New study says Chantix raises suicide risks By Julie Steenhuysen
CHICAGO - Wed Nov 2, 2011
(Reuters) - Pfizer's smoking cessation drug Chantix carries too many risks . . .
. . . Chantix was eight times more likely to be linked with a reported case of suicidal behavior or depression than other nicotine replacement products, such as the nicotine patch, they said. . . .
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I would not. The risks can be very rough with that (including increased risk of suicide).
The toxicity of lyme and all that goes with it can stress and even damage the liver and kidneys. Lyme can cause hepatitis, so the liver is always to be treated as kindly as possible.
Many Rx further stress it but some are required for treating lyme & co. And, with good liver support, this MAY be offset. Still, adding other Rx can tip the scales.
If you consider this, the effects on the liver, kidneys, and EARS, too, are important to know and at least go in with FULL support methods. Links below but a ND or L.Ac. is best to guide you.
But, many with lyme do not do well with too many Rx - or with certain classifications of Rx. So be aware that your body may not respond as that of someone who does not have lyme.
Also, first read - at their home website, the manufacturer's detailed information, all the fine print.
Integrative / Holistic M.D., etc. (Be aware that those in this category can have various levels of formal herbal &/or nutritional education, perhaps even just a short course. Do ask first.)
BASIC HERBAL EDUCATIONAL & SAFETY links . . . -
[ 11-08-2012, 03:45 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- from The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook (Tillotson)
. . . To reduce craving during withdrawal, and to handle situations of post-smoking stress, use calming nervines like milky oat seed, kava root and skullcap tincture.
Lobelia herb (Lobelia inflata) contains an alkaloid called lobeline, which has a chemical structure similar to nicotine (Flammia et. al., 1999), and has been reported by some practitioners to mask the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine addiction.
Consult a professional before using this herb.
To repair damage to the lungs from smoking, if it is not too late, use the same herbs and methods of differentiation mentioned directly below for chronic respiratory problems.
Emphasize herbs that reduce lung inflammation combined with herbs that soothe and nourish.
Using about 1,500 mg of turmeric root per day can help prevent damage, and one company has created a product based on this idea.
Acupuncture Assistance for Withdrawal from Tobacco Smoking
The effectiveness of acupuncture for drug withdrawal, including smoking cessation, has been proclaimed by acupuncturists in the U.S. since the early 1980�s. ...
Jintu - West Lake Stop Smoking Tea -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- THE BEST BOOK that I've often seen praised:
THE EASY WAY TO QUIT - by Alan Carr
jalama posted in Sept. 2010:
a book called "The Easy Way to Quit," by Alan Carr. It really works!!! Follow the instructions exactly and you will be able to quit painlessly.
This is from someone who was the most addicted smoker ever; I tried to quit hundreds of times, literally. That book saved me. Also, looking at photos of people dying of lung cancer online helped to motivate me. You CAN do this!
(jalama)
Lauralyme posted:
Agree with Jalama.....that book is excellent. I quit very easily after reading that book. You can too
(Lauralyme) -
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
It sure worked for my sister-in-law! She did not have Lyme.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
947 customer reviews here, of which, 831 are a full top 5-points here. Read what others have experienced with this plan -- and you can also look inside the book.
Be sure tea cups, etc. are lead free. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- willo,
Sorry to hear of your father's passing. That is actually the most common reason that those who have quit may stumble. And then it's just that one puff that does it. Sigh.
I'm sure your father would understand and appreciate your sadness and full range of emotions around this transition but would rather you focus on all the good times, healthy times and love.
I hope his love will still be with you, inside of you, to carry you through. He'd want you to be a fresh air breather, no doubt. Do take care around all this, though, as it is a process.
Acknowledge the loss but feel the love.
Acupuncture can actually be a wonderful support for this kind of emotional loss that physically affects our heart, our brain, all our cells, really.
A L.Ac. I had been seeing for other things years ago helped me get over a "broken heart" - it was quite amazing, really, how the treatments and herbal support took a wonderful shift in the road and I was much better able to move forward.
The heart IS physically affected by such loss. And physical support is important, too. -
Posted by willo7 (Member # 24263) on :
Thank you everyone for all the advise!
Posted by willo7 (Member # 24263) on :
Just ordered the book. Thank you!
Posted by xoxoxox (Member # 18778) on :
Hi willo First, I am so very sorry to read that you lost your father. It's a pain that is hard to comprehend.
Keebler has offered some sage advise. This is just another perspective from someone who has Lyme and used Chantix to quit. Definitely, do some research to find ways that it may possibly help you achieve your goal.
I was also a long time smoker who for years tried everything and anything to quit without success. Given my lengthy experience at "quitting" (or trying to anyway) I was able to identify my weaknesses - the things that kept me from succeeding. For me, it wasn't so much the nicotine withdrawal as it was the habit - something in my hand and something to put to my mouth. There is a smoking cessation device called a Nicotrol Inhaler. It's a little puffer unit with a nicotine cartridge that felt like a smoke. Anytime there was an urge, a few puffs on this and the urge was appeased. It offers a minute amount of nicotine but gives the sensation of a drag. But this alone was not quite enough, although I knew it had to be a part of my quitting because of how it helped against my weaknesses.
Then my doctor told me about Chantix and said a number of her patients have actually quit using it with a high success rate. It starts with a build up of the drug so it gives you time to prepare your mind for quitting. After about a week, a cigarette suddenly has no satisfaction. This is when the window of opportunity begins. It only lasts for a couple of days and if you continue to smoke through that window, you'll have to start from square one again (my stupid mistake).
For me, the dreams were wacky and entertaining but never frightening. Honestly, they were so vivid and colorful, it was like dreaming in HD. The dreams became a regular lunch table topic at work. The only other side effect I felt was nausea - in the morning for me and in the afternoon for my friend. The Chantix site indicates that 30% of people experience it.
I know you're not supposed to mix cessation programs but I combo'd the Chantix with the Inhaler. That was what I needed. By the third smoke-free day (my longest stint ever), I knew this time would be a success. I won't lie - it was one of the toughest things I ever had to do and the nausea was no fun. No throwing up, just a nauseous feeling. But totally worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat if I was ever stupid enough to start smoking again.
I think I did the Chantix for about four weeks or so but I kept that Inhaler in my purse for months, even long after I stopped using it - just in case.
There are risks with the drug, as there are with many other drugs. Is there someone who can help monitor you? Check to see how you are doing each day on the off chance you start to have dark feelings?
Obviously, any nightmares or dark thoughts would be a prompt to immediately stop taking it and check with your doctor. But many have had success with it, including me. It was five years last August and I whole-heartedly owe it to Chantix.
Whichever path you choose to use, I wish you all the luck and will say prayers for you. While quitting, if you ever need to vent to someone who knows what you are going through, feel free to email me.
You can do this.
Posted by willo7 (Member # 24263) on :
Thank you for the kind words Danni. I have always been very weird with taking meds so Lyme disease is a huge struggle for me.
Before- I was anti meds!!
I am gonna give the book a try and if it doesnt help, I will talk to my doc about Chantix.
I quit while pregnant w all 3 children and beyond cold turkey so I dont know why this is such a struggle for me.
I think the lyme has made it harder because I already suffer from fatique and not smoking- makes that worse.
But maybe thats just a excuse as we all try to find!!