Looks like I'm going to live afterall.
 

I posted about a health scare that I had about 10 days ago. Just to refresh your memories...I was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance on Nov 1st and I had to go thru all kinds of tests and see several specialists...

And I am happy to report that I am okay.
Turns out that I had a very bad reaction to a new medication (Chantix) that I took to try and stop smoking.
About 1% of the people who took it in clinical trials got vertigo from it. Thats what I had... it was horrible and scary but I'm feeling lots better.

Some other things that were going on with my body made the doctors think I might have had a mini stroke...or maybe an issue with my heart.
But, after extensive testing, it turns out that I'm going to be just fine, thank you.

The little scare was enough to make me give up the smokes COLD TURKEY exactly 19 days ago...so something good did come out of it. Now, I just gotta make it stick one day at a time.

Anyway,
I came here asking for prayers and support and the love and support you all gave was truly humbling.
Thank you all so much for your prayers.

What a special 'family' were have here at SR!!!

Out, So happy that it was not something worse. But if that was what it took to quit smoking then good for you. And you found out that your heart was just as we thought-fabulous. Hugs, Marle

(((((ool)))))

Oh my!!! I had no idea. I am extreeeeeeemmmmmllllyyyy glad you are OK. I am also glad you have quit smoking.

Pharmaceutical drugs scare the heck out of me. I just don't trust drug companies or the FDA nope can't do it. Any company that will sell something like nutra sweet to the general population with the blessing of an organization like the FDA doesn't get my trust...

I'm so happy to hear everything is fine.
Congrats on becoming smoke-free!!:)

I am really glad that you are ok. A friend of mine was recently on Chantix and they said she had a stroke. I called her to let her know that it may have been the meds. TY for sharing your story.

((((OOAL)))))
I'm so glad everything worked out all right...been thinking about you and your precious little guy and keeping you both in my prayers. Congrats on quitting smoking!! That's awesome!

Glad to hear you're okay.

Those health crisises can be really scary, real, or not.


Glad you're doing alright.


Hugs,

Thread
 

I started using chantix three weeks ago. After I began the two pills a day I started experiencing nightmares, insomnia, vertigo and just a general sense of feeling "out of it". My left arm and hand starting feeling numb and tingly. It was difficult to focus and I realized the only thing I had changed was taking the chantix. I stopped the chantix but the numbness and tingling moved down my left side and into my leg. I went to the doctor last Friday, was rushed to the hospital and after extensive MRIs, MRAs and heart tests, it was discovered I had experienced two strokes on the right side of my brain. I was in the hospital until this week. I am so glad you went to the doctor when you first noticed unusual symptoms. I still have the symptoms but the neurologist seems to believe they will eventually go away.

Out -

You've got love and prayers coming your way in spades. SOOOOOO sorry to hear about all of this but so grateful to hear that you are ok. You know, even tho they talk about only 1% of people having a reaction with Chantrix I've actually heard of quite a number of people that had major repercussions with it. Glad that you got the clean bill of health and that you gave up the sticks!

Love and peace, Donna

Wow, this is a good reminder to get it checked out. I'm glad you're okay Limb and inspired by your "quitting smoking".

Hugs :hug:

awesome, you have quit smoking. i am so glad it was not a stroke or heart problems. good news.

(((((((((Ooal)))))))))))

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...watermovin.gif

Wow! So that was the cause, huh? I've heard about that Chantix, but used
the Nicoderm patch, instead. It worked, but I still miss smoking every now
and then. It's been over 4 months for me. I've gained about 25 lbs. from it
and get really frustrated about it. Everyone tells me not to worry. That I'm alot
healthier weighing the extra pounds than when I was smoking a pack a day.
I don't know about that. lol
I'm so proud of you, though. Keep up the good work. Don't cheat. I haven't.
There's no cheating with me anyway. I smoke once...I'm gone. So I'm...http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...hsmokefree.png
Have a great day, sweetie, and chew Trident. 4 out of 5 dentist reccommend it.
lol

Love ya,

Glad to hear you're doing okay.

