Becky’s Story
I am a 51 year old female from Texas. I have smoked on and off for 30 years. I quit once for 3 1/2 years and then started up again. I decided after a year of smoking to try Chantix and quit again (along with my husband). That was a month ago.
First let me say, I thought I would have to divorce my husband. He became so defensive and defiant about everything. I couldn’t believe this usually mild mannered fellow could change so drastically. I know I had some extreme irritability also but nothing like his. He said he felt like putting a gun to his head. I didn’t have this type of depression. He quit the Chantix after 3 weeks and is now occasionally cheating with a smoke. I know the signs and feel certain he will start smoking again. He may not be willing to go through the “pain” and let go of the cigarettes. I feel that I am and have let go. His side effects seem to have all gone away.
When I made the decision to quit smoking I decided to go on a low calorie diet first as I needed to lose about 10 pounds. I figured if I started the diet maybe I would be able to keep my eating under control as I went through withdrawal. My symptoms in the beginning were limited to strange and vivid dreams; none of which were frightening or nightmarish. Then, after about a week of taking the Chantix and going on to the larger dosage, I began gaining weight, sweating profusely at night and experiencing extreme pain in all of my joints; even down to my fingers and feet.
I stopped taking the Chantix after the third week. I have quit smoking and it certainly did take away my desire to smoke but my joints still ache terribly and I have “restless leg syndrome” at night. I am fearful that these symptoms will not go away. I can’t stay asleep for the pain.
I’m sure the weight gain had something to do with my metabolism slowing down during the quit, but I know too that on days that I was watching my caloric intake closely I would still gain weight. I think this is very odd.
I have a feeling that even if I tell my doctor about the extreme arthralgia I am experiencing that she will tell me it has nothing to do with the Chantix. I don’t want to take pain pills I just want my terrific aches and pains to go away. Like one of the other persons mentioned, I also have a chronic crick in my neck.
