Memory Loss And Prolonged Personality Changes While On, And After Use Of Chantix (Page 2) (Top voted first)

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I began taking Chantix in May of 2011, and quit smoking in June. My brother started saying that I was acting strange. I did not believe him at first, and even felt he was trying to put me down...I remember that.... But I finally did notice that I was not sleeping, and getting really wound up! I started forgetting things, and even forgot to eat, and take medicine. I quit taking the Chantix, and do not smoke, But I lost Two months of memory, and still have some time gaps, at night, to this day. I was removed from the County Fair in September, but have no idea why, and little memory of that evening, and became more isolated and depressed, to the point where I could not think clearly, and. ....well it was a nightmare. I am Now, in the middle of January beginning to retain more evening memory, and have returned to myself, MOSTLY. The scariest thing for me, is that I may NEVER be myself again, totally!...waiting to see. Has anyone else had such dramatic, and LONG LASTING negative effects after stopping Chantix?

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5

I have taken chantix before and did not have any problem. This time is much different. Found myself feeling much more energetic after quiting smoking, then having a little too much energy, then no sleep and found myself getting very arritated at the smallest things. Realized could be chantix so quit taking. After 3 weeks symptoms have increased. Trying to get in touch with my doctor now. Is there anything I can do to deal with the symptoms? thought it would be out of my system by now and feel normal

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8

You have now
I hear there is a class action involving Chantix. I need to find out about it. I have lost a year, now.

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9

I took Chantix about 3-4 years ago and did quit smokingh, although experienced an extremely stressful event and somehow started again. I experienced major memory problems but had no idea why until I went to the Dr. to get Chantix again, and told him about it. He implied that it may have been an effect of the Chantix. I don't have any energy problems, but the memory problem is HORRIBLE. I see that some have 'receovered' from it, but I have been off Chantix for years and still have the short term memory loss.

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10

VJ I too am now on a vitamin D rx for 50,000 units a week because my vitamin D was 13. I also used Chantix to quit smoking. Before the rx the doctor told me to drink lots of milk and get out in the sun. I told him I had just moved to VA from Orlando,FL, I was pretty tan, and I drink milk like its water. After seeing other stories I am convinced that Chantix is the cause.

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12

I as well have loss of memory. Have been off of it and stopped smoking now for almost 5 years. It seams that my memory is getting worse, I am only 47 and noticed a big difference in the last year as well as my family. Will try the vit d. Getting more frustrated by the week.

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15

My husbands personality has drastically changed. He is actually getting worse. He bas bern of of ig for 3 years now.

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17

I am in this boat that you are trying to get out of. I stopped taking Chantex just 3 days ago and I am hoping I start to come back to myself soon. I am not very impressed.

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20

I took Chantix 7 years ago when it first came on the market and have had memory loss ever since. I never had a problem with memory issues before that. I only took Chantix for 3 weeks

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21

I took Chantix for about 6 weeks to quit smoking. Began suffering memory loss (forgot PIN number I had for years when at bank). Stopped immediately and thought memory improved some. It's been 4 years. I believe the damage is permanent. I can't pass the past 2 civil service exams I took and used to get nothing less than 95 prior to Chantix. I built my house and now have trouble figuring how to square a corner. I transpose numbers and misspell words 'their' and 'there', forget proper grammar.

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23

I began taking chantix in Jan. 2016 and quit 3 weeks ago. I had used it in 2008 and quit for a year then started again. I had no side effects in 08. This year I have had short term memory loss, panic attacks, unusual fear, depression, confusion and I have a vitamin D deficiency that requires Rx vitamin D. I have seen a Neurologist for memory loss, had a MRI and there is no evidence on xray that indicates a problem so my doctor suggested counseling. Now 3 weeks off of chantix, the black cloud around me is lifting, I have more clarity and my memory seems a bit better. I had not linked my problems to chantix until I came across this website after a friend asked me if chantix side effects could be causing my problems. Hmmmm

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24

I have been off oc chantix now for about 3 years and still have similar problems, unfortenially I still smoke some, but I had loss of some vision and have had several different medications up to now and have finally found one that helps me be some what myself. I still have memory loss and problems remembering day to day things. I know chantix caused this but what do you do when they're the big corp. and I'm just a piss ant with no money or say, it's all politics and money.

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26

is it safe to take doflan 500 tablet while breastfeeding my 1 month old baby.

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27

I am on my second pack of chantix. Month 2 week 1 and I have not smoked in 16 days and have no desire to. I'm a bit snappy and more aggressive than the norm. This doesn't bother me. What bothers me is I am very organized and before chantix I never forgot things. I forget things daily. It is so not like me that people are noticing. I don't want to stop chantix, but should I?

