks ago. I'm 62, been smoking since I was 13 years old, the last 10 years trying everything from the patches, nicotine gum, vaping-nothing works. After 7 days with Champix, I stopped because I became nauseated with the cigarette. I can say it's been 7 days without nicotine in my body. I'm so proud, and with Champix, it makes it a lot easier. Side effect: a bit of an upset stomach, maybe for 15 minutes after I take Champix after a meal, and I dream more, but so far that's it. I'm a happy girl not to be smoking anymore."

• S L...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "I haven't had a cigarette in 43 days, and I was still a pack-a-day smoker right up to my quit date. Just make sure you pick a day to stop and stick to it. The side effects I've had are 15 minutes of nausea after taking and the vivid dreams, but I've personally had no noticeable personality changes."

• Lou...
• July 26, 2009

For Smoking Cessation "I was not expecting Champix to work as efficiently, but I am surprised by how effective it is. I'm on my eighth week of taking Champix, and my fourth week of total quitting. I smoked as normal for the first two weeks, stopped smoking through the day, then got down to one or two smokes a day before quitting completely. It just seemed effortless. The side effects have been interesting. My dreams have been very vivid but not disturbing. The nausea has been easy to manage by eating something like yogurt before taking, and constipation remedies are easy to find. I would recommend it to anyone, and indeed do."

• ano...
• August 31, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "UPDATE: Today marks 90 days I've been smoke-free!!! And around a month now I've been off Chantix completely. No desire to smoke. Food tastes amazing! I can BREATHE. I haven't gained any weight, but I've joined the gym and started lifting. I feel GREAT. Wouldn't have been possible without Chantix. I weaned myself off of Chantix the last few weeks... made me apprehensive just stopping it cold turkey. Chantix gave me some weird dreams, nausea... nothing too serious. Much better than COPD, emphysema, lung cancer, DEATH from continuing to smoke. If I can quit, YOU can quit. Chantix saved my life. (31 y/o... been a smoker since age 13! Pack and a half a day when I decided to quit.)"

• Fee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I was smoking 20+ a day, just smoking them because it was a habit, and a bad one at that. Then I decided to go on an e-cig. Yes, I just changed from one habit to another one. But after being dependent on my e-cig, I decided it was time to stop using it. I started the Champix, and I can say after day 15, I am free from all habits, and it feels so good to be back in control of myself instead of being controlled by cigarettes. I am still using the Champix, but they do give me vivid dreams, but that will pass, and if I wasn't using the Champix, then the smoking wouldn't go away. So, on a plus side, I would sooner have the dreams for a while. I am so pleased with myself that I can go on a flight and not have to worry about when my next nicotine fix will be. Now I don't have to use nicotine nor want to anymore."

• aci...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I was on Chantix for two months, and there were a few side effects. After a month into taking it, I ran out of smokes towards the end of the day and just didn't have the desire to get any more. Before I knew it, it was a week and so forth. I have now not smoked in over four months. For me, taking this pill just slowly reduced my cravings. I can tell you that I was off a little bit, nothing I could put my finger on, just off... like a bit slow. I had weird dreams and was crabbier too. Due to these side effects, after I stopped smoking, I took the pill for another month and stopped Chantix too. This was the only thing that has ever worked, I've tried patches, lozenges, e-cigs, and cold turkey. It is really nice to be smoke-free."

• DFi...
• September 8, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I started smoking at the age of 14. I'm now 28. I'm tired of feeling tired all the time and needing so much caffeine my chest hurts a lot. I started Chantix five days ago, and besides vivid dreams and feeling a little tired, it's been going really well. My quit date is Monday, September 14, 2015. My urge to smoke is becoming less and less, and I can't wait to get rid of this stupid, pointless habit! Good luck to everyone trying to quit! Remember why you're doing it!"

