Husband on Chantix Smoking Cessation Medicine

I'm not sure if this is the one i saw on the tv so you might want to look into it. Something about it causing harmful side effects and no longer being prescribed or something like that.

Hi, my name is G.. I did the Chantix myself and was a bit moody at first myself. I found that what helped me was to find something to replace the cigs. I now paint ceramics, chew gum more often, read a lot, sew, and so forth. Maybe if your husband finds something to pre-occupy his mind. My husband loves to golf and work on cars. That seems to help him a lot w/ his moods. We both smoked for well over 20 yrs. I hope this helps you.

G.

M., my husband is also on Chantix to quit smoking but is not having any of the mood swings you descibe. He has also not smoked since his first week on the medication--3 months ago. My best advice is for you to ask your husband to talk to his dr about his feelings and his persistent desire to smoke (which chantix is supposed to take away). I have also heard on the news that many people experience depression on the medication which could be part of the problem. Good luck!

First of all, the Chantix should have had him not smoking by now if he's been taking it like he's supposed to for a month. It can take up to 3 months, but by now, he should be smoke free. Sounds like he's not really ready to quit. No drug can make you READY to quit. As far as the moodiness goes, it can really make you feel a bit nutty.
Is he having extremely vivid dreams at night? Chantix can cause very vivid dreams that can disturb his sleep, which can make for a very cranky person. I had crazy dreams on it. They weren't nightmares, necessarily, but just wild. Also, a girlfriend of mine took it and her husband said she went into a state of depression. She snapped at everyone in the house and would only get out of bed to go to work, then she would come home and put her sweats on and go back to bed. She is a very social person and likes to go out with friends, but when she was on Chantix, she barely functioned.
Remember that it is a drug, and every drug, even Tylenol, affects people differently. I would maybe go see your doctor and talk to him about the side effects or you can even go talk to your local pharmacist. Hang in there! If he quits smoking, you'll have him around for a lot longer. That might be enough incentive to put up with the moodiness for a while.

I'd get him off the medication. Ask his doctor about a low dosage of librium to take the edge off his nasty moods. That's how I quit 'eons ago'.

M. B.
Hang in there it will get better my husband took Chantix for 3 months and was a bear for the begining half at least but it got better i really think it is a side effect of the drug and the quitting smoking.
I hope he is successful in quitting.
good luck and keep your chin up.

My best friend just quit smoking using Chantix and although she quit successfully she did have a lot of problems with it. The doctor told her to have someone monitor her while she was on it in case she had any crazy thoughts. She was more aggitated than normal, especially with her husband. Just make sure your husband is being monitored closely for ANY behavior changes.

My husband stayed on Chantix for the full course of three months and yes, he was a grouchy PITA! But, I kept reminding myself that the clear goal was for him to quit. You are a third of the way there. Keep reminding yourself that in the grand scheme of things, two more months is inconsequential. He must love you and your baby very much to put himself through this. He really can't help it as Chantix actually plays around with the pleasure response area in the brain.

Stay under the radar. Support him and tell him you know this is hard on him as well. When he flares up, simply ignore him and repeat to yourself "he can't help it". Just think of this, he won't stink when you kiss him any more! Good luck.

Dear M.
I am a former smoker. I quit cold turkey. It is the hardest thing I have ever done (without the motivation of being pregnant I don't think I would have succeeded), and I have had pretty strong will power when it comes to other things. That being said.....my best advice is to pray for patience with your husband. Keep in mind that when he snaps it's not really that he's angry with you. His body and mind are struggling to maintain a balance with out the same amount of a chemical they are use to having. So instead of responding in anger because he's said something hurtful.......think to your self it's an addiction response, he doesn't mean it, this will pass. I know it's frustrating and very hard to understand when you have never been a smoker yourself. I also smoked for ten years and it becomes a part of you as a person and how you cope with stress. Imagine if all of a sudden your coping mechanism ( ie: execise, talking w/ a girlfriend whatever it maybe)was taken from you. You would have to find a new way to cope......it's not easy and it takes time. Just keep reminding yourself once he's adapted things will be back to normal, and you will have a happy healthier family. Although he's lashing out at youhe needs you. Stay strong, don't take it personally, you can do it!! I hope this helps. Best wishes
A.

Be very careful - my husband tried it and it thoroughly depressed him - he stopped using it. He has been reading that it can cause suicidal thoughts.......I do want him to quit - but the medicines we have tried have not worked well Years ago, he did get hypnotised and that worked well for a while.

That's so funny! My husband (also normally grouchy)just started taking Chantix this week. So far so good, I guess, but it's hard to really tell the difference between cranky normal and cranky Chantix. :-) Of course, it's only been less than a week (and he'll still be smoking for the rest of this week before he stops totally), so I'm sure there are plenty more fun times to be had! He's been smoking most of his life, and really wants to quit. He's also just started taking some blood pressure meds, and that's probably compounding the crankiness. Good luck! I'd love to share stories and compare the two of them! One good thing is that since he started taking Chantix he said that his cigarettes don't taste as good anymore.

