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Share your quitting journey

Anxiety, not withdrawl...Fight the real problem!

Rotweiler2
Member
8 17 423

In my very first, desperate post I described symptoms which no one else seemed to be able to relate to completely.  My doctor told me these were extreme, physical, nicotine withdrawal symptoms:  My entire body feeling numb, my skin feeling like I was dipped into novocaine and after 2 1/2 months without nicotine, I was still extremely irritable, depressed and super tired all the time while I wanted to jump out of my skin.  
I could not explain why I felt so horrible after such a long time without nicotine and finally broke down and failed my quit, spinning me into an even deeper depression, because I failed. 

So this morning, for the obvious and sad reason, I did not miss nicotine, but I had all these very powerful feelings again! I had major anxiety, bringing me to my knees with tears in my eyes - defeated and seemingly helpless at the moment. 
I so wished I would have been able to identify this for what it was, before relapsing, so I could have treated it with prayer and all the wonderful, natural supplements my wife has been using to combat anxiety for years now! 

I am writing this in the hope to reach someone who feels like I did, that the withdrawals are lasting too long and are too strong to deal with, while the problem is something different altogether and before it is too late! Adding nicotine will bring you right back to square one and the relief is only temporary.  Fight the real cause with meditation, prayer, herbal supplements or go to your health care provider and get a prescription, but don't light up!

Tags (2)
17 Comments
YoungAtHeart
Member

Thank you for this.  A lot of us self-medicated with nicotine for anxiety and depression, and when we quit,  the underlying problem is still there and raises its ugly head.

It's true that if the early withdrawal symptoms last too long - this COULD be the reason. 

Good to keep it in mind!

JonesCarpeDiem
MarilynH
Member

Thank you for sharing this very powerful post......

indingrl
Member

CONGRATS TO NON SMOKER LIFE - gentle hug

Rotweiler2
Member

Unfortunately, I have to start over with a new quit... 😞 

sweetplt
Member

HI and Welcome to Ex’s Rotweiler2 

I am so sorry you lost your quit...however, I get it...and your post is heart wrenching and will help other’s...I have GAD .. but I had it when I smoked and I have it when I quit...actually it got better with the quit, but I think I will have it the rest of my life...I pray, I meditate and do breathing exercises...from time to time, it is so debilitating I must take a xanax...as smokers we smoked through a lot of problems...and it takes long to work through all of them...I hope you stay here for support with your next quit...we understand...Thank you so much for sharing...~ Colleen 330 DOF 

Rotweiler2
Member

Thank you Colleen - my wife dealt with anxiety for years, at times extremely bad, where she could not leave the house.  I understand how horrible that can be. She is in year 7 of being a non-smoker now and is much better.  I will pray for you, for sure.

I started my new quit this afternoon, but this time with a plan, new daily habits and actions to counteract cravings and anxiety and depression.  Many of these are immediate prayer and reading scripture, the moment it gets tough + exercise (walks), a whole battery of herbs and such to combat depression and anxiety. Fingers crossed (in prayer) for He is the only one who never disappointed me in life.  I should have done all of this in the first place. 

Giulia
Member

" I should have done all of this in the first place"   We all should have done certain things in the first place.  But experience is a great teacher.  Hopefully you won't need to have another re-do after this one.  

The cravings always last too long and are stronger than we think.  And we always wonder WHEN WILL IT END???  The way to get past that is to say, "I will hold on, no matter how long it takes, no matter what."  It's the "no matter what" that will get you free of constant craving faster than anything else.  Because the "no matter what" is an acceptance of the journey in it's totality. That "no matter what" agreement takes all the options to smoke off the table.  And when the option to smoke is gone, you are instantly freed from the burden of wondering whether you will or not.  

Welcome to your new quit with a new understanding.

JonesCarpeDiem

Here's a BIG trick for you:

When you think of smoking say, "I don't do that anymore." Say it every time. This will retrain your thinking and that phrase will come to you in a short time. (like only one week)

Here's a couple crave busters that work

Bite into a lemon, skin and all.

Stick your head in the freezer and count backwards from 20. 

Roj
Member

Thanks for sharing and anxiety sucks, I am glad you have found out the reason and are planning to get back on the wagon for a smoke free life...you got this!!!

Barbscloud
Member

Glad you're getting back on track right away.  Waiting only makes it harder.  Don't beat yourself up about the past, just keep moving forward.  My quit was more emotional than physical.  It took a long time before I started feeling better.   Are you still taking the Welbutrin?  If so have you spoken to your doctor to see if it may be contributing to how you're feeling?   I used it for this quit, but don't feel I was experiencing anything but the emotional withdrawal from quitting.  That doesn't mean it's not effecting you differently.  Stay close.

Barb

"Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself."

elvan
Member

Excellent blog and seriously good observations, it sounds like you have a handle on this.  Good for you.

Ellen

Rotweiler2
Member

I decided to not take any NRPs in order to get nicotine as quickly out of my body as possible - 72 hours of that struggle is long enough and I don't see a reason to lengthen that. I also decided not to take any meds that might have side effects that include anxiety, depression, or death (Chantix on the latter one) 

I put myself on a regiment of herbal supplements that help combat anxiety: B6, L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, Gaba Relaxer, Valerian, CBD oil + morning walks.  And I am drinking Cranberry juice for the first 3 days to keep the blood sugar stable.  All of that and lots of prayer and these fist 21 hours have been pretty ok so far. 

Barbscloud
Member

OK, that's good.  No one knows what's best for you, but you.  Take deep breathes, walk, chew on straws, whatever it takes to be successful.  Stay close on these early days.  You can do it and we all want that to happen for you.

Barb

Christine13
Member

Keep going, Your blog did help me.  I'm so sorry you smoked, I've been where you are.  Just keep plugging away.

I am sorry you went through so much anxiety. 

TriGirl
Member

Agree 100%. I recognize my anxiety now but didn't realize what it was before I quit, like you. I am learning to handle episodes in other ways. One thing that's helped me a lot lately is the Calm App. They actually have an anxiety program on that! They teach you how to find it in your body- recognize it's shape, learn to release it. I don't need it everyday. Sometimes taking a time out and breathing is enough. When my heart starts pounding, I try to be gentle with myself. There's nothing wrong with me. I just need a moment and that's ok.

Mward90
Member

Thank you for sharing!  This post really hit close to home so thank you.  I'm sorry you lost your quit but glad you are back on board.  You got this!

- Michelle

About the Author
I started smoking with 14, that’s 36 years, with a few breaks when I attempted to quit.