YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING! IT APPEARS the CURE Is WORSE than the DISEASE

                               YES BUT ...................................

Hold on America - Just when it has seemed that the familiar drug ads were growing stale - I was roused out of a late night sturporous state  of mind to catch the tail (long long tail ) end of a new drug being advertised... at least new to me.

This drug has has a melifluous sounding name: CHANTIX. I must admit I envy those who obviously must make a fortune coming up with orginal seductive names for a product which - when you think about it - is not exactly a barallel of fun.

This product's 'hook' [pardon the expression] is to interfere with the pleasure receptors of the brain supposedly leading to the cessation of smoking at the impressive rate of 44% of something which on the face of it does sound quite impressive. This is the potentially good news (if the findings are objective).

 This is not the part of the ad that captured my attention  instantaneosly inducing an adrenaline rush - so exciting that  I telephoned my brother saying: did you hear that ad about Chantix. Having just heard it himself we talked about it for a minute followed by jointly exploding with laughter.

So, the curious, might ask, what could possibly be is so funny about an anti smoking addiction ad... particularly when it touts a 44 percent 'success' rate?

Both of us were doubled over in pain laughing at the sobering list of side effects which seemed to go on for an eternity. I quote from the sites' summary:

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"Important Safety Information

Some people have had changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or actions while using CHANTIX to help them quit smoking. Some people had these symptoms when they began taking CHANTIX, and others developed them after several weeks of treatment or after stopping CHANTIX. If you, your family, or caregiver notice agitation, hostility, depression, or changes in behavior, thinking, or mood that are not typical for you, or you develop suicidal thoughts or actions, anxiety, panic, aggression, anger, mania, abnormal sensations, hallucinations, paranoia, or confusion, stop taking CHANTIX and call your doctor right away. Also tell your doctor about any history of depression or other mental health problems before taking CHANTIX, as these symptoms may worsen while taking CHANTIX.

Some people can have serious skin reactions while taking CHANTIX, some of which can become life-threatening. These can include rash, swelling, redness, and peeling of the skin. Some people can have allergic reactions to CHANTIX, some of which can be life-threatening and include: swelling of the face, mouth, and throat that can cause trouble breathing. If you have these symptoms or have a rash with peeling skin or blisters in your mouth, stop taking CHANTIX and get medical attention right away.

The most common side effects include nausea (30%), sleep problems, constipation, gas, and/or vomiting. If you have side effects that bother you or don’t go away, tell your doctor.

You may have trouble sleeping, vivid, unusual, or strange dreams while taking CHANTIX. Use caution driving or operating machinery until you know how CHANTIX may affect you.

CHANTIX should not be taken with other quit-smoking products. You may need a lower dose of CHANTIX if you have kidney problems or get dialysis.

Before starting CHANTIX, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if you take insulin, asthma medicines, or blood thinners. Medicines like these may work differently when you quit smoking.

CHANTIX is a prescription medicine to help adults 18 and over stop smoking. You may benefit from quit-smoking support programs and/or counseling during your quit attempt. It’s possible that you might slip-up and smoke while taking CHANTIX. If you do, you can stay on CHANTIX and keep trying to quit.

Uninsured? Need help paying for Pfizer medicines? Pfizer has programs that can help. Call 1-866-706-2400 or click here www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com.

The product information provided in this site is intended for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

Copyright © 2007-2009 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. Pfizer, PO Box 29387, Mission, KS 66201

VCP00185

August 17, 2009

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I must give credit where credit is due. Pfizer gets an A Plus for what could not possibly be a more complete full disclosure list. But really now .......[possible]  'hostility' 'suicidal thoughts' paranoia, panic anxiety, hallucinations, skin reactions that could be life threatening, depression, possible breathing problems, ....

Not included are statistics as to how many complaints the company has received about those who have experienced one or more of these possible side effects....

What really stirred our rapt attention about the possible side effects of Chantix  is their remarable admission that one or more of these side effects could possibly be experienced not only after the first pill, and not only while it is actively being taken, but even after one has stopped taking the pill all together.

I would love to know how they arrived at this 'you have got to be kidding'  observation. On what objective basis have they arrived at this warning? It seems to us that the detail of the sample size is of crucial concern to all potential takers of this drug. No?

The implied answer is  - of course - we warned you: so buyer beware!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the warning Chantix.

What Pfizer - nor any of the other drug companies do not tell  - whether the drug be for anti smoking, stress reduction, sleep, anti depression, anti anxiety- is that the key to sustained success is - in all cases - for the sufferer to learn how to bear increasing dosages of frustration: plain and simple.

