Comments on: Chantix And Suicide: The Latest Numbers http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/ News, Comment and Conversation Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:33:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: marcie http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-363784 marcie Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:38:40 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-363784 I just want to say that i have been smoking for 12 yrs and have not been able to quit with any patches or anything. But i tried chantix and quit, but i stopped taking the meds and started back up. Key is to stay taking the meds for at least 2 months after you quit. About the dreams, YES, i have the most vivid dreams and most are bad ones. About the deppression, the first week i start taking the meds i feel or my friends say i sound down. But no suicide feelings, just prolly down cause the cigarettes start tasting like crap and i want them to taste better ;). No, but the meds work so good, i wish everyone that is baddly addicted would try it cause it works for sure. Id say 90% is the pill and it takes 10% of you trying to quit. I just want to say that i have been smoking for 12 yrs and have not been able to quit with any patches or anything. But i tried chantix and quit, but i stopped taking the meds and started back up. Key is to stay taking the meds for at least 2 months after you quit. About the dreams, YES, i have the most vivid dreams and most are bad ones. About the deppression, the first week i start taking the meds i feel or my friends say i sound down. But no suicide feelings, just prolly down cause the cigarettes start tasting like crap and i want them to taste better ;). No, but the meds work so good, i wish everyone that is baddly addicted would try it cause it works for sure. Id say 90% is the pill and it takes 10% of you trying to quit.

]]> By: Leah http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-359570 Leah Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:08:13 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-359570 I began taking Chantix to quit smoking at the end of February. I read the warnings, which included a range of side-effects, but none being increased depression or suicidal ideation. The drug worked miracles, smoking was horribe, and I successfully quit after about 1 1/2 weeks. The directions are to contine taking it for 12 weeks to be sure you've kicked the habit. I started getting extermely irritable and "down". I've always suffered from exterme PMS symptoms (and here in Minnesota many of us get the end-of-winter-blues, awaiting more daylight and nice weather.) I chalked the blues as those two reasons. I began having bad nightmares, and this began to concern me. I was having dreams of things I would never even think about, things that have never crossed my mind. For example: I dreamt of shadows coming out of my legs that were some sort of deamon or devilish thing. I knew that the only way to get rid of these shadows was to cut my legs off. I woke up the next morning panicked, thinking what if I wasn't in a deep enough sleep and I actually went into the garage and fired up the chainsaw. This was my final straw, I thought it must be the Chantix. At this point I stopped taking it and began hearing people talk about their crazy dreams while taking it too. A few days went by and my craving for cigarettes returned. I thought, well I'll give it another try, maybe it was a fluke. Five days later I got into an argument with my mother, which for us is no surprise. But this time I just snapped. I decided to take a drive to clear my head. I ended up driving about 70 miles from my home. I was frustrated that I had gotten lost (at this time it was 4am). I pulled off the road after passing the same farmer's field 5 times. At this point it's like I completely gave up. I took a pocket knife from my car, went into the woods and slit my wrists. I was in a remote location on an unmarked road in a field not very visible from the dirt road. I severed the main artery, 3 tendons and 2 nerves in my left hand and 1 tendon in my right. By the grace of God someone saw my car in the field and called 911. A police officer got to me at 1pm, I had been unconscious for approx. 9 hours. It is a miracle I am alive. I've never been one who wanted to hurt myself. I have the most amazing and supportive friends and family, whom are all baffled. I have psych. doctors telling me they have no idea, I seem to be "normal" and had a random, intense impulse. I'm a very strong and have never considered suicide an option. This leads me to believe one thing...the Chantix. I apologize if the story got long...but I'm just now realizing I should really share my story. I will be the first to say it did it's job, I quit smoking. BUT I remind every person I talk with to watch your friends and loved ones who are taking it. Be aware of strange behavior! Please send me a message if I can be of any help to anyone with questions. It is now almost 3 months since I tried to end my life...and I still do not understand! Sorry this is so late (I just began typing well again). I began taking Chantix to quit smoking at the end of February. I read the warnings, which included a range of side-effects, but none being increased depression or suicidal ideation. The drug worked miracles, smoking was horribe, and I successfully quit after about 1 1/2 weeks. The directions are to contine taking it for 12 weeks to be sure you’ve kicked the habit.

