Nicotine withdrawal... Is this normal??

[tryingtochange]

I'm five days into quitting my beloved Marlboro smokes and I can't hardly get out of bed. I can't sleep at night and my anxiety is through the roof. Maybe I don't remember correctly but I think this is just as bad as my opiate withdrawal almost three years ago. Actually I quit smoking and opiates at the same time and felt just like this. Who would have though cigarettes could do this. I have smoked a pack and half a day for 18 years except for when I quit for a few months almost three years ago. But hey, I never touched another opiate again after that greatly due to support from this site!!!

[tryingtochange]

Thank you, and I hope I feel better soon too lol :)

[toothfairie]

Congrats on day 6!!  hope you feel better soon....just hang in there!  you can be my role model....lol  

[tryingtochange]

Well day six of not smoking. It still ***** tremendously lol. I can deal with the not smoking aspect no problem. My problem is the anxiety, insomnia, and no appetite. I hope this all starts to get better soon, at least a little better :)

[tryingtochange]

Thank you both very much it helps to hear what I'm going through is not abnormal lol. Oh, and as far as the Xanax, I really try not to take it unless it's an emergency. You see I have always had a little anxiety and an occasional panic attack but never had to take anything I would just go lay down for a while or something of that sort. But while getting off these cigarettes WOW that's all I can say. Anxiety through the roof!!

[ariley13]

I didn't have an appetite at first either. It was probably around the 2 week mark when my appetite came back and it was a beast!! It's kind of similar to opiate detox. You feel yucky at first, and are consumed with the anxiety, then you start getting an appetite that won't quit! If you have to take the Xanax, take it and just be careful. It's pretty common for drs to prescribe some sort of anxiety med when you quit smoking, if only to help with sleep. Take it when you absolutely have to, then be done with it. You should be getting through the worst of it very soon. Just watch out for those cravings! Good luck to you!

[tryingtochange]

Sure does make me feel better hearing that's its normal. And yes I'm getting horrible panic attacks too. I went to the ER on my second day quit thinking I was surely having a heart attack. They did tons of tests and then just gave me a script for Xanax. It scares me to take anything but I have had to a few times this week or I would have been back to the ER again. One other thing, everyone says they get hungry and eat all the time when they quit. Well I have been quit for five days now and still have almost zero appetite. I have to force myself to drink ensure or take one bite of something. Maybe it's just my nerves/stress but I pray to God constantly that this anxiety goes away soon. I'm pretty much bed ridden right now.

[ROSYouralright]

Cigarettes are a mutha to quit and even harder to stay away from!! What you are experiencing is very normal!! Find things to keep yourself busy... It will even out...