Anxiety and fear

[etd]

I am starting to analyze why I am having such a hard time quitting cold turkey (I have tried NRT. It does work for me and honestly, I just want all the nicotine out of my system. I don't do well with moderation of any kind!). I think I am terrified of the anxiety that can be part of the withdrawal process. I am already an anxious person with a stressful situation at work right now that will be over (fingers crossed) in a few weeks, so I fear a HUGE spike in my symptoms. I don't have a lot of free time for exercise but I can try and get a run in with the jogger stroller after work or do some yoga in the am before the kids get up. I read through a bunch of old posts and I like the advice that was given on how to survive the first 72 hours. Any other advice on how to control the anxiety, especially if you already have an anxiety disorder (I am on an SSRI b/c I have depression, too- so that helps a bit. I guess that scares me as well b/c I know that nicotine is great for dopamine spikes and depression can be a withdrawal symptom). How did you all get over the fear and just do it? 

[buMbLeB]

 How did you all get over the fear and just do it? 

 

In the short run you just bite the damn bullet. Depersonalize and observe. Those aren't really *your* feelings, and they won't last forever. You're killing the lizard junkie part of your brain, and it will hiss at you.

 

In the long run, quitting will make you less anxious and stressed than you ever were as a smoker. Hard to believe right now, but profoundly true.

[Devil Doll]

Get yourself what I like to call a toolbox together. Anything and everything that will comfort and get you through rough patches. For me personally when it got really rough, I would take a deep breath put a pillow over my face and scream like a lunatic. I would deep breathe and go on youtube to listen to the hypnotic videos when I would have a panic attack.

Going CT is doable, you just need to do what you said in your post. Take a deep breath, close your eyes and jump. We are all here for you!

[Toni]

The first week is very hard. Try to let go of the mindset of how anxious you are going to be and develop a plan to get through the rough patches. When I stopped smoking I told myself smoking is not an option no matter what happens. I had chewing gum, hard candy, I cried and screamed. I still say smoking is not an option for me and I will say that the rest of my life. I have realized that smoking never solved anything that was stressing me out. You can do this! Stay close to the board and read.

[Markus]

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[Still winning]

I am starting to analyze why I am having such a hard time quitting cold turkey (I have tried NRT. It does work for me and honestly, I just want all the nicotine out of my system. I don't do well with moderation of any kind!). I think I am terrified of the anxiety that can be part of the withdrawal process. I am already an anxious person with a stressful situation at work right now that will be over (fingers crossed) in a few weeks, so I fear a HUGE spike in my symptoms. I don't have a lot of free time for exercise but I can try and get a run in with the jogger stroller after work or do some yoga in the am before the kids get up. I read through a bunch of old posts and I like the advice that was given on how to survive the first 72 hours. Any other advice on how to control the anxiety, especially if you already have an anxiety disorder (I am on an SSRI b/c I have depression, too- so that helps a bit. I guess that scares me as well b/c I know that nicotine is great for dopamine spikes and depression can be a withdrawal symptom). How did you all get over the fear and just do it? 

Oh my, you are going to have such a great and enlightening journey if you just trust in a couple of thing and learn a few bits and pieces about nicotine addiction.

 

I can't work out if nrt does or doesn't work. However, no great shakes...people quit with and without. Statistics say cold turkey is higher but only cause of the mindset. I used chantix, still quit though. It becomes about learning how the addiction works (will try and explain in a mo), using whatever tools you need to support a mindset that goes I simply do not want to be a smoker anymore.

 

What's your answer to yourself, when I tell you smoking CAUSES stress! It does not alleviate it (this is a myth). It causes spikes and all stress sucks all nicotine out of your bloodstream thus leaving you in immediate need of a fix. Yes a fix, it sounds scary doesn't it. You can't think or function at YOUR full capacity until you "scratch the itch" and replenish the nicotine. Google it, read around here. I was honestly shocked at this.

 

Dopamine spikes are a real thing, for sure. The natural way to create this is by food or movement. We have literally re programmed our brain to spike at nicotine and to demand we feed it when it's running low. A never smoker (someone who never ever smoked) will never had or need this! You and I don't need this either!  There are some emotional ups and downs, I believe (but no science to prove it) that a percentage of that is errant chemicals leaving your body, as much as smoking thoughts. 