Any mother of a new born knows that what I am saying is the gospel truth. When babies turn beat red with frustration, shaking like a leaf with panic and fear, moody and sullen due to depression, the drug companies (so far this week) have not pursuaded the doctors to start giving anti stress, anti anxiety, or anti depression pills.It is alarming that they have managed to reach down into the pre teens.

Informed mothers and fathers  intuitively know that the anxiety, stress, depression and frustration that thier children are experiencing are not pathological symptoms but are instead, normal inevitable phsyiological and psychological responses associated with having to learn how to face and master life problems.  Babies, as well as adults have to learn not to avoid stress, anxiety, frustration and depression as if they were enemies; but, instead  to face them head on by learning to tolerate them over time. Research indicates that learning to bear these so called inevitable 'negative' feelings results in the spontaneous development of a strong self. A strong self is able to keep its sense of balance in the midst of internal and external pressure.

If Obama wants to save billions of dollars on the health care program - and in the process also adding a meaningful prevention component- he should  insist that the drug companies broadcast the information I have summarized above.

I challenge the drug companies to prove me wrong.......................

Comments

[Alex Villa]

It was estimated that every year the amount of people who suffer from panic attacks is increasing. Panic attacks are the very first symptoms of a panic disorder. There are many approaches to a panic disorder. But one thing is clear a panic disorder is a very serious physical problem accompanied by panic attacks (a sudden increase of fear that comes without any obvious reasons). During panic attacks a sufferer feels very tense and scared and may have the following symptoms: intensive heartbeat, hurried pulse, giddiness, sickness, sweatiness and at last fear that almost paralyses all the organs. All these symptoms may appear all of a sudden and take a sufferer aback

[Alex Villa]

Do you feel a Panic or Anxiety attack can happen at any time?
People in this situation often feel that are lucky
to make it through the day without that switch been
flicked but in the back of their mind they fear that it
could happen at any moment day or night.
They remain on high alert anticipating it.
Anticipating the big one!
In fact most people who experience panic attacks
fear it in this manner. It is natural for people to think this
way as often the panic attacks come forcefully out
of the blue.
The truth of the situation is however
different. A panic attack does not lurk in the background
waiting to pounce, it can feel that way in your mind
if you are anxious but that is not how it really works.
Panic attacks are actually something we decide to
initiate when we feel out of control.
The thought that triggers almost all panic attacks is :
"This is too much , I cannot handle this,"
Then the adrenaline starts to really pump.
"Ah I was right look my body is going into a fit...
"I am terrified by what is about to
happen...HELP,- PANIC... !"
The severity of the panic attack is directly
related to how you are feeling at that time.
If you are exhausted physically, mentally or emotionally
then you are more vulnerable to feeling anxious.
After the panic attack has run its course, it is
followed by a prolonged period of general anxiety.
During this time the person fears that the panic
switch might go off again at any moment sending
them into another tailspin of high anxiety.

WANT MORE CONTROL?
check on this site.
www.stoppingpanicattack.com

[Andrew Roberts]

Do you feel a Panic or Anxiety attack can happen at any time?
People in this situation often feel that are lucky
to make it through the day without that switch been
flicked but in the back of their mind they fear that it
could happen at any moment day or night.
They remain on high alert anticipating it.
Anticipating the big one!
In fact most people who experience panic attacks
fear it in this manner. It is natural for people to think this
way as often the panic attacks come forcefully out
of the blue.
The truth of the situation is however
different. A panic attack does not lurk in the background
waiting to pounce, it can feel that way in your mind
if you are anxious but that is not how it really works.
Panic attacks are actually something we decide to
initiate when we feel out of control.
The thought that triggers almost all panic attacks is :
"This is too much , I cannot handle this,"
Then the adrenaline starts to really pump.
"Ah I was right look my body is going into a fit...
"I am terrified by what is about to
happen...HELP,- PANIC... !"
The severity of the panic attack is directly
related to how you are feeling at that time.
If you are exhausted physically, mentally or emotionally
then you are more vulnerable to feeling anxious.
After the panic attack has run its course, it is
followed by a prolonged period of general anxiety.
During this time the person fears that the panic
switch might go off again at any moment sending
them into another tailspin of high anxiety.

WANT MORE CONTROL?
check on this site.
www.stoppingpanicattack.com

[Cure Panic Attacks]

These examples are helpful because they make me feel like I am not alone. I also see whether certain treatment options are successful; which is very motivating when I am trying to get rid of my