Any Way To Reverse Long-term Chantix Side Effects? (Page 8) (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 started taking chantix about 5 years ago. I quit for a year and had crazy dreams but it worked. I started back up due to stupidity n went on chantix for 2 years until my insurance stopped filling it because I reached my plan limit. I've been without it for 6 months. Its about 2:30 am here, im dripping sweat because i just actually woke up from another crazy dream. My wife n daughter were being raped n beaten in front of me while i was being held down n beaten with a pipe. I could taste the blood, smell the sweat from the attacker's stink, I could see every pore on his face, the grain in his beard, the yellow buttons on his flannel shirt, hear my girls begging for them to stop n the pipe hitting their teeth when they screamed. I could feel the bones crunch as the sharp fragments pierced through my soft skin. I thought I woke up 3 times only to relive it again and again. These are my chantix dreams. It's been 6 months and I get them every day. I was very much an extrovert n I have a hard time talking to anyone now. It is my belief that this permanently ruined my brain. Please don't take this drug. I wonder how long until the dreams bleed into reality n I just live this nightmare 24/7. It's been 6 months since I had chantix.

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I too suffer from this mind-altering drug. I took chantix in 2012-13 and it helped me quit smoking. I then took it again in 2014 when I relapsed. This time around I began to feel severely depressed, rage and aggression like I never have before. My mind still suffers to this day. Years later, I still have uncontrollable rage and aggression. I found this thread looking for ways to undo what was done. Cannabis seems to help but I won't be able to pass a U/A, so there goes that. I wish I could go back to before. This drug should be banned.

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Re: Ann (# 4)

Interesting post. I took Chantix for 2-3 months. I quit smoking but now 8 years later I am wondering if my memory loss and moodiness has anything to do with Chantix.

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Re: Viraj (# 268)

Hey Viraj... the homoeopathy has worked on me rather well, I still get the odd bout of darkness every now and again, 3 times in the past year, as opposed to every day, when I wasnt on it. So, it is most definitely worth a try.

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My husband and I took Chantix together in 2012. I immediately stopped dreaming and started sleepwalking, he had no issues. In the 3rd week, he quit smoking and I had the first convulsion of my life. For the next 3 years I had seizure-like episodes, periods of altered mental status (like 8 hours of sleepwalking), horrible night terrors, a constant buzzing in my brain and a feeling of floating within my skin. My heart developed a new rhythm which was painful at times. All of my medical tests were normal. I tried to imagine death and practiced for it. I even started working on my obituary. I didn't quit smoking during this time however. I no longer have the seizures that aren't seizures, but I have amnesia for big chunks of my life. Strangely, I can't remember any of the trips we've taken. I'm more solid within my skin now, but I still have this electrical buzzing at times, and attachment issues when I look at someone I love and wish they would just go away. I'm dreaming again but I have insomnia, sleep transition issues and night terrors are common. I finally stopped smoking when I was diagnosed with lung cancer 3 years ago. 4 distinct tumors which weren't staged because I fit the criteria for stage 4 but with no metastasis. A year later I had 2 tumors and this year they found 1. I'm researching to see if there's any correlation between Chantix use and cancer. Chantix has ruined my life, I don't enjoy sewing or crafting anymore, I find it hard to concentrate and focus, I don't know how to respond to my husband because I can't remember how I felt about him before this all begin. I tell myself I should feel a certain emotion and respond accordingly but I only feel sadness inside. I am seeing a neurologist and cognitive psychologist but on the surface everything checks out just fine.

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Tracy Read post 20. She can't control it. I know it's difficult but do not take it personally. Get her to the amen clinic. There is hope. Chantix was the problem. Look for the solution. I swear by the amen clinic. Check it out please.

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I have been severly depressed for years now. started taking Chantix last saturday four days later I started feeling better. I had been warned of suicidal thoughts but not warned that it might actually help my depression. OMG, I feel like I used to feel before I ever had depression. I pray I can continue on this medication.

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Munch...I'm glad this drug is working for you. Be carful because it tends to affect people with problems like depression and other issues. It work different for everyone but every one on this blog is speaking about how it's not working for them or someone close to them. The Amen Clinic was created by Dr Daniel Amen. Check it out on his web site. His work is incredible. He looks at your brain and tells you where the problem is. No gussing like other doctors. It's so worth the money!

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you are right on the money but I have been experinced short term memory loss, irregular heart rate, and stroke symptoms and I am sure its from taking chantix agitation and

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Saturday was great. I started Chantix Sunday (0.5mg). Monday started with nausea and ended with uncontrollable mood swings and near hallucination. Of course the Chantix went in the garbage. Tuesday I was tired and today I have lapsed into a depression. I never stopped smoking - this is in direct correlation to the way Chantix has poisoned/mutilated my dopamine receptors. I have yet to find a clue if this will subside or if I am yet another victim of Chantix's cerebral mutilation. From what I'm reading it doesn't look hopeful but I'm reading and researching any way to return myself to normal. ANYBODY reading this that has their depression subside - PLEASE email me. I need any hope right now. I have not been able to successfully locate information on regeneration/restoration of dopamine (specifically D2?) receptors.

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Thank you so very much! I hope we can find someone in the Idaho state to help

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

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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 Laura,
{edited for privacy} I am thinking that this will be deleted, but am trying...
Blessings
Riegan

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Hi, are you Regan from NZ?

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any updates on Rhodiola Rosea useage? cheers

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I couldnt climax while on chantix, as soon as I stopped I could again. It has never been the same as it was prior and my libido went down.

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