 

The bit your missing in this festival of panic of quitting, which is perfectly normal by the way - is how great things can be! Good days and bad days are a fact of life, it is EXACTLY the same with a quit. Not every day, for every hour and minute is going to feel hard. I described some parts as a euphoric free fall. Ok, I can be dramatic lol, but hand on heart, if you don't over think things and just plot one foot in front of the other with tools to support you when you feel it's a bit harder - then you can do this!   None of us are special, we are all different folks who embraced the support of others who understood. The only trick as it were, is to be sick to the back teeth of being a smoker and making a choice to not do that, no matter how we feel in a particular moment. That's actually it in a nutshell. To choose to go through whatever, to stop doing something that makes you unhappy, a lot poorer and fairly unhealthy.

 

That first hour, that first day, that first need to jog to chase a child running off, that first deep breath, omg that first month, first wave of money that you have "left over", that first massive crave that you batter down shouting nope like a nutjob...all of these are AMAZING feelings and there are so many more.

 

Don't be afraid. Your addicted part of your brain is screaming at you, but your logical and together part of your brain knows this is right for you. And shhhh, a secret for quitting...the before is MUCH harder than the moving forward when you've quit. I promise you it won't all be easy or hard but it is worth it and the unexpected benefits like physical strength, self belief and personal empowerment means I would recommend this journey to anyone. You will be ok, better than ok. Keep asking questions though, it gives us a chance to support you and you never know who else is reading and wondering if they can leap into their journey too :)

 

x

[Still winning]

I had simply tried to add in that for your personal situations of anxiety and bi polar, to keep in touch with your doctor. I got some foggy and overwhelmed parts of the quit for sure but others didn't seem to have. It is very much about you and so a plan of how to help you cope is a good thing but letting it panic and worry you is probably not helpful as you simply may not get that part. It's very different for each person which is why having a wave of people who've been through it is good. xx

[Still winning]

 

Oops! Dunno what I did there haha.

[ChRiSpY]

When you get through all of the initial bullshat that comes with quitting... you might be surprised how much smoking actually caused your anxiety and depression.  Can't comment on the depression...but my anxiety was cut in half once I got a hold of my quit.

 

Don't be skurred....... be excited and happy about your new life.

[Evelyn]

I used lotsa Sugar to lift up the withdrawls anxiety... it's (corret me if I'm wrong) caused due dropping sugarlevels when you quit.

[mfic]

ETD,   Just keep reading those above till they sink in good,,, The first day or two can suck- but it is completely doable ,

 

A cig will do nothing for any situation regarding stress or relaxation-  it will just lead to another and another for 100 years- (stink like hell too)

 

you will very much like the change- an it doesn,t take that long-  we really are nicotine addicts- once you know that half the battle is won-

 

now,, pick up your sword,   and win this battle,,

  you got this,

RC

[etd]

Thanks for all the fierce words of encouragement. I'm at 22 hours without nicotine! I don't feel great but I don't feel as bad as I anticipated. I'm just allowing myself to rest, drink a lot of water and juice and eat what I want for the first 72 hours. I read a lot of old threads last night and watched some why quit videos so I am feeling ready for the fight.

[eriklamb]

you can do it.

[Evelyn]

If I had known earlier or believed earlier it's doable for everyone including me and you... I hadn't been addicted to NRT and smoking for 10 years, screwing my life up.

I am FREE now and SO HAPPY!

[etd]

you all give me so much hope!

[mfic]

just get past today- that's all that matters today,,

 

be solid- you got it, 

 

I did gum, I still do- it may surprise you,

 

RC

[El Bandito]

Hey ETD...

 

Great work! you are off and running.

 

Lots of solid advice above.

 

Listen up.

 

I'll tell you a secret.

 

Ready?

 

You quit. You are a non-smoker.

 

How does that feel? 

 

Cool isn't it? Simple as that, you are a non-smoker.

 

Well done you. Well done.

 

Now - lots of fun coming, as your body and mind adapts to this decision that you have made. They will adapt. all of ours did. They might give you a little trouble, they might not - but whether they do or not, it doesn't matter. You have chosen not to smoke. 

 

Therefore you don't.

 

Did I say Well Done?

[Still winning]

you all give me so much hope!

