Any Way To Reverse Long-term Chantix Side Effects? (Page 13)
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My mother took Chantix several years ago in an effort to quit smoking. Well, she quit for a year. During that time, however, she became unbearably depressed. She has no history of depression. She consulted a doctor several times and tried 3 different prescriptions, 1 of them being Zoloft. She stopped because she said they made her feel like she was just in a constant haze. She hasn't been to a doctor or a psychologist since then. In the mean time, she started smoking again because she thought that it would make the depression go away. It didn't. Because of her experience with the 3 prescriptions, she is unwilling to go back to a doctor, and dismisses any notion of going to a psychologist. Our family has pleaded with her to keep trying, even if she has to tell whoever she sees that she won't try any drug for fear of the side effects; even if her only option is therapy, we want her to at least see someone. She is reluctant. This side effect of major depression has persisted for years now, long after she stopped taking Chantix. Does anybody have any advice, or experience with the reversal of such severe side effects? My mother, and the rest of my family, is terrified that this is permanent, and she is terrified of the possibility that another prescription will result in even worse side effects.

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This sounds like my daughter. She took Chantix prior to getting pregnant for the sake of a healthy pregnancy and baby. She became very angry and moody since before she announced her pregnancy and I just thought it was hormonal. After the birth she had severe post-partum depression. She suffers from migraines and is taking Imitrex almost daily. Her Dr. has put her on an antidepressant/anti-convulsant but it doesn't seem to have any positive effect on either her headaches or mood and anger issues. I can't help but think the doctors who deny these symptoms as being caused by Chantix are doing so for fear of being sued. I would suggest you write to the manufacturer and the FDA with all the problems you've experienced since taking Chantix. They MUST take your complaints and add them to the possible side effects.Unfortunately, many medications these days are tested on the public since they were approved before long term ill effects were known.

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Hi. I just saw this. Today is March 11,2014. If you will try again I will check back.
Laura

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I submitted a post here in Sept 2013 that, in brief, described that I've not experienced any negative side effects using Chantix, but that my doctor was going to stop prescribing it given that there are no long term studies on the effect of this drug. I reduced my dosage to one/day. Later, I further reduced it to one every other day. I have never been fully off of Chantix and "milked" my pills - until last month. After conferring with my physician, and describing that I have no depression, suicidal tendencies, bad dreams, but actually feel better and more creative/happy knowing that my smoking has decreased significantly, I received further prescriptions. I did find that if I went for several days without taking a pill that my smoking increased. It's likely that I would slowly increase my smoking if I ceased entirely. This doesn't address the problems that others report here, yet there must be something involved in addition to taking Chantix that causes the negative, some quite severe, effects that others have experienced.

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Hi John, I'm sorry to hear that your Mom is suffering because of this drug too.
My doctor has put me on adderall 30 mg. per day which seems to help with the brain fog and inability to focus. He also has me on Zoloft 200 mg. per day which seems to be helping with the depression some. I don't know your moms age but I'm in my 40's and it's almost as if the chantix threw me into pre-menopause so my gyn/ob put me on bio identical hormones (progesterone) and that seems to help with the monthly crying spells. I hope this is helpful and that your mom can get some help and feel better :) Patty

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I became depressed after taking chanix for only 2 weeks. That was over five years ago now and am still having trouble with depression. I believe it is from taking chanix. I've never in my life felt like I have since taking chanix. Although, it got me to quit smoking for 2 years, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

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I was prescribed the starter pack (30 day?) February 2013, age 36. I took it the entire time, even though during that time I had unusual highs & lows, along with a plan to commit suicide upon arriving home (this was during a tiff at the airport with my husband). Since then I have begun smoking again & I often have suicidal thoughts. I have had every opportunity to follow through, but haven't, so I don't think it's a real possibility. I don't have a history of mental issues or depression. I am miserable & I am making my husband's life hell. My life is hell, I'm not who I was & feel detached from everyone, including myself. My husband is the main target for my erratic, over-the-top behavior & I stay in fear we won't make it. He tells me I'm crazy & how much fun I use to be, I'm just horrible now. I wish I never took Chantix. I truly feel my soul & spirit have been sucked from me.

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I wondered about that theory as well, however, there are people reporting that after taking chantix and going back to smoking, that they still feel severe depression and behavior changes. Therefore if the brain is getting the nicotine again then why are these people still suffering with severe depression? I truly feel that more research needs to be done on the long term effects that chantix may be causing within the brain.

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Hi Laura, have tried looking for you to be in contact with you, but all i could find was a radio interview with BNE Radio network, my mobile is {edited for privacy}, contact me directly please via txt msg.

Blessed Be
Regan
Aka crow

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Chantix made me suicidal for 2 years period! Traveling to get brain scans and 10 different anti depressants did nothing for me. Luckily I stumbled across a dr gregory marsella from harvard in boca raton, fl. He explained that my neurons weren't lighting up properly. After a few class of stimulants that improved me I found one that works! I take 18mg of concerta 4 times a day. I have to spread them out so there's a total of 2 not so good hours but im 100% better.

