I am weaning myself off Chantix very slowly. I am at 3/4 of a pill a day now. ( 1/2 in the morning and 1/4 in the evening)

I tried weaning off a few weeks ago by going to 1/2 pill total a day but I guess it was to soon and I had severe cravings all day everyday for a week and it was wearing on me so I upped my dosage back to 1 pill a day and I felt a lot better. I kept at this dosage for a few weeks and just started the 3/4 a pill a week ago. I am just ok on this dose. I am actually not sure if I am feeling worse on the 3/4 a pill a day or if I am just so worried that I will have problems after I come off it that I am making myself have more craves. Does that make sense?

 

So anyway, my question is. Anyone who took Chantix and stopped, did you have a hard time after you quit Chantix? If you did, what did you experience and how long did you feel that way?

 

Could the way I am feeling really be from coming off Chantix or am I getting my self worked up and causing my own symptoms, in other words,  is all this is in my head or is it from lowering the Chantix?

 

I really wonder if a 1/4 of a pill really makes that much of a difference. If it does then I guess I'm screwed when I completely come off of them. EEEEK!!

I came off mine super early (day 5, due to side effects) and I don't remember feeling more craves...but then I was very early quit so maybe someone else can help and answer. 

 

I would think at one month quit you'd be ok on them for longer or is it a personal choice thing?

 

x

my 12 week course is up on October 8th and I was doing a very slow wean. I planned on doing 3/4 pill for a few weeks then going down to 1/2 a pill then down to 1/4 pill then being done and I was going to make that last until about October 8th so I will technically be on it for 12 weeks. But to answer your question, I am not big on taking pills so I want to be done and I heard sudden stopping can cause issues and since I had such a huge increase in craves the last time I tried tapering I thought I'd start now and give myself plenty of time to taper. 

Ah I see, well I'm all for personal choice :)  

 

You say 1/2 tablet made you have more craves but 3/4 doesn't?  That sounds like it can fit with your structured plan above of limiting the time and quantity on them ok. Hopefully someone else will have an experience to share.  If not, I think your plan sounds just fine. x

I went from 2 regular dose pills per day to 1 per day to 1/2 per day (each time for about 4 days). I did have some pretty strong craves but only a few per day and after a week no more craves. I think that some people are more sensitive to Chantix and may react to 1/4 pill per day. Sounds like you might be one of those. I suggest that you go to 1/2 pill in the morning and see what happens.

 

And, yes, I think that "putting oneself under a magnifying glass" as I call it can make the craves feel much worse than otherwise. But craves will NOT kill you. Try to stay busy and distract yourself. Put on your earphones and listen to loud music. Do not give them your attention and they will go away quicker. 

I went from one a day to none without issue...

Hey DF, I used Chantix for less than 12 weeks ----maybe like 4-6?  I didn't wean terribly long from it but I do remember craves when I did.  I think it's likely that the timing of the craves is because you are entering the as yet  "unknown" world of quitting without an aid in place any longer.   Just like giving up any crutch ending your NRT use  is the final step to your new non smoking life.   It's all a mind game really, this addiction--- once the nicotine is out of your system.  I chewed gum, and a lot of tic tacs etc.... to distract myself when I had those craves.  Find something to do to distract yourself and congratulations on reaching this milestone in your journey!  Many do not allow themselves to get this far, so be proud you did and know that it will only get better and better.  Don't let the cigarette psych you out!  You're doing a FANTASTIC job!!