Tempe, AZ: Cindy B. had been smoking for 25 years when she decided it was time to quit. Unfortunately, she was given Chantix and suffered serious side effects. However, it was not until she read an article about Chantix that she realized her side effects were related to the smoking-cessation drug.
Among Cindy's side effects were depression, sleeplessness, nausea and vomiting. She says the side effects started within two months of taking Chantix. "It started with depression and it progressed," Cindy says. "Then there was sleeplessness that was overbearing. I just didn't sleep. I think that not sleeping made the depression worse."
Although Cindy says she did not specifically have suicidal thoughts, she did feel hopeless, no longer caring if she lived or died.
A month ago, she stopped taking Chantix after reading articles about what other people went through while on the drug. She gave her unused Chantix to her boyfriend, who threw it away. Since stopping the drug, she says her side effects have lessened.
"I'm happy to be home," Cindy says. "I'm happy to be with my dogs. I'm getting another job. There's a very big change. I just can't believe that they kept giving me Chantix in treatment. I didn't clue in that the Chantix was related to my side effects. It's like everybody in the medical community thinks that Chantix is just fine. These drugs shouldn't be mood altering, but they are. I lost my faith in doctors.
"Be extremely careful on Chantix. It hasn't been around that long and it's like you're an experiment when the medical community gives it to you. I would say that people should actually try to do a smoking detox on their own. Stay away from Chantix."
Cindy's comment that people are being used as experiments is actually quite accurate. An investigation by ABC News and The Washington Times has uncovered evidence that the VA is using soldiers diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to test Chantix. Despite knowing that Chantix is linked to suicidality and neurpsychiatric behavior, doctors did not warn study participants for three months about the risks. Participants were only warned after one veteran who was taking Chantix suffered a psychotic episode and had a violent incident with police.
Although news about the risks associated with Chantix was made public a few months ago, many people are just now discovering that their health problems, depression and suicidality may have been related to their use of the drug. In November 2007, the FDA issued a warning that patients taking Chantix may experience "suicidal thoughts, and aggressive and erratic behavior."
If you or someone you love has been harmed or suffered serious side effects while taking Chantix, you may be eligible to join a lawsuit against Pfizer, maker of Chantix. Contact me to discuss your legal options.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The Breathalyzer Is NOT Always Right!
June 25, 2008. By Heidi Turner
People who have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) may think that once the charges are filed there is no point in fighting back. However, Vincent Imhoff, managing partner of Imhoff & Associates, PC, says that is not necessarily the case.
"People should know that it's not just up to what the [breathalyzer] said," Imhoff says. "While that is a significant piece of evidence, it is not the be all and end all. The machine must be calibrated properly, maintained properly and used properly."
In fact, Imhoff says that it is no longer shocking to him when he discovers that the reading on the breathalyzer has an error or has not been properly used or maintained. "There is no guarantee that the results of the breathalyzer is 100 percent accurate," Imhoff says. "We have to look at how the result is arrived at."
There are other elements of a DUI charge that can also be investigated. One such element is the field sobriety test.
"When you look at the sobriety test you have to look at the conditions of the test: the surface, the shoes being worn and the location have a huge impact on standing and turning. It's not fair to say, 'they slipped' if they are in heels on a loose gravel surface. Of course they slipped. Oftentimes, the video camera [in the police car] is a good asset for distilling what has happened."
Although many people associate DUI charges with alcohol only, the charge can actually be used for a number of intoxicants, including oxycontin, heroin and marijuana, although those substances cannot be detected by a breathalyzer. Such cases then rely heavily on the police officer's observations and on field sobriety tests.
Imhoff says that once a person is charged with a DUI, the state's case against the person ends and the defense's case begins. Lawyers examine all the evidence against the defendant. If the defendant has any proof that he or she was not intoxicated while driving, such as the word of a relative or friend, that evidence can help bolster the defendant's case.
If you have been charged with a DUI, there are some important things to remember, according to Imhoff.
"Don't get caught up on feeling guilt. Most DUI does not have any victim other than the defendant, so if you are in that position do not feel guilty. Many people of all walks of life have a DUI in their background. Face the charges in a straightforward and honest manner and you will have a good outcome. And do not always believe the breathalyzer."
If you have been charged with a DUI, contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options.
People who have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) may think that once the charges are filed there is no point in fighting back. However, Vincent Imhoff, managing partner of Imhoff & Associates, PC, says that is not necessarily the case.
"People should know that it's not just up to what the [breathalyzer] said," Imhoff says. "While that is a significant piece of evidence, it is not the be all and end all. The machine must be calibrated properly, maintained properly and used properly."
In fact, Imhoff says that it is no longer shocking to him when he discovers that the reading on the breathalyzer has an error or has not been properly used or maintained. "There is no guarantee that the results of the breathalyzer is 100 percent accurate," Imhoff says. "We have to look at how the result is arrived at."
There are other elements of a DUI charge that can also be investigated. One such element is the field sobriety test.
"When you look at the sobriety test you have to look at the conditions of the test: the surface, the shoes being worn and the location have a huge impact on standing and turning. It's not fair to say, 'they slipped' if they are in heels on a loose gravel surface. Of course they slipped. Oftentimes, the video camera [in the police car] is a good asset for distilling what has happened."
Although many people associate DUI charges with alcohol only, the charge can actually be used for a number of intoxicants, including oxycontin, heroin and marijuana, although those substances cannot be detected by a breathalyzer. Such cases then rely heavily on the police officer's observations and on field sobriety tests.
Imhoff says that once a person is charged with a DUI, the state's case against the person ends and the defense's case begins. Lawyers examine all the evidence against the defendant. If the defendant has any proof that he or she was not intoxicated while driving, such as the word of a relative or friend, that evidence can help bolster the defendant's case.
If you have been charged with a DUI, there are some important things to remember, according to Imhoff.
"Don't get caught up on feeling guilt. Most DUI does not have any victim other than the defendant, so if you are in that position do not feel guilty. Many people of all walks of life have a DUI in their background. Face the charges in a straightforward and honest manner and you will have a good outcome. And do not always believe the breathalyzer."
If you have been charged with a DUI, contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
