Any side effects while on Chantix?

[Princess Dia]

Donna - Get off Chantix as quickly as possible. I took it for about 6 weeks; two weeks ago I stopped because the side effects you describe didn't go away. And they still haven't. They continue to worsen. The stomach 'ache'(felt more like severe seasickness) has turned into vomiting. I wish I could say this was the ONLY residual side effect, but it's not. And it's happening to a LOT of people. Please look at this website and get off that poison: http://drhowellnet.blogspot.com/2007/05/psych...

[shirley]

I have been taking chantix for about two weeks now. Can't function at all, want to sleep all day and getting depressed. I still want to smoke. Can't think straight, bad hearburn, headaches, high blood pressure, fast heart rate, now I am getting sores all over my face so I'm wondering if this new drug is messing with my emmune system.

[COMBAT VET]

Drug Name: CHANTIX
Drug Start: 042007
Drug End: 052007
Describe Side Effects: SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, JOINT ACHES, MOTION
SICKNESS,
VICIOUS HEADACHES, HOT FLASHES, LOWER BACK PAIN, SHOULDERS AND BETWEEN MY SHOULDER BLADES ARE IN CONSTANT PAIN, ABOVE MY NOSE WHERE MY EYEBROWS BEGIN ARE TENDER TO THE TOUCH, LOSS OF MEMORY, HAVE TO BACK TRACK TO
REMEMBER WHAT I'M DOING, I CAN'T FOCUS LIKE I USE TO. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE PARINSONS DISEASE. MY HEAD AND HANDS START SHAKING UNCONTROLABLY.
I DON'T SLEEP PEACEFULLY ANYMORE.
I'VE BEEN TO THE VA CLINIC.
THEY HAVE DIAGNOSED ME WITH PTSD.
THIS DIAGNOSIS IS NOT IN GRANITE.
EPISODES OF FRUSTRATION, ANGER, AND UNCONTROLABLE CRYING.
THE VA GAVE ME A
PERSCRIPTION FOR ZOLOFT AFTER THE FACT.
I FELT THE SYMPTOMS WORSENING TO
THE POINT OF SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.
I HAVE SINCE QUIT TAKING THE ZOLOFT.
Other Info: WHILE BEING DEPLOYED TO IRAQ I'VE HAD TWO VACCINES OF ANTHRAX.
ANTHRAX, CHANTIX, ZOLOFT ALL AFFECT THE NERO-TRANSMITTERS IN THE BRAIN DON'T THEY?
I AM A RETURNING COMBAT VETERAN.
THE PFIZER COMPANY HAS
CONTACTED ME by e-mail ON THIS MATTER.
I DID TALK WITH THEM ON THE PHONE
AT 1-800-438-1985.

[COMBAT VET]

My concern is for the Soldiers returning from the Middle East and would like to quit smoking.
They go to the Doctor and off they go with their
CHANTIX fix.
6 Months later The Middle East once again calls their names to serve. They go with their weapon as their companion;
BRAVE, BOLD & full of Andrenaline.
Who would of thought about the Aggresion, Suicidal Thoughts Depression Ect..........
What has happened to my Battle, Friend, Husband,
Son, Daughter, Brother, Sister, and all that were not mentioned.

Posted by: Combat Vet at October 17, 2007 07:22 PM
Is Pfizer getting approval from the FDA for medications and Drugs that are not properly tested before placing them on the market?
Does MONEY GREED & POWER come into play?
A world known company begining to collapse.
Maybe!
You be the Judge.
Wheres the INTEGRITY & TRUST.
CHANTIX EXUBERA LIPITOR
Whats next?

[SARAJANE]

Has anyone had any sexual side affects? I am suddenly disinterested and having problems with having an orgasm. I am not sure if it is the chantix or maybe something else? I am also having the other side effects but its worth it to quit.

