quitting smoking=insomnia, anxiety?

Posted by ellen on August 05, 1999 at 14:29:34

I've been a pack-a-day smoker for the last 13 years (i'm now 30). I've always
been in pretty good health, although I do occasionally have anxiety attacks.
I've attempted quitting smoking a few times and always go back, however, I have
cut down to two cigarettes a day in the last week. Since then, I have been
having trouble sleeping, I'm coughing or clearning my throat what seems like
continously, I feel like I can't catch my breath, have some chest pain and it's
all making me so nervous that I feel like I'm constantly on the brink of an
anxiety attack. Is this normal? I've heard that initially when you quit or
radically cut back on smoking, you experience some discomfort--is that all this
is? Before the cut back, I felt fine.
Thanks for your time.



Posted by Debbie on August 09, 1999 at 14:55:35

When I quit smoking (4.5 years ago) I never had insomnia, but I did have the
other symptoms you list (coughing, clearing the throat, and chest pain). Also, I
got dizzy sometimes, I was very jumpy at times, and I coughed up a lot of brown
junk from my lungs. These symptoms went away after about 3 months. It's hard to
quit smoking, but try to put up with the withdrawal symptoms because you'll be
better off in the long run. Good luck!



Posted by SA, M.D. - HVMA on August 16, 1999 at 08:52:24

Dear Ellen,

Folks like you who are prone to anxiety are more likely to become smokers in
the first place, often experience increased anxiety when they try to quit (the
insomnia may be due to a combination of anxiety and coughing), and typically may
have an especially tough time to quitting, especially without getting some extra
help. It would be a good idea for you to consult with some smoking cessation
specialists, and to consider both pharmacotherapy and relaxation treatment, both
of which could relieve some of your current discomfort and increase the odds
that you will succeed. People who get the right kind of help have a much better
track record than those who try to "do it on their own."

For much more on smoking cessation, take a look at http://www.drsteve.org .

DrSteve

The information provided is for general medical education purposes only, and
not a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment provided by your physician.

keywords: smoking, cessation, anxiety, panic, insomnia