I started getting extermely irritable and “down”. I’ve always suffered from exterme PMS symptoms (and here in Minnesota many of us get the end-of-winter-blues, awaiting more daylight and nice weather.) I chalked the blues as those two reasons. I began having bad nightmares, and this began to concern me. I was having dreams of things I would never even think about, things that have never crossed my mind. For example: I dreamt of shadows coming out of my legs that were some sort of deamon or devilish thing. I knew that the only way to get rid of these shadows was to cut my legs off. I woke up the next morning panicked, thinking what if I wasn’t in a deep enough sleep and I actually went into the garage and fired up the chainsaw. This was my final straw, I thought it must be the Chantix. At this point I stopped taking it and began hearing people talk about their crazy dreams while taking it too.

A few days went by and my craving for cigarettes returned. I thought, well I’ll give it another try, maybe it was a fluke. Five days later I got into an argument with my mother, which for us is no surprise. But this time I just snapped.

I decided to take a drive to clear my head. I ended up driving about 70 miles from my home. I was frustrated that I had gotten lost (at this time it was 4am). I pulled off the road after passing the same farmer’s field 5 times. At this point it’s like I completely gave up. I took a pocket knife from my car, went into the woods and slit my wrists. I was in a remote location on an unmarked road in a field not very visible from the dirt road. I severed the main artery, 3 tendons and 2 nerves in my left hand and 1 tendon in my right. By the grace of God someone saw my car in the field and called 911. A police officer got to me at 1pm, I had been unconscious for approx. 9 hours. It is a miracle I am alive.

I’ve never been one who wanted to hurt myself. I have the most amazing and supportive friends and family, whom are all baffled. I have psych. doctors telling me they have no idea, I seem to be “normal” and had a random, intense impulse. I’m a very strong and have never considered suicide an option. This leads me to believe one thing…the Chantix.

I apologize if the story got long…but I’m just now realizing I should really share my story. I will be the first to say it did it’s job, I quit smoking. BUT I remind every person I talk with to watch your friends and loved ones who are taking it. Be aware of strange behavior! Please send me a message if I can be of any help to anyone with questions. It is now almost 3 months since I tried to end my life…and I still do not understand!

Sorry this is so late (I just began typing well again).

]]> By: HorusCat http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-328516 HorusCat Thu, 01 May 2008 22:48:57 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-328516 Brian, Don't get into it with Truthman. He will out-ugly you and it will just make you tired. My mom had smoked for 58 years when her doc Rxed Chantix. She didn't even want to quit! But, she did. I'll have to ask her about the dreams. I think people should have access to Chantix after being apprised of the risk of depression. This is surely a case of the absolute risk reduction being worth it for many people. Brian,
Don’t get into it with Truthman. He will out-ugly you and it will just make you tired. My mom had smoked for 58 years when her doc Rxed Chantix. She didn’t even want to quit! But, she did. I’ll have to ask her about the dreams.

I think people should have access to Chantix after being apprised of the risk of depression. This is surely a case of the absolute risk reduction being worth it for many people.

]]> By: HorusCat http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-328497 HorusCat Thu, 01 May 2008 22:42:19 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-328497 Jane, The mentally ill are routinely disqualified from trials except in the case of a study for the particular disease state they manifest. As are pregnancy-age women. The mentally ill cannot give informed consent. Jane,
The mentally ill are routinely disqualified from trials except in the case of a study for the particular disease state they manifest. As are pregnancy-age women. The mentally ill cannot give informed consent.

]]> By: Casual Reader http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-327579 Casual Reader Thu, 01 May 2008 17:27:50 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-327579 that was a very interesting conversation to read through. it seems though that very few of you are actual smokers, and few posters have used it, or no someone that has. i just wanted to add that i have three friends who have used Chantix and all 3 have been tobacco free for at least a year. i've talked extensively to all 3 of them about using Chantix and the only constant was the fact of "the dreams". none of the 3 said anything about deep depression (in fact, i would call it opposite as they were all excited to finally quit smoking). and as for the dreams, i experienced the same thing when using the nicotine patch. that was a very interesting conversation to read through. it seems though that very few of you are actual smokers, and few posters have used it, or no someone that has. i just wanted to add that i have three friends who have used Chantix and all 3 have been tobacco free for at least a year. i’ve talked extensively to all 3 of them about using Chantix and the only constant was the fact of “the dreams”. none of the 3 said anything about deep depression (in fact, i would call it opposite as they were all excited to finally quit smoking). and as for the dreams, i experienced the same thing when using the nicotine patch.

