First few impressions on Champix quit week (bipolar quitter)

Hi guys,

I guess it's not unusual on here to be rabbiting on about how I've decided to quit etc. However, I thought I'd share my experience, given I've also got fairly serious bipolar depression and am on Lexapro concurrently with Champix.

Firstly, I got a stack of Champix about 2 years ago and was all keen, until I got online and read the horror stories. Snap suicides, "Champix Runied My Life!!" - it really scared me off given I've had more than enough on my plate in life keeping up a career while being continuously savaged by the black dog.

Then I thought, screw it. My breathing was getting shallow, my fitness in the gutter, constant coughing and reaching for the asthma inhaler (yeah, forgot to mention the asthma - pretty significant). 

So, I started taking the Champix around 2 and a half weeks ago and am halfway through my second quit day. I'm getting the usual results - I crave a cigarette around 10 times a day for around 30 seconds. I ignore it and I forget about cigarettes for a few hours. Pretty awesome result really, about 70% easier than cold turkey and about a good 40% easier than patches.

Effect on Depression: Minimal. Now, regarding the depression and interaction with Lexapro. No interactions and changes in mood at all generally. It's a huge relief - if you're in my position with depression, I'd say still give the Champix a try and monitor your moods. However - DO WATCH YOUR DRINKING. While the leaflet doesn't say much about alcohol interactions, I ran a little 'test' last weekend and it was a mess. I drank too much, got on the phone, moody, weird - the usual shocking embarrassment. I also felt extremely low for a few days after. Extremely low. It was the alcohol, not the Champix that did this. If you're a depressive, try to quit the drinks. I'm trying and will try harder. Once the booze cloud cleared I'm back on the upswing again and Champix hasn't changed that. I'll continue to monitor and post.

Effect on asthma: Dramatic. Unsurprisingly, my chest already feels 100 times better. I went from using the ventolin 3 times a day, to not at all for the last 2 days. I'm also more diligent on my serotide, which will help my lungs stay clear and toughen up.

Where do I think I am on the journey? OK - I would say that if cigarettes were my master, then I would have been crawling before them on my belly. Now, I would say I'm on my knees with my shoulders back and head up. Pretty soon I'll be on my feet. Give me a week.

Jack