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"I Blame Chantix for My Daughter's Suicide"

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Sacramento, CAThere's nothing worse than the death of your child. Actually there is something worse—knowing that your child's death could have been prevented. Ann (not her real name) believes that Chantix is to blame for her daughter's suicide.

At first, Ann blamed her daughter's prescribing doctor for Susan's (not her real name) suicide, but she now understands that the Chantix manufacturer neglected to warn doctors of Chantix adverse events, including suicidal thoughts. Chantix should never have been prescribed to anyone suffering with mental health issues such as depression.

Chantix warnings weren't made public until late 2007, just about the same time that Susan, who was 48 years old, had her Chantix prescription filled. "Susan had been on meds for depression for years and she had it under control," said Ann, on the verge of crying. "She worked as a medical assistant in a doctor's office and loved her job. A few of the doctors knew that she was depressed but it was never an issue. She loved people, and got along with everyone. She put patients at ease and made so many friends.

"But after she started taking the Chantix, Susan became withdrawn and didn't call me much, which was very unusual. She lived nearby and didn't visit so much anymore. When she came over, it was always big hugs but it got to where I gave her hugs and got nothing in return. I should also mention that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was going through radiation at the time, which didn't help. She took days off work, but I think it was because of the depression. She would have radiation in the morning—sometimes I went with her—and she would go back to work the same day—she was very work-oriented and didn't seem too affected by the cancer treatment.

"Sadly, I wasn't aware of the symptoms of depression. In retrospect I can see what was happening to her but at the time I didn't understand it. She started taking Chantix at the end of December 2007, and passed away May 10, 2008.

"There is a 'guest book' in the Sacramento Bee where anyone who knew her can write about their experiences with Susan. People keep adding stories and anecdotes to this book so I kept it open. It makes me cry every time I read them, it's bittersweet…

"Before she died, Susan called me earlier in the week; we were having dinner and she said she would call back. But that's the last time I heard from her—she didn't call back; apparently that night she took a lot of sleeping pills and couldn't go to work for a few days. (I found out from a doctor at work.)

"The night before Susan passed away she called one of the doctors from work and complained that she wasn't getting enough support. This doctor knew that Susan was in a bad way, so she called a doctor who was closer to my daughter. The doctor called her the next morning, but it was too late.

"The property manager found her. He has a little dog—Susan loved animals. The dog ran upstairs to her apartment and the door was ajar—Susan had a cat. The dog went into her apartment looking for her and the property manager just followed his dog inside. Susan hung herself. I'm thankful that I didn't find her—I don't want to keep that image in my mind.

"She never did quit smoking.

"I feel very strongly that Chantix was to blame for her suicide. I know she had a problem with depression but I also know it was under control. As soon as she started taking Chantix, her personality changed so much, she became someone else. I guess I put it down to her going through the radiation. But then I read about Chantix and the way it affected people, I knew that drug was to blame.

"I didn't talk to any of the doctors she worked with about Chantix—it was too upsetting. I think everyone in her office knows not to prescribe Chantix to anyone with emotional problems. They were all devastated. Her GP, who prescribed Chantix, moved to another town but I never found out where she moved to. I think her GP left town because she feels in some way responsible for Susan's death…

"Reading about Chantix on LawyersandSettlements made me more aware of how dangerous this drug really is. I found the Chantix box with some of the pills left—it was only her second prescription. I see that the Chantix makers now have a warning on the package saying that Chantix may cause depression, but do all doctors know that? The people who take Chantix are usually on anti-depressants and probably think they are immune to psychological side effects. How wrong that is."

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READER COMMENTS

Posted by

on
My 21 year old son was taking Chantix and seemed perfectly fine when I talked to him that night before he went to bed he was excited about his new band which he was a drummer in!!! Little did I know that would be the last night he gave he a big bear hug and said Mom I Love You and I gave him a Kiss and said I Love You too....That night he had a psychotic espisode from the Chantix and took his own life by hanging himself in his closet which he actually had to almost kneel down for---the next day he did not get up for work and I thought he was sick so I broke his door down and found my dear son. That was the nightmare of my life and I am still having nightmares and flash backs because of the Post Traumatic Stress. No Mother should ever have to go through what I did and Pfizer's Chantix killed my son because in 2007 when he took the drug it had no warnings on it or I would have never allowed him to take it...I know have talked to many people who took it and they all had very very bad reactions. Believe me I will get Justice for my son because it breaks my heart everyday that he is not with his family. He had the rest of his life ahead of him...I will never see him graduate from college, get married, have children and be a successful fine young man that he always was. My Prayers go out to all the people who lost relatives and friends to this Horrible Drug.
AMEN...Pfizer never tested the drug properly so believe me they are in for some big lawsuits!!

Posted by

on
I understand very clearly as I lost my 26 year old son to a drug called CELEXA. My son loved life and had everything going for him. He committed suicide after being put on CELEXA. He had only been on it 2-3weeks. I have heard so many stories about this drug since. I have talked to many lawyers, none of which will do anything. I can not believe we recall eggs because they make people sick, yet we can not do anything about it when a drug takes our loved ones life. These drug companies keep getting richer no matter what the cost. Our lives are shattered and we can not do anything, we can never have our loved one back. These drug companies are aware of this side affect yet are allowed to continue to hand it out like candy. This should be illegal!!!! It should have been stopped, "1" life is too many lost.

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