]]> By: Kris http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-311540 Kris Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:38:48 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-311540 Chantix has only begin to show its ugly head. There are 34+ suicides documented. That is by no means at all a real number. How about the people who were driving and suddenly felt like plowing into a brick wall? - That would be called an (Accident) not suicide. This is a drug to stop smoking. Literally in the direct relationship to stop killing yourself; quite funny, isn't it, like something you'd see in Monty Python... Smokers are already paying for somebody (big tobacco) to kill themselves, just a little bit slower. Maybe this is a new game called "Lets pay someone else to do if faster" ... hmmm I know a perfect name., 'chance to kill'... no that work work, howabout to off yourself., ie NIX... yeah.. take this drug, and you will have a chance to NIX yourself... CHANTIX... perfect., -- By the way, isn't Big Tobacco, RJ and Phillip still saying " smoking cigrettes are not causing cancer" Its all a bunch of Bull... Chantix has only begin to show its ugly head. There are 34+ suicides documented. That is by no means at all a real number. How about the people who were driving and suddenly felt like plowing into a brick wall? - That would be called an (Accident) not suicide.
This is a drug to stop smoking. Literally in the direct relationship to stop killing yourself; quite funny, isn’t it, like something you’d see in Monty Python…
Smokers are already paying for somebody (big tobacco) to kill themselves, just a little bit slower. Maybe this is a new game called “Lets pay someone else to do if faster” … hmmm I know a perfect name., ‘chance to kill’… no that work work, howabout to off yourself., ie NIX… yeah.. take this drug, and you will have a chance to NIX yourself… CHANTIX… perfect., —

By the way, isn’t Big Tobacco, RJ and Phillip still saying ” smoking cigrettes are not causing cancer”
Its all a bunch of Bull…

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-193520 Stephanie Fri, 07 Mar 2008 03:13:00 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-193520 even though there were "only" 39 suicides i'd like to see you tell that to those 39 persons families who would have done anything to save there loved one, you obviously don't know the seriousness of depression and how much it can ruin an innocent persons life. even though there were “only” 39 suicides i’d like to see you tell that to those 39 persons families who would have done anything to save there loved one, you obviously don’t know the seriousness of depression and how much it can ruin an innocent persons life.

]]> By: Lacey http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-181478 Lacey Thu, 28 Feb 2008 07:29:21 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-181478 I must say that all of the above comments that you all have posted have some great points. We are all entitled to our own opinions and have our own experiences. I am not going to go through and give you my opinions or past experiences. All i want to say is that I am tired of smoking... I have been smoking for over 8 years. I feel old and unhealthy and I am only 25. I take 20mg of PAXIL a day for the past 2 months and have been perfectly fine. At first it made my feel really energetic as if i consumed 5 cups of coffee and then after 1.5 weeks that subsided and I am doing great. Starting tomorrow I am going to start taking CHANTIX at a lower dose than directed and feel it out from there. I have tried quitting in the past and get way to moody, anxious, craving for food and a smoke, i feel like I am going to go insane...then I smoke and i feel better. So....My point is, I am going to do a self study: 25 y.o female witha history of depression and axiety, smoking x10 years, taking no meds other than 20mg PAXIL by mouth with the first initial dose of .25mg of CHANTIX once a day for 4 days then increase to .25mg CHANTIX twice a day for 4 days...I will continue prescription therapy and icreasing dosage every 4 days. I will keep you all updated on my hopeful progress. I HAVE DONE ALOT OF RESEARCH ON CHANTIX PRIOR TO MY CHOICE TO START WITH THE PRESCRIPTION THERAPY. I will keep you all updated daily online for your own research and so that Ican use this online post as a resource to track my daily symptoms. I must say that all of the above comments that you all have posted have some great points. We are all entitled to our own opinions and have our own experiences. I am not going to go through and give you my opinions or past experiences.
All i want to say is that I am tired of smoking… I have been smoking for over 8 years. I feel old and unhealthy and I am only 25. I take 20mg of PAXIL a day for the past 2 months and have been perfectly fine. At first it made my feel really energetic as if i consumed 5 cups of coffee and then after 1.5 weeks that subsided and I am doing great. Starting tomorrow I am going to start taking CHANTIX at a lower dose than directed and feel it out from there. I have tried quitting in the past and get way to moody, anxious, craving for food and a smoke, i feel like I am going to go insane…then I smoke and i feel better. So….My point is, I am going to do a self study: 25 y.o female witha history of depression and axiety, smoking x10 years, taking no meds other than 20mg PAXIL by mouth with the first initial dose of .25mg of CHANTIX once a day for 4 days then increase to .25mg CHANTIX twice a day for 4 days…I will continue prescription therapy and icreasing dosage every 4 days. I will keep you all updated on my hopeful progress. I HAVE DONE ALOT OF RESEARCH ON CHANTIX PRIOR TO MY CHOICE TO START WITH THE PRESCRIPTION THERAPY. I will keep you all updated daily online for your own research and so that Ican use this online post as a resource to track my daily symptoms.