I had read up on Chantix and was going to try it until I read that it brings on pretty severe arthritis in a lot of people...I didn't even know about the vertigo or possible stroke.

Congrats on quitting smoking....something I need to do, but haven't yet.

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving.

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

So glad you are more well than you thought you were, ooal!

And getting better by the day, now that your body doesn't have to exhaust itself neutralizing all that nicotine all day long. It will make you stronger and happier and finer in the long run---congratulations!!!!!!!!

GL

Glad to hear you're doing well!!! Now enjoy the holidays with your son!!!!

Jen

Whoooop!!

Glad you're OK.

Hugs
Cats

Wow - thanks for posting this OOAL.... and SOOOO glad you are doing better.


(Makes me wonder, tho - how many of the 44% who quit using Chantix - that's their number, used in advertisments - anyway, wonder what percentage of those quit the same way you did - by having the bejabbers scared outta them!).


((hugs))


Actually, I had suggested Chantix to my still smoking son... though I epxect that until he quits smoking pot, he will not have much success quitting cigarettes.

Sigh.

I remember when you first got sick. I'm glad everything checked out and it was a side effect from the meds. Just goes to show you didn't need those meds to stop. I admire your will power.

Glad you are well..........Lo

I just saw this today.

From the Houston Chronicle

Dec. 3, 2007, 11:44AM

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY

King Features Syndicate

We first heard about the stop-smoking drug Chantix earlier this year. A physician called our syndicated radio show in February to tell us that this pill was working miracles for his patients. He was extremely enthusiastic.

Anything that can help hard-core smokers quit is indeed wonderful. Nicotine can be one of the hardest addictions to overcome. Some people tell us that it can be more difficult to give up smoking than to kick a heroin habit.

But by September, we were beginning to catch whispers of a darker side of Chantix. One reader wrote: "I am taking Chantix to quit smoking. I have had no urge to smoke, but I am seriously depressed.

"I attempted suicide 10 years ago and was hospitalized for depression. I am concerned that my recent bout of severe depression may be a result of taking Chantix."

Not long after that, we received dozens of similar reports at our Web site, .peoplespharmacy.com. One reader reported: "I started taking Chantix 12 days ago. For the first week I had night wakefulness and vivid dreams but no other side effects. By day nine I had a constant metallic taste in my mouth and felt exhausted and nauseated. On day 11 I was depressed, and on day 12 I thought about killing myself.

"I'm 49 years old and have never taken any drugs or had any type of mental illness. Chantix did help me not want to smoke."

Some doctors have questioned whether quitting smoking alone might be enough to trigger depression. There is no doubt that nicotine withdrawal can produce irritability and other psychological side effects.

But many people who have quit before said their reactions to Chantix were unlike previous experiences of giving up cigarettes. One woman with bipolar disorder said: "I have stopped smoking for three or four weeks before and NEVER experienced what I did with Chantix. I think the makers of this med need to do more research on this before they just start tossing it out to people, especially the ones with a history of a mental disorder."

Now the Food and Drug Administration has issued an early communication about the safety of Chantix: "FDA has received reports of suicidal thoughts and aggressive and erratic behavior in patients who have taken Chantix, a smoking cessation product. ... A preliminary assessment reveals that many of the cases reflect new-onset of depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and changes in emotion and behavior within days to weeks of initiating Chantix treatment."

The agency has not determined whether Chantix is actually responsible for such symptoms, but it encourages health-care professionals to "monitor patients taking Chantix for behavior and mood changes." The FDA also recommends that "patients taking Chantix should contact their doctors if they experience behavior or mood changes." Another part of this communication has to do with possible drowsiness impairing driving while taking Chantix.

Quitting smoking is one of the most important things a person can do for his or her health. It is also one of the hardest. If Chantix can help without causing devastating side effects, it is a welcome tool. But some people might not tolerate this drug. For them, other strategies will be more appropriate.

SO happy that you are OK. God is good!!!