• Anonymous
• December 12, 2018

For Smoking Cessation "From someone who thought she would never be able to quit smoking. TAKE CHAMPIX!! After 3 weeks of Champix, not much felt different besides the side effects I had, like terrible nausea and vivid dreams. Thought it was a total waste of a good amount of money (it's not covered by insurance in my experience). 3 weeks and 2 days in, I did not need one cigarette at all, it was almost out of nowhere. 5 months in now, and I am still smoke-free. I only did the first month of the pill, the rest felt unnecessary. I feel so free. It is worth it!"

• Swa...
• March 30, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "On June 1, 2009, I began taking Chantix. The only side effect I had were the dreams, but they weren't scary, just very vivid. In fact, I liked the dreams so much I didn't want to wake up! I started smoking when I was 12, and in 2009 I was 54 years old. I was a smoker for 42 years and a two-pack-a-day smoker for at least 20. Nevertheless, Chantix worked for me, and I haven't had a single craving since I stopped taking it. I took it for the full 3 months, even though I didn't feel I needed to, I just wanted to make sure I got the full benefit. If I can quit on Chantix, you can too! I wish I'd replaced it right away with healthy habits like exercise, but it took me a while to do that. I feel healthier at 61 than I did at 21, which says a lot. Good luck."

• Qan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I have tried many times to quit and found it difficult, as patches, gum, and lozenges did not work. The side effects started on the first day. The nausea, abnormal dreams, and, to a lesser extent, inflammation of the nose were felt. By the time I was 2 weeks into treatment, the side effects were light or unfelt. With some effort, on the 15th day of Champix, I had stopped smoking. The first 2 weeks I smoked normally, slowly, you stop craving it and do not feel its effects when the dose is 2 mg a day. I am confident that I will not smoke again. In short, you have some willpower to stop smoking, start Champix, and put some effort into it. Always remember the benefits of stopping smoking. I feel much better already: less mucus in my lungs, more energy, better breathing, and the best part is the smell. I cannot urge you enough, please give it a try and remember full recovery takes 15 years after stopping smoking, so you might as well start as soon as possible!"

• Tin...
• December 19, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I am on day 10 of taking Chantix. It has slowly made cigarettes taste awful. I feel like my mouth tastes like an ashtray. Tomorrow is my quit day, and I feel like I will do just fine as long as I keep taking the Chantix. The side effects so far have included: 1. Weird dreams the first week or so. (Some examples: I stabbed someone, and then the mafia chased me; I made out with a coworker; and I shot a man who was raping my friend.) 2. Slight nausea (Note: I can't eat much in the morning; after eating more later, I tend to feel better.) 3. Everything seems to smell like B.O."

• Gla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "Just over 2 1/2 years ago, after smoking for over 40 years, I quit. With the help of Chantix, of course. The cravings (that everyone gets) are down to once every 2 or 3 months. Had several small heart attacks and then one BIG one. Rushed in and had emergency quintuple bypass surgery. Doctors said after that I wouldn't have made it one more hour without the surgery. One hour! I'm so glad to be here. True, my life isn't what I hoped for at my age now (59), but it beats the alternative. Chantix was heaven-sent to me. Yes, it disrupted my sleep and gave me completely wild, crazy dreams (in vivid color). But it works... IT WORKS... If you let it, if you want it so bad you stop fooling yourself. It can be done, and anyone can do it. Believe it!!!"

• Unk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "One month on Chantix and nothing. Still smoking, a few vivid dreams. Constantly up in the middle of the night going potty. Never had this problem before. More moody and angry. I want to quit but haven't even slowed down on smoking. I feel it's doing the opposite for me."

• stl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "I am a 61-year-old female who smoked since I was 18 (about a pack a day). Over the years, I had tried to quit with everything and anything available. On Sep 14, I used Chantix to successfully quit, and I was successful for 9 months. In Jun 15, my husband had a heart attack, and I used it as an excuse to start smoking again. Chantix worked wonders the first time, so I am trying again. One week without a cigarette, and I'm feeling great. Only side effects are a little nausea if I don't eat and some vivid (not scary) dreams. I know I'm going to beat this addiction once and for all this time thanks to Chantix!!!!"

