Anxiety
Has anyone had bad experiences with Anxiety? I was a pack a day smoker for 39 years and have never once tried to stop. I quit 42 days ago by going "cold turkey" - I have had no NRT whatsoever but never realised it would be as hard as it has been. I read Alan Carrs guide to stopping smoking and thought that it would be a lot easier - I never realised how bad nicotine addiction was. After the first 24 hours I cried non stop almost like morning the death of a friend. Then I went through the foggy brain and then my teeth started to bleed every time I brushed them. I am suffering terribly with anxiety so much so I am now on beta-blockers. My sleeping is also not good. I managed to go a week on holiday as a non smoker and didnt find it that bad surprisingly but as soon as I got back yesterday all the anxiety came flooding back and I struggled for the whole day with an uncontrollable desire to smoke. It was so bad that I actually had 4 puffs of an old vape pen that I had in the cupboard (I dont consider this as a set back - it was the only thing I have had since I stopped). I also still have a cigarette in the cupboard which I am glad to say I didnt have.
I just wanted to know if anyone had any tips on how to deal with this terrible anxiety. I have tried breathing techniques, eating, listening to music, keeping busy - nothing helps. I was wondering whether to get some nicotine free cigarettes or nicotine free juice to use in my vape pen but wondered what people thought?
Hi Ali. Just read your story. I am now over 4 years quit and wanted to tell you it will definitely get better. I so identify with how you are experiencing quitting. I smoked for 53 years and quit cold turkey. In retrospect for me it was the best way to quit. However , like you , I had to experience wild emotions. This was all part of the cleansing process and my mind and body had to find new ways of dealing with the “ New Me “. Trust me you will come out the other side of this with a fantastic new look at life. For years our minds and bodies had been subjected to poisons on a daily basis. We need to readapt and this is what’s happening. Good luck. Dobbin
Thank you so much Dobbin. It does help knowing that im not alone in going through these things. I havnt heard many stories of people suffering with anxiety as bad as this. Today I am having another really bad day - the anxiety started at 4.30am and has not stopped yet and its now 10am. I am now reading up on hypoglycemia and the effects is has concerning anxiety. I have read that whilst smoking your body pumps out sugar and when you stop you suddernly have very low sugar levels which can cause anxiety. I am wondering if it could be this. We could do with a Doctor on this forum (ha ha). Can you remember how long it took for you to feel "normal" again?
In reality Ali I hadn’t felt normal since I first started smoking. Normal is me without the poisons of cigarettes. It is a process of gradually accepting a new you. I believe that I grabbed on to each milestone as stepping stones to freedom. Probably between 2 to 3 months I realized there was an end to the changes and the anxiety subsided bit by bit. I had to learn to slow down my thinking to suit my freedom. With regards to sugar. Totally agree. I ate toffee eclairs and drank small cups of extremely strong sweet coffee until the bad effects went totally. This was for about 4 months. Put on a stone but then lost it again. Hope this helps.
Thank you so much Dobbin. It does help knowing that im not alone in going through these things. I havnt heard many stories of people suffering with anxiety as bad as this. Today I am having another really bad day - the anxiety started at 4.30am and has not stopped yet and its now 10am. I am now reading up on hypoglycemia and the effects is has concerning anxiety. I have read that whilst smoking your body pumps out sugar and when you stop you suddernly have very low sugar levels which can cause anxiety. I am wondering if it could be this. We could do with a Doctor on this forum (ha ha). Can you remember how long it took for you to feel "normal" again?