[Jess-IS-a-Mess]

I was telling my DR about what Chantix did to me and my husband and she's like oh no one else has ever complained, that we were the first. I was thinking that maybe she hasn't prescribed it very much then. She acted like the only side effects to it were nausea and constipation. I think she needs to be more educated on Chantix side effects. Anyone else's DR act like this when you complained?

[BLB]

Jess-IS-a-Mess wrote:

I was telling my DR about what Chantix did to me and my husband and she's like oh no one else has ever complained, that we were the first. I was thinking that maybe she hasn't prescribed it very much then. She acted like the only side effects to it were nausea and constipation. I think she needs to be more educated on Chantix side effects. Anyone else's DR act like this when you complained?

Hi, Jess,

My family physician took a rather dismissive attitude with me as well, although they didn't discount that what had happened as having been caused by the Chantix. I was told I was the only one out of 80 patients who had had any problems.

With regard to some of the extreme anxiety and depression issues I experienced after taking Chantix, it was better, for me anyway, to seek help from a mental health professional. They were much more receptive to the fact that Chantix is a very powerful drug that can alter one's chemistry. And in my opinion, they would the experts in how to remedy such a situation. I didn't bother too much with my regular physician.

How have you been lately? Have you had any improvement in the things you are experiencing? I am so pulling for you to come through this to feel better, I always look for your posts.

[smurfette]

Jess-IS-a-Mess wrote:

I was telling my DR about what Chantix did to me and my husband and she's like oh no one else has ever complained, that we were the first. I was thinking that maybe she hasn't prescribed it very much then. She acted like the only side effects to it were nausea and constipation. I think she needs to be more educated on Chantix side effects. Anyone else's DR act like this when you complained?

ummmmm

most doctors know how to write prescriptions

and how to drive a lexus

=D

[COMBAT VET]

The headaches are back as if they never left. The weight gain is ridiculus can't seem to lose weight no matter how much I try. Your right when you say it alters your bodys makeup and chemistry.
What would happen if I had to have surgery for some unknown reason? It seems to be counter acting everything that I place in my body. The blood tests should be back today. Lets see if this will give any clue to whats going on. I'm getting use to the body aches. I guess I'll have to. Not much I can do since the deed has been done.

[smurfette]

COMBAT VET wrote:

The headaches are back as if they never left. The weight gain is ridiculus can't seem to lose weight no matter how much I try. Your right when you say it alters your bodys makeup and chemistry.
What would happen if I had to have surgery for some unknown reason? It seems to be counter acting everything that I place in my body. The blood tests should be back today. Lets see if this will give any clue to whats going on. I'm getting use to the body aches. I guess I'll have to. Not much I can do since the deed has been done.

I may never recover from my chantix 'experience'...
the weight is water...if you quit the chantix you will pee and pee and pee...
I am lookin for a lawya!!!

BLESS YOU!!!
hope you feel better soon and
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE...
SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY...

=D

[Jess-IS-a-Mess]

BLB wrote:

<quoted text>
Hi, Jess,
My family physician took a rather dismissive attitude with me as well, although they didn't discount that what had happened as having been caused by the Chantix. I was told I was the only one out of 80 patients who had had any problems.
With regard to some of the extreme anxiety and depression issues I experienced after taking Chantix, it was better, for me anyway, to seek help from a mental health professional. They were much more receptive to the fact that Chantix is a very powerful drug that can alter one's chemistry. And in my opinion, they would the experts in how to remedy such a situation. I didn't bother too much with my regular physician.
How have you been lately? Have you had any improvement in the things you are experiencing? I am so pulling for you to come through this to feel better, I always look for your posts.

I am still feeling about the same, Thanks for asking. It seems my stomach is getting upset everyday when I wake up now. A feeling of something bad going to happen. I'm still on edge and quite depressed. I haven't cried in a few days so I think thats an improvement. I am also till very easily aggitated. Sorry if I am bringing anyone down talking baout how I am feeling. I just hope that this ends soon.