Have all that hope and more. All you have to do is not smoke today, not smoke now and if you want to...read, distract, educate. Then go to sleep and wake up the next day alive and well...and we do it again. Don't over think, don't let yourself panic and don't let errant thoughts grow in your mind as smoking was never great and mostly, we didn't want to be smokers when it comes down to it...the price was too heavy in so many ways.

 

So break it down and keep up the excellent work! make sure you treat yourself too, it's an amazing gift you are giving to yourself and you deserve the treats!

 

x

[Tyme2B]

How is it going etd? One day at a time was my motto at your stage. I tried NRT gum to come off the cigarettes a little more easily at the beginning but bleeding gums & hair loss, losing dental fillings plus warning posts on this board made me realize I was still addicted to nicotine & I was going to have to stop it at sometime. I only wanted to do this quit one last time for life. Nicotine affects way too many systems in our body as I quickly learned with the education provided on this site. I traded in the niicotine gum for regular gum & it worked extremely well for me....still does if I am anxious. My biggest problem was insomnia brought on by anxiety. I have been on meds for anxiety for years & a med adjustment was required after nicotine was taken out of the equation. My Doctor worked with me on this & I am doing well now. See your Doc right away if you experience problems with your meds. I waited thinking I could tough it out...I should have seen my Doc sooner. Nicotine unfortunately masks conditions & adjustment of meds may be required with nicotine withdrawl from your system. Joel has excellent info in his videos on this topic warning that your body was treated while you were using nicotine. Stimulus changes to dopamine receptors as nicotine is removed from your body. Med adjustments work. You an do this! It takes persaverence & dedication. You really have to want it. You have to want to live! Wishing you the very best of luck in your journey. You are doing amazing! Good job.

[Ria]

Hello Etd!

 

I'm also wondering how you are!??

 

Other than what previous posters have said, I have only this;....

 

It's really a mental thing... nicotine affects the brain... but luckily, not as badly as heroine, alcohol etc... as in, the physical "withdrawals", if any, are TRULY minimal in comparision!

 

My best friend has increased her smoking levels to 100 per day at times!!!!? I keep asking her "why do you find the time?"...

THAT in itself is another point.... she has no hobbies, interests inside or outside the home, lives alone, so sits all day, (other than when she's in bed) and smokes! (then starts on the Port/Tawny, whatever we call it now)

 

ok... getting to the point.... I tend to 'butterfly'

 

On the 2nd June, I picked her up from hospital day surgery, where she'd had a skin graft on the crown of her head, after 'cancer' removal!.... this is not the 1st time, which was along her forehead/hairline..... but the 1st time for skin grafting, which came from her neck....

 

The nurse saw her to the car, and off she went.... bearing in mind, my friend had been there since 9.45am that morning, and it was now 6.30pm....

Guess what she wanted???? yep!!! I said "J... you've been without 1 for over 8 hours, it's freezing here, can't you wait till we get home?".... (20 mins maybe...)

My God!!! I couldn't believe the face she pulled!!! never seen it before, never want to see it again, and we've been friends a LONG time! Of course, I had to get out of the car, as couldn't leave her outside alone.... and stand with her.....

 

Since I quit the 1st time, in 2005, I've never smoked inside anything... car, house, whatever! (I used to smoke in the shower, but that's another tale... :lol: )  so when I STUPIDLY started again, I smoked only on the balcony.... which is where my friend just about LIVES when she's here!! 

 

Anyway.... back to the point.... she was VERY happy! relieved that the op had gone well... etc etc.....

Was laughing and making jokes.... as soon as the nurse left, her MENTAL addiction kicked in..... she was physically fine! Even with this huge wound on her head!!! But the poor thing was obviously convinced that she wouldn't "make it home" after all she'd been through, without a smoke 1st... which, I might add, made her feel dizzy!!

 

there were NO PHYSICAL WITHDRAWALS!!!! just mental! she'd even eaten a sandwich they gave her and 2 cups of tea!!

 

I'm wondering if that experience isn't a HUGE reason I pushed to quit when I did!!! I'd "cut down" (hate that expression) to a pack every other day.... i.e. 25 lasted me approx 48 hours... give/take  

 

ALL the very BEST ETD!!! I'm SURE you'll be fine!!! xox