Suicide By Chantix

Danielle was 32 years old, born on March 7, 1976. She was my heart & soul. At five years old she tested out at near genius level. Danielle had lapis blue eyes, natural ringlets’ curly auburn hair and a smile that would light up any room. She got married at 18 years old to a wonderful young man. He joined the USMC, while he was gone Dani developed severe mental illnesses, unbeknownst to anyone. We did not know the signs and would never have guessed that she was so ill. They divorced when he got home. Then came alcohol & drugs - she went through several treatment centers, even had 6 ECT's done on her. Since she was an adult under the law, I had no say so with her care.

Danielle was diagnosed with PTSD, severe depression, agoraphobia, Board Line Personality Disorder and board line sycophantic tendencies. This all took hold of her between 18 and 20 years old. Several times I had her live with me but she could not live with my rules (which were very few) and then would move on. Dani had been on SSI since she was 20 years old, therefore the mental health care was at no cost. We live in the country and I suppose she was rather isolated, just me, my husband, three dogs and three cats (counting hers). I would take her to all her appointments, as she would not drive anymore. We gardened together, enjoyed the same type of TV shows and she had chores to do on a regular basis. Due to Danielle being on SSI the state of Kansas appointed a primary care doctor to her. Three times we went to her office, never did she see my child, only ARNP's. The first nurse shooed her out of the room and would not answer a list of questions that she had written down. Danielle smoked but cut down so much here, smoking is allowed only outside, so she decided she wanted to quit altogether. The second nurse wrote out not one but two prescriptions for the drug by Pfizer - CHANTIX. The nurse never told her any possible side effects and who reads all that little tiny type on the drug inserts? I know the Coroner in Topeka, and I called him and asked about Chantix after seeing a commercial on TV. He called four labs of which none of them test for the drug, he also did research concerning the interactions with the medications she was taking. I am not in denial of my daughter's suicide BUT I do believe that Chantix was a huge factor in her choice. Complaints have been filed with the Kansas Medical Assoc. and Kansas Nursing Board.

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REPORT

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Your daughter was too young to go.
How long had she been taking Chantix leading up to her death? I know that this must be so difficult for you, but if you can, try to document events as thorough as you can.
It turns out that the FDA even issued a warning almost a year ago that Chantix may lead to changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and actual suicidal behavior. See this link: http:/­/­www.fda.gov/­bbs/­topics/­NEWS/­2008/­NEW01788.html

You deserve to be compensated for your loss. I'm sorry, but it just angers me when I hear of people losing loved ones over medications. If you search around you will see that what you are reporting is not uncommon at all. You might consider getting legal advice because this is just b.s. Nothing will bring your daughter back, but you should weigh your options.
If you have not already filed a legal claim review:
http:/­/­www.youhavealawyer.com/­chantix/­chantix-suicide.html

I cannot even imagine how hard this must be for you. Your daughter's memory should be honored. God bless.

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my son also commited suicide while taking chantex, just this past november. he was 24. my heart goes out to you. I am presently looking for a lawyer . Are you persuing one for your case?

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so sorry to hear about your loss, I was also wondering how long your daughter was taking Chantix? Also, I hate to ask this, please don't take it personal, I know it's a touchy subject, but I have read in reports that most people who have developed suicidal thoughts or depression with this drug had prior mental disorders. Did your daughter have prior mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts prior to taking Chantix? I've been on Chantix for a week now and quit in 2 days. I was a heavy smoker (pack a day or more). I have no desire at all to smoke or chew nicorette gum. I'm just really hoping this works for me... Again, I'm so sorry about the loss of your Daughter.

Julie

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Julie,
Yes, my daughter had severe mental illnesses, including but not limited to: Bi-Polar, Post Traumatic Stress, Severe Depression, self-mutilation and Board Line Personality Disorder. All my daughter wanted to do is to stop smoking. Chantix should NEVER have been prescribed and the ARNP that wrote it did not tell either of us possible side effects or it would never been filled. I knew nothing of any side effects until the Sunday after I found my daughter - I saw the Tortoise & Hare ad on TV. The Asst. State Medical Examiner called 4 different labs around the USA and not 1 of them tested for the drug. Bottom line is there was NO Warning from the ARNP or the doctor’s office. Tell me how many people read the tiny printed medical jargon piece of paper in any prescription? I am glad it worked for you and all the others it helped BUT Pfizer's test group was not a cross section of smoker's.
Donna

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Karen,

I know and understand your pain in losing a child. YES, I am working hard to get Chantix taken off the market. I have filed complaints with the Kansas Board of Healing Arts and the Kansas Nursing Board and am perusing legal action against Pfizer. You & your son are in my thoughts and prayers.

Donna

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PLEASE KEEP ME POSTED WITH ANY PROGRESS YOU HAVE. I WILL ALSO KEEP YOU POSTED. I FEEL THE MORE PEOPLE STICKING TOGETHER AGAINST CHANTIX COULD SAVE ANOTHER MOTHER FROM OUR PAIN.

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Danielle sounds like a beautiful child. Your love for your daughter rings loud and clear. Unbelievable that she just slipped thru the cracks.

