Another Smoking Thread? Ugh...

[Guest Kylani]

So about 6 days ago my doctor and I were talking about some medical issues.. So like I need to quit smoking to make some changes I would really like to make with other medication.

I had heard from a lot of people who quit using Chantix and thought it was amazing, however had stomach pain if they dident eat, were a bit drowsy, and had very very strange dreams.

The other-side of a lot of people whom I talked to told me they were hospitalised. These people had no history of mental health or substance abuse issues, and were not consuming alcohol durning theyre medication period. They told me about extreme paranoia, violet rages and like after coming off of it they now have to take medication for deperession and anxity (to make a long story short)

So my doctor asked if I had actually spoke to anyone in person who used chantix and their experiences with it, I told him what I just wrote above. I have kinda an ugly history of mental health problems/substance abuse (im not crazy or anything - feels like it now though) so I was completely aware of the chances of me having awful side-effects.

I assured my doctor that if I felt any changes in mood, I would stop taking it right away, and tell him.

Well I diden't.. For a while..

Day 1-2 I started taking the medication. First I felt a bit out of touch. Then I started getting shakey and a bit cranky. Keep in mind I'm still smoking, so this is NOT because of nicotine withdrawl.

Then things started getting scary.. Day 3 I had these nightmares that kept waking me up, like omg they were sooooo *-ing real.. Like I was killing all my friends!? I diden't think too much, quiting smoking is worth it.

Day 4 is when it started really getting crazy. I woke up in the morning and heard my dad calling my name. Well I haven't seen my dad in quite sometime, not sence him visiting me in treatment.. I ran downstairs and no one was home. Later on that afternoon it sounded like someone was running the shower. Sure enough still no one was home. I started getting paranoid. I felt like every car that drove by was going to kidnap me.

Day 5.. The paranoia really started kicking in. I felt like people were trying to kill me! I honestly felt like the world was after me.. I kept telling myself this is obviously the medication reacting, I need to stop taking it. The reason I hadent yet on day 5 is because I kept saying 'my body has to get used to this' or 'how do i know this isent because im not eating'.. I had two panic attacks that day. I never have 2 of them in a single day. I ended up calling the ER, I can't even remember why. The police showed up at my house and had to restrain me. I was taken to the nearest hospital. They had security standing outside a room with a big wooden door at the end of a hallway. The room had a single bed and nothing else inside. They had 4 of the most intimidating girls i've ever seen in my life (these chicks were freaking built!!!). I don't really remember much here. They put this thing on my arm that had an alarm incase ''the voices told me to leave''. They did. I had to be restrained (for good reason) and was given an injection of adivan to sedate me. They ended up having a crisis worker from the state hospital come in (only one we have now...) and we estlibished that I was not a harm to myself anymore. It was awful..

They diagnosed me with 'Brief Psycotic Disorder'

Day 6.. I just reaised when I bought a pack on day 4. It's day 6 now. I've only smoked 11 cigarattes. I tried to smoke one a bit ago before posting this, and it just wasen't all that appealing to me. This stuff really works. Yeah I'm still taking it. My doctor is out of town. I'm waiting to ask him how I should go off of it.. I heard the withdrawl can be pretty brutal. Of couse if I ever come off these benzo's they have me on, I'm sure that will be too. I need to stop taking it.. I don't want to sound totally insane but I feel like someone is making me go after these things.. Or maybe it's just because I like not smoking? Ugh.. I can't believe I'm crying over this.. NO I'm not addicted to them. Maybe I am crazy???

I don't want to stop taking it, because the stuff works really well!!!! I think anyone deciding to take it should weight the horrible discomfort of quiting cold turkey against trying to quit using a psycotropic drug like chantix.. Or if you try it, just know the risks..

Tomarow is the quit date I set anyway so what the heck. The withdrawl only feels like your dying. Your not actually dying. I've had withdrawl from alcohol that put me in a coma I mean come'on.

crap.. i only hope this helps someone..

[Guest ~Brenda~]

Hi Kylani,

I applaud your effort to quit smoking. Also, I appreciate you posting your experience with chantix and the road you took to quit smoking. I do hope that your doctor is aware of all that has happened to you while on chantix.

The hardest period of quitting smoking is the first week. Not due to nicotene withdrawal, rather psychological association of activities with smoking.

Once your mind is retrained not to associate certain activities with smoking, the urge to smoke fades away.

I have been there.

Brenda

[Guest ~Brenda~]

All,

I was settling down to go to bed and I was watching some TV. I saw some ads from Law firms asking if anyone had any severe reactions from using chantix to call them. Having seen this kind of thing before, I expect that Chantix will be pulled from the market. For all those who are currently using Chantix, I strongly recommend that you stop. Clearly this drug has not been proven, and already has caused enough havoc that Law firms are getting involved.

I would not be surprised that a class action law suit is soon to follow.

Just sharing my concern.

Brenda