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Viewers React To CBS 11's Chantix Investigation

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Sharon wrote:
I originally began to use Chantix on April 25th. As scheduled I stopped smoking on May 2, 2008.
At first, I was euphoric, laughter came easily almost giddy the majority of the time. By the 2nd week when you increase your dosage was when it began to change. Suddenly I was not sleeping, the dreams were interfering with my sleep pattern. I began to feel like I just did'nt want to wake up. I described the feeling as though I just wanted to blend into the wall until I could feel better.
I stopped taking the Chantix, then came the anger. I've not smoked or taken the Chantix for almost sixty days and still I am exhibiting extreme rage and I don't know why. I've never exhibited this type of behavior prior to taking this drug. It has never been a personality trait to just lose it before taking Chantix. After I stopped taking the Chantix my joints and the swelling in lower extremity have progressively gotten worse. I've always been extremely athletic and active but now find it difficult to even walk a mile per week.
I do hope eventually these symptoms resolve. At this point, I don't believe the benefits were worth the personal sacrifices. I highly encourage anyone considering taking this drug to try to avoid the use of the same. I'm hoping 90 days after use of the product maybe I'll begin to return to normal.


Bette from Sellersville, PA wrote:
I smoked for 44 years and started taking Chantix on Oct 2, 2007. My quit smoking date is October 9, 2007. So far today I have 106 days nicotine-free. It is only by the Grace of God and Chantix I can make that claim.
I had the dreams. The insomnia. The nausea. The mood swings. Was Chantix the culprit? I doubt it. WAS IT MY ADDICTION TO NICOTINE?? Most likely.
I can't believe there are so many [nicotine-] addicted people who are naïve regarding addiction. I suppose I should be thankful I am knowledgeable of addiction and its withdrawal symptoms and knew that the so-called side effects I experienced were exactly the same. One can die going through a drug addiction withdrawal. That is why drug addicts need to go go a rehab. Nicotine IS a drug. There is no rehab available for cigarette smoking addiction. Nicotine is a socially accepted drug.
To cigarette smokers everywhere:
Do not point your finger at the [street] drug addict. You have a lot in common.
Thanks for listening.


Robert Hall wrote:
Please know that not everyone has an adverse reaction to Chantix. I took it for 3 months with no problems and have been smoke-free since August. I am afraid all this negative publicity will deter those who could really benefit from this drug.


Gary in Fort Worth wrote:
I too took Chantix for the full 12 weeks. Smoked for approximately 33 years. Tried Wellbutrin, patches and cold turkey.
I have now reached day 215 without a cigarette. Sure the dreams were extremely strange and sleep was off and on. I really looked forward to my final pill so I could get a decent nights sleep. Not all people are alike so don't start slamming a company because YOU had problems with the pill. It's worked for many. Like it has been said, YOU have to monitor your results and report side effects! I've recommended it to others but also warned them of the sleep issues.


Barry of New York wrote:
I started taking Chantix over three weeks ago. It was the only reason that I was able to quit. It works! I am amazed at how easy it was to quit with Chantix. I am not gaining weight like the other times I tried to quit. But there is something to the side effects of depression, rage. thoughts of suicide. Starting after the second week I started feeling like the world was caving in on me. Fighting with people over nothing and wanting to just die. However I had similar feeling when I tried to quit before without Chantix. I have been a smoker for over 30 years and it is a dramatic change in my life, to be smoke free. It is like someone very close to you dying and not having that person to fall back on for support. Chantix could be causing these emotional side effects, but it did get me to quit. As long as I realize that it is part of the process of quitting I should be able to control it or as least explain it to others around me. Chantix made quitting easy, it requires some personal and mental strength as well.


Chris in Aubrey wrote:
I am a 30 year old professional who started taking Chantix at the recommendation of my doctor in September. Before that I had smoked for 13 years and tried numerous times to quit (patches, Nicotine gum, Zyban, cold turkey) all to no avail. So when given the opportunity to try a non-nicotine/non-psychotic program, I figured it was worth a shot. I can't say anything but wonderful things about Chantix! I have had no problems other than the occasional uneasy stomach that you experience when not taking the pill as directed (8 ounces of water directly following a meal). I can go without cigarettes without any problems that you get from nicotine withdrawals. I have fallen off the wagon a few times, but the taste I get from the cigarette and the lack of "euphoria" I get from the nicotine make it an unattractive practice and I end up putting the cigarette out after 1-2 drags. I am a traveling professional who keeps very long hours in a very stressful environment. I have no problem sleeping (and sleep in a different place every night), I have no lack of focus or drive in professional or personal endeavors (I work 14+ hours a day and spend my entire weekend doing projects for my family), I have felt NO symptoms of rage or anger (I manage 12 individuals, 6 fresh out of college in 15 states covering 511 high volume retail stores), and I have not felt at any point that my life is not worth living or had any thoughts of suicide (I have a 1 year old son who is the light of my life). I have also not experienced any nightmares, but will comment that I have had a few "vivid" dreams that I remembered well the following day. My sex drive is just as high as it has been since I was a teenager and I have not gained/lost any weight during the program. I drink socially and have not experienced any of the major negative side effects everyone else has commented on. If additional clinical testing is done, I would gladly volunteer to represent those who have NOT had any problems with this drug. I can confidently say that Chantix has saved my life and given my son that much more time with his father as my chances of dying from smoking has decreased significantly since quitting. Those who have had negative side effects, I am sorry to hear that. But maybe they should be looking at what circumstances surround their addictions. I started smoking "just because". I wasn't depressed, angry, or sad before starting smoking. And I am not depressed, angry, or sad after taking Chantix. But that could just be me. So maybe I am the lone exception to the rule...


