SUPPORT
My husband is a smoker, I'm not. But it hurts watching him trying to quit to whichever price. He is taking champix and I believe is not worth it because the side effects. He can't sleep and that with a family of 3 small children makes it very hard for everybody. Because first of all the lack of sleep is as bad for your health as smoking is. Second he is very irritable, third he's personality changes. I know he is reasons for quitting and I want to support him, but I don't believe in medication. Strong will I do, it is the hardest but once you can show yourself that you can quit because you can beat the craving. He is not a smoker to me. He is a wonderful man with an addiction. I love him and I hope the best for him, but we change a dependency for another and that is not the way to go.
As a smoker, oops x-smoker (1 month tomorrow!) I appreciate how supportive you are being of your husband. You are right, smokers are addicts and after 35 years of smoking and a million failed attempts a quitting, champix made it possible for me. There are indeed side effects and it is not necessarily right for everyone, but there are some tricks that help. Have him take the pill with meals, one in morning and one at dinner. I found this cured any nausea and also by taking the evening pill earlier and not at bedtime, I really did not find it affected my sleep at all. I don't know how long he has been on champix, but the real benefit of it is that it really does make the cravings go away, at least it did for me. But if you are seeing severe personality issues then you should definitely have him see his doctor. Keep supporting him, it's a hard battle but it is so worth it! You should get him to use this site, it really helps to talk to other people going through the same thing. All the best to both of you, i hope for his sake, yours and your children's that he is able to kick this so he can watch them all grow up!
The way I see it, just about anything else is better than putting smoke into the lungs. Ideally I would say cold turkey is best. but realistically, for some it doesn't work. This champix has to be better than smoking despite it's side effects.
His mood will pick up. I know putting up with a bad mood is real testing but think of it this way - It's his life at stake here.
SMOKING is KILLING your HUSBAND. Give the champix a chance!!!
BTW, I'm on day 50 cold turkey.
I agree with Kam I am on day 22 of the tablets and day 16 totally smoke free. I experienced the nausea but now make sure I take the tablet WITH food . Not before ,not after but in the middle of Breakfast and dinner. that has helped a lot and I hardly get any nausea now and if I do it is mild and doesn't last long. I too had trouble getting to sleep but that has gotten better now. If your husband has had any periods of depression and you feel he is struggling then gently suggest he talk to your doctor.
I came on here because my husband is also quitting but he is doing it cold turkey and he DOES NOT want to talk about it. I need to so I am here.Different strokes for different folks.
Someone who has never been in the grip of this parasite would find it hard to understand how hard it is to stop smoking so I commend you for your understanding and concern. Good luck