Any Way To Reverse Long-term Chantix Side Effects? (Page 6)
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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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I agree with you, it is nasty.
However it did get me to quit.
Would I recommend it to anyone? NO

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My moods have definitely changed since chantix .it's been years for me now too..it's a nasty drug for some..I believe it's permanently effected me

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OF Chantix now for 7 weeks and having anxiety attacks anybody else

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Hi Lee,
yes the posts are oldish, but some of us are still here for continued support.
Feel free to keep posting as long as you need.
Blessings all round
Regards
Riegan or Rioghann,, only because I have 2 names in here.

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I know this post is old but "THANK YOU" i take antidepressants too to increase serotonin...Luvox ...no side effects bought CHANTIX yesterday and researched it..Just read your post and glad i have not taking any yet...my Dr. said the luvox and chantix are compatible.

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Yes exercise helps but you can't exercise all day long! Though if i didn't exercise at all it would be a lot worse!Sundays are days i don't and they are hard days! I have quit now almost 2 months! I will not give in to smoking again after all i have gone through to get here! I just pray this depression or anxiety or what ever it is goes away soon! I know i read some where that people who took and quit chantix it took them between 4 to 6 months before they felt normal again it's a long time but hope it is all it will take! I just have to remind myself that this will not rule me, i will get pass this at some point! Our minds are very tricky too and is very mad that you took something away from it you have done for 20 to 30 years!

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Dreams are my issue. I finished a full course of chantix in 2011 and successfully quit smoking. I had lots of vivid dreams while on it, but they weren't nightmares and they were bearable. In the last two or so years, times caused me to pick back up smoking, and having had success and no bad experiences the first time, I tried chantix again. I stopped a month again because it wasn't as effective for me (and the number of dreams and their nature deprive me of restful sleep). Well, since the last time, over a year ago, the dreams have not stopped. I dream nearly every night, very busy vivid dreams, and wake up like exhausted like I've been up and at it all night. This week I've woken up to two insanely vivid nightmares, and there is nothing new going on in my life to bring them on. I, too, am in recovery, sober ten years this month. The reason I suspect the chantix is because the onset of this unrelenting streak coincides with the last time I used chantix. The style is just like that of the dreams I had during that first course and each subsequent use of chantix. (I remember with clarity that very first chantix dream five and a half years ago.) It's as if some switch has been flipped and I can't turn it off. So far, I haven't read of anyone with this same long term effect. I just want to sleep peacefully at night and maybe have normal dreams that I sometimes remember and sometimes don't.

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Mona... please read my posts from Post 44ish...
5yrs on from taking champix , or chanting as it's called in th U.S, I still have dark days but no where as many... go for walks where ever you feel best and get and give lots of hugs

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Yes! I took chantix for nine days and had to stop because it made me have fits of rage. That was 10 months ago. Since then I've been suicidally depressed, unmotivated, and have had a lot of anxiety. I went from being an active, hard working, go getter with a zest for life to a bitter, lazy, sad person who has to give myself pep talks for days just to get enough energy to load The dishwasher. My poor kids. They lost the mom they always had. I regret ever taking that awful chemical.

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I really recommend to anyone out there suffering side effects from Chantix that they buy the book called The Mood Cure by Julia Ross. This book has one chapter alone devoted to several supplements that can help with depression and addictions. If you can find a Dr. who practices integrative medicine, and/or find a clinic that does Amino Acid IV treatments or he could prescribe tryptophan which can help to raise your serotonin levels. Keep in mind that it might take about 3 months to raise your serotonin levels but you have nothing to lose by buying this book and trying out some of these supplements. They are totally safe and non-addictive. There is even a phone number in the book so you can call and order the supplements if you cannot find the right Dr. or need help in deciding which one you should be on but I highly recommend this book - it is around $20.00 I bought it at my Dr's office but you might be able to find it cheaper on the internet (i.e. Amazon). You have nothing to lose by purchasing this book, except a little money and time. Traditional mainstream dr.s do not understand addiction, depression, nutrition as they have not been trained at all in this field. Sometimes as a health consumer you have to do your own research, be more proactive and not rely on mainstream medicine as it has lost its ways today in our society. Remember the saying.....nothing ventured, nothing gained.

{Amazon affiliate links inserted}

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Various users of Chantix are complaining about the side effects linked to Chantix, which is made with metoclopramide (generic Reglan). While some users have committed suicide after taking Chantix, others have suffered from neurological conditions. This is no surprise to Reglan users, many of whom have developed various different neurological conditions after taking Reglan. The most common of those disorders is tardive dyskinesia, which is characterized with patients experiencing symptoms that mimic Parkinson’s disease. Some of those symptoms include involuntary movements of the extremities, excessive blinking, lip smacking, grimacing and tongue protrusion.

While Pfizer has tried to prevent in-person testimony, the court has decided to force three top executives at Pfizer to testify, and CEO Ian Read is among them. Last month, Pfizer was able to reach a settlement in a case that was originally supposed to go to trial in October. That case involved a Chantix user that had committed suicide after taking the drug.

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Maybe you could do some research on Rhodiola Rosea away from a medical perspective. My research didn't come up with any difficulties with depression, anxiety, or aggression. In fact it helps mostly in those areas... read post 45 ish.

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My Dr put me on a low dose of Effexor. I have not been on it for a week yet so I am not sure if it will work. You could try that Rhodiola Rosea that may work too if you didn't want to go to the Dr. Good Luck

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I am going through this exactly. Did you find anything helped?

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Patty... Rhodiola Rosea is great for depression. It's an all round good herb to keep the brain balanced. I take it in the mornings. 5HTP can also be of benefit in the evenings.
Keep us posted please

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My husband has been taking 5HTP as he was on Champix (another version of the same drug) to quit smoking and came off it.

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Patty.. no.. I'm not a doctor. And no doctor can tell you about Rhodiola unless they're in the alternative profession. If you scroll back to, maybe post 45, you wI'll see some startling advice from a brain science prof, regarding the Rhodiola. I personally take it when I need it now... it's been 5yrs since being on champix (as its called here in New Zealand.) But it does help. Doctors are sure to help you on psych drugs... but they haven't helped me... I prefer the alternative methods now.
Keep smiling.

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When researching Rhodiola Rosea it does not seem like it would be for depression or aggression. It also sounds like it may keep me awake at nite. In another post I thought I saw like 900mg of this I couldn't find any that were that mg. Are you a Dr? I am just curious. I have an apt with my Dr, but may have to try Rhodiola Rosea. Thank you I will keep you updated.

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Robyn...
As sad as it is... I totally understand.

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My apologies, I didn't read this correct...

Patty: Rhodiola Rosea supplements can help greatly with the long term side effects, so can wearing a smile, and being around positive people, and not closing yourself in on any day... keep your friends close, be as honest as you can about what effects you have noticed and ask them to help you through... unfortunately, some of us have always had little weirdo quirks, and we get overlooked, but, try and remain in a positive vibe at all times, and be conscious about your feelings...
Its a hard road, its another challenge to face.
I sign with 2 names, because I forgot which name i was using at one stage or another...

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