Kenneth of Euless wrote:
I took Chantix and had a mini stroke. Has anyone else reported this problem? I also have been real aggressive. Some times I feel like I was loosing control. My age is 37.


Karen of Vancouver, WA wrote:
My brother David McCaffery has suffered neurological and kidney failure after taking Chantix.  In 6 months he has gone from a vital serious golfer (36 holes/day) to an invalid.  I can't even believe this drug was released to the public.


Connie of Hillsboro, Texas wrote:
The doctor started me on Chantix about 4-5 months ago. When I started taking the full pill twice a day, I couldn't sleep. I would get about 2 hours of rest in a 24 hour period. I stayed sick at my stomach and had horrid, horrid nightmares, to the point I was scared to sleep.  Made an appointment with my Dr. to discuss these side effects.  I told him, I needed sleep, I couldn't handle it much longer.  He ask me how much I was getting and I told him.  He told me for some people 2 hrs. of sleep a night was normal.  That the benefits of Chantix far outweighed the side effects.  I came home and stopped taking them.  Of course I started smoking again.  But I felt like I was going crazy and stayed sick.  Now 3 months later, I am taking them again, but only 1/2 a pill a day. Totally not what the Dr. wants, but what my body will tolerate.  I still stay sick at my stomach, but at least I do sleep.


Becky of Dallas wrote:
I too have had adverse effects from using Chantix.  I have developed a loss of tolerance and patience.  I have also found hopelessness by day's end.  Not really suicidal, but wish I would not wake till things have changed. I didn't take the drug as regular as prescribed and stopped taking it after I had that thought and feeling.  I still find it difficult to do the tasks ahead of me for that day and depressed.


Shannon of Dallas wrote:
I was wondering if any of the people who have had problems with this drug have other addictions or mental disorders such as depression?  I have bi-polar disorder and have been treated in the past for various addictions.  I currently take medication for my bi-polar disorder and I have been taking Chantix for several weeks. I have completely quit smoking and I haven't had any problems with any of the things I have heard about on the news.  I'm not saying that other people don't have these side effects.  But, I started smoking because I was depressed.  Maybe they are too.


Jan of Frisco wrote:
My mom and I just saw the newscast of the story you did on Chantix and how it rang a bell in our head as we were just discussing the systems she was having this morning over coffee.  We both sat outside talking about her depression, aggression, and other symptoms she was having.  She quit smoking on September 3rd and just finished the month long packet about a week ago and recently went to the doctor for a check up and told him that she was ill(mad) and unable to control her anger. He laughed it off, but what she failed to tell him were of the other symptoms she was having along with it. What was even stranger was the fact that she is also on Prozac and it was doing nothing to control her feelings of anger and depression.  That is what led us to the conversation to discuss that something else was going on.  I told her that we needed to call the doctor and tell him further of what was going on and here your story comes out tonight detailing the same stories as others have had.  We are calling the doctor in the morning as she has been off the drug for about a week and she is still having the same symptons and thank you for posting the FDA's number as I am calling first thing in the morning.  I have a filled RX for the drug and I am throwing it away!


Ryann of Dallas wrote:
I want everyone to know: my two cents... I want everyone to know:
-what a wonderful, talented loving man Carter is. A brilliant musician, but more importantly the most amazing man I've ever known.
I do not blame Chantix for his death. It explains his behavior, but not his death. I do think people should be made aware of warning signs of adverse reactions before they take Chantix.
Carter died from a bullet. Shot through a door that was half GLASS. The bullet was shot through glass. There was a motion light by the backdoor where he was shot. There were no dents or scuffs on the door where Carter was "banging."
I BLAME the CASTLE DOCTRINE for allowing anyone to kill someone by shooting through a window or door (glass or not), with no other reason than to claim, "I was scared."
What if Carter was asking for help? What if I had run next door to ask for help, and banged on the door? Is it still okay to shoot me; if you're scared?
How late at night is too late to "bang" on someone's door? How loud does a "bang" on a door have to be before you can justify shooting the person on the other side?
Who shoots a warning shot through a well-lit glass backdoor at someone's head and then claims "I tried to aim high?" "I was scared."
Chantix is the only thing that makes any sense of Carter's behavior the night he was killed.
The real cause of his death, and the law that allows this makes none.