[Carolyn]

KELLY wrote:

<quoted text>
I AM ON DAY 5 FELL THE SAME WAY SICK FLU SYMPTOMS. SAD. I THINK ITS BECAUSE THE MED IS STOPING NIC TO THE BRAIN AND RELEASING A WHOLE LOT OF HAPPY JUICE. WHY ARE WE SAD THEN IF THATS WHATS HAPPENING

It's not the nicotine, haven't you ever quit smoking before? Have you ever had those kinds of side effects just from not smoking? This stuff is dangerous!!!!!!!!!! Take it off the market!!

[smurfette]

Carolyn wrote:

<quoted text>
It's not the nicotine, haven't you ever quit smoking before? Have you ever had those kinds of side effects just from not smoking? This stuff is dangerous!!!!!!!!!! Take it off the market!!

Amen...
I talked to a lawyer today before I went to the hospital...
I am suing Pfizer and also the doctor that gave me this poison...

[BLB]

Jess-IS-a-Mess wrote:

<quoted text>
I am still feeling about the same, Thanks for asking. It seems my stomach is getting upset everyday when I wake up now. A feeling of something bad going to happen. I'm still on edge and quite depressed. I haven't cried in a few days so I think thats an improvement. I am also till very easily aggitated. Sorry if I am bringing anyone down talking baout how I am feeling. I just hope that this ends soon.

Not bringing me down, or anyone else, I am sure. I just feel for the situation you are in, because it sounds so similar to what I went through. Had you thought anymore about the meds from your doctor? I tried to wait out the severe depression, anxiety, agitation...etc, and simply couldn't function. When I called Pfizer I asked them specifically what chemical could have possibly gotten so messed up as to cause a major depressive episode such as I was experiencing, and they said Chantix affects the dopamine levels, and can cause depression, anxiety, insomnia. I did resort to being prescribed an antidepressant, it took a couple of weeks to work, but then the difference was pretty huge. I didn't have any side effects from it, stayed on it about 2 1/2 months, then felt like my moods had leveled back out. Didn't have any problems stopping it, and my moods are still fine. Just have lingering issues with memory and leg pain I didn't have prior to taking Chantix.
Not to say you should hop on another drug, I would understand your being hesitant about it... but I am reading in your posts the hard time you are having...not fair. And I know in my situation, it had NOTHING to do with nicotine withdrawel, since I never stopped smoking. Never had issues like this when I have stopped smoking cold turkey before. I am just hoping to see you posting very soon that you are feeling better. But hopefully in your case it will dissipate on its own. Take care.

[Jess-IS-a-Mess]

BLB wrote:

<quoted text>
Not bringing me down, or anyone else, I am sure. I just feel for the situation you are in, because it sounds so similar to what I went through. Had you thought anymore about the meds from your doctor? I tried to wait out the severe depression, anxiety, agitation...etc, and simply couldn't function. When I called Pfizer I asked them specifically what chemical could have possibly gotten so messed up as to cause a major depressive episode such as I was experiencing, and they said Chantix affects the dopamine levels, and can cause depression, anxiety, insomnia. I did resort to being prescribed an antidepressant, it took a couple of weeks to work, but then the difference was pretty huge. I didn't have any side effects from it, stayed on it about 2 1/2 months, then felt like my moods had leveled back out. Didn't have any problems stopping it, and my moods are still fine. Just have lingering issues with memory and leg pain I didn't have prior to taking Chantix.
Not to say you should hop on another drug, I would understand your being hesitant about it... but I am reading in your posts the hard time you are having...not fair. And I know in my situation, it had NOTHING to do with nicotine withdrawel, since I never stopped smoking. Never had issues like this when I have stopped smoking cold turkey before. I am just hoping to see you posting very soon that you are feeling better. But hopefully in your case it will dissipate on its own. Take care.

The last time I was put on an antidepressant, I tried to slice my wrist off so I decided from there on out that I would just try and battle through it myself. I guess if I don't start to fell better soon, I will give it a try. May I ask what you were taking before that helped you? Thanks!

