Any Way To Reverse Long-term Chantix Side Effects? (Page 7)

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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Hi I have just come off of Champix and seem to be having the same symptoms as you - I have to try and find a clinic in the UK. How are you doing - how is your health xx

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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.

The next case, which is set to go to trial in January 2013, was filed Billy Bedsole. He is claiming that Chantix use made him suffer from suicidal thoughts and act out in a way that forced his institutionalization. The FDA has acknowledged the risks involved with Chantix use and issued a black box warning about the drug in 2009. The drug was once considered dangerous specifically for the Reglan-related side effects, but since then, Chantix has been found to be far more dangerous than at first perceived.

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Hi Ben,
Thank you for that information, all of which I had no idea there was any court trials, or advanced interrogation into the use, but in saying that, I must say all of us here on this blog have experienced many of these disorders... some in fact are still experiencing problems.
Here in New Zealand the medical practitioners are still prescribing the chantix or champix, as its known here. I can certainly recommend not even starting the medication. at the end of the day, we're all just guinea pigs for the pharmaceutical companies.
Many thanks again for your information

Blessed Be

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Sounds familiar to my story. It's been one year since my husband stopped taking this horrible drug and he's never been the same since. He is moody, angry, depressed, and my kids even notice the change. I'm thinking about filing a legal case against the company. They do share a warning label but I want to prove that this drug irreversibly changes your brain. Completely changes your personality.

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Cs... please get your husband to try a multi vitamin that contains a large dose of Rhodiola Rosea, if you also have a homoeopath in the area... ask for a single dose of high potency Thuja... the supplement I take daily, that contains Rhodiola Rosea, has 965mg of the herb... if you look back through my earlier posts, you will see that it gives very good results...
My posts are signed Rioghann as well as Riegan. Same pronunciation of my name...
Don't hesitate to ask for advice

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Riegan,
How exactly are you taking the Thuja? Are you still taking it daily? I took the Chantix 7 years ago and while I did manage to quit smoking my life has been absolutely miserable since. I am no longer happy, always have negative thoughts going through my head, I really just want to have some form of happiness in my life again, to be able to laugh and smile again would be something I have not been able to experience in 7 years. I did take the 3 day dosage of the Thuja pellets to start and have now been on the rhodiola for a few months now. I was taking I think 250Mg a day but for the last week or so I have been taking 500mg a day in the Am.

I did read all the posts in this thread but I am still unsure of the dosages of each. I really just want some form of a happy life back.

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Hi.. I only took 3 doses of Thuja 200c. The dosage of Rhodiola Rosea i take daily is 965mg, in a supplement called Stress and Stamina Formula, from Microgenics. I buy it this brand as it has the highest amount of the Rhodiola in it. About 6 months ago I started taking Arsenicum Album 3 doses over 2 days... only because i have dark patches once a month, and it keeps it at bay. Arsenicum album is another homeopathic remedy... dont give up... keep taking the strongest dosage of Rhodiola you can daily. Wake each morning and make a point of looking out into the day and seeing something that creates a smile, be it a tree, your children, a breath of fresh air.
I'm here, we are all here to help support each other.

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I just started to take 500mg of the rhodiola, prior to that I was taking 250mg. I have been taking the 500mg in the AM when I get up. I feel better around 2-3 in the afternoon. I don't know if it is taking that long to get into my system, I am contemplating taking one in the AM and one in the PM before I go to bed.

Lately anything just stresses me out to the point I can't even think to figure out a solution to the problem, I wish I could go back in time and never take the pills. I was only on them a few weeks,I would have kept smoking had I known this was what I would end up with.

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Chantix may cause the following symptoms that are related to damage to nerve/brain cells (neurotoxicity):
Acute kidney failure.
Lethargy (common)
Coma
Decreased alertness/consciousness
Fainting/loss of consciousness
Stroke
Transient ischemic attack or "TIA"

Many post-marketing cases reported resolution of symptoms after discontinuation of varenicline, although in some cases the symptoms persisted, therefore, ongoing monitoring and supportive care should be provided to these patients until symptoms resolve......but who will resolve ? Chantix is neurotoxicity ....and Pfizer keep it as a secret.

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Same problems on chantix. Any dr. That prescribes this nedication, needs to be prosecuted!!

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Just keep taking the Rosea Rhodiola bro, once its in your system, you will feel its benefits... even up the dose to 750mg if u can afford to

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I need help, can you help me? {edited for privacy}. I have been in horrible mental pain for 8 years from Chantix.

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Read back thru the blog Pam... there is hope

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Are you now back to normal? it has been 8 years for me and I am still depressed and do not care about anything. i have tried anti depressants and nothing worked. I would love to get my life back again

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I wouldn't say I'm 100% back to my normal state of mind, but I'm at least 95%... still have down days, but who doesn't.
I still take the supplement which contains Rhodiola Rosea once per day, and I believe its doing exactly what I was told it would do.
There is a post from a scientist back down there somewhere around post 80ish.
She tells us exactly what it does to help.
Please read thru the posts... you will see that others have also had some benefit...
I feel great

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I know you posted this a while ago, but I have been wondering as well. I took Chantix for a few months in 2009, I do have white matter changes.

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Hi again Judy... the post i was talking about is number 43... from Laura... i wish i could contact her.... My mother put me on the Rhodiola Rosea and prescribed me the doses of homeopathy, if you follow what I have put in here a few posts before 43... you will be okay... you will find peace and freedom from the black dog syndrome... you just gotta have faith.... And keep taking the supplements with the Rhodiola Rosea.

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Chantix contains metoclopramide sparks .....Pfizer don`t tell the truth!

Precautions:

"Metoclopramide can cause sleepiness and lack of concentration. Patients should avoid tasks that require mental alertness such as driving or operating machinery. Patients should also be aware that metoclopramide may enhance their response to alcohol and drugs that depress the central nervous system. Because metoclopramide can cause depression, patients with a history of serious clinical depression should take this drug only if absolutely necessary.

Metoclopramide can make the symptoms of Parkinson's disease worse, and patients with a history of seizures should not take metoclopramide, because the frequency and severity of the seizures may increase. The drug should also not be used in patients with GI problems such as bleeding, tears, or blockages. The safety of metoclopramide for pregnant women or children is unknown. The drug is found in the breast milk of lactating mothers."

Source: McTavish, Alison. "Metoclopramide", Encyclopedia.com. Web. 14 Nov. 2015

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Can you tell me what you mean regarding the "white matter changes " please

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Changes in the white matter of the brain, as much as I've been able to learn from online research these changes would be responsible for neurological symptoms as well as fatigue and memory issues. I dont get to see a neurologist until January so I have very little information about me specifically.

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