I'm currently taking Chantix but I'm not having that side affect, which it is a one of the many side effects that the medicine has. I feel a little queezy sometimes but mostly when I smell smoke, isn't that strange?? But so one of my friends started it about 2 months ago and was really down and had serious mood swings, I totally understand what you're saying when you say he's like a different person. He went to his doctor about 2 weeks ago and he switched him to a different medication that has less side effects and he actually has just about quit completely in those 2 weeks!! I can't think of what it's called off the top of my head, but when I got Chantix from my doctor he did tell me that there were other medications as an option if this one had too many side effects or did not work.

My husband has been on Chantix for his 5th month. He still smoked the first 3 1/2 months. He is really addicted. He was also moody when he finally stopped cigarettes. Just like you discribed. Initially it may be nicotine withdrawal, but that only lasts 1-2 weeks. It is about changing one's habits. They smoke during certain activities, ie on the phone, after a meal, with the smoking buddies at work. All that has to be given up. It is really hard. After 1 1/2 months of not smoking, my husband is doing better. It will take months to get used to a new lifestyle. Don't be surprised if he smokes again. It may take more than one try. But they can be on Chantix for a year I understand. I try to praise his accomplishment for not smoking, but tell him off when he really gets on my nerves! Good Luck.

Get him off of this medication immediately. I just saw something on TV connecting this drug with severe behaviorial changes and suicidal tendencies. Check this report out http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21904774/

M. -
A group of people I work with took the Chantix and were VERY moody during that time. The other thing they experienced was they found it hard to sleep a lot of nights. The one thing I can tell you is that it is the only thing that worked for some very long time chain smokers (15+). One girl will tell you that her marriage was very rocky during that time but what they ended up doing was try to stay in different rooms if possible when they could tell that her mood was peaking. For you, as hard as it may be right now with having a baby and needing some mommy only time every so often, ya'll do your own thing to an extent. Try to rely on friends and family if possible more for get away talks or outings. I wish I could put this better but you will get thru this, just try not to talk to him unless you have too. In the end, life will be better for all of you. When he says mean things to you, come back with, "I still love you" or something to throw him off and then walk away. Hang in there. Believe me, my best friend was on it and she said some very mean things to me at work one day to the point that I called my husband and told him I didn't think we would be friends anymore & that I was filing a formal complaint against her at work for creating a hostile work environment.

I have no experience with smoking, but I feel I must say this. Remember that your husband must come first in your life before your child. This is the way God tells us to live our lives. Some of his problem may be jealousy. I wish you the best. Stick it out. That's what marriage is!

I have heard some bad things about this medication. My husband refuses to take it to quit. He would rather quit cold turkey than take that. Also the fact that he is still occasionally smoking on it probably isn't helping. I would really suggest him read reviews on this medication and try another form of quitting.

I think you may be dealing with a combination of things here. Certainly, people in the process of quitting smoking (with meds or without) endure a lot of side effects that can lead to moodiness. At the same time, your husband is experiencing a lot of changes in his life since welcoming a baby to the family. My husband is the sweetest dad in the world, but when our first daughter was born he asked me, "Will I always be your number one?" He needed some reassurance that, while caring for our children would obviously be a priority for both us, we would continue to make our relationship a priority as well. I suggest reassuring your husband that you love him and want to spend time with him, as well as your daughter. Support him as he quits smoking -- which will help provide a healthier, smoke-free home for your entire family -- and ask him to show you the kindness and respect you deserve. Hope that helps . . . I wish you the best!

I used to work with people in smoking cessation programs,
though at that time the medication you mention was not
offered yet, so I can't help with that aspect. However,
I do know that when my hubby had to lose 50 pounds because of serious health concerns, the first few months were like
living in hell to our relationship. He was soooo cranky!
But, once he got used to it and also saw results he started
to get better. It also helped for him to exercise, not just
to lose the weight, but also as an outlet for stress and anxiety which is why alot of people smoke or over eat. At that time we didn't have kids yet, so that could be another part of the equation for your situation. We have two boys now, 3 1/2 yrs and 7 months. All I can say is that I am glad he lost that weight before we had kids, because it was a difficult time. And when you have a new baby you need support, so when the one who you would get it from is suffering withdrawal it isn't going to be smooth sailing.
One thing I would recommend is reading a book called, "Baby proofing Your Marriage." It was a fun read with some lighthearted suggestions to the stuff we find ourselves
in after we have a baby. I read it after already having had one baby since it is a relatively new book, but it would have been nice to have had with the first.

So, good luck to you!!

My sister had heart issues while on this medicine. It can also create serious depression. I would suggest getting him off the medication as soon as possible. My husband is a volunteer fire fighter and they have even warned the station to be alert for anybody on Chantix. Good luck. Be safe.