• NON...
• October 7, 2009

For Smoking Cessation "I continued smoking while taking the starter week pack. By the 4th day, it was like sucking on a straw. I got no more pleasure from smoking, but I still wanted to smoke. The only side effect was very vivid dreams. I quit smoking when I started the 2nd week of Chantix. I did crave cigarettes for the first 3 days. Day 3 was very, very tough. I was a miserable person to be around. Day 4 brought NO cravings. Side effects were vivid dreams of people I knew 20 years ago (pre-cigarettes??), foggy-headedness, and the normal healing discomfort. I finished the second week as prescribed even though I didn't feel the need for the drug. The 3rd week, I took half a pill, morning and night. The 4th week, half a pill in the morning. Smoke-free!"

• Spa...
• October 23, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Seven years ago, I had taken Chantix. I had the crazy dreams and the unbelievable nightmares. I was under a lot of stress due to a situation with my neighbor. Long story short, I ended up slashing both of my wrists severely, requiring 42 stitches. I didn't smoke for a week before that happened, but that day I did drink alcohol. One complements the other, as I know people who never smoke, but when they drink alcohol, they smoke like a chimney, which I believe is the main reason why you feel so shitty the next day. I am trying Chantix for a second time - so far, so good. No problem neighbor and no alcohol. I have a feeling this time I will succeed in stopping my addiction to cigarettes. I'm convinced that the alcohol was the main antagonist in my hurting myself - please don't drink alcohol while taking Chantix."

• thm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 26, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I’ve smoked or used smokeless tobacco on and off for 12 years. Following a promotion, the stress of my career in the past year and a half led to me smoking about a pack a day. My doc recommended Chantix, and it’s an effective tool for quitting and staying quit. Reduces the cravings quite a bit, and it also seems to block the effects of nicotine. It doesn’t work right away, but after about a week on it, I was ready to discontinue the smoking. The stomachache can be pretty uncomfortable, but eating a meal and drinking plenty of fluids helps mitigate that adverse effect. Also have the particularly vivid dreams, but not necessarily nightmares. I would recommend Chantix, especially if you’ve insurance."

• Ker...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I started Champix on 27th March 2015 by my GP's stop smoking clinic and was advised to keep smoking, with a stop date of 13th April 2015. I wasn't really given any advice about the medicine, other than it may cause bad/vivid dreams. I came home and did some research myself. Days 1, 2, 3 were just fine - no changes at all. Day 4 I started to not enjoy my smokes so much. Days 7-10 I felt exhausted, headachey, tearful, moody, having horrendously black dreams involving murder and my husband cheating - this led to paranoia that he really was cheating. I stopped them two days ago and still feel very low in mood, withdrawn, tearful, and so tired. Please be very aware of the side effects and ask close ones to monitor your moods."

• Kri...
• February 3, 2013

For Smoking Cessation "Chantix worked for me! I tried to quit many times using the patch, and the cravings were always still too intense to continue not smoking for more than 48 hours. I smoked on Chantix slightly longer than the recommended week, but towards the end of that time, I was finding it difficult to finish a whole cigarette. It just wasn't desirable to me anymore. The first day not smoking on Chantix was still a bit challenging, but not unbearable. I had promised myself that if I made it 24 hours without a cigarette, I would never smoke again. After the first day, each following day was easier and easier. The only side effects I experienced were vivid dreams. I kind of liked it though. I am coming up on 4 years since my last cigarette this March."

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I started smoking when I was 14 years old. I am 55 years old and smoked 3 packs a day. Tried multiple times to quit on my own and could not due to withdrawals. At one point, my husband drove me to the store to buy cigarettes because I was having horrible withdrawal symptoms. Chantix worked exactly as it advertised. It has been 15 months, and I have no desire to smoke. I have literally had no problems staying smoke-free. I can be around smokers with no issue. You can ask anyone who knows me that I would be the last person on the planet who would quit smoking because I loved smoking. I quit because of financial reasons only. Had some vivid dreams, but nothing I couldn't tolerate."