(Chantix) to help them stop you need to be aware of what has happened to my son. He started taking Champix about 3 weeks ago. He complained of bizarre dreams and poor sleep. He also indicated that he felt increased anxiety and I could see that he was shaking. I was not overly concerned as he had not indicated that it was that much of a problem and he had in fact stopped smoking for more than 2 weeks. Last night he came home from a friend's place and started throwing stuff around his bedroom, when my older son went in to see what was going on he lunged at him and tried to strangle him. When I went up to intervene he turned his anger on me, saying some very offensive things and being very hostile and threatening. This is very out of character for my son, he would die to protect me and would never normally behave this way. I thought it was because he had been drinking but still this is out of character even if he is drinking, he told me this morning he had not had that much to drink. he said that he could hear what he was saying and could not stop him self, he felt very out of control, he also told me that he had attempted to hang himself with his belt but the belt broke. I thank God that he is still with me.

Alice, sorry to hear about your scary episode with your son, at least you were able to control it before he gets hurt. Any medication has side effects, and each individual reacts differently.
A friend of mine tried to quit with the patch, and had to be hospitalized. She was given an IV that caused her arm to swell up and almost had to loose her hand because of infection. Lucky for her, she didn't. I quit smoking in Jan 2006 (wasn't a New Year resolution although I was thinking about it)
I was in the CCU unit with a bad case of pneumonia.
I was coded twice. When I came home after Rehab, my dear husband quit cold turkey for respect for me.
We never smoked again.
Someone told me that she kicked the habit with Spearmint or pepprmint gum (don't remember which one)tastes like one of the "Quit Smoking" gums. Maybe if he pops one of those when the urge for a cigarette arises. Alot safer and cheaper than Meds.
In the meantime, just keep an eye on his well being,
and we'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Sukiray

Alice, I'm just now seeing this post. Thank you for sharing this. They were going to give my husband Chantix and we looked into it and found out what some of the side effects are. My DH, being the very cautious one, decided against it, which I'm so thankful for. I think they need to take it off the market before someone gets hurt from it. Here in the US there is a big hoopla with the attorneys, trying to get patients that have used and had terrible side effects to sue the company for damages. (I don't agree to that personally). I'm so glad you son is doing better and will keep him in prayers. (BTW Champix and Chantix are the same) Hugs, Terre

I hope your son is doing better now. He did get off it didn't he?

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by fannyfurkin 31 Jan 2011

Yes we threw it away immediately and I took him to the doctor for some diazapam, he is settling down, but he is still very scared that it might happen again.

Wow, I hope he getts better quickly with no affter affects, My husband stopped because he has cancer, if any one can stop smoking it is a good help to keep away loads of illnesses,NOT this way though.

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by fannyfurkin 31 Jan 2011

He is settling down now, smoking again but I really think this is the lesser of the two evils. I would hate to think what would have happened if he continued.

Thank you all for your supportive comments. I should add that my husband and I are both registered psychiatric nurses and we are very used to managing aggressive behavior, but preferably not in our own home with not medication to settle him down. He was enormously grateful the next day when he said to me, I am so pleased you and Rick no how to deal with that sort of stuff.
The reaction was very sudden and unpredictable. I am making sure he is not alone at the moment. He is much more settled now, he feels very ashamed of himself, so now I just need to reassure him.

Dear Alice,

I do hope your son can get the all clear soon and that he can eventually stop. I worked for the NSW Cancer Council for 7 years and it just broke my heart to see all those people with smoking related Cancers. Smoking (Tobacco) is one of the worst addictions. I know there are many more Alcohol and painkillers etc. but you are right we all need to be aware of the side affects.

I'm so glad you found this out early and that he can get help. Prayers for you and him. Love and blessings Chris

please make sure someone is with him at all time for the next few weeks I am a nurse and had patients that use it had this kind of reaction and seem OK the had flashback esp of the dreams and self-destuctive behavior.

I have two daughters that both smoke and I had recomended Chantix to one of them, thankfully she didn't go with it....I would imagine you were freaking out over your sons behavoir, I'm glad it didn't get any worse....praying the drug will leave his system quickly....I quit smoking nine years ago and it was one of the hardest things I've ever done.....thanks so much for the information.....Gods blessings to your family...Janet

Alice -
Thank you so much for the warning! How terrifying it must have been for all of you. Sending you hugs and prayers for your son to be able to quit without Chantix and it's side effects.
Marion in KY

unfortunately,all medications come with a long list of possible side affects and your son was unfortunate to have had to experience them.
When my husband and I quit smoking 11(?) years ago-we used Zyban-that was the big product at the time. I actually had to take a lower dose because I had a lower tolerance to drugs, my husband took the regular dosage-we were both lucky-no major side affects and we did quit-other friends of ours however...
One guy ended up having a heart attack-partly his own doing because he tried to cheat the process and smoke "just one" from time to time and basically overdosed his system on nicotine(he spent quite awhile in ICU-don't know that he ever did completely quit-but fortunately didn't die as a result of his experience, another had crazy dreams,didn't want to sleep because she kept having the dreams and yet another had the extreme anger and rage like you described.
Just goes to show, no 2 people react the same to medications and those warning labels are there for a reason.
I wish him luck in quitting tho-damn cigarettes are an addiction that is hard to quit-so glad we did tho-only problem now is, that I can't be around smokers because the smell is so offensive and actually gives me headaches-especially when I have to do alterations for customers that bring me their "freshly laundered" clothes-sorry folks, that smell gets right into them as soon as you light up anywhere in the house

Fanny I am so sad but am glad you found out before some permanant damage was done. Hopefully stopping the med will relieve the symptoms. God Bless you and family. Hugs & Prayers, Judy

Oh my gosh Alice! I am so thankful that nothing too serious happened. Some of these new drugs out there, gosh you read the side effects and wonder why anyone would want to take it. I hope your son can find another way to quit smoking.
Carol

That is very scary. Thanks for the info.
Hope you and your family are doing ok now, Alice.

Hugs Yvonne

Thanks for the warning, fortunately everyone in my family has been able to quit smoking, my Dad, then me, then my oldest brother (younger than me) then his wife and then my youngest brother. All did it cold turkey except for my youngest brother. My hubby doesn't smoke and my sons never picked it up thankfully!

Usually when we are given a new drug in our home that we have never taken before we keep an eye and ear out for each other for a few hours for any reactions. With some of these drugs there are long term concerns and the doctor/pharmacist should advise of side effects that can make the patient dangerous to himself/herself once the drugs have been in the system for a while. We just need to remember to observe those that are taking any type of medications for any reactions or change of behavior. I'm sorry you and your sons had to have that incident. My best to your son as he tries to kick the smoking habit.

Alice, I had heard about other cases one of the girls at my tried quitting smoking with champix and was the same huge mood swings...in the end she went back to smoking but then a few months later tried patches and finally kicked the habit...thanks for the warning. Hugs sally

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by lindalee757 27 Jan 2011

patches do work as long as you follow the instructions to the tee-if you try to smoke at all during the process it can have serious ramifications-so glad we were able to quit with no problems & I can honestly say I will NEVER smoke again-the smell makes me sick

Wow! That is very scary. You are so lucky that this didn't turn out very differently.

Oh my god thank goodness that no one got hurt! Thank you for posting this! Hope all is well now god bless! I'm sure you were very scared about your son!
Hugs Dawn

Thank you for informing us. Even though we don't have smokers in our family this is good information to be aware of.
Cindy B.