Joseph of Terrell wrote:
I used Chantix on two occasions. The first time the side affect that made me stop using it was an overpowering urge to just stay in bed, exhaustion I think because it was impossible to get any rest.
The second time I used it I, again, couldn't get any rest. Would go to bed and find it virtually impossible to get to sleep. I would get out of bed in the mourning feeling like I had not slept at all, when in fact I had. I will try to explain. I would fall asleep, but not know it. My mind would race while I was awake, and continue to do so at the same pace when I fell asleep. Whatever thought I had when I went to sleep continued into a dream, and continued after I was awakened by the dream. This happened all night long. I would never know when I was asleep or awake, and get no rest because of that. Let me give you an example of this.
I was sleeping, and dreaming about a motorcycle. I heard the door bell ring, I heard my wife's' voice say, I'll get it. I thought, "honey it's two in the morning, don't open the door" I got out of bed, grabbed my 45, and walked out to the front door expecting to see my wife, she wasn't there, I looked out the window beside the door, no one was there. I was awake when I got out of bed, until then I was asleep, but didn't know it.
Chantix works quite well when it comes to quitting smoking. The side affect I just described forced me to stop taking it. It's a shame, because cigarettes are going to kill me, and I know it.


Michelle of Dallas wrote:
For the past month or so, I've had a sudden onset of symptoms similar to MS, Lou Gherigs disease or Rheumatoid Arthritis.  My doctor and I are puzzled but taking the proper steps to rule out worst case scenarios.  MS & Lou Gherigs have been eliminated, but my MRI showed a spot which could be migraines (of which I have none) or "little mini strokes".  I have lost my reflex in my right arm among other issues.  Today, in fact, I am seeing a neurologist to try to determine what is wrong with me.  I will definitely mention this to her.  Thank you for the information.  This may or may not explain what I have been feeling, but its best to check all possibilities.


Judy of Carrollton wrote:
I also took Chantix.  I took it for 6 weeks and quit smoking during the 2nd week.  This Sunday, Sept. 30th will be 1 year since I have quit smoking.  I had a few side effects that were listed - weird dreams, constipation, trouble sleeping - all symptoms went away with time.  I recommend Chantix and know of other people who have successfully quit, but you do have to follow the instructions and know that like all medicines not everything works for everyone.  Thank you


John of Cisco, Texas wrote:
My husband recently had a heart attack, the doctor says stop smoking, she puts him on Chantix, his sister has taken it and has stopped and he is willing to try the drug.  2 weeks after taking this drug he puts the end of a shotgun in his mouth but does not pull the trigger.  4 days later he threatens again to kill himself, becomes aggressive with me which he has never done before.  I leave with my grandson for safety purposes, later after he sleeps it off after getting the pickup stuck in mud not knowing why he was there, he could not believe the things I told him he did.  We cannot understand why he did those things unless it was the drug Chantix, it was the only new drug he was taking. I am very glad and thankful he did not shoot himself or harm me.  And he has stopped taking the drug Chantix. Why hasn't this drug been taken off the market yet?


Gloria of Cresson wrote:
I took Chantix back in January and have been very successful in quitting smoking. I took Chantix for about 8-9 weeks and had not noticed or put together some of the psychological side effects I may have been having until now.  I too have had some problems with quick temper and having no patience at times, but the major problem I may be having is physical.  I have had elevated liver enzyme tests on two separate tests and my primary physician is sending me to a specialist. I had read all the literature on Chantix but went to the professional section for adverse reactions and had seen were is apparently is under investigation for "frequent" abnormal liver profile tests.  I may be having other problems I'm not aware of yet.  I do know that I felt better when I smoked, although I will never go back to it.  I wondered if you had anyone else having problems like this?


David of Waxahachie wrote:
I'm glad Chantix came along. I've been a smoker for 32 years and have tried everything out there as it became new for people to try. And I have been taking Chantix and it has been doing great for me. I still can't believe how easy it's been. People should always be careful mixing any drug with alcohol. I haven't tried that yet, don't know if I will. I've had very minor side affects.
Got an idea for another story you'd like to know more about? Yes. Find out if the people against Chantix are working for the government or the state, because that's who it hurts every time someone else quits smoking. Loss of tax dollars!!


