Any Way To Reverse Long-term Chantix Side Effects? (Page 5) (Top voted first)

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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I took Chantix for a month before I quit smoking 4 years ago. My sister was diagnosed with throat cancer and that's when I decided to to quit. It didn't effect me in any bad way when I was on them, but slowly through the past four years, I've been feeling depressed. I thought at first it was because of my sister, but she's in remission for 4 years now, so it can't be that. I read you can get depressed when you quit smoking...they compared it to a death in the family. But 4 years later and it's not getting any better. I recently had a CT scan done due to headaches and my dr said it came out normal. I never really discussed my feelings with him, I thought it was just something I had to get through. But now, after reading these posts, I feel it could be possible that it might be due to Chantix. thanks for the posts and good luck to everyone.

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Can you tell me how they rebuilt your seratonin?Your post is exactly what my boyfriend is experiencing and he is going through hell...he is on cymbalta now but it just makes him have no feelings at all. If I could convince him someone had success he might be willing to try the clinic....

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I finished my started pack of Chantix in December 2012. It is now July 2013. I did quit smoking which is good. However, I am suffering from a lot of psychological and physical changes since I've taken Chantix. Depression was new to me - and it was horrible! Anxiety was an effect that was extremely overwhelming. I have also been experiencing muscle and joint aches since then. I've increased my exercising and my water intake in hopes that will help. I just don't feel right. My doctor says that he had never heard of such an effect caused from Chantix. I wish this would become more public. I try to discourage as many people from taking Chantix as possible. I fear of the long term results that may have not been discovered yet.

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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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I started taking Chantix on March 1 and quit smoking March 8, 2014. I used 2 1/2 months worth of Chantix and my doctor suggested I stay on it at least 3 mths if not 4. However, I couldn't take the horrible, extremely bizarre dreams (which luckily stopped after stopping Chantix). I wish that was the ONLY side effect. I still to this day have 3 side effects that are driving me crazy. I have a constant funky sweet medicine smell/taste that won't go away. My hair spray, deodorant and even mascara smell like this and I get this awful taste when I drink plain ice tea or an alcoholic beverage or even brush my teeth! It's horrible. Then I keep hearing a sound of a ball or something being thrown again a cement wall with an echo type sound every 30 minutes or so in my head! I thought I was hearing noises in our house but it was me! In my mind! Lastly, my hair was always so healthy but now it's thinned out so much I can't even style it anymore. I'm so frustrated. Will these ever go away? Can I do anything to make them go away? What am I to do as I can't live with this. It will drive me up a tree! I'm still smoke free but continually crave cigarettes! Day in and day out. I'm just pushing myself hard not to cave in. Please help!!!

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My husband took Chantix for 6 weeks starting in May. He's been off the medication for over 2 weeks now and is has horrible side effects: depression, anxiety, major agitation, joint pain, fatigue, etc. He was a pack + a day smoker for 30 years and no longer has any urge to smoke, but he is completely joyless. I've been reading stories about permanent side effects from changes in brain chemistry and I am getting more and more nervous. I'm hoping he will get back to being himself soon. He never stopped taking his Fluoxetine prescription so I'm not sure what's going on.

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I am having similar issues from taking chantix. I took it back in 2010 and still having issues. How is the Rhodiola Rosea working? Anything else you are trying? I've been on several prescribed drugs but little to no positive impact. thnx. - mark

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If you can get to a homoeopath, ask for 3 doses of Thuja 200c, this will help with the damage the Champix/Chantix has done . 3 doses only!!
The supplement I took is "Stress and Stamina Formula with Rhodiola" from Micro Genics.
that has 965mg Rhodiola Rosea. also known as Arctic Root.

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I also should mention that I quit taking anti depressant s in April of this year after my last episode. Since then, I have not been on any medications or under the care of a physician. I consider my self not only unhealthy but as I like to say so often, " done for".

All contributing factors to quality of life but information more for trial study study purposes.

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I am not a medical professional but I have had my life terrorized by taking Chantix. For me personally it gave me back my life that changed 7 years ago after taking Chantix. Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation. The unit I cured myself with was called CES Ultra.

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I would like more specific information about the rhodiola rosea and Thuja. I have been battling side effects from Chantix for almost 3 years now. I have been to many doctors and tried various different prescription medications. Please post a reply {edited for privacy}

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What do I do my bf took chantix he's hit me broke my finger abused me in front of my kids very violent crazy and Not the same person before he took it. Help mrpe

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It doesnt matter if u stop taking chantix / champix, the effects stay within, because they change the chemicals in the brain.
If you want to help your husband, then try following my advice.!!..

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Please can you let me know an update. My husband took this pill for 3 days and became suicidal. He didn't take any more pills but I need hope he will get better

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