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29

Hello. So I have only been on Chantix for 40 days now and I quit smoking after the first week on Chantix. I smoked for 20 years so that's amazing. I feel so good and have tons of energy, but I've noticed my personality has changed. I'm always social and in touch with my emotions, but now it's extreme. Not bad, just way more open about my feelings and more in touch with other people's feelings. I also am getting insomnia from time to time. I've been documenting everything and even make videos in case my personality changes too much, I will notice as well as my friends. Has anyone had this happen? I don't feel it's bad. It's more positive in my eyes, but should I be concerned?

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30

I am taking chantix only at night and I have major memory problems. I repeat myself and have trouble remembering if I did something a little thing like getting the coffee pot ready for the next day. I must check that coffee pot two to three times during that day. It seems to be getting worse, but I only have a few pills left. I really need to stop smoking. I have asthma real bad. But I do take other meds that may cause my memory loss. I'm guessing all of these combined doesn't help.

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31

I've had a little memory loss...forgetting to pay bills, paying for gas and forgetting to pump it. Telling someone something twice in short amount of time. Recently stopped taking chantix, hoping that will solve problem.

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34

Re: Confused (# 33) Expand Referenced Message

My husband took Chantix from January through May. I noticed a lot of changes in his normally easy-going behavior. He was irritable, forgetful, lost interest in me and our marriage. We would still talk about our future but he was no longer demonstrative and loving. I told him several times that I thought the Chantix was affecting him. I even asked him to see a marriage counselor with me. Turns out he was having an emotional affair with a co-worker for about 6 weeks. When all of his came to light he finally agreed to stop the Chantix. About a month later he started coming out of the fog. Now he says he's so happy that he quit because he did not feel like himself as he looks back at that period. He felt like everything was happening to another person. Each month that goes by it gets better but the whole co-worker thing damaged our relationship. We've been seeing a counselor and have been on the verge of divorce twice since all this was discovered. I think we will make it as even I know it wasn't him. He was the most loving husband I could ever have wished for and then he wasn't for such a brief period. Please be careful when using this medication. We think he was mildly depressed prior to Chantix and the drug made it even worse. That's our theory anyway. Don't let this ruin your life and relationships. Try Nicorette - it worked for me 25 yrs ago and worked for my husband this year....after 4 months of Chantix he never actually stopped smoking. One month of Nicorette and he hasn't smoked since.

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35

Re: Verwon (# 1) Expand Referenced Message

My uncle took this drug to quit smoking . He hasnt been right ever since. His mental state is obvious to everyone in our family except him. Take this drug at your own risk. There are a lot of drugs out there that big money keeps on the market that will harm you.

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39

Re: Verwon (# 1) Expand Referenced Message

Yes. I, too started on chantix way back in October 2017 and just quit smoking january 1st, 2018! I'm still having unbelievable urges to smoke so my dr added wellbutrin. Better but not gone completely. And in February, i had steroid injections in me and they used versed and fentanyl to sedate me. Since then my short-term memory is way off and at times not working at all. I blamed it on the versed but the dr said that should be worn off long ago and im still on chantix and wellbutrin for urges. But im about to quit chantix and see if my med starts working again. Definitely something going on. I'm a 59 yr old female. Oh and my dr told me that when she met with the chantix rep., he told her that they now recommend that patients stay on chantix for 6 months after quitting smoking! I’ll let you know if my head clears up!

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40

My son took Chantix for months and did quit smoking pretty quickly and has not started back, thank God. Without going into too many details, he had a great job and has a beautiful wife and 2 children (teenagers). While taking Chantix he started experiencing explosive anger. Threatening to kill himself and punching holes in doors. He was having vivid nightmares of his wife in bed with a friend of his. He was away during one of the times he had the nightmare and called his wife at 3 in the morning to confront her, sure that his friend was with her. She was sound asleep and both kids were in the house sleeping. My daughter in law has been totally in love and devoted to my son and their family for almost 20 years. She is standing by him even through the worst of the nightmare...About 6 months into taking Chantix, he started getting the idea if his wife could have an affair (she was not), so why not him. Unfortunately he started perusing a website/app where there were young girls looking for men to have sex...I have flashbacks to a Dateline news show...

He was on his way to hook up with a minor...I can’t even say more, except that he was arrested and fired from his job, two years after his arrest he is in prison serving one year of a 10 year sentence. His family is about to be evicted from their home, his wife is working after always being a stay at home mom. She doesn’t make enough money to pay rent and utilities. He has little memory of the awful things he has done. He had thoughts of driving his car into a power pole on the interstate because it was the most likely way to end his life. He said thoughts of his family was the only saving grace. He knows his troubles have only just begun. Where will he be able to get a job to support his family? He has been told by counselors in prison that everyone believes sex offenders should die...writing this down has been therapeutic for me.

I’m wondering if Chantix could actually be to blame for all this. I wonder if he has any recourse at this point and if there is still an ongoing class action lawsuit.

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