I'm writing to you to tell you first hand that Chantix is one sneaky drug that creeps up on its victim and smothers the brain with dark thoughts, obsession w/death, a one-way ticket outta here...w/NO LOOKING BACK. I wrote the story, lobotomy by mouth... and I wanted to assure you that your daughter would NEVER have cause you such pain if her mind were clear. On Chantix, your mind as you once knew it...is gone. No longer your own. Your daughter knows how much you loved her...and she didn't do this to hurt anyone...she just saw a way out and took it. I can tell you from experience...your mind is sooo clouded w/confusion and lonliness...that all you want to do is leave and stop the pain once and for all.

I had been on Zoloft for 10 years post - - Chantix...and together...they were a deadly cocktail. You will see and hold your daughter again,my friend. Until then, fight for her...file a suit...those bastards need to know what they took from you...! Make Danielle's voice be heard. They don't know what a beautiful person she was...and unfortunately, probably don't care...but, take my word...that drug warps your mind.

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it is the doctors office and the nurses that should be held accountable for this loss of life. not chantix. this drug effects everyone differently. there are adverse reactions to every single medication on the market that is prescribed, you can't sue every one of them. again i am very sorry for your loss.

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Sorry for your loss , sounds like your daughter was dealing with allot of issues and Chantix is your scapegoat to rationalize her unfortunate choice. 33,000 people committed suicide in 2005 alone. I doubt Chantix was to blame for all of them , more then likely non of them. If it some how makes you feel better and less responsible to go after Phizer or the doctors or whom ever go for it. I took Chantix for 6 weeks , stopped smoking and washed my hands with it. I dont advocate it nor do I blame it for my choices (such as smoking)

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You guys are REALLY rude. So, is it a side effect of the Chantix or have you been uncaring a-holes your whole life? By the way, within my first week of taking Chantix I had severe headaches, was really angry and hostile, felt like I'd been hit by a truck, was exhausted, and then had a severe allergic reaction about a half hour after taking the last pill in the first week's pack.

This stuff is really nasty and for those of you who didn't have side effects, great for you, but there comes a point in time when drug manufacturers and the FDA have to look at how many people are having adverse reactions and determine whether it is safe to keep offering to patients. This reminds me of when they were giving people Phen-Phen. It was great for people who were able to lose weight and not die as a result of taking the meds, not so great for the others who weren't so lucky.

Just because you haven't had problems with the drug. Or, if by chance you work for the drug company, you shouldn't be so rude to people. Unless you know the specifics of their individual cases you shouldn't be so eager to offer such nasty and hurtful comments. It doesn't really help when you're trying to prove that Chantix doesn't cause such behavior. Think about it, and just in general, think before you post such ignorant garbage.

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I've been taking chantix now for 10 days. I am still smoking,but very minimal,mostly because the cigs taste so bad. I have been dealing with non-stop headaches,sleepiness(I'm a truck driver who runs as part of a team with my husband),constantly waking up at night,constipation,gas and extremely horrible mood changes(which my husband notes: I can go from happy-go-lucky to b***h in 0.2 seconds). I'm seriously thinking at this point that I need to stop taking it,before I become a danger to other drivers on the road. The headaches are migraine-like or worse,the exhaustion I feel during the day is like I never slept at night. Chantix is affecting my driving career!! Has anybody else had these side effects as well? The only good things I've noticed are: I can breathe again,walk without being winded,appetite has increased but dropping weight,chest and throat no longer hurt.

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I started the chantix and took as was prescribed all was fine no side effects....on day 3 I had a severe migraine that lasted 36 hours which ended in chest pains, shortness of breath, sharp pains going down my left arm...I literally thought I was having a heart attack/stroke. I went to Urgent Care and they did an EKG and luckily all checked out. It is now day 2 after all of this has happened and I am still exhausted. Needless to say I am no longer on the chantix. But, I am just not back to myself. Typical high energy etc.. It almost feels like my body is on a detox from having this medication in my system. I am 31 years old. I was never that heavy of a smoker...it has always been just an annoying habit and I was over it...but wanted the help to be done with it for good. If anything the episode that I had scared me enough to not want to smoke...and put me in a reality to stick with the "quit" date that I had with the chantix. Made me realize that I am not ready to go yet!

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I took chantix for a week and started to slow down on my smoking. I felt full of energy during the first few hours after taking it. While I did feel some fatigue come on I kept taking it, and this is the second week. Still much of the same. No anger, no bad drams, no headaches. My family of course is warning me about th countless people who have ended their lives, in conjunction with taking Chantix. I was online trying to locate the numbers, while I do feel one is more than enough to cause an alarm. As a nurse I also am aware that drug manufacturers are required by law to state possible side effects even if one patient on th medication had committed suicide. I am sorry for the loss and pain the other posters haav gone through, I cannot imagine, nor do I want to or would I ever wish this type of loss on anyone. After reading each I do hope myself to quit without side effects. And I also hope that th drug companies can redesign the drug to help all people who want to quit, do so without the horrible side effects listed on these posts. In this day and age we should be able to design and manipulate a drug or any chemical as they do genes.....into a safe lower side effects drug. If I get any side effects I will taper down and try hypnosis. I really am tired of smoking.

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when i try to quit smoking on my own (without chantix) i feel very angry, psychotic and cry and cry till i buy another pack. i'm not 100% sure it's the chantix that makes some people go violent (not sure about suicide). could be a combo of both. all i know is the opposite happened to me, when i tried to quit on my own i went nuts. when i used chantix, i had freaky dreams, body aches and felt gross, but i was able to quit.

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