Brenda Williams of San Antonio, Texas wrote:
You head the nail on the head about Chantix. Prior to your story, I have been trying to convince my doctors that it had caused me medical problems, in which they now know I was correct. I had muscle /joint pain, headaches, night sweats, hand tremors, sick dreams, gas, pain in my right side and depression. I had total blood work done that revealed hyperthyroidism and elevated liver panels. I ended up in the ER with a hyperthyroidism storm that could have killed me if I hadn't sought treatment and I now have to take medication 3 times a day and require further testing on my liver. I told my doctor's, family and friends that we would be seeing this drug on TV. This was 31 Aug 07. It sure didn't take very long. You might want to let the family of the young man whom died know what a hyperthyroidism storm is, it may be the answer to understanding his behavior.


Becky of Dallas wrote:
I have been taking Chantix for 8 weeks today.  While I do believe it works to help you cut down significantly and eventually quit smoking, the side effects I've had are really making me think I should get off it rather than go the final 4 weeks of treatment.  I really thought I was losing my mind until I read this story.  I feel depressed the majority of the time, lonely, have had out of control, emotional outbursts, compounded anxiety and panic attacks, sleep disturbance and thoughts of suicide on a few occasions.  None of these emotional things have happened to me when I was drinking alcohol period.  On the 2 occasions where I did drink more than a couple drinks, I felt normal.  I also want to express my anger at the whole system regarding trying to quit smoking and I sincerely hope you will not only print this but also have more people comment on it that are smokers and/or ex smokers.  I went through horrible side effects as a result of the nicotine withdrawal.  Chantix did nothing to assist with that.  I made myself, my loved ones and my work associates miserable and I'm still smoking 1 or 2 on occasion.  When I say my anger and resentment is directed at the "system" it is meaning everything you read says nicotine is as addictive as heroin or cocaine and is considered a drug.  Yet we smokers, cannot check into a rehab and have it covered under insurance there probably isn't even a program for us to quit in one where we are away from work and stress and covered under insurance!  The drug companies don't come up with anything like Methadone to assist with withdrawal symptoms from nicotine just this garbage pill that messes up your mind, I am sure I speak for all smokers and really would like to be treated like I am an actual addict if what I'm addicted to is a legal drug and not an illegal drug and people really think we should quit smoking.


Barbara of Fort Worth wrote:
I am a Registered Nurse and have been working with Cardiac patients for almost 20 yrs most of whom have or have had an addition to nicotine.  Smoking cessation is no doubt the most difficulty risk factor of heart disease that my patients are faced with modifying. Chantix has been prescribed for many of my patients as well of some of my family members.  I have not seen any of the severe side effects that were described in your story, but have seen a very high success rate of patients quitting smoking. I do not question the fact that these adverse reactions could not be true, as with any medication, there is always the possibility of side effects.
This is my thought and most important commit on your story:  Chantix is a drug that needs to be prescribed by your physician and you should be closely followed by the prescribing physician and with any other medication that you take on a permanent or temporary basis. If you are taking or considering taking Chantix, please do your research prior to seeing your physician and make sure you are seeing a physician that has done his research. Know how to take the medication properly, what the possible side effects are and to stay closely monitored by your physician.  You should let you physician know immediately of any side effects and changes in behavior.  Maybe Chantix is not right for you, again you must do your own research. We as Americans are always looking for a quick fix for most anything and want to take a drug to fix everything.  Unfortunately, it doesn't work that easily.  Before taking any prescribed medication you should have tried all other means of medication first. Chantix has a wonderful web site that is there for support and helps with the behavioral aspects of smoking cessation.
I have seen great success with the use of Chantix and hope to continue to see success for patients that are struggling with quitting smoking and really want to accomplish that task.


Steve wrote:
I asked my doctor to prescribe this drug due to the advertisements touting its effectiveness. Bah! A brief background... I am a normally level headed and stable person... a successful Caucasian… and… wary of drug company claims.
I was at the end of my 2nd week and was experiencing several odd side effects …
1.)    No sexual desire
2.)    Rage (and I do mean this literally)
3.)    Impatience (probably part of the rage)
4.)    The dreams (vivid, violent, scary … weird)
5.)    Tired during the day (probably side effect of #4)
The bottom line is that I quit (yes.. smoking included) this drug and would not recommend it to anyone. The side affects are very real.
Thanks for listening


Robin wrote:
I would like to let you know that I used Chantix and had no side effects.  Without it I think I would still be smoking.  I would like to also let you know that I had been given Wellbutrin, another non smoking drug and I had side effects similar to what you are reporting for Chantix.
I think there should be a better screening process since it would seem that either drug can have detrimental side effects depending on the individual's brain chemistry.
It is not a bad drug for everyone.
Thanks.

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