[BLB]

glowplug wrote:

<quoted text>
You are still an inspiration and it is good to read you. Sorry the memory and leg pain are not improving. I am interested to know what antidepressant...I think you told me but I can't remember anything either!

Hey, Glow...

What a mess on those other boards, even though I don't have a clue what anybody is talking about. I am sure they will realize they jumped to a conclusion (about whatever happened)...you are still #1 in my 'kewl people' book.

It was Cymbalta.

[BLB]

Jess-IS-a-Mess wrote:

<quoted text>
The last time I was put on an antidepressant, I tried to slice my wrist off so I decided from there on out that I would just try and battle through it myself. I guess if I don't start to fell better soon, I will give it a try. May I ask what you were taking before that helped you? Thanks!

I posted a response to this this morning, and now it is...gone. Does that happen alot?

[BLB]

Jess-IS-a-Mess wrote:

<quoted text>
The last time I was put on an antidepressant, I tried to slice my wrist off so I decided from there on out that I would just try and battle through it myself. I guess if I don't start to fell better soon, I will give it a try. May I ask what you were taking before that helped you? Thanks!

Jess,

My original response to you this morning disappeared.?? What finally turned things around for me was Cymbalta, this was after trial and error of a couple of different drugs which didn't help. 30mg seemed like it took care of the panic, severe depression, and agitation within 2 weeks, and I got my ability to concentrate back.

Maybe something you could talk to your doc about.

Brenda

[smokeless]

glowplug wrote:

<quoted text>
I would sure like to find something to help with my irritability and concentration. Sleep is better, not great, but better. I know that is a big trigger for the pain stuff...got to get quality sleep to keep that under control. Just that I can't seem to get through many frustrations without just throwing up my hands and saying "heck with it" and this is not being very conducive to my continued financial and familial well being! While not totally a new thing for me, the degree of this problem has increased exponentially since Chantix and quitting.

Hi Glow,

I certainly can relate to your feelings noted above. I just don't know what to do with myself when I get frustrated. Having just had cervical spine surgery for the 3rd time in 2 years, my pain tolerance is shot and I don't know what to do with myself. I've been quit since July 17th and have been quietly reading all the forums, but now that I can only sit up for a couple of minutes at a time - my longing for a cigarette is overwhelming. My moods are all over the place and I can't remember anything anymore. Thanks for always being open and upfront about your feelings, I've gotten alot of comfort knowing someone else has been where I am now.

I can't keep up with who is on what board anymore, quitting smoking and recovering from surgery have taken its toll on me. Glad that I looked at this board today.

Karen

[viki]

glowplug wrote:

<quoted text>
Yeah, I don't know what's up either and I am really at the point of not being able to worry about what *they* think...mostly cause I am not even sure who *they* are anymore!
Cymbalta was good for you and I think Viki said she tried Celexa(?) and it was helpful for her. I would sure like to find something to help with my irritability and concentration. Sleep is better, not great, but better. I know that is a big trigger for the pain stuff...got to get quality sleep to keep that under control. Just that I can't seem to get through many frustrations without just throwing up my hands and saying "heck with it" and this is not being very conducive to my continued financial and familial well being! While not totally a new thing for me, the degree of this problem has increased exponentially since Chantix and quitting.

Hello Glow,

You are such a great help on these boards Glow! And you are a good read too! Yes, I am on Celexa, and it is great for the anxiety. I haven't had any shortness of temper, which is good for me, because in the past it didn't take much to get me going. It is almost the opposite now. But I really am starting to worry about this weight thing. I just seem to be getting bigger and bigger. I am probably eating more than what I need for my ideal weight, but not that much more and the weight just seems to keep on keeping on, like you would say.

Would like to stay longer, but my deadline awaits!!!!

P.S. I always write my response on my text edit, then copy it to the reply, then if it gets lost in cyberspace, I can redo it.