]]> By: Adam http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-179230 Adam Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:14:49 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-179230 Lori- 5 weeks? wait another month Here's the thing. People are not just making this up. I'm not making up any of the symptoms I had or the ones I still battle - sometimes day by day. Something did happen and is happening to people who are using this drug. The real issue is what do we do now that we are 'affected' by this drug. Sit around and squable about how bad smoking really is or how the drug company lied or what the numbers tell us. People are hurting- some are being driven to the point of losing jobs and families and lives- I don't know the answer but I'm pretty sure it's not calling my Dr and getting another drug to help me with this problem. You can say you didn't have a bad reaction and life is wonderful- good for you- not for the rest of us- I just don't know what to do now. By the way- I smoked for 25 years- have now been off for 6 months, am a pretty normal married man with three great kids, no history of violence, stable job, go to church...etc..... just last week I sat in my office chair and thought about how great it would be to blow my head off while sitting in my chair........ Oh and it's not because I read through all your wonderfully insightful and charming witty comments-- I just thought it would be great....... and I end this the same way I started....... I just need to know what I do next Lori- 5 weeks? wait another month

Here’s the thing. People are not just making this up. I’m not making up any of the symptoms I had or the ones I still battle - sometimes day by day. Something did happen and is happening to people who are using this drug. The real issue is what do we do now that we are ‘affected’ by this drug. Sit around and squable about how bad smoking really is or how the drug company lied or what the numbers tell us. People are hurting- some are being driven to the point of losing jobs and families and lives- I don’t know the answer but I’m pretty sure it’s not calling my Dr and getting another drug to help me with this problem. You can say you didn’t have a bad reaction and life is wonderful- good for you- not for the rest of us- I just don’t know what to do now. By the way- I smoked for 25 years- have now been off for 6 months, am a pretty normal married man with three great kids, no history of violence, stable job, go to church…etc….. just last week I sat in my office chair and thought about how great it would be to blow my head off while sitting in my chair…….. Oh and it’s not because I read through all your wonderfully insightful and charming witty comments– I just thought it would be great……. and I end this the same way I started……. I just need to know what I do next

]]> By: Lori http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-173251 Lori Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:16:40 +0000 http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/02/chantix-and-suicide-the-latest-numbers/#comment-173251 I have been on Chantix for 5 weeks now, with success. It's not a miracle pill, urges do creep up. Withdrawl s/s are easier, BUT I have some of the same adverse reactions that most of you have, the one that comes to mind the most is, I got really angry at my husband for not suggesting where we went to lunch, (yeah stupid) but at the time it didn't seem that way. I just recognized it, and relaxed and tried to calm myself down. But here's a thought............. could taking the pills mixed with withdrawl symptoms and lack of sleep (from vivid dreams) and not using smoking as a coping mechanism for anxiety, (and I could probally go on) like a Domino effect be causing the adverse reactions? But then again it's working directly on our brain receptors? On ONLY the smoking ones or is it affecting others that it shouldn't be. I have been on Chantix for 5 weeks now, with success.
It’s not a miracle pill, urges do creep up. Withdrawl s/s are easier, BUT I have some of the same adverse reactions that most of you have, the one that comes to mind the most is, I got really angry at my husband for not suggesting where we went to lunch, (yeah stupid) but at the time it didn’t seem that way. I just recognized it, and relaxed and tried to calm myself down. But here’s a thought…………. could taking the pills mixed with withdrawl symptoms and lack of sleep (from vivid dreams) and not using smoking as a coping mechanism for anxiety, (and I could probally go on) like a Domino effect be causing the adverse reactions? But then again it’s working directly on our brain receptors? On ONLY the smoking ones or is it affecting others that it shouldn’t be.

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