Any Way To Reverse Long-term Chantix Side Effects? (Page 6)

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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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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Hi Michelle.
Please look down through my comments regarding the homoeopathic remedies I took, because they got me back on track. I took the pills for 11 days, and I had the same effects as your husband after about the same period. I was ordered not to take anymore by my doctor. It possibly took me about 6months to feel normal again, but even now I have dark periods, but I'm now able to sense when I'm about to experience the darkness and I just take a weeks worth of the multi vitamin stated below. It is a long process but as long as you give your husband the support, he will get there.
Hope he feels better soon.
Blessed be.
Rioghann
aka Riegan.

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My son took Chantix and has been off of it for 1mo now. This past Tue he tried to commit suicide. Thank God he was not successful in doing that! He only took Chantix for abt 3wks then stopped. He did quit smoking but for the past month has had these feelings of things that he thinks happened but in reality they did not happen! Feelings that something very bad is abt to happen to him but doesnt know what! Feelings that people are against him or mad at him, when nobody is! Severe depression, withdrawn,crying alot, fidgity, sleeping alot! My son is very different now. He was this happy young man and now he is someone thats very afraid! Idk what will bring him out of this but I want my son to be happy again! This is very heart wrenching to see your child go thru this! My word to people is dont take this drug!!!!! I am a medical professional and I never heard of this happening to people after they quit taken this drug, just whule on it!

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I used Chantix a couple of years ago and quit. I had no problems with it. I think it may not be for everyone and I'm sure once they quit the symptoms should resolve themselves....should. I was told I may have bad dreams....none. Depression....none. I think it should be in the water so everyone could quit. I figured even if it made me depressed.....cigarettes were KILLING me. Seemed like a good trade off.

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I am so very glade you had no problems with Chantix and your one of the lucky few who didn't, but there are hundreds that it has torn their life apart!! My son is no longer the young man he once was. He was always a very happy, always cutten up to being very depressed, scared, and very high anxiety! As far as you thinking it should be in the water,well that wold be a living hell for everyone!!! This drug is not for everyone!! I only wanted to voice my opinion as so do you.

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Julie, if you so wish to help your son, Please read my input from at least post #36, also read what Laura states after my posts.
There is help... all it takes is time.
and that is something we all have when it comes to our health.

Blessed Be
Riegan

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I need help please .. I was normal now I am not ok

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Sid, please read posts #36 abd #106. I am going to get my son to try it. She says it is a long process but worth it! Good luck to you! I wish you all the best! Know that your not alone in this and we are all trying to find help with this aweful side effect from this terrible drug!

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I took Chantix for about 8 weeks. I quit smoking by the end of the first week. Fortunately I didn't experience any depression or some of the awful effects I have been reading. However, some time into my third or fourth week I noticed I was experiencing some mental confusion. I had problems with short-term memory, I would repeat myself over and over, and as time went on I really could not identify what day of the week it was. My brother brought these to my attention and I made an appointment to see my doctor regarding these problems. In the meantime, about two weeks ago I had approximately three sips of my brother's beer--I was still on the Chantix. I am a big man and normally I don't begin to feel the effects of beer until I've had two or close to it. Thinking I was fine, I went up the street--about a two minute drive--to get a hamburger. To make a long story short, when I was backing out of my parking space I tapped into a vehicle parked behind me. While he was not parked legally, I still did not look more carefully to make sure nothing or no one was behind me. As usual, the police came out and at one point the arresting officer asked me to take a breathalyzer. I had no problem doing so because, based on approximately 3 sips of beer, much less than a half can--I was 100% sure I would show clean. Much to my surprise the meter showed an alcohol level of approximately .09. I couldn't believe it. I was arrested for drunk driving and have not had my hearing or trial yet. The more I thought about this reading the more convinced I became that it was invalid. The only medication change I had in more than 2 years was the Chantix.

Does anyone know if Chantix can affect an alcohol breathalyzer reading? I don't know of any other way to explain the reading I got.

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please tell me what they did for you that helped.

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Otherfather, Please read post # 36. It may help you. I hope you find something that works for you. God Bless!

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I am researching chantix for my severe depression, crying spells (uncontrollable), loss of happiness, feelings of sadness, despair, loss of purpose, etc..... My life has not been the same since using Chantix. I don't want a legal suit. I want my life back. What can get me back to normal? It has been almost a year. I dismissed Chantix and thought since I was 53 I was hormonal. Not so, I am still the angry, depressed person now since using Chantix. Is there any help out there?

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Yes, there's help, and if you research through this blog and find message number 36, read from there, I have had to pull myself back to a happy place, same as you many of us here require the same help after using Chantix/Champix, Champix is what it is known by in New Zealand, Nasty, NASTY drug....
but, please read the whole blog from 36, there have been many comments from people who have tried the same as me...
There is hope
Blessed Be
Riegan or Rioghann

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Hi he has been taking the rosea now for a couple of weeks with no difference. He also takes fish oil, B complex and now we are looking at adding in the amino acids L-Tyrosine and L-Theanine.

I am confused about the rosea - how much should he take, all the brands have diferent amounts???

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Michelle,
have you got him a dose of the Thuja? From a homeopath, some will make you a dose without a consultation.
the supplement I took, was 2 tablets a day for 3 days, then 1 tablet a day for 6 months, I still take them maybe once or twice a week,
the supplement I take is called Stress and Stamina Formula, from Micro Genics and contains 965mg of Rhodiola Rosea.
if you read back to blog #43, there is a post there that confirms what the Rhodiola Rosea does, written by Laura... a scientist in brain histology.
I also urge you to read all blogs from there, as some have recorded how they have felt using the technique. Please try, we all know how your husband feels, its not a nice place to be, you must read back and try it.
Please.
Riegan or Rioghann
p.s I sign that way because i have both names in here.

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From CNN News in 2011:

cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/07/05/chantix.smoking.suicide

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No we've not got that yet I will need to have a look for a local homeopath. I've had a look for the rhodiola rosea you suggested - the stress and stamina but we are in the UK and I can't find that here.

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Healthpost ships to the uk. and get to a homeopath... the faster you get on to it the faster your husband can get normal again. Did you read post #43?

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I posted before and wanted to update. Hubby took this evil drug in April and was suicidal. Anyway...

My husband has definitely been doing better. He is now on magnesium. Please look into this! Magnesium glycinate or taurinate is best - quite a high dose (hubby is on 240mg 4 times a day) Google magnesium for depression.
He also read the mood cure book, changed his diet and takes some supplements from the book.
He has just started councelling/cbt as well to help with the dark thoughts.
He is doing so much better.
It's got to be worth a try right?! Good luck. I will update again in a few more weeks.

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The same thing happened with me and it has been 7 years...I wish that I had never taken it.

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