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Hi Laura and Riegan
not sure what you are talking about? Perhaps too deep for me? but I would really like to know more about Rhodiola Rosea....Please in Layman's terms...
thanks much!

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Hi Laura, All i can say is this, and I dont wish to reveal too much of my self or my beliefs.
yes I totally understand, i would love to be able to sit and chat with you on another level.

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To cut to the chase, I used champix for 3 months then quit, prescrip was for 4 months, couldn't take it any more. I have been smoke free for 6 months with no urge's. What do I do about the severe depression? Always tired, lazy, quick to snap at anything, constant fog in my head. I'm happy to be smoke free but now what do I do. How do you explain this to a doctor and get the proper help?

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My husband took Chantix over a year ago and still has extreme rage and mood swings, he is very hard to live with. He is always blaming everyone else for his problems. I don't know what to do anymore! I feel very sorry for him but at the same time he is so mean to me that I don't even like being around him. He doesn't want to do anything to try and help himself he puts it all on my shoulders. He is honestly pushing me away and driving me crazy. Any suggestions?

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hi Reigan, u seem to no brain hysiology. That was good advice on the rhodiolia and it leads me to think you are aware of the endogenous opioid peptide dormancy in the DNA genome 11. The crimes against humanity that the pharmaceutical industrial complex and our government and psychiatric industry have condemned a large part of the population to a fate worst than death, to suffer in abject misery a disconnect from self. soul self. This is "biblical" Regain, not in a christian king james bible biblical but in an ancient "mystic" gnostic, vedic, upishands, meister eckhart, sufi, zoraster, zohar truth kind of biblical. The endocrine system, is the chakra system. The pineal gland is the "seat of the soul" and I have gratitude every day for the wisdom of rene'descartes. please contact me as I would love to share what information I have come to in 8 years of scientific research, and 8 months of graced gnosis. just the fact that ssri's and ni's have the inability to reach organism should be clue enough to the disconnect. Prozac is 30% fluoride. The monoamine hypothesis has been debunked a thousand times over and MAOI'b's have no FOOD INTERACTION.
I am sorry if this is rushed and not cohesive. google barbara S. stanley, antonia S. new...;Borderline personality disorder; toward a neuropeptide model. Evil cow she is dr stanley. They have known "mental illness" is physiological, endocrinological, biological interfacing between p[9ep[9tides, neurons, and receptors manifesting as behavior deemed "mentally ill, impulsive, drug addicited alcoholic , lest we not forget the root cause of these is existing in a state of "learned helplessness", which is not behavioral at all, but an inability to access self. the you "god" whoever she is :), that is a joke, its half male too! designed and created you to be. But due to DNA menthylation and cellular imprinting causing the "mommy" gene to be dormant, causing the god particles, oxytocin, beta endorphin, vasopressin, homeostatic interp[9lay with the melatonin in the p[9ineal gland to be non existant. HOMEOSTASIS homeo ,human stasis , stable

Thank you

Laura
research scientist/advocate

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I'd have your Mom contact a Faster EFT practitioner. It is amazing!
Helps with all kinds of issues. I've been working with a FasterEFT practitioner for over a year now and it resolves issues once and for all.

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Terry, please give us an update after you are off of it for a few months. Would like to know....thanks

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I have been taking Chantix for over a year with none of the side effects others have reported. Initially, I took the prescribed 2/day dosage, but eventually reduced it to one/day since I still smoke. Chantix helped reduce my smoking from a pack/day to 4-6/day and can go for hours without craving. I do have vivid dreams, but no depression or suicidal thoughts. In fact, I actually feel to have a better mental state and enjoy the lucid, colorful dreams, which I attribute to having reduced nicotene and smoking. Perhaps the effects others report are exasperated based on individual circumstances or (pre)disposition. I'm not saying that the reports are not occurring, but that it's not consistent for all users. My doctor is stopping prescribing Chantix to me since long term effects are unknown, although it is not my request. It has been an effective means to curb my nicotine addiction to a minimum level and, to date, no negative effects.

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you should go to health shop and find something that contains the herb Rhodiola Rosea...
it will help the you with the feelings you have, also go see a homoeopath and see if they can give you 3 doses of Thuja 200c to be taken morning, night, morning stop... these things will keep you on the upside of life, and the thuja will deplete the effects of the champix... and Yes I am speaking of experience, contact me via {edited for privacy}

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by the way, this isnt so much of a solution, but more used as an aid to help produce the aminos we have lost

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Hey again, i have a solution to the problem, I have been taking a health supplement witch contains Rhodiola Rosea, this is an herb that helps to reproduce the dopamine, and helps with adrenal function, and doesnt take very long to start acting... please try it... i am starting to feel good again

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